Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Apr 15: Army chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag today called upon the top Army Commanders to remain in the state of high operational preparedness to meet challenges on the borders and internal areas from the militants, who continued to make efforts to disturb peace in Jammu and Kashmir.
Presiding over the three hours long meeting of top Army Commanders of Udhampur based Northern Command, Chandigarh headquartered Western Command and Shimla stationed Army Training Command apart from General Officers Commanding (GOCs) of all three Corps of Jammu and Kashmir this afternoon, Gen Suhag lauded performance of the troops and hoped they would continue to maintain high state of alert in Jammu and Kashmir to thwart evil designs of the militants.
Several important issues like situation along China borders in Ladakh and Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) with Pakistan, summer strategy to deal with militants when snow will melt on higher reaches, building infrastructure like construction of roads along China and Pakistan borders  right up to Zero Line and securing land for firing ranges figured in the meeting.
The high level meeting was attended by Army chief Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag, Northern Command chief Lt Gen DS Hooda, Western Command chief Lt Gen KJ Singh, GOC-in-C Army Training Command, Shimla Lt Gen Sanjeev Madhok, GOC Nagrota based 16 Corps Lt Gen KH Singh, GOC Srinagar based 15 Corps Lt Gen Subrata Saha and GOC Leh based 14 Corps Lt Gen BS Negi.
The Army chief, who reached the Northern Command Headquarters in Udhampur this morning, will return to New Delhi tomorrow morning after getting the feedback on all aspects of the situation in Jammu and Kashmir and would brief Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar later.
The meeting of the Army chief with top Army Commanders assumed significance as it came just four days after four top Army Commanders including Lt Gen Hooda and all three GOCs of 14, 15 and 16 Corps had dinner meeting with Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed along with Director General of Police (DGP) K Rajendra. Though the meeting was described as `social gathering’, there had been reports that partial withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from some parts of Jammu and Kashmir had figured in the meeting.
Sources said the Army chief took feedback from top Army Commanders on the situation prevailing along China border in Eastern Ladakh, LoC and IB with Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir and steps required to meet any challenges on the borders.
While no major incursion has been reported along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh, the Army chief was briefed by the Commanders about presence of the large number of militants camping along LoC and IB on Pakistan side awaiting opportunities to sneak into this side from across.
“The internal security situation including number of the militants operating in Jammu and Kashmir and steps taken to thwart their designs to disturb tourist season in summer and annual Amarnath ji pilgrimage starting July 2 also figured prominently in the meeting,” sources said, adding “the rear area security was also becoming cause of concern for the troops in view of militant attacks on Army and police camps in Samba and Kathua districts on March 20 and 21”.
The Army Commanders also deliberated on the State Government seeking views on partial withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from some peaceful areas of the State.
Western Army Commander Lt Gen KJ Singh reportedly briefed the Army chief about security scenario in the areas under control of his Command including Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts and steps required to plug infiltration routes to prevent Samba and Kathua like attacks.
The Army chief is reported to have been briefed about the problems faced by the Army due to shortage of land for firing ranges especially after vacation of Tosa Maidaan and Kaleeth Army firing ranges, whose lease was not extended by the previous National Conference-Congress coalition Government.
Gen Suhag is reported to have asked the Army Commanders to take up the issue at Civil-Military Liaison Conference, which is scheduled to be convened shortly.
The March 12 Unified Headquarters meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed here had decided that the Civil-Military Liaison Conference will take up the issue of land for the firing ranges.
According to sources, the Disaster Management co-ordination between Army and civil administration also figured in the meeting. Army had played important role in September 2014 floods in the State and was also put on alert during last month’s floods.
Sources said the Defence Minister would brief the Prime Minister about situation prevailing along the China frontiers as Narendra Modi is scheduled to visit China next month.
According to an official handout, Northern Command chief Lt Gen DS Hooda briefed the Army chief on overall security situation in the Command and relief operations undertaken by the Army for the people during recent heavy rains and snowfall in the Valley.
The Army chief inter-acted with other senior Commanders present at the Headquarters.
He addressed the commended all ranks for the recent operational successes and the high state of operational preparedness. He also complimented the officers and men of the Dhruva Command for extending humanitarian assistance to the people.

Fayaz Bukhari

SRINAGAR, Apr 15: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today described the killing of a youth in Tral area of Pulwama district as unfortunate incident, saying the Army should deal with the situation in the State cautiously.
Mufti told reporters on the sidelines of a function of distribution of cheques to the floods victims of last year’s deluge that killing of youth in Tral was unfortunate and said that they are ascertaining the facts. “It is an unfortunate incident. We will ascertain the facts in it like the case of killing of two youth in Budgam.. the Army also admitted that time,” he said.
The Chief Minister said such an incident should not have happened and the Government would bring out the facts. “Such an incident should not have happened. I do not want to go into the details as it would not be right. Inquiries happen every time, but we will really ascertain the facts in this case,” he said.
Asked about the different statements from Army and State police over the incident, Sayeed said “there are no different statements. The situation is very complex here and Army should deal with it cautiously”.
Earlier, while addressing a function Chief Minister said Kashmir is a political issue and every stakeholder needs to be taken along to address it. “It is a political issue. This uncertainty needs to be addressed. I want to tell those people (separatists) that I understand their viewpoint as well. That has to be addressed too. That needs to be engaged too”, he added.
Chief Minister said that country has to improve its relations with Pakistan. “The relations with our neighbours, Pakistan, is also needed. They also stood up..everyone stood up together to fight this… The SAARC is the ladder to take the development of India forward, but I do not want to go into those details,” he said.
Mufti said his aim is not the chair of the Chief Minister but to make the State an epitome of peace and love. “My aim is to make Jammu and Kashmir an epitome of peace and love. I told my party to give the post of the Deputy Speaker in the Assembly to the opposition. We have to involve them as well. I said the Deputy Chairman in the Upper House should be from Congress. We have to be inclusive. We have to work on a wider canvass and take everyone along. We are not the only solution but have to be inclusive and take everyone along,” he said.
Chief Minister said the September floods were the worst in the last 150 years.  “They washed away our everything. But it is the time to forget the past and look towards the future,” he said.
Mufti said the Government was duty-bound to provide relief to those affected by the floods. Around 650 traders and 400 destitute, including women, who were affected by the floods were provided relief.
“In the first phase we will cover 650 traders, who had suffered loses up to rupees five lakh and were given relief of rupees one lakh from Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. In the second phase, the Government would provide rupees two lakh to those traders who suffered loses up to rupees 10 lakh”, he said. He also said that damaged infrastructure will be also given top priority and everything will be brought to rails by this summer. Another 1,000 victims of Srinagar district will be provided cash relief once their verification process is completed.
Chief Minister said that last year’s floods was a huge humanitarian crisis and people have gone through very difficult times and restoration of their livelihoods is on top of his agenda.
“I cannot rest till I compensate one and all. I have seen destruction and hopelessness surrounding us. Revival of assets and income will help rebuild lives of those who lost everything in floods,” Mufti said.
Chief Minister said that floods adversely affected the economic growth of the State and assured that Government will go step-by-step in providing relief to the people.
“Besides traders, we will also provide Rs. 50,000 each to the destitute. We disbursed relief in Srinagar today. The victims in Anantnag and Pulwama will be provided compensation tomorrow, to be followed by the victims of other districts,” Mufti said.
“In my meeting with the Prime Minister, I have been assured of support in rehabilitating the affected populace and rebuilding infrastructure,” Chief Minister said and asserted he will only demand that much of funds from the Centre, which is the actual requirement of the State.
Mufti said that Government will take all pre-emptive measures to prevent any future threat from floods.  He appreciated the preventive measures taken by the administration in informing the public and thwarting the flood threat due to prolonged periods of rain recently. He said he will seek expertise in designing houses that can withstand the fury of floods. “We will be seeking technical help in developing calamity-resistant prototypes,” he stated and added that in future through better coordination of various agencies involved, advance information on threats posed by natural calamities will be made available to the people.
Chief Minister said the Government will go whole hog in restoring private infrastructure as well. “The damage to the houses has been unprecedented. Although the previous Government provided compensation to the victims under SDRF norms, we will leave no stone unturned to adequately compensate those whose houses have been fully or partially damaged,” he added.
Mufti said that last 50 years were difficult for the State of Jammu and Kashmir. He said that there are ways and means which we have to explore to bring the State out of political uncertainty. “I could have become the Chief Minister two months earlier. I have my goals. Politics is the art of possibilities, managing contradictions,” he said while emphasizing to take the peace process forward.
Chief Minister said his Government will facilitate and help to initiate a sustained and meaningful dialogue with all internal stakeholders. “In 2002, when I was the Chief Minister, we took several steps that ensured peace on borders from Kargil to Kathua,” he added.
Deputy Chief Minister, Dr  Nirmal Singh, while addressing the gathering, said the Government is pledged to compensate the traders and destitute who were suffered in the September deluge. He said the Government is aware about the difficulties being faced by those shopkeepers who saw their assets washed away in last year’s floods. “The Government, with help from Central Government, will take all required measures to help the people who are in need,” he added.
Singh said that PDP-BJP Government will bridge the gap between the three regions of the State and will develop the State on modern lines.
Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Relief & Rehabilitation, Basharat Bukhari, said that Government is pursuing the relief package with the Centre submitted by the previous Government. He said that biggest challenge is to stop future floods in Kashmir.
Minister for PHE, I&FC, Sukhnandan Kumar said that Government will remove encroachments from the banks of river Jhelum and some people may face difficulty but they have to bear it for the betterment of the posterity.
Minister for Public Works, Floriculture, Gardens & Parks, Syed Altaf Bukhari also spoke on the occasion.

Excelsior Correspondent

REASI, Apr 15: Three persons died and six others were critically injured when a minibus rolled down in a deep gorge at Garhi Gundi near Arnas, here today.
The accident took place when the minibus, bearing registration number JK02AL-3818, was on its way from Narloo to Gaadi. Three persons reportedly died on the spot while six others sustained injuries.  Four of the critically injured have been referred to District Hospital Reasi and two others were admitted in PHC Arnas.
The deceased were identified   as Satvir Singh alias Munna (19), son of Mohinder Singh of Panasa, Gulshan Singh (16), son of Rattan Singh of Garhi Gundi and Shivtan Singh (27), son of Tara Mani of Gabbar. Shibtaan Singh was SPO and presently posted at Police Post Thanol.
The critically injured, who have been referred to DH Reasi, were identified as Manoj (15), son of Sukhdev Singh of Gaadi, Parkash Chand (30), son of Suraj Ram of Kasedi, Sansar (50), son of Kirpa Ram of Gaadi and   Satvir Singh (15), son of Naseeb Singh of  Gaadi
Other two, admitted at PHC Arnas, were; Sunita Devi (38), wife of Angrez Singh of Gabbar and Jooza Devi (35), wife of Lal Singh of Gaadi.

*Existing power tariff to continue till July end

Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, Apr 15: Taking serious note of repeated non-adherence to the time schedule for filing tariff petition in accordance with laid down regulations, the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) is all set to summon top officers of the Power Development Department within next some days to explain their conduct. In the meantime, the SERC has extended the validity of last year’s tariff up to July ending, which means consumers of all categories will be charged the existing tariff for first four months of the current financial year.
As per Sub-Regulation (4) of Regulation 47 of (Conduct of Business) Regulations, 2005 and Sub-Regulation (2) of Regulation 12 of JK SERC (Multi Year Distribution Tariff) Regulation, 2012, the Power Development Department was required to file the petition for Annual Performance Review (APR) and Tariff Proposals for financial year 2015-16 before the Commission by November 30, 2014.
This was imperative in order to give the Commission a reasonable period of 120 days to examine the proposals and to complete procedural requirements, which include putting the proposal in public domain, taking suggestions from State Advisory Committee and holding of public hearings at Jammu and Srinagar to elicit response of the stakeholders on the proposals of the PDD.
However, the PDD failed to file APR and Tariff Petition as per the prescribed time schedule and on November 18, 2014 it filed a petition seeking extension in the date of filing of Tariff Petition up to January 30, 2015 on the pretext of damage to its record in September 2014 floods and Assembly elections in the State.
When this petition came up for hearing on December 8, 2014, the Commission, while reluctantly extending the timeline, directed the PDD to file Annual Performance Review and Tariff Petition by or before December 31, 2014. However, again PDD failed to ensure compliance. Later, the PDD filed Petition of Annual Performance Review for the financial year 2014-15 on January 8, 2015 but the same did not contain any tariff proposal for financial year 2015-16.
Even in the APR petition information gaps and data discrepancies were observed and the same was returned to PDD with the direction to furnish the requisite information as pointed out in the deficiency note within a period of seven days. Again, PDD officers failed to adhere to the time line prompting the Commission to issue reminders to the department.
Later, the PDD filed two petitions. Through the first petition, the PDD sought continuance of distribution tariff of financial year 2014-15 for first four months of financial year 2015-16 for all categories of consumers on the ground that PDD being a Government department has to seek various approvals including budgetary support to meet the gap between the revenue and the expenditure before filing the complete petition. Through the second petition, the PDD prayed for condonation of the delay in submission of petition related to distribution business.
During the course of hearing before the Commission on March 13, 2015, the officers of the PDD submitted that in view of the Budget Session of State Legislature, there may be some more delay in seeking necessary approval of the Government. However, they assured the Commission that the petition would be filed by April 10, 2015.
While directing PDD to file the tariff petition positively by April 10, 2015, the Commission dubbed the PDD a habitual defaulter and mentioned that it seldom adheres to the time schedule prescribed for filing such petitions.
“Every year on one pretext or the other, the condonation of delay is being solicited leaving no alternative with the Commission but to grant the same with reluctance”, the Commission had observed in its order dated March 13, adding “we on record have cautioned the PDD to be careful and meticulous about adhering to time schedules fixed under the Act and Regulations on these more important and vital subjects”.
With these observations, the Commission had directed the PDD to streamline and institutionalize the arrangements for ensuring timely submission of these petitions by establishing a proper regulatory cell in the department on the analogy of Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation so that such delays are avoided in future. The Commission had also made it clear that it would not be accepting any excuses for such delays.
“Despite severe strictures from the Commission on repeated non-adherence to the time schedules, the PDD has failed to meet the deadline of April 10”, sources said, adding “this has been viewed very seriously by the Commission, which has decided to summon top officers of the department within next few days to explain their conduct and adopting contemptuous attitude towards the Commission’s directives”.
When contacted, Development Commissioner Power, Asgar Ali said, “we cannot submit petition containing tariff proposals on our own. We have to obtain permissions from so many quarters”, adding “as and when such permissions are obtained the petition would be filed before the Commission”.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 15: On the first day after assuming the charge of office, Chairman/Chief Executive Councilor, LAHDC Kargil, Haji Mohammad Hanifa Jan today appointed four new Executive Councilors and alloted them portfolios.
Those appointed as Executive Councilors in LAHDC Kargil  were Ghulam Rasool Nagvi, Councilor Bhimbat, Aga Syed Mujtaba, Councilor Trespone, Aga Syed Abass Rizvi, Councilor Tai-Suru and Tsering Angdus, Councilor Karsha.
Ghulam Rasool Naqvi was appointed as Executive Councilor for Works, Power, Education, Geology and Mining while Aga Syed Mujtaba was appointed as Executive Councilor for CA&PD and Social Welfare.
Aga Syed Abass Rizvi was appointed as Executive Councilor for Rural Development, Handloom and Handicraft while Tsering Angdus was appointed as Executive Councilor for Agriculture, Sheep, Animal, Command Area and Zanskar Affairs.
Official sources said rest of the departments will be held by the Chairman himself.
The newly appointed Executive Councilors took over charge of their respective departments today.
The post of CEC is equivalent to Cabinet Minister whereas Executive Councilors hold the rank of Deputy Ministers as per LAHDC Act.