Excelsior Correspondent

AKHNOOR, Apr 8: Launching a scathing attack on PDP-BJP for allegedly exploiting religious and regional sentiments of the people during the recent elections, the Congress today asked the two parties to explain their common ground for entering into a coalition for the formation of the Government as they secured mandate by assuring people to check mate each other from power.
Addressing a largely attended public meeting at Akhnoor today, JKPCC chief G A Mir said that there was no parallel example of such a unique coalition of ‘North pole and South pole’ political forces just to share power, on the basis of mandates secured by the two ideologically opposite parties after pitting the people against each other on religious & regional lines. “This is worst ever opportunist politics, never heard in the country. Their only common goal is to secure and retain power by hook or crook,” he alleged.
The public meeting, organized by JKPCC senior vice president and former Minister Sham Lal Sharma, was attended by a host of senior party leaders.
PCC chief said that PDP exploited the people in Kashmir on the assurance to stop BJP from coming to power while the BJP sought mandate to check the dynastic politics of PDP and for empowerment of Jammu regions. “The two parties conveniently forgot their rhetorics and slogans to share power against the mandate of respective electorate, which is totally opportunist and unholy alliance in the State,” he said.
Mir also announced that the Congress would expose the anti people policies of the BJP Government in the Centre which has failed to deliver on a single promise so far. He said that falsehood of the BJP on prices, dealing with terrorism, developmental matters and rehabilitation of border residents, refugees, welfare of Kisans and the rehabilitation of rain and flood victims is exposed.
The PCC president urged the Congress workers to be more assertive and vocal on all issues as a responsible opposition. He also asked them to gear up for upcoming elections to the Local Bodies in the State, which are very essential for strengthening the democracy at the grass root level.
Senior vice president PCC, Sham Lal Sharma also criticized the BJP for its weak kneed politics in the coalition and accused the party of surrendering and bartering the interests of the people of Jammu region to share power with PDP. He questioned why the BJP failed to deliver on its promise of securing a CM post for Jammu despite an equal strength to the PDP besides surrendering on its slogan of Abrogation of Article 370, citizenship to West Pakistan Refugees and one time settlement of PoK Refugees, delimitation of Assembly segments amongst many such promises.
Accusing BJP of betraying Jammu region by reversing its decision on AIIMS at Jammu, Mr Sharma said that Congress would not remain silent on the sell out of the interests of Jammu people. He asked Congress workers to get ready for any struggle to get the due rights of the people and to secure the just and genuine share of power to Jammu region in every sphere.
Former MP Madan Lal Sharma, CLP Leader Nawang Rigzin Jora, Mula Ram, Raman Bhalla, R S Chib, Mohammad Anwar Bhat, Kanta Bhan, Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, Manjit Singh, Thakur Manmohan Singh, Faqir Nath, Indu Pawar, Shiv Dev Singh, Namrata Sharma, Kuldip Raj Verma, Oma Shanker Pandey, Anil Chopra, Pranav Shagotra, Neeraj Gupta, Dr Rashid Choudhary, Satish Sharma, Sanjeev Sharma and others also spoke on the occasion.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 8: Congress MLAs today staged walkout in protest against alleged failure of the PDP-BJP Coalition Government to airlift the body of a policeman killed in terrorist attack in Shopian area of Kashmir valley on Monday.
As soon as the Legislative Assembly assembled this morning, Congress MLAs started protest accusing Coalition Government of showing disrespect to the martyr.
“We had requested the Government to make special arrangements for airlifting of the martyr’s body to Leh so that his last rites could be performed but even on the third day after the killing, the Government has not been able to airlift the body”, Congress Legislature Party leader, Nawang Rigzin Jora said.
As there was no response from the Government, the agitating Congress MLAs from Ladakh region left their seats and moved towards the Well of the House amidst “Zaalim Sarkar Hai Hai” and “Be-reham Sarkar Hai Hai” slogans.
“Had there been some sort of humane element in this Government, it could have pressed State chopper into service to airlift the body of martyr so as to facilitate his family members to lay it to rest as per the rituals”, Jora further said.
Minister of State for Cooperatives, Chering Dorje said that body could not be shifted due to bad weather and Government would try to airlift the body today itself. He also accused the Congress MLAs of playing politics over the issue.
Even Speaker Kavinder Gupta intervened and tried to convince the agitating Congress MLAs on delay in airlifting of body but their efforts failed to yield any result as ruckus continued to prevail in the House.
Later, Minister for Social Welfare and Forest, Bali Bhagat intervened and informed the House as well as agitating Congress MLAs that body would be airlifted this afternoon in Air India flight.
What special arrangements you have made in this regard? Jora asked, adding “if the dead body would be flown in the routine flight of Air India where is the Government’s intervention which we had sought three days back”. He further said, “we could have done it ourselves…the family could have done it. It is the worst humiliation that you can heap on the family of the martyred policeman”.
On this, Forest Minister said, “our Government gives full respect to the martyrs who laid down their lives for the country. Our heart goes for the families of these brave policemen who lost their lives while defending the country”, adding “an officer of the level of Superintendent of Police will accompany the body of the martyr”.
Unsatisfied with the Government’s response, Congress MLAs staged walkout in protest. However, Congress legislator from Banihal, Vikar Rasool did not take part in the walkout.
Talking to media-persons outside the Assembly, Congress Legislature Party leader blamed the present Coalition Government for the spurt in the militancy activities. “PDP’s extra-indulgent attitude to militants and their masters across the border is dangerous for the State”, he said, adding “if this attitude of the coalition continues the security forces will get demoralized”.
In the afternoon, Government airlifted the body of martyr in State chopper. MoS Cooperative Chering Dorje accompanied the body.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 8: Army will set up three Engineer Territorial Army Units in Jammu and Kashmir and the recruitment process for 1200 vacancies will begin soon, officials said today.
“Army will raise three Engineer Territorial Army units in Jammu and Kashmir soon and Government of India has already sanctioned these units for the state,” PRO Defence, Northern Command, Colonel S D Goswami said.
Two of these units will be raised for Kashmir and one for Jammu Region. The Territorial Army (TA) is part of the regular Indian Army, he said.
The present role of the TA is to relieve the Regular Army from static duties and assist civil administration in dealing with natural calamities and maintenance of essential services in situations where life of the communities is affected or the security of the country is threatened, and to provide units for the Regular Army as and when required, Goswami added.
The Territorial Army in India is an organization of volunteers who receive military training for a few days in a year so that in case of an emergency they can be mobilized for the defence of the country, the spokesman said. (PTI)

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 8: Saying that Coalition Government will work hard to develop all the areas of the State with modern and need-based infrastructural facilities, Speaker Legislative Assembly Kavinder Gupta today said that all the departments are working in an organized manner for ensuring better services to the people.
Kavinder Gupta stated this after laying foundation stone of Sulabh Toilet Complex at Channi Himmat near Cremation Ground.
The Complex will be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 9.60 lakh by Jammu Municipal Corporation with toilet facilities for both males as well as females.
MLA Kathua Rajiv Jasrotia was also present on the occasion.
Lauding the role of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), Mr. Gupta said that the Corporation is making best possible efforts to maintain cleanliness in the City of Temples and keep the lanes, drains in various localities in good condition. He also asked them to ensure provision of hygienic services besides regular maintenance of Sulabh toilet complexes for the convenience of general masses.
He called upon the people to protect public property in their respective areas, adding that these assets are meant for their convenience and need to be protected.
Endorsing Prime Minister’s initiatives like creation of Smart Cities, Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, etc Mr. Gupta said that Union Government under the leadership of Narendra Modi is determined for developing State on modern lines by providing required infrastructure and other modern facilities.
He also informed that possibilities are also being explored for opening of new Anganwadis centers in the area.
While highlighting various Centrally and State sponsored schemes, the Speaker stressed upon the people to draw maximum benefits of these schemes for their socio-economic development. He also assured the people that their demands mainly related to safe drinking water, uninterrupted power supply and installation of transformers and high mask lights in different areas would be addressed at the earliest.
Among others, Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation Soujanya Kumar Sharma, Joint Commissioner JMC Kapil Sharma, XEn JMC Arvind Gupta besides other senior officers was also present on the occasion.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 8: The Minister for Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Ch Zulfkar Ali convened a meeting with the Director General Border Roads Organization, (BRO) Lt Gen R M Mittal in Delhi and discussed the progress of various roads undertaken by the Organization in the State.
Detailed deliberations were held on various projects including four lanning of Jammu-Poonch road, double lanning of Rajouri to Buddhal road, construction of tunnel from Thanna to Buffliaz besides expediting the pace of work on Rajouri to Buddhal road.
Regarding restoration of public utilities, the Minister asked the BRO to put in every effort in restoring various roads and bridges which were damaged during floods, landslides and rains in the State. He also asked the DG to speed up the pace on all the roads being executed by the BRO in the State.
Highlighting the importance of road connectivity in a hilly State like Jammu and Kashmir, the minister emphasized the need for restoring and maintaining the road network from time to time in the difficult and hilly terrain to provide road connectivity to the people living in the remote and border areas.
“There is dire need for adopting sustained efforts for restoration and completion of various projects within the envisaged time schedule,” he maintained.
Later, the Minister also called on Union Minister for Tribal Affairs Jual Oram and discussed various issues related to welfare of tribal population.
During the meeting, the minister discussed the proposals of the State Government presently under the consideration of Union Tribal Ministry which includes construction of three Eklavya residential schools, Enhancement of funds under Post Matric and Pre-Matric Scholarships for ST students besides release of more funds for completion of ongoing projects in the State.