Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 19: Defence Minister Arun Jaitley said today that India has regularly been taking up with China the issue of transgressions by Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) through various channels including diplomatic, meetings at local level and other working mechanisms.
Admitting that transgressions do occur along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) with China in Ladakh, Jaitley, however, maintained that there had been no encroachment/incursion of Indian territory by China.
In a series of replies in the Parliament on incursions by China in Ladakh and other parts of North Eastern India including Arunachal Pradesh, Jaitley said: “there is no commonly delineated LAC between India and China. There are areas along the border where India and China have differing perception of LAC. Due to both sides undertaking patrolling up to their respective perception of the LAC, transgressions do occur. However, no incursion/encroachment of Indian territory by China has taken place along the India-China border”.
He added that India regularly takes up any transgression with the Chinese side through established mechanisms such as flag meetings, border personnel meetings and normal diplomatic channels like Working Mechanism on Consultation and Coordination on India-China Border Affairs etc wherein they are guided by provisions of various agreements between the two countries.
Jaitley said the Government is fully seized of security needs of the country and steps as required are taken for strengthening and optimizing the force structure to cater to the external threats envisaged along the border.
“The capability development is a dynamic process and it is the constant endeavour of the Government to keep our Defence forces at maximum level of operational preparedness at all times,” he asserted.
During past fortnight, three transgressions by Chinese PLA have been reported in Leh-one in Pangong lake, where the PLA jawans had intruded deep inside the Indian borders before retreating and two in Chumar.
Jaitley said the Government of India is aware of Chinese participating in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR) in development projects like ports as well as in anti-piracy operations and deep sea mining.
He said: “the Government keeps a constant watch on all developments concerning the country’s national security and economic interests and takes necessary measures to safeguard them in accordance with prevailing security situation and strategic considerations”.
Asserting that the Government regularly reviews the threat perception to secure the borders and protect national interests, Jaitley said appropriate measures were taken from time to time to maintain and upgrade the country’s defence preparedness along the borders to safeguard sovereignty, territorial integrity and security of India.
However, he declined to disclose certain information sought in the Parliament on the ground that it will be prejudicial to security of the country.
“The areas along LAC are being kept under surveillance by regular patrolling and other aerial, optronic and electronic means,” Jaitley said.
The Defence Minister said modernization of the Armed Forces is an ongoing process done in accordance with 15 year long Term Integrated Perspective Plan, the five Year Services Capital Acquisition Plan and the Annual Acquisition Plan.
“Adequate budgetary allocations have been made by the Government for modernization of Defence forces,” he added.
A provision of Rs 75148.03 crores has been kept for modernization of Defence forces during current financial year of 2014-15, he said. During 2013-14, Rs 66850.30 crores were incurred on modernization of the forces, he added.

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, July 19: An eerie calm prevailed along the International Border (IB) in Arnia sector today after last two days of intense firing but the people stayed indoors and refrained from cultivation of paddy crop anticipating fresh firing from across the border.
Official reports and eyewitnesses said there was no firing from Pakistan side in entire Arnia sector since last night, which has restored confidence among the panic-stricken people to some extent but still the people refrained from venturing out of their houses except for purchasing essential commodities.
The people preferred to stay indoors in forward villages of Arnia sector including Pittal and Pindi, which had witnessed intense firing on Thursday and the intervening night of Thursday and Friday leading to death of one BSF jawan and injuries to seven others including three BSF personnel and four civilians.
Reports said the BSF remained on very high alert all along the International Border throughout the last night and during the day today but there was no firing from the Pakistan side.
The people said they would move out in the fields to cultivate paddy crop, whose season was on, only when they feel fully safe.
“Presently, we are distressed after Thursday’s heavy firing on the civilians in which several people working in the fields were trapped for two to three hours,’’ the people said, adding they would not risk their lives over the crop.
“Of course, crop is essential for us but we would go to the fields only when the firing is stopped as we can wait for sowing of the crop,’’ they said.
Reports said there had been no contact between the BSF and the Rangers after Thursday’s heavy firing so far.
“There was no flag meeting or hotline contact between the two,’’ they said, adding the flag meeting could be held only once complete normalcy was restored on the International Border.
It may be mentioned here that BSF and Rangers had held flag meeting at the IB in forward area of Chambliyal in Ramgarh sector on Wednesday, a day before the heavy firing erupted on the border.
The flag meeting had discussed previous two incidents of ceasefire violation by the Rangers in Arnia sector and cutting of grown up ‘sarkanda’ (wild grass) along the borders.

Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, July 19: A youth was today killed in an alleged Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) firing in Kulgam district of South Kashmir during protests against Israeli aggression in Gaza. At least two dozen persons including police men were injured in the clashes in the aftermath of the killing.
Deputy Inspector General of Police, South Kashmir range, Vijay Kumar told Excelsior that security forces opened fire to rescue Deputy Superintendent of Police (DySP) Headquarter Kulgam, Irshad Ahmad, who along with his escort were encircled by the mob at Qaimoh during protests. The mob tried to lynch a police constable when the security forces opened firing.
Kumar said an 18-year-old Suhail Ahmad Lone son of Ghulam Qadir Lone resident of Huwoora Mishipora in Kulgam was killed in the firing.
Reports said hundreds of people from Khudwani and Qaimoh villages took out an anti-Israel protest rally this afternoon. The protesters were also angry over the yesterday’s firing incident in which a youth had sustained bullet injury during anti-Israel protests in the area.
Reports said that when protesters reached Main Chowk Qaimoh near Government Higher Secondary School, the CRPF resorted to teargas shelling followed by firing on demonstrators in which Suhail sustained injuries in his abdomen.
The youth was rushed to Primary Health Centre Qaimoh and was later shifted to District Hospital Anantnag where doctors declared him brought dead.
After Suhail’s death, thousands of people took to streets and protested against his killing at Qaimoh and Khudwani. The protesters clashed with police at several places. Violent clashes also broke out in Anantnag town against the killing of youth. The clashes were going on till late in the evening in which at least two dozen people including police men were injured.
Thousands of people later participated in the funeral of the Suhail that was held at Jamia Masjid Qaimoh and later the body was taken to his native village in a procession where he was buried.
Qaimoh and Khudwani were partially shut since early morning against Friday’s firing incident in which a youth was injured.
The paramilitary CRPF denied that their men opened fire on protesters. The PRO CRPF Kishore Prasad said that their men have no role in Kulgam firing incident.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today hit out at those exploiting the people’s anger against death in Gaza.
“Anger over the death in Gaza is understandable, exploiting that anger is not,” Omar tweeted. He described the death of Suhail in Qaimoh today as “terrible tragedy”.
“The people organizing and orchestrating these protests need to ask themselves whether they feel any guilt over this youth’s death today,” Omar said.
He said the Government will inquire into the circumstances surrounding Suhail’s death and any unnecessary use of force of violation of Standard Operating Procedure (SOP).

Gopal Sharma

JAMMU, July 19: Perturbed over the defeat of the party in the country as well as in the J&K State by losing all the Lok Sabha seats, grass-root Congress workers today trained guns on their own party ministers  and openly spat venom on them alleging that they sacrificed their party agenda and manifesto and caused massive damage to the party at the cost of  `coalition partners’.
In presence of AICC general secretary and party incharge for J&K Ambika Soni, former Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Pradesh Congress Committee president Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz and AICC secretary Incharge J&K, Main-ul-Haq,  many speakers during one day convention of District Jammu (Rural/ Urban) here today, raised voice  against indiscipline, neglect of party workers by own ministers, massive corruption, sacrifice of own party agenda/ manifesto at the cost of coalition partners. They said the major issues of refugees/ displaced persons and providing powers to Panchayats were ignored and interests of Jammu region were also over looked. They strongly pleaded to do away with the alliance with National Conference in coming Assembly elections, give mandate to honest, dedicated and clean image candidates with winning potential and of course, declaring Mr Azad as Chief Ministerial candidate to save party from further damage in the State.
The convention was organised by the party leadership to go for self-introspection and seek feed back from the grass- root party workers at Panchayat, Ward, Block and District level and explore and discuss the reasons behind the party defeat during recent Lok Sabha elections. The top leadership also gave enough time to the party workers to listen to their view point and grievances for making further strategy for the coming Assembly elections.
Apparently, Ms Soni and Azad were not happy with the party ministers and declined to comment on the allegations of the workers on the plea that they were here to listen to the party cadre  and will take appropriate action after discussing the issues at the higher level. Mr Azad also politely refused to comment when asked whether Congress sacrificed its agenda  for the sake of NC in J&K.
Majority of the party ministers from the region including including Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Minister for PHE Sham Lal Sharma, Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Sports Raman Bhalla, Minister Incharge Cooperatives Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, Minister Incharge Revenue Ajaz Khan and Minister incharge  Technical Education, Power and RDD Vikar Rasool, apparently had to feel the `heat’ as many party leaders of lower and middle rung were found firing salvo on them. The workers strongly demanded that Congress should go for polls at its own in the coming elections. They pointed out that those indulging in the acts of indiscipline were being encouraged while the loyalists were ignored.
Strong resentment among the cadre against the ministers was observed, who openly alleged that some of the ministers even did not allow them to their offices/ official residences and refuse to listen to them. The dejected and ignored workers will not be able to campaign for the party under such circumstances. They demanded that only those people who want to deliver to public, work for dedication and are honest and have clean image, should be given party ticket. The corrupt people should be thrown out in the coming elections, if the party wants to see good performance this time, they pleaded.
Pradesh Youth Congress general secretary Manjit Singh Jatt pointed out that people of the country voted against corruption issue this time. Taking lesson from the massive defeat and own mistakes of past, party high command should not give ticket to the corrupt people. He admitted that there was massive corruption in the party and for the transfers in various departments lakhs of rupees are exchanged. Without naming any minister, he said that those who are corrupt, should not be given chance to contest elections. Only honest and clean image people be given mandate.
Another PCC leader Kanta Bhan expressed that women workers are not respected in the party. They are not treated properly even by own ministers and some senior leaders. She alleged that party has to give respect to the women if it wants to grow and progress. She also alleged neglect of the grass- root worker by ministers. She alleged that many of them are ministers for ‘self’  and do not listen and give respect to the party workers. She said party should declare potential and honest candidates at the earlist so that the `opportunists’ in the party get enough time to switch over to the other parties.
Darshan Raina from Jammu Rural, Madan Lal Kashyap from OBC Cell, C L Bhat from Migrant Cell,  KL Gupta,  Maheshwar Singh, Vinod Sharma, Gurmeet Singh, Gurdarshan Singh, Gambhir Charak,  Pawan Raina, Pranav Shagotra vice president PYC and others strongly expressed their view point  and said that  party has already suffered much damage in `coalition’ and workers would feel dejected if any alliance is forged with any party.
They demanded that Congress should fight elections at its own and clean image, loyalist and honest people be given mandate. Several former Ministers and legislators besides sitting MLAs were also present.  District president, Jammu Rural Suman Bhagat and Om Chopra president Jammu Urban also gave their view point and suggestions.
Speaking to the media persons at the sidelines of the convention, Mr Azad expressed serious concern over the incident of violence at Baltal,  base camp of  Shri Amarnath yatra in Sonamarg and maintained that the incident should not be viewed as `communal’. He said it was just a clash between the two groups of local and non-locals over a petty issue and the mischief mongers tried to flare it by spreading rumors. He said this annual yatra is symbol of  communal harmony and brotherhood as mostly Muslims including ponywallas, pithus etc offer their services to the Hindu pilgrims. The situation has been controlled and yatra also restored. He condemned the spat of violence and said that such incidents should not occur. He also sought inquiry into the matter and said that  guilty would be punished.
Replying to another question on ceasefire violations, the former Union Minister said during the past two months of NDA rule, many incidents of ceasefire violations and infiltration have taken place in the State. “The BJP leaders used to accuse UPA of weak Governance and weak Prime Minister Dr Singh.  A BSF jawan was killed and others were injured two days back in Jammu sector in Pak firing but there is no appropriate response from the Union Government,” Mr Azad maintained.
Commenting on bombing in Gaza in Palestinians, AICC general secretary Ambika Soni said that Congress has taken a stand in the both Houses of  Parliament and also stalled proceedings. The innocents are being killed in Palestine but unfortunately Modi led NDA Government was silent spectator. She said Indian Government right from Nehru era stood before top Palestinian leader Yassar Arafat and  Congress would continue to support that nation.  India should strongly speak against atrocities of Israel on Palestinians, she maintained.
Several senior party leaders including DyCLP leader  & MLA Bhaderwah Mohd Sharief Niaz, Mula Ram, Gulchain Singh Charak, Ex-MP Madan Lal Sharma, Janak Raj Gupta, Yogesh Sawhney, MLA Indu Pawar, Ravinder Sharma MLC, Ch Bashir Naz, Kuldip Verma and others were also present.

Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, July 19: Notwithstanding much emphasis on strengthening of defence infrastructure along the borders with China, serious lapses have been detected in the maintenance of strategically important Air Force Station at Leh, which is otherwise backbone of the entire region for operations and winter stocking for the defence forces.
These lapses have been pointed out by Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), which is the supreme audit institution of the country, in its latest report.
As per the laid down procedure, the Competent Financial Authority is required to convene a Board to examine the various features of the new work proposals and any work should be sanctioned within 28 weeks from the date of completion of the Board proceeding.
However, during audit scrutiny in the month of February last year, the CAG noticed that Ministry of Defence took 45 weeks in according Administrative Approval to the resurfacing of runway of Leh Air Force Station despite being aware of fact that Air Force Station Leh was last resurfaced in 1990.
“The inordinate delay in according Administrative Approval was notwithstanding the fact that this is the highest operational airfield in the world and the land routes to the region are blocked during winter months. Moreover, the runway forms the backbone for the entire region for operations, winter stocking and air maintenance besides being used by civil aircrafts”, the CAG said.
Not only in according Administrative Approval, the CAG has also found lapses in executing of the resurfacing work at this strategically important airbase. The work on runway resurfacing was sanctioned by the Ministry of Defence in March 2009 at an estimated cost of Rs 29.39 crore with three working seasons (April-May to September-October in a year) as probable date of completion.
Subsequently, change in design was sought and a contract for execution of the work was accepted in March 2010 by the Chief Engineer Air Force at a cost of Rs 33.59 crore after obtaining revised sanction for Rs 34.45 crore. The work was completed in October 2011 at a cost of Rs 36.12 crore.
However, after the completion of the work it was noticed by the Air Force Station Leh authorities that the runway suffered continuous degradation due to surface wear and tear, the CAG said, adding thereafter temporary repairs were carried out in March 2012 by the contractor at no extra cost and on the completion of the repair work, the runway surface was again checked by the users in April 2012 after landings of a few fixed wing aircrafts.
Shockingly, it was found that the runway had suffered abrasions to surface due to tyre friction and the runway was adjudged unfit for fighter operations by the users, the CAG said, adding the affected portion of the runway was, later, repaired by the contractor in September 2012 within the defect liability period.
“However, degradations were noticed again in December 2012 and joint inspection at station level carried out in January 2013 in association with General Reserve Engineer Force (GREF) revealed that to enhance the life of runway, additional cost of Rs 3.22 crore would be required for temporary restoration and Rs 10.21 crore for permanent measures”, the CAG said.
In response to audit query in February 2013 regarding reasons for the defective work, Chief Engineer stated that the surface was damaged due to unconventional method under which salt and other chemicals were used by GREF for removal of accumulated snow from the surface.
“The reply given by the Chief Engineer was not acceptable since the resurfaced runway at the station had shown degradation of surface immediately after completion of resurfacing work and subsequent change in the design involving an additional expenditure of Rs 5.06 crore also didn’t prove effective”, the CAG observed.
As per operational works procedure and directive on management of operational works issued by the Air Headquarters in June 1999, the Commander in the operational area is competent to order execution of operational work warranted by military station. As the existing runway at Leh was prone to flash floods due to melting of snow during summer months, the runway was not fit for fighter operations.
Accordingly, in July 2006, a Board of Officers recommended provision of an airfield drainage system at the earliest for the prevention of flash floods in view of the operational and strategic importance of this airfield. Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command invoked operational works procedure in September 2006 and sanctioned Rs 4.45 crore for a drainage system to arrest this problem.
Chief Engineer Air Force Udhampur concluded a contract in April 2007 at a total cost of Rs 3.27 crore with April 2008 as probable date of completion. However, the contractor didn’t undertake the work with due diligence and despite extension of the probable date of completion up to September 2010, the work had progressed up to 43% only till July 2010, the CAG said.
Due to cloud burst and flash floods on the night of August 5-6, 2010, the runway was covered with mud and stones and the under construction portion of airfield drainage was also partially damaged. An amount of Rs 1.43 crore had been paid to the contractor till then and the department initiated a case for foreclosing the work as the contractor was reluctant to proceed with the work.
The CAG during audit in February 2013 observed that the non-completion of the operational work even after a lapse of six years of sanction had defeated the very purpose of sanctioning the work. However, the Chief Engineer Air Force Udhampur stated that due to flash floods the work already executed was partly damaged and it required a change in design under the original contract. Hence the work could not be completed within the original probable date of completion.
“The fact remains that the air field drainage system which was conceived as an operational necessity in September 2006 was yet to come up at station till March 2013”, the CAG said.