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.

Nishikant Khajuria
Despite being represented by  Harshdev Singh of  Panthers Party, who has been adjudged as Best MLA by the Legislative Assembly and often described as one of the most efficient legislators in respects of discharging his duties, Ramnagar Assembly constituency too has some grievances and  complaints.
While a number of locals give all credit to Harshdev Singh for the developmental works, which are also evident on ground, critiques of the sitting MLA mince no world in pinning holes.
Monopolization of Government schemes, politicization of employee-force and vote bank politics in policy decisions are some of the allegations hurled on Harshdev Singh who has been representing the Ramnagar Assembly constituency for the third consecutive terms since 1996.
Even as Harshdev Singh’s constituency has the distinction of having highest number of schools, Ramnagar town has no Girls Higher Secondary School while  problems like inadequate teaching staff and  infrastructure  are  prevalent  here also affecting studies of the students. HSS Khaned, HSS Keya, HSS Chowki, HSS Thail, HSS Garh Samna Banj, HS Rang, HS Kotwalt, HS Bainsta, HS Balota, HS Satyein, HS Dehari, HS Motu are some  examples in this regard.
There is no denial of the fact that Education sector has received focused attention with a big number of new schools having been opened in Ramnagar constituency, upgrading schools on political considerations and projecting less deserving schools at the cost of more deserving ones is another complaint of some villages against the MLA.
Contrary to the tall claims of big achievements, ITI College at Ramnagar is only on papers.  Just a board was slung at village Kirmoo in Ramnagar tehsil some 10 years back but no steps have been taken for setting up the institute.
Dozens of new water supply schemes have been launched in the area but around one-third population of the constituency is still deprived of pure drinking water facility.  Several schools, Anganwari centres and Panchayat Ghars are without drinking water provision.  In Manwal, water from a nearby cremation ground is over-flowing into the water-supply tank and Manwal, Chaini, Telay, Devi Bani and other villages are forced to drink this contaminated water.  In Majalta, overflowing stream from a nearby nallah is pouring in the non-covered tank supplying water to the people.
Installation of hand-pumps by the Ground Water Authorities on alleged political considerations despite objections by the technical authority has led to an ugly consequence and a number of them have dried up. Tube-well at Dalsar costing about two crores, has failed to pump out even a single bucket of water, said Rajinder Gupta.
While some remote areas are yet to be electrified, a number of transformers installed under RGGVY are out of order and have not been replaced since two-three years, said Haji Mohd Din, chairman of Panchayat Thial. At village Sanal, only one phase of the transfer is functional for the last four year and despite repeated pleas of the villagers, nothing has been done for improving the power supply, he added.
As far as Health Services are concerned, no new Health Sub-Centre or Medical Aid Centre has been opened up in the area since 1996. Sub-District Hospital Ramnagar, catering about 2 lakh of populace has not an Anaesthesia specialist thereby making it impossible for doctors to undertake operations. PHCs at Majalta, Khoon, Bharnara, Basantgarh, Rang have no Gynaecologist. No Health institution has ‘snake bite’ counter systems.  The demands of CHCs at Majalta and Basantgarh and Accidental Hospital at Dhar Road, Manwal and a CHC at Basantgarh have no takers.
A number of roads in the constituency have not been properly mettalled. Projects started under PMGSY since 2003-04 have not been completed till date.  Funds under the head, ‘non-plan’ and ‘additionalites’ were allegedly gobbled up by blue-eyed favourites and in some cases, payments were made in advance and the works remained unfinished for years, alleged a social activist of the area on the condition of anonymity. A detailed inquiry into work of Manwal-Pinger road, Sunar road, Dhanu to Baryalta road, Tajoor-Peuni road, Ramnagar-Satyein road, Dalsar-Barota road, Pachoun road and all PMGSY  roads in Ghordi block can reveal the alleged irregularities committed in such projects, he added.
Basantgarh to Khaned road has not been started despite more than two years since the sanctioning of specified amount and allotting of tenders. No heed was paid towards black-topping of Ramnagar to Ghordi, Chowki-Kotwalt road, Ramnagar to Sunetar road and Kulwanta to Garh Samna Banj roads. Work on Dudu-Ramnagar road under STF is also going on snail’s pace.
Crores of rupees spent in Ramnagar under IWDP were allegedly siphoned off. No structure create by IWDP is visible as on ground today. CAG reports repeatedly indicted it but no heed was paid while money was brazenly looted with least accountability and nil effect on ground, alleged Prem Nath, retired Master.
Economic level of people has not been lifted as no major projects for providing employment were initiated here. A big chunk of skilled, semi-skilled and other labour-force in organized and unorganized sectors in Jammu as well as other cities of the country hails from Ramnagar.
It is an irony that despite having wide potential in tourism, pilgrimage, adventure tourism, horticulture, sericulture, apiculture and even small-scale industries, people from Ramnagar have to shuttle from one State to another in search of bread and butter for their family, laments Surat Singh Sumbaria.
Nurturing tourism potential shall accelerate development in the area and boost local employment too. There are places and points in Ramnagar whose beauty and grace mars the choicest of tourist spots in Kashmir and other tourist places. Tourist spots at Tamdyal, Kair Gala, Ponara Shiv Gali, Ponara, Keya, Gandh Top, Pachound, Kot, Siameri, Dudu, are exquisitely beautiful and deserve to be developed as ideal tourist sites. Summer temperature of these areas is lower as compared to those in Kashmir or other tourist areas. Developing of Garh Samna Banj as a model spot for snow-skiing and  Gondola project in Dudu-Basantgarh can attract more tourists, said Bharat  Bhushan adding that Harshdev Singh should  concentrate  more on developing tourism for flourishing the constituency on economic front.
Even as some people have complaints and grievances, the list of achievements of Harshdev Singh as MLA for his constituency is extensive.  Supporters of the sitting MLA reject all allegations against him terming the same as politically motivated and list the achievements made during the last 18 years. “Compare Ramnagar with other Assembly constituencies and you will find the difference in respect of developmental works initiated here,” said Girdhari Lal, Sarpanch of Krimchi.
Ramnagar tehsil is the first tehsil in the State to have a University Satellite campus where the construction work at a cost of Rs 15 crore is in progress while Ramnagar Degree College is the only degree college in the entire Jammu province which offers all graduates courses – Medical, Non-Medical, Commerce, Arts, BBA and BCA.
“There are more than 120 villages in Ramnagar constituency none of which had road connectivity at the time when I became MLA in 1996. All of the said villages have been connected by roads – whether Pacca or fair weather. There are only two villages of Punara and Khaned which are unconnected due to stay orders of the High Court restraining the construction of the said road,” Harshdev Singh told the Excelsior.
Ramnagar constituency is known in the State for getting the highest share of road network among all constituencies. The constituency is famous for revolution in road connectivity sector during the last few years. Apart from rural roads certain big road projects have been got sanctioned and constructed under ADB and State Task Force. The widening of Udhampur-Ramnagar road under ADB sponsored scheme has been got done through ERA. Likewise widening and upgradation of Ramnagar Dudu road is being undertaken under STF funding, the MLA further informed adding that in addition to roads, more than 100 bridges have been constructed on various Nallahs and rivers providing great relief to the people inhabiting the far off areas.
Besides launching a number of water supply schemes and installing hundreds of  hand pumps,  regular and un-interrupted power supply is another thrust area for which more than 300 new transformers with a Grid Station at Battal and two receiving stations, one each at Basantgarh and Chowki Jandror have been provided in the constituency, the MLA said.
Listing more achievements like developing lanes and drains, new parks etc, Harshdev Singh claimed that efforts were on to develop Ramnagar as a model  town on most scientific lines.

Avtar Bhat

JAMMU, July 19:  After yesterday’s mob violence at base camp in which 10 langars and about 100 tents were set ablaze by frenzy mob total normalcy and order was restored at Baltal today
According to an official spokesman, the total normalcy was restored at Baltal and yatra tracks today. The yatris proceeded for the darshan of holy cave smoothly early this morning.
The spokesman said that hectic parlays were held by senior officers of administration and Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), CRPF and police officers, representatives of langars and pony wallas during the day at Baltal to defuse the tension.
CEO, SASB, Rakesh Kumar along with Deputy CEO and other officers of Shrine Board were camping at Baltal for entire day to see that the normalcy is fully restored and yatra proceeds smoothly, the spokesman added.
He said the CEO left late in the evening to Srinagar after ensuring that normalcy has been restored at base camp of Baltal. The CEO sought cooperation of all in restoring order and allowing smooth movement of yatra.
The spokesman said that yatra also proceeded smoothly via Pahalgam-Chandanwari track.
He said to clear the rush of yatris at Baltal today the movement of pilgrims was allowed up to 2pm while it is closed at 10 am during normal days.
Terming the yesterday’s incidents as unfortunate the spokesman said that some rumor mongers created problem saying the pony walla died of stabbing which was totally wrong.
He said the situation was brought under control late yesterday evening itself and all the yatris were allowed to leave for Srinagar late in the night.
He denied that there was any problem of langars for yatris saying that all outside langars up to Dumel are safe and intact. Only langars at Baltal were torched.
He said 2000 pilgrims also reached Baltal today for their onwards sojourn to holy cave while 7,189 pilgrims performed darshan in cave shrine today. With this total number of 2,83, 762 pilgrims paid obeisance at holy cave since the 45 day long yatra started on June 28 from Baltal track.
He said all the yatris who reached Baltal up to 2 pm were allowed to leave for holy cave to have darshan of Ice Lingam.
However, some pilgrims alleged that they are being fleeced by the shopkeepers and other vendors at Baltal and the eatables are sold on exorbitant rates after the torching of langars there. They said this is a deliberate attempt to discourage yatra.
Sumit Sharma, a yatri from Jammu said that no arrangements for the security of yatris were made enroute up to Srinagar yesterday despite mob violence at Baltal.
There were no security arrangements enroute and no cop was manning the Highway from Baltal to Srinagar, he said, adding the yatris were at the mercy of God.
Meanwhile, a fresh batch of 1389 pilgrims left for holy cave from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here today under tight security. All the yatris had reached their respective destinations in Kashmir Valley where from they will leave for holy cave early tomorrow morning.
Meanwhile, Chinar Corps Commander Lt Gen Subrata Saha today visited Baltal, Domel and Pahalgam to review the security situation pertaining to yatra.
After assessing the situation on ground, Lt Gen Saha expressed confidence on the security arrangements in place and hoped that such an incident would not get repeated. He further said that the Army is committed to provide environmental security to people and pilgrims during the Amarnath yatra.
A Defence Ministry spokesperson said Lt Gen Saha was briefed by the Sector Commanders, Brigadier Kular and Brigadier Sood in charge of both the routes, on the security environment.
Consequent to the violent altercation between bhandara wallas, tent and pony owners yesterday, locals and innocent yatris approached the Army, who were deployed in close vicinity for assistance, he said.
The spokesperson said the Army responded immediately on humanitarian grounds and moved the stranded people to its camps.
In Domel approximately 1,500 and in Sonamarg 250 yatris  were accommodated and provided shelter, food and other essential administrative needs, he said, adding, their safety and comfort was ensured.