NEW DELHI : The turmoil over the meeting of a journalist with terror mastermind Hafiz Saeed today stalled Parliament for the second consecutive day, with Government stating it has nothing to do with it and terming it as “diplomatic misadventure of a private individual”.
Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha saw disruptions as soon as the two Houses met for the day, with opposition Congress seeking suspension of Question Hour to get government’s response over the “serious” matter.
Both Houses were again disrupted during the Zero Hour with Congress members expressing concern over the meeting and entering the Well raising slogans.
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley told Rajya Sabha that the government has nothing to do with either the visit or the meeting between Ved Pratap Vaidik and Saeed. “It is a diplomatic misadventure of a private individual,” he said.
In Lok Sabha, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said government has nothing to do with a journalist meeting India’s one of the most wanted terrorists Hafiz Saeed in Pakistan recently.
“Allegation that the government facilitated the journalist’s meeting with Hafiz Saeed is false and baseless,” Swaraj said.
The issue led adjournment of the Rajya Sabha twice and Lok Sabha once.
Jaitley said in the Upper House that the concerns of the Leader of the Opposition are also the concerns of the entire country.
“Yesterday, I clearly said in unambiguous terms that Government of India has nothing to do with either his visit or his meeting with someone whom we regard as a terrorist,” he said.
“The person or his views has nothing to do with either the government or my party,” Jaitley said leading to uproar with slogan-shouting Congress members storming the Well.
As soon as the Lok Sabha assembled for the day, Congress members led by Mallikarjun Kharge were on their feet demanding a reply from the government on the reported meeting of the journalist with Saeed, India’s one of the most wanted terrorists who was also the mastermind of the 26/11 attack.
When Speaker Sumitra Mahajan declared that Question Hour will not be suspended, Congress members trooped into the Well shouting slogans like ‘Vaidik ko mat bachao’ (Don’t save Vaidik), ‘Home Minister jawab do’ (Home Minister give reply), ‘Hafiz ka sach batao’ (Tell us the truth on Hafiz affairs).
Amid uproar, Jammu and Kashmir People’s Democratic Party members Mehbooba Mufti and Tariq Hameed Karra too came to the Well protesting against the killing of “innocent” in Gaza due to the bombing by Israel.
They were carrying placards that read ‘Gaza needs our voice’, ‘In solidarity with Gaza’ and shouted slogans like ‘Speak India Speak’.
Mahajan asked the members not to disturb Question Hour and warned the PDP members not to show placards as it was against the Parliamentary rules.
Earlier, Home Minister Rajnath Singh and Parliamentary
Affairs Minister M Venkaiah Naidu said government would make a statement on the issue of journalist meeting Saeed only when the Chair allowed.
The Speaker told the opposition members not to take the House for granted by staging protests during Question Hour.
“Suspension of Question Hour is not done. Question Hour is for all the members. If you do not want the Question Hour, drop it. I do not have any objection. But do not make it (disruption) a precedent,” she said.
Congress leader Kharge said they tried to raise the issue yesterday at least twice but in vain as there was no response from the government which forced them to stage protest today.
Members of Left parties too supported the PDP protest against Israel’s bombing in Gaza and stood in the aisle demanding a reply from the government.
RJD member Rajesh Ranjan alias Pappu Yadav opposed the introduction of a new examination pattern by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and asked the government to intervene. (AGENCIES)
Turmoil in Parliament over scribe’s meeting with Hafiz
PM meets Chinese Prez; presses for solution to boundary issue
FORTALEZA (Brazil) : Prime Minister Narendra Modi today met Chinese President Xi Jinping here and pressed for a solution to the boundary question, saying if the two sides could amicably resolve the vexed issue, it would set an example for the world on peaceful conflict resolution.
The two leaders, who arrived almost at the same time in this seaside city of Brazil last evening to attend the BRICS Summit, engaged shortly thereafter for what was described as “good discussions and good meeting”.
The meeting – first between the two leaders – was scheduled for 40 minutes but it went on for 80 minutes as it was freewheeling discussion without any constraints.
“Had a very fruitful meeting with Chinese President Mr. Xi Jinping. We discussed a wide range of issues,” Modi tweeted after the meeting with Xi, also the General Secretary of the ruling Communist Party of China.
“Both sides emphasised on the need to find a solution to the Boundary Question. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of strengthening mutual trust and confidence, and maintaining peace and tranquility on the border,” said a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office.
Prime Minister Modi told Xi that “if India and China could amicably resolve the Boundary Question, it would set an example for the entire world, on peaceful conflict resolution,” the statement added.
The two sides have held 17 rounds of the Special Representative talks aimed at resolving the boundary issue.
India asserts that the border dispute covered nearly 4,057-km long Line of Actual Control, while China claims that it confined to about 2,000 km to the area of Arunachal Pradesh, which it refers as Southern Tibet.
During the meeting, Modi also suggested the addition of one more route for the Kailash-Mansarovar Yatra in Tibet, keeping in view the terrain difficulties.
President Xi “accepted this as a suggestion for consideration,” the statement said.
The Yatra involves trekking at high altitudes of up to 19,500 feet under arduous conditions.
The leaders of the two fastest growing economies observed
that India and China had enormous opportunities to not only forge mutually beneficial partnerships, but also serve as catalytic agents of Asian and global prosperity.
President Xi underscored the importance of the bilateral relationship and said: ‘When India and China meet, the whole world watches.’
The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the high momentum of bilateral engagement during the past few weeks, including the visit of Vice President Hamid Ansari to China and the visit of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to India as President Xi’s Special Envoy in June.
In a significant development, China invited India to attend a summit of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) in November. APEC is a forum for 21 countries that seeks to promote free trade and economic cooperation throughout the Asia- Pacific region.
The surprise invitation for the APEC summit as part of partnership and engagement came in the context of the two leaders discussing the need for the two countries to work together in international fora like BRICS and other fora.
Xi also said India should deepen its engagement with the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), a Eurasian political, economic and military organisation founded in 2001 by China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
Prime Minister Modi said India currently has observer status in the SCO, and was ready to accept additional responsibility, if asked to.
The two leaders appeared well prepared for the meeting as both of them referred to the statements made by the other before they assumed power, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said.
Their talks centred around all aspects of the bilateral relations, regional and international matters, he said.
President Xi in particular referred to Modi’s experience in Gujarat as the Chief Minister and his focus on development.
Modi also recalled his visits to China and underlined that relations between countries are built on the strength of relations between their people.
He expressed hope for increase in tourism and ties between the people of the two ancient civilisations.
Xi confirmed his visit to India in September and extended an invitation to Modi to visit China, which was accepted.
The dates will be decided by diplomatic channels, Akbaruddin said.
Asked if India has accepted the invitation for the APEC summit, he said November was a busy month with SAARC and G20 meetings scheduled but New Delhi considers the invitation as a significant gesture which will be given very serious consideration.
It was a substantive and a very cordial and warm meeting in which the two leaders struck a personal rapport which augurs well for the future, the spokesman said.
He said the prime minister emphasised that there should be no incidents on the border that would undermine the bilateral relations.
To a question on the incursions by the Chinese army on the border, Akbaruddin said India conveyed its concerns to China on the issue.
On his part, Modi also emphasised on the economic relations between the two countries and talked about cooperation in the infrastructure sector, industrial parks and investment.
He referred to the adverse trade imbalance against India and sought correction of the situation.
Xi acknowledged that there was a possibility of enhanced trade, particularly in the services sector from the Indian side and the increased Chinese tourist numbers to India.
Modi referred to the visit of Chinese travellers coming to Gujarat in the ancient period. Both the leaders touched on the historic and civilisational links between the two countries, especially the Buddhist links.
The Prime Minister referred to terrorism and extremism and said India and China should work together to fight the menace in the region in view of the common civilisational heritage they had.
Replying to questions whether any timeliness were discussed on resolving the border question, Akbaruddin said obviously since it was a first meeting between them they could not go beyond their initial references and stated positions. (AGENCIES)
Fresh uproar in RS over journalist meeting Hafiz Saeed
NEW DELHI : For the second consecutive day, the reported meeting of a journalist considered close to RSS with 26/11 mastermind Hafiz Saeed disrupted proceedings in Rajya Sabha today, leading to two adjournments during Question Hour.
Opposition Congress was joined by members of SP and BSP in raising the issue of the journalist meeting with India’s most wanted terrorist earlier this month.
Chairman Hamid Ansari said this issue was raised yesterday and the government has already replied.
Satyavrat Chaturvedi (Cong) said new facts have come to light since yesterday and the government must inform the country as to who facilitated the meeting and what was the Indian High Commission doing.
Ansari asked members to allow Question Hour to be taken up as Opposition raised slogans demanding arrest of the scribe.
“This is not fair,” Ansari remarked before adjourning the House for 15 minutes.
When the House reassembled, similar scenes were witnessed with slogan-shouting opposition members moving to the aisles.
Ansari took up the first listed question and pleaded, “Please allow Question Hour to run.”
With members not heeding to his pleas, Ansari adjourned the House till noon.
Reports said Ved Pratap Vaidik, a freelance journalist, had met the Jamaat-ud-Dawa chief in Lahore on July 2 while touring Pakistan along with a group of journalists and politicians invited by a peace research institute.
India accuses Saeed, the founder of Pakistan-based terror outfit Lashkar-e-Taiba, of plotting a series of strikes in India including the 2008 Mumbai attacks in which 166 people were killed. (AGENCIES)
Another batch of devotees leave for Amarnath
JAMMU : Amid tight security, the 19th batch of 2,003 pilgrims today left for the Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas from here.
The pilgrims comprising 1,372 men, 460 women and 26 children, left from Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu in a cavalcade of 58 vehicles at 4:15 AM, police said.
The convoy for the yatra has already crossed Kud on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and would reach their destinations at Baltal and Pahalgam base camps by this evening, they said.
As many as 36,420 pilgrims have so far left from the Jammu base camp for the Amarnath shrine. (AGENCIES)
horoscope
Tuesday July 15-2014
Aries : You will experience a profound connection with the cosmos today. And you will be very grateful to the almighty for showering his grace on you. Your love for your kith and kin deepens today, says Ganesha, and you will spend extravagantly on them.
Taurus : Much to the disappointment and annoyance of your friends and associates, you are likely to act unduly possessive and self centred about persons and objects, warns Ganesha. Be sure, your overprotective attitude is not likely to amuse anyone. To make matters worse you will possibly ignore their well founded resentment and instead of setting matters right, you will be running after material gains. Try to reconsider your actions and motives. No one is likely to forget and forgive anything.
Gemini : Putting things in order will be your top priority, says Ganesha. You will possibly have a romantic dinner with your sweetheart. Seductive conversations may culminate in sensuous consummation. Your personal feelings will stir up your partner’s private thoughts.
Cancer : Today, you will put your heart and soul into whatever task you take up. But the results may not be too forthcoming. However, that should not be a reason for you to get dejected or anxious. You will get your due sooner or later. Also, spending some time with your loved ones will be quite gratifying emotionally.
Leo : You will leave no stone unturned to satisfy and please your partner today. So your chances of slipping up are very slight. You will be able to impress your partner today. You need to be careful in all your financial dealings today, says Ganesha.
Virgo : Appreciate the things that people do and try your best to inspire them to achieve greater success, says Ganesha. Put on your thinking cap and contemplate seriously. Simply criticising others will only hurt you. Be as level-headed as you can and keep pegging on towards your targets.
Libra : Ganesha says that you will be full of joy, enthusiasum and vigor today. Your knowledge will improve by being in the company of intelligent people. Anything that you take up today will have your luck or destiny supporting you. Ganesha wishes you success in all your undertakings
Scorpio : Focus is the buzzword for you; your eyes should be set on the things you aim, advises Ganesha. You may even indulge into some kind of research work. Today, you may bump into an old pal with whom you relive those good old school days and rejuvenate yourself.
Sagittarius : You will be your usual self today, frank and precise. You are all ears for what your life partner has to say. This will make them feel special! According to Ganesha, be patient and carry out your work gracefully.
Capricorn : Lack of proper planning is probably the reason for you not being able to get your work done in time. You’ll realise this mistake and today, you will spend majority of time drawing a plan on paper, says Ganesha. You may hit a jackpot, but think twice before spending the money on anything unnecessary. You may come across some good career opportunities, grab them before it’s too late.
Aquarius : Today, you will want to expand your horizon of knowledge. You will give a tough fight to your opponents and come out triumphant, feels Ganesha. Troubles will not be able trouble you as you will able to turn them into your advantage. You are clever, talented and have all that it takes to fly high. Just believe in the strength of your wings.
Pisces : Financial bearings will be at the fore front of your attention today, feels Ganesha. Bank accounts, stocks, loans and other such things will dominate your thoughts and words. Earning money will be your primary goal and you will focus on those methods that will be most profitable to you, today. Give work your best shot and punch in your 100% as Ganesha feels that you will reap the benefits of the effort you put in today.
Full-fledged airbase along China border in Ladakh to come up at Nyoma
Mohinder Verma
LEH, July 14: The first full-fledged Indian airbase along the Line of Actual Control with China in the strategically important Ladakh region will come up at Nyoma and presently land acquisition process is going on at fast pace. The airbase would go long way in building up and strengthening existing military infrastructure along the border with the hostile neighbour.
Sources told EXCELSIOR that Indian Air Force has chosen Mudh area of Nyoma for construction of full-fledged fighter aircraft base, which would be the first ever along the Line of Actual Control with China. At present, the concerned authorities of the Army and Indian Air Force are engaged in land acquisition process.
“Soon after acquiring the required land, which is going on at fast pace, the Indian Air Force would start the construction work”, they said, adding “the construction of fighter aircraft base in Eastern Ladakh is part of Indian Air Force’s efforts to build up military infrastructure along the border with China”.
Stating that Nyoma is an important location for Army as well as Indian Air Force in the Eastern Ladakh, sources said, “though an air strip exists in Nyoma but the same cannot be used for the landing of fighter planes and heavy transport aircrafts”. “This airstrip, which overlooks a highway being used by the Chinese Army, was last used in 1960s and thereafter India stopped using it. Now, IAF wants to construct full-fledged airbase at this location by acquiring additional land”, they added.
Nyoma, which is located at a height of 13,000 feet, would be used to station fighter jets and provide logistical help to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and Army, which patrol the Line of Actual Control, sources said, adding “all types of aircrafts including fighters, helicopters and transport aircraft would be capable of being deployed and operated from Nyoma”. Moreover, an officer of the rank of Air Commodore would be commanding this full-fledged airbase.
It is pertinent to mention here that Nyoma airbase would be lower in height than the Advanced Landing Ground at Daulat Beg Oldie, which is considered as one of the highest landing strips in the world.
Stating that Nyoma airbase would strategically boost defense along the Line of Actual Control with China, sources said, “this station would help in maintaining supplies and other logistics to the forces deployed to check nefarious designs of dragon”.
This would be the fourth air force station in Ladakh region. At present, there are three stations-one each at Kargil, Leh and Thoise. The airbases at Kargil and Thoise are catering to the requirement of the forces deployed along the border with Pakistan. The Thoise airbase in Shyok valley is situated at an altitude of 10059 feet.
“The building of new infrastructure and strengthening of existing along the Line of Actual Control with China is of paramount importance keeping in view the aggressive attitude of neighboring country towards India”, sources said, adding “the frequent incursions by the Chinese
Army into Indian side in Ladakh region particularly in Chumur and Demchok clearly indicates the dragon has not mended its ways”.
“On one side the Chinese Army is indulging in frequent incursions into Indian territory and on the other side it has objection to the inadvertent crossing of LAC by the cattle-heads of Ladakh people”, sources said while disclosing that recently Chinese Army sent a threatening letter this side after some cattle heads went to their side.
The threatening letter was sent to Indian side by fixing the same on the horn of an animal.
DC refuses to execute Revenue Deptt’s shady land transfer order, declares it illegal
Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, July 14: The Deputy Commissioner Jammu, A K Sahu, has refused to execute the shady land transfer deal of the Revenue Department of over 312 kanals of State land to a private party in Jammu, saying that the order has no Cabinet approval and is not in conformity with law.
The Deputy Commissioner Jammu, has shot a letter (Ref No. Dej/S-Q/2-14-15/975-78 dated 12-07-2014) to the Commissioner Secretary Revenue Department, Vinod Koul, in which he has expressed his reservations in execution of the shady land deal.
Sahu while refusing to execute the order writes that the Revenue Department order of transfer of State land measuring 312 kanals and 5 marlas situated in village Bain Bajal, Tehsil and district Jammu on lease for a period of 40 years in favour of the Jammu and Kashmir Housing Corporation Limited has no Cabinet sanction. “Reference of Cabinet decision and copy of Cabinet order has not been provided in this case which is required to be provided”, reads the letter.
The DC has asked the Commissioner Secretary Revenue Department to revisit the case as it is not in conformity with the law. “…it is requested that the case may kindly be revisited and necessary action may be taken accordingly in conformity with the rules/laws in this matter. Undersigned is unable to proceed further in execution of the lease deed in the given circumstances”, reads the DC’s letter.
Challenging the competence of the Commissioner Secretary Revenue Department, Vinod Koul, Sahu writes: “As per item 38 in IInd Schedule (Rule 8) of Jammu and Kashmir Business Rules all the proposal involving alienation either temporary or permanent or sale of Government property including land or temporary lease of immovable property of value more than Rs 50, 000 shall be brought before the Cabinet”.
“As per Rule (5) of J&K Land Grants Rule 1960, all available land has to be auctioned and for that Government has to convey its approval. In this particular case neither approval has been conveyed nor the auction of the available land has been done”, reads the letter.
The Deputy Commissioner in his letter has said that the Revenue Department order has not Jammu Development Authority or Housing Department clearance. “As this area falls within the Master plan of JDA and hence NOC of Housing Department/JDA is required for developing housing colony in the said area”, reads the letter.
Sahu writes that the execution of the Revenue Department order will lead into violation of Master plan of Jammu city and violation of High Court order that bars any construction in violation of Master plan after March 5, 2014.
The land transfer order (Rev/S/142 of 2014 dated 19-06-2014) issued by the Commissioner Secretary Revenue Department, Vinod Kaul, reads: “As recommended by the Deputy Commissioner, Jammu vide his letter No. DCJ/SQ/CHCL/Bain Bajal/2014-15/558 dated 29-05-2014 and keeping in view the pressing public demand for proper and modern housing facilities at affordable prices and also taking into consideration that such huge housing demand can’t be addressed by Government due to financial constraints, sanction is here by accorded to the transfer of State land measuring 312 kanals and 5 marlas situated in village Bain Bajal, Tehsil and district Jammu on lease for a period of 40 years in the first instance in favour of the Jammu and Kashmir Housing Corporation Limited subject to the payment of premium fixed by Deputy Commissioner (District Collector), Jammu as per prevailing potential value of the land and ground rent as admissible under rules…”
Sources said that the higher authorities have sought records of the shady land deal after Deputy Commissioner’s letter in which he has refused to execute the Revenue Department order.
Power crisis deepens in Jammu, authorities remain mute spectator
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 14: Notwithstanding tall claims of those at the helm of affairs in the Power Development Department (PDD), the power crisis has deepened in Jammu at a time when the heat wave is increasing day-by-day thereby making the life of the people virtually a hell.
Everyday there are protests and demonstrations by the people over the power crisis in various parts of Jammu but nobody from the Power Development Department seems to be ready to take steps to provide succor to the people during the scorching heat.
What to talk of the non-metered areas, even the localities where 100% metering of consumers was done several years back, have been reeling under acute power crisis. The intensity of the prevailing situation can be gauged from the fact that an hour of power supply is followed by an hour of power cut.
“Sometimes one hour long power cut is allowed to continue for one and half or two hours without any intimation to the consumers thereby conveying that those at the helm of affairs in the department are least bothered about the difficulties being faced us”, people told EXCELSIOR.
In such a situation when the people try to approach the concerned officers and officials to ascertain the reason behind the prolonging of curtailments nobody picks up the telephone at the grid stations. Even if somebody picks up the phone, the response remains unsatisfactory thereby compelling the people to come on the roads.
“The department has a number of times published the names and mobile numbers of the officers, who are supposed to respond to the public queries but it seems this exercise was only aimed at befooling the people as actually these mobile numbers remain switched off during the hours of emergency”, people said, adding “it is astonishing that officers of the department, which is headed by none else than the Chief Minister, are so non-serious towards the public grievances”.
According to the people, majority of the officers on being approached by the public after repeated attempts, usually express ignorance about the reasons behind the unscheduled and prolonged curtailments and try to pass the bucks on others.
Meanwhile, Minister for Housing and Horticulture, Raman Bhalla has written a letter to the Chief Minister seeking his intervention in providing relief to the people from deepening power crisis.
Sources privy to the communication said, “the Housing Minister has apprised the Chief Minister that the PDD don’t follow any scheduled pattern of power cuts”, adding “he has conveyed to Omar Abdullah, who is also holding the power portfolio that ongoing power cuts have made the life of Jammu people in general and inhabitants of his constituency in particular virtually hell”.
“People are regularly complaining about the frequent power cuts and the anger has reached the climax”, he said, adding “as the heat wave in Jammu is continuing unabated I fear if some corrective action is not taken immediately, their protests may increase further”.
“You may remember that during the last summer when we were faced with similar power crisis, I had requested for corrective measures in the shape of increased power supply. Moreover, I had also suggested a series of steps to contain power crisis. But I don’t know if we have taken any such step”, sources said quoting Bhalla’s letter.
“It is irony that despite paying tariff regularly people are being compelled to face the power cuts”, he said, adding “we cannot allow people to fend for themselves and we should do all that we can to ensure that those who are paying tariff do not suffer”.
Cash crunch hits J&K Treasuries, liability reaches Rs 2000 cr
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, July 14: Cash crunch has badly hit the Treasuries across the State with the result the liability has reached nearly Rs 2000 crores as many bills were pending for the last several months whereas, many development works have either been stalled or affected with the shortage of funds.
Not only the bills of contractors from R&B, Irrigation & Flood Control, PDD, JMC/ SMC, Housing Board and Local Bodies were pending for the months together, the Treasury bills of the employees and pensioners on account of GP Fund, Gratuity, pension arrears etc are also lying unpaid. The hapless employees and pensioners are being made to take turns of the Treasuries to receive their much needed money. Even many employees have failed to get their own hard earned money (GP Fund), out of their own savings from the Government Treasuries. Many of them needed this money for the marriage of their children while others for construction of houses.
Worst is the condition in the Treasuries of district Jammu where liability has accumulated higher as compared to other districts. Sources in the department disclosed that only in Saddar Treasury Jammu, bills worth over Rs 150 crore were pending whereas, liability of Gandhi Nagar Treasury was nearly Rs 70 crores. Again, the liability of Talab Tillo Treasury was around Rs 35 crore whereas, in New Plot Treasury of Jammu, the bills worth Rs 50 crore were pending for the last several months.
Sources further said that in Poonch Treasury bills worth over Rs 19.77 crores were pending whereas, in Udhampur the pendency was worth Rs 13 crores. In Udhampur alone, the bills of employees’ GP Fund worth Rs 5 core and contractors’ worth Rs 2. 5 crore were still pending. Similarly, the liability of Samba Treasury was to the tune of Rs 5 crore, Bhaderwah Treasury worth Rs 6 crore and Kathua Treasury worth Rs 11.5 crore including Rs 8 crore of employees’ Gratuity and GP Fund.
In Rajouri, the Tresuries’ liability has gone to Rs 22 crore and out of this total, employees’ GP Fund bills worth Rs 10.5 crore and Gratuity worth Rs 7.5 crore are pending. There is strong resentment among the employees and pensioners against the Government as their own money is not being released in their favour at the time of need. The Treasury Officers and the staff have to face the wrath of the public, employees, pensioners and contractors under such circumstances.
Though several Treasury Officers and even the Director Accounts and Treasuries, Mohd Aslam Malik claimed that employees’ salary and pension were among the top priorities of the Treasuries, yet employees of some of the departments have been complaining of non-payment of their salary for the month of June. Cash crunch in the State has affected the pace of developmental works on many projects while many contractors have stalled work as protest for non-payment of their pending bills for months together. With the cash crunch, public is the ultimate sufferer.
Contractors from JMC, R&B, Local Bodies and even the PDD especially engaged for the repair of transformers are the worst victims. Many contractors alleged that their cheques issued by the departments have lapsed as the Treasuries have gone dry. Their bills for the last over three to six months have remained unpaid. Chief Engineer R&B Jammu Hamid Sheikh when contacted claimed that bills of contractors of his department worth over Rs 60 to 70 crore were pending in various Treasuries and the amount may be more as of now. Replying to a question, he said this could be the problem of the Finance Department but their Division level engineers were pursuing the contractors to continue their works taken in hand. Bills of many contractors of Jammu Municipal Corporation are pending even for more than one year now.
Director Accounts and Treasuries, Jammu Aslam Malik when contacted disclosed that as of now, bills worth over Rs 1539 crore are pending in all the Treasuries of Jammu region. Out of the total, bills worth Rs 886 crore pertained to power sector while Rs 650 crore liability is of other nature. The liability of contractors and firms has reached up to Rs 34 crore. The bills of employees and pensioners’ Gratuity to the tune of Rs 80 crore and the liability of GP Fund bills has gone to the tune of Rs 100 crore.
Mr Malik further disclosed that bills of many contractors were cleared by June 20 while some were still pending. After April this year, some bills of the contractors were cleared. He said due to delay in receiving funds from the Centre this problem has been witnessed. He said not only in Jammu division, but similar problems is being faced by the Treasuries in Kashmir. Mr Malik, claimed that Treasuries were operating directly under directives from the Finance Department and priorities have been fixed for the release of funds. He said salary and pension are the top priorities besides Medical bills especially related to cancer, heart and kidney patients.
Director General Accounts and Treasuries, J&K Altaf Mirza when contacted said that cash crunch in the Treasuries was observed due to non-approval of budget in New Delhi. “The State has not received Plan funds so far. The delay in funds from New Delhi is the main reason behind the cash crunch. Now, since the budget has been approved, the problem will be sorted out shortly”, he added.
Referring to the liability of Kashmir region, Mr Mirza tried to play down the pendency and claimed that liability worth Rs 400-500 crore could be in Kashmir. He said the liability in Jammu region is higher as compared to Kashmir as power bills of contractors are on higher side only in Jammu region.
Replying to another question, the DG Treasuries said the power billing is generally not included yet that is also a liability. He claimed that salary/ pension of the employees is being regularly paid and Medical reimbursement bills, pension, food grains and drugs supply bills are among the priorities of the Government. Under any circumstances, these bills of essential nature have to be paid by the Government. When asked regarding delay in the payment of contractors and employees’ own generated money in the shape of GP Fund etc, Mr Mirza said about 50 % of the bills of the contractors have been cleared in the State. The Government realizes the hardships of the employees and pensioners and wants to clear their GP Fund and Gratuity bills but in view of delay from the Centre in receiving funds, this crunch is being faced by the State. He claimed that State would now get funds shortly and liability would also be cleared.
NC to contest all 87 seats, declare first list this week
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, July 14: In a major political development which indicated that ruling coalition partners—National Conference and Congress were set to part ways, the NC has decided to announce candidates for all 87 Assembly seats in the State with first list likely to be made public anytime this week.
Sources within the ruling party told the Excelsior that the National Conference has already obtained a panel of three candidates for each Assembly constituency from the district and block units of the party for all 87 seats, which would be put before Parliamentary Board of the party, which could meet at Nawa-i-Subh complex, the headquarters of National Conference in Srinagar, the winter capital of the State, anytime after arrival of NC president Dr Farooq Abdullah in Srinagar tomorrow.
“We have taken the panel of three candidates for every Assembly segment from our block and district units. The panel would be put before the Parliamentary Board and the seats on which consensus emerged would be announced within this week,’’ sources said, adding that in any case the National Conference high command would announce first list of the candidates this week.
They said as soon as Farooq Abdullah, former Union Minister and party president reached Srinagar, most likely tomorrow, the NC will call its Parliamentary Board meeting and make announcement of candidates.
The NC high command has already asked its Parliamentary Board members and other senior leaders to stay in Srinagar. The Parliamentary Board members from Jammu and Ladakh regions have also been asked to reach Srinagar.
Sources said the party’s senior leaders have obtained panel of three candidates for every Assembly segment from district and block units of the party, which would be put before the Parliamentary Board for the final choice.
They added that the National Conference has, in principle, decided to contest all 87 Assembly seats though it has received feelers from some Congress Ministers (both from Jammu and Kashmir regions) to wait for announcement of all candidates as they wanted to persuade their leadership for pre-poll alliance with the National Conference.
“However, we have decided to name candidates for all 87 Assembly seats in a phased manner. We will be releasing first list of the candidates this week,’’ they said.
The major opposition party, the PDP has already announced about 60 candidates for the Assembly elections and party sources said it could announce remaining candidates in the next few days to give enough time to the candidates to prepare themselves for the elections, which were due to be held in November-December this year.
National Conference president and former Chief Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah had already given enough indications that the party could field some new faces in the elections in the wake of drubbing it received in Parliament elections in which NC lost all three Lok Sabha seats in the Kashmir Valley, which it contested in alliance with the Congress.
The Congress, the BJP and the Nationalist Panthers Party, three other major players apart from Joint Front floated by MY Tarigami-Hakim Mohammad Yaseen combine were yet to finalize their candidates for the Assembly elections.
The Congress and the BJP haven’t undertaken any exercise so far to finalize their candidates for the Assembly elections.