Fayaz Bukhari

SRINAGAR, June 14: Defence Minister, Arun Jaitley, today discussed the security situation inside the State and along the borders with Pakistan and China with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Governor NN Vohra and senior Army Commanders before taking special review meeting tomorrow.
Earlier in the morning, Jaitley accompanied by the Army Chief General Bikram Singh arrived in Srinagar for two day visit to Kashmir for the first time since he took over as the Defence Minister.
On arrival, the Defence Minister was received by Northern Army Commander, Lt Gen DS Hooda and Chinar Corps Commander, Lt Gen Gurmit Singh.
Defence Minister met Chief Minister Omar Abdullah this afternoon here and discussed security scenario of the State and also raised certain financial issues with the Jaitley, who is also Finance Minister of the country.
An official spokesman said that during the meeting which lasted for over an hour, the two leaders also discussed the current situation on Line of Control (LoC) and borders.
Chief Minister also discussed the preparedness of the State Government to conduct Amarnath Yatra that commences by the end of this month.
The spokesman said that Omar shared with certain critical financial matters relating to the development plan of Jammu and Kashmir. “Aspects regarding skill development initiatives taken by the State Government also came up for the discussion”, the spokesman said.
Defence Minister also visited Raj Bhavan to meet Governor N N Vohra. They discussed various issues relating to the rapid growth and development of the State. Later in the day, the Governor and the Defence Minister held discussions with General Bikram Singh, Lt Gen D S Hooda, and Lt Gen Gurmit Singh on the internal security situation prevalent in the State and on the borders with Pakistan and China.
Earlier soon after his arrival, Jaitley visited Headquarters of Chinar Corps at Badami Bagh Cantonment in Srinagar where senior Army officers briefed him on the overall security situation in the State including the Counter Infiltration grid along the Line of Control and Counter Terrorism grid in the hinterland.
Sources said that the Defence Minister was briefed about the security situation along the LoC and International border with Pakistan and Line of Actual Control with China. The Minister was briefed about the infiltration attempts by militants from Pakistan occupied Kashmir into Jammu and Kashmir and the occasional intrusion by the People’s Liberation Army in the Ladakh area of the State.
The Minister was briefed about the counter-infiltration grid along the LoC that is aimed at preventing the infiltration of militants into the State. He was briefed about the effectiveness of the border fence and other devices put in place at the LoC to prevent the infiltration. He was also told about the decline of infiltration of militants from the PoK into Jammu and Kashmir due to the fence and other counter-infiltration devices installed along the LoC.
Sources said that Jaitley was also briefed about the recent infiltration attempts by militants and ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops in Rajouri and Poonch sectors of the LoC.
Sources said that the Minister was informed about the militant plans for infiltration into Jammu and Kashmir during this summer ahead of elections and counter strategy adopted by Army. “He was told that large number of militants of the Lashkar-e-Toiba, Al Badar, Hizbul Mujahideen and the Jaish-e-Mohammad, are waiting at launch pads in the PoK near the LoC to infiltrate into Jammu and Kashmir but Army is alert to foil their designs”, sources said.
The Defence Minister was briefed about the operations conducted by the security forces in the hinterland and successes they achieved in eliminating top commanders of the militant organizations over past one year.
Sources said that Jaitley was briefed about the border mechanism adopted by the Army along the LAC in Ladakh where PLA has been making frequent intrusions into Indian Territory.
Sources said that the Minister expressed satisfaction over the alertness of troops along the borders and in the hinterland and commended the role of Army in dealing with the militancy and threats from across the borders.
Jailtey is scheduled to visit the forward areas along the LoC where he will interact with commanders and troops on the ground. He will be briefed about the counter-infiltration grid and militant plans of infiltration and counter measures adopted by the army on the LoC.
The Minister will attend Special Security Review Meeting at Srinagar before leaving for New Delhi. He is likely to brief the media.

PANAJI, June 14:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi today warned of “tough decisions” over the next couple of years to improve the country’s financial health, which he said may not go down well with some sections, and attacked the way the previous UPA Government had handled the economy.
“Taking tough decisions and strong measures in the coming one or two years are needed to bring financial discipline which will restore and boost the country’s self-confidence”, he said addressing BJP workers here.
This is the first occasion in less than three weeks since taking over reins of power that Modi has made sharply critical comments on the previous Manmohan Singh Government’s peformance.
“I have taken over the reins of the country in circumstances when there is nothing left behind by the previous Government. They left everything empty. The country’s financial health has hit the bottom,” Modi said.
However, in the short run, such measures may not go down well with everybody, he said.
“I am well aware that my steps may dent the immense love that the country has given to me. But when my countrymen would realise that these steps would result in getting the financial health back, then I will regain that love,” said the Prime Minister.
On the other hand, if these tough measures were not taken, the financial situation would not improve, he said, adding “we need to take action wherever required”.
“We won’t be helping the country by praising Modi and praising BJP. There is no guarantee that just singing praise of Modi would improve the situation. We need to take harsh measures to improve the financial situation,” he said.
Shortly later, Modi tweeted that “time has come to take tough decisions in the interest of the nation. Whatever decisions we take will be solely guided by national interest”.
The Prime Minister said it was a misconception that people in Government are not willing to work for the country.
“In a Government set-up, most officials would like to do something for the country. They are ready to work. This is what I can say from my experience as the Prime Minister in the last fifteen days,” Modi said.
Referring to this year’s Lok Sabha elections, Modi said “they were not elections of arithmetic. They were elections of hopes and aspirations. And we have seen the results. For the first time since independence, we saw a non-Congress Government coming to power with full majority without coalition.
“The people have given a clear signal to the political parties and all parties should understand these signals. The electorate doesn’t agree with the old style of politics which was based on caste, class,” Modi said.
“The major reason for these results was the country’s youth voters who have transcended the boundaries and who have started working for the country’s betterment, for freedom from corruption and speedier development,” the Prime Minister said, adding people had entrusted him with a big responsibility and he would fulfil their aspirations.
“Time has come to take tough decisions in the interest of the nation. Whatever decisions we take, will be solely guided by national interest,” Modi said.
He expressed the confidence that the stringent measures for prudent financial discipline he plans to take would not be for his own or his party’s interest but for the larger interest of the nation.
He thanked lakhs of party workers who had contributed to the victory of the party in Goa and asked them to create an organisation where every person feels there is place for them.
“We should create an organisation where every person feels – yes there is a place for me here. That will be our success,” he said.
Modi said that a year ago, he had chosen Goa to lead the campaign for 2014 general elections and after becoming the Prime Minister, his first visit outside Delhi is to Goa.
The Prime Minister said this election has proved that people have defeated the politics of casteism, communalism, nepotism and dynasty and decided that Government should provide security, prosperity, eliminate corruption and meet their aspirations and solve their problems.
“Now, it is our duty to fulfil their expectations,” he said, assuring them that “there is a Government in Delhi that they will be very proud of!.”
He said his Government would remain connected to the people, even in power, and work to empower people for the developmental process and has begun its work well.
He said that for 10 years, people of the country have not witnessed a working Government in Delhi and his Government will work with clear conscience, clear policy and strong leadership to provide good governance.
Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjeet Singh and State BJP leaders were present at the meeting. (PTI)

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 14: Principal Sessions Judge Jammu, R S Jain today denied parole to Tarlochan Singh Wazir, former MLC, who is facing trial in the much publicized Chopra family murder case.
The petitioner, currently facing trial in an offence under Section 302 RPC, filed the application for parole on the ground that he is required to undergo medical treatment in a hospital outside the State since the required treatment is not available in the GMC Hospital, Jammu.
After hearing Senior Advocate KS Johal with Advocate Rajesh Kumar for ex-MLC Tarlochan Singh Wazir  whereas Additional Public Prosecutor Vijay Kumar Sharma, Principal Sessions Judge observed, “the allegations against the accused in the present case are that he entered into a criminal conspiracy with other accused and in pursuance of the criminal conspiracy committed murder of five persons”.
“The allegations leveled against the accused are of very serious nature and against the society. The petitioner seeks bail for a limited period so as to entitle him to get proper medical treatment under proper conditions”, the Principal Sessions Judge said, adding “looking to the allegations leveled against the accused and the larger interest of the State and the public as well as the settled law, the court is of the opinion that no good ground is made out for granting parole to the petitioner”.
“It may be noted that vide order dated 27.3.2014, the court had directed Superintendent, District Jail, Jammu to get the petitioner examined in AIIMS, New Delhi under proper escort and follow the treatment advised by the doctors”, Principal Sessions Judge said, adding “since then, there has been no change in the circumstances to grant parole to the petitioner”.

Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, June 14: The land mafia is ruling the roost as numerous inquiries into the land grabbing cases are going on at the snail’s pace with the officers entrusted with the task of concluding the investigation in a time bound manner remaining slack on one pretext or the other. Due to inordinate delay in completion of such inquiries, even the officers and officials, who had connived with the land grabbers, remain unpunished.
One such inquiry pertains to grabbing and damaging of huge chunk of State land at village Pargalta near Bajalta Railway Station under Khasra No 219, which was exposed exclusively by EXCELSIOR in the month of January this year. Following this, Deputy Commissioner Jammu immediately ordered inquiry and attached the concerned Patwari besides getting the entire record seized.
Within few days of district administration ordering inquiry, land mafia again raised ugly head in the area that too in the late night and attempted to carry out illegal activity by pressing heavy machinery. However, the bid was foiled by a team of Revenue officers with the assistance of Police and accordingly FIR was lodged at Nagrota Police Station for identifying the land grabbers and taking stern action against them.
As during the preliminary inquiry, the criminal conspiracy between the subordinate revenue officials and certain private persons/land owners behind grabbing and damaging the State land in village Pargalta came to the fore, the district administration directed the committee comprising Assistant Commissioner Nazool and Tehsildar Jammu to conduct the inquiry into the grave issue from all aspects and fix the responsibilities for necessary action against all the erring officials.
As per the directions, the committee had to complete the inquiry within a period of 15 days. However, the same has not reached its logical conclusion even after the lapse of nearly six months and those officials involved in encouraging the mafia remain unpunished. Due to this, even the land grabbers are roaming freely.
When contacted, Assistant Commissioner Nazool, Pawan Sharma said, “I have submitted the interim report to the Deputy Commissioner and submission of complete report will take some more time”, adding “before reaching any logical conclusion we have to demarcate the area first for which Electronic Total Station equipment has been requisitioned from the Regional Director Land Records and Surveys”.
However, sources said that Electronic Total Station equipment was provided to the concerned authorities but whether the same was used for the intended purpose could not be ascertained.
Similar is the fate of inquiry ordered into encroachment of Government land at village Chatha, Sunjwan by land grabbers in connivance with some politicians.
When this encroachment came to the notice of the Government, the General Administration Department vide Order No. 5 dated January 1, 2008 appointed the then Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Sudhanshu Pandey as Inquiry Officer to look into the matter.
The Inquiry Officer was required to submit report to the Housing and Urban Development Department and the General Administration Department within a period of one month. Astonishingly, even after the lapse of six years the fate of inquiry is not known.
Recently, when an RTI activist approached the GAD to obtain the inquiry report, the GAD forwarded the application to the Revenue Department, which vide letter No.Rev/RTI/87/2014 dated June 2, 2014 conveyed to the GAD that PIO Revenue Department has nothing to do with the matter as the same pertains to GAD and Housing and Urban Development Department.
Thereafter, the application was forwarded to the Housing and Urban Development Department, which has referred the same to the Secretary, Jammu Development Authority for providing the requisite information directly to the applicant.
“This indicates that nobody in the Government is bothered about taking the inquiries into land grabbing cases to the logical conclusion”, sources said, adding “due to non-serious approach of the Government towards the land grabbing incidents the mafia is ruling the roost and the officers and officials involved in extending help to land grabbers are roaming free”.
According to the sources, there are numerous such inquiries whose fate is hanging in balance due to non-serious approach of the inquiry officers and the higher-ups.

Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, June 14: The prestigious 230 beds multi specialty hospital-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) is being made operational next year.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) would run the hospital, which would provide super multi specialties in the Institute, which has been coming up at Kakryal near holy town of Katra, the base camp of Mata Vaishno Devi ji shrine.
“The hospital is fast nearing completion. Most of the construction work has been completed. Installation of infrastructure is on. Hopefully, the Institute would be commissioned next year,” SMVDSB CEO Dr Mandeep K Bhandari told the Excelsior.
The project had initially been conceived as Cancer Hospital with three additional Super Specialties. However, the Shrine Board later decided to make it multi specialty hospital to provide all facilities to the patients under one roof.
“Not only the pilgrims, the multi specialty hospital would benefit the patients of Jammu and Kashmir and even the surrounding States after it was commissioned next year as it was being equipped with state-of-the-art equipments and best available faculty,” Dr Bhandari said.
Official sources said the SMVDIME would be a multi specialty hospital only and there was no immediate proposal with the Shrine Board to start a Medical College. However, the proposal to start a Medical College could be taken up with the Medical Council of India (MCI) later.
According to sources, modalities for running the new hospital were being worked out by a Sub Committee set up by Shrine Board Chairman Governor NN Vohra.
The Sub Committee would work out details on recruitment of faculty and other staff for the hospital, mode to run the hospital, installation of apparatus and super specialties to be launched in the hospital.
The Sub Committee would come out with details soon after which the Shrine Board would give nod to commissioning of the hospital.
Sources said though the patients of entire Jammu and Kashmir and other States would benefit from multi specialties being introduced in the hospital, it would be of immense help for over 30,000 pilgrims visiting holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi ji daily on an average as they would get all emergency facilities at Katra itself.
The hospital would have separate emergency and disaster management sections in case of any eventuality.
This would be second major project of SMVDSB, which was already running prestigious University-Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University near Katra town.
Sources attributed delay in commissioning of the hospital to making it multi specialty hospital instead of previous decision to start it as Cancer Hospital with only four super specialties. The previous idea was not found feasible as some of the patients required treatment by different specialties under one roof.
“Therefore, the Shrine Board decided to convert it as multi specialty hospital for benefit of all patients,” they said.
The hospital has been constructed in such a way that the patients would have glimpse of Trikuta Hills very clearly.

Nishikant Khajuria

BUDDHAN (Mahore), June 14:  When the nation is discussing development models of different States vis-à-vis Gujarat,   tale of this model village is an eye opener for the people at the helm of affairs in Jammu and Kashmir.
What to say of  privileges,  this so called model village lacks even basic facilities like adequate road connectivity, health, education, power and water supply infrastructure in the area.
On the name of model village, there are 14 solar lights installed in the hamlet  but only two are functional while two big iron poles, meant for erecting a gate on entrance of the village, are still lying on the roadside for the last more than five years.
The Government High School Buddhan has more than 650 students but only two teachers and a Headmaster as staff members for running this institution, which was established in 1974.
As far as medical infrastructure is concerned, the Primary Health Centre in this model village is being run by a Medical Assistant as there is not even as single doctor for attending the patients.
“Not only Buddhan but even from Saldar to Lincha area, which comprises five Panchayats having around 20 thousand population, there is no doctor in the Primary Health Centres,” said Mohd Sharief, a local shopkeeper.
The prevailing mess in this remote area can be gauged from the fact that the main transformer at village Dallu-A got damaged on March 14 thus snapping power supply to the hamlet but there has been no action by the concerned authorities till now to restore the supply.
“More ironic is the fact the we have been delivered power bills for the month of April and May also notwithstanding no power supply in the area for the last around three months”.
According to the locals, Buddhan was declared a model village during the previous regime of Mufti Mohd Sayeed following which a community hall and shopping complex were constructed there besides installation of some solar lights, construction of lanes, drains and announcements of more developmental works.
Rs 1.25 crores were then spent on these construction works and thereafter no one knows right from villagers to administration about the fate of pending projects under model village, said Shafi.
The roads under Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) are also lying defunct owing to no metalling and black topping.  “Twelve kilometer long Chaklas to Saldar road under PMGSY has not yet been metalled despite completion of cutting and earth work in 2008 while work on 26 km long Thuroo-Buddhan road, which was started in 2010, has been stopped midway since last year for the reasons best known to the concerned authorities and the infamous contractor,” said Keshav Singh, a social activist and local BJP leader who had unsuccessfully contested 1996 Assembly elections on Gool-Arnas seat.
Incomplete Panchayat Ghar and CAPD Store Hall, constructed in 2005, also tell the State of developmental works in this model village, which is a part of Gool Arnas Assembly constituency but comes under administrative control of Sub-Division Mahore.
“This confusion is also largely responsible for the woes of this area as people don’t know to whom they should approach for redressal of their grievances,” said Mohd Sharief, a local who was on way to Darmari for approaching the authorities in connection with a complaint of poor ration supply to the area.
When contacted, Deputy Commissioner Reasi, Shahid Choudhary said that all efforts were being made to ensure redressal of grievances of the people as soon as possible while the Government has already forwarded 72 projects for metalling and blacktopping of fair weather roads under PMGSY.