Sanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, Feb 2: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh today held a high level review of security situation in Jammu and Kashmir with Governor NN Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in two separate meetings and political situation in a meeting with PCC (I) chief Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz and other senior leaders of the Congress at Raj Bhawan.
Mr Vohra hosted ‘At Home’ for Dr Singh to meet Indian and foreign scientists at Raj Bhawan this afternoon and inter-acted with some of them. The scientists from all over the country and abroad have reached here for five days Indian Science Congress, which Dr Singh would inaugurate at Jammu University at 10 am tomorrow.
The Prime Minister reached here at about 3 pm from Kolkata after addressing bi-centenary celebrations of Indian Museum on two days visit of Jammu and was received at Technical Airport by Governor NN Vohra, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Legislative Council Chairman Amrit Malhotra, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Ministers, MPs, Prof Soz, Chief Secretary Mohammad Iqbal Khandey, DGP Ashok Prasad and top brass of Army, police and civil officers.
Union Minister for Science and Technology Jaipal Reddy and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Dr Farooq Abdullah have already reached here to attend inauguration of five days long 101st Indian Science Congress in which about 8000 delegates apart from Vice President Hamid Ansari, former President A P J Abdul Kalam, Nobel laureates Y Lee and Ferid Murad, Union Minister for Human Resources Development Dr M Pallam Raju and a host of other dignitaries are likely to participate.
Omar, Dr Abdullah, Mr Reddy, Council of Ministers of Jammu and Kashmir and prominent legislators attended ‘At Home’.
The Vice President would deliver valedictory address to the Indian Science Congress on February 7.
The Jammu University is hosting the Indian Science Congress of the Indian Science Congress Association (a professional body of Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India) from February 3 to 7.
Soon after his arrival here, Dr Singh drove to Raj Bhawan, where he was briefed on security situation by the Governor and the Chief Minister in separate meeting.
Official sources said The Chief Minister raked up the issue of closure of Pathribal killings by the Army and suspension of cross-LoC trade after the seizure of contraband drugs load truck at Uri.
“Omar in his about half an hour meeting with the Prime Minister raised the issue of closure of case Army in Pathribal killings and called for justice to the families of victims and punishment to those responsible for innocent killings,’’ sources said.
They said Omar also discussed suspension of cross-LoC trade on both routes of Uri-Muzaffarabad and Poonch-Rawlakote after the seizure of a truck load of contraband drugs and arrest of a driver for smuggling narcotics in Kashmir. He stressed for amicable resolution of the matter with Pakistan to ensure that important Confidence Building Measure (CBM) of trade across the LoC was not jeopardized.
Yesterday, Omar had flayed Pakistan for holding drivers of Jammu and Kashmir hostage in Pakistan for a criminal, who was caught on this side with consignment of narcotics.
Sources said the Chief Minister briefed Dr Singh of various aspects of security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir—both internal and external. He also apprised Dr Singh about achievement of the NC-Congress coalition Government during past over five years including empowerment of people, employment generation, restoration of peace and stability, socio economic development and improvement in security situation and law and order front.
Omar hailed the Prime Minister for his support to the State in his endeavour to fast track development works and move ahead towards achieving the goal of prosperity and tranquility.
“The Prime Minister conveyed his wishes to Omar Abdullah for peace and progress in Jammu and Kashmir and well being of the people,’’ sources said.
They added that Governor NN Vohra also apprised the Prime Minister about security scenario in Jammu and Kashmir including the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB). He gave detailed assessment of the situation taking into account both internal and external factors. He apprised Dr Singh on more steps required by the Centre for restoration of complete peace and normalcy in the State.
Later, a 14 members delegation led by PCC (I) president Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz met the Prime Minister and briefed him on political scenario in Jammu and Kashmir apart from other aspects of the situation. Jammu and Kashmir is scheduled to go for Assembly elections in November-December this year apart from Lok Sabha elections along with the country in April-May.
The Congress leaders raised various issues before the Prime Minister pertaining to the State.
Sources said implementation of 73rd amendment of the Constitution of India, problems of refugees, more Central funds for development works in the State etc were taken up by the Pradesh Congress leaders with Dr Singh.
Prominent Congress leaders, who joined Prof Soz, in meeting the Prime Minister included Ravinder Sharma, Hari Singh, Khem Lata Wakhloo, Suman Bhagat, Indu Pawar, Ghulam Nabi Monga, RS Chib and Vinod Sharma among others.
The Prime Minister had the night halt at Raj Bhawan. He would proceed to the Jammu University at 10 am for inauguration of Indian Science Congress and then fly back to New Delhi around 11.30 am.
Sources said the Indian Science Congress, based on the theme ‘Innovations in Science and Technology for Inclusive Development’ will have 14 sessions on different subject combinations.
There will be special symposia on ‘Science and Technology Imperatives and Opportunities for Sustainable Development of Jammu & Kashmir.’
The session on ‘Rural Innovators’ will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister on the inaugural day tomorrow, sources said.
The Science Congress is being organised under the patronage of Governor and University Chancellor N N Vohra and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also the Pro-Chancellor of the Jammu University.
Tight security arrangements have been made across the winter capital for the Prime Minister’s two-day visit. Additional police and para-military personnel have been deployed within the city and its periphery. Security was very high in the Jammu University, the venue of the Indian Science Congress.
Meanwhile, Eminent scientists including Bharat Ratna recipient scientist C N Rao, R Chidambaram, Principal Scientific Advisor to the Government of India, Defence Research and Development (DRDO) secretary Avinash Chander will deliver lectures in different fields of science during the five days event.
Nobel laureates and scientists from USA, Canada, Germany, UK will deliver lectures at the event.
The event will also see discussion and presentation of papers in the field of housing, energy, environment, health care, water, homeland security, communication, agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Animal, Veterinary and Fishery Sciences, Anthropological and Behavioural Sciences (including Archaeology and Psychology and Educational Sciences), Chemical Sciences.
Other topics are Earth System Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Information and Communication Science and Technology (including Computer Sciences), Material Sciences, Mathematical Sciences (including Statistics), Medical Sciences (including Physiology), New Biology (including Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology and Biotechnology).

Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Feb 2: After remaining in deep slumber for one and half year, the Government has shown some interest in the implementation of recommendations of the State Finance Commission, which was constituted with the objective of providing equitable treatment to all the regions and sub-regions of the State in the allocation of funds. However, in view of the lengthy exercise yet to be followed and the fact that Government has entered the last leg of its tenure it is unlikely that recommendations would become reality.
On the other side, questions are being raised over the validity of the recommendations made on the basis of exercise carried out more than four years back as during these years the development profile and other important factors of various areas across the State have undergone significant change.
The State Finance Commission came into being in 2007 to look into regional imbalance or discrimination in the allotment of funds with any region or sub-region of the State and suggest corrective measures for equitable development. Though the Commission had to accomplish the task to address the voices of discrimination within a period of one year yet it took more than three years to finalize its recommendations and the report was submitted to the Government in November 2010.
Thereafter, the Government kept the recommendations in the official files till March 2012 when the Planning and Development Department vide Government Order No.25 dated March 5, 2012 engaged S Mahajan, former Secretary, Planning and Development Department and G A Qureshi, former Director General, Economics and Statistics as Consultants for preparation of road map for implementation of the recommendations of the State Finance Commission and prepare report on district development profile and identify critical gaps in infrastructure in respective districts and suggest measures to address the developmental backwardness of districts besides suggesting the broader frame work for distribution of resources among various sectors.
In the month of May 2012, the Planning and Development Department again came up with order No.43-PD mentioning that the Consultants will submit reports within a period of six months instead of four months mentioned in the earlier order.
These Consultants carried out detailed exercise and submitted interim reports to the Planning and Development Department within the stipulated time-frame. However, during the past one and half year, the Government remained slept over the reports of Consultants instead of carrying out further necessary exercise on the same, sources said.
Now, Planning and Development Department has once again engaged the same experts in order to finalize their interim reports, which were submitted one and half year back, sources said, adding these Consultants have now been given two months time for finalizing and submitting their report.
“Why this step was not initiated during the past one and half year remains a million dollar question”, sources said, adding “keeping in view the lengthy process to be followed even after finalization of report by the Consultants the Government should have not wasted one and half years time and should have not allowed to matter to linger on till the last leg of its tenure if it was so serious about implementation of the State Finance Commission recommendations”.
About the exercise yet to be followed, sources said that following submission of report by the Consultants the Planning and Development Department will hold discussions at its own level followed by detailed examination by a committee headed by Chief Secretary. Thereafter, the report would be dealt with by the Group of Ministers headed by Finance Minister and finally the same would be placed before the Cabinet for appropriate action.
Meanwhile, questions are being raised over the validity of the recommendations, which were made on the basis of exercise carried out more than four years back.
“The development profile of each and every area of the State has gone significant change during these years in every sector. Moreover, percentages of resources allocation too has increased and keeping in view these factors whether the recommendations of SFC hold any importance remains a million dollar question”, sources said.

Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Feb 2: After forecast of snowfall and freak weather till Friday, Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) today issued avalanche warning for higher reaches of North Kashmir and asked people not to venture out in hilly areas.
The SASE has said that there is Medium Danger Avalanche warning for higher reaches of Drass, Kargil, Keran and Machil. “People living in these hilly areas have been cautioned not to venture into avalanche prone areas”, the warning adds.
The Director Meteorological Department, Sonum Lotus, told Excelsior that weather across the State will remain freak till Friday. “Heavy snowfall and rains are expected on Monday across the State”, he said adding it has already started snowing in the higher reaches of North Kashmir along the Line of Control (LoC).
Lotus said that freak weather will continue till Friday and there will be intermittent snow and rainfall in the State during these days with heavy precipitation on Monday. He said that weather will improve by Friday.
This would be first snowfall in Kashmir after the end of Chile Kalan, the 40 day chilliest part of winter that ended on January 30.
MeT officials said that there was a slight relief from cold till Friday as night temperatures will show improvement.
Authorities in Kashmir who were criticised for their slow response to the snowfall during this season, reviewed preparedness for the fresh precipitation and have put around 236 snow cutters ready for snow clearance.
The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Shailendra Kumar, held review meeting with the various departmental heads of Kashmir valley to ensure that snowfall does not cause much in-connivance to the people.
The officials of the Mechanical Engineering Department said that they have kept 103 snow cutters ready for snow clearance while Beacon authority is pressing 133 snow clearance machines into service for clearing snow on the highway besides 3 cranes have been kept available for towing stranded vehicles on the highway.
The SMC were asked to ensure clearance of snow from all lanes and by-lanes in the Srinagar district and gear up its men and machinery for dewatering of inundated areas of the district.
The Deputy Commissioner Kulgam has got people from Waltengoo Nar and Mirasi Nalla vulnerable areas evacuated.

NEW DELHI, Feb 2:
Increased use of the Internet, change of tactics like attacking crowded places, recruitment of educated youths, and coordinated activities by several terror groups in the Indian sub-continent pose serious challenge to the country’s security.
A new book, which profiles in detail 39 such groups in the region — ranging from ISI-backed terror outfits to regional ones and Left-wing extremists, says many of them have started coordinating their activities, including sharing arms supplies and transferring funds.
The pattern of terror strikes in India and elsewhere has also shifted from isolated attacks to bombings of crowded places or public transport systems to spread panic among the people, says the book ‘Militant Groups in South Asia’, brought out by the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA).
It also points out that the decades-long international efforts in the region in the name of ‘war against terror’, have not only failed to contain the menace of terrorism but aggravated the regional security situation.
Analysing the changing pattern of terror and militancy in the South Asian region, the authors — noted security expert Surinder K Sharma and researcher Anshuman Behera — say these groups “pose a critical challenge to the (Indian) State when they come together and coordinate their activities. These groups often come together to fight a common enemy”.
The book not only profiles major militant groups operating in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and other neighbouring countries, but also provides information on their prevailing status, sources of finance and weapons and other capabilities. It also gives an assessment of what these groups could be capable of doing in the near future.
The organisations include Indian Mujahideen, Hizbul Mujahedeen, Al Ummah, United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) and National Democratic Front of Bodoland in India to Lashkar-e-Taiba, Jaish-e-Mohammad (JeM), Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, Jundullah and the Haqqani network in Pakistan, besides Al Qaeda and the United Jihad Council.
Last year’s killing of prominent TTP leader Hakimullah Mehsud and selection of commander Mullah Fazlullah as its chief may affect the future security scenario in Pakistan, as well as in India and Afghanistan, the authors, Sharma and Behera, said.
Noting that a large number of Pakistani unemployed youth were joining TTP and were being ingrained with anti-India sentiments, they said that TTP would soon be dragged into action in Kashmir and other parts of India.
It also expressed apprehension that TTP’s network among radical elements in Pakistani armed forces would make it easy for them to gain access to nuclear facilities in Pakistan or carry out “a commando type attack that might cause widespread dispersal of radioactivity”.
With US-led forces set to move out of Afghanistan, the authors expressed apprehensions about a major upswing in terror activities in the Federally Administered Tribal Area in Pakistan in the coming days.
Regarding JeM launched by Masood Azhar who was released from Indian prison during the 1999 Kandahar hijack, the book says such organisations have lately “resumed full-scale public activities” in Pakistan.
“The ISI has been given the task to train the terrorist outfits like the JeM to use cyber and computer technology” to carry out their terror activities, Sharma and Behera said.
On the ULFA, they said while peace talks were continuing with a major faction but being opposed by the one led by Paresh Barua, “any wrong move during the peace talks would attract a number of cadres from the pro-talk faction to join Barua faction”.
Regarding Maoists, the authors say that overt and covert support of civil societies and frontal bodies has helped the extremists legitimise their ideology.
“Failure of the State in reaching the people and winning their hearts and minds is one of the major factors for the growth of Maoists in many parts of the country,” they said, adding effective and efficient land reforms and development initiatives, apart from security measures, were needed to tackle this problem. (PTI)