Chairman Legislative Council, Amrit Malhotra chairing Rules Committee meeting at Jammu on Wednesday.
JAMMU, Jan 29: Chairman Legislative Council, Amrit Malhotra has directed the Council Secretariat to issue advance schedule for meetings of the Committees for this year to ensure that meets are held well in time.
The Chairman issued these instructions while chairing a meeting of Rules Committee of the Legislative Council here today.
Legislators, Jehangir Hussain Mir, Syed Asgar Ali, Ravinder Kumar Sharma and Dr Bashir Ahmed Shah (Veeri) attended the meeting.
The members of the Committee unanimously suggested some amendments in the existing Rules.
The meeting was informed that in absence of Chairman of a particular Committee senior most member of the Committee will chair the meeting subject to quorum.
Secretary Legislative Council, Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Additional Secretary Legislative Council, Mohammad Maqbool Bhat, besides senior officers and officials of Council Secretariat were also present in the meeting.
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 29: Kashmiri Pandit Conference (KPC) has asked the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to highlight the genuine issues of Kashmiri Pandits in forthcoming session of State Assembly.
The demand was made by a delegation of KPC led by its president Kundan Kashmiri who held a meeting with BJP Legislative Party leader, Ashok Khajuria, BJP National Executive member and chief spokesperson of the State, Dr Jitendra Singh and organizational general secretary of the party, Ashok Kaul here today.
Mr Kashmiri also submitted a charter of demands to the BJP leaders urging them to raise these issues in the State Assembly during the forthcoming Assembly session.
The memorandum demanded consolidated rehabilitation of displaced Pandits on a piece of land in Kashmir Valley where there is free flow of Indian Constitution, passage of Shrines and Temples Bill lying in State Assembly, declaration of distress sale of KPs as null and void, KPs be declared as principle party to Kashmir dispute, opening of Sharda shrine for Hindu pilgrims from the State, five years age relaxation to displaced youth in employment and those who don’t fall in the category be provided economic assistance for their rehabilitation and allotment of shops to left over migrant shopkeepers of erstwhile camps.
The BJP leaders assured the delegation that they have already included these demands in the questionnaire to be presented by them in State Assembly during the forthcoming Budget session.
Minister for Finance Abdul Rahim Rather chairing a meeting at Jammu on Wednesday.
JAMMU, Jan 29: Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Abdul Rahim Rather today said that the Coalition Government headed by Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, in a landmark initiative, has taken a bold decision to make agriculture sector 100 percent tax free.
Speaking at a thought provoking session held in connection with pre-budget consultations with progressive farmers, under the aegis of J&K Board for Development of Kissans at Jammu, the Finance Minister said that agriculture sector is the mainstay of state’s economy which needs focused emphasis in budget and plan formulations and its implementation. He said the Government with a positive frame of mind will carry on to extend tax concessions and incentives to the agriculture sector to make it more remunerative and lucrative business activity, adding that every possible measure would be taken to introduce all the available farm technologies and innovations by providing tax relief on procurement of agriculture inputs and implements and import farm machinery.
Mr Rather lauded performance of Kissan Development Board headed by R S Sharma for unifying farming community and channelizing its energies towards betterment of farmers and bringing latest innovations in agriculture practices, adding that the board serves as a bridge between Government and farmers. He said the Government will continue to extend its full support to the Kissan Board to make it a fully empowered and vibrant institution so that other States of the country can take a cue and follow its model.
Vice-Chairman, J&K Board for Development R S Sharma also spoke on the occasion and lauded measures taken up by the Coalition Government for prosperity and progress of the farming community.
The prominent progressive farmers including Ex-Director Agriculture, Mr Khajuria, Rajesh Bittoo, Choudhary Dev Raj, Tejinder Singh put forth their suggestions to increase production and productivity in the State. They called for launching a well organised wheat procurement drive keeping in view the record wheat production this Rabi season. They also sought due share of investment from corporate houses in the agriculture sector under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
Choudhary Dev Raj, President Basmati Rice Growers Association R S Pura, who is also a prominent social activists of the area gave valuable suggestions to increasing export of world famous Basmati rice of R S Pura.
The Economic Advisor to Government, Jalil Ahmed Khan, Commissioner Commercial Taxes, Kifayat Hussain Rizvi, Excise Commissioner, Vineeta Gupta, Additional Secretary, Finance, Showkat Aijaz, Secretary J&K Board for Welfare of Kissans, G A Mir were also present in the meeting.
Governor N N Vohra and others witnessing Beating Retreat ceremony at Maulana Azad Stadium on Wednesday.
JAMMU, Jan 29: The Beating Retreat ceremony at Maulana Azad Stadium, here this evening marked the grand finale of this year’s Republic Day celebrations witnessed by N. N. Vohra, Governor, Usha Vohra, First Lady, and several Ministers.
Mubarak Gul, Speaker, Legislative Assembly, Javed Rana, Deputy Chairman Legislative Council, Legislators, senior Civil, Police and Security Forces Officers and other dignitaries were present on the occasion.
A scintillating and colourful brass band and pipes and drums show was presented by the Army, BSF and J&K Police on the occasion. The contingents received great applause from the audience.
The items presented in brass band display included Mahroon Silver and Gold, SCIPIO, Sitare Hind, Vijay Bharat, Siki Mola and Sare Jahan Se Achha, and in Pipe Band show, the well dressed contingents presented Sam Bahadur, Sherpa Valley, Himalaya, Sherpa, Cutty’s Wedding, Mrs. Mcleod of Raasay, Veer Sachin, Abide With Me.
The Governor gave away prizes to various brass band and pipes and drum contingents for their outstanding display on the ocassion. He also presented Trophies and cash awards to J&K Police Public School, Miran Sahib (Boys), Lord Shiva Day Boarding School, Gho Manasan (Girls), for the best march-past, Government SRML Higher Secondary School, Jammu (Boys), Combined (GHS City Chowk, GHS Dogra Hall, GHS Kacchi Chowani, Jammu) (Girls) for the best band contingent, Army Public School, Jammu, Cantt. for the best cultural item and the Directorate of School Education, Jammu for best tableaux presented at the State level Republic Day celebrations held at M. A. Stadium.
The spectacular fireworks added colour to the closure of the Beating Retreat ceremony. The function concluded with Sare Jahan Se Achha Hindustan Hamara and National Anthem.
Among others, the function was attended by the political and social activists, prominent citizens, students and a large number of people from the city.
Hobart, Jan 29:
England lost the opening Twenty20 international in Hobart today after narrowly failing to chase down Australia’s massive 214-run target.
The Australians were always in the box seats, with the tourists on 176 for nine with an over left.
But some prodigious late hitting by Ravi Bopara got England to within 13 runs of the target at the finish.
Bopara smashed seven sixes and two fours in his unbeaten 65 off 27 balls but paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile bowled the Australians to victory with four for 30 off his four overs.
Joe Root scored 32 off 24 balls and opener Alex Hales hit 22 off 12 balls for the beaten tourists, who have only won one limited-over international on their hapless tour of Australia.
Australia won the Ashes Test series 5-0 and the ODI series 4-1 before the three-game T20 series began.
“Ravi’s performance was a positive, but if you lose three wickets in the first six overs you rarely win,” said England skipper Stuart Broad.
“We’ll reflect and consider changes, but I err on the side of consistency and back these players to come back strong in Melbourne.”(PTI)
Minister for Medical Education, Taj Mohi-ud-Din addressing a gathering at Uri on Wednesday.
URI, Jan 29: Minister for Medical Education, Youth Services and Sports, Taj Mohi-ud-Din today said the development of backward and far flung areas of the State has been a noticeable feature of present Government. He said the Government has ensured that every region and sub region of the State gets its due in the developmental process.
Addressing a public meeting at Kamalkote today, the Minister reiterated the commitment of the Government to further strengthen and consolidate the developmental gains achieved in the State during the last five years.
Mr. Taj said that during last five years, era of development and prosperity has been ushered in the State besides providing all basic amenities to the people in every nook and corner of the State. He reiterated that efforts have been made to improve the economic status of the people by implementing various welfare and developmental schemes.
The Minister said Uri has registered phenomenal growth in infrastructure and social development during last decade. He said the distribution of water and power network in the area has been extended upto almost cent per cent population. He said a network of roads, schools, health centres etc. has been laid in the area besides the various social and rural development schemes like ICDS, MGNREGA etc. have seen a remarkable implementation in the area.
Earlier, Mr. Taj visited the Shadara Sharief shrine and paid his obeisance there. He prayed for peace and prosperity for the people of the State. He said the area has remained abode of communal harmony and brotherhood for ages for which he complimented the people there.
NEW DELHI, Jan 29:
Poking holes into CBI’s evidence against former Chief Minister Ashok Chavan in Adarsh Scam, Maharashtra Governor K Sankaranarayanan has said the agency failed to produce evidence which could disclose “even a grain of truth”.
On the allegation that inclusion of civilians in the Adarsh Society, meant for Kargil widows and defence personnel, was proposed by Chavan, the Governor said the agency proceeded on a “sheer assumption and conjecture”.
“The correspondence collected by CBI itself discloses that the main accused have been engaged in correspondence with various authorities for allotment of land much prior to June 2, 2000,” he said in an order provided to former Central Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi under RTI Act
CBI has alleged that Chavan as Revenue Minister became part of criminal conspiracy with main accused on June 2, 2000 during a meeting where he “reportedly proposed” the inclusion of civilians upto a ratio of 40 per cent as members in the society, the order shows.
“Prior to the meeting of June 2, 2000 also it is clear that civilians were part of the proceeding of negotiating/liasoning and were also entertained by the society…It cannot be, therefore, said that it was Chavan who for the first time proposed the inclusion of civilians in the society,” the Governor said.
Underlining the phrase used by CBI, Chavan “reportedly proposed” inclusion of civilians, to press its allegations, the Governor said, “In other words the CBI has not been able to collect/produce any evidence at all, leave aside the evidence that would prima-facie disclose even a grain of truth, in this regard. No prima facie case, therefore, exits for this allegation at all.”
Based on the denial of sanction to prosecute Chavan, CBI had recently moved the Mumbai special court seeking to drop the name of the former chief minister in the scam case, although that proposal was rejected by the court.
On the issue of alleged quid pro quo in the form of allotment of flat to sister-in-law of Chavan, the Governor said, “taking triggering point of the quid pro quo as the meeting of June 2, 2000, it is clear that application made by his sister-in-law on June 18, 2004 was rejected and an affidavit had to be filed in 2008.”
“Too much time has elapsed between the meeting of 2000 and the application of 2004 and the affidavit of 2008 and the grant of membership on November 10, 2008. I have not found any nexus in the documents produced before me to even prima facie appear that this grant of membership was gratification or a quid pro quo for whatever actions were taken by Mr Chavan,” he said in the order.
The Governor said no document or oral evidence of any witness contains any evidence whatsoever to even prima facie show that there is a nexus of even so that the proposal of quid pro quo was the brain child of Chavan.
“It may also be noted that at the time of approval of membership, Chavan was not the revenue minister nor was he the Chief Minister,” he said.
Sankaranarayanan said that CBI had sought his sanction only under Section 197 of CrPC and not under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
He clarified that denial of permission to prosecute did not pertain to charges which are sought to be levelled against Chavan under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
“Having considered the matter from all angles, the entire papers and documents, I do not find that even a prima facie case is made out and hence the request of the CBI for sanction to prosecute under Section 197 of the CrPC is liable to be rejected and, therefore, I am hereby constrained to refuse the same,” he said.
Chavan, who resigned as chief minister of Maharashtra after the scam surfaced, was among 12 people charged by CBI in connection with the case.
The former chief minister had challenged inclusion of his name in the charge sheet, saying no sanction for prosecution was taken from the governor whereas CBI countered it by saying since he was a former minister at the time of being charge sheeted and there was no need for sanction. (PTI)
MLA Surjit Singh Slathia inaugurating development works on Wednesday.
SAMBA, Jan 29: MLA Vijaypur Surjit Singh Slathia today inaugurates development works at border village Dug-Chhanni in Ramgarh.
He inaugurated newly constructed lanes and drains completed at a cost of Rs. 9 lakh and black topping of the road completed at a cost of Rs. 8.75 lakh out of his Constituency Development Fund.
On the occasion, the local people putforth their demands and grievances before the MLA.
The MLA while addressing the gathering assured the villagers for early redressal of their genuine demands. He on spot directed the concerned officers for redressal of the demands of the villagers.
The demands mainly include upgradation of infrastructure of the power system, early construction of pending lanes and drains and black topping of one village road.
Slathia also appealed the people to take benefit of Centrally and State sponsored schemes specially MGNREGA.
NEW DELHI, Jan 29: Congress today downplayed reports of a possible split in its alliance with National Conference (NC) in Jammu and Kashmir even as NC President Farooq Abdullah said that his son and State Chief Minister Omar Abdullah would take the final decision on the ties between the two parties.
“The alliance stands as of today” and it would not be proper to pre-judge the issue, Congress spokesman Randeep Surjewala told reporters in the backdrop of media speculation on the ruling alliance split over the issue of creation of new administrative units in the State which the Congress is stonewalling.
Abdullah, a Union Minister, told journalists that Omar, who is said to be thinking of resigning over the issue, would take the final call on the alliance.
But, he said, there is a need to resolve the matter amicably because creation of administrative units is for the good of the people and by this way, the work done by the former Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad of creating eight districts will be completed.
“This is not going to benefit one party but credit will go to both the parties,” Abdullah said.
To a question on whether the two parties would be fighting elections together, he said “no final decision has been taken on this”.
Asked whether there was a growing mistrust between NC and Congress, Abdullah shot back, “there are some people with vested interests who are trying to create mistrust between the coalition partners.”
Congress leaders from the State have been holding meetings with party high command to work out a solution on the issue.
State’s deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand had said after a meeting last night that the Mushtaq Ganaie Committee had “recommended 700 new administrative units but the figure may go up to 2000 or more.”
He is the Chairman of the Cabinet Sub-Committee meeting set up by Omar to go into the recommendation of Ganaie Committee which had called for setting up new administrative units in the State. (PTI)
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Jan 29: Hindu Welfare Society has appealed to the Government to grant rehabilitation under Prime Minister’s Rehabilitation Package to displace pandits who migrated from within the Valley in 1990.
Chuni Lal Bhat, Publicity Secretary of HWS, said that 51 pandit families have been living in Srinagar as tenants from the last two decades after emigrating from villages for safety.
Bhat said they have been appealing to the Government to grant the Quarters and other benefits under PM’s relief package which was sanction in 2008.
“We have been cleared by the concerned Government agencies, including police, Divisional Commissioner’s office for the grant and accommodation. But, the Relief Commissioner’s office is not clearing our cases, and thus putting us into penury and misery,” claimed Bhat.
He said the society appeals the Chief Minister to look into the matter to mitigate their problems faced by them.
