Ram Rattan Sharma
Enough is thought, spoken, written and devised on it, but corruption continues to grow at a cumulative rate. Everybody asks a question about this, but no body has the answer. Including the law, the lawmakers, the law breakers and the law seekers. It means the foundation and sources of survival of corruption lie deeper and are simply beyond the pale of mere law making and implementation process. Two hundred years of British rule in India could be regarded as the basis of the spread and mass conversion of people’s mentality in to some thing different, which were thought in terms of career and prospects. The British Govt. engraved into the minds of people that manipulation, divide and rule and policy of suppression cum reconciliation could even convert a powerful sovereign land into a classical colony. The whole regime passed amidst accusations and justifications and India experienced horrible governance during her colonial tenure.
Corruption was not only made widespread both horizontally and vertically by the British but it was made a way of life. The whole British Colonial apparatus was guided towards shielding wrong people, wrong work and wrong policies. It created an atmosphere where anti-nationalists short-sighted, whimsical people could get the benefits and honest and hardworking people could go to backyard of the machinery. Infact, capriciousness was accepted as a talent and straight forwardness and steadfast was forcefully and awfully discouraged.
Gradually in course of time corruption and corrupt practices assimilated into the work culture and encroached the mental faculty of most of the people in India. The British clearly sent a message to most of the younger generation at that time that if they wanted to excel in their lives, they had to compromise with certain dignified proposition and then only they can survive the on slaughts of parochial governance. With this temperament, we got freedom and British left the country. But these two hundred years of alien rule completely transmuted the character of the Indians. The British rule infused a sense of insecurity amongst most of the people about their future and career of their children. Therefore needs are being transformed in to greed. The person not only tries to earn for one self but also for the entire generations to come and this attitude towards work and life forms the genesis of all cronyism. The British Govt. consciously avoided to touch sensitive issues of administration and continued their rule on the basis of touch and go and adhocism. They never tried to find out any solution for long-term problems and through the constitution of various committees and commissions. We are also following the same methods. The British govt. deliberately created crisis and confusion among the communities through the policy of divide and rule. This created a sense of mental suspicion towards each other and laid the foundations of sectarian politics in India. This breeds and sustains corruption. The British govt. ushered all the developments and projects to suit their interests. Even today investments are made on same pattern. In independent India also most of the projects are driven by the interests of a few groups of persons.
The British devised covenanted civil services to serve the British imperialist interests in India by collecting revenues for them with out ensuring any accountability. They were called civil servants but they were basically representatives of their British Masters. The people do not get due justice and service from the officers even now. The administration suffers and corruption breeds. The British Govt. did not touch education, including primary, higher and technical beyond their utility level. In the name of modern education, the British govt. confused the minds of the people. The British govt. showed a very low respect about our traditional system education but never tried to replace it with a more rational and growth oriented system of education. This creates fragmented and dilapediated mind set of both the leaders and voters and breeds uncontrollable spate of political corruption. Manipulating and being manipulated has much acceptance now than it was earlier in our society. The British in a way rationalized and justified it as a way of living. Manipulation is the basis of Western or Euro-centric approach of development let us be realistic. But what can definitely be wished is that those who get manipulated be not protected from the wrath of those in power. The British responded in a favourable manner to blandishment and flattery. It was made to appear as a survival strategy for the Indians. The humblest and determined either give away their work and the manipulative give way to the powerful head. What is supposed to be selfless turns in to self centered. It destroys the strength of our administration and breeds corruption at all levels.
It is unfortunate since this had brought us to a level where we only find ourselves in search of more money, more power and thereby greater respect and influence thus the British made a notable change in the outlook of society. The race for money and power is now unprecedented and it has corrupted the minds of the people. There is need of an institution which is very powerful and that institution is supposed to act as a watch dog for the nation, as the debate is going on for the constitution of powerful Lok Pal, as in the Jan Lok Pal bill, being considered by the civil societies. It asks for such a Lok Pal which brings with in its purview the CVC and the CB.
Considering the history of colonial rule and inability of the last 64 years old rule to break the jinx of corruption, the huge magnitude and proportions of corruption cannot be tackled by mere individual or individuals or for that matter any institution. Infact, we have to realize that the level acceptance of corruption among us has to be rejected thoroughly and in this regard we have to come out collectively by surmounting and obliterating our habits, mind set, temptations, myopic calculations and behavioural pattern, and this is not easy, mind it, accept it and work it to get rid of it.
(The author is former Dy. Librarian University of Jammu and a social activist)
Kill it or get killed
Diversification in agriculture
Dr.Banarsi Lal
Agricultural policies involve the Government, organizations and the farmers. The Government aims in maximization of agricultural outputs on sustainable basis. The agricultural universities and research institutions give policy inputs and the government departments prepare the programmes on the basis of the policies and implement them to achieve the objectives of the government. The farmers seek to maximize their farm income and employment of the family members to increase their income. The state planning policies which are top down in approach decide on macroeconomic basis, assuming that the farmers would adopt them or could be induced to adopt .The general policy of Government for agricultural development can be summarized in terms of (a)supply of inputs like high yielding varieties seeds, fertilizers and insecticides-pesticides at reasonable rates;(b)supply of water, credits and electricity at subsidized rates; and (c)fixing of minimum support price for important food grains and other crops along with procurement system for wheat and rice. The farmers have responded to these policies by allocating higher acreage under wheat and rice crops which have least risk of yield as well as price. The policy of diversification has been loaded with objectives like checking degradation of soil health, sustaining the land productivity, checking decrease in level of water table and water logging, controlling the use of insecticides and pesticides, decreasing the water pollution, maintaining the ecological balance and increasing production of crops. The farmer thinks for the short term benefits. The continuous increase in area under wheat and rice in spite of echoing of the above mentioned considerations clearly proves the fallacy of this policy of diversification.
The support price with procurement arrangement has been revealed as the most important instrumental variables in influencing the acreage allocation decisions of the farmers. This support is becoming unsustainable for the Government due to its financial situation. The support price with procurement arrangement for additional crops is almost ruled out in view of prevailing weak fiscal situations of the Central and State Governments. The acreage planning for individual crops is widely used as a management tool by almost all the developed countries. Acreage planning requires realistic estimates of the acreage under individual crops at national level on the basis of domestic and export demand of the concerned crops. The level of production and acreage can be fixed for different crops at national level so as to fetch a market price reasonably above the cost of production. The cost of production may be targeted so as to compete with the international price of the crop in next 2-3 years. We cannot do away with the responsibility of planning agricultural output in the pretext of liberalization or incompetence of line departments. The million of traders are effectively covered under some or other kind of registration then why not the farmers. We need to try it at least for certain crops. We should choose the path of area planning for further agriculture growth otherwise we shall be heading towards the disastrous situation with present approach of no planning. It may be worthwhile to use area planning as a policy for certain crops like floriculture, vegetables , strawberry, fruits etc. where the number of farmers and area involved is much less. The acreage for the selected crops may be fixed at national level on annual basis and the same may be allocated among the individual states. The state level acreage of each of the selected crop can be allocated among the districts through the concerned Department of Agriculture as per their share in the state. The district officer of the department can further allocate the acreage among the individual farmers on the basis of their last 3 years acreage of the concerned crop. This procedure will take care of the likely state and district level concerns in allocation of planned acreage. This practice may be tough in the beginning but such planning is being effectively implemented as a policy instrument in almost all the developed countries at present. Farmers will be benefitted if they are restricted to one or two selected crops along with the purview of acreage control. For this purpose farmers need to be convinced by taking the specific area plan models of some crops. Such models can be helpful to increase the income of the farmers as well as the agricultural sector as a whole. The existing crop departments need the training and use of information technology.
The policy of acreage planning can serve many purposes such as (a)Farmers will get the specialization of the concerned crop by restricting themselves to the crop on regular basis.(b)Price support will be available to the farmers due to planned production according to the domestic and export market requirement. (c)Specialization in one or two crops will enable the farmers to produce the quality products in terms of taste, colour etc. which will pay them high prices.(d)The long term association of the farmer with a particular crop will help him to think for processing the same.(e)The allocated area will be reliable for providing any type of technical or market support. The supply of inputs and credit facility can really be provided to the farmers. (f)The area planning can help us to avoid the causes of wastage of scarce resources like land, fertilizers, pesticides etc. Any type of intervention after excess production will just transfer the losses from farmers to Government or vice-versa. The area planning can avoid those losses and even save scarce resources .
Need to adopt a pro-active approach
Sarvadaman
The recent spate of cross-border firing on Indian troops manning LoC and other posts in J&K has sent shock waves across the country. Reliable sources referred to about 117 incidents of cease fire violations by Pakistani troops across the LoC. In some cases, the Indian troops were forced to retaliate with utmost restraint. However, the incident that took place at Mendhar area of Poonch District has shocked the conscious of every patriotic and right thinking Indian. The beheading of an Indian jawan and mutilation of another by Pak troops, who had intruded stealthy into the Indian territory, clearly reflects the mindset of Pak. Army and their civilian leadership. It is a hard fact that the ongoing peace process has failed to achieve any tangible results. The peace process has only benefitted Pakistan. But our political leadership is obsessed with carrying on peace process with Pakistan. Over the years, there have been many cultural exchanges, seminar and conferences involving members of civil society and officials from both the countries. So much so that different types of proposals like demilitarization of Siachen Glacier, settling of Sir Creek issue in Gujarat and other allied matters were discussed. The decision of the Indian Government to liberalize Visa System and grant liberty to Pak. nationals above 65 years of age to travel in India freely except in States of J&K, Punjab and Kerla, is fraught with great danger. Normalization of ties with neighbouring countries is a welcome step but it should not be at the cost of security of our country and people.
It is rightly said that nation comes always first. But promoting friendship and nurturing personal relations at the cost of National interests is suicidal for the country. The US and UK Foreign policy is always guided by national interests. Since 1947, despite good efforts from our political establishment to maintain cordial relations with Pakistan have met with failure. Some people in the Indian establishment still believe that peace cannot be achieved through violence, it can only be attained through mutual trust and understanding. But this kind of thinking on the part of Indian leadership has failed to yield anything substantial. The gravity of the two incidents that took place along the LoC in J&K must neither be seen as a localized affair of trivial importance nor should be blown out of proportion as a prelude to a major incidents of tension between two arch rivals in the subcontinent. Despite provocation of grave nature, some sections of Indian leadership, intellectuals and some sections of civil society have said that such incidents do occur every now and then but both sides should not allow the matters to go out of control. These men in the peace industry still advocate a multilevel engagement between India and Pakistan. This section of society is not fully aware of ground situation.
The need of the hour is to pay Pakistan in the same way and to make it realize the cost of such kind of misadventures against India. We have examples of many countries before us. The Israelis have a high level of self respect and they believe in the policy of tit for tat. The adversaries should be made to remain at tenterhooks even if they falsely show repentance. Therefore, time has come that we should reshape our foreign policy and also revise our strategic policy in the light of these gruesome developments by the Pakistani Army. It is quite clear that the brutality on the LoC raises doubts about the credibility of the peace process. India should have a fresh look in this matter. Many persons in the Indian establishment still believe that Pakistan is going to get advantage by drawing international attention towards Kashmir affairs. Some also feel that internal situation in Pakistan is not conducive, some say that a change of guard is around the corner in Pakistan. But what we have to do with such type of changes. We have to do nothing with the internal affairs of Pakistan. Some members of the civil society even went to the extent of saying that by blowing the matter out of proportion, the relations between the two countries would again get jeopardized. They must know that it would not be a one sided affair.
India has granted a number of one sided concessions to Pakistan including most favoured Nation Status. But the result of these one sided concessions are before us. Pakistan has not given any concession to India. The countries are not governed with emotions, but with firm decisions. It is now expected that some kind of change should be made and priorities refixed to guard the National interests. The incident at Mendhar and other similar gruesome acts committed in the past by the Pakistani establishment have inflamed the Indian Public Opinion. It could, of course, achieve mush more if New Delhi would exert pressure on Pakistan at International Level. By doing so, India would be able to contain Pakistan to some extent and would surely be able to isolate Pakistan at the International Level for various acts of overt and covert missions. India should not look at loosing friendship with Pakistan. But the change of policy would definitely yield better results than the previous laid back approach. By adopting proactive approach, Pakistan can be cornered in a better way and peace can be achieved in the long run.
Meeting nature’s fury
Man is acclimatized to the fury of the nature because he is helpless before its might when unleashed by the elements. Earthquakes, tsunami, wild fires, storms, avalanches, hurricanes, cyclone, tornados and tempests are the manifestations of this brute power of nature that claim life too violently and too quickly. Scientists and geologists give us the physical reason for these unpredictable changes. Yet despite all the destruction that these cause, man moves on to be part of the entire process.
We in the State of Jammu and Kashmir are faced with a recurring scenario that haunts us year after year and season after season. The State is located on the western fringes of the Himalayas comprising the Pir Panchal, Salkhala and Shivalak ranges and sub-ranges. According to geologists, these mountain ranges are younger in years and hence not so solid as to withstand the onslaught of elements or wanton intervention by human beings. The road from Jammu to Banihal meanders through kacha mountains that are highly vulnerable to the effect of heavy rains and snow. Particularly during the monsoons and the winter when we have heavy rains and snow alternatively, the entire belt of NH-1 and the arteries like Batote – Doda-Kishtwar road or Udhampur-Reasi road or Rajouri-Poonch road and Batote-Banihal road become highly vulnerable to landslides and slips that disrupt normal vehicular transport. Landslides are a common feature during the rainy season. When the road is blocked thousands of vehicles along the road and passengers get stranded for days at end. It becomes a matter of worry for the government and for the civilian population. More often, people perish in such conditions.
We may not be able to predict the vagaries of nature and the fury of elements when geographical changes are at work, but we need to think seriously whether we are becoming an instrument to aggravate violent physical changes all along the highways and mountainous road links in the State. We are repeatedly told that some interventions could become the cause for loosening of the earth of these young mountains and ridges that could lead to downslide of enormous mass of earth, stones and rocks called landslides. De-foresting and denying the slopes their green cover, absence of drains to save the soil from erosion, blasting of rocks and quarries to obtain constructional material like stones, pebbles, sand etc, tampering with rock formations to make tunnels, bridges or to widen the roads by cutting the earth are all having impact on the mountains through which roads are built. Movement of heavy vehicular traffic causes vibrations that could also be the reason for loosening of the earth. At many places such as from 14- to 135 kilometers of NH-1, the region is more prone to landslides owing to very loose formation of rocks.
The Jammu-Srinagar-Leh Highway is the lifeline of our State. We cannot afford its closure even for one hour. It is the feeder to the requirements of more than a crore of people and the entire economy of the state depends on it. Therefore we need to constantly take care that the link remains intact in all seasons and under all conditions. It calls for some urgent and serious measures. Foremost is that axing of the trees and spoliation of green cover over should be immediately forbidden with very harsh punishment for violation of this rule. Then there should be plantation on scientific basis meaning such trees should be densely planted as have deep roots and grip the soil fast. Trees of special specie will have to be identified and planted on regular basis. The green cover of the soil has to be maintained at any cost and with perfection. Quarries should not be allowed close to the Highway. It is just possible that the Forest Department may need creating a separate range for the National Highway exclusively.
Raising protective and supportive walls and bunds is also important. Border Roads organization is doing excellent job in trying to keep important and strategic road open the year round. But the construction of supporting walls and balustrades has to be undertaken as a major project to be completed over a period of time. It is hoped that the proposed tunnel from Chenani to Nashri now under construction will overcome the problem of landslides. But that should not minimize the importance of keeping the old highway open and in trim for use.
Loot of intellectual property
Out of a total of about four lakh books in 69 public libraries in the valley, 42,000 volumes are either missing or are lying with borrowers who have not cared to return these despite several official letters sent to them. 2659 books unreturned are lying with bureaucrats. Even they pay no attention to the official notices. This is general loot of public property and reflects the height of irresponsibility and social unwariness. Libraries, the standard of books preserved and the visitors and readership all put together speak of the cultural level of a society. These are old libraries and, obviously, they have old and rare volumes preserved in their vaults. Libraries are the cultural treasure of a society. Remember that during World War II, Great Britain had secured most of its precious fund of books and manuscripts in the British Museum at underground safe vaults which would not get damage owing to bombardment. Libraries are public property, something that makes a society civilized, historically conscious and futuristically inquisitive. Vandalizing this national fund is a big crime and the report brought out by the Directorate of Libraries laments that there are no stringent laws to take proper action against defaulters. Firstly membership laws should be made more stringent and the registered borrowers should be asked to deposit a good amount with the concerned library authorities as security against loss or non-return. Then there should be a penalty for loss or non return also. All libraries need to be provided with photo copying facility on payment and an exclusive identity card with full home address and photograph. All books preserved should be digitalized and access to volumes made technically very easy and quick. Library buildings have to be on modern lines, airy, with sunlight coming in plentiful or air conditioned. The staff has to be well trained and dedicated to the profession.
Budget session set for storm, Hindu terror issue defused
NEW DELHI, Feb 20:
The Budget Session of Parliament beginning tomorrow looks set to be stormy with Opposition vowing to strongly raise issues like corruption and inflation even though Government expressed readiness to discuss all issues and order any kind of probe into the chopper scam.
However, a possible confrontation between Government and BJP over Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde’s “Hindu terror” remark was averted on the eve of the session as he expressed regret and the main opposition welcomed it.
Leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj had demanded that Shinde withdraw his comments and tender an apology, failing which the party would boycott him.
The three-month long session will begin with the customary address by President Pranab Mukherjee to the joint sitting of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.
The session has a heavy legislative agenda, including getting Parliament nod to three ordinances, introduction of as many as 16 bills, consideration and passage of 35 bills.
The Railway Budget will be presented on February 26, the Economic Survey the next day and the General Budget on February 28.
NDA, which held a strategy session here this evening, said it wanted Parliament to function smoothly and would make all efforts in this regard.
However, it said there were lot of “challenges” before the which needed to be raised in Parliament with “full strength”.
NDA convenor Sharad Yadav listed these issues as the helicopter scam, other corruption cases, inflation, farmers plight due to drought in Maharashtra and hailstorm in Madhya Pradesh and ordinance on stronger anti-rape laws.
The main opposition’s aggressive posturing came even after Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and other ministers said the Government was ready for discussion on any issue and hoped all parties will join hands to find productive, constructive solutions to the formidable challenges facing the nation.
On the helicopter scam which the NDA would be raising on Friday, the Government said it is ready for any kind of probe.
With an aim of ensuring a smooth sail of the Budget session, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar held a meeting with leaders of all political parties today.
After the meeting, the Prime Minister said he hoped that all political parties will join hands to find productive, constructive solutions to the formidable challenges facing the nation.
“Parliament is the forum for discussions or dialogue and all parties have an obligation to ensure that parliament runs smoothly. I am hopeful and confident that this session is going to be a fruitful session,” he told reporters.
Noting that all parties have an obligation to ensure that Parliament runs smoothly, Singh said, “I am hopeful and confident that this is going to be a fruitful session.”
Swaraj said parties want discussion on several issues including VVIP chopper scam, Indo-Pak ties in the backdrop of beheading of two Indian soldiers, situation in Maldives, attempts by China to encircle India, severe drought in Maharashtra and plight of farmers due to hailstorm in Madhya Pradesh as also the burden of rising prices on the common man.
Hours later, NDA convenor Sharad Yadav said, “There are several challenges facing the country. The helicopter scam will certainly be raised. Some other scams were left halfway. We will try to raise them too.”
On the controversial chopper deal, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath said the Government is willing for any type of inquiry for which there was a political consensus.
“I have told all political parties that the Government is willing to have any type of inquiry for which there is political consensus on the helicopter issue because this is not just an issue concerning corruption. This is an investigation carried out overseas which is a slur on India,” Nath said.
Meanwhile, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde tonight expressed regret over his controversial Hindu terror remark as the faceoff with opposition BJP was defused just on the eve of the Budget Session of Parliament.
In a brief statement by way of clarification, Shinde, who is also the Leader of the Lok Sabha, said his comment has created a “misunderstanding” and that he had no intention to link terrorism with any religion.
“Since controversy has been created on account of my statement, I am issuing this clarification and expressing regret to those who felt hurt by my statement,” he said.
“My statement given in Jaipur last month has created a misunderstanding. It has been understood to mean that I was linking terrorism to a particular religion and was accusing certain political organisations of being involved in organising terror camps.
“I had no intention to link terror to any religion. There is no basis for suggesting that terror can be linked to organisations mentioned in my brief speech in Jaipur,” he added.
Shortly after Shinde expressed regret, BJP welcomed it but said it ought to have come much earlier.
“The delay had created a condition which gladdened the hearts of terrorists and their patrons in Pakistan,” BJP chief spokesman Ravi Shanker Prasad said.
Shinde had made the controversial remark at Jaipur exactly a month ago at the Congress’ Chinthan Shivir raising the hackles of the principal Opposition party and the Sangh Parivar.
Earlier in the day, Shinde along with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath had a meeting with Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha and BJP leader Sushma Swaraj after which Government managers worked overtime to formulate a statement which was acceptable to both sides.
The Home Minister has been under severe attack from BJP which had promised to rake up the issue in the Budget session beginning tomorrow.
“I will continue to perform my duties to the best of my ability to ensure that harmony is maintained in the social fabric of India,” Shinde said.
Shinde’s statement came on a day when BJP took to the streets in Delhi to protest against his remarks. (PTI)
J&K seeks coal block for 1000 MW thermal power: CM
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 20: Jammu and Kashmir is seeking allocation of coal block from Union Ministry of Coal under Government dispensation route for setting up of a Pit-Head Thermal Power Plant of 1000 MW capacity to meet the energy needs of the State.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, on whose directions the State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) has initiated action on this initiative, today received detailed brief on the proposed project at the 68th meeting of Board of Directors of JKSPDC.
Managing Director, JKSPDC, Basharat Ahmad Dhar informed the meeting that with the approval of the Chief Minister the Corporation has sought allocation of coal block out of the eight suitable blocks notified by Union Ministry of Coal in Chattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand. He said eight papers have been submitted by the JKSPDC for allocation of coal block.
This path breaking initiative would help to augment power supply by 1000 MWs and meet the generation needs especially during the winter when the generation of hydro electric projects recede and demand increases.
Underlining the necessity of a coal-run thermal power plant to generate 1000 MW electricity round the year, the Chief Minister said that Jammu and Kashmir would get greatly benefited by such a type of power project and help mitigate the difficulties on power supply count in the peak demand periods.
Omar said that power sector is the focused area and multipronged strategy has been put in place by his Government to increase the power generation manifolds and help flourishing of wide-ranging economic activities in the State besides meeting the domestic power needs.
The Chief Minister said that his Government is determined to transform Jammu and Kashmir from power deficit State to energy sufficient one and relieve the people from the constant burden of load sheding and power cuts. He said availability of sufficient power is also necessary for the growth of industry and trade activities.
Omar Abdullah asked the JKSPDC to fast track the completion of projects under its implementation in the State. He also directed for ensuring time line completion of works under execution in joint venture and other modes.
The Board approved the proposal of placing the recommendation of JKSPDC before the Cabinet for award of EPC contract for construction of 48 MW Lower Kalnai and 21 MW Patnazi Bunjwah HEP through IPP route to successful bidders.
With these two projects the number of projects approved for award during the current financial year will increase to 13 with a capacity of 712 MWs.
The Board also approved the road map for capacity addition of about 9036 MWs in the State during the 12th and 13th Five Year Plan periods comprising 7357 MWs in State sector including JV and IPP mode projects. As many as 10 projects with an aggregate capacity of 3824 MWs would be constructed by JKSPDC.
The meeting discussed matters relating to the funding of power projects, construction of external access road to Sawalakot, financial closure of 9 MW Dah and 9 MW Hanu HEPs, setting up of 5 MW TDP-cum-Resource Assessment Geo-thermal project at Pugah Leh, status of implementation of projects, setting up of football academy, action taken on decisions taken in previous meetings and issues pertaining to administration and management of the Corporation.
The Board also reviewed the status of implementation of Baglihar HEP-II, Parnai, Lower Kalnai, New Ganderbal, Sawalakote, Karthai-I and II HEPs. It also discussed matters of pension policy, regularization policy and compassionate appointment policy for the Corporation employees.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khanday, Economic Advisor, Jalil Ahmad Khan, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, B. B. Vyas, Principal Secretary Power Development Department, A. K. Mehta, Executive Director, Zahoor Ahmad Chat, Secretary JKSPDC, Sunil Gupta and senior other officers.
Poonch firm blacklisted for cross LoC trade
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Feb 20: For the first time after the cross LoC trade activities commenced between India and Pakistan though Chakan-da-Bagh LoC point in Poonch, two firms on both sides of the LoC have been black-listed for carrying out any business ties further.
The Poonch based firm has been black-listed for cross LoC trade via Chakan-da-Bagh while Indian authorities today conveyed the Pak authorities to ban a Rawalakot based firm as it was found supplying cartridges of AK-47 rifles, concealed under goods twice in last three months.
Authoritative sources told the Excelsior that M/S Dewan Traders of Poonch has been blacklisted for the cross LoC trade after some cartridges of AK-47 rifle were recovered from the goods destined to him from Rawalakot in Pak occupied Kashmir twice. A trader Hamid Raza Hashmi from Rawalakot in PoK had sent the goods (almonds) to the Poonch based firm.
During scanning at the Chakan-da-Bagh trade facilitation centre, the Indian authorities had detected some cartridges concealed in almond boxes, apparently for trial. The attempt to smuggle ammunition was however foiled on two occasions in last three months.
General Manager, District Industries Centre (DIC) Poonch, Krishan Lal confirmed that on the basis of its involvement in illegal activities, the Poonch based firm has been black-listed and Pak authorities through Indian Trade Facilitation Officer, Paramjeet Singh were today conveyed that Rawalakot (PoK) based firm, owned by Fazal Rehman Hashmi, be banned for the cross LoC trade as the same firm was found sending some cartridges concealed in almonds to M/S Dewan Traders of Poonch twice in last 3-4 months. On the basis of the illegal activities, both the firms have been debarred from carrying further trade activities through Chakan-da-Bagh LoC point.
It has been decided at the higher level that goods sent by this Rawalakote based firm will not be accepted in future at all the LoC points here and the authorities in Pakistan in this concerned have been sounded appropriately.
Mr Lal further disclosed that this was for the first time that any firm involved in the cross LoC Trade was penalized at this cross LoC trade centre.
He said on one occasion a PoK visitor was arrested at the Chakan-da-Bagh after a satellite camera was found concealed in his suit case by the Indian authorities. He was coming to meet his relatives in Mendhar area. He was arrested and a case registered against him.
Meanwhile, total 19 trucks loaded with goods crossed sides at Chakan-da-Bagh LoC point today. The PoK traders sent goods including dry fruits and herbs worth Rs 51 lakhs to the Indian side while Indian traders sent goods worth Rs 40 lakh in 13 trucks to PoK today. Majority of the goods included fresh fruits. The LoC point was opened between 12 noon to 1 pm and then between 3 and 3.30 pm. Paramjeet Singh from Indian side and Fazal Rehman from Pak side facilitated the trade.
Stormy budget session on cards, Govt to face heat
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Feb 20: Budget session of the State Legislature beginning February 28 was likely to be very stormy especially in the initial days with main opposition, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and others raking up the issue of Afzal Guru’s execution while Jammu based Opposition parties taking up the Government on failed promises of employment, refugees, empowerment of Panchayats, holding of Municipal elections and giving corruption free governance.
On their part, the National Conference-Congress coalition partners have geared up to counter the Opposition. The Alliance would devise its strategy jointly in the Legislature Party meeting on the eve of session especially its stand on Guru’s execution on which a lot of uproar was expected with the Opposition attempting to move Motion and Resolution seeking return of Guru’s body to his family.
Apart from the Opposition, the ruling Alliance could also face some heat from the MLAs, who failed to make it to the Council of Ministry in last month’s expansion, which was under taken after three and a half years and the Ministers, who were dropped.
Though the Kupwara trio—Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan, Saifullah Mir and Kafeel-ur-Rehman—who had quite often created trouble for the Government in the Assembly were now part of the Government with first two inducted in the Cabinet and Kafeel given Cabinet rank as Vice Chairman of Pahari Welfare Advisory Board and Nazir Gurezi also inducted as the Minister of State with Independent Charge, the other aspirants in both the parties could embarrass the Government, the insiders said.
This would be first session of present dispensation without Speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone, who used to tackle the Opposition very effectively with his statesmanship and arguments, albeit sometimes losing temper. The Government had to elect new Speaker on first day of the session.
“Guru’s shadow would definitely cast trouble in the Assembly. We are not even able to think of Bills, Resolutions and other issues as the Government of India has pushed every thing including the peace process way behind by executing Guru in such a manner which has generated a lot of anger among the people of Kashmir’’, senior PDP leader and MLA Nizam-ud-Din Bhat said.
His stand dropped enough hints that the PDP was going to pursue the issue vigorously in the Legislative Assembly making the budget session stormy. Though Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has also echoed sentiments of the people by supporting demand for return of Guru’s body, the NC leaders admitted that it would be tough to control rampaging PDP in the House especially when the Congress members can’t back the NC leaders as it was their Government, which executed Guru.
However, Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather said it was the job of the Opposition to rake up issues in the Assembly but the Government has effective replies to their each and every query.
“We know what issues the Opposition parties would raise. Some of their issues are just for the sake of doing opposition of the Government. We would counter them effectively. We will reply to their arguments’’, Mr Rather said, adding “it was, however, a different matter that if the Opposition was adamant on creating trouble, who can stop them’’?
Though the Government has set up the State Vigilance Commission (SVC) ahead of the session by nominating former DGP Kuldeep Khoda as Chief Vigilance Commissioner and RK Jerath as Vigilance Commissioner, the Opposition planned to grill the Government on diluting powers of Chief Information Commission (CIC) and State Accountability Commission (SAC).
“I would move a legislation in budget session of the Assembly seeking suo moto powers to SAC for taking action against the corrupt political leaders’’, CPM leader Mohammad Yusuf Tarigami said, adding this was a must to tackle the menace of corruption.
Mr Tarigami said the Panchayats have been rendered handicapped without powers and the Government has failed to keep up its promise of holding elections to Municipalities. “What happened to the Government promise of fast track recruitment of 60,000 jobs and 43,000 casual appointments’’? he asked.
NPP Legislature Party leader Harshdev Singh said the NPP would forcefully take up the issue of “non governance’’ in the State. “There is no accountability, no work culture, unemployment is increasing every day. Administrative machinery has paralysed. The people were disenchanted with the Government. The fiscal indiscipline is increasing’’, he added.
BJP president and MLA Nagrota, Jugal Kishore said the party would grill the Government for delay in empowerment of Panchayats, which have been rendered defunct, addressing problems of West Pakistan and PoK refugees and delay in holding elections to Municipal bodies.
Congress leader and former Minister Ghulam Mohammad Saroori said the Congress would seek discussion on State Finance Commission (SFC) report and implementation of the recommendations given by one of its members, Swami Raj Sharma, which haven’t been incorporated in the report deliberately.
“To check uneven distribution of funds, we would like SFC report to be discussed and implemented including recommendations of Mr Sharma’’, he said, adding that the Commission had been set up by former Chief Minister and Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Azad for equal treatment to all three regions. Mr Saroori said the Congress would seek Hill Development Council for Chenab Valley and Rajouri-Poonch.
Jammu State Morcha (JSM) MLA Ashwani Sharma said the Government has not met the demands of border people, refugees, unemployed youth and failed to address concerns of Jammu people on discrimination.
“Unemployment is rampant. The Government has promised fast track recruitment but done nothing so far. All these issues would be raised in the Assembly’’, he said, adding the Government would be taken to task for its week policies on terrorism.
Sources said Legislature Parties of all main political parties would meet a day or two ahead of the session to devise strategy to be adopted in the House.
High-level Committees to ensure hassle free implementation of Rs 1200 cr worth projects
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Feb 20: The Planning and Development Department has constituted high level Coordination Committees to ensure hassle free implementation of Rs 1200 crore worth infrastructure development projects in Jammu and Srinagar cities, which are being taken up under the third tranche of Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan. In the meantime, a team of the Bank is expected to arrive by March ending to see preparedness for the execution of projects before allowing the Government to lift entire amount of loan.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that keeping in view the requirement of multi-level coordination before and during the execution of Rs 1200 crore infrastructure development projects in both the capital cities, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA) Sourabh Bhagat recently projected before the Government the need of ensuring removal of impediments from one platform for early start of work on the projects and their smooth execution.
Realizing the necessity of proper coordination, the Government decided to provide exclusive platforms to the ERA to ensure hassle free implementation of the projects in both the capital cities. Now, Principal Secretary, Planning and Development Department, B R Sharma has constituted two high level Coordination Committee for Jammu and Kashmir divisions to address the issues like land acquisition, removal of encroachments, shifting of utilities, forest clearance, No-Objection Certificates from Border Roads Organization and Railways for smooth execution of projects being taken up under the ADB funding.
The Committees headed by Divisional Commissioners would ensure coordination of the implementing agency(ies) with other departments on all matters relating to the smooth implementation of the projects including the road cut permission along with its time schedule and restoration.
Moreover, the Committees will resolve day to day problems of all the concerned departments/agencies referred to them including matters regarding land acquisition, utility shifting and eviction of encroachments wherever required for implementation of the projects. The Committees have the mandate to take any decision with regard to any rehabilitation of persons to be displaced due to the projects.
The members of the Committees are Deputy Commissioner concerned, Inspector General/Deputy Inspector General of Police (Traffic), Chief Conservator of Forest/Social Forestry/Child Wildlife Warden, DGM Railways, Vice-Chairman of Jammu as well as Srinagar Development Authorities, Director Floriculture, Director Local Bodies, Chief Engineers of BRO, PHE, PWD, R&B and UEED, Commissioners of Jammu and Srinagar Municipal Corporations and one representative of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL). A representative of the Economic Reconstruction Agency would be the Member Secretary of the Committees.
According to the sources, under tranche-III loan of the Asian Development Bank, in Jammu the Government will execute Rs 750 crore worth water supply scheme whereby water will be lifted from River Chenab to meet the drinking water requirement of Old Jammu City and parts of city on other side of River Tawi.
Under the project, 31 kilometer long network of pipeline, huge filtration plant at Akhnoor, numerous pumping stations, steel bridge across River Tawi, numerous siphons over Ranbir Canal and 12 reservoirs would be created.
In Srinagar, Rs 220 crore worth sewerage scheme in Aluchibag area, three drainage schemes on Srinagar Bypass between Pantha Chowk and Hyderpora, multi-level parking near Biscoe School would be constructed.
Sources disclosed that as the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has desired to lift entire amount of loan from the Asian Development Bank by June this year, a team of the Bank would arrive by March ending to see the preparedness for the execution these infrastructure development projects.