In his capacity as Chairman of J&K Muslim Waqaf Board, Omar Abdullah passed several important orders and issued far-reaching instructions to the concerned in regard to streamlining the administration and delivery objectives of J&K Muslim Waqaf Board. The Board does not have the only responsibility of maintaining and looking after the health of the Awqaf properties and allied matters but is also functioning as a philanthropic agency catering to social service of the community especially in the areas of education, healthcare, employment and establishment. The Chief Minister has a modernist vision of the Waqaf and some of the directions issued by him vouchsafe his modernity views in religious matters. Raising upwards the emoluments of the Imams, teachers and other employees, actively considering opening of two nursing institutions in the valley, laying out of a farm to produce medicinal plants and herbs near Baba Reshi in Tangmarg area, and above all providing adequate scholarships to poor and needy students for educational and training purposes are all very progressive steps. Muslim community is bound to derive benefit out of revised schemes. The most significant is that he has ordered special audit of the Waqaf Board income and account and constituted a three-member committee to submit the report within six months for the consideration of the Board. It has to be said that at several occasions’ media has hinted at illegal grabbing of waqf land and property by influential and politically connected persons. Waqaf Board should also conduct a probe into this affair and establish its veracity. Illegal seizures have to be vacated and sooner it is done the better.
CM makes appraisal
In his first press conference after the Durbar move, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has made an extensive appraisal of his governments achievements during the past three years of his tenure in general but of the previous year in particular. It is customary on the part of Chief Ministers to give a summation of what the Government has done in recent past in order to keep the people informed of broad features of government’s policy in regard to more important and pressing issues. He has reiterated his Government’s urge for a peaceful settlement of Kashmir problem’s internal and external dimension. Of course as regards the latter, the MEA is the proper forum where things are talked with a foreign country. There is hardly any need to re-assure the people that the State Government, keeping in view its burning desire for speeding up developmental programmes, it wants peace and stability in the State. Since Pakistan-based terrorist organizations have made a pledge of carrying fire and brimstone to the valley, Omar Abdullah is duly perturbed about it. After all it impinges on the plans and projects that lead the state on to the desired goal of development. The two countries are steadily inching forward in their bilateral talks and the stalemate of many decades will take its time to be broken. Omar’s impatience with this aspect, though we understand it, but is rather overstating the things. We have to realize that we are to deal with a country whose mindset knows nothing about us except hatred. We would appreciate Omar reaching out to his constituency on this critical issue rather than bringing all the pressure on central leadership. It is his and his party’s business to mould the opinion of the masses of people. A great public leader should have the capacity of making the mass mentality separate reason from emotion. It is in that area that the Chief Minister and his party have to act vigorously.
Panchayat elections have reassured everybody in the State that Omar Abdullah Government is seriously and honestly intending to give effect to devolution of powers to the grass roots level. This is indeed a painful experience for old diehards to give up power, partly or wholly, and let people decide their fate in most of things. But as we learn, militants are issuing threats to the elected Sar Panches and other members of panchayat because in this process, militancy finds the space shrinking for them. Therefore the constitutional aspect of devolution of powers on Panchayat, financial safeguard to them and personal security to the elected members are crucial issues that must be addressed. Elections to local bodies are in the pipeline and these must be speeded up to give teeth to the concept of devolution of powers.
On the issue of return and rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants, the Chief Minister has not underscored any exclusive measure of his Government to move a step out of NC’s known parameters of return and rehabilitation of the migrated community. All that he has been doing in this regard is to ritualistically intone the mantra of the PM’s Package of 2008 despite the fact that the migrated community has, at a number of occasions, said that the package addresses only the economic aspect of the issue whereas their case is essentially of political nature. Their contention is that if in the eyes of Omar, Kashmir is a political issue, therefore by same analogy theirs undoubtedly is a political issue and even more. In absence of positive input from the State Government, the issue of return and rehabilitation may not make any significant headway in its present form. The Government needs to think of options that are viable and take care of the interests of all stakeholders. A futuristic vision of composite Kashmirian society has to be adopted. Socialization of two communities needs to be prioritized over other aspects of the question.
Omar is confident that his Government has adopted the right course in bringing home to authorities that AFSPA has to be withdrawn. The good thing is that he is handling this ticklish issue with care and consideration seeking consensus of opinion at various levels in Srinagar and in New Delhi. His address to the NCTC in New Delhi recently reflects his views on security aspects and in his capacity as Chief Minister he has made very responsible and thoughtful comment that AFSPA could be withdrawn from some of the areas identified as peaceful and devoid of militancy. The issue of withdrawal is being discussed at proper quarters and hopefully it will be resolved amicably in near future. Omar’s appraisal of achievements made or still in the pipeline generates the hope that given normal conditions, this summer will see the Government taking bigger strides in the direction of State’s development and progress.
Work in Govt offices paralyzed as employees go on 2-day strike
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 8: Normal work in many Government and Public Sector Undertakings (PSU) offices remained paralysed today with the strike of employees across the region while the Joint Consultative Committee of the employees leadership will announce next course of action tomorrow.
Responding to the two-day strike call given by the JCC on May 8 & 9, a large number of employees under the leadership of Ram Kumar Sharma, Mohd Gafoor Dar, Balwan Singh and others assembled near Exhibition Ground, in front of Press Club here around 10 am and held strong protest demonstration. Many employees were carrying banners and placards in their hands, depicting their demands. They raised loud slogans in support of their demands.
The general public had to suffer as the strike was observed in the entire State today on the call given by JCC leadership including Abdul Qayoom Wani, Khursheed Alam, Ram Kumar, Gafoor Dar, Kulwant Singh, Balwan Singh Jamal, Rafiq Khaniyari, Ganesh Khajuria, Devanand Gill, Parshotam Sharma, Amrik Singh, Babu Hussain Malik, Balwinder Singh, Nazeer Ahmed and others.
All the sections of State Government, Public Sector Undertakings, temporary and permanent employees observed nearly complete strike. The employees held demonstrations, staged dharnas at district and tehsil headquarters to lodge their protest against the Government. In majority of the offices in the region the work was affected due to strike but in some of the offices, the work continued though the attendance was found thin. The emergency units in hospitals and other essential services had been kept out of the purview of strike.
While addressing a large gathering at Exhibition Ground senior JCC leaders strongly condemned the attitude of the Government. They said that due to non-serious approach of the Government, the employees have been forced to go on strike. The Government has failed to honour its commitment. Nothing has been done on ground to address the agreed demands during meeting with employees’ leaders on 19-2-2009, 14-5-2010 and recently on September 15, 2011. They said several representations were given to the Government from time to time but it seemed to be in no mood to respond to the employees’ demands.
JCC leaders further alleged that Government has done nothing to formulate the policy for regularization of casual, seasonal and daily rated workers. The committees constituted by the Government for enhancement of retirement of age from 58 to 60 years and for removal of Govt anomalies in different cadre, have not done their job within the framework of stipulated time. The PSU workers are being deprived of the Sixth Pay Commission benefits, arrears, DA, linking it with profit and loss. They claimed that it is only due to mismanagement and negligence of politicians that some PSUs are running into huge losses.
As decided earlier, the employees would move towards Civil Secretariat for conducting its `Gherao’ tomorrow in Srinagar.
In Kishtwar town also, the employees under the banner of district Masters Teachers Association held demonstration under the leadership of M A Qazi and others. They also took out a protest march. Haji M S Naik, T Masood and Mohd Rafi Kitchloo (PDD) trade union leaders addressed gathering.
In Poonch and Rajouri, the employees protest rallies were also held. The employees from several departments assembled at PHE complex Poonch and held day long dharna and protest rally. In Rajouri town, protest demonstration/ dharna was held at DC office and some other offices today.
Reports from Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Ramban, Kishtwar, Doda and Reasi said that similar protest demonstrations were held by employees and the normal works remained affected. The emergency units of the hospitals, operational staff of urban local bodies, PHE and PDD remained out of the purview of the strike.
Complete strike observed in all Govt deptts across Valley
Jehangir Rashid
SRINAGAR, May 8: The State Government employees’ strike today paralyzed the functioning of Government offices across the Kashmir Valley. The strike was called by Joint Consultative Committee (JCC) of State Government Employees for non-fulfillment of their demands.
In the meantime, as part of the Civil Secretariat ghero programme, hundreds of Government employees reached Srinagar from winter capital today. These employee are led by Ram Kumar Sharma, Purshottam Sharma, Babu Hussain Malik, Dinesh Khajuria, Balwant Singh and Kulwinder Singh.
Security has been beefed around the Civil Secretariat and police has been put on alert to thwart assembly of Government employees near the Civil Secretariat. Police personnel in large numbers are being deployed around the Civil Secretariat to thwart the move and all entry points of Srinagar are being sealed for Government employees by the police.
The Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Rural Development Minister, Ali Mohammad Sagar today said that Government is in favour of solving the issues of the employees adding that Government does not believe in confrontation. He said that employee, leaders should come forward for dialogue with the government.
As the essential services including hospitals, public health engineering posts and power development department installations were kept out of the purview of the strike, the common masses didn’t face much problems due to the strike.
In the Government run educational institutions teachers did not turn up for their duties. However, there was no strike in the private schools and Banks.
The main gates of most of the offices including Agricultural complex, Engineering complex, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Department and Directorate of Education were locked. As a result of this nobody could enter these offices and activities remained paralysed.
Reports from the other district headquarters and towns said that the strike was almost complete in all the Government departments.
The strike did not evoke much response in the Civil Secretariat and the offices functioned normally there. Most of the Civil Secretariat employees attended to their duties and the attendance was almost normal in all the offices.
The strike call was given by JCC and the different employee organizations against the alleged failure of the Government to fulfill their demands. The employees are demanding enhancement of the retirement age from 58 to 60 years, regularization of daily wagers engaged in various Government departments and removal of the disparities in the pay structure.
Meanwhile, the leaders of JCC and other employee organizations are meeting tomorrow morning to chalk out the further course of action. After the meeting these protesting employees are likely to march towards the Civil Secretariat and gherao the Civil Secretariat as part of their scheduled protest programme.
“The Civil Secretariat gherao programme is a reminder to the Government that they have failed in fulfilling their commitment made with the employees last year. If a Central Government employee retires at 60 years then what is the problem in applying the same parameters vis-à-vis the State Government employees,” said Mohammad Abbas, general secretary, ITI Employees Union while talking to Excelsior.
Abbas, who is associated with the Qayoom faction of the Employees Joint Action Committee said the Government has failed to implement in letter and spirit the commitment made regarding the regularization of the daily wagers. He said Government has also failed to remove the pay anomalies of the employees.
VC meets Coordinator UDAAN
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 8: Vice Chancellor, Jammu University, Prof Mohan Pal Singh Ishar met with the National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) “UDAAN” Coordinator Priscilla Vincent and discussed possible avenues to promote the training cum employment initiative “UDAAN”.
While speaking, Vice Chancellor mentioned that a structure bringing together University and colleges from around the region has been established to reach out a greater number of youth.
It is to mention here that NSDC has entered into partnership with eight corporate giants, including TCS, Wipro and HCL to provide employability to youth from J&K.
The information relating to the employment opportunities will be provided to the youth through “UDAAN” website and is aimed to train and make employable 40,000 graduate and post graduates of J&K over a period of 5 years.
It calls for corporates across the India to select, train and place deserving candidates from the State either within their own organizations or in another corporate organization.
Block Councils to be constituted by middle of June
Omar reviews status of transfer of powers to panchayats
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 8 : The Government has decided to hold the elections of Block Panchayat Councils completing the task by middle of June this year and Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah gave nod to a proposal to this effect presented by the Rural Development Department at a high level meeting here today.
Reviewing the status of transfer of powers to Panchayats, the Chief Minister directed the Administrative Secretaries to ensure that the roadmap approved by the Government for the establishment of empowered Panchayat Raj in the State is implemented in letter and spirit. He said he would review the status of implementation of orders issued in this regard in the next meeting to be held after 15 days.
He also directed for formulating memo for the approval of Cabinet for constitution of Finance and Election Commissions as provided under Panchayat Act. He said Government is committed to an empowered Panchayat Raj System in the State and all necessary measures required to realize this goal need to be taken in a time bound manner.
The Chief Minister announced about Rs. 11.60 crore from the Planning Department for Panchayat Fund. He said this amount should be utilized for making panchayat offices functional. The amount will also pave the way for obtaining accommodation on rent for panchayats which are without accommodation.
Speaking in the meeting, Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat Raj, Ali Mohammad Sagar said that presently MGNREGA is being implemented through panchayats. He said payments to the labours are made only after sarpanches sign the master rolls and certify the attendance. He said plan formulation and identification of beneficiaries under total sanitation campaign and payments have been entrusted to panchayats. He said identification of beneficiaries under IAY has also been entrusted to panchayats.
The Minister said that 75 percent panchayats have already held Deh Majlis ratifying plan proposals of MGNREGA.
Present in the meeting were Minister of State for Rural Development, Ajaz Ahmad Khan, Chief Secretary, Madhav Lal, Principal Secretaries, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey, B. B. Vyas, Sudhanshu Pandey, various Administrative Secretaries and senior officers.
In a PowerPoint presentation, the Commissioner Secretary Rural Development Department, Farooq Ahmad Peer said that the funds to the tune of over Rs. 41 crores provided by the Planning Department under the directions of the Chief Minister to panchayats have been distributed to each Panchayat Halqa at the rate of Rs. 1 lakh.
He gave resume of the measures underway to make panchayats more effective and viable units to deliver at grass root successfully.
Matters relating to the remuneration to panches and sarpanches, e-governance for panchayats were also discussed in the meeting besides reviewing the action taken on the decisions of previous meeting.
LPEF leader bereaved
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 8: Haji Abdul Rehman Mir, father of veteran trade unionist of the State and General Secretary Low Paid Government Employees Federation, Mir Ghulam Rasool Butwani breathed his last yesterday after a brief illness. He was 90.
He was buried at his ancestral grave -yard in village Butwani in Ganderbal district. People from all walks of life including the leaders of LPEF and Kashmir Electric Employees and Workers Association (KEEWA) attended his funeral procession.
Haji Rehman a social activist and a progressive leader had also taken part in freedom struggle during late forties. The trade unionists of the State have expressed shock and grief over the demise of Haji.
Kaul warns agitation on May 14 to demand VDCs, SPOs regularization
Excelsior Correspondent
KISHTWAR, May 8: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) will start protest and dharnas in support of regularization demand of SPOs and VDC members and enhancement of their salaries at tehsil and district headquarters on May 14.
This was stated by Ashok Kaul, State General Secretary (organization), of the Party while addressing the district executive members meeting at TRC here. Kaul, who took as organizational general secretary recently is on his first visit to the district.
He urged the Party leadership to conduct interactive meetings at district and Mandal levels and also decide dates for conducting orientation cum training workshops separately for each Mandal so that the Party workers could be educated upto grass root level about Party’s ideology and future goals in J&K.
Later addressing a workers Sammelan at Party office Kishtwar, Kaul also familiarized himself with the working of different morchas including Yuva Morcha and Mahila Morcha in the district. He declared that Party leadership would work with dedication to spread its ideology in nook and corner of the State.
Mr Kaul was briefed by Sunil Sharma State secretary, about the working of Party in Kishtwar and also gave the detail of the 13 wards of the two municipal committees of the township in view of the forthcoming urban body elections, while district president Capt (retd) Hukam Chand, provided details of the discrepancies and errors in the voter lists.
Mr Kaul assured the party activists that the issue would be taken up with election authorities and that the Party has already demanded extension of few days for revision of voter lists.
Brij Mohan Sharma suggested convening of a district level “Sammelan’’ of Sarpanchs and Panchs to educate them about the merits of 73rd and 74th amendments of constitution and Government’s lack of will to grant full financial and administrative empowerment to local bodies.
Among others present were Basant Raj Thakur, Roshan Lal Sarpanch, Vijay Parihar, Chuni Lal Shan, Ravi Badyal, Jatinder Sharma and Hari Krishan.
Mr Kaul who also visited Doda addressed a meeting of office bearers and mandals of the district at Bhadarwah. On the occasion Mr Kaul and Somnath Khajuria were felicitated by the Party workers. The meeting was attended by the senior leaders of the Party including Satish Chander Kotwal, Daleep Singh Parihar, district president, Desh Raj Katal, Koshal Dogra and others.
PoK traders return 21 truck goods
Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, May 8: Amidst long drama at Chakkan-da-Bagh LoC point in Poonch, the traders from Pak Occupied Kashmir (PoK), returned 21 trucks loaded with goods (dry chillies) to the Indian traders today.
They retained hardly two trucks out of total 23, alleging that goods were of low quality. The value of the goods sent on that side was put at around Rs 6.31 lakh.
Out of the 11 trucks loaded with goods which arrived here today, three of them were sent back by the Indian traders on the similar charges. The goods worth Rs 98.28 lakh including dry dates, grapes ( Kishmish), almonds came from the PoK side.
It may be recalled that the trade at this LoC point was resumed after the gap of two weeks. It was resumed today after foreign secretary level talks between the two countries. But today’s experience at the LoC point has indicated that cross LoC trade could be suspended again at any time.
Rs 22.91 cr spent for construction of migrants flats at Sheikhpora: Bhalla
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, May 8: Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Raman Bhalla today said that Government is committed to provide all facilities to the Kashmiri Pandits, who are living in various colonies constructed for their rehabilitation. He said that various measures are underway to provide them basic needs and other amenities in around the colonies.
The Minister stated this while inspecting the flats constructed for Kashmiri Pandits at Sheikhpora Budgam.
The Minister of State for R&B, Javid Dar and Minister for Home and Urban Development, Nasir Aslam Wani accompanied the Minister.
While speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that under PM’s package all the necessary infrastructure and other facilities would be provided to them.
Mr. Bhalla said that the Pandit community is the part of Kashmiriyat and they should contribute for the development and peace in the Valley.
The Minister was informed that 200 flats at an estimated cost of Rs. 22.91 crores have been constructed at Sheikhpora, out of which 108 flats have been allotted to the families besides 68 flats are ready for handing over and will be allotted to the concerned within shortest possible time.
The Minister instructed the engineers to complete the renovation and other pending works in a time bound manner.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister of State for Home, Nasir Aslam Wani said that Coalition Government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is determined for the rehabilitation and safe return of Kashmiri Pandits to the Valley and the Chief Minister is personally monitoring the facilities being provided to them.
The Minister for State for Roads and Buildings, Javed Ahmed Dar said that the Pandit community is part and parcel of our culture and they must play their role for the all round development of State particularly Valley. He assured that all infrastructure facilities would be provided to them under PM’s package.
The Minister later held the meeting with concerned officers and directed them to complete all ongoing works on priority basis in the housing colony.
The Deputy Commissioner, Budgam, Chief Engineer R&B, Managing Director, JKPCC and Relief Commissioner, Migrants besides various officers were present on the occasion.