Excelsior Correspondent
RS PURA, Apr 8: Terming today’s meeting between Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari as a good beginning, patron of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed hoped that this positive development would help in finding pragmatic solutions to a number of issues that affected relationship between the two neighbouring countries.
Addressing public meetings at Langotian and Chak Ahmad Yar villages in border belt of R S Pura, Mr Sayeed said that cordial relations between India and Pakistan were in the interest of the common people of both the countries. He observed that in the prevailing circumstances it was good opportunity to take some bold initiatives to solve all the contentious issues.
“Today’s meeting between Prime Minister of India and Pakistan President is not a coincidence but a positive development to further improve relations between two countries”, he said and hoped that this meeting would yield substantive results and the process started today would be taken to the logical conclusion.
“Although all problems can not be solved in one meeting yet it is good thing that both the countries have now realized that dialogue must be continued to arrive solutions of all the issues affecting the bilateral relationship”, he said and expressed his satisfaction over the joint statement issued by both the leaders after the meeting.
“Both India and Pakistan should seize the moment and turn it into a stepping stone to make substantial progress on all the issues including Jammu and Kashmir,” he said and hoped that Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh would visit Pakistan very soon because invitation in this regard has been extended to him by Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari during today’s meeting. He further hailed decision of both the leaders to follow up today’s decisions in coming days also. Mr Sayeed said that Pakistan has already taken the decision to grant Most Favoured Nation (MFN) status to India and this bold decision could redefine the bilateral relations and regional equations in South Asia.
Mufti hails Singh-Zardari meet
Rs 295 cr worth works executed without approval CAG indicts R&B for blocking Rs 140 cr on roads
By Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Apr 8: The Roads and Buildings department has created a liability of Rs 110.82 crore for the Government due to execution of unapproved works and has resulted in blocking public money to the tune of over Rs 140.34 crore on 112 roads and 81 building projects due to works taken up on disputed sites.
This information has been given in the report of Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India for the year ended March 31, 2011, presented in the J&K Legislature recently. The CAG has put the State R&B authorities in the dock for several financial irregularities and violation of rules with impunity. Besides pointing out financial liability to the tune of Rs 110.82 crore, the CAG team involved in the audit also pointed out that due to non-procurement of sufficient construction material, eight executing divisions spent Rs 62.47 crore on the procurement of material from open market and incurred an extra expenditure of Rs 1.04 crore.
The report clearly pointed out that due to works taken up on as many as 112 roads and 82 building projects, by the department officials at the helm of affairs have resulted in the blocking of public money to the tune of over Rs 140.34 crore. Not only this, the diversion of Rs 16.50 crore meant for roads to some other schemes has also been detected. It has defeated the actual purpose and impacted the schemes for which the funds were approved. The report accused the department of delay caused in release of funds in most of the schemes which affected the project implementation. It said the Financial rules provide that no work shall be taken up for execution unless sufficient funds are provided and no liability shall be created except under special orders of the Government. However, it has been noticed that huge unauthorized liability of Rs 110.82 crores in respect of 1328 works has been created only due to execution of works without seeking administrative approval.
It revealed that unrealistic estimation has led to the cost over-run over the original estimates in 1803 road works. The cost over-run of Rs 27.52 crores was witnessed in 98 roads and 45 building works. Besides this, the time over-run of one to nine (9) years was seen in 167 roads and 220 building works. The CAG while taking serious note of these irregularities, has observed that internal control mechanism, effective monitoring and quality control of works were virtually non-existent.
Referring to financial irregularities on the historic Mughal Road project, the CAG pointed out that for ensuring effective financial management, the funds are to be utilized in full during the year. It was noticed that the Chief Engineer, Mughal Road project, surrendered over Rs 248.45 crore from 2006 to 2011 by three Divisions under it. The surrendering of funds indicates poor financial management.
The target date of completion of Mughal road had been extended up to March 2013 with a revised cost of Rs 639.85 crore against the original cost of Rs 255 crore. The delay in completion was attributed to delayed environmental clearance and de-novo survey conducted by a private firm for the road alignment. On Narbal-Tangmarg road estimated cost of Rs 38 crore was revised to Rs 116 crores. A cost over run of Rs 78 crore as on March 2011 has been witnessed due to land dispute. It said the funds released by the State Government are scheme-specific and are to be utilized on specified items only. It was seen that eight, out of 32 test-checked divisions has diverted Rs 7.22 crore to other schemes. Besides, Rs 9.08 crore meant for maintenance and repairs had also been diverted by 18 divisions during 2006-11 on 354 new schemes.
The report further pointed out that the divisional officers are required to obtain the Utilization Certificates (UCs) for the money advanced by them. However, 27 R&B Divisions including 13 from Kashmir and 14 from Jammu out of 32 test-checked divisions had not obtained UCs against the advances worth Rs 321.28 crore made to various Collectors, Land Acquisition/ JKPCC during the period from 2006-11. The period of delay was found on the range from one to ten years. As per the Financial rules, the Executive Engineer is authorized to sanction excess over estimates of works up to 5 %. It was seen that Xens in 21 divisions including 13 in Kashmir and 8 in Jammu out of 32 test -checked divisions had authorized excess over estimates in execution of 1803 works with the cost of Rs 195 crore during the period. In the category up to 100 % nearly 922 works fall, from 101 to 200% 441 works, 201 to 500 % 333 works and so on.
Referring to the execution of works without administrative approval and technical sanctions the report said as per Rule 9.3 of the State Financial Code, obtaining of Adm approval and technical sanction is a pre-requisite for taking up a project. The records of 32 divisions revealed that 1301 works had been executed at the cost of Rs 294.66 crore during 2006-11 without approvals and technical sanctions. It was found that 112 works taken up for execution by 32 test checked divisions had been lying incomplete due to land dispute (54 cases), for forest clearance (4 cases), inadequate funding (33 cases), improper planning(9) and 12 others. The expenditure of Rs 128.28 crore incurred thereon had proved unproductive as on March 2011.
It has been revealed that against 1196 schemes sanctioned under NABARD to be completed by 2010-11, only 725 (61 %) schemes had been completed, the rest 471 could not be completed due to non-release of matching share by State Government worth Rs 373.11 crore by April 2011. Out of the 49 schemes taken up under Central Roads Fund (CRF) during 2006-11, 30 schemes were due for completion by March 2011. It has been seen that only four (4) had been completed thereby registering shortfall of 87 %. It was found that Rs 211.28 crore had been spent on 26 incomplete schemes.
The test-check of records of 12 divisions ( 8 Kashmir and 4 Jammu), revealed that in violation of rules and financial code, the Executive Engineers had split 59 works to the tune of Rs 90.76 crore to keep the works within their delegated powers and awarded the contracts to 845 contractors without involving the contract committee/ CEs/SEs. It has also been noticed that 124 buildings completed at the cost of Rs 28.65 crore one to three years back had not been handed over to the indenting departments resulting in idle investment. The reasons there for were not assigned.
Directors turn dictators in Health, do not mind court orders, harass petitioners
*DHJ suspends petitioner
Excelsior Special Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 8: With the junior Deputy Medical Superintendents and Assistant Directors functioning as Heads in different departments in Health sector in the last three years, officials enjoying patronage of political high ups have shown regard neither for the people nor for the law. While as Director of Health Services Kashmir (DHK),Dr Saleem-ur-Rehman, has shown the temerity of not relieving 24 doctors despite clear-cut orders from J&K High Court, Director of Health Services Jammu (DHJ) Dr Madhu Khullar has been audacious enough to suspend a petitioner doctor immediately after her attendance in a writ petition in Jammu wing of J&K High Court.
Posted as an assistant surgeon at Sub District Hospital Nowshera, Dr Syed Majid Malik of Darhal was among scores of doctors who wanted to apply for the deputation tenure of Registrar at Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu earlier this year. All the in-service candidates were supposed to submit their applications to Chairman of Selection Committee of Registrars and Demonstrators (Principal GMC) through proper channel. Much like in Kashmir, where Director Health has relieved only blue-eyed boys and has not permitted the selected candidates to join at SKIMS as Senior Residents and Registrars, DHJ has made it a point to prevent the assistant surgeons from going to GMC Jammu as Registrars and Demonstrators.
As reported in detail in yesterday issue of this newspaper, DHK Dr Saleem-ur-Rehman has not relieved the selected candidates, 24 in number, despite clear-cut orders from the bench of Mr Justice Hasnain Masoodi. Across the Pir Panjal, his counterpart has stopped the candidates from going to GMC. Even as a number of the candidates have been harassed by different means and advised against applying for the posts, Dr Majid submitted his application through proper channel. After clearance at the levels of Superintendent/ Chief Medical Officer and necessary recommendations from DHJ, Commissioner-Secretary Health and Medical Education would normally forward the aspirants’ application to Principal GMC.
As DHJ and her subordinate officials refused to forward Dr Malik’s application, he filed a writ petition in J&K High Court, seeking orders in favour of his application’s onward passage to Principal GMC. After hearing, Mr Justice JP Singh passed interim orders, asking DHJ to forward the petitioner’s application to Chairman of Selection Committee at GMC. Under rules, Medical Education Department draws Registrars on deputation from Health Department. A tenure of deputation makes the incumbents eligible for becoming Lecturers or Assistant Professors at GMC Jammu, GMC Srinagar, others medical colleges besides SKIMS Soura.
Despite Mr Justice JP Singh’s orders, DHJ communicated to the petitioner that she would not forward his application in any circumstances to Principal GMC. Pushed to the wall, the petitioner doctors filed a contempt application in the court against the respondents. Court took a serious notice of DHJ’s contemptuous behaviour and ordered her personal presence on March 16th. As directed, DHJ appeared in person. Petitioner Dr Majid Malik was also present in the court.
However, immediately after reaching back to her officer, Dr Madhu Khullar ordered suspension of Dr Majid Malik for his “unauthorized absence” from his office. According to insiders, BMO Nowshera and CMO Rajouri, under advice from the top, reported that Dr Majid Malik was “absent” and his “absence” had accentuated the law and order situation in then communally surcharged area. Dr Majid Malik is now pursuing his case, as well as the contempt application, more strenuously but DHJ’s harsh action against the petitioner has come as a shock to hundreds of medical professionals. “We had never imagined that Director would suspend a petitioner doctor whose charges of contempt she was facing in High Court”, observed a senior physician.
Heads of Departments in Health sector have not only risen to the top positions despite being Assistant Directors and equivalent. They have been also audaciously showering undue favours to junior subordinate officials without regard for rules or norms. Quite a number of this lot have been posted on prize positions. The beneficiaries include a prominent mainstream politician’s son-in-law, who has been favoured in the thick of this year’s Budget session of Legislature, as also a senior separatist leader’s wife, who has been posted as Block Medical Officer of Kreeri, Baramulla, with open contempt to seniority. DHK and the favoured woman have been classmates in addition to hailing from the same locality in Doda district.
Phenomenal favouritism, nepotism and corruption in different wings of Health Department, coupled by an infamous rift between two Ministers, has led to anarchical situation in the last three years. Those suffering from heartburn and victimhood are approaching courts and litigation has reached an all-time high. Encouraged by Dr Majid Malik’s resistance, scores of doctors, being deprived from taking deputation tenures in Medical Education sector, have also filed writ petitions in J&K High Court.
Govt expands SIT, asks it to quiz all Fai associates
By Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Apr 8: The Government today expanded the Special Investigating Team (SIT), constituted yesterday to investigate links, hawala transactions, terror funding and other activities of Kashmiri separatist Sayyid Ghulam Nabi alias Fai, by adding two more senior members to it including one from the Intelligence wing of State police and another from prosecution.
Junaid Mehmood, SP CID (Counter Intelligence), Kashmir and Chief Prosecuting Officer (SPO) Srinagar have been added to the SIT headed by Uttam Chand, an IPS officer, presently posted as SSP Badgam, official sources said.
They added that the Intelligence officer would share information gathered by Intelligence agencies of other States and the Central agencies about Fai’s network in Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country while the prosecution officer would assess extent of involvement of the accused and evidence against them.
The State Government has asked the SIT to begin its task immediately and try to submit their findings and recommendations as early as possible. Besides going into the network of Fai and collecting enough evidence against them for prosecution, the SIT was likely to quiz all the persons, who had attended pro-Pakistan and anti-India conferences and seminars organized by Fai in United States over a period of time.
“The SIT would interrogate all those persons, whose names have figured during questioning of Fai in the United States and all those, who had been in frequent touch with him in the United States’’, sources said.
They added that the SIT has been asked to gather details from all Intelligence agencies of the country mainly the Intelligence Bureau pertaining to links of Fai.
So far, the names of persons, as per the information gathered by the Intelligence agencies, who had attended conferences of Fai or supported him one way or the other, included Mirwaiz Umer Farooq, chairman of moderate Hurriyat Conference, Attiya Inayatullah, Gautam Navlakha, Rajmohan Gandhi, Ved Bhasin, Karen Parker, Zaffar Shah, Zahid G Muhammad, Hamida Bano and Jatinder Bakhshi etc, sources said.
According to sources, Fai had routed hawala money to various separatist leaders, militant commanders, individuals, journalists, intellectuals, newspapers, NGOs and other organisations to support Pakistan’s view point on Kashmir and allege that security forces were committing large scale human rights violations in Kashmir in a bid to defame them.
As reported, in connection with participants from India to the 11th annual conference of KAC, a national newspaper quoting from the footnotes of Attorney’s report had said, “Mirwaiz Umer Farooq was supported and controlled by the ISI. Fai invited Attiya Inayatullah to KAC conferences at the ISI’s direction. Gautam Navlakha was introduced to an ISI General for recruitment by Fai at the ISI’s behest”. Navlakha is a civil rights activist in India. Prominent among those who wrote a letter in support of Fai to the US District Judge seeking leniency were Rajmohan Gandhi, Ved Bhasin, Karen Parker, Zaffer A Shah, Zahid G Muhammad and Hamida Bano.
According to an overview of the KAC conference sent to the media after the 2009 event by Fai, Ved Bhasin was quoted as advocating for Kashmir as an independent state in South Asia.
“The only solution is an independent state in South Asia. The status quo is not a solution, the division of the State is not a solution,” reported Kashmir Images of 22 July, 2011 quoting Ved Bhasin. Prof. Hamida Bano was among Fai’s beneficiaries but inclusion of Jatinder Bakhshi, rather a non-descript Kashmir Pandit migrant entity remained a mystery.
The Telegraph of 21 July reported that several Indian journalists and activists had also accepted the invitation from the group to take part in seminars in the US, which involved business class travel and “some luxury”. Sources said journalists such as Kuldip Nayar, Dileep Padgaonkar, Harinder Baweja, Ved Bhasin, Rajmohan Gandhi and activists Rita Manchanda and Gautam Navlakha and politician Subramanian Swamy had attended some of these seminars. Bharat Bhushan, who writes on India-Pakistan relations and is a former journalist with The Telegraph, declined to deny or confirm if he participated in any event organized by the group.
Siddharth Varadarajan, National Bureau Chief of The Hindu, said Fai invited him to attend a seminar in 2009. “But I declined,” Varadarajan said. What aroused Varadarajan’s suspicion was Fai having listed India’s envoy to Washington Meera Shankar as one of the speakers at the event. “I checked with my sources on how come she was attending? They told me she wasn’t,” Varadarajan said.
Sources said the SIT would go into details the hawala funds sent by Fai through various channels including banking and businessmen to various persons in Jammu and Kashmir through Saudi Arabia, other Gulf countries and the United States.
Fai had funded various separatists, individuals, NGOs etc at the behest of Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) with whose officers he was in regular touch.
A number of so-called intellectuals could be exposed during course of investigations by the SIT.
Sources said in addition to unraveling the nexus of Fai’s agents in Jammu and Kashmir, the SIT has also been asked to go into details of cases registered against the Kashmiri separatist including a Public Safety Act (PSA) warrant pending against him.
The PSA warrant had been issued against Fai in 1980 by the then Deputy Commissioner, Badgam for his involvement in anti-national activities. However, Fai had deserted Kashmir after issuance of PSA warrant against him in 1980 and settled in Saudi Arabia for sometime before finally settling in the United States, where he had floated Kashmir American Council (KAC).
Fai was recently sentenced to two years imprisonment by a Virginia court in the United States.
‘Bring perpetrators of 26/11 to justice’ Pak action against Saeed, others linked to normalisation of ties: PM
NEW DELHI, Apr 8: Linking the progress in bilateral ties to Pakistan taking action against Hafiz Saeed and others responsible for Mumbai terror attacks, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today plainly told President Asif Ali Zardari that this was important for normalisation of relations between the two neighbours.
Zardari, who made a stopover in the Capital for little over two hours on his way to pilgrimage to Ajmer, heard from Singh a reiteration of India’s commitment to engage with Pakistan but was left in no doubt that action on terrorism was an essential step towards that.
Singh brought up the issue of terrorism “upfront” and activities of LeT founder Hafiz Saeed, mastermind of 26/11 terror strikes in Mumbai, on whom the US announced a USD 10 million bounty although Pakistani leader had said in Lahore yesterday that he did not expect Singh “will make me sit (and discuss only) this issue.”
“Taking up the issue of terrorism, the Prime Minister told Zardari that it was imperative that perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack be brought to justice and prevent activities aimed against India from Pakistani soil. He also discussed the activities of Hafiz Saeed,” Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai told reporters here.
“The problem of terrorism which is a major issue by which the Indian people will judge progress in bilateral relationship,” Mathai quoted Singh as having told Zardari.
The 40-minute one-on-one meeting between the two leaders covered a wide gamut of bilateral, regional and global issues and in brief comments to the media, Singh and Zardari termed their talks as “constructive” and “fruitful” where they agreed to continue with step-by-step approach in addressing issues like Kashmir, Siachin and Sir Creek among other matters.
Singh played host to Zardari and his son Bilawal along with few other members of 40-strong entourage at his Race Course Road residence.
External Affairs Minister S M Krishna, Home Minister P Chidambaram, Rahul Gandhi, BJP leaders L K Advani and Sushma Swaraj and Pakistan Interior Minister Rehman Malik were among the 20 guests at the lunch.
Asked about Zardari’s response to the Prime Minister’s remarks on Saeed, Mathai said the Pakistan President felt that further discussion was required and since the Home Secretaries of the two countries will be meeting shortly, the issue will be taken up that time.
According to diplomatic sources, the issue of terrorism was discussed “upfront” by the Prime Minister, who mentioned that he wanted normal relations between India and Pakistan and to be able to move in that direction, action regarding terrorism, specifically bringing the perpetrators of Mumbai attacks to justice, is one of the expectation.
“This can be kept in mind… To make progress in relationship,” sources quoted Singh as having told Zardari.
Improving trade relations between India and Pakistan was touched upon, Mathai said, adding the Commerce Ministers of the two countries had already discussed the issue in detail earlier and a way forward has been decided.
“The Prime Minister appreciated that Pakistan has moved ahead on bilateral trade,” the Foreign Secretary said.
Earlier, in his statement to press, Singh said, “President Zardari and I had a very constructive and friendly exchange of views on all bilateral issues which affect the relation between India and Pakistan.
“President Zardari is on a private visit and I have taken advantage of this visit to discuss with him all bilateral issues and I am very satisfied with the outcome of this visit. President Zardari has also invited me to visit Pakistan. I would be very happy to visit Pakistan on a mutually convenient date.”
He said the relation between India and Pakistan should become normal. “That’s our common desire. We have number of issues and we are willing to find practical and pragmatic solutions to all those issues and that’s the message President Zardari and I wish to convey,” he said.
Describing the talks “fruitful”, Zardari said “We would like to have better relations with India. We spoke on all topics that we could have spoken about and hope to meet on Pakistan soil very soon.”
Mathai said Singh’s visit to Pakistan will be “worked out after the substantive preparations for it have been made.”
Singh and Zardari also talked about ways to improve people-to-people contact and it was decided that the liberal visa regime, agreed upon in 2011, should be inked during the forthcoming meeting of the respective Home and Interior Secretaries, Mathai added.
He said the two leaders noted that there has been steady progress in the India-Pakistan dialogue, which was restarted in 2011 after a breakdown in 2008 in the aftermath of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attack.
Asked about what qualitative change has been there for Singh to change his mind on visiting Pakistan, the diplomatic sources said, “I won’t say there has been qualitative difference…. Formula used was step-by-step approach and we need to take dialogue forward. And the expectation is that dialogue process will make the kind of progress which is solid and enough to make it a very substantive visit for the Prime Minister.”
Singh has always maintained that he will visit Pakistan only if there was some “substantive” progress in ties.
Sources said the issue of ailing Pakistani microbiologist Khaleel Chishti, lodged in Rajasthan jail, also figured during the lunch when Home Minister P Chidambaram was inquired about him. Chidambaram is understood to have said that the Chishti case was before the court, which was yet to take a view on the matter.
Meanwhile, Zardari today offered prayers at the historic 13th century dargah of sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti in this pilgrim town after which a one million USD donation for the shrine was announced.
At the end of his visit to the shrine marked by tight security this evening, Zardari said he felt “a great spiritual happiness” after coming to this holy place, which was “beyond description.”
A one million USD donation (Rs five crore) for the welfare of the shrine was announced on behalf of Zardari by a member of his delegation, according to the Anjuman Committee’s vice president Syed Khalimuddin Chishti.
Clad in a blue shalwar kameez, 56-year-old Zardari, accompanied by his son Bilawal, Interior Minister Rehman Malik and members of his 44-member delegation, stayed inside the Sufi saint’s mausoleum for 20 minutes where he offered a 42-square metre long red ‘chadar’ and floral tributes. Bilawal offered a green chadar. Chadar is a ceremonial cloth inscribed with religious verses.
A chadar was also offered by Union Minister Pawan Bansal on behalf of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Bansal, the minister-in-waiting for Zardari’s visit, prayed for peace and harmony.
“Is mukaddas mukam par akar mujhe jo ruhani khushi mehsus hui hai wo na kabie bayan hai. Alla tala se dua hai ki wo tamam insaniyat ke liye asaniya paida kare. Amin”( I feel a great spiritual happiness after coming to this holy place. It is beyond description. I pray to God to create favourable condition for the humanity. Amin,” Zardari wrote in the visitors’ book.
Zardari performed ‘fateha’ (supplication) and went around the premises comprising mosques, graves of the Khwaja’s disciples, a pool and two big cauldrons used for cooking food during the annual Urs. Pervez Musharraf and Zia-ul-Haq were the previous Pakistani Presidents to offer obeisance at the revered shrine.
The President landed at Ghugra helipad in Ajmer in a helicopter from Jaipur where a special aircraft carrying him and his delegation brought him from Delhi after a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who also hosted a lunch for him. The convoy then moved to the Dargah Sharif, 12.3 kms by road from the helipad.
Anjuman committee officials said the donation announced by Zardari was the biggest amount in recent years but it was not immediately known whether it was made in a personal capacity or in his capacity as President.
Outside the Nizam gate, the main entrance of the dargah, Zardari was welcomed by Sayed Natik Chisti, Anjuman committee secretary Sayed Wahid Chisti and its president Husamuddin Niyazi.
Sayed Natik Chisti, who had performed the ‘Ziyarat’ (prayer) when Musharraf had visited the shrine, performed the same for Zardari along with Syed Iqbal Kaptan Chisti who claimed to be the family khadim of late Prime Minister and Zardari’s slain wife Benazir Bhutto.
Zardari was presented two chadars for shrines in Pakistan—Baba Farid-ud-din Ganjshakar at Pakpattan near Lahore and Databaksh shrine in Lahore by a body of khadims (clerics).
A member of the Dargah staff removed the shoes of Zardari who then wore a special rexine socks and entered the shrine from the Nizam gate.
As soon as he stepped into the Dargah, he was welcomed by beating of drums as per traditions and customs of the shrine.
President of the Dargah committee Sohel Ahmad Khan and CEO Mohammd Afzal received them inside the shrine after his entry from the Nizam gate.
The delegation then proceeded towards the Aastana (shrine) after passing through Shahjahani gate, Buland darwaja, Sandali gate and Ahta-e-Noor (boundary of the main shrine).
Before getting into the shrine from Begami Dalan (main entrance of the shrine), he was introduced to shrine keys’ holders (baridar).
Inside the shrine, he offered a 42 sq m special chadar and paid obeisance.
After spending 20 minutes inside the shrine, he left from Payti darwaja and then honoured by the Anjuman committee at a turban tying ceremony.
He was also honoured by the Dargah committee at Buland darwaja before his departure to the helipad.
Tight security arrangements were in place for the visit and 1,600 police personnel guarded the entire area from the helipad to the Dargah.
The Dargar premises was evacuated after noon for the visit and only pass holders were allowed to stay inside the dargah during the visit of Zardari. (PTI)
Legal aid camp held at Dogra Law College
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 8: Dogra Law College organized a seven day legal aid and literacy camp in its college premises at Bari Brahamana.
Chairman of the State Commission, Mr Justice Bashir Ahmed Kirmani, was the chief guest at the valedictory function held here today. Speaking on the occasion, Justice Kirmani laid stress on the qualities which a legal professional should acquire, to become a statesman advocate. He delivered extremely thought provoking lecture on the occasion.
Director Judicial Academy, J&K, Suresh Sharma, who was the guest of honour, while appreciating the deliberations of the camp and quality of presentation of moot court by the mooters, announced full cooperation of the Judicial Academy. U K Jalali, senior advocate of J&K High Court while making observations being member of Advisory committee of Dogra Law College lauded the over all development of institution for the last few years. He also lauded the moot court presentation.
Senior advocate of J&K High Court Sunil Sethi in his address emphasized on the quality of presentation. He advised the Law students that for becoming a real Law professionals they have to prove as good human beings. Advocate Sheikh Shakeel also addressed the Law students of the college.
Earlier, Prof V K Kapoor, Principal/ Director in his welcome address highlighted the objective of organizing such camps in Law institutions. He also explained that during the seven days deliberations of the camp students concentrated on the issue of Legal awarness & Legal aid on Domestic Violence Act, Drug addiction, anti-smoking, Dowry evil, water management, healthy environment and save birds.
Chairman of the College Trust and former minister Th Gulchain Singh Charak in his message congratulated the students and also extended thanks to the chief guest and others for their valuable presence at the function. Secretary of the College Samar Dev Singh on his behalf donated Rs 11,000 to SOS Home for the children. The moot court of Surbhi Kotwal, Shazad Mir, Sunita Devi, Renu Bhagat & Jimmy Sayal, Navdeep, Akshay Deep and Manmeet was declared as best group by the judges in the final moot.
Country Inn rated No 1 Hotel of J&K in Travellers’ Choice Awards
Excelsior Correspondent
KATRA, Apr 8: Trip Advisor, the world’s largest travel website, selected Country Inn and Suites By Carlson, as number 1 hotel of J&K in its 2012 Travellers’ Choice awards. The said hotel was rated number third in India and fifth in Asia.
Sanjeev Pahwa, vice president, Country Development and Management Service, India congratulated entire team at the Unit for this milestone. He has further said that it will help us in positioning of the brand in India.
The annual TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice awards honour the world’s best hotels, earning their distinction from those who know them best real travellers. Unlike any other hotel honours, TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice winners are based on millions of valuable reviews and opinions from travellers around the world.
“With the help of millions of travellers around the globe, TripAdvisor is thrilled to recognise the World’s most outstanding hotels with the Travellers’ Choice Awards,” said Christine Petersen, president, TripAdvisor for Business.
Jora inspects tourism services at Patnitop, Sanasar
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 8: Minister for Tourism and Culture Nawang Rigzin Jora had an extensive tour of Patnitop and Sanasar tourist resorts today.
While inspecting various facilities being extended to the tourists at Patnitop, Padora, the Minister gave on the spot instructions to Chief Executive Officer, Patnitop Development Authority for further improving the services in view of upcoming tourist season. He directed the concerned officers for providing all facilities to the tourists in the JKTDC hutments, besides, upgrading some huts.
The Minister also inspected the new restaurant constructed by JKTDC at a cost of Rs 38 lakh and Alpine Hotel of the Corporation.
The Minister also toured Sanasar resort and inspected the services being extended to the tourists by JKTDC and PDA. He inspected newly constructed restaurant at Sanasar besides taking stock of facilities at tourist bungalow Sanasar. He directed the CEO, PDA for expediting beautification works of Sanasar Lake. The budget accommodation being constructed by PDA was also inspected.
The Minister also interacted with the tourists and enquired them about the facilities being provided to them.
Farmers to get bank credit upto Rs 1 lakh without mortgage: Rather
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 8: Underscoring the significance of agriculture in socio-economic emancification of the society, the Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Abdul Rahim Rather today said that agriculture in the state has been made almost tax free sector.
Speaking at a function organized by the Jammu and Kashmir State Advisory Board for Development of Kissans at Vikas Bhawan, Jammu to extend gratitude to Mr. Rather for presenting a farmer-friendly budget for the 2nd consecutive year, the Minister said that soups worth Rs. 20 crore in the form of VAT and Service Tax exemption on various agriculture inputs and implements have been extended to the farm sector to make agriculture a viable, lucrative and profitable commercial activity.
Vice Chairman, JK State Advisory Board for Development of Kissan, Th. Rashpal Singh, Legislator, Mohammad Sharief Niaz, Economic Advisor to the Government, J. A. Khan, Principal Secretary, Finance, M. I. Khandy, DG Accounts and Treasuries, Wali Mohammad Bhat, Commercial Sales Taxes, Gazanfar Hussain, Excise Commissioner, Director Finance, Resham Kashap, Progressive farmers, D. P. Khajuria, Dev Raj Choudhary, Tejander Singh Wazir were present on the occasion.
Mr. Rather said that the government has taken a conscious decision to make agriculture sector tax free in a bid to increase its contribution in the overall GSDP, which at present is comparatively not upto the mark. He said after exemption of toll tax on agriculture inputs and implements, now VAT has also been exempted in current year’s budget.
“Banks have been directed to improve credit deposit ratio viz agriculture and allied sectors”, Mr. Rather said adding that small and marginal farmers having Kissan Credit Cards (KCC) can now avail loan facility upto Rs. One lakh without any mortgagee. He said there was urgent need to ensure huge investments in agriculture, which is core sector of rural economy, adding that new marketing channels in the shape of modern mandies in the potential areas of the State as well as outside the State are being established so that farmers get better remuneration of their produce without exploitation of middlemen.
Mr. Rather said ensuring availability of quality fertilizers and seeds in time to the farmers is top priority, adding that an ambitious Seed Replacement Programme has been launched to meet the 25% national bench mark as against about 12% in the state, which, he said, would ensure increase in the agriculture production and productivity.
Speaking on the occasion, the progressive farmers demanded incentives and subsidies for popularizing green house technology including shade net houses, market support for Basmati Rice, desilitation of kanals mechanically, availability of imported semen for dairy development, establishment of Span Development Laboratory Mushroom cultivation.
Jewellers suspend 22 day long strike
Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Apr 8: Jewellers of the State today suspended their 22 days long strike on the assurance of Sonia Gandhi and Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
This was disclosed by Raj Kumar Babber, President, Swarankar Sangh Jammu Province (SSJP) during a press conference this morning.
He said that all Swarankars and Sarafa business establishments, will be opened from tomorrow on the assurance given by Sonia Gandhi and Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee.
Babber said that they will wait for May 11 to get the imposed taxes withdrawn and if the same will not be done till then, they will be constrained to revive their agitation.
He expressed gratitude to all those organizations and political parties, which extended their support during the strike.
Babber added that the imposition of excise duty on unbranded jewellery may lead to heavy paper work for small traders and will also leave lakhs of men engaged in this profession jobless.
It is to mention here that the jewellers were protesting for the past 22 days against the Central Government’s decision to impose excise duty of 1 per cent on unbranded jewellery and 4 per cent import duty on gold.
Among others present were Kulbhushan Anand, president, Jammu city, SSJP, Parjan Anand, president, Sarafa Association, Ved Prakash Sethi, Chairman, SSJP, Ram Kapoor, general secretary, Rajinder Sehdev, cashier and Vijay Verma, vice president, etc.