CM to demand making Interlocutors’ report public

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 9: With 2012 peaceful summer in Kashmir and Amarnath yatra security arrangements high on agenda, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram is arriving here tomorrow morning on a one day visit of Jammu, the winter capital of the State, during which he would also review the affairs of Congress party, the major coalition partners in Omar Abdullah led coalition Government in the State.
Governor NN Vohra, who is in New Delhi, K Skandan, Joint Secretary (Kashmir) in Ministry of Home Affairs and Additional Director of Intelligence Bureau, Rajiv Kapoor would accompany the Union Home Minister during his one day trip to Jammu from New Delhi.
Authoritative sources said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who would host lunch for the Union Home Minister at his official residence, would take up the issue of making Interlocutors’ report on Kashmir public for debate and discussion followed by its implementation to ensure that it didn’t meet the fate of many such previous reports.
Sources said repetition of peaceful summer of 2011 in 2012 after three consecutive summer unrest in 2008, 2009 and 2010 in the Kashmir valley would dominate security review meeting, which would be attended by top brass of civil administration, police, para-military forces and Intelligence agencies of the State including Chief Secretary Madhav Lal, Home Secretary BR Sharma, Director General of Police (DGP) Kuldeep Khoda, Special DG CRPF, J&K, Anirudh Uppal, IG BSF Jammu Frontiers, AK Jain, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pawan Kotwal, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Asgar Samoon, IGP Kashmir SM Sahai, IGP Jammu Dilbagh Singh, IGP CID B Srinivas and heads of other Central Police Forces and Intelligence agencies operating in the State.
The security review meeting that was expected to last at least two hours would be held at banquet hall of the Chief Minister’s residence.
Besides Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand and Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani would be present in the meeting.
Sources said the Home Minister would devise a strategy to ensure a peaceful summer in the Kashmir valley in 2012 like the previous year of 2011. It may be mentioned that more than 100 people were killed in summer unrest in the Valley in 2010.
Recruitments drives in para-military forces, police, State Government and private sector across the country were among a host of options to engage youth in different activities so that they were not lured by the separatists, sources said adding that the security review meeting would work on various strategies to tackle separatists and militants.
Para-military, police and Intelligence agencies would give a detailed review of security scenario on the International Border (IB) in Jammu and internal security across the State on militancy front, which had seen a massive decline all over the State during past couple of years. No successful infiltration attempt has been allowed on the border, sources said.
Upcoming Baba Amarnath yatra in south Kashmir Himalayas from June 25 to August 2 would also figure in security review. Sources said the State police would seek additional para-military forces from the Union Home Ministry, like previous years, for deployment on highways and two tracks of Pahalgam and Baltal to ensure smooth pilgrimage.
Sources said the Chief Minister would take up the issue of the report of Interlocutors with Mr Chidambaram. Omar would stress that the report should be made public for debate and discussions of all sections of society and implementation of recommendations.
The report, prepared by the Interlocutors-Dileep Padgaonkar, a noted journalist, Prof Radha Kumar, an academician and MM Ansari, a former Information Commissioner after an year long tour of the State, had been submitted to the Union Home Minister in October last year. However, despite lapse of six months, it has not been officially made public so far though its contents occasionally continued to appear in both national and regional media, which were neither denied nor confirmed by anyone.
In the just concluded budget session of the Legislature, Omar had demanded that report of the Interlocutors should be made public for debate.
The Chief Minister would also take up the issue of partial revocation of Armed Force Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Srinagar and Badgam districts of J&K and removal of more bunkers of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) from Srinagar in a phased manner as situation was gradually improving in the State.
Sources said Mr Chidambaram on his arrival at Jammu Airport at 9 am from New Delhi would straightway fly to Sanji Chhat and trek remaining three kilometers on foot to reach holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi ji to pay obeisance. Governor NN Vohra, who happened to be chairman of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB), would accompany him.
The Home Minister would be briefed on security and other arrangements made for the pilgrims at Bhawan, 13 kilometer track and Katra.
He would return to Jammu and have two hour long security review meeting at the Chief Minister’s official resident. He would also have lunch with the Chief Minister.
Mr Chidambaram would reach the State Guest House in the afternoon where he was scheduled to meet a Congress delegation comprising PCC (I) president Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz, Lal Singh and Madan Lal Sharma, both MPs, selected MLAs and MLCs and majority of top office bearers of the PCC (I).
He would also inter-act with a delegation of All Party Sikh Co-ordination Committee.
The Home Minister would leave for Dehradun, Uttarakhand in the evening where he was schedule to address a function at Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration on April 11.

* Decision likely to give major boost to tourism industry

By Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Apr 9: In a major decision, the State Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, here this morning, approved the revised package of incentives for the tourism industry. The package will be applicable till December 2014 and is likely to give major boost to the tourism, which is the back-bone of State’s economy.
Authoritative sources told EXCELSIOR that need for revision in the package of incentives for the tourism industry was being felt over the last several years. Not only there was persistent demand from travel trade associations to widen the scope of incentives and extend the benefit to more areas, even the Expert Group on Employment in Jammu and Kashmir headed by Dr C Ranga Rajan had also recommended the revision of list of locations eligible for incentives to encourage private investment.
Moreover, while approving the incentives for two years from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010, the Chief Minister had also advised to revise the incentives. Accordingly, the Tourism Department worked out a revised package of incentives, which after detailed discussions received the concurrence of the Planning and Development as well as Finance Departments, sources said.
It is pertinent to mention here that Finance Minister, Abdul Rahim Rather, while presenting budget for 2012-13 in the Legislative Assembly on March 5, 2012, had also touched the issue pertaining to the incentives for the tourism industry.
Today, the Cabinet approved the revised package of incentives for tourism industry and extended its applicability till December 2014, sources said while stating that the decision would go a long way in further boosting the tourism industry, which is the back-bone of the State’s economy.
“In the revised package, the list of areas eligible for capital investment subsidy has been expanded substantially and now there is only one list in which both capital investment subsidy and subsidy for conversion of private houses into paying guest houses would be applicable”, sources said, adding “capital investment subsidy for new prestigious units involving an investment of Rs 25 crore or more in fixed assets including cost of land has been increased from Rs 60 lakh to Rs 100 lakh”.
For purchase of new DG sets, 75 per cent subsidy with a ceiling of Rs 4 lakh would be provided as a one time measure in case of hotels and guest houses. Moreover, subsidy of 50 per cent of cost of equipment used in adventure/ recreation tourism subject to a ceiling of Rs 7 lakh (instead of Rs 5 lakh at present) as one time measure would be available, sources said.
“Fifty per cent subsidy would be available for the replacement/ purchase of new tourist coaches with a ceiling of Rs 7 lakh to the Jammu and Kashmir State permit holders plying their coaches on recognized tourist routes for transportion of tourists”, they said while informing that at present the subsidy is available only for replacement of tourist coaches.
A subsidy of 50 per cent of the cost of office automation/ communication networking/ computing system and other equipment with a ceiling of Rs 4 lakh would be reimbursable to the travel agencies registered with the Tourism Department for up-gradation of existing travel agencies or setting up of new travel agencies in the specified tourist areas as one time measure, sources said, adding the other existing incentives will also continue.
Sources said that proposal of the Revenue Department regarding enhancement of honorarium of Numberdars and Chowkidars was not cleared by the Cabinet with the observations that enhancement of honorarium of Numberdars and Chowkidars without fixing any honorarium for Sarpanchs and Panches would not be a wise decision.
“The Rural Development Department was directed by the Cabinet to prepare a proposal in consultation with the Finance Department for fixing honorarium of Sarpanchs and Panches”, they said, adding “the proposals regarding enhancement of honorarium of Numberdars and Chowkidars and Sarpanches and Panchs would be jointly considered by the Cabinet”.
The Cabinet approved implementation of National Population Register (NPR) Project in the State in place of Aadhar Project.
It also gave nod to the selection of Patwar trainees through J&K Board of Professional Entrance Examination (BOPEE) with the modifications that the examinations will be conducted by BOPEE at the district level by associating the concerned Deputy Commissioners and making selection in accordance with the Reservation Rules.
The Cabinet also approved transfer of State land measuring 192 kanal and 34 marla situated in estates Namble Narkara and Hamchipora of tehsils Budgam and Khag respectively of District Budgam, in favour of Sher-e- Kashmir University of Agriculture Science and Technology, Shalimar, Srinagar, for the establishment of Krishi Vigyan Kendra.
The transfer of land measuring 300 kanal and 5 marla situated in villages of Hrudubani, Lalpora and Mangloora, tehsil Tangmarg for establishment of Krishi Vigyan Kendra and transfer of State land measuring 362 kanal and 13 marla for construction of Krishi Vigyan Kendra at village Marta and construction of residential quarters for employees of Krishi Vigyan Kendra in village Ramnagar also received the nod of Cabinet.

‘Many elements bent upon creating wedge’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 9: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today said that peace is imperative for the development and socio-economic prosperity of the State besides creating stability and addressing all the issues amicably.

Addressing a huge public gathering at Purmandal in Samba district, the Chief Minister said, “the dividends of peace in the shape of generation of economic activities, revival of tourism and carrying development to all corners of the State are visible on the ground across the State”.
“We have seen the desperation and destruction caused by disturbance and violence. We have also seen the benefits of prevailing peace in the State since last year”, he said asking the people to contribute in maintaining tranquility so that the State moves on the road to progress and prosperity firmly.
Mr Omar said that his Government has also percolated peace benefits to the people in the shape of softening of the provisions of acts like PSA. “We are also working for removing other laws imposed owing to the disturbance and violence”, he added.
Asking the people to maintain communal amity and brotherhood under all circumstances, he said, “many elements are bent upon creating wedge between various sections of the society. People have to be cautious against these elements and strengthen the bonds of harmony and love”.
The Chief Minister said that Government has flagged comprehensive development of farmers and ruralites as an important aspect in the State’s development policy. “We have initiated various measures to give necessary fillip to the development of agriculture”, he said, adding “this sector has been made free from all taxes in the current year’s Budget.
“Similarly, Government is keen to alleviate the rural poverty and bring villages at par with towns and cities so far as availability of basic amenities and other development matters are concerned”, he further said.
On Kandi development, the Chief Minister said, “the Government is working on a project to irrigate parched areas in Samba district by constructing an irrigation canal”, adding “Government has decided to spend 10 percent of the water charges collected from power companies for enhancing irrigation facilities in the Kandi areas. The State has collected around Rs 500 crore water charges so far and Rs 50 crore would be incurred on the construction of Kandi Canal out of this amount, Mr Omar further said.
He said that development of agro-based MSME sector is being encouraged along with the economic activities relating to the rearing of cattle. “The State is the highest consumer of mutton and chicken in the country. We have greater opportunities of harnessing this sector”, he said elaborating that the State Government’s measures in this regard have started yielding results and the graph of mutton and chicken import from outside the State is showing gradual decline.
About transfer of power from Secretariat to the public representatives, he said, “establishment of Panchayat Raj, Public Service Guarantee Act (PSGA), constitution of Jammu and Kashmir State Right to Information Commission and strengthening of Accountability Commission are initiatives in this direction”.
Maintaining that the process of constitution of Block Panchayat and District Panchayat Councils has been set in motion and this would be finalized soon after the Legislative Council seats reserved for panchayats are filled up from amongst the panchayat members, the Chief Minister said. “we are committed to a full-fledged three-tier panchayat system in the State”.
Mr Omar said that enactment of PSGA is an innovative legislation aimed at time bound public service delivery and reduction of corruption at lower level. “Around 50 public services in 6 departments of Power, Transport, Water Supply, Consumer Affairs, Housing and Revenue have been identified for time bound delivery under the Act”, he said, adding “any official found showing laxity or failure in the delivery of services like issuance of state subject, ration card, ST/SC certificate, power or water connection, driving license etc will be liable to fine to the tune of Rs 5000. The affected consumer would be entitled to a compensation out of this amount”.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather highlighted the efficacy of Pubic Service Guarantee Act in making the service delivery prompt and reducing the chances of corruption. “The Chief Minister has directed for bringing more public services under the ambit of the Act”, he said, adding “clearance of passport cases and issuance of character certificate by the police department for employment are also being brought under the Act”.
Referring to the benefits of SKEWPY, he said that this programme provides greater opportunities to youth to venture into self livelihood earning ventures for which Government is providing free seed money equal to 1/3 and Jammu and Kashmir Bank 3/4 of the total cost.
Mr Rather cautioned the people about the nefarious designs of those who are bent upon to divide the society for vested interests. “People are well versed about their stigmatised past and their only aim is to mislead the people as they did in the past”, he added.
The public meeting was also addressed by Minister for Industries, S S Slathia, Political Advisor to the Chief Minister, Devender Singh Rana, Ajay Sadhotra, Master Noor Hussain, Javid Rana and provincial president, NC, Rattan Lal Gupta.

Sixth Pay Commission arrears scam
From Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, April 9: In violation of the financial code with regard to the sixth Pay Commission arrears, several Government departments have released crores of rupees arrears for the adhoc, consolidated and contractual employees.

According to the Government order (No. 238-F of 2011 dated 30-09-2011), the sixth Pay Commission arrears were to be paid to the State Government employees in 5 equal installments in 5 years.
These arrears are being credited to the GP Fund of the employees and have no lock up period. However, for those employees who have retired upto 30-09-2011, the arrears will be paid in cash in 5 equal installments. In case of a death of a Government employee, his family is entitled to the cash payment of the arrears, as per the Government order.
According to the Government order, adhoc, consolidated and contractual employees were not entitled to these arrears but several departments including Technical Education, Health and Power Development Department (PDD) have released arrears in the favour of the employees in gross violation of financial code with regard to the sixth Pay Commission.
The first installments of arrears have been released to these employees in cash by the drawing and disbursing officers of these departments in league with concerned treasury officers. Sources said that the amount in cash was shared by the employees and drawing and disbursing officers of these departments’ and treasury officers on 50-50 basis.
The treasuries passed these bills in the last week of the financial year and since these employees are not regular so it was paid in cash to them while it was credited to the GP Fund of the regular employees.
According to reports DDO’s of Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) of the department of Technical Education of Srinagar, Ganderbal, Pattan, Pulwama, Rohama, Kupwara and Bandipora have paid arrears to their adhoc, consolidated and contractual employees.
The ITI Anantnag, Baramulla and Seer Hamadhan too have submitted the arrears’ bills to the respective treasuries but the treasury officers have refused to release the money with the remarks that these employees were not regular and not entitled to the arrears.
The ITI Bemina and Shopian neither submitted their arrears’ bills nor have paid the arrears to these employees and have told such employees working there that they were not entitled to arrears. A group of employees told Excelsior that this is double standard on part of the department as some of the employees have been paid arrears in cash while others have been denied the arrears.
When contacted, Mohammad Asharaf Zargar, Accounts Officer Finance Department posted in Technical Education, told Excelsior that as per the rules these employees are not entitled to the arrears. “It has not come to our notice”, he added.
The other departments who have paid arrears to their employees are Health and PDD. This has also been done by the drawing and disbursing officers of these departments in league with the treasury officers.
One of the employee leaders while commenting on payment of arrears to the non-deserving employees in cash said that on one hand the Government is saying it is facing financial crunch and refused to pay the arrears in cash to its regular employees, on the other hand it is paying arrears in cash to non-deserving employees.