A hen along with chicks merry around in an open field at Machipora in Handwara area of Kupwara.                             —Excelsior/Amin War

‘Some works of my tenure yet to be completed’

Sanjeev Pargal

Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad addressing a mammoth public meeting at Phinter, Billawar on Wednesday. —Excelsior/Magotra

JAMMU, Apr 18: Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad today batted for inclusion of at least two more Congress nominees in the State Cabinet saying majority of Jammu region has no representation in the Cabinet while half of Jammu has no Minister at all.
While supporting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah led National Conference-Congress coalition Government to complete full six years in the office, Mr Azad, however, said aspirations of Congress leaders and workers would have to be taken into account by the Government.
The Union Health Minister, who had served as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir for about two and a half years from November 2, 2005 as a head of Congress-PDP coalition Government, expressed dissatisfaction over some of the 1500 projects, he had initiated during his tenure, getting delayed much beyond the schedule.
Addressing a mammoth public meeting at Phinter playground in Billawar tehsil of Kathua district, organized by Minister of State for Cooperatives, Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, MLA Billawar, and talking to reporters at Billawar and Jammu (after a function of Backward Classes Union), said the Congress would like filling up of two vacancies of its quota in the Cabinet and return of its portfolios including R&B and Education, which have been held by the Chief Minister in addition to his own Departments.
“There has been demand in rank and file of the Congress that their vacancies in the Council of Ministry should be filled up. We would take up the demand at appropriate level. The Congress high command and Pradesh unit would finalise the names’’, Mr Azad said.
He pointed out that majority of Jammu region was without any representation in the Council of Ministry while half of Jammu has no Minister at all.
Worthwhile to mention here that out of six Cabinet Ministers from Jammu region, four belonged to Jammu district (Tara Chand, Raman Bhalla, RS Chib and Sham Lal Sharma, all from Congress) while two others Surjit Singh Slathia and Abdul Gani Malik (both from National Conference) belonged to Samba and Reasi districts. Out of 10 districts of Jammu region, seven districts have no representation in Cabinet. Despite three Ministers of State of the Congress (Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, Aijaz Ahmed Khan and Shabir Khan from Kathua, Reasi and Rajouri districts), Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Udhampur and Poonch remained un-represented.
To a question of reservations expressed by many Chief Ministers on National Centre for Terrorism Control (NCTC), Mr Azad said it was due to these reservations that Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has called a meeting of all CMs in New Delhi on May 5.
“Reservations have been voiced by many Chief Ministers. It was due to these reservations that the PM would listen to all CMs in their conference on May 5’’, he said.
On the reported statement of Pakistan’s Interior Security Minister Rehman Malik that Taliban were now moving towards India, he said: “on different times, different statements were made by Pakistani leaders. There was a need to ascertain the statements of Malik. The Government of India would act and react only after ascertaining veracity of the report’’.
Mr Azad said different statements emanated from Pakistan on different occasions. The statements were required to be verified before arriving at any conclusion, he added.
On auction of Mahatma Gandhi’s rare memorabilia including blood stained grass after his killing, Mr Azad said he as a Gandhian was hurt and felt bad about it. “This shouldn’t have happened’’, he said.
Replying to a question as to why the Central Government didn’t try to stop the auction in England, the Union Minister said: “perhaps the Centre got the information quite late when it was not possible to stop it’’.
He added that Mahatma Gandhi’s memorabilia was precious and was above any price. “No one can put the value of Gandhi Ji’s belongings’’, he said.
On repeated demands of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from some parts of the State, the veteran Congress leader evaded a direct reply saying the ground situation was first required to be examined on whether there was a need to withdraw the Act from the districts, where it was sought to be withdrawn by the Chief Minister, or not.
“The entire issue (withdrawal of AFSPA) was required to be examined thoroughly. A demand was being made for withdrawal of the Act from some districts. It has to be seen whether the withdrawal is required from some parts or not. Only then a final decision can be taken on it’’, he said.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has been demanding withdrawal of AFSPA from Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Srinagar and Badgam districts. He had raised the demand in a meeting with Union Home Minister P Chidambaram here on April 10 followed by the Chief Ministers’ conference on April 16 in New Delhi, which was chaired by the Prime Minister.
Replying to another question on disqualification of seven BJP MLAs from the Assembly, the Union Minister said the decision was lying with the Speaker.
“The Legislative Assembly Speaker had to take the final call on disqualification of MLAs. It was up to the Speaker whether he had to disqualify the MLAs or not’’, he said, adding that in Rajasthan some MLAs were disqualified by the Speaker on similar grounds.
To another question on terror again striking Afghanistan, Mr Azad said it had been happening there from time to time.
On Congress drubbing in Delhi civic body elections, he said the Congress would go for an introspection on defeat in New Delhi and Mumbai urban body polls.
Even as Mr Azad expressed satisfaction over working of National Conference-Congress coalition Government with a commitment that Omar Abdullah would continue to be the Chief Minister for full term of six years, he said the Chief Minister would have to accommodate feelings of the Congress workers.
He made a veiled reference of Congress giving full support to PDP for three years to run the Government in 2002 but the latter withdrawing support to Congress Government headed by him after two and a half years. He made it clear that the Congress would continue to support Omar Government for full six years term.
“There have been some genuine complaints from the Congress workers. The Government should pay proper attention to the demands’’, he said, adding that legislators and workers of the Congress also have a feeling that their vacancies in the Ministry should be filled.
Choudhary Lal Singh, Congress MP from Udhampur-Kathua-Doda constituency had earlier complained in the rally that National Conference Ministers and MPs had easy access to helicopters but the similar facility has been denied to Congress Ministers and MPs, a result of which development works in Congress constituencies were suffering.
Recalling that he had initiated about 1500 development works during his two and a half years tenure as the Chief Minister, Mr Azad expressed concern over some works facing prolonged delay.
“Some works were facing delay much beyond schedule including in erstwhile Doda district. There was a need to complete these works’’, the Union Minister said noting that the Central Government was giving liberal financial assistance to the State. He said development works would get a boost in erstwhile Doda district once the area gets representation in the Ministry. He said it was during his tenure that a bridge was constructed in Tangmarg in record four months.
On alleged irregularities in National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) in Uttar Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir, he said the Union Health Ministry was holding a review of the schemes in all the States including UP and J&K.
He said some schemes of the Health Department were suffering in Jammu and Kashmir in the absence of powers to Panchayats. He hoped that J&K Government would go for immediate elections to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), which have been delayed for last more than two years.
Mr Azad said the Union Health Ministry has announced a series of schemes for health care of both urban and rural people. He said he had reports that some of these schemes were not reaching rural poor and added that strengthening of Panchayats would lead to people getting aware about these schemes.
Mr Azad said militancy was vanishing and peace was gradually returning in the State. He called upon the Government to exploit prevailing peace and stability to give boost to the developmental activities.
Asking the people to take benefits from health oriented schemes launched by the Central Government, he said a health programme ‘Savasth Bharat’, launched by the Union Health Ministry was being telecast and broadcast by television and radio in all regional languages in which specialists spoke about treatment, prevention and cure of different diseases.
He announced that pentavalent vaccine for child immunization will be introduced in Jammu and Kashmir from this year, which would reduce the number of vaccines to be administered to the child under immunization programme. He said the Union Health Ministry had launched a programme for BPL people under which they could get free of cost treatment in any hospital of India from cancer, heart ailments and kidney related problems.
The Union Minister said there had been about 80 per cent road connectivity in Kashmir and about 50 per cent in Jammu. However, in erstwhile Doda district, the road connectivity was just 15 to 20 per cent. “Adequate attention has not been paid to erstwhile Doda district on development’’, he regretted.
On demand raised by MoS and MLA Billawar Dr Manohar Lal Sharma for grant of district status to Billawar, Mr Azad recalled that it was the Congress Government, which had in 2007, created eight new district though Wazir Commission had recommended creating of four districts way back in 1977-78.
“Billawar deserved the status of district but again it would be the Congress Government, which will make it a district’’, he said.
He announced a Trauma Hospital at Dhar Road for immediate treatment of accident victims and more sub centres for Jammu and Kashmir. He announced Rs 20 lakh from his MPLAD fund while Lal Singh to gave Rs 30 lakh from his MPLAD for construction of sports stadium at Billawar.
Addressing the meeting, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand highlighted achievements of coalition Government.
He showered all praises on Mr Azad saying during his tenure many development works were undertaken and completed across the State. He said Mr Azad has brought a revolution in health sector across the country.
Tara Chand said National Conference-Congress coalition Government would complete six years term successfully.
Choudhary Lal Singh, Congress MP and MoS Cooperatives Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, MLA Billawar also highlighted their achievements on development front. They said the people have been supporting the Congress on all fronts in Jammu region. They charged the BJP with trying to mislead the people.
Meanwhile, OBC Cell of Pradesh Congress Committee submitted a memorandum to Mr Azad during a function held at Sidhra this afternoon.
Signed by Madan Lal Kashyap and B L Bhardwaj, former members of State Commission for Backward Classes, the memorandum sought enhancement of reservation for backward classes from 2 per cent to at least 10 per cent against the demand of 27 per cent, proper reservation in Legislature and Government organisations for OBCs (social castes) at par with SC, revision of creamy layer from Rs 3 lakh to Rs 9 lakh at par with the Union Government, change of nomenclature from OSC, SLC to OBC and issue of one OBC certificate instead of two meant for both State as well as Centre.
Among others, who were present at Billawar rally of Mr Azad, included Minister of State for Power Shabir Ahmed Khan, Ghulam Mohammad Saroori, Vaqar Rasool, Jugal Kishore, Subash Gupta, Jehangir Mir and Naresh Gupta, all legislators.
At Backward Classes Union Social (BCUS) function at Narwal, Abdul Majid Malik, president listed demands of the backward classes.
Former Minister and MLA Bhaderwah Mohammad Sharief Niaz and Nadeem Sharief Niaz, Youth Congress leader also addressed the BCU function at Sidhra.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 18: State Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, here this evening, ordered transfers and postings of six IFS officers with immediate effect.
Vinod Ranjan, Director, Forest Protection Force (FPF) has been transferred and posted as Principal Chief Conservator of Forests against an available vacancy.
Deepak Khanna, Chief Conservator of Forests, Eco Tourism has been transferred and posted as Director, State Forest Research Institute against an available vacancy. Ravi Kumar Kesar, Director, Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing, has been transferred and posted as Chief Conservator of Forests, Jammu vice S C Sharma.
Suresh Chugh, Additional Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Central) has been transferred and posted as Director, Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing vice Ravi Kumar Sharma.
Mohd Shafiq Khan, Director, Social Forestry Department, has been transferred and posted as Director, Forest Protection Force, J&K vice Vinod Ranjan. Hafizullah Sadiqui, Regional Wildlife Warden, Kashmir, has been transferred and posted as Director, Social Forestry Department, vice Mohd Shafiq Khan.
The Cabinet also declared the wind-storm of March 19 and 20 as Natural Calamity in the category of Cyclone in pursuance to the guidelines issued by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
In another decision, Cabinet gave nod to the creation of six posts of Lecturers in various disciplines for Super Specialty Hospitals of Jammu and Srinagar. It also approved the creation of two posts of Senior Sister Tutors with the corresponding reduction of two posts of Sister Tutors for AMT School and one post of Principal Tutor in the AMT School Srinagar.
According to the sources, Cabinet met only for a brief period as four Ministers including Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand were not in Jammu.
Deputy Chief Minister was with Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad in a public rally at Billawar while as Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather and Minister for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir are on official visit to Italy. Minister for Tourism, Nawang Rigjin Jora was in Leh.
According to the sources, major shake-up in the bureaucracy will be affected either in next Cabinet meeting scheduled to be held on April 25 or in the first Cabinet meeting at Srinagar following reopening of Darbar there.

NEW DELHI, Apr 18:
The CBI today searched the premises of two retired Army officers and questioned BEML Chairman VRS Natarajan for nearly six hours in connection with its probe into alleged irregularities in the procurement and supply of Tatra all-terrain vehicles to the Army.
Teams of CBI officials carried out searches at the residence of retired Brigadier P C Das at Vasant Kunj in south Delhi and retired Colonel Anil Dutta at Noida, CBI sources said.
Later, Das was grilled by sleuths at the CBI headquarters in connection with the case.
Residential premises of Vectra executive Anil Mansaramani at Noida were also searched by the agency, they said.
CBI suspects that post-retirement, Das and Dutta allegedly used to liaison for Vectra in the Army and were in touch with Mansaramani although sources clarified that there was nothing against the officers during their service.
Vectra, which has controlling stake in Tatra Sipox UK has come under CBI scanner over alleged irregularities in the supply of all terrain vehicle components to the public sector BEML which assembles and supplies these vehicles to the Army.
Meanwhile, the CBI today continued with the questioning of BEML Chairman Natarajan for the second consecutive day and quizzed him for nearly six hours at the agency Headquarters. Vectra Chairman Ravinder Rishi was also questioned for the ninth time today, they said.
After getting inputs from the duo, the agency found it necessary to search the residences of the retired Army officials and the Vectra employee to gather some crucial documents, which could help the agency in the case, they said.
Natarajan and Rishi have refuted the allegations of any wrong doing.
The agency has registered a case naming Rishi and unnamed officials of the Defence Ministry, Army and BEML on March 30 for alleged criminal conspiracy, cheating and also under relevant sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The agency is probing alleged irregularities in assigning of supply from Czechoslovakia-based Tatra, with which the agreement was originally signed in 1986, to the Tatra-Sipox UK owned by Rishi in 1997 showing it as an original equipment manufacturer and the fully-owned subsidiary of Czech company, which was against the provisions of Defence Procurement Procedure, the sources said.
“In continuation of the aforesaid conspiracy to cause undue benefit to the UK-based company, the unknown officials of the Defence PSU allowed change of currency from US Dollar to Euro and further by not levying the liquidated damages, thereby causing further loss of Rs 13.27 crores,” the CBI spokesperon had said.
Rishi had termed the allegations against him as unfortunate, saying the trucks were sold through public sector undertaking BEML.
He also said the charges levelled with regard to Tatra trucks by Army Chief Gen V K Singh that they were “sub-standard” and that he was offered a bribe of Rs 14 crore to clear the deal of 600 such trucks were baseless.
Natarajan has also refuted the alleged involvement of agents and lobbyists in placement of orders for the Tatra all-terrain trucks.
“In the last 26 years, from 1986 onwards BEML assembled manufactured, supplied 7,000 Tatra trucks. All of them have been done on single nomination basis, single inquiry basis”.
“This type of equipment no body in world makes, because of its superior technological features. When I am the single vendor and there is no competition, there is no influence required,” he had said. (PTI)

CM announces age relaxation for jobs

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 18: The Government has decided to bring an Ordinance for Constitution of Board for management and protection of Hindu Shrines and Temples in Kashmir Valley.
This assurance was given by Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah during the meeting of Apex Committee on Migrants here today.
The meeting among others was attended by Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Minister Raman Bhalla, MoS Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary, Madhav Lal, Principal Secretary Finance, Iqbal Khandey, Commissioner Secretary Revenue, B A Runyal, Divisional Commissioner, Dr Pawan Kotwal and Relief and Rehabilitation Commissioner, R K Pandita.
Official sources told Excelsior that the Chief Minister announced in the Apex Committee meeting that an ordinance regarding the formation of Board for protection and management of Hindu shrines in the Valley will be brought in the next Cabinet meeting.
Omar also agreed to give two years age relaxation to those youth who had applied for job under PM’s package in 2008 as the package was implemented in 2010. It was decided that the children born after migration will be taken for Kashmir darshan.
He also agreed in principle the demand regarding enhancement of cash relief and compensation for construction of houses in Valley. He informed the meeting that the issue has already been taken up with Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh and Home Minister, P Chidambaram.
It was also decided that all other Apex level Committee that the members who abstains from two consecutive meetings will be dismissed from the Apex Committee.
The CM told the Apex Committee that he would himself chair two meetings of the Committee in a year, one each in Jammu and Srinagar, to review the progress and implementation of the decisions taken by the Committee headed by Raman Bhalla.
The meeting lasted four hours and all the issues concerning the displaced people were discussed. The meeting was told that there will be no coercion in return of the migrants and no decision will be taken in haste in view of the past experience, which resulted in Vandhhama and Nadimarg incidents. Out of total 38 Apex Committee members 24 were present while 14 abstained.
The other issues raised by the Apex Committee members included construction of shopping complex at Jagti township for those traders of the community who had their small business establishments in erstwhile camps.
Bhalla described the meeting very fruitful and healthy. He also criticized those Apex Committee members, who boycotted the meeting.
The prominent among the Apex Committee members who attended the meeting included Vijay Bakaya, MLC, Khem Lata Wakhloo, H N Jatu, M L Kaul, Hira Lal Pandita, Sanjay Saraf, R K Bhat, Roshan Lal Raina, Bansi Lal Kaul, M K Yogi, Anil Dhar, Jatin Bhat, Din Mohammed Cheeta, Ashok Hangloo and A K Rajpuri.
Meanwhile, Kashmiri Pandit Sabha representatives including its president Prof A N Sadhu and vice president K K Khosa who are the members of Apex Committee also boycotted its meeting today in protest against the failure of Government to solve the burning issues of displaced Pandits.
A statement issued here by K P Sabha said the community leadership has been pressing hard for the enhancement of cash relief, passage of Shrines and Temples Bill, sincere and timely implementation of PM’s package and adequate facilities at the Jagti township. But there has been no encouraging response from the Government, it added.
The statement said in the wake of high market inflation, the meager cash relief is grossly inadequate to enable the displaced families to make both ends meet. Lack of resources adversely affected the education of their children, caused malnutrition and resulted into poor health, threatening the poor growth of young ones. The suffering people are at dharna for last 24 days and the Government is not bothered about this and no attention has been paid so far, it added.
The statement said in spite of repeated pleading, meetings with ministers and Legislators, the Temples and Shrines Bill has not been passed so far resulting into desecration and encroachment of these places. Further, 6000 posts assured in PM’s package have not been filled so far and the development work at Jagti township has been put on hold. Under these circumstances attending the meeting of Apex Committee by KP’s representatives will be meaningless, the statement added.
The statement said let the Government seriously address to the prime concerns of the community so that the Apex Committee meeting can be held in a meaningful way.
It said for today’s meeting no agenda had been circulated and it only showed the casual approach of the Government towards holding such meetings.
It may be recalled that ASKPC chief A N Vaishnavi its general secretary, HL Chatta, Camp leader P L Raina and JKVM senior leader, Dr R L Bhat had also boycotted the meeting. Besides AIKS chief Moti Kaul could not attend the meeting due to his pre-occupation while Congress leader Ashok Bhan also chose to stay away from it. APMCCC president Vinod Pandit had already submitted his resignation from Apex Committee for its non performance.

Ministers to be made incharge of distts for gearing up party activities

Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Apr 18: Admitting that vacuum got created between the party leadership and the grass root level workers during the past some years due to varied reasons, newly appointed additional general secretary of the National Conference, Dr Sheikh Mustafa Kamal, today said that his priority would be to fill up this gap by reaching out to the party workers in every nook and corner of the State, which, according to him, will serve twin purposes of further strengthening party’s base and highlighting the achievements of the Omar Abdullah-led Government.
In an exclusive interview to EXCELSIOR, Dr Kamal said, “it is a fact that there is a vacuum between the party leadership and grass root level workers ever since the formation of NC-led Government in the State”.
On one side party president, Dr Farooq Abdullah, is finding it difficult to spare enough time for the party activities because of his busy schedule in the Union Government and on the other side health constraints have restricted the movement of our general secretary, Sheikh Nazir Ahmed, he said, adding even the Ministers of the party could not spare adequate time during the past three years for the party affairs because of numerous responsibilities on their shoulders.
“Though Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, has been trying to maintain rapport with the party rank and file one way or another yet my priority as additional general secretary of the National Conference would be to reach out to the party workers in every nook and corner of the State so that gap is filled up and everybody associated with the party works for its further strengthening and highlighting the achievements of the National Conference-led Government”, Dr Mustafa Kamal said.
Disclosing that he has carried out tours of nine districts of the Kashmir valley as a part of party workers contact programme, he said, “one thing which I noticed everywhere and which is a matter of satisfaction for all of us is that people are still associated with National Conference and have full faith in the party leadership”, adding “people are also satisfied with the functioning of the NC-led Coalition Government”.
Admitting that there was a feeling among the party workers that some of the National Conference Ministers have confined their activities to limited areas, Dr Kamal said, “as additional general secretary of the party I will lay stress on making each Minister of the party incharge of at least two districts, where they will carry out party activities as well as take stock of people’s problems”.
“Our party workers are aware that resolution of problems take time and Omar Abdullah-led Government is committed to resolve grievances of all sections of the society but they want Ministers and senior leaders to at least listen their grievances”, he said, adding “even the party president, Dr Farooq Abdullah, has issued directions to the party Ministers to look beyond their own constituencies”.
About his party workers contact programme in Jammu region, the additional general secretary of the party said, “I have already worked out a schedule in this regard. In each and every district headquarter I will first convene party workers meeting to take stock of their issues and then convene public meetings to apprise the people about the achievements of the Omar Abdullah-led Government”.
“My priority will also be to give a boost to the party activities in those areas where our candidates lost the Assembly seats with small margin”, he said, adding “there will be regular interactions with the units of the party in these areas for gearing up activities to further strengthen the party”.
In response to a question about the infighting in the party, Dr Kamaal said, “some senior leaders are feeling ignored….. some people don’t like new faces but I will try my level best to ensure that everybody in the party works in tandem to further strengthen the party”, adding “if we want to see National Conference forming next Government on its own we have to set aside the groupism, likings and dis-likings”.
Expressing satisfaction over the performance of Omar Abdullah-led Government during the past three years, the additional general secretary of NC said, “the revolutionary steps of the Government like Right to Information Act and Public Service Guarantee Act have now started making impact on the ground and during next three years people would reap the benefits of several people-friendly initiatives of this Government”.
Responding to another question, he admitted that party elections were overdue. “Membership forms have been distributed and soon after elections to Urban Local Bodies, the elections to district and block level units of the party would be held”, Dr Kamal said, adding “following this delegates of the party would take decision on party president and general secretary”.
About the criticism of the National Conference-led Government by the People’s Democratic Party, he said, “I don’t understand why they are so impatient…..they should wait for election. It is only during elections that they (PDP leadership) would come to know which party has acceptability among the masses”.
Terming PDP as power hungry party, the additional general secretary of National Conference said, “it is an established fact that PDP was instrumental in Amarnath land row, Shopian incident and then creating stone pelters”, adding “but people have now understood the fact behind the mask of PDP which is evident from the peaceful 2011”.

Infiltration, yatra arrangements discussed

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 18: The Core Group today reviewed security scenario in Jammu region including the Line of Control (LoC), International Border (IB) and internal areas.
Security arrangements for upcoming Amarnath yatra came up for a special review in the meeting, which was chaired by GOC 16 Corps Lt Gen AS Nandal and co chaired by Director General of Police (DGP) Kuldeep Khoda.
Lt Gen Nandal, who happened to be the Security Advisor complimented security forces, Intelligence agencies and civil administration for ensuring peace and tranquility in the region and achieving high degree of synergy in efficiently handling challenges of internal security.
The GOC said there was a need to remain alert in view of recent development as there was a possibility of terrorists attempting to disrupt peace in the region. He attributed downward trend in terrorism to high degree of domination and effectiveness achieved by all security agencies in the State.
“This should not make us complacent as intentions of terrorists can’t be predicted’’. He said, adding that infrastructure of terrorists across the LoC remained intact.
Mr Khoda, in his address, said the militancy has gone down considerably in Jammu region. Security forces and police have achieved commendable successes against the militants, he added.
The meeting among others was attended by K Rajendera, ADGP Law and Order, DR Sharma, Additional Commissioner, Jammu, Dilbagh Singh, IGP Jammu, NS Jamwal, DIG BSF Jammu, Parag Jain, Additional Secretary/Commissioner (North Zone) Special Branch, Dr B Srinivas, IG CID, DS Bains, DIG CRPF, Anurag Kumar, Deputy Director, SIB Jammu and GOCs of the formations under 16 Corps.
Sources said the meeting expressed satisfaction over zero infiltration from the Line of Control (LoC) in twin border districts of Rajouri and Poonch. Though some infiltration attempts were made on the LoC, they were foiled.
Similar was the situation on the International Border, where the militants hadn’t succeeded in infiltration despite all out efforts, sources said.
All agencies present in the meeting decided to maintain close liaison with each other and share Intelligence and other inputs on militancy.
Few days back, the Core Group meeting was held in Srinagar in which security arrangements for upcoming summer, Amarnath yatra, tourist season and militancy front were reviewed.
Sources said today’s meeting also reviewed security arrangements for Amarnath yatra in Jammu region.
Authorities gave a final touch to the security arrangements for the annual pilgrimage, they added.

NEW DELHI, Apr 18:
A key accused in the terror attack at the Delhi High Court reception is willing to turn approver and has sought the trial court’s permission for it.
Amir Abbas Dev, a resident of Kishtwar district in Jammu, chargesheeted by the NIA for his alleged role in the bomb explosion at the High Court’s reception on September 7 last year, has moved the court of District Judge (DJ) H S Sharma saying that he should be made an approver in the case.
“The applicant Amir Abbas Dev may be considered for making him an approver in this case in the interest of justice,” he said in his application to the court which is conducting an in-chamber proceedings in the terror bombing case.
According to the sources, National Investigation Agency (NIA) is likely to file its reply to Dev’s plea on May 1, the next date of hearing.
During the hearing today, the judge extended the judicial custody of Dev and co-accused Wasim Akram Malik till May 1.
The NIA had filed its charge sheet against six persons including three arrested accused – Wasim Akram Malik, Amir Abbas Dev and a minor, besides three others – Amir Kamal, Junaid Akram Malik and Shakir Hussain Sheikh alias Chota Hafiz, who have been alleged to be the members of banned terror outfit Hizb-ul Mujahideen and are evading arrest.
The agency had said the September 7, 2011 terror attack at the Delhi High Court reception was plotted with an aim to get the death sentence of the December 2001 Parliament attack case convict Afzal Guru commuted to life term.
The NIA, in its 1,062-page charge sheet, had said two Pakistani nationals Abu Bilal and Abu Saifullah had planted the bomb at the entrance of gate number five of the Delhi High Court, killing 17 persons and injuring over 90 others.
According to NIA’s charge sheet, the entire terror attack was plotted between June and September last year at Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir by Wasim Akram Malik and other co-accused to “threaten the judiciary” and to get Guru’s death sentence repealed.
It said process of proclamation against three absconding accused has been initiated and a cash reward of Rs 10 lakh has been announced for giving information about either of them.
The charge sheet against the accused was filed under various sections of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Explosive Substances Act, besides those of the Indian Penal Code, dealing with murder, criminal conspiracy, waging war against the nation, attempt to murder, causing grievous hurt etc.
Detailing Wasim Akram Malik’s role, it had said he was a student of MBBS at Jalalabad Ragib-Rabeya Medical College and Hospital in Bangladesh and his younger brother and co-accused Junaid Akram Malik was an active member of Hizb-ul Mujahideen.
The agency, in its charge sheet, said Wasim had conducted a recce of Delhi High Court area and his target for the blast was gate number five.
Regarding other accused, the NIA said on September 3 last year, Wasim and other co-accused had met Amir Abbas Dev at Kishtwar and planned about the execution of the blast.
Dev and Wasim are behind bars since their arrest by NIA for their alleged roles in the case. (PTI)

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 18: Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy and National Conference president, Dr Farooq Abdullah remained admitted to All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi for third day today even as his condition was improving and he was responding to the treatment.
Dr Abdullah was admitted to AIIMS on Monday following complaints of chest and pneumonic infections. He had been put on antibiotic injections.
Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad visited Dr Abdullah this morning before flying to Jammu on a day’s visit. He enquired condition of Dr Abdullah and wished him speedy recovery.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah also visited his father for third time today in as many days and then returned to Jammu to attend Cabinet meeting.
Doctors in the AIIMS said Dr Abdullah was responding to the treatment.

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 18: Three persons were killed while at least twenty-eight others injured, some of them seriously when an over loaded mini-bus carrying party workers to Congress rally, skidded off the road and fell into a gorge near Mahanpur in district Kathua today.
The mishap took place at around 12.30 pm when the ill-fated bus bearing registration No. JK08B/ 6597 was on its way to Phinter in tehsil Billawar where large Congress workers’ rally was being organized. Most of the victims hailed from Bohra village near Bala Sunderi in tehsil Billawar.
As the driver lost control at a sharp curve near Mahanpur town, the vehicle rolled down into the gorge. The locals shifted the victims to Mahanpur hospital. The police also reached there to join the rescue work.
Two persons were killed on the spot whereas, third succumbed to injuries while being shifted to nearby Mahanpur hospital. The deceased were identified as Chain Singh (25), son of Parkash Singh, Parkash Chand (55), son of Nek Ram and Kewal Krishan, son of Gian Chand, all residents of Bohra village in Billawar.
SSP Kathua, J L Sharma said that mini-bus was over-loaded and said to be moving fast on this hilly road. He said after coming to know about the mishap, the police rescue party was rushed to the spot.
Out of the ten persons referred to District Hospital, Kathua, four seriously injured were further referred to GMC Hospital, Jammu. They were identified as Ghulam Mohammed, son of Abdul Ghani, Parveen Singh, son of Anant Singh of Bohra, Mohd Iqbal, son of Mohd Din, resident of Faffal and Shanker Singh, son of Bir Singh, resident of Jathana village, at the bank of river Ujh. Six undergoing treatment in Kathua hospital were identified as Mohd Yaqoob, son of Mohd Wali, Shabir Ahmed, son of Khan Mohd, Sameer Singh, son of Bir Singh, Chhaju Ram, son of Mangat Ram, Vikram Singh, son of Man Singh and Man Singh, son of Chatar Singh, all hailing from Bohra village.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and Dy Chief Minister Tara Chand announced ex-gratia-relief of Rs 80,000 in favour of the families of the deceased persons. Minister of State for Cooperatives Dr Manohar Lal immediately after the accident rushed to the Billawar and then Kathua hospital to inquire about the condition of the injured persons and assured every possible help to them.
Mr Azad, DyCM Tara Chand, MP, Lal Singh, former ministers G M Saroori, Jugal Kishore and MLC Subash Gupta condoled the death of three Congress workers in road accident and extended their sympathy with the bereaved families. They said that party will provide every possible help to the families of the deceased persons and even those seriously injured in the accident.