By Sanjeev Pargal
In his 130 minutes reply to nine hours marathon debate on the grants of his Departments in the Legislative Assembly, Omar admitted illegal appointments and illegal regularization of employees in Housing and Urban Development Department, which, he said, were going on for past 12 years. He said Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, who holds the portfolio of Housing and Urban Development Department, has submitted him a detailed report on illegal appointments and regularizations, which was being given to Vigilance Cell of General Administration Department (GAD) for recommendations after which legal action would be taken on them.
The Chief Minister announced setting up of Planning Commission of J&K on the lines of Planning Commission of India for streamlining the process of Planning in the State, setting up of Transmission Corporation in Power Development Department to reduce Transmission and Distribution (T&D) losses, construction of two Fly Overs in Jammu and Srinagar and installation of traffic lights in the capital cities this year.
Referring to charges leveled by PDP Legislature Party leader, Mehbooba Mufti that the National Conference was among the supporters of NCTC like POTO and AFSPA, Omar asked the leader of the PDP whether she was sitting in the meeting where the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police (DGP) were making deliberations on the issue.
Noting that NCTC comprised of three parts—Intelligence gathering, Intelligence analysis and operational control, Omar said the State Government has no objections to first two parts as Intelligence gathering was already being done by the Central agencies through Multi Agency Centre (MAC).
“However, as far as rights for suo moto operations in the State by the NCTC were concerned, we would never agree to this part. This part will never be implemented in Jammu and Kashmir. We have experience that wherever the Standing Operating Procedure (SOP) was not followed, the chances of human rights violations increased. Unless Jammu and Kashmir Police or police component was involved in the operations, there remained the fear of rights violations. The NCTC wouldn’t be allowed any unilateral action in the State’’, the Chief Minister said taking exception to hype created on the issue by the PDP.
He added that the issues of national security should be kept above politics.
“As far as you (Centre) want to empower youself with rights that you (NCTC) would come to the State and undertake suo moto operation without asking us —informing us—this thing we are never ready to accept”, Omar said.
He added: “this part (conducting operation unilaterally) of NCTC will not be applied to the State”.
“We have brought on the record (of Central Government) our objections to the operations (by NCTC). If you (Centre) want to create any such force that you want to use for anti-militancy, you cannot use that force in J & K till that time you do not ask or inform or you cannot involve J&K Police component”, Omar said.
“I want to take this opportunity to clarify it—NCTC has three parts— one intelligence gathering, another intelligence analysis and third operations”, Omar said adding “we have clearly told the Centre that as far as intelligence-gathering is concerned, we have no problem”.
On Rehabilitation Policy, Omar Abdullah asserted that it needed changes as the neighbouring country wanted to fail it since it didn’t suit the neighbour. Without naming Pakistan, he said the neighbouring country has been thriving on Kashmir for past 25 years and “if the Kashmiri youth now started returning from that part of the country without guns, they would face embarrassing situation’’.
He said the Government was in touch with the Union Government for effecting changes in Rehabilitation Policy. “As the youth from across the border can’t come in open, we are examining the prospectus how they could be brought secretly. The neighbour would create obstacles and but would continue our efforts’’, he said, adding the State Government had received 1030 applications under the Rehabilitation Policy, of which, 67 have been approved.
Omar sounded confident on withdrawal of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from at least five districts of the State this year.
“Time has come for withdrawal of AFSPA from at least Srinagar, Budgam, Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts, which were free of militancy and where Army has not operated for years together as there was no presence of militants. We are not asking for AFSPA withdrawal from Sopore, Tral, Doda or Kupwara but from the peaceful areas and we hope a beginning on this front would be made in the current year’’, he said.
Referring to the criticism from some quarters that the State Government had not written a formal letter to the Union Government for withdrawal of the AFSPA, he asserted that such a letter was not required as powers for withdrawal were with the State Government. AFSPA had been extended to entire State by a Cabinet order followed by the Governor nod, he pointed out and recalled that even the Cabinet Committee on Security has in 2010 told the State Government to take the decision (on withdrawal of AFSPA) in the meeting of Unified Command. However, he said, a decision couldn’t be reached in the meeting due to opposition of AFSPA withdrawal by the Army though all other agencies had supported the move for its partial revocation. He said he met all CCS members and talks were still on.
Asserting that AFSPA had not been enforced for law and order problem but for dealing with militancy, Omar said the militancy was just 5 per cent in 2011 than what it was in 2002. “We can’t say that we are asking for AFSPA withdrawal for just one good summer of 2011 but there has been significant improvement in the situation over past one decade’’.
Asserting that the government is yet to arrive on a unanimous decision on partial withdrawal of AFSPA, Omar today said all agencies, except the Army, were in favour of revocation of this Act.
“The reality is that we could not reach an unanimous decision on it (revocation of AFSPA). The reality is that it was deliberated upon in Unified Command meeting. All agencies, except the Army, were in favour of revocation of AFSPA”, he said.
The Army did not favour it on the ground that the situation was not conducive for it, he said adding “I decided not to wait for long and I went to the Centre and held talks with all the stakeholders of Cabinet Committee on Security. Talks are on with them”.
The Chief Minister said “we are trying that this Act should be lifted not by the end of our turn of governance. I hope this year only we will take a step in this direction”.
Referring to a point raised by a member that the state government should write a letter of recommendation for repealing of AFSPA, Omar said “we do not need to send a letter to Government of India. If this power could have been in their hands only, then we would have been under compulsion to write that letter”.
“Under AFSPA, the power lies either with the Centre or with the State. We too have powers to recommend lifting of AFSPA”, he said adding “when AFSPA was imposed in Jammu region, then the State did not need the Centre’s approval. It was a decision taken by the State Cabinet and recommended to the Governor who approved it”.
After the Prime Minister’s Round Table Conference (RTC) and subsequent recommendations by a Working Group that the laws enacted in J&K should be rolled back, Omar said, “I also agree that time has reached when they should be withdrawn slowly.”
“We are told that one year of peace is not sufficient for rolling back of AFSPA. We should not consider linking AFSPA with law and order as AFSPA was never imposed in Jammu and Kashmir for law and order problem but for fighting militancy,” he said.
“Situation in Jammu and Kashmir is better than last year. It has become conducive for traders, businesses and tourists,” Omar said.
We tried to give benefit to the people of the state. For past several years consecutively, the situation has become better, but this is true that summer in the past few years were bad particularly in 2008, 2009, 2010,” Omar said.
“The point of the fact is that situation is getting better and conducive. We have repeatedly said in the House that foot prints of security forces should be decreased and people should feel the impact of the decrease in the security force, which they see everywhere,” Omar added.
He quoted figures to point out sharp decline in militancy related incidents across the State including civilian deaths, killing of police and security force personnel etc. He said three CRPF battalions were de-inducted and 39 bunkers were removed last year while 15 more CRPF bunkers are being removed from Srinagar City this summer. He added that 52 buildings have been vacated from the occupation of security forces and restored to private owners or the Government.
Referring to report of Interlocutors submitted by them to Union Home Minister P Chidambaram in October last year, Mr Abdullah said he would like to make an appeal to the Government of India on behalf of the House not to treat the report like previous report. He added that the report should be shared with public so that the people know its recommendations, which are considered and implemented by the Centre.
Maintaining that the State Government was committed to zero tolerance policy announced by the Prime Minister towards human rights violations, he said only five serious reports were reported in 2011 including three custodial death and one case each of molestation and rape. However, he said, even a single incident was more for the Government and “we would like that not even lone incident of rights violation was reported’’.
Announcing amnesty for 2704 Kashmiri youths, mostly stone pelters, booked since 2010, the Chief Minister said 402 cases have been short listed for amnesty and the Government was ready for withdrawal of cases against them in the next 15 to 20 days. A total of 2704 youths will get amnesty with the withdrawal of these cases, he said, adding some more cases were under process.
PDP Legislature Party leader Mehbooba Mufti had yesterday threatened that the PDP would hit the roads if FIRs against 5000 Kashmiri youths were not withdrawn.
Taking exception to Mehbooba’s yesterday’s speech in which she had charged that it was police, which was doing everything for the Government, Omar countered her saying it was good that police has maintained a good liaison with the people. There is nothing wrong in community policing and the cops inter-acting with the people, he said.
Referring to the charges of large scale backdoor appointment made in Housing and Urban Development Department made by Mehbooba Mufti yesterday, the Chief Minister admitted 407 illegal appointments in the Department for the past 11 years and 225 illegal regularizations in the same period.
“I’m not going away from the allegations. I’m admitting it on floor of the House that illegal appointments have been made in the Housing and Urban Development Department’’, he said.
Giving figures, Omar said 157 illegal appointments have been made in H&UD Department from 2000 to 2006 and 250 during 2008-11 while 75 illegal regularizations were done in the Department from 2000 to 2006 and 150 from 2008-11.
It may be mentioned here that from 2000 to 2002, there was Farooq Abdullah led Government in the State while from 2002 to 2006, it was Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Ghulam Nabi Azad led regime ruling J&K. From 2009-2011, the present Government was ruling the State.
“We can’t say that all illegal appointments have been made by Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, who holds the portfolio of Housing and Urban Development Department. This has been going on in the Department for last 11 years. The Deputy CM has given me the report on appointments. The report has been submitted to Vigilance Cell of GAD for recommendations. Whatever legal action was proposed by the GAD would be taken’’, Omar said.
Before start of the Chief Minister’s reply, Mehbooba Mufti had submitted documents to Speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone pertaining to backdoor appointments in Housing and Urban Development Department, purchasing of unauthorized structure by Jammu and Kashmir Bank involving Bank Director Nihal Garware and extension given to some blue eyed officers by the Government.
Mehbooba said she wanted to submit documents to the Government to authenticate her charges leveled yesterday while participating in debate on the Chief Minister’s grants.
Omar announced that Jammu and Srinagar cities would have traffic light system this year. He said contracts have been given for installation of traffic lights in the two capital cities at an approximated cost of Rs 4 crore. Under the contract, the lights would be installed within 90 days, he said, adding the Traffic Department would man the lights.
Asserting that the people would have to adjust to the lights, he recalled that during previous years of light system, a tonga wallah had jumped the red light in Srinagar. On being signaled to stop, he had told Traffic cops that his horse was not immune to the lights.
He said work on Jehangir Chowk-Rambagh Fly Over in Srinagar for Rs 256 crore and Vikram Chowk-Women College Fly Over in Jammu for Rs 93 crore would start soon. He said Fly Over proposal on BC road has been shelved due to many dislocations and road widening would be taken up there. He added that Vikram Chowk Fly Over project’s final summary appraisal report has been sent to Asian Development Bank and work would start after the approval.
Admitting that there were no two opinions that dependence of Jammu and Kashmir was increasing on the Centre, the Chief Minister attributed it to the implementation of Sixth Pay Commission. He said Rs 4528 crore salary bill and Rs 1269 crore pension bill during PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig’s tenure as the Finance Minister has today jumped to Rs 11010 crore and was increasing.
Announcing that the Government would set up the State Planning Commission on the lines of Planning Commission of India, Omar said the Commission would have a professional Vice Chairpersons and members. It would get shape in next few months.
On Muzaffar Baig’s query on State Finance Commission recommendations, he said the Chief Secretary and Administrative Secretaries were working on them. Two experts—S Mahajan and GA Qureshi have also been provided to the Committee to work on recommendations of the SFC and implement them, he added.
Refuting charges by some of the MLAs that recommendations of the District Development Boards (DDBs) were not being implemented, Omar said that on an average 67 per cent decisions of the DDBs have been implemented. He gave year wise percentage of implementation of works. He said a high level committee headed by Chief Secretary Madhav Lal and two Administrative Secretaries has been set up to review all decisions of the DDB for last three years and ensure implementation of the decisions, which was possible in a time frame manner.
Disclosing that Special Centre Assistant has gone up, the Chief Minister said the State would have Rs 8500 crore for capital expenditure in 2012-13 including Rs 5500 crore under State plan, Rs 2300 crore under Centrally Sponsored Schemes and Rs 700 crore under PMRP.
He said assistance under PMRP has come down from Rs 1200 crore to Rs 700 crore for next financial year as barring four all projects under the Plan have been completed.
Saying that it would be wrong to allege that additionalities were distributed only in the segments of ruling party MLAs, the Chief Minister said Anantnag and Pulwama, the two districts in Kashmir dominated by the opposition, were given maximum additionalities.
On criticism of transfer policy, he said it was being implemented in most of the departments. He told the House that only 31 premature transfers were ordered in PWD and 13 in PDD, the two Departments, which were under his control as they were emergency in nature.
Dispelling impressing that the Government had challenged decisions of the State Accountability Commission (SAC) in the court, the Chief Minister said he didn’t allow even his two Advisors to challenge the decision. “As they (the Advisors) had the Constitutional right to challenge the decision, they did it in their individual capacity’’, he said, adding the SAC was on the job. He added that candidates for the Chief Vigilance Commission (CVC) have also been short-listed and the Commission would be in place soon. He also defended Right to Information Act (RTI) saying he became more accountable due to the Act. He said just because the fact that some persons were misusing it, the Act can’t be described as wrong. He said more services were being brought under the purview of Public Services Guarantee Act.
Omar said the GAD was giving prosecution sanction as sought by the Vigilance Organisation in majority of cases though it has been declined in some cases.
He said after switching over to e-governance in R&B for contracts above Rs 5 lakh, the Government in 2012-13 would introduce e-payments to contractors and suppliers. He disputed the allegations of discrimination in construction of roads in Jammu and Kashmir saying thickness norms and guidelines varied in snow bound and plain areas.
He added that Rs 865 crore have been kept for PWD and R&B along which would boost road connectivity. He said the State Government has urged the Centre to declare three major roads including Kargil-Zanskar and Donera-Basohli-Bani-Bhaderwah as National Highways.
On charges of PDP MLA and former Minister of State for Power, Javed Mustafa Mir that the Government had purchased 16 lakh electronic meters, Omar said his reports were that only seven lakh meters have been purchased and, of them, 1.5 lakh were in stock.
The Chief Minister asked Mr Mir to disclose the name of the officer instead of indulging in AK Antony and Gen VK Singh like talks.
He said 28 power transformers in Anantnag and 14 in Kulgam have been stolen in which a Crime Branch inquiry has been ordered.
Asserting that NHPC wouldn’t hand over power projects to the State easily as they had been earning 50 per cent of their profits from Jammu and Kashmir, Omar said the State was projecting its case before the Central Government based on logic, law and history. He said the State has properly analysed its power potential as earlier even projects across the LoC had been taken into account or some had been counted twice. “We have worked out our capacity as 16,000 mw’’, he added.
Mr Abdullah, who holds Power Departments, said under new scheme and structural changes, capacity of various projects has increased. Earlier, Karthai-II was projected to give 360 mw but it has now been revised to 990 mw. Similarly, Baglihar was giving 450 mw while its phase-II was projected to give 900 mw and Ratle, which had earlier been accounted for 690 mw, was now projected to give 850 mw.
He said the Government would have to take hard decisions as there was vast difference between agreement load and load faced by the transformers, a result of which many transformers were burning or facing damages.
Noting that Transmission and Distribution losses have gone up to 73.5 per cent as compared to just 16 per cent in Himachal Pradesh, Omar said the State was facing Rs 2000 crore worth losses in Rs 6600 crore plan of the State. He noted that even officials of the PDD were involved in looting the exchequer in nexus with some people. He disclosed that bill of a factory was reduced from Rs 18 lakh to Rs 1.6 lakh. As against 10970 MU availability of power, the State had 16,320 MU requirements, a shortfall of 58 per cent.
“The Government was working on unbundling of T&D system in the State to transform it into a Corporation, distribution and trading companies. He said that 20 power projects have been launched in the State to generate over 7000 MWs of power in near future. He added that 16000 MWs of power potential has been identified and projects would be taken up accordingly.
Referring to demand raised by some MLAs for on spot police recruitment, the Chief Minister admitted imbalance in recruitment and declared that next two to three phases of direct recruitment would be conducted in Jammu. Earlier, he said, on spot recruitment was confined to under represented areas but not it was being extended to difficult and backward areas also.
However, he had a word of caution for the MLAs saying during the tenure of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Ghulam Nabi Azad, on spot recruitment was conducted in 16 Assembly segments. Barring two (Mian Altaf and Taj Mohi-ud-Din), all other 14 MLAs lost the election. Going by the past trend, he said he would like on spot recruitment to be conducted in the constituencies of his ‘friends’.
Lauding the role of Special Police Officers (SPOs), Omar said the Government has recommended increase in their honorarium from Rs 3000 per month to Rs 5000 per month to the Central Government.
On Passport issue, Omar said the government has revoked the erstwhile order under which the relatives of the militants had been put in a blacklist.
“No blacklist exists now. We have given categorical orders that the relatives of the militants who have no connection with militancy should not be debarred for giving clearance for passport”, he said adding that the process of clearance would be made more smooth by removing other conditions put in the clearance process of passports for the relatives of militants.
On the development of power, the Chief Minister said that opposition (PDP) should have appreciated the initiative of the coalition government for retrieving power projects from NHPC, but it was instead trying to create false impression about the good intensions of the Government in regard of the launch of joint ventures with NHPC and other power companies in the State.
“When the maintenance for Baglihar Power Project was given to the NHPC for two years to train the State Engineers for capacity building and running and maintaining the power house, the opposition at that time also created unnecessary hype”, he said adding that the project has now been received back after the period of two years and is run by State Power Development Corporation.
“Similar negative hype was created by the main opposition party (PDP) regarding the conversion of J&K Bank overdrafts mechanism into Ways and Means initiative but this also proved unfounded and the Bank has shown significant profit under the new regime”, he maintained.
The Chief Minister said that despite the heavy burden due to increase in the salary of employees from over Rs. 4500 crores to about Rs. 11000 crores by the implementation of 6th Pay Commission the coalition government has maintained the growth and registered Rs. 1300 crore addition in the State’s financial resources. “We are highly thankful to the Centre Government for providing liberal financial support to the State to meet all challenges and carry forward the development agenda smoothly”, he said.
Omar said that the road communication has been flagged as focused area which was obvious by providing Rs. 865 crores allocation to R&B sector in the last year’s budget. He said that those who did not want to see the works on ground will not see the progress. He said that 2741 kilometres of roads have been macadamized last year while 2493 kilometres have been upgraded, besides construction of 26 new roads and 18 bridges.
The Chief Minister said under PMGSY 178 remote villages and hamlets have been connected with roads adding that the annual expenditure under PMGSY has increased from Rs. 5 crores to Rs. 300 crores last year which is likely to go to Rs. 500 crores to next year. He said over Rs. 1700 crores have been spent on various road projects under NABARD out of the same amount released for these schemes which marks 100 percent utilization. He said 93 projects covering all constituencies have been sent to the Centre for approval besides 10 projects recommended by District Development Boards.
The Chief Minister said that his government is working on strengthening both single line administration and panchayat system in the State and a comprehensive strategy for the same is under formulation.
CM admits illegal appointments, regularizations in H&UD Deptt Omar says no to NCTC’s operational part, announces amnesty for 2704 Kashmir youth
Natrang stages ‘Kabab Mein Haddi’
Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Mar 25: In its weekly theatre series ‘Sunday Theatre’, Natrang presented Hindustani adaptation of Balwant Gargi’s famous play ‘Kabab Mein Haddi’. The play was directed by Neeraj Kant. The hilarious situations in the play made laughter irresistible …Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Mar 25: In its weekly theatre series ‘Sunday Theatre’, Natrang presented Hindustani adaptation of Balwant Gargi’s famous play ‘Kabab Mein Haddi’. The play was directed by Neeraj Kant. The hilarious situations in the play made laughter irresistible …Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Mar 25: In its weekly theatre series ‘Sunday Theatre’, Natrang presented Hindustani adaptation of Balwant Gargi’s famous play ‘Kabab Mein Haddi’. The play was directed by Neeraj Kant. The hilarious situations in the play made laughter irresistible …Excelsior Correspondent Jammu, Mar 25: In its weekly theatre series ‘Sunday Theatre’, Natrang presented Hindustani adaptation of Balwant Gargi’s famous play ‘Kabab Mein Haddi’. The play was directed by Neeraj Kant. The hilarious situations in the play made laughter irresistible …
HC gets modernized Post Office
Excelsior Correspondent
Dedicating the modernized Post Office, Chief Justice of the State High Court, Justice F M Ibrahim Kalifulla lauded the role of the Post Office in the development of the society. “In the electronic age, Post Office needs to change the way it operates so that it benefits every section of the society’, he added.
Appreciating the efforts of the J&K Postal Circle for introducing Same Day Speed Post Services, Justice Kalifulla said, “this will go a long way in faster delivery of court notices”.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Post Master General, John Samuel said that all the post offices in Jammu city will get a total make over in the next few months to make them modern and relevant to the needs of the customers. “In Jammu city, 12 post offices have been identified under post office transformation and the modernization work is already underway”, he added.
Justice J P Singh, Justice M Yaqoob Mir and Justice Hasnain Masoodi besides large number of advocates were present on the occasion,
B S Salathia, President Bar Association Jammu, while speaking on the occasion, lauded the efforts of Chief Postmaster General in making the Post Office relevant to the changing needs of society.
Sakina asks women to be part of decision making process
Excelsior Correspondent
Chairman Social Welfare Board, Khem Lata Wakhlu presided over the function while Commissioner/Secretary Social Welfare, Jeet Lal Gupta was the guest of honour.
The other dignitaries who graced the occasion were MLA Indu Pawar, Bimla Luthra, Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, Prof. Rita Jitender, Prof. Indra Rathore, Board members and Chairperson of PICs.
Speaking on the occasion, Sakina Itoo threw light light on some important issues faced by the women in present day and stressed on the need of attitudinal change in the mindset of the people particularly women who take less interest in decision making even at home and remain dependent for petty issues. She gave reference of a poem written by Prof. Rita Jetindera and elaborated that without woman, survival of mankind will become impossible. She asked the women to participate whole heartedly in decision making which is imperative for well being of a society.
The Minister appealed the NGOs of the State to come forward and help in effective implementation of schemes of Govt. of India and Central Social Welfare Board for the upliftment of women particularly in far flung villages. She suggested launching of massive awareness programmes among women about their rights. The need for creating facilities for education, health, medical care, productive work and share-in politics and governance for women is a must.
Gazanfar Ali, Secretary/Executive Director, Social Welfare Board gave a brief about the schemes dealt by the Board through NGOs and highlighted some notable achievements made by the Board during last two years.
Khem Lata Wakhlu in her address gave thrust on women’s empowerment, curbing violence against women, equal rights to women in every field. She said everyone has the right to education without discrimination on the basis of gender identity. Everyone has the right to productive work, to just and favorable conditions of work and protection against unemployment.
Jeet Lal Gupta, raised two important issues like drastic decline in women sex ratio and women trafficking. He said that these are the issues which have made hurdles in the progress of the State and the Country. He said that the State is third in number when we talk about the decline in the sex ratio. He emphasized need of awareness among the women folk about the matter as they have to play a vital role in this regard.
Indu Pawar and Bimla Luthra stressed on education of the women and said that awareness needs to be created about the rights of the girl child so that the generation to come is well educated and empowered.
Nazir Gurezi and Prof. Rita Jitendra also spoke on the occasion.
Over 2000 women arrested in 2 yrs: CM
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 26: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, who is also the Minister Incharge Home Department, today said that 2177 women including foreigners have been arrested under different offences during the last two years.
“Three persons including two foreigners and one Indian have been detained in the State under the Public Safety Act, 1978 as on February 20, 2012”, the Chief Minister said in a written reply to the question of People’s Democratic Party MLA, Dr Shafi Ahmed Wani in the Lower House of the State Legislature.
He said that 1544 women including four Myanmar nationals were arrested from Jammu region and 633 women including four belonging to Pakistan were arrested in Kashmir division.
Of the total 2177 women, 468 were below the age of 25 years, 661 between 26 to 35 years of age, 769 between 36-45 years of age and 279 were of 46 years and above, the Chief Minister further said.
He said that 405 women were arrested for rioting, 122 in stabbing cases, 84 for abetment to suicide, 62 in attempt to murder, 55 in murder, 15 for obscene act in public places, 44 for theft, 17 for assault on Government servants and the remaining under miscellaneous crime cases.
In response to another question, the Chief Minister said, “every effort is being made to ensure that no person below the age of 18 years is arrested/ detained under the J&K Public Safety Act”, adding “presently there is no such detenue”.
Responding to another query, he said that 273 foreign nationals were lodged in different jails of the State till February 26, 2012. However, no political prisoner has been lodged in the jails outside the State, the Chief Minister added.
149 officials given extension, re-engaged by Govt in 3 yrs
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 26: Despite the growing problem of unemployment and shrinking job avenues, the State Government has given extension to nearly 149 officials and re-engaged many of them as advisors, consultants, PROs and Officers on Special Duty with the Ministers in last three years.
The issue generated lot of heat in the Upper House followed by protest and walk- out by the Opposition PDP member, Murtaza Ahmed Khan. Minister for Finance Abdul Rahim Rather was responding to the joint question of NPP member Syed Mohd Rafiq Shah and Murtaza Ahmed Khan.
Mr Khan pointed out that what was the compulsion of the Government to re-employ these officials and give extension to many when Government itself has mentioned that over 6 lakh educated youth were unemployed. Why Government was giving extension or re-employing 68 and even 72 year old officials? Whether they are being governed by the same Government rules as other officials and were they equally accountable for the tasks given?
The PDP member pointed out what was the need of keeping a 72 year-old former Director Doordarshan, Farooq Nazki as media consultant to Information Department when there was full fledged Director, Mr Renzu, appointed for the purpose in Information Department. He alleged that Government was offering ` 50,000 to ` 80,000 to many re-employed people, by depriving many other highly qualified unemployed youth of the opportunity. He alleged it was sheer favouritism and has apparently been done to re-engage many people with ministers who are capable of doing their ‘desired’ job for them.
Mr Rather in his reply said that re-engagement and extension in services of retired Government servants has been made in very exceptional circumstances, consistent with the guidelines laid down on this count from time to time. He said the Government is empowered to do it under Article 226 of CSR. They have been given Cabinet nod. The Ministers under a cabinet order of June 2007 can re-engage an employ of their choice in their personnel staff. No upper age limit as been fixed for the same. He said on the basis of technical expertise or extra qualifications, most of them have been re-engaged.
The Minister further disclosed that total number of such retired officials are 149. Out of these, the term of 71 has expired and 78 are continuing. Mr Khan asked the exigency of re-engagement of senior officers Jalil Ahmed Khan and Farooq Nazki and sought clarification whether they were among personnel staff of any Minister. As the Minister tried to convince the member on the plea that Government has powers and many of them are given few months extension, the PDP member got agitated and he moved towards well to lodge his protest. Then not satisfied by Minister’s reply amidst protest, the member staged walk-out.
Giving list of the officials re-engaged and offered extension, Rather disclosed that Mohd Yosuf Special Secretary Law has been placed as OSD to Agriculture Minister on the salary of ` 55,400, Jia Lal Director Horticulture, P N Koul as OSD to Agriculture Minister, Fida Ali Dy Director Inf as OSD to CM, Sardar Shabir Khan Director Rural Sanitation, Mohd Shabir Law Officer as OSD to Minister for CAPD SKA Qadri DG Archives and Museums as consultant Tourism and Culture, Jalil Ahmed Khan (67), Financial Commissioner as Economic Advisor, Mushtaq Ahmed Saddiqi Spl Secy, R K Mahindroo Member SSB consultant in Finance Deptt, B R Sharma Pvt Secy with Health Minister, Krishan Lal Bhagat ZEO as Addl PRO with Health Minister, Farooq Nazki (72) media consultant to Inf Deptt, B A Bandey Jt Director Horticulture as OSD to Minister for Industries, Tsering Morup Manager SMG office Asstt in Ladakh Affairs, S K Arora Pvt Secy, Spl Assistant to Minister for PHE, Mir Najibullah Chief Enginner as Executive Director Communication and Capacity Dev Unit, V K Abrol CE, PHE as consultant in PHE, I&FC, H A Qureshi DG Eco and Stat . M Mahajan Secretary Planning, as consultant in Planning and Development, A K Giryali XEn consultant in PDD, Kartar Singh Tehsildar as consultant ( Revenue) in PDD, Abdul Majid Khandy DC as consultant in PDD, A R Tak ED in JKPDC consultant in PDD, M L Padha, G M Wani consultant in Tech Edu, B S Jamwal Chief Engineer, M K Raina, Basharat Dar Commissioner Secretary as MD J&K PDC, Inayat Ullah Director FSL, Dy Director FSL Harnam Chand and Shadi Lal Pvt Secy in DGP’s office.
Besides them many Tehsildars, Naib Tehsildars and Girdawars have been re-engaged.
Role of pvt sector imperative to increase animal, sheep production 229 new veterinary hospitals, dispensaries in offing: Ruhullah
By Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Mar 26: The construction of 229 new veterinary hospitals and dispensaries in the different areas of the State is in offing and the Government has sent a proposal to Centre in this regard.
This was stated by Minister of Animal and Sheep Husbandry Aga Syed Ruhullah, while replying to the annual grants of his Ministry in the State Assembly during second sitting here this afternoon.
The Minister said that these hospitals will be constructed at an estimated cost of ` 28.74 crore and he expressed the hope that proposal will be sanctioned by Union Government this year.
The Minister said that for boosting the animal, sheep and poultry sector in the State the role of private sector has become imperative. “If you want to strengthen this sector the thrust on privatization is needed”. This way the State can increase its own production of milk, mutton and chicken and save its money spent on import of these items. Besides this can also help in removing unemployment, he added.
The Minister said there are six to 10 schemes, which are given assistance from Centre and State at present.
Maintaining that State is self sufficient in dairy production but it needs to produce more to meet the needs of tourists. To bridge the gap and become self sufficient in the production the Government introduced DEDS scheme in the State and under this scheme 3416 units were established, he added.
The Minister said the general category applicants seeking loan under this scheme will be given 25 percent subsidy while SC and ST category people will be given 33 percent loan.
He said 88 mini sheep Farms under State plan and 53 units of sheep/goat under Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna have been established during 2011 -12 till date. An estimated number of 5000 unemployed persons have been provided employment by establishing these units, the Minister added.
He said the annual milk production in the State has touched 1889 MTs.
Regarding the achievements of poultry sector, he said the Department has launched a centrally sponsored scheme “Rural Poultry Backyard Unit Scheme” under which 2 month old low input technology Vanraja birds are distributed among the BPL families. Under this scheme ` 778.00 lakh have been sanctioned for 36,000 BPL families and 14,195 BPL families have been provided 3.5 lakh imported birds free of cost so far, he added.
Aga Ruhulla said a National Animal Disease Report System has also been introduced during the current year, which envisages real time reporting of any disease outbreak from the remotest corner of the State. The block headquarters are being connected through internet so that monitoring of the disease can be checked at district and State level. Besides adequate and prompt response is taken due care of to contain and control any such eventuality. The rapid response teams have been trained and put in place in all the districts particularly in view of emerging diseases like Avian Influnza, he added.
The Minister said the recommendations of Planning Commission, Government of India, a Corpus Fund of ` 2.00 crore has been created for meeting the requirement of feed, fodder and medicines for threatened breeds of Zanaskari Horse in Kargil and Double humped camel in Leh.
Aga Ruhullah said that Department is embarking on latest technological advances viz: Embryo Transfer Technology (ETT) for fast tract replication of small ruminants. The ETT Laboratory is being established at Panthal for experimentation of Dorper Breed of Sheep and its introduction after validation in collaboration with SKUAST Jammu.
The Minster said establishment of 71 mobile Ambulatory Services to run veterinary services like artificial insemination, progeny verification etc at the farmers door steps in remote villages/ areas where veterinary institutions are inadequate, is under active consideration of the Government.
He said Centre has approved setting up of a Modern Abattoir at Wanihama, Srinagar at a cost of ` 28 crore out of which ` 14.10 crore is grant in aid. The process of selection of its consultant is on, he added.
Asserting the State is endowed with a huge livestock wealth being reared under different agro climatic conditions, the Minister said that livestock sector contributes 11% to the state GDP where as the contribution made by this sector to agriculture and allied sectors has touched 40% mark.
Total 18 members participated in the debate. They included Ch Zulfkar, Nizam-ud-Din Bhat, G M Saroori, Tsetan Namgyal, Bharat Bhushan, Dr Mustafa Kamal, Dr Mohammed Shafi, Ashok Kumar, Durga Dass, G A Mir, Abdul Majid Wani, Ch Sukhnandan, Ashwani Sharma, Krishan Chander, Nazir Gurezi, Feroz Khan, Abdul Haq Khan and Engineer Rashid.
Youth murdered in Kanachak
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 26: Some unidentified miscreants allegedly murdered a youth at Sua No. 1 in Dumi area under the jurisdiction of Kanachak police station last night. Body of the youth was recovered from the canal this morning.
The victim has been identified as Banarsi Lal, 28, son of Kaka Ram R/o Dumi.
Police said body of the youth was recovered from the canal this morning and sent to Government Medical College (GMC), Jammu for post-mortem.
Report of the post-mortem was awaited, police said.
Family members and local people of the area protested against the murder. Police said they have registered a murder case at Kanachak police station for further investigations but no arrests have been made so far.
The youth was working with a trading company at Narwal.
All angles in the case were being looked into, police said. SDPO Domana Sandeep Mehta was supervising investigations in the case.
Indo-Pak talks on Tulbul today
NEW DELHI, Mar 26:
In a bid to resolve differences over the Tulbul navigation project in Jammu and Kashmir, India and Pakistan will hold Secretary-level talks here tomorrow after a gap of nearly a year.
Work was suspended in 1986 by India voluntarily following which talks were held at the Government-level. Before that, the matter was being handled at the level of the Permanent Indus Commission.
Sources said India will seek an early resolution to the vexed issue so that it can resume work on the project located on the Jhelum river in Jammu and Kashmir.
While India will be represented by Water Resources Secretary D V Singh, the Pakistani side will be led by its Water Resources Secretary Imtiaz Hussain Kazi.
The last round of talks were held in May last year in Islamabad. Last year’s bilateral talks were held after a gap of four years.
Nine rounds of Secretary-level talks have been held since work was suspended on the project, followed by five more meetings in 1998, 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007 under Composite Dialogue between the two countries.
The Tulbul navigation project is located just below the exit of the Wular Lake. India envisages controlled release of water from the lake during the lean-season months of October to February to facilitate year-round navigation for trade, employment and encourage tourism.
New Delhi maintains that the regulating structure is permitted under the Indus Waters Treaty of 1960 for the non-consumptive use of navigation.
India has maintained that no “pondage” of water was being created over Jhelum.
Pakistan, however, contests the claim saying it as a “storage project” and charges India with violation of the provisions under the Treaty maintaining that New Delhi was stopping water, thus denying Islamabad its share.
The barrage also has the potential to disrupt the triple canal project of Pakistan-Upper Jhelum Canal, Upper Chenab Canal and the Lower Bari Doab Canal, claimed Pakistan.
India proposed to build the barrage in 1984. (PTI)
CJ to take oath as SC Judge on April 3
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 26: Chief Justice of State High Court, Justice F M Ibrahim Kalifulla is likely to take oath as Judge of Supreme Court on April 3.
According to the sources in the High Court, the notification regarding elevation of Justice Kalifulla as Judge of Supreme Court is expected to be received from the Union Ministry of Law and Justice by tomorrow evening.
Born on July 23, 1951, Justice Kalifulla was enrolled as an Advocate on August 20, 1975. He was an active Labour Law Practitioner as Partner of the Lawyer’s Firm called M/s T S Gopalan & Co., and appeared for various Public and Private Sector Undertakings, Nationalized and Scheduled Banks. He was the Standing Counsel for the Tamil Nadu Electricity Board. On March 2, 2000, he was appointed as Permanent Judge of the Madras High Court.
After assuming the office, he rendered many landmark judgments. In a case relating to elections to Chennai City Corporation, Justice Kalifulla as part of the Division Bench rendered a dissenting judgment holding that the election in respect of 99 wards was liable to be set aside. The matter was referred to a third Judge, who also confirmed the view of Justice Kalifulla.
He was appointed as Acting Chief Justice of High Court of Jammu and Kashmir on April 7, 2011 and took oath as Chief Justice of High Court on September 18, 2011.
After the elevation of Justice Kalifulla, it is expected that Justice Virender Singh, the senior most Judge of J&K High Court will be the Acting Chief Justice.