By Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Mar 29: At a time when political pressure is being mounted on the Union Government for dismissal of the Army Chief over his letter to the Prime Minister on shortcomings in defence preparedness, chief of the prestigious Northern Command, Lt Gen K T Parnaik, today came to the support of General V K Singh stating that there must be ‘substance’ behind the findings of Army Chief about the defence preparedness.
In an informal chat with the media-persons on the sidelines of national seminar on “Afghanistan Dynamics: Impact on Regional and International Strategic Environment” organized jointly by the White Knight Corps and University of Jammu at Zorawar Singh Auditorium this evening, the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Northern Command, Lt Gen Parnaik, said, “there must be some substance behind Army chief’s observations made in the letter to the Prime Minister on defence preparedness”.
About the impact of chinks in the armour on the situation in J&K, the GOC-in-C said, “there is nothing to worry. The Northern Command is fully prepared to take on any challenge. Our troops are effectively guarding the borders with the Pakistan and China”.
It is pertinent to mention here that Army chief, General V K Singh, in his leaked letter to the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, on country’s defence preparedness, has revealed gapping holes in the country’s armour mentioning that tank fleet lacks ammunition, air defence are 97 per cent obsolete and that the elite forces lack essential arms.
Earlier, while delivering inaugural address during the first session of the national seminar, Lt General Balbir Pama, Chief of the Staff, Northern Command, dwelt in detail as to how the Pakistan sponsored radical group—Taliban took control of land-locked country, adding “this was the strategy of Pakistan to have assured strategic depth against India”.
“Though after Al-Qaeda attack on World Trade Centre US led forces toppled Taliban and took control of Afghanistan yet after US diverted its attention and resources to Iraq, Taliban organized themselves into a formidable resistance with the assistance of Pakistan that continues to give them safe havens even today”, the Chief of the Staff said.
About the enduring stability in the Afghanistan, Lt Gen Pama said, “factionalism, drug abuse, desertion and weak civilian administration are some of the security challenges that Afghanistan is facing. The influence of Taliban and the risk of subversion are also very real”, adding “since Afghan National Army and Police with a strength of over 350,000 personnel require USD 7 billion per annum for mere sustenance and US cannot fund this indefinitely, the key to achieving enduring stability and security lies in a vibrant and strong economy of Afghanistan”.
“As the US has already announced its exit strategy whereby 30,000 troops that had surged into Afghanistan will be going back by summer of current year, the next year is going to be very critical for the outcome of secure and stable Afghanistan”, Lt Gen Pama said.
About the impact of Afghanistan situation on J&K, he said, “the situation in instable country has a direct bearing on the insurgency in Kashmir as such we need to monitor the situation very carefully and be ready to take whatever actions are necessary to defend our country”.
Renowned strategic analyst and former Ambassador to several countries, K C Singh, in his key note address, said, “the war in Afghanistan is longest ever fought by US in history. It is costing an expenditure of 8-9 billion dollar per month to US and total expenditure incurred on Iraq-Afghan war since 2001 is to the tune of 2 trillion US dollar”.
Stating that US has dumped Afghan-Pak region every time, he said, “this time withdrawal of US from Afghanistan will depend upon the outcome of elections in US. The re-election of Obama will provide greater flexibility to Government to take strong military action”.
He also elaborated on the role required to be played by India and China to improve situation in Afghanistan.
Earlier, Prof M P Singh Ishar, Vice-Chancellor of University of Jammu, delivered presidential address while as welcome address was delivered by Dr Mohd Monir Alam, Director Department of Strategic and Regional Studies, University of Jammu. Maj Gen, M Ramesh Babu, GOC CIF (D) presented vote of thanks

JAMMU, Mar 29: Police today re-arrested both militants of Hizbul Mujahideen outfit including Sher Khan and Abdullah, who had jumped custody between Patnitop and Kud on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway last evening while being taken back to Udhampur jail from Kishtwar district after court attendance.
In another incident, police today recovered explosive devices including six grenades from Ghambir Mugalan in Rajouri district.
IGP Jammu Dilbagh Singh told a press conference this evening that both the militants were arrested in a co-ordinated operation launched by the teams of Ramban, Doda and Udhampur police from Haldu Top and Ansi Top in Pasyal forest area under the jurisdiction of Assar police station in Doda district at 4 pm today.
Mr Singh said Harkat-ul-Jehad Islami (HuJI) divisional commander for Kishtwar, Dullah Bakerwal alias Sher Khan and Jameel Abaas alias Abdullah Bakerwal, who had escaped police custody from a slope on Patnitop-Batote road on the pretext of attending to nature’s call, were re-arrested within 24 hours by the police from Pasyal forests.
The IGP lauded the police personnel for re-arresting the militants in a short span of time and described it as a major success of police.
A fresh case has been registered against both the militants at Batote police station under Sections 221, 222, 223 and 224 RPC, SP Ramban Anil Magotra said, adding that both the militants after their arrest were shifted to Batote police station for sustained interrogation to ascertain whether some more persons including the police personnel were involved in conspiracy to escape.
Mr Magotra said the militants have been kept under tight security arrangements at Batote police station and would be taken to a safer area tomorrow morning.
DIG Doda-Ramban range Manish Kumar Sinha, SP Ramban Anil Magotra, SP Doda Arif Reshu, SHO Batote Inspector Ravinder Parihar and SHO Assar Mr Rakwal besides officials of adjoining police stations along with police and para-military personnel co-ordinated search operations in Batote, Assar and surrounding forests for nearly 24 hours before apprehending the militants.
Police said Sher Khan was caught at Haldu Top while Abdullah was nabbed from nearby Ansi Top in Pasyal forest area of Assar police station in Doda district. After their escape, the militants had taken the forest route to move towards Doda. They had spent last night in the forests and were waiting for darkness to move further when police parties apprehended them.
Though both the militants were in Pasyal forests, they were moving separately towards Doda. They were caught at a distance of about one kilometer at Haldu Top and Ansi Top.
Police personnel had been hunting the militants in all forest areas leading to Doda from Patnitop and Batote since last evening after both militants had jumped custody.
It may be mentioned that the militants along with other detenues had been shifted to Kishtwar for court attendance from Udhampur and other jails. They were being brought back to Udhampur from Kishtwar when they asked the cops for nature’s call. They fled away from the slope on the pretext of attending the nature’s call.
Police had arrested four constables, who had been assigned security task of the two militants, and registered a case against them. They have been placed under suspension.
Meanwhile, Rajouri police today averted a major tragedy when they recovered explosive devices during a search operation at Ghambir Mugalan under the jurisdiction of Manjakote police station in Rajouri district.
SSP Rajouri Mubassir Latifi said the recoveries were made from a hideout of the militants. Recoveries included six Chinese grenades, four Under Barrel Grenade Launchers (UBGLs) and three wireless sets.
Mr Latifi said the recoveries have dealt a major blow to the militants and averted a major catastrophe.

From Jehangir Rashid
SRINAGAR, Mar 29: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that India and Pakistan should hold comprehensive dialogue to solve Kashmir issue.
He said that Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has already shown his willingness to visit Pakistan in order to break the ice and solve Kashmir issue.
Talking to media persons after inaugurating the Tulip Garden here, Omar said that both the internal and external dimensions of the Kashmir issue need to be addressed. He said internal dimension of the issue can be solved by holding threadbare discussion on the interlocutors report adding that external dimension can be addressed if talks with Pakistan head in the right direction.
“The Centre has already shown its willingness to solve Kashmir issue and the Prime Minister has also given his nod. He has made his intentions clear by saying that during his visit to Pakistan he would try to break the ice so that some headway is made in solution of Kashmir issue. Hopefully the dialogue between the two countries would be fruitful in solving the issue,” said Omar.
The Chief Minister said that broad based discussion should be held on the interlocutors report adding the delay would not be good for the overall dispensation of this dimension of the Kashmir issue. He said people need to be taken on board and it is possible when the report is discussed and deliberated.
“As of now the interlocutors report stands submitted to the Home Ministry. The report needs to be discussed so that wider consultations are held. The report should not be put in the backburner as it would give a wrong impression to the people. The report would address the internal dimension of the Kashmir issue and it needs to be evaluated,” said the Chief Minister.
Omar expressed his regret that he could not fulfill his promise of partial revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) from the state. He said that since the army was intrigued in some controversies the revocation of AFSPA was not possible. He added that the issue is likely to get importance since the issues are likely to be resolved soon.
“It was my wish that AFSPA is revoked from certain areas of State but the same could not happen. The army was found involved in many controversies and once these issues are sorted out then I am hopeful that some decision would be taken about the revocation of AFSPA from some areas,” he added.
Omar said that political connotations should not be attached with the revocation of AFSPA adding the issue should be viewed through the prism of humanity. He said revocation of AFSPA would provide a sigh of relief to the people and they would feel relieved. He added that nobody should have objection over the revocation of AFSPA.
The Chief Minister said that militancy incidents would not impact the ground situation in Kashmir valley adding that the tourist inflow too would not be affected by militancy related incidents. He expressed his disappointment that militants have not abjured violence and also did not join the peace process.
“In the past militants were asked to shun violence and join the mainstream so that some solution is found out. But these people didn’t do so and carried on with their militant activities. The time has changed a lot now and the recent militancy related incidents would not affect the situation in the Valley,” said Omar.
Referring to the inauguration of Tulip garden, the Chief Minister said that the floriculture department was forced to open the garden early even though the tulips are yet to bloom. He said tulip garden has added a new dimension to the tourist season in Kashmir valley adding tourists don’t want to miss out of visiting the garden.
“The flowers are yet to bloom and this would take some more time. The tourists who visited the tulip garden urged the floriculture department to open the garden early. As the tulips would bloom there would be very good rush of the people and the tulip garden would attain its magnificence,” said Omar.

By Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Mar 29: Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather said today that the Government was considering setting up of State Judicial Commission on the lines of National Judicial Commission and a State Law Commission as some legislations as old as 100 years have become obsolete and needed to be repealed. However, he ruled out setting up of Autonomous Development Councils for each district of the State on the pattern of Leh and Kargil Autonomous Development Councils.
Replying to points raised by some MLAs before passing of Appropriation Bill in the Legislative Assembly, Mr Rather, referring to the point raised by CPM leader MY Tarigami, said the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs was not averse to the establishment of State Law Commission and the demand would be considered by it in consultations with the Finance Department.
After Mr Rather’s reply, the State Assembly gave nod to Rs 34,948 crore worth budget for 2012-13 and Rs 2,546 crore worth supplementary grants for current financial year. The passage of Appropriation bill would help the Government to draw a sum from out of Consolidated Fund of the State and the grants of different Ministries approved by the Legislative Assembly for expenditure of the Government for upcoming financial year of 2012-13, beginning April 1.
“The Law Commission is required to be set up. We will pursue that it was set up at the earliest. There were many laws in the State, which have been rendered obsolete over the period of time as they were more than 100 years old. Some laws required amendments. There was no other option but to go for an independent Law Commission’’, Mr Rather said sharing the concern of Mr Tarigami.
Also justifying State Judicial Commission, he said the State Government was waiting the outcome of National Judicial Commission, which was pending in the Parliament.
“We are awaiting outcome of National Judicial Commission. Once it was passed by the Parliament, we would study it and try to make the State Judicial Commission on the lines of national act or take some points from them. I think the State Judicial Commission can become a reality once the national act is passed’’, he added.
Noting that at present 45 services have been brought under the Public Services Guarantee Act (PSGA), Mr Rather said the Government intended to bring all Departments under the Act including Labour Department. He said a Public Service Management Cell has been set up in the GAD to supervise monitoring of PSGA.
The Finance Minister, however, ruled out the setting up of Autonomous Development Council for all districts of the State on the pattern of Leh and Kargil Autonomous Development Councils saying the State Finance Commission has submitted its report and principles of allocation of funds were being re-worked to ensure equitable and balanced development of all regions of the State.
He said three new services have been notified by the GAD under the purview of PSGA Act, which included issuance of copy of FIR to the applicant, character antecedents report from CID in respect of newly appointed candidates in the Government service and verification report from CID for acquiring passports.
“All Departments including Labour and Employment have been advised to identify services pertaining to their departments to be brought within the purview of PSGA. As soon as the comments from all the Departments are received and consolidated, further steps regarding inclusion of new services pertaining to all the departments including the Labour and Employment Department shall be examined/considered for being brought within the ambit of the Act’’, the Minister added.
Admitting that Security Related Expenditure was constantly increasing, Mr Rather spelt out reasons for it.
Referring to the point raised by MLA Jammu City West Prof Chaman Lal Gupta on massive increase in Security Related Expenditure (SRE), Mr Rather said the police force was raised manifold in the State during two decades of militancy and their salary has become a permanent part of the SRE.
“All expenditure incurred on the migrants including their salary, rehabilitation, appointments on new posts etc also formed part of the SRE’’, he said, adding that the Government too wanted reduction in SRE but it was not feasible at this stage.
“For the time being, we have to live with it (the SRE expenditure)’’, Mr Rather said.
On the demand raised by PDP MLA and former Minister Abdul Rehman Veeri for upgradation of Khiram as National Highway as it was in dilapidated condition in Bijbehara, Mr Rather said a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the work was under process at the level of Chief Engineer. The work will be taken up after the project is approved and funds made available.
The Finance Minister assured NPP legislator and former Minister Harshdev Singh that his demand for opening of a degree college at Majalata would be considered whenever the Government approved new degree colleges.
On another demand of Mr Singh for creation of tourist circuit for Dalsor-Ramnagar-Tarmian-Gandh Top, he said it didn’t qualify for a tourist circuit in isolation but can be made part of some other circuit project in future subject to prioritization by the Ministry.
On Harshdev’s demand for early establishment of industrial estate at Taju, Majalata, the Finance Minister said the DPR was under preparation by the SICOP. Rs 25 lakh have been provided for the project during current financial year in the State plan and adequate funds would be provided in the next financial year for land acquisition.
“As far as the issue raised by Harshdev for regularization of National Youth Corps volunteers was concerned, it was the Government of India scheme under which they were to be engaged for two years only. We can’t modify or change the scheme’’, Mr Rather said, adding he would take up the demand of Mr Singh personally with Jammu and Kashmir Bank for opening its branches at Chowki and Chanunta in Ramnagar. He told the MLA Ramnagar that the Co-operative Bank has refused to open its branches at the two places due to non-viability.
On the points raised by PDP MLA Zulfikar Ali, Mr Rather said the issue for allotment of land for permanent settlement of Nomads (Gujjar and Bakerwals) has been raised in various State Advisory Board meetings where in it was decided to identify land for development of colonies so that these Nomads could be settled.
“The issue has been taken up with the concerned DCs for identification of land for development of colonies. As and when the land is identified and funds provided by the Planning Department, the issue would be settled. A possibility can also be explored under Prime Minister’s 20 point programme where under allotment of land for dwelling purpose for the Nomads shall also be explored’’, the Finance Minister said, adding the Government was considering some provisions in Tribal Sub Plan for constructing sheds on IAY pattern for Nomads of J&K.
“The Government is quite serious about the problems being faced by the Tribals living in Jammu and Kashmir. It is out of this concern that a separate Directorate of Tribal Affairs has been established and made fully functional’’, he added.
On promotion of seven lakes along Pir Panjal range in Rajouri-Poonch district, Mr Rather said the Government would order survey of these lakes.
On strengthening of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), the Finance Minister announced that during current financial year, Rs 108 crore have been released (to PRIs) for construction of 1080 Panchayat Ghars under 13th Finance Commission Award. Another amount of Rs 63 crore has been authorized for community development and Panchayat works under the State Plan. In all, 1788 Panchayat Ghars are under construction presently under Finance Commission, MGNREGA and BRGF Grants, he added.
On the points raised by National Conference MLA, Saifullah Mir, Mr Rather said 2015-16 has been fixed as target date for completion of 100 beds hospital at Kupwara and funds were being released for the purpose. Mr Mir had sought establishment of SDPO office at Trehgam, Kupwara, two sub divisions of Irrigation and Flood Control in two blocks of Kupwara and two receiving stations at Chowkibal and Awoora.
PDP MLA Rafi Ahmad Mir had called for providing street lighting at Sallar and Sriguphwara, creation of special R&B sub divisions at Sallar Dachnipora in Pahalgam and providing AEE’s office (PDD) for Dachnipora Sallar, which will cater Khiram to Pahalgam area.
Independent MLA from Kathua Charanjit Singh Jasrotia alleged disparity in district plan funds between Kathua and Billawar. He called for early completion of toll plaza at Lakhanpur.
Mr Rather said that in order to look into demands for creation of new administrative units, the already constituted committee has submitted its report, which was under examination of the Government. He added that policy decision in this regard was required to be taken on total human resource requirement alongwith its financial implications, total infrastructural requirement and certain issues with regard to the Tehsils and Niabat created for the purpose of settlement operations and agrarian reforms which need to be examined in greater details viz-a-viz the recommendations of the Committee.
He said that detailed exercise on these matters was being conducted and as soon as the exercise was completed, it will be placed before the Cabinet for appropriate decision.
The Minister said that exemption from payment of entry tax under the Entry Tax on Goods Act, 2000 on the scientific equipments, critical chemicals and reagents used by the research and development institutions of the Central and the State has been proposed by him in the budget speech for the year 2012-13. He said necessary orders having effect from April 1, 2012 were being issued.
Mr. Rather said a proposal, to make items in cross LoC trade list more specific, has been sent by the Ministry of External Affairs, GoI to Government of Pakistan to elicit their response. He added that at present, 21 different items are traded from Salamabad to Chakoti and from Chakan-da-Bagh to Rawlakote.