Kalam's name crops up for Prez candidate

Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar’s remarks favouring an individual with "not too much" of a political mind for the President’s post has stirred the pot with parties, as well as the Congress, chanting the mantra of a consensus candidate within the upcoming Presidential Polls.

Former President A P J Abdul Kalam’s name cropped up within the discussions nowadays with Samajwadi Party saying it absolutely was "not averse" to his candidature whereas others remained ambivalent.

Pawar, leader of the NCP and one amongst the vital constituents of the UPA, clarified this morning that he had solely talked regarding an "agreed" candidate and not a non- political person for the post.

"I haven't said this. I even have spoken regarding agreed candidate," Pawar told reporters when asked to discuss his yesterday’s reported remarks of a "non-political" candidate for the post of the President.

He insisted that neither the UPA nor the NDA has the numbers and, therefore, a method of consultation was necessary.

"I am certain leadership involved can begin the method. we want to consider agreed candidature at this moment," he said.

Pawar’s remarks triggered instant reaction with 2 senior Ministers Kapil Sibal and Ghulam Nabi Azad saying that they were operating towards a consensus.

Azad, a member of the GoM on Media, told reporters that the workplace of President is huge and no political party contains a majority to induce its candidate elected. "If the President is elected, it'll be through consensus. in a very democracy, each cluster contains a right to precise its opinion regarding a private or a frontrunner," he said.

Asked regarding Pawar’s remarks, HRD Minister Kapil Sibal, additionally a member of the GoM, said "We are operating towards a consensus."

On questions on second term for Kalam, Congress spokesperson Renuka Chowdhury refused to travel into issue, just saying Kalam could be a revered temperament.

"We respect him...It was nice to possess had Kalam (as President). I don’t have the authority to mention something quite this," she said.

Former MP and SP leader Shahid Siddiqui said if there's a consensus his party wasn't averse to Kalam’s name. He recalled that it absolutely was his party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav who proposed Kalam’s name for Presidency in 2002.

He said his party was additionally talking to different parties and considering another names.

JD(U) leader Sharad Yadav said there has been no discussion either in his party or at intervals the NDA regarding the Presidential elections. The UPA has additionally not initiated any moves, he said.

DMK spokesperson T K S Elangovan said the President’s post wants some political information and legal experience. "That doesn't mean that he ought to be too political," he said.

CPI(M) MP Sitaram Yechury said there are non- political persons who have occupied the workplace yet as political personalities.

He said anybody who becomes President ought to have political information. 

Mineral extraction has no impact on Trikuta Hills

Exhibition begins at Kala Kendra

Abhishek Singhvi Quits

Embroiled in a very CD controversy, Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi nowadays resigned as chairman of a Parliamentary Committee and party spokesperson in a very injury management exercise prior the resumption of the budget session tomorrow.

53- year-old Singhvi, an eminent lawyer and a Rajya Sabha member, sent a letter to Congress president Sonia Gandhi informing her of his call 10 days once circulation of a CD purportedly involving him.

"I have done this solely to stop even the slightest doable Parliamentary disruption concerning the purported CDs being circulated regarding me.

"Since i'm a disciplined party soldier, I failed to assume it match to subject the party to any inconvenience on this account. All allegations are obviously baseless and false," he said in a very statement.

Singhvi acquired high profile once the committee headed by him came out with a report on the Lokpal last year on whose recommendation the govt brought a legislation on the difficulty.

Singhvi, who was began the AICC briefing last week, said that "canards and baseless" allegations were being unfold regarding alleged inappropriate conversations within the alleged CD.

"People inimically against me, who have assiduously spent over 10 days hearing, seeing, amplifying and distilling the CD found no vestige of any reference, not even remotely, to any illegality, corrupt observe or wrongdoing.

"Specifically, some sections of the print and visual media are spreading a falsehood just by repetition and hearsay that there's a reference within the CD to the promise of any post. nobody has heard any such reference within the CD. there's none just because it doesn't exist. it's pure imagination, wishful thinking and sensationalism," he said.

Singhvi said the canard was unfold merely to administer the difficulty a public interest flavour since otherwise the contents of the CD, "assuming them to be true, (which they actually are not), would disclose solely one thing non-public and consensual giving a reason behind action solely to aggrieved members of the family (who have stood utterly by me) and to nobody else".

Singhvi said it absolutely was lamentable that such canards were being unfold a few CD, which has, in fact, been accepted thrice over to be "fabricated and morphed".

"The driver's disclosure statement to the police, his detailed written statement within the High Court and his oral statement recorded on oath physically within the presence of the choose, all justify how and why he created this fabrication.

"A reputed media house, that was co-defendant within the suit additionally recorded a consent statement based mostly on the statement of the author of the CD i.e. the driver. A permanent final decree of injunction has been ignored 5 days ago," he said.

Singhvi said it absolutely was noteworthy that the driver's threatening and blackmailing SMSes sent to his phone had been recorded within the last week of March followed by a close four-page police criticism filed as way back as March twenty nine, a full thirteen days before the alleged CDs initial surfaced within the media.

"As a political or skilled category, rather than gleefully watching, promoting or taking part in a very person's natural and understandable discomfitures, we tend to should respect privacy problems," he said.

Main Oppn party stages walk out

Budget 2012 Sidelights

Modi opposes amendment in BSF Act

Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi today wrote a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh opposing Centre's proposed move of amending Border Security Force Act, 1968 to give wide powers to the paramilitary force to arrest and search anybody in any part of the country.

In his letter, Modi objected to the unwarranted move, especially when the Chief Ministers of different states are meeting in New Delhi on April 16, a State Government release said here.

He dubbed the move to give arrest powers to BSF as yet another systematic move to "create a state within state" or a "second state", it said.

Modi had earlier sent letters to the Prime Minister opposing the Centre's move to create NCTC and giving wider powers to Railway Protection Force.

He said BSF has been created to "guard our International Borders with powers under Criminal Procedure Code to arrest offenders in border areas and investigate".

As per the existing provisions, he said, services of Armed Forces and Paramilitary Forces are requisitioned to assist the civil authorities during natural calamities and other emergencies to maintain law and order.

BSF, which is at present deployed for anti-Naxal operations, had sought an amendment to the act so that it could also arrest people within the country especially in Maoist-hit states.

At present, the BSF has arrest and seizure powers limited to the border areas. 

1802 Adhoc Contractual Workers Regularised

Panthers party MLAs walk out

Judicial Commission on unmarked graves recommended

After the Jeevan Reddy Commission, Prime Minister’s Working Group and the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Dileep Padgaonkar-led panel of interlocutors has also put weight behind the proposals to repeal or amend the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) and suggested that Defence Ministry should respond positively to the issue rather than negatively. The panel has also recommended the framing of a Judicial Commission for identification of all the bodies in the unmarked graves in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

The Prime Minister’s Working Group on Confidence Building Measures had recommended reviewing the Disturbed Areas Act and AFSPA and lifting the former and revoking the latter if possible.

Similarly, Jeevan Reddy Commission had proposed repeal of AFSPA and incorporation of some of its provisions into a new national law, to be called the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act. Moreover, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs had also recommended several amendments to the AFSPA to bring it in line with the Criminal Procedure Code while allowing protections for the armed forces that exist in every democratic country.

While making reference of all these recommendations in their report, the interlocutors have observed, "AFSPA is more the symbol of a problem than its cause. But symbols are important for peace processes thus the Defence Ministry must consider how to respond positively rather than negatively to the proposals for repeal of and amendments to the AFSPA", the report said, adding "these proposals should be viewed by MoD and a decision taken at the earliest".

"The goal is to arrive at a situation in which troops will be deployed only at the borders. A step-by-step process would begin with the Army remaining in barracks and transferring any civilian policing duties to the paramilitary, with their onward transfer to the Jammu and Kashmir Police", the report said, adding "this step has already been taken in most urban areas but could be consolidated in rural areas".

About reviewing the military deployments to see whether security installations can be rationalized through reducing their spread to a few strategic locations and creating mobile units for rapid response, the report said, "the desire for redeployment of military or security forces and installations, created as part of counter-insurgency operations, and not prior cantonments, from the rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir is a heartfelt desire that unites the regional political parties and dissident groups", adding "given the large reduction in militancy-related violence, some thinning or strategic concentration of installations is worth considering".

Pointing to the absence of a formal commitment to ceasefire or disbandment as one of the obstacles to redeployment, the report said, "such a commitment would have made security reforms much easier to implement".

"The Prime Minister's Working Group on CBMs had suggested that an unconditional dialogue with armed groups be initiated and some steps were taken during the Quiet Diplomacy of 2008-09. However, since then the issue has not come up again, and it needs to be put back on the agenda".

"Even in the absence of commitments from armed groups to ceasefire, disarm and demobilize, such reforms still need to be considered", the report said, adding "all the delegations which met the interlocutors were explicit in their view that troops should be concentrated on the borders and LoC to prevent infiltration and phased withdrawal of troops from residential and agricultural areas should be considered".

Referring to large number of gross human rights violations by a variety of groups, including murder and torture, the report said, "the issue gained prominence with the investigation into unmarked graves, many of which contain bodies of militants killed in counter-insurgency and some of which are alleged to be of missing persons".

Recommending setting up of a Judicial Commission to establish the best procedures for identification of the bodies in the unmarked graves, the report said, "the commission would see whether any of the bodies match the DNA of the families of the disappeared persons. The final step would be to try to identify all the bodies in the unmarked graves, and this would depend on cooperation from Pakistan".

"The exercise will be a massive and time-consuming one, and all concerned should be prepared to face the fact that they might not, in the end, have the full closure that they need", it added

About the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) proposed by Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, the report said, "even if justice cannot be provided for all victims of violence, if some of those guilty of human rights abuses, including militants, were to ask forgiveness from the families of their victims, it would provide closure for many".

A TRC, it said, would also have a large impact in Pakistan, altering the "Kashmir narrative" in fundamental ways.

On the military-to-military CBMs agreed between the Governments of India and Pakistan, such as hotlines between commanders of Border Security Forces, the report said their implementation needed to be reviewed and any remaining gaps filled up.

45426 ReTs Engaged 25054 Regularized

Dy Speaker orders seizure of two mobile phones

CAG findings just tip of iceberg

Govt promoting financial irregularities’

 Govt played fraud with institution of Legislature: Baig

Accusing the State Government of facilitating continuation of serious financial irregularities, former Deputy Chief Minister and senior People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader, Muzaffar Hussain Baig, today said that Government has played fraud with the institution of legislature by tabling on last day of the Budget Session the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG), which has brought to fore massive frauds, misappropriation of funds, unauthorized, unfruitful and unproductive expenditure of several crores of rupees.

Talking to media-persons at party office here this evening, Mr Baig said, "there was political purpose behind tabling of the CAG report on last day of the Budget Session as CAG has completely exposed the National Conference-led Government for facilitating serious financial irregularities and allowing the defaulting officers to go scot free".

"As per the parliamentary practice, the audit reports are tabled on the Floor of the House for discussion on the same and take corrective steps based on the outcome of such discussion but by intentionally delaying the tabling of the report the National Conference-led Government has defeated the very objective behind audits of the functioning of the Government departments", he said.

Stating that Government has played fraud with the institution of legislature, he said, "by denying the opportunity of discussion on the findings of the CAG the Government has tried to render the Legislative Assembly and Council ineffective and disabled", he said, adding "the discussion on the CAG report was imperative as it has made startling revelations about fraud, embezzlement, misappropriation of funds, excess payment/ wasteful expenditure and diversion of funds".

Terming the CAG findings as just tip of an iceberg, the former Deputy Chief Minister said, "if such glaring financial irregularities can be detected in the sample survey of some works in 8-10 departments what could be the state of affairs in all the departments, can easily be presumed", adding "had the report been tabled just at the beginning of the Budget Session we would have completely exposed the Government during the discussion on Budget as well as grants of different departments but unfortunately the Government had denied this opportunity to the Opposition, which otherwise would have been of immense benefit in checking the financial irregularities in future".

Picking up some startling figures from the CAG report, Mr Baig said that in 2010-2011 an amount to the tune of Rs 9010.80 crore was available with the Government as Capital Expenditure but it could not spend Rs 2289.77 crore despite the fact that percentage of capital expenditure indicates economic growth. Similarly, an expenditure of Rs 31288.58 crore was registered against total original and supplementary grants of Rs 28920.27 crore thereby registering excess expenditure of Rs 2368.11 crore. 

Stating that Government was spending more on non-productive sector than the productive sector that too without seeking permission from the Assembly, he said that in 2009-10 the Plan expenditure was to the tune of Rs 6688 crore but in 2010-11 the same declined by Rs 49 crore to Rs 6639 crore. On the other side, Non-Plan expenditure increased to Rs 17892 crore in 2010-11 as against an amount of Rs 14870 in 2009-10.

"This shows decline in development activities with a sharp rise in non-development expenditure", he said, adding "the reasons for this shortage in the development expenditure have not been explained by the State Government to the CAG".

"The excuse of the Government that revenue expenditure registered steep rise because of 6th Pay Commission appears to be false because the projected wages and salaries for 2010-11 were Rs 13173 crore whereas actually it was only Rs 7772 crore", he said, adding "the Government is answerable to the people as to why it has not utilized Rs 6000 crore to pay the arrears to the employees or to clear the loans it had taken". 

"Such an amount could have even been utilized to provide employment to two lakh people at least for 3-4 years", he added.

Pointing towards under-spending to the tune of Rs 3762.45 crore in 12 grants in 2010-11, he said, "the functioning of the Finance Department can be gauged from the fact that it has failed to spend Rs 367.60 crore under Revenue Component and Rs 387.82 crore under Capital Component", adding "similar is the fate of another vital department—Planning and Development, which has failed to spend Rs 679.61 crore under Capital Component".

About the CAG’s startling revelations viz-a-viz the rush of expenditure during the month of March", he said, "it is not understandable as to how an expenditure ranging between 51 per cent to 77 per cent can be registered in one month only", adding "the CAG findings have also proved wrong the tall claims of the Finance Minister, Abdul Rahim Rather about tax realization".

Mr Baig also expressed concern over how the Government got constitutional amendment bill pertaining to reservation to SCs/STs/OBCs introduced and passed on the last day of the Budget Session. "We were not against the reservation to these sections of society. Had there been discussion we would have stressed for extension of same for 20 years", he said.

About the report of House Committee on sanctioning and upgradation of health centers, he said, "the report has brought to fore how the Ministries used influence for providing benefits to selective constituencies at the cost of deserving ones".

Razdan Inaugurates Business Unit of EDB

KP youth launch hunger strike

Omar presses for AFSPA recall

The Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today relied on plunging militancy

 graph and improved security scenario, well supplemented by statistics, in his bid to

 convince the Union Home Minister P Chidambaram vis-à-vis his demand for partial

 revocation of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) from J&K.

 Reports suggested that during high level security review meeting with Chidambaram,

 the issues pertaining to perfect synergy among different security agencies engaged in

 anti-militancy operations, law and order situation, capitalizing on the dividends of a

 peaceful summer 2011 to consolidate the process further and progress on rehabilitation of

 surrendered youth who crossed over to PAK for arms training figured.

 Official inputs suggested that the interlocutors’ report too found a place during one-on-

 one deliberations between the two. Omar is asking for making the report public to hold

 deliberations on it. The deliberations should be followed by its implementation and in no

 situation, it (report) should be left to meet the fate of similar reports in the past.

 If this is not such a process would lose credibility, was a word of caution from Omar, the

 reports suggested.

 Later in the evening Omar said, “We desire that the interlocutors’ report should be made

 public document and talks should be held on it. After that its recommendations should be

 implemented.”

 Regarding AFSPA revocation, Omar’s stand is that the process can be started by lifting

 it from peaceful areas where the Army has no operations and to begin with, can be lifted

 from districts like Jammu, Samba and Kathua in the Jammu region and Srinagar and

 Badgam in the Kashmir Valley.

 During the security review meeting, the Chief Minister reportedly pitched hard relying on

 graphs showing steady decline in militancy since 2010.

 The agencies reports quoted an official, who was present at the meeting, saying, “For the

 revocation of AFSPA, the graph of militancy is the first and last point to be seen. The

 data reflects steep and drastic decline in militancy. This is self speaking.”

 As per the agencies reports, the state government also supported the lifting of more

 security bunkers from the Kashmir Valley this summer “to give a semblance of normalcy

 and peace.”

 According to official statistics, 1,600 security bunkers have been erected in the state since

 1990. About 80 bunkers, mostly from Srinagar, were removed last year. This year, there

 are plans to remove 25 more.

 The meeting also took stock of the overall security scenario in the state, infiltration of

 militants from Pakistan, strategy to counter militancy and steps for synergy between

 security and intelligence agencies.

 Reports suggested that the Union Home Minister sought report on KAC Chairman Dr

 Ghulam Nabi Fai’s activities in the state, presently under investigation, besides report on

 mechanism to check infiltration along LoC and Amarnath Yatra arrangements.

 The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Minister of State for

 Home Nasir Aslam Wani, J&K Chief Secretary Madhav Lal, Director General Police,

 Kuldeep Khoda, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, B B Vyas, Principal Secretary

 Home B R Sharma, Union Joint Secretary (Kashmir) in Ministry of Home Affairs K

 Skandan, Additional Director IB Rajeev Kapur, Special Director General CRPF (NZ)

 J&K, Anirudh Uppal, Additional Director General Law and Order J&K, K Rajindra,

 Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pawan Kotwal, IGP Kashmir, S M Sahai, IGP Jammu,

 Dilbag Singh, IG CRPF, Kashmir, B N Ramesh, OSD to Union Home Minister, Ajay

 Kumar Yadav, IGP CID, B Srinivas, IG CRPF (Adm), Kashmir, Ravi Parkash, Deputy

 Director IB Kashmir, Mahesh Dixit, DD (SIB), Jammu, Anuragh Kumar, IG BSF,

 Kashmir, D S Rathore, IG CRPF, Jammu, A H Mohammad and DIG BSF, Jammu N S

 Jamwal.

BJP holds Jan Sammelans

Chronicle conducts test series for IAS aspirants

Jammu Drama Festival 2012

CCS to decide on AFSPA

The final call on the contentious issue of revocation of Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA) from J&K will be taken by the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).

 This message was loud and clear when the Union Minister for Home Affairs P Chidambaram Tuesday wrapped up his day long visit to the winter capital of the state.

 “The Ministry of Home Affairs has proposed three amendments to Armed Forces Special Power Act (AFSPA). They are under the consideration of the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS). Once a decision is taken, we’ll announce it,” was the precise reply of Chidambaram during his brief media interaction, while winding up sojourn to Jammu.

 No elaboration, however, was made on the nature of the amendments proposed.

 Ditto was the status of interlocutors’ report, which he said, would be made public after the CCS considered the matter.

 “Interlocutors’ report, as I said in Delhi, will be made public after the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) considers the matter,” Chidambaram said.   

 After meeting different delegations including Congress leaders’ delegation at J&K Guest House, the Union Home Minister was responding to media queries vis-à-vis the reiteration of the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah about AFSPA revocation from selective areas in J&K and the fate of interlocutors’ report.

 The two issues, which presumably also figured during the security review meeting chaired by the Chief Minister and the Union Home Minister and the luncheon meeting at Raj Bhawan today, have been repeatedly raked up by the former on different occasions.

 On AFSPA revocation issue, in his brief sound byte today, the Union Home Minister almost appeared to be on the same page with the JKPCC President Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz.

 JKPCC president on Monday almost on similar lines had stated that the Government of India would decide the point of time about the revocation of AFSPA.

 “As and when the Government of India takes a decision, it will decide the point of time,” Soz had said when asked to comment as whether this was the ripe time for AFSPA revocation as was being insisted by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

 However, Omar in the just concluded budget session of J&K legislature had stated the process of partial AFSPA revocation from selective areas would start this year.

 In the meanwhile, notwithstanding the hectic lobbying by the Chief Minister for AFSPA revocation from selective areas in J&K, the state Congress leaders adopted a contradictory position during their meeting with Chidambaram.

 As the Member Parliament (MP) Madan Lal Sharma, while talking to media outside the guest House, stated that though the issues of AFSPA revocation and interlocutors’ report were not discussed during Congress leaders’ meeting with the Union Home Minister yet the party leaders themselves aired their views on the contentious issue (AFSPA revocation). “We made our stand clear on this issue in a subtle manner that the time was not ripe for its revocation,” he said.

 Faced with a query as their alliance partner (NC) held entirely a contradictory stand on this account, his one-liner was, “That’s their view point.” 

 JKPCC president Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz, however, steered himself clear of any controversy by charting a safe recourse while responding to media queries about the deliberations between the Congress leaders and Chidambaram.

 “During our deliberations with the Union Home Minister, there was a positive message for us. There’s great improvement in the environment which will give a tremendous boost to the tourism here, thus bringing prosperity to J&K. Therefore the Congress party would have to contribute more in maintaining and giving further impetus to this improved security situation scenario to consolidate the dividends of last peaceful summer,” Soz stated.

 He added that the Union Home Minister was satisfied with the Congress’ all out efforts in further improving the situation. “As a senior leader of the party, he listened to us and offered his suggestions,” Soz said.

 The Congress delegation also raised the issue of West-Pak and PoK refugees and sought Rs 300 Cr central package for their one-time settlement. The issue of migrants from Doda, Reasi and other regions of Jammu too echoed during the meeting with the local leadership stressing that they should be treated at par with the Kashmiri migrants.

 The Union Home Minister asked the party leaders to remain alert against the attempts by certain forces to exploit the situation to vitiate the atmosphere as it happened in case of Amarnath row and Shopian case in the past few years. The Congress leaders from Ladakh expressed their concerns about increased activities of China in the cold desert.

 “It was a subtle interaction from both sides on varied range of issues. Although the party leaders conveyed their concerns yet all refrained from aiming barbs at the coalition partner. General mood was that the army, security forces’ presence was still imperative in the state but it was conveyed in a very subtle manner. The Union Home Minister, however, did not respond on this issue. One of the leaders raked up the issue of Congress’ thinning share in portfolios yet he (Chidambaram) in his inimitable manner evaded the matter saying JKPCC President would represent the party on this issue,” stated another senior Congress leader, who too was present in the meeting.

 Earlier on his arrival from New Delhi in the morning, the Union Home Minister visited Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine and paid obeisance at the Sanctum Sanctorum. He prayed for peace and prosperity of the state and the country. CEO Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, Naveen Chowdhary apprised the Home Minister about the facilities being extended to the pilgrims and the overall security scenario enroute the shrine. He also briefed the Home Minister about the infrastructural projects taken up by the Shrine Board in view of the ever increasing pilgrimage.

 After his arrival from Vaishnodevi, Chidambaram along with the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reviewed the prevailing law and order and security situation in the state at a high level meeting at the latter’s residence.

 From the Chief Minister’s residence, the cavalcades of Chidambaram and Omar drove to Governor House at 1.20 PM. There during an hour long luncheon meeting, Chidambaram had wide ranging consultations with Governor N N Vohra and the Chief Minister on the pace of socio-economic development of the state, internal and external security management, measures taken for empowerment of Panchayati Raj institutions and ensuing elections to the urban local bodies.

 From Governor’s House, Chidambaram reached J&K Guest House where the deputations of Congress leaders, All Party Sikh Coordination Committee (APSCC) and Pahari Cultural and Welfare Forum (PCWF) called on him.

 APSCC delegation demanded general amnesty to Sikhs of Kashmir involved in the 1984 Indian Airlines plane hijack case, as was done in case of separatist leader Hashim Qureshi, fresh probe in Chittisinghpora massacre under a timeframe and a central authority for providing state subject status at par with Kashmiri migrants.

 The delegation also raised demands for an employment package and extension of Minority Act to J&K.

 PCWF delegation reiterated demand for ST status for Pahari speaking people.

Tajikistan Ambassador in jammu Kashmir

KP organizations surprised over statement of SDSS

PDD disconnects illegal electricity connections

Chidambaram for vigorous pursuance of terror funding cases

Patting the security establishment for the dip in terrorism in the State, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram today pushed for vigorous pursuance of terror fundings cases in the State.

The terror funding cases were discussed in a high-level security meeting chaired by Chidambaram and State Chief Minister Omar Abdullah here.

Other issues like security and law and order situation including measures for summer and Amarnath Yatra, rehabilitation of former militants, mechanism of return and rehabilitation of youths of the State and employment generation were also discussed,

There was presentation of reports on the all the issues, which were throughly discussed in the meeting, a senior official said.

The Union Home Minister praised the security establishment for the dip in terrorism in the State and asked the authorities to ensure that terror funding cases are pursued vigorously.

The issue of troops reduction also came up for discussion in view of the improvement of the security situation and Chidambaram indicated that it will take place gradually.

The Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) issue was not discussed in the meeting.

However, Chidambaram, who reviewed the security situation in the State accompanied by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during his day-long visit, told reporters his ministry has sought amendments in AFSPA which were pending before the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS).

"Ministry of Home Affairs has proposed three amendments in AFSPA. They are under consideration of CCS," he said here but did not elaborate on the nature of the amendments.

On the report of the Centre's interlocutors on Kashmir, he said it would be made public after Cabinet Committee of Security (CCS) considers it.

"Interlocutors' report, as I said in Delhi, will be made public after the Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has considered the matter", Chidambaram said.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has pitched for making the report public, holding debate on it and thereafter implementing the recommendations.

CS asks scientists to promote technology based farming

Frame rules of Dowry Restrained Act within 4 months

Three Day Heritage Fair begins at Kala Kendra

Chidambaram pays obeisance at Vaishnodevi

Union Home Minister P Chidambaram today began his day-long visit to this city to assess the security situation in Jammu and Kashmir by paying obeisance at the cave shrine of Mata Vaishnodevi.

Chidambaram, who arrived here this morning, was received by Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand and Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani at the Jammu airport.

The Home Minister, who was flanked by Governor N N Vohra, flew to Sanji Chat base helipad in Trikuta hills- abode of cave shrine of Mata Vaishnodevi- from the airport.

He later paid obeisance at the cave shrine, officials said adding that he returned back to Jammu where a high-level security review meeting chaired by him is underway.

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Director General of Police (DGP) Kuldeep Khoda besides senior officers of the Army, Para military forces and intelligence agencies are taking part in the meeting.

Chidambaram is scheduled to hold a meeting with the Governor at Raj Bhavan and later meet delegations of Congress leaders of Jammu and Kashmir headed by JKPCC Chief Saif-ud-Din Soz besides a delegation of Sikh leaders.

Master Plans of Jammu and Srinagar

Walkouts over refugees and tourism issue

House not taken seriously

Creating an embarrassing situation for the Government, entire Opposition staged a walkout during the second sitting of Legislative Assembly today forcing Deputy Speaker, Sartaj Madni, to adjourn the House for 11 minutes. The opposition protested against the failure of treasury benches to take the business of the House seriously among whom only 10 members including two Ministers were present.

Taking a serious exception to the treasury benches for not taking the House seriously, the PDP’s Peer Mansoor stood up from his seat and raised a Point of Information. He pointed towards Deputy Speaker, Sartaj Madni, saying that Treasury Benches are not taking the House seriously as only 10 members from ruling alliance were present in the House while the number of opposition members was 21.

He was supported by his party colleague Ch Zulfkar who also stood up from his seat saying that they would stage walkout, as Government was not serious in running the House. Meanwhile, all opposition members including those of BJP, its rebel group and Panthers Party also stood up from their seats and started arguing with Deputy Speaker saying that they would stage a walk out in protest against the non-seriousness of the Government in running the House.

Some of the members also came near the Well and started arguing with Sartaj Madni. Though the Deputy Speaker pleaded with the members not to stage a walkout appealing them to take their respective seats, they refused to budge. "Please take your seats’’ repeated Deputy Speaker but the opposition members did not relent and staged a walkout forcing him to adjourn the House at 1646 hours for 11 minutes. The House later assembled at 1657 hours.

In the meantime, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Rural Development, Ali Mohammed Sagar, along with Minister of Transport and CAPD Qamar Ali Akhoon, entered the House. Sagar too tried to appeal the members to take their seats but to no avail. Even the NC chief whip and Advisor to Chief Minister, Mubarak Gul, persuaded the opposition members not to leave as members of ruling alliance were on their way to House but it did not convince them.

Later when House resumed its business at 1657 hours and the Deputy Speaker asked the Minister to reply the grants, the PDP MLAs, Javed Mustafa Mir and Peer Mansoor, again staged a walkout. The two MLAs protested against the Deputy Speaker for not allowing them to speak on grants.

Mir, who stood up from his seat protested that he will stage walkout if he was not allowed to speak on the grants. He was followed by Peer Mansoor.

The Deputy Speaker said that his party had given the list of three members and all of them spoke on grants. He, however, asked the members that they can raise their point after the Minister’s reply. This was not agreed to by Mir who said that he had to make an important disclosure in the House, as there is a big scam in Education Department as huge funds are being received from Centre on the name of Madrassas and swindled.

Pointing towards Deputy Speaker, Mir said that he was not allowed to speak but he would prove it on the floor of the House later and staged a walk out along with Peer Mansoor in protest.

Earlier NC MLA Mohammed Ashraf took strong exception to the un-parliamentary remarks of Panthers Party MLA, Harshdev Singh against Minister of Medical Education and Youth Services and Sports, R S Chib who had to reply on grants of Education Ministry.

The MLA said Mr Singh being a highly educated member of the House was not supposed to use such words against the Minister.

However, PDP MLA Basharat Bukhari appealed to the Deputy Speaker that the words used by Mr Singh be expunged from records.

SRTC workers threaten agitation

Economic crisis in India

Vijeshwar Panchang 2012 2013 released

Tajikistan Ambassador in jammu Kashmir

Tajikistan Ambassador visits shrines of Shah -
i-Hamdan, Bulbul Shah

The Ambassador of Tajikistan, Saidbeg Saidov today visited the Shrines of Hazrat Bulbul Shah (RA) and Hazrat Shahi-i- Hamdan (RA) and paid obeisance there.

The Ambassador, who is the descendent of Hazrat Shah-i-Hamdan(RA) and belongs to Qulab Khatlan, is on a visit to Kashmir Valley. He visited the shrine of Hazrat Bulbul Shah(RA) and said that the great spiritual personality is considered one of the esteemed saints not only in Kashmir but in entire world. He said that it was under his spiritual influence that King of Kashmir Hazrat Sadr-u-din in 13th century adopted realistic way of life and proved his acumen under the moral guidance of Hazrat Bulbul Shah (RA) . He also paid obeisance at the shrine of Hazrat Sadr-u-Din (RA).

The Ambassador immediately after paying obeisance at Mazar-i-sharief of Hazrat Bulbul Shah(RA) proceeded via Aali Kadal and Zaina Kadal route to Khankah-i-Moula where he was received by Mujjawirs and respectable personalities of the area.

He was shown the historical sacred 600 year old holy manuscript of holy Quran written by Hazrat Mir Syed Ali Hamdani(RA). He offered prayers at Khankah. He was also presented a copy of Awrad Fatehya on the occasion.

On the occasion, Kh. Farooq Renzushah, Chairman Hazrat Bulbul Shah Trust, Er. Afaq Chesti, Chairman Khawaja Garib Nawaz Trust, Head of Department, Islamic Research Institute, Kashmir University, Hameed Naseem Rafiabadi and other respectable citizens of the area were present.

Coldest night in Valley

Two youth held in Delhi for thefts

Kangris back in kashmir

Baig contests privilege motion against Mehbooba

Former Deputy Chief Minister and PDP leader Muzaffar Hussain Baig today contested validity of privilege motion moved against senior leaders of his party including Mehbooba Mufti and other MLAs by the ruling party, the National Conference members, in the Legislative Assembly yesterday saying the PDP hadn’t submitted any documents in the House.

As the House began its proceedings for the day, Mr Baig, who had served as Finance, Planning and Law & Parliamentary Affairs Minister in previous PDP-Congress coalition Government, described the privilege motion against the PDP MLAs as ``groundless and baseless’’ and urged Speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone to outrightly reject it.

Mr Baig, who was allowed to speak by Mr Lone before start of the Question Hour, referred to the privilege notices received by the PDP members. He said it has been mentioned in the privilege motion notices that six PDP MLAs have presented documents in the Assembly, which "misled the House’’.

"We want to know when actually we presented the documents’’, the PDP leader said maintaining that the PDP had asked for a discussion in the House on Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA) scam which the Speaker didn’t allow.

"We couldn’t present any documents as discussion was not allowed in the House. As such, the charges mentioned in the privilege motion were groundless and baseless, which deserved to be rejected by the Speaker on the ground that no documents mentioned in the privilege motion notices had been presented in the House’’, Mr Baig said.

The Speaker asked Mr Baig to give comments in writing in response to the privilege notices issued to the PDP MLAs. He said if the claim of Mr Baig was proved correct the privilege motion would be rejected and, if not, he would act accordingly under the rules.

Worthwhile to mention here that National Conference MLAs including Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan, former Minister, Saifullah Mir, Nazir Ahmed Gurezi and Sajjad Ahmed Kitchloo and Independent MLA Tsetan Namgayal had moved privilege motion against PDP Legislature Party leader Mehbooba Mufti and other MLAs including Abdul Gaffar Sofi, Abdul Haq Khan, Syed Bashir, Peer Mansoor Shah and Javed Hussain Mir under Rules 238 and 239 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business.

The NC MLAs has charged the PDP members with leveling ``baseless and unfortunate allegations’’ with the ``intentions to mislead the House and deceive its members’’, which resulted in breach of privilege.

The NC members had already pointed out yesterday that all allegations leveled by the PDP in the House against Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, National Conference president and JKCA head, Dr Farooq Abdullah should be expunged from the proceedings as Dr Abdullah was not a member of the House and couldn’t defend himself. The Speaker had expunged the remarks against Farooq.

Independent MLA from Langate Engineer Abdul Rashid, like yesterday, was again on his feet today regretting that the Government has failed to pay ` 2 lakh worth compensation to Kunan Poshpora rape victims of 1990.

"The rape victims didn’t get anything. None married them. Whether the Government will apologise for the incident? Whether any direction will be issued for payment of relief to the victims’’? Mr Rashid asked.

NC’s three time MLA from Kupwara, Saifullah Mir asked Mr Rashid not to highlight the incident of Kunan Poshpora in the House repeatedly. 

"Kunan Poshpora falls in my constituency. Don’t defame the people again and again. Don’t politicize the issue’’, Mr Mir said, addressing Mr Rashid as both had heated exchanges on the issue. Rashid continued shouting from his seat for sometime.

Congress MLA from Banihal, Vakar Rasool also joined the issue saying Engineer Rashid always wasted time of the House by creating trouble. He demanded that he should be removed from the House.

Speaking to media persons outside the Assembly, PDP Legislature Party leader Mehbooba Mufti alleged that since a top man of the National Conference was involved in bungling/embezzlement in the JKCA they wanted to bulldoze the voice of the opposition party by bringing in privilege motion against the party members.

"There has been enough proof that the NC leader was involved in the scam. The ruling party wanted to silence the voice of the opposition party’’, she said.

Referring to the privilege motion, Mehbooba said the documents were only waved in the House. "How the Speaker saw the documents when we didn’t hand over the papers to him’’? she asked.

Ms Mufti claimed that records of bank and JKCA were enough to probe corruption and bungling in the Association.

NC leader Saifullah Mir told the reporters that the party has moved privilege motion against the PDP MLAs including Ms Mufti as the opposition party was trying to defame the National Conference president by leveling "baseless allegations’’ against him.

Bhagavaan Gopinathji Trust holds free medical camp

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Jugal files nomination for MLC

Former minister Jugal Kishore Sharma today filed his nomination papers as the Congress-National Conference coalition’s joint canididate for lone MLC seat falling vacant in Legislative Council due to death of Yashpal Sharma. The nomination papers were filed before the Secretary Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Mohammed Ramzan, who is also Returning Officer of bye-election to the Legislative Council of Jammu and Kashmir. He filed his nomination in the presence of PCC president Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz and senior coalition ministers, legislators and other Congress leaders.

The occasion was used by Congress camp to demonstrate a united front amid the usual undercurrents of factionalism.

Soz reached the winter capital along with Jugal’s nomination. He however first visited former Deputy Chief Minister Mangat Ram Sharma at his residence. There were speculations that Mangat might file nomination papers.However Soz while talking to media queries on this account tried to play down the issue. He also described his visit to Mangat’s place before coming to state legislature for Jugal’s nomination as “just a courtesy visit to a senior party leader’s house.”

The vacant seat of MLC would be filled from amongst the persons who are residents of Jammu province.
Earlier Jugal accompanied by his large number of supporters reached at the state legislature complex at 12.03 PM and straightway went to Deputy Chief Minister’s room. From there he joined by Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand and other ministers and Congress leaders Taj Mohi-ud-Din, G M Saroori, Shabir Khan, Suman Bhagat, Kanta Andotra, Gharu Ram, Jehangir Mir, Abdul Majid Wani, Mohammed Amin Bhat went to the room of Secretary Legislative Assembly.

At around 12.10 PM, Soz joined by Ministers R S Chib, Ali Mohammed Sagar, MLC Ravinder Sharma, PCC members Hari Singh, Gurmukh Singh, Mula Ram, Indu Pawar reached there and joined them. After a while Minister for Health Sham Sharma too joined.

Later both Soz and Jugal joined by other Congress leaders went to the office of Chairman Legislative Council.Jugal later talking to media thanked the UPA Chairperson and Congress president Sonia Gandhi for giving him mandate. Slogans of “Sonia Gandhi…, Soz Sahib…Azad Sahib….Zindabad..” revereberated.

Sheikh Mushtaq to be new Secy GAD

Fake appointments multi crore scam busted 

Release ration cards of genuine families

66 Percent MLAs are Crorepatis

More than one-third of candidates elected in the just concluded Assembly polls have criminal cases against them, with Uttar Pradesh topping the list.

35 per cent or 252 of the 690 MLAs elected to the five Assemblies—Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Manipur and Goa—have criminal background, a rise of eight per cent since 2007.

Also, 66 per cent or 457 of the newly elected MLAs were ‘crorepatis’, according to an analysis of affidavits the candidates had submitted to the Election Commission.

The analysis by Association for Democratic Reforms and National Election Watch also shows that compared to Assembly elections in 2007, there is over 32 per cent increase in the number of crorepati MLAs and about eight per cent rise in the winning candidates with a criminal past this time.

In 2007, voters in these five States had chosen about 190 or 27 per cent MLAs with criminal past, while more than 235 or 34 per cent of candidates having assets worth more than one crore were elected to those Assemblies.

According to the analysis, a total of 189 (47 per cent) new MLAs in the new Uttar Pradesh Assembly have declared criminal cases against them, compared to 140 (34 per ent) in the 2007 Assembly.

Similarly, 271 or 67 per cent new MLAs in the State are crorepatis, compared to 124 crorepati MLAs elected in 2007.

While Samajwadi Party’s Mitra Sen who won from Bikapur seat topped the list of tainted MLAs with 36 criminal cases, Nawab Kazim Ali Khan of Congress from Suar constituency topped the rich list with a declared total assets worth Rs 56.89 crore followed by Shah Alam of BSP from Mubarakpur with assets worth Rs. 54.44 Crores.

Manipur is the only State, where not a single elected candidate who has declared any pending criminal cases against him or her.

However, the new Assembly witnessed a sharp rise among wealthy MLAs with 16 have declared assets worth more than Rs one crore. In 2007 Assembly there was only one MLA who was a crorepati.

In Punjab, the recent polls witnessed 22 candidates with a criminal past winning the elections, compared to 21 such tainted MLAs in the 2007 Assembly.

So far as the money power is concerned, more than 86 per cent of the candidates fared well in the State, as voters sent about 86 per cent or 101 crorepatis to the 117-member Assembly this time. There were 77 (66 per cent) crorepatis in the 2007 Assembly.

In Goa, voters have chosen 37 (93 per cent) crorepatis and 12 (30 per cent) candidates with tainted past to the 40-member Assembly this year. In 2007, their number was 22 and nine respectively.

Similarly in Uttarakhand, 19 (22 per cent) new MLAs have criminal cases against them, while 32 (46 per cent) crorepatis managed to enter the new Assembly. Their figures in 2007 were 17 and 12 respectively.

Rich tributes paid to Dr Ambedkar on his 55th anniversary

FM Radio Sharda in Jammu 

lawyers strike Continued

Akhilesh to be new UP CM

Akhilesh Yadav, who scripted spectacular success in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly elections with an image makeover for Samajwadi Party, will be the new and youngest Chief Minister of the State, representing a generational shift in its politics.

The 38-year-old leader will be sworn in as Chief Minister around 1 PM on March 15 along with other members of the Cabinet.

Ending all speculation, Akhilesh, son of SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, was elected leader of the SP legislature party unanimously after senior leader Azam Khan, who is said to have had some reservations, proposed his name.

It was seconded by Mulayam’s brother Shivpal Singh Yadav, who also reportedly had some misgivings initially about handing over Chiefministership to the young leader who is credited in a major way with reviving the party’s fortunes in the elections.

His predecessor Mayawati was 39 when she first became Chief Minister in 1995 in a coalition Government with support from SP.

Shortly after the election at the legislature party meeting which included MPs, Akhilesh Yadav told reporters that his government would implement all the promises made in the SP manifesto without discrimination of caste and religion because people cutting across all castes and religions have given a mandate to the party.

Tackling law and order will be his Government’s priority, he said, adding honest officers would be appointed to deal with the issue.

In a break with the policies of the predecessor Government, Akhilesh Yadav said the vacant space in the memorials built by Mayawati would be used for building medical or educational institutions.

The election of Akhilesh Yadav, who holds a masters in environmental engineering from Australia, was followed by a thunderous clapping of the assembled gathering of newly-elected MLAs and MPs of the party.

As soon as his name was approved, Akhilesh touched the feet of his 73-year-old father Mulayam Singh Yadav to take his blessings.

That Akhilesh, who toured Uttar Pradesh on his ‘kranti rath yatra’ on the plank of development, could be in the race for Chiefministership was evident when the party got an absolute majority in the 403-member Assembly by winning 224 seats, notwithstanding the reservations of some seniors.

Akhilesh was also instrumental in the party shedding its image of being opposed to computers and English with promise of free laptops for students.

However, in the last two days Mulayam Singh reportedly worked on the seniors and persuaded them about handing over the mantle of Chiefministership to his son, who now represents Kannauj in the Lok Sabha.

In his speech, Azam Khan, considered the Muslim face of SP, said Akhilesh was being given a big responsibility and hoped he would discharge it successfully. He rejected Mayawati’s claim that Muslims shifted to SP because of the fear of BJP and said the Muslims were always with the SP from the days of Babri Masjid demolition.

"The party got more votes than it got after Babri mosque demolition", Khan added. 

Jhiri Mela 2011 Begins

Emergency hospital at Katra

Baba Jitto devsathan

Taj Vakil battle

Already fraught with the Already fraught with the factionalism of a worst kind, state Congress is witnessing further vertical split on the issue of ongoing stand-off between the Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Taj Mohi-ud-Din and former minister and sitting MLC Abdul Gani Vakil on the issue of corruption, bunglings in PHE department. 

    

Interestingly the Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee president Prof Saif-ud-Din Soz, though disapproving “bickering in public” between the two senior party leaders, has chosen to stay away from the wordy duel for the time being.

Reason being, he has been `bypassed’ by both the leaders as well as their supporters by not referring the matter to him and seeking the direct intervention of Congress high command and incharge J&K Affairs.

Meanwhile, the two warring factions on behalf of Taj and Vakil are fighting a full fledged war of words through media by issuing signed statements endorsing the stand of either of the two. Those close to PCC president have cautiously restrained from reacting so far, favouring or opposing any warring side so far.

In a day of swift developments on Sunday, the media offices received two separate signed statements issued from warring factions.

VOICES AGAINST TAJ

In Jammu, a statement was issued in the name of JKPCC general secretary Vinod Sharma wherein a group of Congress leaders comprising former ministers Jugal Kishore Sharma, Suman Bhagat, Chowdhary Garu Ram, Dr Romesh Sharma, Yogesh Sawhney, MLC Haji Ali Mohammed Bhat, general secretary PCC Dr Abdul Ahad Yatu, general secretary Vinod Sharma, Seva Dal state chief Balvinder Singh Sambyal, Youth Congress leader R S Pathania, senior Congress leaders from Kashmir Ghulam Nabi Patel from Pulwama, Ghulam Hassan Shah DCC president  Ganderbal, senior vice president district Kupwara Abdul Rahim Wani, Haji Mohammed Afzal Khan Baramulla, Ghulam Ahmad Lone Budgam, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din ex Corporator Sumbal, Namrata Sharma corporator, Subhash Bhagat, Jugal Kishore Sharma (INTUC), Navin Nischal (Sevadal) and Irfan Naqeeb “condemned the statement of PHE and Irrigation Minister against voices of corruption.” The joint statement said that he (Taj) in his frustration was issuing baseless statements to hide his failure.

The signatories said, “The Congress party has started a mission to eradicate corruption from the system and Abdul Gani Vakil was trying to carry forward the same mission with zeal and enthusiasm.” They regretted saying, “This is most unfortunate that a group whose, each member is involved in corrupt practices and having various cases pending against them in State Accountability Commission (SAC), different courts or CBI have joined hands to suppress and oppress voices against corruption.”

The Congress, they said, “was for exposing all those who are looting the tax payers’ money and misleading masses for their petty gains.” They said, “Such corrupt, incapable and crook people who are out there issuing fake and bogus statements in connivance with some tainted ministers need to be exposed. Their attempts to curb voices against corruption and corrupt will not be tolerated.”

The statement further said, “The Congress leaders in a meeting sought disciplinary action against PHE and Irrigation Minister Taj Mohi-ud-Din for threatening their party colleague Abdul Gani Vakil, who they said had dared to raise the issues of corruption and made an attempt to bring revelations by newspapers into the notice of concerned minister. Vakil, they said, had tried to aware minister incharge of malpractices going on in his department but instead of responding to party colleague’s attempts to stop corruption, Taj preferred to threaten him twice and wash his dirty linen in public.”

The Congress leaders urged the party high command to initiate the disciplinary action against PHE minister immediately as he had gone to the press, threatened of filing a defamation suit instead of explaining his position to the party high command. In the statement, they also urged the high command to sack the minister as “his involvement in corruption land grabbing had damaged and tarnished the image of Congress party.”

Such illegal practices by such tainted ministers, they said, had already caused enough damage to the party and if these things were not plugged there itself they would create further harm to Congress in Jammu and Kashmir state.

The Congress leaders, while extending their full support to Vakil, said that a strong action should be initiated against all those who were misusing power for their personal gains and looting public money. “People like Taj Mohi-ud-Din who are neck deep involved in various alleged corrupt practices and land grabbing should be sacked to save party’s image,” they demanded.

LETTERS AGAINST VAKIL

On the other hand, reportedly a joint statement was issued by the district presidents of Kashmir Valley “condemning the irresponsible behavior of Vakil which was harming the party in the state.” According to KNS news agency, the senior Congress leaders including ministers had criticized Vakil for, what they chose to describe “creating nuisance and his profession of blackmail and intimidation.”

As per KNS report, a meeting was held at PHE Minister Taj Mohi-ud-din’s residence.The KNS report further said, “Sources in Congress told KNS that Prof Soz was apprised by party colleagues in a meeting at Institute of Engineers, Gandhinagar Jammu about the Vakil centric developments that have a strong bearing on overall functioning of the Congress in the state.

This, they said, was followed by a joint statement by all the ten district presidents of Kashmir Valley condemning the irresponsible behavior of Vakil which was harming the party in the state. Sources also said that Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad was apprised by senior Congress leaders and ministers in coalition government about the developments within Congress.

“I wash my hands, favour disciplinary action against Vakil,” sources quoted Azad as having told to the Congress leaders who met him recently.”

The report further added, “Meanwhile, Gulzar Ahmed Wani, Mir Mushtaq Nowshehra, Abdul Gani Khan, Habibullah Bhat, Mohammad Amin Khan Katlori, Zahid Hussain Jan, Abdul Gani Dar, Peer Nazir Ahmed and Innayatullah Rather District Presidents of Congress for Anantnag, Baramullah, Srinagar, Bandipora, Kupwara, Budgam, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam have, in a joint statement condemned Vakil for his “irresponsible statements and baseless remarks” against senior party colleagues.”

“Vakil has started a campaign aimed at blackmailing Congress ministers. He is in the habit of asking undue favours from the ministers and if they don’t oblige him, he publicly goes against them and indulges in worst kind of character assassination,” said the joint statement issued by Congress District Presidents of Kashmir Valley, reported KNS.

As per agency report, the Congress leaders demanded immediate action as recommended by a Disciplinary Committee that was constituted by the Congress high command couple of years back.

KNS report said, “Congress high command had constituted a four member Disciplinary Committee comprising Hari Singh, Bashir Ahmad Magray, Amolak Singh and Abdul Majeed Padar in 2010 to look into the complaints against Vakil for his irresponsible behaviour and the Committee had recommended ouster of Vakil from the rank and file of Congress. The joint statements issued by all the district presidents of Kashmir Valley accused Vakil of misusing party name for his personal vested interests.” The statement quoted in the KNS report said, “Vakil has become a source of pain and embarrassment for the party in the Sate, therefore party high command should immediately order his ouster from the party.”

Agency report further said, “Meanwhile, reliable sources told KNS that Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Taj Mohi-ud-Din, Minister for Education Peerzada Mohammed Sayeed, Minister of State for Cooperatives Dr Manohar Lal, former Minister, G M Saroori , MLAs Abdul Majeed Wani and Haji Nisar Ali, Haji and senior leaders Abdul Rashid Dar, Surrinder Singh Chani, Mir Jahangir and Mazoor Ahmad Ganai have written to AICC member and incharge J&K state Mohan Prakash asking him to stop Vakil from anti party activities which were harming the party in the state.”

“Vakil is in habit of leveling frivolous, malicious and false allegations against the Congress colleagues without any substantive proof which needs to be stopped without any further delay,” the agency report said quoting the joint letter, a copy of which, it claimed, was with it.

Netajis birth anniversary celebrated in jammu kashmir

Rich tributes were paid to the great freedom fighter of India, Netaji Subhash Chander Bose by many political and social organizations besides educational institutions across the J&K State.

J&K Freedom Fighters Association, on 115th birth anniversary of Netaji held a function at Town Hall (JMC) Park here today. It was chaired by the president of the Association, Ved Gandotra. SP Headquarters Jammu, Surinder Singh, was the chief guest. Several freedom fighters participated in the function and paid tributes to the Netaji. While recalling the contributions of the great freedom fighter, Mr Singh said that Netaji was born in a Bengali family on January 23, 1897 in Cuttak, Orrisa. He was an Indian revolutionary who led an Indian national political and military force, against the British and the West during World War-II. Bose was one of the most prominent leaders in the Indian Independence movement and is a legendary figure in the country today. He is presumed to have died in an air crash on August 18, 1945.

Mr Gandotra said that Netaji was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s views. He joined the Indian National Congress in 1939 and then resigned from Congress after some differences with Mahatma Gandhi. Taking strong decision he brought a resolution asking Britishers to hand India over to Indian within six months. In 1943, Netaji formed Azad Hind Fouj (Indian National Army). The Army comprised mainly of Indian who were prisoners of war.

Prominent among others present on the occasion included Jagdish Sudan, Ram Rattan Raina, Rajinder Bhagat, Sunita Sharma, Narinder Baba, Rajinder Singh, Tej Ram, Ch Akhtar Hussain and Veena Rathore.

Pradesh Congress Committee members in a function held at party headquarters here also paid floral tributes to Netaji Subash Chander Bose. The function was organized by DCC Jammu in which several members of the Pradesh, District and Block committees participated. Senior vice president of the PCC Dharam Pal Sharma (Ex-MP) presided over. The speakers recalled the contributions of Netaji and described him an outstanding leader of the Indian freedom movement and a revolutionary par excellence. They lauded the efforts and courage of Netaji, who raised Indian National Army to face the mighty Britishers.

Prominent among others present included DCC president Om Chopra ( Ex-MLA), D S Langeh, Kirtan Singh, Kulbhushan Sharma, Inder Sehgal, S R Sudhir, Gurdarshan Singh, Madan Lal Malagar, V K Sethi, S S Shingari, Hussain Bakash and Saleem Khan.

J&K State Committee of All Indian Forward Bloc celebrated birthday of Netaji at Maheshpura Chowk here. The party members including State chief Dr A K Kharu garlanded the statue of Netaji and paid rich tributes to the great freedom fighter. Dr Kharu demanded that Netaji birthday (January 23) be declared as "Desh Prem Divas’’.

Dr Kharu said that All India Forward Bloc, party founded by Netaji 73 years ago has been demanding that Justice Mukherjee Commission report should be made public. Bhagwan Singh, B L Chanda, Rajan Padri, Chhaju Ram, Vikram and Harbhajan Singh were also present.

Netaji Subhash Chander Bose Volunteer Association also paid tributes to the great freedom fighter in a simple function held at Maheshpura Chowk. Chander Mohan Sharma, president of the organization and other members including Vinod Kumar, Ashok Kumar, Vijay Singh Pathania hoisted national flag and paid floral tributes to Netaji. Children and staff of Shishu Bharti School also participated.

NSS Unit of GGM Science College, Jammu celebrated birth anniversary of Netaji. The Principal of the College Dr Satinder Paul Singh along with other Professors and students assembled in the college Ground and paid tributes to Subhash Chander Bose. A two-minute silence was observed. Dr Singh recalled the contributions of Netaji and said that youth should follow the principles of Netaji.

Netaji Academy Vijaypur also celebrated birthday of Subhash Chnader Bose. Dr M S Baloria, secretary J&K Board of School Education was the chief guest while Dr R K Vaid from Deptt of Electronics, University of Jammu was the guest of honour.

After flag hoisting, the students in their short speeches conveyed Netaji’s message of patriotism and sacrifice and pledged to follow his mission in life. A cultural programme was also organized. A L Gupta, Director of the institute and Principal, Vivek Gupta also spoke on the occasion and distributed prizes among the meritorious students.

Meanwhile, Arya Kanya Vidyalya (High School) Purani Mandi in a function held today paid tributes to the great freedom fighter and recalled his contributions for the country. Principal, Madan Lal addressed the students and asked them to follow Netaji’s principles in life. 

Veeri takes stock of peoples problems in Anantnag

 Member Legislative Council (MLC) Dr. Bashir Ahmad Shah (Veeri) today conducted extensive tour to various villages of Anantnag district and took stock of ongoing developmental projects being executed for facilitating people of the district at earliest. The legislator impressed upon concerned executing agencies to ensure timely completion of ongoing projects with use of quality material so that a concrete infrastructure would be created once for all in the area.

During his tour the legislator met several deputations and assured them that all their genuine developmental needs would be mitigated on priority.

Interacting with the people at different places, Dr. Bashir asserted that all round development of Anantnag district like other districts is prime duty of government. He said the government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is paying focussed attention for all round development of rurali ties, adding that crores of rupees are being expended on upgradation of basic infrastructure facilities in the district.

Referring to the developmental scenario of Bijbehera Constituency, Dr. Veeri said that government has already released a huge funds for carrying out developmental projects including upgradation of road connectivity, water and power supply besides thrust is also being given to improve health care and educational infrastructure in the constituency. Dr. Veeri said that an amount of Rs. 79.82 lakh have been released under Constituency Development Fund (CDF) for improving basic amenities in the villages of Bijbehara constituency. Giving details of the allocation of funds, the legislator said that Rs. 4 lakh each released for villages Khiram Parray Mohalla, Thokarpra Kanalwon, Hatigam, Darigund, Khushrowkalan, Joibal Veeri, Hanjipora Sattar and Ratherpora Panjpora, Rs. 4.5 lakh each for village Dangar Sirhama, Hajipora Veeri, Bijbehara, Rs. 4.75 lakh for Check Panjpora, Rs. 3.5 lakh each for Sofi Mohalla Kanlwon, and Nowbugh.

He said Rs. 2 lakh have also been released for village of Danjipora Sirhama, Rs. 4.25 lakh for caravan Industrial Estate Bijbehara, Rs.3.47 lakh for Jaffarpora Marhama, Rs. 3.73 lakh for Lonepora Marhama ,Rs. 2.65 lakh for Thokerpora Veeri, Rs 3.47 lakh for Ganaie Mohalla Beerwa and Rs 3. Lakh for Kud Angan Marhama for improvement of basic amenities.

Earlier, the Legislator visited the residence of Peer Bilal of Darbagh Harwan for consoling the death of his father Peer Mohammad Yasin Shah Sahib who passed away couple of days before.Dr. Veeri said that the Late Peer Yasin was a spiritual, religious scholar and was inheriting all moral values. He said the contribution made by the late saint for the welfare of the society would be remembered for ever

Possible cabinet expansion in jammu kashmir

Accommodating unrepresented districts and senior legislators can be the main priority of the coalition government in the possible cabinet expansion. Some senior leaders in the coalition government said the representation to unrepresented districts like Kupwara can be top priority of both the parties. Similarly Congress party will stress for accommodating its leaders from Jammu province.In last cabinet expansion, the districts including Kupwara, Bandipora, Pulwama and Shopian, Udampur, Ramban, Kisthwar and Poonch did not get any representation in the cabinet after coalition partners failed to create consensus among legislators. The biggest tussle was witnessed in district Kupwara, where National Conference failed to choose among Chudhary Mohammad Ramzan and Mir Saifullah. The district is still unrepresented.

The National Conference senior leader and brother of Dr Farooq Abdullah, Dr Mustafa Kamal may also get a cabinet berth.With only four seats vacant in the council of ministry of Omar Abdullah cabinet, it is not virtually possible for coalition leaders to give representation to unrepresented districts. As per the present strength, only four ministers can be inducted in the cabinet.

According the act passed by state legislature, chief minister is bound not to expand the cabinet 20 percent of strength of both the houses. The state legislative assembly has a total strength of 87 elected members while as legislative council has 37 members. The chief minister can only induct 25 ministers in his cabinet. The coalition sources maintained that it would be again difficult for them to accommodate all districts in cabinet. In last cabinet expansion, MLA Uri, Taj Mehi-u-Din, MLA Gulmarg,Ghulam Hassan Mir and MLA Rafiabad, Javid Ahmad Dar were given representation in Baramulla district. In Srinagar district Ali Mohammad Sagar and Nasir Aslam Wani MLA Amira Kadal were inducted in cabinet from Srinagar.

In district Budgam, MLA Charar-e-Sharief Abdul Rahim Rather and Aga Syed Rohulla Mehdi succeeded to get place in cabinet.Similarly in Jammu division, deputy chief minister Tara Chanad, Raman Bhalla and R.S.Chib have made entry in the cabinet from Jammu district, while as other districts are struggling even to get entry.With the senior leaders having decided to expand the cabinet, the legislators have also intensified their activities in making their place in cabinet, the fulfilling of the cabinet berths were deliberately delayed by coalition partners to avoid lobbyism in their respective parties. However, the coalition partners have expressed the need to fulfill these cabinet berths after G.M.Saroori resigned from roads and building ministry.