Govt contemplates major overhaul in admin, police

Under performing officers feel heat
Srinagar, Apr 2 (VOS): With the Budget session of the state assembly coming to an end in a couple of days, Government is contemplating a major overhaul in the civil and police administration in the next cabinet meeting, They said axe is likely to fall on various top bureaucrats and police officers. “Some commissioners, directors, SSPs and Deputy Commissioners are likely to be transferred from their present postings,” a senior minister in the Omar Abdullah government told VOS on Monday wishing anonymity.

He said a list of officers holding the positions for more than three years is being formulated so that cabinet which meets in Jammu during the current week could take a decision regarding their transfer.

VOS has also learnt from reliable sources in the government that the performance report of various officers is also being ascertained so that officers with unsatisfactory work could be removed from the key positions. 

SHRC fixes April 17 deadline to govt in unmarked graves issue

‘Commission might investigate itself if govt fails to submit report’

Srinagar, Apr 2 (VOS): State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) probing the issue of unmarked graves in Rajouri and Poonch has fixed April 17 as next date of hearing of the case.

Sources told VOS if the government fails to submit its report related to the case to the SHRC by April 17, the Commission might order its own investigating team in the matter on the pattern of North Kashmir unmarked graves issue.

Widening its investigation to more than 3,800 unmarked graves in Poonch and Rajouri districts, the SHRC had last year in September directed the state government to constitute an “independent, duly representative, credible, structured and fully empowered” body to “investigate and identify the people buried in unmarked graves and to prosecute the perpetrators.”

The order had come in the back drop of a rejoined submitted by Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) and the International People Tribunal for Human Rights and Justice in Kashmir (IPTK), listing at least 2,717 graves in 90 graveyards in Poonch and 1,127 graves in 118 cemeteries in Rajouri.

APDP and IPTK had first published these findings in 2008 in a report titles ‘Facts Underground.’

The SHRC Secretary, Tariq Ahmad Banday confirmed to VOS that the Commission has fixed April 17 deadline to the Government.

“After receiving the complaint from the APDP and IPTK, the SHRC preliminarily investigation the complaint was listed for arguments. The double bench of the Commission has fixed April 17 deadline for the Government,” he added.

Asked if the Government fails to adhere to April 17 deadline what will be SHRC’s next step, he said, “Then the Commission will have to take some other alternative.”

However, he didn’t elaborate which alternative the SHRC will take. (VOS)

Teachers strike cripples academic activates in KU

KUTA threatens to intensify agitation

Srinagar, Apr 2 (VOS): The two day strike of Kashmir University Teachers began Monday crippling the academic activities in the campus.

According to KN S the Varsity teachers under the banner of KUTA assembled near Administration Block early morning and protested against what they called attitude of the government in meeting their demands.

They threatened to launch a full scale agitation if the Government failed to implement sixth pay commission arrears and UGC guidelines without any further delay.

President KUTA, Prof Mohi-ud-Din Sangvi told VOS that KU authorities and the government were forcing them to go for indefinite strike.

“For the last several years we have taken up the issue of release of arrears with the concerned authorities but they have been resorting to delaying tactics,” he said. 
The KUTA President said that strike would continue on Tuesday also. “We will take a decision on Tuesday evening where further programme would be announced,” he told VOS.

Prof Sangvi said that doors of communication were open and he was meeting Chief Minister Omar Abdullah soon to discuss the issue.

Prof A M Shah, Prof M A Wani, Prof Hameeda Nayeem, Prof Zaffar Reshi, Prof Khaliq-u-Zaman, Riyaz Rufai and others also spoke during the day long protests.

Alleging that government has forced the Association to go for the strikes, they said, “Time and again, government has been ignoring our pleas. Our wait can’t endure as government is totally negating our considerations and demands.”

DC Kupwara orders inquiry into complaints against KVB
Duhama residents stage Dharna against the department
Kupwara, Apr 2 (VOS): Taking cognizance of VOS report based on the complaints of Duhama village regarding the alleged malfunctioning in the Khadi and Village board office Handwara, Deputy commissioner Kupwara has asked the Additional DC who was already probing the matter to file the fact finding report immediately.

Rebuffed by the slow progress in holding the enquiry, the inhabitants of the village Duhama staged protest at DC Office here and ADC Handwara Office on Monday.

Raising slogans against the department, they reportedly approached the DC and requested for the immediate action against the department.

“The DC assured us of stern action against the persons who will be found involved,” one of the protester told VOS.

Meanwhile, DC, Mohammad Shafi Rather while confirming the complaint told VOS that the ADC Handwara has been asked to submit the report immediately.

He, however, declined to comment on the merits of the complaint. “I had received a letter from Vigilance organization in mid of March asking me to enquire the matter. I had entrusted ADC Handwara to undertake enquiry within 15 days,” Rather told VOS over phone, adding that the enquiry officer failed to meet the deadline and was reminded on Monday for the same.

Meanwhile District officer KVB Kupwara Mohammad Shafi Chaudary while rebutting the complaints told VOS that the units were being sanctioned in a full fledged board headed by the DC

“We in the department only sanction the units. The funds are being released by the Banks so where does the question of befooling the beneficiaries arise,” he asked.

Govt’s tactics to delay civic bodies polls would prove disastrous: Mufti

NC always tried to create division among different regions: Beig

Pandorian (Bishnah), Apr 2 (VOS): Lambasting Omar Abdullah led coalition regime for eroding sanctity of democratic institutions in State, patron of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Mufti today questioned intension of the state government to hold Urban Local Bodies (ULB) elections. He regretted that instead of taking some steps to strengthen democracy at grass root level, the State Government was looking for excuses to delay the ULB elections.

Addressing a meeting of party workers of Bishnah assembly segment at Pandorian, PDP patron said that elections of Urban Local Bodies including Jammu and Srinagar Municipal Corporations were scheduled to be held in the month of February 2010 but the government has been postponing these elections with one or other excuse. “I failed to understand why government is shying away from its duty to conduct these elections. Formation of Urban Local Bodies are must to empower the people of urban areas”, he remarked and added that in a democratic system it was necessary to make representative character of all democratic institutions to ensure peoples’ participation in these institutions.

Taking a dig at coalition regime for not fulfilling its promises to conducting local bodies elections, Mufti pointed out that during the last two years government has repeatedly announced to conduct these elections but these announcements remained only on papers. “Even in the Governor Address during the current budget session of the Assembly, the government has promised to conduct local bodies elections”, he recalled but added that no notification has been issued so far which substantiate PDP’s apprehensions that this regime was not interested in conducting local bodies elections.

“The government had announced to complete the process of local bodies elections by the end of April this year but process in this regard is yet to be started”, he maintained and said that it was a historical fact that National Conference has always undermined democratic institutions in the State.

“What to say of strengthening democratic institutions at grass root level, NC has never allowed even democracy to be flourished in the state”, he said and said that this party (NC) want to control all democratic institutions through undemocratic means by indulging into deceit tactics and this nefarious design of ruling party would be proved disastrous for the State.

He said that undemocratic character of such institutions suits the government because some vested interests within the government have been taking benefit of the situation. “During the last two years hundreds of backdoor appointments have been made in local bodies because there is no accountability and transparency in these institutions”, he said.

PDP patron also flayed coalition regime for not empowering the Panchayats. “Those demanding greater autonomy for the State are hesitating even to delegate powers to the duly elected Panchayats”, he said and pointed out that almost one year has been passed after completion of Panchayat elections but neither block Smities nor Zila Committees have been constituted.

PDP patron warned that his party would strongly oppose gimmick of the ruling NC to undermine democratic institutions and to control these institutions through deceit tactics. “We will agitate for strengthening democratic institutions in the state”, he asserted.

Speaking on the occasion former Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Beig alleged that eroding democratic institutions and controlling such institutions through illegal means was history of the NC. “Since 1947, successive NC regime has been propagating divisive politics to remain in power”, he said and added that wrong policies adopted by the NC were responsible for all ills in the State.

He regretted that for petty political gains, NC leadership has always tried to create division between people of different regions. “It was only after 2002 when Mufti Mohammad Sayeed became Chief Minister of the State some sincere efforts were made to bridge the gap”, he said.

Highlighting achievements of the previous PDP-Congress regime in the State, Beig said that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed as Chief Minister of the State had set an example of good governance. “During the regime of Mufti Sayeed every region and sub-region was treated equally and policies and programmes were formulated with the consultations of elected representatives of all areas”, he said.

Pointing towards the problems being faced by the residents of Bishnah, Beig assured that a comprehensive programme would be formulated for the socio-economic growth of the residents of this belt-which is considered as rice bowl of Jammu and Kashmir.

Time has come to repeal AFSPA: NC Member Parliament

Srinagar, Apr 2 (VOS): Advocating that National Conference and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is a strong advocator of revocation of Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), member parliament from north Kashmir Sharief-ud-Din Shariq said that cabinet committee on Security will review AFSPA revocation in Jammu and Kashmir after United Nations Special Rapporteur has suggested its revocation.

The member parliament also welcomed the announcement of Union home minister P. Chidambaram that cabinet committee on security meeting will be convened shortly which would review AFSPA in the state.

Shariq stated that UN Rapporteur Christof Heyns has also realized during his recent visit to Kashmir that there is no need of AFSPA any more as the security situation has drastically improved in the state.

“After his disclosure, the long demand of National Conference leadership has also gained importance after the party is strongly advocating that AFSPA should be removed,” he said.

The MP also said that people of the state must maintain faith and confidence with the National Conference leadership and particularly with sincere efforts of chief minister Omar Abdullah with centre government and security agencies that AFSPA should be revoked as the time is not far away when formal announcement would be made.

The NC member parliament claimed that Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and Muzaffar Hussain Beg will never support the genuine feeling of people of the state and sincere efforts of Omar Abdullah to repeal AFSPA as “Mufti himself introduced AFSPA in the state, when he was home minister of India.”

Shariq also said that apart from achieving all round development in the state, the NC leadership is committed for the safe return of the youths who had cross the LoC.

“When Omar Abdullah, went to Islamabad during Pagwash related conference, immediately after his return, he raised the issue with centre government that youths cross to Pakistan should be given a safe package so that they will return and live normal life with their families. In this issue also, PDP and BJP, which has secret alliance are opposed the move,” he added.

Police files chargesheets against stone pelting accused

Srinagar, Apr 2 (VOS): Police has filed chargesheets against atleast 50 youth allegedly involved in the cases of stone pelting and rioting.

Advocate Babar Qadri told VOS that the chargesheets against the accused were filed before the Court of Sub-Registrar and First Munsiff. “Burhan, a minor and five others have been accused by police of being involved in rioting while Amir Rahim and five other minors have been accused of stone pelting. The court has fixed April 17 and April 21 as the next date of hearing of the cases respectively,” he said.

‘Amnesty, but no withdrawal of FIRs’
Mehbooba accuses Omar of traumatizing Youth
Srinagar, Apr 2 (VOS): Accusing Omar government of traumatizing youth booked for stone pelting, leader of the opposition in the legislative assembly and PDP president Mehbooba Mufti Monday said that despite announcing amnesty on the floor of the house, government was not only following the dilly delaying tactics but also pursuing the cases with full might and evidence gathering.

Raising the issue in the Assembly on Monday, Mehbooba while hinting towards Chief Minster Omar Abdullah said, “If you had announced amnesty for the youth, then why is police so particular in framing up the charge sheets?”

Accusing the government for providing room to corruption in Police ranks, Mehbooba said that Police was filing the regular charge sheets against these youth and they were not feeling any respite as was promised to them by the Chief Minster.

“Why can’t you uphold the sanctity of this august house where you announced amnesty to these youth,” Mehbooba asked Omar, urging him to stop chargesheeting them.

Later talking to VOS, Mehbooba blamed the Chief Minster of encouraging the corruption in police by leaving the youth booked for stone pelting on the mercy of lower rung police officers.
”If you want to give them amnesty why should you frame them first and subject them to trauma,” she asked, adding that such tactics were alienating youth further.

She demanded an immediate withdrawal of FIRs against the youth so that they feel peace of mind.

Pattan Youth join Mir’s DPN
Srinagar, Apr 2 (VOS): More than two hundred people mostly youth joined the Democratic Party (Nationalist) headed by Agriculture Minster Ghulam Hassan Mir on Sunday.

Party sources told VOS that people from Wanigam, Tilgam, Chanderseer, and other adjoining villages of Pattan in north Kashmir joined the party in presence of Mir during his Pattan visit. 

Meanwhile, welcoming the new entrants, Mir urged them to work for the social cause and help people gain prosperity and justice.

PDP youth wing hold demonstration at Ganderbal

Demands action against Dr Farooq, Goni in JKCA scam

Jammu, Apr 2 (VOS): Demanding action against the multi-crore scam in Jammu and Kashmir Cricket Association (JKCA), youth wing of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led by youth general secretary, Engineer Nazir Ahmed Yatoo, youth leader Sheikh Bilal Ahmed and Abdul Waheed along with hundreds of youth staged massive demonstration in Ganderbal.

“Like Suresh Kalmadi, action should also be taken against JKCA president Dr Farooq Abdullah and JKCA Chairman, Mohammad Aslam Goni against whom members of JKCA it self have demanded for filing of FIR,” they demanded.

According to a party spokesman, the procession passed through different lanes of Ganderbal town which later converted into a big rally. PDP activists shouted slogans against National Conference government, Dr Farooq and Aslam Goni.

Addressing party activists, Engineer Yatoo alleged that the documents clearly reflect that a whopping amount was fraudulently withdrawn from the account of the JKCA with the consent of Dr Farooq. He claimed that documents of Jammu and Kashmir Bank also established involvement of Dr Farooq and Goni in the scam and it was need of the hour to properly investigate the whole scandal.

Yatoo regretted that youth of Jammu and Kashmir have been agitating to get basic facilities in sports especially in cricket “but the whopping amount sanctioned by the BCCI for promotion of cricket has been brazenly pocketed by those who are managing affairs of JKCA.”

Yatoo alleged that in order to divert the issue Goni has been deputed to South Africa instead of filing   FIR against him. “Even the appeal of the working committee members to sack Goni have been also ignored which clearly shows how much tainted people are being protected by the present government which it self is fully submerged in corruption pond,” he alleged.

Srinagar-Sonamarg road re-opened for traffic

Srinagar, Apr 2 (VOS): The Srinagar-Sonamarg road was re-opened for traffic today by the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon in presence of the Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal, Showkat Ahmad Mir, Director Tourism, Farooq Ahmad Shah, Chief Engineer, Beacon Brig TPS Rawat, Chief Executive Officer, Sonamarg Development Authority, Mohammad Yousuf, SSP Ganderbal, Shahid Meraj and other dignitaries of various department were present on the occasion.

It is pertinent to mention that Srinagar-Sonamarg road was closed for vehicular traffic on December 7 last year.

Divisional Commissioner also inspected the progress of snow clearance on Sonamarg-Zojila-Gumri road and appreciated the efforts putting by the Beacon for road clearance. 

The Chief Engineer Beacon informed that the Zojila road is likely to be re-opened for traffic by first week of May.

On this occasion, a cultural programme was organized by the Tourism department at Gagangeer. Tourists and locals have appreciated the re-opening of the road since Sonamarg is a preferred destination of tourists.

Work on first Bore-well to irrigate Saffron crop initiated

            PAMPORE, APRIL 02: Creation of Irrigation infrastructure is an important component of National Mission on Saffron. Work on the said component was initiated today with the start of construction of first production Bore well in the Saffron fields at village Indroosa Pampore.

            The work was started in presence of Director Agriculture Kashmir, Dr. Farooq A. Lone and a large number of enthusiastic Saffron farmers who appreciated the efforts of the Department in this regard.

            It was informed that Department has already allotted six bore wells for construction in the saffron fields to different firms which are expected to be completed within one month.

            During the current year the department has planned digging of 40 such Bore wells so that sprinkle irrigation becomes a reality for the saffron crop to enhance its production and productivity.   

Div Com for strict action against un-registered ultra-sound clinics

JAMMU, APRIL 02-With a view to curb the menace of illegal Sex determination that some time leads to female foeticide, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Dr. Pawan Kotwal convened a meeting of Divisional Advisory Committee on PC and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Technique (PNDT) Act here today.

 The Divisional Advisory Committee on PNDT Act has been constituted by the Government with Divisional Commissioner Jammu as its chairperson for the better implementation of the Act by monitoring the functioning of various diagnostic centres and ultra sound clinics to curb illegal sex determination of the foetus.

The other members of the Committee who attended the meeting are DDC Samba Mubarak Singh, DDC Kathua Zahida Khan, Director Health Services Madhu Khullar, Deputy Director Information (PR) Jammu Mr. Suram Chand Sharma (Member), SP South Jammu Mr. Rajeshwar Singh, HOD Paediatrics, GMC Dr. Rekha, CMO Jammu Dr. Javed Chib, CMO Kathua Dr. Ajay Khajuria, Mrs. Rita Jitendra (Member),  President Sahyog India Dr. Ashwani Jojra (Member), Retd Col K. S. Sambyal (Member).

Threadbare discussion was held to remove the bottlenecks in implementation of the PNDT Act aimed at curbing the menace of sex determination and saving the girl child and maintaining healthy gender balance in the society.

Divisional Commissioner dwelt on the various issues concerning declining sex ratio in various districts of Jammu Division.

            Mr. Kotwal exhorted upon the Deputy Commissioners to take proactive initiative for checking the Ultrasound Centres in their respective districts for proper registration of Ultrasound Centre under PC & PNDT Act, maintenance of proper records especially of the tests performed on pregnant women and submission of reports to the District Authorities at regular intervals.

Div Com stressed for strict action against the illegal ultra sound clinics functioning without proper registration. He called on Divisional Advisory Committee members to conduct on the spot inspection of the ultra sound clinics and ensure that no clinic is allowed to operate without proper registration under the PNDT Act and the registration will be valid for 3 years only.

He also laid stress on the importance of saving the girl child and asked for organizing the awareness programmes at the district, block and village level by using effective source of percolation of information to the public. The committee unamiouly decided to conduct onspot visits of the ultrasound clinics and the other health centres to check whether those clinics are functioning as per the provisions of the PNDT Act or not.

The participants expressed deep concern over the decreasing sex ratio and the increasing incidents of abandoning of the girl children