Excelsior

Vol No. 48 No. 99 JAMMU, TUESDAY, APRIL 10, 2012 12 Pages

daily

REGD.NO.JK-71/12-14 RNI No. 28547/1992

` 2.50

CM to demand making Interlocutors' report public

PC arrives today with 2012 summer, yatra on agenda

By Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Apr 9: With 2012 peaceful summer in Kashmir and Amarnath yatra security arrangements high on agenda, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram is arriving here tomorrow morning on a one day visit of Jammu, the winter capital of the State, during which he would also review the affairs of Congress party, the major coalition partner in Omar Abdullah led coalition Government in the State. Governor NN Vohra, who is in New Delhi, K Skandan, Joint Secretary (Kashmir) in Ministry of Home Affairs and Additional Director of Intelligence Bureau, Rajiv Kapoor would accompany the Union Home Minister during his one day trip to Jammu from New Delhi. The Home Ministers itinerary included visit to holy cave shrine of Mata Vaishno Devi Ji in the morning to offer prayers and review security of the shrine. Authoritative sources said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who would host lunch for the Union Home Minister at his official residence, would take up the issue of making Interlocutors' report on Kashmir public for debate and discussion followed by its implementation to ensure that it didn't meet the fate of many such previous reports. Sources said repetition of peaceful summer of 2011 in 2012 after three consecutive summer unrest in 2008, 2009 and 2010 in the Kashmir valley would dominate security review meeting, which would be attended by top brass of civil administration, police, para-military forces and Intelligence agencies of the State including Chief Secretary Madhav Lal, Home Secretary BR Sharma, Director General of Police (DGP) two hours would be held at banquet hall of the Chief Minister's residence. Besides Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand and Minister of State for Home Nasir Aslam Wani would be present in the meeting. Sources said the Home Minister would devise a strategy to ensure a peaceful summer in the Kashmir valley in 2012 like the previous year of 2011. It may be mentioned that more than 100 people were killed in summer unrest in the Valley in 2010. Recruitments drives in paramilitary forces, police, State Government and private sector across the country were among a host of options to engage youth in different activities so that they were not lured by the separatists, sources said adding that the security review meeting would work on various strategies to tackle separatists and militants. Para-military, police and Intelligence agencies would give a detailed review of security scenario on the International Border (IB) in Jammu and internal security across the State on militancy front, which had seen a massive decline all over the State during past couple of years. No successful infiltration attempt has (Contd on page 4 Col 3)

Cabinet approves revised package of incentives, to be applicable till Dec 2014

* Decision likely to give major boost to tourism industry
By Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Apr 9: In a major decision, the State Cabinet, which met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, here this morning, approved the revised package of incentives for the tourism industry. The package will be applicable till December 2014 and is likely to give major boost to the tourism, which is the backbone of States economy. Authoritative sources told EXCELSIOR that need for revision in the package of incentives for the tourism industry was being felt over the last several years. Not only there was persistent demand from travel trade associations to widen the scope of incentives and extend the benefit to more areas, even the Expert Group on Employment in Jammu and Kashmir headed by Dr C Ranga Rajan had also recommended the revision of list of locations eligible for incentives to encourage private investment. Moreover, while approving the incentives for two years from January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2010, the Chief Minister had also advised to revise the incentives. Accordingly, the Tourism Department worked out a revised package of incentives, which after detailed discussions received the concurrence of the Planning and Development as well as Finance Departments, sources said. It is pertinent to mention here that Finance Minister, Abdul Rahim Rather, while presenting budget for 2012-13 in the Legislative Assembly on March 5, 2012, had also touched the issue pertaining to the incentives for the tourism industry. Today, the Cabinet approved the revised package of incentives for tourism industry and extended its applicability till December 2014, sources said while stating that the decision would go a long way in further boosting the tourism industry, which is the back-bone of the States economy. In the revised package, the list of areas eligible for capital investment subsidy has been expanded substantially and now there is only one list in which both capital investment subsidy and subsidy for conversion of private houses into paying guest houses would be applicable, sources said, adding capital investment subsidy for new prestigious units involving an investment of Rs 25 crore or more in fixed assets including cost of land has been increased from Rs 60 lakh to Rs 100 lakh. For purchase of new DG sets, 75 per cent subsidy with a ceiling of Rs 4 lakh would be provided as a one time measure in case of hotels and guest houses. Moreover, subsidy of 50 per cent of cost of equipment used in adventure/ recreation tourism subject to a ceiling of Rs 7 lakh (instead of Rs 5 lakh at present) as one time measure would be available, sources said. Fifty per cent subsidy would be available for the replacement/ purchase of new tourist coaches with a ceiling of Rs 7 lakh to the Jammu and Kashmir State permit holders plying their coaches on recognized tourist routes for transportion of tourists, they said while informing that at present the subsidy is available only for replacement of tourist coaches. A subsidy of 50 per cent of the cost of office automation/ communication networking/ computing system and other equipment with a ceiling of Rs 4 lakh would be reimbursable to the travel agencies registered with the Tourism Department for up-gradation of existing travel agencies or setting up of new travel agencies in the specified tourist areas as one time measure, sources said, adding the other existing incentives will also continue. Sources said that proposal of the Revenue Department regarding enhancement of honorarium of Numberdars and Chowkidars was not cleared by the Cabinet with the observations that enhancement of honorarium of Numberdars and Chowkidars (Contd on page 4 Col 1)

Bollywood actor Priyanka Chopra participating in a campaign to clean the Yamuna, in Agra. (UNI)

Pak national nabbed on LoC

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 9: Army today apprehended a Pakistani national on the Line of Control (LoC) at Salhutri in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district while a mysterious blast took place in a dustbin at City Chowk area of Poonch this morning but there were no casualties or major damage. Official sources said troops of 39 Rashtriya Rifles intercepted and apprehended a Pakistani national as soon as he crossed into this side from the LoC at forward village of Salhutri in Krishna Ghati sector of Poonch district this morning. The Pakistani national disclosed his identity as Mohammad Sharief, 26, son of Choudhary Ban Mohammad, a resident of village Troti, Abbaspur in Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). (Contd on page 4 Col 1)

Kuldeep Khoda, Special DG CRPF, J&K, Anirudh Uppal, Additional DG Law & Order K Rajendera, IG BSF Jammu Frontiers, AK Jain, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Pawan Kotwal, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Asgar Samoon, IGP Kashmir SM Sahai, IGP Jammu Dilbagh Singh, IGP CID B Srinivas and heads of other Central Police Forces and Intelligence agencies operating in the State. The security review meeting that was expected to last at least

'Many elements bent upon creating wedge'

ULB polls, Corpn vacancies figure

Peace imperative for development, stability: Omar

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 9: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today said that peace is imperative for the development and socio-economic prosperity of the State besides creating stability and addressing all the issues amicably. Addressing a huge public gathering at Purmandal in Samba district, the Chief Minister said, the dividends of peace in the shape of generation of economic activities, revival of tourism and carrying development to all corners of the State are visible on the ground across the State. We have seen the desperation and destruction caused by disturbance and violence. We have also seen the benefits of prevailing peace in the State

Thatai takes over as IT Comm

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 9: Arun Kumar Thatai today took over as the new Income Tax Commissioner of J&K Circle "Mr Thatai of 1985 batch of IRS who has served in various capacities at New Delhi, Mumbai, Hissar and Amritsar, this morning took over as new CIT," official sources here said. They said the new Commissioner Income Tax (CIT) has served in the State as CIT Appeals between 2005-2007.

CC for constitution of CVC, discusses 4 names

Excelsior Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 9: The Coordination Committee of National Conference-Congress coalition partners met here this afternoon and discussed pending appointments of Chief Vigilance Commissioner (CVC), Vigilance Commissioners, vacancies of the posts of chairpersons/vice chairpersons of some Corporations/Boards and elections to Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). The meeting chaired by PCC (I) chief and Coordination Committee head Prof Saif-udDin Soz also discussed the successful conduct of budget session of the Legislature coordination displayed by the two coalition partners in the two Houses. The Coordination Committee meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand, Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather, former Deputy Chief Minister and veteran Congress leader, Mangat Ram Sharma, Rural Development and Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar and National Conference leader Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan, former Minister. Authoritative sources told the Excelsior that the Coordination Committee while stressing upon the Government for immediate constitution of State Vigilance Commission by appointing Chief Vigilance Commissioner and Vigilance Commissioners discussed the names of Director General of Police (DGP) Kuldeep Khoda, former Vigilance Commissioner, Dr Ashok Bhan, RK Jerath, Finance Commissioner (Revenue) and MS Khan, former Secretary of General Administration Department (GAD). Mr Khoda is superannuating on May 31 and Mr Jerath on April 30. Dr Bhan had retired on March 31, 2010 and Mr Khan on January 31 this year. Mr Khoda and Mr Bhan belonged to the IPS cadre while Mr Jerath and Khan are from Indian Administrative Services (IAS). Sources said the Coordination Committee wanted the Government to appoint CVC and VCs at the earliest to make the SAC fully functional. Through an act of legislation, the Government has empowered a Committee to appoint CVC and VC. The Committee comprised Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Law and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar, a Cabinet Minister to be nominated by the Chief Minister and main opposition, PDP Legislature Party leader, Mehbooba Mufti. The Coordination Committee pointed out that there were 18 to 19 vacancies of Chairpersons/Vice Chairpersons in different Corporations/Boards. However, it couldn't take a decision on whether these vacancies should be filled or not. The Coordination Committee also discussed the issue of vacancies in the Public Service Commission (PSC) and Backward Classes Commission (Contd on page 4 Col 4)

Security scene in J&K stable: DM

NEW DELHI, Apr 9: The Defence Ministry today said the overall security situation in J&K was "stable" but had the potential of "deteriorating" at a very short notice. In its annual report released today, the ministry said the need of the hour was to consolidate the gains in the improved situation. "The security situation in J&K has been stable in 2011 with an overall reduction in violence. However, it has the potential to deteriorate at short notice," the ministry said in its report. "The Pakistan-terrorist-separatist nexus continues their attempts to foment trouble with an aim to internationalise the Kashmir issue." The ministry said the army and other security forces are mainly credited for improving the environment through effective counter terrorist operations. It noted that 56 cases of ceasefire violation took place along the Line of Control in 2011. (Contd on page 4 Col 5)

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah addressing a public meeting at Purmandal on Monday. since last year, he said asking are also working for removing People have to be cautious the people to contribute in main- other laws imposed owing to the against these elements and taining tranquility so that the disturbance and violence, he strengthen the bonds of harmony State moves on the road to added. and love. progress and prosperity firmly. Asking the people to mainThe Chief Minister said Mr Omar said that his tain communal amity and broth- that Government has flagged Government has also percolated erhood under all circumstances, comprehensive development peace benefits to the people in he said, many elements are bent of farmers and ruralites as an the shape of softening of the upon creating wedge between (Contd on page 4 Col 3) provisions of acts like PSA. We various sections of the society.

Sixth Pay Commission arrears scam

Crores of rupees paid to undeserving employees

From Fayaz Bukhari
SRINAGAR, Apr 9: In violation of the financial code with regard to the sixth Pay Commission arrears, several Government departments have released crores of rupees arrears for the adhoc, consolidated and contractual employees. According to the Government order (No. 238-F of 2011 dated 30-09-2011), the sixth Pay Commission arrears were to be paid to the State Government employees in 5 equal installments in 5 years. These arrears are being credited to the GP Fund of the employees and have no lock up period. However, for those employees who have retired upto 30-09-2011, the arrears will be paid in cash in 5 equal installments. In case of a death of a Government employee, his family is entitled to the cash payment of the arrears, as per the Government order. According to the Government order, adhoc, consolidated and contractual employees were not entitled to these arrears but several departments including Technical Education, Health and Power Development Department (PDD) have released arrears in the favour of the employees in gross violation of financial code with regard to the sixth Pay Commission. The first installments of arrears have been released to these employees in cash by the drawing and disbursing officers of these departments in league with concerned treasury officers. Sources said that the amount in cash was shared by the employees and drawing and disbursing officers of these departments' and treasury officers on 50-50 basis. The treasuries passed these bills in the last week of the financial year and since these employees are not regular so it was paid in cash to them while it was credited to the GP Fund of the regular employees. According to reports DDO's of Industrial Training Institutes (ITI) of the department of Technical Education of Srinagar, Ganderbal, Pattan, Pulwama, Rohama, Kupwara and Bandipora have paid arrears to their adhoc, consolidated and contractual employees. The ITI Anantnag, Baramulla and Seer Hamadhan too have submitted the arrears' bills to the respective treasuries but the treasury officers have refused to release the money with the remarks that these employees were not regular and not entitled to the arrears. The ITI Bemina and Shopian neither submitted their arrears' (Contd on page 4 Col 5)

India seeks dates for HS level talks

NEW DELHI, Apr 9: India has sought dates from Pakistan for a bilateral meeting between the Home Secretaries of the two countries after May 22 when the Budget session of Parliament comes to an end. New Delhi has conveyed to Islamabad that it is not possible for Home Secretary R K Singh to travel to Pakistan on April 16 as suggested by it for the talks since a meeting of Chief Ministers on internal security will be held on that day. We have asked for fresh dates after the Parliament session, Singh told reporters here. Budget session of Parliament will end on May 22. Last week, Pakistan had suggested the April 16 as the possible date for the Home Secretary level talks to be held in Islamabad but (Contd on page 4 Col 1)

Army jawan killed in blast

ISI's KAC chief told Virginia court that a UPA Minister was in touch with him before arrest
Excelsior Special Correspondent JAMMU, Apr 9: ISI-sponsored Kashmiri American Council (KAC) founder-chairman, Sayyid Ghulam Nabi Fai, had made a sensational disclosure in his last-ditch effort to escape punishment in the district court of Fairfax in Virginia. He made unsuccessful attempts to project himself as a champion of the "Kashmiri freedom movement" and a "peace broker" between India and Pakistan. During this attempt, he claimed before court that a Cabinet Minister of Dr Manmohan Singh's UPA-II Government had met with him days before he was arrested in July 2011. According to sources closely watching the court proceedings in Virginia, Fai made every possible attempt to claim that he was a "peace broker" between New Delhi and Islamabad, as also a "Kashmir freedom activist" rather than being ISI's agent to promote Pakistan's strategy on the Kashmir issue. He, however, failed to convince the judge. The judge even trashed 'certificates' issued by Indian nationals, including some prominent intellectuals, with the observation that this operation too had been engineered and executed on behalf of ISI. During the course of proceedings, Fai claimed that he had remained "closely associated" with the Indian intelligentsia and the establishment in his attempts of enforcing ceasefire between the Indian security forces and the Kashmiri militants in the year 2000. He claimed that he had remained in touch with then NDA head and Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee through his National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra and a New-Delhi based journalist, namely R K Mishra. He claimed that on the other side, he was in a liaison with the Hizbul Mujahideen chief, Syed Salahud-din, and some of Kashmir's radical separatist leaders like Syed Ali Shah Geelani. Apart from working together

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Fai tried Indian connections to escape American sentence

INSIDE
* Step-by-step approach Not sure of Pak taking action against Hafiz: Soz ...Page 3 ...Page 6

WEATHER
JAMMU Partially cloudy. TEMPERATURE Max: 35.9 Degree C Min: 21.8 Degree C RELATIVE HUMIDITY Highest: 35.0 per cent Lowest: 30.0 per cent Sunset on Tuesday: 6.58 p.m. Sunrise on Wednesday: 6.18 a.m. KASHMIR Partially cloudy to cloudy. TEMPERATURE Max: 21.4 Degree C Min: 11.3 Degree C RELATIVE HUMIDITY Highest: 79.0 per cent Lowest: 33.0 per cent

Khoda reviews crime scenario, stresses for better synergy at all levels ...Page 3

Govt committed to strengthen higher, technical institutions: Malik Govt committed to dignified return of migrants: Bhalla ...Page 5 Recovering Yuvraj returns home ...Page 10 ...Page 5

Excelsior Correspondent RAJOURI, Apr 9: An Army soldier was killed in a grenade explosion in Keri sector near the Line of Control in Rajouri today. Reports said one Hardeep Singh of Sikh Regiment, presently deployed in Keri sector was seriously injured when a grenade exploded in his hands at Chiti Bakri ( K-1) post at some forward location. The mishap took place when the jawan was busy in an exercise. Due to mishandling of the grenade, it exploded in hands at around 10.15 am. The jawan, hailing from Punjab was rushed to Rajouri hospital but he succumbed to injuries on the way. The body of the jawan for over a decade for Jamaat-e- was dispatched to his home this afternoon. The Army authorities Islami, Fai and Salah-ud-din have ordered court of inquiry into the incident. were both residents of Soibug village in Budgam district. NEW DELHI, Apr 9: However, the ceasefire The Delhi High Court today reserved its verdict on a plea seekannounced by senior Hizbul functionary, late Abdul Majid ing a CBI probe into mysterious death of a non commissioned offiDar, on July 24, 2000, proved to cer (NCO) of Army Intelligence Corp nearly 34 years ago when he be shortlived when Salah-ud-din was allegedly taken into military custody in connection with the announced its withdrawal in a infamous Samba Spy case. The case relates to the death of Havildar Ram Swaroop whose dramatic development within 12 days in a press conference at wife Anguri Devi has sought re-opening of the investigation claimHotel Holiday Inn in Islamabad. ing the post-mortem report, which is now available to her under the Fai's most sensational dis- Right to Information Act, suggested 39 injuries on his body. Justice M L Mehta reserved the judgement after hearing closure came in his claim that a cabinet Minister of Dr detailed arguments by Deepak A Masih, counsel for Anguri Devi, Manmohan Singh's and Additional Solicitor General A S Chandhioke who opposed the Government was "in touch" plea of the widow. The widow, in her plea, said her husband, employed as a NCO with him and had met with him just days before Fai was in Army Intelligence Corp, was brought dead at the Base Hospital (Contd on page 4 Col 5) (Contd on page 4 Col 5)

HC reserves verdict in Samba spy case death