page-1.qxd (page 2) - epaper - daily...

Post on 10-Mar-2020

0 Views

Category:

Documents

0 Downloads

Preview:

Click to see full reader

TRANSCRIPT

Fayaz Bukhari

SRINAGAR, May 1: A 15-day extension has been givento the Crime Branch (CB) oninquiry into misappropriationof Security RelatedExpenditure (SRE) of Rs115.68 crore provided by theGovernment of India for“Carriage of Constabularyand Hiring of Vehicles” to theJammu and Kashmir Policeduring Parliamentary andAssembly Elections 2014.

Highly placed sources saidthe Senior Superintendent ofPolice (SSP), Crime BranchSrinagar, and SSP CrimeBranch, Jammu had submittedtheir preliminary report to theCrime Headquarters last week.But the Crime Headquartersafter reviewing the reports of thetwo SSPs have given them 15days more time to thoroughlyinvestigate the case.

As the Comptroller andAuditor General (CAG) ofIndia’s report has been preparedon the documents provided bythe 9 Drawing and DisbursingOfficers (DDOs) of Jammu andKashmir Police, the CrimeBranch is going ahead withinvestigations carefully so thatthere is no lacunae as it can dentthe agency’s image.

Sources said that the two SSPshave been asked by the CrimeBranch headquarters to thorough-ly probe all aspects and relatedmatters so that a considerableview is taken. They have beenasked to cross check all the infor-mation as the frauds found by theCAG are well documented.

Sources further said thatafter the two SSPs will submittheir report to the CrimeHeadquarters later this month,the Headquarters will crosscheck every detail submitted bythem before submitting a factfinding report to the PoliceHeadquarters. They said thatCrime Branch may recommend

thorough probe into the multi-crore scandal.

Sources said that CrimeBranch may soon issue aPublic Notice asking theTransporters and Taxi opera-tors who had rented taxis andbuses to the Police duringAssembly and ParliamentaryElections 2014 about the pay-ment they have received fromthe Police. They will also askthem about the bribes if anythey have paid to the policefrom the amount which theyhave received as cheques.

Sources said that the SSPPCR Jammu has not so far sub-mitted documents relating to the“Hiring of Vehicles and Carriageof Constabulary” sought by theCrime Branch while all otherDDOs have submitted the docu-ments. It may be mentioned herethat Police Headquarters hadalready ordered investigationsinto alleged frauds in “Hiring ofVehicles and Carriage ofConstabulary” by PCR Jammusoon after the 2014 elections.The Staff Officer of the IGP con-ducted the investigations andsubmitted it to Police headquar-ters but the findings of the probeand action taken has never seenthe light of the day.

In the meantime, anotherprobe conducted by the Policeon a complaint that was lodgedbefore the Police Headquartersin May last year by four policemen including an officer.

A complaint (dated May 21,2015, copy with Excelsior) sentto the Director General ofJammu and Kashmir Policeabout the SSP Srinagar has high-lighted that a fraud was conduct-ed by the officer in “Hiring ofVehicles and Carriage ofConstabulary” during 2014 elec-tions.

Police headquarters onreceiving the complaint hadimmediately ordered probewhich has not seen light of the

Excelsiordaily

REGD.NO.JK-71/15-17RNI No. 28547/1992

Vol No. 52 No. 121 JAMMU, MONDAY, MAY 2, 2016 14 Pages `̀ 4.00

INSIDE WEATHER* JK can become ...Page 6

model stateExchange programswill help removetravel advisories onJ&K, says Mehbooba ...Page 3MoU signed forestablishing IIT Jammu . ..Page 3

Bali directs attachmentof Dy CMO fordereliction of duties ...Page 5Cong to ‘Gherao’ CivilSecretariat on May 9 ...Page 5KXIP stun GujaratLions as Axar takes hat-trick ...Page 12

JAMMU : Mainly Dry.

TEMPERATUREMax: 40.9 Degree C Min: 22.0 Degree C

RELATIVE HUMIDITYRH-I (Morning): 29.0 per centRH-II (Evening): 13.0 per centSunset on Monday: 07.14 p.m.Sunrise on Tuesday: 05.44 a.m.

KASHMIR:Mainly Dry.

TEMPERATUREMax: 28.1 Degree C Min: 9.4 Degree C

RELATIVE HUMIDITYRH-I (Morning): 57.0 per centRH-II (Evening): 20.0 per cent

LEH: TEMPERATUREMax: 20.9 Degree C Min: 3.4 Degree C

Internet Edition: www.dailyexcelsior.comE-Paper: http://epaper.dailyexcelsior.com

facebook.com/dailyexcelsiortwitter.com/dailyexcelsior1dailyexcelsior.com/apps

Foreign tourists on the bank of world famous Dal lake mov-ing for a Shikara ride in Srinagar on Sunday. (UNI)

New Deptt to implement all announcements by CM

PD&MD empowered to finalizebudget allocations, release fundsSanjeev Pargal

JAMMU, May 1: The StateGovernment today announcedmajor powers for newly con-stituted Planning,Development and MonitoringDepartment (PD & MD),which will replace Planningand Development Departmentwith five divisions and author-ization to finalize capitalbudget allocations, release offunds related to CapitalExpenditure Budget and midcourse review of expenditure.

Principal Secretary, Planningand Development Department,B B Vyas, who was also likely tobe re-designated followingreorientation of the Departmenthas issued detailed set of guide-lines and powers the PD&MDwill have on the instructions ofChief Minister MehboobaMufti, who holds charge of thePlanning Department.

Official sources told theExcelsior that PD&MD willhave five divisions includingDevelopment Strategy Division,Project Formulation Division,Area Planning Section, Project

Monitoring and EvaluationDivision and CoordinationDivision.

“The PD&MD has beenauthorize to finalize capital budg-et allocation based on discussionswith the line departments, alloca-tion/release of funds related to theCapital Expenditure Budget andmid course review of expendi-ture. It will implement allannouncements and commit-ments made by the ChiefMinister,’’ they said.

The new Department willwork out comprehensive longterm development strategyand take steps to addressdevelopment challenges andconcerns in the medium andshort term requirements. Itwill finalize comprehensivePublic Expenditure Policy anddocumentation of best prac-tices including knowledgesharing and dissemination.

Sources said finalization ofallocations in respect of annualDistrict Capex Budget andrelease of funds related to theCapital Expenditure Budget willalso be the prerogative of thePD&MD, which will be headed

by Chief Minister MehboobaMufti herself.

The PD&MD will conductmeetings of the DistrictDevelopment Boards (DDBs)and implement decisions takenin the Board meetings, sourcessaid, adding that formulation ofDetailed Project Reports (DPRs)of projects worth more than Rs10 crores will also be the prerog-ative of the PD&MD.

“Coordination for timebound completion of CentrallySponsored Schemes (CSS) andmega flagship programmes,Capacity building efforts includ-ing comprehensive plan andstrategies for upgradation ofavailable human resources andinitiatives for institution build-ing and revival will also belooked after by the PD&MD,’’sources said.

The PD&MD has also beenempowered with empanelmentof Consultants for preparation ofDetailed Project Reports inrespect of projects related to var-ious sectors. It has also beenauthorized with standardizationof type designs and building

Govt groping in dark about funds for permanent infra

Sanctioned nearly 2 years back, 158 admn units yet to be operationalized

*501 units still reeling under manpower, other constraintsMohinder Verma

JAMMU, May 1:Indicating that there was noproper follow-up after themuch-talked about Cabinetdecision of 2014, 158 adminis-trative units in different partsof the State have yet not beenoperationalized as a result ofwhich the aspirations of thepeople have remained unful-filled during the past nearlytwo years. Moreover, 501 units,which have been set-up in tem-porary infrastructure, are stillreeling under manpower andother constraints thereby ham-pering their functioning.

After a detailed exercisespread over very long period oftime, the then NationalConference-Congress CoalitionGovernment in the year 2014arrived at a decision about cre-ation of 659 new administrativeunits.

Accordingly, the StateCabinet vide DecisionNo.128/11/2014 dated July 16,2014 put seal of approval on cre-ation of 659 administrative

units---46 Sub-Divisions, 135Tehsils, 301 Niabats under thecontrol of Revenue Departmentand 177 blocks under the controlof Rural DevelopmentDepartment. Thereafter, thesetwo departments formally issuedtheir respective orders for set-ting-up of these units in theidentified places.

However, despite lapse ofnearly two years, 158 out of 659administrative units are yet to beoperationalized by the respec-tive departments thereby defeat-ing the purpose behind theirbeing sanctioned by the highestdecision making body of theState, official sources toldEXCELSIOR.

"Due to inordinate delay inoperationalization of these 158administrative units graveinjustice has been done with thepeople, who had vociferouslyprojected their demand forsuch units during the detailedexercise conducted by theCabinet Sub-Committee",sources said, adding "in theabsence of these units peopleare compelled to travel long dis-

tance to get different services". Interestingly, the representa-

tives of people, who too had putsufficient weight behind gettingsanctioned these 158 administra-tive units, have failed to exertpressure on the successiveGovernments for making themoperational, sources further saidwhile disclosing that despitelapse of nearly two years notime-frame has so far been fixedby the authorities concerned forgiving practical shape to such alarge number of administrativeunits.

Moreover, 501 administra-tive units, which were set-up intemporary accommodationboth in Government and pri-vate sector, are still reelingunder acute shortage of man-power as this aspect was alsonot paid any serious attentiontill date, sources informed,adding "whatever manpowerwas deployed in these 501units was drawn from the oldunits as a result of which eventhe old units are presentlyshort of manpower".

PM launches LPG for poor scheme,to provide 5 cr free connections

BALLIA (UP), May 1:

Setting development andpoverty eradication as agendafor the next Uttar Pradesh elec-tions, Prime Minister NarendraModi today launched a Rs 8,000crore scheme to provide 5 crorefree LPG connections to poorfamilies and attacked previousGovernments for not doingmuch despite many PrimeMinisters being elected from theState.

"Uttar Pradesh gave manyPrime Ministers. But povertyincreased. Number of poorincreased. (Governments) couldnot empower poor to fight poverty.

"There were many promisesand policies were made. But theseschemes were not framed keepingin mind the interest of poor.

Rather, the focus was on ballot box(election)," Modi said.

Elaborating about abjectpoverty in eastern Uttar Pradesh,he said, "In 1955, in Nehru's pres-ence, an MP from Ghazipur raisedthe issue of people washing cowdung to find grain to eat. After that,a Patel Commission was set whichgave many recommendation forthe State. Now after 50 years, whathappened to those suggestions,God knows."

Poverty, he said, can be erad-icated only if poor are empow-ered, given resources and oppor-tunities as well as education,jobs, houses, drinking water andelectricity.

He questioned the policies pur-sued by the previous Governmentfor poverty eradication, sayingpoverty has only increased during

past years."We are working to fight

poverty," he said adding under thePradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana,free LPG connections will be pro-vided in the name of women mem-bers of BPL households.

In the first year, 1.5 crore

such connections will bereleased and the target of 5 crorewill be completed in three years,he said, comparing it to the just13 crore LPG connections pro-vided in 60 years of independ-ence.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributing the free LPGconnections to the beneficiaries, under PM Ujjwala Yojana, atBallia, Uttar Pradesh on Sunday. (UNI)

Senior Army Comdrs meet at two places

India, China resolve to maintain peace along LAC in LadakhExcelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 1: TheArmies of India and Chinatoday expressed resolve tomaintain peace along the Lineof Actual Control (LAC) withtheir senior commanders hold-ing two border meets inChinese and Ladakh regionsas part of efforts to build cor-dial ties.

Both the Armies, which meton the occasion of theInternational Labour Day,agreed to uphold the treaties andagreements signed between theGovernments of the two sidesduring two ceremonial BorderPersonnel Meetings (BPMs) onthe Chinese and the Indian sidestoday, Defence spokespersons(Ministry of Defence) Col SDGoswami said.

He said the meetings tookplace at Chinese BPM Hut ofMoldo and TWD Garrison inEastern Ladakh.

"The delegation partedamidst feeling of friendship andcommitment towards enhancing

the existing cordial relations andmaintaining peace along theLAC,'' Col Goswami said.

"Both sides also sought tobuild on the mutual feeling touphold the treaties and agree-ment signed between the

Governments of the two sides tomaintain peace and tranquilityalong the LAC," he said.

At Moldo, the Indian delega-tion was led by Major GeneralSudhakar Jee and the Chinesedelegation by senior Col ZhanPeng Zhung and at TWD, Lt ColRC Barthwal, SM and Col SongZhan Li led the Indian andChinese delegations respectively.

The border personnel meet-ing was marked by saluting theNational flags by both the dele-gation members.

It was followed by the cere-monial address by both delega-tion leaders which reflected themutual desire of maintainingand improving relations at func-tional level at the border,sources said.

A cultural programme show-

Army officials of India and China in Eastern Ladakh onSunday.

Jammu to get big relief from power cuts Sarna-Gladni line with enhanced capacity

to be commissioned by mid-MayNishikant Khajuria

JAMMU, May 1: Thissummer, Jammu is likely toget a big relief from unsched-uled power cuts as the ongoingwork on enhancing capacity ofSarna-Hiranagar-Gladnitransmission line is all set to becompleted in next few days.

The capacity of 220 KVSarna-Hiranagar section and 220KV Hiranagar -Gladni section isbeing enhanced by carrying outLoop In Loop Out (LILO) of theexisting transmission line whichis presently on Zebra conduc-tors.

With LILO of 220 KVSarna-Gladni line at 400/220KV, 630 MVA Jatwal GridStation, Jammu can avail 200MWs of additional power, offi-cial sources informed the

Excelsior while adding that theongoing work is near comple-tion and the transmission linewith enhanced capacity is all setto be commissioned by the midof May.

With the enhanced capacityof Sarna-Hiranagar-Gladnitransmission line, people ofJammu, Kathua and Samba arelikely to get a major relief fromunscheduled power cuts, whichare forced during the peak hoursof summer, sources further said.

Even as LILO of 220 KVHiranagar-Sarna was agreed andstarted around an year ago bythe Powergrid under PowerSystem Planning of NorthernRegion, the State PowerDevelopment Department hadrequested Powergrid in Octoberlast also to carry out LILO of220 KV Gladni-Hiranagar sec-

tion at Jatwal (Samba) on prior-ity, sources informed.

The PDD request forextending the LILO was madein view of the fact that LILOof 220 KV SC Gladni-Hiranagar section at Samba(Jatwal) has more benefit,instead of LILO of 220 KVS/C Sarna-Hiranagar sectionof 220 KV S/C Sarna-Hiranagar-Gladni ISTS line,official sources explained.

Further, the congestion ismore on Gladni-Hiranagar sec-tion, which needed to be removedand therefore the PDD told thePowergrid that LILO of onlySarna - Hiranagar at Sambawould have no benefit as the con-gestion would not be removedwithout extending the LILO.

In the wake of this request,the Powergrid in its 37th meet-

ing of the Standing Committeeof Power System Planning ofNorthern Region, agreed toextend the LILO of Sarna -Hiranagar at Jatwal with LILOof Gladni -Hiranagar at Jatwal.

LILO of 220 KVHiranagar -Sarna S/C line atSamba (PG) was agreed duringthe 32nd and 33rd meeting ofthe Standing Committee ofPower System Planning ofNorthern Region and the linewas under advanced stage ofimplementation by Powergridwith commissioning scheduledin March, 2016 when State PDDhad requested Powergrid tocarry out LILO of Gladni -Hiranagar section at Jatwal.

With the LILO of Sarna-Hiranagar-Gladni transmissionline, Grid Station at Gladni will

Honest babus need not fear: Dr JitendraNEW DELHI, May 1:

The Government is committed to protecting and providing incen-tives to honest and performing civil servants but determined to acttough against corruption, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh said today.

His comments came days after Coal Secretary Anil Swarup saidinstitutions or “5Cs”— CAG, CVC, CBI, CIC and the Courts—createan “inhibiting environment” that impacts “quick and effective decisionmaking”.

“The Government believes that bureaucrats are essential tool ofgood governance and good governance cannot be achieved with badtools,” said Singh, Minister of State in Prime Minister’s Office.

He said the Centre has been consistently working on creating awork-friendly atmosphere for the bureaucrats so their initiatives or

Insecurity in PDP: Farooq SRINAGAR, May 1:

Upping the ante on ruling People's Democratic Party (PDP)over delay in the by-poll in Anantnag Assembly constituency andLocal Bodies polls, former Union Minister and NationalConference (NC) president Farooq Abdullah said it shows the inse-curity in the ruling party.

"I wish they (PDP) take the challenge and let people exercisetheir democratic right to vote to elect their representatives," DrAbdullah said. "But, it is the insecurity among the PDP leaders thatthey are not allowing the polls to happen," he said. "It also showwhere PDP stand on the ground in Kashmir valley," headded.(UNI)

Pak repatriates school boyExcelsior Correspondent

POONCH, May 1: Pakistani authorities today repatriated minorschool boy hailing from Balakote area of Mendhar Sub Divisionvia Chakkan-Da-Bagh cross LoC point.

Identified as 14 year-old Zulfkar Ali, son of Ghulam Hussain,resident of Balakote, the boy had crossedover to PoK three days ago after he was

thrashed by his parents. The boy had stolen a mobile phone of hisneighbour and the parents thrashed the boy. Annoyed over thethrashing, the minor boy, student of 8th class crossed the LoC andmoved to PoK.

He was captured by the Pak Rangers and placed under ques-tioning. The family contacted SDPO Mendhar Shahid Nahim whotook up the matter with the SSP and DC Poonch. They contacted

* Pic on page 4

Srinagar, Jammu record hottest dayExcelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR/JAMMU, May 1: The mercury has started soaringin Kashmir valley as Srinagar recorded hottest day of the seasontoday but the Meteorological Department has predicted three daywet spell starting from May 3.

A MeT official told Excelsior that the day temperature in sum-mer capital here today crossed 28 degree Celsius for the first time inthis season and thus is the highest so far. He said the maximum tem-perature was recorded 28.1 degree Celsius in Srinagar against 27.6on Saturday. The night temperature settled at 9.4 degree Celsius.

Due to bright Sunshine here today, the people removed warmgarments and instead put cotton and other light garments. The peo-ple were also seen drinking soft drinks, juice and eating ice-creamsto keep themselves cool. The Sunday flea market also witnessed agood rush with people buying cool garments for the summer season.

The day temperature also increased in other parts of the

Charges framed against ManagerExcelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, May 1: Special Judge Anticorruption (CBI cases), VinodChatterji Koul has framed corruption and other charges against TilakRaj Dogra, the then Chief Manager, Bank of Baroda, Gandhi Nagar,Des Raj (Patwari), Jaswant Singh and Said Mohd for committing fraudwith the bank.

According to the CBI case, Said Mohammed approached Bank ofBaroda Gandhi Nagar for loan for setting up of a new bee keeping unitat Birpur sponsored by KVIC under REGP. He got prepared a forgedproject report from M/s Suresh Ajit and Associates, Gandhi Nagar toavail the loan.

The pre inspection report was prepared by Jaswant Singh, CreditOfficer, Bank of Baroda, Gandhi Nagar in which he projected require-ment of the borrower for term loan as Rs 21.37 lakh against the bor-rower requirement of Rs 20.12 lakh and working capital of Rs 3.50lakh. It was falsely mentioned by him that the proposed loan was

World’s largest telescope in LadakhNEW DELHI, May 1:

Hawaii’s loss may turn out to be Ladakh’s gain.After protests in Hawaii in the US against the proposed Thirty

Metre Telescope (TMT) project, the largest to be built, alternativesites are being explored which includes Hanle in Ladakh.

The project, aimed at exploring the universe, was to come up atMauna Kea in Hawaii. But protests by the locals and indigenouspopulation has stalled the project.

“The construction was expected to start on Mauna Kea, Hawaiiin 2015. However, it is now stalled due to the recent decision of theSupreme court of Hawaii revoking the construction permit on pro-cedural grounds.

“The State of Hawaii agencies are working on the permitprocess following the prescribed procedure by the court. TMT ispursuing the matter in consultation with the University of Hawaii(land lease holder) and other agencies. It seeks to construct TMTon Mauna Kea which is the preferred choice,” said Bacham Eswar

(Contd on page 4 Col 3)

(Contd on page 4 Col 3)

(Contd on page 4 Col 1)

(Contd on page 4 Col 1)(Contd on page 4 Col 1)

(Contd on page 4 Col 3)

(Contd on page 4 Col 5)

(Contd on page 4 Col 3)

(Contd on page 4 Col 3)

(Contd on page 4 Col 3)

SSP PCR Jammu yet to submit documents to CB

CB gets 15-day extensionfor report on SRE scam

(Contd on page 4 Col 5)

top related