Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Monday, June 22, 2009
Opposition readying up to corner Kashmir coalition
Though the budget session of the state legislature is to commence from July 27, the opposition parties have started oiling their muscles for cornering the Government on various issues. The Finance Minister, A.R.Rather,had indicated earlier that the budget session may be convened in July or August. The delay was the result of yet to be concluded discussions with the central Government over the financial support it would get from Delhi which alone could determine the size of the current financial year's annual plan. Here again one thing is intriguing. During the Congress led coalition Government in the state the budget session of the state legislature would be summoned in January instead of March on the plea that such an exercise could help the Government to extend the working period in Jammu and Kashmir where usually the working season remains limited because of vagaries of weather. If the state Government could fix the date for the budget session of the legislature in January what was then the problem at present ? Before January one does not expect the state Government to finalise its discussion with the Planning Commission and if the budget session could be held without such discussion and on the basis of verbal assurances from the central Government regarding its financial support to the annual plan the same could have been put into practice soon after the end of the Lok Sabha election. Well the state could not fix the date for the budget session in February or March because the Congress led UPA Government was not certain on its comeback. Since it was not sure about retaining power how could it make a commitment on its financial support for the budget making in Jammu and Kashmir. After over a month the budget session of the legislature will start but the opposition, comprising the PDP, the BJP and the Panthers Party,have begun their exercise on preparing bills, resolutions and questions which they plan to table in the two houses of the state legislature.The PDP is dead set to rock the House with its demand for demilitarisation, repeal of the Armed Forces (special powers)Act and end to human rights violations. The Panthers Party and the BJP are getting ready for kicking up scenes in the House over the issue of delay in setting up fresh delimitation commission. Leaders of these two parties say that imbalances in the Assembly segments between the Jammu region and the Kashmir valley is the root cause of regional discrimination. The PDP leadership is of the firm opinion that withdrawal of troops from within the civilian areas and the repeal of AFSPA would considerably reduce the incidence of human rights violations.
As far as demilitarisation and the repeal of the AFSPA is concerned the National Conference may not be in a position to oppose it on the floor of the House.Similarly the Congress may not have the teeth and the face to oppose the BJP and the Panthers Party demand for fresh delimitation of Assembly constituencies. The Congress legislators may be forced to either lend support to the demand for fresh delimitation or they may sit silent spectators. Their opposition to such demand will be violation of their promise and commitment they had made during the recent Assembly and the Lok Sabha election particularly in the Jammu region. There is no wonder that fresh delimitation and repeal of AFSPA and demilitarisation may generate regional divide because Jammuites oppose demilitarisation and those in the Kashmir valley are not favourable to fresh delimitation.
As far as demilitarisation and the repeal of the AFSPA is concerned the National Conference may not be in a position to oppose it on the floor of the House.Similarly the Congress may not have the teeth and the face to oppose the BJP and the Panthers Party demand for fresh delimitation of Assembly constituencies. The Congress legislators may be forced to either lend support to the demand for fresh delimitation or they may sit silent spectators. Their opposition to such demand will be violation of their promise and commitment they had made during the recent Assembly and the Lok Sabha election particularly in the Jammu region. There is no wonder that fresh delimitation and repeal of AFSPA and demilitarisation may generate regional divide because Jammuites oppose demilitarisation and those in the Kashmir valley are not favourable to fresh delimitation.
Center announces Rs 1100 Crore Dal Lake cleansing project
At a jam-packed press conference addressed jointly by Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah and Union Minister for Environment and Forest Mr. Jairam Ramesh on the banks of world-famous Dal lake, both the leaders agreed to work proactively so that projects taken up for conservation of lakes and forests in the State are completed in a time-bound manner. Promising Centre’s full support in protecting J&K’s environment and forests., Mr. Ramesh said 40 per cent work of the Rs. 300-crore Dal cleaning project has been accomplished, adding the remainder will be completed within the next two years.
The Union Environment Minister disclosed that the State government will create a State Compulsory Afforestation Management Authority shortly so that J&K is in a position to utilize its share of Rs. 181 crore collected by CAMPA for compulsory afforestation projects.
Giving a detailed overview of the prestigious Dal restoration plan, the Union Environment Minister said that after jointly air surveying the lake with Chief Minister and by boat, he realized that Dal is not only a lake that needs to be cleansed but an eco and a social system that embeds large number of wetlands and nearly 10,000 families. “In Phase I, the Central government has funded entire Rs. 300 crore for cleaning of the project. While visiting the lake, I have observed that large section of the lake have been cleaned. The State government today presented a comprehensive proposal of Rs.1,100 crore to save ecosystem of Dal lake by cleaning and rehabilitation of 10,000 families. We need to find the remaining Rs.800 crore for resettlement and rehabilitation of the Dal dwellers,” he said.
Ramesh said he and the Chief Minister were in total agreement that those who will be relocated should not only be given plots of land but offered houses as well. “ I have requested the State government to prepare a proposal and I assure that I will take up the matter with the Prime Minister, Finance Minister and the Planning Commission to see that the entire Rs.1,100 crore is funded by the Centre,” he said.
Ramesh said three STPs have been set up on Dal and added that the State government is procuring heavy duty de-weeding machines from Finland so that the water of the lake is cleaned in express time. He said he has suggested to the Chief Minister that IIT Rourkee, the institute which made the DPR of the Dal-cleaning project in 2000, be requested to see what work has been done and what more needs to be done. “Also J&K State Pollution Control Board provides quarterly reports on progress of the project,” he said, adding that these reports should be made public so that people have an idea of the status of the work.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the government is exploring an extensive programme to upgrade the degraded forest cover of the State. “Extensive portions of our forest area is degraded. We are examining ways and means to implement a project for up-gradation of degraded State forests,” the Chief Minister disclosed, adding that Rs. 181 crore deposited with CAMPA under State’s share would be fully utilized in this direction.
The Union Minister suggested to Chief Minister that the State government should also recommend for a special grant to J&K for implementing the historic Dal project. “The 13th Finance Commission is visiting J&K this week. I suggest the State government recommend for a special grant for implementing the project,” he added.
Expressing concern over dwindling of Wullar lake, which used to be once the largest freshwater lake in Asia, the Union Environment Minister said he attaches highest priority to the restoration of the Wullar lake. “Wullar is the mother of all lakes. The State government has submitted a proposal to Government of India worth Rs.386 crore to conserve the lake. I assure him that my ministry will put full weight to see that the proposal for funding of the project goes through, he said. He said he understands the strategic significance of the lake, adding it deserves its due owing to its large size which is 3½ times that of the Dal Lake.
The Union Environment Minister disclosed that the State government will create a State Compulsory Afforestation Management Authority shortly so that J&K is in a position to utilize its share of Rs. 181 crore collected by CAMPA for compulsory afforestation projects.
Giving a detailed overview of the prestigious Dal restoration plan, the Union Environment Minister said that after jointly air surveying the lake with Chief Minister and by boat, he realized that Dal is not only a lake that needs to be cleansed but an eco and a social system that embeds large number of wetlands and nearly 10,000 families. “In Phase I, the Central government has funded entire Rs. 300 crore for cleaning of the project. While visiting the lake, I have observed that large section of the lake have been cleaned. The State government today presented a comprehensive proposal of Rs.1,100 crore to save ecosystem of Dal lake by cleaning and rehabilitation of 10,000 families. We need to find the remaining Rs.800 crore for resettlement and rehabilitation of the Dal dwellers,” he said.
Ramesh said he and the Chief Minister were in total agreement that those who will be relocated should not only be given plots of land but offered houses as well. “ I have requested the State government to prepare a proposal and I assure that I will take up the matter with the Prime Minister, Finance Minister and the Planning Commission to see that the entire Rs.1,100 crore is funded by the Centre,” he said.
Ramesh said three STPs have been set up on Dal and added that the State government is procuring heavy duty de-weeding machines from Finland so that the water of the lake is cleaned in express time. He said he has suggested to the Chief Minister that IIT Rourkee, the institute which made the DPR of the Dal-cleaning project in 2000, be requested to see what work has been done and what more needs to be done. “Also J&K State Pollution Control Board provides quarterly reports on progress of the project,” he said, adding that these reports should be made public so that people have an idea of the status of the work.
Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said the government is exploring an extensive programme to upgrade the degraded forest cover of the State. “Extensive portions of our forest area is degraded. We are examining ways and means to implement a project for up-gradation of degraded State forests,” the Chief Minister disclosed, adding that Rs. 181 crore deposited with CAMPA under State’s share would be fully utilized in this direction.
The Union Minister suggested to Chief Minister that the State government should also recommend for a special grant to J&K for implementing the historic Dal project. “The 13th Finance Commission is visiting J&K this week. I suggest the State government recommend for a special grant for implementing the project,” he added.
Expressing concern over dwindling of Wullar lake, which used to be once the largest freshwater lake in Asia, the Union Environment Minister said he attaches highest priority to the restoration of the Wullar lake. “Wullar is the mother of all lakes. The State government has submitted a proposal to Government of India worth Rs.386 crore to conserve the lake. I assure him that my ministry will put full weight to see that the proposal for funding of the project goes through, he said. He said he understands the strategic significance of the lake, adding it deserves its due owing to its large size which is 3½ times that of the Dal Lake.
With half of Govt putting in his camp, Azad takes charge of Chenab Valley
ZAFAR CHOUDHARY
While an edgy coalition government is yet to come out of an embarrassing Shopian shock, the senior Congress leader and Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad appears to have taken charge of the Chenab Valley region –checking health of the administrative apparatus and monitoring developments on the ground.
In view of no meetings of district development boards and absolutely no contact of the government with the situation on ground in last six months, the Union Health Minister today took charge of the things by convening, at Bhaderwah, a stock-taking meeting of three districts –Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban.
Azad is currently on a three day tour of the region and is accompanied by almost half of the state government. The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister, two Cabinet Ministers, a Member of Parliament, three local legislators and all heads of the departments and the district and sectoral officers.
Interestingly, the Chenab Valley region –the districts of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban –constitute the epicenter of Azad’s power in Jammu and Kashmir and his three-day extended tour of region coupled by review meetings carries a huge political message as well. That the high level review meeting of three districts was held at Bhaderwah –the home town of Azad –and not at the headquarters of any of the districts also assumes a significance of its own.
In his second visit to the state in less than a month after being sworn in as a Minister in the Union Cabinet, Azad has loudly conveyed that he is much serious in the state politics. It may be remembered here that during his earlier stints as Minister at Center, particularly in early 1990s and then during 2004-05, Azad had shown very little inclination to the politics of home state. “After his bitter experience as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and the inner party conspiracy theories after fall of his government in July 2008 appear to have motivated Azad to fine tune his grip on the state politics”, observed a senior Congress leader accompanying the Union Health Minister.
At his today’s meeting at Bhaderwah, Azad asked the officers of Union Health ministry to bring down the criterion under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) for establishing PHCs, CHCs, Health Sub-Centres and Medical Aid Centres in hilly areas. This, he said would bring the hilly regions having scattered population under the ambit of NRHM.
The State Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma apprised that there is one ambulance for every 50 km in plain areas while as for every 15-20 km in hilly areas to provide better healthcare, adding that process of recruitment of drivers is also under active consideration. He also called for utilizing the services of ASHA workers efficiently for promoting institutional deliveries.
Regarding delay in construction of Hospital building at Bhaderwah, for which JKPCC pointed out paucity of funds, Mr. Sham Lal Sharma directed the MD, JKPCC to utilize the funds already lying with the Corporation under various schemes and complete the building within stipulated time period.
Azad also reviewed the status of Hospital buildings at Bhaderwah, Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban and Trauma Centre at Thathri.
Enquiring about the status of various road projects in Bhaderwah, Doda and Ramban, the Union Minister stressed for early completion of these projects so that people do not face any problem. He was informed that forest clearance was the main bottleneck in construction of various roads under PMGSY in the erstwhile Doda district. He also directed the concerned authorities to start the work of Kaljugasar road in Gundoh and Ganpat Bridge in Doda within a week’s time.
Azad also took stock of the ration supply in the district and directed the concerned authorities to properly monitor the distribution and quality of food grains being supplied to the consumers in rural areas.
Meanwhile, Azad along with the ministers and officers visited Bhaderwah Fort, which was earlier used as a jail and is now being developed into a museum. They also visited the north campus of Jammu University at Sungli, Bhaderwah and reviewed its status. He also distributed certificates to the mountaineers of Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering, Bhaderwah for their successful expeditions.
While an edgy coalition government is yet to come out of an embarrassing Shopian shock, the senior Congress leader and Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad appears to have taken charge of the Chenab Valley region –checking health of the administrative apparatus and monitoring developments on the ground.
In view of no meetings of district development boards and absolutely no contact of the government with the situation on ground in last six months, the Union Health Minister today took charge of the things by convening, at Bhaderwah, a stock-taking meeting of three districts –Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban.
Azad is currently on a three day tour of the region and is accompanied by almost half of the state government. The meeting was attended by Deputy Chief Minister, two Cabinet Ministers, a Member of Parliament, three local legislators and all heads of the departments and the district and sectoral officers.
Interestingly, the Chenab Valley region –the districts of Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban –constitute the epicenter of Azad’s power in Jammu and Kashmir and his three-day extended tour of region coupled by review meetings carries a huge political message as well. That the high level review meeting of three districts was held at Bhaderwah –the home town of Azad –and not at the headquarters of any of the districts also assumes a significance of its own.
In his second visit to the state in less than a month after being sworn in as a Minister in the Union Cabinet, Azad has loudly conveyed that he is much serious in the state politics. It may be remembered here that during his earlier stints as Minister at Center, particularly in early 1990s and then during 2004-05, Azad had shown very little inclination to the politics of home state. “After his bitter experience as Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and the inner party conspiracy theories after fall of his government in July 2008 appear to have motivated Azad to fine tune his grip on the state politics”, observed a senior Congress leader accompanying the Union Health Minister.
At his today’s meeting at Bhaderwah, Azad asked the officers of Union Health ministry to bring down the criterion under National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) for establishing PHCs, CHCs, Health Sub-Centres and Medical Aid Centres in hilly areas. This, he said would bring the hilly regions having scattered population under the ambit of NRHM.
The State Health Minister Sham Lal Sharma apprised that there is one ambulance for every 50 km in plain areas while as for every 15-20 km in hilly areas to provide better healthcare, adding that process of recruitment of drivers is also under active consideration. He also called for utilizing the services of ASHA workers efficiently for promoting institutional deliveries.
Regarding delay in construction of Hospital building at Bhaderwah, for which JKPCC pointed out paucity of funds, Mr. Sham Lal Sharma directed the MD, JKPCC to utilize the funds already lying with the Corporation under various schemes and complete the building within stipulated time period.
Azad also reviewed the status of Hospital buildings at Bhaderwah, Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban and Trauma Centre at Thathri.
Enquiring about the status of various road projects in Bhaderwah, Doda and Ramban, the Union Minister stressed for early completion of these projects so that people do not face any problem. He was informed that forest clearance was the main bottleneck in construction of various roads under PMGSY in the erstwhile Doda district. He also directed the concerned authorities to start the work of Kaljugasar road in Gundoh and Ganpat Bridge in Doda within a week’s time.
Azad also took stock of the ration supply in the district and directed the concerned authorities to properly monitor the distribution and quality of food grains being supplied to the consumers in rural areas.
Meanwhile, Azad along with the ministers and officers visited Bhaderwah Fort, which was earlier used as a jail and is now being developed into a museum. They also visited the north campus of Jammu University at Sungli, Bhaderwah and reviewed its status. He also distributed certificates to the mountaineers of Jawahar Institute of Mountaineering, Bhaderwah for their successful expeditions.
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