Excelsior
daily
Vol No. 55
Registration of
yatris begins
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 2:
Registration of pilgrims for Shri
Amarnathji Yatra commenced
yesterday for both Baltal and
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Chandanwari routes, through
442 designated Bank branches
of Punjab National Bank, Sanjeev Pargal
Jammu & Kashmir Bank and
JAMMU, Apr 2: The
YES Bank all over the country.
Congress manifesto released
This year's 46 days Yatra
today by top brass of the party
will commence simultaneously
in New Delhi including AICC
on both the routes from July 1
and culminate on Raksha
Bandhan, the August 15.
(Contd on page 6 Col 3)
Mir’s official
accommodation
withdrawn
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 2: Jammu
and Kashmir Pradesh Congress
Committee (JKPCC) has ques-
tioned the move of the
Government to withdraw secu-
rity cover of Party leaders and
official accommodation of its
president, G A Mir, who is con-
testing Parliament election from
Anantnag constituency.
Government withdrew the
official accommodation of Mir
at Friends Colony near Airport
in Srinagar. He is filling his
nomination papers for
(Contd on page 6 Col 5)
Govt rectifies
decision on
Jammu Tourism
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 2: Following
a strong public resentment, the
Government today rectified its
earlier controversial decision of
closing down social media
account of Directorate of
Tourism, Jammu.
"Both the Directorates will
continue posting on their indi-
vidual social media accounts
and will ensure that the content
uploaded is also immediately
shared on the common social
media account of the
Department," said a commu-
(Contd on page 6 Col 7)
CEO receives
182 complaints
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 2: The office
of the Chief Electoral Officer
(CEO), J&K and District
Election Officers (DEO) have
received as many as 182 com-
plaints, including 88 through C-
VIGIL on-line App from differ-
ent quarters after the imposition
of Model Code of Conduct
(MCC) ahead of general elec-
tions.
According to the office of
the CEO, out of the total 182
complaints received till date,
123 stand disposed of and 59
are under examination.
Similarly, out of the 88 com-
plaints received through ECI's
(Contd on page 6 Col 7)
SC cancels
Watali’s bail
NEW DELHI, Apr 2:
The Supreme Court today
cancelled the bail of Zahoor
Ahmad Shah Watali, a Kashmiri
businessman, in a terror funding
case saying NIA has collected
ample evidence to show link-
ages between the Hurriyat lead-
ers of Jammu and Kashmir and
terror organisations as also their
activities to wage war against
India.
The bail was granted by the
Delhi High Court to Watali
arrested by NIA for his alleged
role in a terror-funding case
involving Pakistan-based
Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) chief
Hafiz Muhammad Saeed. Rajni Kant Mishra said today
that his force is fully prepared
(Contd on page 6 Col 7)
to meet any challenge posed by
WEATHER Pakistan which is continuous-
JAMMU : ly violating the ceasefire by
Mainly clear sky. targeting forward areas along
TEMPERATURE
Max: 31.4 Degree C the LoC in Jammu and
Min: 15.5 Degree C Kashmir.
RELATIVE HUMIDITY
RH-I (Morning): 54.0 per cent
RH-II (Evening): 39.0 per cent
Sunset on Wednesday: 06.52 p.m.
Sunrise on Thursday: 06.17 a.m.
SRINAGAR:
Mainly clear sky.
TEMPERATURE
Max: 23.9 Degree C
Min: 5.6 Degree C
RELATIVE HUMIDITY
RH-I (Morning): 47.0 per cent
RH-II (Evening): 20.0 per cent
LEH:
TEMPERATURE
Max: 11.8 Degree C
Min: -3.1 Degree C
No. 91
‘Will reduce presence of Army, CAPFs in Kashmir’
Cong to review AFSPA, DAA in J&K;
promises unconditional dialogue
No muscular militarism, Cong for federal solution
Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and Dr
Manmohan Singh releasing party manifesto in New Delhi on
Tuesday.
(I) president, Rahul Gandhi,
has promised to reduce pres-
ence of Army and Central
Armed Police Forces (CAPFs)
in Kashmir, review Armed
Forces Special Power Act and
Disturbed Areas Act in the
Azad asks workers to translate alliance at ground level
‘PDP decision of not fielding candidates will wash its earlier sins’
Nishikant Khajuria
JAMMU, Apr 2:
Acknowledging the National
Conference and PDP initiative
of avoiding division of votes
against BJP, Leader of
Opposition in Rajya Sabha
and senior Congress leader
Ghulam Nabi Azad today
exhorted the workers to
translate this alliance at
ground by forgetting personal
animosity, if any.
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"This alliance will be fruitful
only if all the votes polled to
NC, PDP and Congress in 2014
Assembly elections in each con-
stituency go to Congress candi-
date in this Lok Sabha polls," he
said while addressing a public
Regular administrative inspections of subordinate units
Almost all Admn Secys, HoDs flouting
explicit directives issued over 8 yrs back
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Apr 2: Almost all
the Administrative Secretaries
and Heads of the Departments
have been flouting the explicit
directives of the Chief
Secretary about regular
inspections of subordinate
units, which otherwise are
imperative to bring accounta-
bility and efficiency in the
functioning of the offices at
various levels.
Official sources told
EXCELSIOR that vide Circular
No.18-GAD of 2010 dated
September 9, 2010, the then
Chief Secretary had observed
that administrative inspections
of the subordinate offices, as
required under rules, were not
Ready to meet any challenge
posed by Pak: DG BSF
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 2: BSF DG
*Watch video on
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He said the Indian forces are
giving a befitting response to the
unprovoked mortar shelling and
firing by the Pakistan Army,
while maintaining that there was
no ceasefire violation along the
International Border (IB) in the
State.
Talking to reporters after the
wreath-laying ceremony of
JAMMU, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2019
State and hold unconditional
dialogue with the people.
Congress had dedicated one
full chapter to Jammu and
Kashmir in its 54-page election
manifesto titled `Hum
Nibhayenge' (We will deliver) in
which there has been no mention
of anything specific about
Jammu and Ladakh and all
announcements were virtually
Kashmir-centric.
"Congress promises to
meeting in connec-
tion with election
campaigning in sup-
port of Congress
candidate from
Jammu-Poonch
Parliamentary seat,
Raman Bhalla at
Kotranka in Rajouri
on Tuesday.
In an apparent Ghulam Nabi Azad addressing a public meeting at Kotranka in Rajouri on
reference to the Tuesday.
election campaign
on Modi versus others, Ghulam tion of Government at the avoided division of votes against
Nabi Azad said that Prime national level where there is BJP and formed an alliance.
Minister from which party is direct competition between
more important than the person
who is to be Prime Minister. the regional parties," he which also decide not to field its
"Several times NC, PDP and explained.
Congress contest against each
other in the Assembly elections Congress was highly thankful to votes even as we have no
for the formation of NC and its president Dr Farooq alliance with them," he said
Government in the State but this Abdullah, who keeping in view adding that the PDP initiative
time, it is the election for forma- the situation and its sensitivity,
Non-compliance leads to dismal
performance, inefficiency
being conducted regularly lead-
ing to lack of administrative
control over the subordinate
offices and below mark func-
tioning of the majority of the
offices at the field level.
Accordingly, the Chief
Secretary had advised all the
Administrative Secretaries and
HoDs to ensure conduct of regu-
lar administrative inspections at
least once in a year of all the
subordinate units and the
progress is continuously
reviewed at the apex level.
These instructions were reiterat-
ed by the Department of
DG BSF R K Mishra lends a shoulder to the mortal remains Kashmir.
of BSF Inspector T Alex Lalminlum at BSF Headquarters at
Paloura on Tuesday.
Inspector T Alex Lalminlun at days of the year pose a challenge December 30, 2017 on
the BSF frontier headquarters for the border guards.
here, Mishra said all the 365
REGD. NO. JK-71/18-20
RNI No. 28547/65
review the deployment of armed hearted approach that will
forces, move more troops to the eschew muscular militarism
border to stop infiltration com- and legalist formulations and
pletely, reduce presence of look for an innovative federal
Army and
CAPFs in the
Kashmir valley
Separatists, terrorists will
and entrust more cheer Cong manifesto: Jaitley
responsibility to
Jammu and Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today
Kashmir Police took said the Congress manifesto will bring
for maintaining smile on the faces of separatists and terrorists
law and order,'' and described the Congress party as "principal
the Congress creator'' of J&K problem.
manifesto said. In a blog written soon after release of the
A s s u r i n g Congress manifesto, Jaitley said the manifesto
review of Armed seeks to dilute the provisions of the Armed
Forces Special Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA).
Powers Act "After having been spurned on various
(AFSPA) and occasions to have a dialogue with the sepa-
Disturbed Areas ratists, who want to settle for nothing other than
Act (DAA) in cessation from India, it (the Congress mani-
Jammu and festo) promised to (Contd on page 6 Col 3)
Kashmir, it said
suitable changes will be made in solution," the Congress docu-
the text of laws to balance ments said and promised to
requirements of security and find such a solution (to
protection of human rights. Kashmir problem) through
"Jammu and Kashmir and patient dialogue and talks with
its problems deserve a large-
(Contd on page 6 Col 7)
-Excelsior/Amit Sharma
"I am also thankful to the
Congress and BJP and not with People's Democratic Party,
candidates on these two seats
Ghulam Nabi Azad said that for avoiding division of secular
(Contd on page 6 Col 1)
„ ‘Maharaja
NC misleading people over separate
PM demand: Dr Jitendra
Avtar Bhat
BASOHLI, Apr 2: Turning
tables on National Conference
(NC) for demanding separate
Administrative Reforms,
Prime Minister and President
Inspections, Trainings and
for Jammu and Kashmir by
Grievances vide Circular No.1 reverting back to pre -1953
of 2011 dated August 8, 2011.
position, the Union Minister
Through the circular even and BJP Lok Sabha candidate
mechanism of administrative from Udhampur-Kathua-
inspections was conveyed to all Doda Parliamentary con-
the Administrative Secretaries stituency, Dr Jitendra Singh
and Heads of the Departments today said that NC was mis-
for strict compliance.
leading the people over the
Moreover, they were asked to issue.
devise suitable formats of their Addressing a series of mas-
respective departments in sive public meetings in the
view of their requirements and Basohli Assembly segment here,
also nature of their working. Dr Jitendra Singh said that NC
As per the mechanism, leaders are forgetting that in
(Contd on page 6 Col 1)
JeM militant
brought back
from UAE
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Apr 2: The
brother of slain Jaish-e-
Mohammad
(JeM) com-
m a n d e r
N o o r
Mohammad
Tantray alias
Noor Trali
was today
arrested by
the National Investigating
Agency (NIA) for his links with
a Fidayeen attack on a Central
Reserve Police Force camp in
2017 in Awantipora area of
Pulwama district in South
Nisar Ahmed Tantray whose
name had surfaced in Fidayeen
attack that was carried out on
Lethpora camp in Pulwama dis-
(Contd on page 6 Col 3) (Contd on page 6 Col 7)
16 Pages ` 5.00
Panoramic view of river Chenab at Bharadhari village near Reasi.
-Excelsior/Karandeep Singh
4 more civilians injured, trade suspended
3 Pak troops killed, 7 posts
destroyed in Indian retaliation
Excelsior Correspondent Rawlakote sector. ing on civilian areas in
He confirmed killing of three Shahpur sector of Poonch dis-
JAMMU, Apr 2: Pakistan Pakistan army personnel.
trict.
continued heavy mortar There were reports that at Four civilians were injured
shelling and firing for second least seven posts of Pakistan as several mortar shells fired by
consecutive day today in army have been destroyed
Shahpur sector along the Line by the Indian troops in
of Control (LoC) in Poonch retaliatory action across
district causing injuries to LoC in Poonch and
four civilians while three Rajouri districts.
Pakistani troops were killed Reports also said that
and their seven posts some terror launch pads of
destroyed in retaliatory action the militants were also tar-
by the Indian Army.
geted by the Indian troops
*Watch video on across the LoC and they
www.excelsiornews.com have been hit. The launch
pads were targeted in
Authorities suspended cross-
anticipation of presence of
LoC trade on Poonch-Rawlakote
militants there amid
route in view of continued A firing victim admitted in District
reports that they could try Hospital Poonch on Tuesday.
shelling and firing and increased
to infiltrate into the Indian
tension between the two coun-
territory. Pakistan army exploded either
tries.
However, it couldn't be inside or close to houses in
Pakistan army today said
they have lost three soldiers in
ascertained immediately as to Shahpur sector.
Indian shelling and firing on the
whether how many militants Security personnel and local
LoC in Rakhchakri area of
were killed in the Indian Army people evacuated injured from
action. the site of shelling and firing and
Rawlakote sector, opposite
Poonch district.
Meanwhile, frustrated by shifted them to District Hospital
Pakistan Military spokesman
the killing of its three jawans, in Poonch.
destruction of seven posts and Injured have been identified
Major Gen Asif Ghafoor said in
a statement that Indian troops
targeting of terror camps by as Shabir son of Mohammad
resorted to unprovoked shelling
Indian troops, Pakistan army Hussain R/o Ward No. 6,
and firing in Rakhchakri area of
this evening again resorted to Shahpur, who was working as
heavy mortar shelling and fir- (Contd on page 6 Col 5)
was sent into exile under conspiracy’
1975, the then NC chief,
Sheikh Mohammed
Abdullah had meekly
accepted to become Chief
Minister, and not Prime
Minister, when he was
restored back to power by
Indira Gandhi after hav-
ing remained in political
wilderness for over two
decades.
He said how long the
NC leadership will mis-
lead the people of
Kashmir over this non
Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh conducting Panchayat-level cam-
issue which was buried paign at different spots in Basohli Assembly segment, on Tuesday.
by none other than the
NC founder and former ing of Baig -Parthasarthy accord that the needles of clock can't go
Chief Minister, Sheikh Abdullah in 1975. reverse. He recalled that, at that
himself who accepted Chief Dr Jitendra Singh said that time, even the then Prime
Minister's seat gladly after sign- they (NC leaders) must know (Contd on page 6 Col 5)
Govt orders CB probe into
major JKPCC scams
FFC detects After receiving numerous
complaints from many quarters
appointments at various levels
including that of the Managing
large-scale about the functioning of JKPCC,
particularly relating to corrup-
Director, inefficiency in func-
tioning, cost overruns in project
irregularities tion in civil contracts, illegality implementation and estimates
in appointments at multiple lev- for construction being much
els including at very senior posi- higher than those of PWD.
tions, and excessive cost and The Fact Finding
time overruns, the Government Committee in its report sub-
Govind Sharma had appointed the Fact Finding mitted to the Government
Committee to look into all these brought out in detail large
JAMMU, Apr 2: complaints. irregularities in the operation
Government today handed
The Fact Finding Committee of JKPCC. The report
over the investigation of major was headed by the Principal observed that construction
scams in Jammu & Kashmir Secretary (Planning), and had works have been executed by
Projects Construction Corp the Divisional Commissioner giving contracts on nomina-
(JKPCC) to the Crime Branch (Jammu), Commissioner/ tion basis, whereas JKPCC
of JK Police, as the Fact
Secretary (Revenue) and MD, should have executed works in
Finding Committee (FFC) JKPCC as members. The man- a departmental mode.
appointed by the Government date of the Committee was to Irregular procedures in viola-
submitted a voluminous look into manner of awarding tion of Government orders
report bringing out in detail contracts to contractors, diver- and BoD laid down SoPs were
large irregularities in the
sion of funds from one project to also noticed in engagement of
operation of JKPCC. another, irregularities in (Contd on page 6 Col 3)