epilogue magazine, march 2009

Jammu, March 1, 2009 / Vol 3 / Issue 3 || Price Rs. 30 || Postal Registration No. JK-350/2007-09 || www.epilogue.in

Epilogueb e c a u s e t h e r e i s m o r e t o k n o w

Jammu and Kashmir’s Monthly Magazine

NowTellingThe J&K Stories

RNI : JKENG/2007/26070 ISSN 0974-5653

R O A D R A I L A I R

C O N N N E C T I N GJ A M M U & K A S H M I R

CHALLENGE IN KASHMIR

Perspectives from the GroundMEDIA

Print Media in Kashmir Post 1989

An extensive water supply storage system shall be created for adequate storage of water supply incremented through drilling of Tube Wells across the lengths and breadths of Jammu city. 41 Over Head Tanks and 19 Ground Level Service Reservoirs with a cumulative storage capacity of 106 Lac Gallons shall cater to the water supply requirements of the population of about 10,60,000 souls of Jammu city.

Location of OHTs in Jammu East :

Shastri Nagar, Tube well no. 9 , Channi Himmat, Tube well no. 1, Rail Head, Trikuta Nagar , Gandhi Nagar, Balmiki Nagar, Nanak Nagar Sec 7, Sainik Colony Sec D/G, Sec C, Sec A, Sec F, Ambika Vihar / Langer, Thangar, Old Bandhurakh, Greater Kailash near Peer Baba, Ajeet Nagar, Dashmesh Nagar, Work shop Kunjwani, Babliana

Location of GLSRs in Jammu East

Trikuta Nagar, Boria Pumping Station, PHE Complex Narwal, Tube well no. 1, Dodhi Gujjar, Sainik Colony Sec F/G, Nawabad (0.5 lac), Narwal, Qasim Nagar.

Location of OHTs in Jammu West :

Parade, Ram Mandir, Rahari, Rani Park, Bakshi Nagar, Id Gah, Roop Nagar Stage-II, Stage-III, Suryavanshi Vihar, Indira Vihar, Ranjeet Pura, Rajpura, Relief Commissioner Office, Puran Nagar, Agricultural Complex, Jambolochan, Muthi, Tomal, Muthi Village, Resham Ghar

Location of GLSRs in Jammu West

Company Bagh, Parade, Rehari, Roop Nagar Stage-II, Stage-IV, CPS Muthi, Peerkho, Relief Commissioner Office, Bakshi Nagar, CPS Medical College

OVER HEAD TANKS (OHT) AND GROUND LEVEL SERVICE RESERVOIRS (GSLR) (TARGETS)

JAMMU (EAST)

JAMMU (WEST)

Scope of works Total Storage Capacity Population to be benefitted

Construction of 21 Over Head Tanks 35.00 Lac Gallons 3,50,000.00

Construction of 09 Ground Level Service Reservoirs 12.50 Lac Gallons 1,25,000.00

Construction of 20 Over Head Tanks 35.50 Lac Gallons 3,55,000.00

Construction of 10 Ground Level Service Reservoirs 23.00 Lac Gallons 2,30,000.00

Epilogue Ø 1 × March 2009

B R I D G I N G T H E I N F O R M A T I O N D I V I D E

F O R T H E M O N T H O F M A R C H 2 0 0 9

Taking J&K Closer to WorldBringing World Closer to J&K


27Volume : 3, Number : 3

ISSN : 0974-5653

RNI : JKENG/2007/26070

www.epilogue.in

Besides regular columns, reports and

reviews, present issue is essentially

divided into two sections. One

section, the cover feature, looks at the

connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir

through road, rail and air to discuss the

vital issues of economy and security.

The other section is on the Kashmir

politics and peace

AR

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Sept. 2008

J&K'S SUMMER AGITATION ummer of 2008 will always be remembered as a dark chapter in the secular and Stolerance history of Jammu and Kashmir. On Amarnath land row, the lunatic and

hawkish voices had completely taken over the sensible voices. We launched a search for the voices of peace and reason and came up with as many ideas as possible. We are happy that no chance was given to the narrow regional or religious views to creep in our pages.

Oct. 2008

INTRA-KASHMIR CONTACTS AND TRADE hortly before the historic cross-LoC trade was launched between two parts of SJammu and Kashmir, the United States Institute of Peace had come up with a most

comprehensive study on making borders irrelevant. Under a special endowment from USIP, Epilogue carried reproduced the study in fall. It was a painstaking research taken by Hassan Askari and PR Chari, two leading policy experts of Pakistan and India, respectively.

Nov. 2008

ELECTIONS: CHALLENGE 2008 e have brought out three issues on assembly elections 2008 and the November Wissue was first in the series. Elections were being held in the backdrop of a worst

separatist and communal agitation in state. With a commentary on the prevailing political and security atmosphere, the November issue carried a complete backgrounder on the past elections.

Dec. 2008

HUNG ASSEMBLY n the middle of elections our small team of staffers along with some 30 volunteers Itraveled across the length and breadth of Jammu and Kashmir to gauge the public

mood. The conclusion was that there will be a hung assembly with NC as largest party, PDP second and Congress third. Looking at the pages of our December issue one can see all parties have come up with same number of seats as we had predicted except the BJP.

Jan. 2009

Feb. 2009

MANDATE : collectors issue, the special number on our second anniversary came as fastest Apossible, yet professionally correct work, on J&K elections. Result were declare

on December 28 and our issue carrying complete elections analysis and elections trends at constituency level was out before the government was sworn I.

AGENDA FOR OMAR GOVERNMENT :he coalition government of National Conference and the Congress headed by TOmar Abdullah Omar Abdullah took over on January 5 but it did not declare a

shared agenda. Epilogue's February issue put together opinions of well meaning people from across the country setting out an agenda for Omar Abdullah government


www.epilogue.in

Editor Zafar Iqbal Choudhary

Consulting EditorD. Suba Chandran

Associate EditorsIrm Amin BaigTsewang Rigzin

Art EditorKeshav Sharma

Research OfficerRaman Sharma

Mailing AddressPO Box 50, HO Gandhi Nagar, Jammu

Phones & emailOffice : +91 191 2493136Editorial: +91 94191 80762Administration: +91 94190 [email protected]@[email protected]

Edited, Printed, Published and Owned by Zafar Iqbal Choudhary. Published from : Ibadat House, Madrasa Lane, Near Graveyard, Bathindi Top, Jammu, J&K - 180012 and Printed at : DEE DEE Reprographix, 3 Aikta Ashram, New Rehari Jammu (J&K)

Disputes, if any, subject to jurisdiction of courts and competitive tribunals in Jammu only.

RNI : JKENJ/2007/26070ISN : 00974-5653Price : Rs 30

CONTENTS

4

Prologue

Letters 6

Note Book

11 Essential Entries 9

4 Essential Entries 14

Pay Parity

Better Service Conditions 40must for good governance

Environment

J&K on Global

Carbon Market 44

Column

Emperor Jagangir on

History, Culture of Kashmir-I 48Prof. Jigar Mohammad

Media

Print Media in Kashmir 51Post1989

Reviews

Books 53

Who Said What

5

IN FOCUSConnecting

Jammu & KashmirRoad, Rail, Air

Message from15 Kashmir to New Delhi

Looking at the Lessons of 200819Analysing Conflict through22Gender Perspective

The Himalayan25Wonder or Blunder

Development & Environment28Expanding Road Network

in Jammu and Kashmir

Looking Beyond Fair 32Weather Roads

The Fight to Dubai37


In Verbatim


H&RAEH E A R

Who Said What

'No state wants heavy presence of troops with extraordinary powers. We also want to cut it down…in fact the process has already been initiated'J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, responding to Opposition PDP concerns on human rights violations

'National Conference and Congress are together just to enjoy power. They don't have any policy or programme for J&K' Former Chief Minister and PDP leader Mufti Mohammad Sayeed, at a public rally

'Security forces apparently did not follow the standard procedures of operation'Union Home Minister P Chidambram reacting to killing of two innocent youths in Kashmir by Army

'There was a major breakthrough to resolve the Kashmir issue with India during my premiership but the gains were turned upside down by the subsequent military regime of Pervez Musharraf'Former Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a meeting with visiting Indian peace activists

'Peoples reposed their faith in democracy (in 2008 elections), now they are being killed…this is how you want to bring peace in Kashmir'Opposition leader Mehbooba Mufti while interrupting Governor's address in state assembly

'Unless and until the Kashmir issue is resolved either through implementation of the United Nations Resolutions or trilateral talks, the peace and security will continue to elude the subcontinent'Hurriyat leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, in a press statement

L

From the EditorRP O O G U E

oads are said to the lifeline

of a nation's economy.

Unfortunately, the road

network in Jammu and RKashmir is a cause of

disappointment. While economic

poverty in the state can easily be

attributed to the roads, it is this poorly

maintained surface communication

network that is emerging as a major

cause of an alarming number of

unnatural deaths. A recent road

accident that resulted in killing of 41

persons should come as a cause of

action for the government and the civil

society to think over ways and means of

ensuring the human security on the

roads. Thousands of innocents have lost

their life to conflict in the state over

past two decades is a well known fact

but the second major death trap for the

people of Jammu and Kashmir is now

arguably on roads. On a daily average

1.5 to 2 persons are being killed in road

accidents and put together the accident sites with sympathies and traffic fatalities in Jammu and Kashmir number of people killed in road some relief announcements but are likely to go up by 144 per cent by accidents every year is now going measures are visible on ground to avoid next 10 years. Now is the time that the higher than the number of those recurring such incidents. The Doda government should take clear killed in militancy. The gloomy region alone saw killings of 100 persons initiatives. The human and economic phenomenon of road accidents in a period of six months. The death trap damage caused by the road crashes is involves the fact that most of these on roads has become a matter of deep largely preventable. Flaws in road fatalities occur in Jammu division. concern and needs a resolute attention design and engineering coupled with The National Highway 1A between particularly in wake of the a World driver behavior can be overcome with Jammu and Srinagar and the NH 1B Health Organisation report projecting concerted efforts. Setting up agencies connecting Doda and Kishtwar that by the year 2020 road accidents will with separate budget and the powers to districts account for 60 per cent of be third highest threat to public health enforce regulations and address road the total annual deaths in road and life in South Asia. A comparative safety at an institutional level can be an accidents. Government, unfortunately, analysis of WHO report for South Asia important step forward. is going beyond the cosmetic measures. and road mishap statistics in Jammu and After every accident the Chief Minister,

Feedback :Kashmir presents a highly worrisome his Ministers and bureaucrats fly to the [email protected]. The analysis reveals that

Prevent What is Preventable

Zafar Choudhary


Wreckage of bus that fell down a gorge in Doda district of Jammu division killing 41 persons. Against permitted seating capacity of 27, bus was carrying 54 passengers.

L E T T E R S

Readers Write


ubarak Mandi was declared by the MNDTV on behalf of its jury to be one

of the seven wonders of Jammu and

Kashmir state at a select gathering in

Jammu on the evening of 18 February. It

would be formally displayed on its

channel on Ist March.

Mubarak Mandi is one of the few

surviving buildings which would

represent Dogra architecture. What

happened to it on 1st August, 2004

shocked citizens of Jammu, in

particular. On that day on the order of

an executive engineer of the Estate

Department, some canopies and

galleries of the Mandi complex were

demolished as he would have done in

case of any other building which

according to him, was in a dillipedated

condition. But in this case damage

spread and was irrepairable. might shake the very fragile foundation Here it is pertinent to quote form 6th of the Mandi. I suggested that the entire century Indian treatise on architecture

I led a delegation of the Heritage complex be handed over to the Mayatmatha which devotes a whole Foundation, as its Vice-President, to Archeological Survey of India and no chapter on conservation. It says.the Divisional Commissioner who took step should be taken without its expert a very sympathetic interest in the opinion. The Gondola idea was dropped “The characteristics of these temples ma t t e r a nd s t opped f u r t he r for the time being and eventually on the should be resorted with their own demolition of the Mandi. The matter request of the state government the material……The sage wishing to restore has s ince been engaging the survey adopted the entire complex for must proceed in such way that they attention of the government. But its conservation. retain their integrity.”decision to move all its offices

e l sewhere has yet not been The previous government had Another modern authority on the subject implemented fully. For contruction of appointed a high level committee Vije Surya, former Director Conservation, alternative buildings is yet not headed by then cabinet minister Sri Lanka quotes his own experience of his complete. Why cannot they be shifted Gulchain Singh Charak to take up the country where professional adopted the to rented buildings meanwhile? task in cooperation with the following principle:

Archeological survey which had

In a meeting of the citizens of Jammu submitted a blue print for it. Somehow I “it has to be kept in mind that the

convened by the successor Divisional could not get its copy though Mr. Charak proper restoration of a highly

Commissioner, he announced that had promised to give it to me. I cannot specialized nature, requiring in the

Gandola service would be constructed therefore make detailed comments on person who carries it out, a thorough

from Bahu Fort to Mubarak Mandi which it and confine myself to some general knowledge of evolution of art,

would become a great tourist observations, which I presume are not architecture and culture which

attraction. Everybody appreciated the covered by the Archeological survey of produced it.”

idea excpt me. My argument was that it India.

Heritage conservation not task of bureaucrats, politicians alone


In the context of Mubarak Mandi, surroundings. There are still quite

who should try to find out who a few buildings on the roads

were its builders and who are leading to Mubarak Mandi which

their descendant—not merely the are in conformity with their

names of the rulers---,who was original design and in harmony

the architect who conceived the with it. But they might go the way

design and what material was of the other buildings which after

used for its construction, what renovation and modernization

type of people, including the have lost their original character

concubines of the Rajas, lived and and have thus spoiled the

their lives there whose quarters integrity and harmony of the

were fitted with special type of area.

curtains, through which they

could see outside but could not be The government should make seen by outsiders. If modern technical knowhow available to architects are trying to trace the them as also to those who have so names of the real builders of the far maintained their original Taj, who should get the credit for character about how to add all building the wonder of the world modern facilities in their houses and not Shahjahan, why it should without changing their outward not be done in the care of the designs. For instance, one finds Mandi? that buildings in London, on many

streets, have maintained their

May be some old people, centuries old façade while

p a r t i c u l a r l y i n t h e making any changes in the

neighbourhood, can throw some interior with changing times. In

light on these vital facts. India Jaipur is an outstanding

Meanwhile full photo record example of a uniform pink façade

should be made of not only the of the buildings contructed long

outer design of the complex but time ago while interior follows

also its interior, including inevitable changes over time.

paintings, drawings and carvings

on the walls. In short, it must be realized that

conservation of one of the seven

Meanwhile the idea of organizing wonders of the state is not the

Jammu Mela, which attracts huge task o f bureaucrat s and

gathering with many eateries, politicians alone. Knowledgeable

should be re-examinsed for its citizens, personalities in the field

possible negative effects on the of culture and art, academics and

ecology and buildings of the intellectuals should help them

Mubarak Mandi complex, in which should also be sought. Till

consultation with expets. then the above suggestions may

be considered.

Another vital fact to be kept in

mind is that Mubarak Mandi BALRAJ PURI

should be preserved as a part of Director

an integral whole and not as an Institute of Jammu & Kashmir isolated island cut off from its affairs

Thanks for remembering

us

Dear Editor

Officers of All India Services work in

unique circumstances in Jammu and

Kashmir. Being paid well is though

important for all those who work in any

system but our problems go beyond

that. Epilogue's story 'Lost in Pay Din,

Officers of All India Services' (February,

2009) was a timely intervention to

highlight some important issues

particularly at a time when state

government employees were asking for

implementation of the

recommendations of Sixth Pay

Commission. A circular has been now

issued by the government on revised pay

structure of AIS officers. I would suggest

that your magazine look into some other

issues also. Senior officers of the State

Services lose no opportunity in cornering

the AIS officers. They want to come at

par with us in case of promotions and

postings. But what 'at par' they talk

about? Under special political

circumstances they enjoy all the

privileges and importance. One

particular political class has already

made its policies well declared on roll

back of All India Services from Jammu

and Kashmir. Recently when there was

pay controversy, the AIS officers were

the only class who did not protest

despite clear rules on drawing salaries

under revised scales of pay. We left it

purely to the state government as we

never favoured any confrontation.

An IAS officer

Writer has requested to keep his

identity secret

L E T T E R SReaders Write


Open letter to Chief Minister

Dear Sir,

I congratulate you on becoming the Chief Minister of J&K State. Please spare for minutes to go through the contents of this letter.

I understand that you have a tough time ahead as the victimised people of J&K state in particular, expect

a lot from you so that their wounds they received since 1989 got healed.

Consider me neither advisor nor to advice you on any matter but being you well wisher, I dare to suggest,

“the sense of insecurity and uncertainty to life of common people is to be addressed on priority. The

common people have suffered irreparably the Army, paramilitary forces, State Police etc. have been

humiliating and torturing the people and used to get further compounded at the hands of gunmen. The in

human behaviour being exercised by security para-military forces while dealing in critical situations at

times, requires and warrants no explanation. They have to exercise restraint so that sense of fear among

people is removed.

Second, the erratic supply of electricity to the common people even for lighting purpose poses a serious

problem and can be redressed by redrafting the agreement signed with Government of India to the

extent that electricity produced from the waters of state moved meet the requirement here at minimum,

thereafter the residual should go to central pool despite money on much power projects is spent by the

concerned agency of Govt. of India.

Third, the unemployment among educated youth, which poses threat to peace, can be checked up by

filling up the vacant posts in different Government/Semi-Government Departments estimated at over

seventy though sands on war footing basis. The filling up such vacant positions should be arranged outside

the purview of public service commission state service recruitment board as these organization are

already charged of heavy assignments on this behalf and consume in dully longer durations”.

Fourth, corruption, the menace is eating the vitals of society. Those identified corrupt officials, in

Govt/Semi-Government departments, whose details are available with the Government but could not be

shown the door from reasons known to the then Authority are required to be removed from services

forthworth, signal of seriousness of your leadership will percolate tremendous scope for development and

expansion are required to be strengthened adequately, thus will not only provide employment avenues but

revenue to state as well. The transport system on the state is not managed well, with the result; the

commuters in particular are dissatisfied with it. The city Srinagar/Jammu, district headquarters, town

main places are to be cleared from the persons who forcibly occupy the paths for business purpose during

day time a cause of dceslocation to satisfactory traffic system, so that the menace of high headedness of

such persons gets stopped. I have lot to write but in view of your heavy engagement schedule, I hereby

close it.

With kind regards

Sincerely Yours

Mohammad Ashraf Kakoo

Director Planning and Development Department

Amdakadal, Lal Bazar

Srinagar – 190011 (Kashmir)

L E T T E R SReaders Write

N O T E B O O K

11 Essential Stories


espite the low production, saffron doubled saffron prices in the continues to be high as it is desired all Dtraders in Kashmir are hopeful international markets and the saffron over the world for its aroma, coloring

they would make up their losses with cultivators and traders in Kashmir and aphrodisiac properties. "There is

the increase in demand and high hope that that the price rise would high demand for saffron, but the

prices of saffron in international compensate their production loses. production is very less. Now, it costs

markets. The highly prized spice "The cost of the saffron depends on around 3000 rupees for ten gram of

saffron is cultivated on the high the international market. Globally, saffron," said Ghulam Nabi Bhat, a

plateau land on the southern outskirts the price of the product has saffron grower. Saffron is one of the

of Srinagar and the crop is rain fed. increased. It is a good thing that world's most expensive spice. The

However, during the last cultivation farmers will concentrate more on delicate flowers are harvested in

season, the area received scanty rains farming of the crop. Lack of rainfall autumn. The flowers begin to grow

causing sharp reduction in saffron during the month of August, after the first rains and the blooming

yield. Traders said that the production September and November affected period is usually mid-October when

of saffron in Kashmir during the the saffron yield, which fell sharply. the temperature is just right.

previous season was around 6000 kg, But the price of the product has gone Kashmir's cool climate and rich soil

but last year not even half of it was up. So, we hope that we would be with excellent drainage and organic

reaped. There has been sharp fall in able to compensate the loss," said content make the location an ideal

saffron production in Iran also, Bashir Ahmad Dar, Director of thriving ground for this spice, but a

another major saffron producer in the Agriculture, Kashmir. Despite low lapse in any one of the conditions can

world, due to draught. This has production, the demand for saffron spoil the entire crop.

ashmiri separatist leader Yasin Malik tied the nuptial knot Kwith artist Mushaal Hussein Mullick in the Pakistani city of

Rawalpindi, with the couple expressing hope that the Kashmir

issue would be amicably resolved as early as possible.

Speaking to reporters soon after the 'nikaah', the 42-year-old

Jammu and Kashmir Liberation Front (JKLF) chairman said he

had prayed for an early and amicable resolution of the Kashmir

issue as prayers offered on an auspicious occasion like a

wedding are always accepted by God.

Britain-born Pakistani, Mushaal, a painter pursuing a

bachelor's degree at the London School of Economics, said the

Kashmir issue is a "serious and noble cause" that is supported

by every Pakistani. "I hope that the Kashmir issue is solved

through non-violence. I'll be very happy," she said.

Malik, clad in a grey sherwani, and Mushaal, bedecked in those who attended were top leaders from Pakistan-occupied jewellery and wearing a green and red 'lehnga', mingled with Kashmir, Jamiat Ulema-e-Islam chief Maulana Fazlur Rehman, guests during the ceremony held at Safari Club in Bahria Town, Lt Gen (retired) Hamid Gul and presidential spokesman which is located near the bride's home in Rawalpindi. Among Farhatullah Babar.

CROSS-BORDER WEDDING

JKLF Chief Malik ties knot with Pak artists

BUSINESS AND ECONOMY

Saffron production on decline

N O T E B O O K11 Essential Stories


took it as not only arely a month of its B arrogance but also as a coming into being, the deceit from the Congress as National Conference-Congress its two candidates –Dr coalition government in J-K hit Farooq Abdullah and first roadblock when the minor Mohammad Shafi Uri –were coalition partner Congress left to face a tough dictated its terms on the contest. Ahead of elections major partner National Dr Abdullah rushed to New Conference in Rajya Sabha Delhi to lodge his protest elections. Four Rajya Sabha w i t h t h e C o n g r e s s (Upper House of Indian leadership but a meeting Parliament) to be filled from could not materialize. A J-K were running vacant since strong message was, November last year. The however, put across which Congress had earlier indicated prompted the Congress that National Conference will leadership to initiate a bag two seats, one will be damage control exercise. allowed for the Opposition Azad and Soz along with a Peoples Democratic Party and party General Secretary one for Congress. There were and Minister in the Prime three separate notifications Minister's Office Prithviraj for four seats. Congress played Chavan rushed in to a last minute tantrum and Jammu to manage number fielded its two candidates on from independents and easy seats –Saifuddin Soz and some cross voting from at Ghulam Nabi Azad –and they least two members from won without contest. Two

BJP and the Panthers Party. Dr sections of the Congress, owing Abdullah won easily while his party allegiance to Soz and Azad, colleague Shafi had a narrow victory respectively, went to the town in the election held on February 13. shifting blame on each other. NC

ndia and Pakistan were close to reaching Ibroad outlines of a solution to the Kashmir dispute but it could not happen due to "sheer bad luck", says former Pakistan foreign minister Khurshid M Kasuri. Kasuri also said there was a substantial understanding on a joint mechanism that would comprise representatives from the two countries besides both sides of the divided Kashmir. The agreements could not fructify because of "sheer bad luck", he told the leading Indian journalist Karan Thapar in an interview for CNBC TV18. Kasuri also said that Pakistan was hoping that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will visit Islamabad in 2007, but he could not find time due to the elections in Uttar Pradesh. "Yes, you see...We wanted Kashmiris to be involved and India was not that keen, so we arrived at this modus vivendi that your Kashmiris would travel to Pakistan, our Kashmiris would travel here (India) and meet your leaders and your Kashmiris meet our leaders in an indirect form," Kasuri said when asked about Track-II talks to reach an understanding on the Kashmir issue. "We would have preferred a direct Kashmiri participation," he added. Kasuri was Pakistan's chief points person for talks with India during the rule of then president Pervez Musharraf.

he European Union (EU) is sending a fact-finding mission to Union “get a broader and better understanding about Jammu TJammu and Kashmir, the first after the assembly elections and Kashmir”. Much has changed since the first EU Troika in December 2008, which recorded a 62 per cent turnout, mission, when the separatists hailed it as a result of their surprising both the national and international communities. efforts to draw international attention after militancy erupted The Troika mission will comprise Sweden, Spain and France in Kashmir in 1990. Later, ambassadors of many Islamic and and will be headed by the ambassador of the Czech Republic, western nations, including the US and the UK, visited the Hynek Kmonicek. It will visit both the Kashmir Valley and the Valley. This time, the mood in the state is essentially reflective Jammu region. of the changing scenario, with the focus increasingly shifting Although since 1994, this has been a regular annual feature, a towards economic issues. After the Mumbai attacks, Pakistan's source in the EU establishment here, who refused to be admission that terror groups had used its soil also helped named, said the fact-finding mission would help the European change the perspective in Kashmir, political observers said.

POLITICS

Ruling coalition survives

first roadblock

PEACE PROCESS

Kasuri blames ‘the bad luck'

PEACE PROCESS

EU to study J-K poll impact


ndia and Pakistan engaged in nearly three years of Isecret high-level talks that narrowly missed

achieving a historic breakthrough over Kashmir,

according to a report in the New Yorker. The effort

which began in 2004 stalled in 2007, and the prospects

for a settlement were further undermined by deadly

terrorist attacks on Mumbai in November, the

Washington Post said Sunday said citing an article by

investigative journalist Steve Coll set for publication in

New Yorker magazine's March 2 issue. The attempt

ultimately failed, not because of substantive

differences, Coll writes, but because declining political

fortunes left then Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf

without the clout he needed to sell the agreement at

home. Although Musharraf fought for the deal he

became so weakened politically that he “couldn't sell

himself”, let alone a surprise peace deal with India,

Coll says, quoting senior Pakistani and Indian officials.

Coll, a former Washington Post managing editor, writes

that the resolution of the Kashmir issue was the

cornerstone of a broad agreement that would have

represented a “paradigm shift” in relations between

India and Pakistan: a moving away from decades of

hostility to acceptance and peaceful trade. Under the

plan, the Kashmir conflict would have been resolved

through the creation of an autonomous region in which

local residents could move freely and conduct trade on

both sides of the territorial boundary.

According to Coll's account, the secret negotiations

consisted of about two dozen meetings in hotel rooms in

various overseas locations. The sessions revolved around

developing a document known as a “non-paper”,

diplomatic jargon for a negotiated text that bears no

names or signatures and can “serve as a deniable but

detailed basis for a deal”, the article says.

The US and British governments were aware of the talks

and offered low-key support and advice but otherwise

elected to let India and Pakistan settle their disputes

unaided, the article says.

Relations - and hopes for resuming the peace initiative -

began a downward slide after Musharraf left office, it

said. In Kashmir, anti-India fighters began an aggressive

campaign of public demonstrations and terrorist attacks

that seemed designed, Coll writes, to send a message:

“Musharraf is gone, but the Kashmir war is alive.”

he J&K State Assembly on February conveyed its greetings Tto the famous musician AR Rehman and other team

members of the movie Slumdog Millionaire for winning the

prestigious and internationally acclaimed Oscar awards. The

House unanimously expressed its goodwill and congratulations

to Mr. Rehman and his team members for doing the country

proud by winning the Oscars. Leader of the BJP Legislature

Party, Mr. Chaman Lal Gupta drew the attention of the Chair

to the achievement of Mr. A. R. Rehman and other team

members of Slumdog Millionaire and suggested that a message

of felicitation should go out to them from the House. The

Speaker, Mohammad Akbar Lone welcomed the suggestion and

the House adopted the felicitation message which read as

under: “This House unanimously expressed its goodwill and

congratulations to AR Rehman, renowned musician and the

other team members for receiving the prestigious Oscar

Awards and earning fame for the Nation in recognition to their

outstanding work in the Movie namely, Slumdog Millionaire”.

HONOURS TO INDIAN DREAM

J&K Assembly's ovation to

Slumdog millionaire team


PEACE PROCESS

Narrowly missed

Kashmir accord


he centuries-old carpet industry of Kashmir is facing a the finished product to the market from its weaving stage," Tsevere crisis in the wake of the global economic Mirza said. Saying the slowdown in the market would continue

slowdown, endangering the livelihood of over 150,000 for at least two years, Mirza urged the government to help the

industry. "This is the most appropriate time for the weavers. Industry leaders are expecting a sharp fall in government to look into the matter and work out some kind of domestic sales as well as exports this fiscal as demand is package to safeguard not only the interests of the weavers but falling. also those of the exporters and local retailers in the country," "Last year, the total sales of Kashmiri carpets (including he said. exports) were Rs.500-600 crore (Rs.5-6 billion). This year, it is Weavers also expressed concern over the worsening economic feared the sales would hardly touch around Rs.200 crore (Rs.2 scenario. "If the industry fails, I would have to starve since I billion)," said Ahsan Mirza, a local carpet exporter. "This is a have no other means of sustenance," said Abdul Rehman, a 46-huge slowdown that threatens the very existence of the carpet year-old weaver from Kanihama village of central Kashmir. industry in Kashmir," he said.

Zubair Ahmad, director of the Indian Institute of Carpet Exquisitely designed and handmade, Kashmiri carpets have Technology (IICT), said the institute was providing "all been the proud possession of many a connoisseur of art and technical support" to the industry to weather the crisis. luxury around the world. There are more than 30,000 carpet

weaving looms in the valley from which over 150,000 local "While we are there to go all out to provide the technical weavers earn their livelihood. "There are 300 to 400 carpet support to the industry, I would suggest the government should showrooms in the country where the local carpets are seriously address the problem. The value-added tax (VAT) has displayed and sold. The global economic crisis and the already been abolished, now the government should provide aftermath of the Mumbai terror attacks have dealt a serious soft loans to the weavers, manufacturers and exporters," blow to our industry," Mirza said. Ahmad said.

Apart from the weavers, nearly 25,000 people are also "The state-owned Handicrafts Development Corporation has a depending on the industry to find a source of income. "These network of sale outlets throughout the country. The people are associated with the industry as dyers, washermen corporation must also engage itself in sustaining the industry and other processing people, who are responsible for bringing so that it comes out of the present crisis," he added.

was reproduced in February issue ritish foreign secretary David B of Epilogue) during his India trip, Miliband has publicly Miliband had said, “The best accepted that he was antidote to the terrorist threat in undiplomatic on the India tour, the long term is cooperation. after facing severe criticism for Although I understand the current linking the Mumbai attacks to the difficulties, resolution of the Kashmir issue.

The British Foreign Secretary has dispute over Kashmir would help

apologised for his remarks linking deny extremists in the region one

the Mumbai terror attacks to of their main calls to arms, and

Kashmir. In an interview to the allow Pakistani authorities to

New Statesman he has been focus more effectively on tackling

quoted as saying: “Look, you learn everyday in this job. the threat on their western borders.”His comments had drawn a lot of flak from many quarters You've got to try and take that forward. I know words in Indian media and abroad, alleging lack of understanding matter in diplomacy.”

In an article he wrote in the daily The Guardian (which of the Kashmir issue.

BUSINESS & ECONOMY

Recession hits Kashmir's carpet industry

DIPLOMACY

Apologetic Miliband corrects Kashmir stance



he eleventh leg is lat ive Nabi Azad took over as Chief Tassembly, elected through the Minister he set a new trend by

recent November-December 2008 advancing the budget session to

elections, is currently in its first January. He just i f ied th i s

session. Conventionally it is called unprecedented development with

the budget session of the state the claim that an advanced budget

legislature but the present ruling session will enable the government

coalition is coming up with a Vote on to avail more time for developmental

Account for three months instead of works. Nowhere in the country are

a regular budget. Continuing with such practices put in place. And

the bad precedence set by the interestingly, later Azad himself

previous regime, the government would say that most of the funds

has reduced duration of session to earmarked for developmental

mere 11 sittings. Over past few years works are lapsed due to an

the ruling regimes in the state have inefficient bureaucracy. While his

been blatantly compromising the s t a t e m e n t o n i n e f f i c i e n t

precedents and conventions in bureaucracy needs to be dealt with

fixing durations of the sessions. It separately but he must have

had all begun with the formation of understood later that advancing

the Peoples Democratic Party- budget session and reducing its

Congress coalition government in period could never have made

2002 when the ruling establishment anyone efficient. For six years the

made first compromise with timing and the period of the session

established norm of budget present of legislature has remained more or

presentation and went through the less a process to suit the whims and

mode of a Vote on Account for three fancies of the ruling regime. The

months. While the decision on Vote new government has also continued

on Account was itself bad in taste as the same practice with a Vote on

the government had come into Account and a session reduced to

shape in November and it had five mare eleven sittings. At least the

months in hand to study finances first session of new assembly should

and present a full budget but the have kept enough time for the new

Finance Minister said that he legislators to understand the

wanted more time 'to set this things legislature and talk about the

right'. Not only that the precedence issues of importance. When Omar

of full budget presentation was Abdullah took over as a Chief

unjustifiably compromises with, Minister he made a highly

the government also reduced the encouraging state on continuing

assembly session to two weeks to the good practices of the previous

complete a mere formality. coalition government reviewing

Opposition cried hoarse at this those which were not really good

decision but it is worst that even in the public. In this context the Chief

case of legislature it is the ruling Minister should have first picked up

establishment which has the last the duration of the assembly

laugh and not the legislature, per session for review renewed the

se. in following years many such practice that was in place till 2002

compromises were made with when his father Dr Farooq Abdullah

absolute arrogance. When Ghulam was the Chief Minister.

midst a growing concern on the Ahuman rights violations, Chief

Minister Omar Abdullah has indicted

that he will repeal the Armed Forces

Special Powers Act and Disturbed

Areas Act 'if the situation continued to

improve' in Kashmir. He told legislative

assembly that his government will not

tolerate the killing of innocent

persons, at any cost, whoever the

killers might be, adding that the "if

the situation continues to improve the

way it has been improving, the

coalition government will work

towards withdrawal of laws like AFSPA

and Disturbed Areas Act in Jammu and

Kashmir."

Meanwhile, criticising the government

in Jammu and Kashmir for failing to

release detenues, the breakaway

Hurriyat Conference (HC) today said

more than 1,500 separatists are

languishing in different jails in and

outside the state for years. A

spokesman for the HC Aiyaz Akbar said

despite assurance by Chief Minister

Omar Abdullah before and after the

Assembly elections that detenues

would be released, nothing has been

done so far. He said instead those

released by court were being re-

arrested and booked under the Public

Safety Act (PSA). Aiyaz said more than

1,500 Kashmiris, including 40 HC

leaders, were arrested under the PSA

and other laws, since the election

process started in the Valley. He

expressed concern over the continued

arrest of senior Hurriyat leaders,

including Shabir Ahmad Shah and

Masarat Alam.

UPHOLDING HUMAN RIGHTS

CM hints stripping

forces of powers


GOVERNMENT

Undermining the legislature


N O T E B O O K

4 Essential Stories

AWARDED: Six years after he was acquitted of espionage

charges, Kashmiri journalist IFTIKHAR GILANI's Urdu translation

of his own book was in February selected for the Sahitya

Akademi award. Gilani, who spent seven months in Tihar jail,

wrote a memoir of his days in incarceration - My Days in Prison.

He translated it in Urdu under the

title, Tihar kay Shab-o-roz, with

renowned author Nusrat Zaheer who

specialises in satire. The book is the

first-ever book taken out by Penguin

in Urdu. Gilani's book was among 16

awarded by Sahitya Akademi in the

translation category. The honour

carries Rs 20,000 in cash and an

engraved copper plaque. The award

will be formally given sometime in

August this year. Gilani, the son-in-

law of Kashmiri separatist leader

Syed Ali Shah Geelani, was picked up

by the security agencies in June 2002 from his Delhi residence

on charges of espionage. He was accused of providing

information to Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence. Amidst

widespread media furore, he was acquitted by the court in

January 2003 but not before spending a harrowing seven months

in Tihar jail.

ELECTED: Mehbooba Mufti was elected as

leader of the Peoples Democratic Party

legislature party in the assembly and later as

leader of the Opposition in the House.

Representing Wachi segment in the assembly,

she resigned her South Kashmir Lok Sabha seat

to accept the new challenge

}

}

APPOINTED: It was like politics

coming full circle for the senior

Congress leader GHULAM NABI AZAD

when he regained his lost position in

New Delhi. One of the longest

serving members of members of the

Congress Working

Committ ee and

General Secretar

y, Azad had to

lose all these

positions in 2001

when he was

made J- K unit

Chief of the

Congress . After

many ups and downs, Azad has again

been made AICC General Secretary.

With a seat in Rajya Sabha, he is

back to the national politics where

his earlier inning spanned over 20

ELECTED: Former

Deputy Speaker,

advocate and

senior politician

MOHAMMAD AKBAR

LONE was on

February 25

unanimously

elected as Speaker

of the 11th

Legislative

Assembly on the

inaugural day of

the Budget

Session. Minister

for Finance, Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Abdul Rahim

Rather proposed the name of Lone for the post of Speaker

and Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand seconded the

proposal. Speaker Pro-tem, Chowdhary Mohammad

Aslam sought vote in favour of Lone, who got

unanimously elected by a voice vote. After being

elected as the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly,

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, Pro-tem Speaker

Chowdhary Mohammad Aslam, PDP Legislature

Party Chief Mehbooba Mufti and BJP

Legislature Party Chief Prof. Chaman

Lal Gupta escorted Lone to the

Chair of the Speaker.


under non-stop violent state. They want he return of democracy has peace, and peace is where rule of law truly brought about a under a democratic government is. change to the state echoing Also, they realize how and why Pakistan what Barack Obama said T has been dragging them into the about his victory in the US quagmire of death and destruction in presidential election. The message the name of secession. from the Valley is loud and clear: people

have wholeheartedly accepted Indian

democracy and rejected the separatists By choosing democratic government the

who have been waging war on their people have opted for development,

behalf. But are we sensitive about the rather than conflict, violence and

injured psyche of the people of Kashmir, bloodshed that have taken a heavy toll of

who have undergone torturous 15 long their social and economic development.

years of the violent state of affairs? In comparison to other states, J&K lags

Shunning the call for azadi, common far behind on the development front

people have realized that there is more with tourism, the backbone of Valley's

scope for peaceful existence under a economy, badly hit over the years.

democratic government than in Hopes of economic and political

responding to the bloody call for stability that could be revived under an

secession. Above all, the people, over able government have been kindled

all these years, have found themselves once again. A genuine development can

at the receiving end and pushed to the be possible only when there is a

brink of brutal living at the hands of the complete end to the violent ways that

militants and the security forces; people have opted for in this election.

hence, they preferred change for a

peaceful and prosperous Kashmir. The Now the onus is on the governments – high voter turnout underlines the fact both Central as the State – to take that the policies of secessionists are forward the pledge and democratic negated, as people are tired of living initiative that people have taken. We

Message from Kashmir to New Delhi

M SHAMSUR RABB KHAN

How should the State as well as the Centre ensure lasting peace, individual security and overall development in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) when the people overwhelmingly voted for a democratic government? This is a crucial question before both, the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. In a changed political scenario, there is a greater need for focused approach towards building people's confidence and creating an atmosphere of rule of law, ensuring people's rights, pushing economic development as the key factors in response to the successful completion of the seven-phase Assembly elections in November-December 2008 in the state.

EGNELLAHC I N K A S H M I R

Understand the Pain


have speeches, comments and writings the Army at Bomai-Sopore and

on the victory of democracy in J&K that mysterious death of Shabir Ahmad

augurs well for India not only in the Shiekh, a close relative of J&K

sense that it has heralded a new era Liberation Front chief Yasin Malik has

but also in that the people have once again tr iggered mass ive

opted for a political solution through demonstrations across the state with

the ballot, not the bullet. New Delhi people demanding action against the

must heed the message from the accused army personnel, and has once

valley that people have been trapped again may reopen the wounds that the

between a hostile army and the people want to forget. The brutal

m i l i t a n t s a n d h a v e f a c e d intimidation of youths sparked off

unprecedented sufferings and losses protestors across the valley with angry

in the form of serious human rights citizens chanting pro-freedom and anti-

violations since 1989. They want India slogans and clashed with police

peace, security and development. and CRPF. Police recovered the body of

Shiekh, a resident of Maisuma and an

auto-driver by profession had not But the killing of two youth allegedly by

The killing of two youth allegedly by the Army at Bomai-Sopore and mysterious death of Shabir Ahmad Shiekh, a close relative of J&K Liberation Front chief Yasin Malik has once again triggered massive demonstrations across the state with people demanding action against the accused army personnel, and has once again reopened the wounds that the people want to forget

EGNELLAHC I N K A S H M I RUnderstand the Pain

Funeral procession of a youth killed by security forces in Kashmir


returned home. Accord ing to Since 2006, the graves of at least 940 pronounced the event 'unfortunate', but

preliminary investigation, he was people, for example, are reported to it left the people bleeding with rage and

strangulated and his body did not have have been discovered in 18 villages in alination. While the army claimed that

any other marks. Uri district alone, while 1,051 people those found buried were armed rebels

have been 'disappeared' in Baramulla and foreign militants killed lawfully in

district alone in the past 18 years. One armed encounters, the report If the government does not act fast in such alleged massacre, as reported in recounts testimonies from local punishing the guilty, this incident might the Time magazine, occurred on 6 villagers saying that most buried were turn out be a big issues, and most likely January 1993 at Sopore to which it local residents hailing from the state. would be taken over the separatists.

The report alleges that more than Breaking from the past practices, Omar-8,000 persons have gone missing in led government must hold security J&K since 1989. In 2006, a state police forces accountable for human rights report confirmed the deaths in custody violations as an important confidence-of 331 persons, and also 111 enforced building measure to promote lasting disappearances following detention peace and ensure that those who since 1989. commit abuses are investigated and

appropriately prosecuted for their

crimes. Unless there is a complete end W h i l e t h e p e o p l e s u f f e r

to human rights abuses, there can be no unprecendented atrocities, officials

lasting political settlement in J&K. enjoy impunity for torture, deaths in

Oma, in this context, can work towards custody, abductions and unlawful

repealing laws such as the Jammu and k i l l i n g s . A l b e i t t h e r a t e o f

Kashmir Disturbed Areas Act, the Armed disappearance has gone down from 60 in

Forces (Jammu and Kashmir) Special 2006 to 9 in 2007, the grim security

Powers Act, and the Public Safety Act. situation still haunts the people. In May

These laws provide the armed forces last year, the J&K High Court directed

with extraordinary powers to search, the state police to file murder charges

detain, and use lethal force, leading to against 11 officials of the ITBP in

numerous human rights violations in connection with the disappearance of

addition to providing immunity for Ashraf Ahmad Koka, a resident of Gond,

security forces. in October 2001.

A September 2006 report, 'Everyone Because of militancy in J&K, the

Lives in Fear: Pattern of Impunity in financial condition of the state is in

Jammu and Kashmir' found that the shamble with hardly any serious move

army as well as the militants, many on improving the key development

backed by Pakistan, were responsible indicators. For example, nearly 40 per

for human rights abuses in J&K. cent of the 2008-09 budget of Rs 18,400

According to Amnesty International h a s b e e n s p e n t o n p u b l i c

(April 2008), Hundreds of unidentified administration, while tax revenues

graves – believed to contain victims of account for just 20 per cent of the total

unlawful killings, enforced disappea- expenditure. The government, with

rances, torture and other abuses – have bloated bureaucracy at the helm of

been found in J&K. a fair investigation described as: "In retaliation for the affairs, hardly initiates any move to

to all these human rights violations killing of one soldier, paramilitary investment in key sectors. The state has

might give the people a belief in rule of forces rampaged through Sopore's recently lost excise duty refund from

law and justice system, besides paving market setting buildings ablaze and the central government, for example,

the way for an end to separatist calls. shooting bystanders. The government in the 2008-09 budgets, the Centre

Since 1990, the Armed Forces

Act, which gives special powers

to the army, has been enforced

in J&K. Besides endangering

the human rights, this Act has

badly affected the state's

economy, which is mostly

dependent on farming, animal

husbandry and tourism. With

the Act in force, people have

been denied to earn livelihood

in sectors like sericulture, cold

water fisheries, wood which is

used to make high-quality

cricket bats, popularly known

as Kashmir Willow, saffron.

Though exports from the state

amounted to Rs. 1,150 crore in

2005-06, industrial

development faces several

major constraints including

extreme mountainous

landscape and power shortage



restricted this refund to the value- cricket bats, popularly known as unmatched sufferings and their

addition done by factories located in Kashmir Willow, saffron. Though sorrowful daily life. Unlike the people

J&K. After the Prime Minister's exports from the state amounted to Rs. like General S K Sinha, the previous last

Reconstruction Package for J&K in 2002, 1,150 crore in 2005-06, industrial governor, who stirred the pot by

the state received nearly Rs 5,000 crore development faces several major allotting a large plot of land to the

investments from outside, but with the constra ints inc luding extreme Amarnath Shrine Board, New Delhi must

central government diluting the mountainous landscape and power reachout to the Kashmiri people with a

incentive half-way into its promised shortage. In a positive development, large heart and motherly affection. No

tenure, the feasibility of the investors' however, Omar Abdullah has started the matter how violently we disagree with

units in the state has gone awry. development process by putting their ideas, or how angry we are about

economy before politics. He visited Pakistani misadventure, given the

Mumbai recently to fetch India Inc. to human rights abuses committed by our Since 1990, the Armed Forces Act, which invest in the state though he will have to own men in uniform and unabated gives special powers to the army, has move mountains, sometimes literally, violence that India has inflicted on the been enforced in J&K. Besides to get J&K on the list of preferred people could lead to pro-Pakistan endangering the human rights, this Act locations for investors. slogans or the call for azadi, else all's has badly affected the state's economy,

well if the government in Delhi works which is mostly dependent on farming, well. animal husbandry and tourism. With the While wise men talk on TV about

Act in force, people have been denied menace of terrorism in J&K and write

to earn livelihood in sectors like everything about keeping the integrity But there is a way. To keep the Kashmiri

sericulture, cold water fisheries, wood of the state intact, hardly anyone points alienation at abeyance and bring

which is used to make high-quality to the plight of the people, their normalcy back to the troubled state,

New Delhi, in close

cooperation with

O m a r A b d u l l a h ,

needs to put an end

to regular human

rights violations and

push forward the

development agenda

to in addition to

healing the wounds

of those who have

suffered. The land

called Kashmir that

always fascinates

all, and many of us,

who Kashmir Ki Kali,

c a n a g r e e h o w

b e a u t i f u l a n d

innocent the land is.

So are the people.

On ly a f r i end ly

government in New

Delhi could feel the

pain, the trauma

and the terror -

stricken citizens.


Separatists laking a march towards UN Office in Srinagar.


First and foremost in human life comes ife at the level of an the instinct for survival and basic individual or a society has physical requirements for living. Karl some paradoxical challenges Marx says, 'We eat before we begin to that need to be dealt with. L think.' Even religious scriptures Human needs are plural, including the Islamic, recognize this multifaceted and hierarchical in terms hierarchy. For example, for a hungry of their importance to a person or a person in desperation, Islam withdraws group depending on their subjective the distinction between Halal and placement. All living creatures have Haram (permitted and forbidden). The certain instinctive urges placed within Shariah has different provisions for them by nature for their security and people placed in different situations. survival. For example, a hungry Life is not a one-dimensional reality. For person's first priority is food, in cold l iv ing a good l i fe there are conditions one strives for warmth, multidimensional requirements. But it unemployed looks for a job, employed all begins from the basic needs of would seek better terms of service, human living that is food and shelter poor seek minimum means to survive and everything that facilitates the with food and shelter, prosperous look process of meeting basic need for for luxury and status, so on so forth. In survival and physical comfort for human fact, it is subjective placement that beings. This survival and physical determines one's interests and comfort is prerequisite for a common pr io r i t i ze s our ob ject i ves o f man to strive for higher ideals of life. observation, attention and striving. Therefore, as in our situation, common

man can be legitimately concerned So we need to understand that the about the means of living. He has to human needs are not only plural but seek employment, wants improvement these are also hierarchical in character.

Looking at theLessons of 2008

PROFESSOR NOOR AHMED BABA


Political Aspirations

During the June-July 2008, we witnessed a popular uprising in Kashmir against the Amaranth Land

transfer. This saw a high degree of mobilization of people converging into a movement for

independence and political emancipation. Towards the later part of the year, we witnessed people

participating in the electoral process in reasonably good numbers. At the face of it, these two

developments look to be paradoxical and somewhat antithetical to each other. However, slightly

deeper introspection into the developments should make us understand that the two reflected two

different facets of human living. Such paradoxes are a normal feature in human societies.


in infrastructure, needs roads, bridges, i n te l lec tua l pover ty, l ack o f Compared to them the parties that are

electricity, and requires health and the understanding for the complexities of known as mainstream in Kashmir have

educational services available in good leading a political movement in the face exhibited a better appreciation of

quality and at reasonable distance. of its associated challenges. They have common man's concerns. Whatever

These constitute the core of needs for no answers for common man's common their degree of sincerity they have been

any society, in contemporary times, concerns. Instead of being helpful their able to approach common person in

including the Kashmiri. Beyond the Kashmir as his well wisher caring not

physical needs, comes the quest for only for his basic needs but also for

honorable status both individually and higher and long term political

collectively. This in the context of aspirations for emancipation. It was Mr.

Kashmir includes the fulfillment of Mufti Mohammad Sayeed and his party

political aspirations rooted in special that from the early years of its

circumstances that Kashmir has gone emergence in this mil lennium

through for last more than 60 years. It is introduced a new idiom to politics in

natural for Kashmiri community to seek Kashmir. While approaching people, he

fulfillment of its basic needs along with and his party exhibited capacity to

its quest for political emancipation. bridge the different levels of societal

Unfortunately, the political leadership needs in Kashmir. While seeking

in Kashmir particularly the ones who mandate for day to day governance, he

claim to be the true representatives of also spoke of attending to different

the popular aspirations have failed to aspects of political aspirations of the

t a k e c o g n i z a n c e o f t h e people, be it related to their

multifacetedness of the human needs of e m p o w e r m e n t , c r o s s b o r d e r

the society that they claim to interaction, peace building between

represent. Their understanding of India and Pakistan, redressing the pain

politics has been naïve and shallow. and misery of common man, spoke of

Since most of them have all essential demilitarization and repealing the

services available they are unable to repressive laws enforced in the state.

appreciate the genuine concerns of the Even the National Conference taking a

common man. Most of them enjoy leaf from this example improved its

physical security from the State while discourse on politics. This party also

as the common man is vulnerable to speaks of promoting peace process and

both state and non state coercive mechanism for addressing Kashmir issue

agencies. They enjoy reasonable saying that elections are no substitute

degree of security in food and shelter to resolving Kashmir issue on permanent

while as the majority of the common basis and talks of promoting dialogue at

people have to strive hard to secure different levels for addressing the issue.

these. The common man craves for So the mandate for the present chief-

the elementary health service minister is twofold. One, he must

available within his locality as he or address the day to day and the mundane

she cannot afford the luxury of concerns (like meeting the basic style of politics many a times hampers getting specialized treatment either economic needs and catering to the interests of these very people. Their in Delhi or abroad. That is why while physical infrastructural development) type of politics undermines working l e ad i n g peop l e f o r p o l i t i c a l of the common person. That includes atmosphere of the poor and vulnerable, emancipation; they completely ignored even securing long term development of and affects (has a negative bearing on) the legitimate and mundane concerns the state and safeguarding and securing the interest of the school going children of common man in Kashmir. Their its rich assets and legitimate interests. and the ill in desperate need of health understanding of politics exhibits their Second, he and his government must services.

EGNELLAHC I N K A S H M I RPolitical Aspirations

It is natural for Kashmiri community to seek fulfillment of its basic needs along with its quest for political emancipation. Unfortunately, the political leadership in Kashmir particularly the ones who claim to be the true representatives of the popular aspirations have failed to take cognizance of the multifacetedness of the human needs of the society that they claim to represent. Their understanding of politics has been naïve and shallow. Since most of them have all essential services available they are unable to appreciate the genuine concerns of the common man. Most of them enjoy physical security from the State while as the common man is vulnerable to both state and non state coercive agencies.


also try to address political concerns of sustained and long term political and collective introspection aimed at

the common Kashmiri. It may include campaign. Most of the people on this assessing the situation around and

helping to bring peace process between camp lack capacity to understand finding out ways and means of

India and Pakistan back on the track; complexities and intricacies of political optimizing their capacity to secure

giving relief to people by reducing the struggle and the forces it has to contend maximum out of the people's sacrifices.

presence of and or relocating military with. It has not been able to optimize its Exhibit a degree of dynamism in relation

and paramilitary forces and working for strength and inspire common man by to requirements of the situation

withdrawing repressive laws that grant i t s s e l f l e s s n e s s . T h e y h a v e around. Introspection does not mean

immunity to the security agencies. demonstrated their lack of capacity to addressing only people, emotional

Prisoners held in different jails without coordinate and live together for larger outburst or self portraying, it means an

the due process of law need to be common objectives. They have also intense thinking at a select level

released. Common person's sense of failed to reconcile their individual involving, critiquing one's own self and

security needs to be restored. He needs egos and identity with the collective finding answers to the complex

to pursue the restoration of the good. Many of them want exclusively questions that confront us individually

autonomy with requisite amendments only top slot in politics. They do not or collectively. This introspection

for widening its contours and correcting realize that such a status is not sought cannot be done in public meetings. It

the flaws because of which it was easy but bestowed by people for their own has to be done selectively and

to erode it. assessment of their leaders. There are confidentially by people who matter in

exceptions that have not been public life involving also those who have

incorporated sufficiently into the capacity to raise questions and strive Compared to this, different segments of collective struggle. Intelligent and for answers to questions that are Hurriyat leadership lacked the capacity resourceful are often pushed out. There difficult. It cannot happen in moments; to appreciate and address the different in no institutional and organizational it may have to go close door for days till levels of people's aspirations. Their arrangement for contact with people at something satisfactory comes out and conduct of politics has made the their door steps. Today the challenge may have to be repeated periodically as common man in Kashmir to suffer more for them is to go for a kind of intense a regular feature. and have failed to motivate him for a

EGNELLAHC I N K A S H M I RPolitical Aspirations

1. Place of Publication Madrasa Lane, Bathindi Top, Jammu 2. Periodicity of its publication Monthly 3. Printer’s Name

Whether Citizen of India Address

Zafar Iqbal Choudhary Yes Madrasa Lane, Bathindi Top, Jammu

4. Publisher’s Name Whether Citizen of India Address


5. a) Editor’s Name Whether Citizen of India Address


6. Name and Addresses of individual who own the Newspapers

Zafar Iqbal Choudhary Madrasa Lane, Bathindi Top, Jammu

I, Zafar Iqbal Choudhary, hereby declare that the particulars given above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief. Sd/- Date : February, 2009 Zafar Iqbal Choudhary Publisher

STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP AND OTHER PARTICULARS OF EPILOGUE, JAMMU AS REQUIRED UNDER RULE 8 OF THE REGISTRATION OF NEWSPAPERS (CENTRAL) RULES, 1956

FORM – IV (See Rule 8)

February 28, 2009


agents. It further leads to the probing of he conflict, which is going on from their roles in a situation as also their almost two decades now, in Jammu T capacity to engage into different a n d K a s h m i r a n d i s t h e processes. A gender analysis of conflict manifestation of both the internal as well situation deviates from stereotypical as external factors, is defined by interpretations of men's and women's ascendancy of gun on the one hand and roles and identities by appreciating their the political expression of separatism on experiences and needs at the times of the other. It has placed people of Kashmir conflicts. Conventionally, some groups in a variety of roles, as victims of violence, like women and children are thought to be as perpetrators of conflict, as active excluded from combat both as agents of militancy as well as separatists, participants and targets but, the facts and as sympathisers of the movement, etc. figures of any conflict present a different Along with a number of militant picture. Today these traditionally organisations, numerous separatist excluded groups form the majority of organizations have been floated. Besides civilian deaths and are increasingly these, there are a number of civil society becoming targets of war activities. In the organizations, NGOs, peacemakers, etc. wake of the increased involvement of There are diverse realities of women and traditionally excluded groups in different men in Kashmir conflict and having an idea ways in the conflict situation, it's of them can go a long way in recognizing important to explore the varied and gender specific experiences as vital unconventional roles played by women in resources in analysis of conflict. Kashmir conflict and the need to study the Gender, which refers to the role and Kashmir conflict with a gender identities of the men and women perspective. prescribed by society, as a tool of analysis

makes us to question the differences In Kashmir, men were the first ones to take between values and perceptions carried arms and hence, the first ones to target by men and women as social and political

Analysing Conflict throughGender Perspective

VIBHUTI UBBOT


Invisible Players

In the broader discourse the conflict in Kashmir –militancy, separatist politics, and resistance –is seen as exclusive domain of the man. However, the hindsight reveals a larger role of the women. Thousands of them are engaged in invisible yet the most arduous roles that go on become the essential part as also the essential fallout of the conflict. Many of them are the sole breadwinner of their families, many are in perpetual search of their missing husbands and sons and a significant number of them are the well defined part of resistance movement.


and get targeted. But it is armed conflict in Kashmir and

difficult to say that conflict the necessity of women

here, like elsewhere, has assuming the role of bread

been devoid of role of winner and the head of the

women. They may not be household, gender and

visible in the same form as pat r i a rcha l h ie ra rch ie s

men or may not be taking up underwent a reshuffling. The

similar role as men. But they new s o c i a l o r de r wa s

may be essential part of the particularly welcome as the

conflict and their activism previously existing social

may be manifested in institutions started collapsing

different forms as compared in the wake of missing men and

to the activism of men. A d i s turbed env i ronment.

range of expectations and Women learned new skills and

investments are attached took up all sorts of jobs.

with the social position of Women's traditional roles of

Woman (and the associated being nurturers under the

categories of wife, mother motherist narratives got

and daughter). Women are expanded in the situation. The

the traditional carriers of women started controlling

their families and that's what resources. But the process of

keeps their activism alive. In this patriarchal bargain didn't

many cases of conflict, it go much further. While

becomes clear that when the patriarchal rigidities loosen up

men are in fight, women do during the conflict situation,

not sit inside. In Kashmir too, there is always a possibility

women are active in many that deep within, gender

ways. They come out h ierarchies and deeply

searching for their men, anchored patriarchies at

confront authorities and different levels are sustained.

make every use of their Though the extent of change in

disempowered positions to the nature of patriarchy in

negotiate with them and Kashmir still remains to be

their invisibility to move discovered, women have

around. It has been often continued to form a very

found that women are important part o f the

preferred agents to be sent resistance and protest politics

to the police stations and in Kashmir.

talk to the police officers,

when there is a need to do Throughout the last six so. It is in the process of d e c a d e s , w o m e n h a v e women acquiring new roles projected themselves as the during the conflict situation face of the protest in Kashmir's that the very nature of Politics. They have been Patriarchy starts changing v i s i b l e i n a l l t h e

demonstrations and have been

in the forefront in all the Patriarchy changed its agitations – whether it was the nature in a variety of ways in agitation during the loss of the Kashmir. With the onset of

EGNELLAHC I N K A S H M I RInvisible Players

Patriarchy changed its nature in a variety of ways in

Kashmir. With the onset of armed conflict in Kashmir

and the necessity of women assuming the role of bread

winner and the head of the household, gender and

patriarchal hierarchies underwent a reshuffling. The

new social order was particularly welcome as the

previously existing social institutions started

collapsing in the wake of missing men and disturbed

environment. Women learned new skills and took up

all sorts of jobs. Women's traditional roles of being

nurturers under the motherist narratives got

expanded in the situation. The women started

controlling resources. But the process of this

patriarchal bargain didn't go much further. While

patriarchal rigidities loosen up during the conflict

situation, there is always a possibility that deep

within, gender hierarchies and deeply anchored

patriarchies at different levels are sustained. Though

the extent of change in the nature of patriarchy in

Kashmir still remains to be discovered, women have

continued to form a very important part of the

resistance and protest politics in Kashmir.

Mothers of missing youths staging a protest demonstrationMothers of missing youths staging a protest demonstration


holy relic in early sixties, or during the been visible in any kind of protest their educational and other kinds of

rallies of Sheikh Abdullah when he against the agents of the State and in the freedom have been strongly resisted by

would be released from the jail till mid process, they themselves have emerged women. Failure of various attempts to

seventies. In the later period also, they as a powerful agency in the state. veil women of Kashmir shows the silent

have been active participants in the but powerful resistance of women to

movement politics. However, it is also the forces of religious fundamentalism. The experience of armed conflict for important to note that the participation There is another, altogether different women cannot be built upon a single of women in protest politics has not kind of agency of women as manifested discourse. They have variety of ways to been t r an s fo rmed i n to the i r in their active role in the militancy. formulate their objectives as social emancipation and empowerment in Dukhtarane Millat and the Muslim actors. In case of Kashmir, for instance, public spaces. The fact that women have Khawateen Markaz are the two women one can refer to two absolutely not been able to make any impact in the organizations which saw their different dimensions of the expression formal political activities, especially emergence in spontaneous phase of the of women's agency. In one case, women those related to the power politics, movement and are the symbols of the have forcefully but silently expressed makes this very clear. In contrast to the entities breaking away from the usual, their agency by opposing the large number of women protestors, the being able to put up a woman face to fundamentalist forces and their number of women who contest elections the resistance. They staged massive attempt to talibanise the Kashmiri or who get elected has been very small. protests against the state and supported society and impose moral and cultural However, despite the l imited the movement with all their might. These codes. All attempts to put obstacles on participation of women in formal organizations have played important role the mobility of women, and curbs on political activities, it is in breaking the male monopoly

important to analyse their over militancy. However, these

participation in protest organizations have also

activities. contributed in reinforcing the

moral and cultural codes

inhibiting the freedom and the Women have been in the movement of women. Though forefront in the present taking women into the very stage of resistance politics male world of conflict and which started in 1989. In leading it from the front, these fact, it has been the active organizations have not been support of women to the bothered about the issues militancy due to which it was involving women like rape as legitimized in the initial weapon of war, woman rights p e r i o d . C o n s i d e r i n g and many more. On the militants as 'our boys' who contrary, these organizations, were doing heroic jobs, the guided by sectarian norms women all over the Valley of have tried to put women in Kashmir generated a mass veils in Kashmir. Hence, support to the armed conflict can be seen as a period struggle. During early of intense renegotiations nineties, when the mass between men and women in support in favour o f which new bargains based on militancy and separatism new resources are struck. The was demonstrated through fundamental rules of gender huge mass rallies, women relations come into question in were actively involved in it. conflict but shedding light on Throughout the period of this dynamics is very important militancy, in fact, women for holistic understanding of have become the symbol of the situation.the mass protest. They have

EGNELLAHC I N K A S H M I RInvisible Players

Dukhtarane Millat and the Muslim Khawateen Markaz are the two women organizations which saw their emergence in spontaneous phase of the movement and are the symbols of the entities breaking away from the usual, being able to put up a woman face to the resistance. They staged massive protests against the state and supported the movement with all their might. These organizations have played important role in breaking the male monopoly over militancy. However, these organizations have also contributed in reinforcing the moral and cultural codes inhibiting the freedom and the movement of women.

Dukhtran-e-Millat Chief Aasiya Andrabi


in mind while clearing the alignment The Alignment Blunder: five years back. Many argue that

he rail link to Kashmir is arguably geological surveys were also not done the most challenging project of prior to starting the project. Perhaps, a Tthe Indian railways. And the 148 trend which is becoming an inherent kms Katra-Qazigund track is where the trait of all major construction projects challenge lies. It meanders through the in the state. Geological surveys were, Shivaliks and then the lofty Pir Panjal however, carried out later by Konkan range. Besides the picturesque value of Railways. Fractured rock, dolomite and it, the stretch runs across two major limestone made the task of laying the fault lines. The Main Boundary Thrust track all the more daunting. Many (MBT), and the Pir Panjal Thrust, both tunnels have collapsed and others face of which are active. The reason this area severe water seepage problems. falls under the seismic zone IV, makes it

prone to moderate and h igh Now, the new alignment proposed by earthquakes. And history has been a the northern railways, cuts down the witness to this risk. In the last century, distance of 125 kms to 70 kms. It will the MBT thrust has been responsible for

also be double tract as opposed to the over 12 major quakes, including the

single line at present and reduces the 1905 shock in Kangra (8.5 Richter

scale) and the equally destructive 2005 cost from Rs 7,300 crores to 6500

Kashmir earthquake (7.5 Richter scale). crores. But the advantages listed by the

Northern Railways still do not guarantee

whether the alignment is completely The present alignment, say the

safe and risk free. Repeating the past Northern Railways, cuts across the MBT,

mistakes, no survey has been done for running high on quake risk. A belated

this proposed link.concern, which should have been kept

The Himalayan Wonder or Blunder ?

This is one project that oscillates between a dream and a disaster. As Indian Railway Minister Laloo

Prasad Yadav sounded his last whistle on the rail budget day, he promised that the dream of linking

Kashmir to rest of the country is still a cherished one. A day later, the red engine rolled and whistled in

Baramulla. The train ran along a 100 kms track within the Valley. But back to the dream of connecting

Kashmir, it oscillates. The Katra-Qazigund rail link, which perhaps would be the second highest link in

the world, has been suspended since July 2008. The Northern Railways has apprehensions that the

alignment is unsafe. Doubts which have come a little too late, almost over five years after

construction work first started at this project.

PAWAN BALI

N NOC E C T I N G J & K

By Rail


Also, another important could put a lot on stake?

question is whether it is Perhaps, the entire mess over

feasible to completely shun the project is just another

the existing work, which has reflection of how lack of

been done over the last five planning can in a jiffy turn

years? Estimates suggest that dreams into disasters

losses of over Rs 2000 are

expected if the alignment is THE RAIL LINK WONDER: discarded and and over 40,000 .people will be Its bureaucratic and technical affected. Villagers, who gave blunders apart, the project up their agricultural land, and promises much more than took up small time works with connectivity. It promises a the railways, also are living in socio-economic and even a uncertainty. polit ical change. Once

completed, it could be vital in The new alignment proposed e n d i n g K a s h m i r ' s w i l l a l s o s c r a p t h e geographical isolation. The construction marvel-the only road link to Kashmir at Chenab bridge. The arch present is the Jammu-bridge, which was tipped to Srinagar National Highway-be the highest in the world the road which hits a bottle (359 m high), is under neck every now and then. The scrutiny for not matching Mughal road, which is under upto the safety standards. construction since the last The northern railways has two years, still has to connect now objected that it might be Kashmir to Jammu region. In unable to withhold the weight such a scenario, Kashmir 's once it's completed. dependence on a single,

unpredictable link adds on to

But engineers at the work site its geographical isolation.

h a v e c o u n t e r e d t h e D u r i n g t h e A m a r n a t h

objections. As per the Agitation, the threat of an

contractors and construction economic blockade, had its

companies, the design has psychological and political

been passed by Swedish and repercussions-an incident

British experts, and the which perhaps explain the

bridge slope ensures long la rger impact o f th i s

term safety. The engineers disconnect.

also agree that present

alignment is risk prone, The rail link to Kashmir main ly at three main promises to bridge this. Also,

it has cut across the silence of locations. But these can be many unknown villages. For rectified and a few changes the 145 kms Katra –Qazigund could still salvage the track, the railways have to project. construct over 300 kms of link

roads. This in turn means that But then is it a risk which

Tracking the dates:

1898: The project first proposed by Dogra rulers

1902-1905 The British attempted a 2ftguage electric line

to Kashmir

1994 : The project cleared by the India government

2001: Declared a national priority project

2002: The present alignment hastily adopted during

the tenure of AB Vajpayee

2004 : Work started on Katra –Qazigund track

2005: 54 kms Jammu –Udhampur track inaugurated

after 23 years

2007: First deadline for the completion of Udhapur-

Baramulla track

2008: Northern Railways stops construction work

2009: Parliamentary committee visits site for review

2009: 8-member expert committee formed to review

alignment

N NOC E C T I N G J & KBy Rail

An artist’s imagination of the highest railway bridge which was supposed to have come up a Kashmir link.


villages like Bakkal, Kauri in

Reasi and cut off areas of

Sangladan, Gool , Gulabgarh

are suddenly wakening up to

their dream of a road. The

meander ing track has

connected over 150 villages,

many of them suffering the

years of militancy and

neglect. The rail project has

a l s o t r a n s l a t e d i n t o

employment. This in turn has

been an ant idote for

m i l i t a n c y, w h e r e i n

youngsters gave up gun and

took up jobs. One such

village is Khari in Ramban,

where ove r 800 men

surrendered and had been

employed with the railways.

The project, which now has

been shelved temporarily,

has hit all segments bitterly.

The rail link is a construction wonder too. The Chenab bridge, would have

been the world's highest, beating the current record holder- the Millau

Viaduct bridge in France . Also, the entire link from Udhampur to

Baramulla was designed with 127 major and 225 minor bridges, 74

tunne l s and over 30

stations. Of the 148 track

b e t w e e n K a t r a a n d

Qazigund, 83 per cent would

be in tunnels (this wll

include country'slongest rail

tunnel of 11 km). The

statistics itself explain the

magnaopus project. And its

impact on socio-economic

fabric is also visible as

forgotten villages rediscover

themselves.

But in the midst of its

c e l e b r a t i o n s a n d

d i s appo in tment s , t he

dream of a rail link to

Kashmir fluctuates. And we

can just hope, that the

project soon finds its anchor

and does not lose its way in

the days ahead.

ØThe railway project in the State comprises

three sections- Udhampur-Katra, Katra-

Qazigund and Qazigund-Baramulla, taken

up at a cumulative cost of Rs 11000

crores.

ØUpon its full commissioning the Qazigund-

Baramulla track would would generate

direct employment for 3900 persons in

the Valley, in addition to indirect

employment. The Railways is also

processing 400 cases for providing

employment to one person in each of the

land loser families, those which have

given to the Railways more than 75 per

cent of their holdings, in Kashmir.

Appointment letters have been issued to

120 candidates so far, who are

undergoing training in different parts of

the country.

ØRailways were constructing 270

kilometers of access roads to carry

machinery and equipment to the Project

sites. After the completion of the Project,

these roads would connect 60 villages

and will be of immense use for the locals

of the concerned areas.

ØThe special feature of Katra-Qazigund

section is that 80 per cent of the 148

kilometer track will be covered by

tunnels and 12 per cent by bridges, thus

leaving only 8 per cent open.

ØThe Katra-Qazigund section was supposed

to have world's third highest railway

bridge but recent reports of change in

alignment have sparked off doubts which

the authorities are yet to clarify. The

bridge on river Chenab was supposed to

have a total length of 1320 metres, the

single longest arch span of 480 metres

and the height from the bed level to the

rail level of 359 metres –highest

anywhere in the world.

: Existing alignment and new proposed alignment and

the alignment which was proposed by Konkan railway in

2003

Comparison of Northern Railways new proposed

alignment/ and Konkan railways Alignment shorter

alignment proposed in 2003, which was refuted by

Northern Railways

N NOC E C T I N G J & KBy Rail


Dr SHAHID IQBAL

Development & Environment

Expanding Road Networkin Jammu & Kashmir

When we come across two words “Development” and “Environment” together, there is a temptation in public discussions, forums and even in policy circles to think of them in antagonistic terms. But before jumping to such a conclusion we ought to think that what for both development and environment strive, that is whether they have different goals for human community or planet earth as a whole, or they have some overlapping or things in common.

By RoadsN NOC E C T I N G J & K

People cross this make shift bridge when Jammu-Srinagar NH stretch is washed away in rains.


and expansion of road network in the o t h d e v e l o p m e n t a n d country. The North-South and East-West environment aim to achieve a B corridors, connecting the entire quality of life and also that of our country, and also the mega expressways surroundings, be it an urban were a result of the resources conglomerate, a rural hinterland or generated from the cess levied on fuel. even a core wilderness. So when both Economist explained that due to bad development and environment strive condition of roads the annual losses for a better quality of life on planet owing to enhanced freight cost were far earth then one need not jump to more than the total cess levied. Thus conclude that development and the tax money saved the cost of environment are antagonistic. What we transportation through improvement of need is a balanced development and a road network. That explains how stable sustainable environment, in important the road network in is for a perpetuity, with none hampering the competitive economy and better progress and stability of the other. livelihood. The Pradhan Mantri Gram When we think of development it has to Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) had also been a be accountable for what it takes from novel idea of connecting all the villages environment or society and hence it of country by the year 2009. And it is must pay towards a social or pertinent to mention here that this environmental responsibility also. scheme has also been blamed for the Similarly the environmental gains greater damage to the forests as the should also be quantifiable and not rural hinterland was brought on the map overemphasized in an of road network. In this backdrop we attempt to hamper the analyze the expanding road network in development directly or Jammu and Kashmir – whether it is in indirectly. Connectivity tandem with the environment or at the i s a b a c k b o n e o f cost of environment. economic development

and better roads, rail

and air network is a Road connectivity in Jammu and

major contributor of Kashmir is major issue of concern. The

economic production present connectivity between Kashmir

and growth. When the valley and Jammu, and also rest of the

Atal Bihari Vajpayee-led country, is the one and only National

National Democratic Highway 1A, which too remains closed

Alliance started levying for days together in the rainy season or

cess on petrol and diesel snowfall during peak winter. The

there was a hue and cry clearance work done on war footing

across the country about during the landslides or snow

rise in fuel prices but avalanches ensures connectivity

when looked into the between the twin capital cities which

motive behind that otherwise would be next to impossible.

move it revealed that There is also connectivity problem in

how important the road the rural districts like that between

network is. The cess on capital cities but in the former case the

fuel was to generate road clearance operation would

some 10000 Cr rupees in obviously not that quick thus facing a

a year which was to be connectivity disadvantage. The total

utilized for betterment road network maintained by different

ÄConnectivity is one of the most

serious problems in Jammu and

Kashmir coming in the way of

economic development and

poverty alleviation. While there

is only one surface transport link

with rest of the country, the

road disparity within various

districts is quite huge. There are

many areas, like Matwah and

Dachhan in Kishtwar district,

where many people are yet to

see a motor vehicle; reaching

their on foot takes two to three

days.

ÄState's main dedicated rail link

with rest of the country is upto

Jammu only where J&K's rail

head is situated. Link between

Jammu and nearby Udhampur

district is operational since

2005. Onward link to Katra is

nearing completion and Katra-

Qazigund line is running through

alignment troubles. This project

was initiated in 1995. An intra-

Kashmir train service between

Badgam and Anantnag was

thrown open in October 2008

and the Badgam-Baramulla link

has been operationalised in

February 2009.

ÄAviation sector has recently

s een s ome encou rag i ng

development. J&K is now on the

global aviation map after

Srinagar airport was upgraded

to international standard and a

weekly direct flight has been

established with Dubai. Besides

Srinagar, J&K has two other

airports –Jammu and Leh with

facilities of inter-state and

intra-state flights.

N NOC E C T I N G J & KBy Roads


agencies as on March 2008 has crossed being done in the entire country under

40,000 Kilometers in the state. Both this scheme. PMGSY aims at connecting

central and state government agencies villages with a population of 1000 and

maintain these roads under their 5000 in plains and hilly ares

respective jurisdiction or areas of respectively. For tribal majority villages

activity in the state. The lead player the qualifying figures for PMGSY

State Public Works Department mans connectivity has been kept at 500 and

some 16000 Km road in the state 250 respectively, thus the expanding

excluding the National Highway road network in the rural hinterland

component which is maintained by the could be anybody's guess.

Border Roads Organization. The Border

Roads Organization is responsible for The Forest Department has received more than 5000 KM of the National most of the proposal of land diversion Highways in state. Three major Projects from the PMGSY in the last year. The of BRO in Jammu And Kashmir State are expanding road network has a definite Project Beacon, Project Himank and bearing on the local ecology and Pro ject Sampark respect i ve ly environment which needs to be connecting two capitals, Kargil and Leh, compensated and restored so as to and border districts. Apart from maintain an environmental balance. o rgan i za t ions re spons ib le fo r The Forest Conservation Act strives for construction and management of road that by ensuring compensatory network in the state, that is public afforestation in lieu of the land diverted transportations, roads are also to indenting agencies for construction constructed by few departments for of roads. Double the land area diverted their own developmental requirements for development or construction has to which also adds to connectivity in the be brought under compensatory rural areas. The Forest Department has afforestation as per the directions of a total of more than 10000 KM roads, Hon'ble apex court in T. N. Godavarman called Forest Roads, which have been Vs Union of India case. The Central constructed for management of and Empowered Committee (CEC) which working in forest areas. But most of the came into being on Supreme Court forest road is unsurfaced, as is about directions has a key role to play in 40% of total road in the state. deciding the diversion of forest land

throughout the country. Forest Bench of

The Irrigation and Flood Control supreme court has been termed as

Department too needs its own green bench but the recent judgments

connectivity network in priority areas give an indication that the golden era of

where work has to be done every year to Godaverman is fading out. May be it is

control flood or manage irrigation, thus due to unsatisfactory compensatory

having a road network of about 500 KM afforestation or undue environmental

to its credit. Compared to that Rural breaks on development but the bottom-

Development Department, also known line remains that environment should

as Community Development and not be held hostage for the increased

N a t i o n a l E x t e n s i o n S c h e m e needs of development. Jammu and

Department, alone has constructed a Kashmir state has its own Forest

road network of about 3500 KM in the Conservation Act of 1997 under which

state. The Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak the land d ivers ion c learance

Yojana (PMGSY) has enlarged the methodology has been provided at

connectivity to the villages in state as is different levels. The Chief Conservator

ÄThere is only one surface transport link between Kashmir and Jammu through 298 kms National Highway 1A. This road remains invariably shut due to rainfall, snowfall and landslides and its cost of maintenance is reported to be highest in the country.

ÄRoad connectivity in Jammu and Kashmir is one of the lowest among the states in India. While average toad length per square kilometer in India is 313.08 kilometers, in J&K it is only 35.71 kilometers. Similarly the average road length per lakh of population in the country is 297.71 kilometers, in J&K it is only 104.64 kilometers.

ÄIndia has a total road network of 3313569 kilometers of road network, which is largest in the world –this includes 65569 kilometers of national highways, 128000 kilometers of state highways, 470,000 kilometers of district roads and about 2650000 kilometers of other rural roads.

ÄTotal road network in J&K is of 36205 kilometers. Of this, state's Public Works Department maintains 15768 kms; the Border Roads Organisation 5985 kms, Irrigation and Flood Control Department 477 kms, Forest Department 10620 kms, CD & NES 3355 kms. Only 57% of the total road network is well surfaced.

ÄOut of 6207 total villages in the state only 4610 have road connectivity. This means 31.90 % of the total populated areas of the state are not connected with even the fair weather roads.



of Forests, Principle Chief Conservator The Mughal road had been into distributive justice has to be kept in

of Forests and the J&K Government controversy owing to the stretch mind in deciding the so called conflict

Advisory Committee are three level or passing through Hirpora wildlife b e t w e e n d e v e l o p m e n t a n d

authorities which give clearance for sanctuary and the stalemate as an environment. And it will be of a greater

diversion of forest land depending on outcome of issue erupted in Poonch importance not to view development

the area involved. regarding damages to forests by the and environment in antagonistic terms

Hindustan Construction Company. But but as two parts of a same process with If diversion of forest land could be an later the Supreme Court gave a go common goal of quality of life. It will indicator the quantum of expanding ahead for construction of road across not be out of place to mention here that road network can judged. But at the Hirpora wildlife sanctuary as well and the relat ionship between the same time neither all the forest land the road is supposed to be made Development and Environment needs to diverted is for roads alone nor all the motorable later this year. It will provide be seen an adequately broader way, roads constructed involve forest land an alternate connectivity between the taking note of constructive prospects as diversion. So the environmental cost of twin capital cities, but will be of most well as destructive possibilities. And development in the state can be fairly importance for twin border districts of those having mandate to preserve the analyzed accordingly. Ending 2005 a Rajouri and Poonch. Moreover it will environment need not be seen as anti total of 283 cases of forest land have a greater bearing on economics development but as facilitators of diversion stood sanctioned at various and business as it is set to alter many that quality of live which the levels involving a total forest area 8159 dimensions prevailing at present Development too strives to achieve. Ha diverted for development. The owing to no alternate connectivity In the present competitive world major indenting agencies involved in between valley and Jammu, or even road connect iv ity in deed is road construction seeking road rest of country. So what we contested indispensible but at the same time we diversion are GREF, PMGSY, Public Works in the opening paragraph seems to be have to collectively bear in mind that Department and National Highway true, focusing on the quality of life can environment to is a global issue of Authority of India. Other agencies in help us to generate a common concern today and we cannot afford favor of whom forest land stands understanding not only of the to turn a bl ind eye towards diverted are National Hydroelectric development but also of the environmental issue as well. The Power Corporation, Northern Railways, environment which undoubtedly plays a developmental agencies need to pay Konkan Railways, Air Force, Irrigation central role in our lives. But the success d u e a t t e n t i o n t o w a r d s t h e Department and Army as well. For the will depend on how efficiently the environmental responsibility as well, land diversion a relative amount as environmental glory is restored as the environment is giving in to compensation for forest land involved is alongside the ongoing expansion of road development it should also be restored recovered from the indenting agencies network in the state. to sustainable level. The social and before the land is diverted. During

environmental responsibility of 2004-05 the total forest area diverted d e v e l o p m e n t c a n h a r d l y b e was about 482 Ha and against that the Amartya Sen has pointed out in his book undermined. Present environmental compensation amount charged was 'Development and Participation' that trends appear to be incompatible with about Rs 26 Cr. Similarly in 2005-06 “Development is Empowering and that the basic requirements of a sustainable about 1400 Ha land stood diverted for Power Can Be Used to Preserve and development so the time calls for a which the compensation amounted to Enrich the Environment, and not just to developmental strategy cohesive with Rs 123 Cr and the figure stood at about decimate it”. The substance of this the environmental preservation and Rs 70 Cr for 2006-07 from a total of 82 statement is of a great relevance and d e v e l o p m e n t . E n v i r o n m e n t a l cases. This involved diversion for holds true when the developmental irresponsibility is often blamed to have h y d r o e l e c t r i c p r o j e c t s a n d empowerment is utilized for preserving roots in the political and ideological connectivity networks in majority. The a s w e l l a s e n h a n c e m e n t o f roots, this may not be without amount so realized is used for environment. Development is an substance but at the same time we need compensatory afforestation to offset ongoing phenomenon so should be the to accept our individual and corporate the ha rmfu l impact s on the endeavor to preserve the environment r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t o w a r d s t h e environment owing to developmental to ensure a sustainable and healthy environment.activities. livelihood on the plane. The concept of



ot only that, it has also raised

fingers on the long term planning No f t h e i n f r a s t r u c t u r a l

development in the state, as the

geologists have pointed out a possible

Baglihar link to the Doda road sinking.

The road accidents on the same stretch

have also been a cause of serious

concern. A valley based newspaper had thlead headline on 26 February as “Doda

Roads Devour 41 More” when a bus

plunged into the gorge while driver was

negotiating a narrow stretch on

Bhaderwah-Doda road. Many accidents

had occurred when the road sunk thus

resulting in death of half a dozen

people. The visit of Chief Minister Omar

Abdullah on the sink-site shortly after

the tragedy struck was indeed an

attempt to instill confidence among the

rescue workers and administration on

one hand and showing solidarity with

the victims of tragedy on the other. With

sinking of this stretch of road Doda,

Bhaderwah and Kishtwar were

completely cut-off from the Jammu-

Srinagar National Highway. Hunt was

then on for exploring an alternative

road link connected the areas affected.

Here we analyze the different

dimensions of this tragedy and look into

possible remedies which may be of help

Looking Beyond FairWeather Roads

The sinking of 150 meter stretch of Doda-Assar road in mountainous Doda district of Jammu province in February proved how important the need of alterative road networks is. It also made us to think about the status of preparedness and disaster management as far as road connectivity in the hilly areas of Jammu and Kashmir State concerned.

EPILOGUE MONITORING DESK

N NOC E C T I N G J & K

By Roads

A long queue of trucks on NH


are a common in hilly areas road across in a long term planning for ensuring northern India. The situation in Jammu connectivity to the road-starved areas and Kashmir cannot be termed worse of the state. that that in Teri Gharwal areas of

Uttarakhand where the roads crossing The road stretch which sunk carried cliffs and mountains are blocked every down along with it two trucks, a maruti now and then due to landslides. A slight van and an ambulance with those downpour leads to heavy landslides and travelling in these vehicles, leaving results in disconnecting the major most of them dead. The area is marked portions of state. But the state over a by shooting stones and landslides as a decade has devised efficient strategy common happening and the rout is the and infrastructural back-up to meet sole lifeline connecting the districts of tragedies like that. Given that there is Doda and Kishtwar to the national no possibility of alternative road highway and hence other parts of the networks there, the road clearance state. Landslides and shooting stones response is prompt and disaster

preparedness and

management has been

institutionalized. The

A d m i n i s t r a t i v e

Training Institute of

Uttarakhand also acts

as a nodal point for

disaster management

and the Disaster

Management centre of

the Massoorie located

Lal Bahadur Shastri

National Academy of

Administration has

developed as centre of

excellence of a period

of last few years. The

situation of roads is

almost similar in hilly

districts of Jammu and

Kashmir but what is

needed is a prepar-

edness of highest

order and strategy for

management of such

disasters. The scheme

of disaster management

networks in state is

quite extensive and

dealt on a bureau-

cratic mode but the

need of the hour is a

Project s underway /

upcoming

ÄThe Na t i ona l H i ghway

A u t h o r i t y o f I n d i a i s

developing 437 Km long

Lakhanpur-Pantha Chowk

stretch of National Highway

1A as a four-lane road at an

estimated cost of Rs 7172

Crores. This widening is

expected to be completed by

2014 and the project involves

two long tunnels of 16.7 km

length, 12 short tunnels of 6.2

kms and 34 major bridges.

Ä1404 road projects stand

approved under NABARD

programme at an estimated

cost of Rs 2009 Crores

Ä59 road schemes have been

sanctioned under Central

Road Fund at an estimated

cost of Rs 404.50 Crores.

Ä885 schemes involving 4773

kms of roads have been

s a n c t i o n e d b y t h e

Government of India at an

estimated cost of Rs 2222.63

Crores under Prime Minister's

Grameen Sadak Yojna (PM's

Rural Road Scheme).

ÄTo enhance inter-state

connectivity, a Rs 73.73

C ro re s p ro jec t s t ands

sanctioned by the Center for

linking Bhaderwah with

Chamba in HP.



full time disaster management and with the Doda-Assar road sink. Experts compromised. Now the government has

response team. Under the present say that this incident took place come with formation of State Level

scheme of things the District Disaster because of rise of river Chenab due to Environmental Impact Assessment

Management team is headed by the creation of reservoir for the Baglihar Authorities to look into the location-

district magistrate and has some Hydro Electric Project. As per the laws specific EIA methodologies and

sectoral officers as its members. formulated by the Ministry of processes and plug the loopholes. The

Obviously the district magistrate has to Environment and Forests, Government Baglihar has been linked to the Doda-

be the leader in coordinating the of India, Environmental Impact Assar road sink but till date no denial or

disaster preparedness and management Assessment (EIA) study has to be alternative reason has come from those

but the team has to be that of full time conducted before the commencement who conducted the impact assessment

professionals having trained in of such projects thus looking into study of the area or those involved in

management of such disasters and feasibility and outcome

gained experience over a period of impacts in the long term

time. The sectoral officers may act as future of the project life,

resource persons for this dedicated both directly and indirectly.

disaster management team. The team It also takes into account the

can be drawn from various departments seismic threats and likely

as a full time organization and not that impacts on the local geology.

the team has to be looked for when the Though EIAs are considered

disaster has already struck. The disaster to be sacred documents but

management cells have to be evidence and experience

established at the tehsil and block shows that many a time such

headquarters along with a well reports are fabricated after

equipped and trained response team. EIA became a lucrative

Since the problem faced by our roads is business for scientists. Today

given fact and cannot be denied, what some consultancies in India

we need is line of defense ready to take have ready-made EIA reports

over when the tragedy knocks the door. only local information has to

be added. Scientists at EIA

wing of Indian Institute of The second angle to the Doda road sink

Forest Management, Bhopal is that of its link with the Baglihar dam

came across some EIAs on river Chenab. Geological experts

carried out in Sikkim and have already identified some spots

A r u n a c h a l P r a d e s h prone to landslide in the area. Among

mentioning the flora and the worst hit areas are KouraPani,

fauna species which do not Ma lhor i , Jath i , As sar, Marsu,

h a v e e v e n a r e m o t e Trungal,Gagla , Kashi and other villages

possibility of existence even adjoining the Baglihar reservoir. As has

in the distant neighborhood been proved by various scientific

of the states. This raised studies in India the big dams also

alarm over the way EIA develop seismic pressure owing to

contracts are awarded and storage of an extremely large quantity

studies carried out. It is irony of water thus altering the topography

that for a handsome amount and geology of the area. Moreover the

of money how life of seepage from the rear of dame is known

thousands in the vicinity of to create soil loosening in the hills

such projects is endangered leading to landslides and sinking of the

and the environment is areas. Same reason is being associated

Figures above show road length position as it was in 2006 and therefore the table has not taken into account the creation of eight new districts in 2006** This network does not include the National Highways 1 Jammu district was bifurcated into Jammu and Samba 2 Baramulla district was bifurcated into Baramulla and Bandipore 3 Srinagar district was bifurcated into Srinagar and Ganderbal4 Anantag district was bifurcated into Anantag and Shopian 5 Pulwama district was bifurcated into Pulwama and Kulgam 6 Udhampur district was bifurcated into Udhampur and Reasi 7 Doda district was trifurcated into Doda, Kishtwar and Ramban

District Total Road

length Total Surfaced

Roads

Jammu1 2193 2110

Baramulla2 1917 1875

Srinagar3 1499 1470

Anantnag4 1453 1440

Leh 1383 745

Badgam 1178 1159

Pulwama5 1079 1060

Udhampur6 959 815

Kathua 884 802

Kupwara 861 833

Doda7 842 561

Kargil 615 356

Poonch 572 377

Rajouri 333 275



The Mughal Road

People living in the remote hamlets of Pir Panjal have

for long pinned their hopes on the opening of the

centuries-old Mughal road to end their geographical

isolation. The troops of Kasim Khan, also known as

Amirul Beher (the commander of Ocean), the Afghan

Governor of Mughal emperor Akbar had taken this road

to conquer the Kashmir valley in 1586.

Work on the road started in May 2004 with the

appointment of two divisional engineers, one Road to start a rest house." Land prices have, in fact, stationed at Bafliaz in Poonch district, and another at risen in Surankote, the last major township on the Shopian in Pulwama district across the Pir Panjal. road. A kanal (5400 sq. ft.) now costs Rs. 1.20 lakhs, The 83.9 km road linking Bafliaz to Shopian is expected which is the prevailing rate of land in prosperous urban to be completed in three years at a cost of Rs. 255 centres in the State. crores. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had announced Project officials say the construction and maintenance Rs.160 crores for its construction and during the of the road will not be an easy job. The Jammu-current financial year, Rs. 50 crores will be spent for Srinagar National Highway 1A passes through Banihal, the purpose. Once the road is ready, passengers which is nearly 5,200 feet above sea level. In contrast, travelling from Poonch-Rajouri to Shopian will travel a the Mughal Road is located at over 11,500 feet above distance of 126-156 km against the present 588 km. sea level and passes through a highly unstable area of The road is being seen as an alternative route to the the Himalayas. At present, only 26 km of the road is busy Jammu-Srinagar National Highway 1A and the operational throughout the year. Under the plan, there people here are hopeful that economic opportunities would be 14 permanent bridges and eight service in the form of tourism will improve once the road is bridges with the longest one being 30 m. Forty-nine km opened. Lack of opportunities had forced many from of the road is steep and 20 km rolling beside mountain this belt to emigrate to Gulf countries but now some of stretches. Traffic can be smooth only for three to four them would like to invest here. Mohammad Aslam (48), months as there is early snow in this belt, according to who has returned from Saudi Arabia after 20 years, an engineer. says: "The Mughal Road would surely bring economic

opportunities for the people here. I have bought land Luv Puri

in my village which falls on the last edge of the Mughal

the construction of this hydroelectric direct impact on the day to day life. In creation of such a situation where

power project on river Chenab. the absence of transshipment of goods common man has to suffer because of

there are fears of black-marketing and such mishaps. As already mentioned the

The connectivity disorder has serious overcharging by the unscrupulous Chief Minister's immediate visit also

socio-economic outcomes as due to shopkeepers. But in this case the Doda helped in another way – by making the

shortage of goods and services resulting administration was prompt enough to administration to launch relief and

due to road blockade or damage has take corrective measures so as to avoid rescue operations on a war footing. The



Doda-Assar road sink has provided many are on the sinking way where cracks based upon such survey a detailed

lessons to be learnt both by the state have developed. When the work on disaster management and preparedness

administration as well as the common reconstructing Doda-Asser road is on plan has to be made if the we need to

man. Given the hilly terrain and no way, another like tragedy may be have a permanent solution for the times

effective alternative connectivity in waiting in the backyard to happen. So ahead. There cannot be custom tailored

such areas preparedness for such the need is to examine the issue in its solution for all such mishaps so local

mishaps has to be kept in mind, which entirety and not as a particular incident to innovations and location specific needs

would include the exploration of be resolved. A geological team can be sent should be given due stress and

alternate routes as per need and also to the area to look into the real causes and importance.

ensuring supply of stocks and supplies.

The various roads constructing agencies

ought work in consonance and with a

holistic approach. These words sound

quite flowery and doing that may seem

to be unrealistic but at the same time

there has to be way out. One thing that

can be done as a compromise formula

would be prioritizing the works of

different organizations in different

regions and areas. The PMGSY roads can

be planned in such a way to serve as an

alternate connectivity to PWD and BRO

roads in some cases apart from the real

mandate of connecting villages with a

particular number of inhabitants. The

expanding road network per se would be

no solution until the roads are built

keeping in view the location specific

problems, constraints and needs.

For Doda-Asser stretch of road which

sunk last month there will many after

effects. The alternate route may soon

be discovered and connectivity restored

but the geological link to the Baglihar

role in this case would surely give the

inhabitants many sleepless nights in the

times to come. So whether or not the

Baglihar factor is the attribute of this

sinking road will have to be established

beyond any reasonable doubt in favor of

the inhabitants of this area. This stretch

of road came into limelight due to its

impact on the connectivity of two

districts which were completely

isolated but there are reports that many

more roads in the vicinity of Baglihar



n a big leap forward, the first The present start of the flight also smacks of

ever direct international commercial a similar attitude. Normally, one would have Iflight from the upgraded Srinagar expected lot of ground work both in Kashmir

International Airport have off for Dubai on and Dubai before the formal inauguration of

February 14. Notwithstanding the the flight. It is reported that just a couple of

controversy about the nomenclature of the days before the flight only 20 seats have

Airport, it is now an International Airport. been booked. It seems to be more a political

We seem always to be stuck in names and gesture than a real commercial venture!

lose the substance. As Shakespeare said, “A Moreover, the service introduced, the Air

rose is a rose by whatever name you call it!” India Express is the one which had been

Srinagar name which is 2,000 years old, is in started for the use of the labour class with

itself universal and globally known because all economy configuration. People in

of being the capital of Kashmir, probably the authority need to realise that this flight is

most talked about place on the Earth at the an opening to a vast field of trade,

moment. Take off by an International flight commerce, tourism, and above all an end to

from Srinagar is a historical occasion. So far the centuries old isolation of Kashmir from

only chartered Hajj flights had been the rest of the world. There may be some

operating from this airport to Jeddah for teething troubles in the beginning but with

last three years or so. The demand for a positive and constructive attitude of the

starting international flights from Srinagar concerned authorities these can be easily

had been pending for last 35 years. It was in overcome. Firstly, the flight is not going to

1975 that the proposal for converting any other part of the country but to a

Srinagar Airport into an International foreign land. The first mandatory

Airport was mooted. It has taken decades requirement is the visa. It is these days

for the proposal to finally materialise. possible to get online visas from a number of

While celebrating the occasion we must not countries. Dubai also has online visa

forget that this is only the beginning and not facilities which can be obtained by travel

an end in itself. This is more so because of a agents in collaboration with local hotels in

tradition in our part of the world of starting Dubai.

a new venture with a lot of fanfare and then

after sometime forgetting it altogether. The It is not known what arrangements for grant venture then remains symbolic and fades of visitor visa have been made by the away with time. MOHAMMAD ASHRAF

The Flight to Dubai

By AirN NOC E C T I N G J & K

First international flight that landed at Srinagar airport on Feb 14, 2009


Airlines? Because of an introductory Singapore etc. Some even go to Kerala the possibility of attracting Golfers

promotional return fare offer of around to see monsoon rains. Kashmir for them from Dubai for a week long Golfing

Rs.13,500 it may be cheaper to fly to would be a short haul destination and holiday. They can spend two days each

Dubai than to Mumbai, and Delhi. The much cheaper and easier to go than at the out stations and three days in

most interesting proposition for new from their home countries. A large Srinagar. Once the frequency of flights

travellers from Kashmir would be an all number of these foreigners are keen to increases, people can fly in for a week-

inclusive week long package-tour to visit the adventure packed land of end of Golf. In addition, there are

Dubai. This can be easily worked out by Ladakh. At present they do it through numerous possibilities of exporting

the Air India office in Dubai with local direct flights from Delhi to Leh where cargo especially handicrafts, fruit,

travel agents there and then marketed three airlines operate daily flights exotic vegetables, flowers, and trout

in Kashmir by its own office or General especially in summer. There is only a fish. As mentioned earlier we have a

Sales Agents which may have to be single flight per week between Srinagar tendency to forget everything after a

appointed among local travel agents in and Leh. In the past the Indian Airlines grand inauguration. As such it is very

Srinagar. To make the trip attractive and had been operating 3 to 4 flights per important for the State Government to

popular among Kashmiris, it may be week. If the frequency of Srinagar-Leh set up a multi-disciplinary Task Force

worthwhile to connect Dubai with flights is increased at least to three per preferably under the chairmanship of

Jeddah so that Umra is included in it. week, it will be possible to connect the the State's Chief Executive to work out

There could be packages for Umra only. Dubai flight with these with a night details for utilizing this new opening in

There are a number of local travel stop over in Srinagar either way. This Kashmir to the optimum level.

agencies in Kashmir which are at will not only increase traffic to Ladakh

present conducting Umra and even but will also give some boost to Some representatives of the private annual Hajj pilgrimage. These could Kashmir Tourism. Apart from this there sector could also be included in such a easily make use of the flight by re- are extens ive poss ib i l i t ies of high powered grouping. The Task Force routing from the earlier routing of promoting special interest tourism. will not only take measures for Srinagar-Delhi-Jeddah-Delhi-Srinagar This includes both the adventure streamlining the operation of Dubai to Srinagar-Dubai-Jeddah-Dubai- travel like mountaineering, trekking, flight but would also be able to suggest Srinagar route. In fact, even the foreign skiing, rafting, and soft recreational operation of flights to other possible tour operators bringing groups to tourism like Golf, Angling etc. Dubai destinations in the Middle East, South Kashmir from Europe and other places has a number of world class Golf East Asia and probably to Central Asia. could try this routing for direct access courses and some prest ig ious They could also examine the feasibility to Kashmir. Entire Middle East has a tournaments such as the Desert Classic of starting chartered flights to Srinagar large population of western expatriates with prize money of 2 million dollars is from all these short haul markets. working in different construction held there every year. Commencement of all these activities companies, institutions, government holds immense possibilities of offices, oil companies, and so on. Tiger Woods, the world's number one employment in various sectors utilizing According to an estimate there are player is always present in the said these flights. As stated by a fellow about 20 million western expatriates championship. Dubai itself has a journalist in one of the stories on the working in the Middle Eastern Region number of top Golfing associations and subject, the Kashmir's International from Egypt to Oman. All these people in some the membership is more than Connection could be a better get their holidays in July-August, the 5,000. Kashmir's Royal Spring Course in Confidence Building Measure than hottest months there. Srinagar designed by the famous even the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad Bus!

architect Robert Trent Jones Junior II is Let us hope, this CBM evolves into a

This is the best season in Kashmir for among the top ten in the world. The real opening for Kashmir in all possible

foreigners but an off peak season for Course which cost more than 8 million ways and does not get frozen in time

domestic tourists. Most of these dollars to build has been visited by many like the Muzaffarabad Bus? Past

foreigners instead of visiting their home players from Dubai. There are two more experience makes one apprehensive

countries, travel to different tourist courses be ing re- la id as per that the venture may end like that

destinations in South East Asia like international standards. These are at unless the Chief Executive takes

Malaysia, Hong Kong, Thailand, Gulmarg and Pahalgam. Thus we have personal interest in it!

N NOC E C T I N G J & KBy Air

or J-K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah it was his Fchildhood dream come true but for the

business community in Kashmir it was the

opening of a route to economic prosperity as

Congress President Sonia Gandhi welcomed the

international air flight to land at the Srinagar

airport on February 14. This was J-K's first

connection on the global aviation map.

Gandhi received the first international flight

from Dubai which arrived at the newly-

refurbished Srinagar International Airport. She

also inaugurated the new integrated airport

terminal building which is having modern

passenger-friendly facilities.

The inauguration of the international airport at

Srinagar marks a new epoch in the aviation

history of Jammu and Kashmir. It heralds a new

beginning in the air transportation link between

the beautiful valley and the country and outside.

It would be a major boost to the tourism sector

as visitors from here and outside would get

direct air connectivity from Srinagar.

The airport had been declared international by

the Government of India in 2005 and the work on

its up-gradation and refurbishing of the terminal

building started soon after. The new integrated

terminal building has been beautifully designed

keeping in view the environs of the valley.

Spread over an area of about 20,000 sq. mtrs,

the building has central heating and air

conditioning, besides flight information display

system, CCTV for surveillance, checking

counters, baggage carousals, public address

system, departure conveyor system and capacity

to handle 500 domestic and 450 international

passengers.

The building has 16 check-in counters, 8 baggage

scanners, 16 immigration and 8 custom

counters besides four conveyor belts. The

expansion of the apron has been designed to

cater for parking of nine aircrafts and

strengthening it for parking B-747- type

aircrafts.

J-K on global

aviation mapThe University will hold Entrance Examination on May 15, 16, 17 and 18, 2009 for admission to following full-time programmes of study in 51 cities spread all over India and in Kathmandu (Nepal):

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PROGRAMMES : M.Phil/Ph.D in International Studies, Social Studies, Humanities, Foreign Languages, Life Sciences, Governance, M.Phil/Ph.D and M.Tech / Ph.D. in Computer and Systems Sciences. Pre-Ph.D / Ph.D. in Physical Sciences, Chemical Sciences, Biotechnology, Computational Biology and Bioinformatics and Molecular Medicine. MPH / Ph.D Master of Public Health. M.Phil in Portuguese, M.Tech in Computational and Systems Biology, Master of Computer Applications (MCA), M.A. in Political (with specialization in International Relations). Economics (with specialization in the World Economy), Geography, History, Economics, Political Science, Sociology, English, Linguistics, Sanskrit, Hindi, Urdu/Persian, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, French, German, Korean, Russian, Spanish and Arts and Aesthetics, M.Sc in Life Sciences, Environmental Sciences and Physics. B.A. (Hons) in Persian, Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, French, German, Russian and Spanish (with entry points to both Ist and

nd2 year)

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JAWAHARLAL NEHRU UNIVERSITYADMISSION ANNOUNCEMENT: 2009-10


N NOC E C T I N G J & KBy Air


by finance minister Abdul Rahim Rather. The eginning November 2008, past six outcome of the deal has widely been months saw various dimensions of B described as “Too Late Too Little”. But as to strikes and protests by the state how the decision came to be acceptable to government employees demanding more than four lakh state government implementation of the Sixth Central Pay employees despite expressing strong Commission recommendations in their favor reservations against the outcome is an issue as well as enhancing the retirement age by to be looked into, at the same time the two years, hence making at 60, at par with constraints and paucity of sufficient the Central Government employees and financial strength with the state those in more than a dozen states across the government to meet the hiked pay expenses country. Finally after much water had flown cannot ignored. Post- deal many employees down the river a deal was struck between associations have voiced their serious the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC), a concern about the way JCC struck the deal conglomerate of departmental and with the government and are calling for secretarial employees across the state, and another onslaught on the government between the state government team lead

HAMAAD SALIF

AP Y AP R I T Y

Commentary

Better Service Conditionsmust for Good Governance

Government employees staging a protest demonstration at Lal Chowk, Srinagar


blaming both the part ies for employees. But for promises and chief minister Ghulam Nabi Azad too

compromising the interests of assurances nothing concrete emerged promised in a similar vein across the

employees as regards the payment of from the talks between the Governor- state. Azad in known for tightening the

arrears, enhancement of retirement led state administration and the noose on government officials in his

age and implementation of revised employees organizations. Nonetheless much publicized campaign against

scales as well. Epilogue team went issue of pay hike became an election corruption and at the fag end of his

across the employees' bodies as well as agenda with major political parties tenure as Chief Minister Azad did

the government circles to analyze the announce raising retirement age to 60

exact factors warranting such a cold and initiating fast-track recruitments

response by the government and also for about 80000 posts in various

measure the warmth of anguish or signs departments. He was praised by all for

of satisfaction among various factions both the initiatives as retirement age

of the employees organizations. enhancement promise gave a shoulder

of relief to those due to retire in the

present year and the next and at the The recommendations of Sixth Central same time it created a ray of hope for Pay Commission were implemented by unemployed youth to get government the Government of India starting jobs at the other end, through the fast September 1st, 2008 and the effect was track recruitment announced by Azad. given from January 1st 2006 for fixation

of pay and drawl of arrears therein. The

central government implemented the Bu t w i th i n a month o f t h i s

pay panel report in respect of the announcement the government lost the

central government employees and the confidence of house when the Peoples

All India Services officers posted in the D e m o c r a t i c Pa r t y a n n o u n c e d

cadre states. The state governments as withdrawal of support owing to the

a convention had to follow the pursuit in Amaranth Land Controversy related to

respect their employees as well. Many diversion of forest land to the shrine

states were prompt enough to announce board. With withdrawal of PDP the

the implementation of the pay coalition was reduced to majority and

commission report in toto for their Azad preferred to resigned instead of

employees beginning September 2008 seeking a motion of confidence in the

and gave all the benefits to their House. The new governor was also

employees as was done for the central appointed to the state after term of

government employees. Many other outgoing governor S K Sinha came to an

states introduced state specific end. it is pertinent to mention here that

measures viz a viz fiscal constraint and at the time of all these developments in

budgetary management and the like the political scene of state a strike

factors. At the time of implementation called by clerks of all the departments

of Pay Panel report by the centre the across the state had already completed

state of Jammu and Kashmir was under four months. The work in offices was

the governor's rule since the dissolution severely affected rather paralyzed in promising to effect pay hike of assembly in July 2008. The various the whole state owing to strike called by immediately after coming to power. employees' bodies started making the clerks which ran unsuccessfully for Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and representations before the Governor N more than a hundred days, witnessed by National Conference president Dr N Vohra and the state administration marked protests both in Jammu , Farooq Abdullah are on record having impressing upon them to give effect to S r i n aga r a s we l l a s d i s t r i c t forcefully promised the pay hike as first the recommendation of central pay headquarters. In the wake of clerks decision of the NC-led Government commission in their favor as was done strike the big babus had to do the clerks when the party is returned to power. by many other state for their jobs themselves as left with no other Similarly Congress leader and former

The most important issue of

increase in retirement age was

left untouched. On this issue

various departmental

organizations of the various

departments have raised

eyebrows on the manner in

which JCC brokered the deal

with the government. Local

newspapers were flooded with

statements resenting “sell out

“ by the leaders of JCC and

called upon the second rung

leaders to take on the

government in a renewed

onslaught. But it was much

more than difficult to put

forward another strike under

such circumstances when a

deal had just been concluded

by those among whom four

lakh employees gad reposed

their faith

AP Y AP R I T YCommentary


option. The demands posed by the cash but will be deposited in the GP o rgan i za t i on s o f the va r i ou s

clerks were lost in oblivion with the fall Fund account of the employees with a departments have raised eyebrows on

of congress-PDP coalition in July 2008. moratorium of three years on the manner in which JCC brokered the

Now the question is whether the JCC withdrawal from GP Fund accounts. The deal with the government. Local

lead pay strike did met that end or it employees had been waiting for the newspapers were flooded with

was something different. The answer arrears to meet various due needs in the statements resenting “sell out “ by the

will be clear if one analyses the time of soaring prices by the gift came leaders of JCC and called upon the

outcome of JCC-Government deal on second rung leaders to take on the

the pay hike. government in a renewed onslaught.

But it was much more than difficult to

put forward another strike under such The total financial implication of the circumstances when a deal had just pay hike as per sixth central pay been concluded by those among whom commi s s i on r epo r t f o r s t a te four lakh employees gad reposed their government employees would mean a faith. Resentment is still brewing Rs 3600 Cr burden on the state among various sections of the government. It will not be out of place employees organizations against the to mention here that this amount was to government decision and seeking to b e i n c u r r e d i f t h e c e n t r a l convince the government to rethink recommendations were adopted for about the pay hike modalities. state government employees in their

entirety. After formation of the NC-

Congress coalition in the state during Before the final deal between the JCC

first week of January 2009, almost representatives and the Government, a

every other day was a strike across the high level state committee was set up

state for putting pressure on the by the government to chalk out the

government to affect hike in pay or modalities of the pay hike for state

remind the government of its electoral government employees. The committee

promises. Almost six weeks after the headed by a financial commissioner

government and JCC leaders could strongly recommended the increase in

come across the table to discuss retirement age to 60 years at par with

m o d a l i t i e s o f p a y h i k e a n d centre and many other state. But

implementation of pay commission ironically the superannuation age issue

recommendations. It was finally did not catch any attention either from

decided to hike pay of employees from the gove rnment o r t he rea l

August 2009 including payment of July s t a k e h o l d e r s , t h a t i s , J o i n t

2009 salary as per revised pay scales. Coordination Committee representing

Arrears accruing to revised hiked the state employees. This has been a

salaries were decided to be paid with cause of serious concern leading to

effect from January 2006, similarly as strong resentment among employees. It

was done by the central government. is a known fact that presently about

But the most disappointing for more 80000 posts are either vacant since long

than four lakh employees in the state or newly created waiting for filling up so

was the modality of payment of arrears. the enhancement in retirement age from the government in a locked The government decided to pay the would not have a much visible impact on container whose key was deposited with arrears in five installments spread over unemployment given about only 3500 the government at least for three years. five financial years as compared to two employees due to retire in an year on an The most important issue of increase in installments decided by the central average. Moreover this would not have retirement age was left untouched. On government for its employees. Not only translated into a much bigger financial this issue various departmental this, the arrears are not to be paid in implication as well. The state doesn't

Commenting on the pay hike

Chief Minister Omar

Abdullah in a meeting of

district officers at Poonch

District headquarters stated

that “ with pay hiked I expect

the employees to act with

missionary zeal”, which struck

the headlines in print and

electronic media. Irked at the

essence of this statement an

organization of employees

asked whether the missionary

zeal expected from the

employees is same with which

the government has offered

soaps? When compared the

substance of both the

statements would be miles

apart. It is true that for an

efficient administration and

visible deliverables the

employees are undoubtedly to

be taken care of, as regards

their basic rights



heed and went ahead to draw the salary. When epilogue

highlighted the situation, shortly after that the government

came out with a direction to AIS officers (IAS/IPS/IFS) to draw

salaries and arrears as per central pay commission

recommendation with effect from September 2008. When it is

a known fact that AIS officers have to be paid in accordance

with the central pay rules still it took six months for the

government to accept what was a basic right. If those at the

helm of affairs in the state are not given the due rights then

the plight of employees can be understood. For an efficient

administration the basic needs of the employees have to be

met and the government has no alternative but understand

the position of employees and pay heed to their financial

requirements in the times of a slowed down economy and also

take care for better service conditions to ensure good

governance for benefit of masses - the electors, in short.

have much of its own resources so has to depend on the centre

of packages and aids in most of the cases. It is a known fact

that thousands of crores of rupees are allocated every year to

Jammu and Kashmir under infrastructure and development

schemes. It is irony that no aid can be sought forcefully for

those who are responsible for utilization of these funds,

development of the state and development of economy as a

whole. Certainly when viewed from this angle the peanuts

offered by the government causes a resentment among the

employees as has been voiced by them continuously since the

government decision came out.

Commenting on the pay hike Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in a

meeting of district officers at Poonch District headquarters

stated that “ with pay hiked I expect the employees to act with

missionary zeal”, which struck the headlines in print and

electronic media. Irked at the essence of this statement an

organization of employees asked whether the missionary zeal

expected from the employees is same with which the

government has offered soaps? When compared the substance

of both the statements would be miles apart. It is true that for

an efficient administration and visible deliverables the

employees are undoubtedly to be taken care of, as regards

their basic rights. Epilogue carried out a story on the issue of

pay hike for All India Service officers, in the previous issue,

wherein it was highlighted that the basic right of top 300

officers manning the state administration were compromised

for no fault of theirs. The hiked pay was to be given to them in

concurrence with the central government employees, that is

September 2008, but instead the government asked the AIS

officers not to draw the revised salaries. This created a

controversy across the services and many officers did not pay

When Epilogue highlighted the situation, shortly after that the government came out with a direction to AIS officers (IAS/IPS/IFS) to draw salaries and arrears as per central pay commission recommendation with effect from September 2008. When it is a known fact that AIS officers have to be paid in accordance with the central pay rules still it took six months for the government to accept what was a basic right. If those at the helm of affairs in the state are not given the due rights then the plight of employees can be understood


Baba Ghulam Shah BadshahUniversity Rajouri (J&K)

VACANCIES IN COLLEGE OFENGINEERING & TECHNOLOGY

Applications on prescribed form are invited for the following positions as per UGC pay scale in college of Engineering & Technology, BGSB University, Rajouri, J&K

1. Principal - (01)

2. Professor - (05) Computer Sciences & Engineering (01) / Information Technology (01) / Electronics & Communication Engineering (01) / Civil Engineering (01) / Mechanical Engineering (01)

3. Assistant Professor (10) - Computer Sciences & Engineering (01) / Information Technology Engineering (02) / Electronics & Communication Engineering (02) / Civil Engineering (02) / Mechanical Engineering (02)

4. Lecturer (27) - Computer Sciences & Engineering (04) / Information Technology Engineering (02) / Electronics & Communication Engineering (04) / Civil Engineering (06) / Mechanical Engineering (06) / English (02) / Applied Physics (01) / Applied Mathematics (02)

Prescribed applications form alongwith detailed advertisement notice can be obtained personally from office of Assistant Registrar (Establishment) BGSB University, Rajouri, J&K or OSD, BGSBU Camp Office, Opposite Channi Himmat, Jammu (J&K) or can be downloaded from the University website : www.bgsbuniversity.org. Last date for submission of completed application form alongwith Demand Draft of Rs. 600/- (in favour of Registrar, BGSB University, Rajouri, payable at JK Bank, University Branch, Dhanore, Rajouri) is 16th March 2009 Application forms of those candidates who have applied earlier for positions where interviews have not been conducted so far shall be considered if eligible. They shall however be required to submit latest copy of biodata.

BGSBU/Estab/09/25150Dated : 16.02.2009

Sd/-Registrar


he word “Carbon” attracts m a j o r d e v e l o p m e n t w a s t h e

v a r y i n g r e a c t i o n s f r o m Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Tdeveloped and developing worlds Change (IPCC) report about global

as regards its effects on the warming which proved beyond any

environment especially global warming. doubt that the GHG emission was the

There had been a much larger debate on major cause of global warming hence

the evidence behind global warming fixing the responsibility of major

and the developed countries, major emitters that is developed countries.

contributors of Greenhouse Gases, had The Noble Peace prize for IPCC further

refused to join the multilateral strengthened the cause and all these

cooperation in the field of mitigating developments became the reasons of

global warming by way of cutting USA softening the stand at the Bali

emissions as it would mean a loss in Conference organized under the aegis

economy for them. Two major of United Nat ions Framework

developments in the present decade Convention on Climate Change

wrote a glorious chapter in the history (UNFCCC) at Nusa Dua, Bali. This was

of environmental activism and a great the backgrounds which lead to a

step towards recognizing and sharing a resurgent Global Carbon Market by

mutual responsibility for a safe means of C lean Development

environment across the globe. Firstly Mechanism (CDM). The Polluter Pays

Russia ratified the Kyoto protocol in Principle (PPP) came a blessing in

2004-05 a decade after it came into disguise for the developing countries

being, and hence the Kyoto Protocol which contribute very less to the global

took effect from 2005 when the basic warming given their low level of

requirement of participation of industrialization or otherwise. The

member states totaling a global share of methodology of Carbon Trading is today

51% GHG emissions ratifying the known to everybody and member states

protocol was met. The Kyoto protocol are competing in carving out larger

aiming at phased reduction of GHGs was benefits, on either side, that is ,both

delayed by a decade due to USAs non- developed and developing countries.

committal attitude about the protocol Carbon Sequestration has come to be an

and with USA being largest emitter of accepted methodology which, for a lay

GHGs (more than 20% of world) the man, would mean “the more you reduce

minimum requirement for Kyoto carbon emission or increase storage the

implementation was missing which was more you ear”.

narrowly fu l f i l led by Russ ia ' s

ratification after a decade. Second The carbon trading market has

J&K on Global Carbon Market Map

IRM AMIN BAIG

E N V I R O N M E N T

Carbon Trading


expanded across the globe, be it saving market with proposing such projects In almost an year since the first

energy, using alternative fuel e s p e c i a l l y A f f o r e s t a t i o n a n d workshop organized in Jammu the State

combinations or afforestation/ Reforestation Projects for larger chunks Forest Research Institute organized a

reforestation and the like. Initially India of land in the state. The state of the art score of meetings and interactions of

selected four states as priority states Carbon Cell will have a round the clock core group apart from prioritizing a

for taking up the Clean Development internet facility, library and high speed roadmap for CDM in Jammu and

Mechanism activities. This list included data transmission soon. The officials Kashmir. The institute has also entered

the state of Jammu and Kashmir and manning the Carbon Cell will be from into collaboration with Baba Ghulam

later a couple of other states was also the core group and special invitees or Shah Badshah University and Sri Mata

included. Jammu and Kashmir put its associates of the SFRI as and when Vaishno Devi University in various CDM

first step towards exploring the CDM called to share the technical expertise. methodologies and joint projects. The

benefits with a high-level Rajouri campus of BGSBU

one-day workshop titled recently been taken up

“ Setting up of Research as green campus by SFRI

Priorities & Piloting for plantation across

Activities for Carbon hundreds of kanals of

Sequestration in Jammu land which will help in

and Kashmir”, March last carbon sequestration

year. The workshop was apart from rehabilitating

a t tended by s ta te the hilly campus area.

ministers, bureaucrats, Apart from that many

scientists, scholars and workshops were also

officers from various o r g a n i z e d f o r

technical departments stakeholders across the

apart for a galaxy of state. Recently the a

senior officers having team of GTZ (German

experience in CDM and Technical Cooperation)

scientists drawn from interacted with state

across the country. this forest officers at SFRI on

marked the beginning of 16th-17th February 2009

the CDM in state. Based to d i s cus s p ro jec t

on the recommendations f o r m u l a t i o n a n d

of the workshop a Core feasibility of the areas to

group of officers of forest be taken up wherein they

department was decided also visited the forest

to be set up headed by areas along with Core

the Conservator of Group and other forest The off icers from the Forest Forests, Research Circle J&K. Further it officers. The high-level meeting on 5th-Department and other a l l i ed was decided to establish Carbon Cell 6th March 2009 will be counted as major departments under the Ministry of under the J&K State Forest Research step forward when officials from Forests, Ecology and Environment as Institute was proposed to be established Ministry of Environment & Forests, well as other line departments and in the state which is underway at SFRI'S Government of India and their stake holders across the state will be Jammu campus. The carbon cell once counterparts from State Government

trained at the Carbon Cell aiming at functional will serve as nodal centre for put the record straight about

high level capacity building and CDM in J&K state and also a resource emergence of Jammu and Kashmir state

pool for anybody in the state wishing to knowledge dissemination as far as on the Carbon Market Map by means of

learn about the Clean Development carbon sequestration and global carbon sequestration. Meanwhile the

Mechanism or entering the carbon SFRI has under consideration two warming issues are concerned.

E N V I R O N M E N TCarbon Trading


research studies respectively on come but fluctuate hopefully towards a country. Today India has become a

Methane Production Estimate of Jammu higher end in the times to come once leading destination among non-Annex-I

and Kashmir with strategies to reduce it the economies are back on the track. At countries with regards to CDM

through livestock up gradation and present the environment crusade seems implementation. But the majority of

second on Biogas Potential Village to have taken a back stage with registered project in India are

Mapping of Rajouri District which will shattering economies worldwide but it renewable energy project focusing on

serve as baseline for taking up CDM cannot be ignored in toto instead we hydropower, and wind energy, so there

projects and also serve as livelihood can call it a stage in the developmental is a need for putting greater thrust on

strength for the rural poor. cycle. So, by the time the crops mature the forestry CDM projects as well which

the CERs are expected to be attractive also fulfills the resource need of the

in the global market so it is advisable to country and J&K can prove as preferred But a question in mind would be – go for short gestation forestry projects destination for such projects. Jammu whether it is feasible to venture into the of 20-30 years which will give annual and Kashmir, as per the estimates of Carbon Market in the times of recession returns over a longer period of time thus GTZ, has an expansion potential on across the globe? Before narrating a outweighing the present down trend in 12.5% of its geographical area thus straight answer we need to weigh the carbon market owing to a host of figuring among top potential states thus various dimensions of global carbon factors. the benefits from CDM projects in the market and associated issues. There is

state can be analyzed to be of a greater no doubt that in the recession hit global extent. e c o n o m y a f f o r e s t a t i o n a n d It is a fact that today only one forestry

reforestation projects under CDM will project stands sanctioned under the

not be much beneficial for those eying CDM across the globe that too from It is rightly said that the journey of

at earning carbon credits in the global China. But the picture is not dismal for thousand miles must begin with the first

carbon market. Reason being that a India with 31 projects registered and at step and that first step has been taken

certifier emission reduction (CER) at various stages in the approval pipeline by the J&K state in the global carbon

present fetches roughly US $ 2-3, which under CDM mechanism. So with other market. Now the outcome will depend

is less attractive given the long states having submitted a reasonably on as to how the stakeholders across the

gestation of forest crops and only 1 % of good score of forestry CDM projects J&K state come forward to avail the

CERs attributed to forestry projects cannot be a mute spectator as it is not opportunity and work ahead in letter

across the globe. Other methods of time to discuss whether or not to go for and spirit to showcase the state on CDM, like shifting to alternative fuels, CDM projects the carbon market has Global Carbon Market Map. The State saving energy by shift towards energy become an established fact and we too Forest Research Institute has taken a conservation etc would be easier and need to be competitive enough to lead to emerge as a nodal centre in the quicker as compared to forestry ensure smooth sailing in the emerging beginning and it does not end here projects. But at the same time the carbon trading thus harnessing a host of because there has to be a continuing importance of forestry projects under benefits for the people. It is fact that process coming true to emerging CDM can hardly be undermined given India signed the Kyoto Protocol in 1997 expectations whether in the field of their unique benefits as the trees serve and ratified it in 2002. And today under technology or livelihood demands. as carbon sequestration machines and the clean development mechanism Newer CDM projects can offer a greater also provide livelihood options apart India has emerged as a leader in terms number of self-employment to the rural from a dual cleaning process of the of country approved CDM projects youth which is the need of the hour. Also environment. The Carbon Market could across the globe. The Designated it will generate a sense of technical be compared to the Futures and Options National Authority (DNA) under CDM competition at one hand and growing a in the stock markets where the persons established in 2003 at Delhi has been culture of green entrepreneurship on holding the shares or bonds can sell successful competition in the country as the other. The State Forest Department them when the prices are high in the regards submission of forestry CDM has a lot of avenues which can be market, in short the Bear and Bull projects, which is evident from a explored under the Clean Development mechanism. Likewise the price of one greater number projects submitted for M e c h a n i s m , n o t o n l y u n d e r CER will not be static for all the times to approval by private sector across the Afforestation and Reforestation



category but also those like Biofuel between different organizations and years will be crucial for the state to

crops cultivation, alternative energy departments because these are not the emerge prominently on the Carbon

techniques like harnessing wind and initiatives which could be carried out in Market Map and for that the

solar energy for community benefits, isolation as the works are overlapping so government has to go for a holistic and

and so on. What all will be needed in the are the resources. muti-pronged approach to woo the

times to come, for making CDM a private sector on one hand and extract

success and make Jammu and Kashmir efficiency from various departments / Similarly the Carbon initiative in the

glow on the global Carbon Market Map, organizations on the other. At present state needs to be taken on a multi-

wi l l be a h ighest degree of there may be reservations about or sectoral approach to achieve success

professionalism, innovativeness and opposition against the perspectives of for state as a whole. The centers of

collaboration between different CDM in state but to come to a exce l lence should emerge as

organizations, departments and conclusion the concerned corners have knowledge centers to disseminate the

stakeholders across the state. The CDM to come across the table to discuss latest advances in technology,

should not merely end up as a glorified pros and cons, opportunities and methodologies as well avenues and

environmental slogan but should threats, strengths and weaknesses of opportunities. Moreover training the

proceed in such a way to produce visible the methodology and then put a manpower needs to be an ongoing

deliverables for the stakeholders and common front based on a kind of phenomenon as skill up gradation has

the community in larger perspective. common minimum program for CDM in to be a part of the overall endeavor to

Small innovations does matter, to cite Jammu and Kashmir state. When achieve success in this field because

an example, like the Uttarakhand State Slumdog Millionaire can bag record e v e r y n o w a n d t h e n n e w e l

Forest Department took up water eight Oscars making India proud there technologies and methods are coming

h a r v e s t i n g i n i t i a t i v e i n i t s is no doubt that Jammu and Kashmir into field or market and the

establishments across the state which can also emerge as a leader in CDM in stakeholders must be abreast with the

proved to be greater success generating India, as India is emerging globally. latest developments. The coming two

community interest as well, the West

Bengal State Forest Corporation took up

eco-tourism in a different way –

trekking in the areas being worked for

wood harvesting and construction of

mud houses and tents which helped

them to deliver their duty well apart

from generating huge resources

especially from visiting foreign tourists

who loved the moments in mud house in

wilderness for anything between Rs

10000 to Rs 20000 per night.

The government had a vision and this

showcased a real eco-tourism apart

from generating huge resources which

were utilized in strengthening the

department and created additional

infrastructure for tourism. In Jammu

and Kashmir there is no dearth of

resources, efficient manpower and

highly qualified professionals and

experienced administrators but what

we need is a vision and collaboration


Baba Ghulam Shah BadshahUniversity Rajouri (J&K)

Centre for Biodiversity Studies

WALK-IN-INTERVIEWInterviews for Research Fellows (05) on a consolidated fellowship of Rs. 8,000 per month for remaining period (about two years) of the project titled ‘Bioresource based training for rural women of Rajouri the hinterland of J&K’ sponsored by Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Sciences and Technology, Govt. of India will be conducted on 03 March, 2009 in the office of Director, Centre for Biodiversity Studies, BGSB University, Rajouri from 11:00 A.M. onwards.

The candidate should have good academic record with, 55% marks or an equivalent grade (B in 7-point scale) at the Masters Degree in any discipline of Life Sciences. Eligible candidates should reach the venue at 9.30 A.M. on the said date along with original and attested copy of relevant documents pertaining to qualification and experience and biodata. No TA/DA shall be paid

BGSBU/Estab/09/25209Dated : 18.02.2009

Dr. Ashfaq Ahmed ZarriPrincipal Investigator

Bioresrouce Training Project

OC L U M N

History


he Mughal emperor Jalaluddin people's perception about it and he

Muhammad Akbar (1556-1605) himself went there and assessed it value

in terms of a water resource. According to Tannexed Kashmir to the Mughal

him, “The source of Bihat is a spring in empire in 1586 and it remained under the

Kashmir called the Vir-nag; in the Mughals upto 1753. The Mughal emperor language of India a snake is Vir-nag. Nuruddin Muhammad Jahangir treated Clearly there had been a large snake at Kashmir as most favourite part of the that place. I went twice to the spring in Mughal India. Since he was a naturalist, my father's lifetime; it is 20 kos from the Kashmir's natural heritage became the city of Kashmir. It is an octagonal sources of his inspiration and creativity. reservoir about 20 yards by 20. Near it are Though all the Mughal emperors from the remains of a place of worship for 1586 onwards worked for the protection recluses; cells cut out of the rock and and propagation of historical and cultural numerous caves. The water is exceedingly heritage of Kashmir, Jahangir's methods pure. Although I could not guess its depth, and approach for drawing the attention of a grain of poppy seed is visible until it people towards Kashmir's history and touches the bottom. There were many culture were unique. He visited Kashmir fish to be seen in it. As I heard that it was frequently. He treated Kashmir vertually unfathomable. I ordered to throw in a the summer captial of the Mughal cord with a stone attached, and when this empire. However, during his visit to cord was measured in gaz it became Kashmir he generally col lected evident that the depth was not more than information regarding the historicity of one and half the height of a man. After my the places, productions, population and accession I ordered them to build the natural features of the region. He sides of the spring round with the stone, recorded the historical facts of Kashmir in and they made a garden round it with a his Memoirs entitled Tuzuk-i-Jahangiri. It canal; and built halls and houses about it, is written in Persian language by Jahangir. and made a place such that travellers

over the world can point out few like it.” Jahangir records the historical places,

(The Tuzuk- i -Jahangir i , Engl i sh natural resources, social life and phases

Translation by Alexander Rogers, edited of changes in Kashmir in a very convincing

by Henry Beveridge, Delhi, 1994 and interesting manners. He mentions

(Reprint), Vol. I, p. 92). For Jahangir, the that Bihat (Jhelam) river flowed very fast

streams and springs of Kashmir provided and during rainy season generally the

plenty of water to the people of the bridges on it were broken. Jahangir was

region. But for drinking purpose Dal lake very much impressed from the cultural

water was used by the most of the people importance of the Veri-Nag or Vir-nag

of Kashmir. Jahangir also gives a brief spring. Therefore, he tried to know the

Emperor Jahangir on History, Culture of Kashmir - I

PROF. JIGAR MOHAMMAD


description of the Wulur lake. For him pleasant spot. Although at present it is language. It was made of two words ;

its length and breadth were more than not equal to the others, if it were to be first Barah or Varah which means boar,

three or four kos and was also called repaired it would be very good. I and second Mula which means place.

Zain-lanka. ordered them to construct a building Thus Bara Mula means place of boars.

worthy of place and to repair the According to him, “Among the

reservoir in front of it.” But Jahangir incarnations that belong to the religion Jahangir worked for the presevation found the Andha Nag a spring which of the Hindus, one is the boar and publicity of springs and fountains of water was not good for the health. He incarnation, and Barah Mula by constant Kashmir. One can estimate the extent of not only heard about the poor quality of use has become Bara mula…It is one of Jahangir's interests in these water the water, but also witnessed it. He the noted towns of Kashmir, and 14 koss resources from their mention in his writes, “It is known that the fish of this // distant from the city, situated on the Memoirs. When he visited a fountain of fountain (Andha Nag) are blind. I bank of the Bihat. A number of the Inch v i l lage he recorded the delayed a while near this spring, and merchants of Kashmir live in it, and characteristics of it in these words: “I threw in a net and caught twelve of the have built houses and mosques on the first visited the fountain of Inch. This fish. Of these, three were blind and nine bank of the river, and spend their days in village had been given by my father to had eyes. Evidently, the water of this ease and contentment. Jahangir Ram Das Kachhwaha and he had erected spring has effect of making them blind. mentions the village of Pampur as the buildings and basins at the spring. Certainly this is not devoid of producer of the largest quantity of the Undoubtedly, it is exceedingly sweet strangeness.” saffron(Zafran). The places such as and delightful place. Its water is

Buliyasa, Qambarbar, Srinagar and Panj perfectly clearand pure, and many fish Brara are mentioned by Jahangir with swim in it.” The fountain of the Machhi Jahangir's description of the some of the reference to the the potentialities of Bhawan and the spring of Achhabal places of Kashmir highlights the cultural development. attracted the attention of Jahangir very historical significance of them. He

much. The latter not only described the traces the history of Shihabuddinpur

attractive features of these, but also village of Kashmir. According him, “This Jahangir's account of the geography of

evaluated the historical value of them. village is one of the celebrated places of Kashmir is very useful for the study of

Appreciating the significance of Machhi Kashmir and is on the Bihat. About a the historical geography of the region.

Bhawan fountain as an important source hundred plain trees (chinar) of graceful He has not ownly shown the different

of enjoyment Jahangir writes, “…there from clustered together on one plot of places of Kashmir in terms of

is a fountain that they (Kashmiris) call ground, pleasant and green, join each topography, climate and production,

Machhi Bhawan, above which Ray other so as to shade the whole plot and but, more importantly, he has also

Bihari, on e of the servants of my father the whole surface of ground is grass and described the several places of Kashmir

(Akbar), built an idol temple. The trefoil; so much so that to lay a carpet in terms of the distance of one place to

beauty of this spring is more than one on it would be superfluous and in bad the other and the administrative

can describe, and large trees of ancient taste. The village was founded by sultan division of Kashmir. Measuring the

years, planes, white and black poplars, Zainul Abidin…” It is important to distance of one place to the other

have grown up round it.” Regarding mention that the Sultan Zainul Abidin Jahangir writes, “Kashmir, from the

Achhabal spring Jahangir writes, “The (1420-70) was the most enlightened place of Bhuliyasa to Qambarbar, is 56

water of this spring is more plentiful ruler of the fifteenth century Kashmir Jahangiri koss long, and its breadth is

than that of other, and it has a fine and immensly promoted building never more than 27 koss, or less than 10

waterfall. Around it lofty plain trees and industries in Kashmir. Jahangir's koss. Shaikh Abul Fazl (a court historian

graceful white poplars, bringing their mention of Shihabuddinpur village in of the Mughal emperor Akbar) has, in his

heads together, have made enchanting historical perspective shows how much Akbarnama, stated, by guess and

places to sit in. As far asone could see, the Mughal emperor was concerned conjecture, that the length of Kashmir

in a beautiful garden, Ja'fari flowers with the processes of the historical from the Kishan Ganga to Qambarbar is

had bloomed, so that one might say it changes in Kashmir. When Jahangir 120 koss, and its breadth from 10 to 25

was a piece of Paradise.” Similarly, visited Bara Mula town he asked the koss. I, out of prudence and caution,

Jahangir records the springs of Loka people what was the meaning of Bara appointed a number of trustworthy and

Bhawan and Andha Nag. According to Mula? The people of that area told him intelligent men to measure the length

him, “This spring (Loka Bhawan) is a that Bara Mula was derived from Hindi and breadth with ropes (tanab). The

OC L U M NHistory


result was that what the Shaikh (Abul been left than this. Mir Sayyid Ali of Jahangir's description of the various

Fazl) wrote as 120 koss came out as 67. Hamdan (may his grave be santified !) features of the different places of As it is agreed that the boundary of was for some time in this city. There is Kashmir indicates that the Mughal country (Kashmir) is the place up to monastry to his memory. Near the city emperor had very minutely and which people speak the language of that there are two large lakes full of water sincerely observed those features of country, it follows that the boundary of the year round. Their flavour does not Kashmir which were rare in other parts Kashmir id Buliyasa, which 11 koss on vary; they are the means of coming and of India. According to him, “Kashmir is this side (i.e. east) of the Kishan Ganga. going of the people, and for the a garden of eternal spring, or an iron So according to the preceding figures, conveyance of grain and firewood on fort to a palace of kings-a delightful the length of Kashmir is 56 (67-11) koss. boats. In the city and parganas there are flower-bed, and heart expanding The variations in breadth were found to 5700 boats and 7400 boatmen.” heritage for dervishes. Its pleasant be not more than 2 koss. The koss that in

meads and enchanting cascades are use during my reign is that prescribed by Jahangir provides very useful and beyond all description. There are my father. That is a koss is 5000 yards interesting information regarding the running streams and fountains beyond and the yard is 2 shar'i yards, each of administrative divisions of Kashmir, its count. Wherever the eye reaches, the latter (yards) being 24 digits mode of the payment of revenue and there are verdure and running water. (angusht).” routes between Punjab and Kashmir.

The red rose, the violet, and the According to him, “The country of

narcissus grow of themselves; in the Jahangir found Srinagar as the most Kashmir has thirty eight parganas. It is

fields, there are all kinds of flowers attaractive and well-planned city of divided into two provinces; the territory

and all sorts of sweet scented herbs Kashmir. He has recorded the existing on the upper part of the river they call

more than can be calculated. In the features of Srinagar City. He describes Marraj and that on the lower Kamraj.

soul enchanting spring the hills and the dominant features of Srinagar in Regarding the mode of payment of

plains are filled with blossoms; the these words: “The name of the city is revenue he writes: “it is not the custom gates, the walls, the courts, the roofs Srinagar, and the Bihat river flows to use gold and silver for the payment of are light up by the torches of banquet-through the midst of it. They call its the revenue from land or in commerce, adorning tulips.”fountain-head Vir-nag. It is 14 koss to except for a portion of the cesses (sa'ir-

the south. By my (Jahangir) order they jihat). They (Kashmiris) reckon the Jahangir's interests in the water have made a building a building and a value of things in kharwars of rice, each resources and historical places show garden at that source. There have been kharwar being three maunds and eight

that the Mughals were very much built in the city four very strong stone seers of the current weight. The

and wooden bridges, over which people Kashmiris reckon two seers as one conscious of the preservation of the

come and go. They call a bridge in the maund and four maunds or eight seers natural heritage of Kashmir. The language of this country kadal. There is make one tark. The revenue of Kashmir Mugha l empe ro r a c t ed a s a a very lofty mosque in the city, one of is 3063050 kharwars and 11 tarks, which conservator of the resources. He the marks of Sultan Sikandar, made in in cash represents 7 4670000 dams. identified these resoureces having 795 (Hijri) (1393 A.D.). After some time (dams were copper coins and 40 dams potentialities of the socio-economic it was brunt, but was rebuilt by Sultan were equivalent to one rupee).” development. Moreover, he also Husain. It had not been completed when Jahangir's account shows that it was not provides the popular perception of the mansion of his life fell down. In 909 easy to enter Kashmir because of the these resources. Jahangir's interests in (1503-04) Ibrahim Maqri, Vizier of the existence of a few and difficult routes these resources brought rich dividends Sultan Husain, finished it handsomely. between the Punjab and Kashmir. to the people of Kashmir in terms of From that day till now it is 120 years However, he has given two routes,

constructive activities. By recording since it has been in existence. From the Bhimbher and Pakli, through which one

the features of the water resources Mihrab to the eastern wall it is 145 could enter Kashmir. For him, “Though

and historical places Jahangir acted as yards, and its breadth is 144 yards, that by Bhimbhar is the shorter, yet if

the propagator of the concept of the containing four (taq) alcoves. On all one wishes to find spring in Kashmir, he

protection of heritage of Kashmir to sides of the hall they erected beautiful is confined to the road by Pakli, for

create social consciousness towards cloisters and pillars. In short, no better other roads at this season are blocked

them. memorial of the rulers of Kashmir has with snow.”

OC L U M NHistory

M E D I A

Coming of its Own


multiple satellite media changed this he international media scene was scenario. Al-Safa, a recently launched revolutionized by CNN”s coverage of T newspaper, blends activism with realism, the 1990 US-led invasion of Iraq. It projecting the charged up socio-political was a watershed, as the State-controlled scenario with a perspective much more bold monopoly of 'gatekeeping' and 'surveillance and critical than the traditional Urdu Press. of the environment saw itself withering The result was that unidentified persons away. The arrival of multiple satellite gunned down the editor.channels saw the state media fumbling in its

efforts to complete with the new media

technology. Local Radio and Television channels

provided highly censored and camouflaged

versions of the situation, originating from Coincidentally, the imbroglio in Kashmir the Army High Command. Credibility of the projected a fertile playground for the local media was at its lowest ebb. The news media. The coverage of events, their production units of Radio and TV were interpretation, and the audience or reader's shifted to New Delhi and even local news role were all getting reincarnated. It was was relayed from the National Capital.media's seismic upheaval.

Lot of insecurity prevailed on the ground The local media were confined to a regional situation. The local press was under Doordarshan Kendra, a local radio station tremendous pressure from all sides – the called Radio Kashmir and the Urdu Press, government as well as the forces operating which constituted a few Urdu newspapers above and below the ground. Facing the coupled with some feebly conspicuous heat from the administration and the armed newspapers. The English press was literally forces, the local press doled out non-existent. The circulation was government versions of events, which did compatible with the readership.not conform to the reality. With many

ideological, militant and political groups Urdu being the official language, its press vying for media space and attention, there had a dominant presence. Given its past was practically no reportage – just claims history in the socio-political context, the

Urdu press was an institution in its own

right. Due to the lack of the private sector

in Kashmir, thereby administrative support

and government patronage was the bane

and lifeline of the press. The press would

tread very safely and cautiously.

The growth of insurgency and the arrival of

Print Media in KashmirPost 1989

SABEHA MUFTI The Writer teaches at the Media Education Research Center, University of Kashmir, Srinagar.

The Post – 1989 developments in Kashmir were monumental and the local press was not trained on professional lines to report interpret or analyse news.


and counter claims, allegations and governmental, non-governmental and By 2001, the growth of professionalism

counter-allegations. For the reader those operating from the shadows – all became visible in newspaper have

there was no alternative media fodder. rode piggy back on the local press. opened bureau offices in Pakistan –

Media content was by no standards an administered Kashmir, New Delhi and

intellectual outpouring. Jammu, thereby widening the ambit of There were no on-field investigative their coverage. There is also an stories; much of the human rights increased local interest in mainstream The local print and electronic media violations went unreported. It was a Indian politics and other issues.persons were under so much pressure very precarious situation for the media,

risking the antagonism of the powers that several times the press went on centres of the time. The Local media made a mark with the strike. The government stopped the

coverage of a few Kashmir-based supply of newsprint and advertisement events. For them, conflict is naturally a and put curbs on other essential dominant theme. Events like the requisites of newspaper production. Khundroo blast of November 2007, This was done as a pressure tactic to which devastated a major a major arms make the local print media toe the dump in South Kashmir, which the government line on issues of security nat iona l media ignored were and governance.extensively covered, interpreted and

In the early 1990s, a few English analysed with respect to the security, In the National dailies, the news newspapers appeared on the scene, social and environmental aspects.pertaining to Kashmir was printed as first as weeklies testing the waters and news briefs in the form of a daily toll of then thriving local dailies. At present,

Similarly, after the October 2005 death, destruction and violence. The there are about eight major English earthquake in Kashmir, the local media, credibility of national print media dailies and five major Urdu newspapers. especially print media, played a major plummeted drastically. A majority of The total count touches about 600 in role, being the first to arrive on the the Kashmiri readership saw itself Kashmir, half of which are printed from scheme of disaster and calamity ahead aligning with the local vernacular press, Kashmir. Several national dailies like of relief and rescue operators. Although it understandably accepting the pulls and the Indian Express and The Hindustan is also very true that as a fallout of the 19 pressures faced by the local media. For Times launched their state editions as years of turmoil, the social, security and the information pertaining to hartals, Kashmir turned into a nerve centre of psychological consequences on the local curfew relaxations, and other local news.media in Kashmir are very visible. They are information which governed the daily now empowered and have a strong life in those conditions, the vernacular Till the mid 1990s, the local print media presence on the Kashmiri mediascape.press was the lone window to reality. did not get much space and opportunity

t o a s s e t i t s f r e e d o m a n d The emergence of two major Urdu The post-1989 developments in Kashmir professionalism, although in Kashmir, newspapers Uzma and Ittelaat, in the were monumental and the local press Urdu newspapers have the widest last one year have revolutionsed the was not trained on professional lines to reach. During the whole period turmoil, vernacular Urdu journalism. Both of report, interpret or analyse news of the local media was caught balancing these are online 16 page multi-colour that magnitude. Traditionally, most of ideology and professionalism. Most of newspapers with exhaustive local, the newspapers were run by a few the time, there was a visible reflection regional, national and international individuals. The local Urdu press was of ambivalence in the content. Apart coverage. The online access to local also accused of having an ideological from inadequate field reporting, media newspapers has opened a new window bias that is of being part of the s u f f e r e d f r om t h e c omp l e t e to Kashmir. There is a huge Kashmiri prevailing anti-India wave. The dependence on official statements and Diaspora in the West and Middle East for situation was all the more exacerbated the lack of analysis. Revealing the truth whom the online Urdu and English by stringent laws like TADA and POTA. was also a precarious terrain. Still, on Newspapers provide a link to their The local press vacillated between several occasions the government had homeland. Hence, the local print media objectivity, credibility, its image, to give clarifications and answers have a bright future ahead, aided by fairness and professionalism. Different especially in response to disappearance news media technology.forces operating in Kashmir – the and custodial killings.

There were no on-field investigative stories; much of the human rights violations went unreported.

M E D I A

Coming of its Own

B O O K S

Reviews


ow significant are the electoral processes as they

elections to the operate in the South Asian countries.

democratic processes has It focuses on the experiences of

been highlighted by Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Hrecent developments in Sri Lanka. The volume is divided into

South Asia. The general elections held three parts. Part I contains the country

in Pakistan in February have the papers. Part II is arrangements' and

potential to shake up the power Part III focuses on 'group discrimination

structure and possibly redefine civil- at elections'. Comprising sixteen

military relations. One of the chapters including the editor's

outcomes of the April elections to the introduction, the book makes for dense

Constituent Assembly in Nepal has reading. The various chapters manage

been the abolition of the prevailing to capture the historical and

constitutional monarchy and the constitutional evolution of the electoral

adoption of republicanism. The processes, the various flaws in them

significance of the electoral processes and suggestion son how to improve and

for representative democracy and make them more robust.

political participation needs no

emphasis. In a way, it is central to the Though the countries under discussion democratic functioning of states. have different political systems and However, it is no easy task to political culture, in regard to the institutionalize the electoral electoral processes they share certain processes, particularly in postcolonial similarities. Despite the adoption of states that have a short history with electoral systems based on universal the democratic experiment itself and suffrage, the challenge for all of them where the idea of democracy as still remains as to how to make the political colonial legacy, the political democratic system more inclusive. The evolution of the South Asian Countries power structure in most countries is and differed. And therefore, their till held by a narrow elite. The state experience with democratic practice because of its vast control of and political participation has also resources becomes an important site varied. of competition. Many of the ills of the

electoral processes can be linked to

Dushyantha Mendis's edited volume on this issue. Control of the state and its

Electoral Processes and Governance in resources becomes important for the

South Asia is an attempt to understand patronage networks to sustain and in

Strengthening Democracyin South Asia

ELECTORAL PROCESS AND GOVERNANCE IN SOUTH ASIAEdited by Dushyantha Mendis

Sage Publications, New Delhi, 2008, pp. 479, Rs. 695.00

AJAY DARSHAN BEHERA is reader at the academy of Third World Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi. He is the author of violence, terrorism and Human Security in South Asia and has so-edited Pakistan in a Changing Strategic Context

B O O K SReviews


democratic systems winning elections are acceptable to the contending was around 50 percent, it is believed

at any cost appears to be the larger political parties and the people at that it was as low as 20 percent.

motive of the political parties. large. Therefore, the conduct of the

Mendis's argument is that this had led elections and the institutions The experience of caretaker to excessive politicization and the responsible for the conduct of the governments in conducting elections in political contest has become vacious elections has to be above board. While the context of Pakistan and and violent. The criminalization of the experience of India and Sri Lanka Bangladesh has also been mixed. The politics is a major problem in the in this regard has been fortuitous, the credibility of caretaker governments electoral processes of the South Asian same cannot be said about the in Pakistan has been low. For, instance Countries under discussion. Despite experience elections the other seven the Ghulam Mustafa Jatoi's caretaker the many expedients to overcome this elections have been allegedly rigged. government in 1990 ensured the problem discussed in the chapters, defeat of the Pakistan People's Party. Mendis feels and correctly so that they Except for the 1988 and 1998 may be impractical. His suggestion caretaker governments, the conduct that electoral processes will improve of the other governments has not been with increased economic impartial. Though Bangladesh's liberalization, however, is contentious. experience with caretaker

governments has been somewhat more

Most of the contributors still vouch for beneficial, it has led to the

the statutory and institutional politicization of the higher judiciary.

framework. Despite the weakness of There are many other countries which

such frameworks, in certain cases, the see the advantages of a caretaker

problem is that they have not been government. But the important

allowed to function and quite often counter to unelected so-called neutral

get undermined. Thus, the problem caretaker governments backed by a

does not seem to be in Zulfikar Khalid statutory and institutional framework

Muluka writes, 'Apparently there to conduct free and fair elections,

seems nothing wrong with the how can they have the same faith in a

statutory framework and institutional caretaker government. The lack of

arrangements … prejudiced practice faith in elected governments to

results in a negative outcome' (p. conduct elections suggests that they

258). It is only in the context of India lose their democratic credentials

that the authors are most positive, when they have to conduct elections.

despite some lacunae. The critical role This is not very encouraging for the The Election Commission, the body that the Election Commission plays in democratic process itself.responsible for the conduct of the conduct of free and fair elections elections, has eight out of nine is held up as a model to the other What has been the role of the political general elections have been countries of South Asia. parties – so important to conducted by military regimes or

representation in a democracy ? Again, under their supervision. With the The objective of the statutory and not very encouraging. In the case of frequent manipulated electoral institutional framework is to make the Pakistan, time and again they have let process, the people's faith in the electoral process as mass-based as down people by siding with the elections has declined, sadly reflected possible through free and fair military. In the case of Nepal, the in the declining voter turnout. The elections. One of the important issues political parties have not shown the voter turnout in the 1997 elections is the question of the legitimacy of the sagacity to be responsive to the needs was 38 percent. Though official figures elections – that the electoral results of the masses. The sheer lust for of voter turnout for the 2002 elections

It is not easy task to institutionalize the electoral process, particularly in postcolonial states that have a short history with the democratic experiment itself and where the idea of democracy as political culture has yet to seep in and take institutional roots. Despite a common colonial legacy, the political evolution of the South Asian countries has differed. And therefore, their experience with democratic practice and political participation has also varied.

B O O K SReviews


power at times resulted in instability and a political vacuum

leading to the rise of the Maoists.

What is the final verdict on whether participation in the

electoral process is increasing or declining ? The conclusion

is mixed. In India the growth of coalition politics has

resulted in the inclusion of more and more social groups

and regional identities. There does not seem to be any

large-scale discrimination against any social group. While

there is not discrimination against any religious minority,

the trend since the last few elections is a rising

polarization in the political process on religious lines. In

Bangladesh, discrimination against Hindu voters takes

place not because they are Hindus per se but because

they constitute the Awami League's main vote blocks. In

Nepal, marginalized castes and ethnic groups do not have

equal access to the electoral process which is a result of

historical inequalities in Nepali society. Pakistan had a

discriminatory electoral system for Non-Muslims through a

system of separate electorates until it was changed by the

then President Pervez Musharraf in 2002. Gender

participation remains significantly low all over South Asia.

The general conclusion is that, 'ethnic and religious

divided do not appear to have distorted electoral systems

so much as social and economic divides in South Asian

countries'

The strength of the book lies in highlighting the political

trends in relation to the electoral processes. Despite

occasional repetitions, because of the structure of the

book, the collation of articles is useful in understanding

an important aspect of the democratic functioning of

South Asian states. Some of the articles are rich in data

and detailed discussion. The weakness of the book seems

to be in not being able to offer any muscle power in the

electoral processes. Each country's experience seems to

be different in dealing with this with very little degree of

success. The editor could have taken the trouble of

including a concluding chapter on what lessons South

Asian countries can learn from each other to make their

own electoral processes, even if not perfect, at least a

little more robust. The strengthening of electoral process

is critical to the future of inclusive democracy in South

Asia. Every citizen should develop a stake in the

democratic functioning of not only their own state but as

well as in the neighborhood.

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JAMMU & KASHMIR

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BABA GHULAM SHAH BADSHAH UNIVERSITYRAJOURI - 185131 (J&K)

Admission 2009

No. BGSBU/Acad/08/23632 Sd/-Date: January 07, 2009 Assistant Registrar (Academic Affairs)

For Details contact: Dean Academic Affairs, 09419103563 & Assistant Registrar (Admissions), 09419171665

ANNOUNCES Masters Degree Programmes

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4. Bioresources & Biotechnology 5. Applied Mathematics 6. Arabic

7. Business Administration - Financial Management (MBA-FM)

B - Tech. Programmes

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3. B.Tech Information Technology 4. B.Tech Civil Engineering

5. B.Tech Mechanical Engineering

Application Forms along with Information Bulletin shall be available for sale from January 20, 2009, at the

following offices on payment of Rs. 800/- by Demand Draft, drawn in favour of Registrar, BGSB University

payable at J&K Bank, BGSB University Campus, Rajouri:

1. Office of Assistant Registrar (Admissions), University Campus, Rajouri - 185131 (J&K), 01962-262616;

2. Camp Office, Opposite Channi Himmat, Bye Pass Road, Jammu - 180015, 0191-2466892 / 2464402;

3. Regional Office, Rose Lane Colony, Indira Gandhi Road, Parry Pora, Baghat Barzulla (Near S.S.R.B)

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4. Can also be downloaded from University website: www.bgsbuniversity.org

Chief Minister Omar AbdullahJ&K Bank ReliefInspires; Initiates

Highlights of Economy Wide Relief, Rehabilitation and revival

Orders of implementation of the initiatives announced shall carry retrospective effect from Ist January 2008.

J&K Bank Interest Relief for J&K :

J&K Bank Relief & Restructuring Package for MSMEs :

J&K Bank Industrial Revival and Rehabilitation Scheme :

J&K Bank Special Relief Package for Transporters :

J&K Bank Preferred Interest Rates for Government Employees :

J&K Bank Special Schemes for Fruit Growers in J&K State :

Reduction in the charges of inter branch fund transfer

Relief in terms of interest includes an interest rate reduction in the range of 100 basis points to 300 basis points across all categories of borrowers including SMEs, agriculturists and horticulturalists, producers, consumers and government employees. This sectoral initiative from the bank covers all types of facilities, like term loans, working capital, consumption loans, consumer loans, housing loans and vehicle loans.

All accounts covered under the guidelines issued by R.B.I. vide circular dated December 8, 2008 which were standard accounts on September 1, 2008 would be treated as standard accounts on restructuring provided the restructuring is taken up on or before January 31, 2009 and the restructuring package is put in place within a period of 120 days from the date of taking up the restructuring package. Also, the period for implementing the restructuring package would be 120 days in respect of all accounts excepting real estate, capital markets, and consumer/consumption loans. The Bank may as part of debt restructuring takeover outstanding of principal amount only from State Financial Corporation.

The comprehensive restructuring package for Revival and Rehabilitation of sick industrial units identified by the bank and that have potential for growth shall provide the requisite financial assistance to such units.

Repayment period in case of Transport Sector in J&K shall now be 7 years instead of 5 years, as at present. In case where transporters have difficulty in repaying installments on account of disruption in earnings due to closure of transport movement during turmoil, branches shall be advised to apportion the amount equivalent to 1, 2 or maximum 3 installments pertaining to August, September & October 2008 and adjust the same in remaining tenure including extended period and rework the repayments accordingly for the said period.

Preferred Interest Rate for J&K Government and PSU Employees reducing thereby its interest rates on housing, consumer, consumption and education loans to government employees. In a move to provide adequate financial assistance to middle income group government employees, the bank has in its package given special relaxation in the eligibility criteria for availing different loans to such employees.

70% of the credit limits would be considered as permanent core component and the remaining 30% as revolving part. The credit limit under the scheme should be renewed/reviewed annually subject to adjustment of 30% of the total limit by the borrower till formal renewal of the limit and drawals in the account to be allowed upto 70% of the previous years limit.”

epilogue magazine, march 2009

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