Congress can accommodates all shades of opinion and is truly democratic in its structure: Saroori

Major jolt to National Conference in Inderwal Constituency

Kishtwar, June 28: - Molvi Irshad Ahmed, Mohammad Iqbal Butt from Sarthal area the native place of MLA Inderwal G M Saroori and Altaf Hussain from Dadpeth Chatroo has quit the National Conference and joined the Congress party in front of senior congress Leader and MLA Inderwal Ghulam Mohammad Saroori at his residence here at Kishtwar.

"The National Conference did give a big blow to the people because for the last five years, they have been indulging in some kind of procrastination. The party high command could have done something for the betterment of public welfare, but they didn't. Neither the Chief Minster nor the National Conference leaders are willing to listen, said newly joined Altaf Hussain.

While speaking, Molvi Irshad said that many more National Conference and People’s Democratic Party workers in Inderwal will follow suit soon. Molvi Irshad, along with Iqbal Butt National Conference workers, had earlier warned the National Conference leaders to solve the people’s problem but they fail on all fronts, so we have no other option left to join Congress party.

They said that they are very much impressed with policies of the party led by Smt. Sonia Gandhi Chairperson UPA, Vice President AICC Rahul Gandhi, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, AICC in Charge J&K Ambica Soni and local MLA G M Saroori. Only the Congress has the commitment and ability to lead the country in the modern era. The newly joined workers also appreciated the local leadership of Congress.

While welcoming Molvi Irshad, Iqbal Butt and Altaf Hussain into the party fold Saroori said their presence would strengthen Congress in Inderwal Constituency and said that only the Congress can accommodates all shades of opinion and is truly democratic in its structure. He added that helping the needy and downtrodden is the only principal, the Congress is based on.

Hailing the leadership of Ghulam Nabi Azad, he said, “He is the only leader in the State who has the vision to address and solve the problems of the people not only in the Erstwhile district Doda (Chenab Valley) but in the whole state”

Prominent among those who were present are Mohammad Shafi Saroori, Mohammad Aslam Saroori, Akhtar Hussain Tatani, Mohammad Iqbal Keen, Riyaz Ahmed Saroori, Haji Ghulam Qadir Sheikh, Ghulam Hussain and Abdul Rashid.

Saroori presented memorandum to PM, Sonia.

Demanded Special package for earth quake Victims

Thanks to the people of the area for attending the function in large number

Kishtwar June 27: - Former Minister for Roads & Buildings & MLA Inderwal Ghulam Mohammad Saroori presents memorandum to Prime Minister Dr. Man Mohan Singh, Chairperson UPA Smt. Sonia Gandhi and Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. In his memorandum Saroori stated that people of district Kishtwar commonly known as the land of Saints & Sufi’s whole heartedly welcomes to Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh, Chairperson UPA Smt. Sonia Gandhi in district Kishtwar. 

In his memorandum, Saroori wants to raise the attention of PM and Sonia towards some long pending genuine demands which includes Special package to all earth quake Victims. He stated that due to the recent earth quakes, which unfortunately happened on 1st of May 2013 and intervening night of 15th& 16th May 2013 with high intensity, and has damaged nearly 90 percent houses of erstwhile district Doda resulted into huge loss of property was. He said that district Kishtwar being the most backward district of Jammu and Kashmir state and added that the people are very poor and are not able to build their damaged houses again. He said that most of the houses are near to collapse. He said that PM luminary personality is requested to announce and sanction a special package for the most backward district Kishtwar, as it is already beset with poverty, famine, and diseases.  He demanded Rs. 4 lacs to be sanctioned for each complete damaged house, and Rs. 2 lacs for the fifty percent damaged houses. 

He further stated that after the completion of Dul Hasti Hydro Electric project, none of the other projects have been started so far. He reminded the PM that Kishtwar district is having a rich potential of producing electricity & can generate up to 20,000 MW electricity,and added that unfortunately the sanctioned projects like Rattle, Pakuldul, Kwar, Keru, Karthai, Burser etc have not been started due to one or other reason. He said that all the formalities stands fulfilled, the DPR stands submitted and even the tenders for some projects have been invited and some projects stands allotted but the execution of work has not been yet started. He said that Kishtwar being the most backward district is bereft of Industries, Factories & government jobs, so the only source for employment for thousands of youths wholly depends upon these projects and the poor unemployed common masses is eyeing your esteemed visit as the hope of employment and instructions to the concerned agencies to start the work on these projects, so that the common poor man can be given an opportunity to earn the bread & butter for their families.

Saroori in his memorandum strongly advocated the construction of Singpur - Vailoo Tunnel and added that the pre-feasibility reports stands submitted to the Hon’ble Union Minister for Roads and Surface Transport New Delhi by the Director General Border Roads Organization Chandigarh. He demanded immediate instruction to be issued for the construction of Singpur-Vailoo Tunnel. He said that with the completion of this tunnel a huge outburst of tourist will flow on both sides. He said that the Amarnath Pilgrims (Yatris) can freely go to Amarnath Pilgrimage in Kashmir via this route which is not only safe but the shortest one to the valley and also to Himachal Pradesh. He urged the PM to instruct and direct the concerned agencies to execute the work on his and people’s dream project.  

He also demanded land compensation for land owners whose land comes under road alignment on Batote-Kishtwar-Sinthan-Srinagar National Highway. He said that the GREF authorities are executing the work of road from Batote to Sinthan Top, but the compensation right from Shalimar to Sinthan top is lying pending, the reason best known to the authorities concerned. He urges the PM to issue instruction to Roads & Surface Transport Ministry to release early compensation of said project so that the poor people may be compensated at an earliest. 

He also demanded financial assistance for School Buildings under SSA sustained 90 % damages in earthquake. He said that all the school buildings under SSA executed by Education Department have got more than 90 percent damage due to recent earth quakes and all such schools have been declared as unsafe. He said that the sub standard material used for the construction of such buildings was the main cause for the complete damage. He urged the PM to direct Minister for HRD to release required funds for the re-construction of all such  damaged SSA  buildings of Erstwhile district Doda  at an earliest so that the normal functioning of schools in far-flung areas may start once again without risk.

Saroori thanked Hon’ble Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi for laying foundation stone of 850MW Rattle Power project which will be constructed in Inderwal Constituency. He also thanked Prime Minister and Sonia Gandhi for a special package of Rs. 710 crores for construction of roads under PMGSY. He further thanked them for their deep concern for over all welfare of the People of J&K State beside thanks to the people of the area for attending the function of PM in Kishtwar in large number. He expresses his gratitude to PM on behalf of Congress workers and in particular the public of District Kishtwar for his visit to this most far-flung and backward area of J & K State.

Congress review arrangements of PM visit to Kishtwar.

Wani, Saroori inspected the venue where PM Dr. Manmohan is schedule to address the public rally.

Kishtwar June 23:- Minister for PWD (R&B) and Mechanical Engineering Abdul Majid Wani along with Former Minister and MLA Inderwal G M Saroori review the arrangements at Kishtwar ahead of 25th June 2013 Prime Minister visit to Kishtwar.

Congress party leaders also inspect the venue where Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan is schedule to address the public rally on the sideline of stone laying foundation ceremony of prestigious 850 MW Rattle Hydro Electrical Power Project to be constructed on river Chenab at Drabshala in Kishtwar District. After inspecting the venue, Abdul Majid Wani and G M Saroori chaired a Congress party meeting at Dak Bunglow Kishtwar which was attended by Senior Vice President JKPCC Ghulam Haider Sheikh, Secretary JKPCC Thakur Jughal Bhandari, General Secretary NSUI J&K Wassim Sajjad, District President Gandhi Global Family Kishtwar Aslam Malik, District President NSUI Kishtwar Saqib Lone, Senior Congress Leader Subhan Kichloo, Mushtaq Hap, Mahinder Singh Parihar, and others discusses about the various steps taken by them to arrange the visit of Prime Minister.

They also issued necessary directions to the district administration as well security agencies regarding the safe guarding upcoming PM visit to Kishtwar.

On the occasion Congress Leaders condemned the killing of two police personnel of J&K Police force at Hari Singh High Street describing it an act of barbaric and cowardice and also condole the sad demise of Nageena Begum, mother of Advocate Imtiyaz Ahmed Hamal. She is the wife of legendary educationist late Ghulam Rasool Hamal.

All the Leaders and Workers observed two minute silence and expressed their solidarity with them and prayed for peace to the departed souls.

They appeal to the people to gather at Chowgan ground at 9am on 25th June to listen the views of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, Chief Minister J&K Omar Abdullah, AICC Incharge J&K Ambika Soni and others.

As details, Dr Manmohan Singh will arrive at Kishtwar in the afternoon of 25th June 2013 after dedicating the Banihal-Qaziqund rail link to the nation. This will be the 3nd visit of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh to Kishtwar since becoming the Prime Minister of India in 2004. Last time Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh addresses the public gathering at the same venue on 26 April 2008 and dedicated 390 MW Dool-Hasti Power project to the nation. He also visited Kishtwar during 2005 snow tsunami and meet with several public delegations at Kishtwar helipad.

The project will be constructed in a joint venture with Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Ltd (JKSPDC) for procurement of power on a long-term basis from the 850 MW Rattle Hydro Electric Power Project to be constructed on river Chenab in mountainous Kishtwar District under Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT). As per the agreement, GVK will hand over the project to the state government after the period of 35 years from the date of commission of the power project. The project that will require an investment of around Rs 6000 crore and is slated to be commissioned by 2017. Rattle Power Project is the first hydel power project in the country that has been awarded through a tariff based competitive bidding process. This project also has the unique distinction of being the first private sector investment in the power sector in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Jammu and Kashmir will get 16 percent of free power from the GVK Power and Infrastructure Limited which includes 1.5 % for local area development and out of the remaining power the company will sell power to the state at a cost of Rs 1.44 per unit, which is less than the unit price paid by the state government while purchasing the power from Northern grid thus will save approximately an amount of Rs. 1200-14000 Cr annually to the state government once the power project will start generating the power.

Wani, Saroori inaugurates motorable bridges at Sigdi & Vohal.

KISHTWAR, JUNE 22-Minister for R&B and Mechanical Engineering, Abdul Majid Wani accompanied by Former Minister and MLA Inderwal, G M Saroori and various officers of Different departments including Tehsildar Chatroo, S E PMGSY, X En R&B, X En PMGSY, X En PHE, BDO Chatroo, today visited far flung areas of Sigdi Bhata, Passerkoot and Chatroo Tehsil of Kishtwar District.

The minister inaugurated 35 metre Span Steel Bridge over Sigdi Nalla and 25 metre span bridge at Vohal on Singpora Nalla, Both constructed under PMGSY.

Addressing a series of public meetings at Dadhpeth, Sigdi, Passerkoot and Chatroo, the Minister said that government is committed to provide road connectivity to the people living in these remote areas as roads are the basic necessity for the effective development of people, the minister also announced that those habitations that have been left out will be covered under the second phase.

While appreciating the people of Chatroo Tehsil, he said that people have maintained the feeling of brotherhood and harmony in the region and the government will leave no stone unturned to develop these areas. The minister expressed his concern over the delay in completion of different projects by contractors and directed the concerned authorities to terminate their contracts and blacklist them.

Speaking on the occasion, G M Saroori apprised the Minister of different problems being faced by the people and demanded that work on Singpora Vailoo Tunnel should be started, free ration be provided to all on equal basis, Electrification of Left out villages under RGGVY and compensation for acquired land be provided.

Different delegations met the Minister and presented their charters of demands. The minister directed the concerned officials to address their demands on priority.

Congress hails appointment of Ambika Soni as In-Charge Congress J&K.

Saroori visited Bunjwah area distributed Rs 5 Lack Labour cheques among beneficiaries.

Kishtwar, June 16: - Senior Congress Leader, Former Minister and MLA Inderwal G M Saroori today hail the decision of the Congress high command Chairperson UPA Smt. Sonia Gandhi and vice presidend Rahul Gandhi for appointment of Ambika Soni as General Secretary In-Charge Congress Jammu and Kashmir.

"This decision will greatly strengthen the party at grass root level. Her appointment will further boost up the rank and file of the party for forthcoming Assembly and Lok Sabha polls, JK Congress MLA G M Saroori said.

While addressing a various public meetings at Jalapur, Noor, Antwan, Kewa, Patshalla area of Bunjwah District Kishtwar distributed Labour cheques worth 5 Lacks among beneficiaries in presence of Assistant Labour Commissioner Kishtwar Zakir Hussain.

Saroori asked the District and Sectoral officers to consult Sarpanchs for developing village level plans. He said Government has already given a clear cut direction in this regard, but unfortunately things are not implemented. He emphasized that Planning should be from bottom to top and not from top to bottom as only panchayats know what are the genuine and priority areas of work in the Villages.

The locals of the area appreciated the efforts of the Saroori for taking keen interest for development of Jalapur panchayat.

On the occasion people put forth various demands including issue of ration being provided on the basis of 2001 census instead of 2011 census and better road connectivity in Bunjwah areas and electrify remaining villages and Saroori assured the people that their demands and problems would be considered sympathetically for early redressal. He said that centre government is providing liberal funding for various development sectors and the state government is making tireless efforts for optimum use of the same for development and to connect cut out habitations and villages of the state under centrally sponsored schemes like PMGSY, MGNREGA etc.

Prominent among those Farooq Ahmed Want, Mohammad Iqbal Keen, Khalid Hussain Sheikh, Akhtar Hussain Tatani, Ab Rahman Wani, Mohd Sharief Keen, Abid Hussain and people in large number were present on the occasion.*

Saroori expressed shock over accident at Kuligad Thathri

3 died, 2 injured in road accident

Kishtwar, Jun 12: - Former Minister and MLA Inderwal Ghulam Mohammad Saroori today expressed grief and shock in a tragic accident in which three persons died including Farooq Malik R/o Chatroo, Ishtaq Bagwan R/o Kishtwar and one Minor child, two injured children including Koshnawaz D/o Tanveer Bagwan and Zaifa Banoo D/o Ishtaq Bagwan received injuries today when their Maruati car skidded off the road and fell into Chenab River near Panj Nallah Kuligad Tathri in Kishtwar district.

The car, which was on way to Jammu from Kishtwar, fell into the river at Drabshalla area at around 5:00 PM. Three bodies have been recovered from the river bank, while the two injured children have been shifted to a hospital in Thathri.

Saroori has conveyed his heart felt condolence to the family member of bereaved families and prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls beside a place for them in heaven. He also prayed to Almighty Allah to give strength to the family members of the deceased to bear irreparable loss and early recovery to the injured persons.

He issued instruction to the doctor for taking extra care to the injured and ensuring all possible treatment to the injured.

Saroori appeal to Hon'ble Chief Minister J&K Omar Abdullah to immediately release Rs 5 Lacks ex-gratia relief in favour of the family members of those who have lost their lives and one Lacks as compensation to the injured being treated in different hospitals beside demanded to take effective steps in checking frequent accidents.

Saroori flays government over Power and Water crisis.

Government must chalk out a comprehensive plan to plug the loopholes within the existing power and water sector.

Kishtwar, May 09: - Former Minister and Congress MLA from Inderwal G M Saroori while addressing large gathering at Thakrie area of District Kishtwar today said he would not remain a mute spectator to the apathetic attitude of the government towards the plight of the people in Jammu region. “In the scorching heat when the temperature is hovering between 44 and 45 degree celsius, people are struggling to get power and drinking water. He would not remain a mute spectator to the apathetic attitude of the government,” Saroori asserted.

Saroori said there is acute shortage of the electricity in whole Jammu region. People are on roads because erratic power supply, for one reason or the other, also fails the water supply. The situation is very very grim in Jammu relates the torture of power failure in the searing heat of 47 degrees Celsius plus and Kashmir during sub zero temperatures in the Kashmir Valley.

Stating that the only way a viable solution to the power crisis in Jammu and Kashmir having a comprehensive policy to address the electricity crisis affecting day-to-day life in the state, the administration would always sought to put onus of the power crisis over the hapless consumers blaming them for non-payments of bills without realizing shortage of power and huge transmission losses is beyond the control of general public.

Saroori urged state government to implement a comprehensive plan, funded by Asian Development Bank (ADB) to minimise the scarcity of water in Jammu during the summer as it was earlier implemented in PDP-Congress regime, state government should immediately formulated and implement the plan to cope with this problem and said this is a time to take major step to mitigate the woes of the people,” he said.

He said according to his information Jammu faces a shortage of over 11 Million Gallons against the normal per day requirement which goes further up with the increase in mercury. “Many times the supply remains disrupted for days together which compel the residents to come on roads and protest against the department. It is a routine problem and every year during peak summers the problem grips entire city and its adjoining areas”.

Congress leader said government must chalk out a comprehensive plan to plug the loopholes within the existing power sector by introducing reforms and a work culture. The problem of huge transmission losses should be addressed immediately besides the state government must impress upon the central government for a better power sharing deal. The state government must replace rotten poles with cement poles. As rotten wooden poles and trees are used in place of cement poles causing risk of life and cattle in whole of Erstwhile district Doda and recently in Inderwal constituency one “Noor Mohd S/o Abdul Rashi died at Malanoo Khara area of district Doda due to rotten wooden poles,”.

Meeting of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Rural Development Department was held today at Srinagar

Committee examined the audit para relating to RDD contained in CAG report

Srinagar, June 6: – A meeting of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Rural Development Department was held under the Chairmanship of MLA, Muzaffar Hussain Baig here today.

The meeting was attended by Legislators, Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta, Abdul Gani Malik, G. M. Saroori, Nasir Aslam Wani, Balwant Singh Mankotia, Mohammad Yaseen Shah, Ch. Zulfkar Ali, Krishan Chander, Showkat Hussain Ganai, Mohammad Muzaffar Parray, Secretary Rural Development, Secretary, and Legislative Assembly besides, senior officers of Finance Department and Assembly Secretariat.

The Committee examined the audit para relating to Rural Development Department contained in CAG report.

It also discussed threadbare detailed points raised by the CAG and the reply given by the department.

 
During the course of meeting queries were raised by the members of the committee and the department was directed to furnish the comprehensive replies at least four days prior to the next meeting of the committee.

Baig chairs PAC meeting

Committee suggested Heads of the Departments should place the audit para queries raised by the CAG

SRINAGAR, MAY 27: - Chairman, Committee on Public Accounts (PAC) of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Mr. Muzaffar Hussain Beigh impressed upon the Member of the Committee to ensure proper functioning of the Committee by way of their fruitful contribution in its deliberations during the course of examination of audit paras pertaining to various Departments. He was also of the opinion that in order to make the executive accountable, all the Members have to realize their assigned responsibilities as the Committee represents the whole House.

Mr. Baig was chairing a meeting of PAC held here today to discuss and review the CAG’s audit paras besides functioning of the Committee.

Legislators, Mr. G. M. Saroori, Prof.ChamanLal Gupta, Mr. Abdul Gani Malik, Hakeem Mohammad Yasin, Aga RuullahMedhi, Mr. NasirAslamWani and Mr. Showkat Hussain Ganai attended the meeting and gave their suggestions for making the working of the Committee more result oriented.

The Committee also suggested that the Heads of the Departments should place the audit para queries raised by the CAG before the concerned Ministers so that they can remain well informed with such queries and streamline the system under his administrative control.

Secretary Assembly, Mr. M. Ramzan briefed the Committee about its working and Action Taken Reports (ATRs). He also informed that the instructions were already given to all the Departments to furnish their ATRs so that the same could be furnished to the respective Committees for their examination. he Committee decided that it will submit its report by end of February so that the detailed discussion will be held on the Report during the budget session. The Committee also opined that there should be discussion on the report during the session.

Detailed discussion was also held with regard to the issue of rehabilitation measures taken by the Government for earth quick victims of Chenab Valley and directed the Assembly Secretariat to seek the status report with regard to the measures to be taken by Centre and State governments for its scrutiny in its next meeting scheduled to be held on June 6, 2013.

Among others, Secretary Law Mrs.FarhatTasneem, Special Secretary Legislative Assembly Mr. Mulak Raj Singh and other officers of the Assembly secretariat attended the meeting