PCC in need of women to fill 33 pc quota
JAMMU, Jan 28 — Women in Jammu and Kashmir are in demand for being inducted into the Pradesh Congress Committee, which will be reconstituted shortly following the decision of the party President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, to reserve 33 per cent PCC seats for women.

Dogra Sabha plea to govt
JAMMU, Jan 28 — The Dogra Saddar Sabha and the Peace Council have called upon the State Government to take immediate measures for resolving economic problems of the people, including unemployment in the border areas of Poonch and Rajouri, to check militancy in the region.

Hill council decries DC’s transfer
JAMMU, Jan 28 — The 27-member Leh Hill Development Council, at a meeting in Leh today, adopted a resolution condemning the state government for transferring the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Basharat Ahmed, without any "rhyme or reason".

Milk plant staff allege harassment
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Jan 28 — Consumers here have been deprived of an additional over 20,000 litres of standard packed milk 'Khyber' daily due to the "apathetic attitude" of the state government since Id celebrations here.

A new brand of pasteurised and vitaminised milk packed in food grade pouches from a private company was started in September. "There was a daily supply of over 20,000 litres in parts of the city", said Imtiyaz Ahmad of the Khyber Milk plant. He said due to the quality and standard of milk, the demand had increased to at least 35,000 litres per day. On Id more than 50,000 litres were supplied only to the parts of Srinagar city.

Employees at the Khyber outlet here allege that they were being harassed and held by the police at the instance of the Food and Supplies Department. Many dealers were also held by the police asking the retailers to sell the product at par with the milk available in the market.

According to Mr M.M. Bhat, Director, Food and Supplies, Kashmir, the department did not impose any ban on the milk pouches. "The cost calculation comes to Rs 12 per litre, while the pouch is available at Rs 13", Mr M.M. Bhat said. He added that the government had already fixed the rates of milk per litre at Rs 12, and any hike in this rate was violative of the fixed norms by the government. The owners of the Khyber plant hold that the cost of the milk and the process of supply to the consumers mounted to more than Rs 12 per litre and the retailers sold it at marginal profits.

PCC in need of women to fill 33 pc quota
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Jan 28 — Women in Jammu and Kashmir are in demand for being inducted into the Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC), which will be reconstituted shortly following the decision of the party President, Ms Sonia Gandhi, to reserve 33 per cent PCC seats for women.

The state Congress leaders are in a piquant situation as there are not enough 'suitable' females for being inducted in the PCC. It has been suggested that senior party leaders should include their wives or female relatives in the PCC.

Reports said this has been a major factor for the delay in the reconstitution of the PCC, which was dissolved two years ago. In itially, the AICC leadership had the problem of finding an acceptable candidate for the post of the PCC President. Ultimately, the dice was cast in favour of Mr Mohammed Aslam.

If the 33 per cent reservation for women is to be implemented, it means that at least 52 women have to be inducted in the PCC. Three senior party leaders — Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, his daughter, Ms Mehbooba Mufti, leader of the Congress legislature party, and Mr Ghulam Rasool Kar, former MP, have been in Delhi for the past two days to discuss the issue of early reconstitution of the PCC. The PCC Chief too has been summoned to Delhi so that he can be consulted about reconstituting the PCC.

Party sources said that the faction led by Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad has been demanding key PCC posts for its supporters after the Mufti camp was able to install its supporter, Mr Aslam, as the PCC President. On the other hand, since the Mufti enjoys wide support within the Congress in all three regions of the state, his camp is expected to get a lion's share in the revamped PCC.

Dogra Sabha plea to govt
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Jan 28 — The Dogra Saddar Sabha and the Peace Council have called upon the State Government to take immediate measures for resolving economic problems of the people, including unemployment in the border areas of Poonch and Rajouri, to check militancy in the region.

Addressing mediapersons here today after touring Poonch and Rajouri districts, the President of the sabha and council, Mr G.S. Charak, said unemployment and backwardness had resulted in the rise in militancy in these areas.

He said there was a need to accelerate development works and expressed concern over the working conditions in schools, colleges and hospitals.

He urged the government to provide an ex-gratia relief to the family members of those killed in militancy-related violence.

Hill council decries DC’s transfer
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Jan 28 — The 27-member Leh Hill Development Council, at a meeting in Leh today, adopted a resolution condemning the state government for transferring the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Basharat Ahmed, without any "rhyme or reason".

The meeting which was presided over by the Chief Executive Councillor, Mr Thupstan Chhewang, in the resolution said the decision to shift the Deputy Commissioner was another attempt to "undermine" the authority of the Leh Hill Development Council.

The resolution said that the Deputy Commissioner was on leave since January 15 and as such he could not be held guilty for the poor participation of the people in the Republic Day function. It said that Mr Basharat Ahmed had been made a scapegoat simply to slight the hill council.

The councillors have urged the government to reconsider its decision in order to prevent the confrontation between the council and the state government.

Entry into mosque: probe ordered

SRINAGAR, Jan 28 (PTI) — A probe has been ordered into the alleged forcible entry into a mosque by security forces here on January 25, official sources said today.

The SSP (City), Mr Raja Aijaz Ali, would investigate the charge that security personnel forcibly entered the mosque after roughing up members of its management body, they said.

A team of revenue officials visited the mosque to assess the "damage" caused to the mosque and prepared a compensation case, the sources added.