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Excelsior daily REGD.NO.JK-71/15-17 RNI No. 28547/65 Vol No. 53 No. 140 JAMMU, MONDAY, MAY 22, 2017 16 Pages ` 5.00 Gopal Sharma JAMMU, May 21: The work on the vital bridge worth Rs 206 crore over river Chenab in Khour-Pargwal area of Akhnoor Sub Division in dis- trict Jammu, said to be the longest bridge in Northern India, is being sabotaged as the concerned agency JKPCC under R&B Department has failed to finalise the contract even after the lapse of one year. Highly placed sources in R&B told the Excelsior that this prestigious Jammu centric proj- ect is again facing rough weath- er at the hands of the people at the helm of affairs, despite the fact that entire funding is being made by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. For sabotaging this project, some people moved to the court on the advice of some 'insiders' but the court dismissed their plea ( on 23-3-2017) about two months back. Even after that, the financial bid could not be finalized till today. Sources revealed that Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways sanctioned the 1680 mt long bridge project over Chenab worth Rs 206 crore on January 18, 2016. The work was authorised by the State R&B department to the JKPCC on April 16, 2016. As the Central Road Fund (CRF) guidelines, national e-tender was issued on 25-7-2016 and last date of sub- mission of bid was October 26, 2016. The technical bid was opened on November 11, 2016. In between a writ petition was filed in the court by a local com- pany after the tender process was completed. However, the High Court after listening both sides dismissed the petition on March 23, 2017. The members of the Bid Committee including MD JKPCC and others, failed to finalise the contract even after court lifted the restrictions. In between the bid validity of 120 days as per e-NIT condition expired on February 22, 2017. Three main companies, who are contesting- M/s Gammon India Ltd Mumbai, M/s SP Singla Constructions Pvt Ltd Chandigarh and M/s Arvind Techno Engineers Pvt Ltd Delhi were requested for three months extension in the bid validity. They all have deposit- ed bank guarantee worth over Rs 10 crores with the JKPCC. Interestingly, the extended financial bid validity of the bridge project is going to be expired on May 23, 2017 (Tuesday), but the officials at the helm of affairs in JKPCC and R&B department are least bothered about the fate of this important bridge project which is strategically and Defence point of view very vital in Pargwal-Khour sector bordering Pakistan. There is no binding on the construction agency after court gave the green nod but officers at the helm of affairs are just buying time and avoiding to open the financial bid for the reason best known to them. If the bid extension date is lapsed again, the agency would start the process of inviting tenders again and this exercise may consume at least seven to eight months more, the sources added. Minister for R&B Department, Naeem Akhtar when contacted said that he was not well aware of the mat- ter but maintained that this Mohinder Verma JAMMU, May 21: The much-needed up-gradation of strategically important Leh airport, one of the world’s highest airfields, has remained victim of lack of coordination between all the concerned agencies and despite lapse of several years nobody is in a position to specify time-frame for start of work on this Rs 200 crore worth project. Due to non-seriousness on the part of all the stakeholders towards this ambitious project, passengers handling capacity has remained grossly inadequate despite the fact that air travel is the only mode of transport to the region during winter months when Leh remains cut-off from rest of the world due to closure of the highway. Official sources told EXCELSIOR that the plan about expansion and up-gradation of Leh airport, located at 10,683 feet above the sea level and is considered as one of the world’s highest airfields, was mooted over four years back as the exist- ing passengers handling capaci- ty is grossly inadequate. It was officially stated at that time that with the expansion/up- gradation project which involves construction of new terminal building and new parking bays at the airport the peak hour pas- senger capacity will go up to 800 from the current capacity of 250 passengers. Accordingly, the exercise was started to get the required chunk of land from Indian Air Force (IAF) and hand it over to the Airport Authority of India (AAI) so as to pave the way for start of work on the much-needed project. It is per- tinent to mention here that the land identified for the expan- sion/up-gradation project belongs to the State Government but it is currently under the physical possession of Indian Air Force (IAF) and unless the same is handed over to AAI the work cannot be commenced. After hectic parleys, the IAF in principle agreed to hand over 11.8 acres of land to AAI for construction of new terminal building after getting No Objection Certificate from the State Government, which is the actual owner of the airport land. However, the IAF made it clear that in lieu of 11.8 acres of land the Government shall have to provide alternate land for shift- ing the utilities before vacating the identified area. “During the past nearly one and half year no further development has taken place as district administration is of Sanjeev Pargal JAMMU, May 21: Union Minister of State in Prime Minister's Office (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh today hinted at "decisive action" against all those fomenting trouble in the Kashmir valley including Hurriyat Conference, sepa- ratists etc and declared that the "chapter of disturbance'' will come to a close. Dropping enough indications of what was in store for the mil- itants, Dr Jitendra Singh told a questioner at 'Round Table Media Conclave' of Aaj Tak news channel that 30 militants, who were reportedly moving in South Kashmir, "will not move for long''. Replying to volley of ques- tions by the News Editors of the channel at the conclave this afternoon, Dr Jitendra Singh declared that this chapter…the chapter of disturbances…the chapter which you are referring to in the Kashmir valley will come to a close. "You will see as the things unfold. It's not for me to spell out everything here,'' he said. Replying to a question that the Government was not acting against Hurriyat Conference and separatists despite evidence of their involvement in hawala money and other undesirable activities, Dr Jitendra Singh, who is also a Lok Sabha mem- ber from Jammu and Kashmir, hinted at "decisive action'' against all the elements, who were fomenting trouble in the Kashmir valley-be it the Hurriyat Conference, sepa- ratists, militants, stone pelters etc. Also indicating tough action against the militants, he said 30 militants, which the questioners claimed were moving freely in South Kashmir, will not move long. "Such things are not going to last long''. To a specific question that time has come for ban on Hurriyat Conference, the MoS in PMO, however, said that it would be out of turn for him to speak on this. "I shouldn't be answering this question. Representing Jammu and Kashmir didn't mean that I would take every decision. There is the Ministry of Homes Affairs, Ministry of External Affairs, who were taking call on this. The law of land should take its course,'' he added. Dr Jitendra Singh said he agreed that it was more of a "mercenary terrorism'' and not a freedom fight and added that Defence Minister Arun Jaitley has made it clear in his state- ment in Srinagar that all those ‘Milit ant s won’ t roam freely very long’ Dr Jitendra hints at decisive action against troublemakers in Valley *Chapter of disturbance will come to close PELLING (SIKKIM), May 21: "Kashmir is ours, Kashmiris are ours and Kashmiriyat is also ours," Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said today, asserting that the Modi Government will find a "permanent solu- tion" to the Kashmir problem. The Home Minister's asser- tion came amid continued unrest in the Kashmir valley. Addressing a public recep- tion here in this tiny Northeastern State, Singh accused Pakistan of trying to "destabilise" India by fomenting trouble in Kashmir. "But I want to tell all of you that our Government will find a permanent solution to the Kashmir issue," he said, without elaborating. Rajnath Singh said heads of Government of all neighbouring countries, including Pakistan, were invited to the swearing-in ceremony of the Modi Government in 2014 in an indi- cation that India wanted friendly relations with them. However, he deplored, there was no change in the "attitude" of Pakistan which wanted to "destabilise" India. "We hope that Pakistan will change. If it does not change, we will have to change them. After globalisation, one country can't destabilise another country as the international community will not forget it," he said. The Home Minister is on a three-day visit to Sikkim during which he attended a conference of Himalayan States to review the security situation and devel- opment activities along the Sino-Indian border. He also visited the Nathu La border post, besides a few posts of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police and SSB along the Sino- India and Indo-Nepal border respectively. Kashmir is in a vice-like grip of violence since the killing of militant commander Burhan Wani in an encounter with secu- rity forces in July last year. Though there was a brief lull, violence erupted again on April 9 this year when the bypoll to Srinagar Lok Sabha seat was held. Normalcy has eluded the State since. Eight people were killed in firing by security forces on the polling day and a paltry 7.14 per cent of the electors came out to vote, the lowest ever in the Valley since the rise of militancy in 1989. Bypoll for the Anantnag Lok Sabha seat was first deferred and then cancelled by the Election Commission which said the situ- ation in the region was "scary". Students have joined the protests like never before with even girls taking to streets and fighting pitched battles with security forces. Around 80 people had lost ‘Pak want s to dest abilise India’ Kashmir is ours, will find permanent solution: Rajnath Eidgah march foiled Adil Lateef SRINAGAR, May 21:Amid a shutdown in Kashmir, author- ities today imposed strict restrictions here in Old City and foiled the proposed Eidgah march and rally of separatist leaders to commemorate the death anniversaries of two sepa- ratist leaders. The separatist leaders including moderate Hurriyat chairman and patron of Awami Action Committee, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, had called for a march to Eidgah in downtown city here to commemorate the death anniversaries of his father, Mirwaiz Maulvi Muhammad Farooq and Abdul Gani Lone who were killed by Army alert as Pak troops deploy SSG along LoC 2 militants, soldier killed in Nowgam Fayaz Bukhari SRINAGAR, May 21: Two militants and a soldier were killed as Army operation in Nowgam sector along the Line of Control (LoC) against the infiltrating militants contin- ued today taking the number of militants killed in the oper- ation so far to four and the number of Army men killed to 3. And Army has been put on heightened alert along the LoC in North Kashmir after inputs that Pakistani troops are preparing for Border Action Team (BAT) action. Srinagar based Defence spokesman, Lt Col Rajesh Kalia said that four infiltrating mili- tants and three soldiers were killed in Nowgam sector in North Kashmir during the oper- ation that was launched by army last evening. "Four weapons and war like stores were also recov- ered as Army sanitized the area today", he added. The soldiers who were killed in the operation have been iden- tified as Havaldar Damar Bahadur, Havaldar Girish Gurung and Rifleman Robin Sharma of 4/1 GR. Sources said that last evening Army noticed move- ment of a group of 4-5 militants infiltrating in Nowgam sector near Sangam Post last evening. They had cut fence and were try- ing to sneak in when Army noticed their movement. The troops challenged them leading to a fierce gun battle in which two militants and 2 Army men were killed. Two militants and a soldier were killed today during the operation. Amy has also launched a massive operation in Macchil sector of North Kashmir today after they received inputs that a group of highly trained mili- tants has managed to infiltrate into the area. The troops are conducting searches in vast forest areas in the sector. In the meantime, troops along the LoC in North Kashmir have been put on high alert after Army received inputs that the small groups of Special Services Group (SSG) of Pakistan army have been deployed along with Govind Sharma JAMMU, May 21: Not tak- ing lesson even after getting a blow on the issue of enhance- ment of Post Graduate seats and previous all MCI inspec- tions for enhancement of MBBS seats from 100 to 150, Government Medical College (GMC) Jammu is still continu- ing with the policy of adho- cism. According to the sources in Health and Medical Education Department, right from the high- est post of Principal/Dean, GMC Jammu has not seen any con- firmed Principal after superan- nuation of Dr Rajinder Singh. Thereafter Dr Aniece Choudhary, Dr Shashi Gupta, Dr Ghanshyam Gupta, Dr Zahid Gillani and now acting Principal Dr Sunandha Raina all were opted as in-charge principal. “Not only this, nearly 80 fac- ulty members of GMC, Jammu and Super-Speciality block have been placed on various posts of Assistant and Associate Professors and Professors on incharge basis”, sources claimed. It is worth mentioning that the validity of these Own Pay Grade (OPG) orders is only for 6 months and administrative department is supposed to con- duct Departmental Promotion Committee confirmation through Public Service Commission every six months as per the laid down guidelines of PSC J&K, provided the attempt is made by the con- cerned administrative depart- ment. Sources further said that in every inspection conducted by Medical Council of India for enhancement of seats, Administration of GMC Jammu felt the heat of MCI inspectors for big number of faculty being on Incharge basis. As MCI only counts the head of faculty who is confirmed by DPC as per their bylaws and statues, GMC Jammu could manage somehow with the intervention of adminis- trative department by giving affidavit by the Commissioner/Secretary not once but a number of times with the assurance to MCI that the faculty members placed on incharge basis will be confirmed by DPC/PSC in no time. However, sources said, that this coming November GMC Jammu and GMC Srinagar shall be heading for final call from MCI in the form of final inspection with regard to availability of teaching faculty and infrastructure as per the gazette of India notified by MCI –Minimum standards requirement 2017. “Further, it is true that GMC Jammu got only 13 PG seats enhanced in comparison to 37 of GMC Srinagar. This was based on two factors i.e. avail- ability of already PG seats and confirmed Professors as well as Associate Professors in various Adhocism, vacant posts ruining premiere health institute of Jammu *53 faculty posts vacant in SSH, 80 in GMC * Watch video on www.excelsiornews.com * Watch video on www.excelsiornews.com WEATHER JAMMU : Possibility of light rain/ Thundershowers TEMPERATURE Max: 29.6 Degree C Min: 27.1 Degree C RELATIVE HUMIDITY RH-I (Morning): 42.0 per cent RH-II (Evening): 66.0 per cent Sunset on Monday: 07.28 p.m. Sunrise on Tuesday: 05.29 a.m. SRINAGAR: Possibility of light rain/ Thundershowers TEMPERATURE Max: 23.6 Degree C Min: 11.9 Degree C RELATIVE HUMIDITY RH-I (Morning): 64.0 per cent RH-II (Evening): 52.0 per cent LEH: TEMPERATURE Max: 17.7 Degree C Min: 3.5 Degree C (Contd on page 6 Col 5) All st akeholders unable to specify time-frame for st art of work No end to dilly-dallying approach towards Rs 200 cr Leh airport up-gradation project *People suffer due to lack of coordination between IAF, AAI (Contd on page 6 Col 3) JKPCC fails to finalise tenders Work on bridge worth Rs 206 cr on Chenab in Khour being sabotaged *2 local BJP MLAs warn to launch ‘hunger strike’ (Contd on page 6 Col 3) (Contd on page 6 Col 1) Jammu woman evacuated from Mt Everest KATHMANDU, May 21: At least six persons, includ- ing a former Miss India finalist, were today evacuated from the higher camps of Mount Everest after they suffered from high- altitude sicknesses while attempting to climb the world's highest peak. According to the expedition organisers, 52-year-old Sangeeta S Bahl, who hails from Jammu and Kashmir, Argentine climbers Andres Esteban Pariz and Ricardo Dario Birn were airlifted from Camp II. Phurba Tamang, a Nepali climber, were also brought to Combat crisis of Islamic extremism: Trump RIYADH, May 21: US President Donald Trump called on Middle Eastern lead- ers to combat a “crisis of Islamic extremism” emanating from the region, casting the fight against terrorism as a “bat- tle between good and evil,” not a clash between the West and Islam. Trump’s address today was the centrepiece of his two-day visit to Saudi Arabia, his first stop overseas as President. During a meeting of more than 50 Arab and Muslim lead- ers, he sought to chart a new course for America’s role in the region, one aimed squarely on (Contd on page 6 Col 5) (Contd on page 6 Col 2) (Contd on page 6 Col 7) (Contd on page 6 Col 5) (Contd on page 6 Col 7)
