Nation & States  

No reduction of troops on border,
says defence minister
What is India News Service, 1 July 2004, 2000 hrs


Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee ruled out relaxation of laws that provide extra powers for security forces to counter extremist violence.

“We cannot think of doing away with the act till terrorism is completely put down in Jammu and Kashmir”, Mukherjee told mediapersons after a two-day visit to the state. The Armed Forces (J & K) Special Powers Act has been in force since 1990.

Mukherjee said crossborder terrorism continued in the state even though a ceasefire along the Line of Control and tight vigilance had helped. He ruled out any immediate reduction of troops from the borders. 

“Militants strike a soft target when an international personality is to visit India or any other Indian leader has to visit Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.


Bus hits roadblock: India has proposed 10 Jammu and Kashmir-specific confidence building measures to Pakistan in the just-ended Foreign Secretary-level talks, but the stalemate continues on the proposed Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus service.

Sources said a specific Indian proposal that apparently took the Pakistani delegation unawares was a bus service between Jammu and Sialkot. 

However, an old Indian proposal which is proving to be rather ticklish is the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus link. Pakistan is not keen to allow the bus service. 


States oppose funding protocol: Several States, including Bihar, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal, today opposed the idea of direct funding of the Panchayati Raj institutions by the Centre for rural development schemes. They are saying it is against the spirit of federalism. 


Governors may be replaced: The centre has decided to replace five governors, whom it considers ``political appointees'' of the previous government. 


Kalam presents awards: Some of India's best-known names in writing, music and sports recieved Padma awards from president Abdul Kalam on Wednesday.

Gulzar, lyricist, Gopichand Naran, Urdu scholar, M.V. Kamath, journalist and N. Rajam, violinist, were among the 17 who received the Padma Bhushan. 


Liberhan report soon: The Liberhan Commission probing the sequence of events leading to the demolition of the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya today completed all evidence taking after more than 11 years of work.

Overall:

No scrapping of special powers law:  Defence minister Pranab Mukherjee said security forces would continue to enjoy extra powers in Jammu and Kashmir.

States opposed funding protocol:  They said the prime minister's idea of sending money directly to the village panchayats was against the spirit of federalism.

Writers and musicians received awards: Distinguished artistes and sportspersons recieved India's civilian awards from president Abdul Kalam.

Ayodhya probe completed a phase: The Justice Liberhan Commission completed recording submissions.