New Delhi : To add strength and operational capability to its fleet along the borders with China and Pakistan, the IAF's Western Air Command (WAC) today decided to develop its airbase and landing ground infrastructure in the entire northern region, particular in Jammu and Kashmir. On the last day of the two-day commanders conference of the WAC, the 'sword arm' of the IAF, it was also decided to provide a robust air maintenance operations for the Army's Commands operating in the region under its control.The WAC has nearly 20 airbases in the region covering Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir and Uttarakhand. It has in the last two years opened three strategically important Advanced Landing Grounds in Daulat Beg Oldi, Fuk Che and Nyoma in the Ladakh region of Jammu and Kashmir to provide quicker access to troops during emergencies.
It is also the lifeline for several lakh soldiers deployed in the high altitude areas of the region, carrying them to the forward areas, apart from supplying them fighting equipment, food and other essential items throughout the year. The WAC commanders conference also debated issues regarding induction of new equipment and platforms, including the C-130J transport aircraft for Indian special forces that would be based in Hindan near Ghaziabad, Airborne Early Warning and Control Systems, Aerostats and critical radar systems for the hilly regions.
These apart, the two-day conference, inaugurated by IAF Chief Air Chief Marshal P V Naik yesterday, carried out a data-based review as well as focus on key issues such as Aviation and Maintenance Safety and Welfare of Air Warriors. "The concept of operations of Western Air Command including those in support of three-affiliated Army Commands were also reviewed," a WAC officer said here. With the underlying theme 'Enhancing Operational Capability of Western Air Command', the annual conference was addressed by its Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Air Marshal N A K Browne, who asked the commanders to give highest priority to the air warriors' welfare and high morale.
Addressing the commanders, Browne said, "IAF is undergoing major modernisation process and WAC occupies a unique position in this transformation drive. The need of the hour is speedy operationalisation of newly-inducted equipment with a commitment to preserve and maintain what we already have to the highest possible standards." He also recalled the successful completion of the recent WAC exercise, Gauntlet III, when excellent operational standards were achieved. Browne also asked the commanders to keep operations as the main focus area of WAC for the year
(Courtesy : http://www.deccanherald.com, 23/11/2010)
China appears to be changing its J-K policy
NEW DELHI: China appears to be finally responding to India's concerns over the issuance of stapled visas to people of Jammu and Kashmir, a matter taken up recently by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with his Chinese counterpart Wen Jiabao .
In a move indicative of shift in Chinese policy on Jammu and Kashmir, Tanya Gupta, a singer from the state has been issued a stamped visa, instead of a stapled one, to travel to perform at the closing ceremony of the ongoing Asian Games in Guangzhou on November 27. The Chinese have been issuing visa on a separate sheet, stapled to the passports of residents of Jammu and Kashmir for more than an year, thereby questioning state's status as the integral part of India.
When contacted, Chinese embassy officials here said, "it might be an indication of a shift in visa policy of China for the Jammu and Kashmir residents." The officials were also quick to mention that the issue was once again expected to be raised by India during Wen's visit here next month. "Though it is for two sides to come to terms with the matter. But the development might be an indication of a shift in policy," they said. However, they said Gupta was invited by the Organising Committee of the Asian Games and was issued a photo pass to travel to China.
Singh stressed the need for India and China to show sensitivity to each other's core issues while meeting Wen in Hanoi last month on the margins of ASEAN summit. Though National Security Adviser Shivshanker Menon did not spell these core issues while briefing the press in Hanoi, it is clear that the border dispute and policy shift of China on Kashmir are crucial for India and Tibet is a core concern for China.
Beijing also appears not to be much bothered about a prestigious Indian University Jamia Millia Islamia conferring an honorary doctorate on Tibetan spiritual leader Dalai Lama, with officials maintaining that "it is an academic decision and not a government decision." With the Chinese premier scheduled to visit India on December 16, the move to honour the Dalai Lama is seen as a signal by New Delhi that it will be less sensitive to Beijing's concerns if its own concerns are not addressed.
(Courtesy : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com, 23/11/2010)
China stamps visa surprise
OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
New Delhi : India’s protests against China issuing stapled visas to Jammu and Kashmir residents may have had some impact. Tanya Gupta, a singer from the state, has been issued a stamped visa. Gupta will be in Guangzhou on an invitation from the Chinese to perform at the Asian Games closing ceremony on November 27. “It might be an indication of a shift in China’s visa policy for Jammu and Kashmir residents,” an official of the Chinese embassy said. But other sources cautioned that this might be a one-off incident.
“Unlike in the case of Arunachal Pradesh (the Chinese issue stapled visas to everyone travelling from that state), they have not been consistent about Jammu and Kashmir. There have been instances of them issuing stamped visas to people they have invited,” a source said. The Chinese have for a couple of years been issuing the visa on a separate sheet stapled to the passports of Jammu and Kashmir residents. New Delhi sees this as China’s way of questioning the state’s status as a part of India.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is expected to take up the issue of stapled visas with Wen Jiabao when the Chinese Premier visits New Delhi in mid-December. Indications are that the Chinese may relent on Jammu and Kashmir. National security adviser Shiv Shankar Menon will be in China at the end of this month for boundary talks. Earlier this month, foreign secretary Nirupama Rao had raised the issue with her Chinese counterparts in Beijing.
Sources said the Indian delegation had relayed a veiled threat that if Beijing continued to issue stapled visas to Jammu and Kashmir residents, Delhi might do the same for the Chinese from Tibet. The external affairs ministry has already given the Jamia Millia Islamia the go-ahead to confer an honorary doctorate on the Dalai Lama. “It is an academic decision and not a government decision,” a ministry official insisted. However, the ministry had in the recent past asked universities not to award such degrees to the Tibetan spiritual leader to avoid ruffling Beijing’s feathers.
(Courtesy : http://www.telegraphindia.com, 23/11/2010)
BJP Opposes Rehabilitation of Kashmir Youth
Jammu, Nov 23: The right wing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Tuesday slammed the Jammu and Kashmir government for approving what it termed an "anti-national" policy which will allow return of Kashmiri youth from Pakistan-controlled Kashmir back to their homes to live a peaceful life.
Responding to the government's approval of a surrender scheme for the youth who have gone across to other part of Kashmir for arms training during past two decades and facilitate their return, BJP's legislature party leader Chaman Lal Gupta said: "It's an anti-national act, and we will oppose it tooth and nail."
BJP has also called for a ‘Wheel Jam’ in Jammu for 3 hours on Saturday morning to protest the move.
State unit president of the party Shamsher Singh Manhas said the state government had made it a habit to go in for one anti-national act after another.
"First, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah challenged accession of the state with India and now his government is bent upon importing all the terrorists from across," he added.
Meanwhile, activists Bhartiya Janta Yuva Morcha burnt the effigy of Omar Abdullah and held demonstration against the move. Agencies
(Courtesy : www.kashmirobserver.net, 24/11/2010)
Omar Abdullah for apolitical, impartial administration in the country
Jammu : Emphasising the need for an administration free of political influences, Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah today said an apolitical bureaucracy is necessary for steering the country to new pinnacles of social justice, rule of law and transparency. Addressing civil servants at a function in Mussorie in Himachal Pradesh this morning, Omar asked IAS, IFS and IPS officers to always keep their doors open to the public.
"In your career in the civil services, you have to face different challenges and come across troublesome situations. This will help you to get first hand information about the requirements of people as also to address their grievances positively and effectively," he said at the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy. He said that in the present political scenario, the image of politicians and bureaucrats has been tainted due to cases of corruption, and even efficient bureaucrats are recognised as masters of red tape.
"Both have to endeavour to come out of these categories and prove their mettle by their deeds and service", he said. Stating that majority population of India is below 30 years of age, the chief minister said young bureaucrats have to give new dimension to the functioning of the bureaucracy and their association with young politicians would give new impetus to the socio-economic development of the country.
"When dynamism, sincerity, honesty and zest work together there will be no two opinions about the country achieving new highs in all respects," he said. Stating that Jammu and Kashmir is diverse not only geographically but also ideologically, Omar said while most people of the state are "broad-minded and emancipated", there is a minority who is reluctant to change their mindset.
He said his government has adopted a policy to address both political instability and economic distress, and much headway has been made on both fronts. "The biggest crisis I face presently is that of unemployment. In a state like J&K where private investors are unwilling to venture for unpalatable political situation, creation of job market in the private sector is more complicated," he said.
The government is the only organisation providing jobs in the state, Omar said, adding, his government has taken new initiatives to rope in the private sector and give fillip to skills development programmes in the state. The chief minister said an important feature of his day to day functioning is to constantly build rapport with the public. "Ministers and officers at all levels have been directed to make public meetings a necessary part of their working schedule," he said, referring to the Awami Mulaqats and video conferences he has initiated to get first hand information about political situations and development works.
(Courtesy : http://www.dnaindia.com, 23/11/2010)
BJP calls for Jammu bandh; burn effigy of Omar
Jammu: BJP called for a three-hour bandh here on Saturday against Chief Minister Omar Abdullah's remarks on Jammu and Kashmir's accession with India as the party youth wing burnt the effigy of the CM for his approval to the rehabilitation of militants, who want to return from PoK.
"We have announced a complete bandh on November 27 for three hours in the morning in protest against the statement of Omar on the floor of J&K Assembly last month over accession of J&K with India and also return and rehabilitation of the militants in PoK," BJP state president Shamshir Singh Manhas told reporters. The 'Chakka Jaam' would be from 8am to 11 am, he said.
Manhas said decision of the party to observe 'Chakka Jaam' been also taken to protest Omar Abdullah's alleged continued discrimination against Jammu region and for avoiding fresh "delimitation" of constituencies.
(Courtesy : www.indianexpress.com, 23/11/2010)
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