Srinagar, July 27: With the Kashmir valley reeling under unrest for the past two months over the killing of youth, the state cabinet on Tuesday approved setting up of a two-member Commission of Inquiry into the killings. Besides, a separate committee would review the cases of the persons detained under Public Safety Act in the Valley.
The cabinet which met here under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, has given powers to police to decide on the cases of those arrested for minor offences including stone-pelting.
The two-member commission constituted under the Commission of Inquires Act to probe independently the recent killings would be headed by Justice (Retd) Bashir-ud-Din—the acting chairman of the State Human Rights Commission with Justice (Retd) YP Nargotra as another member.
“The state cabinet approved constitution of Commission of Inquiry under the Jammu and Kashmir Commission of Inquiry Act, 1962 consisting of Justice Syed Basher-ud-Din (Retd) as the Chairman and Justice YP Nargotra (Retd) as a member to inquire into all the 17 incidents in Kashmir division in which fatalities had occurred on account of action by the State Police/Security Forces since June 11, 2010. The Commission will submit its report within three months,” an official handout issued here this evening said.
An All Party Meeting called by the chief Minister Omar Abdullah earlier this month had passed a resolution demanding setting up of a commission to probe the killings.
Kashmir valley has been on the boil over the killings which have resulted in strong anti-government protests. The government has been using curfew, both declared and undeclared, as a tool to force peace in the Valley.

REVIEW COMMITTEE FOR PSA DETAINEES
A separate committee, sources said would review the cases of those detained under PSA during the recent protests and accordingly recommend to the government the action to be taken.
“The cabinet approved that the review committee constituted vide Government Order No. Home-2501-(PB-V) of 2002 dated 26-12-2002 will immediately review the cases of detention under the Public Safety Act and make recommendations about the release of detainees,” the handout said.
“The concerned Police Stations would be vested with the powers to decide on the cases of minor offences including stone pelting. The modalities will be worked out soon,” sources said.

CONDITIONAL EX-GRATIA
In another decision, the cabinet approved an ex-gratia relief of Rs 1 lakh each and job to next of the kin of those killed or Rs 5 lakh in lieu of the job including ex-gratia of Rs 1 lakh. Seventeen persons mostly teenagers and youth were killed since June 11 allegedly in police and CRPF action.
However, according to the official handout, a committee comprising the Deputy Commissioner and the District Superintendent of Police of the concerned police shall ascertain and certify the non involvement of the deceased civilian/NoK to be appointed in actual violence or instigation thereof. Accordingly, the concerned Deputy Commissioner shall accord sanction to the grant of ex-gratia relief and also to the appointment of an eligible family member of the deceased civilian or payment of cash compensation in lieu of Government job to the NoKs, as the case may be.

TRANSFER POLICY
In another major decision the cabinet approved the Transfer Policy putting lid on the premature transfers with departments concerned asked to strictly abide by the fresh guidelines on transfers.
The transfer policy, which was formulated by the government this march had failed to get the cabinet nod earlier following objections by some Congress ministers.
“The policy was approved with the slight change that the department concerned will not have to report to the cabinet-sub-committee prior to the transfer or approval. There will be no premature transfer now and if required in extreme cases it will be done as per the rules and regulations,” sources said.

CONVERSION OF COLA
The cabinet also approved notification of 35 instalments of COLA due from 1stJanuary, 2009 to 31st December, 2009 and 31 instalments due from 1st January, 2010 to 30th April, 2010 for the employees of State PSUs.
The cabinet also approved conversion of COLA into DA w.e.f 1st July 2010 at the rates applicable to State Government Employees as on date.
At least 20,000 employees working in the private sector would now be entitled to the DA as the cabinet today approved conversion of COLA into the DA.

TOURISM DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY FOR BANGUS
The cabinet has approved setting up of the Tourism Development Authority for Bangus and Lolab areas in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district. Besides the construction of artificial Tawi Lake worth Rs 70 crore has also been approved.
The cabinet also approved use of 3.75 hectares of forest land for setting up of modern abattoir at Jagti Nagrota in Jammu by Jammu Municipal Corporation.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 27 Jul 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 28 Jul 2010 00:00:00 IST