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8 Pages Rs: 1.00 Jammu Edition www.thestudentage.com

STUdent aGE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2013

JKENG/2012/41612 Vol. 2 No: 72

Italy's refusal to send back marines is 'outright unacceptable': Sonia Gandhi

The government cannot recognize the growth it sees

Montek : RBI could have given stronger signal to push growth

Sham Lal Sharma deserves praise for speaking the truth.!

HIND SIGHT
t least there is someone in the state Congress who despite being in power has the guts to take on the anti -nationals and speak truth in the Assembly and outside it. Sham Lal Sharma has done the Jammuites proud by raising the voice against the virtual high jacking of the Assembly by people like Engineer Rashid. It was Sham Lal Sharma who in 2010 raised the issue of discrimination in Basohli when he was attending a pub-

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lic meeting. Everybody has failings Sham Lal too may have them in good measure but on one point he scores over the others is the sustained displeasure that he has displayed over the Afzal Guru issue which has been made a scoring point by all Kashmir Centric political parties. The way the session of Assembly has progressed and the mortifying spectacle with which National Conference, PDP and fringe elements like Engineer Rashid have made hanging of Parliament bombing mastermind Afzal Guru the rallying point of consti-

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tutional debate is not only surprising but embarrassing. It must have been bitter experience for a no- nonsense man like Sham Lal to watch the proceedings of the House going waste without any tangible work regarding the development of the State. In a genuine outburst of exasperation he said that it was better to withdraw support to the coalition than become a horrifying witness to the regular commotion in the house. With PDP the largest opposition party already out of the session over matters of AFSPA and Afzal Guru and Congress playing a

second fiddle to the National Conference it is natural to get agitated. A party of the standing and statureCongress has been a mute spectator on the issue of Afzal Guru, AFSPA and discrimination against Jammu. It is here that Sham Lal Sharma deserves all praise for rising above party compulsions and telling the truth point blank. At least he has shown the guts to support the BJP and National Panthers Party MLAs on the matter. It is irony of democratic process in the State that the ruling alliance members especially from

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NC dismissed the remarks of Sham Lal as casual and not serious. The tragedy with this State is that whenever a person likes Sham Lal talks about anti -nationals he is dubbed as casual and non-serious but whenever Afzal Guru and Maqbool Butt is focus of debates all Kashmir centric parties are one. Here lie the fault- lines within the State that instead of being closed are sought to be widened to the detriment of the integrity of Jammu and Kashmir as a one political identity ROHIT SINGH RANA

IN BRIEF
Sagar lays copy of Ordinance in the House
JAMMU: Minister for Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Ali Mohammad Sagar today laid on the table of the House a copy of the Ordinance-2012 regarding the cancellation of General Elections of Chairmen of Block Development Councils in Jammu and Kashmir.

Guru continues to rock JK Assembly, BJP, Panthers clash with Engg Rashid
JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was in turmoil on Tuesday after Speaker Mubarak Gul rejected a resolution seeking the return of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru's body to his family. Independent legislator Engineer Rashid told a news agency that he was informed about the rejection of the resolution through a letter by the speaker. "The letter read that he is disallowing my resolution. This was quite late in the night," said Rashid. "It is unfortunate that the government is behaving like a puppet of New Delhi. Heavens would not have fallen had this resolution been put through to a democratic process of ... ballot system March 30," he said. As the House assembled on Tuesday, Rashid raised slogans to protest what he called was a denial of his democratic right. Some legislators of the Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) entered into a scuffle with him. This led to more protests. Congress legislators too were on their

BJP Chief suspended for whole budget session

JP leader Jugal Kishore Sharma was Tuesday suspended from the Jammu and Kashmir assembly over his aggressive conduct towards the state's only woman minister, Sakina Ittoo. The incident took place when Sharma, the state Bharatiya Janata Party president, challenged independent member Engineer Rashid, who contd on page 2

Omar condemns derogative, aggressive posture of BJP MLA against lady Minister
hief Minister Omar Abdullah strongly condemn the derogative and aggressive posture exhibited by BJP Legislator Jugal Kishore in the Legislative House today against the lady member and Minister for social welfare Sakina Itoo. "The incident that took place in the House today downs our head with shame. At one side we talk of protecting women and giving them respect and on the other side the elected representatives demonstrate such a disrespectful and aggressive behaviour contd on page 2

J&K Assembly appeals people for safe passage of tourists

JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir Assembly passed a unanimous resolution appealing to people of the state for "safe" passage of current tourism season and not harming tourists and tourism infrastructure. "Let the members of this House bring a unanimous contd on page 2

Cracked Srinagar CRPF attack case: J&K Police

SRINAGAR: Police on Tuesday claimed to have cracked the suicide attack case on a CRPF camp here with the arrest of four persons, including an LeT militant from Pakistan, and recovered huge cache of arms, but said investigations did not prove that the attack was linked contd on page 2

feet. It would be "difficult for us to be a part of this (coalition) government (with National Conference) if constitutional norms were thrown to winds", said Public Health Engineering Minister Sham Lal Sharma. The resolution sought the return of body of Afzal Guru, who was hanged and buried in Delhi's Tihar jail Feb 9. Speaker Gul found he unable to control the pandemonium and left his chair in huff. The ministers rushed to

his chamber and brought him back. Sharma's remarks indicate that the Congress is exasperated by the continuing protests over the issue. Afzal Guru was executed after President Pranab Mukherjee rejected his mercy petition. Ever since Afzal Guru was hanged, Jammu and Kashmir's leaders, especially from the valley, have been pleading for the return of the body to his family. Among pandemonium in the Assembly Sham Lal Sharma contd on page 2

Jugal denies charge of disrespect to minister

sserting that BJP will not allow State Legislative Assembly to become a battle field for anti-national and proseparatist issues, the Party State President Jugal Kishore Sharma (MLA) also denied that he had done anything which tantamount to misbehavior with minister in the house today. "It is unfortunate that most of the time contd on page 2

Rana seeks BJPs apology for Jugal Kishores unbecoming behavior with Sakina Itoo
nteracting with media persons here this afternoon, Mr Rana described the incident as most unfortunate, saying the attempted assault on a lady politician speaks of scant regard BJP has for womanhood. He sought apologies from the BJP President Rajnath Singh, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Ms Sushma Swaraj and the senior leader Mr Smiriti Irani, who have been vociferously espousing the cause of women across the country. He castigated BJP for the contd on page 2

TOKYO: A project to plant 190 kilometers (120 miles) of Japan's tsunami-hit coast with cherry trees has begun, to welcome nuclear evacuees in three decades' time. Residents, volunteers and those who fled the atomic disaster are set to plant 20,000 cherry tree saplings in

Nuclear-hit Fukushima to get 20,000 cherry trees UPA buckles under DMK pressure, to bring resolution on Sri Lanka in Parliament
Fukushima's coastal Hamadori region over the next 10 years, officials said. "Everyone may come back to Fukushima 30 years from now," project leader Yumiko Nishimoto, 59, said. "We want to leave local communities in a state our children can be proud of." Large areas of Fukushima were evacuated in the aftermath of the world's worst nuclear accident in a generation, when reactors in Fukushima went into meltdown after the plant was swamped by the 2011 tsunami. Scientists have warned that some areas may be uninhabitable for decades. Nishimoto contd on page 2 NEW DELHI: Wilting under pressure put in by DMK the UPA today decided to bring in a resolution on human rights excesses in Sri Lanka in Parliament to get the crucial DMK support for the coalition to survive. According to sources the government is preparing the draft of the resolution put before the Parliament for adoption. The decision was taken after the Congress Core Group meeting; hours after DMK chief M Karunanidhi announced that his party would withdraw support to the UPA. However, the DMK has made it clear that it would reconsider its decision if India supports a strong resolution at the UN Human Rights Council and brings a resolution in Parliament on the issue. Earlier, Finance Minister P Chidambaram insisted that the government faces no threat and that consultations have been initiated with political parties on DMK's demand that Parliament should adopt a resolution on human rights violations in Sri Lanka. Chidambaram said the Congress Core Group, headed by party Chief Sonia Gandhi, had considered the two suggestions made by DMK at length. He sought to mollify Karunanidhi, saying his "statement deserves all respect". Asked whether he was hopeful that DMK will reconsider its decision, Chidambaram said, "According to the media, the DMK contd on page 2

MUCH DISCUSSED, NEEDED, DEMANDED AND DISCUSSED ANTI RAPE LAW PASSED IN LOK SABHA
MAJORITY OF MP,S ABSENT DURING VOTING, AGE OF CONSENT TO REMAIN 18
NEW DELHI, MARCH 18: The cabinet today cleared the much discussed, needed, demanded and discussed criminal law (amendment) bill retaining 18 as the age of consent for sex because of pressure from politicians, some of whom ruled that the "stricter" provisions would rob the country of romance. Today the anti-rape bill was introduced in the House by home minister Sushilkumar Shinde. Earlier in the day, the members stressed the importance of preventing misuse of the provisions of the anti-rape bill, while opinions diverged on the proposal to keep the age of consent at 18. This remark by Janata Dal (United) chief Sharad Yadav was just one among many surprising ones at this afternoon's consensus-seeking all-

SAMAJWADI SHOCKERS
n Criticised the attire worn by women in TV serials and films n 'Who amongst us have not followed girls?': Sharad Yadav's? n "Mohabbat to ab khatam hi ho jaayega. Ladka jab ladki ke taraf dekhega nahi aur uska peechha nahi karega to mohabbat hoga kaise ? Sharad yadav.

Have we Indians lost moral values?

t may be hard to swallow but the fact is we Indians minus exceptions seem on a downslide when it comes to human values. It is a sorry tale from a great civilization to a degenerate mass of humanity which is controlled by wanton passion and lust. Otherwise how would we explain the number of rapes occurring daily in Mother India? Nirbhaya's gang rape galvanized a whole decadent nation to activism but since her cruel death the rapes have not decreased. Sometimes a Swiss tourist is raped by six men or an innocent child is ripped apart by a compulsive beast. The trend of occurrence of rape is not confined to a particular area but is prevalent in equal measure from Kashmir to Kerala and from Kutch to

Majority of MP,s absent during voting

espite different parties professing their commitment to making women more secure, the lower house was largely empty when the vote took place. Congress president Sonia Gandhi, her son and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi and other senior ministers were among those missing.

D
party meeting, where leader after leader seemed to betray the utmost incomprehension of terms such as "stalking", "voyeurism" and "trafficking". "Mohabbat to ab khatam hi ho jaayega. Ladka jab ladki ke taraf dekhega nahi aur uska peechha nahi karega to mohabbat hoga kaise (Romance will die out now. If a boy doesn't look at a girl or follow her, how can romance contd on page 2

Kamrup (Assam). Today the world looks at us with surprise and anguish. Yesterday UK and Common Wealth countries have issued travel advisories to women tourists visiting India and have asked them to be careful. The land which proudly proclaimed -Yatra Naryastu Pujyante, Ramante Tatra Devata (where women are honoured there reside the Gods). The common man of the country is bewildered; he has searching and probing questions. Have we lost human touch and moral values? If so what factors are responsible for it? How long will our daughters suffer from the prying eyes of molesters? Who will answer these uncomfortable questions raised by the common man?

Ranasahib

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STUDENT AGE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2013

fidayeens (suicide militants)," Mir said. Two former militants, Bashir Ahmad Mir and Mukhtar Shah, who provided logistical support to the attackers, have also been arrested, he said, adding, another person Pradeep Singh, a contractual government employee has also been arrested.

CONTD.
there was no satisfactory reply coming from the treasury bench, the party was forced to protest in the house as the speaker allowed one of the MLAs to continue raising the issue of Afzal Guru, Sharma said. The BJP President, who was also accompanied by three party MLAs, denied that he had used any derogatory words against NC woman minister during the protest. "Rather she used some words which were unparliamentary", he said and added that many NC and Congress Ministers and MLAs forced me out of the house. The party holds women in high esteem and this is the reason that the BJP has given about 33 percent representation to women in various committees and fora of the party. The leader of BJP Legislature Party Ashok Khajuria said that it was a black day in the history of J&K Assembly today as nationalist forces and those working for welfare and upliftment of the masses were subjected to humiliation and forcible eviction from the house to appease pro-separatist dispensation. Referring to suspension of Party President by the Speaker for rest of the session, Khajuria said that other BJP MLAs will not attend the house till Jugal Kishore is asked to join the house honourably. Two party MLAs Sukhnandan Choudhary and Sham Choudhary- were also present in the press conference. ing to be the custodians of high glorious ethos, culture and tradition of Jammu region stoop so low where they cannot distinguish between right and wrong. Women, who deserve respect in a civilized society cannot be belittled the way Mr Jugal Kishore Sharma did, the Provincial President said. worn by women in TV serials and films, inviting protests from film actressturned-politician Jaya Prada, an independent member of parliament. Yadav said he would support the tougher measures for repeat offenders since his party had decided to back the provisions. Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad too provided a moment of levity but this appeared an intentional effort at humour. He wondered whether he might be prosecuted for acts of stalking or voyeurism on his wife and was assured amid guffaws that this was very unlikely. Samajwadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav took the prize. He claimed people resorting to "transfer and posting" of women at workplaces could be jailed under the bill's provisions. Met with a chorus of denials, he held his ground and insisted he could prove it. When he showed the "relevant portion" to leader of the Opposition Sushma Swaraj, it left her speechless for some time.t Mulayam actually pointed towards the portion of the bill that deals with trafficking of women. The former chief minister had apparently confused "trafficking" with "transfer". "Ye mahilayon ke gair kanooni tareki se le jana aur gair kanooni kaam me lagana ke liye hai. Transfer-posting ke liye nahin (This is about illegally taking women away and forcing them into illegal professions. This is not about transferring or posting women employees)," Sushma explained. Mulayam nodded and the rest tried to suppress smiles. The government was forced to amend the bill following large-scale street protests over the December gang rape and demands to make the law more stringent. ment is absolutely stable and enjoys majority in the Lok Sabha," he said. "The government has a majority in the House," Chidambaram said responding to repeated queries on the issue of the government's stability. His statement came hours after Karunanidhi announced that the DMK will pull out of the government over the Lanka Tamils issue. The DMK has 18 members in the Lok Sabha and the UPA with the support of the DMK has 303 MPs in the 543-member House. On the issue of a resolution moved at the UNHCR against Sri Lanka which DMK wants India to support, he said that the government is examining the final draft which reached here late last night. as a damage control measure the UPA had rushed three of its seasoned firefighters Chidambaram, Defence Minister A K Antony and Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad who met Karunanidhi on Monday. The talks failed and to keep its flock together the government hinted that it was examining whether amendments can be moved to that draft to strengthen that resolution as demanded by DMK. "As far as the resolution in the UNHCR is concerned, we are examining the final draft that came to us late last night and whether amendments can be moved to that draft to strengthen that resolution," Chidambaram said.

2
'Remaining J&K families will be brought under PDS'
JAMMU: Nearly 3.02 lakh families in Jammu and Kashmir are not getting subsidised PDS ration, but they will soon be included once the Centre starts providing foodgrains as per the 2011 Census figures, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution Minister Mohammad Ramzan said on Tuesday. Speaking in response to a question in the Legislative Assembly, the minister acknowledged the shortage of ration for approximately 3.02 lakh families. "At present, the government is providing ration to 19.71 lakh families of the state as per 2001 Census. According to the 2011 Census, there are approximately 1.25 crore people in J&K, which works out to 22.73 lakh families," Ramzan said. He said that the matter stands taken up with Centre for providing additional ration to cover the left out families. Ramzan said as and when the Centre adopts the 2011 Census figures and subsequently releases additional foodgrains, the left out families will be covered accordingly. He further informed that the socio-economic and caste Census, which is being conducted throughout the country, is likely to be completed in the state within 9 to 10 months. The minister said the proposal for opening of new depots in the state is under government's consideration.

J&K Assembly appeals....

resolution cutting across the party affiliations and appeal people for safe passage of tourism season... Not to harm tourists, damage tourism infrastructure and transport carrying tourists and pass it with thumping of benches," state tourism minister Ghulam Ahmed Mir told Assembly last night. Mir, senior Congress Minister in the state, appealed to the people of Kashmir valley for ensuring safe passage of the season starting from April this year. The Minister said the state has recorded highest ever tourist influx in 2011 and 2012, with 13.11 lakh tourists, including 37,000 foreigners, and 6.21 lakh Amarnath yatris visiting Kashmir Valley during last tourist season. Over 1.03 crore pilgrims visited Mata Vaishno Devi while 1.40 lakh, including 38,000 foreign tourists, visited Ladakh during last season, he said. The Centre has sanctioned 79 tourism projects worth Rs 367 crore for creation of varied tourist related infrastructure facilities in the state during last four years against which 62 projects have been completed, he said. Three mega projects, including Rs 38.15 crore for Naagar Nagar, Srinagar to Watlab, Rs 16.92 crore for Mubarak Mandi Heritage Conservation Project and Rs 22.43 crore for TransHimaliyan Cultural Centre Project Leh, are also under implementation, he said. The government has forwarded DPRs of Rs 150 crore to the Centre for development of Sufi Circuit in Kashmir, Spiritual Circuit in Jammu and Buddhist Circuit in Leh, which in principle has been agreed to by the Centre, the Minister said. To promote adventure tourism in the state, second phase of KongdooriMarysholder Ski Chair Lift Gulmarg has been commissioned at a cost of Rs 17.50 crore. Rs 6 crore Ropeway Project Makdoom Sahib would be commissioned during coming financial year, he said. The Minister said construction of Rs 40 crore

Mubarak Mandi-Maha Maya Shahbad Cable Car project would be taken up soon after receiving Forest, Wildlife and Environment clearances. He said Ropeways at Patnitop and Shiv Khori would also be taken up after clearing certain bottlenecks. The Minister said the revenue of Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation is expected to touch Rs 36 crore during the current fiscal.

Guru continues ...

remarked that it was pointless to continue support if Guru issue is allowed to high jack the issue. "If Constitutional norms will be blown to wind like this then there is no fun to be a part of this coalition," Sharma said and raising a finger on Eng Rashid added that most of the members in the House are supporting anti-national elements.

Nuclear-hit Fukushima....
and her husband left their home in the town of Hirono, less than 30 kilometers south of the crippled nuclear plant, but returned in late 2011. She was inspired to begin the project after seeing television footage of cherry blossoms in an uninhabited evacuation zone in spring 2012. Mandatory evacuation zones have gradually been lifted as radiation levels have dropped, and the area south of the plant has generally seen moves to repopulate more quickly than other areas. Cherry blossom has a special place in Japan's national psyche, with the annual blooming of the fragile flowers a chance for friends, family or colleagues to gather under the trees to eat and drink.

Cracked Srinagar ....

to execution of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. "We have completed the investigations into the attack and cracked the case," Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kashmir, Abdul Gani Mir told reporters here. A former militant, Mukhtar Shah, was the fourth person to be arrested in connection with the attack for providing logistical support to the fidayeens who stormed a CRPF camp in Bemina in central Srinagar on March 13, killing five jawans, the IGP said. Investigations had not proved that the attack was a revenge attack for the execution of Guru, who was hanged in Tihar jail on February 9, he said. "Investigations have not proved that this was a revenge attack," he said. A huge cache of arms and ammunition was also recovered, he said. "Two AK 47s (with eight magazines), 240 AK rounds, one UBGL, 40 rifle grenades, 40 hand grenades, two pouches, two anti-tank mines, 12 RC's, one map, two light bags, three GPS devices, two compasses, two wireless sets, two time bombs (charge, timer and detonators), pencil cell batteries and a transparent poly - pack containing 'Made in Pakistan' medicines and ointment, have been recovered," he said. "The investigations have been completed in the best manner and minimum possible time. We have made four arrests related to the case," he said. "One Pakistani national Mohammad Zubair alias Talha Zaraar of Multan who belongs to LeT was arrested from Chattabal area of Srinagar and was the facilitator and controller of the two

BJP Chief ....

was vocally demanding the return of Afzal Guru's mortal remains from New Delhi. Amid their verbal duel, Sakina told Sharma: "You are also doing what Engineer Rashid is doing." This provoked Sharma further, and he told the minister that while he was talking like a nationalist, Rashid was making anti-national statements.

MUCH DISCUSSED, NEEDED....

happen)?" Yadav said. The source said the fear was shared widely at the meeting. It would have consoled the politicians somewhat that the government has watered down the provisions on stalking and voyeurism, making first-time transgressions bailable so that these offenders can be let off with a warning. The new laws increase punishment for offences like voyeurism, stalking and acid attacks. They provides for death penalty - which is imposed very rarely in India - in cases of rape that leads to death or leaves the victim in a "persistent vegetative state". Under the changes, the minimum sentence for gang rape, rape of a minor, rape by policemen or a person in authority will be doubled to 20 years and can be extended to life without parole.Under the existing laws, a rapist faces a term of seven to 10 years. In the debate in the Lok Sabha, Shailendra Kumar of the Samajwadi Party criticised the attire

Jugal denies ....

in the current session of state legislative assembly has been spent on the issue of Afzal Guru and the coalition government has allowed members to waste time without realizing that there are more important pressing issues facing the people of the three regions of the state", Sharma said at a press conference at party hqrs. BJP cannot afford to allow anti-national and prosecessionists to hijack valuable time of the house, where people have sent their representatives to form policies and redress the grievances pertaining various sections of the people, he said and alleged that the ruling alliance of NC and Congress were hand in glow to rake-up the sentiments of the people for their vote bank politics. Referring about today's development in the house, BJP leader said that the party MLAs wanted to raise the issues pertaining to discrimination with Jammu province on developmental front. As

Netanyahu-led coalition takes office in Israel

JERUSALEM: The new Israeli coalition packed with hardliners received Parliament's seal of approval on Tuesday just two days ahead of a landmark visit by US President Barack Obama, with faint hopes of any revival of the stalled peace talks with the Palestinians. Knesset the Israeli Parliament approved the new Government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with a majority of 68 votes in favor and 48 against. Netanyahu and his 21 ministers then took their oaths of office before the House. The new Government came after over 40 days of tortuous coalition negotiations and just two days before a landmark visit by Obama.

Omar condemns derogative....

against a lady member. This deserves to be condemned with strongest words", the Chief Minister lamented and expressed his condemnation and dismay over the behaviour of BJP member. "What kind of disciplinary action Mr Speaker is going to take for this indiscipline, I leave that to him", he said and strongly disapproved the behaviour of BJP MLA.

UPA buckles under DMK pressure ...

president has said that he will review its decision if a resolution is brought before Parliament. We take note of that statement also." He insisted that the government is stable and will continue. "Let me assure everyone that the stability of the government and the continuation of the government are not an issue. The govern-

Rana seeks BJPs apology...

shameful act and wondered how can the leaders who vouch for reservation of women in the legislature and Parliament, apart from boast-

Projects worth $70 billion discussed at India-Africa conclave

NEW DELHI: More than 500 projects worth nearly $70 billion were discussed during the three-day IndiaAfrica project partnership conclave that ended on Tuesday, organizer said. Over 900 delegates from 45 countries participated in the 9th edition of the conclave organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in association with Export-Import Bank of India. This was the largest ever participation. "There was record participation. More than 1,500 business-to-business meetings took place during the event," said Syamal Gupta, chairman, CII Africa committee. Gupta said the 10th edition of the conclave would be held from March 9-11 next year in New Delhi. He expressed hope that the number of participants in the next year conclave would be even higher. CII director General Chandrajit Banerjee said more than 500 projects from different sectors like agriculture, infrastructure, mining and oil and gas, valued at around $70 billion were discussed during the conclave. "I am confident that the outcomes of these discussions would lead to a concrete proposals and translate into action on the ground," he said. Banerjee said India and Africa need to increase economic engagements in view of the global economic crisis. "The global slowdown has compelled nations to look for new growth opportunities. Within the overall deceleration, developing nations suffer disproportionately since they are at the same time battling the challenges of poverty alleviation, development and income generation," he said. Addressing the valedictory session of the conclave India's commerce secretary S. R. Rao said India and Africa share special relations and the government would take make all efforts to facilitate more trade and investments. India's Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma met his counterparts from various African countries who were here to participate in the conclave. Buoyed by the recent surge in trade, the ministers have revised upward the twoday trade target at $100 billion by 2015. Trade ministers of India and Africa at a meeting held in March 2012 had set a target of $90 billion trade by 2015. "We are upwardly revising the target to at least $100 billion by 2015 because I feel that it is achievable," Sharma said Monday after meeting his counterparts from various African countries. Rao said India was discussing free trade pact with some African countries and group of countries, with a view to boost trade.

Rs. 107.76 cr advanced among 7896 IGU holders in Kup

KUPWARA, MACRH 19: The District Level Review Committee (DLRC) meeting of district Kupwara was held under the Chairmanship of District D e v e l o p m e n t Commissioner, Kupwara to review the achievements made under Annual District Credit Plan 2012-13. The Bankers, sponsoring agency officers CPD and RBI representative were present in the DLRC meeting. It was given out by the Lead District Manager Kupwara that an amount of Rs. 107.76 crores have been advanced among the 7986 to generate their own income generating units upto December 2012 of the current fiscal. Out of Rs. 161.99 crore targeted for the purpose which accounts to 66.53 percent. It was informed that under Agriculture sector Rs. 51.04 crore were advanced among 6969 income generating unit holders followed by the small enterprises sector under which Rs. 29.64 crore among 1408 IGU holders and another Rs. 27.08 crore among 1612 unit holders under services sector. It was also given out that 80 percent of the population of the district is engaged with Agriculture and allied activities. The District D e v e l o p m e n t Commissioner, Kupwara exhorted upon all the banks and sponsoring agencies to work with more zeal, cooperation, co-ordination and synergy to achieve the goals and targets of development, progress and eradication of unemployment from the district. He also directed the concerned to create awareness among the general masses at village level by involving the Panchayat representative institutions.

Probe 'atrocities' on Sri Lankan Tamils: Sonia

NEW DELHI: Congress president Sonia Gandhi Tuesday denounced the "unspeakable atrocities" committed on Tamils in Sri Lanka and sought an independent and credible probe into rights abuses there. "The plight of Sri Lankan Tamils is very close to our hearts," she told Congress MPs at a meeting in parliament house here. "We are anguished by the reports of unspeakable atrocities on innocent civilians and children, especially during the last days of the conflict in 2009. "That is why we demand an independent and credible inquiry into the violation of human rights in Sri Lanka," she added. "Our support for their (Tamil) equal rights and equal protection ... has been unwavering since the days of Indiraji and Rajivji. "We are most pained at the manner in which their legitimate political rights continue to be denied to them," said Gandhi. Talking about Indian fishermen detained or fired at by the Sri Lankan Navy, Gandhi said it was a matter of grave concern. "A permanent solution to the daily violence against them is also imperative," she said.

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STUDENT AGE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2013

STATE

NEWS IN BOX
Attention intending Hajj pilgrims of 2013
SRINAGAR, MACRH 19: According to the Executive Officer, J&K State Hajj Committee, the submission of application forms for the Hajj 2013 has been extended upto March 30, 2013.

Governor inaugurates 48th Annual State Art Exhibition; gives away Awards
JAMMU, MARCH 19 - N. N. Vohra, Governor, today said that Jammu and Kashmir has the distinction of producing internationally acclaimed artists who have made outstanding contributions to the promotion of art. The Governor, as Chief Guest, was speaking after inaugurating the 48th State Art Exhibition and presenting awards at the Award Presentation Ceremony organized by the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages at Kala Kendra here this evening. The Governor, who is the Patron of the Cultural Academy, hoped that the Academy will do all that is possible to encourage the artists. Referring to the Academy's plans of organizing All India Painting and Sculptors Camps in Kashmir this summer, the Governor stressed that best possible artists should be attracted to

LAUDS CREATIVE TALENT OF ARTISTS

MLA suspended for rest of session

JAMMU, MARCH 19- Member, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Jugal Kishore, has been suspended from the services of the House for rest of the session with effect from 19th of March, 2013 on a motion moved by MLA, Indu Pawar and adopted by the House. The MLA shall not enter the defined precincts of the House till his suspension is in force.

Shah takes over as Director Agriculture Kashmir

SRINAGAR, MARCH 19: Mushtaq Ahmad Shah, today assumed charge as Director Agriculture, Kashmir, from Dr. Farooq A. Lone. Officers & officials of the department gave warm welcome to the new Director and assured him of full cooperation and support.On the occasion, Shah advised the officers and officials to work with dedication and honesty for welfare and development of the farming community. Meanwhile, Agriculture Officers Association & NonGazetted Agriculture Employees Association accorded warm send-off to Dr. Farooq A. Lone on his transfer as District Development Commissioner, Anantnag. The speakers lauded his selfless services done for betterment of farmers, as Director Agriculture Kashmir.

N. N. Vohra, Governor alongwith others during 48th State Art Exhibition at Kala Kendra, Jammu. participate in these Camps so that the budding artists from J&K could get the opportunity to learn from the eminent personalities. Earlier, the Governor went around the Exhibition and evinced keen interest in more than 100 art creations put up at the Exhibition. Recording his impressions about the Exhibition in the Visitors' Book, the Governor observed "I am very happy to have the opportunity of inaugurating the 48th State Art Exhibition and be able to see a large number of impressive canvasses and pieces of sculptures. I congratulate the Academy for putting together such an impressive Exhibition and trust that it shall do all that is possible to encourage upcoming artists". In the Artist Category, the Governor gave away a cash prize of Rs. 51,000 and a certificate each to Ms. Richa Gupta for her work "Palm Leaf Manuscripts" and Tariq Ahmad Sheikh for his work "Funeral of Hearts" in Painting Section. In Student Category, he gave away a

Office timings rescheduled in Kashmir division

SRINAGAR, MARCH 19: According to Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, the working hours in all the Government offices and institutions in Kashmir Valley except those education institutions located within the Srinagar Municipal limits shall be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with effect from April 01, 2013.These timing shall remain operative upto ending October. Accordingly, all Heads of Departments shall ensure strict adherence to office timings.

cash prize of Rs. 10,000 and a certificate each to Ms. Heena Sayal for her work "Dreams" in Painting Section and Shabir Hassan for his work "Shongith Shahmar" in Sculpture Section. He also gave away a consolation prize of Rs. 1,000 and a certificate each to seven other artists. The Governor congratulated the awardees and wished them many more art works in the coming time. Raman Bhalla, Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture, said that by organizing Art Camps and Exhibitions, the Cultural Academy provides a platform to the artists to demonstrate their creative talents. He assured that all out efforts will be made for the promotion of art in the State. He congratulated the awardees and thanked the Governor for inaugurating the State Art Exhibition and giving away the awards. Khalid Bashir, Secretary,

Cultural Academy, in his welcome address, gave details of the various activities of the Academy and dwelt on the Exhibition. He stated that for 2011-12 State Art Awards, about 150 works were received and out of these 118 exhibits were selected by the Adjudicating Committee comprising of two experts from outside the State for the competition. Of these, the award winning art pieces were selected. He also gave details of the various Art Camps organized in the recent past and those planned for the coming months. Mrs. Savita Bakshi, Additional Secretary of the Cultural Academy, presented a Vote of Thanks. The Exhibition will remain open for public viewing between 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily upto March 23, 2013. Prominent artists, sculptors, writers and a large number of art lovers were present on the occasion.

Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Grants Passed

Progressive orchardists on exposure visit to HP

SRINAGAR, MARCH 19: Under the progressive Horticulture Mission and ATMA 2012-13, 19 progressive orchardists of Srinagar district shall be visiting to various Institutes of Agriculture and Horticulture Universities of Himachal Pradesh. The exposure visit shall commence from March 21, 2013 and shall culminate on March 27, 2013.

Digitization of land records my priority: Ajaz

1500 being imparted Patwar training, 600 to be detailed for settlement operations
JAMMU, MARCH 19: Minister of State for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation, Ajaz Ahmad Khan today said that he has devised an action plan to digitise the land records in the State. He said as a first step the records of settlement operations being held currently in the State are being computerized. Replying to the discussion on demand of grants for the Revenue Department, the Minister said ever since he took over as the Minister Incharge, he has felt the need of computerization of land records and strengthening of revenue infrastructure in the State. He said we are all aware that the condition of land records in patwar khanas in the shape of Lathas, Fards and other records is not so good as a result of which people face difficulties in getting the extracts of their survey Nos. Ajaz said the settlement operations of 1800 villages in the State have been completed, the records have been computerized and submitted to the Government. He said with this the process of computerization of land records has set on and said that he is hopeful that the records of entire settlement of the State would be computerized which he said would be completed within 6-7 years. He said every village would be covered under the settlement and 600 patwaris would be specially detailed for undertaking settlement operations. The Minister said raising basic infrastructure for the offices and officers of the Revenue Department across the State has been his other priority. He said said a single window system has been put in place for the delivery of 14 services of the Department which have been brought under the ambit of Public Services Guarantee Act. Terming Revenue as the backbone of civil administration, the Minister said the Department holds a special place in the legal history of the State. He said historic legislations like Land to Tiller, Agrarian Reforms Acts, PRC Act, Roshni Act etc. were the creation of this Department only and placed on record his appreciation for persons of vision who have held this Department ever since the times of Maharaja. Ajaz said the Department is working round the clock to mitigate the sufferings of the people. He said despite the shortage of manpower, the Department has been able to settle about 99% land compensation cases of railways and 7080% cases of National Highway widening. He said so far Rs. 480 crore has been disbursed as compensation and Centre has been approached for another Rs. 409 crore to clear all the compensation cases. The Minister said the rehabilitation package for Kashmiri Pandits is being executed by the Government with all seriousness. He said revised package has been devised and so far 5000 KPs have volunteered to return back to their home and hearth. He said the Department has raised transit accommodations in the district headquarters of Kashmir valley where at present 915 KPs are residing. He said the Government has written to the Centre to bring Jammu migrants at par with KPs.

DDC for better traffic facilities in Srinagar city

SRINAGAR, MACRH 19: To facilitate the common masses with better traffic system in the Srinagar city, District Development Commissioner, Srinagar today enjoined upon the traffic authorities to ensure plying of 10 SRTC buses during late hours in Srinagar city. The District Development Commissioner also exhorted upon the officers to ensure regularity and punctuality in their offices so that the grievances of the people can be redressed and the schemes launched for the welfare of people can be implemented in letter and spirit. This was stated by the District Development Commissioner while convening an officers meeting here today. The meeting was informed that about 81 percent expenditure has been registered against the allocation for the current fiscal. The District Development Commissioner impressed upon the officers to ensure judicious use of funds and attaining targets in full within the stipulated time. He also directed Srinagar Municipal Corporation authorities to ensure cleanliness and proper sanitation in Srinagar city.

Rs. 367 cr advanced for setting up of IG Units in Baramulla

BARAMULLA, MACRH 19: To create job avenues and to set up various income generating units, Rs. 367.15 crore have been advanced by various financial institutions in Baramulla district during current financial year. As many as 116 self help groups were established out of which 101 stands linked with various banks. This was stated during a District Level Review Committee meeting today under the District Development Commissioner, Baramulla and officers of sponsoring departments also participated. Giving details, District Lead Bank Officer said that Rs. 232.78 crore were provided under Agriculture sector, Rs. 102.75 crore under small industries sector while Rs. 31.62 crore were advanced under services sector. District Development Commissioner on this occasion stressed upon the sponsoring agencies and banks to provide all benefits of the schemes launched by the government for the people so minimize unemployment and to achieve the goal of development and progress and also aware the people about these schemes to avail the benefits of such schemes.

Awareness camp of RFFDA held at Pandach

SRINAGAR, MACRH 19: To impart and acquaint the private fish farmers of Srinagar district with the awareness about the modern techniques of fish culture, a training programme was conducted by Regional Fish Farmers Development Agency (RFFDA) at training cum demonstration centre, Pandach here today. A large number of fish rearers in private sector participated in the awareness programme. Owing to the successful propagation of Pisciculture, the beneficiaries are provided with a package of Rs. 1.50 lakh for setting up of ponds for Carp culture while Rs. 2.40 lakh are being provided for establishing trout culture. This initiative has been taken to provide employment avenues to the unemployment educated youth of the state.

Patwar khanas, Record rooms and other related infrastructure would be raised in all tehsils and nayabats. He said the tehsil offices in 8 tehsils are under construction while as these have already been constructed in tehsils like Lar, Gurez, Rajouri, Kulgam, Pampore, Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur etc. He said, similarly, work is apace at 20 nayabats across the State. Given the sensitivity of the issue, Ajaz said, a high powered committee headed by FC Revenue has been constituted to see how the Permanent Resident Certificate (PRCs) format would be digitised to minimize faking and enable the availability of records with the Government of each person to whom such a certificate has been issued. He said a beginning has already been made from district Jammu in this regard. He

Training programmes about Pollination Management in fruit crops held at SKUAST-K

SRINAGAR, MARCH 19: Ten days training programme on Pollination Management in Fruit Crops was organized by Research and Training Centre for Pollination Management at SKUASTKashmir, Shalimar. Meanwhile, training on "Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms and their Management in Apple Production" under the Horticulture Technology Mission Project for demonstration of fertilizer management was also organized in view of the declining apple production resulting in loss to the apple growing economy of the Valley. The training programmes were conducted to create awareness among the orchardists to enhance the fruit quality and yield especially regarding the apple production. The resource persons also imparted training to fruit growers pertaining to managed pollination in apple orchardists. Pertinently, the inadequate pollinators and pollinizers have been responsible for 30 to 40 percent reduction in yield of apples during last decade in the Valley.

KAS Officers Association meets to devise plan for smooth election

SRINAGAR, MARCH 19: A meeting of Kashmir Administrative Service (KAS) Officers Association was held at D.c office Srinagar to devise the plan for the forth coming election of the Association here today. Threadbare discussions were held for the conduct of smooth and fair election to different cadres of the Association. It was given out in the meeting that all members of the Association should participate in the election. It is pertinent to mention that the last date for filing of nominations is April 02, 2013. The last date for withdrawing the nominations is April 06, 2013. The election shall be held on April 15, 2013.

Dy CM constitutes high level committee to review Pvt. School fee structure

JAMMU, MARCH 19: Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand today chaired a high level meeting which was attended by Advocate General M.I Qadri, Commissioner/Secretary to Government, Law and Parliamentary Affairs G.H.Tantray, Secretary to Government, School Education Department, Hirdesh Kumar Singh and Addl. Secretary to Govt., School Education. The Deputy Chief Minister issued directions for constitution of a high level committee under the Chairmanship of a retired Judge of High Court to be nominated by the Hon'ble Chief Justice, J&K High Court for reviewing and fixing the fee structure for private schools in the State. The Committee will also examine whether the private

Pragmatic education, transfer policies on anvil SRO 123 under review

directed that the relevant provisions of the Act be also amended to make it more pragmatic. Tara Chand also decided for issuing an educational calendar for every academic year, both for winter and summer zones. The meeting was informed that several actions have been taken during last two months which include, promotions made wherein 7 new Joint Directors, 12 Chief Education Officers, a total of 2041 Lecturers, finalization of seniority list of 1401 Senior Lecturers, 2529 Headmasters and also promotions of 81 PG Masters as Lecturers. The Deputy Chief Minister emphasized on the need to speed up promotion process of Principals and directed that the vacancies as a result of promotions/retirement be also referred to PSC/SSB. In addition it also came to fore that 4455 number of posts of teachers and other non gazetted staff have been sent to SSB which have also been advertised and 581 number of vacancies of Lecturers have also been referred to J&K Public Service Commission since the Deputy Chief Minister took charge of the School Education Department. It was also decided that School Education Department shall take up the matter with Public Service Commission and Services Selection Board for fast tracking recruitment process as about 20,000 posts of different categories are lying vacant in the School Education Department.

Municipal electoral rolls 2013 available at Kupwara, Handwara, Langate

KUPWARA, MACRH 19: According to Electoral Registration Officer, Municipal Committees, Kupwara, Handwara and Langate, the electoral rolls 2013 of wards 113 have been prepared in pursuance of the provisions of Rule 4 of the Municipal Committee and has been made available at Kupwara, Handwara and Langate Municipal Committee for information of general public. The interested electors have been asked to liaison with the concerned officers from March 15, 2013 to March 25, 2013, the claims and the objections can be filed from March 15 to March 25, 2013 in the Municipal Committees of Kupwara, Handwara and Langate.

Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand chairing a high level meeting with officials at Jammu. schools are charging any capitation fee and whether these institutions are indulging in profiteering. Tara Chand directed for sending the panel to the Hon'ble Chief Justice of J&K High Court for nominating Chairman of this Committee. In addition, he also directed the Secretary to Government, School Education Department to constitute a committee comprising of prominent educationists representing different sections and regions for framing an inclusive and effective education policy for the State. The Deputy Chief Minister directed for framing a transfer policy for regulating transfers and postings in the School Education Department, which should be pragmatic and will take into consideration the topographical and climatic factors and period spent by officials in challenging environment/locations. The Deputy Chief Minister also decided for reviewing SRO 123 of 2010 dealing with the private educational institutions and

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STATE

Saroori raises various issues on Tourism sector and Planining & Development department on the floor of the Assembly
JAMMU, MARCH 19: Congress MLA from Inderwal Ghulam Mohammad Saroori raises various issues on the floor of Assembly; "Tourism Sector" "Lauded govt decision for train 25000 youth in hospitality" Saroori lauded government for the decision that it would train 25000 youth in hospitality sector in next four years in Jammu and Kashmir. He demanded immediate creation of Inderwal Development authority for Chatroo, Mugalmaidan, Dadpath, Bimalnag, Singhpora, Sigdi, Kuchal, Hurna Durbeel, Chingam, Sinthan Maidan, Sinthan Top, Dhadam Dhar, Passarkote of phamber Adding that focused attention should be given to explore and show case the serene beauty of Sinthan Top, Devi Goal, Bimalnag, Bhangar, Pamber, Klam Setter and demanded construction of view points, Huts along the road side from Kurya bridge to Sinthan Top; Construction of TRC'S at Gondoh, Thatri and Muugalmaidan. He stressed on formation of tourist circuit from Lakhanpur to Bani - Basoli to Chattar Galah - Doda to Kishtwar - Anantnag to Amarnath which will work as alternate pass to Jammu Srinagar national highway for smooth travel for pilgrimages as well as for tourists. Saroori demanded engagement of land holders on need bases; release of wages of earlier engaged casual labors; construction of paying guests house in private sectors; construction of tourist villages at Chingam and Sarthal; Construction of cable car from Marwari to Bhangar; construction of Sarie buildings near Ziyarat Sharief upper Astan sharief, lower Astan sharief and Bhandarkote Astan Sharief; construction of various links for development of tourist destination in Jammu and Srinagar region. Allocation of more funds for the development of Mansar lake, Suransar, Sudmahadev, Mata Vaishno Devi, Machail Kalash temple, Sarthal Devi and others. Expansion of man power for its implementation "Planning and Development Department" "Implement all Board meeting decisions" Saroori demanded immediate implementation of Finance commission report and Swami Raj Sharma's recommendation for preparation of planes. Plans should be formulated and submission of DPR'S in all sector be done on ground bases. Implementation of all decision taken during the various board meetings including opening of one PHC and 10no Sub Centers in each segments of Erstwhile Doda District which was taken during 17 April 2008 by Former Chief Minister and Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad. Funds should be allocated for construction of Chatroo Singhpora Vailoo tunnel which will be alternate route to Kashmir valley via Kishtwar Chatroo. Proper planning should be made for allocations of funds for districts. Separate proposals for allocation of funds to bad pocket area district. Saroori demanded equal distribution of funds to the districts as released by Government of India (GOI) under task force Commission. Immediate implementation of plan of current year for early completion of works identified. He demanded enhance of wages for the daily wages of skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workers

kalam setter these areas are having natural potential of spots government should also look in to these spot.

Jugal Kishore suspended from J&K Assembly

JAMMU: A BJP MLA was suspended for the rest of the current session of the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly after he got engaged in a heated exchange of words with a state minister, leading to the party to boycott the House. Replying to a query by the BJP member Jugal Kishore, Minister for Planning Ajay Sadhotra said that in order to decongest traffic in the Jammu city, RITES have prepared mobility plan of Rs 30,000 crore which is under consideration of the Government. Kishore, who was not satisfied with the reply, walked into the Well of the House amid protests as he posed more supplimentaries to the minister. He also alleged "discrimination" with the Jammu region. The government, however, replied that there will be no discrimination assuring that the projects will be taken up soon and will be completed in a time-bound manner. At this, Minister for Social Welfare Sakina Itoo made some comments over the BJP legislator's demand, leading to highpitched verbal clashes between the two. Later, several National Conference ministers - Mohmmad Akbar Lone, Sajad Ahmed Kitchloo, Chowdhary Mohmmad Ramzan and some of its MLAs - took on the BJP MLA and jostled with him as the Speaker Mubarak Gul ordered his marshalling out. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah criticised the behaviour of the BJP MLA, saying that the Legislative members should refrain from exhibiting such unruly behaviour. "On one side, we say that the dignity of women should be protected, on the other hand if the elected representatives of people exhibit such type of behaviour, it should be condemned in most strong words". Angered by the action taken against its MLA, the BJP boycotted the rest of the session.

Awareness camp on marketing and planning held in Budgam

BUDGAM, MARCH 19: An awareness camp was organized by the department of Horticulture, Planning and Marketing in Town Hall, Khan Sahib today where experts from Horticulture, Agriculture, NHB, APEADA, Temperate horticulture interacted with the fruit growers of the region. The main purpose of the interaction was to highlight various principles of marketing like proper grading of fruits, proper picking, packing and market selection such that it ensures best returns to the producers and strengthens the State economy. The experts highlighted in the camp and sought expert advice on various issues like usage and amount of fungicide and insecticide, pruning of trees and proper grading of fruits. As many as 21,23,000 boxes of various fresh fruits like apples, pears and plums have been despatched in the financial year from the district, informed the District Officer, Horticulture Planning and Marketing. Also fresh fruit worth Rs. 95 crores has been sold in the year gone by. Among others, Sub Divisional Magistrate, Deputy Director Horticulture and Co-ordinator KVK were present on the occasion.

Chairman's directive on wages

JAMMU, MAR 19: Congress MLA from Bhaderwah and former Minister Mohammad Sharief Niaz today directed the Government as a Presiding Officer to consider increase in the minimum wages of workers. During the Question Hour, Mr Niaz had agitated over the issue and demanded that the minimum wages should be increased from Rs 125 to Rs 200. When Mr Niaz was presiding over the House in the absence of Speaker Mubarak Gul and Deputy Speaker Sartaj Madni, Congress MLA from Inderwal, Ghulam Mohammad Saroori approached the Chair to issue direction to the Government for increase in minimum wages. As a Chairman, Mr Niaz directed the Government to address concerns of the MLAs and raised the minimum wages of the workers. Rural Development Minister Ali Mohammad Sagar said Planning Minister (Ajay Sadhotra) would reply to the direction during his grants.

Officials during a awareness camp of Planning and Marketing at Budgam. that with the application of latest post production technology available with the department fruit growers can enhance the quality and shelf life of the fruits before it reaches the consumer and the department is trying it's best to reach the farmers and fruit growers and it was one such attempt. Various fruit growers of the adjoining villages like Katch, Raithan, Watrad, Shanipora etc. were present

Take note of the pain from some 'Stringent provisions in sections of society in J&K: Sonia place on land conversion'
NEW DELHI: Congress president Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday expressed satisfaction over "remarkable progress" made in Jammu and Kashmir in the last few years but emphasized the need to "take note of the cry of pain and anguish" emanating from some sections of the society in the state. Addressing a meeting of the Congress Parliamentary party, Gandhi said economic development has gathered pace in the state and a number of popular training and placement programmes have been started. Rahul Gandhi had taken a delegation of industrialists to the Valley some time ago vowing to resolve the problem of unemployment in the state. "In Jammu and Kashmir, we have made remarkable progress in the last few years under the leadership and personal interest taken by our Prime Minister...The launch of rail services in the Valley is an example of how much infrastructure and connectivity have expanded...Tourism has been flourishing," Gandhi said. The Congress president noted that a more trusting atmosphere had been in the making until it was interrupted by certain incidents and the terrorist attack on a CRPF camp in Srinagar. "Yet, we should take note of the cry of pain and anguish emanating from some sections of society there. We will continue to work for peace and normalcy and development in all regions of the state in right earnest," Gandhi said. Extending her heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families of the victims of the recent terror strikes in Srinagar and Hyderabad, she said these incidents show that "we simply cannot lower our vigil". JAMMU: Stringent provisions are already in place under various laws regarding conversion of agricultural land for non-agriculture purposes and a comprehensive housing policy is needed to check illegal activity in this regard, Jammu and Kashmir government Tuesday said. Replying to a Calling Attention Notice in the Legislative Council, Minister of State for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Ajaz Ahmed Khan said it was a fact that strict provisions were already in place. The Land Revenue Act, J&K Agrarian Reforms Act, Prohibition on Conversion of Land and Alienation of Orchards Act were some of the laws regarding conversion of agricultural land for non-agriculture purposes. However, keeping in view developmental activities like construction of roads, bridges, acquisition of land for Railways and other public purposes, lot of unavoidable conversion had taken place during the past few years, he said. Despite the strong legislations, there were instances where illegal conversion of agricultural land had taken place. This has mainly occurred due to non-existence of a comprehensive housing policy in the state, he said. As and when such a policy comes into force, the instances will automatically be checked, he added. The unauthorised conversion of agricultural land is mainly taking place in and around urban areas and its suburbs, whereas it is nominal in rural areas. Along the National Highway, the change of agricultural land for non-agricultural use is due to the commercial potential of the plot. However, compared to the quantum of agricultural land which has been acquired for various public purposes throughout the state, the conversion for private ones is much less.

RRCS gives warm send off to Dr. Samoon

SRINAGAR, MACRH 19: Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Dr. Asgar Samoon was given warm send off by Regional Red Cross Society (RRCS) at a function held here today. The office bearers of the Regional Red Cross Society lauded the contribution of Dr. Samoon in providing solace to needy and destitute in the society. Dr. Samoon always provided succor to the downtrodden people of the society, the speakers informed. Dr. Samoon reiterated that accountability and transparency shall be maintained while providing relief for the rehabilitation of the effected families and it shall be ensured that deserving get the benefits of the assistance being provided to them.

Scholarships worth Rs. 2.19 cr sanctioned for 3089 students of the valley
SRINAGAR, MACRH 19: Director Social Welfare, Kashmir today convened a meeting of officers to review the functioning of the department besides the allocation of scholarships among students. It was given out in the meeting that scholarships of Rs. 2.19 crore have been sanctioned in favour of 3089 students of different educations of the valley. Besides under pre matric scholarships, Rs. 6 crore have been released for students of minority community benefiting 30000 students. It was informed that under post matric scholarships, Rs. 1.31 crore have been sanctioned, Rs. 33 lakh for Specially Abled students, Rs. 35 lakh for Pahari Speaking students and Rs. 20.64 lakh for Scheduled Caste students have been sanctioned. Director Social Welfare enjoined upon the officers to implement the scholarship schemes in letter and spirit and maintain transparency in the distribution of scholarships so that the benefits percolate down to the deserving student.

Jugal denies charge of disrespect to minister

JAMMU: Asserting that BJP will not allow State Legislative Assembly to become a battle field for anti-national and pro-separatist issues, the Party State President Jugal Kishore Sharma (MLA) also denied that he had done anything which tantamount to misbehavior with minister in the house today. "It is unfortunate that most of the time in the current session of state legislative assembly has been spent on the issue of Afzal Guru and the coalition government has allowed members to waste time without realizing that there are more important pressing issues facing the people of the three regions of the state", Sharma said at a press conference at party hqrs.

Executive Engineer caught accepting bribe

SRINAGAR, MARCH 19: An Executive Engineer was caught red handed in North Kashmir's Kupwara District for accepting bribe by Vigilance Organization on Tuesday. Executive Engineer has been arrested while a case has been registered against him. According to reports Vigilance Organisation caught red-handed Executive Engineer of R&B Kupwara Division, Mohammad Shafi Bhat, while accepting a bribe of Rs 5000 in lieu of passing contract bills. Reports said that a contractor Gulzar Ahmed from Rashanpora, Kupwara lodged a complaint alleging that Executive Engineer R&B Division Kupwara was forcing him to pay the bribe for passing his pending bills. The sleuths of vigilance laid a successful trap during which the accused Executive Engineer was caught redhanded while accepting the bribe from the complainant in Kupwara's R&B office. The tainted money was recovered from his possession in presence of independent witnesses and the hand wash was taken which tested positive. Vigilance team also took some important documents in its possession. An FIR 6/2013 was filed and the said Executive Engineer was sent to jail. Meanwhile, dozens of contractors in Kupwara held demos against this action of Vigilance and claimed that said Executive Engineer had become the prey of personal rivalry. "He is a nice person and we do believe a trap was laid for him to get his image tarnished," said a contractor. The protesters were later on dispersed by the police.

Electric shock causes death of PDD lineman in Yaripora, Kulgam

JAMMU, MARCH 19: Responding to the direction of the Chair, Minister for Law & Parliamentary Affairs, Mir Saifullah today informed the House about the death of PDD Lineman (daily Wager) namely Ghulam Nabi Sofi at Yaripora, Kulgam today. The Law Minister apprised the House that as per report obtained from the concerned authorities, the Lineman (Daily Wager) Ghulam Nabi Sofi was carrying out repairs and restoration of power supply during which he received a severe electric shock. The PDD daily rated worker reportedly remained hanging for about 15 minutes but the staff on duty did not trip down the electric supply, resulting into his instant death. The issue was raised in the House by MLA Kulgam, M Y Tarigami and demanded against concerned staff for negligence and payment of job and ex-gratia relief to next of kin of the deceased. The Minister said that the Department has been asked to enquire into the incident and fix responsibility.

Rana seeks BJP's apology for Jugal Kishore's unbecoming behavior with Sakina Itoo
JAMMU MARCH 19: Provincial President National Conference Mr Devender Singh Rana on Tuesday strongly condemned the unbecoming behaviour of State BJP President and MLA Mr Jugal Kishore with Minister for Social Welfare Ms Sakina Itoo in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and has sought an unconditional apology from the BJP high command as well as made a demand for his (Jugal Kishore's) removal from the position he holds in the state unit forthwith. Interacting with media persons here this afternoon, Mr Rana described the incident as most unfortunate, saying the attempted assault on a lady politician speaks of scant regard BJP has for womanhood. He sought apologies from the BJP President Rajnath Singh, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Ms Sushma Swaraj and the senior leader Mr Smiriti Irani, who have been vociferously espousing the cause of women across the country. He castigated BJP for the shameful act and wondered how can the leaders who vouch for reservation of women in the legislature and Parliament, apart from boasting to be the custod of high glorious ethos, culture and tradition of Jammu region stoop so low where they cannot distinguish between right and wrong. Women, who deserve respect in a civilized society cannot be belittled the way Mr Jugal Kishore Sharma did, the Provincial President said. Rana said Ms Itoo belongs to a highly respected political family of the state who inherits a glorious political legacy and has been winning her seat from south Kashmir despite all odds and had even fought valiantly against forces who made attempts to eliminate her thrice. For her chequered political career and contribution to the society particularly towards women folk of the state, Ms Itoo enjoys great respect and regard from all sections of the people, he added. Mr Rana expressed his solidarity with Ms Itoo and said that National Conference will not take such an attempt of assault casually. He said the woman wing of his party has already chalked out a protest plan.

Law Minister moves Bill to hike allowance of Legislators

JAMMU, MARCH 19: Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Mir Saifullah today moved a Bill to amend the salaries and allowances of Members of the Jammu and Kashmir State Legislature in the Legislative Assembly. The Bill seeks enhancement of Daily Allowance of Members from Rs. 500/to Rs. 1000/-. The daily allowance to the Members was last revised during 2006.

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EDITORIAL

Nitesh's Adhikaar Yatra

ihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has been in the news for many things. Like every other chief minister he too deserves a niche place in the headlines. Being rated as one of the most capable chief ministers in the recent times Nitesh knows how to put his coals and when to get more heat out of them. In the fluid political situation of the country persons like him carry enough weight age. Bihar before Nitesh was a mess. Lallo's and Rabri's Bihar is a lot different from the Nitesh's Bihar. A sense of stability has descended on this second most populous state. Development is visible though not as rapid and consolidated as in Gujarat. To many astute observers Nitesh has no 2002 ghost to dread from. These all calculations make him a potential party spoiler for Modi within the NDA. Nitesh like a calculated politician knows it too well hence his subtle diatribe against Narendra Modi was aimed to unbalance NDA's apple cart. The stakes are higher for Nitesh. He has handicaps. He is not a natural and forceful orator like Modi nor has he a great success story of Gujarat to show to the world. Yet he cannot be wished away. In India every leader of sorts wishes to become Prime Minister. Why not? If the humble farmer Deve Gowda can become Prime Minister of India Nitesh too must. His Adhikaar Yaatra has to be seen in this perspective also. Through his Adhikaar Yaatra, Nitesh said what he wanted-- Prime Minister ki Gadhi Par Mera Bhi Adhikaar hai. He has spoken and what he had to say and this have not warmed the cockles of the Bharatiya Janata Party's heart. The Bihar Chief Minister did not name names but the message was as loud as it could get: he would look elsewhere if the BJP was insistent on projecting Narendra Modi as the National Democratic Alliance's prime ministerial choice. Of course, in politics nothing is final till it is final. Even so, it was evident that Nitesh had crossed a critical threshold in his relationship with his long-term ally. Not only did the Janata Dal (United) chief exude style, there was enough and more symbolism in how and where he made his speech. Nitesh flexed his muscles at a well-attended rally, not in Patna where mustering the crowds would have been easy enough, but in the Capital where the BJP and other national parties are headquartered. He flagged the 'inclusive' character of Bihar's development, thereby thumbing his nose at the BJP's muchcelebrated 'development' man. And if doubts persisted, he dispelled them by asserting that he had better credentials to rule at the Centre, "This is only a trailer and it shows that Biharis are ready to rule Delhi in 2014." Nitesh makes no bones of being cold to Gujarat Chief Minister. He has locked horns with the BJP on the issue of Modi. He has snubbed the Gujarat Chief Minister publicly on many occasions and warned the BJP against sending him to Bihar to conduct election campaigns. Yet for all that he was at daggers drawn with Modi and unlike Naveen Patnaik in Orissa, has always stopped short of breaking off with the BJP. The explanation for this lies in the fact that the BJP and the JD(U) are structurally inter-dependent in Bihar, with the former thought to contribute upper caste votes to the latter's core constituency of OBCs and most backwards. Electorally, the BJP has been a strong performer in the State, making it difficult for the JD (U) to find a ready replacement. But clearly, the moment of reckoning has arrived with Modi making no secret of his larger national ambitions. Any further silence on his part would have surely emboldened the BJP into assuming that he was ready to bark but not bite. Perhaps the Bihar Chief Minister has learnt a thing or two from Patnaik, who broke with the BJP over the Kandhamal violence. He did this knowing fully well that the break up could benefit the Congress, which held the largest share of votes in Orissa. But Patnaik deduced, and rightly too, that going for broke can fetch blockbuster dividends, provided the decision is seen to be arising from conviction. Not to be cowed down Nitesh seems to have decided to play the game to his choosing so why not to wage a battle for himself and Bihar. It is to your advantage if you put forth your Adhikaar.

The government cannot recognize the growth it sees

By ASHOK V. DESAI he prime minister is not a man of few words. He routinely utters a thousand words or so whenever scientists invite him. He addresses them a few dozen times a year, mostly in winter when they get together for conferences. Admittedly, those speeches are not demanding. He never demands anything of government scientists, whose productivity is close to zero; he tells them, instead, that they are great guys doing a great job, and asks them to carry on pointlessly as they have for more than 50 years. As for others, captive schoolchildren get a 15-minute speech from the ramparts of Red Fort on Independence Day. That apart, the prime minister is not a very communicative man, despite his enormous verbal output. But he was sufficiently provoked by the attacks of the Opposition in Parliament to speak twice in a month. His reply in the Upper House was brief and not very serious; the only interesting bits in it were quotations from Tacitus, the Roman historian of the 6th century, that he traded with Arun Jaitley. He laboriously read out the annual growth rates of gross domestic product from 1998-99 to 2012-13 to demonstrate that growth had been higher under his government than that of the Bharatiya Janata Party. This is the kind of uneducated point-scoring school kids indulge in. Growth is not an instantaneous function of who is in government. It is a process with leads and lags. The low growth rates under the BJP rule were partly due to a slowdown, which could be attributed to industrial overcapacity resulting from high rates of investment under previous Congress rule and Bimal Jalan's mishandling of the East Asian

crisis as governor of the Reserve Bank of India. Conversely, the high growth under the Congress had much to do with the fact that the BJP refused to protect industry; as a result, industry became internationally competitive, and experienced a spectacular boom in the initial years of Congress rule. Speaking in the Lower House, the prime minister echoed the budget message of his finance minister: do not worry, the fall in growth, the yawning payments deficit, the rise in fiscal deficit, persistent inflation they are all transient problems; we will wave a wand, and they will vanish into thin air. This mindless optimism, which he has learnt from his finance minister, beats all rational argument. It will convince those religious Congressmen who think that the world obeys their leaders without question. But the prime minister was not persuasive; he was just being a cheerleader. He asserted that he and his colleagues were fully capable of raising the growth rate to 7 or 8 per cent.

How will they do it? He said they would try to raise savings, stimulate private investment and reduce the growth of subsidies - not the subsidies themselves, but their rate of growth. He has not been reading the reports of his economic advisory council. They give a blow-by-blow account of how growth slowed down. As I said before, the boom began when the reduction of protection under BJP rule made industry internationally competitive. This happened just as the Congress took over; its first few years witnessed a spectacular industrial boom. It ended because the high investment rate led capacity to outgrow demand. There was excess supply, especially in the capital goods industry. That brought the boom to an end. If this is how growth slowed down, his recipe of raising savings, stimulating private investment and slowing subsidy growth makes no sense. Even doing nothing would be better; eventually, the surplus capacity would be exhausted in some years, and investment would revive. If one

wants growth to revive faster than it would do underlaissez faire, one has to inject demand into the economy. The simplest way is for the government to run bigger deficits. But it ran up such huge deficits in the boom period that P. Chidambaram is feeling a bit shy about running even bigger deficits. That is why he made a show of bringing down the deficit. The prime minister said that growth had come down all over the world, and implied that it would be improper if growth went up in India. That would, of course, not be very clever; presumably he meant that a slowdown abroad worsens our balance of payments, which in turn slows down growth. Growth has fallen by about 3 per cent a year in four years; it is unlikely that the worsening of the balance of payments can explain more than half a per cent of the slowdown. He then compared growth rates of various variables in the National Democratic Alliance period and the United Progressive Alliance period: agricultural growth went up from 2.9

to 3.7 per cent per annum, growth of rural consumption per head from 0.8 to 3.4 per cent, growth of agricultural real wages from 1.1 to 6.8 per cent, annual decline in poverty ratio from 0.8 to 2 per cent, and industrial growth from 5.6 to 8 per cent. To repeat a point made earlier, the idea that growth rates respond instantaneously to a change in government is nave. Agriculture-related growth rates are notoriously unstable because of monsoons; it is astonishing to find a trained economist drawing conclusions from point-to-point rates of change. It would be tedious to repeat the further point-to-point comparisons the prime minister went on to make. He did not sit down and work out the calculations himself; they were fed to him by his economists, so this should not be taken to be a personal comment. But because their economics is so primitive, they have missed an opportunity of understanding what exactly has been happening. My own reading of the same figures as they read is that two decades of circa 6.5 per cent output growth when the labour force grew at circa 1.5 per cent led to labour shortage in lowwage, unskilled occupations such as agricultural work. That led to a rise in real rural - not just agricultural wages. The rise in real wages did not raise or diversify food consumption because the government went on raising foodgrain prices; it spilt into paan bahar, packaged snacks, motorcycles and shoes. Perhaps for the first time since Independence, rapid growth has changed the quality of life of the majority of the people in the last two decades. But the government cannot even begin to understand it, because it is stuck in a primitive theory of economic growth.

Nation's health needs critical care I

By Shiv Basant f we continue to fool around with basic issues, we will be jeopardising the long-term interests of the nation and perpetuating mass poverty, illness and deprivation. People will surely back the right policies. The UPA Government's ambitious National Rural Health Mission was conceived with the laudable intent of improving delivery and accessibility of healthcare across rural India. This would mean improved access, equity, quality, accountability and effectiveness of public health services to rural population, especially women and children. But anybody with a nodding acquaintance of India's health sector knows that it suffers from both organisational and resource constraints. Manpower and resources must go hand in hand if the public health system in the country is to be revived and strengthened. Today, the only time the NRHM is mentioned in the media is when there is news of multiple-crore scams in States such as Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand. The only worthwhile contribution of the NRHM thus far has been the appointment of Accredited Social Health Activists in villages, who as per reports are doing a commendable job. The three-tier National Health Care structure comprising village-level sub-centre, blocklevel Primary Health Centre and the Community Health Centre, set up on the recommendations of the Bhore Committee (1946) lies in ruins due to population explosion and failure of the State to provide matching financial and manpower resources. Instead of addressing the problems of health, manpower and financial resources upfront, the NRHM has created an elaborate web of instructions on how the increased funding to the States is to be utilised, without creating a requisite planning, implementation and monitoring machinery at the State and District level, leading to various multi-crore scams. There has to be a proper matching of what is sought to be achieved with the resources available in hand. Otherwise, there will be a disaster like the NRHM. policy making in Nirman Bhawan and have sabotaged every move to create a cadre of 'rural doctors' for manning health sub-centres, primary health centres where medical graduates often do not wish to be posted. A large number of doctors privately admit that this is the only practical way of manning these health centres. However, primary healthcare does not run only by having doctors in place. You need nurses, laboratory technicians, medical equipment and essential drugs supply 24x7, 365 days a year which requires logistics management of a high order. This requires an organisational structure at the State and every district or divisional headquarter. A well-structured national health service at State, district and primary levels, staffed by a multi-disciplinary team with requisite mandate and resources should be put in place without further delay, with requisite budgetary resources earmarked by the Central Finance Commission from time to time. The Centre-sponsored and State sector schemes should

Panchayati Raj
he walkout in the Assembly by the Opposition on the failure of the government to introduce provisions of 73rd Amendment needs to be visualized as an expression of genuine frustration for without the devolution of powers to the Panchayats their effectiveness is impaired. The credit goes no doubt to the present government for the holding of Panchayat elections after more than three decades. But for reasons best known to the government it is dilly-dallying on giving more powers to the Panchayats. The 73rd Amendment has provisions whereby a five years term has been recommended for the Panchayat. They have been made responsible to chalk out their own plans for the development of their villages. The state government has to make Panchayats financially viable by releasing grant-in - aid from consolidated funds. Besides one third of Panchayat members have to be women along with attendant reservation for SC and ST Communities. The government must come clean on how it intends to implement 73rd Amendment provisions in order to make Panchayats vibrant grass root building blocks of democratic process. The absence of PDP, the largest opposition in the Assembly is a big blow to the Opposition because in absence of numbers the genuine concerns are seldom noticed.

Thanks to the Sixth Central Pay Commission, Government functionaries have become too expensive and unaffordable. While the Pay Commissions may have made common people comfortable, but they have also bankrupted the States who have to bear the brunt of paying CPC pay scales to lakhs of their education and healthcare functionaries at the village, panchayat and block level who are anyway not accountable for either being present at the place of their duty or for any quality outcomes. The least the Union Government can do is to scrap the CPCs and replace them

with National Wage Commissions with the mandate to lay down broad wage norms for various skilled and unskilled jobs in the public and private sector, to be followed as broad indicators, so that public services like health and education which are labour intensive, can evolve their own wage norms keeping in view their resources position. The basic malaise of the health sector in India has been the capture of the decision making process by the elite cadre. Medical Council of India and the Indian Medical Association have been exercising undue influence over

be rationalised to provide the needed resources. It will require a quantum jump in both Central and State expenditure on health which should be made available by scrapping various non-performing and low priority schemes and raising of additional resources. Increasing tax to GDP ratio and saving every penny of worthless public expenditure are the only ways out if the nation has to provide resources for health, education and vocational training, and ensure that 'demographic dividend' does not become a 'demographic liability'. Is there any political party today which is willing to include the creation of a National Health Service and bringing 'health' in the Concurrent list in its election manifesto in 2014? You cannot please all, but if you do the right thing and make all sacrifice equitably for a good cause, people ultimately swallow even the bitterest pill. If we fool around with basic issues any longer, we will be jeopardising the long-term interests of the nation and perpetuating mass poverty and deprivation.

Heroin Racket
Dear Sir The involvement of Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh in the Rs 130-crore heroin racket has been unfortunate. A large amount of heroin was recovered from a vehicle that belonged to Vijender's wife, Archana Singh. Vijender's acquaintance with drug lord Anoop Singh Kahlon has certainly raised suspicions over his involvement in the drug trade. However, since the matter is in court, Vijender's role is bound to be ascertained soon. Until now, he has denied all charges levelled against him. This incident has surely dented the reputation of sportsmen in the country. After decades of being in the shadows, India had finally begun to make its mark on the international arena. The nation had won medals in various disciplines at the Olympics and other international events. As sportsmen from various disciplines were bringing glory to the nation, people's negative

perception of sports was slowly changing. More and more middle class families had begun to send their children to play badminton, golf, football, etc. Sports was no more just about playing cricket. Non-cricketing sport stars, including Vijender Singh, Sushil Kumar, Saina Nehwal were the new generation of role models for children. Vijender's involvement in this racket has reaffirmed the people's perception of staying away from sports. This will have farreaching consequences. It is unfortunate! Yours Etc. Ramesh Kumar Tikri,Udhampur

Woes of pensioners
Dear Sir Inordinate delay in effecting increase in the pensions of the pensioners on the part of Jammu and Kashmir government is a serious issue, which deserves immediate attention of the authorities. Moreover, enhancement in the pension rates as per recom-

mendations of the sixth pay commission also needs to be taken into consideration at earliest since it involves a small number of senior citizens, who deserve a sympathetic view of the government. Despite the fact that the state government has ordered hike in the salaries of the employees and the officers this year besides making amendments in the salary structure of the professionals, the government failed to take into consideration the genuine demands of the pensioners. Most of the pensioners, who are now senior citizens in the society, have felt aggrieved when the state government did not take any decision on their issues. Some of the pensioners, who were able to organize themselves, have already held a protest demonstration in Srinagar seeking redressal of their demands. If these decisions are delayed by the government, the pensioners will be again forced to take to the streets creating law and order problems for the authorities. So, the government should take immediate action in this regard. Yours Etc. Sudesh Kumar Akhnoor, Jammu

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STUDENT AGE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 20, 2013

NATIONAL

Italy's refusal to send back marines is 'outright unacceptable': Sonia Gandhi

NEW DELHI: Italy's refusal to send back the two marines charged with killing two Indian fishermen is "outright unacceptable", Congress president Sonia Gandhi said Tuesday. In a hard hitting statement the UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi today said that no country should take India for granted. The Congress president was referring to the Italian marines' case which has resulted in a standoff between New Delhi and Italy. All means must be pursued to ensure that the commitment made by the Italian government to our Supreme Court is honoured," she said. "The defiance by the Italian government on the believed that the Italian Ambassador will renege like this," the bench had observed. As senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi appearing for Mancini and Republic of Italy Rohatgi pressed on the issue of immunity after the order extending the March 14 direction was passed, a bench headed by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir reminded him again about the undertaking given by the Italian envoy. The order barring the envoy from leaving the country was extended to April 2 when the case will again come up for hearing. The court had said, "The person who has come to this court as petitioner, we don't think he has any immunity."

Sri Lanka denies cancellation Mumbai -bound bus plunges into river, 37 killed of defence dialogue with India
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka on Tuesday dismissed media reports about cancellation of its annual bilateral defence talks with India, where the government is facing pressure from Tamil Nadu-based parties to vote in favour of the US-backed resolution against Colombo at the UN Human Rights Council. A government source here on the condition of anonymity said the talks were to be held in Colombo from 23 to 25 March. He said the official reason given by Indian authorities was that the Defence Minister was required to remain in New Delhi at the time to answer any queries in Parliament. The Indian authorities came back with mid April dates which the Sri Lankans were not able to accommodate due to the long Sinhala/Tamil New Year recess. The source added that the talks would now be held in late April or early May on dates yet to be confirmed. The Indian media has reported that the annual defence talks would not take place for unknown reasons but hinted that the decision may have been taken in view of the current political heat generated in Tamil Nadu over the UNHRC resolution against Sri Lanka in Geneva this week. The DMK, a UPA ally, has been irked by continuous training provided in the state for Sri Lankan troops. This forced New Delhi to locate some of the training elsewhere. India, which voted in favour of the US moved resolution last year, has come under increasing pressure from Tamil Nadu to force America to make the new resolution stronger.

question of the two marines and its betrayal of a commitment to our Supreme Court is outright unacceptable," the Italy-born added. Meanwhile, the after Supreme Court pulled up Italy's Ambassador Daniele Mancini yesterday for reneging on the undertaking given to it on the Italian marines

row and extended its order restraining him from leaving the country, asserting he cannot claim diplomatic immunity, Italy today snubbed India saying that it is violating a convention on diplomatic immunity. "You went to Italy after giving an undertaking. We never expected and we never

No claimant for PM's post in BJP: Uma Bharti

GWALIOR: Senior BJP leader Uma Bharti today said there is no claimant for the post of the Prime Minister in her party. "There is no claimant for the Prime Minister's post in the BJP, where anyone who is capable can be chosen by the party's parliamentary board," Bharti told reporters. Bharti's remarks come in the wake of the debate about who would be BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate for the next Lok Sabha elections. On the rape of a Swiss national in Datia district on March 15, she appreciated the efforts of the police to arrest the accused in the case. Atrocities are taking place against women all over the world which is because of the change in thinking of the people and

UN political chief travels to India, Pakistan

UNITED NATIONS: Jeffrey Feltman, the UN under-secretary-general for political affairs, has left for a week-long visit to South Asia, which includes stops in Nepal, India and Pakistan, an official said. "He will be in Nepal from March 19-21, where he will meet senior officials of the government and political parties, representatives of the diplomatic corps and civil society to discuss the peace process," Eduardo del Buey, the deputy UN spokesman, said here. Feltman will be in India March 21-23 and in Pakistan March 24-25, del Buey said, adding that during his stay Feltman "will meet with senior government officials and other interlocutors to discuss the countries' wide-ranging cooperation with the United Nations and issues of international concern". The senior UN official will then travel to Doha, Qatar March 26-27, to lead the UN delegation to the Summit of the League of Arab States, reported Xinhua quoting del Buey.

MUMBAI: At least 37 people were killed and over 15 injured when a Mumbaibound private luxury bus plunged into a river in Maharashtra's Ratnagiri district on Tuesday morning. The bus fell into the Jagbudi River near Khed in Ratnagiri district at around 3.30 am when it was on its way back from Goa, police said. The bus was on its way to Mumbai on the Goa-Mumbai highway when it fell off the bridge after the driver of the bus lost control, as per

reports. The police are investigating whether the driver of the bus was drunk at the time of the accident, as per initial reports. Several foreigners were also travelling in the bus and one Russian national has been rescued so far. Bodies of 37 passengers have been recovered so far have been kept at Khed municipal hospital. Rescue operations are still on and the bus is being retrieved from the river, which has dried up almost, police said.

No plan to lower juvenile age from 18 to 16 years: Govt

NEW DELHI: Amidst demands for lowering the juvenile age, government on Tuesday made it clear that it has no intention to lower the juvenile age from 18 to 16 years. "There is no proposal to lower the juvenile age from 18 to 16 years under the Juvenile Justice Act," Minister of State for Home RPN Singh told Lok Sabha. There have been demands for lowering the juvenile age after the December 16 gangrape of a girl in Delhi as one of the five accused was a juvenile. There has been apprehension that the juvenile, who allegedly was the most brutal of the five accused, may go scot free due to his juvenile status. The Minister said the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has opposed lowering the age of juvenile from 18 to 16 years as well as the death penalty based on the United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child which India has ratified. Further, Section 16 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 prohibits death penalty to juvenile, Singh said. There has been apprehension that the juvenile, who allegedly was the most brutal of the five accused, may go scot free due to his juvenile status. The Minister said the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has opposed lowering the age of juvenile from 18 to 16 years as well as the death penalty based on the United Nation Convention on the Rights of the Child which India has ratified. Further, Section 16 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2000 prohibits death penalty to juvenile, Singh said.

Beni skips CPP meet, says will continue to remain in party

NEW DELHI: Union Minister Beni Prasad Verma, in the line of fire for his controversial remarks against Mulayam Singh Yadav, on Tuesday skipped a key meeting of the Congress Parliamentary Party after he was snubbed over it. Beni Prasad today said that he will continue to remain in the party and is not resigning from the Cabinet. " L o g jhooth bool rahe hein. Hum jeevan bhar Congress mein rehenge. Jo log bol rahe hein unko bolne do (People are lying. I will remain in Congress all my life. Let people say what they want to say," Verma said here. The Minister was asked if he was considering quitting the Cabinet or the Congress party in view of the party disapproving his comments against Mulayam. Verma had not attended the Congress Parliamentary Party (CPP) meeting this morning leading to speculation that he might be contemplating quiting Congress and warming up to other parties like BSP ahead of the next Lok Sabha elections. "I am just leaving for the Cabinet meeting," he remarked, indicating his continuance in the Union Cabinet. Congress General Secretary Janardan Dwivedi had yesterday made the party's displeasure clear over Verma's remarks clear by saying it has "taken this issue very seriously". Verma had also said he stood by his statement that Mulayam allegedly had "terrorist links". He had also ruled out stepping down following the SP leader's demand, saying, "Has he made me a Minister?"

administrative weakness, the former Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister said.

Telangana JAC to go ahead with 'Sadak Bandh'

HYDERABAD: The Telangana Joint Action Committee (JAC) Tuesday vowed to go ahead with the Hyderabad-Kurnool highway blockade Thursday even as police said that the protest lacked permission. JAC convenor M. Kodandaram said they would stage 24-hour 'Sadak Bandh' to demand the immediate carving of a separate Telangana state. Releasing wall posters for 'Sadak Bandh', he appealed to people to change their travel plans in view of the protest. He said if the state assembly had passed a resolution urging the central government to grant separate statehood for Telangana, the JAC would have postponed the protest. The JAC plans to stop vehicles entering Telangana from Rayalaseema region through KurnoolHyderabad highway, which is part of the BangaloreHyderabad highway. It has called for protests at several places from Shamshabad on the outskirts of Hyderabad till Alampur in Mahabubnagar district, a distance of 160 km, from 9 a.m. March 21 to 9 a.m. March 22. The protestors also plan to blockade the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport at Shamshabad. Activists of JAC and various political parties including Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Communist Party of India (CPI) will squat on the highway, cook food and stage cultural programmes. Meanwhile, police have clarified that there was no permission for the protest. M a h a b u b n a g a r Superintendent of Police D. Nagender Kumar told reporters that criminal cases would be booked against those participating in the protest. JAC had originally plan to stage the protest on Feb 24 but postponed it following twin bomb blasts in Hyderabad Feb 21.

China's Xi unveils 5-point formula to improve ties with India

BEIJING: Unveiling a fivepoint formula to improve relations with India, China's newly elected President Xi Jinping on Tuesday said the resolution of the boundary dispute between the two sides "won't be easy" and pending its final settlement "peace and tranquillity" should be maintained on the border without affecting the overall ties. The 59-year-old Xi, who took over as the head of Communist Party, President and military chief, completing a rare triad of power, sent clear signals of boosting bilateral relations with India and expressed his keenness to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh next week on the sidelines of the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) in his first contact with top Indian leadership after his inauguration. He said China sees its ties with India as "one of the most important bilateral relationships". "The border question is a complex issue left from history and solving the issue won't be easy. However, as long as we keep up friendly consultations, we can eventually arrive at a fair reasonable and mutually acceptable settlement. Pending the final settlement of the boundary question the two sides should work together and maintain peace and tranquility in the border areas and prevent the border question from affecting the overall development of bilateral relations," Xi said. The new President was replying to a question on what policy the new Chinese leadership will pursue towards India and whether there would be any change in its position on the border issue. India asserts that the border dispute covered about 4,000 km, while China claims that it confined to about 2,000 km to the area of Arunachal Pradesh, which it refers as Southern Tibet. Unveiling his five proposals, Xi said that first China and India should maintain strategic communication and keep the bilateral relations on the "right track". "Second, we should harness each other's comparative strengths and expand win-win cooperation in infrastructure, mutual investment and other areas," he said. Xi said India and China should strengthen cultural ties and constantly increase the mutually expanding friendship between the two countries. The Chinese leader said the two countries should expand coordination and collaboration in multi-lateral fora to jointly safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries and tackle global challenges.

Govt unduly favoured Robert Vadra in land deals: BJP

JAIPUR: Rajasthan Assembly on Tuesday witnessed chaos after opposition BJP alleged that government had unduly favoured Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra in land deals in the state. BJP members stormed into the well as charges and countercharges were exchanged between ruling Congress and opposition over the issue and members from both sides got aggressive but stopped short of a fight after Parliament Affairs Minister Shanti Dhariwal intervened. Trouble started in Question Hour when BJP whip Rajendra Rathore asked about land purchase in Bikaner and Jaisalmer by North India IT Park Pvt Ltd and details about its directors. Revenue minister in his reply said the company purchased 254.47 acre lands in Bikaner and did not purchase land in Jaisalmer. He said Vadra was in the Board of Directors of the company, following which Rathore asked the minister to provide information about whether other companies in which Vadra was director had purchased lands in Bikaner. When the minister said it was not part of the listed question, Rathore and other BJP members created uproar and accused the Congress of unduly favouring Vadra. Congress members also started shouting slogans against BJP and alleged that lands in border areas were sold during the rule of the previous BJP government. Amid vociferous protests, government chief whip Raghu Sharma shouted at BJP whip Rajendra Rathore which annoyed the opposition. Some BJP legislators, including Rathore, moved towards the ruling party's benches and challenged Sharma, which led to heated arguments. Parliamentary affairs minister intervened and requested the BJP members to go back to their seats. The opposition members obliged, but pandemonium continued for around 20 minutes. Leader of Opposition Gulab Chand Kataria asked the members to maintain decorum and the House came in order. During Zero Hour, the opposition demanded from the Deputy Speaker to appoint a committee of the House to probe the allegations against Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot of favouring his relatives in mines allotment in Jodhpur.

Managing Rickshaws after IIM degree

NAGPUR: Nirmal Kumar, a physically challenged IIM Ahmadabad graduate would have been comfortably placed in a Multi National Company but he thought otherwise. He has started a success story which today is creating waves in the country. Nirmal manages a fleet of ten thousand auto rickshaws in Gujarat that earns him a comfortable Rs 45000 a month. Haggling with an autorickshaw driver over fare changed the course of life for this physically challenged, 2008 batch graduate from the country's premier management school. Kumar was in the city on Sunday to speak at the TIECON meet on promoting entrepreneurship. Kumar comes from a modest background, with the family based in Siwan district of Bihar. His father is employed as a primary schoolteacher. Kumar was overcharged by an auto while coming back to the college from a restaurant. He felt cheated, and the idea for a business came to him. He entered into a deal with the auto drivers who park outside the IIM campus. He assured them free newspapers and an healthcum-personal insurance cover, for which he spent his own money. In return, they only had to give an undertaking that they would charge proper fares. The idea clicked, and the next tranche of funding came from some companies in Gujarat. The companies happily agreed since the expenditure also accounted for their corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities, he said. "When I needed more funds, I contacted

"When I needed more funds, I contacted Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi. The access was easy, and Modi was keen too. I requested his presence at the inauguration too and he obliged. He allotted funds and designated a senior bureaucrat to ensure we got the money," says Kumar.
Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi. The access was easy, and Modi was keen too. I requested his presence at the inauguration too and he obliged. He allotted funds and designated a senior bureaucrat to ensure we got the money," says Kumar. With funds, Kumar increased the facilities for drivers, and developed the brand 'G Auto'. The drivers got benefits like subsidized health care and education for their wards, besides the insurance. Today, revenue comes from mixed sources, including government, corporate as well as advertisement. "The vehicles carry ads, from which sizeable revenue

is generated, and we can break even. We have formed a trust, which pays my salary and also 21 of my colleagues," he said. Kumar is the managing director of the Nirmal Foundation. "Even now, anyone flouting the rules loses the benefits and membership of G Auto. But we also fight for the drivers if the cops wrongly harass them," he says. G Auto was voted second in the SMART Mobility Awards by the University of Michigan on transportation solutions. Recently, the

union urban development secretary has written to all the states to emulate the model. Kumar, who also wants to expand, recently met Delhi chief minister Sheila Dixit with plans for the national capital. Use of technology has enabled better monitoring of the vehicles through GPS. The vehicles also have computerized meters, which cannot be tweaked, says Kumar. Like a radio cab, customers can request a G auto from a call centre or through a free mobile phone app.

Kumar's analysis is that a day's income for an autorickshaw driver does not go beyond the minimum wage of Rs250, after all expenses and vehicle maintenance is taken into account. Nirmal Foundation's system ensures they get more trips with the help of the call centre facility. The volumes compensate for the low margins, he said. Wen asked whether he regrets not having chosen the beaten path, Kumar says, "Today, my batch mates want to emulate me, but it is not the other way round."

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INTERNATIONAL & ECONOMY

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Six Marines killed in blast at army depot in Nevada: US
RENO: At least Six US Marines were killed and eight wounded when a mortar exploded during a live-fire training exercise at an Army munitions depot in the Nevada desert, military officials said. A 60-millimeter mortar exploded in a tube at Hawthorne Army Depot as Marines were preparing to fire it, the officials said. The injured were taken to two hospitals. Stacy Kendall, a spokeswoman for Renown Regional Medical Center, said that it was treating eight people wounded in the blast, three in serious condition and five in fair condition. She said that the injuries included traumas and fractures. The Hawthorne Army Depot is a 147,000-acre storage facility for ammunition and other equipment being taken out of service and a training facility for Special Operations forces preparing to deploy to the Middle East. The facility is made up of hundreds of buildings spread over more than 230 square miles. An official told KRNVTV in Reno that the explosion Monday night was an accident unrelated to the ammunition that is stored at the military facility near the small desert community of Hawthorne, about 140 miles southeast of Reno. In Washington, Army spokesman George Wright says he as yet had no details on the explosion.

Xi Jinping hopes for better ties with US

BEIJING: Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Tuesday that China is ready to work with the US to "advance cooperative partnership" between the two countries. Xi made the remarks while meeting US T r e a s u r y Secretary Jacob Lew, who is visiting Beijing. The president hailed the fruitful outcome of bilateral relations in the past 30 years, with the results greatly benefiting the two peoples and promoting peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region as well as the world. China-US relations bear great interest and there are also differences, Xi said, noting that so long as the two sides treat the bilateral ties from a strategic and longterm perspective, the relationship will continue to advance and bring more benefits to the two peoples. "I attach great importance to China-US relations, and am willing to work with the US side to jointly advance the cooperative partnership," Xi said. Lew congratulated Xi on becoming China's president. He called on the two sides to enhance cooperation on economic and strategic issues facing the two countries and properly manage their differences. As the world's two biggest economies, the US and China have special responsibilities in maintaining a strong, sustainable and balanced growth globally, he added.

India, Egypt signed seven key pacts

NEW DELHI: In a bid to deepen ties and strengthen economic bonds, India and Egypt on Tuesday signed seven key pacts including one on cyber security after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Egyptian President Mohamed Mursi held bilateral talks. The two leaders also agreed to enhance cooperation in defense and in international forums like UN. "President Morsi and I have just concluded extensive and very productive discussions We agreed that his visit, at an important juncture for Egypt, offers us a great opportunity to renew our relationship and take it to a different level of engagement and cooperation," Prime Minister Singh said after concluding talks with Mursi. Expressing admiration for the courage and sacrifices of the people of Egypt in ushering in a new era of democracy, Singh said India has offered to share its experience as Mursi "ably leads his nation in building strong institutions and frameworks for democracy, social justice and inclusive economic development". "I am convinced that Egypt's successful transition would be an important model for the region and the world," The seven agreements signed included an MoU in the field of cyber security, setting Another MoU facilitates sharing of information, meetings between enterprises, technology transfers and to provide consultation services to enhance the abilities of business enterprises of India and Egypt. A letter of Intent concerning launch services of the Egyptian Nano Satellite EGYCUBESAT-1 on board the Indian Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV), was signed between Antrix Corporation, the commercial wing of Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO), and the Egyptian National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences (NARSS). The two leaders also exchanged views on a range of regional and international issues. The Prime Minister said both countries share interest in peace and stability in the Gulf, West Asia and the North African region. "I conveyed our steadfast support to the Palestinian cause and expressed our deep appreciation for the role played by Egypt in trying to forge unity between the Palestinian groups and work towards a peaceful resolution of this long standing issue," Singh said.

Pakistan 'anti-corruption' cleric to boycott elections

ISLAMABAD: A populist Pakistani cleric who has generated mass protests to demand sweeping political reform will boycott the forthcoming general elections, The polls, expected by mid-May but for which no date has yet been set, will mark the first democratic transition between two civilian governments in Pakistan, where the military remains powerful after staging three coups. "This is just an election of money, might and manipulation. That is why I decided my party should not take part," said Tahir-ul Qadri, a religious moderate who has written a fatwa against terrorism and suicide bombings. According to a report from the Centre for Investigative Reporting in Pakistan, more than 60 percent of the outgoing cabinet and two thirds of its outgoing federal lawmakers paid no tax in 2011. Under the constitution, lawmakers should have "a good character", be "sagacious, righteous and non-profligate, honest". They should also be disqualified if they, their spouse or any dependents default on the payment of government dues or utilities. "My struggle is a reformist movement struggle. Sometimes you don't achieve the result within a couple of months, or one year, two years -- you have to struggle for a long time," said Qadri.

he said. On his part, Mursi called Singh a "noble brother" and said his visit shows that Egypt is keen to cooperate with India. The Prime Minister said he and Mursi agreed to foster productive partnerships in socioeconomic development programmes, skill development, higher education, agriculture and health care. "We also agreed to enhance our defense exchanges and cooperation," he said. "The agreements that we have signed today are a clear manifestation of our desire to impart a new dynamism to our relationship," Singh said.

up of a Centre for Excellence in IT (CEIT) in Egypt's Al Azhar University, cooperation in the field of protection of intellectual property rights and prevention of illicit traffic of antiquities besides others. The MoUs was also signed to identify a number of core areas which would be the focus of cooperation. These include e-governance and eeducation, IT and electronics hardware, sharing of experiences in the creation of Technology Parks and IT clusters, and strengthening the cooperation between ICT companies in the private sector among others.

Pope celebrates Mass to inaugurate his reign

VATICAN CITY: Pope Francis inaugurated his papacy with a Mass in front of hundreds of thousands of people and foreign leaders in St. Peter's Square on Tuesday with a simplified rite that fuelled hopes for change in the scandalplagued Roman Catholic Church. Francis, the first Jesuit pope, has already put his mark on the papacy, abandoning much of the baroque pomp of his predecessor Benedict and signalling that he wants a Church whose first priority is the poor and disadvantaged. He stopped frequently to greet some of the hundreds of thousands of people gathered in the sprawling square, kissing babies and getting out at one point to bless a disabled person. He wore plain white vestments and black shoes, in contrast to the luxurious red loafers that attracted attention under Benedict. The ceremony conducted from an altar on the steps of the huge basilica was also been shortened to two hours after a three-hour service in 2005 when Benedict began his papacy. The Mass formally installs Francis as the new leader of the world's 1.2 billion Roman Catholics. In the six days since his election, he has referred to himself only as Bishop of Rome, the position from which his authority flows, and hinted he plans to reduce Vatican centralism and govern in consultation with other bishops.

Obama to host African leaders

WASHINGTON: As part of his efforts to build and strengthen relationships with Africa, US President Barack Obama would host leaders of four African countries Sierra Leone, Senegal, Malawi and Cape Verde at the White House on March 28, his press secretary has said. "The five leaders will discuss strengthening democratic institutions across subSaharan Africa, and building on Africa's democratic increased economic opportunities and expanded trade and investment," the White House Press Secretary, Jay Carney, said. Obama looks forward to welcoming President Ernest Bai Koroma of Sierra Leone, President Macky Sall of Senegal, President Joyce Banda of Malawi, and Prime Minister Jose Maria Pereira Neves of Cape Verde to the White House on Thursday, March 28, he said. The US has strong partnerships with these countries based on shared democratic values and shared interests, he added. "The visit of these four leaders underscores the strategic importance the President places on building partnerships and substantive engagement with subSaharan Africa, and our commitment to working with strong and emerging African democracies," Carney said.

progress

to

generate

ECONOMY

Montek : RBI could have given stronger signal to push growth

NEW DELHI: Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia on Tuesday said it could have given a more robust signal to the industry. "This (rate cut) is a signal and I have to say that it is in the right direction", he said, while addressing an Assocham conference. "We are looking at it with unhappiness. We feel, the signal should have been stronger...Many people would say that the signal should have been more robust than 25 basis points", Ahluwalia said while commenting on RBI's decision to cut short-term (repo) rate by 0.25 per cent to 7.5 per cent to boost growth. "I am glad that RBI has signaled continuing reduction of the rate," he said, adding the macro economic situation has started turning around for the better. According to Ahluwalia, if everything goes well on the economic growth front for the next three months, then one can say that the economy will be back on He explained that the targeted USD 1 trillion investments in infrastructure for the

NTPC to start construction for SBI gets Rs 3,004-cr capital from govt thermal power plant next year
B H U B A N E S WA R : Optimistic of completion of land acquisition for its 1600 MW Darlipali Super Thermal project in Odisha, India's largest thermal power producer NTPC on Tuesday said construction for the Rs 12,850 crore plant could be launched during the second half of 2013. "About 1200 acres of land had already been acquired by the company in Sundargarh district so far as against the total requirement of around 1700 acres," Regional Executive Director of NTPC, M S Soin, said. Stating that NTPC is set to invest about Rs 30,000 crore for three major projects in Odisha, he said "The company expects the administration to hand over 338 acres of government land and 34.5 acres of forest by July this year," Soin said adding once the company takes possession of 69 acres of private land, it can launch construction. Stating that NTPC proposes to invest Rs 12,850 crore for Darlipali super thermal project, Soin said Odisha government would get half of the electricity generated at the plant, for which coal linkage has been assured. The 1600 (2 X 800) Mw plant would be fed by Dulanga coal mine allotted to the company and water will be provided from Hirakud reservoir. Apart from Darlipali, NTPC proposes to invest about Rs 12,000 crore for another super thermal power plant at Gajmara in Dhenkanal district and over Rs 5,000 crore for expansion of Talcher Thermal Power Station. Stating that NTPC's present installed capacity in eastern region was 3,460 MW, Soin said it would increase substantially when the new projects are commissioned. He said the 460 MW Talcher Thermal Power Station with its high performance has generated more than 96 percent of plant load factor, highest ever since its inception, providing one of the cheapest thermal power to its beneficiary. Declaring NTPC's proposal for foraying into renewable energy sector, Soin said the thermal power producer intends to set up a solar power plant at Kaniha in Odisha. While the capacity of the proposed solar plant could be about 15-16 MW, its cost was yet to be worked out, the NTPC regional Ed said. MUMBAI: Country's largest bank SBI on Tuesday said it has received Rs 3,004 crore from the government as part of the recapitalization plan of the state-run banks. Post-infusion, the share holding of the government in the bank has increased from 61.58 to 62.31 percent. According to the bank, the government infused the money through subscribing to preferential allotment of 1.29 crore equity shares at the issue price of Rs 2,312.78 per share. "We are confident that with this capital infusion, we will meet the capital adequa-

higher growth trajectory in the long run. He opined that the USD one trillion investment targets in the infrastructure sectors with half of it coming from private sector, for the 12th Five Year Plan (201217), is an ambitious number. As per his assessment, the investment in infrastructure in 12th Plan could be USD 900 billion with half of it coming from private sector.

current Plan period would mean a debt component of USD 700 billion debt component and the financial institution would have to think on financing all of that. On the criticism over public private partnership (PPP) projects, he said user charges are very crucial for these projects but those should be imposed in a transparent manner.

cy requirement prescribed by Reserve Bank," State Bank of India (SBI) said. Earlier, SBI Chairman Pratip Chaudhuri had said that the bank was likely to attain a tier-I capital of around 10 percent by the end of the fiscal with capital infusion from the government along with accrual of profits. Government plans to infuse around Rs 14,000 crore in state-run banks this fiscal to boost their core capital ratios as they prepare to comply with the Basel-III guidelines, which will start from next month.

Ministry forms panel to draft PPP framework

NEW DELHI: The Government has constituted a panel to formulate a policy on public-private partnership framework with State-owned CIL as one of the partners to increase coal output. The development comes close on the heels of Finance Minister P. Chidambaram stating in his Budget speech that there was a need to devise such a policy to reduce the country's increasing dependence on imported coal. "In pursuance of the announcement in the Union Budget 2013 regarding Public Private Partnership (PPP) policy framework with Coal India (CIL) as one of the partners, a Committee...is constituted," a source in the Coal Ministry said. The nine-member committee chaired by Coal Secretary S. K. Srivastava has representatives from the Finance, Law and Justice Ministries, the source added. The panel to be serviced by Central Mine Planning & Design Institute Ltd (CMPDI) will "devise a PPP policy framework...in order to increase production of coal," the source said, adding, "The committee shall give a report within a month." The Finance Minister during his Budget speech said in the medium to long-term the country should reduce its dependence on coal imports and one of the ways forward was to devise a PPP policy framework. TCIL, which accounts for over 80 per cent of the domestic coal output, missed its production target last fiscal and produced only 435.84 million tonne (MT) against the revised target of 447 MT. India's coal imports, which shot up to 100 million MT from April to December last year, are likely to reach 185 MT by FY'17.

AIR launches services on social media

NEW DELHI: To carve a niche for itself on the social media, the All India Radio (AIR) has launched live streaming of its Urdu service, FM Gold on YouTube and an android based mobile phone application of for its news service. The services were launched by the Information and Broadcasting Minister, Manish Tewari. Speaking on the occasion, Tewari said the advent of AIR on social media platforms was an important step in enhancing its outreach across the country. Network. Tewari said that apart from catering to news and information needs of audiences both domestic and external, this innovative technology would enhance the profile, content and reach of its national and regional bulletins in regional languages in the audio form. The integration with mobile applications would address the communication needs of the youth and the audience that followed new technologies, the statement said.

Delhi's per capita income Sensex tumbles 285 points rises to over Rs.2 lakh after DMK pulls out of UPA
NEW DELHI: Delhi's per capita annual income has risen by nearly 16 percent to Rs.2.01 lakh in 2012-13 over the previous fiscal, said the government's Economic Survey. According to the survey tabled on Tuesday in the Delhi assembly, per capita income rose from Rs.1,73,686 in 2011-12 to Rs.2,01,083 in 2012-13. The national average is Rs.61,564. "The per capita income reflects the availability of ample employment opportunity in the city and satisfaction level of the residents," said Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit who presented the Economic Survey. The Delhi government's outstanding debt has reduced from Rs.30,140 crore in 2010-11 to Rs.28,308 crore in 2012-13, stated the survey. MUMBAI: The BSE benchmark sensex Tuesday, plummeted 285 points to close at two-week low level of 19,008 after the government's key ally DMK withdrew support amid a weak global trend, even as the RBI cut repo rate. After a higher start at 19,378.61, the sensex dropped below 19,000 level before ending 285.10 points lower at 19,008.10, a level last seen on March 5. The NSE index Nifty shuttled between 5,863.60 and 5,724.30 before ending lower by 89.30 points to 5,745.95. Financial and interest sensitive stocks were major losers and pulled down the benchmark to suffer its biggest single day loss in last three weeks. The banking index fell 1.97 per cent to 13,209.63.

With the use of social media, people could now access the content of AIR in any part of the globe, he said. The statement added that the android based mobile application has been developed for accessing News stories from the AIR News

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MISC

Smriti Mehra leads in Hero Women's Golf

Punjab beat J&K by 43 runs in T20

JAMMU: Punjab today registered a fine 43 runs win over Jammu and Kashmir in the North Zone Twenty20 Tournament for Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy at Tata Energy Research Institute Oval, Gurgaon in Haryana. Earlier, Punjab won the toss and decided to bat first they set a target of 147 runs for the loss of nine wickets, which, in reply, J&K could not chase and bowled out for 103 in 19.3 overs. Inder Singh and MS Gony contributed 23 runs each while Gurkeerat Singh made highest 27 runs. From J&K, Ram Dayal and Raman Dutta shared three wickets each while RSmSambyal claimed two. Later, chasing a target of over seven runs per over, J&K could not maintain the required run rate and bowled out for 103 runs in 19.3 overs. Fayaz Ahmed remained top scorer with 34 runs while Bandy and Ram Dayal contributed 26 and 21 runs respectively. MS Gony and S Koul claimed three wickets each from Punjab.

PANCHKULA: Smriti Mehra got off to a great start in the sixth leg of the Hero Women's Golf Tour at the Panchkula Golf Club on Tuesday, taking a six-shot lead over Ankita Tiwana, Gursimran Badwal and Vani Kapoor after the first round. The veteran golfer, who has already won two titles this season and leads the Order of Merit 2013, scored a par 72 in the first round to open up a comfortable lead over Ankita, Gursimran (A) and Vani, who are tied at second place with first round score of six over 78. Smriti had two double bogeys in the first four holes but steadied herself from there on to sink five birdies on the

fifth, sixth, 11th, 12th and 15th. Her double bogeys came on the first and fourth holes and the solitary bogey on the 17th. Ankita carded three birdies on the fifth, 12th and 14th whereas ani had four birdies on the 10th, 11th, 13th and 16th. Amateur golfer Gursimran, who is tied second with Ankita and Vani after the first round, carded three birdies on the fifth, eight and 16th holes. All three will have their task cut out tomorrow if they want to close the gap with Smriti. Fifth leg winner Neha Tripathi had a disappointing day on the greens and is laying tied eighth with Pallavi Jain with a round one score of 82.

Commerce, Mathmetics, MCA enter QFs of Carrom

JAMMU: Departments of Commerce, Mathematics and Computer Sciences today sailed into the quarterfinals stages of the Carrom event in the ongoing Inter- department (women's) sports meet of university of Jammu (JU) at Gymnasium Hall on the campus. However, likewise opening day yesterday, most of the teams in all the four events failed to report on the second day today resulting into most of the matches ended in walkovers. The Detailed Results: TABLE TENNIS: Department of Physical Education bt Department of Mathematics 2- 0: Jyoti beat Panmeet Kour 11-04, 11-06; Sandeep Kour beat Urvashi Bhatt 11-07,11- 09; Law School got walkover Department of Urdu; The Business School got walkover Department of Commerce. CARROM: Department of Commerce beat The Law School 2-0: Syed Farhat beat Priyanka; Pratibha Heer beat Raveena. Department of Computer Sciences beat Library Sciences 2-1: Rinkal Charak beat Priyanka; Babi Choudhary lost to Mitika; Rinkal Charak and Priya beat Mitika and Deepika. Department of Mathematics beat The Business School 21: Rupali Gupta bt Sagorika Chadha; Nitu Devi lost to Suvidha Gupta; Rupali and Ritu Sharma beat Sagarika and Suvidha. B A D M I N T O N : Department of Law beat The Business School 2-0: Upasana Gupta bt Sagarika Chadha 21-09; Heena Sharma bt Manasvi Gupta 2113. The Law School bt Department of Library Sciences 2-0: Deepanshi Isher bt Gurmeet Kour 21-04; Antra Pandit bt Deepika Gupta 21-04. Department of Physics and Electronics beat Department of Psychology 21: Razia Thakur lost to Dhanvir Kour 15-21; Jagrita Sharma bt Samriti Mandwol 21-19; Razia-Jagriti bt Samriti-Dhanvir 22-20. Department of Statistics beatDepartment of Commerce 2-0: Ankita bt Pratibha 21-15; Ruby Sharma bt Rohana Wahid 21-09. CHESS: MCA beat Department of Statistics 2-0: Priya Sharma bt Madhvi Rajput; Dhriti Chandan bt Palak Kapoor. Department of Library Sciences beat Department of Commerce 21: Priyanka bt Syed; Abida Shabnam lost to Mansi; Mauri bt Priyanka. The Business School beat The Law School 2-0: Divy bt Richa Suri; Heena Nargotra bt Vibhuti Narania.

For More Details Contact:

Shamsher (Chief Advisor) Ph:- +91-9419797242, +91-9018192949

I-League: Churchill win 3-0 against Air India

MAPUSA : Churchill Brothers went top of the ILeague table with a 3-0 demolition of Air India at the Duler Stadium on Tuesday. Brazilian midfielder Roberto Mendes da Silva opened the scoring with a seventh minute penalty and then Gabonese striker Henri Arnaud scored once in each half to take Churchill Brothers to the top of the table with 42 points, two ahead of East Bengal with a game in hand. Churchill got off to an encouraging start when Steven Dias won a penalty in the seventh minute. BChurchill got their second in the 22nd minute when Lenny Rodrigues sent a delightful through ball that pierced the rival defence.

Sporty Solutionz named marketing partners for India Open

NEW DELHI: The Badminton Association of India (BAI) has announced Sporty Solutionz (P) Ltd as the Marketing and Event Partner for the prestigious India Open Super Series for the next three years. The 2013 edition of the tournament, with a prize purse of USD 200,000, will be held at the Siri Fort Indoor Sports Complex here from April 23-28. BAI President Dr Akhilesh Das Gupta said the association with Sporty Solutionz is a step taken to make the India Open Super Series one of the most successful badminton tournaments in the world. "The partnership will take Indian badminton to greater heights. The India Open Super Series has made a spectacular impact in raising the stake of the sport in the country," Dr Gupta said. "We hope the tie-up with Sporty Solutionz will push the benchmark further and help badminton catch the imagination of the youth in India." Delighted with the association, Sporty Solutionz CEO Ashish Chadha said, "We are honored to come on board as the marketing and event partners for the next three years. We thank BAI and will strive to deliver a successful 2013 India Open Super Series and for the years to come." Sporty Solutionz are also the Commercial Partner for the upcoming USD 1 million Indian Badminton League.

CHIEF-EDITOR, PUBLISHER, OWNER: Rohit Singh Rana, C.E.O.:Pawan Rathore, DY. CHIEF EDITOR : Vikram Singh Shan, Administrative Head Jammu: Vikram Singh Bhandari, Bureau Chief Kashmir: Allayee Faizan, LEGAL ADVISOR: Advocate Ashok Parihar PRINTED AT JK PRINTING & PUBLICATIONS, SUJWAN, JAMMU TAWI. For Contributing articles mail us at callme.ranasahib@gmail.com, editor.studentage@gmail.com. For Complaints, Querries or Advertisement Contact us: 0191-2580342.. Address: Sector-12, H.No-12 Nanak Nagar, Jammu (All disputes are subjected to the exclusive jursisdiction of Jammu District courts only.)