Disturbed Areas Act 1997 not in force in J&K: Govt
Transcription
Disturbed Areas Act 1997 not in force in J&K: Govt
Nirbhaya documentary row: SC issues notice to defence lawyers for derogatory remarks P7 | NATION NPP threatens movement against Govt. Policy on AFSPA, Delimitation P3 | CITY INFO Kathua observes World TB Day The supremo culture in Indian polity P5 | KATHUA P6 | OPINION the NORTHLINES The Newspaper of Substance Vol No: XX Issue No. 78 1,309 detained under PSA in last 6 years: JK Govt NL Correspondent Jammu Tawi | March | 24 Jammu and Kashmir government today said that 1,309 persons were detained under the Public Safety Act (PSA) during last six years from various parts of the state. In a written reply to the question of a PDP member Firdous Tak in the Legislative Council, Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said that during last six years 1,309 persons were detained under PSA out of which detention of 852 persons was quashed. As on March 20, 2015 only 73 persons are detained under PSA out of whom 17 are Indians and 20 are foreigners, he said. The government refused to disclose the identities of the prisoners by maintaining that it is not proper to disclose their identity in view of their families' security. Proposal to set up 20,000 bunkers along border sent to Centre Agencies Jammu Tawi | March | 24 Jammu and Kashmir government has submitted a proposal to the Central government for setting up of over 20,000 bunkers at a cost of over Rs 1,000 crores at 448 border areas in the state. "The revised proposal for construction of 20,125 community bunkers at an estimated cost of Rs 1006.25 crores in 448 identified border villages in the state has been sent to the Government of India," Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said in a written reply to the question of BJP member Sham Lal Choudhary in J&K Assembly today.The proposal will cover a population of 4,02,455 close to the border areas in districts of Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Rajouri and Poonch, he said, adding the proposal has been sent to Government Contd... on P2.... Market Watch SENSEX 28,161.72 -30.30 NIFTY 8,542.95 -7.95 GOLD (MCX) (RS/10G.) 26,257.00 59.00 USD/INR 62.26 -0.02 WEATHER JAMMU SRINAGAR High | Low High | Low 25°C | 17°C 14°C | 7°C Jammu Tawi Wed, Mar. 25, 2015 Pages - 12 Price ‘ 2/- www.thenorthlines.com, www.epaper.northlines.in Regd. No. JK/306/2014-16 Disturbed Areas Act 1997 not in force in J&K: Govt NC MLC raise uproar over AFSPA, BJP says debate politically motivated NL Correspondent Jammu Tawi | March | 24 Jammu and Kashmir government Tuesday said that Disturbed Areas Act (DAA) 1997 has lapsed and is not in force in the state. Rejecting a resolution regarding revocation of DAA brought by National Conference member Bashir Ahmed Veeri in the Legislative Council today, its chairman Amrit Malhotra said that the government has informed that Jammu and Kashmir Disturbed Areas Act 1997 was valid for only one year and has lapsed on October 7, 1998. "At present the DAA is not in force in the state," Additional Secretary to J&K Legislative Council said in reply to the resolution brought by the member to hold discussion over it in the House. "Therefore, the resolution submitted by you (Veeri) for the revocation of DAA has been disallowed," the official said in the communication to the member. Veeri who raised the issue in the House and batted strongly for a debate stood up from the seat and walked into Well to protest the decision of the Chairman. "I had moved resolution to adjourn the business and allow a discussion on this important issue which has serious and wider ramifications," he said. As he was protesting, the Chairman of the Council Amrit Malhotra said, "I have rejected it after giving full reply to your 87 per cent more civilian casualties in JK in 2014: MHA Agencies New Delhi | March | 24 Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed 86.66 per cent more casualties of civilians and 30.58 per cent increase in terror incidents in 2014 in comparison to the previous year. According to the 2014-15 annual report of the Home Ministry, there were 224 incidents of violence in J&K in 2014 in comparison to 170 incidents in 2013. 28 civilians were killed in 2014 in comparison to 15 civilian deaths in 2013. A total of 110 terrorists were killed last year in comparison to 67 in 2013. "The ongoing militancy in J&K is intrinsically linked with infiltration of terrorists from across the border both from the International Border as well as the Line of Control," the report said. The Home Ministry said in its annual report that during 2014 the internal security situation in the country, with special reference to terrorism, militancy and insurgency, showed "significant improvement" as there were only three "minor" Contd... on P2.... TMCS to prepare vision document on tourism: CM Agencies Jammu Tawi | March | 24 The Government is in the process of preparing a vision document to make a comprehensive assessment of all potential areas for development of tourism in the State through Tata Management Consultancy Service. "The tourism department is in the process of preparing a Vision Document to make a comprehensive assessment of all potential areas for development of tourism in the State through Tata Management Consultancy Service", Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed, who is also State Tourism Minister, said in a written reply in State Assembly here today. "The vision document would contain details of potential untapped areas of the State", Mufti said. The areas with potential of development of tourism like Buffliaz, Noorichamb, Behramgala of Surankote constituency have already been Contd... on P2.... resolution". As he continued his protest, the Chairman asked the marshals to take him out of the House. Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had yesterday said that the government will undertake denotification of areas of DAA in a gradual way in bid to remove Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA). "Some areas will be denotified from Disturbed Areas Act. By gradual process-I cannot do it in one go--but I will do it," Mufti had told Legislative Council yesterday. Mufti maintained that Army, which is apprehensive over this move, will be taken on-board over the decision. "I will do it with their (Army's) consultation and after taking them on board", Mufti had said. The Chief Minister had said "I want to say this that they (Army) have apprehensions (over revocation of AFSPA) - I will not suddenly jump (to remove it. We will see how we can find out a way." In 2002, Jammu and Kashmir Home department issued notification under Section 3 of AFSPA 1990 continuing imposition of Disturbed Areas Act and AFSPA in J&K. The National Conference and Congress demanded that the state government make its stand clear on the status of AFSPA in the state. Later speaking to reporters, Contd... on P2.... BJP, PDP Coordination Committee soon in J&K Agencies New Delhi | March | 24 Hit by differences, Jammu and Kashmir's ruling alliance partners BJP and PDP would soon announce a coordination committee to ensure better coordination in the government and that the government there works in consonance with the common minimum programme. According to sources, the two parties will have three members each on the panel which would meet periodically and decide on important matters for the government in the state to work as per CMP agreed on between the two parties. Sources said that PDP president Mehbooba Mufti and BJP's Jammu and Kashmir unit president Jugal Kishore Sharma will be part of the committee, besides two other members from each side. The sources add that the committee will be finalised in the next two-three days but may be announced once the current session of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly is over by the end of the month. The coordination committee at the state level will see that there is smooth functioning in the government and this will ascertain the process of consultation and communication in running the government, a senior party leader said. Contd... on P2.... SC strikes down Sec 66-A of IT Act No arrests for social media posts Agencies New Delhi | March | 24 The Supreme Court struck down Section 66-A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, on Tuesday. Pronouncing their verdict on a PIL filed against the section in a packed courtroom, which empowers the police to arrest a person for allegedly posting 'offensive materials' on social networking sites, a Bench of Justices J Chelameswar and RF Nariman said the section violated the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression and was therefore was illegal. Terming liberty of thought and expression as "cardinal", the Bench said: "The public's right to know is directly affected by Section 66-A of the Information Technology Act." The Army continues to be against any move to dilute the AFSPA in Jammu and Kashmir even though Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed said he will proceed with phased removal of the controversial Act after consulting the force. "There has been no change in our position as far as Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) is concerned," Army sources said when asked about Sayeed's remarks. The Army has from time to time conveyed its apprehensions to the central government against any dilution of AFSPA. The Army feels that if AFSPA, which it terms as an "enabling Act", is partially withdrawn or diluted, there are chances that radicalisation and later even violence levels are likely to increase. AFSPA, which was enacted democracy, these values have to be provided within constitutional scheme," said Justice Nariman, pronouncing the verdict. "There is no nexus between Contd... on P2.... Western Command chief reviews security situation in J&K 7,549 militancy victims among 5.80 lakh getting pension in J&K NL Correspondent Jammu Tawi | March | 24 NL Correspondent Jammu Tawi | March | 24 Jammu and Kashmir government Tuesday said that 7,549 militancy-hit victims among 5.80 lakh people are getting pension under various schemes in the state. As many as 5,80,497 people including 7,549 militancy-hit victims are getting pension under various schemes in Jammu and Kashmir, Minister for Social Welfare Bali Bhagat said in a written reply to the question of NC member Mian Altaf Ahmed in the Assembly on Tuesday. Of these, 5,72,948 people are getting pension from Rs 200 to Rs 700 per month under centrally sponsored schemes and 7,549 militancy-hit victims are getting pension of Rs 750 A top Army commander on Monday reviewed security situation in Samba-Kathua sector of Jammu and Kashmir in the wake of twin terror attacks in the region. Western Command Chief Lt Gen K J Singh rushed to the sector and also held a meeting over post-terror attack security setup in Army units. "Gen Singh arrived in Samba Army formation today. He held meeting over the post terror attack security setup in Army units in the sector close to International Border," a security official said today. He met troops and complimented them for the clean operation in which two militants were killed. Confirming the meeting, Defense spokesman Lt Col Manish Mehta said that Gen No change in Army’s stand on AFSPA in J&K Agencies New Delhi | March | 24 "Section 66-A of the IT Act is struck down in its entirety," said the apex court bench of Justice J. Chelameswar and Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman. "Our Constitution provides for liberty of thought, expression and belief. In a by Parliament in 1958 to tackle insurgency in the Northeast, has been described by civil rights activists as a draconian law which gives overarching powers to security forces with immunity. However, the Army's stand is that it is an "enabling Act" which provided the requisite legal safeguards for the carrying out effective counter-terrorist operations. According to available data, Contd... on P2.... Singh has complimented the troops for the operation and patted them in bid to raise their morale. Gen Singh got briefing from the commanders about the reports that one militant had escaped from the encounter. "He has come himself to get briefing from top officers over the issue," they said. During the encounter, a militant was in contact with his masters across the border through his communication set. But after the encounter ended, neither any communition set was recovered nor the militant was found. Earlier, Gen Singh had visited Samba, Kathua and Jammu districts during his twoday visit from March 17. The army has advised the state governments of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir to shift a large part of the Contd... on P2.... Contd... on P2.... Cong stages walkout from J-K Council after Amarnath land resolution rejected NL Correspondent Jammu Tawi | March | 24 Congress today staged a walkout from Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council after its resolution demanding grant of land for building permanent infrastructure for annual Amarnath Yatra was rejected. Congress MLA Jugal Kishore stood up from his bench during Zero hour and sought a reply from the Council Chairman Amrit Malhotra why his resolution was rejected. "I have powers and I have rejected it", the Chairman replied with angry Congress member rushing to the Well of the House to lodge protests over the rejection. After few minutes of protests, they staged the walkout. Later talking to reporters Contd... on P2.... The NORTHLINES CITY INFO 2 JAMMU | WEDNESDAY | MARCH 25 | 2015 www.thenorthlines.com No quitting, Tweets directed at who LSDA visits Sidhgoria Shrine J&K teachers protest against termination questioned govt's stand: VK Singh NL Correspondent Kathua, Mar. 24: Agencies New Delhi, Mar 24 Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh on Tuesday said that his tweets on 'duty and disgust' after attending Pakistan National Day celebrations were misinter-preted and he has not tendered his resignation. Minister of State for External Affairs VK Singh on Tuesday said that his tweets on 'duty and disgust' after attending Pakistan National Day celebrations were misinterpreted and he has not tendered his resignation. Speaking to media, VK Singh said, "I am loyal member of the party. My tweets were directed at only that section of media which questioned the intent of my government and also the stance on countering Pakistan-sponsored terror." He further said, "I am fully committed to my party and my government and specially to the Prime Minister." Stating that when in May 2014, he took to the office of Minister of State of External Affair, he was aware of duties and responsibilities that came with it. "Attending the celebrations is one such protocol that every Minister of State of External Affairs has followed in past," Singh added. Shortly after representing the Government at the national day reception at Pakistan High Commission on Monday which kicked up a storm, VK Singh had issued a series of intriguing tweets defining "disgust" and "duty" indicating that he may have been unhappy at being deputed to it. In the first of the five quick tweets, Singh, a former Army Chief, had said, "To offend the moral sense, principles, or taste of". This was immediately followed by another which said, "To sicken or fill with loathing". While the third tweet said, "A job or service allocated," the fourth one said, "The force that binds one morally or legally to one's obligations". The last tweet said, "A task or action that a person is bound to perform for moral or legal reasons". The Minister's visit to the Pakistani High Commission came on a day India and Pakistan sparred over Hurriyat leaders' meeting Pakistani envoy Abdul Basit with government making it clear that there was no role for a third party. Mirwaiz, Chairman of Hurriyat Conference, along with Abdul Gani Bhat, Maulana Abbas Ansari, Bilal Gani Lone, Aga Syed Hassan, Mussadiq Adil and Mukhtar Ahmad Waza had held talks with Basit. Basit, who invited them to the Pakistan National Day celebrations, said that India was not against these interactions. However, India hit out, saying "the Government of India prefers to speak for itself". On the directions of District Development Commissioner, Kathua, Dr. Shahid Iqbal, the Lakhanpur Sarthal Develpment Authority team today visited Shrine of SidhGoria, Dayalchak Kathua. As per a press release issued today, the Lakhanpur Sarthal Development Authority team comprising of Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Bharat Bhushan, Executive Engineer LSDA Kamal Darora, and AEE & JE visited the Shrine of SidhGoria located near Sallan village in the vicinity of Dayalchak, Kathua. The office bearers of Kathua Vikas Manch led by Prof. Ram Murti Sharma, noted Advocate Sushil Gupta of Lakhanpur, Dr. J.S Jasrotia, Child Specialist, Sarpanches, Panchs and other distinguished personalities of the area occupied LSDA team. The Kathua Vikas Manch - a non political body devoted to the developmental issues, apprised Lakhanpur Sarthal Development Authority that the Shrine connected by a motorable road is visited by thousands of devotees every year. They apprised that around 10-12 special congregations of Baba Sidh Goria are organized every year in the shrine and devotees from Punjab, Himachal, Delhi and from within the State participate in large numbers on such occasions. The office bearers of Kathua Vikas Manch, members of Shrine Management Committee and Panchayat reprectatives demanded that the Shrine be developed from the tourism view point keeping in view the strategic location and importance of the shrine. Later, the officers and other presenters visited Shrine of Mata ChintPurni located at Sprain village near Chadwal which dates back to the Pandvas period. The Chief Executive officer, Lakhanpur Sarthal Development Authority, Dr. Bharat Bhushan told that the LSDA is in the process of formulation of DPR of these two shrines in addition to other places of touristic and pilgrims importance of the district and will submit the same to the concerned quarters for appropriate necessary action. While responding to the request of Kathua Vikas Manch, CEO LSDA apprised that J&K Cable Car Corporation will be requested to conduct feasibility study for the introduction of Cable Car (Gandola) from Shrine of Baba Sidh Goria to Shrine of Mata ChintPurni Yogesh Singh, Sarpanch Thakurpura Panchayat, Chagger Singh Sarpanch Sprain Panchyat apprised the visiting team about various facilities which need to be provided in these places. It is pertinent to mention here that Kathua Vikas Manch had approached District Development Commissioner, Kathua, and had requested for creating tourism infrastructure in these two Shrines. Rs 401 Cr flood mgmt plan for Jhelum NL Correspondent Jammu Tawi, Mar 24 The Jammu and Kashmir government has prepared a comprehensive plan for flood management works on river Jhelum at an estimated cost of Rs 401 crore. "The project for priority works- comprehensive plan for flood management works on river Jhelum-Phase I has been prepared at an estimated cost of Rs 401 crore", Minister for Roads and Buildings, Altaf Bukhari said in a written reply to the Legislative Assembly to the question of NC member Mohmmad Akhtar Lone here today. "Rs 101.25 crore are included in the project for FROM PAGE 1... Disturbed Areas... Veeri said that it is a serious issue and there is question mark on continuance of AFSPA. He demanded that government should come clear on the issue. Congress Legislative Party leader Nawang Rigzin Jora said that the Chief Minister should clarify its stand on DAA and the status of AFSPA. Reacting to it, Education Minister Naeem Akhter told reporters, "We must believe the judgement of the Chairman of the Council who has not allowed discussion on it." On other hand, the BJP termed the debate on revocation of AFSPA "uncalled for" and politically motivated. BJP Tuesday said nothing should be done that hampers anti-insurgency operations in the state and undermines the resolve of the security forces to maintain internal and external security. "The said Act is very much in force and no area has been denotified for the purpose of the applicability of this Act," said Farooq Khan, BJP state spokesperson. "The debate is uncalled for and politically motivated," he said. Khan, while explaining the issue, said that Disturbed Area Act (DAA) 1997, which is under discussion has no relevance with the continuation of AFSPA in J&K state. "In fact, AFSPA is a self-contained Act, which came into being in J&K in September 1990 with retrospective effect from July 1990, while the said DAA was not even born on the statute Books of the state," he added. "Any notification under AFSPA regarding denotification of any area of the state has to be issued by the Governor or Government of India," he said, adding that the confusion, which is deliberately being created that AFSPA is dependent upon DAA for its existence in the state, is far from truth. "Even the agenda of governance unambiguously says that only the Centre in this regard will take the final view," he said. "The state BJP, once again, reassures the nation that it will not allow anybody to tinker with Indian sovereignty and integrity of the nation," he added. No arrests... public order and discussion or causing annoyance by dissemination of information. Curbs under Section 66A of the IT Act infringes on the public right to know." Calling the written word of the provision, which comprises terms such as '"annoying", "inconvenient" and "grossly offensive", vague, the apex court said: "What may be offensive to a person, may not be offensive to others". The assurance given by one government was not binding on its successor, the Bench said. "Governments come and go but Section 66-A will remain forever," the bench said. The SC, however, refused to strike down two other provisions of the IT Act that provide blocking of websites. The verdict comes following cases of persons being arrested for their posts on social networking sites. Most recently, a Class 12 student was arrested over a Facebook post on UP leader Azam Khan. The first PIL seeking the scrapping of the law was filed in 2012 by a law student after two girls were arrested in Palghar in Maharashtra over a Facebook post immediately following then Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackerey's death. BJP to take "structured view" Hours after the Supreme Court scrapped Section 66-A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, the Government on Tuesday claimed it differed with previous UPA regime's stand on the provision. In a letter addressed to the apex court, the government said that it respects freedom of speech and expression and was never in favour of curtailing communication of honest dissent or criticism on social media. The government, however, also said it was willing to enact additional, more stringent guidelines so as to prevent abuse of Section 66A of the Act which allows arrest of a person for posting allegedly "offensive" content on websites. "Our government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi took a very conscious decision that we don't support the stand of the previous government. We respect the freedom of speech and expression. We respect communication of ideas on social media and we are not in favour of curtailing communication of honest dissent, opinion, disapproval or criticism on social media," Union IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said. In his initial comments on the Supreme Court verdict, he said the government had stressed that it would not support any interpretation of Section 66-A of IT Act that curtailed the ideas of freedom of speech and expression enshrined under Article 19(1) of the Constitution. "It is very important to be noted that in our affidavit filed, apart from reiterating our new position on behalf of Government of India, we have clearly conveyed that if Section 66A of the IT Act cannot be interpreted in consonance with Article 19(1) read with Article 19(2), then we don't support that interpretation at all," he said. Prasad had also said he would make a more structured response once he reads the entire judgment that runs into 200 pages, he said. "I am awaiting the judgment. The Government of India's stand is quite different from the previous government's and it has been very clear and consistent which I have just mentioned. I will come with a structured response after going through the judgemnt," he said. Victims welcome verdict Renu Srinivasan, who was arrested from Thane for liking a comment following the demise of Shiv Sena supreme Bal Thackeray, said after the verdict, people will no longer be afraid to speak their minds. Her friend Shaheen Dhada, who had called to question the bandh that followed Thackeray's death in Mumbai, said: "I am very happy today, I feel that justice has been granted to me after two years. The post for which we were arrested was not abusive or wrong: it was misunderstood. My family was always supportive of me and they never scolded me for this. Now no one has to be afraid of saying right things," she said. Jadavpur University professor Ambikesh Mahapatra, who was nabbed for circulating emails mocking West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee but against whom charges were dropped later, called the landmark judgment a victory of common man. "(It is a) Victory for common man: democratic and human rights of people has been protected," he said. The youngster arrested last week for posting comments on UP leader Azam Khan also hailed the order. "I am very happy and grateful to SC," he said. Provision poorly drafted: Chidambaram Congress leader P Chidambaram also welcomed the Supreme Court judgment holding Section 66A of the IT Act as unconstitutional, saying it was poorly drafted and misused. "I welcome the judgment of the Supreme Court holding that Section 66A of the IT Act is unconstitutional. The section was poorly drafted and was vulnerable. It was capable of being misused and, in fact, it was misused," he said. The former Union Minister, who held the Home and Finance portfolios in UPA government, said there could be a case of misuse of freedom of speech and in such cases ordinary laws should apply and the offender should be dealt with under them. construction of Flood Spill Channel from Tulerzoo to Naid Khai", he said. The project stand submitted to CWC, GoI for approval and funding, Minister said adding that the scheme is likely to be approved funded during the current financial year and the execution of the works will be taken upon receipt of approval and funds from Govt of India. The compensation for land and houses to the inhabitants of the Wanzapora, Gasheri Mohalla and Karnai Mohallas will be paid before starting the works there as it is built in the project report, he said. The survey for demarcation of land and houses is in progress, he said. "If some provisions of the law have to be strengthened, that could be considered. But Section 66A was not the answer," Chidambaram said. The verdict, however, drew flak from certain quarters. Referring to the 2012 incident, Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut said: "Social media does have positive impact, but it's also being misused. Police must have some powers in their hands." 7,549 militancy... per month under militancy category, he said. 3,944 get pensions under widows category, 2,525 old age persons get pension besides 1,080 under handicapped and disabled category, he said. Similarly, 14,6804 old age people get pension of Rs 200 per month followed by 13,3944 widows and divorcees with Rs 200 pension and 14,1752 physically handicapped persons getting pension of Rs 400 per month, he said. 1,39,325 people are getting pension of Rs 400 under Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme followed by 8,334 people under Indira Gandhi Widows Pension Scheme and 2,789 under Indira Gandhi Disability Pension Scheme, he said. Western Command... vehicular traffic from strategic Udhampur-Pathankot highway to the Dhar Udhampur road. "In view of the heavy traffic rush on the existing highway, it has remained easy target of terrorists from across the border. "The army is of the view that Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir governments must shift a large chunk of the traffic to the DharUdhampur road," a defence source said. He said that the army is of the view that if it was not possible to shift the entire traffic to the alternate road, still the vehicles bound for Srinagar could be shifted to the Dhar-Udhampur road. "It would not only reduce the burden on this highway but would lessen the security burden for the pilgrims to the Amarnath shrine and Mata Vaisho Devi Shrine," he said. Sources said that the state governments have also been advised to wave-off toll tax on the alternate road for some time, so that drivers are attracted to ply on the Dhar-Udhampur road. The army commander of Chandimadir-based Western Command of the army Lt Gen KJ Singh also visited Pathankot and Jammu and discussed the issue of the upgradation of the Dhar Udhampur road with the civil administration of the two states. 87 per cent... terrorist incidents in the hinterland-Chennai, Burdwan (West Bengal) and Bengaluru where altogether four people lost their lives. Referring to Maoist violence, the Home Ministry said that 309 people lost their lives in 1090 incidents of Naxal violence in 2013 in comparison to 397 deaths in 1136 incidents in 2014. "The CPI(Maoist) continues to remain the most dominant and violent Left Wing Extremism group, accounting for more than 80 per cent of the violence and the killings," the report said. Proposal to... of India on February 23, 2015 for consideration. The approval of the Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI, is awaited, the Chief Minister said. Earlier, the Divisional Commissioner Jammu has submitted a proposal for construction of bunkers in identified villages of border districts in Jammu province to the Ministry of Home Affairs, GoI, but GoI called for revised proposals on the issue, he said. of contractual staff NL Correspondent Srinagar | Mar | 24 Dozens of contractual teachers on Tuesday staged a protest against Jammu and Kashmir government's decision to terminate services of some employees whom it claimed were selected without following the norms. Carrying placards and shouting slogans, the teachers assembled at the Residency Road in the heart of the city under the banner of Contractual or Temporary Teachers Association to protest against the government decision, police said. Hundreds of teachers were appointed by the previous government on contractual basis to fill up the vacancies in the Education Department. The protesters were demanding regularisation of their services in the Education department, the police said. As the protestors had not sought permission, policemen asked them to disperse peacefully but they refused, a police official said. Police used batons to chase away the protestors, he said adding that no one was hurt in the process. The teachers appealed the government to regularise their services. "There are thousands of vacancies where the services of temporary teachers could be extended to improve standard of teaching in the schools and at the same time curb unemployment," one of the protesting teachers said. Village deputation calls on Additional SP NL Correspondent Kathua, Mar. 24: been continuously opposing his brother Sham Lal to get the equal right over Seeking justice and agriculture land since long protection of their right, a and in this connection he deputation of village committed many assaults on Lakhnote was called on this innocent couple. Additional SP Kathua at his But a day back the brother office chamber at Senior of Sham Lal adopted a cruel Superintendent of Police way to eliminate this couple (SSP) Office complex from his way by of brutal Kathua on Tuesday. Over assaulting in which Sham emerging a family land Lal's both legs and arms are dispute, a couple was badly smashed and fractured brutally assaulted and but the a unbearable sadness inflicted serious injuries by is that the culprit is still its own family member last roaming freely here and there night in village Lakhnote of without fear of law. The Panchayat Mirpur Ram. people in deputation strongly Injured couple was demanded demand the action undergoing treatment at against culprit and do the Kathua District Hospital. justice with victimized While leading the couple. Responding to the deputation in protection of deputation, Additional SP victimized couple, SS Nazir Ahmad assured a strict Bhandari apprised Additional and strong legal action SP Nazir Ahmad about the against the culprit who problem said that couple attacked the couple. In the indentified as Sham Lal and deputation, Mohan Lal, his wife Santosh Devi, the Karan Singh, and many real brother of Sham Lal has others were present. TMCS to... brought on the tourism map of State and constitute as famous tourist places of Surankote consistency, the CM said. "The entire area from Jammu-Rajouri-Poonch is being developed under Mega tourist circuit with a project cost of Rs 688 lakhs", he added. "An amount of Rs 133.82 lakh has been allocated for development of tourist related infrastructure in Surankote constituency during year 2013-14 against which an amount of Rs 118.82 lakh stand spent as on date", he said. (AGENCIES) No change... while over 120 people had infiltrated from Pakistan into the state in 2012, it had come down to less than 100 in 2013 and less than 60 in 2014. The number of killings by the government forces, however, has increased in the state. While over 75 militants were killed in security operations in 2012 and approximately 35 were apprehended, about 68 were killed in 2013 and this number increased to over 100 last year, signalling a substantive jump in successful operations. "The operations against infiltration and terrorists in the state have been successful. The only thing that Pakistan can now do is increase recruitment of disgruntled elements and radicalised youth from within the state," the sources said. Cong stages... outside the House, Jugal said "I had brought a resolution in the house demanding grant of land for building permanent structures for Amarnath yatra at various places including Baltal etc". "I wanted a discussion on it and reply from the government that whether they want to grant land for building infrastructure for Amarnath yatra. It was arbitrarily rejected by the Chairman without giving any reasons", he said. Jugal claimed that deaths have taken place due to poor infrastructure at the yatra places so we wanted better infrastructure, as BJP is in the government they should facilitate grant of the land for the yatra. It may be recalled that on 26 May 2008, the then Jammu and Kashmir government led by Gulam Nabi Azad had transferred 99 acres of forest land to the Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) in the main Kashmir Valley to set up temporary shelters and facilities for pilgrims. The Azad immediately after protests in Kashmir valley cancelled the allotment of the land. This caused a controversy, with demonstrations from the Kashmir valley against the land transfer and protests from the Jammu region supporting it. BJP, PDP... CMP was announced in Srinagar after a 25-member council of ministers led by Mufti Mohammed Sayeed was sworn in on March 1. BJP leaders have expressed the hope that there will be no further controversies in Jammu and Kashmir and the government there will work as per CMP. There have been some controversies, especially on Chief Minister Mufti Mohammed Sayeed's post-oath taking remarks crediting Pakistan, Hurriyat and militants for having contributed to the smooth conduct of elections in the state and on the release of separatist leader Masarat Alam. Some MLAs of PDP demanded that the NDA government return the mortal remains of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, another potential point of tension in the coalition. Printer, Publisher & Proprietor Neelam Singh Gill. Published from Gurudwara Sunder Singh Road, Jammu-180001 and Printed at Northlines Offset Printers & Publishers, Jeewan Nagar, Digiana, Jammu. Phone Editorial : 2574109 Telefax : 2548103. Advertisements: 9858183354; RNI No. 69574/98 e-mail:-< [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] > Visit www.thenorthlines.com, http://www.northlines.in. Epaper: www.epaper.thenorthlines.com 3 The NORTHLINES Jammu www.thenorthlines.com JAMMU | WEDNESDAY | MARCH 25 | 2015 City NPP threatens movement against Govt. Policy on AFSPA, Delimitation NL Correspondent Jammu Tawi | March | 24 Addressing a press conference at the Press Club, Jammu, Prof. Bhim Singh, Chief Patron of National Panthers Party condemned the BJP-PDP government for adding to the terror in the State which is already under security threat by the terrorists. He said that withdrawal of Army from Bani area of Kathua District smacks conspiracy that a district struck with terror has been made soft for the terrorists by the anti-national policy of Modi Govt. Prof. Bhim Singh said that the delimitation of the Assembly constituencies must be held immediately and the Civil Secretariat should function around the year both in Srinagar as well as in Jammu. Prof. Bhim Singh released political and international resolutions adopted last evening at the 33rd Foundation Day of JKNPP in Parade Ground, Jammu (a copy of the resolution already released to the media). Swachh Bharat Abhiyan Students pledge for cleanliness NL Correspondent Jammu Tawi | March | 24 Bhajnowa village of Naushera Tehsil joined the rest of India in Swachh Bharat Campaign, Indian Army in continuation with Governments agenda of Swachh Bharat Campaign, joined the campaign by sensitising the locals of remote border Villages to keep pace, with rest of the country. Kalal Based Rashtriya Rifles Battalion under the aegis of Reasi based Counter Insurgency Force organised screening of an animated movie for students of Govt High School, Bhajnowa. The animated movie gave the young minds a vivid description of importance of cleanliness, hygiene and its relation with a healthy body. The idea of incorporating children in the cleanliness drive would give a solid foundation to the Campaign and would take the movement ahead. 08 Teachers and 40 Children of Government Middle School attended the same. The Indian Army has planned several more screening of movies and lectures for the entire Naushera Tehsil. The image of a smart looking soldier with clean military station not only strengthens the cleanliness drive but also is a reflective of the fact that Indian Army is not only a security apparatus of the nation but also a harbinger of good social ethos. Separatists blamed for delaying resumption of Indo-Pak dialogue Agencies Jammu Tawi | March | 24 Various political parties, including the PDP and the National Conference, hold Kashmir separatists responsible for creating hurdles in the resumption of bilateral dialogue between New Delhi and Islamabad. A senior PDP leader said on condition of anonymity that had not the Hurriyat leaders accepted the invitation from Pakistan High Commissioner, Abdul Basit, New Delhi was ready to reopen the channels of dialogue with Islamabad. He said that in August last when New Delhi was preparing to send its foreign secretary to Islamabad for holding talks with her counterpart visit of Hurriyat leaders to Pakistan High commission sabotaged the talks process and New Delhi called off the dialogue process between the two foreign secretaries. A senior National Conference leader said that in the past visit of the Hurriyat leaders to Pakistan High commission would not raise a hue and cry and the event would go almost unnoticed. However, Kashmir separatists should have understood that the BJP led NDSA Government had become very sensitive towards such interaction between Hurriyat leaders and the Pakistan high commission in New Delhi hence the separatists should have not gone to Delhi to meet Abdul Basit. New Delhi has been so much enraged that it has announced no scope for tripartite talks on Kashmir.(KIP) Locals demand return of Principal NL Correspondent Doda | March | 24 The local of Village Kastigarh in Doda District have demanded the govt to bring the local principal of GHSS Kastigarh back to his native place. In this connection, an emergent meeting was held by the people of Kastigarh regarding the transfer of Swaran Singh Principal GHSS Kastigarh who has recently been transferred to Kargil. The locals said Swaran Singh who is local of Kastigarh has served mostly in hard areas like Dachan, Marwah, Paddaer and present was posted at Kastigarh which is not less than any hard area.The people said they came under great shock after the local principal has been transferred which has affected he teaching and learning process of GHSS Kastigarh besides the students of the school are also quite upset and were ready to agitate in case the principle is not bring back to Kastigarh. Prof. Bhim Singh said that the BJP had sold out the interest of the people of Jammu to PDP just for the sake of power and surrendered to PDP even the security of the state. NPP Supremo also demanded implementation of Supreme Court direction to provide full relief to the Jammu migrants including those camping in Talwara without any delay. He warned that the JKNPP shall launch a civil disobedience movement in the State for the reorganization of the State "Young Panthers flays the withdrawal of Army from Bani, demands re-deployment of forces" Angry protestors burnt the effigy of State Government Rebuking the recent withdrawal of Armed forces from Bani several Panthers Party activists led by Pawan Dev Singh staged a protest demonstration at Press Club, Jammu and burnt the effigy of the state government amid raising slogans against the BJPPDP coalition. Pawan Dev Singh, state Secretary Young Panthers, while addressing the media said that soon after the state government's decision to withdraw security forces from certain zones, the armed forces have been withdrawn from several areas of Bani like Dhaggan, LohaiMalhar, Machedi, Chochrugala, Lohang and Roulka. As a result a feeling of psychosis and fear has brewed among the people of Bani constituency. It is pertinent to mention that earlier many villages of Bani were targeted by the militants and subsequently the armed forces were called upon for the protection of the people. He added that the withdrawal of armed forces would foster a security threat to the inhabitants of the area and reiterated his demand to revoke the withdrawal order of forces and re- deploy them without any delay to save the people from further death and destruction. the Supreme Court Other who were present in the press conference included Masood Andrabi (Vice-President), Anita Thakur (General Secretary), Bansi Lal Sharma Adv., (Political Advisor-NPP), Jagdev Singh (Coordination Secretary), S. Paramjit Singh Marshal (President PTU), Sewa Singh Bali (State General SecretaryPTU), Gagan Pratap Singh (Spokesman Young Panthers), Neeraj Gupta (Zonal President) and others. Vibodh meets FM, demands promotion for Banking Associates NL Correspondent Jammu Tawi | Mar | 24 Taking into the consideration the plight of the people who were recruited in the Jammu & Kashmir Bank as Banking Associate about seven years back under the 'hard area recruitment', Member Legislative Council (MLC) Vibodh Gupta on Tuesday met Finance Minister Haseeb Drabu at Civil Secretariat Jammu. Vibodh apprised to the Finance Minister that about 260 people were appointed in the districts of Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Udhampur and Kishtwar under the 'hard area recruitment' quota and they are still waiting for their promotion to the scale1 level even after serving in the J&K Bank for the last seven years. He also informed Drabu that MPEJ pins hope on present Govt NL Correspondent Jammu, Tawi | Mar | 25: Kuldeep Kumar Rao, an active member of the Movement for Peace, Equality & Justice, hope that newly formed PDP-BJP coalition government will fulfill aspirations of the people of both the regions irrespective of cast, creed and colour and to prove themselves true to their words and deeds so that the neglected, ignored and discriminated far off, inaccessible, snow bound and remote areas of both the region get proper attention in the field of all round development and the stigma of communalism on both the parties is washed away from the minds of people of the state. The Public of both the regions want Corruption free & Commission free Government & they have nothing to do with Art.370 /Self rule/withdrawal of AFSPA etc because no Hindu/ Muslim / Christian are safe in this corrupt political system. In case both BJP & PDP failed to fulfill the aspirations & expectations of YP flays Army's withdrawal from Bani NL Correspondent Jammu Tawi | March | 24 and amendment in Article 370. He appealed to all the citizens to preserve communal harmony for seeking ultimate justice for all. Prof. Bhim Singh also visited the striking temporary teachers, Civil Defence volunteers and nomads tribes volunteers sitting on protest, hunger strike and dharna outside the Press Club, Jammu. Expressing full solidarity with the protesting organizations/groups of people, he assured that the JKNPP shall fight for their cause from the streets to Pawan Dev disclosed that the entire Bani-Bazar has shut down for expressing resentment against the withdrawal of the forces and expressed his solidarity with the people of Bani on behalf of NPP. He maintained the Panthers Party shall stand by the people of Bani in all odds and circumstances and warned the state government of dire consequences if any untoward incident happens in future and it shall only be BJP-PDP coalition including the local MLA who would be held responsible for such mishap. Others who led the protest included Thakur Virender Singh, Rishi Badyal, Shori Lal, Lovely Singh, Amit Singh, Shubam Singh, Shubam Jasrotia etc. the public, in the larger interest of electorate of both the regions & instead resort of their age old blame game of casteism & regionalism, the people will not forgive them in future. The Congress & NC crying hoarse about Pseudo-secularism have been taught a lesson in these elections. Rao said & added that equitable development to all the three regions is not possible without De-limitation commission. He said that total voters of assembly segments of Karnah 27,672, Gurez 15,676, Habha Kadal 50,780, Khanyar 52,159 is hardly equivalent to one Gandhi Nagar constituency of Jammu region having around 1.50 lacs. voters & Jammu west with 1.42000 voters, which is an open disparity with Jammu. The Highest voter constituency in Kashmir division is 70,000 & lowest is 27,000 & the Highest constituency in Jammu division is 1,50,000 & the lowest is 70,000. Is equitable development possible in this open discrepancy? the promotion of these employees had already been delayed by two years which was due after the completion of five years in service. Gupta also took up the matter regarding the recent posts of 'Relationship Executives' being advertised by the bank in which neither selection criterion nor total number of posts were properly mentioned which according to him is creating confusion among the aspirants across the State. Giving a patient hearing to the issues of public importance raised by Vibodh, the Finance Minister assured that he will personally look into the promotion issue of the Banking Associates after the conclusion of the Budget Session. Drabu further assured that the recruitment in the bank would be made district-wise and in the most transparent manner. NPP threatens movement against policy on AFSPA, Delimitation NL Correspondent Jammu Tawi | March | 24 Addressing a press conference at the Press Club, Jammu, Prof. Bhim Singh condemned the BJP-PDP government for adding to the terror in the state which is already under security threat by the terrorist. He said that withdrawal of Army from Bani area of Kathua District smacks conspiracy that a district struck with terror has been made soft for the terrorists by the anti-national policy of Modi Government. Prof. Bhim Singh said the Delimitation of the Assembly Constituencies must be held immediately and the Civil Secretariat should function around the year both in Srinagar as well as in Jammu. Prof. Bhim Singh released political and international resolutions adopted last evening at the 33rd Foundation Day of JKNPP in Parade Ground, Jammu ( a copy of the resolution already released to the media) Prof. Bhim Singh said that the BJP had sold out the interest of the people of Jammu to PDP just for the sake of power and surrendered to PDP even the security of the state. NPP Supremo also demanded Conference on Energy Sustainability Rescue Ops by Jawans of Rashtriya Rifle NL Correspondent Jammu | Mar | 24 On 22 March 2015, at 1100hrs, an ill-fated civil car I-10 bearing Registration Number JK-02 BF-0273 was plying from Thanamandi to Shahdara Sharief lost control and went off road into a 60 feet ditch near Shahdara Sharief. A piquet of Rashtriya Rifle Battalion of Romeo Force which was patrolling the stretch saw the vehicle going down and rushed to the spot. The Army Jawans rescued the driver from the vehicle and provided him first aid immediately. Subsequently, the vehicle was retrieved with the help of a recovery vehicle from the Rashtriya Rifles battalion. The driver of the vehicle, villagers and everyone who were present at the spot appreciated the rescue operation undertaken by the Army and thanked them for the timely support and assistance provided. NL Correspondent Jammu | March 24 PHD Chamber of Commerce & Industry in collaboration with J&K Power Development Corporation Ltd. and the Department. of Economics, Jammu University, organized a conference on "Energy Sustainability in J&K through Renewables", today at the Rajinder Singh Auditorium at Jammu University. Dr Nirmal Kumar Singh, Hon'ble Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Power Development, Government of Jammu & Kashmir was the Chief Guest on the occasion. Dr. Nirmal Singh while addressing the gathering highlighted the present condition in the power sector in the State of J&K. He said that the new government of Jammu & Kashmir is committed to make the power department more efficient and transparent. Mr Saurabh Bhagat IAS, Secretary, Department of Science & Technology & IT, Govt of J & K was present as the Guest of Honour on the occasion. Other dignitaries who were present during the Inaugural Session were Ruchin Gupta IRS, Deputy Secretary, MNRE, Govt of India, Mr Upinder Singh, Director (Finance), JKSPDCL, Mr Sudarshan Mundhra, Director, Simplex Projects Ltd., Mr Vikrant Kuthiala, Chairman, J&K Committee, PHD Chamber, Mr Mushtaq Ahmad Chaya, Co Chairman, J & K Committee, Prof Dipankar Sengupta, HOD, Dept of Economics, Jammu University and Mr Saurabh Sanyal, Secretary General, PHD Chamber. Saurabh Bhagat, IAS shared that the state of J&K has the second highest potential NSUI burns effigies of Modi NL Correspondent Jammu Tawi | March | 24 National Students' Union of India (NSUI) held a strong protest demonstration outside the Jammu University Campus against BJP government at Centre and termed it a certified U-turn sarkar by burning effigies of modi govt. The protesters were led by Neeraj Kundan, State President of NSUI and accompanied by other members of NSUI State committee. Addressing protesting student activists & media persons, Kundan said that BJP is following a double standard in dealing with the matters with Pakistan. He also added that in twin attacks at Kathua & Samba districts BJP has not even spoke a single word and union MOS V.K.Singh has attended Pakistan Day parade along with Hurriyat leaders at implementation of Supreme Court direction to provide full relief to the Jammu migrant including those camping in Talwara without any delay. Other who were present in the press conference included Masood Andrabi VicePresident, Anita Thakur, General Secretary, Bansi Lal Sharma Adv, Political Advisor NPP, Jagdev Singh Coordination Secretary, S. Paramjit Singh Marshal President PTU, Sewa Singh Bali, State General Secretary PTU, Gagan Pratap Singh Spokesman Young Panthers, Neeraj Gupta Zonal President etc. Pakistan high commissioner in Delhi. Kundan further added that before coming into power BJP always spoke big words and made large speeches on the issue of terror attacks and also raised a great hue & cry in social media on the meeting of Dr. Manmohan Singh with Nawaz Sharif. Agitated NSUI activists raised slogans against Pakistan & BJP, Modi sarkar and said that it is very unfortunate that the promises and speeches made by BJP leaders especially Narendra Modi are contrary to the actions they are doing after coming into power. Other main NSUI leaders who were present in the protest demonstration included Nasib Ali, ajay kumar (national deligate), sahil singh langeh (senior nsui leader), ranjodh singh,mehram Anjum,shahbaz kohli, satvinder singh,Imran akram, yaser javed,Sehdev singh and many others. for gen-eration of renewables in the country and can contribute tow-ards 17% of the total energy generated in the country through renewables. Ruchin Gupta, Deputy Secretary, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Govt of India pointed out that the State of J & K has tremendous potential for generating solar power of 111 GW, Hydel power of 1500 MW and wind power of 5000 MW , but the performance of the state in this regard has been moderate. The Conference also had two Technical Sessions on Opportunities & Challenges in Renewable Energy Sector in J & K in the wake of Make in India & Financing & Regulatory Issues of Renewable Energy Projects, that were addressed by experts from the Government, Industry, academia, media, financial institutions and regulating authorities. JUSEA holds meet NL Correspondent Jammu Tawi | March | 24 The Jammu University SC/ST Employees Association held its meeting in the University Campus, today which was chaired by its President Mr R.L. Kaith and attended by a large number of SC/ST employees. The meeting resolved to commemorate the incoming 125th birthday of Bharat Rattan Baba Sahib Dr Bhim Rao Ambedkar on April 14, 2015 with enthusiasm and present Ambedkar Award 2015 to Mr S.K. Shavotra for Social Understanding and Promoting Ideology of Ambedkar. The meeting also resolved to invite the J&K Social Welfare Minister Bali Bhagat to grace the Birth Commemorative Function as the Chief Guest. The NORTHLINES HILL DISTRICTS www.thenorthlines.com DLRC meet held at Reasi, banks performance reviewed under ACP DF organised "join the Indian Army" campaign JAMMU, MAR 24: A lecture was organised by Delta Force at Doda on 24 March 2015 to motivate the youngsters to join "Indian Army". The event was organised at Higher Secondary School, Bhagwah and 32 students along with 02 teachers attended the event. The students were addressed and were urged to utilise the knowledge and information gained during the lecture. The aim of this lecture was to bring awareness amongst the students regarding the various opportunities available to Join Indian Army in various ranks including as an Officer after completing high school. They were educated regarding the documentation procedures and preparation for the exams conducted by the Union Public Service Commission. They were also guided as to how to prepare for the entrance exa The students and teaching staff of Higher Secondary School, Bhagwah appreciated the motivational lecture and efforts of Rashtriya Rifles Battalion, Doda. The locals while thanking the Indian Army, said such gestures are very encouraging. Sanjay Sharma REASI, MARCH 24: A meeting of District Level Review Committee (DLRC)/District Consultative Committee (DCC) for the quarter ended December-2014 of Reasi District was held under the chairmanship of District Development Commissioner Reasi-Sushma Chauhan, who is also chairman of DLRC. DDC Reasi had a threadbare review of Annual Credit Plan, CD ratio, JKSES /SC-ST-OBC / KVIB / KVIC / Industries/ Agriculture / Handloom / Handicraft/Social Welfare/Employment with special emphasis on KCC and financial inclusion. In this connection, she advised all banks and agricultural department to complete the 100% coverage of farmers under KCC. She directed all the banks to adopt multi-pronged holistic approach to make their outreach possible in the farflung villages which are mostly unbanked. They should endeavor to deepen the penetration of financial inclusion and expand the coverage of financial services to all sections of society particularly to those at the bottom most of the economic pyramid added DDC. She impressed upon the banks and line department, to ensure effective coordination in their working to achieve desired results. She also desired the need for awareness camps for off-take of credit in the district Lead District Manager Sanjeev Bhardwaj informed the meeting that against a target of 2208500 lakhs under ACP 2014-15 ending Dec-2014, in which Reasi District achieved IN THE COURT OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE IST CLASS (ADDL MUNSIFF) SAMBA. Present: Madhu Brij Paul S/o Sh. Kartar Chand R/o Ward No. 5, Vijaypur V/s E.O. M/C Vijaypur In the matter of: Application for registration of date of Birth of: Vishal Dogra DOB 2.10.2001 Anjali Dogra DOB 19.3.2003. Father’s Name: Brij Paul, Mother’s Name: Sunita Devi 20.30% .More than 1049 KCCs were issued during the period under review and he assured the house that banks shall cover all the eligible farmers within stipulated period. LDM apprised the house that the deposits and advances of all commercial banks as on 31 Dec-2014 stood at Rs 1441.46 lakhs and 41074 lakhs respectively. Additional Deputy Commissioner Reasi-Shiv Kumar Gupta, CPO Reasi-HL Sharma, GM DIC-Krishan Lal, Chief Agriculture Officer-Dr Iqbal Choudhary, AD Employment-Sulakshana Thakur, AD Handicraft-Manu Hansa, CHO-Susheel K Angurana, Cluster Head JK Bank, sectoral and district officers of various government departments and officers from banks attended the meeting. Swine Flu awareness programme organized DODA, MARCH 24: In view of the spread of Swine Influenza (H1N1) virus in the state and country as well, a live telecast awareness programme on Swine Flu was organized by Block Medical Officer and BPMU NRHM Unit Ghat, which was live telecasted on local Chenab TV of Doda. The live awareness programme was attended by a team of experts which includes CMO Doda Dr Mohd Yaqoob Mir, DSHO Dr Tariq Parveez, Poulry Development Officer Dr Tanveer Sharief Zargar and Sr Pathalogist DH Doda Dr Anayat Lone besides the programme was hosted by Sr Journalist Ishtiaq Ahmed Dev. During the programme, the team of experts made the general public aware about the symptoms and stressed upon the precautions and preventive measures need to be taken to keep themselves protected from getting infected with H1N1 virus. A question answering session was also held live wherein callers put forth their various queries regarding swine flu directly to the experts who laid stress on everyone not to panic at all and just to follow the precautions. The overall programme was coordinated by Mashood Latief Zargar BMEO NHM Ghat Block and Faizan Ali Tramboo. Pertinent to mention here that it was the first time in the state that such an live programme was organized in larger public interest which was appreciated by one and all. Reasi Social Welfare Dept organizes awareness camp NOTICE TO GENERAL PUBLIC Whereas an application stand filed in this court for registration of birth of Resident of Ward No. 5, Vijaypur Teh & Distt Samba in E.O. M/C Vijaypur and through the publication of this notice, public at large and any other interested person/s is/are informed that in case, any body has any objections in respect of aforementioned application, then he/she/they shall file their objections in this court on or before 31.03.2015 failing which aforesaid application will be dealt with in accordance with law. Given under my hand and seal of the court today this 24.3.2015. Sd/Addl Munsiff Judicial Magistrate Ist Class Samba IN THE COURT OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE IST CLASS (ADDL MUNSIFF) SAMBA. Present: Madhu Bishan Dass S/o Mohinder Pal R/o Jallapar (Patyari) Teh & Distt Samba V/s SHO Police Station Samba In the matter of: Application for registration of date of Birth of: Sparsh Sumbria D.O.B. 4.1.2012 Chahat Dogra D.O.B 14.1.2009. NOTICE TO GENERAL PUBLIC Whereas an application stand filed in this court for registration of birth of Sparsh Sumbria & Chahat Dogra in police station Samba and through the publication of this notice, public at large and any other interested person/s is/are informed that in case, any body has any objections in respect of aforementioned application, then he/she/they shall file their objections in this court on or before 2.04.2015 failing which aforesaid application will be dealt with in accordance with law. Given under my hand and seal of the court today this 24.3.2015. Sd/Addl Munsiff Judicial Magistrate Ist Class Samba IN THE COURT OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE IST CLASS (ADDL MUNSIFF) SAMBA. Present: Madhu Girdhari Lal S/o Charan Dass R/o Tarore, Teh Bari Brahmana, Distt. Samba V/s SHO Police Bari Brahmana In the matter of: Application for registration of date of Birth of: Prince Paul DOB 5.9.2008 S/o Girdhari Lal Place of Birth: At Home NOTICE TO GENERAL PUBLIC Whereas an application stand filed in this court for registration of birth of Prince Pual S/o Girdhari Lal Resident of Tarore, Teh Bari Barahman, in police station Bari Brahmana and through the publication of this notice, public at large and any other interested person/s is/are informed that in case, any body has any objections in respect of aforementioned application, then he/she/they shall file their objections in this court on or before 2.04.2015 failing which aforesaid application will be dealt with in accordance with law. Given under my hand and seal of the court today this 23.3.2015. Sd/Addl Munsiff Judicial Magistrate Ist Class Samba IN THE COURT OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE IST CLASS (ADDL MUNSIFF) SAMBA. Present: Madhu Neena Devi W/o Sh. Subash Singh R/o Beri Kamila, Teh & Distt. Samba V/s SHO Police Station Purmandal In the matter of: Application for registration of date of Birth of: Arman Singh D.O.B. 13.7.2009. Father’s Name: Subash Singh Mother’s Name: Neena Devi REASI (GARI), MARCH 24: Social Welfare Department Reasi organized a day long awareness camp at Gari, about 60 Km from Reasi today. The awareness camp, which is part of efforts of the Social Welfare Department to familiarize the public with the various social welfare schemes being implemented by the department aiming to ameliorate the socially and economically backward, students of underprivileged class, differently disabled persons and widows. The camp was attended by a large number of locals including sarpanches, panches, prominent citizens, school teachers and students. District Social Welfare Officer, Reasi Rafiq Ahmad Jaral while addressing the gathering stressed upon the people to come forward for availing the benefits of various schemes such as Pension schemes (National Social Assistance Programme, Integrated Social security Scheme, Contributory Social security Scheme), National Family Benefit Scheme, Aam Admi Bima Yojna and IN THE COURT OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE IST CLASS (ADDL MUNSIFF) SAMBA. Rehabilitation of militancy victims scheme. Teachers present there were also requested for in time submission of scholarship proposals of eligible students under various categories. Jaral also informed the students present there about the different scholarships schemes such as Pre and post scholarship to SC, OBC, RBA, Disable students, orphan etc. Later on a lecture as well as film show on Beti Bachao Beti Padhao was also presented by the department. POONCH, MAR 24: District Police today organized a two days 12th Shaheed Manjeet Singh volleyball tournament at Sports Stadium Poonch under Civic Action Programme under the supervision of S. J.S Johar- SSP Poonch. 09 teams drawn from the Poonch district are participating in the tournament. The opening match was played between District Police and Pintu club Poonch, which was won by district Police by 2-1. Padamshree Shambhu Nath khajuria was the chief guest on the Chief Guest while speaking on the occasion eulogized the role of district Police Poonch for organizing different sports events in the district and providing the platform to the players of different games for enhancing their talent and channelize their energy. Prominent among those who present on the occasion include Sh. Amit Gupta-ASP Poonch, BANI, MAR 24: A press conference at the Press Club, Jammu, Prof. Bhim Singh, Chief Patron of National Panthers Party condemned the BJP-PDP government for adding to the terror in the State which is already under security threat by the terrorists. He said that withdrawal of Army from Bani area of Kathua District smacks conspiracy that a district struck with terror has been made soft for the terrorists by the anti-national policy of Modi Govt. Dead body recovered UDHAMPUR MARCH 24: Police recovered a dead body at Dokhada Nallha near Tikri in Udhampur District under mysterious circumstances. The deceased was identified as Kaka Ram (31) son of Krnail Singh of Muttal. Police took the dead body to PHC Tikri for Postmortem. Tikri Police has registered the case under 174 RPC and further investigation in this case is going on. Present: Madhu Dhian Singh S/o Durga Dass R/o Village Palth, Teh & Distt Samba V/s SHO Police Station Samba In the matter of: Application for registration of date of Birth of: Gourav Choudhary D.O.B. 10.3.2010 S.o Dhian Singh. NOTICE TO GENERAL PUBLIC NOTICE TO GENERAL PUBLIC Whereas an application stand filed in this court for registration of birth of Gourav Choudhary police station Samba and through the publication of this notice, public at large and any other interested person/s is/are informed that in case, any body has any objections in respect of aforementioned application, then he/she/they shall file their objections in this court on or before 2.04.2015 failing which aforesaid application will be dealt with in accordance with law. Given under my hand and seal of the court today this 24.3.2015. Sd/Addl Munsiff Judicial Magistrate Ist Class Samba IN THE COURT OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE IST CLASS (ADDL MUNSIFF) SAMBA. IN THE COURT OF CHIEF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE, SAMBA NOTICE TO GENERAL PUBLIC NOTICE TO GENERAL PUBLIC Whereas an application stand filed in this court for registration of birth of Resident of Beri Kamila Tehsil & Distt. Samba in Police Station Purmandal and through the publication of this notice, public at large and any other interested person/s is/are informed that in case, any body has any objections in respect of aforementioned application, then he/she/they shall file their objections in this court on or before 26.03.2015 failing which aforesaid application will be dealt with in accordance with law. Given under my hand and seal of the court today this 19.3.2015. Sd/Addl Munsiff Judicial Magistrate Ist Class Samba Whereas an application stand filed in this court for registration and through the publication of this notice, public at large and any other interested person/s is/are informed that in case, any body has any objections in respect of aforementioned application, then he/she/they shall file their objections in this court on or before 2.04.2015 failing which aforesaid application will be dealt with in accordance with law. Given under my hand and seal of the court today this 23.3. 2015. Sd/Addl Munsiff Judicial Magistrate Ist Class Samba Sh. Sagar Singh-DySP, S. Kirat Singh Principal Boys Higher Secondary School, Sh. Mohd Qasim Incharge District Youth & Sports services, Sh. Taj Mir, Sh. Mohd Tariq Chairman Manjeet Singh Volleyball N.S Talwar, S. Harbajah Singh / other media members besides huge gathering drawn from all walks of life / sports In the side line of opening of volley ball tournament. School bags, stationery items were also distributed on behalf of DIG Rajouri- Poonch Range among 50 students of Bal Ashram Poonch. All the participants have appreciated the gesture of DIG Rajouri-Poonch Range and SSP Poonch for distributing the study material to the students of down trodden section of the society. Sh. Amit Gupta ASP Poonch, Sh. Mohd Rafi-DySP DAR, Sh. Rakesh Akram SHO PS Poonch, Incharge and staff of Bal Ashram were also present. Seminar held to mark World TB Day UDHAMPUR, MARCH 24:- In connection with the World Tuberculosis day a seminar was organized at District Tuberculosis Centre, Udhampur today. Chief Medical Officer, Udhampur, Dr. Arun Sharma, was the chief guest on the occasion. Students of AMT School also participated and spoke on the different aspects of the Tuberculosis in the seminar. District Tuberculosis Officer, Dr Yash Paul Bhagat also informed about the facilities being provided at the centre. During the programme, Best Worker award was given to Rekha Rani for her dedicated contribution in IEC activities. NPP threatens Movement against Govt. Policy on AFSPA, Delimitation Whereas an application stand filed in this court for registration of birth of Saloni Devi in police station Samba and through the publication of this notice, public at large and any other interested person/s is/are informed that in case, any body has any objections in respect of aforementioned application, then he/she/they shall file their objections in this court on or before 30.03.2015 failing which aforesaid application will be dealt with in accordance with law. Given under my hand and seal of the court today this 23.3.2015. Sd/Addl Munsiff Judicial Magistrate Ist Class Samba Present: Madhu Ram Paul S/o Late Sh. Krishan Chand R/o Rara Teh Ramgarh Distt. Samba V/s SHO Police Station Ramgarh In the matter of: Application for registration of date of Death of: Krishan Chand D.O.D 8.11.2003. Father’s Name: Ram Saran JAMMU | WEDNESDAY | MARCH 25 | 2015 Distt. Police organises Volleyball tourney IN THE COURT OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE IST CLASS (ADDL MUNSIFF) SAMBA. Present: Madhu Pardeep Singh S/o Suraj Singh R/o Kaloha, Teh & Distt. Samba V/s SHO Police Station Samba In the matter of: Application for registration of date of Birth of: Saloni Devi D.O.B 8.5.2004 Father’s Name: Daljeet Singh, Mother’s Name: Jyoti Devi 4 Present: R. K. Dubey Kiran Kumari W/o Som Nath R/o Jar Abtal, Teh Ramgarh, Distt. Samba V/s SHO Police Station Ramgarh In the matter of : - Application for registration of date of birth of: Vikram Singh D.O.B. 27.3.2003. NOTICE TO GENERAL PUBLIC Whereas an application stand filed in this Court for registration of Birth of above applicant]s child and through the publication of this notice, public at large and any other interested person/s is/are informed that in case, anybody has any objections in respect of aforemention application, then he/she/they shall file their objections in this court on or before 26.03.2015 failing which aforesaid application will be dealt with in accordance with law. Issued under my hand seal of this court today on 23rd day of March 2015. Sd/Chief Judicial Magistrate, Samba. Prof. Bhim Singh said that the delimitation of the Assembly constituencies must be held immediately and the Civil Secretariat should function around the year both in Srinagar as well as in Jammu. Prof. Bhim Singh released political and international resolutions adopted last evening at the 33rd Foundation Day of JKNPP in Parade Ground, Jammu (a copy of the resolution already released to the media). Prof. Bhim Singh said that the BJP had sold out the interest of the people of Jammu to PDP just for the sake of power and surrendered to PDP even the security of the state. NPP Supremo also demanded implementation of Supreme Court direction to provide full relief to the Jammu migrants including those camping in Talwara without any delay. He warned that the JKNPP shall launch a civil disobedience movement in the State for the reorganization of the State and amendment in Article 370. He appealed to all the citizens to preserve communal harmony for seeking ultimate justice for all. Prof. Bhim Singh also visited the striking temporary teachers, Civil Defence volunteers and nomads tribes volunteers sitting on protest, hunger strike and dharna outside the Press Club, Jammu. Expressing full solidarity with the protesting organizations/groups of people, he assured that the JKNPP shall fight for their cause from the streets to the Supreme Court Other who were present in the press conference included Masood Andrabi (VicePresident), Ms. Anita Thakur (General Secretary), Bansi Lal Sharma Adv., (Political Advisor-NPP), Jagdev Singh (Coordination Secretary), S. Paramjit Singh Marshal (President PTU), Sewa Singh Bali (State General SecretaryPTU), Gagan Pratap Singh (Spokesman Young Panthers), Neeraj Gupta (Zonal President) and others. NOTICE I Raj Kumar Sharma s/o Munshi Ram Sharma r/o Dodooa teh.& distt. Reasi I Have Lost My RC Vehicle no JK02AA 0018 Now,I am Applying for the duplicate.Obection,if any may convey to concern to the ARTO JAMMU. with in the Sevan days after the publication of this notice. IN THE COURT OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE IST CLASS (ADDL MUNSIFF) SAMBA. Present: Madhu Ram Pal S/o Mohan Lal R/o Mandi Kehli, Teh & Distt Samba V/s SHO Police Station Samba In the matter of: Application for registration of date of Birth of: Punit Kumar D.O.B. 25.11.2001. NOTICE TO GENERAL PUBLIC Whereas an application stand filed in this court for registration of birth of Punit Kumar in police station Samba and through the publication of this notice, public at large and any other interested person/s is/are informed that in case, any body has any objections in respect of aforementioned application, then he/she/they shall file their objections in this court on or before 2.04.2015 failing which aforesaid application will be dealt with in accordance with law. Given under my hand and seal of the court today this 24.3.2015. Sd/Addl Munsiff Judicial Magistrate Ist Class Samba IN THE COURT OF JUDICIAL MAGISTRATE IST CLASS (MUNSIFF) SAMBA Present: Manzoor Hussain Raghuvir Singh S/o Janak Singh R/o Pekhari, Teh & Distt. Samba Versus SHO, P/S Vijaypur In the matter of: Application for registration of date of Death of:Late Sh. Surinder Singh D.O.D 1.09.2009. Father’s Name: Janak Singh NOTICE TO GENERAL PUBLIC Whereas, an application stand filed in this court for registration of birth of above mentioned persons R/o Pekhari, Tehsil & Distt. Samba in P/S Vijaypur and through the medium of this publication notice public at large and any other interested person is/are informed that incase any body has any objection in respect of aforementioned application then he/she/they shall file their objections in this court within 07 days from the date of publication of notice, failing which appropriate order shall follow. Given under my hand and seal of this court today 24th day of March 2015. Sd/JMIC (Munsiff) Samba The NORTHLINES KATHUA www.thenorthlines.com 5 JAMMU | WEDNESDAY | MARCH 25 | 2015 PDP inaugurates Distt. Office Kathua observes World TB Day KATHUA, MAR. 24: PDP has planned to move the public grievances into the notice of state coalition Mufti led Government and to begin the process, a district office was inaugurated by State senior leader of PDP Rtd. Major General R.S Jamwal near DC office complex at Kathua on Tuesday. The inauguration was conducted under the supervision of senior most PDP leader Vinod Gupta. While speaking on the occasion PDP senior leaders Rtd. Major General R.S Jamwal, Vinod Gupta, Davinder Chalotra, S.Puran Singh, and Vikas Upadhya, stated that the purpose of the BJP-PDP Mufti led Government in Jammu and Kashmir is to provide a stable and pro-people government for six years which is the need of the hour. The purpose of this IN THE COURT OF MUNSIFF DISTRICT JUDICIAL MOBILE MAGISTRATE KATHUA Present: Dinesh Gupta Rajan Kumar S/o Sh. Bal Krishan R/o Govindsar Tehsil & District Kathua ….Petitioner…. V/s Chief Medical Officer District Kathua ….Respondent…. Petition U/s 13 (3) Registration of Birth & Death Act, seeking directions to the respondent to enter the birth particular of petitioner's child namely Sakshi Sharma who was born on 14-22009 at Kathua. PROCLAMATION Whereas petitioner has filed the above titled petition in this court for issuing direction to respondent regarding registration of birth particulars of the petitioner's child namely Sakshi Sharma Tehsil & District Kathua born on 14-2-2009 at home and through the medium of this proclamation, general public is informed that any person/has/have objection to the same, in that event he/she/they shall file objection before this court on or before 9-4-2015 failing which appropriate order shall passed. Take notice that in case the date fixed is declared holiday, the matter shall be taken in the next working day. SdMunsiff (DJMM) Kathua Tiny Scholars Sr. Sec. School Jawahar Nagar, Logate Morh, Kathua (Recognized by J&K Govt.) Fee Structure for the Session 2015-16 S. No. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Class Nursery L.K.G & U.K.G 3rd to 6th 7th & 8th 9th to 10th 11th & 12th Tuition Fees Annual Charges 980 2000 1030 2400 980 2200 980 2600 1050 3200 1150 3200 Admission Charges 3800 3800 3800 3800 3800 3800 Note: 1. We Charges admission fees only once from fresh admission. 2. We do not charge extra fees for Computer, Art & Craft Martial Arts, Music and Dance and other functions which we celebrate during a session. 3.Concession in Tuition Fees and Annual Charges are given to poor, needy and orphan students. 4. J&K Board Examination Fees and Registration Fees is Chargeable as and when announced by J&K Board Authorities. SdPrincipal Tiny Scholars Sr. Sec. School Jawahar Nagar, Logate Morh, Kathua NOTICE NOTICE I Hav. Shiv Mangal Singh Tomar, S/o Sh. Banbari Singh Tomar, R/o Village Rachhed, Teh: Porsa, Distt: Morena(M.P). I have lost my gun license no. 364/DMP/I/2010, dt: 10-09-2010. I am applying for duplicate one. Objection if any may be conveyed to concerned authority within Seven days from the publication of this notice. NOTICE I Yash Paul S/o Sh. Sewa Ram R/o Nathwal, Tehsil Ramgarh District Samba has lost R/c & Insurance of my Motor Cycle bearing no. JK21-8389. Now I, am applying for the duplicate of the same. Objection if any convey to concern authority within seven days after publication of this notice. NOTICE I Girdhari lal S/o sh. Ram Saran R/o Palouta, P/o Ramgarh, Tehsil Ramgarh, Distt. Samba, have lost of my LMV driving license, bearing No. JK0220070020494 of RTO Jammu. Now I am applying for duplicate of the same license through concern authority RTO Jammu. Objection if any may convey concern RTO Jammu within seven days, date of publication this notice. I Gian Chand, S/o Hira Nand , R/o H.No. 579/1, Narwal, Jammu Cantt, Teh. & Distt: Jammu. I have lost my gun license no. Home- 219/91-J&K. I am applying for duplicate one. Objection if any may be conveyed to concerned authority within Seven days from the publication of this notice. NOTICE I Sobha Ram, S/o Radha Krishan, R/o Pelak, Teh. & Distt: Palwal, Haryana. I have lost my gun license no. 429/DMR/AL/12/B, Dt: 01-05-2012. I am applying for duplicate one. Objection if any may be conveyed to concerned authority within Seven days from the publication of this notice. great alliance is three fold first to establish peace, second to rehabilitate people who have been affected by recent floods and to create a regional balance between three regions of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh," they added. So far as the newly office opened by PDP at Kathua is concerned, it is a big move of the party to put up the grievances of general masses in front of state government for early solution, they said. They appealed to the people of Kathua to avail the facility of this office without any hesitation and get their problems solved in time. This office is established only for hearing and putting up of the public grievances so the people of all walks of life should use this office as their own to bridge with the state government. On the occasion, Davinder Chalotra, Vikas Upadhya, Puran Singh and many others were mainly present. KATHUA, MAR. 24: World TB Day was observed today in a simple and graceful function at District Tuberculosis Centre Kathua. The programme was held under the guidance and supervision of District Tuberculosis officer. Doctors and students were present on the occasion. The District Tuberculosis Officer at DTC Kathua along LITTLE FLOWER HIGH SCHOOL (Recognized & Affiliated to J&K State Board of School Education) with other Doctors said that all the members of the society should come forward with a mission for the eradication of the TB. DTO Kathua said that the centrally sponsored RNTCP programme has achieved new heights with the initiation of MDR and XDR treatments. He said every year 800-1000 patients are put on treatment and at present we have 33 MDR patients on treatment and one XDR patient all are successfully undergoing treatment at DTC Kathua and so many were recovered from the dreadful disease. The District TB officer has also impressed upon the Para medical staff for conducting survey in far flung areas of the valley and provides awareness among the common people. He said that facilities to fight TB have been kept available in the health centre. Briefed the audience about world TB Day, the ANMT students also expressed their views regarding TB and its prevention. On the occasion, the slogan for this year on World TB Day is "On the move against tuberculosis, transforming the fight towards RIGVEDA CONVENT SCHOOL BASWAIN MORH, KATHUA (J&K) Fee Structure for the Session 2015-16 S. No. Class Monthly Fee Annual Charges 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th 9th 10th 360 380 400 420 440 470 490 510 560 600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1600 1800 1800 Note: Annual Charge including Games Fund, Red Cross Fund, Science Fund, Library Fund, Newspaper Fund, Building Improvement Fund, Printing Fund, Electric Fund etc. SdPrincipal Rigveda Convent School Baswain Morh, Kathua M/S EXCEL PACKAGING PLOT NO 6 SIDCO INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX, KATHUA CONT NO. 09796241086, 09419152086 MANUFACTURING BUCKETS, MUGS, TASLAS, BASIN, PEDDLE BIN, DUSTBIN UNBRAKEABLE & FROSTY. Estd.2003 Phone: 233344 LEARNING TEMPLE ENGLISH MEDIUM HIGH SCHOOL NEAR AGRICULTURE OFFICE, KATHUA-184101 A CO-EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION HATLI MORH, KATHUA J&K ADMISSIONS OPEN FOR THE SESSION 2015-16 PRE- NURSERY TO 10TH CLASS Contact: 9906225901, 9818048850 REGIONAL INDUSTRIAL TRAINING CENTRE (Committed to Career Oriented Education) Courses under NSIC New Delhi, Govt. of India. ADMISSION OPEN FOR SESSION 2015-16 COURSES OFFERED Electrician/Fitter/Computer Hardware/AC & Refrigirator-Qualification 10th Cutting & Tailoring/Plumber-!ualification 10th Computer Software-Qualification 12th Mobile Repairing-During 2 Months. Qualification 8th limited Seats so hurry up.. For more details contact 9 AM to 5 PM at REGIONAL INSTITUTES W.No. 1opp, Krishna Colony Kathua (J&K) Ph. 9018912606, 9419141992, 238791 Welcome to a World… Where learning becomes a pasion. ADMISSIONS OPEN (2015-16) For more details:- Parents/Wards are welcome with us at: LEARNING TEMPLE ENGLISH MEDIUM HIGH SCHOOL WARD 17, KATHUA Contact: 01922-233344, 94191-50400 E-mail: [email protected] The NORTHLINES OPINION QUOTE www.thenorthlines.com JAMMU | WEDNESDAY | MARCH 25 | 2015 "He wrapped himself in quotations- as a beggar would enfold himself in the purple of Emperors.." - Rudyard Kipling the NORTHLINES, Jammu Liberating black gold he passing of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2015 and the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill, 2015 marks a significant step forward in the Central government’s reforms push. It effectively ends government monopoly over the extraction of coal, which has existed after coal mining was nationalised in 1973. Parliamentary approval for the auction of coal blocks — effected through an ordinance that the Bill now replaces — also provides closure to one of the biggest scandals to have rocked the country in recent times: the allocation of 204 coal blocks to private parties, which the Supreme Court had cancelled on the grounds that the allocation process was arbitrary and illegal. The auctions have helped the coal-bearing States realise over Rs.2 lakh crore by way of royalties over a 30-year period from the 33 blocks auctioned in the first round. According to media reports, internal government estimates place revenues from all the 204 blocks to exceed Rs.15 lakh crore over 30 years. Quite apart from the windfall revenue to the States, the passage of the Bills is a game changer in other ways. It has opened up the path for foreign investments in the sector, since Indian arms of foreign companies are entitled to bid for blocks, as well as for commercial mining of coal, which can have a salutary effect on prices going forward. Despite having reserves of 301 billion tonnes of coal — the fifth largest in the world — India has been plagued by chronic coal shortages, leading to costly imports by power and metal producers. This has led to severe power shortages, with downstream impact on both industry and individual consumers. With 90 million tonnes of coal expected to be produced from just the 42 operational mines in the blocks auctioned so far, such shortages may well be a thing of the past. The move is also beneficial to the state-owned Coal India Limited, which may now get the elbow room to bring in some much needed technology and best practices, while opening up prospects of a better future for millions of mine workers. The passage of the Bills also marks a significant political victory for Prime Minister Narendra Modi. With the exception of the contentious Land Acquisition Act, the government has now won parliamentary approval for three of the four major reform moves initiated via the ordinance route, sending a strong message to political parties on the economic advantages of reforms. With the exception of the Congress, the Left and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, all other major Opposition parties had reversed their initial opposition to the coal bill, after seeing the enormous revenue potential unlocked by the auctions. This augurs well for future reform measures. T 6 The supremo culture in Indian polity PRADEEP CHHIBBER HARSH SHAH RAHUL VERMA olitical parties and their leaders have the propensity to centralise authority because most parties do not have independent organisational bases, a large section of citizens depend upon India’s mai-baap state for their general well-being, and the nature of financing election campaigns in the country The ongoing controversy in the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), between the proKejriwal faction and other party leaders, over organisational matters raises two important questions that concern most political parties in India. The first — why do political parties in India have a tendency to centralise? And the second — why do leaders of these parties project themselves as “supremo,” or the ultimate authority? This “high command” culture is often attributed to political parties that are dynastic in nature. Parties like the Congress, the Shiv Sena, the Akali Dal, the Biju Janata Dal, the Telugu Desam Party, the Samajwadi Party, the YSR Congress and the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam are the usual suspects. However, centralisation of authority also extends to non-dynastic parties like the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) and the Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) in Assam, the Trinamool Congress, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Bahujan Samaj Party. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Left parties — which occupy two ideological extremes in Indian politics — have remained an exception, to an extent, to this trend. The organisational base In our opinion, India’s political parties and their leaders have the propensity to centralise authority because most political parties do not have independent organisational bases, a large section of citizens depend upon India’s mai-baap state [nanny state] for their general wellbeing, and the nature of financing election campaigns in the country. The organisational base of political parties in India often precedes their formal creation. While the BJP spun off the Jana Sangh with support from the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), the Left was moulded by the unification of splintered communist movements in the early 20th century. These parties and their leaders are often kept in check by strong, cadre-based organisations. If a party has a strong organisation and allows other contenders an equal opportunity to reach to the top, then factional politics within the party P would create independent bases of power and incentivise lobbying. This is true in the case of the BJP and the Left parties as they are rooted in strong civil society organisations. For example, in case of the BJP, the RSS and its affiliates act as a strong check on party leadership. The AAP has severed its ties from the Anna Hazare-led anti-corruption movement in the wake of its party formation. It now lacks an independent organisational base that could check the leader becoming the party — a phenomenon common to most political parties in India. Even if it had retained its ties to the anticorruption movement, the latter was just a movement without any structure or organisation. The AAP has been created from scratch on the back of general Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA), mid-day meals, etc. The state is the primary investor, creator and provider of most goods that citizens consume. The control over the state and its institutions help in crystallising the support base of a politician. The leader, especially if the party is in the government, is incentivised to restrict party colleagues — who are not part of the faction — from using the levers of this mai-baap state, as it would allow them to develop independent support bases and potentially challenge the authority of the leader. Other politicians — from the pro-leader faction — support this centralisation because their association with the leader protects them from challenges to their own positions within the party by others. Those eyeing positions of power — either for enhancing their political career or for carrying out genuine political reform — align their interests with that of their leader and suppress any challenges to his authority. It is this internecine conflict that lies at the heart of the recent internal feud within the AAP, and, broadly, its centralised leadership structure. discontent with “politics as usual.” Currently, most leaders within the AAP have no independent political base. Their political careers are tied to the success of the party. Those eyeing positions of power — either for enhancing their political career or for carrying out genuine political reform — align their interests with that of their leader and suppress any challenges to his authority. It is this internecine conflict that lies at the heart of the recent internal feud within the AAP, and, broadly, its centralised leadership structure. Control over the state Political parties in India have an incentive to centralise party organisation because the Indian state is the mai-baap. In a mai-baap state, the state is involved in everyday economic activity of most citizens — from running railways and building big industrial complexes to social sector programmes like the Mahatma The recent fracas in the AAP reflects these dilemmas. There are those who want Arvind Kejriwal to remain the leader of the party and the Chief Minister. For many politicians in the AAP, and for Mr. Kejriwal, this makes sense as the AAP attempts to expand its electoral influence. It will use its control over the Delhi government to build the party. As it follows this path, the AAP will begin to look like all the other parties in India — a centralised party controlled by a leader accompanied by fellow politicians who need the leader to retain their position. The secondary leadership in the party also cannot allow dissent — especially challenges to the authority of the supremo. Campaign financing This centralisation is also helped by the opaque campaign finance regime of parties in India, which is closely tied to the maibaap state and its institutions. Campaign finance in India is often undisclosed, collected centrally, and distributed by the central party office. While the central leadership handles the bulk of the campaign spending, political parties also allocate tickets to candidates with a substantial amount of wealth and a criminal background so they could finance their own elections. Nevertheless, all politicians, especially after winning elections, contribute greatly to a party’s election coffers by collecting commissions from businessmen and contractors by providing them access, such as getting them permits, licences, contracts, etc., to the mai-baap state. [Read: 400% rise in parties’ spend on LS polls ] The AAP is indeed one of the few political parties that talks about and even experimenting with methods of open campaign finance. We will have to wait and see how politicians from the AAP, with a key to this mai-baap state, deal with it in the coming months, but one thing is for sure — a lot of candidates contesting on AAP tickets rely on the central party office for their funds. This is true for other parties as well. Thus, the control-command structure of financing election campaigns creates incentives for leaders to centralise party organisations. Party fragmentation The tendency of party centralisation also explains why India has such a high rate of party fragmentation — more and more parties competing in the next election — and electoral volatility — the net change in the vote share of a party from one election to the next. When one leader frequently makes the decisions regarding appointments to positions of power within a party, then others within the party become unsure of their career paths. Ambitious politicians in such a scenario are likely to desert their parent party and join another party to enhance career prospects. Lateral entry to a similar position in another party is however not always easy. Thus, many politicians find it easier to form a new party to contest elections. In this way, party centralisation leads to more and more parties entering the electoral market place and greater vote swings between two elections. The leaders of many political parties in India are able to preserve their political power through excessive centralisation within their parties. However, this often comes at a price. The Congress’s shortage of popular, home-grown leaders at the State level can be attributed at least partly to its practice of clipping the wings of leaders having strong political support. In the coming months, Mr. Kejriwal’s ability to balance his desire to preserve control along with his ambition to expand the party by giving independent voices will be the key to the AAP’s future success. (The writers are with Travers Department of Political Science, University of California, Berkeley, U.S.) Strongman who took Singapore to the First World SANJAYA BARU hat truly set him apart was his obsessive social engineering. He rebuilt Singapore virtually brick by brick… As an Indian, I wish Lee Kuan Yew had lived to be at least 97. He may then, in 2020, have taken a more positive view of India before finally signing off. In 2007, he endeared himself to Indians when he wrote admiringly about “India’s Peaceful Rise” in a column in Forbes. By 2012 he was writing India off as a “nation of unfulfilled greatness.” Regrettably, those were his last recorded views on India before ill health slowed him down. He told Robert Blackwill, former United States Ambassador to India and the co-editor of a volume on Mr. Lee’s view of the world, (Lee Kuan Yew: The Grand Master’s Insights on China, the United States, and the World by Graham Allison, Robert D. Blackwill and Ali Wyne, 2013): “Look at the construction industries in India and China, and you will know the difference between one that gets things done and another that does not get things done, but talks about things…” — words that many believe still ring true about India. Hot and cold on India Mr. Lee seems to have come to the conclusion that India, a great civilisation, would never be able to equal China as a modern nation. China was determined to regain its status as the world’s number one power. India, Mr. Lee felt, would do well if it managed to somehow get to number two. But, Mr. Lee wished India well because, as he wrote in Forbes, “Singapore and Southeast Asia, sandwiched between these two behemoths, need China and India to achieve a balanced relationship, one that allows both to grow and prosper, pulling up the rest of Asia-East, Southeast and South with them.” Mr. Lee always blew hot and cold about India. India was the country he first reached out to, in the mid-1960s, as he set about liberating Singapore and creating an island Republic. In his own country he W Peng, invited Mr. Lee to help build a new China. Deng turned Shanghai into a “Manhattan of the East,” learning from Singapore. After he handed power to a new generation and appointed himself as Minister Mentor, Mr. Lee sought to become a teacher of sorts. He educated himself about world history and travelled its length and breadth educating world leaders. The only institution in Singapore that he willingly lent his name to was the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, underscoring the point that he saw good and active public policy as the key to progress and prosperity. His intimate knowledge of China and its leadership made him an important link between a still opaque China and an increasingly curious world. Both Prime Minister Narasimha Rao and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh became his willing disciples in their own effort to understand and deal with China. Each time Mr. Lee visited New Delhi during Dr. Singh’s first term, the two would meet over lunch, where the Minister Mentor would tutor his pupil on how to deal with China’s leadership. Because Singapore’s success has become so closely identified with his personality and politics, even its failures are now attributed to him. Rising defence cooperation agreement with India modernisation that marks Mr. Lee’s income inequality has created an angry Singapore out. What truly set him apart that has only become stronger with time. under class, and even a frustrated middle was his obsessive social engineering. He But India’s self-important political and rebuilt Singapore virtually brick by brick, class unable to afford the temptations of a diplomatic leadership, while initially prosperous economy. This anger is now tearing down the old, changing social helping him, ended up spurning his reflected in increasing resentment of behaviour and creating an ‘airentreaties and even his suggestion that conditioned’ metropolis in the middle of a expatriates and minorities. India become a founding member of the The political party Mr. Lee and his green, manicured garden island. As Association of South-East Asian Nations Singapore modernised, it also invested in compatriots created is losing ground and (ASEAN). his critics are finding a new voice. the arts and in culture, always Caught in the web of its own Cold War Perhaps, this was the best time for him to emphasising the diversity of its cultural and post-colonial rhetoric, India seemed leave his paradise on Earth. roots. Mr. Lee had strong views about unable to see the wood for the trees in Given that Singapore was one of the how society ought to be organised and rising Asia. Rebuffed by an imperious Asian countries that extended its how governments ought to function. He India, Mr. Lee became its critic and hospitality to Prime Minister Narendra shunned it, till Prime Minister Narasimha had the opportunity and the space to put Modi when he was still Chief Minister of his thoughts into action and used social Rao launched his post-Cold war “Look engineering to create a plural nation with Gujarat, and also given the special East” Policy. It was left to Mr. Lee’s relationship between the two countries, it four official languages and a housing successor, Prime Minister Goh Chok would be a fine gesture on Mr. Modi’s policy that ensured the intermingling of Tong, to revive the relationship with part if he were to attend Mr. Lee’s funeral races. India. Where Mr. Lee and Mrs. Gandhi later this week. Minister Mentor failed, Mr. Goh and Mr. Rao succeeded, (Sanjaya Baru was Visiting Professor, and the credit for the new India-Singapore Having completed his work in Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy, Mr. Lee straddled Asia and tried to shape relationship ought to go to them. Singapore, and is presently Honorary China. His advice was not ignored. Rebuilding Singapore Senior Fellow, Centre for Policy Inspired by Singapore’s economic success, Mr. Lee was unique. Alone among the Research, New Delhi.) developing, post-colonial nations, Mr. Lee China’s Great Moderniser, Deng Xiao was fighting the communists, so he couldn’t reach out to Mao’s China for help. Breaking off from Muslim majority Malaysia, and in an awkward relationship with most of his other neighbours, Mr. Lee saw India as his nation’s natural partner. He even retained the island’s Sanskrit origin name — Simhapura that became Singapore — and actively sought India’s diplomatic recognition and military assistance. In his salad years, as the leader of a new nation, he admired Indira Gandhi’s tough personality. He went out of his way to make Mrs. Gandhi’s first official visit to Singapore a great success. He entered into a made bold to define his nation’s destiny as that of moving, within one generation, from being a Third World country to becoming a First World country. He achieved it. Mr. Lee’s critics will draw attention to his dictatorial tactics and the stifling of dissent and the media. His admirers, however, view him a benign dictator who, in fact, actively sought democratic legitimacy and ensured that he secured it by running a welfare state, in which he sought to instil hope in the future for every citizen. It is not just phenomenal economic growth and The NORTHLINES NATIONAL www.thenorthlines.com TN fishermen released by Sri Lankan courts AGENCIES RAMESWARAM, TN, MARCH 24 Two Sri Lankan courts today ordered the release of 54 Tamil Nadu fishermen, whose arrest by Sri Lankan Navy has threatened to derail talks between representatives of fishers of the two neighbouring countries, a Fisheries department official said here. The judicial magistrate courts in Trincomallee and Mannar in northern Sri Lanka ordered the release of the fishermen, arrested for allegedly fishing in Lankan territorial waters on March 21, at around 11.30am. Quoting information received by him, Assistant Director of Fisheries Gopinathan said the fishermen would return tomorrow after being handed over by the Sri lankan Navy to the Indian Coast Guard personnel. The Tamil Nadu government had last night threatened to call off the third round of fishermen-level talks, scheduled here today, if the arrested were not released by 11am. Navi Mumbai cops nab church attackers AGENCIES NAVI MUMBAI, MARCH 24 The Navi Mumbai cops have adhered to the "48 hours" deadline announced by the state chief minister and arrested four men accused of attacking the St George Catholic Church in New Panvel. While the full details of the arrested persons will be revealed at a media briefing scheduled for 4 pm today, sources in the Navi Mumbai police commissionerate said that the six teams assigned to catch the church attackers had worked round-the-clock to detect this sensitive case. In the wee hours of last Saturday, four men had arrived on a motorcycle in front of the church in New Panvel, and threw stones from the roadside, which damaged the glass enclosure of the statue of Saint George. "I am happy to know that the Navi Mumbai police, under the guidance of commissioner of police K L Prasad, has managed to crack this case. This should serve as a deterrent to all those communal elements who want to disrupt peace and harmony," said the president of Indian Christian Voice, Abraham Mathai. Those accused are Rahul Patil, Anil Chavan, Laxman Sugwekar and Mohammed Shaikh. Rahul Patil runs a local gambling den, which was raided recently. Patil had reportedly suspected that the church may have complained against this gambling den, and so decided to react by attacking the church premises. 'EC to complete linking Aadhaar with photo ID cards by August' AGENCIES GUWAHATI, MARCH 24 The Election Commission of India Tuesday said it would complete linking of Aadhaar numbers with voter photo identity cards across the country, except Northeast, by August this year. "By May, the southern states of Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Goa will complete the linking. This will be first time in India. This will completely eliminate duplication of 85 crore Indian voters," Chief Election Commissioner HS Brahma told reporters here. The linking of the two cards was expected to clear 6-8 per cent duplication in the electoral rolls, he said. Referring to the Assembly polls in Assam next year, he said the EC has initiated the process to update the voter list. "The Assembly polls in Assam are due before May 2016. In any election, the first allegation against the Election Commission is about the non-purified rolls. So before one year, we start purifying the electoral rolls," he said. The agency's updating process is an ongoing work with addition, deletion and correction of the data in voters list, he added. "In Assam, 95 per cent of the 1.9 crore voters have been issued photo identity cards. By July, we will issue cards to all the voters," Brahma said, adding the agency would ensure that there would be no duplication of voters. He said the ECI had launched a portal in January this year for the voters updating and correcting the information themselves. Chief Election Commissioner plans to start farming after retirement AGENCIES GUWAHATI, MARCH 24 Chief Election Commissioner Hari Shankar Brahma on Tuesday said he will take up farming in his home state Assam after his retirement next month. "I want to be a farmer," Brahma said when asked about his retirement plans. "I have land in Assam. I'll come back here," he added. Brahma is a 1975-batch IAS officer of Andhra Pradesh cadre hailing from Assam. His tenure will end on April 19 when he turns 65, the upper age limit for the post of Chief Election Commissioner. On January 16 this year, Brahma had taken over as the 19th Chief Election Commissioner of India. He had assumed charge as one of the three Election Commissioners on August 25, 2010. After JM Lyndogh, Brahma became the second officer from the North East to be appointed to this post. When asked about his comments on RTI activist Akhil Gogoi's peasants body Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti announcing to launch a political party, Brahma said "It is a good thing. There should be someone to talk about the farmers. Nobody looks after them." JAMMU | WEDNESDAY | MARCH 25 | 2015 Nirbhaya documentary row: SC issues notice to defence lawyers for derogatory remarks AGENCIES NEW DELHI, MARCH 24 The Supreme Court on Tuesday sought an explanation from the two defence lawyers in the Nirbhaya case for allegedly making derogatory remarks against women in the BBC documentary 'India's Daughter'. A bench headed by Justice V Gopal Gowda said the issue needs serious consideration and issued notice to advocates M L Sharma and A P Singh. It granted them two weeks time to file response. The court passed the order on a petition filed by the Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association. The association pleaded in court that the two advocates be not allowed to practice in the Supreme Court in view of their controversial and derogatory statements. In an unprecedented step, the association of women lawyers on Friday moved a petition in the Supreme Court not only to punish two male colleagues for their derogatory views on women in the BBC documentary on Nirbhaya gang rape case, but also to fight the deep-seated gender bias among male advocates. The Supreme Court Women Lawyers Association took umbrage at the comments of advocates M L Sharma and A P Singh in the documentary 'India's Daughter' and sought a ban on their entry into the apex court premises. The two lawyers represented Welcoming the Supreme Court's decision to quash Section 66A of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, on Tuesday, Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said people in power should be tolerant and liberal towards criticism. "We welcome this decision by the Supreme Court. The government is committed to free speech. India is a democratic country and free flow of ideas should be respected. We do not seek to curtail any right," Prasad told reporters in a press meet here. The minister, however, said it was important to have selfregulation as well when expressing thoughts in social media. "There are lakhs of people in India indulging in social media. I am a supporter of selfregulation and would like to say it is important to have selfregulation," he said. He said social media platforms should also practice some 'self-restraint'. Earlier in the day, he said the government did not favour gagging dissent or honest criticism on social media. Prasad said: "We respect communication of ideas on the accused in the Nirbhaya case. The petition, filed through advocate Mahalakshmi Pavani, said, "The comments made in the documentary (by the two advocates) are inhumane, scandalous, unjustifiable, biased, outrageous and illminded and are a direct affront to and in violation of dignity of women, especially the women practicing in the Supreme Court. These comments have caused a sense of insecurity, indignation and fear among the female lawyers practicing in the Supreme Court." A transcript of the two advocates' comments, which led to outrage in civil society and angry remarks on social networking sites, was submitted along with the petition. Referring to Sharma's comment — "a woman means... I immediately put sex in his eyes", the petition said, "These words coming from the socalled saviour of justice unveils his real face and thoughts he holds for daughters, women and every citizen of the country." "The derogatory and insulting words used by Sharma make it clear that according to him women shouldn't be allowed to go out after the time specified by him; they should have no choice of choosing persons with whom they want to spend time; they shouldn't be allowed to befriend men; they Andhra Pradesh to name capital Amaravati AGENCIES HYDERABAD, MARCH 24 Finally, chief minister Chandrababu Naidu has zeroed in on Amaravati as the name of the new capital of Andhra Pradesh. TOI had hinted at the same name in November last year. The CM will announce the name in a couple of days at an auspicious moment, said sources. According to the sources, Naidu finalized Amaravati as the name of his upcoming capital on the banks of river Krishna on the rationale that in one stroke, a new modern capital can be linked to history dating back to at least 2000 years when the small town of Amaravati, which is about 32 km away from the core capital region, was a major Buddhist centre. Since Amaravati is also associated with Telugu heritage dating back to the Satavahana kingdom, Naidu felt that it Govt welcomes SC judgment on Section 66A: Prasad AGENCIES NEW DELHI, MARCH 24 7 social media, not in favour of curtailing honest criticism, dissent on social media." Earlier, the Supreme Court ruled that Section 66A violates Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution which guarantees freedom of speech. "Section 66A of the IT Act is struck down in its entirety...," said the apex court bench of Justice J. Chelameswar and Justice Rohinton Fali Nariman. "Our Constitution provides for liberty of thought, expression and belief. In a democracy, these values have to be provided within constitutional scheme. The law (Section 66A) is vague in its entirety," said Justice Nariman pronouncing the judgment. The Supreme Court has "read down" Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act which states "upon receiving actual knowledge, or on being notified by the appropriate government or its agency that any information, data or communication link residing in or connected to a computer resource controlled by the intermediary is being used to commit the unlawful act, the intermediary fails to expeditiously remove or disable access to that material on that resource without vitiating the evidence in any manner". would be the most appropriate name for the AP capital. It was also felt that the name Amaravati will elevate the status of the new capital and will be embraced by all Telugus, whether they are in Andhra, Telangana, elsewhere in India, or abroad. The sources said many in the government and the TDP had suggested that the capital be named after NTR, but Naidu had shot it down. "The chief minister preferred the historical importance of the region to the parochial sentiments expressed by some of his colleagues," a minister, who revealed to TOI Naidu's decision to name the capital as Amaravati, said. A GO on the name would also be issued after the formal announcement by the chief minister himself, the minister added. Naidu was to have announced the name of the new capital while taking part in the Ugadi festivities in Tullur village last Saturday. "Before leaving Hyderabad, he told us that the name Amaravati would be announced on Ugadi and carried with him all the necessary historical reports about the political and spiritual importance of Amaravati. However, the CM later decided to make the announcement on an exclusive occasion," the minister said. The sources said Naidu did not want the capital name announcement to be mired in any controversy as the model election code of conduct was in place for the legislative council polls. Apparently, the CM zeroed in on Amaravati after discussing it with historians and vaastu experts. The TDP government has already acquired 33,000 acres of land from farmers of 26 villages to build the core capital on the banks of river Krishna. As per indications, the foundation stone for the capital would be laid on June 12 in a grand ceremony. should not be allowed to live their life as per their wish; that women shall forever be restrained from even thinking of being independent and maintain individuality," the association said. It also requested the court to direct the sexual harassment committee at SC to take action against the duo. "The two advocates be also directed to retract their statements and issue a public apology for holding and making views which are absolutely derogatory to the dignity of women," the petition said. Their apology should also be included in the BBC documentary, it said. Muslim population no issue, conversion is: Rajnath Singh AGENCIES NEW DELHI, MARCH 24 Home minister Rajnath Singh, in comments that would run counter to the line often used by hardline Hindutva elements, said on Monday he had no issues with the pace of growth of the Muslim population in the country, but railed against religious conversions and exhorted minorities to take the lead in pressing for an anti-conversion law. "It does not matter how many Muslims are there. If their population is increasing, let it increase. We have no issues. But the cycle of conversions must stop," Singh told a conference of state minority commissions in Delhi. The comments come at a time some hardliners in the Sangh Parivar have expressed their annoyance at what they allege is the fast pace of growth in the country's Muslim population and have exhorted Hindus to procreate more to counter this. India's Muslim population probably rose to 14.2% in 2011 from 13.4% in 2001, the government yet-to-be-released census data is expected to show. While Singh appeared conciliatory to Muslims, he struck a hard line against religious conversions — a topic that has of late been sought to be linked with the Christian community. Members of the Sangh Parivar have in recent weeks sought to link service done by Christian institutions with religious conversions. RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat last month stirred up a controversy when, referring to conversions, he said there was a "motive" behind the service rendered by Mother Teresa. Singh appeared to echo similar sentiments. 'Respect others' "Why do we do conversions? If we want to do service, let us do service. But should service be done for the purpose of religious conversion? Cannot we decide that we will go worldwide to do service but conversion will not be our target but only to serve humanity?" he asked. "Can't we live without respecting each other's faith. What is the necessity of conversion. Can't a religion survive without involving in conversion?... People say conversions are done by people on their own accord...that there is freedom for conversions. Do not do this (conversions). Leave it," he added. The home minister said he was posing three basic questions. "First, is conversion necessary? Second, can a religion not survive without conversions? Thirdly, if anybody tries to change the demographic character of any country, will anyone tolerate it? In US or Europe, if I go and try to change their demographic character, isn't it a crime on my part? Why should I do this? Let that country's identity remain. That country has a culture, let it be. Why do we want to change it?" he said. 1984 riot victims yet to get flats in Mohali AGENCIES MOHALI, MARCH 24 The 1984 anti-Sikh riots had displaced thousands of families, many of whom are now settled in Mohali. Thirty years on, several victims are still struggling to get a home. The Punjab and Haryana high court on February 21 had directed the Mohali authorities, including Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA) and the deputy commissioner, to decide on the allotment of houses and booths to the victims in three months. A week ago, Manjeet Singh, a riot victim, along with others, had approached GMADA chief administrator AK Sinha, and filed a representation on giving them possession of the flats at the earliest. Manjeet, along with other victims, had filed a petition in the high court in 2011, seeking allotment of the flats, plots and booths, as per the policy framed on September 29, 2011, for the riot victims. In 2011, the court had asked the affected families to approach the authorities concerned for flats, plots and booths. The riot victims filed more than 42 petitions in the court, alleging that the authorities were negligent, and that the state was taking no action. Jaswinder Singh, president of the riot victims' association, said: "Of the over 2,000 families living in Mohali district who were displaced by the riots, less than 600 have got flats. We have approached almost every office in the district but in vain." "In 2006, GMADA had issued a letter to the DC, saying 919 houses/flats/commercial sites had been allotted to the riot victims. But for every allotment, there are discrepancies in documents, and the allotted sites are still not fully in their possession," added Jaswinder. In March 2013, the high court, on a petition filed by riot victim Gurmeet Singh, had asked Punjab to give flats to those affected. LEGAL POSITION The sites to be allotted in Mohali were flats/plots/booths/commercial sites in sectors 68, 70, 66, phase1, X, and Sector 57, among others. GMADA estate officer Mahesh Kumar Bansal said: "There are some houses which are occupied by riot victims which belong to someone else. We cannot allot the property of someone else to the illegal occupants. About 20 riot victims had approached us, and we are scrutinizing their documents, and then the files will be sent to the DC TPS Sidhu who will make the final decision." Resolving border dispute will remove obstacles in Sino-India ties: China AGENCIES BEIJING, MARCH 25 China on Tuesday said an early settlement of the border dispute with India will effectively remove the "obstacles" in the way of improving bilateral ties as it expressed readiness to achieve more progress in finding a solution to the "very complicated" issue. During the two-day talks held in Delhi between Special Representatives of India and China on the boundary dispute, both sides reviewed the "past achievements and spoke high of the progress that has been achieved", Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying said. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval and Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi met in Delhi yesterday and today and held the 18th round of boundary talks between the two nations. "I want to emphasise that the early settlement of the boundary question is in the fundamental interest of the two countries. It is also an effective way to remove obstacles getting in the way of bilateral ties," Hua said replying to a question about whether any progress was made in the just concluded boundary talks between the two sides. "But the boundary question is a problem left over from history. It is very complicated. Luckily with the concerted efforts of the two countries we have made positive achievements. That is why we emphasise that we follow the right path based on past achievements to press ahead with the framework negotiations," Hua said. "We are willing to work with the Indian side to make more progress in this regard," she said. Hua said during their talks, both Doval and Yang have "agreed to bear in mind the national interests and benefits of the two peoples follow that right path and press ahead with the framework negotiations." Doval and Yang also stated that "pending the final settlement of the boundary question, we will also make efforts to safeguard the peace and tranquillity of the border area." Hua said she has not seen any report about new ideas put forward by both sides to resolve the dispute. She said that China and India agreed that as important neighbours to each other and the two biggest developing counties and emerging markets, their relationship has a bearing on benefits of two peoples and also influences the stability of the peace in the region and the world. In its comments on the latest round of border talks, China has been referring to the framework negotiations, which is a reference to the present state of the three way process to reach a solution to resolve the dispute over the 4000 km-long boundary. While China says that the boundary dispute is confined 2000km, mainly Arunachal Pradesh in eastern sector which it claims as part of southern Tibet, India asserts that the dispute covered the western sector including the Aksai Chin occupied by China during the 1962 war. When the Special Representatives were appointed in 2003, the two sides set off a three stage process. The two countries first reached an agreement on the guiding principles and setting political parameters for the settlement in 2005. The two neighbours are now on the second stage which is to agree for a framework of settlement to be followed by the final step of drawing the boundary line based on the framework agreement. In her lengthy reply on IndiaChina border talks, Hua also said the two countries are committed to promote practical cooperation in various fields and strengthening cooperation on international issues and forging closer partnership so as to make greater contribution to the world developments. About Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit here, she said last year Chinese President Xi Jinping paid a very successful visit to India and reached consensus with the future development of the bilateral relations. "For the moment the two countries are implementing the consensus reached by the two leaders and two countries agreed to maintain the momentum of high level exchange. We have also touched upon such issue in these talks," she said adding that "we hope to maintain this momentum and solidify bilateral relations and bring it to a new high." The NORTHLINES KASHMIR VALLEY www.thenorthlines.com 8 JAMMU | WEDNESDAY | MARCH 25 | 2015 2 die, 6 injured in road Drug Abuse-Civil Defence organization Police-Public meeting held Insists for improving in Peerzoo Island organizes awareness programme mishaps IGP Kashmir visits DPL Srinagar services to the public SRINAGAR, MARCH 24: Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone, Sh. SJM Gillani today visited District Police Lines, Srinagar and took stock of the functioning of different sections of the District Police. This was the first such visit by the IGP after assuming charge of the zone last week. On this occasion the Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Zone Sh. SJM Gillani impressed upon the officials of the District police to improvise the functioning of day to day policing so that the quality of services rendered by the police department to general public can be elevated. The IGP Kashmir interacted with the heads of the various sections including DPL main office, MHC, Equipments store, Clothing store , Armory, MT, Mess, canteen. He also visited Gymnasium and barracks of constabulary. Sh. Ghulam Hassan Bhat DIG Central Kashmir, Sh. Amit Kumar SSP Srinagar, Sh. Waseem Qadri SP headquarters accompanied IGP during the visit today. SRINAGAR, MARCH 24: Two persons died while six others were injured in different road accidents across the valley. A Tata Sumo bearing registration number JK05/9750 hit and injured a eight years old boy Mohammad Subhan Maliyar son of Ghulam Qadir resident of Salamabad at Salamabad, Uri. The injured was shifted to Boniyar Hospital for treatment where he succumbed to his injuries. Uri police has registered a case in this regard. Meanwhile, the conductor of a Tata 407 passenger vehicle bearing registration number JK01F/3462 Waheed Ahmad Bhat son Bashir Ahmad resident of Harduwal Budgam was critically injured when he fell from it near Parraypora, Srinagar. The injured was shifted to SMHS Hospital Srinagar where he succumbed to his injuries. Srinagar police has registered a case in this regard. In another accident, two passengers were injured when a Tata Sumo bearing registration number JK09/6677 they were boarding in skidded off the road near Tikker Kupwara. Both the injured have been shifted to District Hospital, Kupwara for treatment. Kupwara police has registered a case in this regard. In another accident, a Tavera bearing registration No. JK01S/6708 and an Army vehicle collided at Choora, Sopore resulting in injuries to four passengers. All the injured have been shifted to District Hospital, Baramulla for treatment. Sopore police has registered a case in this regard. PDD employee electrocuted SRINAGAR, MARCH 24: A PDD employee was critically injured when he received electric shock while repair an electric line at Narwara, Safakadal here on Monday evening. He was identified as Abdul Rashid Bhat son of Abdul Samad resident of Pampore. The injured was shifted to SMHS Hospital, Srinagar for treatment. Srinagar Police has initiated an investigation in this regard. OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER PWD (R&B) TAWI BRIDGE CUM MEDICAL COLLEGE DIVISION, JAMMU. NOTICE INVITING TENDERS e-NIT No. MCD-70/03 of 2015 Dated: 18.03.2015. Tenders are invited by the Executive Engineer PWD (R&B) Tawi Bridge Cum Medical College Division, Jammu on behalf of Governor of J&K State, by e-tendering mode on item rate basis from approved and eligible contractors registered with J&K State Govt./CPWD/MES and Railways on 30.03.2015 upto 1400 Hrs for the following work. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------S. Name or work Name of Division Estimated cost Cost of Earnest Time Time and Class of No. of Construction document Money allowed date of Contractor (Rs. in lacs) (In Rs.) @2% for comp- opening of (in Rs.) letion tender ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1. Providing and fixing PWD (R&B) 16.50 lacs 600/33000/25 days 30.03.2015 “A,B & C” metalled False Ceiling Tawi Bridge 1400 hrs in Isolation ward at cum Medical Govt Medical College College, Jammu. Division Jammu. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Position of AAA = Submitted Position of Funds = Demanded Position of TS = Under Process 1. Date of Publishing from 18.03.2015. 2. The Bidding documents can be downloaded from the website http://jktenders.gov.in from 19.03.2015 on 1000 hrs to 26.03.2015 to (1600 hrs) 3. (a) The bids shall be deposited in electgronic format on the website http://jktenders.gov.in from 19.03.2015 on 100 hrs to 26.03.2015 online. (b) Technical bids of bidders shall be opened on line in the office of Executive Engineer Tawi Bridge Cum Medical College PWD (R&B) Division Jammu on 30.03.2015 at 1400 hrs. 4. Bid documents can be seen at and downloaded from the website http://jktenders.gov.in Bid documents contain qualifying criteria for bidder, specifications, bill of quanities, conditions and other details. 5. The site for the work is available Bids must be accompanied by bid security (EMD) and cost of Tender document as specified in column 5 & 6 of the table payabvle at Jammu pledged in favour of Executive Engineer Tawi Bridge Cum Medical College (PWD) Division Jammu. Bid security will have to be in any one of the forms as specified in the bidding documents and shall have to be valid for six months or more after last date of receipt of bid. The cost of downloaded tender documents in form of DD shall be in separate envelope with cover making cost of document. a. The original instruments in respect of cost of documents, EMD and relevant technical bid documents etc must be delivered to the Executive Engineer Tawi Bridge Cum Medical College PW (R&B) Division Jammu (Opposition to KC Theatre), on or beflore 30.03.2015 upto 1200 Hr. If the office happens to be closed on the date of receipt as specified, the EMD Documents fee will be received on the next working day at the same time and venue. b. Financial Bids will be opened in the office of the Executive Engineer Tawi Bridge Cum Medical College PWD (R&B) Division Jammu and the date of opening Financial bid shall be communiated to the bidders. If the office happens to be closed on the date of opening of the bids as specified, the same shall be opened on the next working day at the same time and venue. 6. The bid for the work shall remain open for acceptance for a period of 90 days from the date of opening of bids. If any bidder/tenderer withdraw his bid/tender before the said period or makes any modifications in the terms and conditions of the bid, the said earnest money shall stand forfeited. 7. No Engineer or Gazetted rank or other Gazetted Officer employed in Engineering or Administrative duties in an Engineering Department of the State Government is allowed to work as a contractor for a period of two years afer his retirement from Government service, without permission of the Government. This contract is liable to be cancelled if either the contractor or any of his employees is found any time to be such a person who had not obtained the permission of the Government as aforesaid before submission of the tender or engagement in Contractor’s service. 8. Other details can be seen in the bidding documents. 9. No Engineer of Gazetted rank or other Gazetted Officer employed in Engineering or Administrative duties in an Engineering Department of the State Government is allowed to work as a Contractor for a period of two years after his retirement form Government Service, without permission of the Government. This contract is liable to be cancelled if tiehr the contractor or any of his employees is found any time to be such a person who had not obained the permission of the Government as aforesaid before submission of the tender or engagement in the Contractor’s Service. 10. Instruction to bidders regarding e-tenderering process a. The interested bidder can download the NIT/bidding document from the website http://jktenders.gov.in b. To participate in bidding process bidders have to get (DSC) “Digital Signature Certificate” as per Information Technology Act - 2000, to participate in online bidding. This certificate will be required for digitally signing the bid Bidders can get above mentioned digital certificate from any approved vendors. The Bidders, who already possess valid (DSC) Digital Signature Certificates, need not to procure new Digital Signature Certificate. c. The bidders have to submit their bids online in electronic format with Digital Signature. The bids cannot be uploaded without Digital Signature. No Proposal will be accepted in physical form. d. Bids will be opened online as per time schedule mentioned in Para 3(d) & 6 (b). e. Before submision of online bids, bidders must ensure that scanned copy of all the necessary documents have been attached with bid. f. The department will not be responsible for delay in online submission of bids whatsoever reasons may be. g. All the required ifnormation for bid must be filled and submitted online. h. Bidders should get ready with the scanned copies of cost of documents & EMD as specified in the tender documents. The original instruments in respect of cost of documents, EMD and relevant documents be submitted to the Tender Inviting Authority by Registered post/courier as per time schedule specified. i. The details of cost of documents, EMD specified in the tender documents should be the same, as submitted online (scanned copies) otherwise bid will not be accepted. j. Bidders can contact the undesigned for any guidance for getting DSC or any other relevant details in respect of etendering process. 11. If the guidelines for submission of bid online can be downloaded from the website http://jktenders.gov.in. 12. If the contractor quotes the rate, the aggregate of which is less than 15% of the advertised amount of NIT such contractors shall have to furnish additional security deposit in shape of CDR/FDR Bank Guarantee @5% of the advertised amount after opening of the financial bid. If the contractor fails to furnish additional CDR/FDR @5% after the opening of tender, his tender shall be rejected and earnest money of 2% enclosed with tender shall be forfeited. Sd/Executive Engineer, DIP/J-8696. PW(R&B) Tawi Bridge Cum Medical Dated: 20.3.2015. College Division, Jammu. BARAMULLA, MARCH 23: Civil Defence organization Baramulla organized an awareness programme. Civil Defence organization Baramulla organized an awareness programme on growing menace of Drug Abuse in youth at English Medium High School Botingo Sopore 0n 23rd March 2015. A large number of people participated in the programme including students, teachers, CD Wardens/ volunteers and SDRF people. A welcome note was addressed by principal Azad who also presided as chief guest and stressed upon the social, economic and health hazards of drug abuse in youth. He also showed a great concern on the cultivation of opium and cannabis around the vicinity and the level of ignorance where mother cultivates and son abuses. Kashmir is losing the most productive age group to drugs, with manifold repercussions on social and occupational function, affecting both society and economy. Mudasir from SDRF demonstrated about fire fighting and utilization of ropes in rescuing the survivors during disasters. Scrapping of 66A of IT Act Kashmiri Youth hails decision Srinagar, March 24, CNS: Youth in Kashmir Tuesday hailed the landmark verdict of Supreme Court of India to struck down the 66A of Inofrmation Technology Act that had empowered police to arrest any person for posting an 'objectionable' text or liking any 'objectionable' post on social networking sites like twitter, facebook, whatsapp or other similar sites. In the wake of numerous complaints of harassment and arrests all across India and particularly in Kashmir Valley due to the presence of 66A, the Supreme Court said public's right to know is directly affected by Section 66A of Information Technology Act. SRINAGAR, MARCH 24: A police -public meeting was held today at Peerzoo Island, Srinagar where people from adjoining areas interacted with the police officials. The meeting was convened by police station Kothibagh. Inspector Ghulam Mohi-d-Din and Second Officer police station Kothibagh interacted with the public regarding day to day issues of the area. The participants demanded rectification of drainage system, street lights, repairing of embankments of river Jhelum, renovation of damaged culvert and macadamisation of road approaching to Peerzoo. They also demanded a separate ration store for the area. they also demanded that police patrolling in the area should be increased. Officers assured the participants that patrolling in the area will increased to curb anti-social elements and their other demands will be conveyed to requisite quarters. The locals of the area reiterated that such police-public interactions should be held more often to increase the cooperation between the police and the public. Two drug peddlers arrested SRINAGAR, MARCH 24: Srinagar Police arrested two drug traffickers and recovered three Kgs of Heroine worth crores from their possession. Acting on a specific information, a police party of police party of police station Rajbagh established a Naka near footbridge near SPS museum. During the Naka two drug traffickers were apprehended and on their search police recovered three kgs of Heroine worth crores from them. The arrested peddlers were identified as Mohammad Sabir Barwal and Alam u din Paswal residents of Jabra, Uri. Both the accused have been taken into custody and are being questioned. Rajbagh police has registered a case FIR No 16/2015 under section 8/22 NDPS Act and investigation has been taken up. OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, RAVI CANAL CONSTRUCTION LOWER DIVISION HIRANAGAR. SHORT NOTICE INVITING TENDER NO: 15 OF 2014-15 DATED: 23.03.2015 For and on behalf of the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir State, the Executive Engineer Ravi Canal Lower Division Hiranagar as a representative of the Government hereby invites sealed tenders valid for 90 days affixed with revenue stamps of Rs. 6/- (six) for the below noted works through Regd. Post/speed Post/Courier service from the approved eligible PWD contractors of Jammu and Kashmir State only of the Classes shown against the work. The tenders should reach in the office of the Executive Engineer RCC Lower Division Hiranagar on or before 11.04.2015 upto 2.00 p.m which shall be opened on the same day or any other day convenient to the tender opening authority in the presence of the tenderers who may like to be present at the time of opening of tenders. In case the date of receipt/opening of tenders is declared holiday on any account, the date of receipt/opening of tenders shall automatically be the next working day. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------S. Name of work Appx. Amt. E/Money Time of Class of No. (In Lacs) (In Rs,) Completion Contractor --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------1. Construction of foot bridge/Tractor Crossing 1.30 2600/30 days DEE at RD: 1927M of D-10 of MRC --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------2. Construction of culvert on Hiranagar 1.07 2140/30 days DEE Disty. Near RD: 400M --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3. Construction of Tractor Crossing/ 0.45 900/30 days DEE of Badual Minor at RD: 1300M --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The tender documents shall be issued from the office of the U/signed w.e.from 07.04. 2015 to 09.04.2015 to during office hours on payment of Rs. 200/- (Non-refundable) for the works in shape of Bank draft/GR on production of Registration Card duly renewed for the current year. OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATIONS: MH-4701 - Plan Position of Funds: Demanded Position of AA/TS: Under Process TERMS AND CONDITIONS: 1. All printed conditions enclosed with the tender/tender documents as well as PWD Form-25 shall be binding upon the contractor/tenderer. 2. Rate should be quoted both in words as well as figures in legible writing without any over writing/cutting by the tenderer. 3. The Cement shall be issued to the contractor against indents on cash payment on Rs 425/- bags as per availability in the divisional store. In case cement in not availavble in the divisional store, the contractor has to purchase from the market as per prescribed specification i.e. ACC, Ambuja, Ultra Tech, Shri Ultra & Birla Plus confirming to latest ISI Specifications Manufactured by the major plants only from the authorised dealers at their own cost. The cost of steel shall be recovered from the payment of the contractor @ Rs. 6500/- per. Qtl. 4. The tender documents shall be received in three envelops. Envelop-I shall contain the attested copies of Card, PAN Card, Sale Tax Clearance Certificate and CDR/FDR of the regd. Amount. Envelop-IInd shall contain the tender bid on the precribed tender form and Envelop - IIIrd shall contain Envelop-I & IInd. The name of the contractor, name of the work shall be written on the envelop IIIrd. Envelop IInd shall be opened of those contractors who qualified. 5. The contractor will provide cubes/modules of 15x15x15cm during the execution of the work which are required for casting of cubes for C. Cone. being used by the contractor on the work by concerned AEE/JE and get them tested to know seven days and twenty eight days test from the Designs inspections and Quality Control Department (J&K) Jammy to ascertain the quality of cement concrete. The expenditure for testing of cubes shall be borne by the contractor. Satisfactory results are mandatory for making the payment to the contractor. 6. Service Tax/Sales Tax/Labour Cess/Income Tax:- shall be deducted from the contractor bill on grass amount on existing rates of Govt. issued from time to time. Signed for and on behalf of the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir State. Sd/Executive Engineer, DIP/J-8776. RCC Lower Division, Dated: 24.3.2015. Hiranagar. J&K STATE POWER DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, OFFICE OF THE EXECUTIVE ENGINEER, ELECTRIC PROJECT DIVISION PDC, JAMMU. (email id: [email protected] Ph/Fax: 01912570321) SHORT TERM TENDER NOTICE NIT No. EPD/PDC/J/01 02, 03 & 04 of 2015. Dated: 23.03.2015. For and on behalf of the Managing Director JKSPDC, Sealed tenders valid for 180 days, affixed with revenue stamps worth Rs. 5.00 from approved, registered, reputed dealers/Suppliers/Workshop Holders/SSI Unit Holders/Electrical contractors, (whose registration certificates/enlistment certificates are valid for the current financial year and are possessing from state sales tax department to the effect that the contractor is registered with the said department and has cleared all the dues upto last quarter) are hereby invited for the below mentioned works for 3X3 MW Sewa-III HEP Mashka (Basohli) J&K. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------NIT Nos. Names & Scope of Work Cost of Tender Earnest Money Document ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------01 of 2015 Repairs/Maintenance of Hoisting structures of various gates Rs. 200/2% of quoted cost at head works, fore bay, tailrace, draft tube and de-silting gates besides Repair/maintenance of (02 Nos) 1200 mm dia & 150mm dia (3 Nos) C.I sluice valve of distilling chamber and forebay along with allied works at Sewa-III HEP. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------02 of 2015 Repairs/Maintenance of Electrical structures/ panels of various Rs. 200/2% of quoted cost gates at head works, forebay, tailrace, draft tube and de-silting gates besides Repair to illumination system of various Mechanical installations at head works with alied works at Sewa III HEP. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------03 of 2015 Replacement/repairs and fixing of rubber seals & damaged Rs. 200/2% of quoted cost guide channel of various gates at Head works, forebay and tailrace with their alied works at Sewa III HEP. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------04 of 2015 Preventive maintenance by applying cadmium compound, Rs. 200/2% of quoted cost greasing and oiling to steel rope, pulleys and hoist drums, track rollers & gate transmission system at head works and fore bay with their allied works at Sewa- III HEP. (As per maintainance schedule) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------The detailed tender documents for the above NIT’s along with terms and conditions can be had from the office of the Executive Engineer Electric Project Division Jammu on all working days w.e.f. 23.03.2015 to 02.04.2015 upto 4:00 PM during office hours against Nonrefundable/Non-transferable cash payment as referred above in column for cost of tender document. The tenders complete in all respects should reach to the office of the undersigned on or before 04.04.2015 upto 4:00 PM in sealed envelopes through registered post or by hand. In case the date of receipt of tenders happens to be a holiday or the office remains closed due to some unavoidable circumstances, then the tenders shall be received on the very next day following such a holiday. Position of Funds: Demanded Position of AA: Accorded Sd/Executive Engineer, DIP/J-2018P Electric Project Division, Dated: 24.3.2015. PDC Jammu. The NORTHLINES LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY www.thenorthlines.com Assembly-2015 Budget local requirement specific: Drabu 3-phase rehab plan of flood victims from 1st April JAMMU MARCH 24 - While winding up the Budget Speech discussion in the Legislative Assembly, the Finance Minister, Dr. Haseeb Drabu has said that the budget presented by the government has been formulated for the specific local requirements and would ensure that the benefits percolate to every section of the society. The Minister said that budget has been formulated in such a manner so that it provides succour to not only the people, but also benefits entrepreneurs businessmen practising various trades in the State. "Care has been taken to make it comprehensive, by exploring the possibilities of putting back the sagging economy of the State on the trails and also catalyzing the business environment in the State which has witnessed a slump postfloods", he added. Referring to the proposed out sourcing of the Lakhanpur Toll Post, the Minister said that by privatising it we would be getting the additional revenues besides checking the menace of corruption. He said the business community has also been pressing for the same and it would go a long way in catalyzing the business related activities in the State. Responding to the demands of legislators for increasing the CD Fund, the Minister said that a mechanism would be framed in future, for equitable development of every constituency, which would be based on the requisite para meters of area, population, accessibility and efficiency. "We will see that a scheme is framed where area, population and efficiency in the constituency is given due consideration for releasing additional funds besides the normal CD Fund", he added. The Minister also announced for taking the necessary steps for upgrading the exiting press club in Jammu besides establishing another one in the Summer Capital, Srinagar. Budget discussion in LA JAMMU MARCH 24 - Continuing the discussion on the budget in Legislative Assembly on the second day, Davinder Singh Rana said that budget proposals are mere imagination of figures and nothing concrete has been set to improve the financial health of the State. He pointed out several flaws in the budget proposals and suggested several new initiatives for improving the overall economy of the State. He also stressed the need for a comprehensive tourism policy based on new ideas and exploring new potential areas. He said Government should facilitate Mata Vaishno Devi pilgrims to Kashmir valley by providing them attractive and logistical facilities. He also urged the Government to give focused attention on the social sector to address the problems of poor and destitute. He said the Finance Minister should have mentioned the measures that would be put in place to built resources for tackling swine flu like infections across both the rural and the urban areas. He said Government should also enhance the financial assistance to the elderly, women and other down trodden sections of the society under its various social welfare schemes. He also questioned the Government proposal for privatization of toll plaza besides asking the Government to take pro-farmer measures and to take care of casual labourers. Sat Paul Sharma thanked the Finance Minister and said that budget presented by the Minister is people friendly. He said assistance to Kissan Credit Card holders is a good step but he suggested that the provision for relaxation of Rs. one lakh may be enhanced. Rajiv Jasrotia described the budget as a roadmap for reviving the State's economy. Dy CM reviews infrastructural damages, restoration works DODA, MARCH 24Deputy Chief Minister, Dr. Nirmal Kumar Singh accompanied by Minister for CA&PD and Tribal Affairs, Ch. Zulfkar Ali, Minister of State for PWD (R&B) and Revenue Sunil Kumar Sharma, MLA Doda Shakti Raj and MLA Bhaderwah Daleep Kumar today visited Doda District and reviewed the status of damages caused to infrastructure, life and property due to recent torrential rains and snow fall in the region. Deputy Commissioner Doda Bhupinder Kumar presented sector wise details of damages to private property, roads, power infrastructure, water supply schemes, irrigation canals etc and apprised the Ministers that under R&B Sector the total damages to the public utilities are approximately Rs. 8 crores. Similarly PMGSY roads suffered total damages of approximately Rs. 5 crore. Damages in Power Sector , Public Health Engineering and RDD was also apprised to the Ministers by the Deputy Commissioner. Minster for CA&PD and Tribal Affairs Ch. Zulfkar Ali directed the Deputy Commissioner to constitute a committee comprising of Tehsildar SHO and Officers from CA&PD for monitoring the proper distribution of essential commodities through CA&PD in the District. He also stressed on expediting the ongoing restoration work of Batote -Doda National Highway, to ensure timely transportation of essential commodities. Earlier, the Ministers also visited Bhalessa area of Doda District and took stock of essential commodities and reviewed on ground damages to public utilities in the area. SSP Doda Z.N Manhas, ADC Doda Imam Din, ACR Doda Vaibhav Kohli, among other District officers and officers from Engineering Departments also attended the meeting in Doda. He said Finance Minister has made serious exercise to address the needs of all stakeholders. He demanded that Kathua be developed as Smart City being gateway of Jammu and Kashmir. He also demanded AIIMS for Jammu and steps for the development of Kathua. R. S. Pathania while supporting the budget, said the Government has taken several visionary initiatives for the welfare of people, especially the women folk. He stressed the need for development of Surinsar and Mansar lakes and more funds for Surinsar-Mansar Development Authority. He also demanded more privileges for the MLAs. Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi while taking part in budget discussion said that the employees working in the border and farflung areas should be given Border allowances as was given during the period of Sheri-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. He said there are 45 posts of Doctors vacant in Gurez which need to be filled up on priority. Raja Manzoor Ahmad described the budget as people friendly and hoped that the State's economy would grow faster with the visionary measures proposed by the Finance Minister. He suggested for promoting Sarhad tourism in his constituency. Mumtaz Ahmad Khan also appreciated some good measures in the budget and said that these steps will provide relief to the common man upto some extent. He, however, maintained that there are no sufficient provisions for the development of rural areas under important sectors and sought adequate funding to improve the conditions of rural people. He also suggested exploring the tourism potential in his area. Embezzlement in construction of School buildings under SSA JAMMU , MAR 25--The Director School Education ,Jammu suspended ZEO Thatri and directed Chief Education Ofiicer Doda to immediately registered FIR in SSA Embezzlement case within three days at PS Thatri against ZEO in charge and also attach him in his office for further cations .Some days back the inquiry committee constituted by Chief Education Officer Doda Ajeet Kumar Sharma to probe the embezzlement and flouting of norms by Zonal Education Officer Thathri into the construction of School Building under centrally sponsored scheme Sarva Shiksha Abiyan (SSA) has indicted ZEO Thathri guilty of embezzlement amounting to over 60 lakhs.The issue came to fore few weeks ago after concerned headmasters and departmental officials brought the matter into the notice of CEO Doda that the said ZEO without taking the signatures of headmasters of various schools including Upper Primary School Jagote, Bhella, Ghoroo, Middle School Tipri, Phigsoo, Primary School Bhendoga and other schools had withdrawn the bills. On the basis of complaints, CEO Doda on 20th February 2015 constituted five member committee comprising Nek Ram, Principal H S S Chiralla, Abdul Latief Butt Principal H S S Jatheli ,Parshotam Lal Principal H S S Dessa, Mushtaq Ahmed Junior Engineer and K D shah Auditor SSA , who after conducting an inquiry submitted its report to CEO Doda wherein the enquiry committee found that ZEO Thathri Fareed Ahmed Fani had withdrawn Rs 12 lakhs illegally on account of under construction school buildings , beside withdrawn Rs 8 lakhs cash illegally on account of SSA teachers training, while cash should be deposited into the accounts of trainee teachers through bank invoices. enhance than not a single percent will be waived off. Warning against outsourcing of Lakhanpur Toll Plaza, Saroori said Government should keep Article 370 in view while outsourcing the Toll Plaza. Saroori appreciated the proposed incentives of Rs 150 crores under Horticulture sector but he suggested for subsidy on Agriculture implements as well. On high density plants he said that that these plants were started few years ago but how the production will be enhanced by this Government is a big question?. Saroori further suggested for enhancement of funds under Constituency Development Fund (CDF) from Rs.1.50 Cr to 3.00 Cr and ration to be given to the masses in accordance with the population figures of 2011 besides issuing of Ration card of 2011 census in a time frame manner. He has also urged government to sanction two more Tourism development authorities one for Inderwal Chatroo and another one for Bhalessa Doda. JAMMU, MARCH 24: Aircel, one of India's leading, data-led telecom service providers, launched 'My First Internet' service that promises to be the perfect guide to mobile internet adoption and usage for new customers. The servicehas been introduced in line with the company's commitment to offer maximum convenience to customers in the simplest way, and to fuel the growth of mobile internet in India. 'My First Internet', accessed using a short code *121*0#,opens up to be a single platform for Aircel customers, guiding them to choose the most-suitable internet plan. It also helps them identify a host of other things one can do or access using Aircel internet. It suggests high-rated free applications forall kinds of smartphones, as well as helps customers save internet settings. Besides, it also provides access to relevant 'Frequently Asked Questions', educating them about internet usage and doing so on the Aircel network that offers seamless internet connectivity at the most affordable prices. The service is being promoted through various avenues across the country, including SMS, selling points/retail outlets, social media, Aircel App and call centers portals. Police takes cognizance of Kanpur incident People demand safety, security of students SRINAGAR, MARCH 24, CNS: Police Tuesday said that it has forwarded the complaint to Director and CVO Vigilance that was lodged by Kashmiri students about the manhandling incident in the college at Kanpur on Monday. "We have already issued helpline numbers for the Kashmiri students studying outside Jammu and Kashmir. We received a call from Maharana Pratap group of institutions, Kanpur and the students claimed that they were manhandled by the local students there. We soon after receiving the call, forwarded their complaint to Director CVO Vigilance New Delhi Dr R.S Rathore. He will pursue the case and will take up the issue with the college authorities," a police official told CNS adding that to ensure the safety of the Kashmiri students studying outside the state is the priority of the police and civil administration. Meanwhile, the students and parents staged a protest in Press Enclave against the manhandling of Kashmiri students studying at Maharana Pratap group of institutions, Kanpur. The parents and students accompanied by JKLF leader Javid Ahmed Mir threatened to organize demonstrations all across Kashmir in case government fails to ensure the safety and security of the students studying outside state. JAMMU, MARCH 24: Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar asked the teaching fraternity to imbibe quality education along with moral values to the students for their bright future. The Minister said this while interacting with the teaching staff of Shri Ranbir Singh Higher Secondary School (SRHSS) here this evening. Minister of State for Education, Priya Sethi was also present on the occasion. The Minister said being the oldest school of the State established in 1872, this prestigious school of Jammu has produced number of leaders IAS/IPS officers, famous Doctors and Engineers. Naeem said that this school would be developed as a model school by providing modern RKJ orgsanises cultural program JAMMU, MARCH 24: Music, Dance, Rhythm, Costumes, Colour, Energy, Enthusiasm all was on display and in plenty as Radio Kashmir Jammu today unfolded a package of Folk Music and dances of five states for its audience at Police Auditorium, Gulshan Ground, Jammu. The evening started with the traditional lighting of the lamp by the DDG Engineering Sh.K.K.Singh, Station Director Radio Kashmir Jammu, M r. V. K . S a m b y a l , Commissioner Jammu Municipal Corporation Sh.Saujanya Sharma, Addl.Sec.J&K Academy of Art , Culture and Languages Sh.Arvinder Aman. Music and Dance parties from Sikkim, Assam, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Host State Jammu and Kashmir enthralled a jam packed Police Auditorium in the Folk Music Festival of Radio Kashmir Jammu. It was sheer riot of drum beats and graceful dance moves along with Folk music of Assam when Guru Nila Kontha and party from AIR Guwahati presented Bihu Dance. This joyous dance is performed by both young men and women, and is characterized by brisk dance steps, and rapid hand movement. Dancers wear traditionally colorful Assamese clothing. Though the origins of the Bihu dance is unknown, the first official endorsement is cited to be when Ahom king Rudra Singha invited Bihu dancers to perform at the Ranghar fields sometime around 1694 on the occasion of Rongali Bihu. The Bihu is a group dance in which males and females dance together but maintain different gender roles. In general, females follow stricter line or circle formations. The male dancers and musicians enter the dancing area first, and they maintain their lines and follow synchronized patterns. When the female dancers enter later the male dancers break up their lines to mingle with the female dancers, who maintain their stricter formations and order of the dance. The dance is usually characterized by definite postures; movements of the hips, arms, wrists; twirls, squats and bends but no jumps. Male and female dance movements are very similar, with only minor but subtle differences. Narain Rai led the party of AIR Gangtok with another stellar performance of Nepali dance. The group chose presented Maruni, Tamang Selo, Jeurum Silly. The graceful dance steps and mesmerising , mystical music casted a magical spell on all those presented in the auditorium. The audience left the auditorium with the vivid memories of an evening that surely is going to remain etched in their memories for a long time to come. The proceedings were superbly conducted by the famous voice of Radio Kashmir Jammu, Mr. Ravikant and the event was co ordinated by Programme executive, Music, Mr.Rajesh Gupta. Sharma called in at National Painters' Camp JAMMU, MAR 24: O P Sharma, well known painter and lens man of Jammu (J&K) participated in a national Painters' Camp at Shanti Niketan, Kolkata w.e.f. 13th March to 21st March, 2015. The camp was organized by Pegasus Foundation, Hyderabad (A.P.). Twenty five senior artists from all over the country participated in this camp. The following artists also participated in the campMssrs. V S Rahi, Surjit Akre and Chandana Bhatacharjee, N. Delhi; K S Gill, Dharminder Sharma and Mala Chawla, Amritsar; Romesh Bhosale and Shubdha Bhosale, Pune; Partho Roy, Sanjay Mazumdar, Dhiren Shashmal, Rajeev Roy, Subroto Ghosh and Ashish Bhatacharjee, W. Bengal; Dr. Mamta Singh and rita Tiwari, Dehradun; Chandana Khan and Subash Babu, Hyderabad; Jyoti Singh, Pooja Sharma and Preeti Singh, Uttar Pradesh; Romika Bhasin and Shaya Dube, Bhopal. It may be reminded that O P Sharma has participated in many International and National Artists' Camps and exhibitions at different places in the country. He has held group shows at N.Dehi, Pune, Chandigarh, Amritsar, Jaipur, Hyderabad, Dehradun, Rohtak, 14 injured, 12 arrested SRINAGAR, MARCH 24, CNS: Police Tuesday flexed muscles on Temporary Teachers who were protesting in Srinagar demanding their continuation. At least 12 protesters including two females were injured after policemen resorted to lathi charge when the protesters tried to march towards city centre Lal Chowk. Reports said that all but 500 to 700 temporary teachers including females assembled at Pratap Park Srinagar and staged a massive protest there. The agitated teachers blamed previous government for compelling highly qualified youth to take to streets in Jammu and Srinagar. They threatened to launch an agitation if government fails to meet their demand of continuation."Around 8,000 teachers were engaged by the department of education in 2014 on merit basis, but their services were discontinued merely after a month. The Government violated its own Cabinet order and cheated us," a protesting teacher told CNS. JAMMU | WEDNESDAY | MARCH 25 | 2015 Aircel Launches 'My SRHSS to be developed as First Internet' service model institution: Naeem Saroori takes part in Budget Police flex muscles on discussion protesting teachers JAMMU, MARCH 24: Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) from Inderwal, G. M. Saroori took part in general budget discussion for the year 205-16 and appreciated some of the good initiatives in the budget proposal. On assistance to Kissan Credit Card holders, Saroori said if the intention of the government is to help farmers, the relaxation of one lakhs needs to be enhanced minimum upto Rs. 4 lakh, if government won't relax the conditions imposed or wont 9 The protesters were stopped by police when they tried to march towards Clock Tower Lal Chowk. When they continued to protest, the police personnel thrashed them with sticks leaving scores of protesters injured. Two female protesters were also injured. Police also arrested 16 protesters and lodged them in police station Kothi Bagh. Criticizing the police action, Temporary Teachers Association said that it is irony that peaceful protesters are treated like cattle and are being roughed up for a just cause. UN resolutions entitle JK people as main stakeholders: Shabir SRINAGAR, MARCH 24, CNS: Expressing satisfaction over the statement of Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain on Pakistan National Day regarding Kashmir issue, the Democratic Freedom Party (DFP) chairman Shabir Ahmad Shah said the role of Pakistan vis-à-vis the justifiable resolution of Kashmir issue is appreciating and noteworthy and Pakistan's political and diplomatic support to people of Jammu Kashmir is a valuable asset. In a statement issued to press on Tuesday, Shah reiterated that UN resolutions or tripartite dialogue is the only solution to the Kashmir dispute. Commenting on the role played by UN, European Union, US, China and other world powers with regards to self-determination of countries like South Sudan and East Timur, Shah said the same role (third party role) is expected from these bodies by the people of Jammu Kashmir who demand their right of self-determination. Commenting on Dr Abdul Ahad Guru, Shah said despite being the renowned doctor, he had great attachment with the freedom movement and sacrificed his life in this way. Shabir Ahmad Shah said Kashmiris have rendered more than 6 lakh lives and its people cannot be suppressed by the tyranny of Indian forces. "The freedom is our destiny and we'll have it at any cost." Haridwar and Jammu etc. He has conducted many National level art camps and events as Convener. O. P.Sharma has been awarded by Lalit Kala Academy, N. Delhi; Indian Academy of Fine Arts, Amritsar (once for Painting and once for Photography) and Camlin All India Award. He is working as Director, Jammu & Kashmir Centre for Creative Arts (JKCCA), Jammu and has the experience of working as Exhibition officer and Deputy Secretary (Culture), J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages, Jammu, and Public Relations Officer in the J&K Legislative Council. infrastructure besides innovative laboratories. He said computer lab of the school would be also upgraded besides library would be provided knowledgeable books on different topics for the students. The Minister said that the Government is expending huge amount on the education sector for providing quality education to the students adding that it is responsibility of the teaching community to pay special heed on the teaching of the students for achieving quality results in government educational institutions. Director School Education, Jammu S. Simrandeep Singh was accompanied by the Minister during the visit. The Principal of School, J. S Manhas gave detailed resume of the working of the school. Legislators call on Transport Minister JAMMU, MARCH 24Minister of State for Transport, Rural Development and Horticulture, Abdul Ghani Kohli today met MLA Jammu East Rajesh Gupta, MLA Jammu West Sat Sharma and MLC Charanjeet Singh Khalsa and discussed the issues related to traffic management at B.C. Road . The Minister informed that a meeting in this regard was convened with the officers of transport department and other stakeholders for early shifting of idle buses from Bus Stand B. C. Road Jammu. He said that for streamlining the traffic in the area it is important to shift the idle buses from the Bus Stand to ISBT. Kohli said that the buses are allowed to carry the passengers from the General Bus Stand and stay there for a limited period. Centre of Excellence set up in Jaipur SRINAGAR, MARCH 24, CNS: Wadhwani Centre of Excellence for Innovation has been set up at VIT Campus, Jaipur in partnership with National Entrepreneurship Network (NEN) and Wadhwani Foundation to promote entrepreneurship and innovations among students of several dozen management and engineering schools located in various parts of Rajasthan. Media head VIT Campus Jaipur, Dhanesh Verma said that the MoU was signed by Shashi Shimala, Executive VP, NEN Wadhwani Foundation, and Er. Gaurav Bagaria, Director, VIT Campus in gracious presence of Atma Ram Ji, Chairman, ARG, Ajay Data, MD, Data Infosys Ltd, Preeti Singh, Network Manager (ICB), NEN and many more. CoE at VIT Campus will help bring the much needed ecosystem of Mentors, Angel Investors, Venture Capitalists and Support Services needed by budding entrepreneurs to test ideas, tweak business plans. Assembly-2015 Govt proposes law to eradicate sale of spurious pesticides: Veeri JAMMU, MARCH 24, CNS: Sharing concern of the Members about alleged sale of spurious pesticides, the Minister for Horticulture, Haj and Auqaf, A. R. Veeri today announced that Government shall enact a stringent law to check this menace in the interest of the world reputed Horticulture Industry. He said, he has directed that both the Agriculture Universities of the State to prescribe scientifically proven standard pesticides and fungicides to the fruit growers and farmers well in advance of the spray season so that they are not fleeced by the unscrupulous pesticide traders. Replying to the supplementaries to the main question by Advocate Bashir Ahmed Dar in Legislative Assembly today, the Minister said that horticulture industry has given sustenance to the livelihood of the people of the state in most difficult of times and nobody will be allowed to destroy this vital sector of state's economy. The Minister said that to enhance the KCC Loan, the matter would be taken up with the Finance Ministry, adding that 50% KCC loans upto Rs. one lakh have been exempted by the Government. He said Government is committed to initiate all necessary measures for the benefit of Fruit growers. He said focussed attention would be given to develop Fruit Markets in the districts adding that Fruit Mandi Sopore would be upgraded and necessary infrastructure shall be ensured at the Mandi to facilitate the fruit growers and traders of the area. He said efforts would be also made to complete the development of Fruit Mandi Zazan-Ganderbal. Legislators, Mohammad Khalil Bandh, Sheikh Ishfaq Jabaar, Zahoor Ahmed Mir, Altaf Ahmed Wani, Mohammad Yousuf Bhat, Shah Mohammad Tantray, Yawar Dilawar Mir and M. Y. Tarigami raised the supplementaries to the main question. The NORTHLINES BUSINESS 10 www.thenorthlines.com JAMMU | WEDNESDAY | MARCH 25 | 2015 Sun Pharma gets RBI nod for transfer of Ranbaxy overseas investments AGENCIES NEW DELHI, MARCH 24 Sun Pharmaceutical Industries has received RBI nod for transfer of overseas investments of Ranbaxy to it and issue its shares to the nonresident shareholders of the latter as part of their USD 4billion merger deal. In a filing to the BSE, Ranbaxy Laboratories said Reserve Bank of India on Monday gave approval for transfer of overseas investments held by Ranbaxy in its joint venture and wholly owned subsidiaries to Sun Pharma, pursuant to the proposed merger of Ranbaxy with Sun Pharma through a Scheme of Arrangement. The central bank also approved issue of equity shares of Sun Pharma to the non-resident holders of equity shares of Ranbaxy Laboratories, the filing added. The two firms have received nod from the Competition Commission for sale of seven brands to Emcure Pharma to comply with the fair trade watchdog's conditional nod for their merger. In an order issued yesterday, CCI approved the deal with Emcure, which would purchase the 'divestment products' that were ordered to be sold in an earlier direction issued in December last by the Gold dips after four-day rally but holds near two-week high AGENCIES SINGAPORE, MARCH 24 Gold gave back some gains from a four-day rally on Tuesday but the metal was still near a two-week high touched earlier as expectations grew that a hike in U.S. interest rates could be pushed to September. Spot gold dipped slightly to $1,186.26 an ounce by 0300 GMT. The metal had climbed to $1,191.50 on Monday, its highest since March 6, as it rose for a fourth straight day. Investors favoured bullion over the last few days as the dollar slumped after the Federal Reserve sounded cautious last week on the U.S. economy and the pace of its rate-hike path. Gold, a non-interest paying asset, had been trending downwards before the rally on expectations of a near-term rate increase. Consensus expectations for a bump in U.S. interest rates has shifted, with most of Wall Street`s top banks now looking for the central bank to hold off until at least September, rather than making a move in June, a Reuters poll showed. "We suspect that gold will very much be influenced on what the dollar will do over the short term," said INTL FCStone analyst Edward Meir. With the dollar sell-off likely to continue for a few more days, gold should enjoy additional support, Meir said. A weaker dollar makes the metal cheaper for holders of other currencies and typically increases its appeal as a hedge. Still, some analysts warned that gold prices could face resistance on the way up. "The gold rally looks intact and we believe the market is firm, but it is close to running into upside resistance at $1,200, a clear psychological level," said HSBC analyst James Steel. Comments by Fed officials on Monday appeared to fall in line with the U.S. central bank`s policy statement last week that suggested a less aggressive timetable for hiking interest rates. Competition Commission of India (CCI). These seven brands were at the core of the CCI's contention that the merger between Sun Pharmaceutical Industries and Ranbaxy Laboratories was 'prima-facie' in violation of competition laws and therefore the regulator had ordered divestment of those products under its 'conditional' approval to the deal. Despite sale of these products, the merger would create India's largest and the world's fifth largest drugmaker. In December, CCI had directed Sun Pharma to divest all products containing 'Tamsulosin + Tolterodine' which are marketed and supplied under the Tamlet brand name. Similarly, Ranbaxy was directed to divest all products containing Leuprorelin which are marketed and supplied under the Eligard brand name. It also had to divest products such as Terlibax, Rosuvas EZ, Olanex F, Raciper L and Triolvance. Restrictions on online train ticket booking AGENCIES NEW DELHI, MARCH 24 Now only one train ticket can be booked online with one log-in after which the booking session will expire during the peak hours, as per the curbs put by the railways to check the menace of touts. However, this restriction will not be applicable while booking onward journey/return journey e-tickets. The restriction will not be applied on defence booking under warrant. "There will be a restriction of only one booking in one user login session in E-ticketing and forced logging out of the user before another booking for all users including IRCTC agents," said a Railway Ministry statement. The restriction will be applicable while booking of e-ticket between 0800 hours and 1200 hours. The restriction has been imposed to prevent touts from cornering tickets through single user logging facility. MF exposure to bank stocks hits a high of Rs 78,000 crore in Feb AGENCIES NEW DELHI, MARCH 24 Continuing their bullish stance on banking stocks, mutual fund managers raised exposure to the sector to a historic high of nearly Rs 78,000 crore in February. In comparison, the investment in banking stocks was at Rs 32,225 crore in February 2014. Mutual Funds (MFs) collect money from various investors for investing in securities, including stocks and bonds. MF investments in banking stocks stood at Rs 77,805 crore as of February 2015, accounting for 21.32 per cent of their total equity assets under management (AUM) of Rs 3.65 lakh crore, according to data available with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi). This also marks the fifth consecutive rise in MF industry's exposure to banking stocks. The previous high was in January this year when investment in the sector stood at Rs 76,061 crore. MFs have been increasing their exposure to banking shares since January last year but their investment level in the sector dropped in September 2014. The industry again increased the exposure in October and the momentum continued till February 2015. Software was the second most preferred sector last month with an exposure of Rs 38,514 crore, followed by pharmaceutical (Rs 23,980 crore), automobiles (24,074 crore) and finance (Rs 23,080 crore). According to market participants, the ongoing rally might see mutual fund assets getting diversified. India to grow at 7.8% in 2015-16; surpass China: ADB AGENCIES NEW DELHI, MARCH 24 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Tuesday projected India's growth rate to surpass China and improve to 7.8 percent in next fiscal and further to 8.2 percent in 201617. India's growth and investor confidence will improve on the back of government's structural reform agenda and improved external demand, the Asian Development Outlook (ADO), an annual publication of the ADB, said. It forecast that India's growth will improve from 7.4 percent in current fiscal to 7.8 percent in 2015-16 and further to 8.2 percent in 2016-17. As regards China, the ADB projected the economic growth to decelerate from 7.4 percent in current fiscal to 7.2 percent next fiscal and 7 percent in 2016-17. "India is expected to grow faster than the People?s Republic of China in the next few years. The government?s pro-investment attitude, improvements in the fiscal and current account deficits, and some forward movement on resolving structural bottlenecks have helped improve the business climate and make India attractive again to both domestic and foreign investors," ADB Chief Economist Shang-Jin Wei said. He, however, cautioned that although the economic prospects look promising, "there are still many challenges". ADB's estimates is, however, lower than the 8-8.5 percent growth estimates of Indian government for the 2015-16 fiscal beginning April. It is better than 7.5 percent projection by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The ADB said that strong growth outlook is contingent on further acceleration in investment activity. "The prospects look promising". It said the measures undertaken by the government including accelerating environment clearances for infrastructure projects, easing the process of land acquisition for infrastructure and industrial corridors, allowing auction of coal mines to the private sector, and easing the compliance burden of labour laws on small? and medium-sized industries would help boost growth. The ADB said that India's most pressing policy challenges is to promote cities as engines of economic growth and jobs. "To fully reap the benefits of urbanisation, the government must make further efforts to coordinate urban and industry planning to attract industries into cities, and provide the necessary supporting infrastructure," it said. Praising the India's 'Make In India' campaign to boost domestic manufacturing, Shang said "Indian government's programme is even more striking (in comparison to China)". As regards external sector, he said that the Indian government and the RBI have been trying to build up reserves and frame policies to monitor risk. "India is in stronger position today than what it used to be. Government is making effort to increase FDI to deal with financial instability," Shang said. As regards the new monetary policy framework, under which the RBI's primary objective would be to maintain price stability while remaining mindful of growth, the ADB said it would help in restraining inflation and improve the coordination between monetary and fiscal policy. TechM, HCL eye $350m Centre allocates 17 mega food parks to states, private firms stake in Geometric AGENCIES NEW DELHI, MARCH 24 AGENCIES BANGALORE, MARCH 24 Geometric's principal shareholders — the Godrej family and CEO Manu Parpia — have mandated JM Financial to sell their 39% stake in the engineering solutions company, people directly familiar with the matter said. Ace investors Rakesh and Rekha Jhunjhunwala, who hold 19% stake in Geometric, are backing the move, kicking off a $350million, or Rs 2,000-crore, M&A deal in the Mumbai-listed company. Tech Mahindra, Capgemini, HCL Tech, GlobalLogic and L&T Infotech are among the potential suitors for the acquisition. JM Financial's Singapore office has started the sale process with a price over Rs 300 per share in mind, sources mentioned above added. Godrej holds 31.23% stake through Godrej & Boyce Manufacturing Company and Godrej Investments, while Manu Parpia and his family owns 7.23%, listing them as promoters. With the backing of the Jhunjhunwalas, the potential acquirer could mop up over 57% shares followed by a mandatory open offer to buy up to 26% from the public shareholders. Sebi rules limit promoter shareholding in listed companies to 75% unless the acquirer is keen on delisting the company. Geometric shares soared 10% in late Monday trading to Rs 191 in a falling Mumbai market. The exit of Godrej and Parpia has been long rumoured, but this is the first time they have initiated a formal process to offload shares. An emailed query to Geometric remained unanswered at the time of going to press. HCL Tech, L&T Infotech and Capgemini said they would not comment on market speculation. Tech Mahindra didn't respond to email queries. Geometric started as part of the Godrej Group in 1984 and was spun off into an independent company a decade later. The company's portfolio covers global engineering services, product lifecycle management solutions, embedded systems solutions and digital technology. It reported $181.4 million in revenue during last calendar and employs 4,400 people across 12 global delivery locations in the US, France, Germany, Romania and China apart from India. Strategic suitors like Tech Mahindra are likely to be aggressive bidders for this asset, while a few private equity investors are also in the fray. GlobalLogic, owned by private equity investor Apax Partners, has looked at the transaction. Sources said Tata Technologies, a unit of Tata Motors, was also approached on the deal, but the company said there was no truth about it being interested. The Centre on Tuesday allocated the development of 17 mega food parks across the country to state governments and private firms, including Adani Ports & SEZ, envisaging an investment of over Rs 6,000 crore. A mega food park provides various facilities to food processors, farmers, retailers and exporters, helping achieve faster growth of food processing industries. The project cost to set up these 17 mega food parks would be Rs 2,030 crore, of which the central grant would be Rs 850 crore. An estimated investment of another Rs 4,000 crore would be from food processing units to be set up in these parks. "The ministry received 72 proposals both from state governments and private players for the 17 food parks. 7 mega food parks have been allocated to state governments and 10 to private players," food processing minister Harismrat Sistema keen on spectrum sharing, trading; awaits guidelines AGENCIES NEW DELHI, MARCH 24 Sistema Shyam Teleservices, which is not participating in the ongoing spectrum auction, is now awaiting sharing and trading guidelines for airwaves for its business expansion. The company expects negotiations and partnerships on spectrum sharing and trading guidelines to begin once the government announces guidelines in this regard. "In circles where we operate a good high speed LTE (4G), services cannot be rolled out without partnership as there is no contiguous block of spectrum available," Sistema Shyam Teleservices (SSTL) Chief Executive Officer Dmitry Shukov said here on Tuesday. He was speaking on the sidelines of company's financial results announcement. The company uses 800 Mhz, known as CDMA spectrum, to provide mobile services, but skipped the auction as it felt the base price fixed for the airwaves is too high. The base price for 3G services per megahertz pan India is Rs 3,705 crore. The scarce CDMA spectrum has seen a huge demand in the ongoing auction and about over two-fold jump in the base price in some areas. "It is positive for us. Now owner of spectrum will look for partnership to get quick return on investment that he is making. More companies bidding for 800 Mhz spectrum band is good for us. They will join us in developing an eco-system which we were driving alone earlier," Shukov said. Govt to allot coal mines to PSUs today AGENCIES NEW DELHI, MARCH 24 After two rounds of auctioning of coal blocks for private companies, the government will on Tuesday allot mines to central and state PSUs. "Allotment of coal blocks to state entities to take place today," Coal Secretary Anil Swarup tweeted. The Coal Ministry had earlier received 107 applications from public sector undertakings (PSUs) like NTPC Ltd, Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), Damodar Valley Corp (DVC) and Neyveli Lignite Corp (NLC) for allocation of 43 coal blocks. The Palma II mine in Chhattisgarh got nine applications, the highest for a single block. "The allotment process for 43 coal mines to government companies started on February 18...Maximum number of applications have been received for Gare Palma sector II coal mine," an official release said. The companies which had applied for Gare Palma II mine in Chhattisgarh include NTPC, Singareni Collieries Co Ltd, Andhra Pradesh Power Generation Corp and Gujarat State Electricity Corp. The government has already garnered over Rs 2 lakh crore by auctioning just 33 blocks, surpassing the Rs 1.86 lakh crore loss estimated earlier by government auditor CAG for allotment of mines without auction. The government is believed to have alloted the three cancelled coal blocks, for which JSPL and Balco had emerged as the highest bidders in the recently concluded auction, to state-owned miner CIL. Parliament last week approved Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Bill, 2015, which forms part of NDA government's reforms agenda, in the nick of time on the last day of the first half of Budget session and the ordinance on this were to lapse on April 5. Kaur Badal told reporters here. Under the scheme (2008-09) of mega food parks, the food processing ministry had sanctioned 42 projects throughout the country. Of these, 25 parks have already been allocated. "The total projected cost of these 17 mega food parks is estimated at Rs 2,030 crore, of which the government's contribution would be to the tune of Rs 850 crore. Another Rs 4,000 crore is estimated to be invested once the basic infrastructure of these food parks is set up," Badal said. She said basic infrastructure in these food parks needs to be set up within 30 months. In each mega food park, 40-50 food processing units would come up. Five state governments — Punjab, Haryana, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Odisha —have been allocated one food park each, while Kerala government has been allocated 2 food parks. Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone, Jain Agro Trading Company and Ruchi Acroni Industries are among 10 private players who have been allocated food parks by the Centre. In these mega food parks, 80,000 people are expected to get employment while 5 lakh farmers would also be benefitted. Badal further said only 2 per cent of total fruits, vegetables and grains produced in the country are processed. The Mega Food Park Scheme, based on cluster approach, is modelled on hub and spoke architecture. It aims at facilitating the establishment of a strong food processing industry backed by an efficient supply chain, which includes collection centres, central processing centre (CPC) and cold chain infrastructure. The scheme envisages one time capital grant of 50 per cent of the project cost (excluding land cost) subject to a maximum of Rs 50 crore in general areas, and 75 per cent of the project cost (excluding land cost) subject to a ceiling of Rs 50 crore in difficult and hilly areas, including the North-East and J&K. Cairn Energy seeks compensation from India on tax demand AGENCIES NEW DELHI, MARCH 24 Cairn Energy of UK is seeking compensation from the Government of India for the loss in value it suffered due to an "unfair and arbitrary" Rs 10,247 crore tax demand raised using a retrospective tax law. Using the UK-India Investment Treaty, the Edinburgh-based firm filed a formal dispute notice against the tax demand raised on an internal business reorganisation quickly resolve the dispute that is capital gains tax on transfer of its seven years ago and sought an impinging on its investment plans. India assets to a new company, Cairn said the imposition of Cairn India in 2006, was not only arbitration with the government to contrary to relevant legal standards but unjust because it was an internal transaction and no shares or assets were sold to any third party to make any capital gains. The internal reorganisation AGENCIES was fully disclosed to relevant NEW DELHI, MARCH 24 agencies and ministries including Continuing their bullish stance on banking stocks, mutual fund Income Tax Department in 2006managers raised exposure to the sector to a historic high of nearly 07, the company said adding it Rs 78,000 crore in February. In comparison, the investment in would not have undertaken the banking stocks was at Rs 32,225 crore in February 2014. Mutual internal reorganisation if it had Funds (MFs) collect money from various investors for investing in received any indication that its securities, including stocks and bonds. MF investments in banking purely internal transaction would stocks stood at Rs 77,805 crore as of February 2015, accounting be subject to capital gains tax. for 21.32 per cent of their total equity assets under management Prior to the previous UPA (AUM) of Rs 3.65 lakh crore, according to data available with the government bringing a new law in Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi). This also marks 2012 to tax share transfer the fifth consecutive rise in MF industry's exposure to banking retrospectively, foreign firms stocks. The previous high was in January this year when filing returns in their respective investment in the sector stood at Rs 76,061 crore. MFs have been jurisdictions - were not required to increasing their exposure to banking shares since January last year file tax returns in India. Cairn but their investment level in the sector dropped in September Energy, being based outside India, 2014. The industry again increased the exposure in October and too did not file returns. the momentum continued till February 2015. Software was the The tax demand breaches second most preferred sector last month with an exposure of Rs several of India's obligations 38,514 crore, followed by pharmaceutical (Rs 23,980 crore), under the UK-India Investment automobiles (24,074 crore) and finance (Rs 23,080 crore). Treaty including that of creating MF exposure to bank stocks hits a high of Rs 78,000cr in Feb favourable conditions and ensuring fair and equitable treatment and full protection and security of Cairn's investments by introducing unfair and arbitrary tax obligations, it said. Also, the attachment of Cairn Energy's 9.8 per cent share holding in Cairn India in the aftermath of the January 22, 2014 tax notice also breached the treaty obligations. Income Tax Department says Cairn Energy allegedly made a capital gain of Rs 24,503.50 crore in 2006 while transferring all its India assets to a new company, Cairn India, and getting it listed on the stock exchanges. Cairn Energy, which had in 2011 sold majority stake in its Indian unit to mining group Vedanta for USD 8.67 billion, still holds 9.8 per cent stake in Cairn India. The I-T Department, in January last year, barred it from selling this stake. In the Notice of Dispute filed under UK-India Investment Treaty, Cairn sought withdrawal of all notices, release of attached shares and payment of full compensation for any resulting damages sustained by it, including for the diminution in value of the attached shares (which have declined in value by hundreds of millions of US dollars since they were first attached). Cairn said it was encouraged by the new BJP government's public disapproval, including one by Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, of the retroactive taxation. The NORTHLINES SPORTS www.thenorthlines.com 11 JAMMU | WEDNESDAY | MARCH 25 | 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup 2015 More misery for South Africa as Kiwis advance to maiden final with 4-wicket win AGENCIES AUCKLAND, MARCH 24 South Africa-born Grant Elliott`s brilliant 84 not out, capped with a stunning six off the penultimate ball, saw New Zealand to a four-wicket win over the Proteas in a cliffhanger World Cup semifinal at Auckland`s Eden Park on Tuesday. Elliott`s winning six, off injured South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn, took New Zealand into the World Cup final for the first time and they will play the winner of Thursday`s second semi, between Australia and India in Sydney, in Sunday`s showpiece match in Melbourne. New Zealand faced a revised target of 298 under the Duckworth/Lewis method after South Africa made 281 for five in 43 overs, which included a near two-hour rain stoppage. Black Caps skipper Brendon McCullum made a typically quickfire 59 off 26 balls at the head of the innings. Then came a valuable 103-run partnership between Elliott and Corey Anderson and New Zealand appeared to have the game in hand with six overs to go. But Morne Morkel regained the initiative for South Africa by taking a wicket and conceding only one run in the 38th over and by the start of the 43rd, and final, over New Zealand required 12 to win. They started with a bye, a single, a four to Daniel Vettori, another bye and then Johannesburg-born Elliott, who turned 36 last weekend, smacked Steyn high into the stands as New Zealand, after losing all six of their previous World Cup semi-finals, completed a thrilling win. South Africa, struggling to throw off their unwanted "choker" tag, have now failed to win all four World Cup semifinals they have contested. As McCullum flung his bat at the start of New Zealand`s run chase, South Africa captain AB de Villiers was forced to take three of his frontline bowlers out of the attack. Vernon Philander, replacing Kyle Abbott in the side, gave up 14 runs to McCullum with his first over and was immediately replaced by Morkel. Morkel also lasted one over that cost 14 runs but came back from the other end after Steyn was spelled when McCullum hit two sixes and three fours off his third over. The return of fast bowler Morkel paid immediate dividends. He undid McCullum who plopped a simple catch into the hands of Steyn at mid-on and in his next over he bowled Kane Williamson. After nine overs, New Zealand were 81 for two. Martin Guptill, looking to back up his World Cup record 237 not out against the West Indies in last weekend`s quarter- final, looked in fine touch making 34 before being run out in a mid-pitch mix-up with Ross Taylor. Taylor did not last much longer before he was caught behind and New Zealand were 149 for four when Elliott and Anderson set up camp before the latter was out for 58.. De Villiers had set South Africa up for a big finish with heavy hitters in hand only to be denied seven overs when rain swept in when they were 216 for three in the 38th over. He produced a rapid 65 not out and, following the rain break, David Miller`s boundary-laden 49 from 18 deliveries got South Africa up to 281 for five De Villiers was in command in the lead up to the near two-hour rain disruption cracking 60 off 38 balls, but when the weather cleared and play resumed he could only stand and watch as Miller took charge. Of the 65 put on in the five overs after the resumption, Miller scored 49 after replacing Faf du Plessis who was out for 82 on the second ball after the restart, Virat Kohli seeks SCG inspiration State wrestling meet District volleyball for semi-final against Australia gets underway AGENCIES SYDNEY, MARCH 25 India star Virat Kohli returns to the scene of one of his most memorable Test innings hoping to rediscover batting form for Thursday`s World Cup semifinal against Australia in Sydney. It was at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January that Kohli, captaining India after the shock retirement of skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni from the longer format, hit 147 and 46 to lead his team to a creditable draw. It was his fourth century in the four-Test series and prevented Australia from making it 3-0 after the hosts had piled up a mammoth 572 for seven in their first innings. Kohli`s form dipped alarmingly in the subsequent triseries that also featured England, with scores of nine, four, three and eight as India failed to make the final and ended the bilateral tour without a win. But the elegant right-hander justified Dhoni`s assessment of his vice-captain being a bigmatch player by striking a match-winning 107 in their World Cup opener against archrivals Pakistan in Adelaide on February 15. Kohli followed that with 46 against mighty South Africa at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in the next match, helping the defending champions to the second of seven straight wins in the tournament so far. But as India cruised along, Kohli found runs hard to come by, making identical scores of 33 against the United Arab Emirates and the West Indies, an unbeaten 44 versus Ireland, 38 against Zimbabwe and three in the quarter-final against Bangladesh. The 26-year-old`s lack of batting touch came to the fore against Bangladesh when he chased an away-swinger by the fired-up Rubel Hossain and was caught behind by Mushfiqur Rahim. As India prepare for the semifinal against the tournament cohosts, Kohli will be expected to live up to his reputation as one of the most dominant batsmen of his generation. Skipper Dhoni was confident a match-winning innings from his star batsman was around the corner. "I don`t think he has batted badly," Dhoni said, pleading with fans to tone down their expectations every time Kohli goes out to bat. "No one can score a century every time. But he is such a good player that people expect him to do it in every innings. "He is a dominant batsman who likes playing shots. A big one is just around the corner because big players always score in big games." Kohli, who made his one-day debut in 2008, has already hit an astonishing 22 centuries in the shorter format, one of only eight batsmen in the world to achieve the feat. He was the fastest to 22 hundreds -- in 143 innings -leaving former team-mate and batting record-holder Sachin Tendulkar trailing in second place. Tendulkar, the highest rungetter in both Test and one-day batsman, had scored the 22nd of his record 49 centuries in the shorter format in his 206th innings. With Ajinkya Rahane also without a big score since making 79 against South Africa and Suresh Raina struggling to overcome his weakness with the short ball, India will hope Kohli gets back his form on Thursday. POONCH, MARCH 24 Organised by the Jammu and Kashmir Wrestling Association, the 20th Men and VI Women Wrestling Association got underway at Indoor Complex, MA Stadium, here today. Around 150 wrestlers drawn from all over the state, including those from districts of Poonch, Doda, Jammu, Srinagar, Samba, Reasi, Ramban, Udhampur and department team of J&K Police have reported for the two-day competition to be held in different weight categories. The competition was declared open by Director General, Department of Youth Services and Sports (DYSS), Navin Agarwal, who was chief guest. The distinguished gathering was welcomed by president of the Association, Dushyant Sharma. Vote of thanks presented by general secretary, Ajay Vaid. Among others present were Chief Sports Officer, Abdul Qayoom, Sports Officer, Rajan Sharma, Managers, Ravi Singh, Satish Gupta and SP Singh as also Vikas Gupta, Raju Pahalwan, Amit, Dheeraj Sharma, Rakesh, Sukhdev, Mulkh Raj, Ravi Sharma, Om Parkash and Kulbir Singh. always enjoyed it, I had some great feelings there, the atmosphere of the club -- a real tennis club -- is very special, the courts are unbelievable and meet from March 29 JAMMU TAWI, MARCH 24 Organised by the Jammu District Volleyball Association, the district (boys and girls) championship shall take place at MA Stadium, here from March 29 to March 30. Those interested participants have been advised to report to the general secretary of the District Association, HS Gill on or before March 27. For further queries, the clubs and institutions can contact on Mobile No. 9419142292 and 9419274764. JAMMU TAWI, MARCH 24 Indian Mountaineering Foundation (IMF) North Zone Committee, in collaboration with Tawi Trekkers, J&K organised two -day programme (activities) for Specially abled children at different venues, here. The event concluded with the holding of sport climbing competition at Sprawling Buds School, Chinore, Jammu. "The purpose of the programme was to inculcate the spirit of adventure especially mountaineering, sport climbing and allied sports among the younger generation and to spread it to the nook and corner of this part of the country. The programme was highly successful as it received overwhelming response from Home for Handicapped and AGENCIES LONDON, MARCH 24 Grigor Dmitrov and U.S. Open holder Marin Cilic are already committed to play. "I`m very happy to be back. Queen`s is a great event, I Pinto Club faces Manjeet Club in volleyball final POONCH, MARCH 24 Pinto Club shall be playing against Manjeet Club in the final of the two-day 12th Manjeet Singh Memorial Tawi Trekkers holds events for handicapped children School for Blinds," informed vice president of the Tawi Trekkers, Ram Khajuria. Earlier, on the first day, on the spot painting competition was organized at Home for Handicapped , Udheywala, here. Mr Chattarpal, a reknowned writer, an artist and president Dogri Sanstha, Jammu was the judge. Painting competition was Rafael Nadal returning to Queen's for Wimbledon warmup Rafa Nadal will return to his old routine in a bid to recapture the Wimbledon crown later this year, confirming he has entered the traditional warm-up event at Queen`s Club. The Spaniard has played at Queen`s five times and on each occasion went on to reach the Wimbledon final a few weeks later, winning the grasscourt major in 2008 and 2010. Since his last visit to the Queen`s Club lawns in 2011, however, Nadal`s luck at Wimbledon has run out, losing in the second, first and fourth rounds. The world number three adds to an already strong cast at Aegon Championships at the select west London club where former home favourite Andy Murray, defending champion Luck was with South Africa when they won the toss, elected to bat and gained early momentum when edges raced to the short boundaries.<None> New Zealand wicket-keeper Luke Ronchi dropped Quinton de Kock on six and Trent Boult missed a difficult chance to catch Hashim Amla. But left-arm paceman Boult, the tournament`s leading bowler with 21 wickets, added to his tally by dismissing Amla and de Kock on his way to figures of two for 53. I`m very happy to be back," Nadal said in a statement on Monday. "I enjoyed Halle but the results have not been perfect for me in Halle, so I want to try Queen`s again where the grass courts are a little bit more similar to Wimbledon." Britain`s tax laws were cited as one reason nine-times French Open champion Nadal decided to stop playing at Queen`s. Tournament director Stephen Farrow said it was great to have the 28-year-old back. "Rafa is one of the greatest tennis players of all time and he is universally popular, so this is fantastic news for the Aegon Championships and our spectators," he said. "We have stayed in contact with Rafa and his team over the years and we always hoped he would return one day." This year`s Queen`s tournament has been upgraded to an ATP 500 and will begin on June 15, a week later than usual to allow players more of a grasscourt swing. followed by a visit to the Aquarium at Bahu Fort for the inmates of the Home for Handicapped besides an adventure films show and some interesting talks by prominent personalities in the field. On the second day today, the specially abled children of Home for Handicapped and Home for Blind were imparted training in sport climbing in which all the participants showed keen interest and enthusiasm. An informal competition was also organised and winners in various categories were honoured with cash prizes. It was for the second time that such a programme has been conducted by the IMF North Zone Committee at Jammu. Chairman, IMF North Zone Committee, S. Bhattacharjee, who has come to Jammu especially for the conduct of this IMF Metro Programme , personally supervised all the arrangements and facilities provided to the participants. Secretary IMF North Zone Committee, Ram Khajuria and secretary, Tawi trekkers J&K, Shawetica Khajuria were the resource persons of the rare event. Volleyball Tournament, organised by District Police at Sports Stadium, here today. In the semifinals, Pinto Club defeated Surankot Club while Manjeet Singh Club outplayed District Police XI in straight sets. Earlier, in the preliminary round of the competition, Pinto Club beat Shah Club Mendhar 2-0. In all, nine teams, representing various clubs of the district, are taking part in this knockout competition. The competition was declared open by Padamshri Shambhu Nath Khajuria was chief guest, who interacted with the participating teams. Prominent among others present were SSP Pooch, JS Johar, chairman orginsing committee, Additional SP Amit Gupta , DySP, DR, MR Giri, vice president hockey J&K, Sham Lal Sharma, Prem Parkash Luthra and Principal Government Boys Higher Secondary School, Pooch, Kerath Singh. Today's matches officiated by the technical penal comprising Rajinder Singh PEM, Narinder Singh PEM, Ram Prakash, Bal Krishan and Narinder Singh PEM and Sourab Sharma PET.. 2006 CWG gold winner among nine caught for doping at National Games AGENCIES NEW DELHI, MARCH 25 At least nine sportspersons, including four weightlifters and one track and field athlete, failed dope tests at the 35th National Games held in Kerala last month, top officials of national federations and organisers of the mega event said on Tuesday. 2006 Commonwealth Games gold medallist weightlifter Geeta Rani (Punjab), Harjeet Kaur (Haryana), Komal Wakale (Maharashtra) and Mangte P Kom (Chandigarh) were the weightlifters who tested positive while hammer thrower K M Rachna (Punjab) also failed dope tests. Geeta Rani won a gold in women's 75-plus kg category in the National Games while Harjeet (women's 58kg), Mangte P Kom (women's 75kg) and Komal Wakale (women's +75kg) bagged a silver each. K M Rachna had won a silver in women's hammer throw with an effort of 56.08m. All of them have been put under provisional suspensions by their respective federations pending confirmatory 'B' sample tests. They face the prospect of being banned for a maximum period of four years meant for first-time offenders. The National Anti-Doping Agency has increased the ban period of first time dope offenders to maximum of four years from two years, effective January 1, 2015. The medals they had won at the National Games (January 31 to February 14) are expected to be confiscated and their records deleted if their 'B' samples also return positive. Indian Weightlifting Federation Vice-President Sahdev Yadav confirmed that four lifters have returned positive for banned substances. "Geeta Rani, Harjeet and Komal tested positive for banned stimulants while Mangte P Kom returned positive for a steroid," Yadav told PTI. It is also learnt that Athletics Federation of India has provisionally suspended K M Rachna after the dope result. Meanwhile, Kerala National Games CEO Jacob Punnoose told PTI that nine to 10 participants failed dope tests of 'A' samples of their urine taken during the Games. "Nine or 10 athletes failed dope tests at the National Games," Punnoose said from Kerala, adding that he cannot divulge the details. 12 ‘There is nothing left’: Plane crashes in French Alps with 150 on board WHAT WE KNOW identity. Winkelmann said the airline is working with the families before releasing the names of anyone on board. Meanwhile, in Düesseldorf and Barcelona, families of the victims were taken into room at the airports as authorities waited for more news. The airline has also established a hotline for the families. Lufthansa-owned German wings Flight 9525 was carrying 144 passengers and six crew members. The Airbus A320 crashed in mid-flight; its descent from 38,000 feet took 8 minutes. Cause of crash is unknown; the plane underwent a routine safety check yesterday. passenger jet carrying 150 people crashed in French Alps on Tuesday. Officials expect no survivors. German wings Flight 9525 left Barcelona at 10:01 a.m. CET for Düesseldorf and went down about 430 miles south-southeast of Paris. The plane, a 24-year-old Airbus A320, was operated by the Lufthansa-owned budget carrier. "Appalling images in this mountain landscape," said Christopher Castaner, deputy mayor of Alpes-de-HauteProvence, near where the plane crashed. "There is nothing left but debris and bodies." GERMAN WINGS, A BUDGET AIRLINE A WHAT HAPPENED Germanwings officials said Flight 9295 sent a distress signal about an hour after takeoff before crashing into a mountainous zone at an altitude of about 6,550 feet. The descent from 38,000 feet lasted nearly eight minutes. The descent from 38,000 feet lasted nearly eight minutes. However, France's aviation authority reported that the plane never sent a signal, and officials lost radio contact with the flight. The plane went down in mid-flight - an uncommon occurrence as the majority of plane crashes happen during takeoff or landing. "We cannot say at this point and time why our colleague decided to lower the plane as swiftly as he did," Germanwings CEO Thomas Winkelmann said during a press conference. "We don't have any information about why he brought the plane down so quickly to a lower height." The pilot had been flying for more than 10 years and had 6,000 hours of experience. The Germanwings CEO said the airline is, at this point, drawing information solely from information provided the French radar system; other information has not yet been checked. Winkelmann said the Airbus A320 had been in use since 1991, and the last routine check on the aircraft was carried out on March 23, just a day before the crash. The CEO added that "there is absolutely no issue" with the age of the plane. "The Airbus A320 has not recorded the slightest accident since it has been used by lufthansa group," he said. "We use different models that are the same age as this one." THE SEARCH AND VICTIMS There were 144 passengers, including two babies, and six crew members on board, Germanwings confirmed. It's unclear if weather was a factor in the crash. "We cannot report anything precise," Winkelmann said regarding the distress signal. "We have not received any specific information from the radar authority." French President François Hollande said at a press conference earlier on Tuesday that he does not believe there will be survivors. Sixteen German exchange students returning from Spain are believed to have been on the plane. " This is the darkest day of the history of our city This is the darkest day of the history of our city," said the mayor of Haltern, where the students were from. President Hollande said the crash site is in a zone that is very hard to reach. French authorities will be corresponding with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Spain's king with any information about victims, but there is currently no additional information about their Germanwings is a low-cost airline that has been part of the Lufthansa Group since 2008. It operates 110 routes with 90 aircraft across Europe, Israel and North Africa. The aircraft can hold as many as 168 passengers. Hours after the crash on Tuesday, the airline darkened its logo, which is normally maroon and yellow, on its social media accounts out of respect - a move that several other airliners have done over this past year in the wake of tragedy. .@germanwings have darkened their logo on Twitter following the crash of one of their planes in the French Alps pic.twitter.com/9qIAn60uob - Megan Specia (@meganspecia) March 24, 2015 The airline, which in recent years has moved to flying only an Airbus fleet, operates flights between a number of large European cities. Based in Cologne, it has hubs in Cologne, Stuttgart, Hamburg, Berlin and Dusseldorf. In 2014, it added several more routes including regular flights between Berlin and Nice, Hamburg and Prague, Hamburg and Toulouse, Berlin and Dubrovnik and Hamburg and Reykjavik. It has been engaged in a long-running conflict with the German pilots union over pay and conditions, which has led to strikes. The row between Lufthansa management and the union centers on changes to early retirement benefits that the company wanted to change for new entrants. Google names Morgan Stanley PM Modi expresses executive Ruth Porat as CFO sorrow over plane crash in France Agencies San Francisco, Mar 24 Google on Tuesday named as its new chief financial officer Ruth Porat, who will move from a similar position at the investment banking giant Morgan Stanley. Porat will replace Patrick Pichette, who announced his retirement this month after nearly seven years as one of the internet titan's top executives. Porat has been at Morgan Stanley since 1987 and has been vice chairman of investment banking, global head of the financial institutions group and co-chief of technology investment banking. She has been the lead banker for big tech firm financing, including for Amazon, eBay, Netscape, Priceline and VeriSign. Porat, who will start the new job May 26, has a bachelor's degree from Stanford University, an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and another master's degree from the London School of Economics. "We're tremendously fortunate to have found such a creative, experienced and operationally strong executive," said Google chief executive Larry Page in a statement. "I look forward to learning from Ruth as we continue to innovate in our core -- from search and ads, to Android, Chrome and YouTube -- as well as invest in a thoughtful, disciplined way in our next generation of big bets." the air crash involving a German airliner in France. "Crash of the Germanwings flight is extremely unfortunate. We share the sorrow & pain of the families of those on board," he tweeted. An aircraft of German airliner Germanwings, a lowcost subsidiary of Lufthansa, Agencies crashed in a remote part of New Delhi, Mar 24 French Alps, killing all 150 people on board, in the worst Prime Minister Narendra Modi plane disaster in mainland Tuesday expressed sorrow over France in four decades. World Tuberculosis Day uberculosis (TB) is one of the world's top health challenges and is an epidemic in much part of the world with 9 million new TB cases and the deaths of nearly 1.5 million people each year, mostly in developing countries. Of these 9 million new cases, almost 1/3rd are missed. And almost 3 million cases are from world poorest and most vulnerable communities like migrants, miners, drug users and sex workers. India has more new TB cases annually than any other country. Of new 9 million cases in the world occurring every year, 2.3 million cases occurs in India. People with a healthy immune system, have 10% lifetime chance of the TB bacteria reactivating and causing the active symptoms of TB. If the immune system has been weakened because of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) or other illnesses, the risk of moving from an inactive infection to an active symptomatic disease increases to 10% per year. Babies, preschool children, and elderly population are also at greater risk due to weaker immune syste T great risk of having active disease from activation of inactive TB bacilli Diabetics, smokers, cancers, patients on dialysis or chronic kidney disease, people with poor lifestyle habits and those eating excessive unhealthy food, people with long term steroid use, malnutrition, radiotherapy and patients on anti-cancer therapy (chemotherapy). SYMPTOMS: The symptoms depend on the site of involvement as TB can affect any organ of the body, such as lungs, lymph nodes, bones, joints, kidneys, genitourinary etc. Common symptoms of lung tuberculosis include: Coughing that lasts longer than 2 weeks with green, yellow, or bloody sputum, weight loss, evening rise of temperature, night sweats, chills, chest pain, breathing difficulty, loss of appetite and fatigue Additional symptoms depend upon the involvement of other organs of the body. Example patient may have swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits. Bone and joints tuberculosis can cause bone pains or pain at hip or knee joint. Genitourinary tuberculosis RISK FACTORS / REASONS can cause frequent urination, pain in OF TUBERCULOSIS flanks and during urination, and blood 1. People with active tuberculosis only in the urine. Infertility if genital can spread bacteria if they have tuberculosis occurs pulmonary (lungs) tuberculosis. Coughing, sneezing, even talking can DIAGNOSIS: FOLLOWING release the bacteria into the surrounding TESTS DEPENDING UPON air, and people breathing this air can THE REQUIREMENTS 1. Blood counts, ESR : which could be then become infected. 2. Secondly those living in congested raised in these patients areas or in smaller houses or if rooms 2. Tuberculin skin test) is commonly are not properly ventilated are more done to check the immune response to likely to acquire the infection from TB bacteria infection. 3. Chest X-rays -to see the evidence of person who has active tuberculosis. 3. Travel to countries where TB is TB infection in lungs common can increase the risk of 4. Sputum test for TB bacteria is a confirmatory test for lung tuberculosis. acquiring tuberculosis. 4. People who are at greater risk of TB It is positive in majority of such infection includes elderly, homeless patients. people, drug users, migrants, miners, 5. Bronchoscopy guided sputum sex workers, health care workers, collection in those who cannot produce people who have spend the time in sputum or if their sputum is negative is correctional facilities and people with another useful test low immunity like those having 6. Biopsy or needle aspiration of tissue HIV/AIDS, or those who takes or lymph node can also shows the immunosuppressive drugs for their features suggestive of tuberculosis. 7. TB culture - positive in many cases disease or post transplant patients. 5. The following groups of people are at and also helps in detecting resistance to The NORTHLINES www.thenorthlines.com JAMMU | WEDNESDAY | MARCH 25 | first line drugs. 8. Newer diagnostic tests like GeneXpert, which is a cartridge-based, automated diagnostic test can identify TB bacteria. TREATMENT AND PREVENTION 1. Standard antibiotic course is used to treat tuberculosis disease. Patient may be hospitalized depending upon the severity of the disease. Streptomycin is also added in those who are defaulters or treatment failures or presented with TB relapse. These medications are also called as first line TB drugs. If a particular type of TB infection is resistant to regular antibiotic treatment (a condition known as multidrug resistant TB or MDRTB), a combination of different medications must be taken for 18 to 24 months. 2. To prevent spreading TB, it's important to get treatment quickly and to follow it through to completion. This can stop transmission of the bacteria and the appearance of antibioticresistant strains. 3. Vaccination with BCG in India is available to limit the spread of bacteria after TB infection. It is used in newborns in to prevent severe form of TB and its complications in the first few years of life. It is not effective in adults. 4. It is important to take the medications for as long as doctor recommends. If medications are stopped before completion or cure of the disease, TB infection can recur, and patient could get active TB, or the TB bacteria may become resistant to the medications, which the patient is taking. STOPPING THE SPREAD OF TUBERCULOSIS / TIPS 1. Anyone who comes into contact with an individual infected with tuberculosis bacteria is at risk of developing the disease. 2. It is important to steer clear of people who are sick, sneezing, and coughing. 3. People with tuberculosis infection should always cover their mouths when they cough or noses when they sneeze. 4. People with TB should take all medications as required. 5. People at risk for or who have been in contact with people with tuberculosis infection should be tested. 6. Get the child after birth vaccinated with BCG vaccine to prevent the occurrence of severe form of TB. 7. Living healthy lifestyle and taking healthy food helps in improving immunity and thus decrease chance of acquiring infection. 8. Those with low immunity or on anticancer drugs should avoid going to congested areas and should cover their face if visit is necessary. 9. Family should give complete support to the patient both emotionally as well as financially as lot of productive days are lost by the patient due to illness. 10. Also family and friends should ensure that patient completes the treatment and should not left in between. COMPLICATIONS 1. Without treatment, tuberculosis can be fatal. If untreated, lungs can be badly damaged and patient can die of respiratory failure. It can also spread to other parts of the body through bloodstream. 2. Back pain and stiffness are common complications of tuberculosis. 3. Joint damage - Tuberculoses arthritis usually affects the hips and knees. 4. Swelling of the membranes that cover the brain. Mental changes also are possible. 5. Liver or kidney proble These functions become impaired if the liver or kidneys are affected by tuberculosis. 6. Rarely, tuberculosis can infect the tissues that surround the heart, 7. In females genital tuberculosis can even go undetected for years. And the first symptom might be infertility after marriage. The problem is complicated by the fact that it is very difficult to diagnose genital tuberculosis and in some cases treatment if given just on the basis supportive signs and sympto At last, tuberculosis is curable if complete course of treatment is taken and detection of cases is done in an effective and timely manner. Newer diagnostic methods help in early diagnosis and resistance detection. They will definitely help in decreasing this incidence and prevalence of tuberculosis. Dr Vikas Maurya, Senior Consultant, Respiratory Medicine & Pulmonology BLK Super Speciality Hospital, New Delhi. Jairam Ramesh trashes PM's defence of Land Acquisition Bill Agencies Patna, Mar 24 Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi for claiming that amendments in 13 laws under Land Acquisition Bill were brought by NDA to provide for compensation and described the Centre as antifarmers. "Modi is wrong by claiming that the NDA government has brought the Land Acquisition Bill to incorporate amendments in 13 laws related to land acquisition to provide for compensation and rehabilitation," Ramesh, former union rural development minister told reporters here. During an interaction with farmers in 'Mann ki Baat' radio programme, Modi had said the NDA government brought the amendments to provide for compensation and rehabilitation in the event of acquisition of their land as the previous UPA government failed to cover these benefits. This contention was "wrong, baseless and white lies" as the UPA government had decided to pay four times more than market rate for acquisition of land from farmers in rural areas and two times more in urban areas under the Land Acquisition Act, 2013, Ramesh said. He trashed the compensation rate announced under the proposed legislation saying the NDA government has pushed back the farmers' right over land to the 1894 law by proposing to take away the consent clause by landholders in the event of acquisition of land from them. On BJP's attack that Congress' opposition to the proposed law on land acquisition was aimed at derailing development, the former minister said his party was not opposed to land acquisition per se. "But we don't want to break the backbone of our economy by forcing the farmers to forsake their right over land as envisaged by the proposed law of the NDA government," he said, adding that Congress stood for balanced development by giving equal push to industrial and agrarian sectors. On the contrary, he alleged the BJP has proved to be an adversary of the farmers by provisioning for forceful acquisition of land by seeking to remove the consent clause. Pak Day imbroglio: for Hurriyat, Pak is risking lasting peace with India RANJAN CHAUHAN akistan celebrated its national day (Pakistan Day) on March, 23, with great fanfare! The celebrations assumed importance this year because the traditional parade was held after a gap of seven years. The last military parade took place on March 23, 2008, when General Pervez Musharraf was President; ever since it has been cancelled due to security concerns. These cancellations have caused considerable trauma and humiliation to the people of the country. This year too there has was a bit of an embarrassment when the Chinese President first agreed to attend the parade as chief guest and later refused due to security concerns. The history of Pakistan Day is quite interesting. It was on this day in 1940 that the "Lahore Resolution" calling for a separate homeland for Muslims in India was passed. Later in 1956, it was on this day that Pakistan's first constitution was implemented. The Constitution declared Pakistan an Islamic Republic with a democratic parliamentary system of government. Accordingly, the day was celebrated as Republic Day for the first two years. Sadly, the 1956 constitution was abolished as a result of the first military takeover on October 7, 1958. This day was then observed as Pakistan Day or Pakistan Resolution Day. Over the years, Pakistan has failed consistently in standing up to the ideals of the founding fathers of the nation. The country has been unsuccessful in providing the envisioned enlightened and progressive democratic framework inspired by the ideals of Islam to the people. It has, instead, degenerated into a regressive feudal system of power centres with the Army at the top followed by a corrupt bureaucracy. The inept political leadership has been unable to control this military-bureau-cratic nexus due to its blinkered vision and crooked approach. The situation has been summarised in the most apt manner by Kamal Siddiqi, a prominent columnist of Pakistan, he says, "We have made merry on American and P other Western aid. Much money has been used and abused. We have seen natural disasters hit our country with regularity and have learnt no lessons from each experience. Our national security paradigm has been turned upside down. We have gone backwards in terms of progress as a nation." Being unable to put its house in order has not deterred Pakistan from covetously eyeing Indian territories especially so in Jammu and Kashmir. To fructify its evil agenda Pakistan fought and humiliatingly lost four conventional wars. It then pursued an evil agenda of exporting terrorism into Jammu and Kashmir and onwards to the rest of India; this immoral plan has also remained unsuccessful. Despite repeated failures Pakistan has is quite unwilling to relent from its nefarious activities. In the current instance, the High Commission of Pakistan in India has misused the occasion of Pakistan Day to further its divisive policy. The High Commissioner of Pakistan, Abdul Basit, held discussions with the so-called leaders of the various separatist Hurriyat factions and then invited them to the formal dinner to celebrate Pakistan Day. He did so knowing full well that India resents such distasteful acts. Abdul Basit went a step ahead to declare that the separatists can be important stakeholder for the proposed talks between the two countries. Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, chairman of the Hurriyat moderate faction picked up the thread from the statement and said, "Wonder why there is so much of resistance towards this dialogue involving Kashmir residents on both sides." Apparently, Mirwaiz has got the script wrong. First and foremost, India is not in talks with Pakistan about the status of Jammu and Kashmir as an integral part of the country, the point of contention is return of such areas of Jammu and Kashmir that are under illegal occupation of Pakistan. Next, the people of Jammu and Kashmir are always kept in the loop of the discussions held with Pakistan through their duly elected government and elected representatives of all parties in the state legislative assembly. The interaction and integration is in tune with the best democratic practices. The Hurriyat is not in the loop since it has no representative status. In fact it is a marginalised entity surviving due to the oxygen provided by functions like the one held in New Delhi on Pakistan Day. They come into the lime light for a short period and again fade away into oblivion. When Pakistan has been unable to fulfill its evil designs even after fighting four wars and sending thousands of terrorists into India what does it expect from a few marginalised socalled leaders like the Kashmiri separatists who are themselves fighting a losing battle for political survival? Quite obviously the ill conceived interaction with the separatists will jeopardise early normalisation of relations between India and Pakistan which is more important for Pakistan than for India. For the sake of non-entities Pakistan is ready to risk lasting peace with India. Pakistan should concentrate more on consolidating what it has rather than looking towards new territories. It should be fighting poverty which is the real reason behind extremism. It should be working towards building trust with the people of Balochistan and other insurgency affected areas. By indulging in regressive acts like meeting the Kashmiri separatists the country is simply wasting time and energy and in the bargain losing much needed goodwill. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made special effort to reach out to Pakistan on Pakistan Day. He greeted his counterpart Nawaz Sharif and called for talks in an atmosphere free from terror and violence. The Indian leadership has consistently been giving this message to Pakistan; it has always shown great maturity in the face of grave provocation. Pakistan has tried all inimical means and failed. It would be good for the country to go for a course correction and try out the friendship route with India, it will be surprised by the positive dividends that such a move is bound to accrue.