Page 1_.

qxd 3/19/2013 5:48 PM Page 1

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

STUdent aGE
TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2013

JKENG/2012/41612 Vol. 2 No: 71

Beni Prasad's remarks ignite SP members, demand his sacking

If allegations prove guilt, Modi alone is not in the dock

Australia PM signals changes to media reforms after outrage

PAGE 6

IN BRIEF
Consent age to stay at 18, cabinet approves anti-rape bill
NEW DELHI: The Cabinet on Monday approved the antirape bill by agreeing to stick to 18 years as the age of consent instead of 16, informed sources said. The Cabinet meeting was held Monday evening following an all-party meeting in the morning, when the bill was discussed. The sources said the government has contd on page 2

Commotion in J&K Assembly, opposition stages walkout

JAMMU: The State Assembly on Monday witnessed commotion when the opposition lashed out at the government for its failure to give panchyats due powers in order to empower them as envisaged in the 73rd Ammendment of Panchayati Raj Act. The opposition in a rare joint attack castigated the discriminatory attitude of the coalition government in its failure over providing model villages to Jammu region. Later on the opposition staged a walkout. During the Question Hour, Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) members Jugal

PAGE 5

PAGE 7

UNHRC noose round UPA neck, marriage with DMK on the brink

Govt castigated for failure to empower Panchayats

Omar denies media interaction
visibly peeved media savvy Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in a rare act refused to talk to the media here, saying "you should talk to those who speak to you outside" the Assembly, after the opposition PDP boycotted the budget session. The Peoples Democratic Party has been boycotting the ongoing budget session to press its demand for the return of contd on page 2

Delegations of Central Ministers interacting with Karunanidhi. NEW DELHI: In a damage control measure a nervous UPA rushed its three most trusted and tested lieutenants P Chidambaram, A K Antony and Ghulam Nabi Azad arrived in Chennai on Monday to hold talks with Karunanidhi, who had threatened that his party will pull out of the ruling UPA if it failed to move amendments to the US-sponsored resolution on the Sri Lankan Tamil issue at the UNHRC. The UPA is reaching out to DMK, which has threatened to pull out of the alliance, over India's vote at the UN Human Rights Council. Karunanidhi had written another letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, asking the government to push for an contd on page 2

Lady Judge killed in Pakistan terror strike

ISLAMABAD: A lady Judge and three other persons were killed in militancy hit Peshawar city in Pakistan when a group of Fidayeen struck at a court complex. Thirty people are reported injured n the terror attack. Witnesses said that a group of heavily armed militants entered the court complex from the rear gate, lobbed grenades and fired indiscriminately. The incident is said to have occurred around 12. 30 PM. contd on page 2

Members of BJP and Panthers party staging walk out from the assembly. Kishore Sharma and Ashok Khajuria raised the issue of security and empowerment of Panchayats by incorporating 73rd amendment of the Indian contd on page 2

SC dismisses SLP Seven new LC members administered oath by chairman of J&K state
DB order of transferring DC Srinagar upheld
SRINAGAR: The Bench of Supreme Court of India, Monday comprising of Justice R.M.Lodha, Justice J,Chelameswar and Justice Madan B.Lokur dismissed the special leave petition (SLP) preferred by the government of Jammu and Kashmir challenging the order of Division Bench (DB) of State High Court dated March 3-2013 where by the DB of State High Court in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) had directed the removal or transfer of Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Baseer Ahmed Khan in view of his alleged involvement in Gulmarag Land Scam.As soon as SLP came up for hearing before the contd on page 2

Bill introduced Lok Sabha to establish 20 more IIITs

NEW DELHI: what could be a landmark decision to usher in a new technological base in the country a bill to establish 20 more Indian Institutes of Information Technology (IIITs) and declare the four existing ones as institutions of national importance was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday. The new IIITs would be set up under the public-private partnership mode, with the HRD Ministry, the state governments where these are to be established and the industry being contd on page 2

JAMMU, MARCH 18: Chairman, Legislative Council, Amrit Malhotra today administered oath to newly elected legislators of

the House. Those who were administered oath include Devinder Singh Rana, Naresh Kumar Gupta, Showkat Hussain Ganie,

Shrimati Rani Gargi Baloria , Yashpal Sharma, Abdul Majeed and Mohammad Muzaffer Parray. Speaking on the occasion,

the Chairman said that on one hand we offered heartfelt gratitude to the recently retired members of the Council and now we wel-

come the newly elected members. Seeking cooperation from new faces, the Chairman hoped that the contd on page 2

ITALIAN ENVOY'S IMMUNITY PLEA IMMATURE: SUPREME COURT

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Monday said that the Italian ambassador Daniele Mancini did not enjoy diplomatic immunity and held him responsible for breaching an undertaking given to the apex court and restrained him from leaving India till April 2, when it will hear the matter again. The SC said a contempt of court charge would be made out only if the ambassador fails to bring back the marines by March 22. Meanwhile, Italy has written to India saying no authority can restrict movement of its ambassador as such conditions will violate the Vienna Convention immunity to

Person who comes to court, initiates legal proceedings, gives an undertaking and lies has no immunity' INDIA-ROME STANDOFF OVER MARINES ROW
" India- Rome standoff starts pressure for their alleged with the killing of two Indian killers to be returned. fishermen off the Kerala " Rome has argued that it coast last year. wants its nationals to be tried " India had arrested Italian in Italy. It is now the subject marines charged with the of international maritime law. killing of two Indian fisher- " India disagrees. It said fishmen. ermen were Indian and on " The SC allowed Massimilian board an Indian fishing boat Latorre and Salvatore Girone at the time of the incident. to go home to vote in last " The Indian foreign ministry month's elections. The has also called in the EU marines were ordered to envoy to Delhi. return within four weeks. But " India has restrained Italian they did not return back. Ambassador Daniele Mancini " The families of the two dead from leaving India. contd on page 2 fishermen are keeping up the The 1961 Vienna Convention says that diplomats are immune from prosecution in countries that host them. But there are exceptions to that rule: the treaty also says that diplomats cannot claim immunity in legal proceedings they initiate. It's unclear whether this exception applies in this case, as the ambassador was acting on behalf of the government of Italy.

Registration for Amarnathji Yatra starts

JAMMU: In Jammu and Kashmir the registration of pilgrims for Shri Amarnathji Yatra began today for both the Yatra routes - Baltal and Chandanwari routes through 422 designated Bank Branches of Jammu & Kashmir Bank, State Bank of India, Punjab National Bank, YES Bank and HDFC Bank spread all over the country. This year's 55 day Yatra shall commence simultaneously on both the routes from 28th June and culminate on Raksha Bandhan, the 21st August 2013. The step-by-step procedure which the Yatris need to follow to register for the Yatra has been put on Shri Amarnath Shrine Board's

Shri Amarnathji Yatris get Accident Insurance cover

n the instructions of N. N. Vohra, Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, who is also the Chairman of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, all intending pilgrims possessing valid registration will be provided an insurance cover of Rs. 1.00 lakh against accidental death within the State during the period of the Yatra 2013. Giving further contd on page 2

Meira Kumar allows TRS to raise Telangana issue

NEW DELHI: Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar on Monday gave a special concession to Telangana Rashtra Samithi chief Chandrasekhar Rao, allowing him to briefly raise the issue of a separate Telangana state during question hour. "You raise the issue for a minute. I am allowing a special concession. This should not be a precedent," said contd on page 2

diplomats. When the counsel for ambassador said the apex court could trust him not to run away from India, the SC bench said it no longer trusted him. "You have lost our trust,"

the apex court said. The SC also refused to buy the diplomatic immunity claimed by the Italian ambassador, who said he had given the undertaking on behalf of the Italy government. The apex contd on page 2

website, www.shriamarnathjishrine.com. The website contd on page 2

India thrashes Australia by 6 wickets takes 3-0 lead

MOHALI: India took an unassailable 3-0 lead in the Border-Gavaskar cricket series beating Australia by six wickets in a thrilling finish on the final day of the third Test at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium on Monday. The victory is India`s eighth in ten Tests against the visitors at home since their last defeat in Nagpur in 2004. It is also the first time in 25 years that Australia has lost the first three matches of a series. In a tight finish on the final day, there were stages when Australia looked like for victory in a minimum of 33.3 overs. Australia made 408 in the first innings and India replied with 499. There was some artificial excitement in the last hour when India made heavy weather of the target. Eventually, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni smashed three consecutive fours to earn victory with 15 balls remaining. India started with Murali Vijay (26) and Cheteshwar Pujara (28) as first-innings century-maker Shikhar Dhawan injured his finger while fielding and did not come out to bat. The duo added 42 runs for the first wicket before VIjay was stumped by Brad Haddin off left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty. Then Pujara and Virat Kohli (34) added 28 runs for the second-wicket before Nathan Lyon trapped Pujara leg-before. Kohli hit some crisp fours, but run-making was not easy as fast bowlers Peter Siddle and Mitchell Starc kept a tight line, using reverse swing to good effect. Siddle got rid of the well-set Kohli, whose mistimed flick ended up in the hands of a diving contd on page 2

Resign Sir! Instead of boycotting Session

ithout malice or prejudice to the seasoned political personalities who resort to frequent boycotting of the Assembly and that too for the entire session a word of caution is always there. Never tread a dangerous path even if your short term gains are compromised. For the largest opposition, at present there is neither short term gain nor a larger vision in sight. In such a situation of political drought, to stay away from the current session of the Assembly is nothing but a myopic decision which can injure the interests of the people who voted them to high seats of law and decision making apparatus. To escape from debate and discussion sounds illogical in a democratic process, this way the political

India clinched the four Test series 3-0 and reclaimed the BorderGavaskar Trophy. saving the Test, particularly when the last two wickets added 80 runs to stretch their second innings score to 223. That, however, left India to get only a meager 132 runs

institutions are compromised and destroyed. How can these political parties who in their own words, "do not want to be part of the political process of demolition of democratic institutions, "strengthen these very democratic institutions. Maidaan chod Ke Chale Jaana, kya yehi Akalmandi hai Mian. The common man is bewildered at this farce and Tamasha. He has a poser to these political parties. Why not to resign from the democratic institutions on whose working you have lost trust? Why can't you go back to the people and seek a stronger mandate? The risk of losing perks, security cover and VIP status should not come in way of ushering in a new and fresh democratic process.

Ranasahib

Page 1_.qxd 3/19/2013 5:48 PM Page 2

STUDENT AGE TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2013

additional general Gagan Basotra disposed off the application with the observation that althouth there is delay in implementation but ordered the deemed extension of time. The legal experts told CNS that with the dismissal of SLP, precedence has been set in state of Jammu and Kashmir where by the corrupt and tainted officer have to be kept away from the important and significant postings. They further maintained that DB had passed the historic order of transferring an IAS officer in view of the alleged corruon charged and in view of upholding of the said view by the Apex court it is a warning bell to the tainted and influential bureaucrats who are occupying prime slots in J&K

DEFENCE/CONTD
were guarding. They say they mistook the fishermen for pirates. Italy insists the marines should be prosecuted in their home country because the shootings involved an Italian-flagged vessel in international waters, but India says the killings took place in waters under its jurisdiction. Relations between the two countries have also been soured by corruption allegations surrounding a $748 million deal for the purchase of 12 Italian helicopters which the Indian government is now threatening to scrap. David Warner. Ravindra Jadeja (8 not out) hit two fours in the same over to ease the pressure and left it to Dhoni to finish off in style. Earlier, Jadeja (3/35) and Pragyan Ojha's left-arm spin (2/26) ran through the Australian middle order with offie Ravichandran Ashwin chipping in with two, including the wicket of top scorer Phil Jacques, who struck form with a gritty 69. Ojha and Jadeja bowled in tandem as Australia lost five wickets for 54 runs. Ojha was the first to strike to get rid of night-watchman Nathan Lyon (18), caught behind by Dhoni. Jadeja dismissed skipper Michael Clarke (18) for the fifth time in the series as the Australian skipper tried to flick and was caught bat-pad by Pujara. Jadeja removed Moises Henriques (2) with an excellent diving catch off his own bowling and Ojha castled Siddle (13) to leave Australia struggling at 143 for eight. Then came the two stubborn stands to carry Australia past the 200-run mark. Brad Haddin (30) and Starc (35) added 36 runs for the ninth wicket while Starc and Doherty (18) contributed valuable 44 runs for the last wicket. India`s six-wicket victory also means that for the first time India have won three Tests in a series since Mohammad Azharuddin led his team against Sri Lanka in 1993-94. If India beat Australia in the fourth and final Test in Delhi, starting on Friday, it would become only the third time that the visitors have been whitewashed in a series of three or more matches. The other two were South Africa in 196970 and Pakistan in 1982-83. Afridi told reporters the attack was carried out by two suicide bombers. One suicide bomber blew himself in the courtroom of Additional District and Sessions Judge Kulsoom Azam while the other was shot dead by police, Afridi said. The judicial complex was cleared after a search operation by security forces. Afridi denied media reports that the attackers had taken some hostages. "This was not a security lapse as the attackers were intercepted by three policemen, who were injured in the exchange of fire," Afridi said. Witnesses said the militants holed up in the complex and exchanged fire with security forces for some time. A large contingent of policemen and army soldiers surrounded the judicial complex at Khyber Road, which is a high-security area. Four policemen, several lawyers, Judge Kulsoom Azam and a lady special prosecutor were among the injured. They were taken to the nearby Lady Reading Hospital, where officials described the condition of two persons as serious. Footage on television showed people fleeing in panic from the complex as soldiers took up positions on a nearby road. a model of education which can produce world class human resource in the field of information technology," the bill, introduced by HRD Minister M M Pallam Raju, said. The bill, which seeks to give the IIITs administrative autonomy, would confer the status of institutes of national importance on existing IIITs, situated at Gwalior, Allahabad, Jabalpur and Kancheepuram. The establishment of each IIIT is expected cost Rs 128 crore, with the Centre bearing 50 per cent of the cost and the concerned state government 35 per cent. The remaining 15 per cent would be borne by industry partners. Earlier, the Cabinet, while approving the legislation, had allowed PSUs to become partners in establishment of IIITs which are currently categorised as deemed universities. Official sources had said the plan was to establish one IIIT in every state.

2
Manmohan to meet Xi, Putin at BRICS summit
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will hold talks with new Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Durban, South Africa, next week. The prime minister will be travelling to Durban on March 25-28 for the Fifth BRICS Summit of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. He will also meet with the African leaders at the summit, said informed sources. The prime minister will be accompanied by Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma, National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon, besides other senior officials. The prime minister is to hand over the BRICS chair to South Africa at the Durban summit. The bloc together commands nearly 26 percent of the world's geographical area, and 43 percent of the world's population. The "sherpas" or diplomats of the five nations are meeting on March 24 to resolve any pending issues, a source said. The BRICS nations together command 17 percent of global trade and are recipient of 11 percent of global FDI. The five nations also command 25 percent of global GDP in terms of purchasing power parity and approximately one fifth of global nominal GDP (over 19 percent), the source said.

Commotion in....
Constitution in the state and questioned the state government's failure in implementing it. Unconvinced by the reply of Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Ali Mohammad Sagar, the BJP members staged a walkout from the House. "We have raised the issue of incorporation of 73rd amendment of Panchayat Raj Act in the state in order to empower the panchayats in decision making and financial matters-- but the government has failed to empower them till now", Jugal told reporters outside Assembly. While Panchayats in other parts of the country have financial and decision making powers, those in J&K Panchayat are deprived of such facilities, Jugal said. "The government has ignored our demand for reply on the issue of empowerment of panchayats as they are not keen to empower this institution", he said adding "they have not also been provided security as they become targets of the militants".

Omar denies ...

Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru's body. Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde had rejected the demand to hand over Guru's body to his family. The PDP leaders have been giving statements on this and other issues to the media outside the house. The State Assembly's budget session began Feb 28. The PDP has been boycotting the house since March 13. The session concludes April 5. Omar Abdullah, famous for giving sound bytes and often hard hitting responses to the media, has of late distanced himself from the media here. Media persons were keen to have his reaction on many issues, including the PDP boycott of the budget session and on the chief minister suffixing the word "sahib" (respectable person) with Guru. But Omar Abdullah tersely said, "Talk to those who talk to you outside the house," and walked away with this one-liner. PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Sunday said: "The assembly has been turned into a mock house with the government instead of getting worried by opposition boycott feeling relieved at what it considers as a good riddance." He maintained that this attitude could have disastrous implications for the state.

incorporated in the resolution. Government had said that a decision on India's stand on the US resolution on Sri Lanka at the UN Human Rights Council would be taken only after a discussion with DMK chief M Karunanidhi. "Our three senior ministers are going to meet him (Karunanidhi). He has certain objections, certain suggestions. They will discuss with him the proposal that is coming before the UN, how to present it. Only after this discussion, Government will take a decision," Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath had told reporters outside Parliament. Congress sources have been maintaining that the three leaders have been asked to convince Karunanidhi that Government will not compromise with the interests of the Sri Lankan Tamils at any cost. Both Chidambaram and Antony are said to have good rapport with the DMK supremo while Azad is the Congress in charge of Tamil Nadu affairs. After threatening to pull out DMK ministers from the Government on Friday, Karunanidhi had shot off letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, saying he feels "let down" by the "lukewarm" response of the government. The US-sponsored resolution against Sri Lanka is expected to come up for voting at the United Nations Human Rights Council session in Geneva on March 21.

India-Rome Standoff....
" Italian envoy claims diplomatic immunity. " SC dismisses immunity plea. " SC clarifies that 'a person who comes to court and gives an undertaking has no immunity'.

Seven new LC ...

members will play their role in maintaining the dignity and honour of the House while highlighting the public interest issues. Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, Speaker, Legislative Assembly, Mubarak Gul, Minister for Planning and Development, Ajay Sadhotra, Minister for Law and Parliamentry Affairs, Mir Saifullah, Council of Ministers, senior officers from Council Secretariat and other departments were present on the occasion.

Registration for ....

also contains the application form and state-wise list of Bank Branches with complete addresses which the Yatris can approach for registering themselves for this year's pilgrimage. The applicant-Yatri shall have to furnish Compulsory Health Certificate while seeking registration for this year's Shri Amarnathji Yatra. The format of the Compulsory Health Certificate and statewise list of doctors/institutes authorised to issue it have also been put on the website of the Shrine Board. Health Certificates issued only after 1st March, 2013 would be valid. Moreover persons under the age of 13 years or above the age of 75 years and ladies more than six weeks' pregnant would not be registered for this year's Yatra. For ensuring effective security arrangements along the yatra tracks, only those Yatris who are in possession of a Yatra Permit which is valid for a specified date and route will be allowed to proceed beyond the Base Camps, and cross the Entry Gates at Domel and Chandanwari.

Meira Kumar allows....

the speaker. According to the speaker, she gave the concession as "a lady is involved and a man in frail health". She had adjourned the house till 11.20 am when it assembled at 11 am as both Rao and his party colleague Vijaya Shanthi reached near the speaker's podium shouting pro Telangana slogans. "The government assured the house three years ago that it would create a separate Telangana state, but nothing has happened so far. Thousands have committed suicide," Rao said.

Bill introduced Lok....

partners, the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the Indian Institutes of Information Technology Bill 2013 said. "The main objective in establishing IIITs is to set up

Italian envoy's....
court said it had permitted the marines to go home on sovereign guarantee after the Italy government and its ambassador submitted to the SC jurisdiction. The SC said it would be unacceptable to argue diplomatic immunity after voluntarily subjecting to court's jurisdiction. The Union government told the court that it has rejected March 15 note verb ale from Italian embassy seeking full freedom of movement for its ambassador, who had been restrained by apex court from leaving India. Referring to Italian note verb ale telling India that no authority in India should impede movement of the ambassador in violation of diplomatic immunity, the Centre said the Italy government appears unaware of the constitutional scheme under which the government functions in India. Italian ambassador Daniele Mancini had personally negotiated the release on bail of the two marines last month, enabling them to return to Italy to vote in the country's general election. After a year of disagreement over their fate between Rome and New Delhi, the Italian government announced last Monday that it would renege on its commitment to send the men back and they would remain at home. A furious Indian government has warned of "consequences" and is reviewing its ties with Italy, while the Supreme Court ordered that Mancini should remain in the country and explain himself in court on Monday. Orders were issued to Indian airports last Friday asking them to prevent Mancini from leaving if he tried to board a plane without permission. The marines shot dead two fishermen off India's southwestern coast in February last year when a fishing boat sailed close to the Italian oil tanker they

SC dismisses...
Supreme Court today, senior advocate Gorav Pachananda appearing for the state of Jammu and Kashmir submitted that the judgment of the J&K High Court has already been implemented as the state cabinet in its meeting held on 15th of March 2013 has transferred Baseer Ahmed Khan from the post of DC Srinagar. Advocate Shiekh Shakil Ahmed appearing for the respondents in the SLP (writ petioners) Shiekh Mohammad Shafi and Professor S.K.Bhalla also submitted that the SLP has been rendered infractitious in view of the transfer of DC Srinagar. After hearing both the sides, the Supreme Court dismissed the SLP of state government and termed it as withdrawn. It is worth to mention here that on 13th of March 2013 the Supreme Court had issued notices in this SLP to the respondents Shiekh Mohammad Shafi and Professor S.K.Bhalla for their appearance before the SC on 18th of March 2013 that was on Monday. Both these respondents were represented before the Apex Court by Advocate Shiekh Shakil Ahmed who also informed the court that order of the DB of J&K State High Court has already been implemented by the transfer of DC Srinagar. In another development the state of JSammu and Kashmir also withdrew its application which had been filed before the State High Court seeking extension of the time for implementing the directions of DB issued on March 4, 2013. The BD comprising of Chief Justice M.M.Kumar and Justice Dheeraj Thakur Singh today after hearing senior advocate

In the court of special Municipal Mobile Magistrate, Jammu

Present: V.S. Bhou Dewan Chand S/O Munshi Ram R/O H.No.142 Extn. Janipur Jammu V/S JMC

Consent age to stay...

agreed to stick to 18 years as age of consent following suggestions at the all-party meeting. They said that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Samajwadi Party (SP) were among the parties which had reservations over the lowering the age of consent to 16. The sources said that the age of consent was 16 years under the Indian Penal Code but was raised to 18 in the anti-rape ordinance promulgated by the government in February this year. However, the government agreed to lower the age of consent to 16 under the proposed Criminal Law (Amendment) Bill, 2013, following inter-ministerial consultations. The sources said several political parties had suggested at the all-party meeting that the age of consent should be increased to 18 years since the minimum age of marriage for girls was also 18.

Notice To Public At Large

Whereas, above titled petitioner has been filed in this petition for seeking direction to the non-applicant for registration of birth particular of applicant's child namely Mahesh Dogra born on 12/2/1989. Whereas, through the medium of this proclamation, the public at large is informed that in case, anyone has any objection in issuance of direction with respect to the registration of the birth particulars of the applicant's child by the non-applicant, their he/she/they shall file the same before this court in person or through counsel within 15 days from the date of publication. If the date is fixed declared holiday, the matter will be taken up on the next working day. Given under my hand seal of this court today on 16th day of March 2013. Special Municipal Mobile Registrate Jammu

Shri Amarnathji Yatris....

details,Navin K. Choudhary, Chief Executive Officer informed that the insurance cover will be available to all registered Yatris for the period commencing one week ahead of the commencement of the pilgrimage and ending one week after the conclusion of the Yatra. He further clarified that the insurance will cover any accidental death which takes place anywhere in the State while travelling onward to the Yatra Base Camps as well as while moving on the Yatra tracks. The CEO has again requested all pilgrims in their own interest, not to embark on the Yatra without obtaining valid registration after securing a Compulsory Health Certificate. It is in the interest of all pilgrims to undergo a proper medical check up before registering themselves, for which elaborate arrangements have been made by the Shrine Board. Possession of a valid Yatra Permit would also enable the pilgrims to be covered by Accident Insurance.

In the court of special Municipal Mobile Magistrate, Jammu

Present: V.S. Bhou Ghulam Kumhar S/O Shuwan Kuhmar R/O Ustad Mohalla, Jammu V/S JMC

UNHRC noose...
international probe into war crimes in Sri Lanka. The DMK chief insisted that the government should bring in amendments to declare that "genocide and war crimes had been committed and inflicted on Eelam Tamils by Sri Lankan Army and the Administrators" and seek a credible and independent international commission to probe human rights violations. "I am writing this letter with immense mental agony and feeling of having been let down by the Government of India," he said and hoped the Centre would take immediate steps to assuage the feelings of entire Tamil community by getting the amendments

Lady Judge killed....

The lady judge Kulsoom Azam, was grievously injured when a suicide bomber among the group blew himself up very close to her injuring her and several others. Officials at Lady Reading Hospital said they had received four bodies and 30 injured. After visiting the complex, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Mian Iftikhar Hussain confirmed that suicide attackers were involved in the assault. Though initial reports had suggested up to 10 terrorists were involved in the assault, Additional Inspector General of Police Masood Khan

Notice To Public At Large

Whereas, above titled petitioner has been filed in this petition for seeking direction to the non-applicant for registration of birth particular of applicant's child namely Showkat Kumar born on 07/03/2000. Whereas, through the medium of this proclamation, the public at large is informed that in case, anyone has any objection in issuance of direction with respect to the registration of the birth particulars of the applicant's child by the non-applicant, their he/she/they shall file the same before this court in person or through counsel within 15 days from the date of publication. If the date is fixed declared holiday, the matter will be taken up on the next working day. Given under my hand seal of this court today on 16th day of March 2013. Special Municipal Mobile Registrate Jammu

India thrashes Australia....

Phil Hughes at short midwicket. With 17 required off the last four overs, Sachin Tendulkar (21) was run out after a brilliant effort from

Page 1_.qxd 3/19/2013 5:48 PM Page 3

STUDENT AGE TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2013

STATE

NEWS IN BOX
Stranded passengers to be airlifted for Dawar on March 19
BANDIPORA, MARCH 18: According to Deputy Commissioner, Bandipora, all those passengers having registered themselves at Tehsil Office Bandipora for airlifting to Dawar shall report at S.K. Sports Stadium, Bandipora on March 19, 2013 at 7 a.m. so that the stranded passengers can be airlifted to Dawar Gurez.

No discrimination in funds allocation with any region: Sadhotra

DDB decisions given due consideration, RFD introduced to monitor governance
JAMMU, MARCH 18Rejecting the allegations of discrimination in funds allocation to any region in the State, Minister for Planning & Development, Labour & Employment, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra today told the Legislative Assembly that as per the figures available every region has got its due in the financial allocations over the years. Wrapping up the discussion on demand of grants for the Departments under his control, the Minister said the figures available of 11th Five Year Plan indicate that there has been equal distribution of resources among various regions of the State. He said as per these figures 48.28% funds were allocated to Kashmir region while as Jammu received 47.26% and Ladakh region 4.46% of funds during the said five year plan. He said in terms of capital investment, Kashmir region received an investment of Rs 1858 per capita while as Jammu received Rs 2350 per capita and Ladakh region received Rs 4082 per capita investment during the said plan period. He said these figures should be eye opener for those creating the hoax of disparity in the distribution of funds. He said Government is committed to the balanced development of all regions of the state and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has reiterated this time and again. Terming District Development Boards (DDB) as an important constituent of planning process, the Minister said Government is making efforts to strengthen these institutions to further consolidate the concept of single line administration in the State which was introduced by late Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah in late 70's. He said during the last three years, 2054 decisions were taken at various DDB meetings out of which 1388 decisions were implemented and 666 decisions are under various stages of implementation. The delay, he said, has been either due to financial implications or other technical reasons. Sadhotra said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has time and again stressed the need for monitoring and evaluation to ensure that funds percolate down to the ground without any pilferage at any level. He said for the first time in the State third party monitoring of projects has been introduced and a reputed agency like NABCONS has been engaged for the purpose. He said so far they have evaluated 109 projects and given reports while as 87 projects are under evaluation. He said to strengthen accountability and make works target specific, Government has introduced the concept of Results Framework Document (RFD). This, he said, would not only improve accountability within the system but also help in evaluating the governance pattern. The Minister said due to the efforts of the Chief Minister the centre has so far released Rs. 1509 crore under Special Plan Assistance while as Rs. 300 crore have been placed with Finance Department by the Planning Commission of India and another Rs 184 crore are in the pipeline. He said the Chief Minister has taken up with the centre to treat all centrally sponsored schemes on 90:10 ratio as is prevalent in the North Eastern states. Giving details of the various big ticket projects coming up in the state, Sadhotra said Rs. 772 crore greater Jammu water supply scheme has been formulated which will cater to the drinking water needs of the area for the coming 30 years. He said work on Rs. 351 crore Jehangir Chowk-Rambagh flyover would start from next month and rehabilitation plan of the same is currently under consideration. Similarly he said Rs. 95.50 crore Bikram Chowk flyover project is almost ready for take-off and so is the multi-storeyed parking project for Srinagar and Jammu cities. The Minister said M/S RITES has prepared a report of Rs. 33000 crore traffic decongestion projects for Srinagar and Jammu which would soon be taken up with the Planning Commission.

Kissan Mela organized at Sungri

REASI, MARCH 18- MLA Gulabgarh Abdul Gani Malik inaugurated a Kissan mela cum awareness camp at Sungri in Reasi district. R:K Safaya CAO, SDM Mahore and district officers of various departments were present on the occasion. During the camp various departments had set up their stall to exhibit the activity of their departments. A large number of farmers from adjoining areas participated in the awareness camp who were educated about different schemes being implemented by the departments which include horticulture, Animal Husbandary, Sericulture, Fisheries and others.

Capacity building prog on use of consultancy service

REASI, MARCH 18- The Consultancy Development Centre (CDC) Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India in association with JK Industrial & Technical Consultancy Organisation (JK ITCO) organised a capacity building program on use of consultancy services at Reasi today. The program was inaugurated by Deputy Commissioner Reasi Nirmal Sharma. Chief Planning Officer Reasi Janak Raj, CEO Reasi, AD Employment, AD Fisheries, Deputy Registrar Cooperatives, lead Bank Officer Reasi and officers of various departments attended the programme. The main focus of the training program was to make officers aware about selection of consultants and Client Consultant agreement. Officers were advised to ensure efficient selection procedures for successful preparation and implementation of projects. S.P Sood, Associate Consultant JK ITCO highlighted the role of JKITCO in development of industries and association with CDC for capacity building on use of consultant series in Government departments.

Warm farewell accorded to Sahu

Man held for abducting a teenage girl in South Kashmir

SRINAGAR: Police apprehended a 30 year old man from South Kashmir for allegedly abducting a 16 year old girl. The incident had sparked tension in Ashmuqam area while the timely action of police kept the people at bay who allegedly were trying to exploit the situation. "There was tension in the area but we arrested the culprit timely and thus eased the tension and didn't allow anti-social elements to exploit the situation," Deputy Superintendent of Police Mohammad Arif Shah told CNS. According to police, 30 year old man Manzoor Ahmed Tedoo from Gawas Ashmuqam had lured a 16 year old girl a week ago. "We constituted a team and recovered the girl from a far flung area. The girl was handed over to her family while we have charged this man with assault, kidnapping and unlawful confinement," Station House Officer Ashmuqam, Jan Muzafar told CNS adding an FIR 08/2013 has already been registered in this regard.

Govt to modernize its Printing Presses: Manohar

JAMMU, MARCH 18- Minister of State for Stationery and Printing, Dr. Manohar Lal Sharma has said that Government will take necessary steps to modernize the existing set up of Government Printing Press at Srinagar and Jammu in a phased manner to ensure quality printing. Replying to the discussions on the demand of Grants for Stationery and Printing Department in the House today, the Minister said that to further tone up the functioning of the Government Press, all vacancies will be filled up on fast track basis. He said the main objective of the Department is to make quality supply of stationery articles and printing material to all Government Departments and PSUs on genuine rates and out of this the department generated revenue to the tune of Rs. 22.37 crore in previous fiscal. The Minister revealed that a new Government Press building at Srinagar is under construction at a cost of Rs. 7.50 crore and Rs. 48 lakh has been earmarked for the modernization of Jammu Government Press.

23631 kms road being maintained under R&B, PMGSY sector in state: Wani
JAMMU: Minister for R&B Abdul Majid Wani while replying to a question by Subash Chander Gupta informed that over 23631. 62 kms of road length are being maintained by R&B department which include 20526 kms under R&B and 3104.92 kms under PMGSY sector. He further informed that 160 mtrs Major bridge has been planned for construction over Tarana Nallah on old SambaKathua road by BRO and the project is at an advanced stage of sanction. DDC Poonch, Ajeet Kumar Sahu along with others posing for a group photograph. POONCH, MARCH 18Affectionate and warm send off was accorded to District Development Commissioner, Poonch, Ajeet Kumar Sahu by District Administration Poonch on his transfer from Poonch to Jammu District at Dak Bungalow here today. Speakers highlighted multifarious qualities of Sahu which he displayed during two year service as DDC in Poonch. Sahu's calibre to understand problems confronted and posed by colleague officers and other individuals. His mental capacity to deliver quick decisions to resolve the problems aptly were lauded. All speakers appreciated his presence of mind and soul as a capable administrator to co-ordinate among officers and all sections of people irrespective of their caste, colour, creed and religion.

Dogri Mushaira organized at Sehgal Hall

JAMMU, MARCH 18 - Captivating Dogri Mushaira based on varied themes was organized by Department of Information and Public Relations at K. L. Sehgal Hall, here today. The Dogri Mushaira organized in collaboration with Academy of Art, Culture and Languages enthralled the listeners with the heart touching verses recited by the poets. On the occasion former Director Radio Kashmir, Jammu, Padamshree Jitendra Udhampuri was the chief guest while Additional Secretary Cultural Academy Savita Bakshi presided. Reputed poets of the region which included K. K. Shakir, Sham Talib, Surinder Sagar, Kesar, Yashpaul Yash besides budding artists were provided a platform to putforth their views on different aspects of life. Later, as a token of appreciation cash prizes were also distributed among the poets.

Amendment in Panchayat Act under examination: Sagar JKNPP member suspended

JAMMU, MARCH 18: Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj has said that recommendations of high level committee for amendment in 73 Panchayati Raj Act is under examination of Law Department and after receiving the same would be submitted to the cabinet. Replying to the supplementaries on main question by Harshdev Singh in the House here today, the Minister said that the Sarpanchs would get enhanced remuneration @ Rs 2000 per month and panchs a sitting fee of Rs 300 per sitting up to maximum of Rs 600 per month with effect from April this year adding that honorarium to the members of Panchayat Adalts is under consideration of the Government. He said Rs 30 lakh have been provided from CD fund to maximum constituencies for development of model villages adding that DPRs for development of model village under BADP in the concerned constituencies have been formulated. He said flagship scheme MGNREGA guarantees all round development of villages adding that under this scheme maximum fund would be utilized for making every village a model village. Replying to the main question, the Rural Development Minister said that functions of 14 Departments have been assigned to the Panchayats. He said details of guidelines have been provided by each Department to ensure that devolution is implemented. The Minister said that out of 110233 rural works 62, 439 works taken up during last three years in Kashmir Division have been completed while as in Jammu division out of 129335 rural works 84594 works were completed during the said period under MGNREGA. He said that 3562 persons engaged as supporting staff under MGNREGA in the state, out of which 1052 persons were engaged in Jammu division for the purpose. Qamar Ali Akhoon, Ashok Kumar, G. M. Saroori, M. Y. Tarigami and Mohammad Sharief Niaz raised supplementaries to the question and demanded holistic development of rural areas in their constituencies under MGNREGA. The Rural Development Minister assured members that all their genuine demands raised in the House for carrying development in rural villages would be taken seriously for implementation. Replying to another question by Mrs. Indu Pawar, the Minister informed the House that 284776 house hold latrines have been constructed in the state upto January this year since the inceon of Total Sanitation Campaign programme which is now renamed as Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan. The Minister said that 116 community sanitary complexes are constructed during last financial year in the state adding that 19389 toilets have been constructed in schools and Anganwadi centres in the state upto January 2013 under this programme. JAMMU: An MLA of Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) was suspended from the state Assembly Monday for his protests over the inadequate power supply in his constituency. During the Question Hour in the Assembly, JKNPP member Balwant Singh Mankotia raised the issue of various problems relating to uninterrupted power supply and its improvement in his constituency. He demanded reply from the government, which was turned down by the Speaker Mubarak Gul, saying that the former have asked a lot of supplimentaries. Enraged over this,

for uproar in J&K Assembly

Mankotia tore the question paper and threw it in the Well of the House, and staged a walkout from the House, leading to the Speaker to suspend him for the day. "We will not allow the House to become hostage to such acts-- he has thrown mike last time (during his protest over his demand for bringing resolution against Pakistan in the state Assembly)," Gul said. Later, speaking to the media persons here, the JKNPP member alleged that his suspension was an excuse to target him after he demanded resolution against Pakistan over its Assembly's remark on the execution of Afzal Guru.

Police arrests thieves, recovers stolen articles

POONCH, MARCH 18: Two notorious thieves were arrested by Poonch Police on Monday and substantial number of stolen material was recovered from them. The thieves Irfan Khan S/o Mohammad Imam R/o Village Islamabad and Sahid Ahmed S/o Zahoor Ahmed R/o Village Kuniya, District Poonch who are students appear to have developed a taste for stealing computer ware. Four UPS, three printers, one monitor, two CFT, one keyboard, three mouse and one cartridge of printer were recovered from them along with a host of equipment with which they used to commit burglaries. The police had already registered FIRs No 32 and 33/2013 against them under Section 457/380 RPC. The thieves were produced before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate, Poonch, Riyazul -Haq- Mirza who remanded them to ten days' police custody. In a press conference SP Poonch, Shamsher Hussain said that due to the effective policing the number of theft cases in Poonch have shown a decrease compared to previous years. ASP, Yugal Manhas, DySP headquarters Mohammad Rashid, DySP Aijaz Mullick and SHO, Poonch Surjeet Kumar Salathia were also present in the press conference. He further said that police will ensure all help to the public but as the number of police men is less the local public will have to remain vigilant in order to foil the attempt of the anti-social elements.

Governor inaugurates Post Office Summit; gives away Dak Sewa Awards
JAMMU, MARCH 18 - N. N. Vohra, Governor Jammu and Kashmir, inaugurated the Post Office Summit and gave away Dak Sewa Awards for 2011 and 2012 at a function organized by the Department of Posts, J&K Circle, at the Police Auditorium here today. The awardees included 19 functionaries of the Department of Posts, J&K Circle, and two Post Offices, for providing commendable services to the people. The Governor inaugurated the Post Office Summit by lighting the ceremonial lamp. The panelists from varied fields participating in the Summit will deliberate on the various initiatives which could be taken for bringing progressive improvements in the Postal services in the

EMPHASIZES

IMPORTANCE OF

POST OFFICES

Omar pays tributes to late itoo

JAMMU, MARCH 18- Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has paid reach tributes to former Speaker J&K Legislative Assembly late Wali Mohammad Itoo describing him a true friend of people who sacrificed his life for them and upheld high principles of democracy, human dignity and public cause. On the death anniversary of late Itoo being observed today in the state, Omar Abdullah said that Itoo worked selflessly for the benefit and welfare of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and contributed for the growth and development of democratic institutions. He said that Itoo's role as Speaker of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly has been laudable. The Chief Minister prayed for peace to the departed soul.

N. N. Vohra, Governor gives away Dak Sewa Awards at a during inaugural function of Post Office Summit at Jammu. State to make these increasingly public-oriented. The Governor, who was the Chief Guest at the function, highlighted the importance of Post Offices and observed that Indian Postal Department is among the oldest organizations in the country which has for decades past provided valuable services to the people, particularly those living in the remote and difficult parts of the country. He added that more than half a century ago, when there were very few Bank branches, particularly in the far-flung and remote areas, people were availing the services of Post Offices for their various requirements as well as for making investments of their savings. He observed that many of the Small Savings Schemes are still available with the Post

Offices, from which the people can benefit. He emphasized the need for introducing modern technology and upgrading logistics to bring continuing improvements in the functioning of Post Offices, particularly in the rural areas. Referring to Jammu and Kashmir, the Governor observed that the Postal Department has been doing very well, particularly ever since John Samuel took over as Chief Postmaster General, J&K Circle. He said that Samuel has been regularly organizing various functions in both Jammu and Kashmir Divisions to enlarge the awareness of the people at large about the importance of the Post Offices and the services which are rendered by the Postal department.

Page 1_.qxd 3/19/2013 5:48 PM Page 4

STUDENT AGE TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2013

STATE

25000 youth to be trained in hospitality trades, 3 mega tourism circuits in offing: GA Mir
Suggests resolution appealing people to protect tourist infrastructure
JAMMU, MARCH 18: Minister for Tourism, Mr Ghulam Ahmad Mir has said that Government would train 25000 youth in the trades of hospitality and protocol during next four years in the state under Hunar-se-Rozgar Scheme to give further impetus to the tourist activities and to generate opportunities of employment. For this purpose the Food Craft Institutions at Jammu and Leh have been made functional. Replying to the discussion on the demands of grants for Tourism Department, the Minister said that promotion of adventure as well as golf tourism in the State is on focus of the Government adding that to create this facility in Jammu and Ladakh, convention centres are coming up in capital cities of these regions. He said work on the upgradation of Sidhra Golf course and development of Leh Golf Course would be completed in forth coming financial year. The Tourism Minister said that Government will encourage private players in tourism promotion in the State for which handsome incentives are available for them. He said Government has been providing loans to the intending investors up to Rs. one crore for setting up of income generating units under tourism industry. He said those who want to convert their houses into the guest houses and purchasing adventure equipment or tourist coaches can avail a subsidy amount up to Rs. 7 lakh. The Minister said that Government contemplates to develop 3 new mega tourism circuits one each in three regions of the state and 4th one connecting South Kashmir with Chenab Valley. Each project is envisaged to be of Rs 250 crore valuing and to be funded by the Centre with feasible sub-projects in PPP mode. He said that tourism potential of historical Mughal road would be explored fully by creating infrastructure facilities along the entire stretch of road. The Minister said that a Golf Development Authority would be created for management and maintenance of Golf courses in the State for promotion of Golf tourism in the unexplored areas of the State. The Minister said that to attract tourists towards Baghe-Bahu, Katra and Leh light and sound shows would be organized next financial year adding that focused attention would also be given to explore and show case the serene beauty of Bangus Valley in Kupwara. Enumerating the activities of tourism in the state, the Minister said that state has recorded highest ever tourist influx in 2011 and 2012, saying that 13.11 lakh tourists which included 37000 foreigners, 6.21 lakh Shri Amarnath yatries visited Kashmir Valley during last tourist season. He said 1.03 crore pilgrims visited Shri Mata Vaishno Devi while as 1.40 lakh including 38,000 foreign tourists visited Ladakh during last season. The Minister hoped this year also the state would witness huge influx of tourists. He said peace is must for tourism boom and called upon the people to provide whole-hearted cooperation for ensuring complete peace in the state. He urged upon the legislators to use their influence in maintaining peace and tranquillity for sustainable development and tourism promotion. Expressing concern over comfort and convenience of tourists, the Minister suggested the House to bring a resolution appealing people of the state not to cause any damage to tourist infrastructure besides emphasizing them to respect and honour the tourists which is be our prime concern and responsibility as well. The Minister said that Centre has sanctioned 79 tourism projects worth Rs 367 crore for creation of varied tourist related infrastructure facilities in the state during last four years against which 62 projects have been completed. Three mega projects including Rs 38.15 crore for Naagar Nagar, Srinagar to Watlab, Rs 16.92 crore for Mubarak Mandi Heritage Conservation Project and Rs 22.43 crore for TransHamaliyan Cultural Centre Project Leh are also under implementation, he added. To preserve the rich cultural heritage of the State, the Government has forwarded DPRs of Rs 150 crore to the Centre for funding for development of Sufi Circuit in Kashmir, Spiritual Circuit in Jammu and Budhist Circuit in Leh, which in principle has been agreed to by the Centre, said the Minister. The Minister said to promote adventure tourism in the state 2nd phase of Kongdoori-Marysholder Ski Chair Lift Gulmarg has been commissioned at a cost of Rs 17.50 crore. He said Rs 6 crore Ropeway Project Makdoom Sahib would be commissioned during coming financial year. The Minister said that construction of Rs 40 crore, Mubarak Mandi-Maha MayaShahbad Cable Car project would be taken up soon after receiving Forest, Wildlife and Environment clearances, adding that Ropeways at Patnitop and Shiv Khori would also be taken up after clearing certain bottlenecks. The Minister said that the revenue of JKTDC is expected to touch Rs 36 crore during the current fiscal. The Corporation has expended Rs 21 crore for reconstruction of Pahalgam Club and gutted Budshah Hotel Srinagar while as construction of Rs 15.23 crore budgeted hotels at Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Yousmarg and Cheshmashahi is apace, he added. To promote tourism potential in the districts, 20 Tourism Development Authorities have been established, under which 91 projects worth Rs 294 crore with centre funding have been undertaken. For the purpose the State Government has released Rs 141 crore during last three years. Similarly, under Jammu Task Force recommendations projects worth Rs 14.81 crore are under implementation in the division, he maintained. The Minister said that to showcase the tourism potential of Jammu and Kashmir, a vigorous promotional campaign in and outside the country is being organized; besides local festivals will also be organized to exhibit the cultural heritage of the state.

'Team of in- university Agri technocrats to study potential in J&K '

JAMMU, MARCH 18: The Minister for Agriculture Production Ghulam Hassan Mir today said that a team of students the State. The Minister said this after inaugurating 3rd National Summit on Organic Farming aimed at product, certi-

Mir inaugurates 3rd National Bhalla pays glowing tributes to legendary Dogri folk singer Dansaliya Summit on Organic Farming
'Launches Rs. 9.5 lakh development works at Shastri Nagar'
JAMMU, MARCH 18Paying rich tributes to legendary Dogri and Gojri Folk Singer, the Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture Raman Bhalla has said that Haji Ghulam Mohammad was a connoisseur of devotional songs (Bhakan) of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Ji and a symbol of secular tradition of Jammu and Kashmir State. This was stated by the Minister while addressing a large gathering at a function organized by Bhartiya Lok Sangeet Sansthan (BLSS) in collaboration with J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Languages (JKAACL) at K L Saigal hall to pay glowing tributes to Dogra legendry folk singer Late Haji Gulam Mohammad Dansaliya, here today. Additional Secretary immense potential for organic farming in the State and thegovernment will take all out efforts to promote it in a big way. He also informed about several steps taken by State Government in order to highlight the importance of agriculture in the allround growth of the State's economy. The Minister said that soil's fertility is decreasing day by day due to use of chemical fertilizers and under such circumstances the farmers have to adopt the Organic farming. He said that organic farming was picking up pace in India but the sector has been jostling with lack of awareness, knowledge and confidence about its use and subsequent food products among both farmers and consumers.The Minister said that in the farming system a piece of land is used omally and to its fullest potential to produce a range of nutritious and healthy food as well as other required commodities in a manner which can healthily feed a small family, and maintain soil health and productivity by agricultural practices based on principles of organic farming.

Minister for Agriculture Ghulam Hassan Mir addressing public gathering during 3rd National Summit on Organic Farming at K. C. Plaza,Jammu. from the field of agriculture shall be nominated to conduct a study to develop systematic approach and plan for promotion of organic farming among the farmers of fication, value addition and marketing organized by ASSOCHAM India here at K. C. Plaza, this morning. The Minister said that State offers

JKAACL Mrs. Savita Bakshi, Chairman BLSS M L Dogra, Director BLSS V K Magotra, President Dogri Sanstha Yash Pal Yash besides writers, Dogri singers and poets were present on the occasion. Bhalla said with his death an era of spiritual Dogri music has come to an end. He prayed to Almighty to bless his soul and hoped that his followers will be able to continue with

the tradition. He said Late Dansaliya's demise has created a vacuum in the State's Folk music which will not be filled for years to come. He said Late Dansaliya, also expert of making folk sarangy, made this instrument very popular among his followers. He said he would be remembered by new generation as an apostle of peace, tranquility and brotherhood in J&K

State. His contribution in the promotion of folk, art culture and recognition of Dogri language would inspire all in J&K State in days to come. The Minister lauded the efforts of BLSS and JKAACL for organizing a program, first of its kind,to pay tributes to Dogri Legendry who enriched the culture of the State in every nook and corner of the country.

Police recover 15 cedar scants in Bhaderwah

BHADARWAH: Fifteen cedar scants and 11 huge logs of green cedar trees worth lakhs of rupees were recovered from Ghoraka block of Kellar range of Bhadarwah Forest Division, police said Monday. Reacting to media reports about large scale illegal logging of green cedar trees by forest mafia in connivance with some forest officials, SSP (Doda) Aarif Rishu rushed a police team to Khalu village yesterday, police said. During search operation, police recovered 15 green scants covered with cedar leaves and 11 huge logs extracted from green cedar trees from compartment 13 in Ghoraka block of Kellar range of Bhadarwah Forest Division, they said. "No arrest was made as smugglers who were chopping the logs to convert them into scants managed to flee from the spot," they said. However, police seized scants and the logs and registered a case under section 6 of Forest Act and RPC in Bhadarwah Police Station, they said.

Peace imperative for progress, prosperity of the State: Sakina

KULGAM, MARCH 18: The Minister for Social Welfare, Ms. Sakina Itoo while addressing a large gathering at Damhal Hanjipora in Kulgam district said that peace is imperative for the progress and development of the State, besides improving the socio-economic status of the people. She exhorted for maintaining peace, tranquillity and unity for making J&K a model State with all basic facilities available to the people. Describing former Speaker, Late Wali Mohammad Itoo as propeople and leader of high calibre who worked for the prosperity of the people living in far-flung areas, the Minister said that the late leader always worked for the upliftment of poor people. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that during the current financial year as many as 1221 developmental works were taken up and 5.58 lakh mandays were generated under MG NREGA in the district. The Minister reiterated that education sector has been prioritized and unemployed youth have been provided better avenues for establishment of their income generation units under Sher-iKashmir Employment Programme. The Minister also lauded the network of roads being set up all across the State besides the health care facilities being made available. The Minister of State for Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Nazir Ahmad Gurezi while speaking on 19th death anniversary of late Wali Mohammad Itoo termed him as the torch bearer of prosperity in the remote areas like Noorabad constituency. MLA Amira Kadal, Nasir Aslam Wani also spoke on the occasion and paid rich tributes to the late Wali Mohammad Itoo. Among others, Deputy Commissioner, Kulgam, Director Social Welfare, Kashmir, Senior Superintendent of Police, Kulgam and officers of district administration were also present.

DIET Samba organizes training programme 13 business establishments affected in

SAMBA, MARCH 18DIET, Samba organized two days training programme for School Management & Development Committee (SMDC) Members under Rashtriya Madhmik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) for the year 2012-13 at DIET Complex Tarore, Vijaypur, Samba, in two phases from March 18 to March 19 and March 20 to March 21. The main objective of this training programme is to aware/train the SMDC members about the role and their responsibilities for implementation of Sarvh Shiksha Abhiyan and Rashtriya Madhmik Shiksha Abhiyan. It was informed that various components of SSA 'viz' Opening of New Primary Schools, Upgradation of Primary Schools to Upper Primary Schools, Engagement of ReT Teachers, Construction of Primary School Buildings, Construction of Middle School Buildings and Additional Class Rooms and RMSA like Construction of Additional Accommodation in upgraded High Schools shall be discussed in detail during these workshops so as to sensitize the members of the committee which include the Sarpanches/Panches to ensure public participation and transparency in implementation of these important flagship programmes. District Development Commissioner, Samba, Mubarak Singh who is also Chairman RMSA District Samba inaugurated the work shop and emphasized that these type of workshops/ training programmes should be organized on regular intervals. He highlighted the achievements made in the District under these programmes and impressed upon all officers and the members of PRIs to work in unison and involve the public so as to have larger benefits from these schemes. He stressed for making extra efforts for enrollment of maximum students in government schools and work with dedication to improve the results of the schools. He also stressed the need of Remedial Teaching for weak students in extra time and particularly focused on the disadvantage community. It was informed that under SSA, 157 New Primary Schools have been opened and 105 upgraded to the level of Upper Primary Schools, 494 ReT Teachers were engaged, besides completion of 108 Primary School Buildings, 18 Middle School Buildings and 185 Additional Class Rooms, since inception of the scheme in the District. Further, under RMSA three Middle Schools in Phase - I, four in Phase - II and three in Phase -III have been upgraded to the level of High Schools and construction of additional accommodation in these upgraded 10 schools has also been taken up in the District. Mohd Javid Principal DIET, Samba apprised about the functioning of the DIET, Samba while Programme Coordinator, Dhananter Singh DEPO/DPC of RMSA spoke about the interventions and their implementations of RMSA in the District. The programme is being attended by Principals of Govt. Higher Secondary Schools, Headmasters of Govt. High Schools, besides the Sarpanches/Panches of the District.

Kralpora fire incident: Kichloo

JAMMU, MARCH 18: Minister of State for Home Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo while replying to a calling attention notice by Syed Mohammad Rafiq Shah said that on 2.3.2013, a telephonic message was received at Fire and Emergency Station Kralpora nearest station regarding outbreak of fire at Meleyal, Kupwara. The Minister said Fire & Emergency stations of Kralpora, Trehgam and Kupwara along with men and machinery with four Fire Tenders and 3 portable pumps reached the spot within minutes. He said one shopping line having wooden construction single storied tin roofed, comprising of 13 shops was involved in fire in which 5 shops including 4 shops/stores of CAPD, 03 of which were empty and were partly gutted slightly damaging 10 sugar bags. Kichloo said that 8 other shops dealing in Mobile/TV repairing, tea Stall, Nanwai shop, Kiryana/Hosiery and Hardware shops were completely gutted, adding that 17 shops adjacent to the involved property and other commercial units on opposite side of the involved property were completely saved.. He said the

loss of property was estimated approximately to about Rs. 18 lakh out of the involved property of approximately Rs 45 Lakh. He said the property saved was approximately worth Rs 27 lakh. He said no loss of life was reported and cause of fire is under police investigation. The nearest Fire & Emergency Station Kralpora is at a distance of about 7 kms from the place of incident.

Page 1_.qxd 3/19/2013 5:48 PM Page 5

STUDENT AGE TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2013

EDITORIAL

Power picnic
he State of Jammu and Kashmir is presently on a power picnic. Nobody cares to bring in much needed reforms to improve the overall power sector in the State on both financial counts and on the infrastructural front. The authorities have a picnic type approach to the problem. Let us see what happens--- Jo hooga Deekha ja. We are reminded of an interesting explanation of a senior scientist in the wake of the worst nuclear disaster that struck the Chernobyl nuke power plant. According to him the nuke reactor went on a "power excursion." If we take into view the power scenario in the State we too here are on a power picnic. With liberal funding from the Centre and a slow pace of overhauling the power infrastructure in the State there is less hope that we will succeed in bringing major reforms in power sector. According a report the power purchase bill for the current financial year is pegged at an incredible 4000 crores. Revenue realization from consumers is being set at a maximum of 1700 crores. This leaves a gaping gap of 2300 crores for the next financial year. Power sector in the State is a strange case of chronic malady that refuses to get cured. The culprit is the mindset of the ruling regimes who have promised to make un-interrupted power supply a plank of their poll agenda but nothing doing. The poor consumer of this State has strained his ear in the days of radio broadcast that measures were being taken to improve the power scenario. The same poor consumer in the present times of television again with more visual emphasis shown the date of reckoning when power sector will be overhauled and its deep rooted malaise cured. There are many things for the government to do if it wants to improve power situation in the sector. Firstly the work on State owned power projects is to be speed up so that we increase our local generation capacity. Secondly the consumers will have to be made understood that power is not a free toffee that the government is distributing free. On this front a lot has been done but a lot more needs to be done. Power Development Department (PDD) has to embark on a hundred percent metering campaign where by all consumers whether government or private will have to be metered within a short span of time. Transmission and Distribution losses account for a large percentage of power wastage. On this front better conductors should be used so that T&D loses are reduced. Illegal power withdrawal is another issue that has to be tackled on a priority basis. With summer about to knock our doors it is incumbent upon the PDD to ensure a large pool of reserve and better quality transformers because the burning of power transformers is a big headache that the consumer faces. Some system has to be adopted whereby the honest consumer who pays his bills on time and has power saving FSLs in his home does not suffer in the hot and humid weather. Let the honest enjoy and the dishonest suffer be the guiding principal of Power development Department.

If allegations prove guilt, Modi alone is not in the dock

By S.L. RAO he 'disinvitation' of a University of Pennsylvania invitation to Narendra Modi to deliver the keynote address at an annual conference on India at Wharton is now an old story. It still needs comment. It was ugly and insulting. The 'disinvitation' for Modi was initiated by a petty publicityseeking Indian-origin assistant professor of social sciences at the university, with two other more reticent followers. On Indian television channels this assistant professor was given time to explain his position. The university rescinded the invitation after receiving a letter, co-signed by the two others. Modi is a politician with boundless ambition. He seeks a national and international reputation and role. Such invitations help to bolster his image as a major political figure. His basic image was made in Gujarat and India, and does not depend on speaking at a few overseas universities, including Ivy League ones in the United States of America. But they spread his name. Given the Indian penchant for foreign praise, it will help in fund-raising from overseas Indians. It is strange that the University of Pennsylvania decided to invite him in the first place without the usual checks. This assistant professor was too low down the pole to have been consulted then. Many others must have persuaded the university to invite Modi. The university must also have done some checking of its own and decided that the three times

elected chief minister of Gujarat was a fit person to address the conference. What were the fresh arguments (as detailed by the assistant professor, on Indian media) for withdrawing the invitation? One was the allegation of Modi's responsibility in the killing of over 2,000 Muslims in the Gujarat riots of 2002. The other was that his model of development in Gujarat was mostly media hype and that the reality was much inferior to the claims. No court has yet ruled against Modi for any role in the Gujarat riots. He was the chief minister at the time. The allegations were that he instructed ministers and top policemen to let the killings continue. No credible evidence that this was so has been submitted in the numerous inquiries and court hearings. If we accept that allegations are facts, Rajiv Gandhi can be accused of allowing the killings of many thousands of Sikhs in Delhi to continue for three days. Had he instructed the police to allow this? His home minister, P.V. Narasimha Rao, was incommunicado during the killings. Can he be held responsible? The People's Union for Civil Liberties published a leaflet titled "Who are the Guilty?" that described what happened and named the ring leaders who led the targeted killings of Sikhs. No one has so far been punished. Indeed, Jagdish Tytler, who was, was made a Union cabinet minister. He and Sajjan Kumar, who was also named, enjoy Z plus security at the nation's cost. They were charged but the cases have been allowed to drag on for years.

Balasaheb Thackeray was reported to have instigated his followers to kill many Muslims during the postBabri Masjid demolition riots in Mumbai. No member of the Shiv Sena was charged. Nor was the then Congress chief minister for allowing the riots to take such a toll. The Akali Dal government in Punjab has been honouring Jarnail Singh Bhindranwale, who died during his armed occupation of the Akal Takht, the (hanged) security guards who killed Indira Gandhi, and the still-in-jail killer of the Punjab chief minister, Beant Singh. All of them were established as murderers. Should the Punjab government not be charged because of its possible collaboration in the crimes committed earlier by these men, since the Punjab government is now condoning their crimes? In contrast, Gujarat has had an active civil movement to bring the killers of Muslims in 2002 to book. It has succeeded in charging, trying and convicting some of them. Modi does not figure in this list. The civil libertarians who tried to charge the leaders of the killers of Sikhs in Delhi were hindered at every stage by Congress governments. Should not top Congress leaders of the time be ostracized and investigated? Instead, many held or continue to hold high office. I hold no brief for Modi. I consider him a deeply divisive and arrogant person. He has administrative, oratorical and media-handling skills beyond that of any other Indian politician today. He is not a consulta-

tive person who acts after building a consensus. He has certainly used Hinduism, as L.K. Advani did with his rath yatra earlier, to win mass support and elections. Now he is changing tack, as he sees the need to appeal to the larger national electorate and not merely that of Gujarat. Modi's claims that the Gujarat development model is a good one for India's development must be debated. Many do not agree. There is data that it is not inclusive of women, children, lower castes, tribes and Muslims. He is said to have attracted massive investments into Gujarat. But Gujarat has always had a business-friendly government - irrespective of political parties. He has used his administrative skills to simplify bureaucratic procedures and made land acquisition and other clearances easy and speedy. Starting a new industry is easier in Gujarat than anywhere else in India. Corruption in Gujarat under Modi is supposed to have lessened. Modi's administrative skills have led to his separating agricultural feeders for electricity from other supplies. This has enabled Gujarat to ensure 24x7 power for households and industry and a few hours of guaranteed power for agriculture. He has used the boon of the Narmada waters to supply piped drinking water to many lakhs of rural households. He has actually spent (not stolen as in many other states) Central funds to build good roads and other infrastructure, and deliver benefits to the poor. By paying the electricity bills of suppliers on time (unlike many other state gov-

ernments), he has attracted investment in power. But Gujarat has a long way to go before it reaches the human development status of Tamil Nadu or Kerala. There is no magic wand for India's development. The prime minister claims that the Congress has ensured higher growth of gross domestic product than the Bharatiya Janata Party did when in power at the Centre. But he must also take discredit for the many other ills of our society - in human development indicators, exploitation of women, theft of subsidies and loan waivers to farmers, corruption in the sale of national assets in telecommunications, coal and so on, and massive theft of government funds supposed to be spent on programmes to improve peoples' lives. In these circumstances, will the Wharton gang who got the university to disinvite Modi be consistent if it invites Manmohan Singh, Sonia or Rahul Gandhi, or other top Congressmen to speak at its forums? If Modi is guilty of Muslim deaths and uneven development, so are they. These people carry the blot of the Sikh killings in Delhi and the uneven, non-inclusive, unequal, and poor development of India. The University of Pennsylvania's reaction was immature and unworthy of a great American university. It brings discredit to the university and the gang who made this happen, not to Modi. He did not deserve the insult of being invited and then having it withdrawn on the plea of a confused and attention-seeking junior teacher.

Justice is crumbling, but no one bothers

By Joginder Singh India's Parliament and State Assemblies have many law-makers who have criminal records. Thus, it's no wonder that few steps have been taken to improve the country's outdated criminal justice system. There is an old saying, which clearly has been forgotten in this country: 'In a democracy, you can fool some of the people all the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you cannot fool all of the people all the time.' The Prime Minister, while addressing the legal fraternity during the golden jubilee celebrations of the Bar Council of India last month, urged lawyers to work with judges to provide speedy justice to the people. Mr Manmohan Singh said that it was of critical importance that the bench and the bar worked together in ensuring the rule of law in our country and in furthering our Constitutional objectives. "Unless this happens, we cannot succeed substantially in providing speedy and affordable justice to millions of our countrymen, especially those who belong to poor and weaker sections of society", he added. As a postscript, he added that the Government was aware of its responsibility to build a "strong and effective" justice delivery system. Then, as if the Government was not aware of how to solve this problem despite clear recommendations of the Law Commission regarding how self-created challenges can be overcome and bottlenecks removed, Mr Singh said that an obvious area of concern was the large number of cases pending in courts, especially in trial courts. "I would urge the whole of the legal fraternity to pool their knowledge, wisdom and experience to find ways and means to tackle this problem", he added. Interestingly, it is the Centre and the States that together account for 70 per cent of the three crore cases that are pending in various courts in India. This, in effect, makes the Government the largest litigant in this country. The question here is: When the Government makes for two-third of all court cases, then where is the time for the courts to attend to the common man's grievance? Now, the Centre has formulated a National Litigation Policy, which will help it and the States - which are only too eager to adopt the new policy - shed this shameful tag over the next four years and decongest the dockets of the courts. One only hopes that the Prime Minister is aware that in a vast majority of the cases involving the state, no Government appeal needed to be filed in the first place. At present, with the sanctioned strength of 17,945 judges, the lower judiciary is struggling to clear a backlog of about 3.32 crore cases pending across the country. Over 3,650 posts of judges are lying vacant. At approximately 9.5 judges per million people, India's judgesto-population ratio is grossly lower than many developed economies such as the US, for instance, where the ratio stands at 104 judges per one million people. Even neighbouring Bangladesh has a 12 to 13 judge per million population ratio. In 1987, the Law Commission noted the low Indian ratio of 10.5 judges per million people and recommended increasing it to 50 with immediate effect and to over 100 by 2000. This recommendation was reiterated by a parliamentary standing committee in February 2002. Twenty-two High Courts in the country have 895 positions for judges. Of these, 282 are vacant. The Government knows when senior judges are expected to retire. Why can't it start the process of recruitment well in advance? There are millions of lawyers who are fit to adorn the benches of High Courts. It is a shame that the Government cannot locate such persons on time. Similar is the position of the lower judiciary, where there are 17,945 positions for judicial officials. Over 3,650 of those are lying vacant. That is well over 20 per cent. If the present system is incapable of filling empty posts, then it is best to discard it and engage in some out-of-the-box thinking so that a system which delivers can be put in place. Unfortunately, there is no premium on original thinking in the Government as most civil servants follow pre-established rules. The standard excuse for not increasing the strength of the lower judiciary is that it is a State Subject. I once even asked an influential Minister why the Union Government, which is responsible for framing laws, does not upgrade the entire system. His response was that the criminal justice system is the responsibility of the States. I then asked him why there were Union Ministries covering purely State Subjects. To that question, he had no answer. Also, there are several supposed State schemes which are being implemented by the Centre and vice versa. Either way, the time has come for the Union Government to abolish some archaic schemes, plans and ministries and then spend the money saved in the process on improving the creaking criminal justice system. After all, it is no secret that many Government departments and ministries have no reason to exist except to provide jobs to bureaucrats and party loyalists. Here is a list of some Government departments that should be scrapped: Department of Agriculture and Cooperation, Department of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries and the Department of Chemicals, Department of Fertilizers, Department of Pharmaceuticals. The list is not comprehensive, by any means. The bigger problem here is that the Government of India acts only when it has a crisis on hand. It rarely acts to prevent a crisis. For example, it was only when the public came out onto the streets demanding death penalty for rapists that the Centre tried to change the laws so that the guilty get their just desserts. Yet, the Government has known all along that India's laws, passed by the British in 1863, are not only archaic but also obsolete. Yet, it has rarely raised a finger to junk them. One of the reasons why improving the criminal justice system has clearly been put on the back-burner is because all our State Assemblies and Parliament have a high percentage of criminals. As per their own affidavits, filed at the time of contesting elections, 153 Members of Parliament at present have criminal records. The Uttar Pradesh Assembly has 189 tainted MLAs, out of the total 403, and these law-makers belong to all sorts of political parties. Uttar Pradesh is followed by Maharashtra, where 146 out of 287 MLAs have criminal records. Bihar comes next with 139 tainted MLAs out of 241. However, in terms of percentage of 'tainted' votes for presidential election, Jharkhand had the highest number at 74 per cent, followed by Bihar at 58 per cent and Maharashtra at 51 per cent. In all fairness, we cannot always lay all the blame at the politicians' door. Every citizen needs to pull his weight in favour of good governance. One must bear in mind that one cannot escape history. Good governance rarely depends upon good laws but up on the personal qualities of those who govern. The machinery of the state is always subordinate to the will of those who run that machinery.

HACKING
An Emerging Threat
hen the world changes the way of life too changes. Hence the way we make war or peace too undergoes a transformation. Cyber security has emerged a major challenge to the nation especially in view of the news that recently a very important site of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was reportedly hacked by Chinese hackers. This news is indeed a grave one. DRDO is one of the most sensitive organisation which deals with the strategic assets of the country. If such a highly sensitive site was hacked it raises many questions about the degree of vulnerability of our data bases. We will never be allowed to know the extent of damage done to its classified information. How much of it was compromised will not be known. Pakistan and China have emerged as two big hacking threats to the security of Indian sites which range from the common to the most sensitive ones. It is not just a coincidence that US President Barack Obama mentioned the need for greater cyber security when he congratulated Xi Jinping on his taking over as president of China. Tomorrow's wars will be fought in the cyber space, though India is not yet equipped to face such a war. Students of history know that in the ancient, mythical Trojan War, a huge wooden horse was used to mislead the enemy. Today Trojan horse is a term used for a deadly virus that debilitates computer systems once it is unleashed. Yet, there is little awareness of the dangers and potentials of a cyber attack. In the common perception, cyber attack means defacing of websites or denial of certain website services. Individual hackers, particularly from neighbouring countries, have been the villains of the piece. Thankfully, no major government networks have been affected. The situation will change when state-funded agencies use their vast resources to target networks in countries considered unfriendly to them. The kind of risks involved can be gauged from the fact if the software Indian Railways uses for passenger reservation is immobilised for a day, it will bring many railway services to a standstill. With the increasing digitisation of government data concerning citizens, government assets, land and military resources anyone who is able to breach security and access these data or destroy them using remote technology can cause immense damage to the country. China and Pakistan are believed to have agencies specialising in cyber warfare. India needs to be cautious against them by taking steps that will keep all data, civil or military, safe. Since data will no longer be saved in printed format and they will be stored in clouds and inter-linked computers and accessed on a day-today basis, they need to be protected at all costs. International regulations are needed to govern the practices involved in data protection. Apart from the usual protection regimes that we must put into practice it is very important to develop counter hacking skills in order to thwart any future attempts of the evil forces to destabilse the computing and IT system in India.

SSB's flawed application form

Dear Sir The J&K Service Selection Board is issuing erroneous Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) applications for recruitment to various government departments in the state. But SSB provides limited choice to candidates to fill in their qualification details even if they possess more than one degree. OMR application has one checkbox to be marked for professional and academic degrees. The authorities are ignoring candidates who have more than one professional degree. For instance, the code number for B Ed is 23 in the instruction sheet while that of MCA is 83. And when a candidate has to fill in his academic details in the OMR, he has just one choice to make: to mark just one subject as his/her qualification even if he possesses both of them, since the SSB keeps just one checkbox for the two

degrees on OMR-in contradiction to what instructions sheets state. Every year, the SSB issues OMR application forms along with instructions for recruiting the candidates to various departments. But it is however violating its own norms by slashing the choice to candidates to fill in just one subject. According to the instruction sheets, for every disciplinewhether professional or academic-a checkbox should be in application form to let students fill in their maximum academic and professional details. The instruction sheets state that for each qualification, a separate checkbox should be on the OMR to let the candidates furnish codes for each qualification-both technical and academic. Yours Etc. Vijay Chauhan Research Scholar Deptt. Of Hindi, University of Jammu

UPSC notification
Dear Sir This refers to the report that the Union Public Service Commission notification making proficiency in English a requirement for IAS aspirants has been put on hold. The government should have thought of the pros and cons of the new rule before approving the notification. As it is, the notification was delayed by a month and, to make matters worse, the government is dilly-dallying on its own decisions. Going back on an approved policy to appease a few sections would set a wrong precedent. Withdrawing the notification two months ahead of the examination is indeed a callous move. It is well known that students need at least one year to prepare for the civil service examination. It is almost impossible to prepare when the examination pattern is changed with just five-six months to go for the exams. Yours Etc. Shalini Rajput Paloura, Jammu

Page 1_.qxd 3/19/2013 5:48 PM Page 6

STUDENT AGE TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2013

NATIONAL

India should take strong stand against Sri Lanka at UNHRC: Jayalalithaa
CHENNAI: India should take a NEW DELHI: The resolution in and Sri Lanka and it unfortunate- violent methods practiced by the "s trong the UN Human Rights Council ly has created a sense of tension LTTE sympathisers in the past in s t a n d " against Sri Lanka is "uncalled for nothing," he said. Sri Lanka," the envoy said. against Sri for" and the international comOn protests against Colombo "We feel very unsettled by Lanka at the munity should not get involved in Tamil Nadu, Kariyawasam this sort of happenings in Tamil UN Human in the country, Sri Lanka High said: "(They are) uninformed, Nadu and I think violence should R i g h t s Commissioner to India Prasad those who are agitating against not to be a means to settle any Council Kariyawasam said Monday. Sri Lanka in Tamil Nadu have matter. We abhor that," he said. (UNHRC) "First of all, resolution in not visited Sri Lanka recently. United Progressive Alliance meet in UNHRC against Sri Lanka is They have never gone there, they (UPA) ally DMK Sunday threatGeneva, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. uncalled for. That is our position, are going by mere hearsay, and ened to pull out of the governJayalalithaa said Monday. She urged Prime and we don't think there is need on the basis of lobbying by ment if it did not take steps to Minister Manmohan Singh in a letter that for the international community groups sympathetic to the LTTE bring amendments to the USIndia should also move an independent reso- to get involved in Sri Lanka at abroad, who are living outside sponsored resolution against Sri lution to strengthen the earlier US resolution. this point, because we are doing the country". Lanka in the UNHRC. "To assuage the legitimate sense of out- what we have to do step by step," "The agitation has taken, Sri Lanka is under attack over rage and deeply hurt sentiments (of Tamils), Kariyawasam told a TV channel. sometimes, the form of terrorism, the death of a large number of it is absolutely important that India takes a "Any content of the resolution and some innocent Sri Lanka Tamil civilians during the final strong stand in support of the US-sponsored for us is really not helpful and it monks and pilgrims, some Tamils stages of the war that crushed the Resolution at the 22nd session of the only creates ill feelings among and Christians have been Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam UNHRC and more importantly moves neces- communities both in Tamil Nadu attacked. These are the kind of (LTTE) in 2009. sary independent amendments to further strengthen the resolution," she said. impunity with which the Sri Lankan government is ity for the war crimes and genocide committed in She said Tamils in Tamil Nadu and around the ignoring international sentiments and binding res- the closing stages of the civil war in Sri Lanka and world were outraged and incensed "over the olutions relating to reconciliation and accountabil- the ongoing gross human rights abuses".

Anti-rape bill to be placed in Parl Tuesday

Age of consent to be raised to 18 years
NEW DELHI: An all-party meet took place on Monday to discuss the anti-rape bill and build a consensus so that it could be introduced in Parliament tomorrow. However, the meeting had ended inconclusively, as per sources, with age for consensual sex being one the major the bone of contention. The government has agreed to increase the age of consent from 16 to 18 years in the anti-rape bill it plans to introduce in the Lok Sabha Tuesday, informed sources said Monday. "Consensual sex with a girl under 18 years old will be treated as rape," said a government source after a consensus on the issue was arrived at an all-party meeting here. According to these sources, in case of a minor who is accused of gender crimes, he will have to undergo a probation of one year as punishment for the first offence but will be charged with rape if he is booked for a second time. The government will bring the amendments on the issue when the bill is brought up in the lower house. However, as per sources the government has decided to place the bill in Parliament tomorrow. The meeting took place twice. In the first meeting the DMK, TDP, RJD and

Resolution against SL at UNHRC unfair: Sri Lanka envoy

BJP's march to Dhaka stopped in Tripura

AGARTALA: Over 800 BJP workers were stopped in their bid to enter Bangladesh Monday to protest atrocities on minorities and join protestors demanding the death penalty for those convicted of war crimes in that neighbouring counttry, police officials here said. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) cadres tried to enter Bangladesh through the Akhaurah checkpost near here. They were led by state party president Sudhindra Dasgupta. "A huge contingent of police led by senior officials stopped the march 500 metres from the Akhaurah checkpost. There was no major trouble," a police official said. Additional troopers of the Border Security Force (BSF) have been deployed at the Akhaurah border to foil further attempts by BJP cadres to enter Bangladesh. "The march to Dhaka was organised to protest atrocities on religious minorities and their installations in Bangladesh. The rally was also to express solidarity with protestors of Ganajagaran Mancha," Dasgupta told reporters. Ganajagaran Mancha, a platform of intellectuals and activists, has been organising protests across Bangladesh since Feb 5 to press demand for the death penalty for all war criminals during the Sheikh Hasina requesting her to take steps to stop attacks on people belonging to religious minorities. According to Dasgupta,

Sonia Gandhi to discuss Cong strategy with party MPs

NEW DELHI: Sonia Gandhi is expected to unveil Congress' strategy on Monday in the backdrop of opposition flak over issues like the VVIP chopper deal, Italian marines and DMK threat to pull out of UPA on Sri Lankan Tamils problem. Gandhi will address a general body meeting of Congress Parliamentary Party -- the first such interaction with her MPs after the start of the Budget session of Parliament last month. The CPP meeting here comes at a time when key UPA ally DMK has hardened its stand on the Sri Lankan Tamils issue by slamming the Centre for its "lukewarm" response on the matter and threatened to walk out of the ruling alliance if it failed to move amendments to a US-sponsored resolution at UNHRC. "If our demands are not met, it is doubtful whether our ties with the alliance (UPA) will continue...It won't continue is sure," DMK President M Karunanidhi said in Chennai even as he shot off letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Gandhi, saying he felt "let down" by the government. Gandhi, who is chairperson of both CPP and UPA, will meet C ongress MPs against the backdrop of the government and the party facing opposition flak over several issues including the Italian marines as also the VVIP chopper deal. The meeting also assumes significance ahead of six Assembly elections this year and the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. This is the first meeting of the CPP after Rahul Gandhi became Congress vice president. Signalling a generational change in the 127-year-old Congress, Rahul is gradually expanding his role as the party prepares for a series of elections. He has already met AICC functionaries and state leaders, including chief ministers and a large number of party MPs over the past few weeks.

BJP failed to turn up. The second meet took place at 12:30 pm. After the first meet, the Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath said that divergent views had emerged over the age of consent. He added that some parties feared that the bill would be misused and thus they wanted safeguards before the bill was passed. Meanwhile, it has emerged that the Cabinet will once again meet this evening to discuss the anti-rape bill. The SP is opposed to the bill, particularly the clause on lowering the age for consensual sex from 18 to 16 years. "The SP will vote against it in Parliament," party leader Ram Gopal Yadav had said on Friday. And BJP leader Najma Heptulla had said, "If a person below 18 is a juvenile and is given relaxed punishments

because he is not mature enough to know the consequences of what he is doing, how is a child of 16 mature enough to consent to sexual activity?" However, the Bahujan Samaj Party has supported the government and has said the controversial provisions of the bill could be discussed in Parliament. "Our party will support the anti-rape bill being brought by the Central government in any form and shape," BSP chief Mayawati had told reporters. Differences had also emerged within the Cabinet over the proposed bill and it had been referred to GoM. The ministers differed on the use of word 'rape' in place of 'sexual assault', lowering of age of consent from 18 to 16 years and the definition of voyeurism and stalking, punishable under the bill.

MP Assembly adjourned after uproar over Swiss woman's gangrape

BHOPAL: The Madhya Pradesh Assembly was on Monday adjourned for the day following uproar by Opposition Congress demanding Home Minister Uma Shankar Gupta's resignation on the issue of gangrape of a Swiss woman in Datia district on March 15. As the House assembled for the day, Congress members, led by Deputy Leader of the Congress Legislature Party (CLP) Choudhary Rakesh Singh Chaturvedi, dressed in black clothes bearing the caption "MP number one in rape cases," created bedlam raising slogans against government and demanded the minister's resignation. However, Industries Minister Kailash Vijaywargiya, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Narottam Mishra and Panchayat Minister Gopal Bhargava opposed the Congress members and requested them to allow the Question Hour to proceed. But Congress members then reached the well of the House raising slogans while pressing for Gupta's resignation. Intervening in the matter, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that it was an important issue and the government is ready for the discussion. However, Congress members insisted that the matter will be taken up only after the Home Minister resigns from his post.

country's liberation from Pakistan in 1971 and a ban on Jamaat-e-Islami, an organisation backed by fundamentalists. The march to Dhaka was in support of the BJP's fivepoint charter of demands, which includes reconstruction of damaged shrines, compensation to families affected by religious strife and security to people from religious minority communities. BJP leaders have submitted a letter at the Bangladesh diplomatic mission in Agartala addressed to Bangladesh Prime Minister

religious minorities had accounted for 46 percent of the population in East Pakistan (before the creation of Bangladesh) and even after the partition in 1947. "Following attacks by fundamentalists, the percentage reduced to 28 after Bangladesh was created in 1971 and now it has fallen to 10 percent," Dasgupta said. Intellectuals, law-makers, artists, singers, academicians, journalists, writers and poets of Bangladesh and India have organised programmes in Agartala in solidarity with the protestors of Ganajagaran Mancha in Bangladesh.

Beni Prasad's remarks ignite SP members, demand his sacking

New Delhi: Samajwadi Party (SP) members on Monday demanded the sacking of Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma over his alleged comments that their party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav had "terrorist links". Union Steel Minister Beni Prasad Verma raked a huge controversy today by saying that Samajwadi Party (SP) supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav had links with terrorists. While speaking in the Lok Sabha, Verma said that SP fought the Gujarat Assembly polls after 2002 riots along with Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and helped Narendra Modi come to power. Both houses of Parliament saw disruptions over the issue, with the Lok Sabha being adjourned till 2 p.m. at 12.30 p.m., and then again till 3 p.m. over the issue. In the lower house, SP members trooped into the well of the house seeking an apology from Verma and his dismissal from the council of ministers over the issue. The issue was first raised during zero hour by SP member Shailendra Kumar. Verma clarified that he had not made any such statement, and so there was no question of an apology. "Where is the proof that I have said such a thing? I did not link terrorism to any religion," he said. SP members, however, remained adamant as later adjourned the house till 2 p.m. As soon as the house reassembled at 2 p.m., Samajwadi members again rushed to the well, demanding the dismissal of Verma. In the Rajya Sabha, the issue was raised when it met after the lunch break at 2 p.m. The upper house was scheduled to take up a debate on the general budget. However, members from the SP demanded that the Congress offer a clarification on the statement of Verma. "The Congress must clarify that the statement was Beni Prasad Verma's own comment and the party does not endorse it," SP member Naresh Agarwal said. E.M.S. Natchiappan, who was in the chair, urged the SP members to sit down. However, the agitated MPs trooped near the chairman's podium, shouting slogans and demanding Verma's resignation. Amid the din, the upper house was adjourned till 3 p.m. When it met again, it was adjourned for the day after disruptions. Verma at a rally in Gonda, his constituency in Uttar Pradesh, had alleged that the Samajwadi Party chief had links with terrorists. "He is a goon and a robber. How will he protect his state? He has links with terrorists," Verma was reported to have said. Verma is a former leader from the Samajwadi Party.

India, Nepal agree to strengthen river banks to avoid floods

NEW DELHI: India and Nepal have agreed to strengthen the embankments of Bagmati, Kamla, Lalbakeya and Khando rivers to control the spilling of flood water of these rivers which often causes flood in Bihar. "Both the countries have already agreed to strengthen embankments of Bagmati, Kamla, Lalbakeya and Khando rivers and extend the embankments along these rivers to higher ground in Nepal to control spilling of flood water," Water Resources Minister Harish Rawat said in Rajya Sabha today. To a supplementary during Question Hour, he said the flood protection work on Gandak and Kosi projects in Nepal were already being maintained by the Indian side. He said the Indian government holds regular dialogue and negotiations with Nepal through various bilateral mechanisms on matters relating to flooding in Bihar. An Indo-Nepal Joint Ministerial Commission on Water Resources (JMCWR) has been set up by both the countries which is headed by Ministers of Water Resources from the two sides. The first meeting of the JMCWR was held in February, 2012 in which various issues related to water resources sector were discussed. "The bilateral committees also meet regularly to address the issues about implementations of these works," he said.

BJP blames government for bad economic situation

NEW DELHI: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Monday blamed the Congress-led UPA government for the "bad economic situation" in the country, saying it cannot put the entire blame on global slowdown. "Government is using global economic slowdown as an excuse for everything. Your own surveys are saying that internal factors are also responsible for the bad economic situation," BJP leader M. Venkaiah Naidu said, initiating the debate on the general budget in the Rajya vented us? We need prudent economic policies and good governance," he said. The BJP leader also said that the growth during the United Progressive Alliance-I government (2004-09) was an after effect of the growth during BJPled NDA government's rule. "In 2004, the growth was over eight percent, now it is five percent. For few years, you enjoyed the fruit of what the BJP-led government did. That was a turning point for our economy," he said.

Sabha. "There are 48 countries that grew faster than India, what pre-

Jat reservation issue echoes in Rajya Sabha today

NEW DELHI: The issue of Jat agitation for reservation Monday had its echo in the Rajya Sabha with the BJP accusing the government of "going back on its promise" and "ignoring" the issue. Raising the matter during Zero Hour, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi (BJP) said the agitation, which had brought lakhs of people on the streets in 2011 is again back from March 5 this year and protests are taking place in a number of states including Delhi, Punjab and Haryana. He said agitators have come to Jantar Mantar in the national capital but the government remains an assurance that government will consider the issue positively. "The government had then set up a committee of ministers. The committee gave its suggestions but the government was yet to accept them...The government had then said that it will consider the issue positively but did not," Naqvi rued. Demanding reservation in government jobs, the Jat community has been holding agitation for many years. The recent agitation, whose central point is Haryana, has now spread to Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab.

totally unbothered about it. Naqvi said that at the peak of the Jat agitation in 2011, then Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal had given

Mulayam Singh Yadav himself rose to speak, attacking Verma. Mulayam Singh said Verma's comments followed a Muslim convention he had addressed in Lucknow, where several Muslim religious leaders spoke about the contribution of the community in the service of the nation. As SP members continued to raise slogans from the well of the house, Verma said, "For me, terrorism has no religion, no colour. The demolition of Babri Masjid and the postGodhra riots are also terrorist incidents." "But he (Mulayam) joined hands with those who demolished Babri Masjid, like Kalyan Singh. His party also helped the BJP win in Gujarat," the minister said. In the din, Speaker Meira Kumar directed other members to raise their issues, but

Page 1_.qxd 3/19/2013 5:48 PM Page 7

STUDENT AGE TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2013

INTERNATIONAL & ECONOMY

7
Pakistani Taliban withdraw offer of peace talks with government
PESHAWAR: The Pakistani based Taliban have withdrawn their offer of holding peace talks with the government. Spokesman Ahsanullah Ahsan said that the group "temporarily postponed" its offer because the government had not shown a serious effort to follow through with negotiations. He called on Pakistanis to boycott the upcoming national election expected in May, saying Islamic law should be enforced instead. He advised people to avoid rallies held by several major parties, including the Pakistan People's Party that led the latest government. At the end of last year, the Pakistani Taliban leadership said they were open to peace talks. The government responded positively, but apparently little progress has been made.

China replaces Britain as fifth global arms exporter

STOCKHOLM: China has become the world's fifth largest exporter of major conventional arms, replacing Britain, the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) said in a report on Monday. The report, which contains new data on international arms transfers, says this is the first time China has been one of the top five weapons exporters since the end of the cold war. Overall, international transfers of major conventional arms grew by 17 percent between 2003-07 and 200812. According to SIPRI, the five largest suppliers of major conventional weapons in 2008-12 were the US, which accounted for 30 percent of global arms exports, Russia (26 percent), Germany (7 percent), France (6 percent) and China (5 percent). Britain has for the first time been excluded from the top five since at least 1950. "China's displacement of the UK is the first change in the SIPRI Arms Transfers Program, said China's rise was primarily driven by "large-

World leaders head to Rome for Pope's inaugural mass

VATICAN CITY: World leaders arrived in Rome ahead of an inauguration mass for Pope Francis who receives compatriot President Cristina Kirchner of Argentina in his first meeting with a head of state. The first pontiff from Latin America had testy relations with Kirchner when he was Buenos Aires' Archbishop, Jorge Mario Bergoglio, particularly over gay marriage and abortion laws. The Pope has won hearts with his humble style but is haunted by criticism at home for failing to speak out during Argentina's brutal 'Dirty War' when he was head of the country's Jesuits. The Vatican has firmly denied claims that he failed to protect two Jesuit priests who were tortured by the 1976-1983 regime, saying that he had in fact protected lives during the dictatorship. Francis's reign is already proving ground-breaking with an informal style that is not customary in the Vatican's austere halls of power. He has called for a "poor Church for the poor", has warned cardinals against worldly glories and has said the Church could crumble away "like a sand castle" without spiritual renewal. The leader of the world's 1.2 billion Catholics will be formally enthroned tomorrow day at a mass in St Peter's of four of P r i m e Minister M organ Tsvangirai's aides and a prominent h u m a n r i g h t s lawyer. A pract ising Catholic, the 89-year-old Mugabe visited the Vatican previously in 2011 for the beatification of late Pope John Paul II. In 2005, he attended John Paul II's funeral on a visit that drew controversy after Britain's Prince Charles shook hands with him. US Vice-President Joe Biden, also a practicing Catholic, arrived late on Sunday to represent Washington at the event precipitated by the shock resignation of Francis's predecessor Benedict XVI. The Pope's meeting with Kirchner later today will be closely watched as a first diplomatic test. Upon Bergoglio's surprise election as Pontiff, Kirchner tersely wished him a "fruitful pastoral mission", noting that he had "tremendous responsibility on his shoulders, seeking justice, equality, brotherhood and peace among mankind."

the composition of the top five exporters in 20 years," the report says. SIPRI noted that Chinese exports of major conventional weapons increased 162 percent between 2003-07 and 2008-12, and the country's share of international arms exports grew from two to five percent. Paul Holtom, director of

scale arms acquisitions by Pakistan". He added that some "recent deals indicate that China is establishing itself as a significant arms supplier to a growing number of important recipient states". SIPRI was founded in 1966. It is an independent analytical center conducting research into conflicts, armaments and arms control.

Violence during Bangladesh opposition's stir

DHAKA: Some 100 vehicles across Bangladesh were smashed or set on fire in the early hours of a non-stop 48 hour strike on Monday demanding release of opposition activists detained in a police raid on their party headquarters. In capital Dhaka and elsewhere in the South Asian country, where 'hartal' has become a very common form of protest in the recent months, scores of cocktail and handmade bombs were exploded, leaving dozens of people including law enforcers injured, said officials. Riot police shot rubber bullets and lobbed tear gas shells to disperse stone The hartal crippled normal life and business transactions to large extent with many main markets and educational institutions closed. Over 1,000 trucks laden with cargo meant for readymade garment export items were stranded on their way to Chittagong seaport, some 242 km southeast of capital Dhaka, a TV channel reported. Private cars were hardly seen on Dhaka roads but a large number of rickshaws appeared in the usually bustling streets along with public transport.

Square, with city authorities preparing for an influx of up to a million people to Rome. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy and his French counterpart Jean-Marc Ayrault are among European leaders set to attend, along with EU President Herman Van Rompuy and European Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso. Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe flew into Rome on Monday, sidestepping a travel ban that applies to the EU but not to the sovereign Vatican City state. Mugabe has been widely criticised for human rights abuses in the southern African country he has ruled uninterrupted since 1980. As he arrived, there was fresh controversy in Zimbabwe over the arrest

Military vows support for `Chinese dream'

BEIJING: The Chinese military has pledged support to ensure the realization of the "Chinese dream", said authorities. "In order to realize the 'Chinese dream', the entire military should fully understand the significance of national defense and army building and actively shoulder the responsibility of safeguarding national sovereignty and security," said a circular from the People's Liberation Army. It urged the army to earnestly learn and implement the spirit of the first session of the 12th National People's Congress and a keynote speech delivered by President Xi Jinping at the closing meeting of the country's top legislature said. As for the army, the Chinese dream of a great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation means to build strong armed forces, and serve to the supreme interests of the country, according to the circular. Leading military officials at all levels were asked to deliver lectures to convey the spirit of the gathering and respond to soldiers' concerns.

Australia PM signals changes to media reforms after outrage

SYDNEY: Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Monday opened the way for "sensible" changes to proposed press reforms, after outraged media proprietors attacked them as "draconian" and "bad law". The reforms, which will include a new public interest test for major mergers and stronger selfregulation requirements for the print media, arose from Britain's phone-hacking scandal. They have provoked a fierce backlash from media groups including Rupert Murdoch's News Limited with one of its tabloid likening Communications Minister Stephen Conroy to Joseph Stalin and other dictators. Gillard appeared to leave the way open for change as parliamentary committees examining the legislation began in Canberra. "If there are sensible suggestions consistent with our reform intentions that come out of the parliamentary committee process then certainly we will listen to those. Kim Williams, who heads News Limited, said the bills breached the constitution and amounted to a "direct attack on free speech" and if passed his company would mount a High Court challenge. Williams said the public interest media advocate would be appointed by and beholden to the government and would decide whether press standards bodies operated to its satisfaction in its "sole and absolute judgment". Judge Brian Leveson, who led the British phone-hacking inquiry, found the newspaper industry had for decades "wreaked havoc with the lives of innocent people" and ignored the codes that it had itself set up. He said the public interest media advocate would have no role in setting standards but would merely seek to ensure the Press Council upheld its own.

throwing pro-hartal activists who attempted to block roads and bring out procession along the major city streets, disrupting traffic. Police detained dozens of opposition activists.

ECONOMY

India eyes $100 billion trade with Africa by 2015

NEW DELHI: India targets to boost trade with African countries to $100 billion by 2015 from nearly $65 billion registered last year, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma said on Monday. The trade target has been revised upward in view of the better than expected economic engagements between the two regions. Trade ministers of India and Africa at a meeting held in March 2012 had set a target of $90 billion trade by 2015. "We are upwardly revising the target to at least $100 billion by 2015 because I feel that it is achievable," Sharma said after meeting his counterparts from various African countries here. In fact, the ministers expressed hope that the $100 billion trade target could be achieved even a year earlier in 2014 if the two regions made appropriate efforts. "We may end up achieving it by the end of 2014 if we continue working together in the same spirit in which we have been working," Sharma said. India-Africa trade surged 20-fold between 2000 and 2011. In 2000, trade between India and African countries was $3 billion and it crossed $60 billion in 2011. Trade and other senior ministers of many African countries are in New Delhi to attend the India-Africa Project Partnership conclave. Seven heads of state or ments in Africa would soon touch $50 billion. During the meeting, Sharma asked his African counterparts to avail the facilities of the Duty Free Tariff Preference Scheme, announced by India for the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The Scheme grants dutyfree access on 85 percent of tariff lines and preferential access on 9 percent of tariff lines, covering 92.5 percent of global exports of all LDCs. The average margin of preference under this scheme is in the range of 50-60 percent. "Of the 28 LDCs who have joined the scheme, 21 countries are from Africa. We encourage other African LDCs to also avail of the scheme," the minister said in a statement after the meeting.

Govt to borrow Rs 3.49 lakh cr during April-Sept 2013-14

NEW DELHI: The Government will borrow Rs 3.49 lakh crore during the first six months of 2013-14. In addition, the Finance Ministry has lowered the borrowing limit under the Ways and Means Advance (WMA), a tool for temporary cash arrangement. The Finance Ministry, in consultation with the Reserve Bank of India, on Monday finalized its borrowing calendar, according to which gross borrowing in the first half will be 60 per cent of the overall target. This will be done through auction of Government Securities (GSec), in which even retail investors can participate. The Union Budget has made a provision of Rs 5.79 lakh crore for 2013-14. The Government borrows long term through G-Secs, which carry an interest rate and are issued for more than a year. For the new fiscal, the Government and the RBI decided to issue bonds with maturity period ranging from five to 20 years and more. It also decided to borrow on average Rs 15,000 crore a week through such bonds. Treasury bills. Expressing confidence in cash management, the However, overdraft is the last resort as the Government has to pay higher interest. The use of WMAs and overdraft reflect the overall health of Government's cash management. In 2011-12, the Economic Affairs Secretary, Arvind Mayaram, said that WMAs were for 220 days, while overdraft was for 111 days. However, in 2012-13, there was no overdraft, and the WMA facility was used just for 49 days. The Finance Ministry hopes that situation will improve in the new fiscal. The Finance Ministry intends to raise up to Rs 20,000 crore through Inflation Indexed Bond (IIB) during April September of 2013-14. This will be part of overall gross borrowing. IIB was proposed in the Budget as an instrument to help people to protect their savings from inflation. A senior Finance Ministry official said final structure of new instrument will be announced in next 15-20 days.

government and more than 80 senior ministers and parliamentarians are part of the 900 delegates from 45 African countries participating at the three-day event being organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in association with Export-Import Bank of India. Regarding investments, Sharma said Indian invest-

Mahindra goes 'electric' with e2o priced at Rs 6 lakh

NEW DELHI: Mahindra and Mahindra on Monday launched the next generation electric vehicle (EV) Mahindra e2o priced at Rs 5.96 lakh (on road Delhi, postState subsidy). The vehicle will be available at Mahindra dealerships nationwide in a phased manner. Powered by lithium-ion batteries and a three-phase induction electric motor, the Mahindra e2o is fully automatic and has special body panels that makes it dent and scratch-resistant. It has a driving range of 100 km per charge. "It also advances the Mahindra Group's efforts at redefining sustainable urbanisation with the creation of an eco system that includes mobility solutions along with other environment friendly innovations," said Anand Mahindra, Chairman, Mahindra Group. The EV has features including smartphone application that can lock the car by simply sending it a 'lock' command and activate the car's airconditioning remotely. It has a 6.2-inch touch screen, with factory-fitted GPS navigation system, radio, DVD, Bluetooth and I-pod connectivity. It also provides real time feedback of all the vehicle's functions and does a daily heart beat check of the vital systems and sends alerts if anything has to be fixed.

SEBI to appoint arbitrators from common pool

MUMBAI: The Securities and Exchange Board of India has said that arbitrators will now be appointed from a centre-wise common pool. SEBI has directed all stock exchanges with national presence to put up a list of all arbitrators in a centre-wise common pool say, Delhi, Mumbai and the like on their Web sites so that applicants may choose from the list. If the broker and the client fail to choose the arbitrator from the pool, then the selection would be through a computer generated random process called the automatic process. The automatic process will send a systemgenerated, real time alerts via SMS, e-mail and the like, to all entities involved in the particular case, including exchanges. Earlier, exchanges had the powers to appoint arbitrators and the automatic process has replaced this. The parties to the arbitration and the concerned stock exchanges would not be directly involved, said SEBI. An arbitrator has the right to decline upfront any arbitration reference being assigned to him by the automatic process, in case of any probable conflict of interest. The process will then assign the arbitration reference to another arbitrator from the existing pool till the time there is no conflict of interest by the selected arbitrator.

Short-term (less than a year) borrowing is done through Treasury bills, which are issued in three tenures - 91 days, 182 days and 364 days. These do not carry any interest, are issued at a discount and redeemed at face value on maturity. Borrowings through these instruments are not included in the Government's gross borrowings. The Finance Ministry and RBI also decided to raise Rs 1.45 lakh crore through

Government also decided to reduce the WMA limit to Rs 30,000 crore from Rs 50,000 crore. WMAs and overdraft (OD) are the two other tools for borrowing, apart from Treasury Bills and G-Secs. While borrowings from RBI are possible through WMAs and overdrafts, that from the open market can only be done through Treasury Bills and G-Secs. WMAs and OD are used when borrowing from the open market is not possible.

Asian Development Bank chief to step down

NEW DELHI: Asian Development Bank (ADB) President Haruhiko Kuroda on Monday stepped down after eight years of service and will soon takeover as Bank of Japan Governor. Under Kuroda's leadership, ADB has transformed into a more relevant, responsive and results-oriented institution, helping to develop AsiaPacific countries reduce poverty and increase the standards of living for their people, the multilateral lender said in a statement. "His extraordinary vision and leadership has enabled ADB to significantly advance its mission of poverty reduction and sustainable economic development in Asia and the Pacific, said Finance Minister P. Chidambaram, who is also the chair of the ADB Board of Governors. Kuroda, who is ADB's longest serving president, has led ADB's growth with its operations tripling years (capital base tripled to $165 billion), and two replenishments of the Asian Development Fund, which raised over $23 billion to help meet the needs of ADB's poorest member countries, the statement said. Meanwhile, Kuroda said: "It is critical that ADB continues to support its member countries in taking advantage of opportunities for growth, and in responding to crises. Of course, much remains to be done in a region still faced with many challenges.''

from $7.4 billion in 2005 to $21.57 billion in 2012. He oversaw ADB's first general capital increase in 14

Page 1_.qxd 3/19/2013 5:48 PM Page 8

STUDENT AGE TUESDAY, MARCH 19, 2013

MISC
Thirty seven entries for South India Rally

Gaganjeet Bhullar on top in Asian Tour Order of Merit

KUALA LUMPUR: Riding on his superb second-place finish at the Avantha Masters, Indian golfer Gaganjeet Bhullar on Monday zoomed to the top spot in the Asian Tour Order of Merit. Bhullar, a f o u r- ti me Asian Tour winner, produced a superb closing round of eight-under 64 in the final round of the event tri-sanctioned by Asian Tour, the European Tour and the Professional Golf Tour of India. He finished second behind Thomas Aiken of South Africa, who romped to a three-shot victory. The young Indian's wonderful effort has propelled him to the top of the Asian money list where he leads with earnings of USD 262,648. Bhullar is confident he can carry his momentum into the Maybank Malaysian Open, which is co-sanctioned with the European Tour, and extend his lead on the Order of Merit. "I have a strong feeling t h a t with my cur rent form, another tournam e n t win is j u s t around the corner," said the Indian, who earned 12 Official World Golf Ranking points and moved up to 85th in the world. Thailand's Kiradech Aphibarnrat, who finished fourth in the Avantha Masters, moved to third on the Order of Merit with earnings of USD 135,900. He is some USD 11,000 behind second-placed Liang Wenchong of China, who finished third at the Avantha Masters which included a magical hole-in-one during the final round. The 24-year-old will continue his friendly rivalry with Aiken at the USD 2.75 million Maybank Malaysian Open which gets underway on Thursday.

CHENNAI: The 2013 FMSCI Indian National Rally Championship kicks off this weekend with the AVT Premium South India Rally that has attracted a flattering 37 entries, including a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution 10. The three-day event, set to run from March 22 to 24 and organized by the Madras Motor Sports Club, has also attracted the cream of domestic talent, including the likes of 2011 National champion Gaurav Gill (co-driver Musa Sherif) who will be headlining a three-man Mahindra works team in the introductory SUV category. Teaming up with Gill are Lohitt Urs (Bonnie Thomas) and Sunny Sidhu (PV Srinivasa Murthy), all in the XUV 500 vehicles. Joining the trio is Bangalore's Sanjay

Agarwal (Shiva Prakash) in a Gypsy, according to Clerk of the Course Manoj Dalal who briefed the media on Monday. Adding colour and variety to the grid are three Volkswagen Polo cars which will be making their debut in the INRC. Two of the Polos, driven by Sirish Chandran (Nikhil Pai) and Arjun Rao (Satish Rajagopal) are in the INRC 1600cc class. The total rally distance is about 300 kms of which 117.5 kms is the competitive section. The Madras Motor Race Track at Irrungattukottai, is the hub of this rally and it hosts the Service Park as well as the Rally Headquarters besides one of the three dirt track Stages (9 kms) and the 3.2 kms Super Special Stage that will be run on the race circuit itself.

Bangladesh bans top umpire for 10 years

DHAKA: The Bangladesh Cricket Board on Monday banned international umpire Nadir Shah for 10 years after a sting operation by an Indian TV channel found him apparently willing to fix matches for cash. Shah announced he would appeal against the decision, saying he had been made a scapegoat, but the move was welcomed by the International Cricket Council as underlining a commitment within the game to root out corruption. The Bangladeshi board launched an inquiry after the private India TV channel aired footage last October which appeared to show that the 49-year-old Shah was willing to give LBW (leg before wickFor More Details Contact: et) decisions on demand. While the board did not publish the findings of the inquiry, it said in a statement that Shah "will not Shamsher (Chief Advisor) be considered for BCB retainership for 10 years". Ph:- +91-9419797242, +91-9018192949 "During this period he will not be eligible for any assignment under the jurisdiction of the BCB," it added. Shah, who has stood in 40 one-day internationals and three Twenty20 internationals, was one of six umpires caught in the JAMMU: Walkovers against nine scheduled undercover investigation, including three from Sri Lanka and marked the opening day of matches resulting into all of two from Pakistan. All of the six were subsequently suspended NEW DELHI: Indian driver the annual inter-department them getting walkovers. by their own boards but they have consistently refuted the alle- Armaan Ebrahim will repre- sports meet of University of Those awarded walkovers gations. sent the BMW Sports Trophy Jammu (JU), organized by included Department of in the FIA GT1 World Series. Department of Sports and Statistics, Department of Armaan, along with team- Physical Education on the Computer Sciences, mate Matteo Cressoni from campus. Hardly any match Department of Physics and Italy, will be driving the BMW took place in all the four Electronics and Department Z4 which puts out close to 550 events of Carrom, Table of Environment Sciences. horsepower. GT1 sportscar Tennis, Badmintonand Similarly, in Chess, series has participation from Chess which got underway Department of Buddhist manufacturers like Mercedes- simultaneously at Studies, Department of Benz, Mclaren, Audi, Gymnasium Hall. Computer Sciences and Lamborghini, Ford, Aston Earlier, in badminton, Environment Sciences got Martin, Porsche, Nissan and only four teams turned up as walkovers in the absence of Ferrari. Team principal Joan Orus said, "As a driver, Armaan's experience in the single-seater will be very valuable and his skills in GT cars are not to be proved, after the race he did with the Ford GT in Moscow last season." GT1 World Series is a new series run by SRO, which also organized the FIA GT1 World Championship.

Armaan Ebrahim to race in GT1 World Series

Walkovers galore in women's events

opponent teams. In Table Tennis, The Law School, Buddhist Studies, Department of Statistics, Computer Sciences and Physics and Electronics awarded walkovers. In another event of Carrom, Department of Statistics, Buddhist Studies and Department of Computer Sciences got walkovers. As per the laid down fixture, nine matches were scheduled to be played today in Carrom.

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