SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 07, 2013

8 Pages Rs: 1.00 Jammu Edition

www.thestudentage.com JKENG/2012/41612 Vol. 2 No: 223

GUJARAT: BANDH EVOKES PARTIAL RESPONSE; OVER 1,200 DETAINED

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KOREA REOPENS Tread cautiously on private equity NORTH MILITARY HOTLINE TO SOUTH PAGE 5
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SHALIMAR GARDEN TO WAFT WITH Omar lures KP youths returning to valley with 3000 jobs ZUBIN MEHTA'S MUSIC TODAY
Chairs meeting of Apex Advisory Committee for Migrants
'Enhancement of house construction assistance to Rs. 20 lakh being strongly persuaded with Union Government'
Feelings for Kashmir. This is why we, together with Zubin Mehta and the Bavarian State Orchestra, have embarked on the magic endeavour to organise this unique concert in the heart of beautiful Kashmir." The 'Kashmir Concert' is organised by the German Embassy and supported by the competent authorities both at Central as well as at Union State level. The costs of the concert are covered by benevolent sponsors mainly from the business world in India and Germany, as well as "Incredible India" and the German Foreign Office. It will be broadcast live by TV channels across India and Europe. For this unique occasion, the historic venue Shalimar Bagh, Mughal Gardens, is being restored to its full beauty. The project took shape on 22 July last year when German Ambassador to India Michael Steiner bestowed upon Zubin Mehta Contd p2 SRINAGAR, SEPT 06 : In a bid to attract displaced youths of Kashmiri Pandits to the valley the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said that State Government would work out a strategy to engage another 3,000 Kashmiri Migrant youth in Government jobs in the Valley who are ready to return to their native place and serve here. He said 2,160 Kashmiri migrant youth have been employed so far in the Valley while the selection for another 1,443 posts is under process. He said as soon as these posts are filled up the process for recruiting another lot of 3,000 migrant youth would start. "We have already taken up this issue with the Centre and hope very positive response in this regard", he said The Chief Minister directed for holding special workshops by EDI at migrant camps in Jammu and in the Valley to make migrant

News in Brief
Bandipora Police arrests two militants
SRINAGAR, SEPT 06: Bandipora Police arrested two militants of HM outfit Talib Lala son of Khanzaman Lali resident of Bazipora, Ajas and Showkat Ahmad Mir son of Abdul Rehman resident of Anyari at Kulnar Bazipora Ajas, Bandipora. An AK 47 rifle, five AK magazines, 130 rounds of AK ammunition, seven UBGL grenades, one hand grenade, one pouch, cash 3333/= were recovered from the apprehended militants.

SRINAGAR, SEPT 06: Named Eahsasi-e Kashmir (The Feel Of Kashmir)The German Embassy New Delhi is hosting an unprecedented event in Srinagar: The 'Kashmir Concert' on Saturday. Maestro Zubin Mehta, international icon of classical music, will conduct the "Bayerische Staatsorchester" (Bavarian State Orchestra) from Munich, one of the best classical orchestras, at Shalimar

Bagh, Mughal Gardens in Srinagar. Soloists will be Andreas Oettl (trumpet) and Julian Rachlin (violin). 1,500 guests from Kashmir and beyond will listen to the timeless music of Beethoven, Haydn and Tchaikovsky. Ambassador Michael Steiner said,"This concert is for the people of Kashmir. Beethoven, Haydn and Tchaikovsky, played by a world acclaimed Maestro and one of the best orchestras of

the world in one of the most enchanting places in the world: This is a wonderful cultural tribute to Kashmir and its warm-hearted and hospitable people. Music is a universal language. Music connects. With the magic power of music, crossing geographical, political and cultural borders, we want to reach the hearts of the Kashmiris with a message of hope and encouragement. "Ehsaas-e-Kashmir"-

youth aware of the selfemployment schemes and facilities available to them to launch livelihood generating units. He said there is ample opportunity for migrant youth to take self-employment as the means of their livelihood by utilizing the provisions of SKEWPY and other self-employment programmes under implementation in the State. Chairing the meeting of Apex Advisory Committee for Migrants on Friday here, the Chief Minister said that the State Government has vehemently taken up the issue of enhanc-

ing building construction finance available to migrants who want to return and construct their houses from present Rs. 7.5 lakh to over Rs. 20 lakhs with the Union Government and is being persuaded constantly. The Chief Minister asked the Relief and Rehabilitation Organization to make migrants intending to return aware that if they avail the present available assistance of Rs. 7.5 lakh for construction of houses they would not be debarred from receiving the enhanced amount. "Any migrant taking Contd p2

Moderate intensity jolts Kishtwar, Doda

BHADERWAH, SEPT 06: A moderate intensity earthquake, measuring 4.6 on the Richter scale, shook Doda and Kishtwar districts of Jammu and Kashmir, but there were no reports of loss of life or damage to property. According to the MeT department, the quake hit the Doda and Kishtwar region at around 11.41 am. Panic-stricken people rushed out of their homes as the quake struck.

China exploits UPA's weakness, Prasar Bharati CEO meets Governor SRINAGAR, SEPT 06: Mr. State. The Governor emphaambiguity says Dr Jitendra Jawhar Sircar, Chief sized the need for all the
from patrolling at the LAC, BJP National Executive Member & J&K Chief Spokesperson, Dr Jitendra Singh said here on Friday that this is an outcome of India's failure to perceive China's well-planned policy to exploit ambiguity over the LAC which has been perpetuated by successive Congress governments in New Delhi beginning from the first Congress government headed by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and unfortunately even today, despite frequent recent incursions by Chinese,the present UPA government led by Congress is making no determined effort to redeem this ambiguity. Dr. Jitendra Singh went on to explain that the LAC, also known as the M acC art ney-M acD onal d Line, is an assumed border between India and the People's Republic of China.He further elaborated,the LAC is 4,057km long and traverses three areas of northern Indian states: western (Ladakh, Kashmir), middle (Uttarakhand, Himachal) and eastern (Sikkim, Arunachal) and added that the phrase "LAC" was coined by the then Chinese Prime Minister Zhou en Lai who used it for the first time in a letter dated 24 October 1959 addressed to his Indian counterpart Jawaharlal Nehru. Unfortunately, Contd p2 Executive Officer, Prasar Bharati, Jawhar Sircar called on N. N. Vohra, Governor Jammu and Kashmir, at the Raj Bhavan here on Friday evening. During their meeting, the Governor and the CEO Prasar Bharati discussed a number of important issues relating to the strengthening of the All India Radio and Doordarshan Kendras in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly with a view to serving the extensive population which resides in the border and remote areas in the hinterland of the State. Sircar briefed the Governor about the current and future plans about the expansion and upgradation of Radio and Doordarshan network in the required measures being taken within a time limited framework to strengthen and expand AIR and Doordarshan services in all the three regions of the State. The Governor's meeting with Sircar follows the Governor having some time ago addressed Mr. Manish Tewari, Union Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting, to stress, interalia, the need for the requisite steps being taken to strengthen AIR and Doordarshan services in the State, besides ensuring optimum utilization of the available infrastructure. Mr. B. B. Pandit, Member Finance, Prasar Bharati, participated in the discussions.

Antony's statement on China fails to convince Opposition

NEW DELHI, SEP 05: Rubbishing reports that China has occupied Indian territory in Ladakh, defence minister A K Antony on Friday asserted that there is no question of ceding any part of the country and all steps are being taken to safeguard national security. His statement in Lok Sabha came amidst attack by opposition BJP and UPA ally Samajwadi Party members, who said a high-level committee of the government had reported that China had occupied 640 sq km of Indian territory in Ladakh sector. The members were not satisfied with Antony's statement and created uproar. While BJP members were on their feet, SP members trooped

Two Indians shot dead in US

WASHINGTON, SEP 05: A fifty five year old and a youth aged twenty were shot dead in US on Thursday raising fears of a renewal of hate crimes in US against Indians. The victims have been identified as 55-year-old Jagtar Bhatti and 20-year-old Pawan Singh. The incident happened at the store in the 400 Block of Middlebury Street in the northern Indiana city on Thursday. Police, who are investigating the double murder, said they are looking for two or more suspects. Family Contd p2

JAMMU, SEPT 06: Reacting to reports that China has incrementally occupied nearly 640 square km of area on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in Ladakh and the National Security Advisory Board Member Shyam Saran having confirmed that China has also stopped Indian troops

into the well, creating din which led Speaker Meira Kumar to adjourn the House for an hour. Antony said National Security Advisory Board chairman Shyam Saran had visited Ladakh from August 2 to 9 and submitted a report on the border infrastructure there. "I would like to categorically state that Saran has not stated in his Contd p2

Asaram asks for special food in jail Street Vendors Bill passed by Lok Sabha
he refused to disclose, and has been consuming some special food to keep his health. "He is not able to take the jail food," he argued. Opposing the plea, counsel for prosecution L R Bishnoi said Asaram has been consistently examined by a team of doctors in jail and has been found to be fit in every report. "Hence there is no need of any special diet as per his requisition and he can easily go with routine jail meal," the counsel argued. Judge Manoj Kumar Vyas posted the matter for September 10 with the direction that Asaram be examined by a medical board in order to arrive at any conclusion about his health. Asaram's troubles appear to be mounting with his ashram in Delhi being slapped with a notice by a municipal corporation for Contd p2 NEW DELHI, SEPT 06: Lok Sabha on Friday passed a land mark street Vendors Bill for which National Association of Street Vendors of India (NASVI) has been spearheading the vendors' rights movement. It now calls upon vendors to take out victory procession in cities and towns. The bill, which has several provisions to protect livelihood, social security and human rights of more than ten million urban street vendors across cities and towns of India, has gone through years of struggle. NASVI national coordinator Arbind Singh said, "We really struggled a lot. We are happy that the Lok Sabha has passed it. We trust the bill will get passed in the Rajya Sabha also. It would be the first forward looking pro-

Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood to be dissolved

CAIRO, SEP 05: In a major decision by the military backed Egyptian Government it has been decided to dissolve the legal registration of the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood whose followers supporting ousted President Morsi are engaged in a bitter bloody strife with the present secular government. The move is short of a formal ban but it underlines the resolve of the government to crush the Muslim Brotherhood. The brass of the Brotherhood, including its spiritual guide Mohammed Badie, has been detained over allegations of inciting violence and murder. Sweeping raids were carried out two weeks back, and security authorities detained mid-level officials and field operatives in several cities, according to security officials. Meanwhile, the supporter's of the former President came out into the streets on Friday chanting "down with military rule." Protesters poured out of mosques after Friday prayers and marched through Cairo, Giza, Alexandria and many other cities. Scuffles erupted outside Alexandria's Al-Qaed Ibrahim Mosque after noon prayers when local residents attacked dozens of pro-Morsi protesters. The army-backed government has accused the Brotherhood of carrying on terrorist activities and attacking government building, property and attacking churches. On Thursday, a bomb exploded near a convoy carrying Egypt's Interior Minister Mohamed Ibrahim in Cairo's suburb of Nasr City. The ministry said 21 people, including 10 policemen, were injured in the possible suicide attack. The symbolic move to cancel the legal status of the Muslim Brotherhood applies to the non-governmental Contd p2

JODHPUR, SEPT 06: A court here directed that a medical board examine Asaram Bapu to ascertain if his health condition required that he be given special food from outside jail as claimed by him. District and Session Court (Rural) passed the order while hearing an application by Asaram seeking facilities like special health food, bed, 'Gangajal' and some other articles for carry-

ing out prayers in the jail. The application was submitted to court by 72-year-old Asaram, who is in judicial custody following his arrest on charges of sexually assaulting a 16-year-old girl, after it was rejected by the jail administration. Counsel for Asaram Maninder Singh told the court that he has been suffering from a "serious disease" for the past 14 years, which

gressive central legislation any country has ever legislated in favour of street vendors." According to Singh, once enacted, the legislation would go a long way in changing the face of Indian cities and towns. "The cities are changing rapidly and several opportunities are coming up. Once legalized and protected, the street vendors would be able to avail those

opportunities as they too have equal stakes in missions of development and democracy," said Singh. The bill greatly empowers the Town Vending Committee (TVC) and gives it power to decide ultimately on almost all issues of determining the vending zones. The Bill also has strong grievance redressal mechanisms. The most salient feature of the bill Contd p2

CHINA CREEPING IN AND INDIA DENYING!

HINDSIGHT
ROHIT SINGH RANA The nations which aspire to be great do not bury their necks in sand like ostriches and believe nobody sees them. They assert and exert. Giving weak statements in unconvincing words does not make nations strong; it makes them weaker and meeker every day. The Defence Minister AK Antony denied that China has occupied Indian Territory. He was speaking in the Parliament which is the highest seat of Indian nation. Antony spoke patently wrong when he said not an inch of Indian land is in Chinas hands when there are reports that about 640 Sq Kms of our land has been occupied by China in the region of Baulat Beg Oldi. It is the same region where chest thumping Indian media expressed jubilation when a lone C-130 j aircraft landed at the forward base of Daulat Beg Oldi. As if a single plane capable of carrying 25 tons of load would alter all strategic parity in favour of India! Bad news is more correct than good news especially when China is menacingly threatening India and transgressing every inch on Indian land at their sweet will. Ask the Indian leaders where they were when China was building roads and other military build up right from 1985 and they will draw a blank. Occupied they were with the Rajiv Gandhi politics and now they are pre-occupied with the politics whether Narendra Modi or Rahul Gandhi will become the Prime Minister, forgetting that the nation is much more important than any leader or dynasty. Today, India is engaged in a very damaging political debate over secularism and when ever a known terrorist is apprehended doubts are raised that he was arrested because he belongs to a particular religion. Here apart from BJP credit goes to SP too which has always made its non compromising stand on Chinas incursions known in the Parliament. The sacking of its General Secretary Kamaal Farooqi on his controversial Bhatkal statement is a pointer that some political parties who are known for playing their communal agenda are also realizing that when it comes to China or terrorism a limit has to be delineated. But unfortunately, such steps are only cosmetic and not lasting being aimed at pressurizing the government or scoring some brownie points. In such a fluid political climate where there are many aspiring candidates for the PMs post and the race to win votes of minorities on by giving them flimsy alibis and promises which will not help them at all, makes our will to take on China weak. Antony represents this dilemma that the nation is faced today. Otherwise an honest man he is made to look puny because of an entrenched mindset that India needs to be soft on China. Imagine the height of things when the Defence Minister in Parliament says that the Chinese have not taken control of Indian Territory, then why is he silent about the illegal Chinese occupation of 50000sqKms of land in Askai Chin and thousands of miles in Arunachal Pradesh. Beijing has already digested these vast chunks without any remorse and now they are pressing ahead every day with an evil design to make the land thus encroached as theirs. They raise banners on which is written Chinese land and walk over our territory. Thus without firing a shot they are out making merry like a lion on

KASHMIR CHOOSES ZUBIN MEHTA

The words of Zubin Mehta sound soothing and in a direct contrast to the noise raised by the separatists and dubious intellectuals in Kashmir when he said that Kashmir chose me. How beautifully put by the great Zubin. When great men of arts talk they do it decently and at the same time speak a lot through measured words. How sad, to find some people whole hog against a person who is revered all over the world. He has understood the real meaning of Kashmir which is essentially a land of Rishis and Sufis, where great colossus like Abbhinavgupta, Kalhana, Lal Ded and Nund rishi strode. The Bavarian philharmonic along with Zubin brings with it musical instruments and great symphonies which definitely are out of reach of the puny minds of those who are against his concert scheduled for today at the famous Shalamar Gardens. They have brought in Kashmir guns, grenades and blood shed. He has performed in many war torn regions because he believes music brings positive energies. In 1984 he performed at Sarajevo when the Bosnian war was at its peak where he was given a rousing reception. It was the time when Muslims and Serbs were locked in fierce war. Fortunately nothing of such is seen in Kashmir. Today Kashmir, baring few incidents is one of the most prosperous places in the country no matter how loud the separatists and their cohorts cry. Before the start of his concert Zubin has told his mind and that is important. All positives will find place in Kashmir no matter how much those adept in raking false issues and believing in Gobbelian propaganda cry hoarse. RANASAHIB

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STUDENT AGE THURSAY, AUG 07, 2013

CONTD
power supply system in the township. Omar Abdullah while taking brief on the construction of Hospital in Jagti asked the Relief and Rehabilitation Organization to ask the Executing Agency for fast track completion of the project. He also directed for making adequate health facilities and medicines available at Jagti and other migrant camps. The Chief Minister told the Organization to route proposal for creation of engineering wing for the Organization through R&B Department so that a comprehensive view is taken in this regard. The Chief Minister also gave nod to the proposal to effect modification to the Prime Minister's package to enable all families who opt to return to Valley to avail the benefits under the package for reconstruction of houses even if such families have sold their properties after 1997. The amendment will also ensure establishing of clusters at District level besides making employees living in transit camps entitled to avail the benefit under the scheme and also reduce the demand for construction of additional transit camp units. The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Revenue, Ajaz Ahmad Khan, Legislator and Chairperson, Social Welfare Advisory Board, Khem Lata Wakhloo, Legislator, Vijay Bakaya, Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Shilender Kumar, Secretary Revenue, Vinod Koul, Secretary General Department, Mohammad Ashraf Bukhari, Relief Commissioner, R. K Pandita and various other senior officers. The Members of the Apex Advisory Committee extended their gratitude to the Chief Minister for taking keen interest in the welfare and rehabilitation of migrants and highlighted the efforts made by the Chief Minister to enhance the monthly cash relief upto Rs. 6,600 per month per family. They reposed full faith in the dynamism of Omar Abdullah in getting their other demands including enhancement of the assistance for construction of houses from Rs. 7.5 lakh to over Rs. 20 lakh per family realized. The report by Saran, Antony said, focuses on border infrastructure but also deals with several aspects relating to the region covering a broad spectrum of activities and requirements. He said Saran's report also deals with requirement of air facilities in Ladakh region along with matters relating to land acquisition and environmental and wildlife clearances. "The report reviews the progress in development of border infrastructure required to ensure connectivity between Ladakh and neighbouring areas. In this context, issues such as availability of modern machinery for construction and maintenance and upgradation of roads, tunneling and alternate alignments," Antony said. "Matters such as employment opportunities to local youth, tourism, mobile and internet connectivity, law and order, better equipment and facilities for ITBP, certain grievances of local people, among others have been covered in the report," he said. Immediately after Antony read out the statement, SP members trooped into the well and BJP members were on their feet in protest, terming the contents as "incorrect". The Speaker repeatedly told the agitated members that a discussion could be held if they gave proper notice. "I have to follow the rules and the rules say there will be no discussion." In the din, BJP leader Yashwant Sinha and SP chief Mulayam Singh Yadav tried to say something but could not be heard. As the protests continued, Kumar adjourned the House for over an hour. Earlier, Sinha while demanding a statement on the issue said, "This is a serious matter of national security. We had demanded that the defence minister make a statement on the Chinese incursions." The SP chief also expressed concern over the issue and charged the government with being "coward" and "good for nothing". "For last 14 years, I have been saying inside and outside Parliament that China will attack India. It had betrayed Jawaharlal Nehru and this shock had led to his death. You discuss the issue of border security and we will be satisfied and not raise economic and price rise issues," he said. ment is trying to use this law to annul the party's legal registration.

2
Upper Ridge Road in Karol Bagh area, was served notice on September 4 for non-payment of property tax," a senior North Delhi Municipal Corporation official told. During a situational survey of the ashram on September 2, the municipal officials had found commercial activities were being carried out there. Meanwhile, mystery surrounds a letter purportedly written by Asaram and addressed to the court, in which he sought permission to allow a woman therapist to treat him two hours daily for some disease, with his lawyers saying that they were not aware of any such request. "We need to check the veracity of this letter, about which we have learnt only from the court," said Asaram's counsel Singh adding, "we have our doubts about this letter". Jodhpur Police, which is probing the sexual assault case, today said it has dispatched teams to the Ahmedabad ashram of the self-styled godman to collect evidence. It said many people, who claimed to be "victims", have started coming forward with their complaints against the selfstyled godman and they are exmaining them. Police, however, denied reports that it is in possession of any CD or video clippings given by Asaram's aide Shiva. "We have not received any such CD or video clipping so far showing bapu or any of his activity. We have obtained some evidences out of interrogation of Shiva and are in the process of its verification," DCP Ajay Pal Lamba said. Lamba said they are yet to interrogate Shilpi, the warden at the Chhindwara Gurukul where the girl was studying and an important link in this case as she allegedly sent the girl to Asaram. "She is on our radar and we will arrest her at an appropriate time," he said, adding Asaram's driver and cook will also be interrogated. Police will also cross examine Shiva and Shilpi and if needed.

CONTINUATION
Shalimar Garden .
the Commander's Cross of the German Order of Merit. In just one year, the Concert has been prepared with immense engagement of the German Embassy, the Orchestra and the Maestro between Delhi, Munich and Srinagar. Both the Orchestra and the Maestro have renounced their usual fees and are eagerly looking forward to this unique cultural event. In the months ahead of the concert, Ambassador Steiner has talked to Kashmiris from all walks of life to make the concert an inclusive event. The "Kashmir Concert" is part of a broader engagement. Ahead of the Concert, members of the Orchestra will meet with students of the Faculty of Fine Arts in Srinagar. Already in July, Ambassador Steiner interacted with more than 2,000 students at the University of Kashmir on the chances of globalisation. From 1998 to 2006, Zubin Mehta was the admired Bavarian General Music Director in Munich, Germany. The Indianborn musical maestro's German connection dates back to the early 1960s. In 1961, at the age of 25, he was the youngest conductor directing the Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra and has been associated with the ensemble for the past 50 years. Zubin Mehta has been selected as Tagore Award winner 2013. The Bavarian State Orchestra is the official orchestra of the Bayerische Staatsoper in Munich, Germany. Its origins can be traced back to the year 1523. The Bavarian State Orchestra is among world's top orchestras and has played concerts around the globe, from Paris to Moscow, from Rome to Seoul. On the other hand Hardline Hurriyat Conference chairman Syed Ali Shah Geelani has called for a strike to protest against the Zubin Mehta concert, which is to be held in Srinagar on Sturday. Separatists, including Hurriyat's moderate faction leader Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, had opposed the show saying "Kashmir is not peaceful enough for such concerts''. The state's chief cleric, Grand Mufti Bashir-ud-Din, had appealed to German ambassador Michael Steiner to reconsider holding the concert. Meanwhile, the rights activists are scheduled to stage a parallel musical show Haqeeqat-eKashmir (the reality of Kashmir) to overshadow Mehta's concert. The activists would be performing in Srinagar's Municipal Park. Khuram Parvez, a noted human rights activist and one of the organizers of the parallel show termed German ambassador's move an "eyewash". "I see this as a pretentious attempt to empathize with Kashmiris. Both German embassy and Zubin Mehta should understand the reality of Kashmir and then only can they have the feelings," said Parvez. "Our show will be a tribute to resilience and struggle of Kashmir."

China exploits ..
he said, neither Nehru nor successive Congress governments in New Delhi took a serious cognizance of it except for a solitary occasion soon after the China attack in 1962 when Nehru, under pressure from Opposition, felt constrained to state "What is this 'line of control? Is this the line they (Chinese) have created by aggression?" Alleging that there were no lessons learnt even after 1962, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the term "LAC" was allowed to gain legal recognition through Sino-Indian Agreements signed in 1993 and 1996. He quoted the 1996 Agreement which stated, "No activities of either side shall overstep the Line of Actual Control (LAC)". Inspite of all these agreements, Dr. Jitendra Singh said the Chinese continue to revel in ambiguity over LAC and even after the three week standoff between Indian and Chinese troops 30 km southeast of Daulat Beg Oldi earlier this year, the Chinese troops are regularly intruding into Indian territory and also committing human rights violation by causing fear among the local population on Indian side. Dr Jitendra Singh called upon the UPA government to come out with a policy document with regard to China and restore the confidence of Indian nation which is weary of Government's soft diplomacy leading to enhanced vulnerability.

Two Indians .
and friends said they are waiting to learn more details about what happened from the police, local media reported. "Everyone knew how good they were," said Lori Sally, a neighbour. "They were so nice. I didn't have any friends in the area and they just took me in like family," she said.

Egyptian Muslim ..
organization registered by the Brotherhood in March as a defense against legal challenges. The privately-owned newspaper said the decision would be taken within days, quoting Hany Mahana, spokesman for Social Solidarity Minister Ahmed elBoraie. The same official was quoted by the state-run Al-Akhbar newspaper as saying the decision had already been taken: "The minister's decision has in fact been issued but it will be announced at the start of next week in a press conference." More than 900 people have been killed in the violence that has followed the ouster of Morsi on July 3. Security forces had stormed the pro-Morsi sit-ins at Rabaa alAdawiya mosque in Cairo's district of Nasr City and Nahda Square near the main campus of Cairo University last month. At least 850 supporters of Morsi had died in this operation. Supporters of Morsi accuse the army of removing a democratically elected President and killing people who are raising their violence against the army. The government's move to dissolve the NGO stems from accusations that the Brotherhood used its headquarters to fire and store weapons and explosives, a newspaper reported, adding that the Brotherhood had failed to respond to the accusations. The Brotherhood was founded in 1928 and formally dissolved by Egypt's then military rulers in 1954. Author Ashraf Khalil said, "The Muslim Brotherhood can be banned, but this doesn't mean that they will disintegrate. Former President Hosni Mubarak tried to do the same thing, but he failed to do so. They have a huge network of schools, hospitals, banks and charity organisations." Under a 2002 law, NGOs are banned from engaging in politics or forming militia. The govern-

Street Vendors .
is its overriding effect over all state and municipal laws as well as police acts. The Bill states that at least 2.5 per cent of a city's population would be eligible for vending licences and it would be mandatory to form Town and Zonal Vending Committee in each and every city. Such committees would have 40 percent representation of elected representatives of vendor organizations, 10 per cent of NGOs and rest of town planners, administrators, police and elected peoples representatives. According to NASVI program manager Ranjit Abhigyan, the root of the proposed legislation lies in the street vendors' agitation, the Supreme Court verdict and the diligence of the National Advisory Committee (NAC) which felt and recognized the merits of NASVI advocacy for central law in favour of street vendors. The bill that went through Kumari Selja, Girija Vyas and Ajay Maken - all union ministers who chaired the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation in the last three years, picked up momentum post Maken's taking over charge. Last month, the street vendors across states had resorted to sending thousands of postcards and letters to the Congress president and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi urging her to ensure the passage of the bill.

Omar lures ..
Rs. 7.5 lakh would get all the enhanced amount when the ceiling will be raised as proposed by the State Government to the Centre", he said. Omar Abdullah directed for constitution of Sub-Committees to look into various aspects of return and rehabilitation of migrants in the Valley as also the issues confronting them in various migrant camps. "I want these Committees immediately in place so that they would give their comprehensive report before April next when I will be again reviewing the migrant issues in the Apex Advisory Committee", he maintained. The Chief Minister also directed for early taking over of water supply project at Jagti by PHE Department and ensuring regular drinking water to the inmates in the colony. The Chief Minister also directed for providing free electric supply to the inmates of Jagti township and other migrant camps up to the maximum of 100 units per month without any consideration of the inmate being employee or not. He also directed the PDD Department to maintain the

Antony's statement ..
report that China has occupied, or has denied access to India to any part of Indian territory. I would like to assure the House that there is no question of India ceding to China any part of Indian territory," Antony said. He said the government has taken "all necessary measures to safeguard India's security and would continue to strengthen our capabilities in border areas to protect our national interest."

Asaram asks ..
alleged non-payment of property tax since 2004. "Yoga Vedant Samiti, a threeacre ashram run by Asaram at

Sambhavi, Mohd Raqib, Rohit shine in science mela AAG meeting of JKTDC held

Feroz distributes prizes

" should we ban drug trial on animals" "Conservation of Biodiversity" and "need for measures to stop female foeticide" etc . Mohd Raqib from GHSS, boys and Renu Sharma from AOC HSS, Udhampur bagged the 2nd and 3rd position in above disciplines. While in the event of debate contest, Miss Shrishti Mishra from DPS, Miss Shvina Akhter from DAV HSS and Paras Dubey from MHS secured 1st, 2nd and 3rd position respectively. In essay writing competition, Rohit Koul from GHSS, Boys adjudged best essay writer in the contest besides 2nd and 3rd positions went in favour of Ishita Nargotra from DPS and Uzma Khatoon from GHSS, girls, Udhampur.While speaking on the occasion, Khan

Corporation earned net profit of Rs. 6.53 cr during last four months

UDHAMPUR, SEPTEMBER 06: Miss Sambhavi Mahajan from Maharaja Hari Singh DAV Public School Udhampur bagged first position in the Inter School Seminar on the topic " Need for measures to stop female foeticide" held at Govt Higher Secondary School (Boys), Udhampur. The function was organized by the District Science & Technology Council Office, Udhampur Minister of State for Science & Technology, Feroz Ahmed Khan was the chief guest on the valedictory cum prize distribution ceremony of the mela which held here on Friday. The department organized a series of Science and Technology activities like inter school debate, essay writing and seminar on topics

divulged that the objective of organizing such activities especially for the student community is to provide an opportunity to share and exchange their views for promotion of scientific knowledge.District Coordinator Science & Technology Council, Udhampur, Sunita Razdan presented vote of thanks. Among others MLA, Balwant Singh Mankotia, MLA Chenani, K.C. Bhagat, Joint Director Science & Technology, Mustaq Ahmed Bhat, SP, Udhampur, Sukhdev Basin, District Coordinator Science & Technology Council, Udhampur, Sunita Razdan, Chief Education Officer, Principal of the host school, staff member and large number of students from various schools were present on the occasion.

GA Mir for making corporation more vibrant, commercial

SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 06- Adjournment Annual General meeting of Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation was held under the Chairmanship of Minister for Tourism, Mr. Ghulam Ahmad Mir here on Friday. The meeting adopted annual audited general reports for the financial year from 200506 to 2009-10. Commissioner Secretary, Tourism, Mr. Atul Duloo, Director General Funds, Mr. Mangotra, Managing Director JKTDC, Mr. Shamim Ahmad Wani, Company Secretary, Mr. Rakesh Bhat were among others participated in the meeting. The meeting was informed that during these years, the corporation has earned revenue of Rs. 2459.49 lakh against which booked an expenditure of Rs. 23.91 lakh and earned net profit of Rs. 135.58 lakh during the period. It was revealed in the meeting that during last four months of current financial year, the corporation has earned revenue of Rs. 16.16 crore against which booked expenditure of Rs. 9.47 crore under revenue and capital components and earned Rs. 6.53 crore net profit during the said period. The Minister underscored the need for making the corporation more vibrant and commercial. He stressed upon the concerned authorities to utilize the services of the staff in a proper manner and ensure liabilities especially clearance of power tariff. He directed concerned to recover outstanding balance from the defaulting departments well in time to make the corporation more profitable. The Tourism Minister while receiving the detailed appraisal of the infrastructural developmental programme of the corporation, was apprised by the Managing Director of the Corporation that at present the construction work on budgeted accommodation at Sonamarg, Yusmarg, Gulmarg and Tangmarg involving Rs. 12.30 crore is apace and these projects would completed in stipulated time frame. He informed after completion of these complexes this would add more 60 rooms in corporation assets.

Summary revision of Electoral Rolls

DODA, SEPTEMBER 6: According to the District Election Officer, Doda, the schedule for summary revision of photo Electoral Rolls 2014 with reference to 0101-2014 as the qualifying date has been issued. As per the schedule, the integration of mother rolls with supplements and printing of draft roll has been fixed from 16-08-2013 (Thursday) to 14-09-2013 (Saturday), draft Publication of rolls on 16-092013 (Monday), filling of claims and objections from 16-09-2013(Monday) to 1510-2013 (Tuesday), disposal of claims and objections would be made by 18-112013(Thursday). However, special campaign with BLOs would be held on 22-09-2013 (Sunday), 29-09-2013 (Sunday) and 06-10-2013 (Sunday), reading of relevant part/section of Photo Electoral Rolls in gram Sabha/Local Bodies and RWA meetings etc. and verification of names on 21-092013 (Saturday) and 22-092013 (Monday) respectively, updating the database, merging of Photographs, updating the Control Tables and preparation and printing of supplementary list would be held from 19-11-2013(Tuesday) to 04-01-2014 (Saturday) besides the final publication of electoral rolls will be done on 06-01-2014 (Monday). Accordingly, the claims/objections have been invited from the general public of district Doda especially from the youth who shall attain the age of 18 years as on or before 01-01-2014. They can submit their claims in the office of Electoral Registration officers (ACR Doda /SDM Bhaderwah) /AEROs (Tehsildar Doda/Bhaderwah/ Thathri/ Gandoh/Naib Tehsildar Bhagwah / Khillani / Thathri / Gandoh and the BLOs concerned on Form No:6 (Additions), Form No: 7 (Objection), Form No: 8 (Corrections) and Form No: 8-A (Transposition) w.e.f 1609-2013 (Monday) to 15-102013 (Tuesday)

Gurezi inaugurates ATM at Dawar

SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 06: The Minister of State for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Mr. Nazir Ahmad Gurezi said that the Government under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is keen to improve the socioeconomic condition of the people of all the three region of the State especially the people leaving in hilly and far flung areas. This was stated by the Minister while interacting with the people after inaugurating the ATM installed by the Jammu and Kashmir Bank limited at Dawar Gurez Branch on Friday.This is the first machine established by the Bank authorities in the Tehsil Gurez.Later, the Minister convened a meeting with the Banking officers and Tehsil officers of various departments and took overall review of the pace of progress on all developmental works and welfare schemes under execution in the Tehsil. While discussing the advances and deposits facilities provided by the bank, the Minister asked banking officers and line departments to work with utmost dedication and maintain close rapport with each other so that the benefits of welfare schemes launched by the Centre and State Government reach intended beneficiaries. He directed the bank management to sanction advances in time and ensure rate of interests on advances and deposits are displayed prominently in all J&K Bank Branches functioning in the Tehsil. Earlier, the Minister visited various areas included Khandyal and Wanpora villages of the Gurez Tehsil and took stock of development works under execution in these areas. The Minister directed the officers and engineers of R&B Department to gear up their field functionaries and ensure speedy completion of all ongoing developmental works in a time bound man-

Asks banking, line deptt Work GA Mir inaugurates Health Club, lays foundation of Swimming Pool at Kongposh Hotel, TRC in close coordination
ner. Taking serious note of slow pace of work in construction work on lanes and drains at Khandyal and Wanpora, the Minister directed the concerned to cancel the allotment orders of those contractors who fail to complete the assigned tasks in time and issue fresh allotment orders. He directed for construction of lanes and drain besides construction of fencing graveyards in these villages for which Rs. 20 lakh will be released.Responding to the demand put forth by locals regarding construction of bunds, Mr. Gurezi directed the PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Departments to gear up their filed functionaries and survey the areas and identify spots and submit a detailed proposal to the concerned quarter so that the funds could be arranged for the purpose. He also gave directions for taking construction of drain on both sides of Trout Nallah at Wanpora on war footing.

Drug Licensing Authority suspends operation of 12 outlets in Ang, Kulgam

SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 06:A special team constituted by the Drug Control Authorities under the overall supervision of ADC Anantnag, Kulgam, Mr. M. Iqbal Pala, on Friday conducted surprise checks on several Medical Shops in Anantnag and Kulgam districts. The team comprising inspectorate staff empowered by the State Government found that some medical establishments were not complying with the conditions of licenses mandated under prescribed rules. The Licensing Authority, on the recommendations of the empowered team suspended operation of 12 such establishments for an initial period of 10-12 days. These are Javeed Pharmacy Sherpora Anantnag, Hazik Pharmacy Sherpora Anantnag, Darul Shafa Medical Store Janglat Mandi Anantnag, Taiba Medicate Anantnag, Front Line Medicate Sherbagh Anantnag, Taskeen Medical Store, Sherbagh Anantnag, Dar Pharmacy, Syed's Medicate, Lucky Pharmacy, Iqra Medical Store, Gul Pharmacy and Reyaz Medical Store all located near to DH Kulgam. The local Police authorities have been informed of the action and requested to maintain strict vigil on these establishments so as to ensure that the orders of the competent authority are implemented in letter and spirit.The empowered team as a routine also lifted 50 numbers of statutory drug samples from the market and sent these to various drug laboratories for test analysis. The trade fraternity dealing with the drugs has been asked to strictly adhere to the mandate of drugs laws, failing which they will face the action under the provisions of law.

SRINAGAR, SEPTEMBER 06: Minister for Tourism, Mr. Ghulam Ahmad Mir today laid foundation of Swimming Pool and inaugurated health club at Kongposh Hotel of JKTDC. The construction work of Swimming pool would be completed at a cost of Rs 25 lakh by JKTDC while as the health club in the premises of Kongposh Hotel, TRC was set up at a cost of Rs. 25 lakh by the cent percent funding of Bharatport India Pvt Ltd. Speaking on the occasion, the Tourism Minister said that JKTDC is aiming to give

health club all the facilities under one roof, which includes swimming, sauna, stream, sapa and aerobics. He said the construction work on of swimming pool has been started and is expected to be made operational for public in the next summer. He said this would upgrade the star rating of newly constructed Hotel Kongposh which inhouses 42 rooms. Mr. Mir said that health clubs equipped with all the latest machinery and is mainly concerned with the cardio fitness and loss of weight /cholesterol which is the burning

health problem being faced by the majority of the people in the valley. He said in addition to this, periodical check-up of the participants would be done by valley's best doctors in order to keep a check over the improvement of the members at the health club. He said moreover, separate timing / trainer would be available for lady members. He said the club would be the biggest among all in the city and will be extended further in the nearest future which would include Sauna and steam bath areas.

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STUDENT AGE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 07, 2013

STATE

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Lauds multifaceted BSF role

Rs. 11.50 cr Drang-Tosa-maidan road to be completed on war-footing : Rather

SRINAGAR, SEPT 06: The Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Mr. Abdul Rahim Rather has said that all necessary measures will be initiated to exploit the vast and multi-dimensional tourism potential of Tosamaidan- the Valley of huge lush green meadows and breath taking pastures spread over about 3000 kanals of land in Central district Budgam. It is situated in the upper reaches of Himalayan Range about 10 kms from Khag, Budgam. Speaking to the people of Sitharan and a group of nomadic Gujjars and Bakerwals, during his maiden visit to Tosa-maidan- a picturesque valley of alpine meadows, surrounded by dense forests, the Minister assured that all necessary measures will be taken to market the vast tourism potential of Tosamaidan in the world of tourism, adding that the initiative will bring socio-economic prosperity in this backward pocket of the State besides opening new vistas of

Dy CM flags-off educational-cum-motivational Bharat Darshan Tour -2013 of Kashmiri students

SRINAGAR, SEPT 06Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Tara Chand flagged-off Bharat Darshan Tour-2013 organized by BSF Kashmir Frontier for Kashmiri students here on Friday. The Bharat Darshan tour2013, for Brave Kashmiri Girls from Snow Valley to Silicon Valley and Brave Kashmiri Boys from Parimahal to Hawamahal, comprising two contingents, one each of 20 girls and 22 boy students selected from remotest villages and far-off areas of Kashmir valley. The students would be taken by air to different parts of the country to expose them to various cultural, historical and other famous places, besides interacting with President of India and other prominent personalities of the country. Mr. Tara Chand appreciated BSF for organizing the tour, saying that besides performing security related duties; BSF has also from the valley as a goodwell gesture. Highlighting the background and various itineraries of present tour, Deputy Inspector General, said that the journey would bring new experiences to the students. He said it was an educational-cum-motivational Bharat Darshan Tour organized with the aim to acquaint the students with varied ethos of the country. They would visit Banguluru, Mysore, Delhi, Agra, Gwalior and Jaipur and witness historical sites and places. He said that the trip would provide them an opportunity to visit various parts of the country and understand the culture of people living in other states. DIG, BSF presented votes of thanks on the occasion. Later, the Deputy Chief Minister gave away presents to the students. Among others, students, parents and all ranks of BSF were also present on the occasion.

employment avenues for the local youth. He said a road project from Drang to Tosamaidan costing Rs. 11.50 crore has already been sanctioned by the State Government under NABARD funding and assured that all the resources will be mobilized to complete black topping of Drang to Sitharan stretch of this road during the current fiscal. He said cabinet approval for necessary forest clearance for construction of 2nd phase of the road from Sitharan to Tosa-maidan will be sought on war-footing which will go a long way in bringing Tosa-

maidan on the tourism map of the world. He said Tosa-maidan has a potential to be developed as a vast Himalayan tourism circuit between Yousmarg to Dhoodpathri to Tosa-maidan to world famous Gulmarg in near future. The Minister was accompanied by the District Development Commissioner Budgam Mr. Khursheed Ahmad Shah, SSP Budgam Mohammad Irshad, executive engineer R&B, Budgam, Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad, District President NC, Advocate Shaheen, and concerned engineers and officers of the district administration.

been over the years initiating people friendly welfare measures including organizing Bharat Darshan tours for the students living in far-off areas of the state. Mr. Tara Chand said that the tour would help the students to get acquainted with the socio-cultural diversity of India besides inculcating in them sense of brotherhood and patriotism. "Meeting and

talking with high profile personalities of the country will also help them gain confidence and inspire in them the spirit of achieving higher goals in life", he maintained. Lauding the role of Border Security Force in safe-guarding the Nation, the Deputy Chief Minister said that the BSF has been doing appreciable work for maintaining the security, unity and integrity of

the country, praising the brave BSF men who serve and keep vigil along high mountainous peaks, deserts, plains and forests. He also paid homage to the martyrs who lay their lives for the Nation. Deputy Inspector General, BSF Rajinder Pandey said that like previous years, this year too BSF is organising Bharat Darshan Tour for both boys and girls

Ajaz chairs Ethics Committee Meeting

SRINAGAR, SEPT 06:- To discuss the issues pertains to holding of forthcoming Assembly Session, a meeting of Ethics Committee of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly was held here on Friday under the Chairmanship of MLA, Mr. Ajaz Ahmed Jan. Legislators, Mr. Zahoor Ahmed Mir, Smt Bimla Luthra, Mr. Abdul Haq Khan, Mr. Sukhnandan Kumar, Mr. Bharat Bushan and Mr. Baldev Raj Sharma present in the meeting. Threadbare discussion was held on the issues and the Members put forth their suggestions for bringing efficiency in transacting the business of the House. Stressing for proper utilization of time, the Committee said that it will give a chance to the members to raise more public interested issues during the session. The committee suggested that the Members must submit their questions in advance to the Assembly Secretariat in order to obtain detailed reply from concerned departments to satisfy the Members. Special Secretary, Mr. M.R. Singh, Deputy Secretary and senior officers of Assembly Secretariat attended the meeting.

Mian Altaf inaugurates zonal forest office, disburses over Rs. 18 lakh among 101 families

Sham visits Zeashta Devi Temple, takes stock of basic amenities

SRINAGAR, SEPT 06: Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Mr. Sham Lal Sharma on Friday visited Zeashta Devi Temple and took stock of the basic facilities there. He interacted with the management of the Temple and enquired about the facilities for the devotees. The Minister was apprised that during the summer months the temple witness's heavy rush of devotees and Shri Amarnath Yatris from due to which water requirement increases manifold. The management requested for adequate supply of drinking water to the temple. They also demanded upgradation of other basic facilities, like sanitation, regular supply of power, provision of solar

Kirtan following Machail yatra to be held on Sept 7

JAMMU, SEPT 06- A meeting of Sarv Shakti Sewak Sanstha (Regd) block Jammu is held on Friday in which it is decided that Kirtan, being held after the conclusion of annual Machail yatra, would be organised on 07-09-2013 (Saturday) from 8 p.m. to 12 midnight at Pacca Danga in which renowned singers will perform. Dr. D. S. Jamwal shall lighten the holy jyoti. As such, the people are requested to attend the kirtan and seek blessings of Goddess Chandi.

Saurabh Bhagat takes over as Director School Education

JAMMU, SEPT 06- Saurabh Bhagat today assumed the charge of Director School Education, Jammu from P. K. Pole. On the occasion, the staff members of Directorate of School Education Jammu welcomed the new Director and wished him successful tenure ahead. They also thanked the outgoing Director for his care and concern towards his subordinates.

KANGAN, SEPT 06: Minister for Forests, Ecology and Environment Mian Altaf Ahmad on Friday disbursed over Rs. 18 lakh among 101 beneficiaries of Kangan block under IAY scheme besides inaugurating Zonal Soil Conservation Office Complex at Kangan completed at a cost of Rs. 20 lakh. Speaking on the occasion, Mian Altaf said that every effort is being made by the Government to increase the allocation under the IAY scheme in order to bring maximum families under its ambit. He said the number of families, deserving for benefit

under IAY, are increasing, adding that "it is not possible for us to extend the benefit of the scheme to everyone, at a time, in view of limited financial resources available with the Government". The Minister said that Government of India has increased the amount from Rs. 45000 to Rs. 75000 to be provided to every family in three equal instalments and asked concerned to evolve a mechanism so that the beneficiaries will not have to face any difficulty in collecting the money. He asked the authorities of Rural Development Department to understand

their responsibilities and ensure that money are delivered in minimum possible time to the beneficiary. Main Altaf asked people to monitor the development works coming up in their respective areas and bring into the notice of the Government through their representative about any discrepancy or poor quality of work so that corrective measures are taken by the Government in time. The Minister said that Rs 10.84 crore have been earmarked for 770 works being taken up in Kangan block out of which 200 works stands completed so far.

lights, medical facilities etc. The Minister issued on-thespot instructions to the Chief Engineer, PHE, to ensure water supply to the temple as per the requirements. He assured the management regarding improving other required facilities. He appreciated the efforts of the man-

agement for creating and maintaining good infrastructure for the devotees who may wish to stay in the temple. The Minister also paid obeisance and performed Pooja at the temple and prayed for the peace and welfare of the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Vikar inaugurates awareness camp at Neel

BANIHAL, SEPT 06Minister of state for Technical Education, Power, CAPD and Information on Friday inaugurated one day awareness camp at Neel Batoo in tehsil Banihal. The objective of the camp was raise awareness among the youth and general masses about the public welfare schemes which was organized by the department of social welfare in collaboration with Rural Development Department under the supervision of district administration. ASP Abdul Qayoom, ACD Arvind Kirwani, DSWO, Charak, AD employment, Tehsildar Banihal, BDO, Ramsoo, officials of various departments besides and sarpanchs and Panchs of the area attended the function. While speaking on the occasion, Vikar said that state and centre governments are committed for uplift of Women, Child, old age, physical challenged persons and weaker sections of the society. He highlighted the ongoing schemes for upliftment of women and stressed upon the women to form self help groups to take maximum benefit of interest free loan schemes. He informed that a medical check-up camp will be organized soon in the area in which free medicines will be provided to the patients. Later, the officers and resource persons of different departments provided necessary information to the people. The youth of the area showed keen interest in different employment schemes. Various departments made on spot registration for different schemes.

Feroz inaugurates Solar Power Plant at DH

UDHAMPUR, SEPT 06:Minister of State for Science & Technology, Feroz Ahmed Khan accompanied by MLA, Udhampur, Balwant Singh Mankotia inaugurated 20 KW Solar Power Plant at District Hospital (DH), Udhampur established by Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA) with a cost of Rs. 50 lakh here on Friday. Speaking on the occasion, Khan said that the system would definitely minimize the burning requirement of electricity during the breakup of power supply. He stressed upon the hospital management to ensure proper maintenance of the plant by keeping close liaison with the Science and Technology department. He said that the government is endeavoring to install solar plants at all district and sub-district hospitals to make available round the clock energy to these institutions of vital service. In this regard, over 80% achievement has been made in the health institution of the state and remaining would be covered soon. The MLA apprised the Minister of various demands and problems including holding of awareness programmes at tehsil and block level especially in far flung areas. He also demanded solar home lights for left out Mohra where the provision of electricity is not available. Khan assured that all these issues would be looked into for necessary action. He directed the officers to prepare a proposal for solar home lights to the deserving with the active involvement of MLA and District Development Commissioner before its finalization. Medical Superintendent of the Hospital, Dr. Chander Parkash presented vote of thanks and put forth various demands which included solar street lights and upgradation of solar power plant as per requirement of the hospital. Deputy Medical Superintendent of District Hospital Udhampur, Dr. Deepak conducted proceedings of the programmes.

Shutdown of Gladni Grid Station on 8 Sept

JAMMU, SEPT 06- In order to carry out works to check the hot spots and tightening/ replacing of loose and worn out jumpers/droppers of 220/132/33 KV Grid Station Gladni, the complete shutdown of 220/132/33 KV Grid Station Gladni on September 08, 2013from 7 a.m. to 10 a.m. will be observed. As intimated by Chief Engineer, S&O Wing Jammu, during the shutdown, the power supply to areas Old Jammu City, Gandhi Nagar, Nanaknagar, Channi Himmat, Narwal, Sainik Colony etc, twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri and areas being fed from Grid Station Sidhra, Miransahib, Gangyal, Bari Brahmana, Janipur and Sidhra I & II and Kalakote S/C transmission line shall be affected. During this period of shut down 132 KV Gladni- Kalakot line shall also remain off for tightening of conductor and branch cutting enroute. The shut down shall be subjected to fair weather condition.

DDC discusses Municipal Solid Waste disposal

UDHAMPUR, SEPTEMBER 06:- To identify the site and seek environmental clearance for development of Municipal Solid Waste disposal from the State Environmental Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), District Development Commissioner, Yasha Mudgal, convened a meeting of concerned officers here today. Threadbare discussion was held on identification of the

On concluding day, artists describe terracotta sculpture camp as "wonderful experience"

SRINAGAR, SEPT 6: The 8-day State Level Terracotta Sculpture Camp started on August 30 here, concluded on Friday with an exhibition of the attractive art objects produced by artists during the camp. As many as 10 artists from Kashmir, Jammu and Delhi participated in the camp held in the bewitching environs of the Almond Villa estate, on the banks of the Dal Lake, provided by the Dara Shikoh Centre for Arts with whose assistance the Academy organised the activity. The camp was the first initiative by J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages in terracotta sculpture and was highly appreciated by the artist community. The visitors to the camp evinced keen interest in the art objects on display and hoped the Academy would organise more such camps to promote terracotta art in the

site for disposal of Municipal Solid Waste and related issues. Mudgal directed the concerned officers to initiate efforts to locate suitable site

for disposal of solid waste. She also directed them to conduct a survey to identify the masses living without house in their respective jurisdiction.

Rajouri Development Authority Board meet held

G.A.Mir stresses on quality tourism infrastructure

Explore Tourism potential of Rajouri: Shabir
RAJOURI, SEPT 06: Rajouri Development Authority Board meeting was held here on Friday to review the physical and financial achievements registered for development and up gradation of tourist related infrastructure in the District. Minister for Tourism, Mr Ghulam Ahmad Mir chaired the meeting while as Minister of State for Health, Mr. Shabir Ahmad Khan, Legislators, Dr. Ramash Sharma, Chudary Zulafkar Ali and Commissioner Secretary Tourism and Culture, Mr Atul Duloo were also present in the meeting. While reviewing the physical and financial achievements, the meeting was informed that since the inception of RDA, tourism developmental were directed to keep close coordination with each other for removal of impediments which hamper completion of the projects in time. The Tourism Minister said that the main objective of the government was to provide quality infrastructure facilities to the visiting tourists with focused attention for developing new tourism potential spots. He underscored the need for timebound completion of the ongoing projects and stressed upon the concerned chief executive officers (CEOs) not to create liabilities while taking up new projects. "The existing tourism projects should be completed in all respects and outsourced after completing legal formalities.

State. Secretary J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages, Khalid Bashir Ahmad, described the Academy's maiden camp on terracotta art as a huge success and thanked the participating artists and Dara Shikoh Centre for Arts (DSCA) for making it possible. Without the infrastructural support of the DSCA, he said, it would not have been

possible to hold an event like this. He said the Academy was committed to the promotion of art, culture and languages and its activities in these fields have shown an the appreciable increase in recent months. He said a schedule of events has been drawn for the coming months focussing on some major cultural and literary activities across the State.

projects worth Rs. 33.23 crore has been taken up in the district under Centre and State Plans against which Rs. 14.90 crore were expended till last financial year. The meeting after thread bare discussion approved Rs 1.50 crore action plan of RDA for current financial year. The meeting was told that

under Integrated Development of Tourist Circuit Darhal-Shaker Marg project funds to the tune of Rs 119. 70 Lakh have been released by the Centre, out of which Rs 40.13 lakh stands utilized and the work is going on under various components. It was also informed that work on additional

accommodation at TRC Shahdra Sharief is apace at a cost of Rs 65 lakh and would be completed within one month. The formulation of Master Plan, land acquisition, out sourcing of assets, completion of on-going projects etc also came under discussion during the meeting and concerned authorities

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STUDENT AGE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2013

EDUCATION AGE

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Japanese universities woo Indian students
NEW DELHI: Promoting itself as an "affordable" destination for higher education as compared to the west, 20 Japanese universities participated in an education fair on Friday to attract Indian students aspiring to study abroad. Organised under the "Global 30" project which aims to invite 300,000 foreign students to Japan, the third annual Japanese education fair provided guidance and first-hand counselling to over 1,000 students from Delhi's schools and colleges. The fair will also be held in Bangalore and Pune. "India's huge student population is a great attraction and we definitely want to increase our share in the pie," Satoshi Hata, general manager of the Ritsumeikan University in Kyoto said. Acknowledging that Japanese universities were not very popular in India, Hata said that currently only about 550 Indian students study in Japan as compared to 1.5 lakh in the US. However, "affordable higher education", when compared to the US, UK and Australia, as well as a "holistic learning environment" tilts the scale in favour of Japan, Hata said. The universities are offering Englishonly degree courses available at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, as well as an improvement in student support services like opportunities to learn Japanese and chances of an internship at Japanese companies. "Japan's relationship with India has improved significantly, especially in terms of economic welfare. We now need to take this effort one step ahead and enhance human relationships. Education will play a major role," Japanese ambassador to India Takeshi Yagi said. According to a 2012 report by the Indian Institute of ManagementBangalore, the number of Indian students going overseas rose a stunning 256 percent -- from 53,266 to 189,629 -- between 2000 and 2009.

CAREER IN POLYMER/PLASTIC ENGINEERING

INTRODUCTION We all live in a world wherein plastic is present in every walk of life. Plastics and rubber, together with adhesives, resin and fibres, form a group of materials with special properties, called polymers. Polymer (plastics and rubbers) play a large part in shaping the look and feel of today's world. In India, the polymer sector have been identified as a 'high Priority' sector, owing to the fact that polymers play an important role in providing the basic necessities for everyday use. Their application ranges from medical to construction of even an aircraft. They are used extensively in all products-i.e majority of household goods, electrical goods, and automobile components contain plastics and rubber parts, and often plastics are used to package these products. Polymers have become a rapidly growing sector of the materials industry and hence the importance of Chemical or polymer engineering as a career option has been increasing manifold. Polymer engineering is generally a branch of engineering that designs, analyses, and/or modifies polymer materials for aiding the manufacture of articles from polymers. Polymer Engineering uses the theory and knowledge of chemical engineering to solve various problems involving the production and use of polymers. Polymer engineers use the principles of plant design, process design, thermodynamics, and transport phenomena to develop new products. Polymer engineering covers aspects of petrochemical industry, polymerization, structure and characterization of polymers, properties of polymers, compounding and processing of polymers and description of major polymers, their structure, property relations and applications. Many of the engineers currently working in the industry trying to solve these problems have background in either chemical engineering or polymers. As plastic usage have increased a lot, proper management of plastic is necessary. This necessitated the requirement of developing eco friendly plastics for reducing pollution and increasing recyclability. Here comes the role of polymer engineer. They must have an understanding of both the properties of polymer materials and the processing methods used to shape them into the products we see in our everyday lives. Thus duties of polymer engineer involves supervising the production process of plastics and other polymers. It is under their supervision, plastic moulders and technicians carry out the shop floor manufacturing processes. ELIGIBILITY & COURSE AREAS Educational: To pursue a career in polymer engineering one must opt for chemistry, physics and mathematics at 10+2 level. B.E./B.Tech in polymer engineering is the basic qualification required to be in this field. Degree and postgraduate degree courses are offered by the engineering colleges and Institutes of Technology (IITs), and diploma courses by various polytechnics. Admission for B.E./B.Tech is made on the basis of entrance examination (joint entrance exam / JEE for the IIT's and separate state level and national level exams for other institutions). The national level exam AIEEE is also conducted for admissions in the NITs in India and many other prestigious colleges. Those who have obtained a B.E. or B.Tech. degree in polymer engineering can take up M.Tech courses. Candidates who have qualified in the GATE (Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering) exam will find it as an advantage for admission to the M.Tech courses in most of the elite institutions. The B.E/B.Tech course is of four years duration, while the M Tech / ME program is of one and a half to two years duration. These courses cover the properties and applications of the range of plastics and rubber materials used in the manufacture of goods, and also the engineering aspects of designing products and processing the materials into shaped products. Polymer engineering involves detail study of subjects like Petrochemical industry, Polymerization, Structure and characterization of polymers, Properties of polymers, Compounding and processing of polymers, Description of major polymers, their structure, property relations and applications. Personnel attributes: Excellent analytical, communication and teamwork skills is a necessity and the candidate should be hardworking, good at organizing and solving problems. As the knowledge and duties of chemical engineers overlap this

field, they must be aware of aspects of chemical engineering. Imagination, creativity are required for developing new products and in devising new uses of the basic product. Must be able to concentrate for long periods and pay attention to detail. JOB PROSPECTS & CAREER OPTIONS As polymer industry is a rapidly growing sector, those with knowledge and understanding of a broad range of principles and technologies of manufacture of products from polymer is required. This has increased the demand for qualified personnel in this field. Polymer plays a vital role in our lives because of its uniqueness in properties and extended application in industries, packaging, sports, medicine, perfumes and preservatives, plastics, fuels, toys etc. In all these areas experienced work force who have detailed practical knowledge about polymers and their application is employed. Plastics are also used in the manufacture of Prosthetic devices and surgical equipments. The diversity of use is growing day by day. Hence training in this sector offers good employability both in India and abroad. Due to the excessive use of polymers in today's world, waste management has emerged as a distinct field of work. This too has created job opportunities for polymer engineers. Polymer engineers are involved in research and development, processing, quality control, technical support and sales, design and manufacture of moulds, training, management and related activities. Students who complete this course undergo campus selection for jobs in major tyre companies, fuel refineries, polymer manufac-

turing and processing industries and research institutions. Both public and private sectors offer tremendous job opportunities to polymer professionals. Those with qualification in polymer engineering and technology can find jobs with polymer manufacturing industries as production engineers or technologists, quality control inspectors, polymer specialists, marketing executives and so on. Opportunities also exist in research and development field. Many private companies and MNCs that deal with the production and marketing of plastic commodities also offer employment. Even though polymer is not a known field compared to other engineering areas, there is ample scope for well qualified resource persons, especially abroad. The research wings of many multinational companies require young dynamic polymer professionals who are capable of fulfilling their goals. REMUNERATION Working experience, qualification, skills are important factors in determining the pay level. The starting salary of Polymer Engineer in public sector ranges from Rs.10000 to Rs.15 000 per month. In the private sector, the starting remuneration can be in the range of Rs.9000 to Rs.12000 per month whereas for those with an M.Tech degree can earn as high as Rs.15000 to Rs.20000 per month at the starting level. Senior Polymer engineers/scientists with more than five years of working experience can earn anywhere in between Rs. 35,000 to Rs. 80,000 per month.

West Bengal forms panel for better education

KOLKATA: Chief minister Mamata Banerjeehas decided to set up the education commission with four or five eminent educationists to draw up a plan for 2020 and also for 2030 which will be a vision documentguiding the education department and the state government. Mamata said that the document would help impart best education to the students of Bengal in the days ahead. According to sources in the school education department, the commission will be set up to find out the fallacies existing in the current academic system. "It will try and give suggestions to make improvement in the existing syllabus, teaching and learning methods, examination system and anything related to education," said a school education department official. According to him, the He added, "after CM's announcement on Thursday, next step will be to decide on the names who will be on the panel and bring out a government order. Speaking to the teachers and students on the Teachers' Day on Thursday, the CM said, "Students need to know how to outperform others in the competitions, how to be good in art, music, dance as well as studies. The brain needs oxygen and it will not come from studies alone. One should not feel miserable if he or she does not score 100. Of course, one should aim to achieve 100 but that is not the end. During our childhood days, there were more co-curricular activities." Mamata also made it clear that she wanted the burden of syllabus to be reduced off the children. "Syllabus needs to be reduced.

JNU to have separate hostel for northeast students soon

ITANGAR: Clearing all hurdles for the construction of a 500-bed for northeast students at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) in New Delhi, the varsity authorities have finally identified land for the long awaited hostel. The Northeast MPs Forum (NEMPF) has been urging the Centre for construction of the proposed hostel in order to cater to the needs of the rising number of students from this region pursuing career in the national capital. JNU vice-chancellor Sudhir Kumar Sopory and other officials of the university accompanied by NEMPF secretary general Takam Sanjoy and Delhi Police joint commissioner Robin Hibu visited the varsity campus on Wednesday for demarcating the land for the ambitious project, official sources informed here on Thursday. The project would serve as a panacea for NE students pursuing higher education in New Delhi. Union DoNER ministry would provide Rs 95 crore for the hostel which will have 50 per cent reservation for the NE girl students. In a representation to the VC, NEPMF chairman Mukut Mithi said the hostel should be named 'Subansiri Hostel' after the river in Arunachal Pradesh, and suggested co-opting Jawaharlal Nehru University deputy registrar Anthony as liaison officer between the JNU and the NEMPF. Delhi chief minister Shiela Dixit had given her consent to allot land for the hostel at a high-level meeting in All India Congress Committee (AICC) held under the chairmanship of Union minister Oscar Fernandez on July 16 last. The meeting was attended by DoNER minister Paban Singh Ghatowar, Arunachal Pradesh chief minister Nabam Tuki, his Meghalaya counterpart Mukul Sangma, Mukut Mithi and a host of AICC leaders and MPs form NE, including Sanjoy. Dixit took up the matter with JNU vice-chancellor after Sanjoy wrote her a letter on July 27, following which the VC had consented to identify land for the purpose within the university campus. With the allocation of land, it would now be the responsibility of the DoNER ministry to finalize the design and earmark fund to give the go-ahead signal, sources added. It may be mentioned here that this was one of the commitments given by the Congress Party during the 2009 Delhi University Students' Union election. "Most of the NE Students' Unions had extended their support to DUSU with this demand," Sanjoy added. The Delhi-Arunachal Forum (DelAru), a voluntary organization of Arunachalees living in Delhi, had also placed the same demand with the state's MPs.

Students cannot be left to suffer from Spondylitis even before they reach 18 just by carrying huge load of books on their shoulders. Stress and tension must be removed," the CM said. She added that Bengal has been promoted to rank 3 among all states from rank 17 in an education survey. "We shall now aim to reach the top," CM said. Education minister Bratya Basu said that after releasing new books for the students of classes I, III and V last year, the syllabus reform committee, headed by Aveek Mazumdar, has drawn up the list of new books which were released by the chief minister for students of classes II, IV, VI and VIII. Basu said, "Last year, we have upgraded 509 schools to higher secondary level. This year, the target is 499 schools and till date, 326 have already been upgraded The scholarships for students have been increased from 5737 in 2010-2011 to 21,831 in 2012-2013." On the occasion of the Teachers' Day, the CM handed over Shikshak Ratna to 100 teachers from primary, secondary, higher secondary and Madrasah schools.

IIT-Bombay to set up teaching centre

MUMBAI: IIT-B felicitated its teachers on Thursday, giving out Best Teacher awards. Director Devang Khakhar said the institute's teachers and students are discussing plans to set up a centre where best teaching practices could be shared and fresh teaching methods be developed. "We are planning to set up a technological park for faculty and industry to collaborate," he said.

New Maharashtra board question paper format on portal

MUMBAI: With the state board syllabus being upgraded to make it on a par with the curriculum of central boards, the state board has also decided to change the question paper format for SSC students. The Maharashtra State Board for Secondary and Higher Secondary Education (MSBSHSE) has uploaded specimen question papers on its website for the benefit of schools as well as students. "The state board, along with Board of Studies (BoS), came to the conclusion that the question papers should follow the same pattern that is followed in the new textbooks. So we have uploaded twothree specimen question papers for students to check," said Krishnarao Patil, state board secretary. He added that the purpose behind uploading the specimen question papers was to ensure that schools also follow the same pattern. "Schools also hold preliminary examinations and we hope they will also follow the same paper pattern from now on," said Patil. Henceforth, the board will follow this new question paper format for the board exams. These specimen question papers are available on msbshse.ac.in.

Indian school of mines be turned into an IIT: Rajya Sabha member

NEW DELHI: A demand to convert the Indian School of Mines in Dhanbad into an Indian Institute of Technology was raised in the Rajya Sabha by a JMM member. Raising the issue during the Zero Hour, Sanjiv Kumar said around 1500 students of Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, are agitating in front of Jantar Mantar and an equal number are doing so in ISM, Dhanbad, demanding the 86year-old Institute be converted into an IIT. He said though Jharkhand assembly had passed a resolution in 2011 requesting the Centre for the conversion of Indian School of Mines into IIT, Dhanbad, nothing has happened. He said Indian School of Mines, Dhanbad, was established in 1926 as a specialized institute in the field of Earth Sciences and is now a full-fledged engineering college with 17 departments. Raising another issue, Ali Anwar Ansari (JD-U) demanded the early setting up of a campus of Aligarh Muslim University in Kishanganj of Bihar and release of funds for the same by the central government. Ansari said the funds are not being released despite top Congress leaders making poll promises during Bihar assembly elections. He said though Bihar government has handed over 224 acres of land for the setting up of the campus, the Centre is not releasing funds for the same, resulting in delay in the establishment of the campus.

UK eases immigration rules to attract foreign students

LONDON: The United Kingdom Friday relaxed its immigration rules to make the country more attractive to international students. The changes will also give greater flexibility to business visitors and to businesses that employ and sponsor international migrants, theUK Home Office said in a statement. "Today's changes will ensure that the UK continues to attract global talent to work for British businesses and study at our world-class universities," UK Immigration Minister Mark Harper said in the statement. "Immigration reform is working; we have tightened immigration routes where abuse was rife, while still encouraging the brightest and the best to come to the UK," he added. The new changes allow international students to take up corporate internships after completing their degree and make it easier for graduate entrepreneurs to take up skilled jobs. Changes made in the business visitor visa rules will allow employees to undertake corporate training in Britain where it is delivered by an external company, according to the Home Office statement. Global organisations can also bring their own auditors on a business visitor visa, thus making it easy for such organisations to complete international audits. "The UK is open for business: we are building an immigration system that works in the national interest and supports growth," Harper said. Individuals on graduate entrepreneur visas will be able to switch to a skilled worker visa more easily following Friday's changes in the rules

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EDITORIAL

5
Ghost towns were being built all around the metros and bigger cities, and were sold at prices that were headed for the moon. What is the present scenario? When PE investors decided to stop funding such not-so-concrete dreams by cutting off the supply of money, the expected came to pass. Empty malls, vacant residential properties, half-completed high rises and incompletely dug up construction sites with building material left untouched for months is a common sight. Not many souls move about in such ghost towns these days. How PE has totally tricked buyers and sellers in an entire industry is an incredible story to be told. But not one to gain inspiration from. All in all, PE funding not only degrades and makes a sector volatile but also injects malpractices into companies. Thought leaders have not been very vocal about it, but in the West, film-makers have tried to depict the same through their works. Today, PE funding worldwide is headed southwards. And that is good news. It implies greater stability for the global economy as a whole. A more sustainable future, if I may add. In the last one decade or so, PE ownership across companies has reduced by leaps. Going back where we started, when it comes to PE funding, there are several schools of thought, but when it comes to India, the thought that PE can and will leave you in ruins, appears most logical. The Indian Government has to be very careful going forward about the manner in which it allows PE to enter any given sector whether it be for the sake of developing greenfield projects in the most undesirable of sectors or for the sake of lighting a bulb in the most underdeveloped of villages. PE is a double-edged sword. Popular perception is that it makes you stronger but only until you measure the blood you have lost. Period! (The author is a management guru and honorary director of IIPM Think Tank)

Have cash, be intelligent

Poverty is considered to be the root cause of a long list of evils from poor health and malnutrition to crimes against women to skewed sex ratios, from cynical vote-bank politics to widening income inequality, and so on. Now, one can also add low IQ scores to that list. Recent research that Harvard University conducted has found that poverty has a direct and debilitating impact on one's intelligence and cognitive abilities. It is, of course, commonly acknowledged that due to a lack of access to societal resources, especially quality education, the poor often cannot compete with the rich in terms of personal development. For example, even if a poor student might innately be just as intelligent as a rich one, the former may not do equally well in standardised tests. But what the Harvard study points to is much more radical that the mere availability of more cash in ones pocket can increase ones IQ score! The study, which also covered 464 sugarcane farmers in India, who were given the same IQ tests before and after the annual harvest, found that the subjects performed better after the harvest than before. Researchers have concluded that this difference is because after the harvest the farmers had more cash in hand and were relatively secure in financial terms. Because their minds were not weighed down by money troubles, the farmers were in a better position to focus on other tasks; hence the increased the IQ scores and better cognitive performance. In fact, the difference in the before and after scores was by as many as nine to 10 IQ points (on a 100 point scale). That is a significant jump. The linkage between financial worries and IQ scores seems to have borne out in other parts of the world as well. Researchers also tested rich and poor shoppers at a New Jersey mall in the US, and the subjects performed on similar lines, throwing up a difference of as many as 13 IQ points. This direct correlation between financial security and increased intelligence reiterates the overall connection between poverty, education, growth and development, which must be effectively addressed in a young, emerging economy like India. The country's teeming millions are viewed as its most important social capital. Half the Indian population today is below the age of 25 and more than 65 per cent of it is below the age of 35 in other words, India now has a large and productive labour force that can drive economic growth in the immediate future. It is estimated that over the next two decades, this demographic dividend' could add about two percentage points per annum to the nations per capita GDP growth. However, India's demographic dividend' could become its demographic curse if there is no education or employment for the country's young. Not only will India lose an incredible development opportunity, it will also have a harder time than China and Japan in dealing with an

Tread cautiously on private equity

ARINDAM CHAUDHURI
When it comes to private equity, there can be numerous schools of thought. In India, unfortunately, what we have (mostly) seen so far is the havoc that PE has caused. And I clearly see it as one key reason that has snowballed into the economic crisis that we face today. It was back in 1946 when PE emerged in the American market in its true sense. The era between 1960s to 1980s saw the Vanderbilts, Whitneys, Rockefellers and Warburgs build fortunes in businesses ranging from real estate construction projects to airlines, banking to whatever moved on the streets of Silicon Valley. Running parallel and equally fast was Warren Buffet, who through Leveraged Buyouts acquired one corporation after another. The US Congress then opposed every change in tax policy that could have made life more difficult for PE firms (the Carter Tax Plan of 1977 was the first of such acts that failed to be enacted). What followed up until 1990 was quite understandable. Thousands of PE labels mushroomed across the globe. But beneath this rolling of the red carpet was a weakly-constructed foundation. Cracks on the PE wall first became visible in the first half of the 1990s. Ills related to the massive rise in leveraged buyouts that were financed by junk bonds led to the collapse of the LBO industry. Amidst various companies that went into a tailspin was a big name Drexel Burnham Lambert. This one company that was credited for the boom in PE back in the 1980s had several allegations made against it. The firm was charged with insider trading and had to file for Chapter 11 in 1990. Thus, one of the founding pillars of PE was turned to dust. Companies and markets across the globe experienced a similar avalanche.

Certain kinds of funding make a sector volatile but also inject malpractices into companies. Thought leaders have not been very vocal about it, but in the West, filmmakers have projected the dangers
The true global effect of PE became more publicised and shamefully dramatic in the early 21st century. It began with the dotcom bubble bursting. This disaster has so far caused the maximum damage because it sent more than just tremors across the global financial market. It shook the very belief in private equity (and venture capitalism). In the quick years that followed this early 2000s disaster, more than half of PE firms that had invested their dimes and coffers in web start-ups were forced to throw in their towels. Of course, the market as a whole, and the investors were left at the mercy of no modern capitalistic gods. Many IT firms that had become bigger with the prime support of PE saw the cash and asset balance levels in their wells fall much below even the amount of capital initially invested. And the biggest reason for such an unwanted outcome was that those very PE firms that had promised to fuel their dreams ran out of fuel themselves. They backed out in the name of retreat and failed to live up to their investment commitments. By the end of the year 2000, globally, the count of PE firms fell by a horrific 50 per cent. Obviously, India was not one to remain idle when it came to being mesmerised by this hypnotic trick and believing in the permanent magic of a volatile formula. It was one of those markets that felt the maximum impact of the dot-com bubble slap. The Indian Information Technology industry came under huge pressures returns vapourised for some time and much hope was lost. There are huge apprehensions still that have spread to other verticals. Even today, every now and then, cases of insider trading and embezzlement are reported across various sectors. Private equity dealings in the first decade of the 21st century has left us in ruins. Worse, during this period, PE entered one sector after another and that resulted in excess supply being created. The bubble of a hope that PE generated ruined organisations far and wide some temporarily and some forever with excess pressure of expansion that has left them in a complete mess with visible supply-demand mismatch. Take for instance the case of the muchhyped industry (in India) called real estate. Real estate was once considered an immovably strong and non-volatile sector. Then came PE intervention, and left the industry in a shambles. Back in the 19972003 period, withdrawal of funds by PE led to a crash in Mumbai regions real estate business. The same was repeated in the 2011-2012 period when prices of real estate properties fell by 20 per cent (and higher) in Delhi and Mumbai. The fundamentals of the entire sector have seen a paradigm shift after the Special Economic Zones Act, 2005. Most residential and commercial concrete jungles that were built post-2005 were aimed towards investors who wished to park their money in real estate properties.

ITS BAPTISM BY FIRE

Mr Raghuram Rajan is an eloquent man. He also appears to have some literature in him. On taking charge as the Governor of Reserve Bank of India on Wednesday, he said, Our task today is to build a bridge to the future, over the stormy waves produced by global financial markets. Charles Dickens would have been pleased. Besides the deft use of imagery, there is another significant aspect to his statement his assertion that the mess is due to international disturbances. This is true to an extent because the economies of European countries with exceptions like Germany and now Britain are still in a bad shape. But it's also true that the effects of the global meltdown of 2008 have begun to wane in the US, which is India's significant trading partner. If India sailed through the crisis that broke out five years ago, largely because of the infusion of massive funds which was then readily available as the economy was trotting at eight per cent plus growth, there is no reason why the stormy waves' should be so terribly impacting our economy today. Mr Rajan, therefore, will have to attend to the more compelling domestic causes of the decline. Admittedly, there are some things he can do to address those issues and many that he cannot because they are beyond his purview and in the court of the Congress-led UPA Government. The cause of optimism is that because he has a special rapport with the regime and its financial bosses, we can expect more effective coordinated action. His predecessor, Mr D Subbarao, did not enjoy that privilege, largely because he saw the solutions to the problems differently from that of the Government. He saw inflation and fiscal deficits as demons that the Government had to contain before the RBI injected growth-related stimuli such as the lowering of interest rates. The growth versus inflation/fiscal deficit, therefore, became a bone of contention (and confrontation) between the Government and him. Mr Subbarao did have a streak of obstinacy in him, but it would be wrong to infer, as some experts have been saying, that he aborted the regime's efforts at reviving the economy. If Mr Rajan even partially succeeds in implementing the bold vision that he has outlined, he will have achieved a lot. He knows that change and continuity need to go hand in hand. He has wisely observed that monetary stability is essential to keep inflation in check something which his immediate predecessor too had underlined. We can sooner than later see, among other initiatives, a cut in interest rates. Besides, Mr Rajan has to hasten the process of short-listing the new candidates that have applied to be bankers, and award them the licence. The banking sector is desperately in need of reforms. India is heavily under-banked; in the last two decades we have had just 11 new banks, and between 1991 and 2011 a mere 30,000 new branches were added. Mr Rajan is said to be an avid follower of Indian politics. He must, therefore, have given the subject some attention. He will need to put his knowledge to test while balancing the requirements of the economy with that of the political environment he operates in. After all, he could in the coming months be working with a new political dispensation.

The true global effect of PE became more publicised and shamefully dramatic in the early 21st century. It began with the dot-com bubble bursting. This disaster has so far caused the maximum damage because it sent more than just tremors across the global financial market. It shook the very belief in private equity (and venture capitalism). In the quick years that followed this early 2000s disaster, more than half of PE firms that had invested their dimes and coffers in web start-ups were forced to throw in their towels. Of course, the market as a whole, and the investors were left at the mercy of no modern capitalistic gods. Many IT firms that had become bigger with the prime support of PE saw the cash and asset balance levels in their wells fall - much below even the amount of capital initially invested. And the biggest reason for such an unwanted outcome was that those very PE firms that had promised to fuel their dreams ran out of fuel themselves. They backed out in the name of retreat and failed to live up to their investment commitments. By the end of the year 2000, globally, the count of PE firms fell by a horrific 50 per cent.

All politics boils down to the food security Bill

KALYANI SHANKAR
Will the Congresss strategy to woo the electorate with populist welfare schemes work in the 2014 election? Will there be a UPA3? It is indeed an uphill task for the UPA2 to overcome the present scams and policy paralysis and return to power. Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her advisers think that welfare measures like the food security and the land acquisition Bills, might win over the electorate, just as the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and the loan waiver scheme did in the 2009 election. Brushing aside objections and justifiable concerns over the added financial burden of these schemes on the public exchequer, Ms Gandhi has argued that the resources have to be found and the poor helped. She believes, just as Indira Gandhi did, that populist schemes bring power. Before the last Lok Sabha election, Ms Gandhi had initiated the MGNREGA which provided for 90 days wage-employment to rural people who volunteer to do unskilled manual work. Now comes the food Bill

With the economy on a downslide, the UPA couldn't have chosen a worse time to launch its pet welfare schemes
with a promise of cheap food grains and the land acquisition Bill to provide fair compensation to those whose land has been taken away for public buildings and factories. All these schemes constitute a welfare regimen that is huge in terms of outlay and the size of the beneficiaries. Although the Congress is touting the MGNREGA as a big success, studies have revealed large-scale corruption wherein money meant for rural employment did not reach the intended people and fake beneficiaries claimed the fruits. Similar concerns have been voiced about the food security scheme about the lack of storage facilities, the actual number of beneficiaries, linkages and leakages. However, the Congress is confident that the mechanism for its effective implementation will be in place in the next six months and the benefits will be there for all to see. Congress strategists are confident that this will create a huge rural vote bank in the partys favour. However, 2013 is not 2004 or 2009. The Congress itself was surprised by the 2009 victory, as it did not expect to perform well. It may be a big gamble this time in view of various factors. Two successive terms and a series of scams tumbling out of its closet, the Congress-led UPA regime is facing strong anti-incumbency and is in a vulnerable position. Party mandarins feel that the new food scheme will surmount all such factors and may even manage to deflect attention from the numerous scams and governance deficit of the ruling regime. But the success of the Centrally-sponsored food scheme is dependent on effective implementation and delivery, which is the responsibility of the States. While the Congress-ruled States might be enthusiastic, non-Congress States like Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu already have in place their own welfare schemes, which are better managed and quite successful. The new scheme, therefore, directly clashes with the welfare schemes of these States. The Congress will gain only if the scheme is properly implemented across the country. Another worrying factor is the growing disenchantment of the middle class with the Congress. The urban middle class that was charmed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs clean image and the countrys high growth rate in 2009, is vexed with the policy paralysis, the slumping economy and high inflation. Even industry captains, who were waiting for the promised reforms from the economist Prime Minister, feel let down and are looking to the BJPs rising star, Narendra Modi, to provide some succour. The Gujarat Chief Minister has projected himself as a friend of industry, and there are at least eight big industrial houses which are supporting his claim for the top job. These people are upset with the Congress for antiindustry Bills like the one on land acquisition. For all the Congresss exertions to ensure the passage of the food security Bill there are serious questions about whether the Sonia Gandhi-helmed welfare policies are on the right track. They may be good politics but bad economics, is the common refrain. Experts are of the opinion that with

the economy on a downslide, and global rating agencies predicting a downgrade for India in view of its economic performance, the UPA couldnt have chosen a worse time to launch the welfare schemes. No doubt, the Congress has taken a big risk. It remains to be seen whether it can clear the 2014 acid test.

READER SPACE

Climate change
Dear Editor, Global warming may not be happening as rapidly as predicted but the reality is it is happening and will have an adverse impact on humans. The fact that the warming rate has slowed down does not mean it has stopped. We have been filling the atmosphere with carbon dioxide by burning fossil fuels that were once below the Earths surface. With the worlds population projected to reach nine billion by 2050, there will be major changes in the carbon cycle, food availability, etc. Yours, etc., Karan Singh Jammu

those who have taken all major decisions keeping political considerations in mind. The volume of non-performing assets has grown in nationalised banks due to indiscriminate lending, unhealthy competition, lack of proper verification and absence of close monitoring of big borrower accounts. Much of what the new RBI Governor can achieve will also depend on the government that comes to power in 2014. Yours, etc.,

via-e-mail

Foreign policy
Dear Editor, Lt. Gen. Kamal Davar has rightly pointed out to the need for India to strengthen the hands of the Sheikh Hasina government in Bangladesh (Sept. 5). Our stakes are high in Bangladesh from both the security and development points of view. But, ironically, our foreign policy is guided by State governments to score political points this is true of issues involving both Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Yours, etc.,

Challenging task
Dear Editor, Mr. Rajan has an uphill task ahead. He will have to correct the economy mismanaged by

Although the Congress is touting the MGNREGA as a big success, studies have revealed largescale corruption wherein money meant for rural employment did not reach the intended people and fake beneficiaries claimed the fruits. Similar concerns have been voiced about the food security scheme - about the lack of storage facilities, the actual number of beneficiaries, linkages and leakages. However, the Congress is confident that the mechanism for its effective implementation will be in place in the next six months and the benefits will be there for all to see. Congress strategists are confident that this will create a huge rural vote bank in the party's favour.

via-e-mail

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NATIONAL

Gujarat: Bandh evokes partial response; over 1,200 detained

Centre tells States to ban across-the-counter acid sale

NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 6: Complying with the Supreme Court directive, the Union Home Ministry has asked all states to ban acrossthe-counter sale of acid in the wake of rising incidents of attacks on women using the chemical. The Ministry also asked the states to impose a fine of Rs. 50,000 on acid sellers who do not maintain a register on personal information about buyers. In its efforts to strictly implement the apex court order to prevent acid attacks, the Home Ministry asked all states to frame laws to make this crime a non-bailable offence as early as possible. The Centre said a compensation of at least Rs. 3 lakh should be given to acid attack victims by the concerned state government or UT as aftercare and rehabilitation cost. Out of this, Rs. 1 lakh shall be paid to the victim within 15 days of the occurrence of such incident to facilitate immediate medical attention and expenses in this regard. The balance sum of Rs. 2 lakh should be paid as expeditiously as possible and positively within two months thereafter, it said. The Supreme Court had on July 18 directed that the crime be made a non-bailable offence and enhanced to Rs. 3 lakh the compensation amount for the victims. The apex court order with a slew of interim directions came on a PIL filed by Delhi-based acid attack victim Laxmi. The Home Ministry advisory came in response to the Supreme Court order. Ban over-the-counter sale of acid/corrosives unless the seller maintains a logbook/register recording the sale of acid which will contain the details of the person(s) to whom acid(s) is/are sold and the quantity sold. The log/register shall also contain the address of the person to whom it is sold, the advisory said. The Home Ministry told the states and UTs that sale of acid should be made only when the buyer produces a photo ID issued by the government which also has the address of the person and proves that he/she is above 18 years of age. The log book should also specify the reason or purpose for procuring acid. All stocks of acid must be declared by the seller with the concerned Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) within 15 days and in case of undeclared stock of acid, it will be open to the concerned SDM to confiscate the stock and suitably impose a fine on such seller up to Rs. 50,000. The concerned SDM may impose a fine up to Rs. 50,000 on any person who commits breach of any of the above directions, the advisory said. Educational institu-

AHMEDABAD, SEPTEMBER 6: The bandh call given by Congress, demanding the resignation of Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi over the explosive resignation letter by suspended IPS officer DG Vanzara, evoked a partial response across the state even as over 1,200 people were detained during the day. Overall, the bandh was peaceful barring some sporadic incidents like burning of tyres and breaking of window panes of state

transport buses, police said. More than 1,200 Congress party workers and supporters, who were trying to enforce the bandh, were detained across the state, they said. The workers tried to close down schools, colleges and business establishment beside stopping trains, city bus services and state road transport corporation buses. State Congress president Arjun Modhwadia's brother, Ramdev Modhwadia,

was also detained in Porbandar, police said. Commercial establishments in some localities of Ahmedabad remained closed while police detained Congress workers where they forcefully tried to down shutters of some shops. Bandh across ten districts of Saurashtra evoked mixed response. Educational institutions remained closed while shops and business establishments partially joined the bandh. Meanwhile, Congress MP from Rajkot, Kunvarji Bavaliya on Friday marched on foot from district panchayat chowk to Rajkot main street seeking dropping of Section 307 imposed on city Congress president Jasvant Bhatti. Bhatti was arrested late last night and booked under IPC section 307 when he along with a few Congress workers attempted to torch a Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation (GSRTC) bus yesterday. Congress MLA from Rajkot, Indranil Rajyaguru staged a day long sit-in before the city police commissionerate. Nearly 10 NSUI (National Student Union of India) workers were today detained when they ransacked a Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC) vehicle near Kalavad road, police said. Congress leaders Paresh Dhanani (MLA from Amreli) and Jasa Barad (MLA from Veraval) were detained in Amreli and Veraval respectively, police said.

tions, research laboratories, hospitals, government departments and the departments of public sector undertakings, which are required to keep and store acid/corrosive, shall maintain a register of usage of acid and the same shall be filed with the concerned SDM. A person shall be made accountable for the possession and safe keeping of acid in their premises. The acid shall be stored under the supervision of this person and there shall be compulsory checking of the students/ personnel leaving the laboratories/place of storage where acid is used, the advisory said.

13 killed in Kerala bus mishap

MALAPPURAM, SEPTEMBER 6: The driver of an overcrowded private minibus trying to overtake another bus lost control of the vehicle and rammed into a tree. The bus overturned, leaving 13 dead and 24 injured, in Malappuram district on Friday, officials said. The accident occurred near Perinthalamanna, said Transport Minister Aryadan Mohammed. There were 42 passengers on board at the time. The dead include 5 women and also seven students. The driver of the bus also died. Mr. Mohammed told reporters that the accident occurred because of overspeeding. We have been told that 13 people have died and numerous others are injured. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and I are reaching the district later tonight, Mr. Mohammed told reporters. The injured were brought to two private hospitals. All arrangements have been made for the treatment of the injured and the autopsy on the 13 bodies would be conducted today itself, so they can be handed over to relatives, Municipalities Minister M. Ali said. Police have pasted photographs of the victims outside the hospital to help relatives identify their kin.

Transform Coimbatore into Antony asserts no question of solar power city, advises Kalam India ceding territory to China C O I M B A T O R E ,
SEPTEMBER 6: Former President Dr A P J Abdul Kalam on Friday suggested tapping solar power in a big way to beat power outages and said this power starved city could transform into a solar power city and Centre of Excellence to create skill development Centre for solar power for the nation. Solar power should be tapped in a big way, in view of the frequent power outages. It is an opportunity for power-starved Coimbatore to transform into a Solar Power City and the Centre of Excellence in creating skill development Centre for solar power for the entire nation, he said. Speaking at the 10th year celebrations of Siruthuli, an NGO, Dr. Kalam said people could help develop a Solar Home Grid to power their houses by formulating a Cooperative model combining many streets together as a block. In the long run, it would be economical and the electric power used by homes could be spared to industries and cross subsidy would reduce NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 6: Amid reports in a section of media which alleged that China has occupied Indian territory in the mountainous Ladakh region in Jammu and Kashmir, Defence Minister A. K. Antony on Friday asserted that there was no question of India ceding to China any part of Indian territory. Categorically denying that Shyam Saran, Chairman of the high-level National Security Advisory Board (NSAB), has stated in his report that China has occupied or has denied access to India to any part of Indian territory, Mr. Antony said: "Government keeps a constant watch on all developments having a bearing on Indias security and takes all necessary measures to safeguard it. Reading out his prepared one-page statement in the Lok Sabha, Mr. Antony assured the members that the government would continue to strengthen Indias capabilities in border areas "to protect our national interest. Agitated members in both the Houses of Parliament had raised the issue of incursion by China , Mr. Antony said that NSAB head had visited Ladakh from August 2 to 9 and submitted a report on infrastructure in Ladakh, a copy of which has been sent by the Prime Ministers Office to the Defence Ministry on September 2. "The report is primarily focussed on the border infrastructure but also deals with several aspects relating to the region covering a broad spectrum of activities and requirements, Mr. Antony said. The Defence Minister informed Parliament that the report of the NSAB head "reviews the progress in development of border infrastructure required to ensure connec-

CAG pulls up HRD Ministry over Aakash project

NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 6: The CAG on Friday slammed the HRD Ministry for the shortcomings in the Aakash tablet project, raising questions over arbitrary selection of IIT-Rajasthan to launch the scheme without carrying out an assessment of its capacity to undertake the work. In its report tabled in Parliament, the government auditor observed that IITR had told the Ministry that around 90 per cent of the tablets supplied by Datawind between August and November 2011 were rejected by it due to complaints in the devices such as heating and they being slow. The Ministry decided to launch Aakash through the IITR without ascertaining their capacity to undertake the work. This adversely affected the project delivery. It also placed Rs. 47.42 crore at IITRs disposal without carrying out a prudent assessment, it said. This raises issues of financial propriety. This adversely affected the project delivery along with an avoidable expenditure of Rs. 1.05 crore, the report said. Under the Akash tablet project, the government has plans of distributing the low-cost access-cum-computing device at a cost of Rs. 1,500 to students and teachers for educational purposes. The CAG said documents suggest that the Ministry did not provide any justification for selecting IITR to execute the order and thus its selection was arbitrary. The audit view is further borne out by the fact that IIT(s) Kanpur, Kharagpur, Madras, Bombay and IISC, Bangalore had participated. However, they were overlooked and a relatively new IITR was selected ahead of others, it said. CAG said IITR was awarded the project when it was operating from a temporary premises but the important observation of the Finance Division was ignored.

the cost, he said. Dr. Kalam also suggested that small industries join together and form SSI Solar Micro Grid as a cluster through Cooperative management system. Small medium enterprises and big enterprises can create their own grid independently or in a SME Corporate Solar Power Grid under Cooperative Management System, he said. These three Solar Grids, with supporting solar policy of Tamil Nadu Government, could ensure Coimbatore becomes a famous Solar

Power Hub, making the city a Centre for the solar Power industry, particularly in manufacturing nano-technology based solar PV cells with carbon Nano tubes, solar panel, solar thermal system, endurable nano battery system, various accessories and maintenance for Solar Industry, he said. Later, when reporters sought Dr. Kalams reaction on the security threat in view of developments in areas bordering China and Pakistan, he replied If Coimbatore develops, the entire Nation will develop.

tivity between Ladakh and neighbouring areas. In the Lok Sabha, angry members of the opposition BJP and UPA ally Samajwadi Party referred to the report of the government committee, claiming that China had occupied 640 sq km of Indian territory in Ladakh sector. Chaos erupted after Mr. Antony's statement as irate BJP members were seen protesting while the SP members trooped into the Well, prompting the Speaker Meira Kumar to adjourn the House for an hour. Mr. Antony said the report of Mr.Saran also dealt with requirement of air facilities in Ladakh region along with matters relating to land acquisition and environmental and wildlife clearances. The report has also dealt with issues such as availability of modern machinery for construction and maintenance and upgradation of roads, tunneling and alternate alignments, he said.

Dasgupta demands quick decision on $2.4 billion penalty to RIL Kudankulam: Trial runs completed, production to start soon
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 6: Communist Party of India MP, Gurudas Dasgupta on Friday wrote to Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh seeking an immediate decision by government to impose $2.4 billion penalty on Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) due to deliberate hoarding of gas production from KG-D6 block. Mr. Dasgupta also asked Dr. Singh to direct the Petroleum Ministry to take immediate steps to ensure that RIL is made to pay $4.2 mbtu price for the shortfall of the gas from KG-D6 facility even after April 2014. In a letter to the Prime Minister, Mr. Dasgupta, while enclosing a copy of the report of Gopalakrishnan Committee, set up to study the decline in gas production from the KG basin block, said the report clearly nails imposed a penalty of $1 billion on RIL for deliberate default in production. I had pointed out that this amount works out to $1.8 billion for 2012-13 and $2.4 billion for the current year due to continuing shortfalls. It is learnt that DGH has agreed with my contention and recommended penalty of $1.8 billion for 2012-13. However, the Petroleum Ministry has not issued a fresh notice to RIL based on DGHs suggestion and the Petroleum Minister is stalling the matter. I would urge you to the direct the Petroleum Ministry to issue a fresh notice to RIL immediately, both for last year and current year, Mr. Dasgupta added. He reiterated that RIL should be asked to supply the shortfall in quantity of gas from the KG D6 at old rate of $4.2 mbtu and a penalty of $2.4 billion be imposed for deliberate default. NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 6: Production at the Kudankulam Nuclear Plant is expected to start within 15-20 days as the trials runs have been completed, Union Minister V Narayanasamy said on Friday. We will start production at the plant within 15-20 days as we have completed the trial run. The power production will slowly start. The second unit will start by March or April as around 95 per cent of the work is over, the Minister of state for Personnel and Public Grievances said on sidelines of a Nuclear Energy Conclave. Terming Kudankulam as a challenge, Mr. Narayanasamy said NGOs and groups involved in the agitation against the plant were funded by foreign agencies and the home ministry has suspended the companies involved in it.

Jodhpur police receives fresh complaints against Asaram

JODHPUR, SEPTEMBER 6: Jodhpur Police has said that it has received fresh complaints against Asaram Bapu even as it dispatched teams to the Ahmedabad ashram of the self-styled godman to collect evidence in the sexual assault case against him. Many victims have started coming forward with their complaints against Asaram, police said without disclosing the nature of the complaint or the identity of the alleged victims. They have also offered to help the police in its investigation. Police, however, denied reports that it is in possession of any CD or video clippings given by Asaram's aide Shiva. "We have not received any such CD or video clipping so far showing bapu or any of his activity. We have obtained some evidences out of interrogation of Shiva and are in the process of its verification," DCP Ajay Pal Lamba said. Police teams have been sent to Asaram's ashram in Ahmedabad to collect evidence in the case. Lamba said that the case is under investigation and they are yet to interrogate Shilpi, the warden at the Chhindwara Gurukul where the girl was a student and an important link in this case, as she allegedly sent the girl to Asaram. "She is on our radar and we will arrest her at an appropriate time," he said adding Asaram's driver and cook will also be interrogated. Police will also cross examine Shiva and Shilpi and if needed.

the lie of geological uncertainty being used by RIL. Since this report had been accepted by both the Directorate General of Hydrocarbons (DGH) and the Petroleum Ministry, the Government should not succumb to the devious ploy of the Petroleum Minister to reopen the issue to give undue benefit to RIL and weaken the government case in arbitration. You are aware that the government had

He said NGOs involved in the agitation were funded by foreign agencies. I do not know if they spent the money or not but I openly said that I got the bank accounts and where the money came. Even now, certain groups, ...people who retired from the department of nuclear energy and some outside people with the aid and support of foreign agency have been trying to

scuttle our nuclear energy programme, the Minister said. The home ministry has suspended the banking operations of about six companies and an enquiry have been initiated against them. But those people were getting foreign money for the purpose of charitable work and were actively involved in antinuclear power activities, he said.

CAG slams Environment Ministry for favouring Reliance Power firm Naxals recruit 4,000
NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 6: The CAG has pulled up the Environment Ministry for extending undue favours to Reliance Power-owned Sasan Power Limited in Madhya Pradesh and highlighted deficiencies in permitting diversion of forest land in the State. SPL, a special purpose vehicle created for development of Sasan Ultra Mega Power Project, was a wholly owned subsidiary of Power Finance Corporation (PFC) but in August 2007 it was transferred to Reliance Power Limited. In its report on Compensatory Afforestation in India, tabled in Parliament, the government auditor said that SPL, according to guidelines and clarifications for diversion of forest lands for non-forest purpose under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, had to provide equivalent area of 1384.96 hectare of non-forest land for the compensatory afforestation. It noted that Madhya Pradesh Chief Secretary issued a certificate of non-availability of non-forest land in Sidhi district instead of a certificate of non-availability of non-forest land for the entire State. Based on this ineligible certificate issued by the Chief Secretary, the Ministry exempted Sasan Power Limited from providing nonforest land of 1384.96 hectare in case of Ultra Mega

children as cadres

Power Project and for the coal mining project in violation of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980, the CAG said. As far as possible, the nonforest land for compensatory afforestation had to be identified contiguous to or in the

proximity of Sidhi district and in the event that non-forest land for compensatory afforestation was not available in the Sidhi district, non-forest land could have been identified anywhere else in Madhya Pradesh, it noted.

NEW DELHI, SEPTEMBER 6: Naxals have recruited nearly 4,000 children, including girls, as part of a recruitment drive to strengthen depleted cadre base. Official sources said the children were recruited for gathering intelligence about movement of security forces, collect rations and work as couriers. The recruitment drive has been going on in all Naxalaffected states but Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand have witnessed the most, they said. While the age of boys is as

low as 10 years, the average age of girls is 14-15 years, the sources said. The girls were also being used for cooking and other manual works for the cadres, particularly the senior ones, they said. The home ministry has asked the affected states to take necessary steps to stop such activities of the Maoists and try to rescue the children from their clutches. There were 285 incidents of Naxal violence from May to July this year in which 117 people lost their lives including 47 in Chhattisgarh, 37 in Jharkhand and 15 in Bihar.

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INTERNATIONAL & ECONOMY

7
North Korea reopens military hotline to South
SEOUL: North Korea on Friday reconnected a military hotline to the South that was cut earlier this year at the height of crossborder tensions, Seoul's government said. The line - one of the two remaining inter-Korea military hotlines - was disabled in late March weeks after the North's third nuclear test and the following month a joint industrial zone was shut down. The North in early March had cut off another line at the border truce village of Panmunjom before reopening it in July when relations showed signs of thawing. Cross-border army hotlines in other parts of the country were severed years ago when tensions soared and

G20 fails to heal rift over Syria, US gives up on Russia approval

SAINT PETERSBURG: World leaders at theG20 summit on Friday failed to bridge their bitter divisions over US plans for military action against the Syrian regime, with Washington signalling that it has given up on securing Russia's support at the UN on the crisis. A dinner hosted by Russian President Vladimir Putin that ran on into the early hours of the morning failed to win a breakthrough on how to halt a conflict in Syria that has claimed more than 100,000 lives and which is now in its third year. Putin has emerged as one of the most implacable critics of military intervention against the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad over an alleged chemical weapons attack on August 21, saying any such move without UN blessing would be an aggression. On Thursday, the United States said it has come to terms with the fact that no deal could emerge despite repeated attempts at persuading Syria's key ally Russia, signalling that it would take punitive action against Assad's regime without the UN Security Council's backing. Ben Rhodes, US President Barack Obama's deputy national security advisor for strategic communications. "We can't have an endless process at the UN Security Council that doesn't lead to anything," he said. Russia and China -- both veto-wielding permanent members of the Security Council -- have on three occasions voted down resolutions that would have put pressure on Assad. Rhodes also slapped down Russian lawmakers' plans to visit Washington to persuade Congress not to approve Obama's plans for strikes against Syria, saying Russia has nothing more to contribute. "I don't know that the Russians have anything to add to the debate in the United States given that we know where Russia stands on this issue," said Rhodes. At Thursday's dinner, leaders, including Obama, presented their positions on the Syria crisis which only confirmed the extent of global divisions on the issue, participants said. "The differences of opinions of the leaders were confirmed during the dinner," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies. "Some states were defending the view that rushed measures should be taken, overlooking legitimate international institutions. Other states appealed not to devalue international law and not to forget that only the UN Security Council has the right to decide on using force," he added. A high-ranking source close to the talks said there was a disappointing lack of ambition at the dinner on the Syria issue, noting that Putin as host was keen not to aggravate tensions further. The dinner went on into the small hours of the morning and even after a latenight opera show Putin and British PM David Cameron had a meeting to discuss the Syria situation, the Kremlin said. UN chief Ban Ki-moon Friday also warned that military strikes could spark further sectarian violence in the country which he said is suffering from a humanitarian crisis "unprecedented" in recent history. About a third of Syria's pre-war 20.8 million population has fled abroad or been displaced, according to the UN refugee agency. The Russian foreign ministry also strongly warned the United States against targeting Syria's chemical arsenal in any attacks. The Syria crisis and prospect of military intervention has overshadowed the official agenda of the two-day summit of leaders of the world's top economies and emerging markets to stimulate growth and battle tax avoidance. It appeared unlikely that the leaders would formally again discuss Syria as a group during the summit that ends Friday. Several Western states share Putin's opposition to military action and after the British parliament voted against strikes, France is the only power to have vowed it will join American intervention. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said that EU top diplomats should unanimously condemn the Syrian regime's use of chemical weapons at their meeting in Vilnius. Obama is seeking backing from Congress for military action, putting back the timetable for strikes which had been anticipated even before the summit got underway. The US president held a bilateral meeting Friday morning with President Xi Jinping of China, who like Russia vehemently opposes military action against Syria. According to US intelligence, more than 1,400 people living in rebelheld suburbs of Damascus were killed in the August 21 chemical weapons attack, which involved the use of sarin nerve gas. The US says the Assad regime was responsible, a claim not accepted by Russia. With the clock ticking down to strikes, Russia said Syria's foreign minister Walid Muallem would travel to Moscow for talks on Monday.

left unrestored since then. The latest re-establishment of the hotline paves the way for the reopening of the Kaesong industrial zone as it is largely used to provide security guarantees when South Korean businessmen and workers visit the complex. The North made the first

call to the South via the hotline since March on Friday morning, said Seoul's unification ministry, which handles crossborder affairs. "Reception is still a bit shaky but at least the connection has been restored," a ministry spokeswoman said.

Maldives ready for presidential polls tomorrow

MALE: Eighteen months after its first democratically elected President Mohamed Nasheed stepped down, Maldives will go to polls tomorrow under the watchful eyes of 102 international observers which include a high-level team of former election commissioners from India. Official sources here said that preparations for the elections have so far been satisfactory but the real test will be tomorrow when polling begins in the 1192island nation, which has witnessed a series of unsettling political events since Nasheed's resignation in February 2012. Over 2,229 local observers, 102 international observers, 1,343 representatives of political parties besides 1,642 local and 225 international journalists are keeping a hawk's eye on the developments in this young multi-party democracy. Over 2.39 lakh voters would cast their franchise to elect new President from among four candidates incumbent Mohamed Waheed, former President and Maldivian Democratic Party candidate Nasheed, brother of ex-President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom and Progressive Party of Maldives candidate Abdulla Yameen and Jumhooree Party candidate tycoon Gasim Ibrahim. With such international attention, Election Commission of Maldives is trying hard to conduct free and fair polls and has involved NGOs like Transparency Maldives among the observers. "It is a difficult task to conduct elections in a country which is spread in such a large geographical area but we have ensured that polls take place in a most transparent and fair manne," Election Commission President Fuwad Taufeeq said. Taufeeq said 470 ballot boxes will be used to cover all the 192 inhabited islands and 40 resorts besides six polling stations set up in New Delhi, Thiruvananthapuram, London, Colombo, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore to enable diaspora to cast their votes.

Earthquake measuring 6.0 magnitude strikes off northern Philippines

MANILA: A strong 6.0 magnitude earthquake struck off the northern Philippines today, but there were no immediate reports of damage or casualties, officials said. The quake was recorded at 7:33pm local time (1703 IST) with an epicentre about 42 kilometres south of Uyugan town in the Batan Islands, the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said. The United States Geological Survey said the quake had a depth of 178 kilometres. Norma Talosig, the Batan Islands' civil defence chief, said she contacted a Philippine navy detachment in Basco - the capital of the sparsely populated island group near the sea border with Taiwan - to check on the impact. "I was told it registered as a low-intensity tremor there, with no visible damage," Talosig said. She said there were no immediate reports of casualties in Uyugan, a town of around one thousand residents, or nearby areas. The Philippines lies in the so-called Pacific ring of fire, a chain of islands that are prone to quakes and volcanic eruptions.

Fukushima radioactive leak seeping into groundwater: TEPCO

TOKYO: Japan's Tokyo Electric Power Co. has admitted that radioactive water leaking from Fukushima storage tank might have seeped into groundwater beneath the plant. Tepco has indicated there was a possibility that the contaminated water from the tank had diluted with rainwater and seeped into the soil, reports. According to the report, workers at the site had detected radiation of 650 becquerels per liter from samples of a monitoring well dug near the damaged tank. Tepco had earlier agreed that it discovered the leak, but was uncertain where most of the contaminated water was going. The company has now estimated about 300 tons of highly radioactive groundwater is entering the Pacific Ocean daily, the report added. Japan had earlier announced it will spend an estimated 473 million dollars to build an "ice wall" around the Fukushima nuclear plant to stop radioactive water leaks into the Pacific Ocean. The plant was crippled by the March 11, 2011 earthquakecum-tsunami that knocked out the reactors cooling systems, leading to the meltdown of at least three of them. The Tokyo Electric Power Company (Tepco) had started storing contaminated water to cool the reactors, but the storage of large quantities has proved a challenge for the company, report added. Reports of fresh leaks from the pipes and radiation hot spots on the ground, even where no water is evident, has raised concern of radioactive water seeping into the ground.

ECONOMY

Coal secretary says auction of explored blocks by January

NEW DELHI: Coal Secretary S K Srivastava today said the auction of explored coal blocks is likely to be undertaken in by January 2014. A 'letter of comfort' from the Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) would be given to the successful bidder. There would also be an exit route after a period of two years if the requisite clearances fail to materialize without any penalty. There have been discussions on lump sum payment or revenue based models and a framework for the same would be intimated shortly, he said a CII conference today. S Narsing Rao, Coal India chairman, said the PSU was all set to meet the deadline for signing fuel supply agreements (FSAs) and it had already entered into fuel supply pacts with about 140 power plant. being undertaken by the Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, to draft the modalities of bidding documents for selection of minedevelopers and operator (MDO) for certain Coal India mines. CIL has already allocated one block for the pilot. Relatively new in India, MDO is a concept where in a coal block owner contracts entire operations to a third party, which takes the responsibility of land acquisition, resettlement and rehabilitation, mining, developing and operating the particular mine by investing in it and then supplying the coal at a tender determined price to the power plants of the mine owning state electricity boards. Srivastava also outlined the details of the Jharia Action Plan, formulated to control the raging underground fires. Two independent assessments - one by CMPDIL and the other by NGRI on the extent of fire and other related issues were expected in three months. The BCCL will also soon seek Expression of Interest (EOI) on other technology available globally to tackle the fire. Sustainability of mining operations was a key point of discussion at the CII Roundtable. Rao highlighted the need for post-project monitoring and raising of standards overall. "We need to substantially improve EMP in the interest of the country and in the interest of the sustainability of the project," he said.

EPFO launches facility to view PF A/Cs online

NEW DELHI: Retirement fund manager EPFO today launched a facility to enable its over 5 crore subscribers view updated accounts online on real time basis without waiting for their annual PF account slips. Besides this, the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) has also announced it would put in place the facility for online PF account transfer claims on changing jobs next month. The facility for viewing PF accounts online was launched here by Labour Minister Sis Ram Ola in the presence of Minister of State for Labour and Employment Kodikunnil Suresh and EPFO's Central Provident Fund Commissioner K K Jalan. "The facility will help people to view accounts online who earlier had to wait for long time to know about their account details. Besides it would help in settling various claims well in time". The Minister launched the software for updating the provident fund accounts in batches. Elaborating about the facility Jalan said, "The facility would enable the EPFO to update accounts on real time basis. Now we would be able to provide annual account statement online by April or May every year with all due interest credits." As per the prac-

Coal India has to sign 173 FSAs for a capacity of 78,000 MW. There were issues with only 4-5 FSAs (of which three were with WCL), regarding the cost plus clause and land acquisition, said Rao. To supplement the efforts of Coal India to augment output, Srivastava also informed that a pilot project was

Rajya Sabha okays pension bill

NEW DELHI: The Rajya Sabha Friday cleared the much-awaited pension bill that paves the way for individuals to widen their post-retirement cover and allows foreign investors to acquire up to 26 percent stake in the sector. The Lok Sabha passed the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Bill (PFRDA), 2011, Wednesday. The bill, once signed by President Pranab Mukherjee, will provide statutory authority to pension regulator, the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority. At present, it has non-statutory status. The legislation seeks to empower the PFRDA to regulate the New Pension System (NPS), which is based on the principle that "you save while you earn", especially for retirement, and is mainly for those who have a regular income, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said while replying to the debate on the bill in the house. The new legislation would also provide subscribers a wide choice to invest their funds, including for assured returns by opting for government bonds as well as in other funds depending on their capacity to take risk.

Government received Rs.30,000 crore investment proposals in IT

NEW DELHI: The government has received investment proposals worth Rs.30,000 crore for the electronics and IT industry in the last six months besides 15 proposals to set up electronics clusters. "The government has already received 15 proposals to set up electronics clusters, out of which six have been approved and some of these have already started setting up these clusters," Ajay Kumar, joint secretary, Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY) said at the electronica India 2013 and productronica India 2013. "In last six months, the government has received investment proposals for around Rs.30,000 crore for the industry," he further stressed. In the new Electronics Policy 2013, the government said that as an incentive to set up electronics manufacturing clusters, development of infrastructure and common facilities for electronics industry, it would bear 50 percent of project cost subject to a ceiling of Rs.50 crore for every 100 acres.

tice, EPFO is supposed to provide annual PF account slips for its subscribers by September 30. For instance for 2012-13, it is required to provide account slips by September 30,2013. However, the deadline is often being missed. Jalan also informed that EPFO would launch the facility of online transfer of PF accounts next month and that the body is conducting live tests of the service. EPFO is expecting around 13 lakh transfer claims this fiscal. Every year, the body receives about 1.2 crore claims, including transfer, pension and withdrawal of Provident Fund. Jalan also said that it is endeavour of the body to settle all types of claims in less than three days as against the prescribed 30 days period.

Govt to unveil steps to cut fuel consumption on Sept 16

NEW DELHI: The oil minister will announce plans for lowering fuel consumption on September 16, Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid said on Friday, in a bid to cut the country's import bill amid a sharp fall in the rupee. Asia's third-largest economy could announce a steep hike in diesel prices later this month as it looks at measures to cut oil costs by nearly $20 billion after the rupee's slide has left India facing an oil bill potentially 50% higher sumption," Khurshid said. "You can't keep subsiding costs of fuel and not restrict the use of the fuel." Khurshid said increasingly people are realising the "inevitability" of moving away from government-controlled prices. "That's beginning to happen, but has political implications," he said.

'Rajan must cut rates, expedite Telecom Commission bank licences to boost growth' to meet on Sept 10 to NEW DELHI: review proj status Industry body Ficci
today said newlyappointed RBI Governor Raghuram Rajan should lower interest rates, reduce CRR and SLR, strengthen corporate bond market, fast track issuance of new bank licences and float rupee bonds to provide a fillip to investments and boost economic growth. "RBI should lower the interest rates at this juncture to enable a cut in lending rates by banks and thus stimulate corporate investments. Bank provisions for CRR and SLR should also be brought down to ease liquidity," Ficci Secretary General Didar Singh said. NEW DELHI: The Telecom Commission is scheduled to meet on Sept 10 to review the status of mobile services in naxal affected area and the national broadband project. "TC will meet in afternoon of Sept 10. It is to review status of NOFN project and discuss strategy that needs to be adopted as we move ahead," a senior government official said. Another source added that the interministerial body will also discuss status of mobile services in Left Wing Extremist (LWE) affected area and other milestone set by government for various projects.

than on May 1. "No matter what happens, we will have to cut down on fuel con-

STUDENT AGE SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 07, 2013

MISC
the President, Secretary General and the Treasurer but also the entire Executive Council. "Upon completion of the whole process...the IOC Executive Board would be in a position to consider lifting the suspension on the IOA," the IOC said. "It is highly expected that the suspended IOA will act accordingly and seize this golden opportunity to show its readiness to implement the basic principles of good governance, ethics and integrity which must prevail within the Olympic movement," it added. The IOC also said that it had the backing of the Association of national Olympic Committees and the Olympic Council of Asia. Yesterday, the IOC rejected IOA's compromise formula on the chargesheet clause even as a defiant IOA stuck to its stand that Indian law would prevail on these matters, further jeopardising the country's chances of a quick return to the Olympic fold. In its Special General Body Meeting last month, the IOA had come up with a compromise formula to IOC's directive to bar chargesheeted persons from contesting elections with the proposal that the sanction be applied only to those who are convicted and sentenced to a jail term of more than two years. But the IOC stood firm on its earlier stand during its Executive Board (EB) meeting yesterday ahead of the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires and asked IOA to accept all demands in full before conducting elections. India was suspended from the Olympic movement in December last year after the tainted Lalit Bhanot, who is facing corruption charges linked to the scandal-hit 2010 Commonwealth Games, was elected secretary-general of the IOA. Sports Minister Jitendra Singh backed the IOC's decision and urged the IOA to incorporate the required amendments in its constitution so that the interest of country's sportspersons do not suffer. NEW DELHI: Two-time Olympic medallist Sushil Kumar today exuded confidence over reinclusion of wrestling in the Olympic movement and said the sport would come out stronger after the IOC's Executive Board backs it in their meeting in Buenos Aires on September 8. "The International wrestling body (FILA) has made all the necessary changes that the IOC wanted. I see no reason why wrestling would not make a comeback. I think wrestling would come out even more stronger after it gets the backing of the IOC members. The ancient sport has done a lot to garner support of fans for its bid to be in the 2020 Olympics," Sushil told reporters. The Executive Board in its 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires, Argentina will vote on the candidature of an additional sport for the 2020 Olympics programme out of three disciplines -- wrestling, squash and a combined bid of baseball and softball.

8
Wrestling will come out stronger after IOC vote: Sushil Kumar

IOC sets Oct 31 deadline for IOA to clean house

NEW DELHI: Hardening its stand against the IOA, the International Olympic Committee has asked the Indian body to sack "chargeframed" officials through constitutional amendments by October 31 and conduct fresh elections by December 15 to return to the Olympic fold. Giving its "conclusions and decisions" on the IOA's Executive General Meeting held here last month, the IOC said the key provision of barring individuals, against whom charges have been framed in court, was ignored by the Indian body. "The IOC is well aware of the difference in the Indian legal system between chargesheeted persons and chargeframed persons and has never requested that the clause initially proposed applies for charge-sheeted persons. Therefore it is reiterated that the initial wording is aimed to apply for anyone chargeframed by a court in India," the IOC Director General Christophe de Kepper said in

a letter to the IOA. "...the IOC does fully respect the principle that 'until proven guilty, one is innocent'. However, what is at stake is the reputation of the Olympic movement which must not be tarnished," it added. The IOC then goes on to urge the IOA to act accordingly, setting deadlines for the requisite constitutional changes and the fresh elections. "It is required that the suspended IOA includes the initial wording proposed by the IOC (or a very similar wording which would not dilute the meaning and the

expected results and which would be submitted in advance to the IOC) with respect to both chargeframed and convicted individuals. "This is pre-requisite for the IOC to approve the revised Constitution of the IOA. For that purpose, the suspended IOA should meet again in a General Assembly no later than October 31 and proceed with the required amendments," the IOC stated. The IOC also made it clear that the age and tenure restrictions proposed by it were applicable on not just

At a program organised here to rally support ahead of the crucial meeting, former Arjuna awardee Jagroop Pehelwan and his daughter Neha Rathi, who was recently conferred with the same honour, were also present to voice their support. "I think there are many factors that will work in our favour. The increased participation of women in the governing body of FILA, increasing weight

categories for women at Olympics besides making rules spectator friendly are some of the major changes that will sail us through this tough time," said Neha. "Wrestling is a national sport in many countries and it has a wide fan following. India has been doing well in the sport. It will be a massive set back for the upcoming wrestlers. I hope everything goes in our favour," Jagroop said.

Sachin Tendulkar will not quit the game so soon, says Ravi Shastri
MUMBAI: There might be intense speculation over Sachin Tendulkar's imminent retirement, but his one-time India teammate Ravi Shastrifeels the champion batsman is not quitting anytime soon and is hopeful that he would play at Lord's ground next year when the national team visits England. "He (Tendulkar) will not quit the game so soon as you all keep saying. He would continue to play and you will see him at Lord's next year too," said the 51-year-old Shastri to a question after he delivered the Dilip Sardesai Memorial Lecture at the Bombay Gymkhana here today. There have been suggestions that the 40-year-old Tendulkar, who is two shy of completing 200 Test appearances, would call it a day after reaching that landmark during the hastily arranged two-Test series against West Indies at home by the Board of Control for Cricket in India. But the words of Shastri, considered to be very close to Tendulkar, put to rest the speculation that the senior batsman, who has compiled anincredible 100 international centuries and has retired from ODIs, will quit the game altogether after playing his 200th Test at home. The former all-rounder also put the blame on the commu-

1st Test: Pakistan 309/7 at tea against Zimbabwe

HARARE : Younis Khan grounded out runs as the momentum of the first Test against Zimbabwe swung gradually in Pakistan's favour at the Harare Sports Club on Friday. Pakistan were 309 for seven in their second innings at tea on the fourth day -- an overall lead of 231, with Younis unbeaten on 136. It was slow going, with runscoring almost grinding to a halt at times, but the veteran Younis' long vigil at the crease ensured that his team would be able to set Zimbabwe a challenging target on a deteriorating pitch in the final innings. Pakistan were 23 for three early in his innings and they were again in trouble when overnight batsman Asad Shafiq was bowled in the first tempo started to pick up again, Akmal was run out after a mix-up with Younis. Abdur Rehman was trapped leg before by off-spinner Prosper Utseya shortly before tea. Younis survived a chance when he had 83, edging medium-pacer Hamilton Maskadza low to slip, where Tina Mawoyo was slow to react. He was kept quiet through the nineties but bided his time until he was able to work an over-pitched ball from Tendai Chatara off his toes to the square leg boundary for his 11th four. His 22nd Test century was scored off 221 balls. On 117, Younis slashed Hamilton Masakadza hard to gully where Malcolm Waller was unable to hold a hard chance.

Rain washes out first EnglandAustralia ODI

LEEDS: The first one-day international between England and Australia has been abandoned without a ball being bowled because of rain at Headingley on Friday. Umpires Aleem Dar and Richard Illingworth called off the match at 1:35 p.m. local time, deciding it was too wet to play at any point in the day. The teams will have to wait until Sunday to begin the series, although a gloomy weather report for the match in Manchester may further frustrate Michael Clarke's and Eoin Morgan's squads. Further matches are scheduled for Birmingham, Cardiff and Southampton.

over of the day, leaving the visitors only 91 runs ahead with five wickets remaining. But wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal made a career-best 64 in a sixth-wicket stand of 118. Younis and Akmal saw off the second new ball, which was taken 10 overs

into the day. Zimbabwe, lacking out-andout strike bowlers, were forced to bowl for containment and the batsmen refused to take risks. In the first hour after lunch, only 18 runs were scored in 15 overs. Just when the

Chawla's 10-wicket haul goes Daniel Chopra opens with in vain as Somerset loses a modest round of 72
nication gap between the respective cricket boards after the BCCI effectively cut short the Indian team's scheduled visit to South Africa later this year by pencilling in the short series at home against the West Indies. "The problem was in communication but there will be some cricket played (by India) in South Africa," said the cricketer-turned-broadcaster, who was part of the triumphant Indian World Cup and World Championship winning squads in 1983 and 1985. India were to tour South Africa from November, but with the series against the West Indies, comprising a warmup three-day game followed by two Tests and three ODIs scheduled during that period, the team's visit to the rainbow nation is unlikely to begin until December. TAUNTON: Leg-spinner Piyush Chawla's dream run in English county circuit continued as he served a timely reminder to the Indian selectors with a match haul of 10wickets for Somerset against Derbyshire in a Division One game on Friday. Chawla, who scored a century at Lord's against Middlesex in the last firstclass match, had match haul of 10 for 208 (5/111 in 26 overs & 5/97 in 29 overs) but his effort went in vain as veteran Shivnarine Chanderpaul guided Derbyshire to a twowicket win with a patient 74 not out. Derbyshire needed 244 to win and achieved the target in 83.2 overs. Chawla was the best performer among the Somerset

Lahiri shares lead midway through 2nd round

CRANS MONTANA: India's Anirban Lahiri kept a share of the lead midway through the second round of the Omega European Masters at the picturesque Crans-surSierre, here today. Lahiri, who shot eight-under 63 in the first round, was one-under through nine holes with three birdies and two bogeys. Danny Willett (6967), Victor Dubuisson (6865) and Stephen Gallacher (five-under through 12 in second round) were at nineunder alongside Lahiri. Shiv Kapur ensured he would play the weekend rounds with cards of 70 and 69, while Gaganjeet Bhullar, who shot 68 in first round, was one-over through 13 holes in second, and was two-under for the tournament, where the cut looks

bowlers as he got his wickets with classical leg breaks as well as his stock ball -- the googly. This is his third match haul of 10-wickets and would certainly have the likes of Sandeep Patil get up and take notice of the 24year-old UP lad's perform-

ances. Apart from his bowling, Chawla also made the highest score of 27 in his team's paltry first innings total of 103. Chawla now has 13 wickets from three firstclass games and has scored 199 runs in five innings with a highest score of 112.

DAVIDSON: Swedish golfer Daniel Chopra shot a modest even par 72 in the first round of the Chiquita Classic on Web.com Tour, on Friday. Chopra, who has already sealed his return to thePGA Tour for 2014, had three birdies and three bogeys on his card. Chopra, who was 21st in Money rankings when the

regular season ended last fortnight, is looking to improve his position in the newly established four-even Web.com Tour finals. Chopra lies 48th and is five behind the foursome that lead the field with rounds of 67 each. The four include Hudson Swafford, Nick O'Hern, Edward Loar and Ben Kohles.

Ritu Rani to lead Indian women's hockey team in Asia Cup

NEW DELHI: Veteran midfielder Ritu Rani will lead an 18-member Indian women's hockey team in the eighth Asia Cup to be played in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from September 21 to 27. "Hockey India Selectors BP Govinda, Surinder Kaur, Mamta Kharab, Chief Coach Neil Hawgood, Coach I S Gill and Scientific Advisor Matthew Tredrea alongwith Government Observer Harbinder Singh selected the 18 players and 6 standbys during the trials conducted in Patiala on August 30 and 31," HI said in a statement. Ritu has 157 India appearances to her credit. The 18-member squad will have another midfielder Chanchan Devi Thokchom (88 caps) as the vice-captain. The team's training camp is has been underway in Patiala since August 8 as final preparations for the tournament. The team will depart for Malaysia on September 16. India are placed in Pool A with China, hosts Malaysia and Hong Kong China while Korea, Japan, Kazakhstan and Chinese Taipei are placed in Pool B. India will open their campaign against Hong Kong China on September 21 followed by China on September 22 and hosts Malaysia on September 24. The Women's Asia Cup is the continental qualification tournament for the FIH Women's World Cup 2014 to be played in The Hague, The Netherlands from 31 May-14 June 2014. List of 18 players is as underGoalkeepers: Rajani Etimarpu, Savita Defenders: Deep Grace Ekka, Joydeep Kaur, Kirandeep Kaur, Sunita Lakra, Deepika, Namita Toppo, P Sushila Chanu, M N Ponnamma Midfielders: Ritu Rani (Captain), Chanchan Devi Thokchom (Vice-Captain), Soundarya Yendala, Lily Chanu Forwards: Poonam Rani, Rani, Vandana Katariya, Anuradha Devi Thokchom. Standbys: Sanarik Chanu, Asunta Lakra, Monika Malik, Navjot Kaur, Lilima Minz, Anupa Barla.

likely at even par. Jeev Milkha Singh was threeover through 12 holes after the first round of 68. At even par for the tournament with six holes to go, he is on the bubble and cannot afford any more mistakes. SSP Chowrasia (73-71) looks

likely to miss the cut at twoover and going out with him would be C Muniyappa (7174) at three-over. Himmat Rai and Digvijay, who are yet to complete their second round are at four-over and five-over respectively and will certainly miss the cut.

South Africa and India try to resolve scheduling dispute

JOHANNESBURG: An under-fire Haroon Lorgat will be desperate to solve the impasse regarding India's year-end tour of South Africa when he meets BCCI secretary Sanjay Patel at the Chief Executives' Meet at the ICC Headquarters in Dubai on September 16 and 17. Cricket South Africa (CSA) is worried about incurring huge losses if BCCI has its way about playing a curtailed series of two Tests and three ODIs instead of originally scheduled three Tests, seven ODIs and two T20 Internationals. In response to the recent reports, Lorgat said:"There has rightly been concern about reports of a shortened tour by India but I am looking forward to meeting Sanjay (Patel) so that we can work out the best possible schedule under the present circumstances." The Afrikaans daily 'Beeld' earlier this week quoted reliable sources as saying that CSA stands to lose about R300 million (Rand) in total if the India tour is shortened, particularly from TV broadcast rights. "The meeting has been agreed after several conversations between the two over the past few days as they work towards resolving scheduling issues around the end-of-year tour to South Africa by India," CSA said in a statement. As custodians, we have a responsibility to act in the best interests of the game and all our stakeholders. "It is clear to me that both our Boards are committed to working together to ensure the wonderful relationship we have had for the past 22 years is strengthened. "As South Africans, we will always be grateful to the Indian Government for the leading role they played in first enforcing the sports boycott during the dark years of apartheid and later, together with the BCCI, facilitating our return to the world family of cricket nations. "While we would not want to disappoint our fans and stakeholders and keep them abreast of developments, we have to follow official communication protocols in dealing with this matter, so we ask for patience and support as we engage our counterparts at the BCCI," added Lorgat to appease growing anger among fans about a lack of information on the situation from CSA. Lorgat thanked the fans as well as the sponsors for their support during difficult times. "We are truly heartened by the messages of support from fans and commercial partners and wish to express our sincere thanks and appreciation for their understanding." CSA announced earlier this year that India would tour for three tests, seven ODI's and two T20 matches between 18 November and 25 January. Although there had not been any denial or confirmation of this from the BCCI since then, the parent body announced on Monday that the West Indies would tour India in early November and India would go to New Zealand for two tests and three ODIs in January.

Pakistan denies blocking Dhaka cricket league

KARACHI: Pakistan has denied it blocked its players from participating in the Dhaka cricket league, saying Friday that the Bangladesh board never contacted it to seek clearance. Under the new rules of the International Cricket Council (ICC), a noobjection certificate (NOC) is mandatory from the home board for players to take part in a domestic competition in another country. Several Pakistani players feature in the annualDhaka Premier League, but the strained relations between the two countries have forced the organisers of the 12-team competition starting from September 10 to go ahead with no representation from Pakistan. The relationship between the Pakistani and Bangladesh cricket boards hit a low last year after Bangladesh refused to tour their neighbours, after twice agreeing to a short limited over series. That stopped Pakistan from reviving international cricket on their grounds, suspended since terrorist attacks on the Sri Lankan team bus in March 2009. Earlier this year, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) -- in an apparent titfor-tat -- refused to allow its players to feature in the Bangladesh Premier League, separate from the private Dhaka league. The PCB said the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) never contacted it to seek permission for players to feature in the league. "It is only reasonable to expect PCB to deal with the governing body of cricket in a country rather than its affiliated units and the matter of giving permissions to players for foreign leagues is between the respective boards," a PCB spokesman said. "In case of Dhaka Premier League, though we were contacted by organisers of the league at a very late stage, BCB never contacted us."

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