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

STUdenT aGe
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013

JKENG/2012/41612 Vol. 2 No: 21

The Top 10 Legacies Of Political Families In 2012

Bhutan King is Chief Guest at R-Day Parade

Gadkari's Purti Group under I-T scanner, again

Pak orders release of all Indian fisherman

IN BRIEF

NEW DELHI: Bhutan King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is to be the chief guest at this year's Republic Day parade. An official press release says that King and Queen of Bhutan will pay a State visit to India from 23rd to 30th of this month. He has been invited by the President of India. During his visit the Bhutan contd on page 2

Gadkari resigns; Rajnath Singh India dismisses UN role in likely to be next BJP president
India, Pakistan clash at UNSC meet

J&K, Pakistan disagrees

India will tackle LoC issue bilaterally with Pakistan: Khurshid
NEW DELHI: Downplaying Islamabad's suggestion for a United Nations probe into the killing of Indian soldiers on the LoC on January 8, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on Tuesday said New Delhi will tackle the issue bilaterally withIslamabad. Responding to a question at a press conference here, Khurshid said: "First of all, we will analyse the situation and gradually take steps forward after the atmosphere returns to normal or near normal." contd on page 2 The reference to UNMOGIP was rejected by India's Ambassador to the UN Hardeep Singh Puri, who suggested that it would be better to spend resources allocated for the observer group else-

Delhi Airport Metro resumes operations

NEW DELHI: After being shut for six months, Reliance Infrastructure-run Delhi Airport Metro Express was thrown open for the public from Tuesday but trains will run at a drastically reduced speed of 50 km per hour. Trains on the corridor were earlier running at a speed of 105 km per hour. contd on page 2

Chilly conditions prevail in Punjab, Haryana

CHANDIGARH: Chilly weather conditions prevailed at most places in Punjab and Haryana on Tuesday with night temperatures remaining up to three degrees Celsius below normal. Narnaul in Haryana with 1.9 degrees Celsius, three degree Celsius below normal, was the coldest place in Haryana whereas in contd on page 2

NEW DELHI, JAN 22: India and Pakistan got into a verbal exchange at the Security Council on relevance of the UN observer group at LoC in Jammu and Kashmir, with India stressing the force's role has been "overtaken" by subsequent agreements signed by the two nations under which they resolved to settle differences "through bilateral negotiations". The exchange occurred during a UN Security Council open debate on peacekeeping, which was organised by Pakistan under its current Presidency of the 15-nation powerful UN body. Presiding over the debate was Pakistan's foreign secretary Jalil Abbas Jilani, who said his country has been a "proud participant" in peacekeeping missions. "Pakistan is also host to one of the oldest UN peacekeeping missions - the United Nations Military Observer Group in India and Pakistan (UNMOGIP). This Mission has played an important role in monitoring peace along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir," Jilani said.

Omar expresses doubt over the efficacy of the UN observers

Says never notice ceasefire violations SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday expressed doubt over the efficacy of the UN observers in India and Pakistan, saying they had failed to check violations of the Line of Control (LoC) ever since they were posted. Speaking to media persons on the sidelines of an official function here, Abdullah said: "As far as the United Nations Military Observers Group (in India contd on page 2 where in difficult economic times. "Suffice it to point out that UNMOGIP's role has been overtaken by the Simla Agreement of 1972 between India contd on page 2 NEW DELHI: Rajnath Singh has been picked as the new president of the main opposition party the BJP which will continue the tradition of electing its leader unopposed. The last date for filing nominations is tomorrow. The current president Nitin Gadkari has tendered his resignation, and sources say he proposed Mr Singh's name as the next party president. Till this evening, Mr Gadkari appeared unwilling to relinquish his claim an unprecedented second consecutive term, but a surging income tax investigation failed his chances. Mr Singh has served as president earlier; his new term has been endorsed by the BJP's ideological mentor the RSS, which till recently refused to back anyone but Mr Gadkari, who it had handpicked for the party's top job in 2009. At a function in Maharashtra earlier this evening, Mr Gadkari shared the stage with LK

Advani. The two hardly spoke - unsurprising given that Mr Advani has been the loudest voice in the campaign to have Mr Gadkari replaced. Mr Gadkari's detractors Mr Advani and Mr Yashwant Sinha have been arguing that installing Mr Gadkari in office once again will dent party's credibility in the Lok Sabha elections in 2014. This evening Mr Gadkari dismissed the IT investigation centered around the Purti Group which he founded in 2000 as an orchestration by the government to malign him. The uncertainty of his future was clear from two statements he released this evening, both accusing the government of orchestrating an income tax investigation to damage his reputation. In the first statement, Mr Gadkari referred to the inquiry as coinciding with " the eve of his re-election as BJP President for a second term." Minutes later, Take 2 referred only to "...the eve of the election as BJP President..." The fact that the tide was turning against him was clear that after a RSS leader in Mumbai indicated this evening that they would back BJP's decision. Meanwhile, in Delhi, a group of senior leaders like Mr Arun Jaitley and Sushma Swaraj met and arrived at a consensus on Mr Singh. Earlier this week, contd on page 2

10 years jail for Chautala, son in JBT scam

'Chautalas could be barred from contesting polls'
NEW DELHI: A Delhi Court Tuesday sentenced former Chief Minister of Haryana and Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Om Prakash Chautala and his MLA son Ajay Chautala to 10 years in prison for their involvement in the Junior Basic Trained (JBT) teachers' recruitment scam. They have been accused of tampering with the selection list of over 3,200 teachers recruited in 1999-2000, when he was chief minister, and selecting teachers by taking bribes and for nepotism and favouritism. The special CBI judge Badshami - were also awarded 10 years in jail in the case. Rest of the accused received jail terms between three-five years. The court had - on January 16 - pronounced them guilty of cheating, forgery, using fake documents as genuine, conspiracy under the IPC and for abusing their official position under the Prevention of Corruption Act. 78-year-old Om Prakash Chautala, the chief of Indian National Lok Dal, was held as the "main conspirator" by the court. The pronouncement came after contd on page 2

Wish I could have been in Delhi gangrape protests,says Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir
NEW DELHI: I wish I could also have been there, but I can't" Supreme Court Chief Justice Altamas Kabir said while terming the upsurge and protest that took place in the wake of the December 16 gangrape incident as "fully justified" and "absolutely necessary". Speaking at the sidelines of the Sixth National Conference on the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, Justice Kabir said what happened on December 16 was not just a crime against an individual, but against women and society in general. Justice Kabir said it has resulted in a tremendous re-thinking of "what was going on" in the society.

Kashmir continues to shiver as mercury dips

SRINAGAR: Kashmir valley continues to shiver as minimum temperatures plummeted several degrees below the freezing point, resulting in the formation of a layer of ice on water bodies during the night. Most of the water bodies across the valley, including the world famous Dal Lake, have partially frozen due to the drop in temperature. The motorists also faced a tough time while driving early in the morning as the roads had become slippery due to formation of the ice layer on the roads. The summer capital Srinagar, which recorded a low of minus 3.0 degrees Celsius yesterday, shivered at minus 5.3 degrees Celsius at night, bringing it almost at par with the season's coldest night at minus 5.5 degrees Celsius on January 8, a Met Department spokesman said. Famous resort town of Gulmarg recorded a minimum TE, temperature of minus 10.2 degrees Celsius as compared to the previous night's contd on page 2

Northeast separatists call for R-Day boycott

IMPHAL: A massive security alert was sounded across the northeast Tuesday after separatist rebels announced a boycott of the Jan 26 Republic Day celebrations, an official said. "We have placed security forces on high alert to thwart rebels from disrupting the Republic Day celebrations," Shambhu Singh, joint secretary contd on page 2

MP collector to get Best Electoral Process Award from EC

BHOPAL: The Election Commission of India has selected collector of Madhya Pradesh's Jhabua district Ms. Jaishree Kiyawat for Best Electoral Process Award2012. The award will be given to her by VicePresident on 25th of this month in New Delhi. Names of over one lakh voters have been included in electoral rolls contd on page 2

Vinod Kumar`s court had completed the hearing on Monday. They have all been held guilty of cheating, forgery, using fake documents as genuine, conspiracy under the IPC and for abusing their official position under the

Prevention of Corruption Act. Apart from Chautalas, the other three main accused - IAS officer Sanjiv Kumar, Chautala's former Officer on Special Duty Vidya Dhar and political adviser to the then Haryana CM Sher Singh

JAMMU, JAN 22: Underlying his priorities, Minister for Medical Education, Youth Services & Sports, Mr. Taj Mohi ud Din today directed the Department of Youth Services & Sports to ensure that every middle and high school has playing teams in

Every high school to have sports No end to war of words over teams, play fields: Taj shinde's hindu terror remarks
at least three disciplines of cricket, football and hockey. Chairing a review meeting of the Department here today, the Minister asked them to ensure that every school has a playfield attached to it. In this connection, he asked the Director, Youth Services & Sports to issue circular instructions so that the process of talent hunt is set in motion from the school level. Mr. Taj asked the Department to gear up and start preparing youth for national and international level competitions. "We should introduce sports in length contd on page 2

Congress distances itself from Shinde's 'Hindu terror' remark

NEW DELHI, JAN 22: The Congress Party on Tuesday distanced itself from Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde 's controversial 'Hindu terror' remark, emphasising that the party can never associate terrorism with any religion. Clarifying the party's stand at a press conference here, Congress general secretaryJanardhan Dwivedi said: "Congress does not see contd on page 2

BJP to organise protests in all districts of J&K on Jan 24 against Shinde's remarks
JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir unit of the BJP will organise protests in all districts in the state on January 24 against Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde's controversial remarks during the recent Congress conclave in Jaipur. "The party will organise protests in all districts in the state on January 24 to protest contd on page 2

JK BJP chief Jugal Kishore Sharma along with other BJP members at Party Office, Jammu

Modi hits out at Shinde for his remark

PATNA: Terming Home Minister Sushil kumar Shinde's remarks as "irresponsible" and "baseless" that BJP and RSS promoted Hindu terrorism, BJP leader Sushil Kumar Modi today said it has only strengthened the hands of Pakistan and terrorist groups operating from across the border. Lashkare-Taiba (LeT) chief Hafiz Saeed has lapped up Shinde's "false" charge against the Sangh Parivar and harped on it to justify terror activities against contd on page 2

Home secretary backs Shinde on 'saffron terror'

News Delhi: Home Secretary R.K. Singh Tuesday defended Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde's remarks on "saffron terrorism". Singh said it cannot be denied that the accused in the Mecca Masjid and Samjhauta Express blasts were related to right-wing organisations like the RSS. "The list of 10 names which have come up as the accused in the Mecca Masjid and the Samjhauta Express blasts contd on page 2

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STUDENT AGE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 23, 2013

Saifullah instructs the officers to ensure time bound disposal of legal matters
JAMMU. JANUARY 22: Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Mir Saifullah asked the officers to work with missionary zeal and ensure time bound disposal of legal matters. The Minister was speaking at an introductory meeting with the officers of Law Department here today. Secretary Law, Mr. M. A. Tantray, Secretary, Legislative Council, Secretary, Accountability Commission and other senior officers of law department were present on the the morale of the employees and encourage them to give their best. "My doors are open to listen to the genuine grievances of the officials of the department", said the minister adding that every effort would be made to settle the issues of the employees, if any. He said corrective measures, where necessary, would be made to bring more efficiency in the work culture of the department. Earlier, the officers briefed the Minister about their assignments.

Offsets Help Local Private Defence Industry to Bag Contracts worth Rs 14,000 Crore
NEWDELHI: The offsets policies of the Defence Ministry have helped the local private military and aviation industry to get contracts worth over Rs 14,000 crore in the last few years. The local Industry has bagged contract worth over Rs 14,000 crore due to the offsets policy under the Defence Procurement Procedure, Secretary (Defence Production) R K Mathur told reporters here. As per the offsets policy, foreign vendors bagging any deal worth over Rs 300 crore have to invest at least 30 per cent of the worth of the deal in the Indian industry only. With India looking to spend over Rs 15 lakh crore in defence procurements in the next few years, the value of offsets is expected to be around Rs Rs 5 lakh crore with a significant amount of the business likely to go to the private industry. Ministry officials said the value of export No Objection Certificates (NOCs) has also gone up from Rs 39 crore in 201011 to Rs 140 crore in 2011-12. They said the value of these NOCs is expected to go up in this and the coming fiscal. Asked about the status of indigenous development of the Bofors howitzers by the Ordnance Factory Board (OFB), Mathur said recently trials were held to check stability of the gun. Firing was carried out and they were found to be satisfactory. He said the Army wants the trials to be done by June this year but the OFB has set the March deadline for the purpose. On whether the Government would consider buying howitzers produced by the local private industry also, he said, "There have been RFP retractions in the last few years. The demand is so huge that there is space for everyone."

Minister for Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Mir Saifullah speaking at an introductory meeting with the officers of Law Department at Jammu. occasion. The Minister instructed the officers to work in close coordination so that matters received by them from other departments for legal opinion are returned in time bound manner. He said the officials who will perform better would be encouraged, adding that required measures will be taken to address their grievances. He said this would boost

Tourism vital for economic boost of the State: Ahmed

JAMMU, JANUARY 22:Underscoring the need for creation of modern tourist facilities at all destinations of the State, the Minister for Tourism, Mr. Gh. Ahmed Mir has stressed upon the authorities of Tourism department to ensure time bound completion of ongoing tourism infrastructure for convenience of visiting tourists. He said that the tourism industry is supposed to be one of the most flourishing industries in the state and is very important for the development of all the three regions of the State. Interacting with the Some legislators, representatives of Tour and Travel operators and officers of Tourism Department, who met the Minister to felicitate him for his elevation as tourism Minister, besides apprise about their demands related with tourism promotion at potential spots, the Minister asserted that government would take all possible steps to give new look to the tourism of the State. THE Minister said that my priority would remain to promote varied tourism potential of all the regions of the State. He said though the government has taken so many initiatives to create new attraction for the visiting tourists, besides up gradation of infrastructure and developing new spots but yet there is need to give more attention towards this sector to improve the economy . Mr. Mir said exploring fully pilgrim, adventure, and heritage besides leisure tourism would receive focused attention of State Tourism Ministry adding that conservation of heritage places which depicts our rich culture would also pay the focused attention as was given by the government during lost four years. The Tourism Minister said that conservation and restoration work of Mubarak Mandi heritage palace would be ensured to complete in time bound manner. He said to attract pilgrim tourists towards Jammu city known as city of temples the Mubarak mandi cable car project would be the another attraction after Sidra golf course. He said that all the steps taken by the government for developing tourism industry would be completed with the close cooperation of tourism players and by the dedicated services of the government functionaries. The Minister called upon the stake holders of tourism industry to provide their whole hearted support to the government for making Jammu and Kashmir hub of tourism activities. He said their suggestion for the purpose would be incorporated while formulating plans for holistic tourism promotion in the State adding that in this regard the government would provide all logical support to them.

Contd. from page 1...

India dismisses...
and Pakistan, signed by the Heads of the two governments and ratified by their respective parliaments. "In times of austerity, we need to address the question whether the resources being spent on UNMOGIP would not be better utilised elsewhere," Puri said in his remarks at the debate, which was initially supposed to be presided over by Pakistan Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf. The Pakistani Supreme Court had last week ordered the arrest of Ashraf in connection with a corruption scandal. Puri stressed that under the Simla agreement, the two countries had resolved to settle difference "by peaceful means" through bilateral talks. At the end of the debate, Pakistan's Permanent Representative to the UN Masood Khan, speaking in his national capacity, responded to Puri's remarks saying that no bilateral agreement between the two nations has "overtaken or affected" the role or legality of the observer group.

the firms were bogus, proving that they were ghost investors. Mr Gadkari quit as Chairman of Purti in 2011. In October last year, NDTV reported that Purti appeared to be propped up by a labyrinth of firms that existed only on paper. Many of them shared addresses and directors. Some of them listed their addresses in tenements where offices do not exist.

Celsius. The Met Office predicted a possibility of light rain or snowfall tomorrow and the day after, especially in the higher reaches, which may result in the increase in the night temperatures.

Narayanasamy. Shinde also claimed that the BJP uses cultural nationalism to emotionally divide the country, whereas the Congress worked on the policy of consensus.

Modi hits...
India, the Bihar Deputy Chief Minister said. Regretting that the remarks were made at the Congress conclave in the presence of top party leaders, he dared Shinde to prove his charges, failing which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should sack him immediately for making the "baseless and irresponsible" claims against the Sangh Parivar. An effigy of the UPA government would also be burnt in Bihar on January 24 to protest against Shinde's remarks, he said. Meanwhile to a media query, Modi, who holds the finance portfolio, said Bihar government will present a gender budget for 2013-14 during the upcoming budget session to highlight the development and welfare issues of women. On the expected plan size for 2013-14, he said it would be more than Rs 28,000 crore approved by the Planning Commission in the last fiscal. Almost 60 per cent of the Rs 78,000 crore sanctioned in the current budget has been spent by December last year and the remainder would be utilised over the next three months, he said.

10 years jail...
a delay of a few hours as violent protests broke out outside the Rohini court premises in Delhi. Reports said after the sentence was pronounced, protestors even threw stones and crude bombs into the court complex. Large posses of para-military forces were also called in to try and control the restive crowd. Other than the 55 accused, their counsel, prosecutors and the court staff, the judge did not allow anyone else to enter the court room during the hearing. In the wake of violent clashes between the police personnel and

Yashwant Sinha...
the saffrom party seems to be clearly divided as far as election for the post of president is concerned. The election for the same will be held on January 23 in Mumbai. A section of the BJP has been opposed to the re-election of Gadkari with senior leaders like Yashwant Sinha, Jaswant Singh, Shatrughan Sinha and Ram Jethmalani publicly taking on the BJP president.Meanwhile, in another development noted lawyer Mahesh Jethmalani had said yesterday that if nobody stood against Gadkari then he would contest for the president's post. "There should be a contest if Gadkari is contesting. If I decide to put up a token fight, I may stand," he had said.Jethmalani had resigned from the BJP's national executive in November last year against Gadkari's continuation as the party chief in the wake of allegations of financial wrongdoing by investor firms in Purti Group linked to him. However, as per party rules someone who wants to stand for the post of president has to be an ordinary member of the BJP for at least 15 years. Mahesh Jethmalani has been a member of the party for less than that number of years.Meanwhile, the saffron party has been light-lipped on the contentious issue. Addressing a press conference in the national capital on the issue of 'hindu terror', refused to comment on whether Yashwant Sinha was in the fray. "I have nothing to offer," he said. Earlier, in a notification, the party had said that nomination papers will be filed on the same day (January 23) from 10 am to 11.30 am and scrutiny will be held from 11.30 am to 12 noon.A date for election will be declared, in case of contest, after withdrawal of nomination between 12 noon and 12.30 pm.In the absence of any contest, the elected candidate will be declared at 12.30 pm on January 23 itself.

Every high...
and breadth of the State", he said. He also asked them to start talent hunt in areas and districts so far not covered or which have remained un represented in the sports arena. The Minister was told that there are 6000 Physical Education teachers and masters deployed at the school level. He was told that the Department is developing a shooting range at Nagrota in Jammu and a sports complex-Gindun at Raj Bagh, Srinagar. Reviewing the performance of J&K State Sports Council, the Minister asked them to prepare for the coming general council meeting and start preparing agenda, etc for the same. Mr. Taj was told that 48 sporting associations are affiliated to Sports Council which are being provided grant in aid every year. He was told that the council has 69 sports stadia in the state attached to it and two centrally sponsored schemes, Urban Sports Infrastructure Scheme and National Sports Development Fund under which an astro turf for Srinagar and an indoor sports complex for Jammu are being developed. Director, Youth Services & Sports, S. Jaipal Singh, Secretary, J&K State Sports Council, Mr. Dilip Thusoo and other senior officers were present in the meeting.

Vigorous efforts in force to restore damaged power infrastructure-DDC

POONCH, JANUARY 22: Massive damage has been occurred to power infrastructure in Poonch district due to recent heavy snowfall. Estimates reveal that Rs 4 crores are required to restore 132 KV HT line transmitting power supply from Jammu to Poonch district. As many as 20 HT towers of said line have been damaged due to slides and heavy snowfall as per reports. A high level team of officers also visited Poonch other day to review the post snowfall situations. Efforts are on to restore power infrastructure on priority. This was disclosed by District Development Commissioner, Poonch, Ajeet Kumar Sahoo at a press conference called here in his office today. Mr. Sahoo said 33 KV, LT power line supply has been restored to Mendhar, Surankote, Chandak and partial power supply restored to Poonch, Mandi and Loran. Engineers of PDD along with labourers force are struggling day and night to restore power supply in all peripheral and rural areas of the District. Almost 60% habitation of the district have been restored by piped drinking water where gravitation schemes are in operation and for other PHE schemes operated by electricity are being operated by generated. Moreover water tankers service is also pressed into service. So far snow bound areas are concerned water tapes have been frozen and efforts are on to cover these areas on emergent basis, Mr. Sahoo added. Teams of officers have also been deployed to collect loss/damage of residential houses as about 25-30 houses have been damaged in the district besides damage estimate teams are on the job to assess the loss of property, DDC said. In order to strengthen the democratic system in the district, DDC said that special arrangements are made to celebrate voters day on January 25, 2013 where in Election Photo Identity Cards (EPICs) have been distributed. He discussed arrangements for conduct of 7 km long Run being organized on January 24 to strengthen communal harmony. SP, Shamsheer Hussain, Addl. Deputy Commissioner Mr. S. Jatinder Singh, CMO, Programme Officer AIR Poonch and other senior Officers and journalists attended the press conference.

India will...
The suggestions should not be describe an offer, I think there were suggestions on how to move forward. We have already said that we believe a bilateral interface is a positive signal," Khurshid said. "We have clearly stated our position to Pakistan time by time, entirely based on facts provided by intelligence and security agencies. We have categorically said many times so far that any form of violence is unacceptable," he added. Pakistan had suggested a probe by the UN Military Observer Group into the incident of January 8, which caused widespread outrage towards Pakistan by Indians.

Home secretary..
have been associated with the RSS at some point," he told reporters here. "Nobody can deny that," he said, adding that there are statements by witnesses to prove this. Shinde had referred to "Hindu terrorism" and "saffron terrorism" during the Congress conclave in Jaipur Sunday. "After investigations, we have seen that be it the BJP or the RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), their training camps are promoting Hindu terrorism. This is a matter of concern. We are keeping a strict eye on it," Shinde had said in his speech.

Omar expresses....
and Pakistan -UNMOGIP) is concerned, I have yet to see any serious notice taken by them about the repeated violations of the Line of Control (LoC)." "Kargil (conflict in 1999) took place because of violations of the LoC. The United Nations was unsuccessful to either stop or resolve the violations of the LoC," he added. "I can understand that some people would confuse the withdrawal of the UNMOGIP with the ultimate resolution of the problem of Jammu and Kashmir, but the UNMOGIP was placed here because of the tensions along the LoC and not because of the partition of India and Pakistan." Abdullah was replying to a question about the statement made by India's permanent representative in the United Nations, Hardeep Singh Puri in which he said the UNMOGIP should be wound up as its role had been overtaken by the Shimla Agreement of 1972 between India and Pakistan. Commenting on the statement made by union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on "Hindu terrorism", Abdullah said: "The home minister has access to all the intelligence from across the country and he would not make any irresponsible statement."

BJP to organise...
Shinde's remarks," JK BJP chief Jugal Kishore Sharma said. Yesterday, the BJP demanded sacking of Shinde over his charge that the saffron party and the RSS promoted "Hindu terrorism". It also announced nation-wide protests on January 24 against the remarks. Both the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre and the NC-Cong dispensation in Jammu and Kashmir were pursuing "anti-people" policies, Sharma said. The BJP would vigorously expose "misdeeds" of both the governments, he told a meeting of newly-nominated state BJP office-bearers here. State BJP general secretary Ashok Koul invited suggestions from the office-bearers for better coordination among party workers and leaders.

Demands for...
Shinde is unwarranted. There is terrorism in several parts of the country." "Whosoever is involved in terrorism is condemnable. In fact, Malegaon incident and Jama Masjid incident is a clear case of the people who are belonging to a particular community involved in terrorism there and the innocent people were killed and the people who have been arrested was Sadhvi and training camp was found out and eventually Sadhvi was arrested," said Narayanasamy. Earlier on Sunday, Shinde had said that the BJP and its parent body, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), were recruiting and training Hindu militants. However, later changing his stance, Shinde clarified that he only quoted newspaper reports to point out growing incidents of saffron militancy in the country. He added that the Congress Party would not ignore militancy by any group. "India is a secular country, where whether it is Hindu terrorism or the Islamic fundamental terrorism, both are to be condemned and therefore our Congress party and our government, both condemn both incidents, therefore the BJP telling that there is the violence, terrorism only on one side by Muslims and on Hindu side there is nothing, it is totally unbelievable," said

Kashmir continues...
minus 11.8 degrees Celsius. Another popular tourist destination, Pahalgam, which serves as a base camp during annual Amarnath yatra, remained at par with the previous night's minus 13.2 degrees Celsius. Kargil's temperature dropped almost six notches to a low of minus 19.0 degrees Celsius, against the previous night?s low of minus 13.2 degrees Celsius, making it the coldest recorded place in the state. The spokesman said the highway town of Qazigund in south Kashmir registered a drop of almost four notches to record a low of minus 10.3 degree Celsius as against the yesterday's minus 6.4 degree Celsius. The night temperature in Kokernag dropped two notches to settle at a low of minus 8.7 degree Celsius, he said. The previous night's low was minus 6.7 degree Celsius. He added that in north Kashmir's Kupwara town, where the previous night's minimum was minus 4.3 degree Celsius, the minimum settled at minus 4.8 degree Celsius during the night. However, Leh town, situated in the cold desert of Ladakh showed a slight increase in temperature with a low of minus 17.8 degrees Celsius. The minimum yesterday was minus 20.0 degrees

No end to...
terrorism from the religion point of view. Similarly, the party does not agree with terms like 'Hindu Terrorism' or 'Saffron Terrorism'. "We have clearly stated that terrorism has no religion, and everyone should stand up against it. As far the saffron colour is concerned, how can the Congress point out any objection on it? It was a symbol of martyrdom during freedom movements, it is a prominent part of our national flag and it also appears on our party flag. So, we must now end this debate, and people should stop blaming the Congress Party," said Dwivedi.

Gadkari resigns...
Mr Gadkari was summoned for questioning by income tax officials. He has asked for exemption till February 1 on the ground that he is busy with party work. Today, income tax officials visited eight different locations in Mumbai linked to 24 different firms that invested in or did business with the Purti Group. Sources say the addresses listed for

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STATE
JAMMU, JANUARY 22: Interaction programme for the newly formed members of Adalati panel under Panchayati Raj Act was organized by Department of Rural Development in an attempt to create awareness among the new members about their role on the justice delivery system at the micro level in block Bhalwal here today. District and Sessions Judge Jammu Jung Bahadur Singh Jamwal was the chief guest on the occasion and Mobile magistrate Jammu Sarfaraz Ahmed was the guest of honour besides senior advocates of BAR, Sarpanches and Panches and members of panchayati adalats were present. A mobile lok adalat which was first of its kind was organised where in MACT cases were settled in presence of representatives of insurance companies by both the parties mutually . This inaugural mobile lok adalat was a step in

IGP Jammu Zone briefs Governor

JAMMU, JAN 22 - Mr. Dilbagh Singh, Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, called on Mr. N. N. Vohra, Governor, at Raj Bhavan here this evening. During the meeting, the Governor discussed with Mr. Singh issues pertaining to internal security management in the Jammu region. The Inspector General of Police also briefed the Governor about the overall security situation obtaining in the Jammu region.

NEWS IN BOX

Interaction programme for panchayati Adalat members organized

justice system. He congratulated all of them to the micro level judicial system and advised them to be cautious in their approach so that human values donot become the casualty. He advised the BDO Bhalwal to send smaller batches to session court to have firsthand knowledge of the system prevailing and procedural technicalities. Block Development Officer Bhalwal Aijaz Qaiser presented a detail account of activities undertaken for empowering PRI's in state. He explained in detail the role of panchayati adalat members in the social setup at a village level and their deep knowledge into the minutest details of every issue makes them deliver acceptable in valid decisions. Mohd Yousaf from the Directorate of Rural Development delivered lecture giving deep insight into rights and duties of panchayati adalats and their limitations as well.

Economic Census in Pulwama begins from Jan 28

PULWAMA, JANUARY 22: The Economic Census in district Pulwama shall start from January 28, 2013. This was stated by the Deputy Commissioner, Pulwama, Mr. Shafat Noor Barlas while chairing a meeting of the officers of district with regard to 6th Economic Census 2012-13. Among others, Assistant Commissioner Development, General Manager District Industries Centre, Chief Education Officer, Deputy Superintendent of Police Headquarter, Assistant Director Planning, District Statistics and Evaluations Officer & others officers of the district attended the meeting. It was decided in the meeting that the training to Enumerators and Supervisors engaged for Tehsils Pampore, Awantipora and Urban Pulwama shall be imparted on January 23 and 24, 2013 in the Meeting Hall of DC, Office Pulwama at 11:30 A.M while training scheduled for Tehsil Tral and Rural Pulwama shall be notified separately. The meeting was further informed that the 6th Economic Census 2012-13 shall start from January 28, 2013 in 1113 Enumeration Blocks of the district for which 452 employees has have been engaged from Education, Rural Development, DIC and Planning Departments. The Economic Census is complete count of all the establishment/units located in the district, required for the planning purposes and to access the contribution of the various sectors of the economy, the Deputy Commissioner added.

District and Sessions Judge Jammu Jung Bahadur Singh Jamwal interacting during a programme for panchayati Adalat. reaching out to the people at their door steps in delivering justice The interaction programme in block Bhalwal was in furtherance of empowering Panchayati Raj System in the state and generating awareness among various PRI's. The chief Guest lauded the role of panchayats and explained the purposes behind the adalati panel in conducting summary trials locally upholding the principles of natural

Centre sanctions Rs 52 cr for Wani inspects restoration J&K under NRHM : Shabir work on Assembly Complex
NEW DELHI, JANUARY 22: The Union Health Ministry has sanctioned Rs. 52.00 crore for Jammu and Kashmir for completion of health infrastructure being taken up in the State under National Rural Health Mission. Under this flagship programme, the State government has already taken up execution of several hospital buildings in the State. The decision, in this regard, was taken today at a high level meeting of Central and State officers held at union capital. The meeting was chaired by Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Ghulam Nabi Azad. Minister of State for Health (Independent charge) of J&K, Shabir Ahmed Khan and Mission Director NRHM, GOI, Anuradha Gupta also attended the meeting. The nod for release of this amount was given by the Union Health Minister after receiving the assurance from the State Health Minister that all the under execution projects in the State would be completed within stipulated time frame. He also assured the Union Ministry that utilization certificates of the projects would be ensured in time for release of next installment of funds. The State Health Minister gave a detailed brief about the physical and financial achievements registered by the State Government in strengthening and up gradation of health infrastructure under NRHM in the State. The meeting had threadbare discussion upon several issues related to upgradation of health care facilities across the State under this prestigious programme. The State Health Minister demanded allocation of more funds under NRHM to the State Government for setting up of new health centers and up gradation of existing ones in the State, especially in remote , hilly and border areas like Poonch, Rajouri, Doda, Kishtwar,Kupwara, Bandipora, Baramulla and Anatsnag Districts. He also urged for release of adequate funds for purchase of ambulances besides seeking free medical checkup for natural disabled children between the age group of 0-18 years in the hospitals of the Country. He also suggested for providing free medic are facilities to the BPL families of the State in super specialty hospitals on priority. The Minister also urged for enhancement of budget provision under NRHM to the State besides requesting for release of funds for purchase of machinery and other health care diagnostic equipments. JAMMU, JANUARY 22: Minister for R&B, Abdul Majid Wani, today inspected the restoration work on Assembly Complex and asked the officers of JKPCC to speed up the work to get it completed before the commencement of next Assembly Session. The Minister directed the executing agency to ensure utilization of quality material and apply modern technology in the construction work. Commissioner Secretary R&B, Chief Engineer, R&B, Jammu, Chief Engineer, PMGSY and other senior officers of JKPCC accompanied the Minister. Talking to media persons, the Minister said that all care would be taken to maintain the heritage status of the building. He said the experts and engineers supervising the work have been instructed to ensure that heritage status of complex should be maintained at all levels. The Minister also inspected the lab where the model of new assembly complex has been kept and interacted with the engineers supervising the job. He asked them to work with full dedication and keep in account the importance of the complex.

MLA Bandipora distributes NFBS, IAY cheques

BANDIPORA, JANUARY 22: In order to provide succour to the widows, old aged pensions, poor families and other destitutes, a good number of new schemes have been included in various schemes run by the Social Welfare department in Bandipora district. This was stated during a function organized by the Social Welfare department at Bandipora with MLA Bandipora, Mr. Nizam-ud-Din Bhat in chair. The MLA on this occasion distributed cheques worth Rs. 1.50 lakh among 15 widows of Bandipora Tehsil @ Rs. 10,000 each under National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS). He also provided Rs. 40,000 under Indira Awas Yojana (IAY) to the four families for construction and upgradation of their houses out of his Constituency Development Fund. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Nizam-ud-Din stressed for identification and inclusion of the uncovered families under those schemes launched by the Central and State Governments so that the deserving are benefited. Among others, District Social Welfare Officer, Bandipora, other officers, Sarpanchs and the beneficiaries were present.

Dr. Manohar reviews functioning of Forest, SRTC, RTO offices in Valley

SRINAGAR, JANUARY 22: Minister of State for Forests, Cooperative, Printing and Stationery, Dr. Manohar Lal Sharma exhorted upon officers to work with added zeal, enthusiasm and make use of the talent and skills of the manpower within their departments for the welfare and prosperity of State. The Minister was addressing a series of meetings to take stock of the functioning of department of Forest, State Road Transport Corporation and Regional Transport office of Kashmir division here today. The meeting was attended by Chief Conservator Forests, DFO's of Kashmir division and other senior officers of Forest department. It was given out in the meeting that during the current year, about Rs 27 crores have been generated against the sale of 14 lakh cft timber upto end of December last year by the Forest Department. Similarly, State Forest Corporation sold 9.78 cft lakhs of timber earning Rs. 61.42 crore as revenue. Later, another meeting was held under the Chairmanship of Dr. Manohar Lal Sharma to take stock of functioning of State Road Transport Corporation (SRTC) and Regional Transport Office. Dr. Manohar was informed by Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir, Mr. Anees Ahmad that revenue of Rs. 40 crore has been generated in the form of taxes and fine during current financial year.

HDFC Life brings back pension planning, launches 'New Immediate Annuity Plan'
SRINAGAR, JANUARY 22, 2012: HDFC Life, one of India's leading life insurance companies, has announced the launch of two pension plans. HDFC Life Pension Super Plus is a regular premium unit linked plan whereas HDFC Life Single Premium Pension Super is a single premium unit linked plan. . Speaking at the launch, Amitabh Chaudhry, MD & CEO, HDFC Life said, "It gives me great pleasure to announce that we are the first private life insurance company to bring back pension plans to customers under the new regulatory regime. Saving for retirement has been an important part of financial planning, which most of us tends to neglect or postpone." "HDFC Life Single Premium Pension Super and HDFC Life Pension Super Plus are designed to build a sizeable corpus for post retirement income and offer assured vesting value with minimum guarantee benefits," Mr. Chaudhry added. Both the plans offer assured benefit on death and vesting. HDFC Life Pension Super Plus offers assured death benefit of total premiums paid to date accumulated at a guaranteed rate of 6% per annum and an assured vesting benefit of 101% of total premiums paid. HDFC Life Single Premium Pension Super offers assured benefit of 101% of total premiums paid on death and vesting. HDFC Life has also launched a traditional annuity plan, HDFC Life New Immediate Annuity Plan. As per IRDA's new guideline, customers need topurchase immediate annuity from the proceeds of the Pension Plan from the same company. Mr. Sanjay Tripathy, Executive Vice President and Head, Marketing, Product and Direct Channel, HDFC Life said, "In India, there has been a paradigm shift in retirement trends and the increase in life expectancy. Individuals opt for retirement as early as at 4045 years and go on to live beyond 80-85 years. This emerging trend is expected to boost the Annuity market substantially in the next few years. The entry age of our Immediate Annuity Plan ranges from 30-85 catering to the diverse spectrum of customers across all age bands with 11 different annuity options for both individual and joint lives," Tripathy said. The minimum purchase price of Annuity is Rs. 2 lakhs. For customers whose purchase price is Rs 2.5 lakhs and above will have the benefit of higher annuity rates.

SDM Karnah inspects pace of under execution works at Panjtaran, Teetwall

KUPWARA, JANUARY 22: The Sub Divisional Magistrate, Karnah, Mr. Zahoor Ahmad Mir today inspected the under execution development works at Panjtaran, Teetwall block of Karnah Constituency. He was accompanied by the officers and engineers of different sectors. The Sub Divisional Magistrate was informed that an amount of Rs. 5 lakh is being spent on the execution of protection bund and protection wall in the Teetwall block, Karnah. He also held the Awami Darbar with local residents to redress the grievances of the people.

LSS training programme held at GKN Home

SRINAGAR, JANUARY 22: To impart Life Saving Skills (LSS) for ambulance Drivers, a daylong training programme was inaugurated by Director Health Services, Kashmir, Dr. Saleem-ur-Rehman at Government Kashmir Nursing (GKN) Home here today. As many as 40 Drivers of the Health Department were imparted basic life saving and stabilization techniques training on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, the Director enjoined upon the trainers to ensure training of entire Health staff so that training programme for advanced life support and ERTC proves fruitful for advanced life saving care of patients.

Ramzan stressed for strict enforcement of traffic and road safety rules
JAMMU, JANUARY 22: The Minister for Transport, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan today stressed for strict enforcement of traffic and road safety rules, saying this was imperative for minimizing road accidents and saving precious lives. The Minister gave these directions while reviewing the working of transport department at a high level meeting. Mr. Ramzan warned of stern action against the violators and maintained that directions have already been passed to cancel the route permit and license of the driver, if the cause of accident was found as negligent driving. Saying that day out and day in road accidents consume precious lives , the Minister directed the transport department and traffic police authorities to work in close coordination and implement the traffic rules regulations strictly. He said any laxity on this account would not be tolerated . " The state is not in a position to lose precious lives in areas of the state. He said the vehicles with maximum seat capacities shall be promoted as people prefer such type of transport. While reviewing the working of State Road Transport Corporation, the Minister said the time has come to ply more and more SRTC buses on dry routes to facilitate the commuters. He said rationalization of routes of SRTC fleet has become necessary for the growth of the corporation, besides to provide public transport facility to far-flung areas of the state. He asked the Managing Director SRTC to channelize all the resources of the corporation for making it profitable. He said that monitoring system within the corporation needs to be strengthened to check the pilferage. The meeting was attended by Secretary CAPD and Transport, Mr. Abbass, Transport Commissioner, Mr. Mehraj Ahmed Kakroo, Managing Director, SRTC, Mr. J. S. Tandon, Director Garages, Mr. G. A. Sofi and other senior officers of transport department.

RD arrangements finalized at Kupwara

KUPWARA, JANUARY 22: To review the preparedness and arrangements made for smooth Republic Day celebrations at DPL Kupwara, the Deputy Commissioner, Kupwara today convened a meeting of officers and engineers of different departments and committee members. It was given out that the function will start by Shahnai Wadan followed by flag hoisting by chief guest while the contingents of the JKP, JKAP, Security Forces, school children shall participate in the march past besides, the students and artists of Information department shall present the colourful cultural programmes on the occasion. The arrangements for seating, security, deployment of Magistrates, power, drinking water, refreshment and transportation to school children was also finalized in the meeting. The R&B, Mechanical Engineering department and Municipal Committee, Kupwara will ensure snow clearance on roads leading to DPL Kupwara in case of the snowfall in the area.

Minister for Transport, Consumer Affairs and Public Distribution, Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan chairing a meeting for strict enforcement of traffic and road safety rules at Jammu. road mishaps as we already lost many lives during prolonged turmoil and the need of the hour is to take stringent measures to control such tragedies". He called for launching massive awareness among the people to acquaint them about the traffic rules, road safety measures besides, having round the clock monitoring system on all routes, particularly accident prone areas. The Minster directed the transport commissioner to utilize the services of Assistant Road Transport officers (ARTOs) for ensuring strict implementation of traffic rules and road safety measures in collaboration with traffic police to check the violations. He also stressed the need to streamline the system of issuing licenses to ensure that only well trained people get the same. "If we issue the license to only genuine people, the accident rate will automatically come down". Referring to the complaints against the private transporters about overcharging, the Minister gave directions to ARTO's to implement the new fare charges strictly and take action against those who resort to overcharging. He also stressed for implementation of the concessional fares to students, handicapped, senior citizens and cancer patients so that they were not deprived of their right. Mr Ramzan directed the authorities to issue a circular within week's time restricting the stay of outside commercial vehicles in J&K beyond the prescribed time. Outlining that there was a need to streamline the public transport , he said it was the only way to ease traffic jamming on the roads. He said that there was a need to formulate a comprehensive policy envisaging adequate public transport in all the

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for printing broachers, leaflets and posters in this regard and keeping these available at Airports, Railway Stations, Tourist Information Centres and other such places for tourists. He said over 13 lakh visitors visited the State this year which is expected to grow further. "In order to make them aware of the State's rich cultural heritage and make their stay more eventful, Tourism Department and Cultural Academy should formulate such programmes jointly", he emphasized. In his welcome address Secretary Cultural Academy, Khalid Bashir said that blending tradition with technology, the Rs. 64.89 crore 3-storeyed Tehzeeb Mahal project will be a modern cultural complex in traditional architecture and state-of-the-art facilities related to art and culture. The Secretary Cultural Academy said that the building will have special architectural finishes in tune with local heritage architecture including maharaji bricks, deji dewari look, devri stone cladding, khatambandceiling, pinjra and jaffri work, paper machie and sozni work on walls and log bridge and heritage fort wall. He said that the Ground Floor will have auditorium with a seating capacity of 600, Folk Replica Centre, Art Gallery, Administration Space and Intimate Theatre Studio with seating capacity of

Omar Lays foundation of Tehzeeb Mahal, highlights need for preservation of State's heritage
SRINAGAR, JAN 22 : Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Tuesday said that the heritage of Jammu and Kashmir denotes a civilization of par excellence with pluralistic ethos and amity in diversity. "Preservation of heritage, culture, art, literature, history and memorabilia serves as authenticated credentials for present and future generations to study and learn about a people and their life style", he said. Laying foundation of Tehzeeb Mahal (Heritage House) here this afternoon, the Chief Minister said that Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages is a complete treasure of such memorabilia which can be properly displayed in the coming up Tehzeeb Mahal for all to witness and get educated. The Chief Minister said that recently Cultural Academy unveiled a bit of its treasure by displaying historic, rear and ancient works of Quranic calligraphy in an exhibition here which mesmerized the visitors. "There are numerous such works of art, culture, literature, languages and heritage preserved in Cultural Academy. Tehzeeb Mahal would be most appropriate for displaying these for public", he said adding that this complex could also serve as an important centre for literary conferences and meetings. Omar Abdullah said that his govern200. The First Floor will house Auditorium Balcony, Exhibition Hall-1, Handicrafts Display Room, Library and Conference Hall. The Second Floor will have Exhibition Hall-2 and Heritage Museum. An Open Air Theatre and Sculpture Garden will be other facilities available at the Tehzeeb Mahal. The basement of the building measuring 46,123 sq ft will be used for parking and housing services. Khalid said that J&K Academy of Art, Culture & Languages has a rich collection of manuscripts, paintings, miniatures, sculptures, artefacts, reference books, photographs etc. Due to the limited space available with the Academy, this treasure trove could not be displayed for public viewing except occasionally by holding limited exhibitions. The Tehzeeb Mahal will resolve this problem and make possible round-the year display of our magnificent heritage besides turning into the permanent and colourful address of the State's culture. It will also serve as a major attraction for tourists interested in knowing about the heritage and culture of the State. Noted writer Padam Shree Rehman Rahi presented vote of thanks and highlighted the significance of Tehzeeb Mahal project for the growth, development and preservation of State's rich art, culture, languages and heritage.

Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah along with others Laying foundation of Tehzeeb Mahal at Srinagar. ment is extending all support to the Cultural Academy to expand and strengthen its activities for development, preservation and showcasing of State's rich cultural heritage. "I told the Secretary Academy, Khalid Bashir that the government would be with him in his efforts to groom writers, poets, artists, painters, sculptors and others associated with State's art, culture and languages", he said adding that the Cultural Academy has also been asked to showcase the State's rich cultural heritage in various parts of the country. He referred to the holding of heritage conference by Tourism Department at Goa in which a group of people from various fields of art, culture and literature from the State were facilitated to participate. The Chief Minister also referred to the newly constructed Museum at Srinagar and said that he has asked the concerned agency to complete its internal requirements pertaining to the display of historic valuables in a befitting manner and making the security foolproof. He said the Tourism Department has already taken measures in this direction. He expressed the hope that the Museum would be shortly opened. Omar Abdullah said that he has asked the Tourism Department to formulate a calendar with Cultural Academy for holding various events of cultural programmes utilizing the already completed amphitheatres across the Valley. "This would provide added attraction to the visitors visiting the State during tourist season", he said and directed

Youth Congress Kishtwar celebrates Rahul's appointment

KISHTWAR: The appointment of Rahul Gandhi as the Congress Vice President has left the Youth Congress workers ecstatic. Like other parts of country Youth Congress workers in Kishtwar also celebrated his appointment and distributed sweets and burst crakers. While addressing the YC activists, Nadeem Iqbal president youth Congress Kishtwar said that that Rahul's appointment would be a boon to the younger generation. He further said that it would give a boost to the enthusiasm of the party in the run up to the Lok Sabha elections in 2014. He added that the youth will understand the policies and thought process of the party better. Senior YC Leader Tauseef Iqbal Butt while speaking on the occasion said that elevation of Rahul Gandhi as party vice president is a positive step and added that the party men saw a ray of hope in Rahul for the various problems confronting the younger generation in the nation. He said that with Rahul Gandhi being the vice-president, Congress will attract a huge number of youth and will lead to the betterment of the party. Among others who also spoke on the occasion include Yasir Rashid Lone former dist President NSUI, Arshad Hussain, Sadam Lone and Ajay Kumar.

Jora reviews progress of UDD, Urban Local Bodies programmes

JAMMU, JANUARY 22: A meeting of high level officers of different wings of Urban Development Department and Urban Local Bodies was held under the Chairmanship of Minister for Urban Development and Urban Local Bodies, Nawang Rigzin Jora, here today. The meeting discussed threadbare various schemes being executed in twin Capitals of the State, Srinagar and Jammu, and other cities. Among others CommissionerSecretary, Urban Development and Housing Department, Jeet Lal Gupta, Vice Chairman, LAWDA, Irfan Yaseen, ,Vice Chairman, SDA, Kh.Farooq Renzushah, Vice Chairman, JDA, Sarita Chouhan, Director Urban Local Bodies, Jammu, F.C Bhagat, Director , Urban Local Bodies, Kashmir, S.A. Laharwal, Chief Engineer, UEED, Gupta, CEO, JUDA, Dr. Shubra Sharma, CEO, UADAK, Srinagar, Showkat Ahmed, SMC, Commissioner, G.N.Qasba, JMC Commissioner, K.L Khujaria, Joint Director (P&S) Housing and Urban Development, P.S Kakroo, G.M SUIDA,(Housing) H.R Bhagat and other senior officers attended the meeting. The Minister exhorted upon the officers to ensure that all programmes being executed under their respective wings are done within the specified timeframe. He asked them to conduct regular site visits and make sure that quality and quantity of works is maintained at all levels. The Vice Chairman, LAWADA, briefed the Minister about the progress of various ongoing schemes launched by the Central and State Government for cleaning and preservation of world famous Dal Lake through a power point presentation. He said that under Sewerage and Sewage treatment, STPs Hazratbal, Habak and Laa (Nishat) plants have been made operational while 90 percent work on Brari Numbal STP has also been completed. Besides, Nallah Amir Khan would be commissioned during the current month. Regarding resettlement of Dal dwellers, Rs. 356 crore have been sanctioned by the Planning Commission for acquisition of land while Rs.416 crore have been earmarked for establishment of colony for their resettlement at Rakhi-i- Arth under the State Plan and JNNURM. It was also told that 250 plots have already been allotted and till 50 families have been shifted and rehabilitated. On the occasion, the Commissioner, SMC, informed that 205 raids have been conducted and 548 qtls of polythene was seized recovering Rs. 2.78 lakh from the defaulters during 2012-13. He said that 11260 birth and 4047 death certificates have been issued from Ist January to ending December 2012 realizing Rs.11.09 lakh as revenue. The Minister reviewed the schemes under JNNURM and it was told that 108 projects under UIG, Urban Transport, UIDSSMT, BSUP and IHSDP programmes have been taken up. He also had a detailed review of CCDP scheme.

Lone visits GCET, took stock of facilities available for students

JAMMU, JAN 22: Minister for Higher Education Mohammad Akbar Lone today paid a surprise visit to Government College of Engineering and Technology (GCET), Jammu and took stock of its functioning and facilities available for the students. The Minister directed the College Management to ensure punctuality of the staff and ensure the presence of faculty in the campus during the working hours. Any negligence in this regard will not be tolerated he added and asked the teaching fraternity to work with utmost dedication. The Minister called upon the teaching fraternity to give their best to the students who are the future of the nation. He impressed upon the students to strive hard to achieve their desired goal and bring laurels to the State. He stressed for taking every measure to strengthen the quality of education in the engineering and other professional colleges adding that the government was committed to upgrade the infrastructure at all colleges of the State.

Rajendra inspects Bakshi Stadium, took stock of RD arrangements

JAMMU, JANUARY 22: In order to take stock of the arrangements made for Republic Day celebration in the valley, the Additional Director General of Police, Armed/Law & Order (ADGP), Mr. K. Rajendra Kumar, along with team of officers, inspected the Bakshi Stadium this evening. Mr. Rajendra also convened a meeting of police officers at the venue and took stock of the progress with regard to face lifting of Bakshi Stadium and other arrangements. It was told that necessary efforts have been made in coordination with the civil administration to make the Bakshi Stadium convenient for the function by clearing snow and levelling where ever required. The meeting also took stock of the other functions being held in the province, deployment of personnel and maintenance of law and order. The meeting was told that sufficient manpower has been earmarked for deployment of security at the venues and maintenance of law and order during the celebrations. In addition, armed contingents and other components of JKP would participate in the celebrations for which the exercise has already been started at Bakshi Stadium and district and tehsil headquarters. Police bandbust and traffic arrangements were thoroughly discussed to avoid inconvenience to the general public coming to watch the functions. During the meeting, the ADGP stressed upon the officers to coordinate with each other and keep available required man power for the celebrations without affecting the law and order duties. He said arrangements should be made to ensure peaceful celebrations. Stressing for better coordination with other agencies, he said close liaison should be maintained at every level and the officers supervising different components should be briefed accordingly.

LA panel for early finalization of recruitment rules of R&B Dept

JAMMU, JANUARY 22: The Subordinate Committee of J&K Legislative Assembly today asked the government to expedite the amendment and finalization of gazetted and non-gazetted recruitment rules for R&B department. The Committee, which met here today under the chairmanship of Mr. Chaman Lal Gupta, discussed the issue in detail and issued certain direction to the concerned officers in this regard. Legislators, Mr G. M. Saroori, Zalufkar Ahmad, Mr. Ashok Kumar and Mr. Zahoor Ahmad, besides Additional Secretary R&B, Chief Engineer, R&B Jammu and the officers of store and procurement and legislative assembly were present at the meeting. The committee was assured that cadre strength of Chief Engineers, superintending engineers and executive engineers would be notified within a month, while the process for other services will be speeded up.

BJP announces its mandal teams for Padder and Marwah Mandal
JAMMU: After every three years Bhartiya Janata Party holds fresh membership and announced its new office bearers from booth level to top level. As a part of this exercise party has already elected the mandal presidents. Now the elected presidents Sh Hari Krishan Chauhan (Mandal President Padder) and Mohd Shafi Najjar (Block President Marwah) with the consient of District President Kishtwar Sh Rajinder Singh announces their teams which consist of following Mandal team for Padder is as Sh Vijay Parihar,Sh Manohar Lal,Sh Sri Singh Rana, Sh Om Nath (Sarpanch) -Vice Presidents Sh Shadi Lal Chauhan and Sh Chamail Singh both are Mandal General Secretaries Sh Nand Krishan, Sh Raj Kumar, Sh Ravinder Kumar, Sh Khem Raj - Secretaries Sh Wazir Chand Cashier, Sh Yogender Singh - Office Secretary,Tsering Narboo (sarpanch) Media Secretary and Sh Pritam Lal and Nav Rattan -Publicity Secretaries. Sh Dulhar Singh will be Incharge as Gulab Garh-Machail Shakti Kendra, Sh Om Prakash Parihar - Incharge Sazzar-GulabGarh Shakti Kendra and Sh Narinder Singh will be the incharge of SohalGandhari Shakti Kendra.

Sheikh Nasir hails elevation of Rahul Gandhi

KISHTWAR: Prominent Congress Leader and former President DYCC Advocate Sheikh Nasir Hussain has hailed the elevation of Rahul Gandhi as the Vice President of the All India Congress Committee saying it will imbibe new vigor in the party. In a press statements issued here today the Congress Leader while hailing Rahul Gandhi's appointment as the vice president of the party said, the much-awaited elevation has sent the party workers and leaders into jubilation all across the country. He maintained that everybody in the Congress was looking forward to Rahul Gandhi to lead the 2014 General Elections as he had emerged as an ideal and icon for the youth of the country. He said, Rahul Gandhi had really worked hard for the party and made it more representative. As per young leader, under the Congress President Ms Sonia Gandhi's guidance Rahul Gandhi was certain to lead the party to a landslide victory in the next General Elections. He said, people, particularly the youth of the country were looking forward to him for his foresight, honesty and concern for the grassroots and less privileged in the society. While praising the recent speech made by Rahul Gandhi in Jaipur after the announcement of his appointment, Sheikh Nasir has said that Rahul has shown a lot of maturity and even his opponents are appreciating him terming his speech as ideal one. Nasir has further said that 54 per cent of the country's population being below 25 years, Rahul Gandhi's leadership would guide youth in the right direction. He has also thanked AICC president Sonia Gandhi for giving the go-ahead to appoint Mr. Gandhi as the party's vice-president.

LADHC,Leh-Kargil delegations led by Jora meets Rather

Govt. to revoke licences for negligent driving

JAMMU : The Jammu and Kashmir government Tuesday warned of cancelling licences and road permits of buses, mini-buses and taxis found involved in negligent driving. Transport Minister Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan issued the warning at a high-level meeting here. He asked for strict enforcement of traffic and road safety rules, saying it was "imperative for minimising road accidents and saving precious lives". He also called for launching a massive awareness drive on traffic rules, road safety measures and round-the-clock monitoring system on all routes, particularly accident-prone areas.

Minister for Urban Development and Local Bodies,Nawang Rigzin Jora alongwith others interacting with Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs. A.R. Rather. JAMMU, JANUARY 22: Minister for Urban Development and Local Bodies, Mr Nawang Rigzin Jora alongwith the representatives of LADHC s Leh and Kargil today called on the Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs. Mr. A.R. Rather and discussed with him status of various ongoing major development works in the desert region. The delegation soght special allocations in the Budget for meeting the development needs of the geographically disadvantageous region, which remains land locked during about 6 months of a year. Mr. Jora asked the Finance Minister to sue his good offices in the Union finance Ministry to push forward execution of Zojilla tunnel, which has already been approved by the Union Government, adding that the proposed tunnel is an urgent necessity to ensure round the year road connectivity of the Ladakh region with rest of the State. The Minister assured the delegation that as in charge Minister of the Ladakh Affairs, it was his endeavour to ensure development of the entire Ladakh region and to provide equal and Uniform opportunities of progress and justice to the people. He said it was the agenda of coalition government led by Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah to ensure balanced de elopement of hilly, backward and bad pockets of the State including twin districts of Leh and Kargil adding that it was in that context, that special grants have been earmarked in the State's annual Budget. Assuring that the process of special budgetary support for development of backward pockets of the State will continue in future also. Mr Rather said special grants shall be over and above the normal budgetary allocations. LADHC, Leh was represented by Sh. Tsering Narboo, Councilor, Nimo Basgo. Sh Tsetan Namgyal, Councillor, Khalisi and Sh. Tsewang Rigzin, Councilor District LADHC , Leh whereas LADHC Kargil was represented by CEC Kargil, Mr. Kachoo, Mr. MLC, Narboo Jailson, Mr. Punchuk Tashi, Mr. Ab. Rahim, Mr. Mohammad Ismail and Mr. Tasy Narboo.

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EDITORIAL

he chronicle of an anointment foretold had an element of the unpredictable within it. No script-writer or cynical Congress watcher quite expected Rahul Gandhi to make the speech that he did at the Jaipur meeting of the Congress. It was by no means the first time that a Congress leader had delivered an emotional oration. What was distinctive about Mr Gandhi's speech was not its emotional charge, though this was significant, but the complete freshness of its approach and its language. The significance of the speech's emotional content stems from the prevailing image of Mr Gandhi as someone distant and somewhat indifferent. This image cracked with the speech. Mr Gandhi came across as an introverted young man who had contained within himself, all these years, the anguish of witnessing family tragedies and the terrible responsibility of trying to live with these and his inescapable destiny. In his own life, and perhaps even in the future of the party to which he belongs, there will be, henceforth, a pre-Jaipur Rahul Gandhi and a post-Jaipur one. Just beneath the emotion and the bow to the Congress elders, Mr Gandhi's speech expressed a strong critique of the way he had seen the Congress function. He had no idea, he said in a devastating revelation, of how the party was run. It was run without rules, or those that were there were transgressed by the whims of individuals. The speech was a relentless salvo against the political culture of the Congress, which is dominated by backroom machination, envy and intrigue. He spoke against the shameless exhibition of power and position by Congress leaders and their utter lack of empathy and understanding. The party, he emphasized, was thus alienated from those that they are supposed to represent. His speech struck a chord of hope, but he was not starry-eyed about the future. He had learnt from his mother, he admitted, that power was a poison. Here was a young man who was aware that the chalice that had been handed to him could contain hemlock. This awareness is refreshing after the heavy dose of the smugness of power that Indians have become used to. His critique, too, would have disturbed the cosy comfort of Congress politicians. The Congress, like the proverbial Indian elephant, takes time to stir and move. So, the outcome of Mr Gandhi's intentions will have to be watched: the staleness of the past should not be allowed to overwhelm the freshness conveyed by Mr Gandhi.

FUTURE VOICE

The Top 10 Legacies Of Political Families In 2012

By Nidhi Sinha: olitics is a battleground. It breeds clans that multiply and proliferate to ensure maximum prowess in the battlefield. Political families, thus, give rise to scions that are torchbearers of the family legacy, and this kind of dynastic democracy is largely prevalent in many countries. Since ours is a country with rich diversity in every possible sphere, politics remains no stranger to family legacies that form an intricate mesh of power in this democracy. Here are the ten scions of powerful political families that have created a stir in the year 2012 and are the faces of future politics:

The torchbearer of Marathi pride, Bal Thackery, founder of Shiv Sena, passed away in November this year. As a tearful state wept goodbye, it was clear that Balasaheb was loved by people and very popular among Maharashtrians. Much criticism has been hurled at him during his lifetime, including accusations of xenophobia. His was the actual power behind the throne of the CM in the 90s. Uddhav and Raj Thackeray are said to be but pale shadows of him who do not have the same vigour and charm that absorbs people. The Karunanidhi Family: M. Karunanidhi, Kanimozhi Kanimozhi, daughter of M. Karunanidhi, former Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has been in the limelight for all the wrong reasons. The massive 2G scandal that resulted in the cancellation of over 120 telecom licenses also revealed notorious deeds of politicians like A Raja and Rajya Sabha MP Kanimozhi. She was arrested on charges of corruption in May 2011, prior to the cancellation of licenses, and bail was repeatedly denied to her until November. She was released following the orders of Supreme Court. This year though, she courted arrest, opposing the "oppressive" rule of Jayalalitha-led AIADMK government. Around 200 DMK cadres led by her and Party treasurer MK Stalin took to the streets protesting the "repressive regime" of the Jayalalitha Government. The Reddy Family: YS Rajashekhar Reddy, Jaganmohan Reddy Andhra Pradesh holds the largest number of Congress MPs, which makes it the seat of power of the Congress. Two-time CM Rajashekhar Reddy has been known to enjoy insurmountable popularity among his people, so much so that over a hundred cases of suicide were reported after his death in a plane crash. As the rule of dynastic succession goes, it was but natural that his son, Jaganmohan Reddy would step into his father's shoes. But as Mrs. Gandhi would have it, this move was resisted. This resulted in the breach of alliance between Reddy and the Congress party, culminating in the formation of the YSR Congress Party.

Although charged with allegations of disproportionate asset possession, and arrested for the same, he established a thundering win in the June 2012 by elections, winning 15 out of 18 Lok Sabha seats. His bail pleas have been repeatedly rejected, but his chances of becoming the next Chief Minister are as high as ever. The Chavan family: Shankarrao Chavan, Ashok Chavan Ashok Chavan sprang into the limelight after the infamous Adarsh housing scam this year. Son of former Chief Minister of Maharashtra Shankarrao Chavan, he held the same post in 2009 but was forced to unceremoniously resign from the post after he was accused of nepotism in the Adarsh scam. He allegedly allowed civil membership in the housing society meant for defence personnel, and later passed the buck to former CMs Vilasrao Deshmukh and Sushilkumar Shinde who were in power when the approvals were made. He is among the 13 people charged by CBI in the Adarsh housing scam involving crores of rupees. The Yadav family: Mulayam Singh Yadav, Akhilesh Yadav Uttar Pradesh gave way to reinstatement of 'Mulayam Sarkar' this year, when his son Akhilesh Yadav assumed the post of chief minister of UP. From a cabinet fraught with half the ministers having criminal past and endorsing criminals, to a state fraught with rapes (some committed by MLAs) and poverty, this 'young' face of Samajwadi Party has a lot to deal with. But the might of his family name must not be underestimated. Dimple Yadav, the CM's wife, proved this when in June this year she bagged the Lok Sabha MP seat unopposed, as three ruling party candidates "pulled out" at the last moment. The Abdullah Family: Farooq Abdullah, Omar Abdullah The Abdullah family is one of the most politically renowned in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. Omar Abdullah, son of former Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah, became the youngest

CM of the state in 2009, after forming a government in coalition with the Congress Party. He remains one of the most highly educated (yes, the term holds significance in our political scenario) ministers and also an active participant on social media. The Sangma family: P Sangma, Agatha Sangma Agatha Sangma, daughter of former Lok Sabha speaker and chief minister of Meghalaya, P Sangma, became the youngest Indian MP of Lok Sabha in 2009. In October 2012, however, she was "dropped" from the council of ministers. The official story states that seven ministers, including Sangma posted resignations letters to the President, which were accepted, but Sangma has voiced that an old resignation letter was used to serve the purpose. Former Union Minister of State for Rural Development of the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), she is also a lawyer, environmentalist and an amateur photographer. Also, P Sangma was himself in the news in 2012 for being a highly controversial Presidential candidate. The Pilot family: Rajesh Pilot, Sachin Pilot Son of late Congress minister Rajesh Pilot, Sachin Pilot is currently the Minister of State, Ministry of Communication and IT. Apart from politics, he has followed his father's footsteps also in being commissioned as lieutenant in the Territorial Army in June. The Scindia family: Jivajirao Scindia, Vasundhara Raje, Dushyant Raje Daughter of the last maharaja of Gwalior, Jivajirao Scindia, Vasundhara Raje entered politics in 1982, holding a variety of posts in the BJP. She was elected the chief minister of Rajasthan for the period of 2003 - 2008. She is known for hogging the limelight but in 2012, her absence made as much news as her presence did. Her apparent resignation from the BJP took the state party by storm in May and ultimately her request was denied.

The Gandhi Family: Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi, Robert Vadra Rahul Gandhi is surely the emergent face of India's most powerful political family and party, which completed a whooping 127 years in 2012. He is not however, all that promising. His late and apparently reluctant entry into politics has not been a significant marker of his political ambitions. This year though, his campaign in the hills has paid off as Congress won the Himachal Pradesh Assembly polls in the 12 or 13 constituencies where Mr. Gandhi campaigned. Meanwhile his brother in law, Priyanka Gandhi's husband Robert Vadra created a ruckus for the esteemed family when he was accused of property related scam by anti graft crusaders Pashant and Bharat Bhushan. It was alleged that he had received undue favours from K P Singhled DLF ltd., buying property worth crores of rupees with an "unsecured interest free loan". It has not been a good political year for Congress in general, with many vicissitudes to tide over. Corruption, poverty and female empowerment have been hot topics of debate. Meanwhile this family, which remains at the helm of political power with Sonia Gandhi wielding maximum authority as the UPA president, is undoubtedly one that's going to stay put in the political arena. The Thackeray family: Balasaheb Thackeray, Uddhav Thackeray

Wake up now. Your survival is at stake Is it legitimate to give J&K the

By A Surya Prakash f the Government does not act strongly against persons like Akbaruddin Owaisi, there will be a steady deterioration in the communal environment, leading to bloodshed and communal divide in society Every citizen who cherishes and values the liberal, secular and democratic environment that prevails in India will be horrified by the vicious attack on Hindus and Hinduism by Akbaruddin Owaisi, the leader of the Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen, while addressing meetings in Andhra Pradesh last month. But Owaisi's violent and perverse comments on adherents of Hinduism will come as no surprise to those who are aware of the malevolent and spiteful attitude of radical Muslim leaders in the subcontinent since 1900 and the pusillanimous approach of the Congress to the outrageous demands made on behalf of that community before and after independence. Over the years, one has heard provocative remarks by politicians against religious and caste groups and even women, but the two speeches of Owaisi last month crossed all limits of decency and set a new benchmark for hate speeches. What is shocking is that Owaisi, a child of liberal, democratic India carries the venom of Islamic radicals steeped in illiberal, medieval environments. But one will stop wondering as to how this can happen if one reflects over the policy of appeasement pursued by India's oldest political party. The Congress is the source of pseudo-secularism in the country and the fountain head of the culture which equates secularism with anti-Hinduism and thus encourages hotheads like Owaisi. The Congress has always followed this policy, and since it headed the interim Government prior to independ-

ence and has been in power at the Centre for much of the post-independence period, we must hold this party primarily responsible for the deteriorating democratic and secular environment in the country and for the unreasonable demands that the Muslim leadership has been making on the Government over the last 70 years. History tells us how this brand of aggressive communal politics by Muslim leaders since the pre-independence days led to the partition of the country and how Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime Minister, promoted a pseudo-secular environment. BR Ambedkar, Sardar Vallabhai Patel and many other stalwarts could however foresee that this approach would jeopardise the future of democratic India, but Jawaharlal Nehru failed to listen to reason. In this book, Thoughts on Pakistan, which offers the most reasoned and logical dissection of the Hindu-Muslim question, Ambedkar warned the Congress of the terrible consequences of appeasement. He said, "Appeasement amounted to offering to buy off the aggressor by conniving at or collaborating with him in the rape, murder and arson on innocent Hindus who happen for the moment to be the victims of his displeasure. On the other hand, settlement means laying down the bounds which neither party to it can transgress. Appeasement sets no limits to the demands and aspirations of the aggressor. Settlement does.The second thing the Congress has failed to realise is that the policy of concession has increased their aggressiveness and what is worse, the Muslims interpretthese concessions as a sign of defeatism on the part of the Hindus and the absence of will to resist. This policy of appeasement

will involve the Hindus in the same fearful situation in which the allies found themselves as a result of the policy of appeasement which they adopted towards Hitler." While many opposed partition, Ambedkar favoured the creation of a separate Islamic state - Pakistan. This would constitute "a settlement" that could end the Hindu-Muslim problem in the subcontinent. Since it was believed that 90 per cent of the Muslims in undivided India supported the creation of a separate Muslim state, Ambedkar presumed that once Pakistan was established, it would result in a fairly comprehensive exchange of population and, "consequently, it will do away with this constant need of appeasement and ought to be welcomed by all those who prefer the peace and tranquility of a settlement to the insecurity of a growing political appetite shown by the Muslims in their dealings with the Hindus". Despite his prescience, Ambedkar failed to gauge the damage that pseudo-secularism and minorityism would do to the idea of a free, secular, democratic India. As we all know, the comprehensive exchange of population did not happen. Instead, the Congress began seeing the Muslims as a reliable vote-bank. After Nehru, it was the turn of Indira Gandhi to carry on the policy of appeasement in order to garner Muslim votes. After her, Rajiv Gandhi carried on the family tradition and took that fateful decision to amend the law to upturn the judicial verdict that granted Muslim women the right to seek maintenance under existing provisions of the law. This he did under pressure from the mullahs, and since then Muslim appeasement has become the cornerstone of Congress's policies and is being emulated by a dozen other political parties who see the

Muslims as a vote-bank. Also, both Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi had no compunctions in aligning with Muslim communal parties like the Muslim League and Owaisi's MIM. These developments over the last 20 years have led to increased aggression by some Muslim leaders, who are injecting hatred into the Muslim youth towards the Hindus and using every opportunity to disturb communal harmony. That is why Muslim youth senselessly vandalised the Amar Jawan Jyoti in Mumbai and resorted to similar vandalisation in Lucknow and other places. Now, Akbaruddin Owaisi has come on the scene, spewing hatred towards Hindus. If the Indian state fails to come down with a heavy hand against persons like Owaisi, one will see steady deterioration in the communal environment, leading to bloodshed and great harm to poor innocent people of both communities. In this context, one is reminded of the memorable advice of the famous leader and once British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Deprecating the British policy of appeasement of Germany before the outbreak of World War II, he had said: "Still, if you will not fight for the right when you can easily win without bloodshed; if you will not fight when your victory will be sure and not too costly; you may come to the moment when you will have to fight with all the odds against you and only a small chance of survival." Every Indian citizen who values the liberal, democratic environment must pay heed to Churchill's words of caution on the issue of appeasement and take the enemies of democracy and our Constitution head on without any loss of time. Otherwise, democratic India will find all the odds stacked against it and very little chance of survival.

status of a special state?

of Punjabi's settled there who don't allow local hooligans to muddle routine with rare rowdiness. Also most of the people in Jammu are employed (selfemployed to be precise) and keep themselves busy for any transgression. But then what made Kashmir so disposed to petty larceny? Many of us were taken aback when Kashmiris burnt the Indian flag on 15th Aug in 2008 while hoisting the Pakistani flag a day before in Srinagar. Should that be taken as a clear indication of their edginess to set themselves free from India and merge with Pakistan or is it a camouflaged act bamboozling both the countries thereby establishing as an autonomous state? The BSF, the military and the para-military forces are constantly vigilant in the region, preventing militancy. Each day there is news of martyrdom of some defence person fighting intruders or slewed with stones by some protestors. Do incidents like these in other states make such headlines? Everyday, there is a case of rape or physical harassment in some part of the country but why is Kashmir's episode always a hit? Are people in other states not as valuable as Kashmiri's? One of my college mates is from Kashmir and his anti-Indian dialogues can instigate any fanatic chauvinist to eradicate such minds. He shares that the impertinence of military men in the region towards women is very much overdosed and they find it amusing to handpick females and commit horrendous crimes. To some extent it is true, but it is also true that things like these are always presented with exaggeration. And why must always the defence men be blamed when the government itself is equally lazy in arriving at a quick and true

Mohnish Bagree: e are driven by five genetic needs: survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun. And the only way to deal with an unfree world is to become so absolutely free that your very existence is an act of rebellion." There are 27 states in India and also there is Jammu and Kashmir. A state with so many tags attached to it ranging from 'land of militancy', controversial state and ofcourse, a special state. The image projected so far by every mode of communication spills the beans Kashmir is the most pampered state of India and by India and invariably the most privileged. Kashmir is the only state in India which enjoys special autonomy under Article 370 of the Constitution of India according to which, no law enacted by the Parliament of India, except for those in the field of defence, communication and foreign policy, will be extendable in Jammu and Kashmir unless it is ratified by the state legislature of Jammu and Kashmir. Subsequently, jurisdiction of the Supreme Court of India over Jammu and Kashmir has been extended. Jammu and Kashmir is also the only Indian state that has its own flag and constitution, and Indians from other states cannot purchase land or property in the state. Sometimes, it seems too obvious to call Kashmir a much pampered state, always in demand by father-son democracies, India and Pakistan respectively, and still hit in the news for almost all mishaps. Or is it just India's poor governance that never let the agitation settle down in the region? Also the question why Jammu compared to Kashmir is quieter and safer? One reason generic in sense for calling Jammu a better place than Kashmir is that there are lot

decisions for cases like these; the Shopian case is still a smoking example. Too much relaxation in the prices of routine items and no intervention in the local businesses from any other state leave the state to enjoy the luxury of utilizing the resources thoughtlessly; Kashmir is undoubtedly the 'entry-restricted' paradise of India. And as a result, the frequent protests against the Indian government, proneness to militancy, the constant attention from security forces and, yet, the unsatisfied people have always tickled minds to envy the state for all the reasons. What if J&K too is made a normal state just like Pakistan has kept the PoK? The step will only help the existing situation to improve. Hyderabad too has Muslim population but it is hardly upset because of communalism and it is India's one of the most developed states. Permitting people from other states to start businesses there will generate employment for the locals which as of now is a threatning problem in the region especially in Kashmir. Also the interaction with the rest of India may adjust the thinking of the local people. The issue of Kashmir for Pakistan will never die out and she will never accept it as a part of India. India has already been doing much to win the hearts of Kashmir people and in the process has lost many of its soldiers. A lot of luxury has been enjoyed and now it's time to realize that too much pampering always spoils a child. Make Kashmir a normal state and let people learn from people and not by the administration. Sometimes it is required to give a second thought if Punishment is the last and the least effective instrument in the hands of the legislator for the prevention of crimes.

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NATIONAL

Centre to consider Gorkhaland model to solve Telangana issue

NEW DELHI/ HYDERABAD: Amid concerns that the creation of Telangana could fan fire in other states, the Centre is considering the Gorkhaland model for Andhra Pradesh. Highly-placed sources said the UPA government is mulling setting up a Telangana Territorial Administration. If the government makes up its mind on such a move, then it would have to further amend Article 371 (D) which would require a two-third majority approval of Parliament, reports said. The Article has already provided a special status for 10 backward districts of the Telangana region, it said. Sources said the Telangana Territorial Administration, on expected to announce a decision on Te l a n g a n a b e f o r e January 28 the deadline set by Union H o m e Minister Sushilkumar the lines of Gorkhaland, could be created without splitting the state of Andhra Pradesh. The Telangana Territorial Administration would be an autonomous body with which will have greater financial and administrative powers. Further, it would be administered by an elected chief executive and members of the council. The government is Shinde. The decision could come before January 28 as the Home Minister is due to leave for a Bangladesh visit on January 27. By treading the middle path, the Centre is seeking to ensure peace prevails in both Telangana and Seemandhra regions. It may also choose to call the move an experiment. The Telangana decision would also help calm tempers in West Bengal where the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration has already warned of restarting its movement for a separate state. If the government carves out a separate state from Andhra Pradesh, the same could have a cascading effect in West Bengal. A panel set up by the Union government to look into the Telangana issue too had suggested a similar move. "The united Andhra option is being suggested for continuing the development momentum of the three regions and keeping in mind the national perspective. With firm political and administrative management it should be possible to convey conviction to the people that this option would be in the best interest of all and would provide satisfaction to the maximum number of the people in the State. "It would also take care of the uncertainty over the future of Hyderabad as a bustling, educational, industrial and IT hub/destination. For management of water and irrigation resources on an equitable basis, a technical body, i.e., Water Management Board and an Irrigation Project Development Corporation in expanded role have been recommended. The above course of action should meet all the issues raised by Telangana people satisfactorily," the Committee had stated in its report.

MUMBAI: The Income Tax Department on Tuesday conducted on-field enquiry at nine locations of BJP president Nitin Gadkari's Purti Group related companies. The enquiry was being conducted at locations in Mumbai. The development came a day after Gadkari, who was asked by the Income Tax Department to appear before it yesterday in connection with the probe into alleged dubious investments in Purti Group of Companies, sought more time to present his case. Citing his preoccupation with party work as the reason for his inability to appear before the tax authorities, he had sought fresh time, official sources said. They said he has now been asked to appear on Feb 1.

Gadkari's Purti Group SC to examine under I-T scanner, again Radia tapes for suspected criminality
The I-T Department had earlier issued summons for appearance to Gadkari in the second half of this month as the taxman was probing alleged tax evasion case against him and his group of companies. The department has been probing various firms that invested in Gadkari's company Purti Power and Sugar Limited (PPSL). The department, according to sources, has allegedly found the details of almost 30 companies that have been "in transactions" with PPSL. NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court will examine the tapes containing phone calls made from and to corporate lobbyist Nira Radia for suspected criminality. In its previous hearing, the Supreme Court stated that conversations will be picked at random from any of the 48 envelopes containing the transcripts of over 5,000 calls. The CBI will probe the matter if the court finds any criminality in the conversations. Excerpts from the tapes earlier leaked in the media had sparked a political storm with the conversations bringing out the nature of corporate lobbying and also its purported impact on politics. The court took on record the transcripts of entire taped conversations which have been put in 38 sealed envelopes in addition to the 10 already placed before it earlier. "We will go through the envelopes (containing the transcripts) to decide what course of action can be taken," a Bench of Justice GS Singhvi and Justice SJ Mukhopadhaya said.

Never said I'll beat up prime minister: Mamata SC to hear plea Wednesday to shift gang-rape trial
ing our financial position. I can only meet and talk to him in a democratic way. I cannot beat him," she said here. "What is wrong? I never said I'll beat him. Check out what I have said. Do not try to mislead people by distorting facts," she said. While criticising the central government for hike in fertiliser prices, Banerjee, at a rally Monday, said: "I personally met the prime minister at least 10 times. What else can I do? Shall I go beat him up? Then people will call me a 'goonda'. Anyway, they call me that. But I don't care. I can go to the very last for the people." The comment was widely criticised with the Congress demanding an apology from her for using "undemocratic language to hurt the prime minister". "This kind of words from a chief minister while taking about the prime minister is totally unacceptable. We demand an immediate apology. We will launch a statewide protest," Minister of State for Urban Development Deepa Dasmunshi said. NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court said that it would hear Wednesday a petition by one of the accused in the Dec 16, 2012, gang-rape seeking the transfer of the trial outside Delhi. Accused Mukesh sought the shifting of the case to Mathura in Uttar Pradesh or any other state, as he apprehended he would not get free and fair trial in the city. Earlier, Monday the Supreme Court had said it would hear the petition Tuesday but could not take up the matter due to lack of time. The case came before it Tuesday just before the lunch break, so it was not able to take it up. An apex court bench of Chief Justice Altamas Kabir, Justice J. Chelameswar and Justice Vikramajit Sen directed the listing of the matter Wednesday. The trial in the case commenced in a fast track court in Saket in south Delhi Monday. The petition said that Mukesh did not expect a free and fair trial in Delhi as the judiciary was under tremendous pressure because of personal interest shown by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit and others. Besides the public pressure and unending public agitations over the incident, the petition drew the apex court's attention to some of the statements made by the serving and retired judges of the higher judiciary who sought changes in the law for an expeditious trial of rape accused. The petition said the attitude of police and jail authorities was totally biased against the petitioner. Ram Singh, Mukesh, Pawan Gupta, Vinay Sharma and Akshay Thakur were charged with gang-raping and brutally assaulting a 23-year-old woman in a moving bus Dec 16. The victim died in a Singapore hospital Dec 29.

KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Tuesday denied saying anything about beating up the prime minister and blamed the media for "distorting facts". "What have I said? I only said I went to meet the Prime Minister (Manmohan Singh) several times regard-

Shutdown in Hyderabad to protest MIM leader's arrest

HYDERABAD: A shutdown is being observed in Hyderabad and in some other parts of Andhra Pradesh on Tuesday to protest Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi's arrest in a sevenyear-old case. Shops, business establishments and educational institutions remained closed in the old city and other Muslim-majority areas in Hyderabad. State-owned Road Transport Corporation (RTC) suspended majority of its bus services while auto-rickshaws were also off the roads. The usually busy markets around historic Charminar wore a deserted look. Police and paramilitary Sangareddy and other towns, banning assembly of five or more people. MIM general secretary Ahmed Pasha Khadri said the party has not called for shutdown but it was people in districts and towns who were voluntarily keeping their shops and business establishments closed to show solidarity with Owaisi. Police also tightened security in Nirmal town of Adilabad district, where Asaduddin Owaisi's younger brother Akbaruddin Owaisi will be produced before the court in hate speech case. As his 14-day judicial custody is ending on Tuesday, the police would produce him before the magistrate.

India committed to TAPI gas pipeline, affirms President

NEW DELHI: President Pranab Mukherjee Tuesday said India is fully committed to implement the Turkmenistan-AfghanistanPakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline project by August 2017. "India is deficient in energy resources whereas Turkmenistan is rich in hydrocarbon resources. Our common endeavour should be to build enduring ties between our two friendly countries based on a long-term energy partnership," Mukherjee said when Rashid Meredov, deputy prime minister and foreign minister of Turkmenistan, called on him at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Turkmenistan, which holds more than 4 per cent of the world's natural gas reserves, is emerging as a potential partner in India's quest for energy security with the project advancing rapidly since the visit of President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov to New Delhi in 2010. State-run gas firm GAIL last year signed a gas purchase agreement with Turkmenistan's national oil firm for supplies through a transnational pipeline. Billed as "Peace Pipeline", the 1,680-km TAPI pipeline will have a capacity to carry 90 million cubic metres a day (mcmd) gas for a 30-year period and will be operational in 2018. "This project is mutually beneficial for economic reasons. It is also important for bringing peace and development to our common region," said Mukherjee. The president thanked Turkmenistan for its support for India's candidature for permanent membership of an expanded UN Security Council. Meredov responded warmly, describing India as a long standing friend and partner of Turkmenistan both in bilateral cooperation as well as in multilateral fora.

forces were deployed in the communally sensitive areas to prevent any untoward incident. Parts of Hyderabad and several towns in Telangana had also observed a shutdown on Monday after Asaduddin Owaisi was sent to jail for 14 days by a court in Sangareddy town of Medak district. He and other MIM leaders were booked in

2005 for preventing officials from demolishing a place of worship for road expansion. A non-bailable warrant was pending against the MP. A shutdown is being observed in Sangareddy and other towns of Medak district, Karimnagar, Adilabad and other districts in Telangana and also in Anantapur in Rayalaseema region. Sporadic incidents of vio-

lence were reported from different parts of Hyderabad on Monday. Some unidentified persons attacked a RTC bus in Bahadurpura in the old city on Monday night and tried to set it afire. The bus driver was injured in the incident. As a precautionary measure, police imposed prohibitory orders in old Hyderabad,

Rehman Malik urges India Clear stand on forming new government, JMM asks Congress Govt committed to growth Supreme Court show any interest," the leader after withto reconsider suspension RANCHI: The JMM, the BJP-led Supriyo Bhattacharya told reporters yet toBandhu Tirkey, an independ- of Sanskrit: HRD Min Raju bar tourists in here Tuesday. Another JMM leader said. drawing support from government in Jharkhand, Tuesday said that the Congress was "playing ent legislator, said Congress leaders NEW DELHI: Human Resources Development Jarawa habitats of new visa scheme had said an alternative government Minister M M Palam Raju has suggested that attacked the Congress for not help- politics". of Andaman "The Congress is playing poli- would be formed after the party's Sanskrit education be made more relevant by ing it form an alternative govt. The ISLAMABAD: Pakistan tiative as a great step forInterior Minister Rehman Malik has asked India to reconsider the suspension of the new visa regime for elderly people as the scheme was initiated to facilitate citizens of both the countries. Malik requested Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Indian counterpart Sushil Kumar Shinde to reconsider the suspension of the new visa regime, saying the whole effort should not go down the drain, the reports said. People had termed the iniward in the direction of providing compassion to the members of divided families, especially elderly people of 65 years and above age to meet their relatives and friends. In the first phase, the enforcement of new visa regime for elderly persons was scheduled to start from January 15. However, the Indian government had suspended the scheme, citing technical glitches only hours after officials said it began on Tuesday. state is currently under president's rule and the assembly in suspended animation. "The Congress should make it clear what it wants -- a democratic government or a rule by retired bureaucrats as advisers of the governor," Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) general secretary tics and (it) seems it is trying to rule the state from behind the curtain through president's rule," the leader, who did not wish to be named, said. "Congress leaders announced to help form an alternative government after the fall of the Arjun Munda government but they have 'Chintan Shivir' (brainstorming session) in Jaipur and at the end of religious festival Kharmas. "Now both have ended," he said. The 28month-old BJP-led government in the state fell Jan 8 after JMM withdrew its support on disagreement over sharing of power. synthesizing the best practices of gurukul system with modern democratic values. Addressing the fourth convocation of Rashtriya Sanskrit Sansthan in New Delhi, he said the government is fully committed to the growth and development of the language. He said the recommendations of the expert committee under former Supreme Court judge Dr Mukundakam Sharma for the development of Sanskrit are being considered for implementation. Lauding the role of Sanskrit, Mr Raju said that it is not just a language, but a cradle in which culture and civilization have been merged. He said the ancient language has travelled beyond boundaries of India and significantly contributed to development of world culture. NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court has restrained tourists from using South AndamanTrunk Road passing through Jarawa tribal habitat in the island. A bench headed by Justice G S Singhvi said that only government officials and people living there would be allowed to use the road. The bench directed the administration to file an affidavit along with a detailed map indicating the area of the Jarawa tribals and posted the matter for further hearing on February 26th. The apex court had on July 3rd last year banned all kinds of commercial and tourism activities within five km radius around the Jarawa Tribal Reserve in Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It had upheld the notification to declare an area upto five km radius around the tribal reserve as 'Buffer Zone' and prohibits entry of any person other than a member of the aboriginal tribe into it.

Bounced cheque cases: SC seeks Centre & states' response on speedy disposal
NEW DELHI: Expressing concern over huge backlog of cheque bounce cases in various courts, the Supreme Court has sought response from the Centre and all the state governments to a plea for framing guidelines for their speedy disposal. While seeking responses of various governments, a bench of Justices K S Radhakrishnan and Deepak Misra said it is very serious issue. The court gave the order while hearing a PIL filed by Indian Bank Association, which sought directions for speedy trial of cheque bounce cases alleging that there are around fifty lakh such cases pending in various courts.

Owaisi's judicial custody extended till Feb 5

HYDERABAD: An Andhra Pradesh court Tuesday extended MIM leader Akbaruddin Owaisi's judicial custody till Feb 5 in a hate speech case. As the Majlis-eIttehadul Muslimeen (MIM) legislator's 14-day custody was ending Tuesday, the police produced him in the Munsif magistrate's court in Nirmal, about 200 km from here. The court extended his judicial remand by another two weeks. The MIM leader was later shifted back to district jail in Adilabad town, about 90 km from Nirmal. Police had made elaborate security arrangements around the court to prevent any untoward incident. Prohibitory orders banning assembly of five or more people were also imposed in the town. Owaisi was arrested by the police Jan 8 for making a hate speech at a public meeting at Nirmal on Dec 22. The next day, he was sent to judicial custody. The police also questioned the legislator for four days. A member of assembly from Chandrayangutta constituency in Hyderabad, Owaisi is facing charges of sedition, waging war against nation and criminal conspiracy. The MIM leader was booked by the police Jan 3 after some citizens moved courts in Hyderabad, seeking action against him for allegedly making derogatory comments about Hindu gods. The young legislator, who was away in London, returned Jan 7. He is also facing police cases for making provocative speech at Nizamabad town Dec 8. Cases were also booked against Owaisi in several police stations in Hyderabad, Ranga Reddy and other districts on complaints lodged by individuals.

Uddhav set to take over as Shiv Sena president

MUMBAI: On the 87th birth anniversary of the late Shiv Sena supremo Bal Thackeray Wednesday, his son Uddhav Thackeray will take over as the new party president, the party said. Uddhav Thackeray, 52, party's executive president will be formally elected as the new party chief at a meeting of top office-bearers January 23, a senior party official said. Despite a clamour for giving an important post to Uddhav Thackeray's taking over as party president, the late Shiva Sena patriarch will continue to be known as 'pramukh' (supremo), the party official added. The Shiv Sena was founded over four decades ago by Bal Thackeray, who passed away November 17 at the age of 86. Uddhav Thackeray was named party's de facto chief after the demise of Bal Thackeray.

Thackeray's son, Aditya, the party said that the prospects are limited as he is already heading Yuva Sena, the party's youth wing. Even after Uddhav

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INTERNATIONAL & ECONOMY

The decision to release the prisoners is a goodwill gesture towards India. The Interior Minister has directed Director FIA Karachi to have the fishermen sign an affidavit stating that they will not violate Pakistani waters prior to releasing them. Meanwhile India has also announced that four Pakistani fishermen will be released on Wednesday. PHILIPPINES: The Philippines has asked an international tribunal to intervene in its longstanding South China Sea territorial dispute with China and declare that Beijing's claims are invalid, the government said on Tuesday. Manila asked the tribunal of the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) to order a halt to China's activities that the Philippines says violates the Southeast Asian nation's sovereignty. China's claims over islands, reefs and atolls in resource-rich waters off its south coast and to the east of mainland Southeast Asia set it directly against U.S. allies Vietnam and the Philippines, while Brunei, Taiwan and Malaysia also lay claim to parts. "The Philippines has exhausted almost all political and diplomatic avenues for a peaceful negotiated settlement of its maritime dispute with China," Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert Del said. To this day, a solution is still elusive. We hope that the arbitral proceedings shall bring this dispute to a durable solution," he said. But it was not clear how the tribunal can help. While all its decisions are binding on countries concerned, it has no power to enforce them. China, in response, restated its claims to the territory and dismissed any need for external intervention. State news agency Xinhua quoted Ma Keqing, China's ambassador to the Philippines, as saying that China "has indisputable sovereignty" over the South China Sea islands and adjacent waters. "The Chinese side strongly holds that the disputes on the South China Sea should be settled by parties concerned through negotiations," Ma was quoted as saying after meeting a senior Philippine diplomat. The Philippines has previously sought the support of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on the territorial dispute, with ASEAN agreeing to ask China to start

7
talks on a code of conduct. But Beijing says it wants to address the disputes via bilateral talks. Its relations with Tokyo are also under strain after the Japanese government bought disputed islands from a private Japanese owner in September, triggering violent protests and calls for boycotts of Japanese products across China. Manila said that any joint development with China should respect Philippine laws. A unit of Philippine firm Philex Petroleum Corp is hoping to resume talks with Chinese state-owned offshore oil producer CNOOC on joint exploration of oil and gas fields in the South China Sea.

Pak orders release of all Indian fisherman

KARACHI: Pakistan has ordered the release of all Indian fishermen imprisoned in the country. According to the Interior Ministry, all imprisoned fishermen in Pakistan will be released along with their ships, adding that the process will begin soon. Interior Minister Malik said Indian fishermen had been warned not to violate

Philippines seeks U.N. help to resolve maritime row with China

the territorial waters of

Pakistan.

16 killed in spate of Iraq car bombs

Israelis vote in general elections

ISRAEL: Voting has begun in Israel's general elections, which are expected to return Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu to a third term with a smaller majority in a coalition government of rightwing and religious parties. Security has been tightened across the country for Tuesday's polls, which began at 7am (5:00GMT), and more than 20,000 police officers have been deployed to secure the vote. Opinion polls predict that Netanyahu's Likud party, which has forged an electoral pact with the ultra-nationalist Yisrael Beitenu group, will take the most seats in the parliamentary election. But no Israeli party has ever secured an absolute majority, meaning that Netanyahu, who says that dealing with Iran's nuclear ambitions is his top priority, will have to bring various allies on board to control the 120-seat Knesset. Netanyahu has vowed to pursue the Jewish settlement of lands seized during the 1967 Middle East war if he stays in power, a policy that would push Israel away from peace with the Palestinians, put it at odds with Washington, and deepen the country's international isolation. The next government is also facing challenges at home, including a major budget crisis and looming austerity cuts which are likely to exacerbate already widespread discontent over spiralling prices and the cost of living.

Snow grounds hundreds of flights across Europe

LONDON: Hundreds of flights were cancelled and hazardous roads and railways disrupted traffic and caused countless accidents across Europe on Monday as heavy snow and freezing weather gripped the continent. Frankfurt airport, Germany's main air hub, cancelled around 500 departing and arriving flights, representing 40% of its daily schedule. The busiest airport in Europe, London Heathrow, scrapped more than 200 flights. Heathrow said a decision was taken 24 hours in advance to cancel 130 flights due to predicted poor visibility, but problems elsewhere in Europe were having an impact too. "The additional cancellations are because a number of airports elsewhere in Europe are experiencing problems so that has a knock-on effect for us," an airport spokesman said. Freezing rain and snow in skidded off the road, overturned and caught fire at a motorway exit near Bruges, expected to scrap 40% of flights to and from Charles de Gaulle and Paris's other main airport, Orly, as a precautionary measure following heavy snowfall on Sunday. Even Munich, a city usually accustomed to taking snow in its stride, cancelled 161 flights at its airport as it grappled with the exceptional conditions. In Spain, flights bound for Paris, Munich and Frankfurt were hit, leading to the cancellation of 16 flights to and from Barcelona. In Moscow, unusually heavy snowfall of almost 50cm caused traffic jams but did not affect flights at its airports, which are wellequipped for snowstorms. The snowfall over the last four days in the Russian capital exceeded the average for the whole month of January, said Moscow Deputy Mayor Pyotr Biryukov.

BAGHDAD: A series of car bombs in and around Baghdad killed at least 16 people and wounded dozens of others on Tuesday, security and medical officials said. The blasts struck an Iraqi army checkpoint south of Baghdad, a military base north of the capital, and a mostly Shiite neighbourhood in north Baghdad, the officials said. In the deadliest attack, six people were killed when a car bomb was detonated near an army camp in the town of Taji, 25 kilometres (15 miles) north of Baghdad, an army officer and a medical official said. At least 20 other people were wounded. South of the capital in the town

of Mahmudiyah, at least five people were killed and 14 others wounded by a suicide car bomb, officials said. And a car bomb near a market in the north Baghdad neighbourhood of Shuala killed five people and wounded 12. No group claimed responsibility, but Sunni militants often launch attacks in a bid to destabilise the government and push Iraq back towards the sectarian violence that blighted it from 2005 to 2008. Tuesday's violence came after four days of relative calm in Iraq following a spate of attacks claimed by Al-Qaeda's front group that left at least 88 people dead on January 15-17, according to an AFP tally.

also led to treacherous conditions on railways and roads, triggering numerous accidents. In southwestern Germany, police recorded more than 1,000 weather-related accidents and in the northeast, near Berlin, an entire section of motorway was shut to traffic. In Belgium, three people died and two others were seriously injured when a minibus they were travelling

local authorities said. One woman died in the southern English coastal town of Deal after collapsing in the snow. When asked how many flights would be affected, the spokesman added: "we can only wait and see what happens tonight." Europe's number three airport, Paris's Charles de Gaulle, was also hit. France's civil aviation authority DGAC said it

ECONOMY

With GAAR 'ghost' buried, Chidambaram woos foreign investors India raises import duty on raw gold to 5%
HONG KONG: India has buried the "ghost" of GAAR, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said on Tuesday asserting that there is no threat of a rating downgrade in view of key economic decisions like allowing FDI in multi-brand retail and hiking fuel prices. He said there is revival of investor interest in India as a result of a number of measures taken by the government since September. Chidambaram was also hopeful that fiscal deficit will be contained within the targeted 5.3 per cent of the GDP this fiscal and trimmed to 4.8 per cent in the next. Growth is likely to climb to 6-7 per cent from 5.7 per cent expected in the current year, he said. "There is universal acknowledgement that we have handled the GAAR situation fairly effectively and buried the ghost that GAAR will be some kind of a monster," he said. On a day's visit for an investor conference, the Finance Minister said as expected investors raised issues relating to the controversial provision of GAAR that was introduced in the 2012-13 Budget by his predburied the ghost that GAAR will be some kind of a monster," he said. Kicking off his campaign to woo investment, an opportunity to explain the economic situation in India, the steps we are taking to put the economy on high growth path," he said. "We are undeniably growing faster," he said pointing that out only China and Indonesia are ahead of India. "But this growth is not sufficient for us. We need to accelerate it. So I told them steps we are taking to accelerate growth," he said. He said the first step in that direction is fiscal consolidation and commitment to the path of fiscal prudence. "At that at the end of this year, we will achieve the target of 5.3 percent of fiscal deficit and next year I will budget for fiscal deficit no more than 4.8 percent," he said. He said he has also explained to the international investors the number of measures taken in this regard. "I thought it was a fruitful conference. I could get a sense of the concerns of investors. Happily many of the concerns were addressed in the last three of four months," he said. NEW DELHI: India more than doubled the import duty on gold dore bars and ores on Tuesday, hard on the heels of a hike in taxes on refined gold, as the government tries to curb demand in the world's biggest importer of bullion and rein in a record current account deficit. India, whose gold imports total about 800 tonnes a year, hiked the import duty on gold dore bars to 5 percent from 2 percent. Dore, an alloy of gold and silver that is used by refineries to produce pure gold, accounts for about 100 tonnes of annual imports. The move came one day after the government increased import tax on gold to 6 percent from 4 percent, aiming at closing the gap on import duties on bullion bars and dore, which had become an attractive import since last year after the government hiked tax on gold imports to 4 percent. "It was a duty arbitrage that they have plugged," said Shekhar Bhandari, executive vice president of treasury at Kotak Mahindra Bank. "Otherwise people would not import through normal channels but import dore bars." "There won't be much impact. Dore imports will increase day by day. The difference of one percent will attract refiners," said Harmesh Arora, director with the Bombay Bullion Association, a trade body. Arora said refiners have been trying to tap small miners in Ghana, Kenya and other African countries for dore bars Gold mines often process their gold-bearing ore on site and send dore bars to gold refineries to be processed into tradeable bars of high purity at 99.5 percent gold content or more. "If there is 700 tonnes of imports for the Indian market, this can be totally converted into dore market," said Arora. India's total annual gold consumption is about 9001,000 tonnes and the difference is made up mostly from recycling. Rising imports of gold have worried the government, which is battling a record high current account deficit. It is trying to curb gold imports to about $38 billion in the year to March 31, 2013, down from $58 billion a year earlier.

Economic scenario likely to improve: Survey

NEW DELHI: India's economic situation is expected to change for better in the coming months, although the fiscal deficit target set by the government seems to be unachievable in the current scenario, a survey has said. The latest round of the survey connotes that economic situation has somewhat turned better in the last six months. Further, there is an expectation of situation to be much better in the short to medium term horizon at both industry as well as firm level," it said. Majority of respondents said they expect their sales volumes to be higher in the following quarter and investments are also expected to be somewhat constant in the coming six months, the survey said. In reference to the recent approval given to multi-brand retail, it stated that the industry believes that while the measure would have a positive impact on farmers, consumers, rural youth, employment and in reducing inflation, it would negatively affect small retailers and SMEs. Further, the survey said, factors affecting business were poor infrastructure, high cost of credit and increasing raw material prices. It also noted the concerns of the respondents over the precarious fiscal deficit scenario of the government. "Rising fiscal deficit has been a major cause of concern not only for the policy makers but also for the industry," Assocham Secretary General D S Rawat said. The survey showed that majority of the respondents firmly believed that the fiscal deficit target set by the government is not achievable in the current scenario, he said. The government hopes to restrict fiscal deficit at 5.3 per cent of the GDP in the current fiscal year in view of savings on certain expenditure and the likelihood of garnering budgeted proceeds from disinvestment and spectrum sale. The government had earlier enhanced the fiscal deficit target from 5.1 per cent to 5.3 per cent.

ecessor. The General AntiAvoidance Rules (GAAR) gave unbridled powers to taxmen to check evasion of taxes by foreign investors that created huge apprehensions among investors. On specific questions on GAAR and I took some time in explaining all the measures we have made to GAAR and told them how market has received it very well here. There is universal acknowledgement that we have handled the GAAR situation fairly effectively and

Chidambaram met over 200 top investors at the "India for Investment Conference" organized by the Citibank and BNP Paribas. He made a strong case for their investment assuring that all their concerns were being addressed and that the government has taken measures to contain fiscal deficit. "It is a very well attended meeting. Virtually everybody who is anybody in the financial sector was here including wealth funds, sovereign funds, banks asset management companies. It gave me

Diesel price changes up to government: Chidambaram Sensex below 20,000 on profit taking; realty stocks hit
NEWDELHI: Changes to diesel prices in India do not need parliamentary support and are viewed as an executive decision because oil companies are owned by the government, Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said on Tuesday. Chidambaram made the comments at a media briefing after meeting investors in Hong Kong in a drive to try and boost capital flows into Asia's third-largest economy. The minister also said there was no case whatsoever for any credit rating agencies to downgrade India, as the government scrambles to avoid such a blow to financial markets and investor confidence. India allowed state fuel retailers to raise prices last week to gradually align them with market rates. The plan aims to prop up public finances without triggering a popular backlash ahead of 2014 elections as the government struggles to rein in fuel subsidies and hold down its fiscal deficit. Fitch Ratings earlier this month reiterated its "negative" outlook on India's sovereign credit rating, citing concerns about slowing economic growth, persistent inflationary pressures and an uncertain fiscal outlook. The comments from Fitch sovereign analyst Art Woo sent the rupee lower, reinforcing worries that India is still at risk of losing its investment-grade rating from the credit agency. Although Woo described India's fiscal and economic reforms last year as a "step in the right direction," he also expressed concern that the government would miss its fiscal deficit target for the year, while saying the structural reform process was "sluggish." Fitch and Standard and Poor's last year cut their ratings outlooks for India to "negative", putting India in danger of being the first of the BRICS grouping of fast-growing economies to be downgraded to "junk" status. MUMBAI:Indian stock markets slipped below key psychological levels on the back of profit taking on Tuesday. The BSE Sensex traded below the 20,000 mark while the Nifty slipped below 6,100 after hitting the key level for the first time since January 2011. Some analysts attributed profit taking and consolidation for the weakness as markets had been gaining for the last three sessions. Weakness in global markets also weighed on traders. The BSE Sensex traded 109 points or 0.54 per cent lower at 19,993 while the Nifty fell 31 points to 6,051. The rupee, which had closed in near three-month high against the dollar, pared gains and traded at 53.75. High beat realty stocks such as DLF (down 2.5 per cent) led the declines. Consumer durables and capital goods sectors traded with 1-2 per cent cut on the BSE. On the Nifty, 37 shares traded lower led by gas utility Gail India (down 4.5 per cent). Aluminium maker Hindalco, drug maker Ranbaxy and Tata Motors shares traded 2-2.5 per cent lower. Asian Paints was the top Nifty gainer, up nearly 3 per cent followed by power producer NTPC, which had reported strong earnings yesterday. Kotak Mahindra Bank traded 1.7 per cent higher as net profit rose 25 per cent compared to year ago. FMCG major HUL shares traded 0.6 per cent higher ahead of Q3 earnings.

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MISC

Pacers may exploit cold conditions in Fourth ODI

NEW DELHI: The prevailing extreme cold conditions in north India may affect the fourth India-England One-day International in Mohali on Wednesday with the nearby Shivalik and other ranges currently covered with snow. Due to the adverse conditions the ground is looking brownish, which is starkly different from the traditional lush green outfield at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) Stadium, said a top official. "Due to cold conditions, pacers are expected to exploit the conditions that will help them move the ball appreciably" It has been snowing on the Shivalik and other hills, which are close to Mohali, in the last few days and that has hampered the pitch and ground preparation. In Mohali, it could be worse for batsmen Mohali will host its second successive ODI against England. India won the previous game in October 2011. India lead the current five-match series 2-1.

Australia-New Zealand women's T20I series tied 1-1

MELOURNE: The Women's T20 International series between Australia and New Zealand is tied at 1-1 following the first two matches at Junction Oval today. New Zealand recorded a sixwicket win in the first T20 match of the day but Australia bounced back to post a five-wicket in the second match. Having lost the toss and being sent in to bat in the first match, Australia got off to a rough start, losing key early wickets. Opener Meg Lanning (76) proved the mainstay of the innings and posted her highest ever international T20 score. Alex Blackwell (29) also contributed well to help her side to a total of 151 for seven after their 20 overs. Morna Nielsen (2-25) and Frances Mackay (2-28) were the multiple wicket-takers for New Zealand. side reaching New Zealand's target with one ball to spare. Amy Satterthwaite (44), who was named player of the series in the recent Rose Bowl, again troubled the home side's bowlers, as did New Zealand captain Bates (32). Schutt (2-20) was the only multiple wicket-taker, while Erin Osborne (1-15) was also economical. New Zealand finished 132 for six at the end of their 20 overs. Lanning (64) was again a standout performer for the home side and enjoyed some good partnerships with Lisa Sthalekar (18) and Alex Blackwell (18). The Australian side surpassed the set target with one ball to spare. Sian Ruck (2-17) was the only multiple wicket-taker for New Zealand. Lanning was named player-ofthe-match for both of today's matches.

Saina aiming for top slot this year

Australia's Meg Lanning during her knock of 76. New Zealand captain and opener Suzie Bates again proved dangerous at the crease and notched 42 runs before being dismissed by Ellyse Perry (2-21). Bates was also well supported in the middle by Sophie Devine (39). Megan Schutt (1-20) and Renee Chappell (1-23) both claimed wickets on their international T20 debuts. The game came down to the wire, with New Zealand passing the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars' total with two balls to spare, finishing 152 for four. The second match also came down to the wire, with the home

Bhupathi-Petrova in quarter-finals
MELBOURNE : Veteran Mahesh Bhupathi entered the mixed doubles quarter-finals with partner Nadia Petrova of Russia after coming back from a set down to register a 3-6 6-2 105 win over Katarina Srebotnik of Slovakia and Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia at the Australian Open here today. The fifth seeded Indo-Russian pair suffered a scare in the first set before they got their act together to win the next two and dump their unseeded opponents in the second round match that lasted 64 minutes. Bhupathi and Petrova hit 34 winners as compared to only 16 by their rivals. Besides, they also managed to convert three out of six break points they faced, while saved three off five to pocket the match. In the quarter-final encounter, Bhupathi may face Leander, if he along with his Russian partner Elena Vesnina, win the second round match against the Australian pair of Jarmila Gajdosova and Matthew Ebden. Earlier, other Indians in Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza had already moved into the last eight stage of the mixed doubles event with their respective partners.

PCB might hire foreign security experts for T20 league

KARACHI : The Pakistan Cricket Board is considering the option of hiring foreign security experts to set up the security plan for the forthcoming Pakistan Super League T20 tournament which begins from March. A top official in the PSL secretariat confirmed that there was a proposal to hire foreign security experts to not only coordinate the security plan for the league but also ensure that ICC anti-corruption measures were put in place for the event which begins from March 26. "We will be in touch with the ICC to invite their anti-corruption unit officers to Pakistan to satisfy themselves that the league is well guarded against corrupt elements," the official said. "The proposal to have foreign security experts is being looked into keeping in mind that most of the T20 leagues being held these days have input for their security plans from foreign experts. We are looking into hiring these same people because of their prior experience," he said. The official said the proposal to have foreign security experts was being looked into also to send a clear message to the overseas players and cricket world that security measures for the league will be top class. The PSL will feature five franchises with a pool of 30 overseas players to be available for signing on by these franchise teams. The Pakistan Cricket Board is already apprehensive about the process of convincing foreign players to come to Pakistan and their respective boards to clear them for the PSL. "The statement coming from England from the professional players association is one indication about the difficulties we will face in this regard," the official said. The players' association representative in England has said they would ask counties to not give NOCs to players for the PSL because of security concerns about playing in Pakistan. Sources said the PCB is already in touch with other boards to convince them to support the PSL and make it a success. "Haroon Lorgat, the former CEO of the ICC, who has been hired by the PCB is also playing a role in contacting other boards and trying to convince them to allow their players to play in the PSL," he said.

MUMBAI: Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal, who became the world number 2 last week after a gap of two years, today said she is aiming for the top slot this year. "I am working hard and performances are coming. Now that I am number 2, I will definitely reach number 1, "There are so many tournaments this year. Almost 15-20 tournaments. The goal is to perform well in all the events and do well in the World Championships, which is important. World number 1 is also my aim, so hopefully I will achieve it. Let's see," she added. Asked how she keeps herself motivated, the Olympic bronze medalist said, "It's a difficult job to do. Chinese are really tough to play against. The number one is also Chinese, with almost 12,000 points more than me. It is not easy to become world number one. I will

try to do it. Nothing is impossible. "I have made many things possible, so I hope I can make this also possible. The amount of hard work which I put in my game is really important. Motivation comes from winning, and that is what keeps me going," she said. After creating history last year by winning the bronze medal at the London Olympics, Nehwal said she is carrying the momentum this year too. "It was a fantastic year. Won almost five tournaments. Won the Olympic bronze medal for the first time in Indian badminton history. It was such a wonderful year, it gave me lot of motivation to do well for this year as well. It has started well, performed well in the two tournaments," she said. "Indian badminton is coming up well. We have two top 10 players from India and (P V) Sindhu is number 16 now. So it is good that we are improving," she said.

Sharapova steamrolls into Aussie semi-finals

MELBOURNE: Maria Sharapova continued her perfect run in Australian Open quarter-finals by swatting aside Russian compatriot Ekaterina Makarova on Tuesday. Sharapova had not lost any of her previous five Australian Open quarter-final matches, a record she extended with ease against the 19thseeded Makarova with a 6-2 6-2 victory. The pair had met in the same round last year at Melbourne Park. The 24year-old Makarova had beaten 11th seed Marion Bartoli and fifth seed Angelique Kerber to make the quarter-

Google to kill passwords and bring physical keys embedded with smart chips: Report
Search giant Google is set to kill off passwords and is experimenting with USB keys, mobile phones and even jewelry that can act as a physical 'key' to give users access to their account. The firm's security experts including an Indian are set to publish their findings next month, Google Vice President of Security Eric Grosse and engineer Mayank Upadhyay will detail what is basically a physical key with a 'smart chip' embedded inside it. Along with many in the industry, we feel passwords and simple bearer tokens ded finger ring to authorise a new computer via a tap on the computer, even in situations in which your phone might be without cellular connectivity," the team writes. "One option uses a tiny USB key called a YubiKey. When the user plugs the key into a laptop, they are automatically logged into all of their Google accounts - without ever having to type in a password," they explain. "Another option uses a 'smartcard-embedded finger ring to authorize a new computer via a tap on the computer," they said. The firm is also believed to be addressing the obvious problem with the system users losing their 'key' and is thought to be developing a simple system to replace them. However, the pair admits that they will have to rely on websites to support the scheme. "Othe\s have tried similar approaches but achieved little success in the consumer world," they write. "Although we recognize that our initiative will likewise remain speculative until we've proven large scale acceptance, we're eager to test it with other websites," they say

finals, but was unable to stop Sharapova's rampant march through the tournament Sharapova has dropped just nine games in total, the fewest number conceded by a semi-finalist at the tournament. Monica Seles conceded just 12 games on her way

to the 1991 semi-finals. Sharapova, who won the Australian Open title in 2008, will now meet sixth seed Li Na in the semi-finals on Thursday after the Chinese upset fourth seed Agnieszka Radwanska 7-5 6-3 earlier on Rod Laver Arena.

such as cookies are no longer sufficient to keep users safe," the pair write in their paper, according to Wired. To log, users simply place the tiny Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive into their computer.

The firm is also believed to be experimenting with wireless chips that are already built into some mobile phones, and can even be built in jewelry. "We'd like your smartphone or smartcard-embed-

Researchers analyse 'rock dissolving' method of geoengineering

GERMANY: The benefits and side effects of dissolving particles in our ocean's surfaces to increase the marine uptake of carbon dioxide (CO2), and therefore reduce the excess amount of it in the atmosphere, have been analysed in a new study. The study, published Jan. 22 in IOP Publishing's journal Environmental Research Letters, assesses the impact of dissolving the naturally occurring mineral olivine and calculates how effective this approach would be in reducing atmospheric CO2. The researchers, from the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research in Bremerhaven, Germany, calculate that if three gigatonnes sume energy and therefore emit varying amounts of CO2, depending on the sort of power plants used to provide the energy. The researchers used a computer model to assess the impact of six different olivine dissolution scenarios. Olivine is an abundant magnesiumsilicate found beneath Earth's surface that weathers quickly when exposed to water and air -- in its natural environment it is dissolved by carbonic acid which is formed from CO2 out of the atmosphere and rain water. If olivine is distributed onto the ocean's surface, it begins to dissolve and subsequently increases the alkalinity of the water. This raises the uptake capacity of the ocean for CO2, which is taken up via gas exchange from the atmosphere. According to the study, 92 per cent of the CO2 taken up by the oceans would be caused by changes in the chemical make-up of the water, whilst the remaining uptake would be down to changes in marine life through a process known as ocean fertilisation. Ocean fertilisation involves providing phytoplankton with essential nutrients to encourage its growth. The increased numbers of phytoplankton use CO2 to grow, and then when it dies it sinks to the ocean floor taking the CO2 with it. "In our study we only examined the effects of silicate in olivine. Silicate is a limiting nutrient for diatoms -- a specific class of phytoplankton. We simulated with our model that the added input of silicate would shift the species composition within phytoplankton towards diatoms. "It is likely that iron and other trace metals will also impact marine life if olivine is used on a large scale. Therefore, this approach can also be considered as an ocean fertilisation experiment and these impacts should be taken into consideration when assessing the pros and cons of olivine dissolution," continued Khler. "If this method of geoengineering was deployed, we would need an industry the size of the present day coal industry to obtain the necessary amounts of olivine. To distribute this, we estimate that 100 dedicated large ships with a commitment to distribute one gigatonne of olivine per year would be needed. "Taking all our conclusions together -- mainly the energy costs of the processing line and the projected potential impact on marine biology -- we assess this approach as rather inefficient. It certainly is not a simple solution against the global warming problem." said Khler.

of olivine were deposited into the oceans each year, it could compensate for only around nine per cent of present day anthropogenic CO2

emissions. This long discussed 'quick fix' method of geoengineering is not without environmental drawbacks; the parti-

cles would have to be ground down to very small sizes (around one micrometre) in order to be effective. The grinding process would con-

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