daily paper january 21, 2013
TRANSCRIPT
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7/29/2019 Daily Paper January 21, 2013
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STUdenT aGe
R E A D T H E N E E D
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 20138 Pages
Rs: 1.00
Jammu Edition
www.thestudentage.com
JKENG/2012/41612
Vol. 2 No: 19
IN BRIEFIN BRIEFJaya orders check
dam to store Krishnariver water
CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu gov-
ernment on Sunday proposed
Rs 98.60 crore worth infra-
structure-related projects on
the water front including a
check dam to store Krishna
river water released by
Andhra Pradesh to meet the
drinking water requirements
of the city. As per the meas-
ures contd on page 2
Sri Lanka destroyingTamil culture: KarunanidhiCHENNAI: India should
take efforts to stop Sri Lanka
from destroying Tamil cul-
ture and Hindu religion in the
island nation, DMK president
M. Karunanidhi has said. In a
letter to Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh and
Congress chief Sonia Gandhi
Saturday, copies of which
were released to the media
here contd on page 2
Tunnel on Agra Jaipurhighway opened
JAIPUR: UPA Chairperson
Sonia Gandhi and Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh
Sunday inaugurated Ghat ki
Guni tunnel at Jaipur. This
870 meter long tunnel willease the heavy road traffic on
Jaipur-Agra national high-
way. Chief Minister of
Rajasthan Ashok Gehlot was
also present on the occasion.
The contd on page 2
Manali record season'slowest temperature
SHIMLA: The most popular
tourist destination of
Himachal Pradesh, Manali
Sunday saw the season's low-
est temperature of 6.2
degrees Celsius below freez-
ing point. The temperatures
remained below the freezing
point in many places in the
state, an official of the mete-
orological office said.
Keylong, headquarters of
Lahaul contd on page 2
Flu epidemic grips theUS-29 children dead
WASHINGTON: In the
United States, 29 children
have died due to influenza
infection in the country.
Chief of the Centers for
Disease Control and
Prevention Tom Frieden in
Washington said a flu epi-
demic gripping the nation is
more severe than usual. He
said 30 states and New York
City are reporting high
influenza rates. In New York
a state contd on page 2
France, Africa seekssupport for Malian crisis
Shinde alleges RSS,BJP for promoting
Hindu terrorism
BJP to launch toll-freenumber to attract
people in UP
HeartiestCONGRATULATIONS
TO
Ravinder Raina
BEST WISHES FROM:
Fayaz Ahmad
BJYM, Srinagar
BJP BJP
BJP issues notificationfor presidential poll'ADVANI BATS FOR SUSHMA, RSS
FAVOURS GADKARI'
NEW DELHI: The BJP on Sunday issued
the notification for its Presidential election.
Sources said that Nitin Gadkari is likely to
file his nomination papers on January 23, and
will be elected unopposed if no other nomina-
tion is received. Sources had earlier claimed
that LK Advani had proposed the names of
Sushma Swaraj and Narendra Modi for the
post. However, they say now that both the
leaders have not shown any keenness in hold-
ing the post. contd on page 2
Centre to counterNaxals through
development efforts
NEW DELHI: Notwithstanding repeated
attacks by Maoists, the Centre has decided to
counter ultras through its development efforts
in Naxal-affected areas as it believes such
efforts will weaken the Red base. "We are
making a special effort to bring development
in the Naxal-affected areas. We are hoping
that it will pay contd on page 2
JAIPUR: At the final day of the
Congress' Chintan Shivir in Jaipur,
the party came out with a 56-page
draft declaration in which it stated
that the Congress will boldly and
fearlessly take on political parties
which are elitist, parochial, sectar-
ian or exclusionary. The declara-
tion said that the party will go into
elections on the basis of national-
ism, social justice and economic
growth for all - especially the aam
aadmi and the middle class, and
secularism. It also claimed that the
party will not allow economicgrowth to be undermined by vest-
ed interests. Calling on all secular
and progressive forces to unite,
the declaration added that the
Congress will try and strengthen
its support base, especially with
those it has lost favour with.
Blowing the bugle for the 2014
Lok Sabha elections at the Chintan
Shivir today in Jaipur, Congress
president Sonia Gandhi told party
members to not indulge in nepo-
tism and show unity to face the
challenge of 2014 Lok Sabha elec-
tions. "Only 15 months are left for
elections. If we work with unityand discipline there is no reason
why we won't get people's man-
date again," she said.
Prime Minister Manmohan
Singh Sunday said the Congress
needs to convey its dreams for the
future and strive to fulfill expecta-
tions of the youth. He said the
youth today were more informed
and had more expectations from
the Congress."Our duty is to
understand their expectations," the
prime minister said at an All India
Congress Committee meeting
here. He said the party should con-
vey how it would fulfill those
expectations through its pro-
grammes. "We need to tell what
our dreams for the future are and
how contd on page 2
Chintan Shivir: Congress came out 56-page draft declaration'Congress should lead struggle against corruption': Sonia
'Youth has more expectations from Congress': PM
SRINAGAR, JAN 20: Chief
Minister, Omar Abdullah
Sunday directed for ensuring
home delivery of LPG cylin-
ders to the consumers in
Srinagar city fixing 31st
March, 2013 as dead line. He
also directed for initiating a
time bound road map for put-
ting in place this mechanism
in towns and rural areas.
"LPG dealers should take
immediate necessary action
in this regard and give due
publicity to the schedule of
home delivery so that people
are well aware about it and
do not face any inconven-
ience", he emphasized and
said that the practice of deliv-
ering LPG cylinders to con-
sumers on identified points in
various areas should be done
away with by ensuring home
service by March 31. He
asked the divisional adminis-
tration to take all necessary
measures in this regard and
sensitize LPG dealers
accordingly.
Chairing a high level
meeting to review the status
of restoration of essential
services which were hit due
to recent heavy snow fall, the
Chief Minister also obtained
details about the arrange-
ments made by the adminis-
tration for Eid-i-Milad-un-
Nabi (SAW) and Republic
Day celebrations.
The Chief Minister was
given full account of the sta-
tus of restoration of power
and water supply, road clear-
ance, stock and supply of
essentials and preparedness
of the contd on page 2
JAMMU, JAN 20: On com-
pletion of his three
year tenure as Vice
Chancellor of Shri
Mata Vaishno Devi
University, Prof. R.
N. K. Bamezai is
relinquishing charge
on 21st January,
2013 and returning to
Jawaharlal Nehru University
from where he had come on
deputation.
As per the
Statutes of the
University, Mr. N.
N. Vohra, Governor,
who is Chancellor of
the University, has
constituted a Search
Committee headed by
contd on page 2
Prof. Bamezai completes histenure as VC of SMVDU
Home delivery of LPG cylinders in Srinagar by March 31: Omar
Karunanidhi congratulatesRahul Gandhi
CHENNAI: DMK president M.
Karunanidhi Sunday congratu-
lated Rahul Gandhi on his eleva-
tion as the Congress vice-presi-
dent Saturday. In a faxed letter to
Rahul Gandhi Karunanidhi said:
"Your abiding interest in the
youth of our country and your
earnest commitment to the
advancement of rural areas and
farmers are all well- known.""During your tenure as the
(Congress) vice-president, I am
sure that you will take the party
to a new height," he added.
JAIPUR: The Congress party
Sunday wholeheartedly endorsed
the decision to officially name
Rahul Gandhi the party's no.2 and
voiced optimism it could emerge
victorious in 2014 if it worked in
"the right way" and is "united".
Newly-appointed Congress vice
president Rahul Gandhi Sunday
stressed the need to change the
"centralised system" which is
unaccountable to the people, and
respect the youths' demand for a
greater role in decision-making.
The Congress Working
Committee (CWC), the party's
highest decision making body had
Saturday approved that Rahul
Gandhi be made the party's vice
president keeping in mind the
huge contd on page 2
AICC endorses Rahul as Congress vice president'Change the unaccountable, centralised system': Rahul Gandhi
SRINAGAR: The Jammu-
Srinagar National Highway,
the only road link between
Kashmir and rest of the coun-
try, was today reopened for
one-way traffic after remain-
ing closed for three days due
to heavy snowfall on either
side of the Pir Panjal range.
"One way traffic in a reg-
ulated manner has been
restored on the National
Highway," a traffic depart-
ment spokesman said.
He said vehicles from
Jammu have been allowed to
move towards Srinagar fol-
lowing improvement in
weather and road condition.
However, the vehicles
intending to ply towards
Srinagar were required to
cross Nagrota by 9.00 am,
Udhampur by 12 noon and
Banihal highway town by
5.00 pm, the spokesman said.
He said the decision was
taken to prevent any vehicles
getting stranded in areas
where there are no facilities
available for night stay.
The Highway was closed
on Jan contd on page 2
Jammu-Srinagar national highwayreopens after three days
Six Naxals killed inMaharashtra's
Gadchiroli districtG A D C H I R O L I ,
MAHARASHTRA: Six
Naxals, including two
women cadres, were killed in
an encounter in the wee hours
of today near here in eastern
Maharashtra, police said.
The exchange of fire took
place in the forests near
Govindgaon village in Aheri
taluka contd on page 2
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Chintan Shivir....we will implement them," he said. He said the
Congress should also give correct information
about the United Progressive Alliance govern-
ment's achievements of the past eight years.
Sonia added that there was a need to be sensi-
tive towards people to bring change in the coun-
try. She told party leaders to work for the welfare
of all and not restrict themselves to their
"favourites". Sonia said that there was a need to
explain to people why the government took some
tough economic reform decisions recently.
"Government took few tough decisions due to
economic downturn. We need to explain to public
why those decisions were necessary," she said in
her address on the last day of two-day Chintan
Shivir in Jaipur.
India wants friendly relations with Pakistan,
but it will not be possible unless Pakistan makes
equal efforts, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh
said here Sunday. He said the killing of two Indian
soldiers by Pakistani troops near the Line of
Control may have an effect on bilateral relations.
"The inhuman act of Pakistan along the Line of
Control on January 8 is known to all. We are con-
stantly reviewing our relations with Pakistan and
we have made it clear this incident may have bad
influence on the bilateral relations," Manmohan
Singh at the All India Congress Committee meet.
"Whatever action we will take, it will be after con-
sideration and with great care. We want friendly
relations with Pakistan but they will also have to
try for it. Unless there are efforts from their side,our efforts or wishes will not make it possible," he
said.
Calling corruption a "deep rooted malice",
Congress president Sonia Gandhi Sunday said the
party must lead the 'struggle' to counter its effect.
"Let me reiterate corruption at all levels is a deep
rooted malice and all sections of society are
affected by it. As a party we must lead struggle to
combat its effect," Sonia Gandhi said at the party's
'Chintan Shivir' here.
The 'Chintan Shivir', the Congress' introspec-
tive meet, began here Jan 18 and will conclude
Sunday. The Congress president said corruption
was the main concern of the nation when the party
held its session at Burari in July 2011. Sonia
Gandhi said that a five-point agenda to deal with
corruption was given and the party has moved on
with it. The key among the steps taken was intro-
ducing Lokpal bill in the parliament and introduc-
ing more transparency in process of allocating
natural resources, said the Congress president.
"We have introduced path breaking legislationfor grievance redressal, whistle blowers, and his-
toric 'apka paisa apke hath' (your money in your
hands, the direct cash transfer scheme) initiative,"
she said. Congress has been under severe attack
from opposition and civil society groups for sev-
eral major corruption cases that surfaced during
the tenure of United Progressive Alliance (UPA)
government led by the party. Congress president
Sonia Gandhi Sunday said here the central gov-
ernment was forced to take some "harsh steps"
because of the global economic slowdown.
"When the whole world was dealing with
financial crisis, India was not that badly affected.
But today even India is affected with global eco-
nomic situation. That has forced our government
to take some harsh steps," Sonia Gandhi said on
the last day of the Congress meet here. The
'Chintan Shivir', the Congress party's introspec-
tive meet began here Jan 18 and will conclude
Sunday.
"I know that (economic slowdown) has caused
some problem to the common people, but our
government should explain to the people the steps
they have taken to deal with inflation," she said.
Her statement comes days after the Congress-led
United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government
announced a partial deregulation in diesel prices,
which has been met huge opposition from politi-
cal parties and key allies. The government had
earlier been criticised on its decisions of approv-
ing foreign direct investment in retail, routine hike
in petrol prices, and a cap on subsidised cooking
gas. The Congress here appealed to the country's
secular forces to join its ideological battle against
the divisive forces in the society and condemned
the opposition's "obscurantist philosophies". The
draft Jaipur Declaration, being debated by the All
India Congress Committee delegates here, "calls
on all secular and progressive forces of the coun-
try to unite in this ideological battle against those
who polarise and divide our society." "The
Congress rejects the outdated ideologies and
obscurantist philosophies of the opposition parties
and recommits itself to the principles of econom-
ic growth and social justice which have come to
define the inclusive growth model of the
Congress-led UPA government," said the draft
declaration. The draft declaration has emerged
from the two days of brainstorming (Jan 18-19)
by cabinet ministers and party leaders at a brain-
storming session, 'Chintan Shivir', to draw a
roadmap for the 2014 general elections. The
Congress rejected opposition's ideologies and said
it was committed to economic growth which led
to social welfare defining the United Progressive
Alliance (UPA) government's model of inclusive
growth.
Under attack over slow response to public
protests in the wake of the gangrape incident in
Delhi, Sonia said people were right in demanding
answers and actions in the case as safety of
women was a fundamental right. The sacrifice of
the girl who was brutally raped and assaulted in a
bus in December, 2012 would not be in vain as it
has shaken the conscience of the nation, she said
in her address. Gandhi said the young gangrape
victim was "tragically the symbol of women and
children who suffer similar fate" in the wake of
denial of justice.
She also said the atrocities on women and chil-
dren was a reflection of "shameful" social mindset
which needed to be changed. In her opening
remarks, she deprecated the "shocking remarks"
made by public figures in the wake of the rape
incident and said they were unacceptable. Sonia
said the UPA government has drafted laws for
women's empowerment like providing them pro-
tection against sexual harassment at workplace
and providing them better representation in pan-
chayats.
The Congress president said she would person-
ally press for the passage of the Women's
Reservation Bill pending in the Lok Sabha. She
made a strong pitch for electoral reforms and
political funding saying people are getting disillu-
sioned with the political process and there is a
need to address the issue with sensitivity. "We
have to admit that people are getting disillusioned
with the political process. We have to understand
what the causes of this disillusionment are and we
have to do away with this with sensitivity," Sonia
said striking an introspective note. She also want-
ed that the attempts to tarnish the image of politi-
cal politicians and democratic institutions shouldbe countered. Sonia also announced setting up of
a special group within the party which would con-
sider all suggestions and come out with a pro-
gramme at the earliest. "We have to make now
time bound programmes to do it," she said.
AICC endorses ....
demand from workers to give him a bigger role
in the run up to the 2014 general elections. A day
after the Congress Working Committee, the
party's highest policy-making body, unanimously
passed a resolution naming Rahul Gandhi the vice
president, over 1,200 delegates of the All India
Congress Committee at the 'Chintan Shivir' here
raised their hands to endorse the decision.
Giving his maiden speech after being elevated
to the post of vice president, Rahul thanked
Congress leaders and all his supporters. "This is a
huge honour for me. Over the past 8 years the
party has taught me tremendously. I have learnt
from seniors, youngsters and thanks to all the help
which I got from botton of my heart," Rahul toldthe Congress gathering.
Speaking at the All India Congress Committee
(AICC) meeting here, the Gandhi scion raised the
issue of youth anger spilling on the streets. "There
is a young and impatient India demanding voice
in decision making and politics," Rahul said.
Raising the deficiencies in the India's political
system, the Congress vice president asked, "Why
do handful of people occupy political space.
Power is centralised in system. We don't believe
in empowering people." "People who are corrupt
talk about eradicating corruption, people who dis-
grace women in daily life talk about women
development," he added.
Emphasising on empowering people who have
immense knowledge but are deprived of posi-
tions, Rahul said that the time has come to ques-
tion decision making in politics as only a handful
are being empowered. Rahul Gandhi who will be
leading the Congress campaign for upcoming
2014 General elections, came down heavily on the
Opposition parties and criticized them for terming
the Aadhar scheme as bribing the people.
Rahul underlined the benefits of schemes like
MNREGA, Food Bill, Right to Education, Direct
cash transfer scheme. On an emotional note he
reminisced the time when his grandmother, Indira
Gandhi was killed and how his father had cried
then. He also said that he was aware of the huge
responsibility that had been bestowed on his
shoulders. Rahul revealed that his mother, Sonia
Gandhi had cried when they were together yester-
day night because she knew that power was akin
to poison.
Prof. Bamezai...
Dr. S. S. Bloeria, Vice Chancellor of the
Central University, Jammu, to recommend a panel
of candidates for the selection of a suitable suc-
cessor of Prof. Bamezai. The selection process is
at an advanced stage and the new Vice Chancellor
of SMVDU is likely to take over shortly. In the
meantime, to run the affairs of the University, the
Chancellor has directed his Principal Secretary,
Mr. Navin K. Choudhary, to officiate as the Vice
Chancellor of the University with Prof. M. L.
Garg, School of Computer Sciences and
Engineering, functioning as Coordinator, to help
the officiating VC in dealing with Academic
issues, till the new Vice Chancellor takes over.
Reacting to reports in a section of media, Dr.
Mandeep Bhandari, Additional CEO of the Shri
Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board maintained that
the University is run in the best professional man-
ner as per its Statutes, with the Vice Chancellor
taking all required decisions and, as in other
Universities, the University Council of the
SMVDU is its supreme policy decision making
body.
Home delivery....
administration to face eventualities on account
of weather vagaries and heavy snow fall.
Omar Abdullah directed the administration for
providing all facilities to the people on and during
the days of Holy Eid-i-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW).
"You should ensure adequate transport, electricity,
water supply and essentials to the people", he
directed the administration.
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Dr. Asgar
Samoon presented resume of the restoration
works and said that all arrangements have been
made for Eid-i-Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) and
Republic Day celebrations across the Valley.
Responding to issues relating to the coaching
centres brought to his notice in the meeting, the
Chief Minister said that while sensitizing the
coaching centres about fulfilling legal require-
ments for registrations, the education of the stu-
dents should not get hampered. He said the own-
ers of coaching centres should be made fully
aware of the requirements they are required to ful-
fill under the law without telling upon the educa-
tion of students.
The Chief Minister also reviewed the function-
ing of health institutions and received complete
brief about their functioning and service delivery
to the people.
Those who participated in the meeting includ-
ed Minister for R&B, Abdul Majid Wani, Minister
of State for Industries and Commerce, Sajad
Ahmad Kitchloo, Divisional Commissioner,
Kashmir, Dr. Asgar Samoon, IG Kashmir, S. M.
Sahai, Heads of the Departments, divisional offi-cers and representatives of BEACON and Oil
Companies.
Six Naxals....
of the district, about 200 km from Nagpur, in
south eastern Vidarbha.
A police team was on a routine anti-Naxal
operation in the jungles of Govindgaon last night
when they were fired upon by the rebels.
The patrolling party returned fire and in the
ensuing gunfight at least six Maoists, including
two women, were killed, police said, adding they
are yet to be identified.
All the bodies have been brought to Aheri
police headquarters in the district, they said.
The encounter continued for a few hours and
ended at around 2.30 am, according to reports
received here. Some senior members of a local
dalam (armed unit) may be among those killed,
police said.
This is the first time that so many Naxals have
been killed in Gadchiroli, the district worst affect-ed by Left-wing extremism in the state.
Jammu-Srinagar....
17 as a precautionary measure in view of the
expected snowfall. However, all the stranded
vehicles were allowed to proceed to their respec-
tive destinations yesterday afternoon.
The 294-km arterial road, the only all weather
link connecting Kashmir to rest of the country
often gets closed during winter due to snowfall.
Centre to counter ....
dividend," Rural Development Minister Jairam
Ramesh said.
Ramesh's contention comes just days after
Naxalites planted a bomb inside the stomach of a
dead CRPF jawan after killing 11 of them in
Jharkhand's Latehar district last week. They also
stunned the nation by firing at an IAF helicopter
in the dense Dantewada forests in Chhattisgarh,
injuring one policeman onboard.
The government is particularly enthused by the
recent revelation of a surrendered Naxal that its
strategy to facilitate development in addition to
frequent combing operations have hit the very
base of the Maoists hiding in "liberated Red cor-
ridors" of the forests. "We have made an effort...
We have started special plans like Saranda
Development Plans in such areas. It will take at
least 5 years to bring peace in these areas,"
Ramesh said while reacting to surrendered Maoist
Badarpu Mallaiyya's reported revelation that the
CPI Maoist leadership was worried over security
operations and development efforts undertaken by
government. Saranda Development Plan is the
government's first systematic experiment in com-
bining a security-oriented and development-
focused approach in Maoist-affected areas on a
large scale. It was implemented after CRPF and
the state police jointly "liberated" Saranda of West
Singbhum district of Jharkhand in August, 2011
from 11 years of Maoist control. Centre has now
decided to replicate the model in other tribal-dom-
inated areas in the country, said Ramesh, who has
already travelled 40 Naxal-affected districts in the
country to assess the implementation of develop-
ment programmes. Government initiatives like
giving tribals the right to sell their forest products
like bamboo have also started paying dividend, he
claimed.
BJP issues ....
Sources said that Gadkari remains the consensus
candidate, with even Modi throwing his weight
behind him. Advani, however, remained doubtful
of his renomination especially after the string of
corruption charges against him.Till last week,
there was an exercise between Advani's camp and
the RSS to arrive at a consensus candidate.
According to the sources, Advani had reservation
about Gadkari getting a second term because of
charges about dubious funding of Purti Group
with which he was associated.
RSS has been pitching for a second term for
Gadkari with Sangh chief Mohan Bhagwat him-
self backing him. It feels that Gadkari who took
over soon after the BJP's second consecutive Lok
Sabha poll defeat should lead the party in the next
elections.
Jaya orders ...
announced by Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa, the
check dam will be constructed across river
Kotralai in neighbouring Tiruvallore district at an
estimated cost of Rs 35 crore to store Krishna
water. Under an agreement, Tamil Nadu is entitled
to get annually 12 TMC of Krishna water from
Andhra Pradesh. Besides, she ordered implemen-
tation of various other projects including desilting
and deepening of lakes, approach canals, check
dams, lake-renovation and water projects across
Vaigai and Cauvery rivers for Sivaganga and
Srirangam would be taken up, an official release
said.
Sri Lanka ....
Sunday, Karunanidhi said: "As the world's largest
democracy and a country of diverse languages
and religions, India has a moral obligation to stop
this atrocity immediately by using its good
offices."
Sri Lankan is carrying out an intensive and
systematic programme of erasing the Tamil lan-guage, culture, religion and diluting the concen-
tration of Tamils in areas where they had histori-
cally been predominant, Karunanidhi alleged.
He said the Sri Lankan government is renam-
ing Tamil villages and redrawing village, district
and town boundaries while Hindu temples are
being razed.
Karunanidhi said the Sri Lankan government
is not allocating funds for resettlement and reha-
bilitation of internally displaced Tamil families.
The Sri Lankan government is promoting
"Sinhala settlements on Tamil land and Sinhala
takeover of the economic life of Tamil areas,
which improvises the Tamils and the deployment
of army camps to intimidate the Tamils"
According to him, 89 Tamil villages have been
renamed with Sinhala names, 367 Hindu temples
have been demolished and there are 148 mini and
13 army camps in the war-ravaged Mullaitivu dis-
trict alone.
Tunnel on ....
state government has spent 178 crore rupees on
the construction of this tunnel. It is interconnect-
ed at two places and well equipped with modern
security and safety technology. It is first toll proj-
ect of Jaipur but light motor vehicle will be
exempted from the toll.
Manali record...
and Spiti, was the coldest at a minimum tempera-
ture of minus 12.5 degrees Celsius. Kalpa in
Kinnaur district recorded a low of minus 10
degrees Celsius, while the temperature was 0.3
degrees Celsius in Shimla and 4.6 degrees in
Dharamsala, the venue of the fifth and final ODI
between India and England Jan 27.
Himachal Pradesh Road Transport Corporation
has started a bus service for Rohru and Chopal
areas in Shimla district via Vikasnagar in
Dehradun district in Uttarakhand. Officials said
vehicular traffic on Theog-Rohru road via
Kharapathar, the shortest route, remained snapped
on the third day as a thick blanket of snow cov-
ered the road. For Rampur town and Kinnaur dis-
trict from Shimla town, buses were plying via
Dhami and Basantpur. It would take another two
to three days to restore traffic to upper Shimla
towns, officials said.
The road connectivity on the Kullu-Manali
highway too remained snapped near Patlikuhl,
some 20 km before Manali. District Tourism
Officer Balbir Thakur said electricity in Manali
town was restored Saturday evening and the traf-
fic from Kullu to the town would be restored
soon. The Met department's forecast said a feeble
western disturbance - storm systems originating in
the Caspian Sea and moving across the
Afghanistan-Pakistan region - would again be
active Jan 23.
Flu epidemic....
of emergency has been declared over the crisis.
Frieden said more than five thousand people have
required hospitalization to treat their flu symp-
toms.
Militant hideout busted inBaramulla, arms recover
SRINAGAR,JAN 20: Security forces on Sunday
busted a militant hideout in north Kashmir's
Baramulla district and recovered a cache of arms
and ammunition, police said. Police carried out a
joint operation with the army and busted the hide-
out in Sangri forests of Magam area, a police
spokesman said. Two AK 47 rifles, one AK mag-
azines, 15 AK rounds, three Chinese pistol
rounds, two RPG rounds, two grenades and four
UBGL rounds were recovered from the hide out.
No arrests have been made so far, he added.
STUDENT AGE
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 20132
Contd. from page 1... Australia, UK signsTreaty for Defence andSecurity Cooperation
LONDON: Australia and the UK have signed
the Treaty for Defence and Security
Cooperation strengthening their long-standing
relationship.
Australian Minister for Defence Stephen
Smith and United Kingdom Secretary of State
for Defence, The Right Honourable Philip
Hammond sign the treaty during the Australia-
United Kingdom Ministerial Consultations in
Perth, Western Australia.
The treaty formalised the longstanding and
extensive defence cooperation between
Australia and the United Kingdom, the
Australian MoD said in a statement.
The treaty will see the two countries work-
ing together in areas such as cyber security,
defence reform, personnel exchange, equip-
ment, and science and technology, it said.
With both Britain and Australia due to build
new frigates in the coming years, UK's
Defence Secretary agreed with his Australian
counterpart to explore the possibility of co-
operation over mutual design work for the
Royal Navy's new type 26 global combat ship
- a design that could meet the needs of the
Royal Australian Navy, the UK MoD said.
AUKMIN is the premier forum for
Australian and UK foreign and defence minis-
ters to discuss strategic, foreign, security and
defence matters of common concern.
CIA likely to get moreexemption to continue
drone strikesWASHINGTON: The Obama administration
is nearing completion of a detailed counterter-
rorism manual that is designed to establish
clear rules for targeted-killing operations but
leaves open a major exemption for the CIA's
campaign of drone strikes in Pakistan, U.S.
officials said.
US Central Intelligence Agency will be
allowed to continue its campaign of drone
strikes in Pakistan for a year or more under a
new detailed counter-terrorism manual,
according to a media report.
The document, which is expected to be sub-
mitted to President Barack Obama for final
approval within weeks, marks the culmination
of a year-long effort by the White House to
codify its counter-terrorism policies and createa guide for lethal operations through Obama's
second term, the influential daily said.
"The decision to allow the CIA strikes to
continue was driven in part by concern that the
window for weakening Al Qaeda and the
Taliban in Pakistan is beginning to close, with
plans to pull most US troops out of neighbour-
ing Afghanistan over the next two years," it
said. CIA drones are flown out of bases in
Afghanistan.
Among the proposed stringent rules are
requirements for White House approval of
drone strikes and the involvement of multiple
agencies - including the State Department - in
nominating new names for kill lists, the Post
said.
None of those rules applies to the CIA
drone campaign in Pakistan, which began
under President George W. Bush, it said.
1st round of Pulse Polio
programme begins in DodaDODA, JAN 20: Like other parts of the coun-
try, the 1st round of Nationwide Pulse Polio
Programme from 20th to 22nd of January 2013
for the children between 0-5 years of age start-
ed in Doda today, District Development
Commissioner Doda Mr. Farooq Ahmed Khan
kick started the programme at New District
Hospital Doda by administering Polio drops to
the children. Chief Medical Officer Doda
besides Doctors and senior functionaries of the
Health Department were present in the pro-
gramme. While speaking on the aims and
objectives of the programme, DDC said that
Polio Immunization programme is a
Campaign by the Government of India to erad-
icate Poliomyelitis (Polio) in India by vacci-
nating all children under the age of five years
against Polio virus. DDC said that 610
Pulse Polio Immunization Booths have been
established to provide vaccine to 78518 chil-
dren. He also revealed that 2440 workers have
been engaged for Booths and house to house
activities which comprises of 680 workers
from health department, 520 from ICDS, 975
ASHA workers and Voluntary workers, and
265 from Education Department.
DDC said to ensure achievement of the
desired targets 122 supervisors and 4 Zonal
Monitors have been engaged in the District to
monitor the 3 day vaccination programme
effectively so that every child in the age group
of 0-5 years gets Polio vaccine for healthy life.
DDC enjoined upon the people of the
District to bring their children who are of 0-5
years old to the nearest Pulse Polio Booth and
immunize them against the Polio virus for
their safe and secure growth.
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STATESTUDENT AGE
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 20133
NEWS IN BOX
Nasir meet health minister,raised various demands
JAMMU,JAN 20: Prominent Congress leader from
Kishtwar and former president DYCC Sheikh Nasir Hussain
Advocate meet health minister Shabir Ahmad Khan and
extended his gratitude to him on assuming the charge of
health department. While congratulating the new health min-
ister, Sheikh Nasir expressed his hope that Shabir Ahmad
Khan being young and dynamic leader will bring reforms in
the department. Sheikh Nasir also raised various demands
pertaining to health sector in mountainous district Kishtwar.
Besides posting of specialist doctors at district Hospital
Kishtwar, he also demanded engagement of more doctors for
rural areas. Sheikh Nasir has expressed hope that the new
Minister for Health Shabir Ahmed Khan would positively
look into their genuine demands.
Shabir Ahmad Khan after patiently hearing him assured
that the genuine and justified demands will be looked into
and every possible steps will be taken to provide better
health care facility in the area.
Lone grieved over sad demiseof NC block president Sumbal
JAMMU, JAN 20: Minister for higher education
Mohammad Akbar Lone today expressed his grief and sor-
row over the sad demise of Senior Block President J&K
National Conference, block Sumbal Mr. Ghulam
Mohammad Reashi who passed yesterday at his native place
Nasibal. In his condolence message, the Minister said that
late Reashi was a social worker and throughout his life he
fought for the cause of the people. Mr. lone further said thathis contribution to the party are remarkable and will be
remembered always. The Minister also expressed his sym-
pathy with the bereaved family and prayed for eternal peace
to the departed soul.
Kishtwar Congress hailsinduction of Wani and Vikar
KISHTWAR, JAN 20: District Congress Committee
Kishtwar has hailed the induction of Abdul Majeed Wani and
Vikar Rasool Wani in the council of ministers. In a statement
issued to the press the Congress leaders including District
President Pardeep Singh Parihar, Block Presidents Nek Ram
Manhas, Haji Ghulam Hassan Mir, Sadiq Wani, Ab. Salam
Malik, Master Kashmiri Lal, Mohd. Hussain Akhoon,
Former President DYCC Sheikh Nasir Hussain Advocate,
senior leaders Brij Lal Sharma, Prakash Ram Bhagat,
Prakash Ram Sharma, Ghulam Mohd, IYC President
Kishtwar assembly Nadeem Iqbal, Tauseef Iqbal Butt, PCC
Labour Cell President Suresh Sharma, and Altaf Hussain
Malik have expressed gratitude to the party high command,
PCC President Prof. Saif-ud-Din Soz and union ministerGhulam Nabi Azad for inducting two MLAs of Congress in
the council of minister from Chenab region. The leaders have
said that Abdul Majeed Wani is a man of caliber and during
his previous tenure as MOS he has displayed excellent piece
of work and by his induction the party has taken a very wise
decision. They have further said that Vikar Rasool Wani
being young , dynamic and energetic leader will also come to
the expectations of the public in general and the party in par-
ticular. While praising former CM and union health minister
Ghulam Nabi Azad and PCC president Prof Saif-uddin Soz,
the leaders have said that both the leaders have taken a very
wise decision by nominating two honest and dedicated MLA
from Chenab region for the ministerial berths. Expressing
faith over the leadership, Kishtwar Congress leaders have
said that they are hopeful that in future also both the leaders
will take further decision in strengthening the party in
Chenab region. However the Congress leaders have also
extended their congratulations to the local MLA of coalition
partner NC Sajad Ahmad Kichloo on his induction in the
council of ministers.
Rs. 82.32 Cr being spent onbridges of Bye Pass road projectSRINAGAR, JAN 20: The Minister for Works, Mr. Abdul
Majid Wani inspected the execution of work on five major
bridges on Bye Pass road project at a cost of Rs. 82.32 crore.
The projects include Tengpora Fly Over bridge, Hyderpora,
Chanapora, Padshahi Bagh and Lasjan bridges.
The Minister was informed that Rs. 20.72 crore are being
spent on Tengpora bridge, Rs. 34.84 crore on Hyderpora
bridge, Rs. 8.97 crore on Chanapora Bye Pass bridge, Rs.
4.76 crore on Padshahi bridge and Rs. 13.21 crore on Lasjan
bridge are being spent judiciously. Besides, Rs. 9.90 crore
project of bridge at Convent School was also inspected by
the Minister where 80 percent work has been completed and
100 percent target will be completed by March, 2013.
The Minister was apprised that 80 percent work has been
completed n these projects.
The Minister impressed upon the engineers to complete
all the projects in a stipulated time frame so that people in
general are benefited. The Minister was accompanied by
Chief Engineers, R&B, Mr. Mushtaq Ahmad, Chief
Engineer, Mechanical Engineering, Superintending
Engineer, R&B and other officers.
Special Transits booth setup at Katra for PPIKATRA, JAN 20: Commandant 6th Battalion CRPF Sunil
Kumar in presence of Deputy CMO Reasi Dr. K. C. Dogra
and BMO Katra Dr. Gopal Dutt inaugurated Ist round of
pulse polio immunization. BMO Katra informed that besides
covering local population, special transits booth and mobile
team are engage to cover the children of visiting pilgrims.
There are total 64 booth in whole block, six transits
teams and two mobile teams in block Katra to cover the chil-
dren's of visiting pilgrims under this national programme.
He said that transits team will work round the clock for
three days and will immunize children of the visiting pil-
grims.
SRINAGAR, JAN 20: In connec-
tion with the first phase of Pulse
Polio Immunization campaign as
many as 10,48,369 children were
administered Pulse Polio drops at
various district and Tehsil headquar-
ters of Valley today.
In Pulwama, the Deputy
Commissioner, Mr. Shafaat Noor
Barlas administered pulse polio
drops to the children upto 5 years of
age at Old District Hospital
Pulwama and Chief Medical Office
Pulwama.
Addressing after launching the
drive, the Deputy Commissioner
Pulwama said that as many as
64,723 children of 0-5 years are
being administered Pulse Polio
drops today for which 1616 officials
of Health department have been
deployed at 404 Pulse Polio Centres
in the district.
Mr. Noor emphasized that
healthy society guarantees a devel-
oped nation depending on healthy
and sound children. He called upon
the people to come forward and
avail medicare facilities kept avail-
able for them in Health institutions
free of cost and ensure immuniza-
tion against dreaded disease to safe-
guard their children.
Earlier the Deputy
Commissioner Shopian, Mr. Javid
Ahmad Khan also launched Pulse
Polio at District Hospital Shopian
and administered Pulse Polio drops
to the children.
The Deputy Commissioner
Shopian after launching the drive
said that as many as 51,510 children
of 0-5 years age are being adminis-
tered Pulse Polio drops today in dis-
trict Shopian for which 1064 offi-
cials of Health department &
Supervisors have been deployed at
266 Pulse Polio Centres.
Mr. Javid exhorted upon the
medical fraternity to work with mis-
sionary spirit to administer the pulse
polio drops to the children of the
district and achieve the targets in
full.
Meanwhile, Pulse Polio vaccina-
tion campaign was kicked off in
Budgam district by Deputy
Commissioner, Khurshid Ahmad
Shah.
As many as 578 Polio booths
have been set up in the district to
administer the drops to about
1,05,375 children in age group of 0-
5 years. The Chief Medical Officer,
Budgam informed that 2,312 booth
workers and 116 Supervisors were
deputed at these Polio booths across
the district. Similar Pulse Polio
Immunization campaign was organ-
ized at Anantnag, Kulgam,
Ganderbal, Baramulla, Kupwara,
Leh, Kargil and Bandipora.
Large numbers of children were
given Pulse Polio Immunization
drops in these districts. The Deputy
Commissioners of the respective
districts were personally monitoring
the campaign.
Pulse Polio immunization campaign kicks off in Kashmir Valley
JAMMU,JAN 20: The five day
5th Science Camp Under
Innovation in Science Pursuits for
Inspired Research (INSPIRE)Program of Department of
Science and Technology ( DST)
(Govt. Of India) concluded at
Brig. Rajinder Singh Auditorium,
University of Jammu here today.
The five day Camp was organ-
ized by Department of Science
and Technology, Govt. of India in
collaboration with PG
Department Of Geology
University Of Jammu for the
School children's of 11th of
Science stream who secured more
then 80% marks in their Board
examination. More than 265
Students from 24 Schools of
Jammu Province participated in
this Camp.
Experts from all over the coun-
try shared their knowledge with
the students participating in the
Camp which include Prof. A.S
Brar, Vice Chancellor Guru
Nanak Dev University, Prof
Shalabh, IIT, Kanpur, Prof
Avinash Khare, DU, Prof V Sri
Nivas, TIFR, Mumbai and many
others. An inter-School Quiz
Competition was also organised in
which 12 Schools took part and
out of which four teams reached
to the final. KC Public Schoolbagged the Winner Up Trophy
while as Presentation Convent
won the Runner up Trophy. The
Quiz Competition was conducted
by Mrs. Nishima and Mr. Jawaz
Iqubal. All the participants were
given certificates. The proceeding
of the function was conducted by
Ms. Rajni Magotra.
Among others Prof S.K
Pandey, Prof Yashpal Sharma,
Prof S.K Pandita, Prof KK
Kapoor, Principals of different
Schools, teachers, Scholars and
Students were also present on the
occasion
Five day 5th Science Camp concludes Jan Skinder hails RahulGandhi's elevation asAICC Vice President
JAMMU, JAN 20:
J&K Youth CongressState Secretary, Jan
Skinder today hailed
Youth Icon Rahul
Gandhi's elevation as
the Vice-President of
the All India Congress
Committee (AICC).
He gave hearty con-
gratulations on his taking over as the Vice-
President of the AICC".
"Your abiding interest in the youth of our
country and your earnest commitment to the
advancement of the rural areas and the farm-
ers are well known", he said adding "During
your tenure as the AICC Vice-President, I am
quite sure that you will take the Congress
Party to new heights".
Clear all snowbound village roads:
Saifullah directsdistrict administration
JAMMU, JAN 20: Minister for Law, Justice
and Parliamentary Affairs, Mir Saifullah has
directed the district administration Kupwara
to press all men and machinery to open all the
snow bound interior roads of the district that
are still closed due to the recent heavy snow-
fall.
Appreciating the administration for acting
swiftly to clear all the main roads of the dis-
trict on day first, the Minister stressed upon
the administration to clear all the link roads of
the border district particularly the far off
roads of the area of Budnambal, Jumgund,
Kralpora, Dardsun, Panzgam of Kupwara,
Kalaroos,Tikipora, Haithpora, Kurhama,
Lalpora of Lolab, Mawar, Nowagam of
Langate and Viilgam , Zachaldra area of
Handwara so that stranded movement of peo-
ple is restored at the earliest. He said the
clearance of all road communications particu-
larly rural areas of the district is priority of the
administration to ensure hassle free move-
ment of the local populace otherwise the
roads could become slippery due to dry
weather and freezing temperature.
Mr. Mir also asked the Bacon authorities
to accelerate their men and machinery for
immediate reopening of Kupwara- Tangdhar
road. The Minister directed the Deputy
Commissioner Kupwara to monitor personal-
ly the restoration of electricity particularly in
far off villages and ensure availability of
ration, K.Oil, Cooking gas and other essen-
tials in every area of the district so that people
could not face any inconvenience. He further
directed that Disaster Management
Committees at district level need to be opera-
tionalize to set the defected public delivery
system back on rails.
Taj kicks off PulsePolio immunization
programmeJAMMU, JAN 20: Minister for Medical
Education, Youth Services and Sports, Mr. Taj
Mohi-ud-Din this morning kicked off the
pulse polio immunization programme at
SMGS hospital Jammu.
The Minister reached the pediatric block
of the hospital in the morning and formally
kick started today's pulse polio programme by
administered two drops to a young baby.
Principal GMC, Jammu, Dr. Anece
Chowdhary, Medical Superintendent SMGS,
Dr. Dara Singh and other faculty besides large
number of parents of the young kids were
present on the occasion.
VC, Jammu University presenting momento to student participating in thecamp at Jammu.
JAMMU, JAN 20: Vice
President J&K Pradesh Youth
Congress Mr. Pranav Shagotra
distributed winter material
among the distressed and cold-
stricken people, in Jammu east.
Mr. Pranav handed over the
winter material, including blan-
kets, among hundreds of dis-
tressed people at Bawe wali gali
in Jammu east. Pranav Shagotra
was the chief guest of the distri-
bution programme arranged by
State President Youth INTUC
Mr. Prikshit, youth leaders
Dansih Mir, Arif Wani, Adil
Khan and Manjeet Singh. On this
occasion Mr. Pranav was accom-
panied by Abid Kashmiri
General Secretary PYC.
The distressed people, includ-
ing women and children,
received the winter blankets
from Vice President PYC Pranav
Shagotra in a disciplined manner.
At that time, Mr. Pranav
embraced the distressed people
and enquired about their wellbe-
ing. Pranav also heard the prob-
lems being faced by the locals
and assured that the same will be
projected before the concerned
authorities for redereesal.
Speaking on this occasion Mr.
Pranav Shagotra said that
Congress party is aware about
the sufferings of the people and
is committed for the betterment
and welfare of "Aam Admi". He
said that the Congress party and
Sh. Rahul Gandhi is very keen to
uplift the down trodden and dis-
tressed people. He said that in
future more such welfare pro-
grammes will be organized. He
further said that Congress is
committed for overall develop-
ment of the far flung areas and
various policies have been
framed at the central and state
level to usher a new era of peace
and development and to uplift
the poors.
He said that Congress is the
only party which is committed
for the development of all
regions of the state. He said that
UPA has launched several wel-
fare schemes for the down trod-
den and poors like MGNREGA,
IAY, NRHM and TSC besides
pumping huge funds to the state.
Besides Pranav Shagotra,
Abid Kashmiri, Sheikh Nasir
from Kishtwar, Anoop Gupta,
Jagjyot, Amit Gandotra, Nitin
Sharma, Anil Kumar, Vishal
Gupta, and Irfan also spoke on
the occasion and appreciated the
efforts of the organizers for
arranging the welfare pro-
gramme.
Pranav distributes winter material among distressed
Children being administered Pulse Polio drops in Kashmir Valley.
Shabir directs distt. Adm.Rajouri, Poonch for early
restoration of snowdamaged infrastructure
JAMMU, JAN 20: Ministerof State for Health, Mr. Shabir
Ahmed Khan today asked
District Development
Commissioners, Rajouri and
Poonch to gear up administra-
tion and put in place men and
machinery for rapid snow
clearance especially from main
roads of the Districts. "Roads
leading to remote areas should
also be cleared to ensure free
vehicular movement for con-
venience of the people", he
instructed. Mr. Shabir today
rang up to District
Development Commissioner,
Rajouri and instructed him to
direct concerned Power
Development Department
functionaries to ensure early
restoration of power supply to
the consumers affected due to
heavy snow fall. The Minister
also asked the DDCs to ascer-
tain damages caused to trans-
mission lines and other public
utilities due to recent snow fall
in Rajouri and Poonch districts
so that necessary action from
the government would be
taken for immediate facilita-
tion of the inhabitants of these
areas. The Minister also called
upon the district administration
of these Districts to ensure ade-
quate ration, health care and
drinking water facilities to the
people.
JAMMU, JAN 20:Saying that for-
mulation of roadmap for faster, sus-
tainable and more inclusive growthis the fulcrum of State's planning
and budgeting, the Minister for
Finance & Ladakh Affairs, Mr. A.R.
Rather on Sunday said that all the
possibilities and opportunities will
be pooled to make the budget pro-
posals for ensuing financial year
representative to the needs and aspi-
rations of the people.
Speaking to the members and
representatives of PHDCC,
Institute of Public Opinion,
Industrial Associations of IGC
Samba, Bari Brahmana, Kathua
Gangyal and various Transport
Associations of Jammu on the sec-
ond consecutive day of pre-budget
discussions, Mr. Rather said while it
was endeavor of the Government to
make the budget proposals pro-peo-
ple and business friendly, the trade
and Industry too has an obligation
to cooperate with the tax enforcing
agencies at various levels, keeping
in view the revenue interests of the
State and ensure that there is zero
tax evasion. "Revenue mobilization
is pivotal for development and
progress of a resource starved State
like J&K and it should be the joint
responsibility of all the stake hold-
ers including trade, industry and the
Government in itself to make no
compromise in this regard." Mr.
Rather asserted and asked the busi-
ness community to aspire for more
tax concessions and incentives only
proportionate to the State's revenue
resources. He said despite having
meager resources, the Government
has extended unprecedented taxrelief to the people especially trade
and industry during last 3 years,
which is in itself a record in the his-
tory of the State. He said instead of
levying fresh taxes, it has been pre-
ferred to bring further reforms and
improvements in the existing tax
and fiscal management system
which has paid rich dividends,
resulting in two fold increase in tax
revenue of the State in 3 years, from
Rs. 2600 Crore in 2009 to Rs. 5500
Crore in 2012-13.
The Economic Advisor to the
Government, Mr. Jalil Ahmed
Khan, Financial Commissioner
Finance, Mr. Iqbal Khandey,
Commissioner Commercial Taxes,
Kifayat Hussain Rizvi, Additional
Commissioner Commercial Taxes
(Adm.) Jammu, Mr. P.I. Khateeb,
Special Secretary Finance, Mr.
Zubair Ahmed, Deputy
Commissioner Commercial Taxes
(HQ) Mr. Showkat Aijaz, Deputy
Commissioner Commercial Taxes
(Audit), Ms. Anoo and Deputy
Commissioner Commercial Taxes
Executive, Ms. Anuradha were also
present in the meeting.
The Minister said, with a view to
mitigate hardships of the business
community on account of traffic
jams and wastage of time in tax
clearance, the Government has
recently commissioned one of the
best in the country, fully computer-
ized New Toll Plaza at Lakhanpur
hoping that it will prove a turn-
around in the promotion of trade
and industrial growth in the State."But traders shall have to abide by
the rules and regulations to ensure
zero percent tax evasions and law
violations adding that it was dis-
heartening to note that 24000 sus-
pected violations have been report-
ed at the Toll Post in last fiscal
against only 2% seizures, though
Government follows the policy of
"no seizures" at all. He said only
random 4-5 vehicles are presently
detained for physical checks at the
Toll Plaza, Lakhanpur, adding that
the Government endeavors to fur-
ther minimize such checks for con-
venience of the business and trans-
porters fraternity. He said taxable
imports recorded at Commercial
Taxes Checkpost Lakhanpur have
increased from Rs. 4275 Crore in
the year 2000-2001 to Rs. 21544.26
Crore upto ending November of the
current financial year whereas
exports during the same period rose
from Rs. 904 Crore to Rs. 8598
Crore.
The delegations presented their
memoranda of demands and raised
various issues which mainly includ-
ed VATremiss ion extension, annual
assessment of raw material/finished
goods for toll tax exemption, 3%
interest subsidy to industrial units
set up prior to 2002 also, reduction
in electricity duty, amnesty scheme
by PDD, creation of new industrial
estates and marketing support to
local SSI Units.
2nd day of Pre-Budget discussions
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EDITORIAL & STATE WATCHSTUDENT AGE
MONDAY, JANUARY 21, 20134
STATE WATCH
By PK Ghosh
The Visa regime relaxation, a pos-
sible game-changer in South Asia,
was kept in the ice box while
hockey players and singers were asked to
pack up and leave. Manmohan Singh's
subscription to war rhetoric confirmed
how easily hard-won gains are given up
by leaders who can't see beyond their
noses
The January 6 incident in which two
Indian soldiers were killed in the
Mendhar sector of the LoC in Jammu &
Kashmir, one of whom, Lance Naik
Hemraj was decapitated brutally, has led
to national responses from India and
Pakistan more or less on predictable
lines. An incident that gathered the
Indian media spotlight due to the associ-
ated brutality - assumed larger propor-
tions as it reinforced the perception that
India was a weak state endowed with
self-serving political elite unable to take
"hard decisions" against the repeated
transgressions of the adversarial neigh-
bour Pakistan.
Tapped efficiently by the media - the
issue snowballed with government
caught largely offguard with the sheer
intensity of the outburst of nationalistic,
and, often jingoistic sentiment.Predictably, the Army and the Air
Force spoke in terms of militaristic solu-
tions and advocated a tit-for-tat response
that stood short of escalating to a conflict
(but could willy-nilly do s o). Fortunately,
External Affairs Minister Salman
Kurshid displayed a mature outlook.
While condemning the issue he also
advised restraint in the same breath. Thus
India spoke with differing voices sending
mixed signals. While some talkative hot
heads demanded nothing short of war - a
fairly outrageous demand given the cir-
cumstances and the known Pakistani
first-use policy on nuclear weapons, oth-
ers demanded ten heads of Pakistani sol-
diers as an apt retaliatory measure.
As is his tendency, Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh took his own time
coming out with a statement defining the
Indian official position. The Indian PM,
after a delay, sent out negative signals to
those with hopes of peace. Nobody
missed the hardline stance which was
tucked into it. His statement was proba-
bly made at the instance of the jingoistic
groundswell that had emerged thanks to
the uni-dimensional reports put out by
the Army.
However, while this sabre rattling
(regrettably initiated by India) led to the
suspension of the new visa regime, the
picture was quite different on the other
side. In Pakistan this week, developments
far more significant to the existence of
the nation were consuming everybody's
attention. Fears of a "judicial coup" coup
swept the nation as the Prime Minister
was ordered arrested. Military-backed
hardline cleric Tahir-ul Qadri, tried to do
an Anna Hazare act, putting governance
on a tailspin.
The Pakistani media, logically
enough, had better things to do than
match word for word with its Indian
counterpart. The tragedy in Quetta,
Balochistan, where Sunni extremist sui-
cide bombers killed nearly 100 people,mostly Hazara Shias, in a bombing
claimed by Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, combined
with the 'cliff' situation in the polity,
reduced the drama along the LoC to a B-
grade Bollywood movie.
Thus proving that Pakistan was deeply
engrossed with its own internal distur-
bances and that the border issue was a
fringe element in their current occupa-
tion.
Had the Indian media over hyped a
local incident? This, after all, is not
unusual in a "hot and active" LoC. So, no
wonder, the media's obsession was a cen-
trality. After all it is well known that both
the Indian and Pakistani armies are
deployed eyeball to eyeball along the
LoC - terrain that is hostile and at times
unforgiving.
In such conditions, when peace pre-
vails, there is a sense of sympathy - even
friendliness between the two sides.
However, often, especially when condi-
tions are conducive, the desire to push
infiltrators into the Indian territory leads
the Pakist ani Army to provide covering
fire which in turn makes the border "hot
and active" with retaliatory fire and casu-
alties . In such conditions both sides
charge each other with "transgressions"
into each other's territory and placing of
mines as had been done by the
Pakistanis in the recent case. These are
predictably followed by flag meetings
that see the trading of charges, counter
charges and complete denials of any
wrong doing that are often de rigour.
Once these meetings are over, its busi-
ness as usual.
Grisly dimension
Despite this, cases of beheading and
other such brutal actions are relatively
rare though not unknown. A similar
beheading case happened with two Indian
soldiers (Havildar Adhikari and Lance
Naik D Singh) in Khupwara dist in July
30, 2011.
In the current case the reason of thisviciousness lay with the commandoes of
the Pakistani Special Services Group
(SSG) (also called the "Black Storks")
who are more prone to brutality, given
their compulsion to maintain the aura of
"terror" and invincibility around them-
selves. This commando unit was earlier
involved in the savage torture of Lt Kalia
and other Indian soldiers who were cap-
tured in the early days of the Kargil con-
flict.
As the sequence of incidents unfold-
ed, Pakistan has blinked first, asking for
comprehensive talks at the foreign minis-
ter level while sending orders for
restraint among Army units deployed.
The question however remains as to how
long this correctional effort would last.
It must be remembered that the cease-
fire along LoC has not really solved any
of India's problems. While it has lulled
the political elite in India with a false
sense of complacency - the fact is that
peace along the active LoC has become a
mirage.
The desire to retaliate is often over-
powering especially when the firing is
"unprovoked" . During the mandatory
flag meetings which follow, efforts are
made to open a channel for communica-
tion and reiterate confidence building
measures, but the reality is that they pro-
duced less than tangible results. Far from
ensuring lasting peace, they only lead to
regurgitation of old rhetoric. The devel-
opments of the past fortnight have rein-
forced the cynicism which has crept into
the conflict rubric. Pakistan denies trans-
gressions, while India breathes fire and
brimstone. After the wearisomely famil-
iar exchange of polemics, both sides
return to the status quo ante.
Hence, there exists a dire need to look
beyond the existing CBMs of providing
advance warnings for military exercises
and ballistic missile tests which are rela-
tively "high level" issues. To solve the
border ceasefire violatio n issue, theweekly telephonic discussions between
the DGMOs and flag meetings are inade-
quate in keeping pace with the number of
violations.
India needs to propose a framework
for high-level consultations and a definite
agreeable methodology for prevention of
escalation and proposing de escalation in
case the issue goes out of hand. A regu-
lar review of the situation on the LoC
would prevent a repeat of the prescriptive
chronology of events and manage the
problems before they escalate. Since a
conflict with a trigger happy nuclear
armed Pakistan will upset the develop-
mental agenda of entire South Asia and
not only India and Pakistan.
India-Pak peace process in a shambles
By partially de-regulating
diesel prices in a desperate
bid to contain India's bur-
geoning fiscal deficit, the Congress-
led UPA regime has in effect used
the wrong instrument at the wrong
time. The Union Government may
like to defend its decision to allow
state-run oil marketing companies to
increase the price of subsidised
diesel by 50 paisa every month as a
bold reform measure, but that argu-
ment holds no water. The fact of the
matter remains that, instead of
exploring other fiscally prudent pos-
sibilities, the Government has mere-
ly passed on the burden of its own
failure to manage the economy on to
the aam aadmi. The decision is ill-
timed given that inflation has
already sky-rocketed and the com-
mon man is reeling under the pres-
sure of high prices. De-regulating
the price of diesel at this point only
adds to miseries of the people. For
example, the hike will immediately
lead to an increase in the price of the
fruits, vegetables and other farm
produce as transportation costs will
go up. Similarly, also be prepared for
the prices of industrial goods to riseas well. The resultant domino effect
is bound to hurt across almost all
sections of society, including the
poorest of poor. But this clearly does
not affect the apathetic UPAregime
that would much rather squeeze the
public dry than tighten its own belt.
Nor does the projection that the hike
will add 120 basis points (or 1.2 per
cent) to the inflation rate.
In fact, if the Government really
wishes to augment the country's
monetary resources, it would do
much better to pull the plug on
wasteful welfare projects such as the
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural
Employment Guarantee Scheme.
Even experts from within the
Government know that the pro-
gramme, which has an annual outlay
of roughly Rs 40,000 crore, merely
provides a platform for middlemen
to siphon off funds. It does nothing
to boost the economy or generate
sustainable employment. Instead, it
only serves to perpetuate a culture of
entitlement based on handouts and
doles. And now, the Centre is push-
ing through its disastrous National
Food Security Bill, 2011. Once it is
implemented, this new populist poli-
cy will cost the national exchequer a
whopping one lakh crore rupees.
This, however, is not to say that
there is no merit in the Government's
contention per se that the energy
subsidy bill needs to be trimmed.
After all, this year alone, the three
public sector oil marketing compa-
nies show a combined operating loss
of Rs 1,66,800 crore in their half-
yearly results.
To some extent, yes, this is
because the companies currently sell
diesel at a loss of Rs 10.16 per litre,
kerosene at Rs 32.17 a litre and LPG
at Rs 490.50 per 14.2 kg cylinder.
But it is also because of the ineffi-cient manner in which these compa-
nies are run that is responsible for
the mess. Additionally, the daily Rs
384 crore loss in revenue is due to
the 14 per cent fall in the value of the
rupee against the dollar. This brings
our argument back full circle to the
point of UPA's fiscal mismanage-
ment.
Even the Reserve Bank of India
appears to be unsure about the
Government's ability to put things in
order. That is the reason why the
RBI, despite the Centre's persistent
prodding over the last many months,
has held on to its decision until now
of not bringing down interest rates.
Hike in diesel pricecomes at wrong time
CHANDIGARH: Former
BJP chief parliamentary sec-
retary Jagdish Sahni, who
joined Punjab Congress last
year after a bitter and public
feud with the state party lead-
ership, may return to the
party fold soon.
Informed sources indicat-
ed on Sunday that the newly
elected state BJP president
Kamal Sharma has estab-
lished contact with Sahni in
this regard and the response
has been positive. While
Sahni himself is maintaining
a discreet silence on this
issue, sources close to him
said that it will be like a
'home-com-
ing' for Sahni.
State BJP
l e a d e r s h i p
feels that after
the exit of
Jagdish Sahni
from the BJP,
the party has
suffered a
serious set-
back in
Batala con-
stituency, which has been a
traditional stronghold of the
party. His return would help
the party to re-establish itself
at the grass-
root level in
the con-
stituency.
It may be
recalled that
Sahni and
the-then state
health minis-
ter and BJP
leader Laxmi
K a n t a
Chawla were
involved in a prolonged pub-
lic spat after Chawla organ-
ized a raid by health officials
on a nursing home run by the
son-in-law of Jagdish Sahni
in Batala.
Both sides refused to call
a truce despite intervention
by party high command.
Finally, Sahni resigned as
chief parliamentary secretary
in protest and the portfolio of
Chawla was changed. While
Chawla announced that she
would not assembly polls
held last year, Sahni was
denied re-nomination from
Batala leading to his resigna-
tion from BJP.
PUNJAB
Former CPS Jagdish Sahni may re-join BJP soonNEW DELHI: The Gorkha
Janmukti Morcha on Sunday
is expected to decide on how
to push its demand for a sep-
arate Gorkhaland. The party
is likely to renew its agitation
in the Darjeeling hills. The
leadership has also threat-
ened to take up arms to
ensure that a separate state is
formed.
"From GJM we want to
make it clear that the time
has come for Gorkhaland.
We will move ahead with our
movement for Gorkhaland.
Time has come for us to
restart our movement," party
general secretary Roshan
Giri said. "This is our final
battle and the time has come
for us to come on the front,"
said Giri. The GJM has
planned a rally and public
meeting in Darjeeling on
Sunday and Kurseong on
January 27 during which it
will announce its future
course of action regarding
the movement.
The GJM's threat to
revive the Gorkhaland agita-
tion comes in the wake of
union Home Minister
Sushilkumar Shinde's
remarks after the December
28 all-party meeting in Delhi
that a decision on carving out
a new state of Telangana
would be made within a
month. "We had told Shinde
that he should consider the
country's oldest demand --
Gorkhaland. We welcome the
way the centre is going to
create Telangana but the
demand of Gorkhaland
should also be considered,"
said Giri.
The agitation over a sepa-
rate state out of the northern
West Bengal hills has led to
loss of many lives over the
past two decades, besides hit-
ting hard the region's tea,
timber and tourism sectors.
On July 18 last year, a tripar-
tite agreement was signed
between the GJM, and the
state and central govern-
ments for setting up a new
autonomous, elected
Gorkhaland Territorial
Administration (GTA), a hill
council armed with more
powers than its predecessor,
the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill
Council formed in the late
1980s.
The GJM now runs the
GTAafter sweeping its maid-
en elections last July. The
tough stance of the GJM,
ahead of chief minister
Mamata Banerjee's proposed
visit to Darjeeling January
29, is also related to its
"unhappiness" over the slow
pace of transferring powers
to the GTA. "Except the
name of Gorkhaland
Territorial Administration,
what else have we got" Giri
said.
NAMAKKAL(TN): A judge of a subordinate court in Tamil Nadu has been suspended by
the Madras High Court for allegedly attending the meeting of ruling AIADMK's local unit.
The order suspending principal district judge N Velu was issued by the Madras High
Court Registrar General on January 18 pending inquiry into complaints, high court sources
said.
The judge had on December 15 attended Namakkal AIADMK Parliamentary
Constituency consultancy meeting here in which five ministers participated. When
reporters had asked him about his presence at the party meeting, the judge had said he
attended the meeting beyond his duty hours.
Photographs of his presence at the meeting and messages were sent to the High Court
which suspended the judge pending an inquiry. The sources said the Karur principal dis-
trict judge, given additional charge of Namakkal, has assumed charge.
BHOPAL: The Madhya
Pradesh government has pro-
posed 15 eco-sensitive zones
around its wildlife sanctuar-
ies and parks, where illegal
commercial activities includ-
ing mining will be prohibit-
ed.
A site specific proposal
recommending eco-sensitive
zones around Ken Gharial
Sanctuary (Chhattarpur),
Pachmari Sanctuary and
Satpura National Park
(Hoshangabad), Nauradehi
Sanctuary (Sagar) and Karera
Sanctuary (Shivpuri) among
others has been approved by
the state government, accord-
ing to a document accessed
by wildlife activist Ajay
Dubey through RTI Act.
The move came after the
state government was given a
"last chance" to send a site
specific proposal to identify
eco-sensitive zone by the
Ministry of Environment and
Forests before February 15.
The state government has
already decided to declare
such zones around 17
wildlife sanctuaries and
parks including Kanha
National Park (Mandla),
Pench National Park (Seoni),
Bandhavgarh National Park
(Umaria), Panna National
Park (Panna) and Kuno
Palpur Sanctuary (Seopur)
among others.
The proposal would soon
be sent to the Environment
Ministry which would
declare the eco-sensitive
zones. According to the min-
istry's norms, land falling
within 10 km of a park or
sanctuary has to be declared
as eco-sensitive zone. The
norms prohibit setting up of
industries and commercial
projects like hotels and
resorts besides checking on
mining activities among oth-
ers. The MoEF has said in the
letter that it will declare eco-
sensitive zones around 10 km
of national parks and sanctu-
aries if it fails to get the
response from the state gov-
ernment before February 15
thus barring commercial and
other activities harmful to
environment. Madhya
Pradesh, a tiger state, has 35
national parks and wildlife
sanctuaries.
LUCKNOW: To regain its
lost base in politically sensi-
tive Uttar Pradesh ahead of
the upcoming Lok Sabha
polls, BJP will launch a toll-
free number to get sugges-
tions and complaints from
people and party workers.
"The party will launch a toll-
free service on January 21
through which complaints
and suggestions lodged by
the people, especially the
party workers, will reach the
national leadership," party
spokesman Vijay Bahadur
Pathak told.
Pathak said that the aim of
the exercise was to take the
party closer to the people as
well as the workers. He also
said that on the start of 'Atal
Sankalp Yatra' on January 21,
the party of former UP Chief
Minister Kalyan Singh would
merge with the BJP.
"On the same day, the
party will start an ambitious
toll free number on which
any person from the state can
lodge his complaint or sug-
gestion," Pathak said. He said
that to launch the service,
conceptualised by the state
president Laxmi Kant Bajpai,
the party has tied up with a
private telecom operator.
The service would be
launched by the party presi-
dent Nitin Gadkari. Pathak
said that the dialer would
have several options,
"whether the caller wants to
lodge a complaint related to
the party or give a sugges-
tion. Whether he has any
problem with the government
and local authorities and
needs help," he said.
The spokesman said that
if the complaint, suggestion
or request would be of local
level, then it would be for-
warded to the concerned
leader within 15 minutes. He
said that if the complaint or
suggestion was of state or
national level then it would
be forwarded to the con-
cerned leadership according-
ly. He said that the senior
party leaders have already
started reaching Lucknow for
the yatra, which would mark
Kalyan's unofficial entry into
BJP.
In Assembly polls held
last year, the BJP, despite
bombarding the state with its
top level leaders failed to win
the confidence of the elec-
torates and it could manage
only 47 seats. The major
cause behind the party's poor
display was cited to be the
workers disenchantment.
UTTAR PRADESH
BJP to launch toll-free number to attract people in UP
WEST BENGAL
GJM to decide on Gorkhalandmovement today
Tamil Nadu
District judge in TN suspended for attending AIADMK meeting
MADHYA PRADESH
MP govt proposes 15 eco-sensitivezones around wildlife parks, sanctuaries
HARYANA
Cold conditions persist tosweep several parts in HaryanaCHANDIGARH: Cold conditions on Sunday continued to
sweep most parts of Punjab and Haryana, with mercury hov-
ering below the normal levels. Chandigarh, where residents
woke up to foggy conditions, recorded a low of 7.6 degree
Celsius.
In Haryana, Narnaul was the coldest place at a low of 3.2
degree celsius, while Bhiwani, too experienced a cold night at
4.8 degree celsius, the MeT said here. Hisar and Karnal regis-
tered minimums of 5 and 8.2 degree celsius respectively.
In Punjab, Amritsar braved the chill at 4.2 degree celsius.
Ludhiana and Patiala recorded respective minimums of 6.7
and 9.2 degree Celsius respectively. The MeT in its forecast
said that cold conditions would prevail in the region over the
next two days.
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5/8
1.Sardar : (To a friend) Aap
kitna padhe ho?
Friend : B.A.
Sardar : kamal karte ho
yaar! Sirf do word padhe,
aur woh bhi ulte
2.Ek samay do bahut milne
wale dost rahte thay. Lekin ek din ek dost ka maut ho
gaya aur police investigate
karne ke liye aaya aur uske
dost ko sawal poochne
laga
Police: "Tumhara dost kaise
mara?"
Sardar: "Pata nahi sahab,
woh bola mere pet mein
chuhe kud rahe hai toh maine usko chuha marne ki
dawa khila di."
3.Aman bought a car by
bank loan. But he did not
pay loan amount. So they
took the car from him.
After seeing that the man is
thinking, "If I knew before,
than I would have taken a
loan for my marriage also.
4.Captain of Military :
Naujawanon aage bado
Santa aage nahin bada.
Captain : Tum aage kyun
nahin bade?
Santa : Apne kaha 9
jawanon aage bado, mein
10 number pe tha.
5.Teacher: U idiots! At
your age Einstein ranked
first in class.
What about you?
Student: Sir at your age
Hitler committed suicide..!
What about you?
6.Prospective husband: Do
you have a book called
'Man, The Master of
Women'?
Salesgirl: The fiction
department is on the other
side, sir.
Once upon a time there
was a boy whose
name was Jack, and
he lived with his mother on a
common. They were very
poor, and the old woman got
her living by spinning, but Jack
was so lazy that he would do
nothing but bask in the sun in
the hot weather, and sit by the
corner of the hearth in the win-
ter-time. So they called him
Lazy Jack. His mother could
not get him to do anything for
her, and at last told him, one
Monday, that if he did not
begin to work for his porridge
she would turn him out to get
his living as he could.
This roused Jack, and he
went out and hired himself for
the next day to a neighbouring
farmer for a penny; but as he
was coming home, never hav-
ing had any money before, he
lost it in passing over a brook.
"You stupid boy," said his
mother, "you should have put it
in your pocket." "I'll do so
another time," replied Jack.
On Wednesday, Jack went
out again and hired himself toa cow-keeper, who gave him a
jar of milk for his day's work.
Jack took the jar and put it into
the large pocket of his jacket,
spilling it all, long before he
got home. "Dear me!" said the
old woman; "you should have
carried it on your head." "I'll
do so another time," said Jack.
So on Thursday, Jack hired
himself again to a
farmer, who agreed
to give him a cream
cheese for his serv-
ices. In the evening
Jack took the
cheese, and went
home with it on his
head. By the time
he got home the
cheese was all
spoilt, part of it
being lost, and part
matted with his hair. "You stu-
pid lout," said his mother, "you
should have carried it very
carefully in your hands." "I'll
do so another time," replied
Jack.
On Friday, Lazy Jack again
went out, and hired himself to
a baker, who would give him
nothing for his work but a large
tom-cat. Jack too