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8 Pages Rs: 1.00 Jammu Edition www.thestudentage.com JKENG/2012/41612 Vol. 2 No: 78

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'Special status' for Bihar should not be mixed with Congress strategy to stay in power: BJP

A diplomatic victory

'Musharraf unlikely to have much impact on Pak elections': US Ambassador

India preparing new hi-tech naval base to counter China
NEW DELHI: With an eye on China, India is preparing its new technically advanced naval base on the country's eastern coast. As per reports in English daily, the base will have underground bunkers to protect the nuclearpowered submarines like INS Arihant from spies and aerial attacks. The daily quoted sources as saying that a series of meetings were held between the PMO and the Defence Ministry for the expansion plans of the naval base called 'Project Varsha' near Rambilli on the coast of Andhra Pradesh. This is about 50 km from the Eastern Naval Command headquarters at Visakhapatnam. Though the project is slowly beginning to take shape, and seen by many as a answer to China's contd on page 2

Four cops injured as grenade accidentally explodes

IN BRIEF

Show courage to remove AFSPA: Omar tells Centre

JAMMU: Commenting on the simmering issue of removing the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) in the Valley, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has said that the Central Government should show a gut to experiment with its removal. "If the central government could hang Afzal Guru knowing well that it would have repercussions in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, then why cannot it gather the courage to remove AFSPA? I do not understand this," Abdullah told media here. He further questioned the Delhi police's role in arrest of alleged Hizbul Mujahideen militant Liyaqat Ali Shah. "The Delhi Police say that he (Shah) had come to New Delhi to plot a militant attack on a shopping mall. The Jammu and Kashmir police refuse to accept this viewpoint. This man was coming back as per a rehabilitation policy and had appropriate permissions about which we knew. If a man would come to a place to plot a militant attack, would he do so accompanied by family? I fail to understand this," he said. as he was not holding a gun in his hand...instead; he was holding the hands of his wife and his daughter," he added. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Home Affairs on Monday ordered National Investigation Agency (NIA) probe into the arrest of Liyaqat Ali Shah. The Jammu and Kashmir Police had supported the claims of Shah's family that he was a former militant who had already surren-

SRINAGAR: Four policemen were injured Tuesday when a grenade exploded accidentally in the premises of a police station here while a bomb disposal squad was inspecting some seized ammunition and explosives. The four policemen, including two members of the bomb disposal squad, suffered contd on page 2

Over 4,000 militants surrendered in J&K since 1990

JAMMU: In the past two decades 4,081 militants have surrendered in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah told the state Assembly on Tuesday. "Since 1990 upto February 28, 2013, 4081 terrorists have surrendered in the state of Jammu and Kashmir", the CM said in a written reply to the question contd on page 2 dered and was part of a group returning contd on page 2

Omar felicitates people on Holi

JAMMU, MARCH 26 Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has greeted people on Holi wishing them well being and happiness. In his greetings message, the Chief Minister reminded the people of the rich tradition of Jammu and Kashmir State to celebrate festivals and holy occasions in amity and brotherhood and expressed the hope that this ethos would get further strengthened. Omar Abdullah prayed for peace, contd on page 2

"Shah was not going to carry out terror attacks in New Delhi,

Governor extends Holi greetings

JAMMU, MARCH 26 - Mr. N. N. Vohra, Governor, has greeted the people on Holi, and hoped that the festival of colours would be a harbinger of peace, progress and prosperity in the State. In his message of felicitations, the Governor observed that festivals are an important component of our rich cultural heritage which strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, love and amity. He expressed the hope that the coming Holi would spread happiness and joy all contd on page 2

ROME: Italian foreign minister Giulio Terzi said on Tuesday he was resigning from his post in protest over the return of two Italian marines to India to face murder charges. "I resign in contention with the decision to send the marines back to India. The misgivings I expressed had no effect on the decision taken," he told parliament. "I am resigning because for 40 years I have maintained, and still maintain, that the reputation of the country, the armed forces and Italian

Italians marines' row: Foreign minister Giulio Terzi resigns BJP takes on Omar Govt, demands President's rule in J&K
SRINAGAR, MAR 23: Angry Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislators staged a protest outside the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly here on Saturday demanding the dismissal of the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference Government. BJP MLA Ashok Khajuria lashed out at the incumbent government, and termed it as a threat to the unity and integrity of the country as well as the state. "The man, who was the biggest militant is being the state of Jammu and Kashmir is a threat to the unity and integrity of our country," said Khajuria. " There is a threat to the security and safety of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and the rest of the country. We urge the Governor to immediately dismiss this government and impose the Governor's rule," he added. Recently, the Jammu and Kashmir assembly had witnessed uproar several times on the contd on page 2

diplomacy, should be safeguarded," he said. The Italian government sent Massimiliano Latorre and Salvatore Girone, accused of shooting dead two

fishermen off the coast of Kerala, back to New Delhi on Friday, having previously opposed the trial in India. Their arrival came after a shock contd on page 2

given due respect. And on the other hand, the Prime Minister of India is simply called by his name. We have

staged a protest today, as we believe that the ruling government of National Conference and Congress in

'Only' Rahul Gandhi

will become PM: Congress

Bilawal ditches PPP, army wants security for Musharraf

who is chairman of Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf said on Tuesday that he would never take oath from President Asif Ali Zardari if his party won the next general elections. Talking to media Khan said: "I will never take oath from Asif Ali Zardari." In a letter to Ministry of Defence, the army says that due to prevailing law and order situation of the country the ex-president and former army general must be provided heavy contingent of security due to life threats against him from different defunct Jihadi outfits including banned Tehrik-iTalban Pakistan(TTP). After receiving the letter from army authorities the Muinstry of Defence had further written a letter to Ministry of Interior for provision of fool proof security to Musharraf contd on page 2

JK Police to be deployed Ex-militants demand proper along Indo-Nepal border rehabilitation in J&K
SRINAGAR/NEW DELHI: In an attempt to plug the Nepal route used by Kashmiri militants to re-enter the Valley using the new surrender policy as a cover, the Centre has decided to depute Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel along with the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), a para-military force guarding the Indo-Nepal border. At a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary R K Singh in the national capital, the decision to depute the police personnel from the state was taken. These men will assist the SSB in identifying the Kashmiri youth who have been using Nepal as an alternate route to enter into the Valley, official sources said on Sunday. The Jammu contd on page 2 SRINAGAR: Families of former militants, who returned from PoK under the government's rehabilitation policy held a protest here on Tuesday demanding immediate rehabilitation as was done with ex-militants in Punjaband north-eastern states. "We demand rehabilitation the same way as ex-militants in Punjab and north-east were rehabilitated. We too are humans and should be allowed to live freely. We are facing many hardships. We are not being given identity cards and our children are being denied admission in school," Saifullah Farooq, an ex-militant, told reporters here. The former militants, demonstrating under the banner ofJammu and Kashmir Human Welfare Association, alleged that the state government was doing nothing to mitigate their sufferings. "We are facing many difficulties here," he said. The protests come in the wake of arrest of Liyaqat Ali Shah by Delhi Police, which claimed that he is a Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist, but J-K police have maintained that he was a militant who had surrendered as part of rehabilitation policy and was headed to Kashmir. contd on page 2

VIP sorties cost nearly Rs 12 crore in 3 years

JAMMU: The VIP sorties in state aircraft and helicopters has cost Jammu and Kashmir nearly Rs 12 crore in the last three years, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah told the state Assembly here Tuesday. The expenditure incurred on the state aircraft and helicopters during the last three years since 2010 has been Rs 1,196.45 lakh, CM said in a reply to a cut motion of JKNPP contd on page 2

NEW DELHI: Amid a renewed debate over theCongress prime ministerial candidate, the party on Tuesday expressed confidence that "only"Rahul Gandhi will become the prime minister and take the country forward. "All the workers and leaders of Congress wish from the core of their heart that Rahul Gandhi becomes prime minister of the country. We are confident that only Rahul will become the prime minister of the country. "He has, in him, all the qualities required to be the prime minister. Rahul Gandhi has in own way of thinking and is farsighted. We are confident that whenever he becomes the prime minister, Rahul contd on page 2

NEW DELHI, MARCH 26: The May elections in Pakistan are generating interesting sideshows and main shows. While the Pakistan army has demanded foolproof security for former president Pervez Musharraf amidst death threats from the Taliban, the star campaigner for PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has left for Dubai after a tiff with his father President Asif Ali Zardari over distribution of tickets to his (Bilawal's) supports. And not to be outdone, cricketer turned politician Imran Khan,

Rajesh Kumar takes charge as IGP Jammu region

JAMMU: IPS officer Rajesh Kumar today took charge as the Inspector General of Police (IGP) of Jammu region and reviewed the functioning of different sections of police control room here. Kumar held an introductory meeting with police officers and inspected the police control contd on page 2

2.50 lakh cases pending in Courts of J&K

JAMMU: Jammu and Kashmir has over 2.50 lakh cases pending in various courts of the state, including Jammu and Srinagar wings of the High Court. Replying to a question of Congress legislators Bashir Ahmad Magray and Ravinder Kumar Sharma in the Legislative Council here, Minister of state for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Vikar Rasool today said that while 82,306 cases were pending in both Jammu and Srinagar wings of the state High Court, 1,91,144 cases were pending in the subordinate contd on page 2

If there is compulsion why don't you quit?

ROHIT SINGH RANA
The common bit of wisdom that we teach our children is if you do not feel doing things avoid doing them. The same bit of wisdom is for adults too and applies for every endeavour in life. But when it comes to practicing what we preach we fail by a mile and not by a whisker. Otherwise how could the Chairman of the coordination committee of National Conference- Congress Coalition Prof. Saif -u-din Soz call working with National Conference a Compulsion? If it is compulsion then step down and get a fresh mandate. Why this cribbing all about. Everybody will say to you yes, step down. Why to work in a coalition where there is compulsion. But that will not take place simply for politicians, things are not as simple as the common man in the State believes. The fact is that the ordinary voter who votes our worthy politicians to drive our destiny is an individual of simple understanding but in politics the simple understanding becomes complex and sophisticated. New political definitions are developed and new jargon is crafted to suit the grand seats of power. After all, that for whom the voter has voted is now changed and a metamorphosis has overtaken him. He sees a larger picture, a far larger horizon than the ordinary voter. So what we ordinary people look and feel has no value or rationalism for him. The only reality for our worthy politicians is to remain in power compulsions or no compulsions. Then, what about the statements issued by them? Do they have no face value? It is a good poser but its relevance is limited to the limited understanding of the poor voter. He has expended or should we say utilized his political understanding when he voted these gentlemen to the high seats of law making. Now he is nobody to raise his fingers at any of these Worthies. The arrow that he had has been shot, now it is impossible to retrieve the arrow. As they say Jo teer chal gaya who kahan vapas aata hai. So ordinary manplease understand there are no compulsions for anybody. These statements are again aimed at the poor voter. The ordinary voter has to be made to vote for them again. How will he come out unless the politician projects himself a victim of circumstances due to which he could not deliver as desired by the voter. A new chance should be given again. So brace up ordinary voter. New elections are not far away. Prepare to vote again, for these worthies have to come to power. They will make you believe that they are trying hard but cannot because again there are compulsions. They will keep you guessing. So if there is any flame left inside you then think hard before you act. At least one day belongs to you. Make a new history , you can do it.

Dr.Farooq! Does our CM speak Kashmiri?

Dr. Farooq Abdullah you are one of the most senior politicians of not only of our State but of the whole country. Just two days ago in a function in Srinagar you rightly underlined the importance of Kashmiri language and exhorted the people to speak in their mother tongue. Your intentions are right and we welcome them. You speak in Kashmiri and many times we have heard you speaking in Kashmiri at public forums. It was the direct influence of your worthy father which enables you to speak in Kashmiri. And believe me when you speak in Kashmiri it makes our hearts glad. Kashmiri is a great language. It has some of the finest literature and that must make us all proud. But for God's sake please tell us why our present Chief Minister Omar Abdullah does not speak in public in Kashmiri? Why is he not conversant with this great language as you are? Have you failed as a father to teach his son Kashmiri your mother tongue on which you vexed eloquent in the function on Kashmiri language? Is it easy to pontificate and sermonize? Why we do not start doing things first from our homes-Charity begins at home. So our worthy Dr. Farooq please advise Omar to speak in Kashmiri and if he does not know the language inspire him to learn it. Rest assured Sir! Kashmiri language will make him even more learned and proud Kashmiri.

Ranasahib

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Court. Airports were even put on alert. India's hard-line stance caused alarm in diplomatic circles, with European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton declaring on Tuesday that limiting Mancini's movement ran "contrary to the international obligations". Diplomats said that the impasse was broken after an assurance given that the marines would not face the death penalty, which is only carried out in the "rarest of rare" cases under Indian law. In an address to lawmakers, foreign minister Salman Khurshid said India had assured Italy the marines were in no danger of being executed as "this case would not fall in the category of matters which attract the death penalty". Italian foreign minister Giulio Terzi confirmed that Rome's concerns had been laid to rest. "The agreement with India is that the case does not include any possibility of the maximum punishment being applied," Terzi told La Repubblica daily. Italy had been insisting the pair should be prosecuted in their home country because the shootings involved an Italian-flagged vessel in international waters. India says the killings took place in waters under its jurisdiction. The two are accused of murder after they shot dead two Indian fishermen they mistook for pirates off the Indian port of Kochi last year. They were serving as security guards on an Italian oil tanker. Dora Gelastine, the widow of one of the victims who was just known as Gelastine, said she was delighted the marines had returned to face trial. "I don't know much about the whole legal process but I want the killers to face prosecution as per our law. It's minimum justice for my innocent husband," she told AFP. The two countries do have a prisoner transfer agreement, raising the possibility that the marines could serve their sentence in Italy if convicted. Relations between the two countries have also been soured by corruption allegations surrounding a $748 million deal for the purchase of 12 Italian helicopters, which the Indian government is now threatening to scrap.

CONTD.
Bilawal ditches PPP...
due to current environment of Pakistan. Musharraf returned from Dubai after years of selfexile and is in the country for the May elections. The army's letter shows that the general has not lost the support of the army, which he headed and led a coup. On the other hand, the chief patron of PPP Bilwal seems to be involved in a tough bargain with his father for a hold over the Pakistan People's Party. Bilawal's flight from the country means no star campaigner for Pakistan's general election. Bilawal, recently named patron-in-chief of the PPP, developed differences with Zardari and his sister, Faryal Talpur, over the party's handling of key issues, including militant violence, sectarian attacks against Shias and distribution of party tickets for the polls scheduled for May 11. Bilawal had made it clear to his father that he felt the PPP had not strongly taken up issues like the shooting of teenage rights activist Malala Yusufzai by Taliban fighters last year and three devastating bomb attacks on Shias in Quetta and Karachi that killed nearly 250 people. Bilawal was also upset with the PPP's handling of issues that affect the youth, especially in the wake of efforts by other parties like Imran Khan's Pakistan Tehrik-e-Insaf to woo the youth ahead of the polls, the sources said. The 24-year-old was angered by his sisiter's refusal to award tickets to certain candidates in Sindh province that he had recommended. "Last month, Bilawal had recommended the names of some 200 PPP workers and asked former Sindh Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah to give them jobs but Talpur had intervened, causing bad blood between them," the source said. Bilawal discussed these matters with his father and sought authority to take decisions in party matters. "When Zardari told him that he would be handed over the command of the party after he is groomed politically, Bilawal got upset and left for Dubai," a source said. "Bilawal had been projected as the PPP's star campaigner as the President cannot participate in the campaign due to pressure from the courts," a PPP leader said. "Without Bilawal, the PPP cannot touch the emotions of the people, especially the hard core PPP workers," said the PPP leader, who did not wish to be named. Bilawal himself will not be eligible to contest polls till he turns 25 in September. The PPP had formally launched his political career at a massive rally in Garhi Khuda Baksh that marked the death anniversary of his mother, former premier Benazir Bhutto, in December last year. Muzaffarabad (Uri), Wagah (Punjab) and Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi from where the youth, given clearance, can enter the state. However, some cases were detected during the past few months in which former militants holed in PoK were entering into the Valley through Nepal route and then claiming that they had returned as per the policy of 2010. Some of the youths were later found to be re-cycled into militancy as well. The issue was flagged at a meeting on Internal Security chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah which led the Centre to direct the Home Secretary to take urgent steps in this matter. While favouring a mechanism to ensure safe return of former militants to the state to facilitate their transition for leading peaceful lives, rejoining the national mainstream and contributing towards peace, Omar had said that there are reports that some youth are using Nepal route for returning to Jammu and Kashmir. "There is a growing concern about the possibility of the recycling of the surrendered and released militants as well as these prospective returnees from PoK. This needs attention of the Government," Omar had said. splinter injuries when the grenade exploded in the premises of the Parimpora police station on Srinagar-Baramulla national highway, Station House Officer of the police station Ghulam Mohiuddin said. The explosion took place when the bomb disposal squad was inspecting some seized ammunition and explosives in the police station. All the injured have been admitted to a nearby hospital and their condition was stated to be "out of danger", the officer said. of the injured, one passenger, namely, Bashir Ahmad Shah S/O Ghulam Mohammad Shah R/O Loswani Newa, Pulwama later on died at SKIMS, Soura during the intervening night of March 19th, 2013. The Minister said that a case FIR No 78/2013 u/s 279, 337, 427, 304A RPC stands registered at Police Station, Pulwama and investigation has been taken up. The preliminary investigations have revealed that the accident has been caused due to rash/negligent driving, he added Kichloo said that since road traffic accidents are not covered under current SDRF Guidelines, no relief could be provided to the victims by the District Administration, Pulwama., adding that some financial assistance from District Red Cross Fund has been provided to the family of the deceased person. The Minister said that the State Government has created Passenger Welfare Fund in the Motor Vehicles Department in which Rs. 25,000 is given to the kin of deceased, Rs. 10,000 to seriously injured and Rs. 5,000 to a person received minor injury on the recommendations of the Committee headed by the respective Divisional Commissioners, Jammu/Kashmir. Kichloo said the ARTO, Pulwama has referred the case to RTO, Kashmir (Srinagar) for sanction of ex-gratia relief under the Passenger Welfare Fund. He said that as soon as the recommendations of the Committee are received by the concerned department, relief will be disbursed to the next of kin of the deceased/serious/minor injured persons as admissible. The Minister said that the Motor Vehicles Department has taken some precautionary measures to avoid such accidents including issuance of driving license to drive public service after three years of possessing Light Motor Vehicle license, displaying details of driving licenses, including photographs, duly attested by concerned RTO/ARTO on the wind screen of vehicles while driving Motor Vehicles, all 25 years or older commercial/ passenger vehicles have been taken off from the road and 15 years older passengers have to go for mechanical fitness test. Kichloo said that the Motor Vehicles Department, in coordination with Traffic Police Department has constituted special checking squads for organizing regular drives, in respect of violations, caused by road users and to deter the violators, stringently under law particularly rash and negligent driving, plying of vehicles beyond the allotted routes of jurisdiction and use of Mobile phone while driving and quick rescue operation teams. He said that the Government has also constituted Quick rescue operation teams headed by respective District Development Commissioners in the hilly districts across the state. Kitchloo said that in addition, the Traffic Regulation System on this route has been further enhanced to avoid such accidents in future.

2
Jammu and Srinagar has already been taken up within an estimated cost of Rs. 16.05 crore. The Minister further said 34 chambers at Jammu stand completed and handed over to the Bar Association for further allotment whereas 61 chambers are almost complete. He said construction work on 102 chambers for advocates at Srinagar is in its final stage and expected to be completed by December-2013. Vikar further said with the recent elevation of 5 High Court Judges, the strength increased to 12 and 2 posts of High Court Judges are vacant. He said that the government has also appointed 7 District & Sessions Judges to the Subordinate Court, besides creation of 37 courts in the state. The Minister said that the process of selection of 38 Munsiffs is likely to be completed and 22 courts of Dehi Adalats are also under consideration of the Government and 10% increase in cadre strength at all levels in subordinate judiciary is also being contemplated. Vikar further informed that 82,306 cases are pending in the High Court, whereas 191144 cases (civil and criminal) are pending in subordinate courts. R. S. Sharma, Ghulam Nabi Monga, Dr. Shehnaz Ganai, Javid Rana, Naresh Gupta and Sheikh Ghulam Rasool raised supplementaries on the question. Vikar replying to another question by Mr, Ali Mohammad Dar said that the Chief Engineer, EM&RE wing, Kashmir has received a proposal for carving out an Electric Division for Chadoora area from existing Electric Division, Budgam which is under examination.

Show courage to...

from Pakistan- occupied Kashmir as part of the rehabilitation policy. The Special Cell of Delhi Police on the contrary has claimed that it had foiled a suicide attack in the national capital with Shah's arrest, who they claimed, was a Hizbul Mujahideen terrorist who planned attacks in the national capital. Shah's arrest triggered a controversy after the Omar Abdullah Government and the state police contradicted Delhi Police's version that he was coming to Delhi to coordinate terror strikes during the festival of Holi.

Omar felicitates...
prosperity and progress of the State and the Country.

Over 4,000 militants ...

of PDP member Nizam-uddin Bhat in the Assembly. As many as 210 terrorists have been provided monetary incentives admissible under surrender policy in the form of cash and stipend, he added. Out of these, 200 have been accorded benefit under the new surrender policy of 2004, Omar said, while the remaining ten surrendered militants have been benefited under surrender policy of 1997. Moreover, 27 surrendered militants have been brought under security cover in the state, he said.

Governor extends...
around and further promote harmony and brotherhood. Wishing a happy Holi to the people, the Governor prayed for their well-being and prosperity.

VIP sorties cost...

member Harshdev Singh in the Assembly. The year-wise expenditure is Rs 440.55 lakh in 2010-11, Rs 360.19 lakh in 2011-12 and Rs 395.71 lakh in 2012-13 upto February end, he said, adding, this includes fuel charges, insurance of the helicopters and aircraft; and landing, parking and maintenance charges. Jammu and Kashmir has one King Air-350 Aircraft and two helicopters of models Bell-407 and Augusta-109E. The aircraft and helicopters are meant to facilitate the movements of dignatories, Governor and Chief Minister, besides ministers and others.

India preparing new...

nuclear submarine base at Yalong which is on the southern tip Haiman island. The development work for India's new high-tech naval base has been under-construction for more than a year. Lot of work still needs to be done on it like building of depots and tunnels.

Ex-militants demand ...

Farooq said the state government should first rehabilitate those militants who are already in Kashmir and then ask others to return from across the border. "There are around 27,000 of us here but we have been left to the mercy of God. If the state government wants to (really) rehabilitate ex-militants, it should rehabilitate us first and then ask those across the border to return," he said. Farooq said the militants had taken up arms "under certain circumstances" but, after shunning them, had a right to lead meaningful lives. Some of the protesters said they would end their lives if the government did nothing to "mitigate their sufferings". Shabo Fayaz, wife of an exmilitant said, "We are not given cards, passports and other such documents. We and our children wish to visit our families across the border; why are we not being allowed to". The state government had entered into an unwritten understanding with the Centre that any youth who had joined militant ranks in 1990s and wished to return via Nepal would be allowed to do so provided he surrendered before Army or police in the Valley.

Italians marines' row...

decision by Italy's government to drop its opposition to their trial in India for shooting dead two fishermen off the coast of Kerala. The Indian government, which last week issued orders to immigration authorities to prevent Rome's ambassador to New Delhi from leaving the country, hailed Italy's U-turn as a victory for diplomacy. Italy meanwhile said it had received assurances the marines would not face the death penalty if convicted, as President Giorgio Napolitano paid tribute to the pair's "sense of responsibility" in agreeing to return. Italy caused outrage in India by announcing on March 11 that Latorre and Girone would not return after they were given bail to vote in last month's Italian election, reneging on pledges made at the Supreme Court. But in a late night U-turn which came only hours before a deadline for the pair's return, the Italian government said it had received "ample assurances" from India that the marines' rights would be respected. "The government decided, also in the interests of the marines, to maintain the commitment taken when they were granted leave to take part in the elections to return to India by March 22," said a government statement. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, who had warned of "consequences" if the pair did not return by March 22, was among those to express their satisfaction at the change of heart. "I am happy that the integrity and dignity of the Indian judicial process has been upheld," he told reporters. Others were more triumphant, including law minister Ashwani Kumar who called their return "a victory of India's constitution, our diplomacy, judicial system and also vindication of our stand". After Italy said the marines would not return, Indian authorities forbade Italian ambassador Daniele Mancini from leaving the country, saying he had broken a written promise to the Supreme

Shah for better traffic movement in Srinagar city

SRINAGAR, MARCH 26: To remove the bottlenecks in ensuring the smooth plying of traffic in Srinagar City, besides on the inter-district roads, District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Shah today conducted an extensive tour of the district to take on spot measures. Among others, SP Traffic, SE R&B, Beacon Authorities and other officers accompanied the District Development Commissioner. District Development Commissioner urged upon the concerned officers to remove the encroachments on the road side at Pantha Chowk and Shalteng crossings for smooth traffic movement, besides mitigating the inconvenience caused to the commuters. At Pantha Chowk, Shah directed the R&B authorities to rehabilitate the people whose structures within the alignment are to be demolished, with 45 days at the alternate sites. He hoped that removal of bottlenecks at Pantha Chowk and Shalteng crossings shall improve the traffic movement in the city. The DDC also urged that illegal constructions and encroachments shall be removed at Shalteng crossing with weeks' time to ensure smooth plying of traffic

BJP tak es on...

issue of the execution of 2001 Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru, and the demand of the legislators of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) to return his mortal remains to his family. Afzal Guru was hanged at Delhi's Tihar Jail at 8 a.m. on February 9. He was buried inside the prison complex soon after his execution. President Pranab Mukherjee rejected Guru's mercy plea on February 3 and a final decision to hang him was taken. Guru was convicted of conspiracy in the December 2001 attack on Parliament and was sentenced to death by the Supreme Court in 2004. On 13th December 2001, five heavily-armed gunmen stormed the Parliament complex and opened indiscriminate fire, killing nine persons. They included five Delhi Police personnel, a woman Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) official, two Parliament watch and ward staff and a gardener. A journalist, who was injured, died later. All five terrorists were shot dead. Guru was arrested within hours after the attack from a bus in the national capital.

Rajesh Kumar...
room, an official spokesman said. The IGP underlined a number of measures for strengthening the system at the control room, he said.

JK Police to...
and Kashmir Police may also deploy "spotters", former militants, who will help in nabbing such youths who enter into India through the Nepal border, which became an entry route after the state government announced Rehabilitation Policy in 2010. Former militants who crossed over to Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) between 1989 and 2009 will be considered for safe return through the special policy. The personnel, besides being deployed at 15 points from where the people from India and Nepal enter, will also be part of patrolling parties to man areas used for illegal infiltration, the sources said. Under the policy, the parents of the youth will have to apply to the district police chiefs of their respective districts certifying that 'their wards want to return and live a normal life'. The district police chiefs will scrutinize the applications and then issue orders after clearance from various agencies concerned. Government has identified four entry points PoonchRawalakote (Poonch), Uri-

2.50 lakh cases...

courts up to December 2012. The sanctioned strength of judges in the High Court is 14, of which two are vacant, the minister said. Conceding that the pendency was mostly due to insufficient strength of judges in the state, Rasool said, with the recent elevation of five judges to the High Court, appointment of seven District and Sessions judges to the subordinate judiciary and creation of 37 new courts in the state, the pile-up is expected to reduce considerably. Selection process of 38 Munsiffs is likely to be completed soon, he said. 22 village courts are under the government's consideration and it was also contemplating of increasing the cadre strength by 10 per cent at all levels of the subordinate judiciary, Rasool added.

Effective Traffic mechanism Govt proposes introduced to check road Rs. 1.5 cr for R S accidents: Kichloo Pura Court: Vikar
JAMMU, MARCH 26-Minister of State for Home, Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo while replying to a clubbed Calling Attention Notice by Bashir Ahmad Magray and Dr. Bashir Ahmad Shah (Veeri) informed the House that on March 18, 2013 at around 11:00 hours, a minibus bearing registration No. JK 13-4375 driven by Mohammad Shafi Dar R/O Dangerpora, Pulwama while on its way from Gusoo to Pulwama skidded off the road at Lone Mohalla Neewa, Pulwama resulting in injuries to 15 persons. Out JAMMU: Minister of State for Power, Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Vikar Rasool in reply to a question by B R Kundal informed the House that the Government has proposed an amount of Rs. 1.5 crore in the 12th Five Year Plan 201217 for addition and alteration of Munsiff Court at R. S. Pura, adding that there is no proposal for its upgradation. In reply to another question by Bashir Ahmed Magray, the Minister informed that construction of Advocate Chambers at

'Only' Rahul Gandhi ...

will be a competent prime minister and will take the country forward," Congress spokesperson Rashid Alvi told reporters.

Four cops injured...

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STATE
Draft Master Plan Udhampur to be put to public domain soon
JAMMU, MARCH 26: The Legislative Assembly today passed two Appropriation Bills which were introduced by the Minister for Finance, A. R. Rather. The LA Bill No. 9 and 10 of 2013 provide to authorize payment and appropriation of certain sums and withdrawal of certain sums from and out of the Consolidated Fund of the Jammu and Kashmir State for the services of the financial year 201314. Replying to the points raised during discussion on Bills, Rather said that the grant of scheduled Tribe (ST) status to Pahari Speaking People of J&K has been taken up with the Government of India. In response, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, held a meeting under the chairmanship of Union Home Secretary on May 15, 2012 wherein it has been decided that to study the ethnic characteristics of Pahari Speaking People, eminent research scholars be engaged by the State Government. Accordingly, he said the Social Welfare Department has constituted a Committee of research scholars for the purpose with the stipulation that the report shall be made available within a period of 4 months. The Committee comprises Dr. Pirzada Mohammad Amin Shah, Head Department of Social Work, University of Kashmir, Dr. Ashish Sexsena, Associate Prof. Department of Sociology, University of Jammu, Dr. Suresh Baba, Sr. Assistant Prof. Department of Sociology, University of Jammu and Dr. Shazia Manzoor, Assistant Prof. Department of Social Work, University of Kashmir. The Minister said that as soon as the report is received it shall be put including "Kolis"and Chopans. The Government of India has asked for detailed information in respect of the said people about their habitations, life pattern etc in addition to the information submitted with the proposal. Accordingly, the Deputy Commissioners have been directed to furnish the detailed report expeditiously so that the same could be forwarded to the Government of India, Rather added. In response to another point, Rather said the proposal regarding" Development of Environmental Park at Gangerg Hills of Udhampur", has been submitted by the Director, Ecology, Environment and Remote Sensing to Forest Department at a cost of Rs 59.57 lakh for funding for the current financial year and an amount of Rs 8 lakh out of the accrued saving of Rs 85.47 lakh have been projected to Planning and Development Department for its re-appropriation.

Study of Mughal road tunnel in progress: J&K govt

JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir Government on Monday said that a proposed tunnel on the Mughal Road between Zaznar and Chattapani to keep the road open round the year, was under survey. "A tunnel is proposed on the 84-km Bafliaz-Shopain road between Zaznar and Chattapani to keep the road open round the year. The seven-km long tunnel will reduce the distance by 10 kms and pre-feasibility survey of the tunnel is in progress," Minister for Roads and Buildings, Abdul Majeed Wani, said in the Legislative Council here. He was replying on a Private Members Resolution moved by Panthers Party MLC, Syed Rafiq Ahmad Shah, regarding the road connectivity and development of tunnels on Mughal road, Tanghdar-Chowkibal and Bandipora-Lolab roads. Regarding the construction of a tunnel on KupwaraTangdar road, the Minister said Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has initiated the feasibility study. He added that the proposed tunnel, once completed, will reduce 24 kms of road distance besides keeping the road open round the year. Wani said the road is avalanche prone and BRO has taken the matter with Snow Avalanche Study Centre to get the feasibility report. The Minister also said the government has proposed to construct Lolab-Bandipora road but due to involvement of major forest land, the matter has been taken up with the Centre for construction of a tunnel to avoid forest land interference and cutting of trees. Rafiq Shah, later on the assurance of the Minister withdrew his resolution. Earlier, Wani informed the House that work on historical Mughal road, which was started in 2006, is expected to be completed this year.

NEWS IN BOX

ST status to Pahari, Kolis, Chopans under consideration: Rather

But, due to financial constraints the Planning and Development Department has shown inability for re-appropriation of funds for this component for the current year. Regarding development of Devika, Rather said an amount of Rs 7.23 crore has been spent on its development by PED, UEED and Irrigation and Flood Control Departments from 2005-06 to 200708. Replying to another point, Rather said that the Draft Master Plan Udhampur has been submitted by the Chief Town Planner, Jammu to the Government recently. However, before the same is put to public domain for inviting of objections, notifications are to be issued with regard to declaration of the local areas of the Master Plan and creation of Udhampur Development Authority. These issues are under process in the Urban Development Department, he added.

before the Government for its consideration/adoption and recommendation to the Centre. He said that the State Government had from time to time taken up the case with Government of India for declaring various groups of people as Scheduled Tribes,

Prasad lays foundation stone of modern DDC inaugurated Employment Fair at Shopian Crime Branch Headquarters at Chhani SHOPIAN, MARCH 26: ing banks and private institu- not possible for the governJAMMU, MARCH 26: Jammu and Kashmir Police, under its modernization scheme has launched a mega construction programme to strengthen its building infrastructure across the state. In this regard several buildings, barracks and alternate accommodations have been constructed at various locations. In order to house different head offices, the Organization has been constructing multi storey buildings in the twin capital cities of the state. This was disclosed by the Director General of Police (DGP), Ashok Prasad,after laying the foundation stone of modern Crime Branch Headquarters at Channi Rama here today. On the occasion, Prasad said that during past some years a huge building infrastructure has been raised in all the districts of the state and many construction works are under execution which would house the police offices including headquarters of different wings and armed battalions. He said that under the scheme, the Organization has been constructing residential accommodations as well with the aim to enhance living and working facilities for all ranks of the department. The DGP discussed the plan with the ADGP (Headquarters) S. P. Vaid, MD Police Housing Corporation (PHC), Dilbag Singh and Superintending Engineer, PHC, Omar Farooq, who briefed the DGP about the different aspects of the plan. He was told that the seven storey building with 9140 sft. plinth area would have parking facility in the basement after completion. The building having about eight kanals of land would be completed within 24 months at a cost of Rs. 10.62 crores and would accommodate Crime Headquarters fully. The building would have all requirements of office working and modern facilities for the staff. Prasad, while discussing the architect plan, stressed upon the officers and executing agency to adhere to all guidelines framed by PHQ and ensure use of quality material in the construction. He said that any modification during the construction, if requirement demands, should be made only after consulting the experts. The construction should be completed within the time frame in order to avoid fluctuation in the estimated cost, said Prasad. He disclosed that a similar complex would be constructed at Srinagar also for which land has already been identified. DGP also convened a meeting with the officers on the spot and gave details of the mega construction plan under taken by the Organization. He said that during past one decade, special thrust has been given to raise large constructions in every corner of the state, which include office buildings, residential quarters, barracks and other structures to house the offices and provide better living accommodation to the jawans and officers. Alternate accommodation has been provided to the security forces, thus restoring the position of educational institutions and other government buildings under their use. He said in view of the increasing manpower, living facilities are being upgraded at all places in the state and several constructions are under execution covering various locations of far-flung and remote areas of the state, besides district headquarters and towns. The District Development Commissioner, Shopian, Mohammad Javed Khan today inaugurated one day Employment Fair in town hall district Shopian. The one day Employment Fair was organized by District Employment and Counselling Centre, Shopian. About 23 installments of different departments includtions have been set up in the fair to provide awareness to the students about various centrally and state welfare schemes. The District Development Commissioner took round of different departmental stalls put by the department during the one day fair. Speaking on the occasion, District Development Commissioner said that it is ment to provide jobs to every educated youth and added that there is ample opportunity and potential input sectors also. He exhorted upon the unemployed educated youth to set up their own income generating units rather than hankering after govt. jobs. Among others the district officers of district Shopian were present on the occasion.

AJKPC demands security cover to panchayat members

JAMMU: All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference's hunger strike against the state government's failure to address security issues of panchayat members entered the third and final day today. "We demand security cover and implementation of 73rd amendment of the Constitution that empowers panchayat fully," AJKPC general secretary Anil Sharma told reporters here. Sharma along with four other panchayat members is on a 72-hour-long hunger strike near Press Club complex to press for their demands. AJKPC condemned both the state and the central governments for their "failure and silence over the issue of security of panchayat members". "It is unfortunate that our elected ministers, MPs, MLAs and MLCs are least bothered over this issue," Sharma said.

Inaugurates "The Octave Festival of North East-2013"

Cultural events build bridges of understanding among people: Governor

458 cases pending for probe in SAC: J&K Govt

JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir government Tuesday said that 458 cases are pending for probe with the State Accountability Commission (SAC). As many as 458 cases are pending for probe with the SAC as on August 21, 2012, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said in a written reply to a cut motion in the Assembly. As many as 282 cases have been transferred to the State Vigilance Commission (SVC) for probe, he said. The SAC has also decided 128 cases during the period, he added.

IGP Jammu Zone briefs Governor

JAMMU, MARCH 26 - Rajesh Kumar, Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone, called on N. N. Vohra, Governor, at Raj Bhavan, here this evening. During the meeting, the Governor discussed with Kumar issues pertaining to internal security management in the Jammu region, particularly including surveillance of the growing pilgrimage to Mata Vaishno Deviji Shrine. This was Kumar's first meeting with the Governor after recently taking over as the Inspector General of Police, Jammu Zone. The Governor wished Kumar a most successful tenure ahead.

Fish farmers flagged off 5 day tour of Pulwama, Shopian

PULWAMA, MARCH 26: As many as 28 fish farmers of district Pulwama flagged off for 5-day tour to National Fish Seed Farm, Manasbal under Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) programme. The programme was conducted by Assistant Director Fisheries Pulwama. The District Development Commissioner, Pulwama, Shafat Noor flagged off the fish farmers. He wished in success tour of these fish farmers. The farmers will be taken to various fish farmers of district Kupwara and National Fish Seed Farm, Manasbal during the programme. The District Development Commissioner said the visit will provide their exposure in order improved the professional skills of fish production. Assistant Commissioner Revenue Pulwama, Dr. Shah Faisal, Tehsildar Pulwama, District Information Officer Pulwama and other concerned officers present on the occasion. Meanwhile, 18 fish farmers of district Shopian flagged off for 5-day tour from here today. The farmers shall visit to Dachigam Trout Hatching Farm, Harwan Trout Fish Farm, Pandach Carp Fish Farm and Ganderbal Trout Fish Farm and Mamar Mirgund Fish Farms during the tour under ATMA programme. The fish farmers shall be acquainted with the techniques being adopted for fish rearing during the visit. The Additional Deputy Commissioner, Shopian flagged off the fish farmers and wished them successful tour. The Additional Deputy Commissioner said the visit will improve the professional skills of fish production. Assistant Director Fisheries, Shopian along with local farmers besides concerned officers were present on the occasion.

G.A.Mir, Shabir greet people on Holi

JAMMU, MARCH 26 - Minister for Tourism, Mr Ghulam Ahmad Mir has greeted the people of the State especially Hindu community on the eve of Holi. In his greetings message, the Tourism Minister wishing the people happy Holi and said that such auspicious occasions further strengthen the bonds of love, amity and communal harmony between the communities. Mean while, the Minister of State for Health, Mr Shabir Ahmad Khan also felicitated the people on the occasion of Holi. He said that festivals are an important component of our rich and composite cultural heritage which strengthen the bonds of brotherhood, love and amity. He expressed the hope that the coming Holi would spread happiness and joy all around and further promote harmony and brotherhood among the people.

JAMMU, MARCH 26 - N. N. Vohra, Governor Jammu and Kashmir, inaugurated a 3-day "The Octave Festival2013" at the Hargobind Bhatnagar Stadium, BSF Campus, Paloura here last evening. More than 250 folk artists from Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim are participating in this cultural extravaganza showcasing the rich cultural heritage of the North East States of the country. This event has been organized by the North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala, in collaboration with the North East Zone Cultural Centre, Dimapur, Border Security Force and the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages.

Speaking after inaugurating the Cultural Festival, the Governor congratulated D. S. Saroya, Director, North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala, for taking the initiative of bringing an outstanding cultural troupe all the way from the distant North East to enable the people here to witness scintillating cultural performances by the troupes from the North East States. He also complimented the BSF and the State Cultural Academy for collaborating in this laudable effort. The Governor hoped that such wonderful cultural performances would also be organized at other places in the State for the benefit of the people and assured all possible support for this purpose. He observed that such events build bridge of deeper under-

standings and promote cultural linkages and harmony among the people of our vast country. Earlier, the Governor and Mrs. Usha Vohra, First Lady, lit the ceremonial lamp to mark the commencement of "The Octave Festival-2013". They interacted with the artists and lauded their performances. In his welcome address, Saroya spoke about the establishment, evolution and activities of the North Zone Cultural Centre, Patiala. Khalid Bashir, Secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, senior BSF officers, jawans and their families were among the large audience which witnessed the spectacular cultural programme.

58 HEPs under execution or tendered out: Vikar

JAMMU:Minister of State for Technical Education, Vikar Rasool today informed the House that 58 new hydroelectric power projects with capacity of 9036.68 MW are under execution or tendered out under IPP mode in the State. Replying to a question by Abdul Gani Malik, the Minister said that 24 projects with a capacity of 2270.50 MW are being allotted, 29 projects with a capacity of 2254.30 MW are tendered out for allotment, 5 projects with a capacity of 4512 MW are prioritized for which DPRs are under preparation. Qamar Ali Akhoon, G. M. Saroori, Mohammad Sharief Niaz and Jagdish Raj Sapolia raised the supplementaries. Replying to a question by H a k i m Mohammad Yaseen, the Minister said 50 ITIs and 142 S k i l l D e v e l o p me n t Centers are being set up under PPP mode in the State and the proposal have been submitted to Union Government for approval. Balwant Singh Mankotia,

Reshmol Day observed at Anantnag

ANANTNAG, MARCH 26: Reshmol Day was today observed with fervor and enthusiasm at Dak Bungalow, Khanabal today. People from different walks of life participated to pay home to the Saint Baba Hyder Reshi. Various religious scholars also spoke on the occasion about the contribution of the saint in propagating the Reshi culture. It was also given out during the deliberations that Baba Hyder Reshi who was born in village Dantar of Anantnag district had great miracles even during his childhood and had spent his life in complete in celibacy. The great saint had been disciple of Hazrat Sheikh Hamza Makhdoom (RA) from who received religious education and spiritual inspirations. Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, Dr. Farooq Ahmad Lone emphasized the significance of Sufi traditions and said that such traditions have been playing an important role in maintaining brotherhood and communal harmony. Dr. Lone also told that the district is bestowed with large number of shrines of these pious souls adding that the tomb of Baba Hyder Reshi popularly known as Resh Mol is visited by both Muslims and Hindus in large number.

Gulchain Singh Charak meets Governor

JAMMU, MARCH 26 - Gulchain Singh Charak, former Minister, met N. N. Vohra, Governor, at Raj Bhavan here today. Charak discussed with the Governor issues arising from the delay in the establishment of the Panchayati Raj institutions, delay in the conduct of elections to urban local bodies, enhancement of remunerations of Nambardars and Chowkidars and issues relating to the speedy economic development of the State.

Peer Afaq, Er. Rashid, Krishan Chander Bhagat and Harshdev Singh raised supplementaries.

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STUDENT AGE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

STATE
Govt committed for strengthening of PR Institutions
JAMMU, MARCH 26: Minister for Rural D e v e l o p m e n t Department,(RDD) Mr Ali Mohammad Sagar today chaired a high level meeting of the officers of the Rural Development, in his office chamber and reviewed the annual performance of the various schemes launched by the department including of the construction of Panchayat Ghars,implementation of MGNERGA,IAY, and other schemes etc. The Minister said that under 13th Finance Commission, Rs.230 crores have been released for the construction of 1678 Panchayat Ghars against the target of 1785 taken up in Jammu and Kashmir State. The meeting was told that Government is committed to construct a Panchyat Ghar at every Panchyat Halqa and in this direction, the Government have already taken a number of steps and the construction work of a number of Panchyat Ghars. The Minister while receiving feedback about present status of the Panchayat Ghars, said that the main thrust of the Government is to provide basic infrastructure for proper functioning of PRIs .He asked all the ACDs to submit a complete information about building status of Panchyat Ghars under their jurisdiction. The Minister asked all the concerned officers to complete the construction work of all the Panchyat Ghars within the stipulated time so that these Institutions may be able to function at a good note and can deliver the goods on the ground level. He said after a long gap the people of J&K witnessed Panchayat elections and now they have great expectations from these Institutions as they are directly involved with the people. He said that these Institutions can do a lot in the fulfilment of the commitment of changing the face of the rural areas. Referring the implementation of MGNERGA on the ground level, the Minister said that a labour budget for the next financial year stands approved at an estimated cost of Rs.1365 crores and during the current financial year by ending February Rs.650 crores have been expended. Stressing on the concerned officers for strictly the implementation of the scheme, he said that MGNERGA is also a major employment generating scheme, under which a number of un-employed youth can be provided employment. He asked the concerned officers to fulfil all the vacancies under the norms so that not only the unemployed youth can get employment but the addition-

Development of bad pockets under focus: Omar

JAMMU, MARCH 26 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday reiterated his government's determination for holistic and inclusive development in the State adding that the economic welfare of far-flung and backward pockets figures among the top priorities in the State's Policy Planning. Talking to a deputation of inhabitants of Bani led by former Deputy Speaker Ghulam Haider Malik, here this afternoon, the Chief Minister said that special schemes launched to uplift the rural and backward areas have started yielding positive results. "Our priority is to upgrade communication, education and health cover in these areas to help generate economic activities and give fillip to education and health care facilities", he said adding that the government would continue to give special attention to achieve the targeted goals of development in these areas. Thanking the Chief Minister for his keen interest in the comprehensive development of all regions and all sections and showing concern for the progress of bad pock-

Bani deputation calls on CM

Sagar reviews annual performance of RDD

al workforce. The Minister also reviewed the performance of IAY and asked the officers to work with more zeal and dedication. He told them that the common people especially the poor people have great expectations from them and stressed for early and speedy disposal of files. He said the Government is committed to strengthen the PRIs Institutions in the State so that grass level democracy may prevail in the state especially in the remote areas, which was a dream of the Late Sheri-i- Kashmir, Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah. Commissioner-Secretary, Rural Development Department, Farooq Ahmed Peer, Director Panchyats, Baseer Ahmed Khan, all ACDs of Jammu Division and other senior officers of the concerned departments were present on the occasion

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah talking to a deputation of inhabitants of Bani led by former Deputy Speaker Ghulam Haider Malik at Jammu. ets of the State, the deputation brought to the notice of the Chief Minister various demands requiring his attention. The deputation demanded recognition of entire Bani Assembly Segment as the bad pocket for its remoteness and backwardness. It also demanded creation of NES Block with headquarter at Bhatodi/Duggain bringing panchayats of Najot, Sadrota, Bhatodi, Banjal, Batwal, Dhanu Prrol, Gudufalal and Lahari. The deputation demanded creation of three nayabats one each at Lohi-Malhar, Machhedi and Bhatodi in Billawar Tehsil. It also emphasized the need for construction of road from Uj Bridge near Gudufalal to Sarla-Junana to benefit more that 15,000 souls of the area. It also requested for providing funds for construction of road from Bhundha to Sadrota via Galli as a part of Khogh-Dugain road. The deputation requested for requisite staff for Government High School, Sadrota and setting up of Primary Health Centres at Lowang and Dullangal. It also requested for funds for the construction of building for PHC Chandyhar and posting of locals in education and health institutes functioning in Bani, Lohi-Malhar and Duggan blocks. Malik led deputation sought Chief Minister help for ST status to Koli-Bradhari a sub cast of Sippi-Gadi speaking community. It requested for a fresh survey for identification of BPL families in the area. It also sought special recruitment drive by Police Department for the youth of Bani Assembly Segment. The Chief Minister gave patient hearing and said that the demands presented to him would be given due consideration. Political Secretary to the Chief Minister, Tanveer Sadiq was also present in the meeting.

Rs. 2164 Cr approved for district Srinagar under District Credit Plan
SRINAGAR, MARCH 26: District Development Commissioner, Srinagar, Farooq Ahmad Shah today convened the DCC/District Level Review Committee meeting here today. Giving the details of the achievements made under annul Action Plan for the year 2012-13 and other allied matters were deliberated and discussed in the meeting. Lead District Manager, Nissar Ahmad Ahanger informed the meeting that an amount of Rs. 1339 Crore for establishment of 40005 units were disbursed by financial institutions under Priority & Non Priority sectors against a target of Rs. 1632 crores to 45313 units, registering overall achievement of 82 percent, as Agriculture & allied sector registered 57 percent, Small Enterprises 66 percent, Micro Credit 48 percent, Education 49 percent & Housing 36 percent. Under the government sponsored schemes, Rs 37.43 crore to 4118 beneficiaries was disbursed against the target of Rs. 99.41 crores, registering an achievement of 84 percent unit wise and 38 percent in financial terms as on December 2012. The Chairman approved the District Credit Plan of Rs. 2164 crores with a growth of 32 percent for the financial year 2013-14. The meeting was also attended by Additional District Development Commissioner, Mrs. Ruhksana Gani, Reserve Bank of India, Ravinder Kual, heads of all line departments and District Co-ordinators of all banks operating in the district attended the meeting. The District Development Commissioner said that to ensure greater credit flow, the Banks should implement the policies framed by the Reserve Bank of India in toto so that the dissemination of the credit is sped up. This will not only benefit the weaker sections of the society but will also help in overall growth of our economy. He also stressed upon the need for increasing CD ratio of the Banks by improving the lending to weaker sections of the society. The District Development Commissioner also conveyed to all the Bank/line Departments to perform particularly in order to achieve set Goals & the meeting ended with the vote of thanks to the chair.

Rs. 19 cr for Mubarak Mandi-Bahu Fort-Maha Maya ropeway project: Mir

JAMMU, MARCH 26: The Government has allocated an amount of Rs. 19 crore to State Cable Car Corporation for execution of ropeway project from Mubarak Mandi to Bahu Fort and Maha Maya Devi Mandir across Tawi River. This information was given by the Minister for Tourism, G. A. Mir while replying to a question by Ajat Shatru Singh in Legislative Council today. The Minister said that the Cable Car Corporation is in the process of getting necessary clearances including Environmental, Wildlife and acquisition of land, adding that Rs. 1.86 crore have been placed at the disposal of Collector, Land Acquisition. He further added that Ropeway projects at Patnitop and Shivkhori are in active consideration of the Government. In another question by Dr. Bashir Ahmed Veeri, the Minister informed the House that Rs. 6.91 crore has been spent on holding of National / International events from the last three years by the Department of Tourism. Ajat Shatru Singh raised the supplementary on the question.

737 schools upgraded under SSA, RMSA during last 3 years: Feroz Khan
JAMMU: Minister of State for Education, Feroz Ahmed Khan while replying to a question by Devender Singh Rana informed the House that the Government upgraded 470 Primary Schools to the level of Upper Primary Schools under SSA and 267 schools under RMSA during the last three years. The Minister said that Dogri is being taught as optional language at Elementary Level and in some schools it is taught as one of the subjects. Besides, Kashmir subject is being taught as compulsory subject up to elementary level in all government /private schools for the students whose mother tongue is Kashmir. He said there is no subject specific post of teachers in School Education Department, adding that the subject knowing teachers/masters are provided in the schools where the students opt for Urdu subject by internal arrangement and maintained that the posts of lecturers in Dogri and Kashmir in Higher Secondary levels have been sanctioned in some schools. Feroz said the schools opened/up-graded under SSA are provided buildings as per norms in phased manner subject to availability of funds. The schools upgraded under RMSA are provided new buildings with classrooms, library, laboratory, computer room, art and craft room, headmaster's office, office room and drinking water/toilet facility.

CD jawans acquainted with latest strategies on disaster management

JAMMU, MARCH 26: To acquaint the jawans of the recently declared State Disaster Response Force about latest strategies on disaster management, a daylong work shop on theme 'Civil Defence Disaster M i t i g a t i o n Manmade/Natural' was held at SDRF 2nd Bn. Jammu here today Sham Lal Sharma, DIG HG/CD & SDRF was the chief guest on the occasion. Gh. Sarwar Chauhan SSP Commandant SDRF 2nd Bn. Jammu and Dy. SP S. K. Bakshi (Co-ordinator) facilitated the brief resume and other details of the work shop after welcoming the Chief Guest and other participants. Besides mementos were also presented to the guest lecturers etc. The purpose of the workshop was to prepare the Jawans of the recently declared State Disaster Response Forse to meet any eventuality arising out of any natural or manmade disaster in a better and technical way. DIG HG/CD and SDRF stressed on for more and more vocational and regular training of the jawans viz-viz the physical endurance training so that at the time of need they are able to meet the challenges and mange the disaster and save the life and property of the people. Earlier in the morning IGP HG/CD & SDRF inaugurated the one day workshop.

2-day workshop on discrimination against women concludes at GCW Parade

JAMMU, MARCH 26- The 2-day workshop on 'Convention on Elimination of all forms of discrimination against women' concluded here today at Government Women College (GWC) Parade. The workshop was organised by Centre For Women Studies, of the college. Minister for Higher Education Minister, Mr Mohammad Akbar Lone, was the chief guest at the valedictory function, while Member National Consultative Committee, UGC, Prof. Pam Rajput was the Resource person for the workshop. At the outset Principal, of the College Dr Hemla Aggarwal welcomed the chief guest and apprised about the aims and objectives of organising the workshop. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister underscored the need to impart quality academic and moral education to students from primary to higher education level, adding that Government has taken several measures to lay special focus on the women education by opening up schools, colleges and other professional institutions, specially for women folk. Speaking about the status of women in the society, Mr Lone said that all religions teach to respect the women and maintain dignity and honour of females at all costs. He impressed upon women to come forward to fight for their rights and strive for entering civil and police administration, besides politics. He said women should not hesitate in

Moral Education shall go side by side academics: Lone

taking assignments presently attended by men. He asked girl students to prepare for and face all the competitive exams like KAS, IAS, IFS and IPS and attain high status in society. Expressing concern over the alarming rate of crime against women, the Minister said that Central Government has bought amendment in existing Act to ensure safety and security of women while state Government was also considering similar amendments in the existing laws to make this more stringent to deal with the perpetrators of crime against women. Appreciating college authorities for organising the workshop, the Minister hoped that it will go a long way in eliminating all forms of discrimination against women.

Handloom awareness BJP deputation call on DC Kargil camp held at Pulwama KARGIL 26TH, MARCH: A deputation of
PULWAMA, MARCH 26: Daylong awareness camp was organised by Handloom department at Town Hall Pulwama today. Joint Director Handloom presided over the camp and Joint Director Planning, Pulwama was the chief guest on the occasion. As many as 500 handloom weavers participated in the camp. The speakers made the people aware about the schemes being introduced by the department in the district. Scholarship cheques were also given to 21 kids of the weavers for education purpose on the occasion. Bharitya Janta Party (BJP) Unit Kargil led by State Working Committee Member and Regional Vice President Ladakh, Mohmad Subhan Jaffery, Organizer Lama Nawang Paljor and General Secretary Kargil Unit, Mohmad Ali Majaz meet District Development Commissioner Kargil, Fida Hussain. Jaffery express his grief over delay in conduct of interview for various posts which are still vacant in some department of the District and stressed on DC for early conduct of interview so that the unemployed youth get employment. The young generation, who had applied for the posts are facing lots of problem due to not conduct of their interview in date, he added. DC gives assurance to the deputation that they will issue notice in connection with the conduct of interview for the post which are lying in various department after 15th April.

Govt proposes Rs. 6 cr to upgrade healthcare facilities in RCC

JAMMU, MARCH 26: Minister of State for Medical Education Feroz Ahmad Khan while replying to a Calling Attention Notice by Ajatshatru Singh informed that there are two Cobalt Radiotherapy Machines in Government Medical College, Jammu, of which one is presently non-functional due to the fact that Cobalt Radioactive Source has been expired and needs to be replaced with a new source. The Second Radiotherapy Machine is presently catering the requirement of the Patients, he added. The Minister said the approximately cost of the equipment with necessary spare parts is Rs. 1.70 crore, adding that the allocated funds sanctioned for the purpose by the Government of India is yet to be released. Feroz said that a proposal for upgradation of existing facilities in the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC), GMC, Jammu amounting to Rs. 6 crore is under process and the same will be submitted to the Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare shortly for funding.

1012 schemes amounting to Rs. Over 3097 cr sanctioned under PMGSY, NABARD, CRF in State: Kichloo
68 projects sanctioned in Rajouri, Poonch under PMGSY
JAMMU:Minister of State for Home, R&B, Sajad Ahmed Kichloo while replying to a question by Dr. Shehnaz Ganai informed the House that under PMGSY, 494 schemes at an estimated cost of Rs. 1463.20 crore were sanctioned during last three years. The Minister said that 499 schemes at an estimated cost of Rs. 1410.99 crore and 19 schemes at an estimated cost of Rs. 223.49 crore were sanctioned under NABARD and CRF during last three years. The Minister said 30 schemes at an estimated cost of Rs. 146.77 crore and 38 schemes at an estimated cost of Rs. 117.47 crore were sanctioned under PMGSY in Rajouri and Poonch districts during last three years respectively. Kichloo further informed that for making the Mughal Road all weather, a tunnel needs to be constructed across Pir-Ki-Gali for circumv e n t i n g heavy Snow Belt of 20 kms. For this, he said, pre-feasibility study needs to be conducted followed by formulation of Detailed P r o j e c t R e p o r t , adding that tenders have already been floated for the purpose. The proposed tunnel shall be approximately 6-7 kms in length and shall further shorten the length of Mughal Road by 13-14 kms (from 84 kms to 70 kms). Kichloo said the work can be taken up after complete investigation covering geological, geo-morphological and hydrological aspects of the terrain are finalized and funds are available, he maintained.

Peace is the imperative for all development in the State: Dr. Baigh
PULWAMA, MARCH 26: Peace is the imperative for all the developments in the State, Member Parliament Dr. Mehboob Baigh called upon the students for cooperating with the government for peace and normalcy for continuing their studies. The function was started after lighting the traditional lamp by the Member Parliament, Dr. Mehboob Baigh, District Development Commissioner, Pulwama Shafat Noor and Director, Nehru Yuva Kendra (NYK) Naveen Naik. Dr. Mehboob Baigh was speaking on impressive function held at Town Hall Pulwama. The function was organized by the District Youth Coordinator NYK Pulwama. A large number of students both girls and boys were present on the occasion.

2.59 cr mandays generated under MGNREGA: Sagar

JAMMU, MARCH 26:-Minister for Rural Development and Panchayati Raj, Ali Mohammad Sagar today informed the House that 2.59 crore mandays were generated in the State ending January 2013 under MGNREGA. Replying to a question by Durga Dass, the Minister said that Rs. 752.22 crore have been allocated under MGNREGA out of which Rs. 514.17 crore have been expended up to January 2013. The Minister said 7 model villages have been taken under BADP in Jammu province while as 3 were taken up in Kashmir province with an estimated cost of Rs. 68.57 crore. He said under State sector 16 villages have been taken up for development of infrastructure on the pattern of model villages.

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EDITORIAL

A diplomatic victory
talians marines have returned. Whether this development will help retrieve the sagging political and diplomatic relationship between the two countries? Indo -Italian relationship is not to be seen as a normal relationship between two sovereign countries. The relations between these two countries at least five thousand miles away from each other is to be seen through many mirrors. You have Sonia factor which for every right or wrong reason has been flogged by the opposition to the hilt. Then the Bofors -Quotoricchi episode followed by the Agosta Westland helicopter deal all point to a dangerous combine which can have all the ingredients of stirring a diplomatic row. It is just as well that the situation has been defused and further deterioration of bilateral ties averted. By announcing that the marines would not return, the Italian government had deliberately raised the political and legal ante to a level that put enormous stress on bilateral ties. The Supreme Court and the country at large felt duped by the Italian decision. It defied belief that the Italian government would knowingly give a false affidavit to the Supreme Court and cover up further its deceptive intentions by approving a false undertaking by its ambassador. Even if the Italian government has strongly disagreed with India's position on jurisdiction over the two marines, and even if it has faced intense public pressure at home to defend their rights, recourse to duplicity and fraud to spirit away the marines from Indian judicial control was hardly defensible. It had the option to take strong political steps to show its displeasure by recalling its ambassador in protest, curtailing official links, mobilizing the European Union in its favour, taking up the issue in whichever international forum was available to it. It opted, instead, to show contempt for the Indian Supreme Court and disdain for India. In a sense, the conditions for the crisis were created by the Indian side. The Supreme Court was extraordinarily accommodating in entertaining the plea to let the marines go back to Italy in February for voting when they had returned just a month earlier after spending Christmas with their families. Why did the Supreme Court feel that it was important that they should vote? In granting successive furloughs in Italy, the consideration shown for those responsible for recklessly killing two Indian citizens seemed excessive. The Supreme Court, for all its generosity, had to have a guarantee that the marines would return. Such a guarantee could only come from the ambassador in the name of his government, and it was given. It was overlooked that this guarantee was inherently political, not legally enforceable in case of default. Neither the counsel for the Italians nor the government counsel had reason to clarify to the judges that, under the immunity provisions of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, any undertaking by the ambassador would not be legally actionable against his person if not eventually honoured, as both wanted the marines to have a break and were willing to rely on the good faith of the Italian government. In retrospect, the Supreme Court could be accused of being naive, but, in all fairness, neither the court nor the government could have anticipated the Italian government's unscrupulous conduct. The Vienna Convention (Article 32.2) says that the waiver has to be expressed. In this case, the Italian government did not say, nor would it have done so, that in case of default the ambassador could be proceeded against legally as his diplomatic immunity could be considered waived. The convention also requires a second waiver for the execution of any judgment, which means that even if the court were to claim that the Italian ambassador had voluntarily submitted himself to its jurisdiction in the first instance, a further waiver by the Italian government of the ambassador's immunity would be necessary for any punishment. Article 32.3, which says that initiation of proceedings under Article 37 by a diplomatic agent will not allow him to claim immunity in case of a counter-claim directly connected to the principal claim, is not applicable as Article 37 relates to families of diplomatic agents, the service, technical and administrative staff of the mission, and not to the ambassador. The Supreme Court's order restraining the ambassador from leaving the country has already created a major precedent by interpreting loosely a country's obligation under the VCDR to respect the diplomatic immunity of an ambassador. This has caused serious disquiet in diplomatic missions in New Delhi, as the possibility that Indian courts could, in future too, interpret the principle of diplomatic immunity circumstantially cannot be ruled out. In any case, bilateral options against Italy being available to us, converting our differences with Italy into an international issue by seriously infringing the VCDR and disturbing the principles of diplomatic functioning in general would have been most unwise. At least for a change Indian pressure resulted in a diplomatic victory. The government handled the case well which is a rarity when it comes to crunch situations India often loses nerve. But the crux of the matter is that India must act like a mature power and be ready to project its power whether diplomatic, economic or otherwise without hesitation. This world belongs to those who are strong. For the weak and hesitant there is only a secondary place.

Wheels of Justice Move Too Slow

Kushan Mitra e stand to lose the democratic dividend, and a lot more, if people do not see justice being done. Justice delayed is most definitely justice denied - for the accused, for the prosecutor, for the justice system, and for the country in general In all the noise about a possible pardon for Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt, a different aspect of the recent final judgement of the 1993 Mumbai blasts case was forgotten. It has taken this case almost 20 years from the time the atrocity was committed to the time the Supreme Court finally weighed in on the matter. Twenty years! No matter what the colour of your political or social persuasion, this is an inordinate length of time. So long, in fact, that it ought to make one seriously debate the state of the Indian judicial system. Instead, the debate is all about whether a 50year old should go to jail or not because, according to one luminary, he has apparently reformed and 'has a young family'. To that rather facile argument, one ought to point out that we just hanged a man who also had a young family. That did not stop anyone from hanging that man; and it should not be used as an excuse, as a 'Get out of Jail Free' card. The real world is not a game of Monopoly. But this is not about the merits and demerits of this case and whether a man born into privilege should be pardoned or not. Those of us who were parts of debating clubs in school and college have debated the topic of delayed justice ad nauseum. It is a perennial favourite of teachers in charge of debating clubs.

Usually the argument for delayed justice always played out like this: Justice is justice, no matter how delayed. But when property cases, like the one involving author Salman Rushdie's father, take close to 30 years, and criminal cases, including several rape cases, take over a decade,

Jessica Lall murder case, there was an immense amount of pressure put on the system by the combined efforts of the print and television media. Pressure, without which, it is debatable if justice would have been done in the first place. But, the seeming lethargy of the

looked at the issue of defamation cases and how even those cases take over a decade to solve. One may not feel sympathy for what Sanjay Dutt went through after he did something and he did do something wrong - but to have a sword hanging over your head for 15 plus years goes against

one seriously wonders if justice is being served. The huge delays in getting justice are eroding the very foundations of the justice system in India. Not every person fighting a case has the immense bravery and perseverance of a Neelam Katara who, despite all the odds, has been seeking justice for the murder of her son Nitish. He was murdered 11 years ago in February 2002, and the case, although decided by a lower court, is still winding its way through the system. In most other countries, criminal justice does not take this long. This case should have been resolved years ago. Of course, the fact remains that in the Nitish Katara case as well as in the

justice system is not just present in high-profile cases but also regular day-to-day cases. Why are there thousands upon thousands of undertrials languishing in jails for years, and in some obscene cases, for over a decade? In a city like Delhi where the media plays an active role in highlighting certain cases, things sometimes do get speeded up. But why was there a clamour for 'fast-track' courts? Only in India, do we have a system called 'fast track' or the tatkaal system for services. Is that a tacit admission that otherwise things in this country are 'slow-track'? Asking a rape victim to relive the trauma of the incident 10 years after the incident is not fair on her. A few months ago, this column

the grain of natural justice. He was lucky that, being privileged, he could sit out on bail for a large part of this time, get re-married and start a family again. But, as the saying goes in America, "Do the crime, pay the time." Of course, this has led to the very Indian concepts of 'compromise' and 'settlements'; which are nothing more than out-of-court settlements which, more often than not, favour the more powerful and stronger person, and rarely provide justice. These are fine if you have a dented bumper at a red light and would want to avoid the headache of going to the police station and the court, but at the same time these also encourage corruption.

Almost anybody you ask in Delhi, has paid off a traffic policeman because they want to avoid the court. Mind you, no one wants to criticise the work done by our judges and public prosecutors. Very often, they are doing the best they can within a very flawed system. And this is a system that can be gamed by those who want to get away with murder, rape or even property. In some cases, the criminal, whom people know, and who might have well confessed to the crime in public, happily sits outside on bail, while cases stall for years. These criminals who 'get away' with cases then become local political leaders and often find themselves voted in as the representatives of the people at local, State or national levels. Enacting more laws to keep 'criminals' out of the political system is not the solution to this ill, or to many of the others. There has to be recognition, particularly by the battery of lawyers who dominate Indian politics on almost every colour of the political system, that the system is broken. And this cannot be fixed by jugaad, another quintessentially Indian term for a quick-fix. The system of policing and justice in this country needs to be overhauled from the bottom up. Recently, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, a likely prime ministerial candidate, spoke of the 'Democratic Dividend' of this country at the India Today Conclave. But the fact remains that we stand to lose that dividend, and a lot more, if people do not see justice being done. Justice delayed is most definitely justice denied - for the accused, for the prosecutor, for the justice system and for the country.

Hybrid Desalination Plant At Kalpakkam

By R Prasad he nuclear power complex at Kalpakkam, about 50 km from Chennai, will soon have a nuclear desalination plant, which will be the world's largest sea water hybrid desalination plant to be coupled to a nuclear power station. It will produce 63 lakh litres of potable water a day using a thermal method and a reverse osmosis (RO) system. While the thermal method will produce 45 lakh litres of drinking water a day, the reverse osmosis system will produce 18 lakh litres. The Rs.40-crore Nuclear Desalination Demonstration Project (NDDP) is being built by the Desalination Division, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC), Trombay. Dr. Anil Kakodkar, Chairman, Atomic Energy Commission; Dr. B. Bhattacharjee, Director, BARC; and Dr. B.M. Misra, Head, Desalination Division, BARC, visited the desalination project at Kalpakkam on November 17 and saw the work under way. "The Nuclear Desalination Demonstration Plant (NDDP) located at Kalpakkam [off Chennai], Tamil Nadu, is the world's largest hybrid seawater desalination plant coupled to an existing nuclear power plant," says Dr. P.K Tewari, Head, Desalination Division, BARC, Mumbai. This desalination facility is coupled to the Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS), and deploys both multi-stage flash (MSF) evaporation and reverse osmosis (RO) membrane separation technologies. The total capacity of NDDP is 6.3 million litres per day (MLD). Multi-Stage Flash (MSF) evaporation plant produces 4.5 million litres per day of distilled quality water and Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant produces 1.8 million litres per day of potable-quality water. The desalination plant meets the entire pure water requirement of Madras Atomic Power Station (MAPS). "The multistage flash technology works on the principle of flash evaporation wherein the temperature of water is increased under pressure and then flash evaporated by reducing the pressure gradually in multiple stages," said Shri. M.M. Rajput, Plant Superintendent, NDDP, BARC Facilities, Kalpakkam. According to Dr. B.M. Misra, the desalination project aims to demonstrate safe and economical production of good quality water by nuclear desalination of sea water; establish indigenous capability in the design, manufacture, installation and operation of such plants; generate necessary design inputs for large-scale nuclear desalination plants; and serve as a demonstration project to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), wel-

coming participation from interested memberstates. Dr. B.M. Misra said that desalination would become inevitable by 2025 since the demand for quality drinking water would exceed availability. "That is why the Desalination Division of the BARC has been concentrating its research on this hybrid technology, that is, both thermal/MSF, and RO desali-nation," he said. BARC was a pioneer in research in desalination and has been engaged in research and development activities in desalination since early 1970s. In MSF plant, by increasing the pressure of water by 2 bar, the boiling point temperature of water is raised up to 121 degree C. The superheated water is then allowed to cool in steps of 2 degree C at each of 39 stages, and the water is allowed to flash evaporate and condense as pure water by reducing the pressure. Small part of the low pressure steam (at 130 degree C) that goes from MAPS' high pressure turbine to low pressure turbine is used for heating the sea water. "The pressure drop across the flashing stages will be more at the initial stages and reduces gradually with decreasing temperature," said Shri. C. Balasubramaniyan, Deputy Plant Superintendent, NDDP, BARC Facilities, Kalpakkam. "Temperature drop from 119 degree C to 117 degree C is achieved by reducing the pressure by 1,300 mm water column. But at the lowest temperatures, say 42 degree C to 40 degree C, the pressure drop will be only 100 mm water column." In short, when the pressure drops, the boiling point of seawater also drops. The excess heat, in turn, causes seawater to flash evaporate into pure water vapour. The water vapour is then condensed to produce distilled water. The Challenge But the challenge in MSF plant comes from making the water flash in 39 stages through a small and controlled temperature drop of just 2 degrees per stage. So much so, that water continues to flash even when the temperature reaches as low as 40 degrees C at 39th stage - the last and final stage! But how does water continue to flash evaporate even when the temperature is as low as 40 degree C? If initially, increasing the pressure helped in increasing the boiling temperature, reducing the pressure at later stages helps in reducing the boiling temperature. "From the 10{+t}{+h}stage onwards, flashing is achieved under progressively increasing vacuum," explained Shri. Balasubramaniyan. "By reducing the pressure, the water continues to flash evaporate at lower temperature." Hence at the last stage, vac-

uum is in the order of -0.95 bar(g), and this helps in evaporating the seawater at 40 degree C. "If the entire quantity of superheated water is allowed to flash and produce steam at one instant, the amount of water produced will be several times less than multi-stage flashing," Shri. Rajput explained. In the MSF plant, the scientists have achieved production of more than 9 kg of water from every kilogram of steam produced. This has become possible as the system is designed to recover most of the heat internally. As the superheated seawater continues to lose temperature at every stage of flashing, the incoming sea water used for condensing the steam, in turn, gains heat. "The sea water used for condensing the steam gets heated to 113 degree C by the time it leaves the heat recovery stages," said Shri Rajput. "The temperature of the seawater has to be raised by a mere 8 degree C (from 113 degree C to 121 degree C) before it is flashed multi times to produce distilled water." "The cost of producing distilled water using MSF technology is 10 paisa per litre, and 6 paisa per litre in the case of reverse osmosis," noted Shri Amitava Roy Facility Director, BARC Facilities at Kalpakkam. This is after factoring in the cost of power, steam, chemicals, maintenance and depreciation. "We can set-up a similar plant in three to four years," said Dr. Tewari. "and whatever be the temperature of steam the plant can be designed to produce distilled water." THE thermal process is also called multi stage flash (MSF) technology. The RO is called membrane technology as well because it uses a membrane to filter sea water. A nuclear desalination plant is called so because it is erected in a nuclear power station to use sea water, steam and electrical power from the latter. In the MSF process, evaporated sea water at above atmospheric pressure is led to a lower pressure unit, resulting in the release of vapour which is condensed to get potable water. Reverse osmosis is a membrane process where saline water or effluent water is forced through a semi-permeable membrane at pressure in excess of osmotic pressure and permeate water (passing through the membrane) of potable quality is produced. The semi-permeable membrane is made of polyamide which will reject salt and permeate water. The membrane also rejects micro-organisms. Since the thermal method requires steam, it is advantageous to erect a desalination plant at a power generating station. Misra said: "Although most of the desalination plants are erected in a

power station, they can be constructed at nuclear power stations from which we get sea water, steam and electrical power. It was more economical to site them at nuclear power stations than thermal power stations because the former produces more waste steam that can be used." Since 1975 the BARC has set desalination plants all over the country, including one on the BARC premises at Trombay. There are four operational plants at the BARC now. While the first plant produces one lakh litres of water a day using the RO method, the second one produces four lakh litres of water a day using the MSF method. The third plant uses the low evaporation technology (LET) method to desalinate water and produces about 30,000 litres of water a day. The fourth plant uses the multiple effect distillation (MED). According to M.S. Hanra, Coordinator, NDDP (Kalpakkam), BARC, the RO plant at the BARC converted sea water with 35,000 parts per million (ppm) of salt into drinking water with less than 500 ppm of salt. The water was treated further to match the standards prescribed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS). The BARC had earlier erected desalination plants using RO that produced 5,000 litres and 40,000 litres of water a day. The capacity was gradually stepped up. "Using the same design, we are now building an RO plant at Kalpakkam that can produce 18 lakh litres of drinkable water a day," Hanra said. The BARC was doing research to reduce the energy consumption in desalination plants and get more output through membranes. The BARC also erected desalination plants in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, the Andaman and Nicobar islands (Port Blair) and Lakshadweep. (All of them used the RO technology.) The aim was to demonstrate the technology in a rural setting. The first plants came up at a village about 40 km from Nellore in Andhra Pradesh, and at Maliga village, Surendra Nagar district, Gujarat. Both produced 30,000 litres of drinking water a day from brackish water. But the plants could not be sustained owing to infrastructural problems, especially because of lack of assured power supply. In Gujarat, while public acceptability of desalination plants was limited, they were well accepted in the industrial sector. In Tamil Nadu, 12 desalination plants were operated by Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) in the coastal Ramanathapuram district. Thus membrane distillation using RO technology has already been established in the country as one of the most reliable processes for the production of potable water from brackish and sea water.

Deforestation of Jammu hills

Sir, The City Of Temples is fortunate in having forests in close vicinity. I do not think that in our countries there are many cities

which have forests in near vicinity. This way the Jammuite is fortunate. But how long is the moot question. Ask any old Jammuite he will say that the line of forests on the Jammu Shivaliks was very low at least it was very near to our Tawi whom we revere as daughter of the Sun. But the rampant deforestation has taken a heavy toll of the forests, ecology and the wild life. New colonies are being raised in Sidhra and other areas and forest land is being

apportioned in a big way. The result is that the forests are destroyed and the ecology of the Jammu City is constantly suffering. Will the authorities think over it and devise plans whereby multistoried buildings are raised and individual housing is slowly discouraged. Nisha Sharma Jammu

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NATIONAL

6 IPL matches in TN only if no SL players, umpires, officials: Jayalalithaa

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has written to the Prime Minister stating categorically that the 13 Sri Lankan cricketers in the Indian Premier League will not be allowed to play matches held in Chennai. She has said she will permit IPL matches to be held in her state only if the organisers give her an undertaking that no Sri Lankan will be involved. She has said that with emotions in her state running high over the Sri Lanka issue, the Indian cricket board should be advised that Lankan players, umpires and other officials must not visit Tamil Nadu. "In such a hostile and tense environment, we apprehend that the participation of Sri Lankan players in the IPL tournament, with many games to be played in Chennai, will aggravate an already surcharged atmosphere and further offend the sentiments of the people," the letter says.

BSP leader Deepak Bhardwaj, richest candidate in 2009 polls, shot dead at Delhi farmhouse
NEW DELHI: Deepak Bhardwaj, a man who contested the last Lok Sabha elections on a Bahujan Samaj Party ticket, was shot dead this morning at a farmhouse that he owned near Rajokri on the Delhi-Gurgaon border. Mr Bhardwaj, 62, was a real estate tycoon who had declared assets of Rs 600 crore, making him the richest candidate in the 2009 elections. The police said three men drove a dark grey Skoda car into the complex, Nitish Kunj, which is right next to the National Highway 8 and used as a hospitality hub, at about 8.55 am. They gained entry at the gate on the pretext of booking the farmhouse for a wedding. O n c e inside they asked for Mr Bhardwaj, had an argument with him and then shot him twice at point-blank range. Two other people were injured. where he died. A post mortem is being conducted at the All India Institute of M e d i c a l Sciences (AIIMS). D e l h i P o l i c e Commissioner Neeraj Kumar has said that the many CCTV cameras installed at the farmhouse have captured footage of the car and the attackers and that he expects arrests to be made soon. Initial investigations have revealed that fake number plates were used on the car. Forensic teams and special investigation units are conducting detailed investigations. Deepak Bhardwaj, who had contested elections from West Delhi in 2009, owned businesses in real estate and hotels and also ran a school in Dwarka; he had plans to open two more schools. He is said to have owned a lot of land in the Rajokri area.

Mr Bhardwaj was taken to the Army's Research and Referral Hospital close by,

National policy on drug abuse soon: SJ&E Ministry

NEW DELHI:Seeking to check the alarming rise of drug abuse in various parts of the country, government will soon introduce a 'National Policy on Drug Abuse' and has formed an expert committee to suggest guidelines for it. The need to have a National Policy on Drug Abuse was felt for a long time. The Social Justice and Empowerment Ministry recently took the decision in this regard and an expert committee has been formed to study nation-wide scenario of drug and substance abuse, sources said. The committee is being headed by a senior Ministry official and experts from various backgrounds have been roped in it as members. The Committee recently made its first presentation to the Union SJ&E Minister Kumari Selja where it highlighted some of the key issues such as lack of a credible national data on drug addiction and the delayed pilot projects for assessment in Punjab, Maharashtra and Manipur. The Ministry had planned to start the pilot project in December last year with a deadline to complete it by February 2013. The pilot project has yet not begun and the Ministry does not have any accurate data to plan and implement its scheme to check drug abuse, the sources said. The Ministry has formed several schemes to break the demand and supply nexus of drug consumption, but due to lack of a national policy, these schemes are not being implemented properly, they said. The Committee includes experts from some top medical colleges, centres engaged in task of rehabilitation of drug victims, officials of Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB)and other stakeholders. Regular consultations are being conducted with all stakeholders and organisations engaged in rehabilitation of drug victims, they said. The policy will also ensure a better coordination among agencies and state governments while providing periodical data on impact of the schemes launched by the Ministry.

French troops kill two Indians in Africa; President Francois expresses regret
PARIS: France has expressed regret over the killing of two Indians by its troops in the Central African Republic, where a rebel leader seized power during the weekend. French President Francois Hollande has expressed regret over the incident, in which six other Indians were injured, in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. The prime minister is here for the 5th BRICS Summit. The incident took place at the airport in capital Bangui. The French, who have some 250 soldiers stationed in Central African Republic Airport, were guarding the airport, Indian officials here said. "While conveying his condolences, President Hollande assured the prime minister of his firm determination to investigate the tragic event and assured that the injured were under the care of French medical teams," an official statement said. "The prime minister expressed his deep distress at the loss of innocent lives. "He has directed that all efforts be made to ensure the safety of approximately 100 Indian nationals in the Central African Republic, mainly in and around Bangui," the statement added. The Indian ambassador to the Democratic Republic of Congo, concurrently accredited to the Central African Republic, "is making necessary arrangements for the return of the mortal remains of the Indian nationals in accordance with the desires of their next of kin". Officials said the French have termed the incident a result of mistaken identity. Its troops were trying to defend the airport and French nationals in the city. There are some 1,200 French people in the country, most of them in the capital. The Central African Republic is a landlocked country with Chad in the north, Sudan in northeast, South Sudan in the east, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Republic of the Congo in south, and Cameroon in the west. The country of some 4.5 million slid into anarchy. Its President Francois Bozize fled to Cameroon after the rebels seized the capital.

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is out of the country. Union minister Manish Tiwari said Dr Singh would read the letter and then decide. The sixth edition of the IPL is scheduled to be held from April 3 and will be played in different locations in the country over 45 days. Ten matches are to be played in Chennai, which also has a home team in the Chennai Super Kings, with two Sri Lankan players in it. Ms Jayalalithaa has noted in her letter that all the IPL teams have Sri Lankan players on them.

IPL Chairman Rajiv Shukla said they will not buckle under pressure and all matches will go ahead according to schedule. "All matches supposed to take place in Chennai will take place. While the BCCI is yet to react officially, the Lankan cricket board has said it has informed its players and the government. "We won't tell them don't go for the IPL but we did inform them about the situation right now and it is for them to take a decision," said the chief of the Lankan board, Ajith Jayasekara.

Holi greetings from President , Vice President to nation

NEW DELHI: The President and Vice President have greeted the nation on the occasion of Holi-the festival of colours. In his message President Pranab Mukherjee said the festival which marks the advent of spring, is a harbinger of joy, hope and fulfillment for all. He said, the myriad colours of Holi are a reflection of country's diversity and multi-cultural heritage.

Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari said that Holi, which is celebrated with gaiety and enthusiasm throughout

the country, reinforces the message of the unity in diversity and of equality of all human beings.

'Special status' for Bihar should not be mixed with Congress strategy to stay in power: BJP
NEW DELHI: With the UPA Government looking into the demands for special status for Bihar, the BJP on Tuesday said the Nitish Kumar-ruled state does deserve a special status to get rid of its deprived status, but added that it should not be mixed with the ruling Congress Party's strategy to stay in power at the Centre. "I have a very strong reservation when Bihar is called backward and I can very categorically say that eight crore Biharis are not backward. Yes we are deprived and the word, which we have used in Bihar, is a demand for a special status. And I think the Centre should avoid using the word backward for the state of Bihar," said According to certain media reports, the UPA Government is now looking into Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar's demand for special status for the state. The latest development in this regard takes place at a time when the UPA Government appears to be in a shaky position following the DMK's exit. Moreover, allies like the Samajwadi Party and the Nationalist Congress Party are also keeping the UPA on the edge. The Bihar CM had last week met PM Dr. Manmohan Singh, FM P. Chidambaram and Planning Commission Deputy Chairperson Montek Singh Ahluwalia to discuss granting of special status to the one who gives special status not only Bihar, but every backward state," he said, while addressing a huge crowd at the Ramlila Ground in the national capital. Kumar said Bihar has

'India-Japan economic engagement creates a win-win situation for both nations': Khurshid
TOKYO: External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on Tuesday said economic engagement between India and Japan creates a win-win situation for both countries and will help foster growth in the second and third largest economies of Asia. Khurshid said 'a second factor which augurs well for the India - Japan partnership is that there is consensus in both our nations and across the political spectrum that a strong relationship between our countries is in our national interests and is good for Asia and the world at large'. "Therefore, whatever political party may be in power either in Japanor in India, our bilateral ties will continue to prosper and grow. We have indeed experienced exactly this through the changes of Government in Japan over the past few years," he added. In his speech at Rikkyo University here, Khurshid said the end of the Cold War and the beginning of a new Century provided the necessary conditions for a quantum leap in interaction and exchange between the two countries. "It was the vision and leadership of then Japanese Prime Minister Yoshiro Mori which helped convert potential into practice. His historic, path-breaking visit to India in the year 2000 provided the much-needed impetus for our relations to be taken to a new level. Guided by his strategic vision both nations saw the merit in substantive bilateral engagement in diverse spheres," said Khurshid. "What Mori-san started at that point in time has been taken to its logical conclusion by succeeding Governments both in Japan as well as in India," he added. Khurshid said the economic engagement between India and Japan has expanded significantly over the past few years "Our economic engagement has expanded significantly over these past few years, since we established our Strategic and Global Partnership in 2006. We have implemented a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement since August 2011. It has been well over a year since then and the initial results in terms of greater flows of trade and investment are heartening after factoring in the depressed global economic conditions that have ensued in this period," he added. Khurshid also expressed his delight over the fact that India continues to poll very high amongst Japanese firms as a long-term investment destination. "The number of firms from your country which have operations in India is over 1000 now, and while we can take some satisfaction from this fact, naturally we want many more of your firms to invest in India. Very frankly, there is a perfect fit here since India is a labour abundant country with relatively low wage rates. Japan is abundant in capital and has technology and management expertise, which can be married to our competitive advantages. We are also immensely aware of the need to upgrade physical infrastructure in India whether at our ports or our highways and roads. That is why we plan to invest about 1 trillion US Dollars in infrastructure during the period 2012 to 2017," said Khurshid. "They were well ahead of the curve in entering India, had first mover's advantage and therefore even today have the largest market share in our domestic car market. What I find very interesting about the Suzuki model, is that they have now also made India a manufacturing hub for export of cars to the Middle East, North Africa and even East Europe," said Khurshid.

Six insurgents arrested in Manipur

IMPHAL: Six insurgents of separate outfits were arrested by security forces from different places in Manipur, officials said today. The insurgents, belonging to United National Liberation Front (UNLF), People's Liberation Army (PLA) and Kanglei Yawol Kann Lup (KYKL). An AK 47 rifle, 16 rounds of ammunition, one 9mm pistol, and a hand grenade were recovered from their possession. A PLA sympathiser was arrested from Imphal West district on Monday evening. Following his interrogation, police recovered two 9mm pistols, some rounds of ammunition, one grenade, two mobile phones and five kgs of explosive materials from a house, they said.

Woman shot dead near Karkardooma metro station

NEW DELHI: A woman was shot dead, allegedly by her husband, while she was on an escalator close to the entrance of theKarkardooma metro station in East Delhi today. The woman's father, who was with her during the incident, was also critically injured in the shooting. The two were rushed to a hospital where the lady succumbed to her injuries. Her father is still said to be critical. According to reports, the police have arrested the accused. Delhi Police has claimed that there was no security breach.

Bihar. Nitish then said that the meeting with the Prime Minister has given him a hope that the issue would be taken up at a higher level. "They (the government) have indicated to me clearly that they will take it forward. Whether they set up an expert committee for its implementation or they do it again, that is up to them how they do it," he said. Kumar had last Sunday said that no political combination should think of ruling Delhi after the 2014 elections if it ignored Bihar's rights. "Post-2014 elections, the person who sits in power will be

been treated unfairly by successive central governments and the time has come for making amends. "Bihar is way below the national average in all development indices, such as roads, power, railways and per capita income. Kumar further said that Finance Minister P. Chidambaram in his Budget speech has hinted that changes will be made in the parameters for giving states special status. "I demand that the parameters should be changed at the earliest to give Bihar special status. Our fight is not only for Bihar, but for all backward states," he added.

16 years consent age for sex existed in IPC, 1860: Shinde

NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde on Tuesday cited the 153-year-old IPC to defend his proposal for lowering the consent age for sex to 16 years, days after the anti-rape Bill passed by Parliament retained the age at 18. Shinde, who was speaking at a conference on Police Reforms in the country, termed the criticism of his move for lowering the age as "ignorance of law" by some people. "The consent age of 16 years was incorporated in IPC (Indian Penal Code) in 1860. No one had looked into it (then) but when my ordinance came for correcting this...Whole Parliament was against it. But I brought it to the notice there (that) this law (of 16 years age) was in existence but we have not realised that it was in existence. "Can we say ignorance of law is not permissible that this country permitted?," Shinde said. However, the Minister, while making this assertion, did not mention about Child Marriage Act, which came into force in 2007, and Child Trafficking Act under which the definition of child has been fixed below 18 years. The Parliamentarians, during the discussion on this crucial issue, wanted parity between the IPC and other laws that have been enacted later. Terming as 'eye opener' the ghastly Delhi rape incident of December 16, Shinde assured government's active efforts to check crime against women. "That (rape incident) has opened our eyes. Everyday there are rapes. It (the incident) happened in Delhi. All citizens came forward right from the press, judiciary and government. It has opened our eyes... Today we have taken cognisance and a law has been passed (to check) disrobing of women," he said at conference whose theme was 'Safety and Security: Need for police reforms' organised by Assocham here. To a question on existence of fear of insecurity among women, Shinde said the fear of insecurity in women will go. "Yes, there is a fear at the moment. But that will go. We should not forget a large number of girls were going to BPOs and there was no fear. If an incident (December 16) has happened, we have to correct ourselves. Ours is a civilised society," he added. Shinde said a rigid law has also been passed to punish a police officer by giving a minimum punishment of two years' imprisonment if he does not act on complaints of atrocities against women belonging to SC and ST. He said policing needs to be reformed keeping in view the present day scenario. "The policing system needs to be upgraded effectively to deal with crime and criminals and to safeguard the interest of one and all," he said. Shinde said many state governments and Union Territories were also working on Model Police Act to bring in reforms and professionalism in policing system. "The Modern Police Act emphasised professional role of police in a democratic society, its response to the need of the people and its accountability to the rule of law. The Model Act expects police to be impartial and gives protection to the weaker sections including minorities. "The Model Act was circulated to all states. So far 15 states have enacted the new Police Act or amended existing police Acts. Other states lack behind in completing the task," he said, stressing the need for reform in the policing system. He said special focus was needed to check organised crimes and criminal acts against women and elderly especially in metropolitan cities. "The central govt. remains fully committed to support the upgradation and modernisation of state police forces...I also need support of state governments, state police forces and society at large to ensure a secure environment around us," the Home Minister added.

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STUDENT AGE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

INTERNATIONAL & ECONOMY

Muslims mosques, homes destroyed in fresh Myanmar attacks

MYANMAR: Two mosques and dozens of homes have been destroyed in fresh attacks on Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, police officials said. A police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Tuesday the attacks were carried out late on Monday in villages in the Bago region north of the city of Yangon. He added that there have been no reports of casualties in the latest attacks on Muslims in the country. On March 20, extremist Buddhists attacked dozens of houses and mosques in the central town of Meiktila. At least 40 people were ers displaced in attacks by Buddhist extremists. ed the extremist Buddhists with containers of petrol for torching the houses of Muslim villagers. Myanmar's government has been accused of failing to protect the Muslim minority. Rohingyas, who migrated to Myanmar as early as the 8th century, are said to be Muslim descendants of Persian, Turkish, Bengali, and Pathan origin. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have issued separate statements, calling on Myanmar to take action to protect the Rohingya Muslim population against extremist Buddhists.

'Musharraf unlikely to have much impact on Pak elections': US Ambassador

WASHINGTON: The White House has said the return of Pervez Musharraf, the former dictator of Pakistan, is an "internal matter" of the country, even as a top US diplomat in Islamabad said that the event is unlikely to have much impact on the results of the May 11 general polls. "I don't see this as a terribly large or significant event. I could be surprised, but I don't see this as terribly consequential," the US Ambassador to Pakistan, Richard Olson said on the return of the former Pak General, who ruled the country for a decade. Musharraf returned to "On the question of tell me he doesn't have a great deal of political support," Olson said in response to a question. On Musharraf, Olson said, the United States does not have a position, a stand taken consistently by the Obama Administration. "We've seen the news that he's returned. It's really up to the people of Pakistan to decide who their representatives should be, and so we really refer you to the Government of Pakistan," the State Department spokesperson, Patrick Ventrell, said. "When it comes to Pakistani politics, we'll leave it to the

killed and 12,000 people were displaced during three days of violence in the town. Hundreds of Rohingyas are believed to have been killed and thousands of oth-

Buddhist extremists frequently attack Rohingyas and set fire to their homes in several villages in the state of Rakhine. Myanmar army forces have allegedly provid-

Obama pushes Congress on immigration reform

proposed solutions and we've got a lot of white papers and studies. "We've just got at this point to work up the political courage to do what needs to be done," he said. "I expect a bill to be put forward. I expect the debate to begin next month. I want to sign that bill into law as soon as possible." Noting that the United States is a nation of immigrants, Obama said in order for the country to remain vibrant and on the cutting edge, the nation's immigration system must be fixed. "Immigration makes us stronger, it keeps us vibrant, it keeps us hungry, it keeps us prosperous," he said. "It is part of what makes this such a dynamic country. If we want to keep attracting the best and brightest that the world has to offer, then we need to do a better job of welcoming them."

Paris makes Mandela honorary citizen, refuses honor for Chavez N Korea threatens to strike Hawaii, US mainland
PARIS: The city of Paris made anti-apartheid hero Nelson Mandela an honorary citizen but refused to grant an honor to Venezuela's late leftist firebrand leader Hugo Chavez. Mandela was "an emblematic and historic human rights figure," deputy mayor Pierre Schapira said in a speech yesterday to a meeting of the city council that bestowed the title on the Nobel peace prize winner. But the council refused a request from communist councilors for a place in Paris to be named after Chavez. Schapira noted that the mayor of the Venezuelan capital Caracas had been stripped of any real power because he was an opponent of Chavez, who died earlier this month. He said poverty had declined and access to education improved in the Latin American state under Chavez but that it was too early to agree on his legacy. SEOUL: North Korea put its artillery and "strategic" rocket units on combat ready status Tuesday, with orders to prepare for strikes against the US mainland, Hawaii and Guam,officials said. A statement from the Korean People's Army supreme command ordered "all artillery troops including strategic rocket units and long-range artillery units to be placed under class-A combat readiness". The units should be prepared to attack "all US military bases in the Asia-Pacific region, including the US mainland, Hawaii and Guam", as well as South Korea, said Despite its successful long-range rocket launch in December, most experts believe North Korea is years from developing a genuine inter-continental ballistic missile that could strike the continental United States. Hawaii and Guam would also be outside the range of its medium-range missiles, which would be capable, however, of striking US military bases in South Korea and Japan. The supreme command announcement came days after the South Korean and US militaries signed a new pact, providing for a joint military response to even low-level provocative action by North Korea. While existing agreements provide for US engagement in the event of a

Pakistan on Sunday after a four year self-imposed exile, during which he spent most of his time in England and Dubai and speaking tour in the United States.

Musharraf, it's up to the Pakistanis to address the question. He may have some legal issues to address, and that's for him to address with the judiciary. But my Pakistani friends

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama is pushing Congress to move fast on immigration reform to fix the problem of over 11 million illegal immigrants, including some 250,000 Indians that he can sign into law next month. "We are making progress but we've got to finish the job," he said during a naturalisation ceremony for 28 immigrants from 26 countries, including one from India, at the White House. "Everyone pretty much knows what's broken. Everybody knows how to fix it," Obama said. "We've all

full-scale conflict, the new protocol addresses the response to a limited provocation such as an isolated incident of cross-border shelling. It guarantees US support for any South Korean retaliation and allows Seoul to request any additional US military force it deems necessary. North Korea shelled a South Korean border island in November 2010, killing four people.

Pipeline attack in Iraq halts oil exports

BAGHDAD: Insurgents blew up a major oil pipeline in northern Iraq, halting the country's oil exports via Turkey, a police spokesman said on Tuesday. The attack took place when gunmen bombed the oil pipeline near the area of Tulool al-Baj, some 250 km north of Baghdad,.The blast struck the main pipeline that convey crude oil from Iraq's largest refinery in Baiji, some 200 km north of Baghdad, heading north to Turkey and then to its port of Ceyhan on the Mediterranean Sea. "The sabotage causes a huge fire at the scene and resulted in an oil leak, prompting authorities to halt the oil pumping." Iraq's oil pipelines have been frequently attacked by insurgents since the US-led invasion in 2003.

Kerry and Karzai strike upbeat note in Kabul

KABUL: US Secretary of State John Kerry held a second round of talks with Afghan President Hamid Karzai in Kabul on Tuesday after the two put on a public show of unity in a bid to repair damaged ties. Kerry visited Afghanistan just after the United States ceded to a key long-standing demand of Karzai by delivering full control of Bagram prison, north of Kabul, to Afghan forces. Karzai had turned the fate of Bagram and its hundreds of detainees into a rallying cry for his push to take back sovereignty as the bulk of US-led combat troops prepare to leave by the end of next year after more than a decade of war. The militant threat facing Afghanistan was on Tuesday again underlined when seven suicide bombers targeted a police base in the eastern city of Jalalabad. All the attackers and five officers died in the assault, for which the Taliban claimed responsibility. After a series of fiery antiUS outbursts from Karzai in recent weeks, both he and Kerry were keen to make a public display of friendship and stress that relations were back on track. "Today was a good day for Afghanistan. Bagram prison was handed over to the Afghan government... Finally after many years of effort we have reached a deal," Karzai said.

ECONOMY

Sebi summons Sahara chief Subrata Roy, 3 executives on April 10

NEW DELHI: Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) on Tuesday summoned Sahara Group chief Subrata Roy along with three other top executives on April 10 in conjunction with its earlier order to freeze assets and bank accounts of two Sahara companies. Sebi has also asked them to submit details of assets, bank accounts, tax returns by April 8, and warned that it will go ahead with sale of assets as per the attachment order if Mr Roy and others fail to appear on April 10. The matter pertains to an earlier move by Sebi to order a freeze on the assets and bank accounts of the two Sahara companies on February 13 after the unlisted company allegedly failed to repay investors as per a Supreme Court order. The regulator and the unlisted Sahara group have been locked in a long-running dispute relating to a Sahara Housing Investment Corporation and Sahara India refunded as they have repaid the remainder, an assertion the regulator disputes. After expiry of the courtset deadline for the refund, Sebi ordered a freeze on all bank accounts and properties in the name of the Sahara Group founder, Subrata Roy, and three other directors of the two firms The orders escalated the battle between the regulator and the unlisted Sahara. In a statement issued after the Sebi order, Sahara said the directives were based on "old facts" and had not taken into account redemptions it has made since January 2012 Sahara contends that Mr Roy was neither issued a show-cause notice nor did Sebi follow the procedure of securing an enabling order from a judicial magistrate. Moreover, it claims that Mr Roy was not even a director of the two concerned companies.

Bharti Airtel raises $500 mn through bond issue

NEW DELHI: Close on the heels of raising $1 billion,Bharti AirtelBSE 2.98 % today said it has garnered another $500 million through a bond issue mostly to pay off high interest loans and fund capex needs. The company, which had on March 11 raised USD 1 billion through a 10-year bond issue, raised USD 500 million through senior notes. Its subsidiary "Bharti Airtel International (Netherlands) BV has successfully raised USD 500 million notes (the Additional Notes) in addition to the recently concluded transaction of USD 1 billion 5.125 per cent Fixed Rate Senior Unsecured Guaranteed 144A/Reg S Notes due 2023". The company said additional notes were issued at a premium and priced at 100.625 per cent to yield 5.044 per cent and will be consolidated and form a single series along with the USD 1 billion notes that were issued on March 11, 2013. "High participation by Fund Managers for an Indian Issuance and real money investor participation of 77 per cent demonstrates the superior quality of the order book and the confidence the global investors have in the fundamentals and credit of the company," Bharti's Group Treasurer Harjeet Kohli said. This is the largest ever telecom transaction out of Asia ex-Japan and the largest ever US dollar issue of an Indian company since rating action last year. "The transaction is the first tap issuance out of India this year making it largest single tranche issuance in 2013 so far," the statement said. The company said the transaction drew an order book of approximately USD 2 billion with participation from 140 high quality investor accounts. "In terms of geographic distribution, 50 per cent of Additional Notes were distributed in the United States, 32 per cent in Europe and 18 per cent in Asia. The Notes were distributed to high quality fixed income accounts across fund managers, banks, sovereign wealth funds and insurance companies and private banks," the statement said. The only other recent tap bond issue was sold by Reliance Industries March, 2012 when the company raised an additional USD 500 million, following its USD 1 billion issue the previous month. So far in 2013, over half a dozen companies, including RIL, PowerGrid, Tata Com, ICICI Bank, HDFC Bank, Exim Bank, Bharti Airtel and Suzlon Energy, raised nearly USD 6 billion from overseas debt market.

Supreme Court order asking the Sahara group to refund more than Rs. 24,000 crore of investors' money raised by two of its companies through the issue of bonds. Sebi had been asked to facilitate the refund. The group was ordered in August to repay sums raised by what the Supreme Court called "dubious" means from nearly 30 million small investors, with 15 per cent interest. Two Sahara firms --

Real Estate Corporation -raised a total of Rs. 2,578 crore in bonds as of April 2011, according to Sahara court affidavits cited by Sebi. In December, the court ordered Sahara to pay an initial deposit of Rs.5, 120 crore with Sebi, pay another Rs. 10,000 crore in the first week of January and the remainder in the first week of February. The Sahara companies, however, have said that only Rs. 2,620 crore remains to be

Government clears AirAsia's proposal to set up new airline

NEW DELHI: The government on Tuesday a p p r o v e d Malaysian budget carrier AirAsia's proposal to set up a new airline in the Indian civil aviation sector with partners Tata Group and Arun Bhatia-promoted Telestra Tradeplace. (Approved) to set up a JV (joint venture) company to undertake the business of operation of scheduled passenger airlines," the Finance Ministry said in a statement. The initial investment approved for the airline stands at Rs.80.98 crore, the ministry said. The approval allows the budget carrier to roll out the seventh scheduled domestic carrier in the Indian skies. On March 6, the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB) recommended to the government that it approve the

Sensex makes marginal gains ending losing streak

MUMBAI: A benchmark index for Indian equities markets rose 0.12 percent points on Tuesday ending a sevensession losing streak. Fast moving consumer goods stocks such as ITC gained the most. The 30-scrip sensitive index (Sensex) of the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), which opened in the red at 18,645.09 points, ended trade at 18,704.53 points, up 0.12 percent or 23.11 points from its previous day's close at 18,681.42 points. The Sensex had touched a high of 18,758.88 points and a low of 18,612.37 during the day. The wider 50-scrip S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also went up 0.14 percent, or 7.75 points, to end at 5,641.60. Traders said the markets were able to make gains as global shares steadied. Among the gainers were defensive FMCG stocks like ITC and HUL which rose 1.3 percent and 2.5 percent, respectively.

Airports authority to form joint venture for jet fuel supply

NEW DELHI: In a bid to provide cheap aviation fuel to domestic airlines, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) on Tuesday said it will form a joint venture (JV) with airlines, state-run oil marketing companies and Reliance Industries. According to AAI chairman V.P. Agrawal, the new JV Company will provide a fuel cost saving of up to 10 percent. "AAI will hold about 13 percent in the JV, with other stake being held by different partner," Agrawal said. In India, domestic airlines' pay anywhere from three to 34 percent of state sales tax on aviation turbine fuel. At present, aviation fuel in India is nearly 50-60 percent dearer than in Thailand, Singapore or the UAE due to the additional sales tax imposed by states. This pushes up the cost of operations by close to 30 percent. In February 2012, the government notified direct import of jet fuel and called upon interested carriers to apply for licenses. The development came after a group of ministers headed by the then Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee rolled out a plan to help domestic carriers, allowing them to directly import aviation fuel. The move was envisaged to help airlines' cut operating costs by 10-15 percent, saving on sales tax. However, due to several logistical and financial difficulties, none of the airlines' was able to directly import jet fuel. The fuel component constitutes about 50 percent of the total operating cost of airlines in India.

Tata Motors to shut down for 11 days for maintenance

JAMSHEDPUR: Leading automobile company Tata Motors will undertake a 11-day shutdown to carry out maintenance of equipment at its Jamshedpur plant from March 27. Tata Motors will undertake shutdown from March 27 to April 6 to carry out maintenance of equipment, particularly, in the paint shop," Debasis Ray, Head of Corporate Communications, said.

AirAsia proposal. Currently, there are six scheduled domestic airlines in the country -- Air India, Jet Airways, Jet Lite, SpiceJet, IndiGo and GoAir. The operating license of Kingfisher Airlines was suspended last year. In its proposal, AirAsia said it intended to hold 49 percent stake in the JV. Currently, AirAsia has a fleet of 118 aircraft and has ordered 350 planes to service its network. Through its operations based in Thailand and Malaysia, the airline operates in Chennai, Bangalore, Tiruchirappalli, Kochi and Kolkata.

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STUDENT AGE WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27, 2013

MISC
Nanak Nagar, Young Star win hockey ties
JAMMU: Young Star C l u b Simbal Camp and N a n a k Nagar Club won their respective matches to consolidate their position in the ongoing senior (men's) Jammu District Hockey Championship at K K Hakhu Stadium. In the first match of the day, Young Star outplayed Zorawar Club by four goals to three. Charanjeet, who brought in the first blood in the very first move of the game, added another goal in last 60th minute. Rajinder Singh (20th) and Satwant Singh (42nd) were other scorers. From Zorawar Club,

Sania-Bethanie in quarters of Miami event

MIAMI: Sania Mirza kept the Indian hopes alive by progressing to the women's doubles quarter-finals even as country's challenge ended in the men's doubles with the defeat of Rohan Bopanna and his partner Rajeev Ram in the second round of ATP-WTA Sony Open. Sania and her American partner Bethanie Mattek-Sands overcame a fighting pair of Jarmila Gajdosova and Sabine Lisicki 6-1 3-6 10-7 in the second round. They will now fight it out with Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci for a place in the semifinals. In the men's doubles second round, unseeded Bopanna and Ram were knocked out by formidable second-seeded pair of Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez 6-4 7-6(5). Somdev Devvarman was floored by world number one Novak Djokovic in the men's singles while Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi had exited from the doubles after suffering second-round defeats with their respective partners.

India to finish 3rd in ICC test rankings

DUBAI: The battle for second place in the International Cricket Council (ICC) Test rankings at the 1 April cut-off date resulted in a photo-finish between England and India on Tuesday. In the end, the draw at Auckland in the third and final Test against New Zealand handed England the No.2 rank while India finished third. South Africa had already sealed their position as the No.1 ranked Test side, meaning they not only retained the Test mace but are also assured of $450,000. England will receive $350,000 for finishing second while India get $250,000 for third. England needed to win or draw the Auckland Test to secure the second position while India not only needed to win the Delhi Test but also had to hope for a New Zealand victory. Had New Zealand won the series 1-0, India could have finished in the second position.

Gourav Singh struck twice in the 7th and 59th minute while Shelar Sharma made third goal for the team in 57th minute. Meanwhile, in another scheduled league match of the day, Nanak Nagar Club blanked Situ Club 4-0. Mandeep Singh made hattrick sounding the board in first, seventh and 19th minute. The fourth goal came through Gurpreet Singh in 40th minute.

Hockey trials on April one

JAMMU: Hockey Jammu and Kashmir is organizing selection trials to pick up probable for forthcoming Sub-Junior National (boys) Championship to be held at Sonepat in Haryana from April 10 to April 15. The trials shall take place at 2.30 pm on April one at K K Hakhu Stadium, here. Players born on or after January one, 1997 are only eligible for the trials. Those interested boys have been advised to bring along their Date of Birth Certificates to ascertain the age at the time of trials. For further queries, players can contact secretary Hockey J&K, Rumal Singh (94191-86181) and GS Bakshi (99065-90133).

Pankaj Advani leaves for UK to conquer the world of snooker

NEW DELHI: Pankaj Advani set off on a long English journey to tame the 'big boys' of world snooker and claim the only major trophy missing from his cabinet. The 'smiling assassin', as he is famously known as, would be seen again reigning supreme on the green baize after his recent exploits on the Pro Circuit, when he will play in the UK Championship qualifiers, scheduled from April 3 to 14, to seek an entry into the main draw of the highlycompetitive tournament from April 20-May 6 in Sheffield. "I am ready for the big battle. I am very excited playing my first World Professional Snooker Championship. I am leaving ten days earlier so as to get acclimatized to the conditions. The championship has a different format to what we experienced in the last nine months. It will be a test of your endurance, test of your ability and battle for survival," Advani said before leaving for the Championship from Bangalore.

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