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

STUdenT aGe
FRIDAY, JANUARY 25, 2013

JKENG/2012/41612 Vol. 2 No: 23

Super specialty hospital, Jammu to be ready soon: Taj

'National Girl Child Day' being observed today

10% reservation for economically backward classes in Haryana

Argument for taxing "very rich" should be considered: FM

IN BRIEF

Nationwide protests launched by BJP against Shinde

NEW DELHI: Bhartiya Janata Party on Thursday held protest demonstrations at various places in Punjab, Haryana and Chandigarh against Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde's remarks on 'Hindu terror' during the recent Congress conclave in Jaipur. In Delhi, the party's newlyelected president Rajnath Singh is leading the demonstrations at Jantar Mantar. He is accompanied by senior party leader Sushma Swaraj. BJP president Rajnath Singh today attacked Sushilkumar Shinde for his recent "Hindu terror" remarks, saying that he needs to understand that he is the Home Minister of the country. Shinde had made the controversial remark at the AICC meet on Jaipur. He had accused the BJP and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) of holding terror-training camps and promoting "Hindu terrorism" in the country. The statement immediately invited condemnation from both the BJP and the RSS. They have demanded Shinde's immediate sacking from the Union Cabinet, and apologies from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Congress president Sonia Gandhi. "Shinde needs contd on page 2

NEW DELHI: ''National Girl Child Day'' is being observed on Thursday. Ministry of Women and Child Development has been taking a multi pronged approach to address and reverse the trend of declining child sex ratio in the country. The objective of all these initiatives is to work towards ensuring contd on page 2

'Rajnath Singh leads the protest in Delhi' J&K State BJP stages protest against HM's remark

BJYM president dares Shinde and questions Sonia

being openly held Congress govt. is disillusioned by seeing a terrorist in each and every nationalist be it RSS, BJP, Anna Hazaare ji or yoga guru Swami Ram dev. I have few questions for the Italian born Congress Rajmata Smt. Sonia Gandhi Jee. Can she explain? Why Pandit Jawahar lal Nehru a leader from congress invited RSS to participate in the Republic Day parade of 1963? (Because RSS volunteers laid down their lives in the war with China in 1961 he said) Why Sardar Vallabhai Patel (one of the think tanks of Congress ) went to RSS office at Hauz Khas andrequested Guru Golwalkar Jee of RSS to discuss with Maharaja Hari Singh of Jammu and Kashmir regarding the complete accession of J&K state with the nation? (Because Maharaja Hari Singh could not trust Pandit Jawahar lal Nehru contd on page 2

MEA announces Kailash Mansarovar Yatra dates

NEW DELHI: Ministry of External Affairs has announced the Kailash Manasoravar Yatra - 2013 for the eligible Indian citizens.It is being organised between 9th june to 9th september. Last date to apply online is 4th March. For details visit website www.mea.gov.in or call 011-2301-4900.

J&K state BJP activists during protest against Shindes Hindu Terror remarks at Jammu. BJP and Shinde but a well planned JAMMU,JAN 24:The J&K against state BJP today held a protest RSS.Addressing a protest statement by the Congress in support of their demand dharna of Jammu Mahanagar, leadership that is why for immediate dismissal of Member of Parliament & BJP Digvijay Singh and Mani Union Home Minister Sushil National Spokesperson Syed Shankar Ayer are also supKumar Shinde from Council Shahnawaz Hussain,said that porting him. He said that if contd on page 2 of Ministers for his statement it is not a slip of tongue by BJP

Cold conditions persist in Punjab, Haryana

CHANDIGARH: Cold conditions on Thursday prevailed in Punjab and Haryana with minimum temperature dipping by a few notches below normal in both states. Dense fog also disrupted normal life in several areas including Ludhiana, Amritsar and Karnal. Narnaul in Haryana was the contd on page 2

Kishtwar BJP Unit holds strong protest over Shinde's remark

KISHTWAR,JAN 24: Bhartiya Janata Party kishtwar unit took out today a procession under the leadership of Sh Rajinder Singh (District President BJPKishtwar) from Char Chinar chowk, kishtwar passing through main bazaar kishtwar and burnt the effigy of Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde in support of their protest agains his irresponsible statement against RSS and BJP. The Bhartiya Janta Party Kishtwar expressed its deep anguish and concern over the statement given by Sushil Kumar Shinde.The Party warned the Govt of dire consequences if action is not taken against Sushil Kumar Shinde union Home Minister who had given a clean chit to Pak sponsored terrorism and sow the seeds of discord.BJP leaders said that such incidents will not be tolerated at any cost. Addressing a huge gathering BJP district president Sh Rajinder Singh criticized the UPA Govt and said that while some peoples are hell bent fan trouble in the country with the acts like such statements,the Govt has totally contd on page 2

Aadhar must to enrol with Employees Provident Fund Organisation

NEW DELHI: Anyone entering the formal sector workforce from March will have to get a UID number before they can enroll with the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO). The EPFO will use Aadhaar to issue individual account numbers to its members, independent of employers. The contd on page 2

alking to Student Age the newly appointed BJYM president Ravinder Raina came down heavily and aggressively on the congress govt. and Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde he said, "I was surprised rather shocked to hear what Shinde has said. I doubt him being the Home Minister of India, because he made the statement which even the Home Minister of Pakistan will think twice of. I am sure that Mr. Shinde is getting the inputs from the Pakistan intelligence not from the Indian intelligence and performing well on the behalf of Pakistan Home Minister. I just want to make it clear to Mr. Shinde that RSS and BJP have always been the factories involved in the manufacturing of leaders and think tanks for the country whereas congress has just produce dealers who can negotiate on the behalf of the Gandhi Parivar. I just want to add that, "If Mr. Shinde calls the RSS shakha as a Hindu terrorist camp then there are more than 60,000 Hindu terrorist camps

throughout the country in each and every part of the country even in the congress the ruling states. If he has the mettle and means what he has said I openly challenge him to try his might and close even 6 out of the 60000 Shakhas held every morning." He added that the Congress govt. inside the country is on the verge of extinction and can see the devil everywhere. He qouted Shri Krishna Vinash Kaley Vipreeta buddhi, which means when one is set to be doomed, he loses his mind that's why

Security tightened MNREGA is huge scam in Kashmir in J&K: PDP; questions SRINAGAR,JAN 24: Security has been minister's figures
beefed up in Kashmir Valley ahead of the Republic Day even as full dress rehearsal of the parade was held at the Bakshi stadium on Thursday. Additional police and paramilitary personnel have been deployed in the city and at entry points to the summer capital of the state to foil any plans of militants to carry out subversive activities ahead of the Republic Day celebrations, official sources said. Police has set up barricades at many places to carry out random searches of vehicles entering the city, the sources said. They said roads around the Bakshi stadium, the venue for main function in Kashmir, were sealed off last night as a precautionary measure. Police and Srinagar Municipal Corporation personnel have started removed snow from the road side to ensure that militants do not use it hide any explosives, the sources said. Armed personnel and cops in civvies have been deployed around the Republic Day function venue to contd on page 2 JAMMU,JAN 24: Questioning claims of the government on Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Gaurentee Scheme ( MNREGA) the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) today called for a thorough inquiry into the implementation of this flagship scheme which has turned into a big scam in J&K. Responding to the claims of minister for rural development on the "achievements of the government" in implementing this important programme PDP Chief Spokesperson Naeem Akhtar said the government claims are completely baseless and the figures quoted by the minister are misleading. He said the huge funds received from Govt of India during last four years have been grossly misutilised even as a greater portion of them is still lying with the government because of its inability to spend properly. Quoting figures from Ministry of Rural Development Government of India Akhtar said that till December last the government of India had released a whopping Rs 1700 crores for implementation contd on page 2

China's top science award for Dr.C.N. R. Rao

BEIJING/ NEW DELHI: Noted Indian scientist Dr C N R Rao has been conferred with China's top science award for his important contributions in boosting Sino-India scientific cooperation. Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS gave its 2012 Award for International Scientific Cooperation to three scientists from India, Germany, and Russia. Rao, 79, contd on page 2

Sudhir Jain is new VC of SMVDU

JAMMU, JAN 24: Prof. Sudhir K. Jain, presently Professor and former Head of the Department of Management Studies, Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, has been appointed as the new Vice Chancellor of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, Katra. As per the University's Statute, Mr. N. N. Vohra, Governor Jammu and Kashmir, who is Chancellor of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University, has appointed Prof. Jain as Vice Chancellor for a period of three years. Prof. Jain was selected from among a panel of four recommended by a Search contd on page 2

Now a toll-free no for complaint against food in trains

NEW DELHI: If you have any grievance against the food served on trains, just dial 1800111321 to lodge your complaint. The toll-free number launched by railways is operational from 7 am to 10 pm throughout the week. Concerned over increasing number of complaints against catering service in trains and stations, Railway Minister contd on page 2

Justice Verma panel submits report, Govt assures swift action on panel's suggestions
* No death for rapists * Comprehensive amendments to criminal laws seeking minimum 20 years imprisonment for gang-rape and life term for rape. * Lawmakers involved in heinous crimes should quit * Justice Verma criticizes Union Home Secretary RK Singh for praising Delhi Police Commissioner after the Delhi gang rape instead of coming out with an apology. * Sexual misconduct also includes intentional touching, spoken words and gestures made as advances. * Apathy of civil society and mentioned about the inaction of passers-by and bystanders, who failed in their citizenship duty of rendering help to the Delhi gang rape victim.

Omar calls for India-Pak talks, slams role of UN observer

KUPWARA, JAN 24: Underscoring the importance for resolving political issues of Jammu and Kashmir through a political roadmap, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Thursday said that he would continue to bat for Indo-Pak talks in this regard adding that gun has never been solution to any problem. Addressing mammoth public gatherings at Handwara and Kupwara today, the Chief Minister said that resolution of political issues of Jammu and NEW DELHI: As the nation stands witness, the government on Thursday has assured swift action on the tough measures suggested by Justice JS Verma panel to make the country safer for women. Justice Verma Committee had submitted its report on Wednesday favouring comprehensive amendments to criminal laws seeking minimum 20 years imprisonment for gang-rape and life term for rape. Minister of State for Home Affairs RPN Singh said that the government is committed and "will take every possible step to be late ensure that that recommendations are adhered to." Singh further said that it's a lengthy report and the government will study the detailed report and come to the conclusion. He said some decision on the proposals of the panel can be expected before the Budget Session of Parliament. Life imprisonment for gang-rape, but no death penalty even if the victim contd on page 2

Omar keen on implementing rape law reforms in J&K

JAMMU: After taking the lead in framing laws to give capital punishment to the rapists, the Jammu and Kashmir government took a serious note of the Justice Verma Committee report which enlists reform measures in Indian anti-rape laws. In his tweet, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah promised that the people of the state will take the Verma panel's recommendations seriously and also proposed an All Party Meeting to discuss and implement the reform measures at the earliest. contd on page 2

Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Addressing mammoth public gatherings at Handwara. Kashmir in accordance to the aspirations of its people can be sought only through talks between the two neighbours. Omar Abdullah said that presence of UNO observers in the State have been of no consequences so far which is amply clear to all. "We know they remained mute spectators during the saga of militancy as also during the time when LoC was roaring with shelling of guns for a long time", he said adding that the ceasefire on LoC was due to talks and agreement between India contd on page 2

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address said that In no condition the party will allow such type of divisive politics in the country.Sharma further said that Indian Home Minister is dancing to the tunes of anti nationals and of playing a dangerous game of appeasement of Pakistan and militants in the hope of buying power Retd Captain Hukam Chand (State Executive Member) demanded the immediate resignation of Home Minister. Others who spoke on this occasion were Chuni Lal Shan (distt General Secretary), Capt Chuni Lal, Sh Dev Raj Sen, Vijay Parihar, lalit Sharma,Sandeep Shan,Vikal parihar, Ashish Sharma, Raj Kumar Bullet, Shashi Paul Badyal, ranjit Singh, Anjay Singh,Mohinder Singh, Runmeet Singh Ranjit Wazir and others. Development Reporter". The research areas of Prof. Jain have been Applied/Managerial Economics, Entrepreneurship Management and Intellectual Property Rights. His 120 research papers have been published in the reputed international and national journals as well as presented at various conferences. He has co-authored a book with Prof. H. C. Petersen and Prof. W. C. Lewis, titled "Managerial Economics", which was published by Pearson Education in 2006 and co-edited another book titled "Productivity & Quality: Multi-disciplinary Perspective" with Prof. Anuradha Sharma, Prof. V. Upadhyay & Dr. Seema Sharma which was published by Tata McGraw Hill in 2005. Prof. Jain has supervised 19 Ph. D. programmes; 150 dissertations for M. Tech/MBA, completed 20 research/consultancy projects and organized 40 training programmes and 10 conferences. He is a recipient of many awards and honours. for ensuring peaceful and smooth Republic Day Celebrations, the sources said. A senior official of the state police intelligence wing said there were no specific inputs about militants planning to carry out any attacks on the eve of the Republic day but they were not tackling any chances with the security arrangements. Meanwhile, full dress rehearsal of the Republic Day parade was held at Bakshi stadium amidst tight security, the sources said. They said Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Asgar Samoon took salute at the march past by contingents of various wings of police, CRPF and school children. in respect of maintenance of law and order. Such a step is also essential to maintain accountability," it said. The Committee also took note of the apathy of civil society and mentioned about the inaction of passers-by and bystanders, who failed in their citizenship duty of rendering help to the Delhi gang rape victim and her companion who were lying badly injured and disrobed on the roadside for a considerable amount of time.

Contd. from page 1...

BJYM president....
for his words) Why Congress leader C. K. Jaffer Sheriff from Bangalore used to visit the RSS shivers and look for the management of RSS Shivers? He said," I am sure that Mrs. Sonia Gandhi will not be able to answers these questions as she may be unaware about the great history of great India. I do request her to visit any of the Shakhas and spend Rs. 3 to get herself a booklet and enrich herself with the knowledge about the RSS, its ideology and contributions to the nation so that she can preach the real nationalism to her puppets in the party and tell them the difference between the terrorism and nationalism. He said it's not the first time that Congress has pointed fingers towards the nationalist forces and tried to create an imbalance and confusion in the minds of the people of India . Even before 1947 congress used the word terrorist for Bhagat Singh, Raj Guru and Sukh dev. Gandhi and Nehru both used to say that, "the Pakistan is possible only after our death". But still Pakistan was found in their presence. So before the congress party preaches nationalism and calls RSS and BJP as Hindu terrorist sponsoring organization they must go back to the history and check their track records from the times of Nehru to Indira Gandhi to Manmohan Singh."

Omar keen on...

Omar tweeted, "Parliament will do what it has to but I promise the people of J&K that we will look at the Verma committee report with all seriousness....I will propose an All Party Meeting to discuss the recommendations so that as many as possible are implemented at the earliest in J&K ." Earlier on Wednesday, the Justice Verma committee, comprising Justices (retd) J.S. Verma and Leila Seth and noted jurist Gopal Subramaniam, submitted its report after the horrific December 16 gangrape in Delhi that led to a nationwide stir demanding strong laws for the crime against women. The recommendations of the Verma panel includes gender sensitisation of police force across the country, time-bound trials in cases of any form of violence against women and the inclusion of stalking and molestation under the purview of criminal laws. The report has also rapped police forces for their lukewarm response in cases of crime against women. As a measure to check crime against women, the Omar Abdullah government established its proactive role by taking a lead in setting up fasttrack courts for rape cases with sessions' judge in every district and also deciding that the trial in such cases would be in camera.

Justice Verma panel...

dies or is reduced to a vegetative state, was among the recommendations of the Justice JS Verma panel on Wednesday. The three-member committee, tasked to look into possible amendments to the criminal law for quicker trial and enhanced punishment for rapists, submitted its report to Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde exactly 29 days after it was set up following the gruesome gang-rape of a 23-year-old Delhi woman Dec 16. "Gang-rape will entail a punishment of not less than 20 years, but which also may extend to life. Gangrape followed by death shall be punished with life imprisonment," Justice Verma told reporters after submitting the report. Hitting out at political and religious leaders for making controversial comments on women, Justice JS Verma Committee has recommended framing of laws to disqualify politicians who issue statements "reinforcing gender bias". "It is shocking to note that even after the recent horrific incident of gangrape, many political leaders, including members of Parliament/state legislatures, spiritual gurus with large followings and other eminent persons have been making statements reinforcing the gender bias. Some have even blamed the victim for having facilitated the rape by her own behaviour," the committee observed. It criticised controversial comments of religious leader Asaram Bapu, Communist Party of India (Marxist) member Anisur Rahman, INLD leader Om Prakash Chautala, Congress leader and Cabinet Minister Sri Prakash Jaiswal as those of "worst kind" on women. "Punishment for causing death or a persistent vegetative state shall be given rigorous imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than 20 years but may be for life also, which shall mean the rest of the person's life," said the 631-page report. Justice Verma said the committee has not suggested death penalty for rapists because there were overwhelming suggestions from the women organisations against it. The panel recommended that stalking, acid attacks and voyeurism should be considered separate crimes, but suggested seven years for acid attacks as well as voyeurism, that includes making MMS clips and passing it on to others. In its 630-page report to the government submitted today, the Committee has suggested amendment of criminal laws to provide for higher punishment to rapists, including those belonging to police and public servants. Sexual misconduct also includes intentional touching, spoken words and gestures made as advances. Addressing a press conference, Justice Verma came down heavily on Union Home Secretary RK Singh for praising Delhi Police Commissioner after the Delhi gang rape instead of coming out with an apology. It also attacked police for the lathicharge on young demonstrators in the capital last month which it said had scarred democracy. Even while it recommended amendments to various laws and enhancement of punishment, the panel concluded that existing laws if faithfully and efficiently implemented by credible law enforcement agencies or sufficient to protect the safety and dignity of people particularly of women and punish offenders. "This is not to suggest that the necessary improvements in law, keeping in mind modern times, should not be enacted at the earliest," it said. The Committee also said speedy justice was necessary for right to life with dignity and recommended that systemic changes could reduce burden of arrears in courts. The judge strength can be increased in phases while retired eminent retired judges could be appointed on adhoc basis. The Committee said the Delhi gang rape incident has disclosed the failure of many public functionaries responsible for traffic regulation, maintenance of law and order and more importantly, their low and skewed priority of dealing with complaints of sexual assault. Disputes relating to the jurisdiction of the police over the area of the crime are often a cause of delay in initiating the process of taking cognisance of the crime and providing medical aid to the victim. The panel said the peculiarity of the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi not having any control over the police force, which control vests only in the Ministry of Home Affairs is the reason given publicly by the Delhi Chief Minister for the absence of responsibility of her government. "This ambiguity must be removed forthwith so that there is no divided responsibility in Delhi

Omar calls for...

and Pakistan. "Addressing of political issues and finding out solution to these would be also through the process of dialogue between the two countries. Presence of UNO observers or not is not required for this breakthrough", he elaborated. Taking a dig on PDP and its leadership for deceiving people on issues by flaring up sentiments, Omar Abdullah said that politics of deceit has been their trait. "People are wiser enough to read between the lines and understand this kind of politicking", he said maintaining that National Conference since the time of Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah stood for peaceful settlement of Political issues through the process of dialogue. "We would continue our endeavour in this regard", he said adding that gun has never solved any problem but created numerous ones. He said Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah was offered gun to carry forward his political roadmap but he denied it vehemently saying gun only creates miseries and serves no purpose which is a universal truth and people of Jammu and Kashmir are witness to it. On the empowerment of Panchayats, the Chief Minister said that powers from 14 departments have already been transferred to panchayat institutions. "You should not be so selective about spending funds and concentrating on financial aspects, this you will be doing gradually to your full capacity but other issues like ensuring attendance of teachers in schools, availability of ration at ration depots, monitoring of Anganwari Centres, status of water and power supply and other basic services to people in your area, requires your priority attention to ensure proper functioning of the departments of whose services have been transferred to you", he told panches and sarpanches who were present in the public meeting in a good number.

China's top...
founder of Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR), Bangalore, shared the 2012 award with Herbert Jaeckle of Germany's Max Planck Society and Russian space physicist G A Zherebtsov.Rao has won various prestigious awards. He is currently the Head of the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister. The CAS is China's top academic and research institution for natural sciences.It has so far honoured 17 international scientists for their contributions in Sino-Foreign research cooperation,since the prize was instituted in 2007.

Nationwide protests....
to understand that he is Home Minister of the country and cannot make such remarks," Singh said on Thursday. Meanwhile, Shinde refused to comment on Thursday when asked about the BJP's nationwide protests against his remarks. Slamming Sushilkumar Shinde, senior leader of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)Sushma Swaraj said that the Home Minister should be removed for his Hindu terror remark that had hurt national interests. Asking Shinde not to cross his limits, Sushma said that politics can be practised to the extent that it benefits the Congress or even harms the BJP but "should not be taken to a level where national interest is affected". The leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha, who was addressing a protest rally at Jantar Mantar here, added that the party wanted an apology from Congress president Sonia Gandhi. "Sonia Gandhi should apologise to the nation and sack Shinde," she said. "You have hurt national interest at a time when Pakistan is coming and beheading our soldiers. You are not attacking Pakistan but attacking the main opposition party," she said about the home minister. "What do you want to tell the world? There might be terror camps in Pakistan, but here the main opposition party runs a terror camp! Do you want to say, terrorists are sitting in parliament? The leader of opposition in the Lok Sabha is heading a terror organisation?" she asked. In Jaipur, Shinde had said during the Congress's Chintan Shivir, "Whether it is BJP or RSS (Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh), their training camps are promoting Hindu terrorism." The opposition party was on Thursday holding nationwide protests against Shinde's comments.

MNREGA is huge...
of the programme since 2009-10. Out of this only around 800 crores have been spent which amounts to less than 50% of the funds received from government of India during the four years of present government. He said Jammu & Kashmir has been one of the worst performers among all the states in the country. Akhtar said the present government had politicized the implementation of MNREGA and as a result its very basic objective of transforming rural life through employment and development had been subverted. The state has failed to benefit from it while most other states have transformed the rural scene with sincere implementation of this scheme. He said instead of providing jobs to the deserving the present government has established a new class of rural exploiters who belong to the ruling parties and work as commission agents. These agents, he said instead of employing labourers mostly use machines to execute works and make money without sharing the benefits of the scheme with those for whom it was devised. The PDP spokesperson said the government of India should take a note of the gross violation of the guidelines. Some times back he said, a team from Ministry of Rural development Govt, of India was deputed to Budgam to look into the reported bunglings committed by the department in selection of IAY beneficiaries and execution of works under MNREGA. It has now been reported, he said that the funding to Budgam district under MNREGA has been stopped by the ministry. He said the government must come clean on this and release the report of the government of India team on the subject. Referring to the orders of Government of India issued in Sept 2009 for establishment of the office of the Ombudsman in all the districts for redressal of grievances, Akhtar said the state government had failed to constitute this important authority. He said the state government has hesitated from appointing the Omabudsman in the districts in order to escape scrutiny and coverup the huge frauds carried out by it in siphoning off the public money. He said hardly any social audits have ever been under taken under the provisions of MNREGA and as a result lists of fake beneficiaries have been prepared to cover up the scam. Akhtar said the funds under MNREGA were reportedly utilized for organizing public meetings for the chief minister, minister for rural development and other govt politicians. He said the government must explain the source of funding of the recently held Maha Panchayat Conference which was held in Srinagar to celebrate the fifth birthday of the coalition government. He said the party has reports that the expenditure was booked against the funds provided under MNREGA violating the guidelines for the scheme. He said huge amounts have also been paid reportedly to favourites of the government under one pretext or the other from the contingency provision under this scheme. The government must come out with details to address the public anxiety, Akhtar added.

'National Girl ...

that girls are born, loved and nurtured and grow up to become empowered citizens of this country with equal rights and opportunities. As part of the activities being undertaken to celebrate the National Girl Child Day, a nation-wide slogan writing competition amongst high school children in the age group of 14-18 years is being organised by the National Mission for Empowerment of Women under the aegis of the Ministry of Women and Child Development. The objective of organizing this competition is to let students suggest a fresh mnemonic through the slogans for the theme "save the girl child''. The slogan should reflect the larger concern of gender equity and empowerment of girls in a rights based approach. The Government of India in 2008 declared January 24 of every year to be celebrated as the ''National Girl Child Day'' with the objective of raising consciousness of the society towards the girl child so that she can be valued and respected.

Sudhir Jain ...

Committee headed by Dr. Sudhir S. Bloeria, Vice Chancellor, Central University, Jammu. This Committee had Prof. M. Anandakrishnan, Chairman, IIT, Kanpur, Dr. Prem Kalra, Director, IIT, Rajasthan, and Prof. S. C. Saxena, former Director, IIT, Roorkee and Acting Vice Chancellor, Jaypee Institute of Information Technology, Noida, as its members. Prof. Jain, born at Dholpur in 1951, did his B. Sc. from Rajasthan University, Jaipur, in 1970; M. A. (Economics) from Rajasthan University, Jaipur in 1972; and Ph. D (Applied Economics/Econometrics) from IIT, Kanpur in 1979. Prof. Jain has served as a Lecturer, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor and Professor, IIT Delhi, from March 1985 onwards. He had also served as Assistant Professor, ISEC, Bangalore, from February 1980 to February 1985 and as Assistant Director, ICSSR, from June 1979 to February 1980. He has held several administrative positions during his career which include Chairman, IPR Cell, IIT Delhi, (from 2003 onwards); Chairman, Economics & Entrepreneurship Group, DMS, IIT; and Coordinator, Inter-Disciplinary Entrepreneurship Programme, IIT, Delhi. He has also served as Executive Director of the National Institute for Entrepreneurship & Small Business Development, Noida, under the Ministry of MSME. Prof. Jain is a Life Member of the All India Management Association, Indian Society for Training & Development, Indian Economic Association, the Indian Econometric Society and the Indian Association for the Study of Population. He has remained Member of the MHRD Expert Committee on WTO Matters (2001-05); National Entrepreneurship Policy Committee, Ministry of MSME (2002); National IPR Education Policy Committee, Ministry of HRD (1997); and Advisory Committee, EDC Scheme, Ministry of S&T (1998-2004). He has also remained a Visiting Professor of the Mongolian Technical University, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (1996) and North Eastern Hill University, Shillong (1997). Prof. Jain has participated in a number of overseas academic programmes and conferences, including those held in USA, Mexico, Brazil, UK, France, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Netherlands, Greece, Turkey, Australia, Singapore, Japan, South Africa, Mauritius, China, Mongolia, Thailand, Sri Lanka and Nepal. He is also Founder Editor of the "SSI Management Vision" & "Training and

Cold conditions...
coldest place in the region as mercury settled at 2.5 degrees C, lower by two notches than normal, Met office said here today. Karnal saw a low of 4.4 deg C, down by three degrees below normal while Ambala and Bhiwani had a minimum of 6.5 deg C and 4.5 deg C respectively. Minimum temperature in Hisar was 4.6 deg C. The minimum temperature in Chandigarh was 5.8 deg C. In Punjab, Amritsar recorded a low of 2.8 deg C while Ludhiana and Patiala recorded a low of 5 deg C and 5.6 deg C respectively. Dry weather is forecasted in the area with fog and mist in some areas.

J&K State BJP....

had to promote Hindu terrorism, then after partition India would have become a "Hindu Rashtra" (Hindu Nation) but Indian Republic had strong secular roots. BJP and other nationalist organizations associated with it have always fought for the country's integrity and against foreign aggression from time to time and they have been in the service of the nation without any consideration of religion, caste or creed, said Hussain. Accusing J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah of opportunist politics, he reminded him that when Atal Behari Vajpayee made him a Cabinet Minister in NDA and promoted him on all occasions, BJP was not communal rather it was Congress which was communal in eye's of Omar. He said Omar Abdullah should better drive the vehicle in Rajouri, Poonch and other areas instead of driving Rahul Gandhi's vehicle in streets of Amethi. State President Jugal Kishore Sharma said that whatever had not be uttered by even a foreigner has been easily said by our union Home Minister. It has hurt the nationalist people and is not tolerable. Such a statement from Shinde raises suspicion whether some foreign hand is working with the Congress to paint BJP and RSS as communal, he added. Dr. Nirmal Singh said that Shinde's statement is a follow up of Congress' negative approach towards BJP and RSS. It is the same Congress which even once banned RSS but later had to eat a pie of shame as it could not prove its allegations. He said that the 2014 elections have made Congress unstable from within and its leaders totally in a stage of fear of losing power.

Aadhar must to...

organisation plans the existing 8.15 crore members to link Aadhaar numbers with PF accounts by June 30. EPFO has directed its field offices to contact local UIDAI authorities to set up enrolment camps in industrial areas. EPFO said existing members IDs will link to Aadhaar numbers very soon.

Now a toll-free...
Pawan Kumar Bansal Thursday announced a slew of measures, including the toll-free number, to improve the quality of food for passengers. "Any one can call the toll-free number and register his or her complaint and it will be addressed," said Bansal here. "The complaint can relate to anything including overcharging, less quantity or substandard quality. It will be addressed on real-time basis," he said. The number has been operational since January 18 and till date 26 complaints have been received. Assuring the passengers of action against erring catering contractors, Bansal said mobile squads have been formed to keep a regular check on contractors in trains and stations and the tollfree number will be displayed in coaches and stations prominently to make passengers aware about the facility. Admitting that the quality of curd served in trains is not good, Bansal said "we are finalising a policy to ensure that only curd prepared by reputed companies are served". Similarly, efforts are on to improve the menu in trains like Rajdhani, Shatabdi and Duronto.

Security tightened...
keep an eye on any suspicious persons, they said. Last week, police had rounded up several youth, from many areas in the city, suspected to be involved in organising protests on the Republic Day eve. Similar security arrangements have been put in place in all district headquarters of the Valley

Kishtwar BJP....
failed to curb such elements.The BJP Kishtwar hence issued a stem warning to UPA Govt to shun the policy of appeasement. Sh Sunil Sharma senior leader BJP in his

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KISHTWAR, JAN 24: Minister of State for industries, Commerce Home and Cultural, Mr. Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo, on his first visit to his home district after his induction in the council of ministers, was accorded a rousing reception by the people. A massive rally was organized at ITI ground, Kishtwar where thousands of peoples drawn from all walks of life had thronged to greet him and listen his lecture. Thanking the people of Kishtwar for showing their unflinching trust and faith on him, Mr. Kichloo assured that he will leave no stone unturned to come up to their urged an expectations. He said people's service is the prime

NEWS IN BOX

Saroori paid rich tributes to Congress MLC Ghulam Rasool

JAMMU, JAN 24: Senior Congress Leader and MLA Inderwal Ghulam Mohammad Saroori on Thursday paid rich tributes to Senior Congress Leader from Srinagar and MLC Sheikh Ghulam Rasool on his 17th death anniversary. Paying floral tributes to the Former Member of Legislative Council (MLC), Saroori described him as a dynamic leader who was always committed to the welfare of the poor and the downtrodden in the state. Mr Saroori said he was a tall leader who nurtured a dream of Peace, Progress in all parts of Jammu And Kashmir State and one of the most respected Leaders in the congress party because of his total dedication and devotion to the ideas of congress party which he followed throughout his life. Mr Saroori said that the Congress MLC was of the view that the power should not be kept in government offices, but should be delegated to people. Mr Saroori also lauded President IYC Loksabha Srinagar Sheikh Amir Rasool who is now following footsteps of his father.

Kichloo reaches Kishtwar to warm reception

Announces various dev projects, police recruitment drive
ty campus for Kishtwar and Naigad water scheme remain his priority which will be pursued at all fastest. He also announced the upgradation of Kishtwar hospital adding that 100 bedded maternity unit equipped fully with modern diagnostic machinery will be one of its component Kichloo also announced that work on major power projects will be started within six months to tap vast power potential of the Chenab Valley besides which will also create ample opportunity of employment of local youth. He appealed to the people of Kishtwar to maintain brotherhood, peace and amity and work in unison for the progress and development of Kishtwar.

Minister of State for industries, Commerce Home and Cultural, Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo addressing a public gathering at Kishtwar. mission office life and will continue to work for the welfare and uplift of weaker, downtrodden and under privileged section of the society. He thanked Chief Minister Mr. Omar Abdullah for reposing his faith in him by inducting him in the council of ministers adding that he would try his best to come up his expectations. He said it was after long wait of 11yrs that Kishtwar has regained its honour due to endless struggle of people of Kishtwar. He further stressed that Kishtwar being backward district with difficult terrain ,remains full of problems even today and he is fully aware of the hardships being faced by the people . He promised to complete construction of Rs. 34 crore prestigious water supply schemes for Kishtwar town as early as possible to overcome drinking water shortage. He also assured to construct and upgrade roads for Dacchan, Marwah, Machail and Ligri. Kichloo said that the universi-

Fire in school building in Kashmir

SRINAGAR, JAN 24: A fire broke out in a school in North Kashmir's Baramulla district early on Thursday, police said. Fire broke out in the Government Boys Higher Secondary School in Diwan Bagh area of Baramulla district at 7:30 am, partially damaging the building, a police spokesman said. He said the rooftop and the second floor of the building was damaged in the fire which has been brought under control now.

Super specialty hospital, Jammu to be ready soon: Taj

JAMMU, JAN 24: The super specialty hospital, Jammu would be made operational soon. This was stated by Minister for Medical Education, Youth Services & Sports, Mr. Taj Mohi-ud-Din while reviewing the pace of completion of works on the hospital and state of preparedness in a meeting of faculty members of Government Medical College, Jammu and Super specialty hospital, Jammu. The Minister took a detailed review of the preparations made for the operationalisation of the Super specialty hospital. He reviewed the status of the faculty, maintenance of the buildings, readiness of machinery equipment and other issues. He asked the hospital administration to recruit retired faculty members for the hospital on contact basis. He also asked hiring registrars and residents on walk in interview basis so that the hospital does not face any shortage of staff. Mr. Taj said the proposed hospital would be the premier health institution of Jammu province for which he sought co operation from the faculty members for its early opening. He said Rs. 1.50 crore have been released as special dispensation for buying equipment etc for the said hospital. The Minister assured the faculty members that Government will provide them all facilities needed and they won't be left asking for the same. He directed digitization of medical records and posting of a Law Officer to the GMC, Jammu. Commissioner-Secretary, Health & Medical Education, Mr. M. K. Divewdi, Chief Engineer, R&B, Jammu, Mr. Tehseen Mustafa, Principal, GMC, Jammu, Dr. Aniece Choudhary, Medical Superintendent, SMGS, Dr. Manoj Chalotra, Medical Superintendent, Super specialty hospital, Jammu, Dr. Reyaz, heads of Departments and other senior doctors were present in the meeting. Later, the Minister visited the Col. R. N. Chopra Nursing Home and directed its renovation and its opening for the patients. He also visited the emergency block of the GMC and went round Medical and surgical units besides ICU and emergency theatres.

National Mission on Food Processing

JAMMU, JAN 24: The State Level Empowered Committee (SLEC) headed by Chief Secretary, Madhav Lal Thursday approved various key components under preparatory activities for the successful implementation of the National Mission on Food Processing (NMFP) Scheme in the State. Chief Secretary asked J&K SIDCO which is the Nodal implementing agency of NMFP to place the proposals submitted by entrepreneurs for availing financial assistance under the Scheme before the Committee for approval. He called for exploring partnership with JKEDI, Agriculture University and other agri-institutions besides taking responses and opinions from other concerned departments regarding the mission and its successful implementation. The Committee also approved appointment of Consultant for preparation of Vision Document and as Programme Management Agency for Monitoring the entire Programme Implementation Process during the initial period of two years. Managing Director, SIDCO informed the meeting that Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries has sanctioned Rs. 5.625 crore out of the total allocation of Rs. 7.50 crores grant-in-aid for implementation of NMFP main scheme during 2012-13. He said that several prospective entrepreneurs, Self Help Groups etc approached J&K SIDCO and submitted their proposals for availing financial assistance under the NMFP scheme. During the first phase of the 12th Plan, under the Scheme, State will implement various components including technology upgradation, establishment, modernization of food processing industries, cold chain, value addition and preservation infrastructure for nonhorticulture produce, human resource development, etc. The eligible sectors for financial assistance under the mission include fruits and vegetables, milk products, meat, poultry, cereal and other consumer products, oil seeds products, rice milling, flour milling, pulse processing and such other agri-horticulture sectors including food flavours and colours, oleoresins, spices, mushrooms etc. Financial Commissioner, Finance M.I Khanday, Principal Secretary Planning and Development B R Sharma, Commissioner Secretary Industries and Commerce Shantmanu, Commissioner Secretary Agricultural Production Shaleen Kabra, Commissioner Secretary Animal & Sheep Husbandry M A Bukhari, Managing Director J&K SIDCO Mohammad Muazzam and other officers were present in the meeting.

Snowfall brings respite from cold in Valley, Leh freezes

SRINAGAR,JAN 24: Fresh snowfall brought respite from intense cold to the residents of Kashmir Valley as night temperatures rose considerably. The night temperatures across the valley still stayed below the freezing point, with the minimum temperature in the summer capital Srinagar settled at minus 1.8 degree Celsius, up from minus 3.2 degree Celsius the previous night, a MET Department spokesman said. He said the famous skiing resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir received a snowfall of 2.2 mm of rain, while 2.5 mm in Kupwara and outskirts of Srinagar recorded a trace of snowfall. The minimum night temperature in the highway town of Qazigund in south Kashmir was recorded at minus 6.4 degree Celsius as against the yesterday's minus 4.0 degree Celsius, the spokesman said. Night temperature in Kokernag settled at a low of minus 8.7 degree Celsius, slightly down from minus 8.2 degree Celsius yesterday. The spokesman said that in north Kashmir's Kupwara town, where the previous night's minimum was minus 1.7 degree Celsius, the minimum temperature settled at a low of minus 0.9 degree Celsius during the night. The minimum night temperature in Pahalgam hill resort in south, which serves as a base camp during annual Amarnath yatra, was down by over four notches at minus 11.6 from the previous night's minus 7.0 degree Celsius. He said in Gulmarg in north Kashmir, the minimum night temperature settled at minus 10.6 degree Celsius as compared to the previous night's minus 9.6 degree Celsius. Leh town in the cold desert of Ladakh showed a slight drop in the night temperature from the previous night's minus 19.4 degree Celsius to settle at a low of minus 20.4 degree Celsius, the spokesman said, adding Leh continues to be the coldest recorded place in the state. He said that in Kargil, also in the frontier region of Ladakh, the minimum night temperature was minus 18.8 degrees Celsius as against the previous night's low of minus 17.2 degree Celsius.

Lone, Gurezi greet people on Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW)

JAMMU, JAN 24: Minister for Higher Education Mr. Mohammad Akbar Lone and Minister of State for Animal and Sheep Husbandry Mr. Nazir Ahmad Gurezi, have greeted the people on Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) and hoped that this auspicious occasion would be harbinger of harmony, peace, progress and prosperity in the State. In their separate messages of greetings, they described Islam as a religion of peace. They prayed for the welfare of the people and peace in the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

Peerzada for adequate arrangements at religious places on Eid Milad-u-Nabi

JAMMU, JAN 24: Minister for Hajj and Aquaf Peerzada Mohammad Syed today exhorted upon the Divisional administrations to ensure proper arrangements at all religious places, including Shrines, Asthans and Eidgahs of the State on the occasion of Eid Milad-u -Nabi (SAW). The Minister asked them to ensure hassle free transport facilities to the devotees. He also directed the administrators of Waqaf to maintain cleanliness in and around the religious places under its control. Meanwhile, Peerzada also greeted the people on Eid Milad-un-Nabi (SAW) and hoped that this auspicious occasion would be a harbinger of harmony, peace, progress and prosperity in the State. He prayed for the welfare of the people of the State.

Altaf inspects ongoing works executed for Wullar Conservation

BANDIORA, JAN 24: Government is committed to restore the pristine glory of world famous 130 Sq. Kilometre large Wullar Lake a tourist destination which shall attract the tourists from every corner of the world to boost the economy of the area. It was stated by the Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology Mian Altaf Ahmad while inspecting the ongoing works being executed by Wullar Conservation Management Authority (WCMA) for the conservation and development of Wullar Lake here today. The Minister was accompanied by Chief Executive Director, WCMA, Mr. Abdul Razak, Chief Conservator Forests, Mr. Manzoor Ahmad, and Coordinators catchment area treatment (CAT), Deputy Conservator Forests Bandipora Division, Mr. Mohammad Maqbool and other concerned officers. The Minister appreciated the efforts of the concerned executing agencies for continuing the work despite the inclement weather and cold wave urged upon the concerned executing agencies to further speed up the pace of work on the project and complete the project in stipulated time so that the past glory of Wullar Lake is resumed. He also stressed for conservation of water bodies and forests emphasising that it is our duty to contribute and put efforts for the preservation and beautification of natural resources. The Minister urged upon officers to work for preservation of environment and ecology of the State by the afforestation process and strict implementation of the schemes aimed at development of forest besides providing pollution free atmosphere. Mian Altaf was apprised that Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) was initiated in 18 micro watersheds as per the prioritized micro watershed by Wetland International South Asia (WISA) and enumeration of trees in compartments 1, 2 and 4 Baniyari block Ningli range was completed while 420 willow trees have been auctioned out.

Rather, Mir, Ramzan greets people on Eid-i-Milad- un-Nabi (SAW)

SRINAGAR, JAN 24: Minister for Finance Mr. A. R. Rather, Minister for Agriculture, Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir and Minister for CA&PD and Transport, Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan have greeted the people of J&K on the auspicious occasion of Eid-i-Milad- un-Nabi (SAW). The Ministers have said that the holy month of Rabi-ulAwal holds special significance for Muslims community. They said that the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) about a pious and evil free society are relevant forever, adding that the people should follow the path shown by him to eradicate all the evils from the society which is under the onslaught of westernization. The Ministers hoped that the occasion will prove a harbinger of peace prosperity and progress for the entire humanity especially for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

Dy speaker nominates members for committees

JAMMU, JAN 24: Deputy Speaker Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Mr. Mohammad Sartaj Madni today nominated Mr. Mohammad Irfan Shah and Er Abdul Rashid, to serve as members of Committee on Public Accounts and Committee on Public Undertakings, respectively for the unexpired period of the term of the Committees.

Govt mulls to appoint ISM doctors in new type PHCs: Shabir

JAMMU, JAN 24: To promote Indian system treatment facilities in the State, the Government is considering appointing ISM Doctors and Pharmacists at all New Type Primary Health Centres opened in various parts of the state in recent past. This was revealed by Minister of State for Health (Independent Charge) Mr. Shabir Ahmed Khan, while chairing a review meeting of the ISM department. The Minister said that Government has submitted a proposal for engaging 436 ISM medicos and 436 ISM pharmacists in 436 new PHCs to the Centre for approval under NRHM funding. He said concerned authorities have been directed to pursue the matter vigorously at the Centre to facilitate early engagement of have been utilized so far on its construction, the meeting was informed. The meeting was informed that during last 9 months of current fiscal 2327330 patients were provided treatment facilities through various hospitals of the department. Under NRHM 438 AYUSH medical officers have been engaged at PHCs. 160 posts of Ayurvedic and Unani medical officers created by corresponding reduction of equal number of posts of Assistant surgeons besides 396 AYUSH Pharmacist have also been engaged under this mission at PHCs across the State. The Director ISM on the occasion gave a detailed power point presentation on physical and financial achievements of the department.

IAF helps restore power supply in Kashmir Valley

JAMMU, JAN 24: An Indian Air Force (IAF) helicopter Thursday airlifted power grid personnel to snowbound areas near Banihal Pass for repairing transmission lines to restore electricity supply to the Kashmir Valley, an official said. "Due to heavy snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir, life in the entire region was thrown out of gear, with Srinagar having partial power failure due to the high tension (power) lines at Banihal Pass getting buried under snow," the official said. When approached by the Power Grid Corporation of India, the Indian Air Force pressed into service its 'Cheetah' helicopter for the mission to airlift a repair team to Banihal top to carry out repairs on the 300 MW power line. The helicopter airdropped seven personnel near the spot and brought them back safely after completion of work. "The mission involved a high degree of risk in dropping these personnel close to high tension (wire) at about 10,000 feet near Banihal Pass in an area known for high turbulence and strong winds," a defence spokesman said.

Minister of State for Health (Independent Charge) Shabir Ahmed Khan chairing a review meeting of the ISM department at Jammu. these doctors and pharmacists in such health institutions. Director ISM, Dr. Abdul Kabir, Deputy Directors and Assistant Directors of all districts, besides medical superintendents of ISM hospitals attended the meeting. The meeting reviewed the physical and financial achievements besides new initiatives taken by the government for expanding ISM treatment facility in the State. The meeting was informed that 50 bedded Unani Hospital at Shaltang Srinagar, taken up at an estimated cost of Rs. 12.25 crore, is nearing completion, while as OPD block of the hospital has been thrown open for the patients in July last. It was informed that work on construction of additional block of 50 bedded Ayurvedic Hospital Jammu, taken up at a cost of Rs. 4 crore, is in progress, while the construction of Rs. 7.50 crore 50 bedded integrated AYUSH Hospital Harwan would be taken up in near future. It was informed that for the purpose 15 kanals of land at picturesque, Harwan has been taken over by the department and funds amounting to Rs. 6.37 crore have been released by the Centre, while a rented building has been hired to start the OPD block of the hospital. The meeting was further told that work on Rs. 32.50 crore Government Medical college Unani, Nawabagh Ganderbal is a pace and about Rs. 5 crore has been expended on the execution so far. The work on Ayurvedic medical college Akhnoor is also apace at an estimated cost of Rs. 25.80 crore against which Rs.6.19 crore

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Rural health infra to be upgraded: Dy CM

JAMMU, JAN 24: Reiterating resolve of the government to improve health care infrastructure in rural areas, Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand said that the health sector is priority area and work on the road map to extend modern medical facilities to every nook and corner of the state is underway. "On one hand existing medical institutes are being upgraded to super speciality levels and on the other all out efforts are being made to ensure that required medical care centres are established in remotest possible areas of the state," he added. Mr. Tara Chand today chaired a high level meeting called to review the health sector scenario in rural and border belts of Khour area. Minister of State for Health (Independent Charge) Shabir Ahmad Khan,

Sadhotra exhorts youngsters to realise dream of freedom fighters

Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand chairing a high level meeting o review the health sector scenario in rural and border belts of Khour area, Jammu. Commissioner-Secretary, Health and Medical Education Mr. M.K. Dwivedi, Director, Health Services, Jammu Dr. Madhu Khullar and other senior officers of health department attended the meeting. Detailed deliberations were done on various infrastructural constrains which the border belt is facing and the measures which need to be taken to address the health care needs of the area. Underscoring on the need to upgrade health infrastructure, the Deputy Chief Minister said that people living in the border and far off areas are poor and it is extremely difficult for them to come to urban health centres, so it is important that the centres operating in these areas are supplemented with required staff and equipment. Staff shortage should be attended at the appropriate level and doctors as well as para medical staff be posted in primary health centres of Dhanga, Pallanwala and other such centres, he added. He said generator sets for all PHCs are must for providing round the clock service and directed for early purchase of mobile medical unit and two fully equipped ambulances besides one critical care ambulance. Mr. Tara Chand said the buildings of health centres also need repair and renovations so the work must be started on priority and where ever required the residential quarters should also be constructed. He said NRHM is a flagship mission and its proper implementation in rural areas can go a lone way in addressing the health care needs of the people who are otherwise living far away from urban health care facilities.

Minister for Planning, Development, Labour and Employment, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra along with others posing for a photograph at Jammu. JAMMU JAN 24: Minister for Planning, Development, Labour and Employment, Ajay Kumar Sadhotra, today exhorted teachers to inculcate healthy spirit of competition among students enabling them face the competitive world with confidence and vigour. Speaking at a function held in connection with Republic Day celebration, organised by the A.S.N Higher Secondary School, Resham Ghar Colony and Channi Himmat, Jammu, the Minister called for creating congenial academic environs and emphasised the need for close synergy between teachers and the parents to achieve this objective. Sadhotra also stressed on promoting extra-curricular activities and sports alongside academics, saying these are essential for overall growth of students. Congratulating students for preparing a befitting programme for Republic Day, the Minister said the main focus of such events should be on promoting the spirit of unity, brotherhood and harmony among all communities. He referred to the composite ethos of India and said that Jammu and Kashmir represents blend of it in abundance. Sadhotra extended greetings to the students on Republic Day and hoped that they will shoulder their responsibilities with utmost care and concern. He recalled the sacrifices of freedom fighters in liberating the nation from the shackles of Britishers and said they envisioned India to be a progressive, peaceful and prosper nation where opportunities of development were available to all, irrespective of caste, creed and colour. He asked the students to strive for realising the dream of freedom fighters. He lauded the A S N School for making significant headway in imparting quality education to students and hoped that the school will continue its efforts in further enhancing literacy rate in the state. Dr. Sheikh Basher Ahmad, Chairman of J&K State Board of School Education was special guest on the occasion while A.Q.Maanhas , former Inspector General of Police presided over the function. Former Director Horticulture, Jia Lal Sharma, Principal Govt. Hr. Sec. School, Channi Himmat, Ravinder Singh Rissam, Managing Director Adarsh Educational Trust, Mrs. P.B. Kapoor, Mrs. B.N.Manhas, Mr. Chamail Singh Charak (Ex-Sarpanch Channi) were among those present on the occasion. Chairman Adarsh Educational Trust, Jammu, A.K. Kapoor presented welcome address. Sadhotra also felicitated A.Q. Manhas and other dignitaries for bagging prestigious Pt. Jawahar Lal Nehru Sadhbawna Award for their contribution in varied fields. On the occasion, the students presented a scintillating programme comprising patriotic songs and skits.

Bhalla inaugurates RMP school at Chowadi

JAMMU, JAN 24: Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture Mr. Raman Bhalla today asked teaching fraternity to work with dedication and impart quality education to the students . The Minister addressing a large gathering after inaugurating RMP school at Chowadi, here today. Swami Hirdey Nand Ji, Chairman of RMP school Mr. Rameshwar Mengi, Ex-Director AIR Mr. Jatiender Udhampuri, Commissioner Scouts and Guides Mr. I D Soni, Chairman United Public School Mr. Rampaul Sharma, besides Chairmen of various schools of city of temples, parents and students in large numbers were present on the occasion. Mr. Bhalla greeted the management of the RMPS for opening of its Primary standard branch at Chowadi area. He said that the school would impart education as per Central Board of School Education (CBSE) syllabus to the tiny tots of Sainik Colony, Chowadi, Channi Rama, Sunjwan and Bathindi areas. The Minister said that Government has taken several measures to improve and expand the education sector in the State, with opening of new schools within a distance of one-kilometer so that no children would remain without education. He called upon the parents to send their children to schools to make them good citizen of the country. Mr. Bhalla said that Government was endeavoring hard to eradicate illiteracy from every nook and corner of the state by opening and upgrading scores of schools besides equipping the Government educational institutions with better infrastructure and qualified staff. He stressed upon the teaching fraternity to inculcate moral values among students, besides ensuring quality academic education. Highlighting the role of teachers and parents in the life of children, he said a child is nourished by parents, while the teacher shapes his personality and gives his life a direction. Mr. Bhalla said that being a education sector was a priority sector of Government, adding that under the sector, the State Government has provided liberal funding under centrally sponsored schemes like SSA and RMSA for upgrading the existing infrastructure in High and Higher Secondary schools. Terming education as an important sector, the, Minister said that the Government has prioritized to expand the access of education to every nook and corner with a special thrust on better infrastructure and sufficient staff. On the occasion, the students of primary standard presented colourful cultural programme which was highly applauded by the audience. Earlier, Mr. Bhalla visited Nanak Nagar Sector-No. 6 and 8 and kick started upgradation work of lanes and drains, for which Government has earmarked Rs. 17 lakh. He asked the executing agency to complete the projects within stipulated time frame. He called upon the people to protect public property in their respective areas adding that Government was committed to provide durable and improved basic amenities to the people.

Viqar for close supervision of PDD Help Line, regularisation of daily wagers
JAMMU, JAN 24: Minister of State for Technical Education, Power and Rural Development Mr. Viqar Rasool Wani today called for close supervision of the Power Development Department (PDD) Help Lines to facilitate effective feedback from the people regarding the power supply problems. He asked for maintaining a proper record of the complaints and their redressal to create a database for assessing the load and requirements of a particular area. The Minister was speaking at a high level meeting of the PDD functionaries convened to review the functioning of the department. The Minister directed the officers and engineer to work with utmost dedication and strive for achieving Rs. 1500 crore revenue target fixed for this financial year. He also asked the PDD authorities to gear up their field functionaries and identify the un-registered power connections. He directed the authorities to fix targets for each division in this regard and make the concerned officials accountable. Mr. Viqar warned that any negligence in this regard would not be tolerated. Reviewing the measures taken for plugging power pilferage, the Minister directed the concerned to gear up enforcement squads and conduct frequent checking to curb the menace. He called for appointment of one Mobile Magistrate to every Superintendent Engineering Office so that the necessary action under law can be initiated against the power thieves . While discussing collection of revenue, Mr. Viqar directed the authorities to ask each division and sub -division to achieve the set targets well in time. Detailed deliberations were also held on various centrally sponsored flagship programme including Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidhyutkaran Yojna (RGGVY), Re-structured Accelerated Power Development Reforms Programme (RAPDRP) and Prime Minister's Reconstruction Programme (PMRP). The Minister directed the power department to speed up the pace of work on all ongoing power infrastructure projects and complete these in a time bound manner. He also stressed the need to ensure early restoration of transmission lines damaged recently due to heavy snow fall in Rajouri and Poonch districts, by taking up there repair wrok on war footing. Mr. Viqar impressed upon the PDD to avoid un-scheduled power cuts so that people don't face inconvenience in the prevailing cold conditions. He also called for ensuring adequate power supply to far-flung and inaccessible areas of the State. He also directed the officers to work out a viable mechanism for ensuring the regularization of the services of Daily Wagers working in the department so that their long pending demands are met. He maintained that the cabinet has already settled the matter. Earlier, Principal/ Secretary, PDD Mr. Arun Kumar Mehta briefed the meeting about the achievements of the department. Among other, Development Commissioner, Power Mr. Manzoor Ahmad Salroo, Chief Engineer, M & RE Jammu, Chief Engineer Procurement, Secretary, Technical Power and other officers and engineers attended the meeting.

Jora for strict check on illegal constructions in winter capital

Minister for Urban Development Nawang Rigzin Jora speaking at a meeting to review the functioning of JMC. JAMMU, JAN 24: Minister for Urban Development Mr. Nawang Rigzin Jora today asked Jammu Municipal Corporation to activate its enforcement wing to ensure complete check on illegal constructions and commercialization of residential areas in the city. Speaking at a meeting held to review the functioning of Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) here today, the Minister said that the enforcement wing should send a strong message across the board about the commitment of government to check unplanned expansion of the city. Taking a strong exception to the laxity being shown by JMC in implementation of ban on polythene bags, Mr. Jora said that a sustained campaign should be launched to check sale and use of polythene bags. He said that J&K should be made polythene free as polythene is a serious environmental hazard. During the meeting it was informed that 847 units at 21 different locations in Jammu are being constructed under Basic Service units scheme and so far 1619.94 lakh have been released. On the occasion, the Municipal Commissioner gave a brief account of functioning of various wings of Municipality, the Minister was informed that for expeditious disposal of cases/applications of the citizens seeking building permission etc from the Municipal Corporation, the JMC has established single window clearances system. On applying electronic receipt is given to the applicant which is disposed off in a time bound manner. The website generated by the JMC can be accessed by the applicant to know the status of his application without personally visiting the corporation office. Later, a deputation of Safaikarmchari union also met the Minister and apprised him about their demands including, conduct of DPC, filling of the vacancies of drivers, and regularization of the daily wagers. The Minister assured them to consider their genuine demands as earlier as possible. Commissioner Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department Mr. Jeet Lal Gupta, municipal Commissioner Jammu Mr. Kuldeep Khajuria, Joint Municipal Commissioner and other senior officers of the Corporation were present on the occasion.

NC symbolizes selfless service: Rana

JAMMU JAN 24: The workers of J&K National Conference have always cherished to strengthen the party and render sincere, selfless public service and power has never remained their goal but achieving welfare of the general people has been their benchmark, said Devender Singh Rana, Provincial President J&K National Conference, Jammu province while chairing meeting of District Working Committees of District Poonch, Rajouri Rural and Urban spanning twelve hours at party headquarters Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan. Rana said J&K National Conference has been the fortress of people of Jammu and Kashmir all along working and struggling for their rights and honour. He said peace, progress & equitable development of all regions, sub-regions of the state and holistic welfare of people has remained the buzzword of political agenda of National Conference. "This party has all along struggled and contributed for the solidarity and integrity of the state along with inculcation of nationalism in the people. The historic role of J&K National Conference for strengthening the pluralistic ethos and nurturing brotherhood among all sections of the society is a glaring one and looms large on the political spectrum of Jammu and Kashmir", said Rana. "We have always stood like monolith against communalism, casteism and regionalism and would continue to work for unity and prosperity of the people of the state irrespective of any consideration", he said. Rana said that the high principles laid down by the founder father of National Conference and towering leader of Jammu and Kashmir Sher-e-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah for building peaceful and modern Jammu and Kashmir are guiding force for the party to seek inclusive development in the state. "It is the time for the youth to learn a lesson from the history and come forward to strengthen National Conference so that a classless society with peace and prosperity its only target is achieved under the banner of J&K National Conference representing the aspirations of people of Jammu and Kashmir.". He said adding that the path breaking development initiatives and good governance and transparency taken by Omar Abdullah government are historic. "Let us all together take the message of the Omar Abdullah led coalition government to the grass root and make people aware about the great initiatives taken by the state coalition government under the leadership of Omar Abdullah", he said. The NC Provincial President said these initiatives would transform the socio-economic condition of the state besides seeking peaceful addressing of all the political issues of Jammu and Kashmir in a peaceful manner in accordance with the aspirations of all sections of the society. Addressing the party workers Vice Presidents, Peer Mushtaq Ahmed Bukhari and Rattan Lal Gupta called upon the party rank and file to fan in their respective areas and increase public rapport and told them to be actively involved in the implementation of development policy of the coalition government led by Omar Abdullah. Addressing the meetings Central Secretary Kr. Rachpal Singh said National Conference is a party of common masses the roots of which are spread across the state and no one can damage its popular base. He asked the party workers to strengthen the party in their respective areas. Addressing the meetings Radhay Sham Sharma, Vice Chairman Kissan Advisory Board said asked the party workers to exhibit their unity and discipline while working for the party. Addressing the meetings Ajaz Jan MLA Poonch said that the policies and programmes of National Conference and the state coalition government is receiving wholehearted support by the people in general and youth in particular in all the three regions of the state. He called upon the party workers to work wholeheartedly and take the programme and policies of the party and the state coalition government led by Omar Abdullah to every door step. Addressing the meetings Javed Rana MLC urged the party workers to unite themselves visit their respective areasmake people aware of the historic achievements and peace initiatives taken by the Omar led government and ascertain public feedback regarding the development process. Addressing the meeting Shenaz Ganai MLC said that the state is passing through an era of progress and unprecedented development unparallel in the history of the state and it is high time that the party workers should take programme and policies of the party and the state coalition government to the masses. The meetings were also addressed by Ex-MPs Mirza Abdul Rashid, Ch. Talib Hussain besides legislators, ex-legislators, Provincial President Women Wing, contested candidates, district presidents, block presidents and other prominent office bearers of the districts.

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By Khursheed Wani he J & K Chief Minister has asked his party leaders and workers to gear up and perform well in these last two years of his Government to reap the benefit in the next poll. He has announced job packages and developmental works to reconnect with the people. On January 5, Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah completed four years of his rule in the State. This is a milestone only his father Farooq Abdullah and grandfather Sheikh Abdullah have touched since the IndiraAbdullah accord of 1975 that transformed the National Conference from a quasi-separatist to a mainstream political party. Now, the younger Abdullah's focus is on prolonging his tenure and going beyond 2014, when Assembly election is due. The much-avoided Cabinet reshuffle on January 15 is the first serious effort of the Chief Minister, who is also the working president of the National Conference, in this direction. He has inducted those who have public acceptance and footing and shunted out many others who were calling the shots on the mere qualification of being the Chief Minister's friends. Unlike the first three tumultuous years of Mr Abdullah's rule, 2012 was somewhat easy and manageable. There were no massive public demonstrations and the level of violence continued to remain wafer-thin. And while sporadic border incursions, target killings like those of panchayat members and gunbattles between security forces and militants continued, the overall situation by and large remained under control. The biggest indicator of the calm in the valley was the round-the-year inflow of tourists, which touched a record 1.3 million mark. The arrival of 6.3 lakh pilgrims to holy Amarnath cave and over a crore devotees to Vaishno Devi also set new records. The Chief Minister's law and order managers too acted in an astute manner - they did not put vocal anti-India leader Syed Ali Geelani behind bars, but ensured that he was not allowed to call the shots. Most of the time the 82-year-old Geelani spent in Kashmir, before flying ratists' attempts to capitalise on the incident failed. Mr Abdullah also learnt not to annoy the Armed Forces. In October 2011, had promised a phased revocation of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act that provides immunity to antiinsurgency security forces in the embattled State. The sharp criticism from the Army top brass, former Generals and nationalist groups over the proposals forced him to realise that he was not authorised to meddle in sensitive matters. Even not a single cry from the State Congress in 2012 demanding the ouster of Mr Abdullah and handing over of the baton to the Congress. Apparently this is a mutually beneficial relationship, as Mr Abdullah too is safeguarding Congress's interests in the State. For example, despite corruption charges against them, Mr Abdullah left two senior Congress Ministers - Taj Mohiuddin, (Minister for Irrigation and Flood Control) and Pirzada Sayeed (Education

The BJP has made a wise decision

Omar pulls up socks for future

fter a period of internal turmoil, the BJP appears to have got its act together by choosing the tried and tested Rajnath Singh to steer the party once again. It would be ostrichlike to deny that India's largest Opposition party, which is also its foremost nationalist force, was deeply divided on the issue of giving Mr Nitin Gadkari a second consecutive three-year term. Arguably, a diabolical and vindictive Congress timed its harassment of BJP's outgoing president to perfection. Income Tax raids on Mr Gadkari's Purti Group of companies took place less than 24 hours before his proposed re-election. Few would believe that this was not encouraged by the ruling dispensation, since the Congress is adept at misusing agencies like the Intelligence Bureau, the Central Bureau of Investigation, the Enforcement Directorate and the Income Tax department to buttonhole opponents. It is to Mr Gadkari's credit that he opted out of the election process at the last minute when it became apparent that the ruling party would use every ploy to discredit the BJP using some alleged lapses in its president's business ventures. Mr Gadkari has consistently rubbished the charges and prima facie it appears that these are completely baseless. But in the age of 24x7 TV and bloodthirsty media, perceptions shape people's political responses perhaps more than the substance. Mr Gadkari was a successful party president despite being an 'outsider' to national politics, he learnt the ropes quickly and brought about much-needed respite from internal wrangles. It is to be hoped that the charges against the group of companies founded but no longer managed by him will turn out to be concoctions and he will be exonerated with flying colours. Relatively young, he can then easily regain important leadership positions in the foreseeable future. The juncture at which Mr Rajnath Singh has been asked

to lead the party again is critical, not only for the BJP but the country itself. A series of elections in major States this year will be followed by the next Lok Sabha poll, latest by May 2014. The BJP will face an uphill task to retain its first ever Government in the South, namely, Karnataka. Winning the voters' confidence for a third time in succession is always a tough proposition, but the performance of Mr Shivraj Singh Chouhan in Madhya Pradesh and Mr Raman Singh in Chhattisgarh should make this an achievable target. If the party can additionally wrest back power in Rajasthan and Delhi, it would put the BJP-led NDA well on the road to control at the Centre. But the shambles in which the two UPA Governments would have left the country by 2014, will make the task of governance Herculean, to say the least. India's growth rate has nosedived, its current account deficit has soared, domestic investment is at a standstill; agricultural output remains sluggish and misconceived dole-festivals pushed by the jholawallah brigade enthusiastically cheered by Ms Sonia Gandhi, has left the exchequer in tatters. It is apparent that UPA's much-hyped policy to introduce FDI in retail will bring in neither significant foreign capital nor lead to farmers' prosperity. In this grim scenario it has fallen on Mr Rajnath Singh's shoulders to give India a sense of assurance and direction so that the magic of the Vajpayee days can be recreated. He must also convince the people that Pakistan's shenanigans through its Army or its proxies such as jihadi outfits will be countered with all the might of the Indian state. Mr Rajnath Singh has an excellent administrative record both as Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh and Union Agriculture Minister. His wide experience in Government, besides his organisational acumen, will stand the BJP and India in good stead.

The Chief Minister has asked his party leaders and workers to gear up and perform well in these last two years of his Government to reap the benefit in the next election. He has already announced job packages and developmental works to reconnect with the people. The NC is known for its disconnect with the people when it is in power. The four years of Mr Abdullah have been no different. Whether he will change the history of his party and the style of governance, remains to be seen.
to Delhi to avoid the winter chill, he was under housearrest. Though the octogenarian leader often met his followers at his residence, he was seldom given a chance to address public gatherings even on Fridays. Most of his confidantes, detained after the 2010 public uprising, continue to be behind bars. The crisis managers also discovered a method to deal with the situations locally and effectively. So when an unsubstantiated rumour triggered sectarian rift in old Srinagar in November, it was managed by a strict curfew for a week. In the last week of December, the situation worsened in south Kashmir's Pulwama town when the Army allegedly opened fire on civilians, a few kilometres away from an encounter site. Apart from promptly announcing a magisterial inquiry into the incident, the Government managed the situation by imposing curfew for a week. The sepathough his party occasionally passes resolutions in favour of AFSPA's removal, it is merely for local consumption not unlike the NC's perpetual demand for restoration of internal autonomy that existed in the State before 1953. The Chief Minister also learnt that his continuation in the hot seat is directly proportional to his proximity with New Delhi. In the summer of 2010, when the most viable option in Kashmir was the change of guard in the wake of the massive public uprising against civilian killings, this equation inter alia sustained his Government. His father and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Farooq Abdullah rightly said that 2010 made Mr Omar Abdullah what he is today. The unflinching support from Congress president Sonia Gandhi and her son and now party vice president Rahul Gandhi helped the beleaguered Chief Minister to consolidate his position. Unlike in 2011, there was Minister) - untouched in the reshuffle. He even included Ghulam Ahmad Mir in the Cabinet. Mr Mir was recently exonerated by a Chandigarh court in a sex abuse case. The victims of the infamous sex scandal of 2006 turned hostile much to the relief of many a bureaucrat, politician and security official including Mr Mir, who will regain his influential position in the Congress now. Mr Abdullah is also trying to build his own image. On expected lines, he was exonerated by the Justice (retired) HS Bedi Commission that concluded the death of ruling party worker Syed Yousuf was due to cardiac arrest and not a custodial killing inside the Chief Minister's residence and on his behest. Syed Yousuf died in mysterious circumstances in September 2011 when a scandal erupted following allegations that he had taken Rs1.34 crore from two party workers promising each of them a Cabinet

Budget 2013: The Dark Expectations Rise Again

BY VIVEK SUGANDH: s the Parliament's budget season is round the corner, the expectations rise again. The year 2012 witnessed a terrible show of the UPA government which found itself stranded in a slew of scandals, shocks from coalition parties and the opposition along with certain unfortunate incidents that aroused the anger of the common people. India felt the heat of global pressures in the form of the ongoing European debt crisis and economic turmoil worldwide particularly in the US. Even the economic con-

berth or nomination to the Upper House. Yousuf was very close to the Chief Minister and his father. Mr Abdullah also sidelined his closest friends Davinder Rana and Nasir Aslam Wani and appointed them provincial presidents of his party in Jammu and Kashmir respectively. Mr Rana was his political adviser while Mr Wani was junior Minister for Home Affairs and Tourism. Their sole qualification was their proximity to the Chief Minister and a source of great irritation to many of the seniors. On the one hand, by sidelining his 'close' friends he has managed to silence the critics, and on the other, and much more importantly, he has been able to firm up his grip on the party. The introduction of Messrs Rana and Wani as party office bearers is an indication that Mr Abdullah wants to run the party affairs on his own terms. This would diminish the influence of many party elders in the organisation in future. Mr Abdullah also accommodated Nazir Gurezi, Chowdhary Ramzan, Mir Saifullah and Sajjad Kichloo, who had performed well in their constituencies and were returned by the electorate twice or thrice. The Chief Minister has asked his party leaders and workers to gear up and perform well in these last two years of his Government to reap the benefit in the next election. He has already announced job packages and developmental works to reconnect with the people. The NC is known for its disconnect with the people when it is in power. The four years of Mr Abdullah have been no different. Whether he will change the history of his party and the style of governance, remains to be seen. a n

and work for the benefit of the public. People expect better allocation of funds in productive expenditures. The recently introduced cash transfer scheme which the government boasts of as a game changer looks promising but may fail because of poor framework. Tax reforms should be changed in favour of the middle class society. Government's concerns over curbing fiscal deficit and making it fall to 5.1% are justifiable but the manner is under the scanner. Our politicians choose to increase burden on the public by reducing subsidies. India should cur-

Necessity Of All India Judicial Services

With the recent global recovery, it appears that the worst is over but still a lot will depend upon the budget as it would be the last weapon of the Congress to strengthen its chances again in 2014 polls. As a citizen of the nation, I just look for solace from the government in the form of people friendly measures, better governance and inclusive development. Although most of the times, we are let down but I still hope the budget comes as a silver lining. We can only expect for change and it has become clear that the platform is set but the question is "Are the leaders in power ready to face it responsibly or are they going to disappoint us by their cowardice"?
dition of our country was dilapidated as we, the 2nd fastest economy in the world, grew by 5.1% in 2012(World Bank index). Thus, as the budget season marks the new innings of the government, we expect some major reforms; it's Chidambaram's turn to make amends now. Last year's budget came as a disappointment for the people and now we long for some serious relief from the government. The common people of the nation are troubled with rising prices of essential commodities, mounting inflation and the recent shattering jolt in the form of hike in rail fares. To make matters worse, the policy paralysis and instability have come as a blow to us. All eyes will be on veteran P. Chidambaram who will be presenting the budget for 201314. Last year, after he replaced Pranab Mukherjee, he had definitely shown audacity in taking stiff measures to kickstart the economy which also reaped certain good results. The question is what does a common person want? He does not build castles in the air and just wants that the government to discharge its duties effectively tail its heavy expenditures on defence and unnecessary ventures like Mars mission etc. Achieving a pinnacle in space is futile if the people of your country are leading a miserable life. India's defence expenditure stands at 1.93 lakh crores as per the Budget 2012-13 which needs to be reduced. However, indications have come from the government relating to increase in prices of oil and petroleum which does not sounds good. With the recent global recovery, it appears that the worst is over but still a lot will depend upon the budget as it would be the last weapon of the Congress to strengthen its chances again in 2014 polls. As a citizen of the nation, I just look for solace from the government in the form of people friendly measures, better governance and inclusive development. Although most of the times, we are let down but I still hope the budget comes as a silver lining. We can only expect for change and it has become clear that the platform is set but the question is "Are the leaders in power ready to face it responsibly or are they going to disappoint us by their cowardice"?

By Amit Kumar he essence of democratic governance is Rule of law. Delayed justice, poor appreciation of evidence, and incapacity to apply constitutional and legal principles to real life situations play havoc with people's lives. Failure of justice extracts a heavy toll from the society and economy. If we examine the pendency of cases in courts, we come across two factors. First, certain judges handle a much larger case load and yet dispose of cases swiftly and fairly. Others take interminably tang, and yet fail to render justice. The quality of justice administered depends on the quality of those who administer it. The judiciary is completely independent and invulnerable to the vagaries of politics and partisan pulls. The High Court has complete control over the conduct and functioning of subordinate courts. And there are established procedures for elevation to High Court and Supreme Court. Therefore, once recruitment practices are sound, there are incentives for better performance and effective monitoring at least until a judge is elevated to the High Court. THE CENTRE is contemplating creation of an all India judicial service (AIJS) on the pattern of the All India Civil Services. In its 15th report, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice has recommended its creation and directed the Law Ministry to take immediate steps for setting up such a service. As of now, while most government departments have all India service recruits, selected after an all India competitive examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission every year, the judiciary is the only set-up that does not have an all India selection process. Incidentally, the proposal for having an AIJS is not new anddraws its support from the reports of the first, eighth and 11th law commissions. Even the Supreme Court is not averse to the idea. For, in two of its judgments in 1991 and 1993, it had recommended setting up of an all India judicial service. Article 312 of the

Constitution also provides for a national level judicial service. In spite of all this, the proposal did not get far in the process of concretization and has been hanging fire for over four decades now. The current procedures to enforce accountability in higher judiciary are not so effective, but that problem needs to be dealt with separately. If judicial officers are accorded the prestige and respect that All India Services enjoy, then the best talent can be tapped for the judiciary. Then the control exercised by the High Court, and the prospects of elevation to High Court ensure high quality performance in district and other subordinate courts. At the very least, formation of an All India Service for judiciary would ensure a high level of compe-

such a service. In 1986, Law Commission again examined the issue in detail, and recommended formation of an All India Judicial Service. The Supreme Court considered this issue in the All India Judges case in 1992, and endorsed the creation of AIJS. Undoubtedly our judge-population ratio is too low, and we need many more trial courts. But as many jurists have pointed out, mere increase in the number of judges, without improvement in their quality, is of no avail. The quality of justice administered critically depends on the quality of the judges recruited. Clearly, there is a compelling case to create a highly competent, meritocratic All India Judicial Service. Creation of AJJS is a low-cost, high-

THE CENTRE is contemplating creation of an all India judicial service (AIJS) on the pattern of the All India Civil Services. In its 15th report, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Law and Justice has recommended its creation and directed the Law Ministry to take immediate steps for setting up such a service. As of now, while most government departments have all India service recruits, selected after an all India competitive examination conducted by the Union Public Service Commission every year, the judiciary is the only set-up that does not have an all India selection process. Incidentally, the prou posal for having an AIJS is not new anddraws its support from the reports of the first, eighth and 11th law commissions. Even the Supreme Court is not averse to the idea. For, in two of its judgments in 1991 and 1993, it had recommended setting up of an all India judicial service. Article 312 of the Constitution also provides for a national level judicial service. In spite of all this, the proposal did not get far in the process of concretization and has been hanging fire for over four decades now.
tence and skills in our justice administration. Article 312 of the Indian Constitution provides for the creation of an all-India Judicial Service common to the Union and the States. The first Law Commission headed by M C Setalwad, had made a strong recommendation for the Constitution of an All India Judicial Service (AJJS), like the IAS and IPS. Three Chief Justices' conferences in 1961, 63 and 65 favored this recommendation. In 1972, the Chief Justice of India suggested the creation of AJJS. Later, the 8th Law Commission, in its 77th Report, recommended creation of impact reform long overdue. There are many other steps required to make our justice system work for the people. But improving the quality of judges, enhancing the prestige and dignity of judicial service, and promoting competition for recruitment is a relatively simple measure around which there is impressive consensus. The creation of AUS will surely benefit the judiciary system and it is the need of hour. If implemented, the scheme will have its own advantages. Primarily, the direct recruitment of judges from the entry level will be handled by an independent and impartial agency through

open competition thereby ensuring fair selection of incumbents. It would naturally help attract bright and capable young law graduates to the judiciary to take over as judges. For subordinate judicial officers it would ensure equitable service conditions besides providing them a wider field to prove their mettle. In this scheme of things, the measure of uniformity in the standards for selection will improve the quality of personnel in different High Courts, as one- third of the judges come there on promotion from the subordinate courts. Similarly, judges of the Supreme Court are drawn from the High Courts. In this process only persons of proven competence will preside over the benches of superior courts. Simultaneously, the quality of dispensation of justice will also improve considerably right from the bottom to the top. In addition, the objective of inducting an outside element in High Court benches can be achieved better and without any problem because a member of an all India judicial service will have no mental block about interstate transfers. However, critics of this feature may say that a district judge coming from a different linguistic region will face the problem of language in assessing and tackling the critical legal and other issues of facts, which will affect the quality of justice. True, language may be a problem but that should not be an argument for straightaway rejecting the idea. Young recruits from outside can easily learn the local language and adapt themselves to local conditions unlike older people. Nor should the finances involved in the formation of such a judicial service pose any problem. In fact, the amounts collected as court fees, at least, should be spent for this purpose instead of being utilised as a source of general revenue of the States. According to an agency report, figures from the Ministry of Law and Justice show that the income generated from court fees is more than the expenditure incurred on the administion of justice.

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High Court dismisses Jagan's bail plea in DA case SC gives Salman Khan relief
HYDERABAD: The Andhra Pradesh High Court on Thursday dismissed the regular bail petition of YSR Congress chief YS Jaganmohan Reddy in connection with an alleged disproportionate assets case involving him. The AP High Court had on December 24 dismissed the statutory bail plea of Jagan. The CBI had on January 22 alleged before the AP High Court that it was unable to speed up the investigation into Jaganmohan Reddy's case owing to the non-cooperation of the state government. Jagan's counsel S Niranjan Reddy arguing for the bail had earlier complained that the investigation seemed to be neverending and in the name of incomplete investigation the bail cannot be denied. The CBI, however, contended that the bail petition was not maintainable in accordance with the apex court order, which had said that Jagan had the liberty to approach the trial court for will not only impede the investigation, but also infringe the avowed purpose set out by the Supreme Court in its order". His second bail plea was also dismissed subsequently on December 4 after which Jagan moved the High Court and filed two bail petitions. VANPIC project's promoter (industrialist Nimmagadda Prasad) allegedly invested Rs 854 crore in the companies belonging to Jagan towards a largesse for which the then AP government, led by late YS Rajasekhara Reddy, doled out many favours in the form of awarding the project. Jagan, who was arrested on May 27 this year by CBI on corruption charges, is presently under judicial remand and lodged at the Chanchalguda Central Prison here. The central agency had submitted a progress report on the ongoing investigation into the alleged illegal assets of Kadapa MP to the Andhra Pradesh High Court on January 4. NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court Thursday dismissed the Rajasthan government's plea against Bollywood star Salman Khan in the black buck shooting case dating back to October 1998, during the shooting of the film, Hum Saath Saath Hain. Khan's other colleagues who were caught with him under section 52 of Wildlife Act and section 149 of IPC, included actors Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Neelam and Sonali Bendre. In July last year, the Rajasthan High Court revised the charges against the actor and his colleagues in the case, paving the way for a trial in the case. Disposing the state government's plea against a sessions court order to drop some of the charges, the high court said that Khan would be charges under Section 51 of Wildlife Act and Section 149 of IPC (Unlawful assembly). The actors were accused of poaching two black bucks in Kankani village near Jodhpur on the nights of October 1 and 2. All of them had appeared in the court on June 19, 2006.

bail after the filing of the final chargesheet. On November 28, a special CBI court had dis-

missed his statutory bail petition observing that "granting bail at this stage of pending investigation

David Headley may dodge life sentence for 26/11 attacks 10% reservation for economically
CHICAGO: Pakistani-American David Headley, a key plotter in the deadly 2008 Mumbai terror attack staged by Pakistan based terror group Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT), may avoid life imprisonment when a US court sentences him on Thursday. Citing the "significant cooperation" to US government's efforts to combat terrorism provided by Headley, 52, Washington born son of a Pakistani diplomat and an American mother, US federal prosecutors are seeking only 30 to 35 years in prison for him. Headley, who changed his given name of Dawood Gilani to scout targets in Mumbai without arousing suspicion, has pleaded guilty to 12 charges relating to his role in the Mumbai attack as also an abortive LeT plot to attack Danish newspaper Jyllands-Posten for publishing cartoons of Prophet Muhammad. Ahead of Headley's sentencing, Gary Shapiro, the acting US Attorney in Chicago, in a memo to the federal district court said that the 30-35 year sentence recommended by the prosecution for Headley was fair. "While his criminal conduct was deplorable, the uniquely significant cooperation which he provided to the government's efforts to combat terrorism support the government's recommendations," he said. After he promised in 2010 to cooperate with US authorities, prosecutors "had agreed not to seek the death penalty against him and to not extradite him to Pakistan, India or Denmark for the offences to which he pleaded guilty." Headley was the star witness against his Pakistan-born boyhood friend Tahawwur Rana, who was sentenced last week to 14 years in prison for providing material support to LeT in its plot to attack the Danish newspaper. In his memo, Shapiro said "Headley played an essential role in the planning of a horrific terrorist attack" in Mumbai. "Headley's cooperation assisted the Government in filing criminal charges against at least seven other individuals, and his testimony helped to secure the conviction of one co-defendant," namely Rana, it said.

backward classes in Haryana

India-Bangladesh may sign extradition treaty soon

NEW DELHI: The Cabinet is likely to consider a proposal Thursday on signing of an extradition treaty with Bangladesh ahead of Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde's visit to Dhaka next week. The long-awaited treaty is being considered by the Cabinet after the Bangladesh government made minor modifications in the draft. The extradition treaty, if signed, will pave the way for deportation of jailed ULFA 'general secretary' Anup Chetia and many other insurgents from the northeast who have been hiding in Bangladesh. Similarly, it will also help Dhaka in getting back its criminals who are currently lodged in Indian jails. India has been pressing for Chetia's deportation for long. The ULFA militant has been in a Dhaka jail following his arrest in 1997 on the charge of entering Bangladesh without valid documents. He had, however, moved court seeking asylum in Bangladesh on security reason, making it 'legally' difficult for Dhaka to execute New Delhi's demand. The treaty could be signed during Shinde's three-day visit to Dhaka beginning January 28. The treaty could not be signed during the visit of Prime Minister Manmohan to Dhaka a couple of years ago.

Carriers of fake currency should be dealt with sternly: Court

NEW DELHI: Carriers of fake Indian currency should be dealt with an iron hand to send a clear message to those printing it across the border, a Delhi court has said while sentencing a man to ten years in jail for bringing counterfeit currency from Pakistan. The court said that without the active role of carriers, "the culprits who indulge in printing of fake currency notes across the border will not be able to circulate the same in India." Additional Sessions Judge Pawan Jain made the observations while awarding ten year jail term and Rs 11 lakh fine on Imran Abdulla Syed, a resident of Mumbai, who was acting as a carrier. He had arrived in India from Karachi in August 2010 when he was apprehended by the CBI at IGI Airport with fake currency with a face value of Rs 11.21 lakh. "Since, the counterfeit currency notes having face value of 11,21,500 were recovered when convict was coming from Pakistan, this establishes the convict was involved in the racket of counterfeit currency notes," the court said while sentencing Syed for offences under section 489B and 489C (using and possessing fake currency) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) IPC. Rejecting Syed's plea that he deserved leniency as he was a mere carrier and not involved in printing of fake currency notes, the court said, "In such type of offences, carriers play a significant role because without their active role, the culprits who indulge in printing of fake currency notes across the border will not be able to circulate the same in India. "As and when a carrier succeeds in intruding India with fake currency notes, it emboldens the main culprits to circulate more FICNs in India," ASJ Jain said. "To my mind, in order to break the said chain, such carriers should also be dealt with iron hands so that a loud and clear message go to the offenders who send FICNs in India through such carriers," he added.

CHANDIGARH: The Haryana Government approved the proposal for providing 10 per cent reservation to "economically backward classes" in general category, as recommended by the Haryana Backward Classes Commission. The Council of Ministers, which met under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda here Thursday, accepted the recommendations of Cabinet Sub Committee. The Council of Ministers had constituted the Sub Committee on December 12 last year to consider the recommendations of the Backward Classes Commission and to suggest specific programmes for economic uplift of the

community. The Sub Committee was headed by state Finance Minister H S Chatha on the issue of reservation in government jobs for economically backward persons in general category. Later, addressing a meeting the Chief Minister said that the reservation for economically backward classes would be "vertical and not horizontal". The Cabinet Sub-Committee is also of the opinion that those, who claim benefit of reservation under other categories, will not be entitled to claim benefit of reservation under this category. The Haryana Backward Classes Commission had submitted its report on January 22. As per this criteria, 'Family' for the purposes of the applicant seeking reservation as 'economically backward' is defined as Head of Family and his or her spouse; unmarried sons or unmarried daughters; applicant and his or her spouse; dependant parents or dependent children; unmarried dependant brothers or unmarried dependant sisters; and any other person dependant on head of the family or applicant.

Congress likely to put off decision on Telangana issue

NEW DELHI/ HYDERABAD: Going back on its word to announce a solution to the Telangana problem by Jan 28, the Congress party said "one month does not mean 30 days". The Congress party is likely to put off the much-awaited decision on the contentious issue of Telangana state formation and it may not make an announcement by January 28, the deadline fixed by the home ministry to resolve the issue. AICC in-charge of Andhra Pradesh affairs Ghulam Nabi Azad made this clear to the media in New Delhi after attending a meeting convened by party president Sonia Gandhi with senior leaders at her residence 10, Janpath on Wednesday evening. Apart from Azad, the meeting was attended by Sonia's political advisor Ahmed Patel, AICC observer for Andhra Pradesh Vayalar Ravi and Sushil Kumar Shinde. Referring to the one-month deadline announced by Shinde at an all-party meeting convened by him on December 28, Azad said the party would need some more time to resolve the Telangana issue, which was the most important and sensitive issue for the party. "Just because Shinde said it would be resolved within a month does not mean the party will announce a decision within 30 days. If somebody says it would be solved within a week, it does not mean just seven days. It can be even two weeks. We cannot take a decision under pressure from the media or political parties. We are stil continuing negotiations and we will take a decision as early as possible," Azad said. Sources said Shinde had presented the latest report on the situation in Andhra Pradesh following representations from both pro- and antiTelangana groups within the party. She is learnt to have called for another round of meeting on Thursday. Ahmed Patel also told the media that the party had not taken a final decision on Telangana and it would take another three or four meetings to finalise the decision. Earlier in the day, there were indications that core committee of the Congress party will meet at the residence of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh on Friday to give a final shape to the blueprint on the Telangana issue and that a formal announcement would be made by union home minister Sushil Kumar Shinde on the same evening or the following day. According to sources, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Kiran Kumar Reddy had been asked to be available for the core committee members on January 25. He is expected to leave for New Delhi on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Congress leaders from both Telangana and Seemandhra (Andhra and Rayalaseema regions), who had been meeting all the top leaders of the party in New Delhi for the last three days, have exuded confidence that the Centre would take a decision in their favour. State minister for minor irrigation T G Venkatesh, who is representing Rayalaseema region, told the media in New Delhi that though the initial reports said the Congress high command was in favour of Telangana formation, the Seemandhra leaders had succeeded in convincing the party bosses to change their stand. "We have put forth our views strongly and made the high command to have a rethinking on the Telangana issue. I am fully confident that the state will not be bifurcated and there will be no decision on Telangana by January 28. We have asked the high command to take more time in resolving the issue," he said.

Karnataka BJP rebels plan court action for speaker's return

BANGALORE: Rebels in Karnataka's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Thursday said they would petition the high court to secure the speaker's presence in Bangalore. "We will wait for two more days. If the speaker does not return to Bangalore, we plan to file a habeas corpus petition in the high court to secure his presence," rebel BJP legislator Nehru Olekar told reporters, taking the battle with the ruling party to another low. Olekar is one of the 13 BJP rebels whose plan to quit the assembly Wednesday did not come through as speaker K.G. Bopaiah was not in his office and neither his office nor any ruling party leader could say where he was. The rebels include ministers C.M. Udasi and Shobha Karandlaje, who quit the Jagadish Shettar ministry Wednesday. They asserted that they had informed Bopaiah Tuesday that they would meet him Wednesday to submit their resignation letters. "The speaker is either absconding or has been kidnapped at the behest of the chief minister or deputy chief ministers," he alleged. Karnataka has two deputy chief ministers. "We fear that he might have been kidnapped as there is no information about his whereabouts even after wide publicity in the media about his absence," Olekar claimed. The rebels waited in vain in Bopaiah's chamber for over an hour Wednesday with their resignation letters. Later, they met Governor H.R. Bhardwaj and sought his intervention to make the speaker immediately accept their resignations. Deputy Chief Minister and Home Minister R. Ashoka dismissed as "false" speculation that he had late Tuesday "escorted" the speaker to the Bangalore airport. "It is baseless," he told reporters. The 13 legislators are supporters of former BJP chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa who has quit the party and the assembly to head the Karnataka Janata Party. These legislators want to join the party to fight the assembly elections due in May. On Thursday too, the speaker's whereabouts continued to be a mystery with speculation ranging from his being in Nepal to his staying near his hometown in Madikeri, the main town of Kodagu district, about 250 km from Bangalore.

Asaduddin Owaisi granted bail in 2005 case

HYDERABAD: An Andhra Pradesh court on Thursday granted bail to MIM chief and Hyderabad MP Asaduddin Owaisi in a seven-year-old case. Asaduddin Owaisi is a Lok Sabha member from Hyderabad while his younger brother Akbaruddin Owaisi, who is also in jail in a hate speech case, is a member of the Andhra Pradesh state legislative assembly. Asaduddin Owaisi and other Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (MIM) leaders were booked by police when they tried to prevent officials from demolishing a place of worship for expanding a road at Mutangi village in the same district. Akbar Owaisi is in judicial custody till Feb 5 in the hate speech case. He was arrested Jan 8 for making a hate speech at a public meeting at Nirmal Dec 22. He was sent to judicial custody the next day. A member of the assembly from Chandrayangutta constituency in Hyderabad, Akbar Owaisi is facing charges of sedition, waging war against the nation and criminal conspiracy. After arresting Akbar Owaisi, police had re-opened the 2005 case against the powerful Owaisi family, which dominated Hyderabad politics for over four decades. Political observers say that as the party is mainly run by the leaders by re-opening old cases and slapping serious charges like sedition on them. The committee's leader Abdul Rahim Qureshi said the government was adopting a vindictive attitude as the MIM had withdrawn its support to the state government. MIM, which has seven legislators, all from Hyderabad, had snapped its ties with the Congress in November, accusing the government of being soft towards Hindu right-wing groups.

Dismiss Alagiri over subsidy losses, Jayalalithaa tells PM

CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa Thursday asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to dismiss union Chemicals and Fertilisers Minister M.K. Alagiri and order an investigation into the loss of around Rs.1,000 crore in subsidies. "When the Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers (Srikant Kumar Jena) himself gave a note to prevent loss in his department, Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers Alagiri neglected that resulting in a loss of around Rs.1,000 crore to the government and the farmers," Jayalalithaa said in a statement. Alagiri is DMK chief M. Karunanidhi's son. Jayalalithaa said the prime minister should dismiss Alagiri from his cabinet and order a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe so that the loss is not only recovered but also criminal action is taken against those responsible for the loss. Jayalalithaa charged that the centre's policy of Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) has resulted in increase in retail prices of fertilisers. Referring to news reports, Jayalalithaa said Jena had noted that fertiliser companies last June retailed diammonium phosphate (DAP) at Rs.25,000 per tonne and the government gave a subsidy of Rs.14,300 per tonne. The price of imported DAP was at Rs.31,900 and fertiliser companies made an undue profit of around Rs.5,000 per tonne. She said Jena had also brought to Alagiri's notice that fertiliser companies in respect of muriate of potash (MOP) got Rs.16,054 per tonne during 2011-12, which is in excess of around Rs.5,500 per tonne. Referring to news reports, she said Jena had sent a note to Alagiri that fertiliser companies had profited unduly by around Rs.40005000 per tonne in DAP and around Rs.6,000 per tonne in complex fertilisers.

Owaisi family, the arrest of the two brothers could land the party cadre in confusion. United Muslim Action Committee, an umbrella group of Muslim organisations, has accused the Congress government of targetting Muslim

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Syria Militants ruin religious sites : HRW
SYRIA: Human Rights Watch says the militant groups in Syria have destroyed 'religious sites' in the northern part of the country. The rights organization said that the militants appeared to have attacked religious locations following a four-day investigation in the provinces of Latakia and Idlib. A Shia place of worship was destroyed by the militants in Idlib, while two Christian churches were looted in Latakia, the rights body stated. Many people, including large numbers of security forces, have been killed since chaos broke out in Syria nearly two years ago. According to a UN report, militants from nearly 30 countries have been filtered into Syria to fight against the government. Most of the militants are extremist Salafists. Human Rights Watch further stated that Syria's opposition has failed to control the armed militants who are engaged in "looting and other criminal activities, like kidnappings." Sarah Leah Whitson, the Middle East director at Human Rights Watch, said, "Syria will lose its rich cultural and religious diversity if armed groups do not respect places of worship." "Human Rights Watch researchers observed what appeared to be deliberate damage to the local Husseiniya, a Shia place of worship," caused by the militants after they entered the village of Zarzour in December. On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov took a swipe at the Syrian opposition for its insistence on the removal of President Bashar al-Assad from power. "As long as this irreconcilable position remains in place, nothing good can happen. Armed actions will continue and people will die," Lavrov stated. planning to test its new, uranium-based nuclear promunist state in the coming year. But there are few options for responding to this latest development. So far, it seems, sanctions haven't worked as a deterrent. And even pressure from Pyongyang's main backer, China, seems to have carried little weight over the past few months. "We do not hide that the various satellites and long-range rockets we will continue to launch, as well as the high-level nuclear test we will proceed with, are aimed at our arch-enemy, the United States, Settling accounts with the US needs to be done with force, not with words," it added. Recent reports from South Korean and US bodies which monitor North Korea's nuclear test sites had said North Korea could be preparing for a third test. Earlier on Thursday, a South Korean defence ministry spokesman said it appeared that North Korea was "ready to conduct a nuclear test at anytime if its leadership decides to go ahead A South Korean foreign ministry spokesman said Seoul deeply regretted the North Korean statement and "strongly" urged it not to go ahead. China's foreign ministry, meanwhile, called on all relevant parties to "refrain from action that might escalate the situation in the region". Both North Korea's previous nuclear tests followed long-range rocket launches. Experts believe the two previous tests used plutonium as fissile material, but North Korea is also believed to have been working on a programme to produce highlyenriched uranium.

7
Iran fully ready to defend border
IRAN: Iran's Defense Minister Brigadier General Ahmad Vahidi has warned against the adverse consequences of the foreigners' presence in the region, reaffirming the Islamic Republic's constant readiness to defend its borders. "If the presence of extra-regional powers causes an incident in our region, we will be ready to fully protect our borders," Vahidi told reporters on Thursday. He called on the officials of regional countries, particularly Muslim states, to prevent the influence of Western and hegemonic powers in their own affairs. Vahidi further noted that Iran would unveil its first space observatory, named Imam Sadeq (PBUH) within the next few days during Ten-Day Dawn festivities, marking the victory in 1979 of the Islamic Revolution.

North Korea 'plans third nuclear test'

SEOUL: North Korea says it is proceeding with plans for a third nuclear test. In a statement, the country's top military body said the "high-level nuclear test" and more long-range rocket launches were aimed at its "arch-enemy", the US. The statement gave no time-frame for the test. North Korea has conducted two nuclear tests, in 2006 and 2009. The move comes two days after a UN Security Council resolution condemned Pyongyang's recent rocket launch. The Security Council also expanded sanctions against the isolated communist country following its December launch, which was seen by the US and North Korea's neighbours as a banned test of long-range missile technology. North Korea said the rocket was solely aimed at putting a satellite into space for peaceful purposes. The statement, which came from North Korea's National Defence Commission, hit out at the resolution as "illegal", before pledging a response. North Korea's announcement that it was planning to carry out a third nuclear test did not come as a surprise to many in the region. For several months now, analysts have spotted tunnelling and earthmoving operations inside North Korea which they say seem similar to preparations ahead of the country's previous tests. The confirmation today, though, contained an added detail: North Korea's Defence Commission described the upcoming test as "high-level" - a possible indication that the country is

gramme for the first time. It's a pointed response to the announcement on Tuesday of expanded UN sanctions against North Korea. The US North Korea envoy, Glyn Davies, has just arrived in the region for visits to North Korea's neighbouring capitals. He'll be talking about how to manage relations with the secretive com-

Obama nominates Gen. John Allen as supreme NATO Commander

WASHINGTON: President Barack Obama's decision to nominate General John Allen, currently Commander of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan, as the Supreme Commander of NATO forces in Europe (SACEUR). The development comes a day after Gen. Allen was cleared of professional misconduct in a Pentagon investigation into a series of "inappropriate" emails he exchanged with Florida socialite Jill Kelley, whose harassment complaints exposed the extra-marital relationship of CIA chief David Petraeus with his biographer. The scandal forced Gen. Petraeus to resign as CIA Director in early November. "As you noted, the investigation is now complete and General Allen's nomination, rather, to serve as the next Supreme Allied Commander Europe will proceed. We hope the Senate will consider it in a timely manner and we will press the Senate to do just that," President would forward Gen. Allen's nomination to the Senate for confirmation. Separately, Gen. Allen said in a statement on Tuesday that he was glad the Pentagon investigation had concluded that "the allegations against him were unsubstantiated." The General also insisted that he "did not violate the requirement of exemplary conduct or the prohibition against conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman In November, Panetta had ordered an investigation into thousands of "potentially inappropriate" emails that Gen. Allen had allegedly sent to Kelley, a mother of two from Tampa, Florida. Panetta also ordered to put on hold Gen. Allen's promotion as the NATO supreme commander for Europe until the conclusion of the investigation. Panetta ordered the probe after consultations with President Obama, who had agreed then to delay the four-star General's nomination to the new post until the outcome of the investigation was made public. The FBI investigation exposed Broadwell's affair with Gen. Petraeus, which reportedly began after he became CIA Director in September 2011. Subsequently, Gen. Petraeus admitted to having an affair with Broadwell and resigned as CIA Director in November after serving in the post for just over an year. Petraeus and Allen, both veterans of the Iraq war, had served at the Florida Base that houses the headquarters of the U.S. Central Command. Petraeus was the commander of U.S.-NATO troops in Afghanistan until retiring in July 2011, and was succeeded by Allen

UN to probe drone attacks in Pakistan

UNITED NATIONS - A United Nations investigation into targeted killings will examine drone strikes in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Yemen and Somalia, according to the British lawyer heading the inquiry. Ben Emmerson, a UN special reporter, will reveal the full scope of his review which will include checks on military use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in UK operations in Afghanistan, US strikes in Pakistan, as well as in the Sahel region of Africa where the conflict in Mali has erupted. It will also take evidence on Israeli drone attacks in Palestinian territories. About 20 or 30 strikes, selected as representative of different types of attacks, will be studied to assess the extent of any civilian casualties, the identity of militants targeted and the legality of strikes in countries where the UN has not formally recognized there is a conflict. The inquiry will be co-ordinated through Emmerson's UN office in Geneva. Among the team of experts working with him will be the former director of public prosecutions, Lord Macdonald, a former prosecutor at the international criminal tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, Sir Geoffrey Nice, and Dr Nat Cary, one of the UK's most experienced pathologists who specialises in the interpretation of injuries caused by explosions. The inquiry is the result of a request by several nations, including Pakistan and two permanent members of the UN security council. Staff in Geneva have already begun to examine details of individual drone strikes. Emmerson says that, when assembled, his dossier of evidence may not lead to direct "attribution of legal liability" but will enable him to put allegations to the states responsible and obtain a response. Between June 2004 and September 2012, according to research by the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, drone strikes killed between 2,562 and 3,325 people in Pakistan, of whom between 474 and 881 were civilians, including 176 children.

White House spokesman Jay Carney said. "I don't have a specific timetable, but as you noted, the DoD Investigator-General's investigation of that matter is now complete and we welcome its finding. And therefore, we intend for the nomination to proceed," Carney added when asked when the

ECONOMY

Argument for taxing "very rich" should be considered: FM Aadhaar mandatory for new EPFO subscribers from March 1
SINGAPORE: Finance Minister P Chidambaram, who has talked about a stable tax regime during his meetings with foreign investors in the last two days, has said that the argument for taxing the very rich "a little more" should be considered. "I believe in stable tax rates. However, I must concede that there is an argument, underline the word argument, that when the economy requires, when the government requires more resources the very rich should willingly pay a little more. "That is not to say that tax rate should not be stable. I think we should have stability in tax rates but we should consider the argument whether the very rich should be asked to pay a little more four governments and four finance ministers. On the Budget to be presented next month, he said the Budget is not drawn up keeping an election in mind. "The election is a good 14 months away from the Budget. The Budget will be a responsible budget". The Finance Minister said if on February 28 he could show that the government has kept fiscal deficit below 5.3 percent and if Budget estimates show that the next year's fiscal deficit will be below 4.8 percent, then he can show a healthy growth in revenues over next year. "I think that is the time when rating agencies should consider moving us from... I mean improving the outlook and then improving the rating," he said. Several experts including chairman of Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council (PMEAC) C Rangarajan have underlined the need for imposing higher rates of taxes on super rich. On Wednesday, Wipro Chairman Azim Premji had said the suggestion for taxing the super-rich was a "politically" correct thing to do, but expressed doubts whether the government will actually implement the proposal. India taxes income at three rates - 10 percent, 20 percent and 30 percent. These rates were fixed in 1997. NEW DELHI: New members joining the EPFO's retirement fund scheme will have to mandatorily furnish Aadhaar number as KYC (Know Your Customer) credential for enrolment from March 1, 2013. Employees' Provident Fund Organisation's (EPFO) existing over 50 million subscribers would be given time to furnish Aadhar numbers. "It has been decided to make Aadhaar numbers mandatory for new members joining on or after March 1, 2013. However for existing members, the seeding of Aadhaar number has to done in a time bound manner," an official order to the field staff said. In case any employees does not have issued the Aadhaar number, the employer can issue an Enrolment Id (EID) as per the guidelines of the body. This EID would be converted into Aadhaar number later on, the order said. The body would also seek the Aadhaar numbers of its pensioners through the banks. EPFO has decided to use Aadhaar as mandatory KYC credential for to improve its services. The pensioner can submit their Aadhaar number either to their pension paying branch of the bank or to the

on some occasions," he said. However, he hastened to add, "but that is not a view I am expressing. That is simply an argument that I have heard and I am repeating." Chidambaram said tax rates that were announced in 1997 (in the Budget he had presented then), have remained and have survived

EPFO office.

Earlier, EPFO had envisaged to replace its members account number with the Aadhaar numbers to avoid inconvenience of members as they had to apply for transfer of PF money to his new account with the new employer. EPFO is working on to create a central data base where all members would have a unique account number and would not require to transfer PF accounts to another one on changing job. Besides, this will help EPFO members, particulary the construction workers, who often change their jobs or contractors.

ING exits life insurance business in India

NEW DELHI: The Netherlands-based ING said it will exit ING Vysya Life Insurance Company by selling its 26 per cent stake to domestic partner Exide Industries, the second foreign insurer withdrawing from India this fiscal. Exide Industries, which already holds 50 per cent stake in the insurance company, will also buy the remaining 24 per cent from two other promoters Hemendra Kothari Group and Enam Group. Post acquisition, the leading batteries producer will become 100 per cent owner of the life insurance company. Exide proposes to pay about Rs 550 crore for 50 per cent stake, thereby valuing the ING Vysya Life at about Rs 1,100 crore. ING's exit from the Indian life insurance joint venture is part of the previously announced divestment of ING's Asian Insurance and Investment Management businesses, the Dutch banking and insurance company said in a statement. As part of its restructuring process, ING Group last year sold the insurance business in Malaysia to AIA Group. Exide Industries said: "The company has in-principle decided to acquire the remaining 50 per cent of the equity capital of ING Vysya Life (26 per cent from ING Group, 16.32 per cent from the Hemendra Kothari Group and 7.68 per cent from the Enam Group) for an aggregate consideration of Rs 550 crore approximately." The deal is subject to regulatory approvals, ING said, adding that the transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2013. In June, US-based New York Life exited from the Indian life insurance business venture by selling 26 per cent stake at Rs 2,731 crore to Mitsui Sumitomo Insurance of Japan. Exide further said that it will look for a new foreign partner for its life insurance company. "Post such acquisition Exide has in principle decided to identify and induct a new international player in the life insurance genre to infuse fresh equity into IVL for the company's expansion plans," it said. ING said the transaction is not expected to have a material impact on the Group's results. "Today's agreement does not impact ING Vysya Bank, a publicly listed Indian bank in which ING has a 44 per cent stake, nor ING's fund management business in the country," it said.

India debates raising taxes on the rich ahead of budget

NEWDELHI: India should consider the argument for higher taxes on the "very rich", Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said in comments likely to fuel speculation about steps he may take in next month's budget to boost tax flows and narrow a yawning fiscal gap. In an off-the-record pre-budget meeting with Chidambaram and Finance Ministry officials on January 7, some economists pressed for higher taxes on the rich to make sure they are paying their fair share, alarming business lobby groups that warn such a move would stifle growth. The finance minister's comments come against the backdrop of a global debate, from the United States to France, about whether the very wealthy pay enough taxes. The growth rate of Asia's third-largest economy is widely expected to slip to a decade-low in fiscal 2012/13 as the government grapples with ballooning budget and current account deficits and high inflation. Chidambaram wants to plug holes in the nation's finances by cutting expenditure and increasing revenues through improved tax collection. "I think we should have stability in tax rates but we should consider the argument that very rich should be asked to pay a little more on some occasions, but that is not the view I am expressing. That is simply the argument I have heard and I am repeating," Chidambaram said on Thursday. Chidambaram offered no definition of the "very rich", but his comments are likely to please many in his centre-left Congress party who feel recent reforms to further liberalize the economy favour corporate India at the expense of the common man. At present the top income tax rate is 30 percent, which applies to earnings above 1 million rupees a year. There are just 35 million taxpayers in a country of 1.2 billion people, and of them about 1.5 million declare annual earnings of more than 1 million rupees, according to the Finance Ministry.

Wal-Mart studying India's investment conditions

NEWDELHI: US retailer WalMart Stores Inc is studying the conditions attached to India's decision to open its supermarket sector to foreign investors before finalizing a decision to invest, a government statement said on Thursday. India threw its doors open to foreign supermarket chains last year in the teeth of fierce domestic opposition, but attached strict conditions, including on sourcing, in the policy. The CEO of Wal-Mart International, Doug McMillon, told Trade Minister Anand Sharma at a meeting in Davos that the firm was "excited about India" but studying the conditions before making an investment announcement, the statement said. Sharma said the firm should not be "unduly concerned" about the prospect of a policy reversal.

JLR to raise over Rs 2,100 cr via issue of bonds

NEW DELHI: Tata Motors-owned Jaguar Land Rover on Wednesday said it will raise USD 400 million (over Rs 2,100 crore) through issue of bonds to support its operational costs and future growth plans. "Jaguar Land Rover Automotive Plc, the parent company of the Jaguar Land Rover group of companies and a subsidiary of Tata Motors Ltd, announces the offer of USD 400 million Senior Notes due 2023," Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) said in a filing by Tata Motors on the BSE. The notes will be guaranteed on a "senior unsecured basis" by Jaguar Land Rover, Land Rover, Jaguar Land Rover North America, Land Rover Exports and Jaguar Land Rover Exports, it added. "The net proceeds from the issuance and sale of the Notes will be used for general corporate purposes, including to support Jaguar Land Rover's ongoing growth and capital spending plans," the company said. The company, however, did not specify the areas where it intends to spend this fund.

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gruelling battle that lasted nearly one and a half hour. The first set went to the local favourites after they pulled off a couple of service breaks. Bhupathi and Petrova fought back in the 35-minute second set. The two did not concede a single break point and converted one of the five they earned to draw level after sending down 18 winners against their rivals' four. In the decider, Bhupathi and Petrova ended up paying for five double faults to lose out narrowly. 28 minutes. In contrast, Bhupathi and Petrova were in for a more

With Bhupathi, Sania exit, Indian challenge ends at Australian Open Li Na shocks Maria Sharapova to
MELBOURNE: It was all over for India at the Australian Open after Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi crashed out of the mixed doubles after losing their respective quarterfinal matches in contrasting fashion on Wednesday. Third seeds Sania and her American partner Bob Bryan were stunned 5-7 4-6 by the unseeded Czech duo of Lucie Hradecka and Frantisek Cermak. Fifth seeds Bhupathi and his Russian partner Nadia Petrova lost 3-5 6-3 11-13 to the Australian combine of Jarmila Gajdosova and Matthew Ebden. Sania and Bryan were the first to take the court and the profligate combination frittered away seven of the eight break points it earned and ended up being broken twice by the rival pair, which clinched the opening set in 37 minutes. The second Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi set unfolded in similar fash- grabbing their chances to ion as Hradecka and Cermak close the set and the match proved more efficient in in their favour after another

reach Australian Open final

Four-time major-winner

AUSTRALIAN OPEN
him off court. The 25-year-old Serbian, seeking to become the first man in the professional era to win three successive Australian Open titles, played the best tennis of his tournament with television commentators suggesting that on such form he would be unstoppable in Sunday's final. Djokovic will meet the winner of Friday's semi-final between second seed Roger Federer and third seed Andy Murray.

MELBOURNE: China's Li Na stormed into the final of the Australian Open on Thursday with a straightsets upset win over Maria Sharapova, leaving her one victory away from her second major title. Li, 30, defeated the world number two 6-2, 6-2 in 1hr 33min and will now meet the winner of second semi-final World number one Victoria Azarenka of Belarus. Azarenka defeated Sloane Stephens of the United States, in straight sets, 6-1, 6-4.

Virat Kohli top ranked Djokovic crushes Ferrer to storm into final Indian in ICC T20 list
MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic wasted little time in advancing to his third successive Australian Open final with a 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 destruction of fourth seed David Ferrer in 89 minutes on Thursday. The world number one was in no mood to allow Ferrer the opportunity to come back from a two-set deficit as the Spaniard did against compatriot Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates after defeating Spain's David Ferrer in their Nicolas Almagro in the semifinal match at the Australian Open quarter-finals, and blasted tennis championship

DUBAI: At fifth, Virat Kohli is the highest placed Indian in the ICC rankings for Twenty20 batsmen, while India have managed to retain their third position in the team rankings issued today. With 730 points in his kitty, Virat Kohli has equalled his highest rating points. Apart from Virat Kohli, the other Indian batsman in the top-10 list for Twenty20 batsmen is Suresh Raina placed ninth with 718 points. Other Indians in the top-20 list includes Yuvraj Singh (13), Gambhir at the 17 position. Australia's Watson leads the T20 batting chart with 798 points. Among T20 teams, India, despite losing one rating point have maintained their third position with 119 points while Sri Lanka stand firm at the top with 127 points. Meanwhile, off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, ranked 16, is the only Indian to have found out a place in the top-20 bowlers list. Pakistan's Saeed Ajmal leads the bowlers' table with 756 points followed by Ajantha Mendis of Sri Lanka (746) and England's Graeme Swann (720).

"Every time I'm back in Australia, I always feel something here," said Li, the 2011 runner-up. "I always play well here. Everyone can be nervous in a final, so I have to enjoy it. I'm looking forward to the final." Sharapova had lost only nine games in her march to the semi-finals, a tournament record, but Li was always going to provide a far sterner test despite trailing 4-8 in their head-tohead. And the Russian started disastrously with consecutive double faults as she was broken in the opening game.

the service breaks, only to hand it straight back. China's 2011 French Open champion closed out the opening set in 48 minutes. Li, 30, missed a sitter of a forehand in a worrying sign at the beginning of the second set. She held strong on her serve, howLi will now face World Number One Victoria ever, and Azarenka in the title clash Sharapova Sharapova could have stumbled in the fifth game. returned to world number The fifth of Sharapova's six one if she had won her sec- double faults handed Li ond Australian Open title, another chance to break and but Li's ball-striking had her when the Russian went on the back foot from the along with a backhand, Li led 3-2. beginning. She led 40-15 in the next Benefiting from her but Sharapova intense off-season fitness game training under new coach unloaded some ferocious Carlos Rodriguez, Li was winners to reach break untroubled by sweltering point. Li recovered to move heat in Melbourne and broke within sight of the finish for a second time to take a line, breaking again for 5-2. Li lost her first match 4-1 lead. Her serving was steady, point by hooking wide a and her groundstrokes were forehand, but she then polprobing. Two close video ished off the upset victory as rulings went against Li, and Sharapova finished with a Sharapova retrieved one of ruinous 32 unforced errors.

DHARAMSALA: Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association sought to dispel doubts expressed at some quarters over the holding of the fifth and final one-dayer between India and England on January 27, with its secretary saying that stadium was all set to host the match. The cold weather prevailing in the region has led to some casting doubts over the holding of the match but the officials here were going ahead full steam for a full game. HPCA secretary Vishal Marwaha said the organisers were "hopeful" of getting a full 50over contest in the first ODI in the state. "We are set for the match. Only last-

Dharamsala set to host fifth and final ODI between India-England New Zealand claim Twenty20 series 2-1
minute preparations are left and we are confident there will be no interruptions," said Marwaha. Marwaha said the hill station had been getting a fair bit of sunshine and that should be good for cricket. Unlike other matches in five-match series, which started at noon, the Dharamsala game will start at 9am to help the players escape the late evening cold. Besides hosting a first-class game involving Pakistan in 2005, the HPCA Stadium has also been the venue of IPL matches over the past couple of years, serving as the second home for the Kings XI Punjab franchise. It was the IPL experience that convinced HPCA that they were capable of hosting international games. In fact, people here are desperately hoping that the weather elements don't have the final say and the January 27 match is held. Being the final match of the England series, the venue has become more important as all the prize-giving formalities will be performed here. Because of that, all the top BCCI officials are set to gather here. HPCA officials said that a bulk of tickets have already been sold and Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh is expected to be the chief guest. All the 67 members of Himachal Legislative Assembly have been invited to watch the match. MELBOURNE: Australia women lost the tightly-contested Twenty20 series against New Zealand 2-1 following a sevenwicket loss in the third and deciding match at the Junction Oval on Thursday. The home side lost the toss and were sent in to bat. Elyse Villani, who recently rejoined the national side, found the boundary on three occasions and scored a quick-fire 20 runs before she was dismissed. Jess Cameron (48) proved the mainstay for Australia with her knock, which included four fours and two sixes. She was well supported by Lisa Sthalekar (24) as they took their side's total to 134 for 5 after 20 overs. The wickets were shared evenly among the White Ferns bowlers, with Morna Nielsen (1 for 9) the most economical. New Zealand got off to a solid start in their run chase with openers Lucy Doolan (35) and Suzie Bates (67) putting together a strong partnership and notching the majority of runs required to achieve the target. The White Ferns reached their target in the 19th over, finishing 136 for 3. Ellyse Perry and Renee Chappellwere the only wicket-takers for Australia. New Zealand captain Bates claimed the player-of-the match award while Meg Lanning was named player-of-theseries.The Australian team will depart on Jan 25for India to take part in the ICC Women's World Cup.

Tata Steel Chess :Anand draws again, Carlsen ahead

WIJK AAN ZEE (THE NETHERLANDS): World champion Viswanathan Anand could not breach the solid defenses of Sergey Karjakin of Russiaand played out a draw while world number one Magnus Carlsen continued with his winning streak in the 75th Tata Steel Chess tournament. In the tenth round, the Indian ace's efforts proved little to break Karjakin's solid defense right till the end of a rather simplified game. Anand was joined in second spot by Levon Aronian of Armenia and Hikaru Nakamura ofUnited States after they scored victories in contrasting fashion against Wang Hao of China and Fabiano Caruana of Italy respectively. Meanwhile, Carlsen stretched his lead to eight points as Erwin L'Ami of Holland proved no match for the rampaging Norwegian. With Anand, Aronian and Nakamura on 6.5 points, Hungarian Peter Leko joined Karjakin in fifth spot a full point behind while P Harikrishna slipped to joint seventh on five points, after suffering a shock defeat at the hands of Yifan Hou of China. The Queen's Indian defense by Karjakin met with the Petrosian system and Anand secured a small advantage in terms of better space control. However, Karjakin was precise in his defense even though it looked at some point that Anand was increasing his advantage. Once Karjakin was able to get rid of his weak pawn on the queen side the draw was immediately agreed. Harikrishna ran out of steam against Yifan Hou. Having done so well in the tournament against high class opposition the loss against Yifan was simply shocking. For the records, Harikrishna stood better after a Keres attack as white against the Sicilian but Yifan fought back in the game after trading the queens.

How the purple and pink sunscreens of reef corals work

LONDON: New research by the University of Southampton has found a mechanism as to how corals use their pink and purple hues as sunscreen to protect them against harmful sunlight. Many reef corals need light to survive, as they benefit from sugars and lipids that are produced by their lightdependent symbiotic algae. However, in the shallow water of coral reefs, light levels are often higher than required by the corals, so paradoxically; the vital sunlight can become harmful for the algae and their hosts. Apart from temperature, light stress is a major driver of coral bleaching - the loss of the symbiotic algae that represents a threat to coral reef survival. Working in the Great Barrier Reef and under tightly controlled conditions in the Coral Reef Laboratory of the University of "The beautiful pink and purple hues that are produced by the coral host are often evoked by chromoproteins; pigments that are biochemically related to the green fluorescent protein (GFP) of the jellyfish Aequorea victoria. In contrast to their green glowing counterpart, the chromoproteins take up substantial amounts of light, but they don't re-emit light. "GFP-like proteins were suggested to contribute to the protection of corals and their symbionts from excess sunlight. This hypothesis has been controversially discussed as the mechanism as to how these pigments function remained unclear.

Southampton, the team of researchers produced experimental evidence that the pink and purple chromoproteins can act as sunscreens for the symbiotic algae by removing parts of the light that might become otherwise harmful. Dr Jorg Wiedenmann, Senior Lecturer of Biological Oceanography and Head of the University's Coral Reef Laboratory, who led the study says:

Harikrishna made another error and Yifan pounced on it to reach an advantageous rook and pawns endgame where precise technique followed to give the Chinese her second victory in the tournament. Carlsen crushed L'Ami in a Caro Kann defense game as white. The Norwegian secured a good position out of opening and then took advantage of weakened pawns on the queen side to force matters. In other important games of the day, Aronian had it easy as white against Wang Hao out of an English opening while Nakamura got an important victory with black pieces after Caruana went haywire. The tournament now reaches its final leg with just three rounds BARNALA: Indianto come after a rest day. Anand has a chance to catch up if he beats born British national the tail-enders he is set to meet. Fauja Singh admitted age was finally catching up with him and he had decided not to compete after the Hong Kong At least for the chromoproteins we switches on the genes that are respon- Marathon on February know now that they have indeed the sible for the production of the sun- 24, five weeks before his capacity to fulfill this function." The screening chromoproteins. 102nd birthday on April 1. "Our results suggest that the researchers also proposed an explana"But I will keep running tion for the mysterious phenomenon screening effect of the chromopro- for at least four hours daily that some corals accumulate excep- teins could help the algae to enter the after that," Singh, who lives tionally high amounts of chromopro- new tissue. Once the symbiont popu- in Ilford, England, told the teins in growing areas, such as branch lation is fully established, the light Times of India newspaper tips or in the region of healing levels in the tissue decrease as the during a visit to his home wounds. Dr Wiedenmann, who is algae use most of the light for photo- state of Punjab. based at the National Oceanography synthesis. As a consequence, the "Running is my life. I will Centre, Southampton, explains: genes of the chromoproteins are keep running to inspire the "These growing areas contain essen- switched off again which allows the masses." tially no symbiotic algae, so much of coral to save the energy required for Singh, dubbed the the light is reflected by the white their production." 'Turbaned Tornado', took up The research contributes to a bet- running marathons at the ripe coral skeleton instead of being used ter understanding of the coral's old age of 89 and has been by the algae. The resulting increased light response to environmental stress. credited with competing in intensities in the new parts of the Knowledge of the stress resilience of eight 42-kilometre (26-mile) coral represent a potential danger for corals is an important requirement to races in London, Toronto and the algal cells that need to colonise help predictions of the fate of coral New York. He finished his these areas. Hence, it seems that the reefs that are exposed to climate fifth London Marathon last corals use a clever trick to help their change and various forms of anthro- year in a time of seven hours symbionts. The higher light intensity pogenic disturbance. and 49 minutes and was hon-

Fauja Singh finally says full stop at 101

oured by being invited to carry the Olympic torch. Singh, who says he was born on April 1, 1911, insisted he was not suffering from any illnesses and did not take medicines when he was asked the secret of his amazing physical fitness. "The reason for my good health is that I exercise daily and follow a proper diet regime," he was quoted as saying. "I take happiness in biggest proportions though my actual diet is very small. "Nowadays, people are more interested in going to a gym, but I feel that if they exercise regularly on their own they can be physically and mentally strong.

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