daily paper december 17
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7/30/2019 Daily Paper December 17
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STUdenT aGe
R E A D T H E N E E D
MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 20128 Pages
Rs: 1.00
Jammu Edition
www.thestudentage.com
JKENG/2012/41612
Vol. 1 No: 169
IN BRIEFIN BRIEFIIT Kanpur to set upfirst overseas office
in New YorkKANPUR: IIT Kanpur is all
set to open its first overseas
office in New York, for
which a space has been pro-
vided by one of its alumnus.
With this office, the presti-
gious institution hopes to
deal with a range of overseas
affairs including faculty hir-
ing, fund-raising and entering
into Contd. on page 2
Vijay Diwas beingcelebrated todayNEW DELHI: Vijay Diwas
is being celebrated today to
commemorate the Indian
Armed Forces historic victo-
ry over the Pakistani forces in
1971. On the occasion, the
country remembers with grat-
itude its brave soldiers who
made supreme sacrifices for
their motherland. In Delhi,
Defence Minister A.K.
Antony Contd. on page 2
Rare historical booksdeck up Rashtrapathi
bhavan libraryNEW DELHI: A peep into
history is at the centre of
Rashtrapati Bhavan's initia-
tive to refurbish its library
with rare books dating backto 1800 on 'Tippoo' Sultan
and another signed by Lord
George Curzon in 1904 to
find a place on its racks. This
is part of efforts by Pranab
Mukherjee, Contd. on page 2
8 persons Die inBadherwah accident
BHADERWAH, DEC 16:
Atleast 8 people died in a
road accident one other seri-
ously injured when a Winger
on its way from Bhaderwah
to Chinta meet with an acci-
dent short while ago. One
critically injured person was
shifted to Jammu. The rescue
operation is still on to find
weather their is any one left
behind inside Contd. on page 2
Photo exhibitionattracts large crowed
JAMMU, DEC 16: During
the ongoing Red Cross Mela
at Kala Kendra Jammu, a
photo exhibition was also
organized by Photo
Journalists of Jammu. More
than 80 rare photographs
clicked during various occa-
sions were put to display.
The Minister for Technical
Education, Youth Affairs and
Sports, Mr. R.S. Chib showed
keen interest in the exhibition
and Contd. on page 2
NATO-LED FORCES COMBATMISSION TO END IN 2013'
SHEILA DIKSHIT LAUNCHESANNSHREEYOJANA IN DELHI
IRAN ARMY CHIEF WARNSTURKEY OVER PATRIOT
MISSILES
SRINAGAR,DEC 16: In an
unfortunate incident, six
Indian soldiers were killed
in an avalanche that struck
the Siachen Glacier in
Jammu and Kashmir around
7 am on Sunday.
Six men belonging to the
1st Assam Regiment,
deployed in the Hanif sub-
sector in Siachen glacier
area, died in the avalanche
hit today morning, Army
sources said.
One soldier is still miss-ing and efforts are being
made to locate him, they
said. "The incident hap-
pened during inter- post
movement of the soldiers,"
they said.The Indian Army has
recovered the bodies of the
soldiers killed. The tragedy
occurred in Hanif sub-sector
in Siachen glacier area.
Reports suggest that theavalanche was a huge one
and it wiped out the entire
post where the soldiers were
posted.
India has deployed its
troops in Siachen for close
to 30 years now and has lost
more people to the weather
and terrain than to enemy
bullets.
The J&K authorities had
issued an avalanche warning
for the higher reaches of the
Kashmir Valley, advising
them to move about with
utmost caution.
Contd. on page 2
Avalanche in Siachen glacier kills six Indian soldiers
NEW DELHI:
Government on Sunday said
that law will take its own
course if investigations
establish that there has been
any violation by global
retail giant Walmart in its
attempts to gain entry into
the Indian market. Union
Information and
Broadcasting Minister
Manish Tewari has said, it istime to enact a law on dis-
closing lobbying by politi-
cians and corporates after
allegations that Walmart had
bribed its way into India. Mr.
Tewari said that time has
come that we need to put in
place a statutory architecture
which makes these declara-tions essential.
It also said that it was not
proper to make any judge-
ment one way or the either
before Contd. on page 2
I&B Minister bats for strongerlobbying law in India
NEW DELHI: India Gate is
the right place to build a
national war memorial,
Defence Minister A K
Antony Sunday said, against
the backdrop of opposition
by Delhi Chief Minister
Sheila Dikshit to the propos-
al.
"As far as we are con-
cerned, this (India Gate) is
the place to have a war
memorial. We are veryclear," he told reporters after
laying wreath at the Amar
Jawan Jyoti to commemorate
the 41st anniversary of the
Indian victory in the 1971
war with Pakistan.
The Defence Minister was
asked to react to the separate
letters written by the Delhi
Chief Minister opposing the
construction of war memorial
at the India Gate.
He said after long years of
efforts, a Group of Ministers
(GoM) set up by Prime
Minister and the threeServices chiefs had agreed to
set up the war memorial here.
"Before taking the pro-
posal to the Cabinet (for
approval), the Urban
Development Ministry has
written to all the stakeholders
to seek their comments and
views. But I am sure that we
will be able to clinch the
issue," Antony said when
asked if Dikshit's letter may
delay Contd. on page 2
India Gate right place to build war memorial, says AK Antony'Sheila Dikshit opposes to the proposal'
No need forBJP to projectPM candidateas of now'BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh
Chief Minister Shivraj Singh
Chouhan has said that there
is no need for BJP to project
anyone as the prime ministe-
rial candidate as of now for
the 2014 Lok Sabha elec-
tions.
"There are many capable
leaders in the party and whenthe time comes any one of
them can become the Prime
Minister," Chouhan said.
Asked who will make the
best prime ministerial nomi-
nee, Chouhan said he had
"no view on this" and added
that he will go by the party's
thinking in the matter.
He also said that there is
no need for BJP president
Nitin Gadkari to resign fol-
lowing charges of corruption
levelled against him.
"Charges are levelled against
many leaders and if someone
resigns only because allega-
tions have been made against
him, nobody would be left,"
Contd. on page 2
NEW DELHI: Tamil Nadu
Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa
Sunday asked the Prime
Minister's intervention in
Cable digitisation.
In a letter she asked the
Prime Minister to direct
Information and Broadcasting
Ministry to issue licence to
state-run Arasu Cable TV
Corporation.
She added that Centre has
issued licence to nine other
operators in Tamilnadu, but
for the Corporation.
The Corporation has
placed orders for the supply of
Set Top Boxes, Conditional
Access System and Subscriber
Management System and
erection of Head End at a cost
of about Rs.50 crore.
It may be noted the
Corporation has been seeking
extension of cable digitisation
programme stating that it don't
have enough infrastructure
(set up box).
The programme which
supposes to be implemented
on October 31, according to
Centre's deadline, has been
extending since MSOs have
said they don't have enough
boxes. The letter further stated
that Tamilnadu Cable TV
Corporation offers 100 chan-
nels at Rs 70 a month.
There has been a good
response from the public and
the Local Cable Operators.
23,000 Local Cable Operators
with a subscriber base of 60
lakhs are
availing of the
services of
t h i s
Corporation.
While stat-
ing that the
M a d u r a i
Bench of the
Madras High
Court has also
passed orders on December 6,
2012 that "the process of issue
of licence to Tamil Nadu
Arasu Cable TV Corporation
may go on and the licence
may also be issued".
"I urge you to intervene in
the matter and direct the
Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting to issue the
Digital Addressable System
licence to the Tamil Nadu
Arasu Cable TV Corporation
Ltd immediately," said the
Chief Minister in her letter to
the Prime Minister.
NEW DELHI:The Supreme
Court has given its go-ahead
to the Medical Council of
India (MCI) for holding the
first-ever common entrance
examination for admission to
MBBS, BDS and post-gradu-
ate courses but restrained it
from declaring the results
until further orders.
The court also allowed
various states, universities
and other institutions entitled
to conduct their respective
examinations for MBBS,
BDS and post-graduate
courses to do so but not
declare the results till its fur-
ther orders.
Taking up a bunch of peti-
tions questioning applicabili-
ty of the MCI decision to
conduct the National
Eligibility and Entrance Test
(NEET) for admission to
both MBBS and post-gradu-
ate courses in medicine as
well as dental courses, a
bench headed by Chief
Justice Altamas Kabir also
directed transfer of all peti-
tions pending in various
courts to it by January 15,
2013.
Noting that the pending
matter needs to be heard and
decided soon, the CJI also
directed that all transferred
cases and writ petitions be
listed for final hearing and
disposal on January 15, 16
and 17.
"While we are of the view
that the main matters which
are pending need to be heard
and decided at an early stage,
the time taken in hearing the
matters should be utilised in
allowing the students to sit
for their respective examina-
tions, which are already noti-
fied," the SC said.
The order further stated,
"In the meantime, the
Medical Council of India, the
Dental Council of India, as
well as the States and
Universities and other
Institutions, will be entitled
to conduct their respective
examinations for the MBBS,
BDS and post-graduate
courses, but shall not declare
the results of the same, until
further orders of this court."
"Wide publicity may also
be given to this order by the
states, Contd. on page 2
SC go-ahead to MCI for holding common entrance exam
Tamil Nadu asks PM tointervene in Cable digitization
NEW DELHI, DEC 16: The govern-
ment will speed up the disinvestment
process and take further reform meas-
ures to revive the economy, Prime
Minister Manmohan Singh has prom-
ised the Indian industry. "The steps we
have taken recently are only the begin-
ning of the process to revive our econo-
my and take it back to its trend growth
rate of 8-9%," Singh said at the 85th
Annual General Meeting of Ficci on
Saturday.
India's economic growth slowed to a
nine-year low of 6.5% in 2011-12 and
this year, too, growth is expected to be a
low 5.8% as per RBI's estimates. The
prime minister said the government
needs to take forward the steps it has
taken in several areas through the con-
stitution of the Cabinet Committee on
Investment to revive the economy.
"We need to complete the exercise
that has begun onGAAR [General Anti
Avoidance Rules] and taxation of the IT
sector. We will speed up the disinvest-
ment process which will also revive our
equity markets," he added. Defending
the government's policies on
allowingFDI in multi-brand retail, the
prime minister said that given the global
environment, investors have become
risk-averse and the FDI policy had to be
liberalised to address this challenge.
"Our decision Contd. on page 2
PM vows to speed up reforms, rev up economy
MUMBAI, DEC 16: The
Tata group will adopt a two-
pronged strategy to give
opportunities for students
and entrepreneurs in the
Kashmir Valley which
includes supporting setting
up of venture capital units.
Outgoing Chairman of the
Tata group Ratan Tata, who
recently interacted with stu-
dents of Kashmir University
in October last, said the
group would like to follow
the 'American Venture
Capitalist model' and help the
local entrepreneurs in setting
up their own business.
"We will do two things
that we have promised. We
will interview students on
campus through the universi-
ty and the second is that we
will provide internship to stu-
dents in our companies,"
Tata, who retires as the group
Chairman on December 28
when he turns 75, told in an
interview.
Contd. on page 2
Tata group to adopt two-prongedstrategy to help youth in Kashmir
Siachen glacier
SRINAGAR,DEC 16: A
medium danger avalanche
warning was today issued for
area close to Line of Control
in Kashmir and Banihal town
on Jammu-Srinagar national
highway even as one-way
traffic was restored on the
arterial road connecting the
valley with rest of the country.
"A medium danger ava-
lanche warning has beenissued for Keran Machil,
Gurez, Chowkibal, Uri and
Tangdhar areas where moder-
ate to heavy snowfall was wit-
nessed earlier in the week,"
Coordinator Natural Disaster
Management Cell, Aamir Ali,
said. The avalanche warning
has also been issued for north
Kashmir Ski resort of
Gulmarg, Jawahar Tunnel in
south Kashmir and Banihal
town. "The people living inthese areas or going to these
places are advised to take pre-
cautions and avoid going
towards avalanche prone
zones," Ali said.
Kashmir valley witnessed
moderate to heavy snowfall,
mostly in hilly areas, during
the past week, leading to clo-
sure of several roads includ-
ing Jammu-Srinagar National
Highway. A spokesman of
the Traffic Department saidthe 294-km road, connecting
Srinagar to Jammu, was today
thrown open for one way traf-
fic to allow vehicles from the
winter capital to reach the
Valley.
He said vehicles from
Srinagar will be allowed to
ply towards Jammu tomorrow
and this arrangement of
allowing one-way traffic from
either side on alternate days
will continue till furtherorders.
Avalanche warning Issued in Kashmir Valley
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Avalanche in...There has been heavy snowfall in the higher reach-
es in the past three days. The weather office hasforecast "fair weather" in the Kashmir Valley from
Monday.
I&B Minister...probe is completed. "If at all any investigation
does conclusively establish that there has been a
violation of the Indian laws....Law will take its own
course," Information and Broadcasting Minister
Manish Tewari told Karan Thapar's Devil's
Advocate.
He was responding to a question on the
Enforcement Directorate probing alleged violation
of investment rules by Walmart in India and charges
that Walmart invested in India even before the
Government took a policy decision on FDI in
retail.= Tewari at the same time repeatedly cau-
tioned against "innuendos and insinuations" till an
inquiry is completed.
He said Government has already announced a
probe by a former judge into the allegations of
Walmart spending money on lobbying to get entry
into Indian market and that now "the inquiry com-mission should be allowed to come to its independ-
ent conclusion.
"I do not think it is proper to second guess the
results of an inquiry. Let the inquiry play itself out.
We would not put the cart before the horse," he said.
Tewari also hit out at the BJP over the issue
alleging that the principal opposition has "reversed
criminal jurisprudence on its head".
"They make an allegation and then they reiterate
it and they start believing it and then they ultimate-
ly expect the country to convict a person without a
trial," Tewari said, adding "if all this process exon-
erates Walmart completely, who is going to com-
pensate individuals, associations or companies for
the damages done as a result".
The Union Minister also exuded optimism that it
will be able to pass the crucial bills on banking, pen-
sion and insurance reforms passed in Parliament
despite the existing political contradictions as "the
real faultline in this country is communalism versus
pluralism".
India Gate right...the process of building the war memorial at the
India Gate complex.
In separate letters to Antony, Home Minister
Sushilkumar Shinde and Urban Development
Minister Kamal Nath, she has said that an alterna-
tive site should be found for the memorial.
Dikshit said India Gate is the only popular hang-
out place for people of the city and coming up of the
memorial there would restrict movement of people
in the area due to security reasons, top sources said.
She has said that setting up of the memorial would
also affect the ambience of the area.
The armed forces have been demanding a war
memorial in the national capital to honour their men
who made supreme sacrifice in various wars, con-
flicts and militancy-related incidents in Jammu and
Kashmir and the northeast.
No need for ...he expressed.
He also said that charges against Gadkari have
not affected the intensity of the BJP's fight against
corruption in Congress. Chouhan said he is confi-
dent that BJP would win next year's state Assembly
elections as the people of Madhya Pradesh are with
the party because of the welfare work done by the
government.
PM vows to ...on FDI in multi-brand retail, civil aviation,
power-trading exchanges and broadcasting must
also be viewed in this larger context. Bills on liber-
alising FDI limits in banking and insurance are cur-
rently before Parliament. Each of these decisions is
based on sound economic logic," Singh said.
On the opposition he faced while carrying out
the reform measures, the prime minister said that
some of the decisions were politically difficult, and
that naysayers and cynics had tried to halt the gov-
ernment in its track. "But we had the courage of our
conviction and the interests of our people at heart."
Listing out reform measures on the anvil, Singhsaid the government was bringing greater clarity in
the FDI policy in pharma sector, and the railways
was working on a Rail Tariff Authority which will
make setting fares a more rational exercise. The
bills on Direct Taxes Code and the Goods and
Services Tax are high on the priority list.
"We have already put in place a package for
reviving discoms contingent on better performance.
The Land Acquisition Bill recently approved by our
Cabinet will soon usher in a more fair and transpar-
ent regime for land acquisition," he added.
Expressing concern about the country's burgeon-
ing subsidy bill, the PM said it was constraining the
government in its efforts for the economic well-
being and empowerment of the people. Under-pric-
ing of energy, particularly electricity and petroleum
products, has greatly affected the resources avail-
able for investments in infrastructure as well as
social development.
"We need to address these issues even as we
ensure that the poor and the vulnerable are effec-
tively protected," Singh said, adding that well-tar-geted subsidies had an important role to play in soft-
ening the harsh edges of extreme poverty.
Singh urged the corporate sector to own up its
responsibility in supporting affirmative action
designed to provide employment opportunities for
the under-privileged sections, persons with disabili-
ties and women. "The private sector should also
play a more active role in the areas of research and
development, education and skill development,
health and rural development," he said.
SC go-ahead...Union of India, Medical Council of India and the
Dental Council of India so that the students, who
are intending to sit for the entrance examination,
may have knowledge of the same." The court also
directed counsels for respective parties to make
available their written submissions before it by
January 7.
The CBSE will hold the first NEET-UG for
under-graduate medical and dental courses in May
2013 on behalf of MCI and DCI, while the National
Board of Examinations (NBE) has already held the
NEET-PG for post-graduate medical and dental
courses earlier this month.
Tata group to...The campus interview will be done as and when
the graduation ceremony takes place, he said,
adding "I promised them (students) that there will
not be any bias against students from the University
there."
Tata recalled that during the interaction some
students had asked him whether Tata group would
be setting any business in Kashmir.
"I expressed another view. I said we know what
we should be trying to do with you is have you build
your business and support you who have entrepre-
neurial spirit.
"We should create something that's like the
American venture capitalist model and then we can
support that financially and help you get started and
then bring our marketing experience or financial
experience to help you," Tata said.
"So I have advocated that if there are six or
seven bright young people, who have an idea to
start something, we should fund them, buy shares in
that company and help them everywhere we can,"
he said but added that the process is yet to start.
Under the American venture capitalist model,
financial capital is provided to early-stage, high-
potential, high risk, growth startup companies.
The venture capital fund makes money by own-
ing equity in the companies it invests in, which usu-
ally have a novel technology or business model in
high technology industries, such as biotechnology,
IT and software.
Tata, along with some other industrialists, had
addressed the students of the Kashmir University
after which he had said that India Inc needs to do
something special for the people of Kashmir rather
than following normal business practice as the
Valley had a great wealth of human capital.
IIT Kanpur to ....collaborations for research and development,according to a release.
The office will come up at 62, William Street in
New York and a space has been provided by the stu-
dent for a period of five years, it said. The 1986
batch IITian, Sanjay Khosla, will not be charging
any rent from the institute, the release added. The
new office is expected to start its functioning from
early next year.
Vijay Diwas...and three Services Chief will lead the nation in pay-
ing homage to the brave soldiers at Amar Jawan
Jyoti at India Gate. The reports said that several
functions are also being organized in other parts of
the country to mark the day.
Rare historical ...who after taking over as President in July this year,
has been devoting time reviving places of historical
importance within the sprawling 340-room
Rashtrapati Bhavan here.The look of the library is being recreated to
match the ambience in 1950 when it started func-
tioning with tables in the room also being aligned
the way it used to be. The books, which can be a real
treat to any researcher, date between 1800 and 1947.
They include a rare book of 1800 written by
Alexander Beaston on "A View of the Origin and
Conduct of the War with Tippoo Sultan".
The book is a narrative of the operations of the
British Army under the command of Lieutenant-
General George Harris, and of the siege of
Srirangapatnam--near Mysore--and the defacto cap-
ital of 'Tippoo' Sultan. Another rare book -- "The
British gallery of engravings: from pictures of the
Italian, Flemish, Dutch, and English schools", writ-
ten by William Edward Forster, Chaplain to his
Grace the Duke of Newcastle, will also be featured
if the National Archives will be able to restore it.
The library also showcases 100 books of Punch, a
British weekly magazine of humour and satire
launched in 1841 by Henry Mayhew and engraver
Ebenezer Landells.
8 persons Die...the debris of the ill-fated vehicle. Darkness and
snowfall creates major hurdle in search operation
jointly launched by police, army, CRPF and local
administration.
Photo exhibition...complimented Photo Journalists for their best
efforts. He assured them that in future too, he would
encourage their such efforts. He congratulated them
for their excellent photo exhibition.
Sham releases RattanBhardwaj's Dogri book
"Unbiddhe Moti"
AKHNOOR, DEC 16: Minister for Health,Horticulture & Floriculture, Mr. Sham Lal Sharma
today released a Dogri book titled "Unbiddhe Moti"
authored by Mr. Rattan Lal Bhardwaj at an impres-
sive function organized by the Dogri Sahitya Sabha
Akhnoor, here today.
The book is based on a collection of Dogri songs
with special focus on the River Chenab and the
importance of Akhnoor town and its periphery.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that
writers are the valuable asset of the nation and they
should be treated with due honor. He maintained
that writers and intellectuals are instrumental for the
development and promotion of country's rich cul-
ture, languages and heritage and their contribution
should be duly recognized in the society.
Appreciating the effort of the author for highlight-
ing the significance of Akhnoor town through his
valuable work, the Minister said that the contribu-
tion will go a long way in creating awareness about
the history of Akhnoor town amongst the general
masses. He urged the author and other local writers
to contribute for highlighting the importance ofAkhnoor and other places of historical and religious
significance. He said Akhnoor has remained a cen-
ter of religious and spiritual activities where numer-
ous sufi saints of different religions meditated. He
asked the intellectuals to showcase the history and
religious importance of this important town so that
people visit here as pilgrims.
Listing the measures initiated to promote reli-
gious tourism in Akhnoor, the Minister said that
Government has brought some important sites on
the tourist map. He said recently the Government
has sanctioned Rs. 5 crore for developing Sumah as
tourist destination in view of its religious impor-
tance. Similarly, the Buddhist site at Ambaran will
be suitably developed for global religious tourist
destination; the site has been visited by His
Holiness the Dalai Lama last year. For the attraction
of tourists, a complete facelift of Akhnoor town will
be carried out. To begin with a tourist reception cen-
ter has been developed with all basic facilities on
the right bank of River Chenab for the facilities of
tourists. He said on the demand of intellectuals of
Akhnoor, the Government has announced that a
Dugger Library will be established at Akhnoor
which will be named as Maharaja Gulab Singh
Library. This will be a tribute to the first Maharaja
of Jammu and Kashmir who was coroneted at
Akhnoor itself.
Among those present on the occasion included,
prominent Dogri writer Mr. Narsing Dev Jamwal,
President Dogri Sahitya Sabha Akhnoor, Mr.
Rajpaul Sharma, Chairman Dogri Sahitya Sabha,
Kr. Shakti Singh, social worker Mr. Satpal Saraf,
prominent citizens and local writers.
STUDENT AGE
MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 20122
Contd. from page 1...
Goa governmentposts marine
police at sea toguard its fish
PANAJI: Goa loves its fish fried
and curried. But fishermen in this
coastal state are now fuming over
trawlers from Karnataka and
Maharashtra "poaching" in the
state's waters.
After recent incidents of high-
powered boats from neighbouring
states coming in by the droves to
net fish from Goa's territorial
waters, the Goa government has
been forced to post marine police
at sea to guard its fish!
"We have received complaints
from fishermen that trawlers from
neighbouring states like Karnataka
and Maharashtra are coming into
our water and stealing fish. We had
a meeting with the fishermen's
association and have come up with
various solutions," Fisheries
Minister Avertano Furtado told
media.
Furtado said that the menace
had to be arrested, especially
because the fish haul in the state
was on the downswing and tough
measures like posting policemen to
"haul in the culprits" needed to betaken.
"We are entrusting the responsi-
bility t o the mari ne police. Anyone
stealing our fish will be punished,"
Furtado said.
The Goa police have a marine
wing, which was set up some years
ago to combat crimes off the land.
Marine scientists have repeated-
ly warned of a fish famine in Goa,
blami ng rampa nt over-f ishi ng,
tourism demands and disregard for
the fishing ban during the spawn-
ing period. These are offered as
reasons for the depletion of fish in
the waters off Goa.
An annual haul of nearly a 1.03
lakh tonnes in 2005 has now
shrunk to nearly 75,000 tonnes last
year, according to government
reports.
"With fish and fishing productsdecreasing by the year, all efforts
are being made to provide the
infrastructure needed at the land-
ing centres so as to minimise the
port harves t loss es," the repor t
states.
"With the total fish production
in the state crossing maximum sus-
tainable yield (MSY), there is a
need to restrict the fishing efforts
in the coastal waters of the state,"
the report advises.
Goa has over 1,400 registered
trawlers, which haul in the fish and
prawns for consum ption in the
tourism-driven state as well as for
export.
The raids by fishermen from the
neighbouring states in these fish-
depleted waters are only adding to
the problem, according to Menino
Afonso, chairman of the Mandovi
Fisheries Cooperative Society,
located near Panaji.
Last week, the police as well as
the state fisheries department
failed to respond to their SOS, as
Menino and his team got a tip-off
that four trawlers from Karnataka
were poaching in waters off Goa.
"It was a tough thing. We raced
through the water for almost an
hour, before we saw those
Karnataka trawlers and they were
loaded with fish. We trapped them
and brought them to Goa," Menino
said, recalling the Dec 11 incident.
He said that the poachers are
often better equipped than regular
fishermen.
"While we use the regulation
140 BHP engines, these trawlers
had 350 BHP engines, which are
illegal, but it also makes them fast
and difficult to catch," he said.
Fisheries department officials
said that not just Karnataka, but
fishermen from Mahrashtra and
even Kerala have been reported to
be fishi ng in wat ers off Goa.
"Trawlers registered in one state
can only fish in the water off that
state, not anywhere on the coast-
line.
The inclusion of policemen in
our fisheries department teams will
help us a lot to curb fishing by peo-
ple from other states," the official
said.
JAMMU, DEC 16 : Reiterating
commitment of the government
to upgrade rural infrastructure,
Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Tara
Chand said addressing develop-
ment aspirations of those living
in far flung belts is up on the
priority list of the government
and work on the road map to
equip the areas with all required
infrastructure is apace.
"Our government is commit-
ted to develop the State on mod-
ern lines and with active support
from the central government
mega infrastructural projects
have been launched all across
the State," he added.
Mr. Tara Chand today
addressed a large public meet-
ing at Rakh Malal, Khour.
Among others Sub-
Divisional Magistrate, Akhnoor
Mr. N.S.Jamwal along with offi-
cers, engineers of different
departments attended the public
meeting. The Deputy Chief
Minister said that the govern-
ment is steadfast on its resolve
to take the development revolu-
tion to all parts of the state and
special care has been taken to
address the infrastructure
requirements of border and rural
pockets of the stat e, adding that
upcoming Kaleeth grid station
would go a long way to improve
power infr astructure in the area.
While responding to the
demands projected by the peo-
ple wit h respect to PDD depart-
ment, Mr. Tara Chand directed
the concerned officers to pre-
pare a comprehensi ve project
for power cables of the area. He
instructed for immediate chang-
ing of worn out cables so as to
meet emergency requirements
of the people.
He also directed the PHE
authorities to put the already
constructed tube well to testing,
so that the same may be com-
missioned and people of the
area get respite from potable
water difficulties.
Later, Mr. Tara Chand
attended annual day cum silver
jubilee celebrations of Nirmala
High School, Kaleeth. He was
chief guest on the occasion.
Founding principal of the mis-
sionary school Fr. P.A. Joseph
along with team of teachers and
school officials joined the cele-
brations.
JAMMU,DEC 16: The
Army has not allowed any
cross-border infiltration in
Jammu region this year
despite an increase in the
number of attempts along
the Indo-Pak border as
compared to the previous
year, a senior official has
said.
"In Jammu region, esti-
mates by various security
agencies reveal that no mil-
itant crossed over to J&K
from across Line of
Control," General Officer
Commanding (GoC), 16
Corps, Lt Gen DS Hooda
said, observing it the rea-
son behind increasing
attempts to push in the mil-
itants.
Speaking during an
Army function, he said
infiltration attempts being
made from across the bor-
der have "slightly"
increased as compared to
last year. "Militant leader-
ship has been eliminated.
For past 3-4 years, there is
a decrease in the number of
the militants in the state,"
he said. Regarding cease-
fire violations and firing in
Poonch sector, he said
Krishnagati and Nagantikri
forward belts have been
traditionally known areas
of infiltration due to their
"mountainous and forest-
ed" terrain.
The aim of the infiltra-
tors is to divert attention of
the Armed forces on the
borderline (in view of the
firing from across), so that
the infiltration of militants
is staged in other areas, he
said.
"But the troops are
ready. There has been no
such incident in which any-
body has managed crossing
into this side," he asserted.
Regarding the militancy
situation in the in-depth
areas and presence of num-
ber of militants in J&K, he
said it is "difficult to make
estimates" as there are "dif-
ferent figures (of various
security agencies)".
"Most of activities (of
militants) in Jammu region
take place in Kishtwar,
Gool and some in-depth
areas of Rajouri. But that is
limited. They too have not
done any such act of
attacking security forces or
civilians", the officer said.
TEHRAN: Iran's armed
forces chief of staff on
Saturday warned Turkey over
its plans to deploy US-made
Patriot missiles, saying the
move was part of a Western
plot to "create a world war".
"The Patriot (missiles) are
threatening. Each one of them
is a black dot on the map, (set-
ting the stage) to create a
world war," General Hassan
Firouzabadi told the top brass
at a military college, Official
media reported.
"The Western countries
seeking to deploy the missile
batteries on the Turkey-Syria
border are devising plans for a
world war.
"This is very dangerous for
everyone, and even for the
future of Europe," he said. "A
veteran military man and ana-
lyst can easily see this and pre-
dict the future."
NATO has approved
Turkey's request for Patriot
missiles to bolster its border
defences amid tensions with
the regime of Syrian President
Bashar al-Assad.
Germany, the Netherlands
and the United States have
agreed to provide the missile
batteries, which would come
under NATO command.
But both Russia and Iran,
the most powerful allies of
the Assad regime, are
opposed to the move.
In August, General
Firouzabadi drew the ire of
Ankara after he predicted
the turmoil in Syria would
spill into Turkey whose
government he accused of
aiding the US in achieving
"belligerent objectives".
And last November,
another top Iranian com-
mander said Tehran would
target NATO's missile shield
in Turkey if it came under mil-
itary attack.
Iran's foreign ministry later
moved to dismiss the remarks,
saying they were the "personal
views" of military command-
ers.
Iran army chief warns Turkey over Patriot missiles,saysthe move as part of a plot to "create a world war".
No infiltration in Jammu regionthis year:Army official
Govt committed to upgrade rural infra: Dy CM
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Jora, Akhooncongratulates topeople on Losar
JAMMU, DEC 16: Extending warm
greetings on Losar (Ladakhi New year) to
the people, especially Buddhist communi-
ty, the Minister for Tourism and Culture,
Nawang Rigzin Jora hoped that the New
Year would bring harbinger of peace,
progress and prosperity for the State and
its people.
Minister for CAPD Qamar Ali Akhoon
was the guest of honour on the occasion.Addressing a function in connection
with Losar celebrations organized by All
Ladakh Students Association, Jammu,
here, Jora highlighted the rich traditions of
amity and brotherhood prevailing in
Ladakh region since times immemorial
and said that co existence of different
faiths and cultures in the region symbol-
izes the high values of humanism.
He said that the government is com-
mitted to ensure equitable development
of all the three regions of the State and in
this direction numerous innovative steps
have already been taken by the Coalition
Government during last four years.
Minister for CAPD Qamar Ali
Akhoon also congratulated the people on
Losar and hoped that the New Year
would bring peace, progress and pros-
perity for the people of the
State.
ALSAJ President Mr.
Tsewang Norbu presented a
memorandum of demands in
relation to Ladakhi students.
STATESTUDENT AGE
MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 20123
NEWS IN BOX
Hurriyat delegation holds talkswith PoK leaders
ISLAMABAD,DEC 16: A visiting delegation of the All
Parties Hurriyat Conference on Sunday met leaders from
Pakistan occupied Kashmir for consultations on the
Kashmir issue and talks on the matter between India and
Pakistan.
The Hurriyat delegation, led by the group's chairman,
Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, met the political leadership of PoK
in Muzaffarabad.
The seven-member delegation briefed the leaders on the
situation in Jammu and Kashmir and discussed options for
the inclusion of Kashmiris in the bilateral dialogue process.
Besides Farooq, other members of the delegation
include Abdul Ghani Butt, Agha Syed Hassan Al-Moosvi,
Maulana Abbas Ansari, Bilal Ghani Lone and Musadiq
Aadil.
Shortly after the delegation arrived in Lahore yesterday,
Farooq described the Kashmir issue as a "trilateral" matter
and not a "bilateral dispute" between India and Pakistan.
Talking to reporters, he said: "The Kashmir dispute
requires the attention of the international community (at a
time) when other international disputes are progressing
towards solution."
The purpose of the delegation's visit is to add momen-
tum to efforts for the settlement of the Kashmir issue, he
said.
While appreciating the resumption of the dialogue
between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the Mumbai
attacks, he contended that Delhi should "change its stance
on Kashmir".
During its stay in Pakistan, the delegation is scheduledto meet Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf, Foreign
Minister Hina Rabbani Khar, Kashmir Affairs Minister
Manzoor Wattoo, PML-N chief Nawaz Sharif, Tehrik-e-
Insaf leader Imran Khan and other leaders.
The delegation is visiting at the invitation of the
Pakistan government.
Senior Hurriyat leader Shabir Ahmed Shah was sched-
uled to join the delegation later. He is expected to travel to
Pakistan on a cross-border bus service.
Akhoon for opening Kargil-Skardu road
JAMMU, DEC 16: Urging the need for removing man
made barriers between the people living across Line of
Control (LOC), the Minister for Consumers Affairs and
Public Distribution (CA&PD) and Transport Mr. Qamar Ali
Akhoon today asked the leadership of India and Pakistan to
take the ongoing process of dialogue and reconciliation to
its logical end so that all the issues are resolved amicably.
Interacting with a group of members of Gilgit-Baltistan
Assembly led by Mrs. Aamina Ansari accompanied by Mr.Anayatullah Khan Shumali, Mr. Akhoon said that the peo-
ple of both sides are yearning f or revival of trade and cul-
tural bilateral relations which will begin an era of peace,
development and prosperity in the region.
Mr. Akhoon also advocated for opening of Kargil-
Skardu road on the pattern of Poonch-Chakan-da-Bagh and
Uri-Muzaffarabad roads for trade and bilateral relations
between the two sides of people, adding that the public rep-
resentatives of Gilgit-Baltistan Assembly should pass a res-
olution in the legislature to impress upon the Pakistan gov-
ernment to remove restrictions through across the road.
Mr. Akhoon apprised the group about initiatives taken
by him in this regard and said that he has already raised the
issue with the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh who
has shown positive response. He said that revival of peo-
ples' movement across Kargil-Skardu road will bring eco-
nomic prosperity in Kargil and Leh districts also by way of
trade and commerce activities. "Fruit, business will special-
ly get boost", Mr. Akhoon added.
On the occasion MLC, Aga Syed Ahmad Rizvi was also
present.
Taj stresses on covering hilly,far flung areas on priority
JAMMU, DEC 16: 41 water supply schemes are under exe-
cution in Inderwal constituency of Kishtwar district at pres-
ent even as 21 schemes have already been completed. The
estimated cost for these schemes comes out to be Rs. 63.64
crore.
This was disclosed today in a meeting to review the pace
of completion of water supply schemes in Chenab Valley
region. Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Mr.
Taj Mohi ud Din presided over.
Former Minister and MLA, Inderwal, Mr. G. M. Saroori
and MLC, Mr. Naresh were also present in the meeting.
The meeting was told that additionally 17 schemes are
under execution in the area under NABARD and LIC cost-
ing around Rs. Four crore.
Addressing the meeting, the Minister asked concerned
engineers to explore possibility of providing drinking water
to areas like Drubeel, Indlukhara, Tanta etc.
He also directed exploration of filtration plant facility at
Thathri and Chatroo area. He also directed processing of the
DPRs of flood protection works in the area for submission
for TAC clearance.
Mr. Taj impressed upon the officers and engineers to pace
up works in far flung and difficult areas so that people there
are covered under these schemes. He asked the engineers to
avoid cost overrun of schemes by sticking to project time-
lines.
The Minister also directed covering areas like Halaran,
Gogada, Gobar, Panshera, Jora Kalan, Sicher under drinking
water supply adding these works should be completed at the
earliest.
Chief Engineer, PHE, Jammu, Mr. Ashwani Sharma,
other senior engineers and officers were present in these
meetings.
DHANORE (RAJOURI),
DEC 16: Addressing the 1st
Convocation of Baba Ghulam
Shah Badshah University
(BGSBU) here on Sunday
morning, Chief Minister,
Omar Abdullah who is also
the Chancellor of the
University asked the passing
out students to make human-
ness and respect for humanity
their cardinal principles and
contribute for holistic devel-
opment of the society.
"In the world that you are
about to enter now, you will be
entering into contracts, agree-
ments, business deals, etc. but
never ever forget the social
obligations and contracts you
have with your society", he
told them and elaborated that
the society comprising of fam-
ily, people, institutions and the
State have nurtured and nour-
ished them till this time. "Now
is your turn to reciprocate and
give back to your society what
you have received. Omar
Abdullah said that the passing
out students have to find forthemselves a niche in this
world that corresponds to their
talent and capabilities as such
they have to hone and refine
the skill sets that their educa-
tion has bequeathed upon
them.The Chief Minister said
BGSBU is young university,
its students are young, faculty
young but outlook towards
what is required is major. He
said the development and
growth of this university in a
hilly and backward area is
praiseworthy. He said that the
real commitment of the uni-
versity is towards the young
students particularly to youth
in difficult areas.
Omar Abdullah also con-gratulated the Vice
Chancellor, Management and
faculty of the University for
holding the convocation after
a long time and said that it will
be benchmark for coming con-
vocations. Prof. Hamal
also presented resume of the
research and extension being
conducted in the University,
academic linkage, examina-
tion system, library science,
UGC recognition, faculty aug-
mentation programme,
finances, infrastructure devel-
opment, sports and co-curricu-
lar activities, and future plans.
Minister for Finance,
Abdul Rahim Rather, Minister
for Higher Education, AbdulGani Malik, Minister for
Technical Education, R. S.
Chib and Minister of State for
Power, Shabir Ahmad Khan,
Minister of State for Haj and
Auqaf, Ajaj Ahmad Khan and
Vice Chairman Pahari
Advisory Board, M. A.
Bukhari were present on the
occasion among others.
As many as 5 M. Phil
Degrees were conferred on 5
candidates, Masters Degrees
on 724 candidates in different
disciplines and Graduate
Degrees on 189 candidates.
The Founder Vice Chancellor
of the University, Masood
Choudhary and N. R.
Narayana Murthy were con-ferred honoris causa D.lit
degrees at the convocation.
The certificates and medals
were given by the Chief
Minister to the passing out
graduates.
Addresses 1st Convocation BGSBU
Omar reminds students of their pledge to society
Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah congratulating the passing out student at 1st Convocation of BGSBU, Rajouri.
NEW DELHI,DEC 16:
There will be no metalled or
motorable road constructed on
the route to the annual
Amarnath Yatra, the Supreme
Court has ruled on an issue
that has stoked a lot of contro-
versy recently.
The apex court, in its
judgement on December 13,
has made it amply clear that its
order was to ensure that there
was no causality of pilgrims
during the annual pilgrimage
that takes place July-August
every year for 30 days in the
Kashmir Valley.
The judgement, delivered
by Justices B S Chauhan and
Swatanter Kumar, punctures
the campaign of hardline sepa-
ratists, including pro-Pakistan
leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani,
who had been claiming that a
permanent road was being
constructed.
The Supreme Court said,
"All other walking tracks from
various other points like
Baltal, Panchtarni and
Chandanvadi may be coveredeither by pre-fabricated rough
cement tiles or such other
material, which in the opinion
of the SHPC, would be most
appropriate for the benefit of
the pilgrims." While taking
into account every aspect
including the environment, the
court said, "Neither have we
directed nor should we be
understood to have implicitly
directed that there should be
metalled motorable road in
place of the walking
tracks/passages."
"There shall be provided
separate one way passage for
palkis and horses as one unit
and the pedestrians as the
other, near to and at the pas-
sages leading to the Holy
Shrine. Preferably on this pas-
sage pre-fabricated walking
path/matting should be pro-
vided," it said.
The Supreme Court said,
"We must not be understood to
have ordered directly or indi-
rectly, construction of any
motorable metalled road in
place of walking tracks.
The order also said that "all
other walking tracks from var-
ious other points, like Baltal,
Panchtarni and Chandanvadi
may be covered either by pre-
fabricated rough cement tiles
or such other material
which...Would be most appro-
priate for the benefit of the pil-grims." Also deflating the
propaganda that permanent
construction was being done
along the route, the Supreme
Court's order was clear that
attempt should be made to
"construct shelters on the pas-
sage or walking paths at regu-
lar intervals".
No metalled or motorableroads for Amarnath yatra
KISHTWAR,DEC 16: In the presence
of Satish Sharma, state General secre-
tary,and the Kishtwar district unit of the
party unanimously elected new district
President for District Kishtwar. This is
part of the party's organizational elec-
tion process currently going on
Throughout the country.
The newly elected District
Presidents whose name was proposed
by capt Hukam Chand which was sec-
onded by Sh Vijay Parihar and later it
was announced Sh Rajinder Singh as
District president by Sh Satish Sharma
and Sh Sunil Sharma.Sh Rajinder Singh
will hold his office for a term of next
three years. The meeting was organized
at the initiative of BJP State secretary
Sunil Sharma.
Addressing the workers newly elect-
ed District president Sh Rajinder Singh
appealed the workers to remain united
for the cause of nation and the party.He
Said that National Conference and
Congress, is playing a dangerous game
of appeasement of separatists and mili-
tants in the hope of buying peace with
communal elements to continue in
power. So we should remain extra vigi-
lant. Also present on the occasion were
, Capt. Hukum Chand, Chuni Lal,Vijay
Parihar,Harbans Singh, Capt Chuni Lal,
Shashi Paul, Ashish Sharma, Roshan
Lal Sharma (Sarpanch) Lalit Sharma
Runmeet Singh Narinder Shan, Ranjeet
Singh, Shiv Kumar, Pardeep Kumar,
Mohd Shafi Najar, Dilshad Ahmedand
others.
Rajinder Singh was elected as DistrictPresident of BJP for Kishtwar district
JAMMU, DEC 16: DRS
Kids today celebrated its
6thannual day in
General Zorawar
Singh auditorium
with great enthusi-
asm where Minister
for Revenue, Relief
and Rehabilitation
Mr. Raman Bhalla
was the Chief Guest
while Executive
Director, Mubarak
Mandi Heritage
Society, Mr.
Soujanya Sharma and Senior
Announcer AIR Mrs.
Madhvi Sharma were guest
of honour.
The annual day celebra-
tion started with lighting the
traditional lamp and there-
after 'Vandana' song was
presented by the kids of the
school in their melodious
voice.
Principal Mrs. Supinder
Kaur, besides parents of the
kids were present on the
occasion and appreciated the
cultural items presented by
the students.
Addressing the gathering,
Mr. Bhalla appreciated the
efforts of kids for presenting
colorful programme. He said
such type of events not only
giving platform to the chil-
dren to expose their hidden
talent but also come to know
about their cultural heritage.
The Minister asked the
teaching fraternity to pro-
vide quality as well as moral
values in the school to stu-
dents. He said teachers are
the main architect who shap-
ing the personality of stu-
dents by giving them quality
education.
Speaking on the occa-
sion, Mr. Soujanya Sharma
highlighting the role of the
teachers and parents in the
life of children, he said a
child is nourished by par-
ents, while the teacher
shapes his personality and
gives his life a new direc-
tion. He called upon the par-
ents to send their wards to
schools for becoming good
citizens of the country.
Mr. Sharma said such
programmes encourage the
students to explore their tal-
ent through cultural items.
He asked the students com-
munity to work for unity and
integrity of the country and
also appealed the parents to
come forward and support
their children in this mission
so that India becomes
stronger day by day.
Later, Mr. Bhalla distrib-
uted mementos among the
cultural programme partici-
pants.
DRS kids school celebrates 6th Annual Day
Bhalla asks teachers to provide quality, moralvalue education to students
DRS Kids presenting 'Vandana' song during their 6th Annual Day at Gen ZorawarSingh auditorium,University of Jammu
SRINAGAR, DEC 16:
Asserting that the dialogue is
the only medium for solving
issues, the Minister for Rural
Development, Mr. Ali
Mohammad Sagar said that
the India and Pakistan should
work for finding a lasting
solution to all their issues.
The Minister was speak-
ing at an Awareness Camp
organized by the Department
of Rural Development at
Bomia, Sopore in Baramulla
district for formally launch-
ing the Nirmal Bharat
Abhiyan in Kashmir division.
M LA Sop ore, Mr.
Mohammad Ashraf Ganai,
Director Rural Development
Kashmir, Mir Altaf Ahmad,
Sub Divisional Magistrate
Sopore, Dr. Hanief Balkhi
and other senior officers were
present on the occasion.
Mr. Sagar said that the
separatists should understand
the fact that various vexed
issues have been solved
through the medium of dia-
logue and they should come
forward for working out a
lasting solution which would
usher a new dawn of peace
and prosperity in the State.
He said that we have wit-
nessed turbulent times and
cult of violence has given
nothing but death and
destruction.
The Minister said that it
was due to the efforts of the
Government that the peace
has been sustained in the
State and people should
understand that the peace and
development are complimen-
tary to each other. He said
that it was due to the peaceful
environs, that a record num-
ber of tourists visited the
Valley which would go a long
way in ensuring that the job
opportunities are created
besides ensuring that the eco-
nomic profile of the people
gets elevated.
Mr. Sagar appealed the
people to come forward and
avail maximum benefit of
various schemes of the
Government which have
been instrumental in chang-
ing the socio-economic pro-
file of rural and far flung
areas of the State. The
Minister also distributed
cheques worth Rs. 31.49
lakhs among 647 beneficiar-
ies of Nirmal Bharat
Abhiyan, a scheme aiming to
provide individual household
latrines to the people. He also
distributed cheques worth Rs.
3 lakh among the beneficiar-
ies of Indira Awas Yojana.
Earlier, the Minister visit-
ed Tujar Sharief, the birth
place of revered saint of
Kashmir Makhdoom Sahib
(RA) and released an amount
of Rs. 50 lakh for the con-
struction of the Sarai
Complex there being con-
structed within an estimated
cost of Rs. 2.5 crore. He also
asked the concerned for pro-
viding a new electric trans-
former for the Sarai.
Sagar launches Nirmal BharatAbhiyan at Bomia Sopore
BJP State General secretary, Satish Sharma along with newly elected President, BJP unit
District Kishtwar Rajinder Sing ,Sunil Sharma, BJP State Secretary and others at Kishtwar
JAMMU, DEC 16:
Asserting that the coalition
government represents the
urges and aspirations of the
people, the Minister for
Industries and Commerce,
Mr. S. S. Slathia today vowed
to fulfill the promises madeto the people of the State.
Addressing a public gath-
ering at Bari and Shah-Da-
Talab in Vijaypur, Mr. Slathia
said that the Coalition gov-
ernment headed by Chief
Minister Omar Abdullah is
determined to bring peace
and prosperity and ensure
equitable development of all
three regions of the State.
Mr. Slathia said that due
to concerted efforts of the
coalition government, peace
has dawned in the State after
a long period of 20 years tur-
moil, adding that a record
number of tourists, Vaishno
Devi and Amarnath Ji pil-
grims visited in State during
last year.
He said coalition govern-
ment will not allow to disturb
the peace in the State and will
act toughly against those
divisive and disruptive ele-
ments.
Mr. Slathia sought whole
hearted support of the people
to strengthen the hands of
Chief Minister Omar
Abdullah adding that he has a
vision to develop the Stateinto a model State of the
Country.
Earlier, the Minister inau-
gurated Community paths at
Badhori constructed by Rural
Development Department
under MGNREGAat an esti-
mated cost of 8 lakhs, a new
Primary School at Tapyal
constructed under SSA in
Vijaypur zone at an estimated
cost of Rs. 9.45 lakhs, gov-
ernment health Sub-Centre at
Badhori in block Purmandal,
construction of link road at
Khatana Bari by PWD(R&B)
at an estimated cost of Rs. 8
lakhs and construction of link
road at Khepparat at an esti-
mated cost of Rs. 16 lakhs.
Mr. Slathia direct-
ed the concerned authorities
for construction of boundary
wall around the Government
Primary School Tapyal.
Coalition represents aspira-tions of the people: Slathia
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HYDERABAD: Andhra
Pradesh has now been includ-
ed in the proposed Chennai-
Bengaluru Industrial Corridor
which will give a thrust to
industrial development in bor-
der districts like Anantapur,
Chittoor and SPS Nellore,
minister said. State Major
Industries minister J Geeta
Reddy said AP was initially
not part of the corridor but,
after hectic lobbying with the
Centre, it has been included.
"The corridor's develop-
ment is being supported by the
Japanese government. The
Krishnapatnam port region
development will be taken up
in the first phase. In the second
phase, the Hindupur-Chittoor-
Nellore belt will be devel-
oped," the minister added.
Replying to a question, she
said approval from the Govt.
of India was awaited for set-
ting up National Investment
and Manufacturing Zones
(NIMZs) in the state. "We
have submitted proposals for
setting up NIMZs in Medak,
Chittoor and Prakasam dis-
tricts in an area of 5,000
hectares each. We will create
world-class infrastructure in
the NIMZs in line with the
National Manufacturing
Policy of the GoI," Geeta said.
She said the government was
also focusing on development
of infrastructure in the indus-
trial parks in the state.
EDITORIAL & STATE WATCHSTUDENT AGE
MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 20124
STATE WATCH
BY- ARCHANAPRASAD
GUJARAT chief minister,
Narendra Modi, released the
BJP's election manifesto or
a sankalp patra (a pledge to
the people) for Gujarat 2012
on December 3, 2012.
Recounting the achieve-
ments of the Gujarat growth
story, the patra claims that
Gujarat's administration has
been "admired nationall y as
well as internationally with
more than 250 awards, at an
average rate of one award
every fortnight." It also
claims that in its 11 years in
power, the Narendra Modi
government has excelled
itself by doing "all inclu-
sive, all pervasive and all
round development" in the
state, thus providing a
replicable model to the
entire country.
However, these claims
need to be evaluated on the
basis of hard empirical evi-
dence that has been collect-
ed, published and analysed
by a team of researchers andpublished in a recent book,
Poverty Amidst Prosperity:
Essays on the Trajectory of
Gujarat (Aakar, 2012). The
book uses current compara-
ble data and shows how the
Gujarat growth story has
been much exaggerated and
has perpetuated growing
inequities within the state.
Hence the evidence provid-
ed by the book needs to be
counterposed with the
claims and future pledges of
the Gujarat BJP.
JOBLESS GROWTH
AND CORPORATE SUB-
SIDIES
The BJP m an if es to
claims the growth and
expansion of a neo-middle
class as one of the major
impacts of the Gujarat
growth story. Consequently
the party promises several
measures to meet the aspira-
tions of this middle class
through pledges of making
cheap houses, providing
power, cheap loans and
insurance.
However, the emergence
and expansion of the middle
class is dependent on the
expanding income and
employment opportunities
and this is belied by the evi-
dence with regard to the
employment as well as the
character of the economic
growth within the state.
In terms of the overall
performance of the econo-
my, the Gujarat growth
story has been described as
"unspectacular," especially
in comparison with states
like Maharashtra and
Tamilnadu which have sim-ilar growth rates. While the
state comes first in terms of
attracting investment, but it
is only seventh in terms of
the growth of employment.
Conversely, a state like
Tamilnadu ranks seventh in
terms of the investments it
attracts but is on the top of
the rankings as far as
employment is concerned.
Further, the concentra-
tion of investment in partic-
ular sectors has created
unbalanced development
and has had negative impli-
cations for employment. Of
partic ular signif icance in
this textile, petroleum and
chemical sectors which con-
stitute more than 60 per cent
of the total investment and
provide half the employ-
ment. Still further, the
state's record of project
implementation is itself
abysmal. At the time of the
first vibrant Gujarat summit
73 per cent of the projects
garnered were implement-
ed, but in 2011 this propor-
tion came down to about 13
per cent (Pover ty amidst
Prosperity, pp 6-7). This
effectively meant that
industrialists have been
given cheap land and infra-
structural facilities to make
investments and dump their
money in non-productive
projects. The recent revela-
tions on the links between
the Adani Group and
Narendra Modi only pro-
vide more evidence for this
pattern.
GROWING INEQUALI-
TIES
Given this scenario, it ishard to explain the claims of
the BJP manifesto that
growth has led to the growth
of a large middle class. This
is exemplified by the grow-
ing inequities within the
economy.
In 2009-2010, one third
of the people in the state
lived below the poverty line
with 18 per cent of the
urban and 27 per cent of the
rural households being poor.
Though this proportion was
lower than the all-India
average, these figures were
not better than those of the
high growth states of
Tamilnadu and Haryana
(Poverty amidst Prosperity,
p 20).
This means that the ben-
efits of the investment were
not being transferred to the
ordinary people despite the
claims of overall develop-
ment. The distribution of
income (gauged by the per
capita consumer expendi-
ture) amongst social groups
reveals another dimension
of the growing inequities.
The gap between the rate
of change in income for the
scheduled tribes and others
has grown exponentially
between 2005 and 2010
especially in the rural areas.
Further, in the same period
income has declined for
both scheduled caste and
tribes in the urban areas. For
both these social groups the
head count of poor people
has also increased at a high-
er rate than for other social
groups (Poverty amidst
Prosperity, pp 22-23). These
inequities manifest them-selves in the poor educa-
tional and health status of
the state.
EDUCATION
In its pledge, the BJPhas
given primacy to youth and
education. It announces that
it has achieved 100 per cent
enrolment in primary school
and reduced the dropout rate
to two per cent.
These claims are belied
by the data collect ed
through the 52nd (2000-
2001) and 64th (2007-2008)
NSSO rounds of survey,
which show that the overall
educational ranking of
Gujarat fell from 21 to 26
amongst all states in this
period for children going to
school at the primary level.
At the level of all youth and
children attending any edu-
cational institution from the
ages of 6-29, the ranking of
Gujarat declined from 9 to
14 amongst 15 states with
which it was compared
(Poverty amidst Prosperity,
p 182 and Table 9.2, p 269).
This abysmal condition
is further exemplified by the
fact that the school going
children between 5-14 years
constitute 85.5 per cent of
all school-going children, a
proportion lower than that
of states like Tamilnadu,
Maharashtra and other
states with similar growth
rates. Only 31.6 per cent of
all school-going children
between the ages of 15-20
attended secondary and high
school in 2007-2008
(Poverty amidst Prosperity,
Table 9.14, p 272).
At the same time, almosta third of the children in
Gujarat had no formal edu-
cation whatsoever and only
13.5 per cent of the children
had secondary or high
school education and 2.6
per cent of the youth were
college-going as compared
to the all-India figure of 4.2
per cent in 2007-20 08
(Poverty amidst Prosperity,
Table 9.15, p 272). These
figures clearly show that the
claims made by the Gujarat
BJP are inflated and untrue.
This abysmal situation in
this crucial social structure
is to be seen in the context
of the declining state expen-
diture in education within
the state. In 2007-08, where
as the Gujarat government's
per head expendi ture in
rural areas was Rs 984, the
expenditure of private aided
institutions Rs 3509 and pri-
vate unaided institutions
was Rs 5015 per head.
This gap between public
and private institutions is
also reflected in the urban
areas where the per head
government expenditure on
education was Rs 2815 and
by private aided and unaid-
ed institutions was Rs 7509
and Rs 8037 respectively. In
both (the urban and the
rural) cases, the per head
government expenditure in
Gujarat has been much less
than the average all-India
expenditure whereas the
expenditure by private
unaided schools in rural
areas is higher than the all-
India expenditure by the
same agencies.
The level of per headeducational expenditure by
private aided inst itutions in
rural and urban areas and by
unaided institutions in
urban areas is comparable to
the all-India spending in
2007-2008 (Poverty amidst
Prosperity, Table 9.20, p
274).
This indicates that the
level of privatisation of edu-
cation in Gujarat was higher
than that of the rest of India
and this is reflected in the
low and unsatisfactory indi-
cators in the education sec-
tor. A cursory look at the
future educational agenda
of the Gujarat BJP as
revealed in the manifesto
also shows that this trend is
unlikely to change as most
of its promises are about
providi ng scholar ships to
students attending private
schools rather than basic
educational infrastructure.
HEALTH
The BJP m an if es to
claims that it will provide
decentralised health servic-
es to all. It also makes a step
towards a greater privatisa-
tion of medical education by
promising the s etting up of
government self-financing
medical colleges in each
tribal district, and providing
monetary assistance to stu-
dents in these self-financing
colleges.
This focus is in line with
the current role of the state
government in the health
sector where the total health
expenditure in Gujarat
decreased from 4.25 per
cent of the total budget in
1990-95 to 0.77 per cent ofthe total budget in 2005-
2010. In the period between
2005-2010, Gujarat was
ranked fourth from below as
far as its health status is
concerned (Poverty amidst
Prosperity, pp 208-10).
The Human
Development Report 2011
also highlighted Gujarat as
one of the states where
about half its children were
malnutritioned, and the rate
of decline of the infantile
mortality in the state was
lower than that of other
states with similar growth
rates.
Even here the scheduled
castes and scheduled tribes
showed a higher mortality
rate as compared to the
national average and the
mortality of girl children is
also higher than that of male
children (Poverty amidst
Prosperity, pp 204-05).
This clearly shows that
the disparities that exist
within the economy have
affected the access of ordi-
nary people to social infra-
structure. This is especially
so since the Gujaratmodel
of development is largely
relying on private capital
for the growth of these sec-
tors.
Seen in this context, the
BJP's sankalp patra is noth-
ing but an eyewash and
seeks to hide the failure of
the Modi government on
many developmental fronts.
Though the BJP may claim
that Modi is a model chief
minister who has brought
the politics of development
to Gujarat, evidence basedstudies show that the pace
of progress of the state
slowed down during the
eleven years of the BJP rule.
Further, the hollow slo-
gans of inclusive develop-
ment are nothing but a way
of attaining the hegemony
of Hindutva forces as well
as corporate capitalism,
both of which strengthen
each other within this state.
As the state goes to the
polls, the people of Gujarat
would do well to remember
these facts and defeat their
current non-performing and
tyrannical chief minister.
Gujarat 2012: Rich State, Poor People
AIZAWL: The Lal
Thanhawla-led Congress
government in Mizoram has
paved the way for resump-
tion of peace talks with the
Hmar People's Convention-
Democratic (HPC-D), which
had hit a roadblock in
December 2010. A meeting
between Mizoram govern-
ment officials and HPC-D
representatives at Mizoram
House in Silchar on
Thursday was said to have
shown positive signs. "We
will chalk out a roadmap for
the peace talks after
Christmas and New Year fes-
tival, on condition that the
HPC-D fulfill its homework"
sources said.
The HPC-D's "home-
work" according to sources
was to discontinue all kinds
of militant activities inside
Mizoram territory. The out-
fit's "public relations offi-
cers" during the Thursday's
meeting promised to fulfill
the homework, sources said
Sunday. The peace negotia-
tions, which began in
November 2010, ran into a
dead in the following
December when Mizoram
government alleged the
HPC-D involved "foreign-
ers" in the parleys. The
Mizoram government also
accused the outfit of violat-
ing the suspension of opera-
tions (SoO) agreement by
indulging in extortion rackets
and intimidations. Both chief
minister Lal Thanhawla and
home minister R Lalzirliana
have repeatedly said that the
Mizoram government would
not resume talks with the
HPC-D until and unless the
latter shuns violence.
The misunderstanding
had even resulted in the dis-
ruption of village council
elections in 15 villages under
the Sinlung hills develop-
ment council, comprising
Hmar-inhabited areas in
northeastern Mizoram, which
is being demanded by the
HPC-D for Hmar autonomy.
Earlier scheduled for
February 23, the election has
not been held despite that it
had been rescheduled for two
times. The Mizoram govern-
ment on July 17 arrested the
outfit's chairman H
Zosangbera from Delhi air-
port, after arrests of the out-
fit's "army chief" Lalropuia
and "deputy army chief"
Lalbiaknunga, were arrested
from Silchar airport on June
10. Dissatisfied with the
agreement signed between
The Hmar People's
Convention (HPC) and
Mizoram government in
1994, some members of the
HPC formed the HPC-D in
1995 to continue the struggle
for self-governance for Hmar
in the north and the north-
eastern parts of Mizoram.
MIZORAM
Mizoram Govt and HPC-D Peace Talks Back on Track
CHANDIGARH: In a bid to
review the situation where
the government land was
under unauthorized posses-
sion in rural and urban areas,
the Punjab government has
constituted two Cabinet Sub
committees comprising five
cabinet ministers each for
effectively tackling the situa-
tion after due deliberations.
Disclosing this here today
a spokesperson of the Chief
Minister's Office said that the
Chief Minister Parkash
Singh Badal gave his nod for
the constitution of these
committees on Saturday
evening. The Cabinet sub
committee to review the
unauthorized possession of
government land in urban
areas comprises Local
Bodies Minister Chunni Lal
Bhagat, Food and Civil
Supplies Minister Adesh
Partap Singh Kairon,
Finance Minister Parminder
Singh Dhindsa, Education
Minister Sikander Singh
Maluka and PWD Minister
Sharanjeet Singh Dhillon.
Likewise the Cabinet sub
committee to review situa-
tion where the government
land was under unauthorized
possession in rural areas con-
sists of Tourism Minister
Sarwan Singh Phillaur,
Health and Family Welfare
Minister Madan Mohan
Mittal, Irrigation Minister
Janmeja Singh Sekhon,
Revenue Minister Bikram
Singh Majithia and
Panchayat & Rural
Development Minister Surjit
Singh Rakhra.
These Cabinet Sub
Committees have been asked
to submit their reports along
with recommendations to
tackle with this situation effi-
caciously besides suggesting
concrete steps that such situ-
ation does not recur in future,
positively by January 31,
2013. These Sub Committees
have also been asked to take
assistance of the Chief
Secretary, Principal
Secretary Finance and
Advocate General besides
any other officer/ officials of
the state government as they
may deem fit according to
their requirement.
Pertinently the Punjab
Cabinet chaired by Chief
Minister had recently in its
meeting held on December
12 approved to constitute
these Cabinet Sub commit-
tees for reviewing the situa-
tion where the government
land was under unauthorized
possession in urban and rural
areas.
PUNJAB
Cabinet sub-committees to look intoillegal possession of govt land
MUMBAI: In a bid to bring
down the pendency of cases
pertaining to female foeti-
cide, Maharashtra
Government will soon
approach the chief justice of
Bombay High Court seeking
his direction to lower courts
for speedy disposal of such
cases.
The issue of pending
female foeticide cases came
to the fore in a meeting held
recently by Public Health
Minister Suresh Shetty.
"The state government
will request the chief justice
of the Bombay high court to
give directions to the lower
courts to expedite the
process to disposing of the
cases of female foeticide
pending there," a health offi-
cial said.
He said the Bombay High
Court had directed the lower
courts last year itself to dis-
pose of such cases within six
months. "Majority of the
cases have reached to a logi-
cal end, but where the cases
are pending the state govern-
ment will approach the High
Court," he added.
It was also decided in the
meeting that those lawyers
who have fought the female
foeticide cases well and
have won them should be
honoured by the govern-
ment. "Lawyers who have
won the cases should be
appointed as assistant public
prosecut ors," the official
said.
The meeting proposed
the need for larger publicity
for effective implementation
of the Pre-Natal Diagnostic
Techniques (Prohibition of
Sex selection) Act.
Lauding the work being
done by the PCPNDT Cells
in various districts, the
meeting proposed that they
should be strengthened for
effective implementation of
the programme. "For effec-
tive implementation of the
programme, counsellors and
newly-appointed medical
officers should also be given
training," added the official.
MAHARASHTRA
Female foeticide: Maha to approachchief justice of Bombay HC
PATNA: Bihar government
will hold 'bandi darbars' in
jails across the state for on-
the-spot resolution of com-
plaints by jai l inmates relat-
ed to food, health and other
civic amenities. The 'dar-
bars' will be held once in
two months by the con-
cerned district magistrates,
according to the new jail
manual, 2012, notified by
the state government recent-
ly.
Inspector General of
Police, Prison, Anand
Kishore said the conduct of
such a 'darbar' at the collec-
tor level is the first of its
kind in the country. The idea
behind holding such a dar-
bar was to establish direct
connect between the
inmates and the district
magistrate who is the high-
est official at the district
level.
The district magistrate
would also identify old and
helpless prisoners and pro-
vide them legal assistance
for early release. The cases
of prisoners afflicted with
serious diseases would also
be reviewed for early
release. The entire proceed-
ings would be videographed
and details would also be
entered in the record book.
The IG said a grievance
box would be kept i n all the
prisons in which inmates
can drop their written com-
plaints without the fear of
inviting the ire of the super-
intendent of the concerned
jail. The key of the box
would be with the district
magistrate who would open
it during his visit for the
'bandi darbar'.
The Bihar Cabinet had
on Tuesday approved the
Jail Manual 2012 which
would replace the one in
vogue for the last 88 years.
The new manual, suggested
by Chief Minist er Nitish
Kumar, was notified on
12.12.2012. Bihar has a
total of 56 jails - 8 central
jails, 31 district jails and 17
sub jails. The total capacity
of the jails was 33,119 -
32,027 male and 1092
women in 2010.
BIHAR
Bihar to hold 'bandi darbars'GUWAHATI: A team of the World Bank on a
preparatory mission on flood and anti-erosion
related projects in the State held discussions with
CM Tarun Gogoi at his official residence late
evening yesterday. The World Bank team
informed the CM that they have visited the
flood-prone areas of Morigaon and Palasbari to
get a firsthand account of the situation there. The
team apprised the CM that their visit would be
followed by other teams from the World Bank.
The team would visit the flood affected areas of
the State to make an in-depth study for project
preparation on a long term basis to control flood
and erosion in those areas. They also informed
that CM that water resource management
including watershed management, reclamation
of land, desiltation and soil conservation among
others, would be intrinsic parts of the latest tech-
nology driven projects to tackle flood and ero-
sion in the State. An expert team would study the
impact of flooding in the plains of the State fol-
lowing the heavy rush of flood waters from the
hills of neighbouring NE States during mon-
soons. For that, the expert team would visit some
States adjoining Assam to closely study the situ-
ation there and to adopt suitable action plan
accordingly. The team also told Gogoi that they
would raise the capacity building of the engi-
neers of the State Water Resources Department
through intensive training.
ASSAMWorld Bank to Control Flood, Erosion in Assam
ANDHRA PRADESHAP now part of Chennai-Bengaluru Industrial Corridor
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STUDENT AGE
MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 20125
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