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R E A D T H E N E E D

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 20138 Pages

Rs: 1.00

Jammu Edition

www.thestudentage.com

JKENG/2012/41612

Vol. 2 No: 31

IN BRIEFIN BRIEFPak teen activist MalalaYousufzai nominatedfor Nobel Peace Prize

NEW DELHI: Malala

Yousufzai, the Pakistani

schoolgirl-turned-icon of

Taliban resistance who was

shot at has been nominated

for this year's Nobel Peace

Prize. Fifteen-year-old Malala

was targeted for promoting

girls' education. Malala was

shot by Tehreek-e-Taliban

gunmen contd on page 2

Airtel launchesemergency alertservice for women

KOLKATA: Bharti Airtel

which introduced an emer-

gency alert service two

months ago in New Delhi

continued to sell the service

in eastern region among

female customers. "Out of

total customer base of around

19 million customer base in

the states of West Bengal and

Odisha, one-third would be

female. We expect subscrip-

tion for this service from

about 10 per cent from

female contd on page 2

Govt launches portalproviding informationabout exports, imports

NEW DELHI: TheCommerce Ministry has

launched a portal which will

provide detailed information

about the country's exports

and imports. The portal

aimed at expanding trade,

offers exporters and

importers a comprehensive

guidance for concluding

international trade transac-

tions successfully with a spe-

cific focus on SAARC,

ASEAN and top 25 trade des-

tinations. It provides user-

friendly access to relevant

information for import and

export contd on page 2

Ex PuducherryCM P.Shanmugam

passes away

NEW DELHI: Veteran

Congress leader and former

Puducherry Chief Minister

P.Shanmugam died at his res-

idence in Karaikal today. He

was 85 year. Party sources

said, he suffered a stroke and

fell down and under its

impact hitting his head

against the wall.

P.Shanmugam had been the

PCC President of Puducherry

for a period of nearly 20

years. He served as three

time Member of Parliament

also.

Malala's namesubmitted for Nobel

Peace prize 2013

RTE does not applyto nursery

admission: Tharoor

UPA regime okays weakanti-corruption Bill

Page 6 Editorial Page 7

NEWDELHI, FEB 2: In its effort to

make the country safer for women in

the wake of the Delhi gang-rape case,

the Cabinet on Friday approved an

ordinance amending the existing

criminal laws.

Sources said, backed by public

outcry to hang the gang-rape accused,

the Cabinet also approved death

penalty in the rarest of rare rape casescausing death or persistent vegetative

state. The ordinance will make the

existing laws more relevant and strin-

gent for checking crime against

women by including acid attacks,

trafficking, sexual harassment at

work places and stalking under the

sexual assault law, while it red

flagged marital rape.

According to a source, President

Pranab Mukherjee will soon sign the

ordinance, which reflects the recom-

mendation of the Justice J S Verma

committee report.

"Ordinance approved by the

Cabinet replaced the word 'rape' by

the technical term 'sexual assault' and

included stalking, acid attacks and

use of criminal force under the rele-

vant sections of the law. The Cabinet

discussed the Justice Verma

Committee report before approvingthe amendments. The ordinance will

entail the changes to be enacted in the

existing criminal laws by amending

the Indian Penal Code, Evidence Act

and Code of Criminal Procedure," the

source added.

Despite public outcry and political

parties like the Congress and BJP

favouring contd on page 2

NEW DELHI, FEB 2: A

fast-track court here here has

paved the way for the trial

from Tuesday of five men

accused of gang-raping a

young woman in a moving

bus Dec 16, 2012, by framingcharges against them.

Additional Sessions Judge

Yogendra Khanna Saturday

framed the charges of mur-

der, gang-rape and kidnap-

ping, among others, under

various sections of the Indian

Penal Code (IPC) against the

accused.

The five accused are Ram

Singh, a bus driver, and his

brother Mukesh, Pawan

Gupta, a fruit seller, Vinay

Sharma, a gym instructor,

and Akshay Thakur, a bus

cleaner. They are currently

lodged in Tihar Jail.

The other charges framed

against them are unnatural

offence, destruction of evi-

dence, attempt to murder,

causing hurt while commit-ting robbery, dacoity with

murder, and common intent.

The Juvenile Justice

Board declared the sixth

accused a minor last month,

and his case will be heard by

the board.

The pre-trial proceedings

in the case started Jan 21 at

the fast-track court whichwas set up for the case that

led to a nation-wide outrage

against crimes against

women.

The accused were formal-

ly charged by police in the

Saket court 18 days after they

gang-raped and tortured the

23-year-old physiotherapy

intern in a moving bus, caus-

ing multiple-organ failure

that led to her death. They

also assaulted her 28-year-

old male friend. Both were

thrown out of the bus after

around 40 minutes, naked,

bleeding and shivering. The

friend is the main witness in

the case. The chargesheet,

with annexures, ran into

thousands of pages and

included the victim's state-ment, details of the accused,

evidence and forensic

reports. contd on page 2

Cabinet approval of ordinance on toughrape law draws mixed response

'The ordinance approved by the

Union Cabinet on the basis ofthe Justice Verma Committee

report, will definitely create fear

among the criminal elements of

the society.'

Women and Child

Development Minister

Krishna Tirath

'The content of the ordinance is

doing injustice to the JusticeVerma recommendations because

it is highly selective in what it has

included in the ordinance. We don't

agree with this ordinance'.

Communist Party of India-

Marxist (CPI-M) leader

Brinda Karat

"It's a beginning made, but

it's a very long way to gobecause Justice Verma

(Committee's) recommen-

dations is a holistic correc-

tion'.

Former Indian Police Service

(IPS) officer and activist

Kiran Bedi

Women groups on Saturday

urged President Pranab

Mukherjee not to sign the

ordinance of Criminal Law amend-

ments passed by the Cabinet on

Friday. Human rights lawyer Vrinda

Grover said, "The ordinance is com-

plete betrayal of the people's faith."

She also questioned as to why the

ordinance remained silent on Armed

Forces Special Powers Act. "Justice

Verma Committee targeted the

impunity of family, policemen,

Army officers, and bureaucrats. But

the government went soft on that.

Why are the recommendations on

AFSPA not accepted. It's completely

scandalous what the government has

done."

She also said that women organi-

sations were alarmed to see the ordi-

nance as it ignored many recommen-

dations of the Justice Verma

Committee. "We are alarmed by the

ordinance content. We do not see any

recommendation of the Verma

Committee contd on page 2

Women groups reject ordinance,urge President not to sign it

Court framescharges against

gang-rape accusedTrial for murder to begin from Tuesday

NEW DELHI, FEB 2:

Prime Minister Manmohan

Singh Saturday said his gov-

ernment's flagship MGNRE-

GA scheme had accelerated

the pace of financial inclu-

sion in villages while

Congress chief Sonia Gandhi

said it could usher in a sec-

ond 'Green Revolution' but

corruption in the scheme had

to be checked.

Speaking at the Mahatma

Gandhi National Rural

Employment Guarantee Act

(MGNREGA) anniversary

function here, Manmohan

Singh said that over four

crore bank accounts have

been opened after the imple-

mentation of the scheme, and

many more have been started

in post offices.

"These accounts will also

help in the direct cash benefit

transfer scheme," the prime

minister said.

Gandhi, also the United

Progressive Alliance (UPA)

chairperson, stressed the

need to check complaints of

corruption and misuse of

money under MGNREGA.

Noting the scheme faces

challenges of greater inclu-

sion and creating durable

assets, she said there was

need to implement the

scheme effectively in Maoist-

affected areas and all steps

should be taken to provide

work under the scheme with-

in 15 days of demand having

been made.

She also called for timely

social audit under the

scheme.

The prime minister, in his

speech, asked the rural devel-

opment ministry to collabo-

rate with states to provide

technical assistance to pan-

chayats.

"It will help empower

Panchayati Raj Institutions,

improve participation of peo-

ple in development process

and allow proper formulation

of labour budget under the

local development plan," he

said. The prime minister said

construction of anganwadis

had been added to new works

under contd on page 2

MNREGA aids financial inclusion,second Green Revolution: PM, Sonia

P OONCH, F EBRUARY 0 2:

Reiterating the commitment of the gov-

ernment towards holistic development

of all the regions of the State with spe-

cial focus on border and hilly areas, the

Minister of State for Health, Mr. Shabir

Ahmed Khan has said that governments'

pro-people policies and exemplary ini-

tiatives have placed the State on the

track of peace and prosperity. He

affirmed that this rhythm would be car-

ried forward with a mission to ensure

all-round development of rural as well

as border people.

Addressing a public gathering at bor-

der town Mendhar today, the Minister

expressed confidence about the State

touching zenith of development and

progress in the coming years.

Referring to various revolutionary

initiatives taken by the government dur-

ing the past four years for bringing

accountability and transparency in the

administration to assure good gover-

nance besides empowering the people at

gross root level, the minister said that

Laws like Right to Information Act,

Public Service Guarantee Act, holding

of free and fair Panchayat elections are

land mark steps in improving gover-

nance structure in the state.

Highlighting the priorities under

health sector, the Minister said that all

such areas having difficult topography

would be provided health center facili-

ties. He said in this regard the govern-

ment has already moved a proposal to

the Centre for approval of funds.

The Minister said that under the flag-

ship programme of National Rural

Health Mission Rs.224. 24 crore is being

utilized for improvement and up-grada-

tion of health care facilities in the State.

Union Health Ministry has released Rs

52 crore to the State under NRHM, to

carry out the work on under execution

health projects in different districts he

added. contd on page 2

Govt would setup health centers indifficult topographical areas: Shabir

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 2 :

Mr. N. N. Vohra, Governor

Jammu and Kashmir, today

emphasized the need for

forging collaborative

arrangements among the uni-

versities, leading laboratories

and research institutions,

DRDO and the industry for

undertaking research in care-

fully identified areas for

enabling the time-bound

development of cells, mod-

ules and materials which will

pave the way for large scale

production of the required

semi-conductor products.

The Governor, as Chief

Guest, was addressing the

Valedictory Session of the 3-

day 2nd International

Symposium on

"Semiconductor Materials

and Devices (ISSMD-2)",

organized by the Department

of Physics and Electronics,

University of Jammu, in col-

laboration with the Society

for Semiconductor Devices,

New Delhi, at General

Zorawar Singh Auditorium

here this evening. The

Governor said that alongside

undertaking high-end

research projects there is

urgent need for developing

manufacturing skills and

observed that such endeav-

ours contd on page 2

International Symposiumat JU concludes

N. N. Vohra, Governor Jammu and Kashmir, addressing the Valedictory Session of the 3-day 2ndInternational Symposium on "Semiconductor Materials and Devices at Jammu University.

Thirty-five killedas militants

attack Pakistancheckpoint

ISLAMABAD , FEB 2:

Militants attacked an isolated

army checkpoint in

Pakistan's restive northwest

on Saturday, with at least 35

people killed in the initial

assault, subsequent crossfire

and a rocket attack on a

house, officials said.

The Pakistan Taliban

claimed responsibility, say-

ing the attack was in response

to a U.S. drone strike in

neighbouring North

Waziristan last month in

which two commanders were

killed.

The Pakistani military and

pro-government militias have

since 2009 regained territory

from the Pakistan Taliban,

who once controlled land a

few hours' drive from the

capital of Islamabad. The

militants attacked the post at

Lakki Marwat early on

Saturday. contd on page 2

NEW DELHI, FEB 2 :

Gearing up for assembly

elections in Rajasthan slated

for later this year, BJP

brought back former Chief

Minister Vasundhara Raje to

head the party in the state.

Announcing Raje's

appointment in the presence

of senior party leaders

Sushma Swaraj and Arun

Jai tley, BJP President

Rajnath Singh said party

leader Gulab Chand Kataria

will be the Leader of

Opposition in the state

assembly. He will take over

from Raje who quit the post.

Singh earlier held a meet-

ing with party leaders from

the state in a bid to put up a

united face of the faction-rid-

den party in Rajasthan ahead

of the contd on page 2

CHENNAI, FEB 2: Ending

a week-long suspense and

drama, Kamal Haasan's con-

troversial Tamil film

Vishwaroopam is finally

poised for release in the state

with some cuts after the actor

and Muslim groups opposed

to it reached a settlement dur-

ing the state-government bro-

kered talks here today.

Emerging after the

marathon talks lasting six

hours in the presence of

Home Secretary R Rajagopal

at the Secretariat, Haasan

said they have agreed to

remove certain audio por-

tions and hoped the govern-

ment would revoke the ban

imposed in the wake of

protests by some Muslim out-

fits which considered the film

offensive to their religion.

"We will immediately

arrange to announce the date

of release after consultations,

including with technical

team," the actor who pro-

duced the mega-budget Rs

100 crore film told reporters

ending nearly two-month

long uncertainty marked by

twists and turns over its

release.

Haasan said they would

withdraw their petition in the

Madras High Court challeng-

ing the two-week ban and

expressed hope that the gov-

ernment would revoke its

action that drew nation-wide

criticism for stifling freedom

of expression. Tamil Nadu

Muslim contd on page 2

Vasundhara brought back to head BJP in Rajasthan

Vishwaroopam row ends; Kamal,

Muslim groups reach accord

Page 1_Bali_Bali_Jan_14_New.qxd 2/3/2013 10:47 AM Page 1


2/8

Pak teen activist ....at point blank range as she

travelled on a bus to school

on October 9, 2012. The

award will be announced in

early October, but the dead-

line for nominations expired

on Friday. Among other

reported nominees are jailed

Belarusian human rights

activist Ales Belyatski and

Russian Lyudmila

Alexeyeva.

Airtel launches ....

customer," Bharti Airtel

(Kolkata & WB) COO Vir

Inder Nath told reporters here

today. During an emergency,

Airtel mobile customers can

now send an alert thrice in 30

minutes with their geograph-

ic location to their closest 10

loved ones simultaneously

with just a call, Nath said

during demonstration of the

service.

Airtel which aims to pop-

ularise the service nation-

wide to help people in dis-

tress situation pointing at

recent atrocities on women,

with a subscription of Rs 30per month, fails to pinpoint

the location of the affected

person may be required dur-

ing such situation. The serv-

ice will only give geographi-

cal position based on a cellu-

lar tower location which usu-

ally serves about 500 metres

in radius and not exact loca-

tion unless any form of com-

munication is established

with the caller.

Govt launches ....

of different products in digi-

tal form. The link to the por-

tal has been provided through

department of commerce

website under 'What is New'

and 'Useful Links'.

MNREGA aids....

MGNREGA approved

last year.

"If resources under ICDS

(Integrated Child

Development Scheme) and

MGNREGA were used col-

lectively, it will significantly

improve services under

ICDS," he said.

He said amended rules

were being formally imple-

mented from Saturday and

stress had been laid on

improving planning, increas-

ing role of panchayats and

improving quality of assets.

Terming MGNERGA as

the biggest poverty allevia-

tion schemes in the world,

the prime minister said over

eight crore people had bene-

fited and Rs 1.3 lakh crore

had been spent on it.

He said schemes such as

MGNREGAreflect the stress

being laid by the government

on inclusive development.

"More than half of the

works have benefited the

scheduled castes and sched-

uled tribes and participation

of women has been around

47 percent. Of the money

going to women, more than

eighty percent is going to

their bank accounts. It is

helping them take economic

decisions," the prime minis-

ter said.

Recalling indirect benefits

of the scheme, he said it had

reduced forced migration of

people and improved crop

yield of small farmers.

In her speech, Gandhi laid

emphasis on empowerment

of panchayats and meeting

challenges in implementation

of the scheme.

She said people were, at

times, not aware of all the

benefits under the scheme,

and its potential to increase

agricultural production was

not being used fully.

"If modern agricultural

techniques are added, it can

lead to manifold increase in

production. MGNREGA can

play a role in realizing goal

of second green revolution,"

she said.

Gandhi said while women

participation was nearly

equal at national level, they

find it difficult "to come in

many states due to lack of

information or lack of facili-

ties."

She said there was need to

create durable assets under

the scheme.

"Often there are com-

plaints of corruption and mis-

use of money. There is need

to curb it. Social audit is nec-

essary and should be held

timely," Gandhi said.

MGNREGA aims a t

enhancing the livelihood

security of villagers by guar-

anteeing 100 days of wage-

employment in a financial

year to a rural household

whose adult members would

perform unskilled manual

work.

Cabinet approval ....

the noose for rapists,

Justice Verma Committee

report did not recommend

death penalty, saying thatwomen's groups were unani-

mously against it.

The Cabinet agreed with

suggestions of the committee

on punishment of 20 years in

rape cases and life imprison-

ment, which shall mean the

rest of the person's natural

life in gang-rape or rape that

caused grievous injury.

Women groups....

in the ordinance," Vrinda

Grover said. "The ordinance

is a trick to sideline Justice

Verma report," she added.

The opposition BJP and

Left too have joined the

activists in saying the ordi-

nance is not tough enough.

While the government claims

it has accepted most of rec-ommendations of the Justice

Verma Committee on punish-

ing sex offenders, it has not

included proposals like

changing rules for the armed

forces under the Armed

Forces Special Powers Act.

The ordinance has also left

out recognition of marital

rape as a crime.

"We've accepted almost

all the recommendations.

The Central Government is

committed to giving stringent

punishment to the culprits.

We've included acid attacks

and stalking in the definition

of sexual crimes against

women. We feel that this will

send out a strong message,"

Union Minister Krishna

Tirath said.

CPM leader Brinda Karat

said the government has

ignored the main recommen-

dations of the Justice Verma

Committee. "We do not

approve of this ordinance.

The ordinance has ignored

the main recommendations

of the Justice Verma

Committee. The ordinance is

an attempt to divert attention

from the main questions

being raised in the Justice

Verma Committee report,"

Karat said. Women groups

have also called the ordi-

nance a dilution of the Verma

panel recommendations.

Meanwhile, former IPS

officer and activist Kiran

Bedi welcomed the passing

of this ordinance calling it

the beginning of a long jour-

ney. "I think the people

demand a holistic response, it

is a very part law response.

Very well, it's a beginning

made, but it's still a long way

to go, as the Justice Verma

recommendations are a holis-

tic correction," Bedi said.

Court frames....

All the accused were

arrested between Dec 17-21,

2012.

The union cabinet Friday

approved an ordinance for

enhanced punishment in

cases of crimes against

women, including sexual

assault, acid attacks,

voyeurism and trafficking, as

suggested by the Justice J.S.

Verma Committee.

The government recom-

mended to President Pranab

Mukherjee that an ordinance

be issued.

The Verma Committee,

set up by the government

Dec 23, 2012 after the gang-

rape to review laws to pro-

vide speedier justice and

enhanced punishment in

cases of aggravated sexual

assault, submitted its report

Jan 23.

Thirty-five killed ....

A security official said 12

militants and 13 soldiers

were killed in the clash. Two

bodies had suicide bomb

belts on them.

"Cross-firing between

militants and security offi-

cials continued for four

hours," one source said.

The militants also target-

ed a house next to the campwith rockets, killing 10 mem-

bers of one family, including

three children, the official

said.

"Pakistan has been co-

operating with the U.S in its

drone strikes that killed our

two senior commanders,

Faisal Khan and Toofani, and

the attack on military camp

was the revenge of their

killing," the Taliban

spokesman said.

He said four suicide

bombers attacked the camp

and blew themselves up. He

said more than a dozen sol-

diers were killed.

Govt would ....

The Minister announced

release of Rs. 85 lakh for upgradation of health infra-

structure in Poonch district

under NRHM. He said out of

this released amount Rs 25

lakh are to be utilized for car-

rying out remaining works of

Sub District Hospital

Mendhar.

The Minister reaffirmed

that being the local represen-

tative equal development of

all the areas was his priority

and no injustice would be

done to any area of the dis-

trict on the developmental

front. He assured the people

that all their genuine devel-

opmental needs would be

carried out in a phased man-

ner. Mr. Shabir said that pri-

mary responsibility of the

public representatives is to

go to the people for identify-

ing and addressing problems

through Government agen-

cies. He asked people to

remain informed about their

rights and seek due share in

developmental process

launched by the Government

across the State.

The Minister said that

people have placed their

hope in public representa-

tives and asked the Panches

and Sarpanches to work sin-

cerely for the welfare and

development of the people.

Vishwaroopam row....

Munnetra Kazhagam rep-

resentative M H

Jawahirullah, MLA, said

Haasan has agreed for some

cuts in the film, portions of

which Muslims had deemed

to be offensive.

"The outcome of the

meeting is fruitful," he said

as the tri-partite meeting

came after Chief Minister

Jayalalithaa offered to facili-

tate it to pave the way for the

release of the film though she

had strongly justified the

ban.

The multi-lingual film,

originally slated for release

on January 11, has been

released and running smooth-

ly in other states including

Kerala with a 25 per cent

Muslim population, and

Andhra and Karnataka. Its

Hindi version "Vishwaroop"

hit theatres in north India

yesterday which, according

to Haasan, had evoked 'fan-

tastic' response.

Haasan, who made a brief

statement and refused to take

questions, thanked

Jayalalithaa for facilitating

the solution to the issue

which sparked a major con-

troversy.

"In the talks with my

Muslim brothers, I heard

their grievances and

explained technical prob-

lems. The censor board

would be informed," he said

on the mutually accepted

cuts.

The talks were to be held

yesterday but did not materi-

alise as the Muslim organisa-

tions insisted on the presence

of Haasan who was in

Mumbai for the release of the

film's Hindi version.

Aspy thriller set in the US

and Afghanistan with the plot

centring around terror, the

film hit the first roadblockafter tech-savvy actor's face-

off with exhibitors over his

insistence on releasing it on

Direct-to-Home platform a

day ahead of the theatre

release, forcing him to put it

off indefinitely.

Another hurdle came

when Muslim outfits

expressed apprehensions

over the content of the film

and sought a preview for

them, which the actor

obliged but failed to win their

nod leading to the govern-

ment's ban on grounds of law

and order problems.

Haasan took the battle to

the court challenging the ban

and got a relief with a single

judge allowing its release,

but it was shortlived as adivision bench on an appeal

by the government struck it

down.

The case is coming up on

February 6 for hearing before

the single judge to whom the

division bench reverted the

matter.

Anguished and hurt, a

"fed up" Haasan threatened

'self-exile' to move to a 'secu-

lar place' in the country

excluding Tamil Nadu, or

overseas as done by late

painter M F Hussain follow-

ing oppposition by right wing

groups to his nude paintings

of Hindu gods and goddess-

es. As Haasan spoke of 'cul-

tural terrorism' and poured

out his heart explaining

pledging of his entire proper-

ty to make the film, support

flowed for him from the film

industry in Tamil Nadu and

Bollywood as also the Centre

which questioned the state

government's ban after the

censor board's clearance.

Vasundhara brought....

elections. Besides the two

Leaders of the Opposition in

Parliament, others present at

the meeting with Rajnath

included Raje, Kataria and

outgoing party state president

Arun Chaturvedi.

"The party will work unit-

edly under the leadership of

Vasundhara Raje," Singh told

reporters. Raje is also expect-

ed to be BJP's chief ministe-

rial face, though a final deci-

sion in this regard will be

taken after the polls.

Soon after assuming her

new responsibility, Raje said

"BJP is a family. In this, not

just us but workers are also

there. This is a big family

and, as Gulab Chand Kataria

said, we will take it forward

with everybody. I want

assure everybody that in this

big family everybody has a

place and for this we all,

Gulabji will make the

Rajasthan BJP strong and

take it ahead. There are no

two views on that."

The announcement comes

as part of the party's efforts to

end dissidence in its state

unit. The tenure of the 200-

member current assembly in

Rajasthan ends on December

31, 2013.

International Symposium...

would materialize if the

industry is involved right

from the beginning of a proj-

ect. He added that there is

need for acquiring expertise

in various arenas for securing

rapid economic development

of the country. In this con-

text, he emphasized the need

for the development of semi-

conductors and the materials

from which these are to be

manufactured and empha-

sised that this would require

close collaboration between

physicists, chemists and

engineers in various fields,

among others.

In regard to harnessing

non-conventional energy

sources, particularly solar

energy, the Governor

observed that this can go a

long way in meeting the

colossal gap in the obtainingenergy availability but this

shall require developing

appropriate technology to

make the required products

cost effectives.

The Governor congratu-

lated the University of

Jammu for organizing this

Symposium on a highly rele-

vant subject and compliment-

ed the Society for

Semiconductor Devices,

New Delhi, for supporting

this laudable initiative.

The Governor was hon-

oured on this occasion by

presenting to him a memento

by Prof. M. P. S. Ishar, Vice

Chancellor, Jammu

University.

Prof. M. P. S. Ishar, Vice

Chancellor, JammuUniversity, speaking on the

occasion said that the

Symposium provided a very

good opportunity for the

young scientists to present

their research papers and

interact with the renowned

experts in the field.

Prof. Mushahid Husain,

Secretary, Society for

Semiconductor Devices,

New Delhi, dwelt on the

establishment, evolution,

growth and activities of the

Society. He also gave a

resume of the various confer-

ences organized by this

organization from time to

time and its future plan of

action. He thanked the

Governor for delivering the

Valedictory Address.

Dr. Sudarshan Kumar,

Director CFEES, DRDO,

Delhi, presented a global sce-

nario of the research being

conducted on semiconduc-

tors and in the arena of nan-

otechnology within and out-

side the country.

Prof. Naresh Padha,

Convener, ISSMD-2, pre-

sented the Symposium

Report. He said that 21 invit-

ed talks were delivered and

107 papers were presented

during the various working

sessions of the Symposium.

In her welcome address,

Prof. Anju Bhasin, Head,

Department of Physics and

Electronics, Jammu

University, gave details

about the aims and objects of

organizing this International

Symposium and the topics

discussed during the working

sessions. Er. Anik Gupta,

Scientist, University of

Jammu, presented a Vote of

Thanks. Among those pres-

ent on the occasion were Mr.

K. B. Aggarwal, Principal

Secretary, Higher Education,

delegates of the Symposium,

senior functionaries of the

Jammu University, Heads of

Departments, Faculty

Members, research scholars

and students.

STUDENT AGE

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 20132

Contd. from page 1...

Correction of Mother's NameI, Vikhyat Kashyap D.O.B: 12/04/2011, son of Naresh

Kumar, went to change the name of my mother from

Suhani to Pooja. If anyone has any objection on may

report the same at H.No. 821, Ward 37, Janipur

Colony, Jammu Mob: 9796602165 within a week.

SRINAGAR: If the deluge

of online threats and abuses

against Kashmir's first all-

girl band is anything to by, a

lot of people seem to be

opposed to youth in the val-

ley making music. This band

which has defied convention

is facing a challenge from

conservative sections of the

society.

The teenage girls who

came to limelight in late

December 2012 after their

performance at the annual

'Battle of the Bands' competi-

tion have received online

threats and absurd comments,

leaving their parents worried

and forcing the girls to keep a

low profile.

Though there are dozens

of bands currently playing

popular music of different

genres in the Valley, but this

being an all-girl band is fac-

ing problems.

The girls -vocalist-gui-

tarist Noma Nazir, drummerFarah Deeba and Guitarist

Aneeka Khalid (all students

of tenth standard) -formed

their rock band named

"Pragaash" (light) and won

the best performance award

in their first public appear-

ance.

"There has been a wicked

campaign against the girls

ever since they made their

maiden appearance in public

on December 26," owner of

Band Inn, a musical academy

where the girls are undergo-

ing training, said.

"Whenever a new thinghappens in a society especial-

ly related to music and fash-

ion, such things happen," he

said indicating that the girls

will not be cowed down by

the online threats and absurd

comments and will continue

to pursue their dream in

music. He said the band is

presently working on an

album. Criticism is nothing

new to Kashmiri women

singers who defied strong

opposition in the past as well

and made a name in the

music field.

Raj Begum, renownedKashmiri singer, even won

the national award.

First all-girl Kashmiriband faces online threats

Victim of mindset

Omar, activistsback all-girls

Kashmiri rockband

SRINAGAR: Activists, film-

makers and others today came

out in support of Kashmir's

first all-girls rock band, which

is facing online threats and

abuses, with Chief Minister

Omar Abdullah ordering a

police probe and hoping that

the talented teenagers will not

let themselves be silenced by

a "handful of morons".

The girls, vocalist-guitarist

Noma Nazir (16), drummerFarah Deeba and guitarist

Aneeka Khalid (both 15),

who defied convention to

form the rock band

"Pragaash" (darkness to

light), have stopped live

shows in the wake of the

online threats.

Activists and artistes

expressed outrage at the

online hate campaign against

the girls, all students of Class

X.

"It is completely shame-

ful...why is police silent

against these cyber crimi-

nals.... Police chief should

have initiated action against

them and it should be done

under the law of the land.

Enough is enough," filmmak-

er Shaykhh Mukhtar said.

Activist Humaira Khan

said "we are moving ahead,

but why aren't our mentalities.

We move ahead in real sense

only when we open our

minds." The first live per-

formance of Pragaash at

Srinagar's music festival

Battle of the Bands in

December had created ripples

in the Valley. But their eupho-

ria was short-lived as the girls

soon started receiving online

threats including to their lives

and absurd comments, leav-

ing their parents worried and

forcing them to keep a low

profile. The Chief Minister

said it was a matter of shame

that those who demand free-

dom of speech on social

media networks, use it to

threaten the girls. "The police

will examine the threats

issued and whether any provi-

sion of the law can be used to

book those making the threats

(to the rock band)," Mr

Abdullah said, adding "I hope

these talented young girls will

not let a handful of morons

silence them." "Shame on

those who claim freedom of

speech via social media and

then use that freedom to

threaten girls who have the

right to choose to sing," he

wrote on Twitter.

NEW DELHI: With India

and Japan in the process of

further cranking up their mil-

itary tiesacross the entire

spectrum, Army chief

General Bikram Singh will be

heading for Tokyo on a four-

day visit later this month.

"The strategic-military

partnership with Japan is

evolving to a new level.

General Singh, who will

leave on February 11, will

meet the Japanese defenceminister, military chiefs and

others to discuss ways to fur-

ther strengthen bilateral ties.

He will also visit some

defence establishments," said

an official.

The visit comes soon after

India and Japan, both wary of

the increasingly assertive

behaviour of China and the

rapid modernisation of its

People's Liberation Army,

held their first-ever maritime

dialogue on January 29.

Ranging from joint com-

bat exercises and coordinated

anti-piracy patrols to counter-

terrorism and service-to-serv-

ice exchanges, India and

Japan are implementing a

"action plan to advance secu-

rity cooperation".

The plan, which dwells

upon strategic and defence

cooperation as well as coordi-

nation in tackling terrorism,

piracy and proliferation, is

meant to reinforce the strate-

gic focus in the "global part-

nership" between India andJapan, say officials.

"India and Japan have

similar views on several glob-

al and regional issues like

extremism, terrorism and

WMD-proliferation.

The two are also keen to

ensure the safety of sea lanes

in the Indian Ocean Region

and Asia-Pacific because both

depend largely on maritime

traffic for their energy and

trade needs," said an official.

"In addition to regular

exercises being held between

the Indian and Japanese coast

guards, our naval warships

are also conducting coordi-

nated anti-piracy patrolling in

the Gulf of Aden. We also

have regular Navy-to-Navy

staff talks," he added.

Army chief to visit Japanto bolster military ties

SAMBA, FEBRUARY 02:

MLA Vijaypur, Surjit Singh

Salathia today inaugurated

three day district level exhibi-

tion cum sale of Khadi and

Village Industries products

organized by the J&K Khadi

and Village Industries Board

(KVIB)at Block

Development Office

Vijaypur. District

Development Commissioner,

Samba, Mubarak Singh,

District officers was present

on this occasion. Fifteen stalls

were set up by the department

to display the products manu-

factured by the KVIB units

which include Desert coolers,

Sewing machines, Shoes, Soft

toys, sanitary fittings, Masala

items etc. Experts from dif-

ferent fields were also present

to disseminate information

and to guide the youth for set-

ting up their own

enterprises\income generat-

ing units. Addressing the

gathering, Mr Salathia asked

the youth to avail optimum

benefits of the various

schemes. He called for a

change in the mind set of the

unemployed youth to become

job providers instead of job

seekers. He congratulated the

officers and staff of the KVIB

for bagging the National

award for implementing

Prime Minister's Employment

Generation Programme and

achieving 100% targets. He

directed the concerned offi-

cers to create massive aware-

ness about different State and

centrally sponsored schemes

and stressed upon the Panches

and Sarpanches to render

their services with utmost

zeal and dedication.

Salathia inauguratesKVIB exhibition

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3/8

STATESTUDENT AGE


NEWS IN BOX

Omar reviews restoration ofPoonch transmission line

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 02: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah

today reviewed the status of restoration of Poonch power

transmission line at a high level meeting of PDD officers

here. The transmission line has been severely damaged by

the recent heavy snowfall in the area. Various towers have

got completely uprooted whileas many have been broken by

the snow storm.

Receiving detailed brief on the restoration work, the

Chief Minister asked the PDD department to put in added

efforts so that the transmission line is restored within the

shortest possible time. The meeting was attended by the

Principal Secretary Power Development Department,

Development Commissioner Power, various Chief Engineers

and other officers.

Principal Secretary Planning andDevelopment briefs Governor

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 2: Mr. B. R. Sharma, Principal

Secretary, Planning and Development, called on Mr. N. N.

Vohra, Governor, at Raj Bhavan here today.

During the meeting, the Principal Secretary, Planning and

Development, briefed the Governor about the to-date status

of implementation of major development projects and

schemes. The Governor also discussed issues relating to

monitoring the execution of various Centrally Sponsored

Schemes in the State with Mr. Sharma.

Two cops detained in connec-

tion with 'illegal' activitiesSRINAGAR: Two police constables were detained on

Friday for their alleged involvement in "illegal" activities,

police said here. "Constables Manzoor Ahmad and Ishfaq

Ahmad of Sadder police station were taken into custody after

police received complaints about their involvement in illegal

and anti-social activities," Senior Superintendent of Police,

Srinagar, Ashiq Bukhari said.

Police is looking for a self-styled social worker, hailing

from Channapora area of the city, as she is also alleged to be

involved in these activities, Bukhari said. Probes are on into

the complaints and the department will take due action if the

allegations are found to be correct, he said. However, the

SSP said that no case has been registered so far.

Relief for residents as nighttemp rise in Kashmir Valley

SRINAGAR: Residents of Kashmir got much needed relief

from the two-month long chilly weather as the night temper-

ature rose by several degrees and weatherman forecasting

light rainfall or snow over the next few hours.The minimum temperature in Srinagar, the summer capi-

tal of Jammu and Kashmir, rose by nearly five degrees to set-

tle at 3.1 degrees Celsius last night, an official of the MET

Department said. Qazigund gateway town in south Kashmir

also registered an upward movement of the mercury as night

temperature settled at 0.8 degrees Celsius, while nearby

Pahalgam health resort recorded a low of 0.2 degrees

Celsius. Gulmarg skiing resort in north Kashmir recorded a

low of minus 2.0 degrees Celsius, while Kupwara town

recorded night temperature of minus 0.6 degrees Celsius.

Meanwhile, Leh and Kargil towns in Ladakh region con-

tinued to reel under severe cold. While Kargil recorded a low

of minus 9.4 degrees Celsius, the mercury settled at minus

7.6 degrees Celsius in Leh town.

The weatherman has forecast light rainfall or snowfall

across the Kashmir Valley over the next 24 hours.

3 lakh patients get medical treatmentin district Hospital Handwara

HANDWARA, FEBRUARY 02: As many as 3 lakh out-

door and 2,500 indoor patients have been treated in District

Hospital Handwara during current financial year so far.

This information was given out in a review meeting of

Health department, chaired by Additional Deputy

Commissioner, here today. It was further informed in the

meeting that 6,300 major and minor operations have been

performed during the same period, besides 7,000 USG and

20,000 X-Ray conducted besides as many as 2,800 pregnant

ladies were provided medical treatment during the last nine

months. The Additional Deputy Commissioner stressed upon

the officers to maintain cleanliness sanitation in and around

the District Hospital and primary health centres besides

ensure healthcare facilities to the patients.

DHS inaugurates workshop on "The Interfaceof Psychiatry and Medicine" at Tangmarg

TANGMARG, FEBRUARY 02: As a part of Medical

Education Programme launched by the State Government, an

improvised workshop on ''The Interface of Psychiatry and

Medicine'' held at Regional Health and Family Welfare

Institute, Dhobiwan Tangmarg was organized by Director

Health Services Kashmir today. As many as 110 doctors

drawn from across the Valley, besides Psychiatrists and

experts from medical fraternity participated in the workshop.

Director, Health Services, Kashmir, Dr. Saleem-ur-

Rehman, while addressing the workshop said that on the sub-

ject of psychiatry and medicine, this programme has a great

significance of being first of its kind to benefit the masses in

respect of ensuring mental health to all groups of age in

Valley. He hoped that such workshops will be held in other

parts of the Valley so that the people living in remote and far

flung areas would also be benefited. The workshop was

informed that around 1,13,940 patients suffering from men-

tal health problem and 11,838 patients were treated for drug

addiction by the department besides 28 camps were organ-

ized for the purpose and 1051 doctors and 1301 paramedics

were imparted training on the s ubject.

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 02:

A deputation of Kashmiri

Pandit migrants from vari-

ous migrant camp and areas

Saturday morning called on

Chief Minister Omar

Abdullah here and dis-

cussed with him various

issues relating to the

migrants.

While expressing grati-

tude to Omar Abdullah for

his efforts resulting in

enhancement of migrant

relief, the delegation

emphasized the need for

raising the per month relief

of per family to Rs. 10,

000/. They requested the

Chief Minister to raise this

issue with the Central gov-

ernment.

The deputation also

talked about employment

package for migrants and

issues relating to return and

rehabilitation package.

The Chief Minister

assured the delegation that

he would take up the cash

relief issue with the Central

government. He said state

government is well versed

with the difficulties and sta-

tus of migrants and is taking

all measures to redress the

genuine grievances besides

accommodating the genuine

demands. The delegation

was led by Anil Dhar, A. K.

Hangloo, H. L. Pandit, Jatin

Bhat, S.L. Koul, Ravinder

Koul, Bushan Lal, Sanjay

Kumar and Babloo Ji.

SRINAGAR: Opposition

Peoples Democratic Party in

Jammu and Kashmir on

Saturday alleged that the rul-

ing National Conference has

"stifled" all opposition to

ensure a monopoly for itself.

The P DP p re si de nt

Mehbooba Mufti said people

of the state alone can bring

in a change in the system of

governance and their lives

through the process of pub-

lic accountability.

"Change will start with

the first vote cast in right

direction that could make all

political parties accountable

to people for whatever good

or bad they do," Mehbooba

said addressing a workers

rally at Pahalgam, 10

She claimed that the PDP

was an important instrument

in this process as it has pro-

vided the people with a cred-

ible alternative first time in

the state's history.

Mehbooba said the gov-

ernance has been made

hostage to vested interests of

a single party in the state,

that corrupted both the sys-

tem as well as those who ran

it without challenge.

"Democracy is meaning-

less without a competition

and for the last 65 years NC

stifled all opposition to

ensure a monopoly for

itself," she alleged.

This, she alleged, result-

ed in a situation in which the

people became mere pawns

in power game that ruling

NC manipulated for its ben-

efit. Mehbooba said people

must believe in their power

to change their destiny

through democratic means,

which is the first require-

ment in bringing in the

change.

"Unfortunately, we have

been led the wrong way, for

too long, which resulted in

immense loss and turmoil in

the past, because of the self-

ish policies of the NC," she

said.

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 02:Minister for Higher

Education, Mr. Mohammad

Akbar Lone today paid a

surprise visit to various col-

leges of Jammu. These

included Government

Gandhi Memorial Science

(GGMS) College, Canal

Road, Government College

for Women, Gandhi Nagar

and Government Moulana

Azad Memorial (MAM)

College Jammu. He took

stock of the functioning of

these institutions and facili-

ties available to the students.

The Minister also went

around classrooms of these

colleges interacted with stu-

dents and the teaching staff.

He called for ensuring punc-

tuality and full attendance ofstudents in classrooms.

At Gandhi Nagar

College, the Minister

inspected various blocks

including arts block, admin-

istrative block, lecture

rooms, moot court, career

council cell, library and lab-

oratories. He also inspected

first aid center of the col-

lege.

The College management

briefed the Minister about

the overall functioning and

issues confronting them. TheMinister directed the

Principal of the college to

submit the status report of

land of the college earlier

acquired by the Government

for construction of new fly-

over bridge.

During visit to Library,

the Minister was informed

that 55000 books are avail-

able in the library. Mr. Lone

directed for proper utilisa-

tion of library funds as per

requirements. He also

stressed for maintaining abook record register and

adequately training all per-

sons engaged on daily wage

basis working in the library.

While inspecting the lab-

oratories in these colleges,

the Minister stressed for

proper upkeep and mainte-

nance of these laboratories.

At GMAM College, the

Minister inspected various

sections included adminis-

trative block and Internal

Quality Assurance Cell

(IQAC). The concerned offi-cial briefed the Minister

about the activities conduct-

ed by IQAC.

While inspecting under

execution auditorium hall,

Mr. Lone directed the con-

cerned to complete it within

stipulated time frame. He

was informed that the con-

struction for chain link fenc-

ing at a cost of Rs. 3.62 lakh

will be started soon.

Interacting with the stu-

dents of these colleges, the

Minister impressed upon

them to strive hard to

achieve their desired goal

and bring laurels for the

State. He said Government

was committed in making

education within reach of all

segments of society includ-

ing youth in far-flung areas.

The Minister also

inspected hostel at GGM

Science College and took

stock of the meals and other

facilities provide to the stu-

dents. The students apprised

the Minister about various

issues for his intervention.Mr. Lone directed

the Director Colleges who

accompanied the Minister

during his visit to submit a

detailed report about the

construction of new infra-

structure in these colleges.

He also asked the concerned

principals to go ahead with

minor works.

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 02:

Minister for Housing,

Horticulture and Culture Mr.

Raman Bhalla has said that

State Government endeavors

to eradicate illiteracy from

every nook and corner of the

state by opening and upgrad-

ing scores of schools besides

equipping the Government

educational institutions with

better infrastructure and qual-

ified staff.

This was stated by the

Minister while addressing a

large gathering after laying

foundation stone for addition-

al accommodation block in

newly upgraded Government

High School, Qasim Nagar

under Rashtriya Madhyamic

Shiksha Abhiyan (RAMSA),

here today.

Commissioner Jammu

Municipal Corporation Mr.

Kuldeep Lal Khajuria besides

other senior officers of

School Education, Public

Health Engineering, Power

Development Department,

Roads and Buildings and

Urban Environmental

Engineering Department

accompanied the Minister.

Mr. Bhalla asked the exe-

cuting agency to complete the

project within three months

by constructing additional

rooms, office room, toilet

block, computer and labora-

tory room so that the classes

for next session students

batches could be started there.

He said Government is mak-

ing all efforts to reach out to

every part of the State by

opening new schools within

one-kilometer distance and

introducing several educa-

tional programmes to cover

all children. Mr. Bhalla asked

the parents to send their

wards to schools, colleges

and universities for their bet-

ter and secure. He asked the

teaching fraternity to put their

sincere efforts in providing

quality education to the stu-

dents. He said central

Government has introduced

RAMSA scheme for upgrad-

ing infrastructural facilities in

High and Higher secondary

schools. He said 69 schools

would be upgraded under

RAMSA across the state,

adding that Rs. 49.90 lakh

would be spent on construc-

tion of additional blocks for

computer and science labora-

tories, bathrooms etc in each

newly upgraded high and

higher secondary school.

Mr. Bhalla said that

Government is committed to

provide all infrastructural

facilities to the inhabitants of

Qasim Nagar like safe drink-

ing water, road connectivity,

electricity, education, health-

care, multipurpose communi-

ty hall besides better lanes

and drains. Responding to the

demand of locals, the

Minister announced Rs. 19

lakh for up gradation of link

road besides all internal lanes

and drains. He asked the exe-

cuting agency to complete the

works within prescribed time

frame. Regarding construc-

tion of slab over nallah near

Rabi Dass Sabha at Kalika

Colony, Mr. Bhalla asked

Commissioner Jammu

Municipal Corporation to

immediately start the work.

He also asked to prepare esti-

mate for construction of pub-

lic convenience near Rabi

Dass Sabha and submit the

same for funding so that the

project could be started at an

earliest for the convenience

of the visiting pilgrims.

Kashmiri Pandit delegationcalls on CM, Discuss migrant

issues and concerns

Without competition democracyis meaningless: Mehbooba

Workshop underNirmal Bharat Abhiyan

held at Baramulla

BARAMULLA, FEBRU-ARY 02: A day long Nirmal

Bharat Abhiyan workshop

was today held at Dak

Bungalow Baramulla under

the chairmanship of District

Development Commissioner

Baramulla, Ghulam Ahmad

Khawaja. The ADC

Baramulla and other officers

of the department were pres-

ent on the occasion. Speaking

on the occasion, the DDC

said that government has

introduced the new scheme

under which lavotary blocks

shall be constructed in each

Panchayat halqas. He

stressed the need for more

awareness about the schemes

so that people at large could

avail the benefits of the soci-

ety.

CD organizes aware-ness camp at Bun

UDHAMPUR, FEBRU-

ARY 02 : Civil Defence

organization in collaboration

with District Information

Centre, Udhampur organized

a one day awareness camp on

Civil Defence and Disaster

Management in Anand

Bhartiya Vidyalaya at village

Bun in Udhampur District on

Saturday.

Principal of the host

school, Mrs. Reetu Abrol was

the chief guest on the occa-

sion.

Deputy Controller, Civil

Defence. Dy SP Bodh Raj in

his welcome address gave a

detailed account of the work-

ing of his Organization in the

district and also asked the

volunteers to come forward

and take part in such aware-

ness camps to minimize loss

of lives and property in the

case of any eventuality.

While appreciating the

functioning of Civil Defence

Organization in Udhampur,

Mrs. Abrol said that move of

the organization is to organ-

ize awareness programmes in

rural areas of the district

would certainly go a long

way in creating awareness

among the common masses

about the disaster manage-

ment.

Master Trainer Mr.

Kuldeep delivered a lecture

on the topic of earthquake

and presentation taken

before, during and after the

earthquake and their impact

on human life. Deputy Chief

Warden, Advocate

Swantantar Dev Kotwal also

delivered lecture on various

facets of civil defence.

On the occasion a film

show was also organized by

the department.

Among other Wardens,

Trainers, staff members, local

people in large numbers and

students were also attended

the camp.

2 SMGSsecurity personnel

suspended

J AMMU , FEB RU ARY 0 2:

Principal, Government Medical

College, Jammu, Mr Aniece

Choudhary has directed the Medical

Superintendent SMGS Hospital

Jammu to place under suspension two

hospital security personnel in connec-

tion with the missing of new born

baby from SMGS Hospital.

A similar action has also been

sought by the police authorities

against the constable Police Post

SMGS Hospital. Principal, GMC has

directed Administrator Associated

Hospitals to conduct a detailed

enquiry into the matter with the assis-

tance of Medical Superintendent

SMGS and office incharge police post

SMGS Hospital and submit a report

within three days.

Lone pays surprise visits to various colleges in JammuDirects to ensure full attendance & punctuality

Minister for Higher Education, Mohammad Akbar Lone during surprise visit in college at Jammu.

Bhalla launches Rs. 68 lakh development projects at Qasmi Nagar

NEW DELHI, FEBRUARY 02:

Maintaining that MG NREGA has

acted as a tool for accelerating the

development of rural and far flung

areas besides providing employment

opportunities and stopping the dis-

tress migration, the Minister for Rural

Development and Panchayats, Mr. Ali

Mohammad Sagar said that the new

initiative of convergence of the

scheme with other activities would go

a long way in ensuring in its success-

ful implementation and socio-eco-

nomic transformation of the State.

The Minister was speaking at MG

NREGA Sammelan organized to

commemorate the 8th year of the

launching of the scheme at New

Delhi today, attended by the Union

Minister for Panchayati Raj, Mr.

Jairam Ramesh and Rural

Development Ministers of different

States.

Mr. Sagar said that the scheme has

become a household name in the

country side and the timely amend-

ments in the Act on the operational

guidelines based on the inputs from

the field, is a healthy step, which syn-

chronizes the implementation of this

Act with the realities at the ground

level. He said that the scheme has to a

great extent acted as a tool to curb

unemployment, disguised employ-

ment and provided employment

opportunity at the doorsteps besides

removing the regional disparities in

the socio-economic development.

While calling for the increase in

the wage rate from the existing one-

to Rs. 150/-, the Minister pleaded the

Union Government to come to the

rescue of the State by enhancing the

wage rate under MG NREGA in the

State. He said that the issue of includ-

ing the snow clearance as a permissi-

ble activity under the scheme may

also be extended to the State as it

shall be of a great help in providing

employment opportunities during the

winter months. Mr. Sagar also asked

for involving the job holders in other

programmes and schemes of different

departments maintaining that it would

expand the opportunity of unskilled

employment outside the domain of

MG NREGA.

This will definitely widen the

scope of the idea of enacting this

landmark act shall go a long way in

eradicating the unemployment. The

Minister said that like other parts of

the country, MG NREGA is becom-

ing a backbone of the socio-econom-

ic development in rural areas and

10.55 lakh families have been regis-

tered under the scheme constituting

about one half of the rural households

as per the recent census.

Sagar calls for increasing the wage rate of MG NREGA

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STATESTUDENT AGE


SRINAGAR, FEBRUARY

02: Minister of State for

R&B, MED, Home and I&C,

Sajjad Ahmed Kichloo today

met Chief Engineer BEA-

CON TPS Rawat and dis-

cussed the status of BEACON

roads and projects in the

State.

During the meeting, the

Minister discussed in detail

the status of all ongoing proj-

ects in the State. He was given

a detailed presentation about

approach roads in either side

of Sopore bridge as well as 4

lanning of Parimpora road.

The Minister was also updat-

ed on the status of Singhpora-

Vailo tunnel, Sinthan-

Kishtwar Road, Batote-

Kishtwar and Kishtwar-

Galhaar-Sansari road. Chief

Engineer assured the Minister

that work on all BEACON

roads in the State have been

fast tracked. However, hemade pointed references to

some technical difficulties

being faced with certain

departments in execution of

the projects.

The Minister assured that

he will take up the issues

flagged by BEACON with

line departments and talk to

the Ministers' Incharge so that

hassle-free working atmos-

phere is created for smooth

functioning of the organiza-

tion. Kichloo said he will take

up issues pertaining to all

important roads being con-

structed by BEACON with

the Union Ministry so that the

projects are expedited on pri-

ority. "I will be visiting Delhi

shortly to discuss the issue of

fast tracking road and tunnel

projects especially

Singhpora-Vailo tunnel which

is a long pending demand of

the people in the State," he

added.

Earlier, the Minister laid

floral wreaths at Marytrs

Stambh at BEACON head-

quarters and paid tribute to

the engineers and officials

who laid down their lives dur-

ing execution of various BROprojects. The Chief Engineer,

in a review meeting of senior

officers of BEACON, briefed

the Minister about ongoing

projects and assured that all

these will be completed in

stipulated timelines.

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 2:

Calling upon teaching frater-

nity to devotedly attend to

duties, Deputy Chief

Minister Mr. Tara Chand

today said that teachers play

a very special role in society

and everybody looks up to

them with admiration.

Student- teacher share a

pious and special bond which

is carried throughout the life,

he added.

"Our tradition culture and

scriptures have also given

special respect to teachers

due the fact that they lead

students from darkness to the

light of knowledge and now

it is duty of every teacher to

come up to the expectation

by serving with devotion and

dedication," he urged.

Mr .Tara Chand was

addressing annual day cum

parents meet at the

Government Higher

Secondary School, Dori

Dager.

Cultural items and mast

past was presented by the stu-dents. Five adjacent schools

of the area also participated

in the celebrations.

Joint Director, State

Institute of Education, SDM

Akhnoor, CEO and other

officers as well as staff of the

schools attended the func-

tion.

Describing education as

priority sector, the Deputy

Chief Minister today said that

focused attention is being

paid to upgrade infrastructure

in the sector and to equip

education institutes with

most modern facilities,

adding that the government is

aware of the fact that the

department has dearth of staff

and efforts at the highest

level have been initiated tofill up the posts on priority.

"We are aware that rural

and far-flung areas are worst

sufferers of the shortage of

staff in schools and directions

have already been issued to

take up the matter at cabinet

level and constitute district

level boards to ensure fast

track filling of vacant posts

of teachers" he detailed.

He said a transparent and

vibrant transfer policy would

be put in place and those

employees who serve in hard

areas would be given prefer-

ence in next postings.

Serving rural and far-off

schools would be made

mandatory but those give one

academic year in such areas

would automatically get sub-sequent preferential posting,

he added.

He said posts have already

been referred to PSC for

selection and seniority lists of

teachers have also been final-

ized for promotion, posts

thus created would also been

filled on priority through

SSRB. Underscoring on pro-

moting transparency, the

Deputy Chief Minister said

that fool proof transparent

mechanism would be put in

place by utilizing IT in the

education department and

urged upon the authorities for

early submission of report of

the committee constituted to

inquire into the fake RET

appointments. Taking note of

continuing attachments, hesaid clear cut directions have

been issued to immediately

detach all the staff and any

officer found not relieving

the staff would face severe

action under the law.

Stressing on monitoring

student performance, Mr.

Tara Chand said bench mark

for judging the report card of

any government school is

result of the institution and

those schools where students

show brilliant results, suit-

able rewards would be given

to the teachers, adding that

those education institutes

where the performance is

below the standard con-

cerned would be dealt with

strong hands.

He said performancebased incentives would be

allowed and those principals

and teachers whose schools

under perform the staff

would be treated as dead

wood and action would be

initiated under relevant rules.

41 strandedpassengers airlifted

in Bandipora

BANDIPORA, FEBRU-

ARY 02: As many as 41

stranded passengers were air-

lifted from Bandipora to

Gurez and vice-versa today.

According to Tehsildar

Bandipora, 20 passengers

include one child were airlift-

ed from Bandipora to Dawar

while as 21 passengers airlift-

ed from Dawar to Bandipora.

Director Social Welfarereviews performance

UDHAMPUR, FEBRU-

ARY 02: Director, Social

Welfare Department Jammu,

M.H. Bhatti on Saturday con-

vened meeting of Officers of

Social Welfare Department to

review the schemes being

implemented by the depart-

ment at Udhampur.

The meeting was attended

by the Programme Officer

(ICDS Project) Udhampur,

District Social Welfare

Officer, Udhampur and all

the Child Development

Project Officers of District

Udhampur.During the meeting,

Director Social Welfare

undertook a detailed review

of the progress made under

the schemes like Post-Matric

and Pre-Matric Scholarships

to SC/OBC students, Widow,

Old Age and Disability

Pensions, working of Nari

Niketan and Bal Ashram etc.

Director also reviewed the

functioning of AWC's in

detail and the status of pro-

curement of Nutrition items

in the AWC's.

Strict instructions were

issued to the Officers con-

cerned for timely disburse-

ment of the honorarium to

AWW's and AWH's, Pension

and Scholarships and to mon-

itor the AWC's rigorously, inorder to ensure that they are

fully functional, so as to pro-

vide maximum benefits to the

beneficiaries.

Training programme,awareness camp at

Kotli Bala

UDHAMPUR, FEBRU-

ARY 02: Two days training

cum awareness camp was

organized for the farmers of

Chenani Block regarding

Kissan Credit Card at

Panchayat Ghar Kotli Bala of

Zone Samroli under

Agriculture Sub Divisional

Udhampur. About 50 num-

bers of farmers of different

village of the area took part

in the camp.

Speaking on the occasion,

on the importance of Kissan

Credit Card Agriculture

Extension Officer, Mr. Jyoti

Parkash advised the farmers

to use KCC judiciously by

purchasing good quality of

seeds, fertilizers, pesticides

and other farm machinery to

increase agriculture produc-

tion as well as to increase

economic status of the farm-

ers.

Highlighting the benefits

of KCC JAEO, Mr.

R.K.Pandoh said that it serve

as identity to farmers besides

providing crop insurance,

accidental insurance and

monetary support to them to

purchase quality inputs.

Expert, Mr. Chander

Mohan also apprised to the

farmers about various state

and centrally schemes for

uplifting of farming commu-

nity.

The farmers have also

been advised by the expert to

layout Mushroom, Apiculture

programme implemented

these programme in their area

for additional income.

Prominent among others

present on the occasion were

Sarpanches, Panches and

large numbers of farmers

were participated in the

camp.

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 2:

The Director General of

Police (DGP), Mr. Ashok

Prasad today had a detailed

review of the functioning of

Police Public Schools and

Police Parivar Fuel Pumps.

He stressed for making the

schools exemplary institu-

tions and the fuel pumps

source generating outlets.

A high level meeting of

Police Parivar was held at

Police Headquarters (PHQ)

here today. The meeting was

chaired by DGP, who is also

patron of Police Parivar and

was attended by Chairperson,

JK Police Wives Welfare

Association (PAWWA), Mrs.

Kiran Prasad and senior

police officers, besides lady

members of PAWWA.

The meeting was briefed

about the initiatives taken in

recent years with regard to up-

gradation of Police Public

Schools, Police Fuel Pumps

and functioning of newly

established schools at range

level. An over all view of the

achievements registered on

this account was taken with

directions to continue and fur-

ther improve the progress

with missionary zeal at all the

levels. The meeting had

threadbare discussion on

improving the functioning

and quality of education of

Police Public Schools. It was

told that effective steps have

been taken to equip the insti-

tutions with modern facilities

to achieve desired results. It

was also decided that facilities

in newly established schools

at range level would be

upgraded to run these schools

efficiently.

Dwelling on the objectives

of schools and parivar fuel

pumps, Mr. Prasad said police

public schools have been

established at the twin capital

cities with the aim to provide

quality education to the police

wards including the wards of

martyrs, besides sharing its

responsibility to make the

society better. He said that

encouraging results of these

schools inspired the organiza-

tion to spread the branches in

other ranges of the state. The

schools in the capital cities

have been upgraded to higher

secondary level, having suffi-

cient infrastructure and equip-

ment with all facilities of

modern education. The range

level schools are being

strengthened by providing

them all requirements includ-

ing well trained teaching staff.

Expressing satisfaction

over the functioning of these

institutions, Mr Prasad

stressed upon the manage-

ment to work with more dedi-

cation to make them exempla-

ry institutions. He said that

steps are being taken to affili-

ate police public schools with

CBSE, which could help the

students to acquaint them-

selves with the national level

syllabus and compete in high-

er level examinations. He

asked the administration to

fulfil all required formalities

in this regard and get the insti-

tutions registered at national

level. Referring to the sugges-

tions posed by lady members

and other senior officers with

regard to improvements of

police public school and Fuel

pumps, the DGP said that

need based vehicles for trans-

portation of students would be

procured for newly estab-

lished schools. He also

stressed to frame guidelines

for running hostel messes

making them more eco-

friendly and hygienic. The

meeting decided to constitute

committees to look into other

suggestions for bringing more

improvements in the working

of these institutions.

While discussing the mat-

ters related to the fuel pumps,

the DGP said that these sta-

tions needs to be made source

generating which could help

in providing assistance to the

families of martyrs. He said

that besides ensuring standard

quality of the fuel, audit of the

pumps should be made

mandatory making the work

transparent. He also asked to

acquire sufficient land for the

outlets to establish allied busi-

ness, making them more prof-

it earning.

Kichloo visits BEACONheadquarters, discusses

status of ongoing projects

Devotedly attend to duties: Dy CM to teachersGHSS Dori Dager celebrates annual day

Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Tara Chand along with others during cultural function at the Govt Higher Secondary School, Dori Dager.

DGP reviews functioning of PP Schools, Parivar Fuel Stations

Director General of Police (DGP), Ashok Prasad along with others reviewing functioning of PP Schools, Parivar Fuel Stations at Jammu.

CHINKAH (ARNAS), FEBU-

RARY 02: Holding cheap politick-

ing responsible for the backwardness

of Jammu and Kashmir, Minister for

Agriculture, Mr Ghulam Hassan Mir

today asked the people of the state to

take the benefits of huge economic

power that India is emerging.

The Minister was addressing a

mammoth public gathering at

Chinkah , Arnas today.Minister for PHE, Irrigation,

Flood Control, Mr. Sham Lal

Sharma, Minster of State for

Revenue and Rehabilitation, Mr

Ajiaz Ahmad khan, Member

Parliament, Mr. Lal Singh, MLC,

Sham Lal Bhagat, senior leader Mr

Kavil Singh also spoke on the occa-

sion.

Mir said over the past six decades

since India became independent, the

country has marched ahead on the

path of development and progress

while as the state could not keep up

with that pace of development due to

political mudslinging between vari-

ous sections and groups.

The Minister said a revolution

has taken place in infrastructure,

road connection, power, education

and health sector in the country and

there is economic boom prevailing in

the country. "Jammu and Kashmir is

yet to receive its share of benefits

which it could not owing to all these

reasons" he noted.

Mir made a fervent appeal to all

political classes in the state cutting

across party lines to come forward

and plead the case of the state in one

voice. "We have lost enough time in

doing politics" he said adding that

time has come when we should show

the people of the state particularly

the youth the way forward and make

them equitable partners in the growth

and progress of the country.

The Minister said that J&K faces

peculiar set of problems and it can-

not tide over them without the active

involvement and support from the

centre. He said that whole hearted

financial support from the centre has

helped the state in launching numer-

ous ambitious projects in different

sectors to upgrade the basic facilities

in J&K besides providing employ-

ment opportunities to skilled and

unskilled youth of the state.

Asking the people of the area to

give attention to agriculture activities

the Minister said that introduction of

latest Agri techniques, quality hybrid

seeds and farm mechanization has

helped the farmers to enhance their

production to many folds and thus

earn good returns. He said that the

agriculture department is providing

quality seeds; latest agri-techniques

and guidance to farmers on their

door step besides providing various

incentives to them on introduction of

farm machinery and other agricul-

ture inputs. Saying that the hilly belt

of the Reasi district has huge poten-

tial for organic farming, he urged

farmers to adopt organic farming for

which the government shall provide

incentives for three years besides

facilitating them in extending market

linkages for their produce. He said in

today's consumer market, organic

produce has huge market demand as

it is being considered safe.

In his address Minister for PHE,

Irrigation & FC, Mr sham Lal

Sharma said that coalition govern-

ment is making all out effort to

upgrade the basic facilities in all

regions with special focus on rural

areas. He said that a comprehensive

programme has already been formu-

lated for the development of J&K

which could help transform the socio

economic profile of the people.

The Minister asked the people to

strengthen the government led byChief Minister Omar Abdullah

adding that cooperation of people is

pivotal for implementing various

flagship programmes.

Minister of State for Revenue,

Rehabilitation, Mr Aijaz ahmad

khan, said that government is com-

mitted to address the grievances of

people particularly living in far off

areas on fast track basis.

He directed Deputy

Commissioner to implement the

public services Guarantee Act strict-

ly so that the people of this far off

area could avail benefits of all serv-

ices at the earliest. He also directed

to expedite land acquisition cases

coming under road connectivity net-

work in the area.

In his address MP, Mr. Lal Singh

said that peace is pre requisite for

development and asked people to

fully cooperate in successful imple-

mentation of welfare initiatives by

the government. He said that with

liberal funding of centre massive

development has been registered in

the state during last ten years.

Mir asks people to share benefits of country's huge economic potential ADDC Doda reviewsfunctioning of PRI's inKahara, Jangalwar

DODA, FEBRUARY 02- To

ensure implementation of

Panchayati Raj Act and

empowerment of Panchayati

Raj Institutions in the district,

Additional District

Development Commissioner

Doda, Mr. G.N Balwan who

is also the Nodal Officer

Panchayati Raj Institutions in

district, today convened ameeting of Block Level

Officers, Sarpanches and

Panches at Figsoo Jangalwar

to review the action taken

and achievements made by

the departments in empower-

ing PRI's in the District.

While speaking on the

occasion Mr. Balwan under-

lined the need to bridge the

gap between PRI's and differ-

ent departments in the district

for empowerment and devel-

opment of Panchayati Raj

Institutions. He directed the

Block Level Officers to fully

implement Government

Order in letter and spirit and

asked the officers to involve

and consult PRI's in the plan-

ning and implementation of

various schemes and pro-

grams, identification of bene-

ficiaries, supervision of

works, supervision of field

functionaries, Anganwadi

centres, flow of funds and

organizing awareness camps.

Minister for Agriculture, Mr Ghulam Hassan Mir along with other ministers addressing a mammoth public gathering atChinkah , Arnas.

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EDITORIALSTUDENT AGE


UPA regime okays weakanti-corruption Bill

For long, the Congress-led UPA Government has been claiming

that it is committed to a strong and effective Lokpal. And for

long the Opposition and the social activists agitating for the

cause have been rubbishing the claim. Now, it is amply clear why all

of these people have been suspicious of the Government's motive. The

Union Cabinet's recent endorsement of certain amendments to the

Lokpal Bill, which vastly dilute the supremacy of the Lokpal, conclu-

sively demonstrates that the regime just does not want a strong, anti-

corruption watchdog.

The much-awaited Lokpal Bill was intended as the antidote to sys-

temic corruption, but in its present form it resembles a toothless tiger,

to say the least. For one, it does not make the Central Bureau of

Investigation or the Central Vigilance Commission independent bod-

ies. Though there are provisions for a prosecution wing of the CBI to

handle the Lokpal's probes, the body will invariably be answerable to

the Government - its appointing authority. Unless the investigating

agency is taken out of the Government's control, any tinkering with

the law would only be window-dressing. There have been frequent

allegations of the CBI being the ruling Congress-led dispensation's

'handmaiden', whose services have been liberally, even brazenl

daily paper february 3, 2013

Documents