������������ � �JAMMU WEDNESDAYMAY 16, 2018

VOL. 33 | NO. 133 RNI No. 43798/86REGD. NO. : JM/JK 118/15 /17Email: gofpress@gmail.com

epaper.glimpsesoffuture.com

Price ��2.00 Pages : 12

CyanMagentaYellowBlack

CyanMagentaYellowBla

NATIONALSr lawyer Mukul Rohatgiappointed as eminent juristin Lokpal panel: Govt

PAGE 12

WORLDPalestinians burydead after bloodiestGaza day since 2014

PAGE 8

SPORTSOur spinners will challengeIndian batsmen: Afghanistancaptain Stanikzai

PAGE 9

CYMK

CYMK

CYMK

CYMK

News in Brief

Washington, May 15 (PTI)

Two major develop-ments -- the 9/11 terror at-tack and Y2K bug --brought India and the UStogether in a post-Cold Warera, India's envoy to the US

has said. As India wasslapped with US sanctionsin the aftermath of thePokhran nuclear tests, thetwo countries were initiat-ing dialogue in the yearsthereafter, the Indian See 9/11 and Y2K on Page 11

New Delhi, May 15 (PTI)

Aadhaar card is notmandatory for centralgovernment employees toget their pension,Minister of State forPersonnel Jitendra Singhhas said. In 30th meetingof the StandingCommittee of VoluntaryAgencies here recently,he said Aadhaar is an ad-ditional facility to enablethe use of technology forsubmission of life certifi-cate without the need forvisiting banks. His asser-tion assumes significanceas there were reports ofsome retired employeesfacing difficulty in gettingthe pension in the absenceof Aadhaar linkage with

See Aadhaar on Page 11

Jammu, May 15 (PTI)

Prime MinisterNarendra Modi will ad-dress the sixth convoca-tion ceremony of the Sher-e-Kashmir University ofAgricultural Sciences andTechnology in Jammu thisweek, Vice ChancellorPradeep Kumar Sharmasaid today. Governor N NVohra, chancellor of theuniversity, and ChiefMinister Mehbooba Muftiwill also attend the hour-long programme onSaturday, Sharma told re-porters. "We used to holdconvocations at the audito-rium of the University ofJammu. This is for the firsttime, the function is beingheld at the SKUAST

See PM Address on Page 11

Policeman killedin militant attack inAnantnagSrinagar, May 15 (PTI)

A policeman was killed in amilitant attack at Bijbehara townin Anantnag district of Jammuand Kashmir today, an officialsaid. "Militants fired at a policevehicle in Bijbehara and the cops

See Policeman on Page 11

249 health officialsfound absent duringsurprise inspectionin RajouriJammu, May 15 (PTI)

As many as 249 employees of Health andFamily Welfare Department were found ab-sent during a surprise inspection in Rajouridistrict of Jammu and Kashmir, officialssaid. The checking, which was conducted bya team of officers across the border district,lasted for nearly 90 minutes. Againststrength of 952 officials posted in these insti-tutions, only 560 were present while 249 wereabsent from duty and 68 others on leave. 76more were either on roster waiting or depu-tation on field duty, the officials said. The in-spected establishments included three of-fices, eight sub-district hospitals and com-munity health centres, 22 primary health

See 249 Health on Page 11

Indian fishermansuffering fromcancer in Pak jail,says his familyVadodara, May 15 (PTI)

An Indian fisherman lodged in aPakistani jail is suffering from cancer, hisfamily said here today while requesting thegovernment to ensure his return home sothat he does not die in the neighbouringcountry. Rudiben Chauhan, a resident ofPaldi area of Gir Somnath district of Gujarat,told PTI that her 35-year-old husbandDanabhai Chauhan has been languishing inthe Pakistani jail for over a year. Chauhanandfive other fishermen from Gujarat wereapprehended by the Pakistan MaritimeSecurity Agency near the Jakhau port inKutch district on May 3, 2017 for allegedly en-tering the Pakistani waters. Their boat,

See Indian Fisherman on Page 11

SRINAGAR, MAY 15:

Chief Minister,Mehbooba Mufti today an-nounced release of Rs. Onecrore each in respect of allthe MLAs of SrinagarDistrict for rebuilding so-cial infrastructure in theirconstituencies even as the

District Capex Plan hasbeen pegged at Rs. 149.54crore for 2018-19. Chairingthe District DevelopmentBoard meeting of Srinagardistrict here today, theChief Minister also an-nounced release of Rs. fivecrore to be kept at the dis-posal of SKIMS for estab-

lishing a Cancer Centrethere. A similar release ofRs. five crore would bemade for Jammu for estab-lishing a Cancer Centrethere as well, the ChiefMinister announced. Shealso directed earmarkingRs. 10 crore for construct-ing Community Halls in

various parts of the city,particularly Shehre Khaas.

Ministers, Syed AltafBukhari, Javed AhmadMir, Muhammad AshrafMir, Asiea Naqash; legisla-tors, Ali MuhammadSagar, Mubarak Gul,Shamima Firdous, NoorMuhammad, Moulvi AbidAnsari, Ishfaq Jabbar,Khursheed Alam andAnjum Fazili were presentin the meeting. MehboobaMufti directed the officersto undertake repair oflanes, drains, macadamisa-tion of roads and strength-ening of power distributionsystem in the Srinagar city,

See Srinagar on Page 11

HC stay appointmentof 29 AEs (electricals)Jammu, May 15(JNF):

Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakurof J&K High Court stayed the se-lection/appointment of 29Assistant Engineers (Electrical).While styaing the slection/ap-pointment, Justice Dhiraj SinghThakur after hearing Adv

See HC Stay on Page 11

Power shutdownJAMMU, MAY 15:

To carry out work of branchcutting and preventive mainte-nance, the shutdown of 33 KVNITs Chatha Tap Line is being ob-served. During the shutdown, thepower supply to Hakkal, Raipur,Satwari, SKAUST, Chatha and itsadjoining areas will remain

See Power on Page 11

Governor reviewsYatra arrangementsSRINAGAR, MAY 15:

Governor N.N. Vohra,Chairman of the Shri AmarnathjiShrine Board, today reviewedarrangements for the forthcom-ing Yatra which is scheduled tocommence on 28th June 2018. Thereview meeting was attended by

See Governor on Page 11

Govt issuesnew school timingsSRINAGAR, MAY 15:

The School EducationDepartment today orderedchange in school timing acrossKashmir Division and WinterZone of Jammu Division.According to the order, thereshall be a uniform timing inschools across Kashmir Division

See Govt Issues on Page 11

IG BSFcalls on GovernorGOF StaB ReporterSRINAGAR, MAY 15:

Abhinav Kumar, IG FrontierHQ BSF, Srinagar, called onGovernor N.N. Vohra at the RajBhavan today. Kumar briefedGovernor about some of the cur-rent issues relating to BSF’s oper-ations in Kashmir and about thelikely pattern of the emerging se-curity scenario.

Jammu, May 15(JNF):

A Division Bench of theState High Court compris-ing Justice Alok Aradheand Justice Sanjay Guptatoday in the open court ex-tended 10 days further timefor filing of response by theCommissioner/ Secretaryto Govt. of J&K GeneralAdministrationDepartment,Commissioner/ Secretaryto Govt. of J&K Housingand Urban DevelopmentDepartment, DirectorVigilance State VigilanceOrganization, Jeet LalGupta (IAS) FormerCommissioner/Secretaryto Govt. of J&K Housingand Urban Development

Department, SurinderKumar PSO toCommissioner/ Secretaryto Govt. of J&K H&UDD,Balbir Singh (Driver SU-DA) and Kharati Lal S/oMani Ram in a much publi-cized Public InterestLitigation (PIL) filed byIrtiza Mushtaq a practicinglawyer of J&K High Courtseeking quashment of or-ders whereby JammuMunicipal Corporation hasallotted 10 Municipal Flatssituated at Gandhi Nagar,Jammu on pick and choosebasis. When this PIL cameup for hearing AdvocateSheikh Shakeel Ahmed ap-pearing for the petitionersubmitted that on April, 17,2018 a Division Bench

headed by then ActingChief Justice RamalingamSudhakar had granted 03weeks further time for fil-ing of response by GAD,H&UDD, Former IASOfficer Jeet Lal Gupta andothers but despite the ex-piry of 03 weeks the replieshave not been filed and thematter is being delayed be-cause of the delaying tac-tics of the senior func-tionaries of the StateGovernment. AdvocateS.S. Ahmed vehemently ar-gued that before filing theinstant PIL, the petitionerhad served a detailed legalnotice calling upon thethen Hon’ble Deputy ChiefMinister (Minister

See PIL Seeking on Page 11

Srinagar, May 15:

Despite the governmenthaving spent more than Rs 10crore for dredging, cleaning, de-weeding, Dal Lake, the depart-ments concerned have failed torestore pristine glory of thelake. Official sources toldKashmir News Service (KNS)that above Rs 10 crore have beenspent on cleaning, dredging anddeweeding of Dal from 2015.Despite that the condition of thefamed Dal Lake has deteriorat-ed over the years. Giving detailssources said that an amount ofRs 4.06 crore was spent on clean-ing, dredging and deweeding of

Dal during 2015-16 year. Rs 3.54crore was utilized in 2016-17 andRs 2.77 was utilized during 2017-18.” Sources said that the gov-ernment of India has also re-leased Rs 273.85 crore for con-servation of Dal and NigeenLake under NLCP. “Out of totalpackage of Rs 356.30 crore, Rs83.18 crores have been releasedunder PMDP as well,” sourcesmaintained. However sourcestold KNS that the condition ofthe Dal lake day in and day outis deteriorating. “A new lakecould have been created by themoney spent on the lake overthe years,” an official said.“There seems no accountability

whether there has been any im-provement in the lake despitespending crores,”

Sources said that it has beenseen that Lakes and WaterDevelopment Authority is onlycarrying out de-weedingaround the SKICC as the centrehas a distinction of hosting im-portant functions both govern-ment as well as private.“Government has also failed tocomplete the rehabilitationprocess within a time framework and all these projects havemissed the deadlines,” sourcessaid. “Spending such a hugeamount and no visible changein the condition of the Dal rais-

es serious questions on theworking of officials,” saidHabiullah, a resident ofShalimar. It is to mention herethat a major project ‘NationalLake ConservationProgramme’ was started in 2005costing Rs 298.76 crore. Underthe 'Prime Minister'sReconstruction Programme'(PMRP) costing Rs 356 crore,over Rs 100 crores have been re-leased so far. It was for acquisi-tion of land and structures inDal and Nigeen lake. The thirdproject was for the rehabilita-tion of the families dislocatedfrom Dal and Nigeen lakes. The

See Despite on Page 11

Bengaluru, May 15 (PTI)

The KarnatakaAssembly election resultsthrew up an unexpectedsuspense today, as a simplemajority tantalisinglyeluded BJP and theCongress quickly pro-claimed support to third-placed JD(S) to keep the saf-fron party out of power. Alleyes are now on GovernorVajubhai Vala who willhave to decide whether tocall BJP, the single largestwinner of seats, to try toform the government or gowith the JD(S)-Congresscombine, which together

See Karnataka on Page 11

Jammu, May 15 (PTI)

Terming as very serious the at-tempts by Pakistani forces to pusharmed terrorists across the borderahead of Prime Minister NarendraModi's visit to Jammu andKashmir, Director General ofBorder Security Force (BSF) K KSharma said today efforts were onto locate the infiltrators.

Five infiltrators sneaked intoHiranagar sector probably througha tunnel on Sunday night and ef-forts are on to detect and neutralisethem, Sharma said. Referring tothe killing of a BSF jawan in firingfrom across the border, Sharma

said the sacrifice would not go invain and assured appropriate ac-

tion against Pakistan. Pakistan isour hostile neighbour and tries to

push terrorists and violates cease-fire regularly. BSF does no initiate(ceasefire violations) from this sidebut whenever Pakistan initiates,we give them a befitting response,Sharma told reporters at the BSFheadquarters here. Referring to thelatest incidents along the interna-tional border, Sharma said a groupof five infiltrators may havesneaked in, while another attemptwas scuttled. There is a possibilitythat a group of five (terrorists)managed to sneak into this sidethrough a tunnel on Sunday night.We have not so far detected any tun-nel but are looking for it. The anti-tunneling exercise is going on, he

Pak attempt to push armed infiltratorsinto JK ahead of PM visit very serious: DG BSF

Karnataka fate hangs in balance as BJP fallsshort of majority, Cong-JD(S) join hands

BJP workers celebrate with colours the party's lead on morethan 110 Assembly seats, as the counting of votes is in progress,outside the party office in Bengaluru.

‘Despite spending crores over the years,Govt fails to restore pristine glory of Dal lake’

N o v i s i b l e i m p r o v e m e n t i n c l e a n i n g , d r e d g i n g , d e w e e d i n g o f l a k e

� � � � / % % ( ' + & � � � � � - . , # % � ' + � 1 ) ) , 0 * % + 0 � � $ "* � ' + � � �� 2DB extended 10 days further time for reply

by GAD, H&UDD, SVO, Ex-IAS Officer & Others

������� ������� ���������� �� ���� ������ ���� ���������� ������

Mehbooba announces release of Rs. One Cr eachto MLAs of Srinagar district to strengthen social infra

PM to address 6th convocationof SKUAST in Jammu

Separtists to protestPM's visit to J&KSrinagar, May 15 (PTI)

Separatists todaycalled for a protestmarch to Lal Chowk onSaturday against PrimeMinister NarendraModi's scheduled visit tothe Jammu andKashmir. PrimeMinister will address thesixth convocation cere-mony of the Sher-e-Kashmir University ofAgricultural Sciencesand Technology inJammu this week. Theseparatists, under thebanner of Joint

See Separtists on Page 11

Aadhaar notmandatory for getting

pension: Jitendra

9/11 and Y2k brought India, UStogether in post-Cold War era: Sarna

India's Ambassador to the US, Navtej Singh Sarna speaks at anevent in Washington DC organized by CSIS.

JAMMU WEDNESDAY MAY 16, 2018Obituary2 Glimpses of Future

OBITUARYWith profound grief and sorrow, we are

deeply shocked to inform the sad and

untimely demise of Sh. Makhan Lal

Bhat S/o Lt. Sh. Kashi Nath Bhat origi-

nally resident of Nadimarg at present

Suryavanshi Vihar Vinayak Nagar,

Muthi Jammu. The Tenth Day Kriya will

be performed at Muthi Ghat Near

Director School Education on 18-05-

2018 at 08:00 AM sharp.

Grief STricKenSmt. Jeeta Bhat -Wife

Son & Daughter-in-law

Mr Amit Bhat & Sujata Bhat

Mr Ashwani Bhat -Son

Brother & Bhabhi

Sh Pushkar Nath Bhat & Kanta Bhat

Smt. Babli Bhat W/o Lt.Sh. Janki Nath Bhat -Bhabi

Sh Chaman Lal Bhat & Basanti Bhat -Brother & Bhabhi

Smt. Rajni Pandita W/o Lt. Sh. Bansi Lal Pandita -Sister

Smt. Veena & Sh. Ramesh Bhat -Sister & Brother-in-law

Master Ridan -Grand Son

& SAMAST BHAT PARIVAR

Ph: 9419119899, 9419257969

Sh. makhan lalBhat

10TH DAY KRIYAWith profound grief & sorrow, we regret toinform the sad demise of our mother MrsRani Bhan on 7th May (Monday) 2018originally resident of Bana MohallaSrinagar (Kmr) at present 112- Lok ViharApartments, Vikaspuri, New Delhi -18.The Tenth Day Kriya shall be performedat Rohini Ghat, Opp Desu Sub Station,Sector -18 on 16th May (Wednesday)2018 at 9.00 AM.DeePly miSSeD By family memBerS & relaTiVeSGRIEF STRICKENSAMAST BHAN PARIWAR, DHAR’S, KACHROO’S,PESHIN’S, ZUTSHI’S, BRADOO’S, RAINA’S & PANDITA’SMOBILE NO’S- 9811455275, 9868639018, 9873393751

mrs rani Bhan

10TH DAY KRIYAWith profound grief and sorrow, we re-gret to inform the sad demise of ourbeloved Sh Makhan Lal Peshin S/oLate Sh Amar Chand Peshin, erstwhileresident of Fateh Kadal, Srinagar atpresent, House No 5, Kabir Chowk,Sector -1, Durga Nagar Jammu on 10-05-2018. Tenth Day Kriya shall be per-formed on 18-05- 2018 at Muthi Ghat,Near Director School EducationOffice, Muthi at 8.00 AM.Grief STricKenSmt Chuni Rawal -SisterSmt Ratan Rani Peshin -WifeSmt Rohini & B.B Kachroo -Daughter & Son-in-lawSmt Sunita & B.B Chowdhary -Daughter & Son-in-lawMrs & Mr K.K Kaw -Sister-in-law & Brother-in-lawMrs & Mr S.K Rawal -Daughter-in-law & NephewMrs & Mr R. K Rawal -Daughter-in-law & NephewSmt Santosh & M.K Raina -Sister-in-law & Brother-in-lawSmt Phoola & Lt. Mr A.K Kakapuri -Sister-in-law & Brother-in-lawSamast Parivars of Peshins, Kachroos, Chowdharys & Walis9419180126, 9953532704

Sh makhan lalPeshin

OBITUARYWith profound grief and sorrow, weinform the sad demise of ourbeloved Smt. Shakuntla RazdanW/o Late Sh. Autar Krishan Razdan(KAW) originally resident ofGundalhamar, Nai Sarak, Srinagar,presently at Nagpur on 09-05-2018.Tenth Day Kriya will be performed on18- 05-2018 at Nagpur.Grief STricKenDaughters-in-law & SonsAnu & Ankur, Romal & AbhayMob: 9518501969Chopras, Zadoos & Rainas

Smt. Shakuntlarazdan

10TH DAY/KRIYAWith profound grief & sorrow, we in-

form untimely & Sad demise of our

beloved Shri Rakesh Kumar Kakroo

S/o Late Shri Sansar Chand Kakroo

originally Batapora Sopore Distt

Baramulla Kashmir at present Lane

No.9, Block- 50, Flat No.8 Jagti

Nagrota, Jammu who left us on 08-05-

2018. The Tenth Day Kriya will be per-

formed on 17-05-2018 at Muthi Ghat

near Director School Education at

8.00 am. The reset Pooja will be per-

formed at Community Hall Lane No.7,

Jagti Nagrota.

Grief STricKenKirna Kokru -Wife

Rahul Kokru -Son

Brothers & Sisters-in-law

Lt. P.K Kokru and Lt. Smt Chuni Kokru

Tej Krishen Kokru & Nirmala Kokru

Roop Krishen Kokru & Rita Kokru

Sisters & Brothers-in-law

Smt Tulsi & Lt. Sh T.N Kuchroo

Smt Mohini & Lt. Sh P.N Kuchroo

Smt Kirti & Sh B.N Garoo

Smt Uma & Sh B.K Kokru

Smt Usha & Sh C.N Kokru

Daughters & Sons-in-law

Bhawna and Ravinder Khera

Neha and Sunny Tickoo

9103082007, 7701816384

Shri rakeshKumar Kakroo

10TH DAY KRIYAWith profound grief and sorrow we re-

gret to inform the sad demise of our

beloved mother Smt. Roopawati

Tengloo W/o Late Sh. Omkar Nath

Tengloo erstwhile resident of Batapora

– Gassiran Distt Kulgam at present

House No. 41, Sharika Vihar Sec. - 02

Roop Nagar Jammu on 10th of May,

2018. Tenth Day Kriya will be per-

formed on Saturday, the 19th of May,

2018 at Muthi Ghat near Directorate of

School Education Jammu at 8 am.

Grief STricKenSon & Daughter-in-law

Sh. Shadi Lal Tengloo & Mrs. Lovely Tengloo

Daughters & Sons-in-law

Smt. Santosh Fotedar & Sh. Roshan Lal Fotedar

Smt. Rattna Matoo & Sh. Roshan Lal Matoo

Smt. Kundan Kaul & Sh. Rajinder Kaul

Smt. Utika & Hunny Kulana -Grand Daughter & Son-in-law

Grand Children: Rohit, Sunil, Meenu, Sunil, Renu, Banty, Amit

Samast Tengloo Parivar

Ph: 9419207095 / 9596622707

Smt. roopawatiTengloo

10TH DAY KRIYAWith profound grief and sorrow, weinform the sad demise of Sh (Prof.)Bal Krishen Kachru S/o LateSh.Arjan Dev Kachru originally resi-dent of SheshyaarHabbakadal,Srinagar and at presentN-142, South City Phase 1,Gurgaonon 09-05- 2018. Tenth Day Kriya willbe performed on 18/05/2018 8am atNighambodh Ghat No 25 (KashmiriGhat).Grief STricKenRati Kachru -WifeDaughter-in-law & SonDr Chandan & Dr Ranjan KachruNirmala Kachru -BhabiMohini & M.K.Kachru -Bhabi & BrotherContact No- 9810305321/9811257176

Sh (Prof.) BalKrishen Kachru

10TH DAY KRIYAWith profound grief and sorrow, we in-

form the sad demise of our beloved Sh.

Mahraj Krishan Kaw S/o Lt. Sh.

Shamboo Nath Kaw, originally from

Nunar Ganderbal A/P H. No. 53,

Sector-A-1, Lane-4, Laxmi Puram

Chinore Bantalab. 10TH DAY KRIYA

will be held at Muthi Ghat at 8.30 A.M.

on 19-05-2018.

Grief STricKenSh. Makhan Lal Dhar-Brother

Smt. Raj Dulari Dhar-Bhabi

Sons & Daughters-in-law

Smt. & Sh. Inder Bushan Dhar

Smt. & Sh. Surinder Dhar

Smt. & Sh. Sunil Kaw

Smt. & Sh. Sushil Kaw

M. No: 9419786746, 8082764883

9419147877, 8713017053

Sh. mahrajKrishan Kaw

10TH DAY/KRIYAWith profound grief and sorrow, we in-

form the sad demise of Shri Mohan Lal

Bhat, originally R/o Kilam, Kulgam at

present House No. 230, Sec-1,

Vinayak Nagar, Muthi, Jammu.

TENTH DAY KRIYA will be performed

at Muthi Ghat on 20 May 2018 at 8:45

AM.

Grief STricKenSmt. Kishni Bhat- Wife

Smt. Dulari Koul - Sister

Smt Asha Ji & Sh. O.N. Bhat - Sister-in-law & Brother

Smt. Pinkey Koul & Sh. P.K. Koul - Daughter & Son-in-law

Aruna Bhat & Rakesh Bhat- Daughter-in-law & Son

Jucy Bhat & Kuldeep Bhat - Daughter-in-law & Son

Grand Children : Shashank, Akshita, Anusha, Taneesha

Mob : 8800567568, 9796585370, 9811033007, 9797380983

Shri mohan lalBhat

10TH DAY KRIYAWith profound grief and sorrow, we in-form the sad demise of our beloved SmtSushma Labroo W/o Sh Dileep Labrooon 11-05-2018, originally resident ofTarabal, Nowakadal Srinagar KashmirA/P Vasant Vihar Talab Tillo Jammu.Tenth Day Kriya will be performed on20th May 2018 (Sunday) at Muthi Ghatnear Director School Education OfficeMuthi at 8.30 AM.Grief STricKenDilip Labroo -HusbandDaughters & Son-in-lawSharoon Labroo & Pankaj DharPooja LabrooBrother & BhabiSh Moti Lal Labroo & Smt Durga SadhuSh Ravidner Labroo & Smt Urmila LabrooSisters & Brothers-in-lawSh Subash Chander Koul & Smt Sarla KoulSh Pankaj Munshi & Smt Meenakshi MunshiSh Sunil Moza & Smt Anju MozaAnd Samast Parivar ofLabroos, Kouls, Tikoos, Dhars, Vaishnavis,Mozas & MunshisContact No: 9419111500, 7006402119

Smt Sushmalabroo

10TH DAY KRIYAThe Tenth Day Kriya of our beloved

Karmyogini Smt. Roopa / Baibi Raina

W/o Sh. Sham Lal Raina R/o

Chapargund Nunar Ganderbal A/p

137/4 Pamposh Colony Janipur will be

performed at Muthi Ghat on 17th May

(Thursday) at around 8.30 a.m.

Grief STricKenSh. Sham Lal Raina- Husband

Sister-in-Law & Brother-in-Law

Smt. Keemta & Sh. T.N. Raina

Daughter & Son-in-Law

Smt. Rajni Gadroo and Sh. T.K. Gadroo

Smt. Usha Warikoo- Daughter

Smt. Sunita & Sh. S.K. Raina (PHE)- Daughter-in-Law & Son

Smt. Sunita & Sh. Sanjay Koul- Daughter & Son-in-Law

Smt. Anita & Sh. Surinder Bhat- Daughter & Son-in-Law

Smt. Ritu & Sh. Rajesh Raina- Daughter-in-Law & Son

And Bhat’s (Batpori’s)

Smt. roopa / Baibiraina

UTHALAWith profound grief and sorrow we in-

form the sad demise of our beloved Sh.

Joginder Pal Gupta S/o Lt. Sh. Kunj Lal

Gupta R/o 220 Partap Garh, Jammu

who left for heavenly abode on 13th

May, 2018. Uthala will be performed on

16th May 2018 at 4.00 - 5.00 pm,

Wednesday at Mahajan Hall,

Shalamar Road, Jammu.

Grief STricKenSmt. Vijay Lakshmi -Wife

Son & Daughter-in-law

Mr. Sandeep Gupta & Mrs. Preeti Gupta

Mr. Sourabh Mahajan -Son

Sons-in-law & Daughters

Mr. Vikas Bhandari & Mrs. Sarika Bhanwari

Mr. Deepak Gupta & Mrs. Saguna Gupta

Brother-in-law & Sister

Sh. Subash Jandial & Smt. Veena Jandial

Brother & Bhabhi

Sh. Jagdish Gupta (Retd. Xen PWD) & Smt. Asha Gupta

Smt. Kanta Gupta W/o Lt. Sh. Vijay Gupta

Smt. Rama Gupta W/o Lt. Sh. Om Parkash Gupta

M/s Ishar Dass Kunj Lal, 35-A Nehru Market

M/s Joginder Pal Gupta & Sons, Kanak Mandi

M/s VIjay Tea Co, 67-D Nehru Market

M/s Rahul Enterprises 67-D Nehru Market

9596726261/9419102139 /9419103053

Sh. Joginder PalGupta

TENTH DAYWith profound grief & sorrow, we regret

to inform the sad demise of our

beloved Shri Rajinder Singh Bhau S/o

Late Sh Chajju Singh Bhau R/o H. No.

627, Ashok Nagar Satwari, Jammu

Cantt. Tenth Day will be performed at

our residence on 16th May 2018

(Wednesday) at 11:00 AM.

Grief STricKenBrother & Bhabhi

Smt & Sh Mohan Singh Bhau, DDP (JKP)

Smt & Sh Krishan Singh Bhau

Sh Kulwant Singh Bhau

Sister & Brother-in-Law

Mrs Balwant Singh

Smt & Sh Abhey Singh

Mrs Neeru Bhau - Wife

Akshay & Aryan Bhau - Sons

Mobile: 9596751314

Shri rajinderSingh Bhau

10TH DAY KRIYAWith profound grief and sorrow, we in-

form the untimely demise of our

beloved Sh Pritam Lal (Teacher Govt.

High School Garkhal) S/o Late Sh Gian

Chand R/o Vill. Garkhal Teh. Akhnoor

Distt. Jammu who expired on Monday

the 7th of May 2018. 10th Day Kriya

shall be performed at our residence at

Vill. Garkhal (Camp) Teh. Akhnoor on

Wednesday 16th of May 2018 from 10

AM to onward.

Grief STricKenSmt Chander Rekha -Wife

Miss Anjli Devi -Daughter

Master Mohit Verma -Son

Brothers & Bhabhis

Sh Tara Chand & Smt Geeta

Sh Rajinder Kumar (CC Bank) & Smt Rekha

Hon. Captain Ram Lal & Smt Radha Kumari

Dr. Ghanisham & Smt Aman Kumari

Smt Preeti & Sh Sat Pal -Sister & Brother-in-law

Smt Poonam & Sh Kamal Raj -Sister & Brother-in-law

Sh Pritam lal

10TH DAY/KRIYA/RASAM PAGRI/UTHALAWith profound grief and sorrow, we in-form the sad demise of our beloved fatherSh. Som Raj Sharma S/o Lt. Pt. ShivRam Sharma R/o 1/126 Vikas Nagar,Sarwal Jammu who left for his heavenlyabode on 07.05.2018 (Monday). 10THDAY -on 16.05.2018 at our residence.KRIYA-on 17.05.2018 at our residencefrom 12.00 Noon onwards. RASAM PA-GRI & UTHALA shall be performed atGurudwara Kalgidhar (Rehari Chungi)on 18.05.2018 from 5.00 P.M. to 6.00P.M.Grief STricKenSmt. Santosh Sharma-WifeMehul Dubey-SonMridul Dubey-DaughterBrothers & Sisters-in-lawsSh. Ravinder Sharma & Smt. Swarn SharmaSh. Uttam Chand & Lt. Smt. Rama SharmaSisters & Brothers-in-lawSmt. Satya Devi & Lt. Sh. K.C. SharmaSmt. Nirmal Sharma & Cdr. V.K. SharmaBrothers-in-laws & Sister-in-lawsSh. G.D. Sharma & Smt. Neelam SharmaSh. Rajinder Sharma & Smt. Parshotma SharmaSh. Mahesh Kumar & Smt. Neena SharmaSisters-in-laws & Brothers-in-lawsSmt.Shakuntla Sharma & Sh. Sudesh SharmaSmt. Sunita Sharma & Sh. Ashok SharmaMob No: 9906308117,7006800496, 9419281222

Sh. Som rajSharma

10TH DAYWith profound grief & sorrow, we in-

form the sad demise of our mother Smt

Sheela Devi Rakwal W/o Late Sh.

Prem Singh Rakwal R/o JMC-253,

Mohalla Mehra, Toph Sherkhania,

Jammu. Tenth Day will be performed

on 16-05-2018 (Wednesday) at 11 am

at our residence JMC-253, Mohalla

Mehra, Toph Sherkhania, Jammu.

Grief STricKenSons & Daughters-in-law

Sh. Rajinder Singh Rakwal & Smt. Anju Rakwal

Sh. Ravinder Singh Rakwal & Smt. Anjani Rakwal

Sh. Jatinder Singh Rakwal

Daughter & Son-in-law

Smt. Rama Devi & Sh. Randhir Singh Bhau

Grand Children: Anmol, Palak, Lovish, Saniya

Ph: 7780817430, 9419701897, 9419114390

Smt Sheela Devirakwal

10TH DAY/KRIYAWith profound grief & sorrow, we regret

to inform the sad & sudden demise of

our beloved Mr Dilip Singh (Baghu) S/o

Late Sh Sabaz Dev Singh R/o H-99,

W-3, Rajput Mandi Akhnoor Jammu.

Tenth Day will be performed on

Wednesday 16-5-2018 at 11:00 AM at

our residence. Kriya will be performed

on Saturday 19-5- 2018 at 11:00 AM at

our residence.

Grief STricKenSmt Samitri Devi - Mother

Sh Sham Singh & Smt Sudesh - Brother & Sister-in-Law

Smt Vijay Lakshmi - Sister-in-Law

Sh Subash Singh & Smt Shakuntla - Brother-in-Law & Sister

Sh Tarwan Singh & Smt Santosh - Brother-in-Law & Sister

Smt Neelam Devi W/o Late Sh Joginder Singh - Sister

Ph No: 8082026684, 9622208254

mr Dilip Singh(Baghu)

10TH DAY KRIYAWith profound grief and sorrow, we are

deeply shocked to inform the sad and

ultimate demise of our beloved Sh

Daljeet Koul (Kaka Ji) S/o Lt Sh Soom

Nath Koul originally resident of Akura,

Mattan Anantnag at present H.No 251,

Sector -F, Sainik Colony Jammu. The

Tenth Day Kriya will be performed at

Muthi Gath near Director of School

Education on 22/05/2018 at 8.00 am.

Grief STricKenSmt Phoola Koul -Wife

Uncle & Aunt

Sh Ram Krishan & Smt Phoola Koul

Brother & Sister-in-law

Sh Sunil Koul & Smt Subashni Koul

Sh Ashwin & Smt Annu -Son-in-law & Daughter

Smt Mannu Koul -Daughter

Sh O.N Pandita & Smt Tosha Ji -Brother-in-law & Sister

Smt Phoola W/o Lt Sh B.L Pandita -Brother-in-law & Sister

Sh Ashok Kumar & Smt Kundan Bhat -Brother-in-law & Sister

Sh Deepak Bamzai & Smt Rita -Brother-in-law & Sister

Mob: 9419141282, 9682190881

Sh Daljeet Koul(Kaka Ji)

10TH DAYWith profound grief and sorrow, we in-

form the sad demise of Sh Kewal

Krishan Gupta (Pranoo Wale) S/o Late

Sh Amar Nath Gupta R/o Venus

Chowk Udhampur. Tenth Day will be

performed on 16th of May 2018

(Wednesday) at 11 am. Mahajan Hall

Gali Shitla Mata Mandir Chabutra

Bazar Udhampur. Kriya will be per-

formed on 19th of May 2018

(Saturday) at Devika Ghat Udhampur

10 am onwards.

Grief STricKenSmt Sharda Gupta -Wife

Daughter & Son-in-law

Smt Seema Gupta & Sh Vikas Gupta

Nephew: Sh Sanjay Gupta, Sh Raman Gupta

Mr Neeraj Gupta (Shivao Photostat Gurdwara Gali)

Mob: 9596678236

Sh Kewal KrishanGupta

10TH DAY KRIYAWith profound grief and sorrow, we re-

gret to inform the sad demise of our

beloved Karamyogi Sh. Kashi Nath

Raina S/o Lt. Anand Ram R/o

Chittergul Shangas Anantnag (Kmr.)

presently at Qtr No. 03 and 18 Block - B

Purkhoo Migrant Camp Phase III

Purkhoo Camp Jammu who expired

on 13-05-2018 (Sunday). The Tenth

Day Kriya will be observed on 22-05-

2018 (Tuesday) at 8:30 AM at Gumpul

Purkhoo Jammu.

Grief STricKenSmt. Raj Dulari -Wife

Smt. & Sh. Girdari Lal Raina -Son & Daughter-in-law

Daughter & Son-in-law

Smt. Dolly & Sh. Vinod Ji

Raashi, Rishab & Sahil

Smt. Sham Rani -Bhabi

Sh. Soom Nath Raina -Brother

Bhabi & Brother

Smt. Sheela Ji & Sh. Shamboo Nath Raina

Smt. & Sh. Rattan Lal Raina

Ph. No: 9797695942, 8082810613

Sh. Kashi nathraina

10TH DAY KRIYAIt’s terrible to inform you about thesudden and untimely demise ofour beloved Ms. Anita W/o Mr. AjayChaman originally resident ofMattan (Anantnag) presently atFlat No 15, Lane No 10, Block -91,Jagti Township, Nagrota Jammuon 13 May, 2018. The Tenth DayKriya will be performed onTuesday May 22, 2018 at 9.00 amat Tawi Ghat, near, Sainik SchoolNagrota.DeePly rememBereD anD miSSeD By:Chaman Lal -Father-in-lawBimla Kachroo -Mother-in-lawAjay Chaman -HusbandAryan Kachroo -SonRudhra Kachroo -SonMob: 7006280437

ms. anita

10TH DAY/KRIYAWith profound grief and sorrow, we in-

form the sad demise of Sh. Ravan

Karthol S/o Late Sh. Janak Raj R/o

H.No.940, Sarwal Chowk, Jammu.

Tenth Day will be performed on 16-05-

2018 (Wednesday) at 11:00 AM

H.No.940, Sarwal Chowk. Kriya will

be performed on 19-05-2018

Saturday at 4:00 PM H.No. 940,

Sarwal Chowk.

DeePly miSSeD By:-

Mother & Father

Lt Smt. Darshana Devi W/o Lt Sh. Janak Raj

Chachi & Chacha

Smt. Ravinder Mohini W/o Lt Sh. Dalip Kumar

Smt. Anoop & Sh. Kamal - Sister & Brother-inlaw

Smt. Radha & Sh. Sunil - Sister & Brother-in-law

Sh. Davinder Kumar - Brother

Sh. Pawan Kumar - Brother

Ph.No: 9797691878

Sh. ravan Karthol

10TH DAY/KRIYAWith profound grief and sorrow weinformed the sad demise of ourbeloved Late Smt. Kanta Devi W/oLate Sh. Sohan Lal R/o Linga,Bhadarwah, who expired on 09-05-2018 10th day will be per-formed on 18-05-2018 at our resi-dence at 10.00 am. Kriya will beperformed on 21-05-2018 at ourresidence.The Grief STricKen family :-Sh. Kulbhushan Kotwal and Smt AnitaSh. Vijay Kotwal and Smt RajaniSh. Sunny Kotwal and Smt ShivaniSh. Kuldeep Kotwal and Smt Raj KumariSh. Subash Chander and Smt SumnaMobile No. 9797401425, 9906016310

Smt. Kanta Devi

JAMMU WEDNESDAY MAY 16 2018state3 Glimpses of Future

Chairman LC forsetting upmulti-facilityIndoor Stadiumin KargilKARGIL MAY 15

ChairmanLegislative Council,Haji Anayat Ali, todaysaid that establishmentof a multi-facility indoorstadium in Kargil wouldgo a long way in boostingsporting activities in thedistrict which has an im-mense sporting talent.The Chairman statedthis while addressingplayers during the con-cluding ceremony of thethree-day Badmintontournament organizedby District Police Kargilunder Civic ActionProgramme at IndoorStadium here today.Chairman and ChiefExecutive CouncilorKargil Kacho Ahmad AliKhan and SeniorSuperintendent ofPolice Kargil TseringGyalpo were also pres-ent on the occasion. HajiAnayat said that there isno dearth of funds insports sector and theGovernment is keen todevelop sports infra-structure in the districton modern lines so thatsporting activities in thedistrict get boosted up.The Chairman urged up-on Hill Council Kargil toidentify suitable land forthe establishment of amulti-facility indoor sta-dium in the district. hesaid it will cater to thegrowing demand for pro-vision of indoor gamesfacilities to hundreds ofyouth who have im-mense talent but are leftbehind due to the lack ofproper facilities. He alsoappreciated the effortsof District Police Kargilfor organizing the tour-nament and expressedhope that the eventwould prove instrumen-tal in giving a boost topolice public relationsin the district besideschannelizing energyand talent of the youth inthe right direction.Later, the Chairman andthe CEC Kargil distrib-uted prizes, mementoesand certificates amongthe players and tourna-ment officialsPertinently the tourna-ment was a part of thesmall sporting events atthe Police Station Levelwherein 88 players in-cluding students .

Jammu May 15

BJP Jammu & Kashmir,led by Dy. CM KavinderGupta along with StateGeneral Secretaries Dr.Narinder Singh andHarinder Gupta celebratedthe splendid performanceof BJP in the state ofKarnataka by dancing onthe beats of traditional Dholand distributing sweets.State Secretary SanjayBaru, District PresidentsAyodhya Gupta and BaldevSingh Billawaria were alsopresent in the celebration.

The cadre of BJP wasseen in full jubilant moodand were busy in exchang-ing welcome notes amongthemselves. This festivityis seen as the expected out-come, where Congress issuffering from the lack ofleadership strong enoughto counter the strong per-sonality of Prime MinisterNarendra Modi, who is en-suring BJP’s win in every

state of the Nation.Kavinder Gupta while

addressing the cadre, fo-cussed that it is one stepcloser for making the entireNation Congress free, bygiving maximum seats tothe BJP in every election.

The public has posedfull faith in the governanceof BJP, he said, while stat-ing that, this is the result ofdedicated work of BJPcadre from top level to bot-tom. The mandate by peo-ple of India has clearly stat-ed that it is fed up with thedynasty based politics ofCongress and has highhopes on the able leader-ship of BJP under the guid-ance and administration ofPM Modi and BJP NationalPresident Amit Shah. BJPfeels indebted to the peopleof Karnataka for this loveand support, he said.

Rashpaul Verma,Subhash Jandiyal, MunishSharma, Suresh Sharma,Parduman Singh, Arvind

Gupta, Purnima Sharma,Dr. Pardeep Mahotra, TilakRaj Gupta, Rajinder SinghChib, Kulbhushan Mohtra,Sanjay Khanna, AshwaniSharma, Surinder Sharma,Jeet Angral, Adv. RajeshGupta, Prem Gupta, VinayGupta, Sanjeev Sharma,Karan Sharma, VikasChoudhary, AnkushGupta, Bharat Bhushan,Veena Gupta, RekhaMahajan, HarbansChoudhary, Indu BhushanSharma, Sheela Handoo,Shalja Gupta, BawaSharma, Rakesh Mishra,Karunesh, Vijay Sharma,and others were among theprominent leaders presentin the celebration.

Meanwhile BJPDistrict Jammu West un-der the leadership of itsDistrict PresidentAyodhya Gupta also cele-brated the splendid per-formance of BJP in thestate of Karnataka at BJPoffice, Kachi Chawni.

BJP celebrates BJP’s performance in Karnataka

JAMMU, May 15:

Despite the governmentclaims of promoting Jammuas a preferred tourist desti-nation, successive regimeshave failed to even provideair connectivity to the win-ter capital. Decades on, theonly airport here awaitslong-pending expansion andthe government on Mondaydecided to make availablethe night landing facility atthe Srinagar airport whiledidn't utter a word for such afacility for the airport inJammu. On Monday, ChiefMinister, Mehbooba Muftiin a high-level meeting heldon Monday said that theSrinagar airport would soonbe having night landing fa-cility for which all prepara-tions are being done by con-cerned agencies. The meet-ing was informed that theDirectorate General of CivilAviation has granted neces-sary permission for operat-ing night flights and the nec-

essary infrastructural upgradation in this regard isbeing done by the AirportAuthority of India and otherState agencies. The ChiefMinister directed comple-tion of all these upgrada-tions within a month’s timeso that the facility is thrownopen in view of the touristseason in the KashmirValley. She directed imme-diate release of Rs 3.86 crorefor meeting the expenses ofraising ancillary infrastruc-tural facilities for nighthours at the Airport for theconvenience of travellersand the staff. Shri Ram SenaState President RajivMahajan said that JammuAirpot’s short and roughrunway pose serious threatto lives of passengers. He al-so said that “Extremely haz-ardous plight of JammuAirport who’s short andrough runway is not only anightmare for pilots but pos-es serious threat to lives andsafety of passengers and the

government had not onlyneglected long pending ex-tension of the existing run-way at the Jammu Airportfrom 6700 feet to 8000 feet asrepeated warned byAviation experts but alsodisplayed criminal negli-gence in ensuring propermaintenance of the Airportthus putting the very lives ofpassengers to jeopardy”.Making out a strong case forup gradation of JammuAirport on the analogy ofSrinagar Airport, RajivMahajan said that 1.20 crorepilgrims visit MataVaishino Devi Shrine everyyear besides huge rush ofother pilgrims and touristswhich could further escalateif air traffic facilities are im-proved. He further saidwhile the Modi led govt. wastalking of developing mod-ern and smart cities, Jammuwas being deprived of eventhe basic facilities desper-ately needed for safety andsecurity of the people.

JAMMU MAY 15-

National ConferenceProvincial President andMLA Mr Devender SinghRana on Tuesday urged thePDP-BJP Government toimpress upon the Centre toaccord immediate approvalto the proposal with regardto alternate airport either atBajalta or Panjgrian in theclose vicinity of the wintercapital. “The survey standsundertaken and feasibilityreport prepared in pur-suance to the decision of theDistrict DevelopmentBoard on my proposal”, MrRana said while reacting tothe meeting convened bythe Chief Minister on ex-pansion of Jammu Airportand night landing facilitiesat Srinagar Airport yester-day. “In fact the StateGovernment should havebeen pro-active in pushingthe proposal following iden-tification of appropriatesites at Bajalta and

Panjgrian by the RevenueDepartment in due defer-ence to the DDB decision”,Mr Rana said, adding thatthe alternate airport is im-perative, not only for meet-ing needs of huge pilgrimtourist footfall at the gate-way to Shri Mata VaishnoDevi Shrine, but also tohave Jammu on the map ofinternational airports withnight landing facilities.“The proposal is needed tobe taken to logical conclu-sion and submitted to theAirports Authority of Indiafor inclusion in its airportdevelopment programme”,he said in a statement. TheMLA hoped that the matterwill also be taken up at thehighest level during the up-coming visit of PrimeMinister Mr NarendraModi to Jammu andKashmir later this week formaking an announcementin affirmation of the propos-al in principle. He saidJammu is blessed to play

host to nearly ten millionpilgrims annually with sub-stantial number of themtaking to air route andtherefore the added facilitywill only be appropriate forenabling them have all nec-essary facilities. About theproposed alternate airportproject at Bajalta orPanjgrian, Mr Rana saidthat apart from a huge land-mass the site is ideal to havean alternate airport givenits proximity to the wintercapital and base camp ofMata Vaishno Devi pilgrim-age at Katra. He said infra-structural development iskey to opening up virgintourist destination of theJammu region apart frompilgrim centres to peopleacross the country and evenabroad. “It is a bounden du-ty of the government to en-sure these facilities for giv-ing fillip to Jammu econo-my, as also extend facilitiesto the visiting pilgrims andtourists”, he maintained.

PDP BJP Govt complacent on Panjgrain,Bajalta Airport proposals: Rana

Govt neglects Jammu Airport, promotesnight landing at Srinagar airport: SRS

Discrimination with Jammu

New Delhi May 15:

Prof.Bhim Singh, Sr. Advocate &Executive Chairman of State LegalAid Committee, J&K expressed nosurprise on the stand taken by theUnion Govt. before the SupremeCourt of India regarding the consti-tutional status vested in the Govt. ofJ&K vis-à-vis Fundamental Rights.The Union Govt. through its counselbefore the Supreme Court expressedthat the Govt. of India would not liketo file any counter affidavit beforethe Supreme Court in the writ peti-tions challenging the constitutionalvalidity of Article 35(A). Article35(A) was inserted in theConstitution of India by anOrdinance of the President in 1954within the scope of Article 370 whichempowers only the President ofIndia to amend any provision inArticle 370 relating to the constitu-tional status to J&K guaranteed inthe Constitution of India. Prof.BhimSingh said that BJP and offshoot ofJan Sangh had a commitment to re-move Article 370 from the pages ofthe Constitution of India. The BJPhas been exposed without any reser-vation that it shall follow the dictatesof Article 370 without even daring toamend it. The BJP has been exposedthat the writ petitions challengingthe validity of Article 370/Article35(A) have not been supported orbacked by the BJP Govt. at theCentre. The counsel for the govern-ment has submitted that the CentralGovt. shall not file any counter affi-

davit and argue the case. It did notsay what was the stand of the UnionGovt. in this regard. Prof.BhimSingh declared that the PanthersParty shall file a writ petition seek-ing amendment in Article 370 and re-moval of ‘A’ from the bottom ofArticle 35 of the Constitution ofIndia. Prof.Bhim Singh said thatArticle 35(A) deprives the citizens ofIndia in J&K of their FundamentalRights at the will of the StateAssembly/State leaders. Article35(A) was inserted in theConstitution of J&K only to enslavethe citizens of India in J&K so thatthey could be deprived of theirFundamental Rights enshrined inChapter-III of the Constitution ofIndia. It was Article 35(A) which hasbeen used like a sword by the rulersof J&K to crush the FundamentalRights enshrined in the Constitutionof India but were not allowed to beimplemented in J&K. It was Article35(A) which made state governmentin J&K powerful to imprison eventhe Prime Ministers and later ChiefMinisters of J&K. Hundreds of politi-cal leaders have suffered detentionswithout trial for years. Prof.BhimSingh said that he himself spentmore eight years in jails under thedetention laws becauseFundamental Rights are not avail-able to the citizens of India calledPermanent Residents of J&K.Prof.Bhim Singh congratulated thepeople of Karnataka for teaching alesson to Modi-led BJP governmentin Karnataka Assembly polls.

Union Govt. led by Modi exposedon its hidden agenda vis-à-vis J&K

JAMMU, MAY 15: -

To assess sector-wise physi-cal and financial progress be-sides taking stock of implemen-tation of decisions taken in previ-ous Board meetings, Member ofLegislative Assembly from fromInderwal, Ghulam MohammadSaroori raises various public de-mands related to Inderwal con-stituency falling under the juris-diction of Doda district. Ministerfor Social Welfare, ARITrainings and Science &Technology, Sajad Gani Lonechaired the DistrictDevelopment Board (DDB) re-view meeting of district Dodahere. Mr. Saroori highlightedvarious public related demandsincludes sanctioning of con-struction of road from Gugara toKralpura via Nagni, Bathri toHuttan Sanothe under NABARDscheme, construction of roadfrom Jaba to Piyakul Nagni un-der CRF scheme, release of com-pensation for ongoing schemesunder state sector, district sectoror NABARD including GoilaTrankhle, Gugara Zig to JaiKahara, Bhatyas to Jakyas, cir-cular road Kahara, Bhatyas toChallar, Hanoo link road andMadrassa Bhatyas road, sanc-tioning of new primary school atSanothe Batyas and KohlipuraDugroon, Bathri, early start ofwork on receiving stationKahara, utilization of funds

which are sanctioned underRGGVY phase II, Deen Dayal andSubhagya schemes from whichall habitats of Doda district willget electricity and people will getsigh of relief, opening of fire serv-ice station at Kahara and Jakyaswhich is the need of the hour,construction of protection wallnear Ziyarat shareef GugaraKahara which was damaged dueto last year flood, construction ofpark at charwa Kahara by flori-culture department, construc-tion new foot bridges at Gwasand Indloo, transfer of horticul-ture department land to educa-tion department for the construc-tion of HSS Jakyas schoolground, early vacate of armyfrom Thathri, early constructionof TRC building and Bus stand atThathri, construction of revenuecomplex building at Kahara, con-struction of food store building atKahara, conversion of rationcards from APL to BPL, issuingof ration cards among con-sumers, Early completion of ap-

pointment of dealers in newlysanctioned fair price shops, sanc-tioning of new ten thousands(10,000) solar lights for Inderwalconstituency, early clearance ofwork done in R&B,

PMGSY, JKPCC, MGNRE-GA, IHHL, Swatch Bharat liabili-ties, installation of ATMS atKahara, Bathri and Jakyas areas.Senior Legislator from Inderwalalso expressed his concerns relat-ed to poor funding in differentsectors, delay in developmentworks of roads, schools, construc-tion of GMC Doda, Constructionon TRC Thathri, bus stand, post-ing of headmasters, principle,shortage of staff in schools, Earlystart of work Kandi Canal, instal-lation of iron poles besides con-stituency specific requirements,development of infrastructure attourist sites. Responding to the is-sues raised by the legislator, theMinister assured MLA that thesewill be redressed in a time boundmanner.

G. M Saroori raises public related demands during DDB meeting Doda

Female workers of Anganwadi hold rally and block Tawi Bridg against state government over various pending issues in Jammu

Jammu May 15

Pending disbursementof monthly wages for last10 months, a massiveprotest demonstration ofcasual Labourers/needbased workers of PWD(R&B) Department washeld under the banner ofPWD (R&B) CasualLabourers /Need BasedWorkers Union Rajouriraising their demands inone voice regarding imple-mentation of SRO 520 of2017, Dated: 21/12/2017 forregularization, release ofpending wages on new rateas per SRO 460 issued un-der Endorsement No:L&E/Lab/88/2000, Dated:26-10-2017 through sepa-rate Wages Head createdfor the purpose. They havefocused the attention ofJammu and KashmirGovernment towards theburning demand of poor

casual labourers/needbased workers / ITItrained workers of PWDwho have been workingsince 1994 and sufferingbadly due to delay in im-plementation of regular-ization policy.

While addressing thegathering of casual labour-ers/need based workers,the union President Mr.Mohammed Riaz Mughalcondemned the delayingpolicy of the J&KGovernment regardingthe genuine issues of casu-al Labourers/ Needbased/ITI trained workersworking in PWD(R&B)Department. Others whoaddressed the gatheringwere Mr, Murtaza AnjumMir, Mr. Mohd TariqMalik, Mr Abdul KaleemBhatti, Riaz AhmedRathar, Mr AkhileshMehta, Rajesh Kumar,Naheem Ahmed etc.

PWD (R&B) Need Based WorkersCasual Labourers WorkersRajouri enters 2nd strike

Jammu May 15

With the victory of BJPin Karnataka, the partyhas scaled one more step inachieving the mission“Congress Mukt Bharat”and the day is not far whenit will be BJP across the en-tire length and breadth ofthe country. This was stat-ed by BJP National Vice-President & Prabhari J&KAffairs, Avinash RaiKhanna, while extending

his greetings to the partyleadership at the centreand in the State ofKarnataka on the party’striumph in assembly elec-tion in the Southern state.Avinash Rai Khanna saidthat the victory inKarnataka is clear indica-tor of the mindset of thevoters who have realizedthe need to stand withPrime Minister NarendraModi for a better and pros-perous nation. Khanna

said that the development-centric programmes andpolicies of the BJP- ledNDA at the centre and thestrong leadership of AmitShah and his team succeed-ed in convincing the peoplein Karnataka thatCongress need to be rootedout as it ruled at the centreand in states for decades to-gether but remained con-fined to the welfare of aparticular family insteadof doing anything for the

common masses, particu-larly those belonging to theweaker sections. AvinashRai Khanna said that theKarnataka results alsopoint towards the goodsign for 2019 Lok Sabhaelections when BJP willcompletely wipe outCongress from the Indianpolitics and the countrywill have a new India withthe accomplishment of“Congress Mukt Bharat”mission.

Karnataka results are one more step towards “Cong Mukt Bharat”: Khanna

Written test forGeneral Teacherposts postponedto May 27SRINAGAR, MAY 15

Secretary J&K ServicesSelection Board today in-formed that the written testfor the posts of GeneralTeacher, earlier scheduled forMay 19, is postponed to May27, 2018. "Objective type writ-ten test for General Teacherposts for advertisement num-ber 06/2017/02, 06/2017/06,06/2017/07 and 06/2017/10 ishere postponed and now shallbe conducted on May 27(Sunday)," the Secretary said."Time of examination of thewritten test shall now be as 12pm to 2 pm and reporting timeat test venue shall now be 11am," he added.

KVIB invitesapplications underPMEGP in LehLEH, MAY 15:

The J&K Khadi & VillageIndustries Board Leh has in-vited applications from theinterested un-employedyouth hailing from rural ar-eas of Leh district to availloan for establishment of in-come generating units. Thisloan shall be given underPrime Minister’sEmployment GenerationProgramme (PMEGP).

JAMMU WEDNESDAY MAY 16, 2018�����4 ���������������������� �� ��

������������

Reminding PM Modi ofhis directive in Nov 2016calling upon the BJPMinisters, MPs and MLAsfor submission of theirBank Accounts to AmitShah as a measure ofAccountability and trans-parency, Mr. Harsh DevSingh Chairman JKNPPand Former Minister todaysaid that people of the coun-try wanted to know as towhat action had been initi-ated in pursuance of thesaid disclosures made byBJP leaders with regard totheir assets. He said that thepeople were curious toknow whether it was yet an-other “Chunavi Jumla” oran attempt to divert the at-tention of the public fromburning issues facing theeconomy. He said that incase there was any serious-ness in the PM’s directive,the BJP needed to come out

with the names of BJP lead-ers charge-sheeted for dis-proportionate assets ormoney laundering aftersuch disclosures or atleast astatement that none of theBJP Ministers, MPs orMLAs was found to be inpossession of black moneyor illegal cash. He furthersaid that it was expected ofthe PM that he would notonly expose and punishsuch leaders but also directthem to put their banks ac-counts and property detailsin public domain as a meas-

ure of transparency. He wasaddressing a press confer-ence in Jammu today.Describing PM Modi’s Nov2016 directive as an eyewash and window-dressingfor the gullible,

Mr. Singh said that evenJ&K had several BJPMinisters MPs and MLAswho were accused of real es-tate scams, disproportion-ate assets and money laun-dering with the central andstate unit of BJP failing togive any convincing clarifi-cation despite public out-

rage. He said that severalBJP Ministers and a BJPMP have been reported tohave created huge assets,taken loan from J&K Bankamounting to Rs. 30 croreand got it declared NPA be-sides having defied normsand procedures and violat-ed the defence acts whileconstructing un-authorizedstructures. He said thateven during demonetiza-tion a Minster’s vehicle waswidely reported to havebeen apprehended whilecarrying huge illegal cashfor conversion into newcurrency notes.

“Similarly anotherMinister’s spouse was re-ported to have been video-graphed while convertingdirty cash into gold and stillanother Minister accused ofhaving taken several croresas bribe for granting per-mission for construction ofprivate apartments in an

environmentally fragilearea of Jammu. In the sameway, a BJP MLA had beenaccused of raising two pala-tial bunglows after elec-tions besides raising hugemoveable and immoveableassets which were dispro-portionate to his knownsources of income. Thesame BJP MLA was report-ed to have duped several un-employed youth in thename of employment. Therewere further CDs in whichthe employees had claimedto be looted by the said MLAin the name of transfers.Besides subsidies and in-centives meant for poor andBPL families had been with-drawn by the said MLAfrom Agriculture andHorticulture Deptts. TheRTI reply had further re-vealed that he was in un-au-thorized possession of 22Kanals and 15 Marlas ofstate land.”

������� ������������

National conference to-day accused StateGovernment of completelyignoring Sathra area ofPoonch comprising of sev-eral villages with thou-sands of people living in thisarea. The statement hasbeen issued by NationalConference provincial pres-ident of youth wing AjazJan after he chaired a pub-lic meeting in this area.During this meeting localpopulation highlightedtheir grievances and pro-jected their demands in-cluding immediate upgra-dation of local high school.

Local also informedNational Conference leaderthat despite after knockingdoors of ruling party legisla-tors as well as administra-tion there genuine issuesfound no takers and thou-sands of people living in thearea have been left on theirown. While addressing thismeeting, YNC ProvincialPresident Ajaz Jan said that

Sathara Block in Poonch isa living example of stategovernments misgover-nance. He said that a num-ber of roads in this area arelying incomplete while re-pairing process of rest is inLimbo due to departmentalinertia. He said that previ-ous government started aprocess for setting up ofBank branch in this area tocater the banking sectorneeds of local populationwhich is proving beneficialto local masses. He alsoadded that a touristComplex was also sanc-tioned for this area but pres-ent government failed to im-plement the announcementwhile solar lights sanc-tioned by previous govern-ment for Poor families werealso not distributed amongpeople. He further highlightpresent governments care-less approach towards thisarea and said that previousgovernment sanctioned aPrimary Health Centre butpresent government failed

to make it a fully functionalInstitute to provide MedicalServices among local popu-lation. Mr. Jan further saidthat state has started aprocess for upgradation ofGovernment schools acrossthe state for which eachMLA has been asked to sub-mit list of two High Schoolsand two middle and thiswhole process is merely likepeanuts.

" There is need of upgra-dation in a number ofschools in each constituen-cy and especially in hilly ar-eas like Rajouri and Poonchbut number of two Highschools and two middleschools is not enough " Jansaid. He also said that previ-ous government sanctionednumber of new upgradedschools and official an-nouncement of the sameover also made but presentgovernment removed thelist only for political bene-fits and students living infor flung areas have beenmade deprived of studies.

Modi’s pledge of scrutiny of Bank A/Cs of BJPMinisters, MPs, MLAs proved a farce: Harsh

�����������������

Private SchoolsAssociation of Kashmirhas for the first time collab-orated with Tech Avant-Garde, Microsoft andEfeeonline companies tobring IT enabled solutionsinto the educational insti-tutes of Kashmir as a majorreform to counter the fre-quent closure of education-al institutes and loss ofworking days. TheAssociation felt that dur-ing the last few years, thesituation in Kashmir hasreally turned bad for educa-tion sector with weeks andeven months of forced clo-sure of educational insti-tutes happening per year.There is no effort by gov-ernment or any other sideto help schools to operatesmoothly, despite every-body agreeing that educa-tion is a vital part of the so-ciety. In this regard theAssociation had been dis-cussing various solutionsand exploring the world

market to get the best forKashmiri students.

Private Schools’Association-Kashmir haspartnered with TechAvant-Garde, Microsoftand Efeeonline and hasadopted the MASP PROProgram to empower teach-ers and students. MASPPro Suite which combinesthe benefits of Microsoft’stechnology, e-payment so-lutions from Efeeonlineand Connected LearningCommunity Solution fromLycee – Cyber Academe is avalue-based offering toequip schools with an inte-grated set of technologyand innovative learning so-lutions, modernize theircampuses, drive transfor-mation for enhanced learn-ing experiences and pre-pare future-ready students.“Restrictions, curfews, vio-lent situations have be-come part of our day to daylife now. In this situationeducation sector is worstaffected. We are unable toprovide quality education

to students as our schoolsget closed even at a smallpretext. At times we cannoteven operate buses due tofear of violence,” said G NVar president PSAK.“During the last decade orso we had made tremen-dous progress in givingquality education to stu-dents but all that is threat-ening to get derailed due tothe prevailing circum-stances. It is in this regardthat we are trying to use ITenabled services to counterfrequent closure ofschools.”

The Association saidthat the services would notonly counter closure ofschools but also provideglobal quality education tostudents. “We are living ina conflict zone that we can-not helps. But what we aretrying to do is to isolate ed-ucation sector in a way thatit remains largely unaffect-ed,” said Var. “So IT en-abled services offer the bestsolution. But here too weneed government help as

some services work on de-pendable internet connec-tions. Government has theability to regulate internetservices at even tehsil leveland certain sites. So our on-ly request to government isto allow educational web-sites functions smoothlyeven in the times of inter-net blockade. We will pro-vide the list of websites togovernment too whichneed to be free from block-ades. Or if they are willingto offer any other alterna-tive we are ready to listen.”Mr. Ali Sait, CEO, TechAvant-Garde said “As apart of the MASP PRO pro-gramme Tech Avant-Gardehas taken the initiative ofmaking their client schoolsexcel in their schoolingpractices. The companyhas organized to get theSchools audited by M/SArarat for total quality as-sessment of Governance,teachers and teaching prac-tices Safety, Go Green, andintegration of IT in educa-tion.

PSAK collaborates with Tech Avant-Garde,Microsoft and EfeeonlineIT enabled schools to counter frequent closure of schools due to inclement situation

������������

Describing PanthersParty as the true represen-tative of the people ofJammu region, around 30youth introduced by Mr.Jitendra Verma fromJammu city joined NPP inthe presence of PartyChairman and FormerMinister Harsh Dev Singhat Party Headquarter inJammu today. Prominentamong those who joinedPanthers party includedJitendra Verma, AnkushAnand, Anirudh Chand,Viray Sharma, DiwakarSharma, Abhi Shek Anand,Deepak Anand, VikayVerma, Rajat Kapoor,Nikhil Kerni, RamanMengi, Tarun Gandotra,Ankush Verma, GyanSingh, Abhi Shek Gupta,Amit Anand, ShubhamVerma, Chandan Verma,Sumit Kapoor, Chaman

Singh, Rajesh Shastri.While welcoming the newentrants Mr. Harsh DevSingh said that more andmore people from Jammuwere reposing faith inPanthers Party with newjoining having become al-most a regular feature. Hesaid that Panthers Partywas the only secular demo-cratic regional party of thestate which was fighting forthe cause of poor, under

privileged and economical-ly backward. He said that ithad assumed the mantle ofassuring justice to the hith-erto deprived Jammu re-gion which had sufferedeconomically and political-ly at the hands of Kashmircentric leadership. The newentrants pledged to give allpossible support toPanthers Party in its cru-sade for justice to theJammu region.

Over 30 Jammu youth join JKNPP

�����������

Nations DevelopmentAssociation NDA, Bishnahorganized a Swachh BharatAbhiyan At Rajesh PublicSchool, Bishnah Wherelarge number of studentsparticipated in this aware-ness campaign .This semi-nar was organized in the su-pervision of Kr.SushilSingh Charak, FounderCum Chairman , NationsDevelopment Association.Motive of the NDA behindthis seminar was to putthrust on cleanliness issuesand NDA official's urged thestudents to clean their sur-roundings. He Said NDA isthe only organizationwhich is working throughout state for the welfare ofgeneral public for that weare covering remote andbackward area of state.Speaking with media per-sons Rajesh Kumar ShramaNDA Member and ManagerDirector n Rajesh Public

School said "It is not aboutasking students to clean theenvironment, it includescleanliness in all aspectsand hence, we first askedstudents to maintain clean-liness within their schooland house. After which,they were taught to ensurethat they always wash theirhands before and after theirmeal'.A session was con-ducted in Rajesh PubliceSchool by the experts of

NDA on "Swachh BharatAbhiyan" . They not onlyhighlighted the need for hy-giene but also taught chil-dren that how to maintainproper hygienic surround-ings . This made the chil-dren more enthusiasticabout the wholeprocess."Teachers feel thatstudents were taught aboutthe necessities to maintainbasic sanitation and cleanli-ness in all aspects.

NDA organizes Swachh BharatAbhiyan At Rajesh Public School

����������������

In an emergency meeting ofthe Joint Committee of PrivateSchools (JCPS) today expelledShowkat Chowdhary owner ofHattrick school from the asso-ciation following a severe vio-lation of rules and indulging inpractices against the interest ofeducation sector of Kashmir.The Association in the meetingtook exception to the recent be-haviour of the said person whohas tried to divide the schoolsfor the fulfilment of his person-al desires. "It is for the first timethat somebody has tried to di-vide the schools associationand that won't be tolerated. Ourorganisation works on the prin-ciple of democracy, if he hasany issues or he wants to be-come a leader, there are demo-

cratic ways," said KhurshidMahajan, Spokesperson JCPS"He has crossed all limits whichno schools representative willdo." The Committee said thateducation is not similar to oper-ating restaurants and one hasto consider number of things."We are currently providing ed-ucation to more than sevenlakh students and we will nottolerate anybody toying withthe future of such a vital part ofsociety.

It will be a disaster if at-tempts are made to divide theschools which will ultimatelylead them towards politicsrather than betterment of edu-cation," said Mahajan TheCommittee said that the saidperson is trying to fulfil his ownmotives on the back of schoolsassociation. He has associated

himself with the people whowere previously working on ex-ploitative B. Ed Colleges andled to their doom. "Now hewants to do the same with pri-vate schools who had aftermuch difficulty brought revo-lution in the education sector,"said Khurshid Mahajan TheCommittee said that the JCPSis the only organisation thatrepresents all associations. Ithas members in every districtand has been framed in accor-dance with a constitution andrules and regulations. The saidperson has floated its own plat-form which is devoid of anyconstitution, mandate, rules,headquarter, members and oth-er office representatives. Theone man organisation wont beallowed to destroy the organ-ised sector.

������������

Strongly condemningthe use of force on SSATeachers agitating releaseof their pending salaries atPartap Park Srinagar,District President NHMEmployees AssociationDoda Faizan A Tramboo to-day hit out at State Govt forbeing insensitive to the gen-uine demands of the teach-ers, who are facing hard-ships due to the indifferentattitude of the Govt. TheNHM Union Doda also urgesupon Govt to stop victimiz-ing SSA Teachers, as that,their demands were quitegenuine deserved to be ad-dressed on priority basis. Ina press statement issued to-day, District PresidentNHM Union Doda, Faizan ATramboo lashed out at StateGovt for use of force on the

teachers, who were agitat-ing against the releases oftheir salaries, described ithighly condemnable andshameful act on part ofGovt.

The demand of theteachers were quite genuinedeserves to be addressed,but this is highly unfortu-nate that they were being re-sponded with lathies, headded and emphasized thatGovt must release salariesof SSA teachers to ensurethat they can be able to sus-tain their families Tramboohas demanded that Govtshould fulfill all genuine de-mands of SSA Teachers be-sides demanded immediaterelease of those teacherswho were detained atPartap Park Srinagar andtreatment to those who havebeen brutally injured inPolice Lathicharge.

Tramboo condemns useof force on SSA Teachers

�����������

Understanding the im-portance and genuinenessof CBI enquiry NationalSecular Forum (NSF) initi-ated the signature cam-paign in Rassana murdercase. The campaign whichwas initiated in response tothe primary demand of thelocal people for CBI probe inthe matter entered in 21thday and got a healthy re-sponse from the Universitycampus. More than twentyfive thousand people fromall walks of life reached thevenue to pen down their sig-natures.

Addressing the gather-ing here today, NSF chief DrVikas Sharma said, “Thereis an iota of doubt about thebrutality to which the littlegirl was subjected. Everycitizen of Jammu condemns

this incident and seeksdeath penalty to the personwho committed thisheinous crime. But, the waythe Crime Branch probedthis case raised suspicionamong the people ofJammu.”

He added, “If people ofJammu are not satisfiedwith the probe and seekingCBI probe then what’swrong in it. But, the nation-al media projected the agita-tion of Jammu people aspro-rapist and anti-Muslim.And that’s not acceptable tous. No one can play with thesentiments of Dogras whoare warriors and not cow-ards who commit gang rapeon a minor girl. We worshipthe little girls as “Devi” ir-respective of their caste andcreed.” Dr Sharma furthersaid that history stands tes-timony to the braveness and

nationalism of Dogra com-munity.

“There can be an oddone out who committed thisheinous act of crime butwhole community cannotbe blamed for the same.Moreover, the way CrimeBranch prepared thechargesheet of the casesmells fouls as some of thepoints mentioned are notbelievable.

Hence, there is no harmof CBI probe is ordered toprobe the case. And it wouldonly ensure justice to the lit-tle girl,” he mentioned.Pushpinder Singh StateVice-President also saidthat Govt should honour thepublic sentiment and ordera CBI probe so as to identifythe actual culprits, withoutfear or favour, and to accordthem exemplary punish-ment.

Kaumi Ekta MeetAt Keshri Hill�����������������������

Kaumi Ekta Meet was or-ganised by the Army today atvillage Keshri Hill, districtRajouri to strengthen thebond between the local popu-lace and the Army. The aim ofthe event was to host regularinteractions for enhancingbonhomie among the localpopulace as well as discussdevelopmental issues affect-ing the population at large.More than 45 villagers fromKeshri Hill were present forthe interaction and ex-pressed their views on thesubject. The Awam was alsoinformed about the pivotalrole played by the Army inwomen and youth empower-ment and the various skill de-velopment projects being un-dertaken by the Army. Thevillagers appreciated and ap-plauded the support providedby the Army in all spheres.Speaking on the occasions,the sarpanch of the villagesaid that such meetings notonly enhance the bond be-tween Army and Awam butalso boost the morale of thelocals which in turn assists inmaintaining peace and har-mony in the region.

NSF Signature campaign for CBI enquiryin Rassana case enter 21th day

Sathra Poonch completely ignored by PDP-BJP Govt : JanSays Govt's process for upgradition of schools equal to peanuts

JCPS expels Showkat ChaudharyAttempt to divide school organisation thwarted

�������������

Inter School,VolleyballTournament was or-ganised by Army atHigh School, Harnitoday. Two teams rep-resenting Govt HighSchool, Harni andGovt High School,Majhari participatedin the event with en-thusiasm and zeal.The team from GovtHigh School, Harniwas adjudged thewinner of the tourna-ment. Beside incul-cating a healthysportsman spirit andproviding an oppor-tunity to the youth todisplay their skills,the winning team was

also awarded with atrophy and cashprize. Volleyball inthe recent past has be-come one of the fa-vorite game amongstthe youth in the stateof Jammu & Kashmir.The Army has been

conducting varioussports tournamentsin the region givingopportunity to aspir-ing youths who arelooking for a platformin the field of sports toshowcase their tal-ent.

��������������

To commemorate theInternational Day ofFamilies, Army joined handswith the students of variousSchools, Colleges and villagesat Potha, Bufliaz, Mendharand Dara Dullian in Poonchdistrict and Thanamandi,Keri andSangiotin Rajouridistrict by hosting myriadevents.

A wide range of eventswere organised at variousschools, colleges and villagesto promote awareness of issuesrelating to families and to in-crease knowledge of the social,economic and demographic

processes affecting them. Theevents included interactivelectures, drawing and paintingcompetitions, wherein the stu-dents painted their thoughtsabout their families on the can-vas.

The students also present-ed various cultural pro-grammes to celebrate theInternational Day of Familiesand spoke on the occasion tospread the message of impor-tance of families in the society.The International Day ofFamilies, annually held on 15May, celebrates the impor-tance of families and the posi-tive effect it has on the allround development of a child.

Army Conducts Inter School VolleyballTournament At Rajouri District

Army Celebrates InternationalDay Of Families At Rajouri AndPoonch Districts

JAMMU WEDNESDAY MAY 16, 2018state5 Glimpses of Future

Garrison Engineer (North) Udhampur, PIN-901220 C/O 56 APO onbehalf of President of India invites e-tender in two covers from eligibleenlisted contractors of MES and enlisted/un-enlisted contractor & work-ing with other Govt Department meeting eligible criteria for selection ofcontractors in MES for the under mentioned work :-

(i) reference no. Ge/U(n)-11/2018-19

(a) Name of work Term Contract for Artificer work in Transit Camp Postal unit Provost unit R centre up and down CVY Ground and 71 Sub Area under AGE B/R-I of GE (North) Udhampur.

(b) Estimated Cost Rs. 15.00 Lakhs

(c) Period of completion 11 Months

(d) Tender ID 2018_MES_192717_1

note:-

1. For all details please visit website www.defproc.gov.in2. For submission of e-bids, bidders are required to get registered

with website eprocuremes.gov.in along with having class-II orclass-III DSC issued by CCA under IT Act 2013.

3. In no case, subletting of tender is permitted.4. Garrison Engineer (North) reserves the right to reject/cancel any

or all the tenders without assigning any reason.

(hemant Kumar, iDSe)

ee

Garrison engineer

appendix ‘a’

miliTary enGineer SerVicenoTice inViTinG e-TenDer

8000/aD/2018-19/20/e8

SRINAGAR, MAY 15:

Minister for RuralDevelopment andPanchayati Raj, AbdulRehman Veeri has said thatvarious project and pro-gramme being implement-ed by Rural DevelopmentDepartment in the stateneeds to be executed effi-ciently so that benefitsreach the common masses.He said that every officer as-sociated with RDD is re-sponsible and accountablefor the task assigned tothem and are supposed tobring positive change onthe ground by putting intheir dedicated efforts.

The Minister wasspeaking while chairing ameeting to review theprogress under schemes ofNational Rural LivelihoodMission (NRLM) includingUMEED and Himayat. Themeeting also discussed theperformance underIntegrated WatershedManagement Programme(IWMP) in Kashmir divi-sion.

Secretary RDD SheetalNanda, Chief ExecutiveOfficer IWMP FarooqAhmad, Mission Director

JKSRLM Javed Bakshi,Chief Operating OfficerHimayat Kapil Sharma,Assistant MissionDirectors JKSRLM,Programme Officers IWMPof Kashmir Division andother concerned officers ofRural DevelopmentDepartment attended themeeting.

Director NRLM briefedthe meeting about theprogress made under theproject UMEED and its suc-cess rate in the state. He in-formed that till now 26054SHGs and 2218 VillageOrganizations (VOs) havebeen formed covering240089 households and 24792SHGs bank account opened.

He further said that sev-eral innovative measureshave been initiated to en-sure phase wise implemen-tation of the LivelihoodMission UMEED to coverall the blocks.

Veeri while discussingthe implementation ofUMEED project asked formaking it visible on groundby achieving given targetsand to provide proper pub-licity for making peopleaware of its benefits.

He also sought the de-tails of activities being car-ried out in the villages bythe SHGs and block wiseperformance report. It wastold that Rs 111 crore hasbeen provided to the SHGsformed in the state as finan-cial assistance.

Informing the Ministerabout another activity inrural areas, MD NRLM in-formed that around 206Milk Collection centreshave been opened which arefully managed by the localpeople.

The Minister asked forputting in a monitoringmechanism and takingmeasures to involvewomen/girls in theschemes or making themself-dependent.

Regarding progress un-der Himayat programme,Chief Operating OfficerHimayat apprised the meet-ing about the target ap-proved by MoRD for threeyears (2016-19) and achieve-ments made in this regardso far. He said that 7 ProjectImplementing Agencies(PIAs) have been sanc-tioned by JKSRLM and 1stinstallment has been re-

leased to them as per theguidelines of DDU-GKY,MoRDGoI.

Covering a target of20,701 candidates to betrained and provided em-ployment by these 7 PIAs indifferent trades. As on date,14 training centres are func-tional with a total trainingcapacity of 2,997 andpresently 2393 are undergo-ing skill training in differ-ent trades in different citiesof the country.

He said that 10 morecentres will be made func-tional by May 31, 2018 by in-creasing the capacity of2500 candidates. Withinnext three months, the tar-get of 12000 candidates willbe hopefully achieved, headded.

While asking for strictmonitoring of this ambi-tious programme, theMinister directed for re-moving working difficul-ties and making it a success-ful programme by skillingthe youth for getting em-ployment.

Veeri asked for recruit-ing staff at district level forits effective implementa-tion. “Desired results only

be achieved if we dedicateourselves for implementa-tion of this programme onground followed by positiveresults”, he added.

The meeting also re-viewed the performance un-der IWMP in Kashmir divi-sion and discussed the roadmap to complete the proj-ects and utilize the funds al-located by GoI.

CEO IWMP told themeeting that till date, 159projects have been sanc-tioned involving total costof Rs 979.72 crore.Expenditure to the tune ofRs 165.97 crore has beenmade by ending March 2018.GoI has recently releasedRs 40 crore, he added.

Veeri directed forpreparing block wiseAction Plan for the currentyear and said that this exer-cise will ensure the per-formance in right direction.

“There is a need tostreamline the IWMP and toactivate the team for betterresults, the Minister saidadding that monitoring atgrass root level will surelymake a difference and en-sure its successful imple-mentation”.

JAMMU, MAY 15:

The DistrictDevelopment Board (DDB)today approved Rs 168.30 crannual plan for Doda dis-trict at its meeting held un-der the chairmanship ofMinister for SocialWelfare, Science &Technology and ARI &Training, Sajjad Gani Lonehere at convocation center.

The DDB meeting wasattended by Minister ofState for Education, andTourism, Shakti RajParihar, Vice ChairpersonJ&K State Advisory Boardfor Development of KissanDaljit Singh, ViceChairperson for J&K StateAdvisory Board for PahariSpeaking People KuldeepRaj Gupta, ViceChairperson for J&K StateAdvisory Board forDevelopment of SCBhushan Lal Dogra, ViceChairman, J&K State Adv.Board for Welfare & Dev. ofOBCs Rashpaul Verma,Legislators G. M. Saroori,Daleep Singh, NeelamKumar Langeh , NareshKumar Gupta, Sham LalBhagat and Heads of vari-ous Departments and the

district administrationteam led by DeputyCommissioner.

Speaking at the meet-ing, Sajjad Lone called forlaying special focus oncore sectors and constantperusal for completing theprocedural formalities re-sulting in early start of pro-posed projects. He askedthe district administrationto furnish a detailed reportabout the projects pendingfor want of different for-malities including forestclearance so as to seek in-

stant solution from theconcerned quarters.

He underlined the needfor systematic removal ofbottlenecks hindering vi-tal projects and strength-ening service sector to pro-vide sustained benefits tothe people.Expressing con-cern and displeasure overshortage of medical staff inthe health institutions inthe district, the Ministerdirected the district ad-ministration to approachthe concerned authoritiesto take immediate steps in

this regard.He directed heath de-

partment to sort the issueat an earliest and expressserious concern over thefailure of health depart-ment to appoint differentstreams of doctors as perthe commitment made inthe last meeting.

“We will approachwith a detailed memo toseek prompt resolution ofissues and demands con-cerning each department”the Minister asserted.

Meanwhile, projecting

the issues of their respec-tive constituencies, the leg-islators sought upgradingof schools, health institu-tions, new connectivityand maintenance of exist-ing PMGSY roads, promo-tion of agriculture and al-lied sectors, improvementof power scenario, aug-mentation of drinking andirrigation water facilities,creation of tourism infra-structure at potentialplaces and the issues relat-ed to healthcare and educa-tion.

DDB approves Rs 168.30 cr annual plan for Doda district

Sajjad Lone calls for strengthening services,removal of bottlenecks hindering vital projects KARGIL, MAY 15:

Chairman LegislativeCouncil Haji Anayat Ali to-day said that Government isfully committed for the over-all development of the farflung and remote pockets ofthe State and focused atten-tion is being given to aug-ment facilities to the peoplein all sectors.

The Chairman statedthis while inaugurating amega health screening campat Government HigherSecondary School Silmoohere today. The health campwas organized by theDepartment of Health Kargilunder Rashtriya BalSwasthya Karyakram (RB-SK). Chairman and ChiefExecutive Councillor KargilKacho Ahmad Ali Khan,Deputy CommissionerKargil Vikas Kundal andSenior Superintendent ofPolice Kargil Tsering Gyalpoaccompanied the Chairman.

During the day longcamp, child health screeningand early intervention serv-ices were provided to around1000 children from 0-18 yearsof Silmoo, Batalik and ad-joining villages. Screeningclinics of ENT, ophthalmolo-gy, gynecology, pediatrics,

dental surgery, adolescentfriendly health clinic, spe-cialist clinic and otherhealth streams besides test-ing laboratories and medi-cine counter were set up toextend free screening andtertiary treatment for de-fects at birth, deficiencies,diseases, development de-lays, disabilities and otherailments.

The Chairman hailed theefforts of Health DepartmentKargil in organizing thescreening camp for the chil-dren of Batalik area. Hestressed upon the doctorsand paramedics to extendbest possible screening facil-ities through the camp fur-ther adding health screeningassumes great significancein Childrens’ healthy physi-cal and mental development.

Anayat said that to pro-vide extended healthcare fa-cilities in the district, workon the 200 bedded hospital atKurbathang is being execut-ed on priority and work onthe project is expected to becompleted soon.

referring to the steps be-ing taken by theGovernment to improveroad connectivity in the dis-trict, the Chairman said thatfor the first time in the histo-

ry of Kargil road projectsworth Rs 300 crores havebeen sanctioned under CRF,PMGSY and other schemes.

Meanwhile the childrenof Higher Secondary SchoolSilmoo presented a skit onthe ill effects of smoking thatwas appreciated by the digni-taries and people present onthe occasion.

Chief Medical OfficerKargil Dr Ibrahim Khan,Deputy Chief MedicalOfficer Kargil DrMuhammad Afzal Lone,Programme Officer ICDSNargis Banoo, DistrictSocial Welfare Officer KargilAga Syed Jamal, BlockDevelopment Officer Kargiland Sodh MehmoodaMunshi, Child DevelopmentProject Officer Kargil AgaSyed Murtaza, RegimentalMedical Officer 21 BiharRegiment CaptainAmardeep Kumar, InCharge Principal HigherSecondary School SilmooNawang Sharap, specialistdoctors, paramedical staff,Ashas, ICDS and AnganwadiWorkers, children from dif-ferent educational institu-tions and Anganwadi cen-tres of the area and a largenumber of local people werepresent on the occasion.

Chairman LC inaugurates megahealth screening campAround 1000 children provided health care facility

KARGIL, MAY 15:

The District LevelConsultant Committee onPersons with Disabilities(PwDs) today organized aone-day workshop for thePersons with Disability(PwD) voters at LanguageCenter here today.

Chairperson of the com-mittee and Deputy DistrictElection Officer KargilNargis Banoo and othermembers besides around 60Persons with Disability(PwD) voters from differentparts of the district partici-pated in the workshop.

the workshop, chal-lenges and barriers faced bythe PwD voters in enrol-ment in the electoral roll,access to polling stations inexercising their franchise,strategies for enhancing theparticipation of PwDs in theelectoral process, appoint-ment of PwD icon and otherrelated issues were dis-cussed threadbare.

The PwD voters project-ed demands like the provi-sion of separate queueswhile casting their votes to

prevent rush and physicalexertion, escorts to assistthem to the polling stationsand other related demands.

Members of the commit-tee while highlighting therole of every single voter inthe electoral process urgedupon the PwD voters to en-thusiastically participatein elections by exercisingtheir franchise.

They also assured themhelp in redressing all oftheir genuine concerns.

Chief Medical OfficerDr Ibrahim Khan, DistrictSocial Welfare Officer AgaSyed Jamal, DistrictCultural OfficerMuhammad Ali Tak,District EducationPlanning OfficerMuhammad Amin,Assistant ExecutiveEngineer R&B II HajiMuhammad Ali, TehsilSocial Welfare OfficerKargil Roqiya Banoo,Tehsil Social WelfareOfficer Zanskar RehanaParveen and Election NaibTehsildar Zakir Hussainwere also present on the oc-casion.

Workshop for Persons withDisabilities held in Kargil

Improve performance, show visible change on ground: Veeri to RDD officers‘Ensure productive implementation of schemes’

ANANTNAG, MAY 15:

MLA, Kokernag Mr.Abdul Rahim Rather todayconvened a meeting of theofficers to review theprogress under PMGSY andarrangements for themonth of Ramzan-ul-Mubarak.

The meeting was in-formed that in PMGSY sec-tor, 70% of stage 1st underdifferent phases has beencompleted up to 20th March,2018. It was given out thatconstruction on 13 projects,including 11 works under

stage 1st and 02 under upgradation, is underprogress. Further, the meet-ing was informed that con-struction on 40 km longDesu – Lehanwan – Margonroad is under progress andtill date 4 kms have beenblack topped and 16 morekms will be black topped bythe end of October, 2018.Threadbare discussionswith regard to disputes withdepartments viz. Forest,PHE, PDD, R&B & Revenuewere held regarding the bet-ter execution of the projectsunder PMGSY. On the occa-

sion MLA instructed the of-ficers from different depart-ments to work in coordina-tion so that the construc-tion of projects will be com-pleted within the stipulatedtime period. He stressed up-on the need to share theprogress of various underconstruction projects withgeneral public so that thetransparency gets reflectedin true spirit. The MLA fur-ther instructed the officersto expedite the pace of all de-velopmental works. Later,in a separate meeting, theMLA reviewed arrange-

ments for the month ofRamzan-ul-Mubarak. Onthe occasion, the MLA in-structed the concerned tomake sufficient stocks of es-sential commodities avail-able to the general publicduring the month ofRamzan-ul-Mubarak. ExenPDD was instructed to workout the proper power sched-ule especially at the timeSahri & Iftar. Likewise, offi-cers of the PHE, Health &Municipality were instruct-ed to make satisfactoryarrangements availableduring the said month.

MLA Kokernag reviews progress underPMGSY, arrangements Ramzan

SRINAGAR, MAY 15:

Speaker Puducherry LegislativeAssembly, V Vaithilingam, who is ona visit to Jammu and Kashmir calledon Deputy Speaker J&K LegislativeAssembly, Nazir Ahmed Gurezi heretoday.

Vaithilingam and Gurezi ex-changed their views and experienceof legislative business and procedurein their respective States. They alsohad discussion on the socio-econom-ic, culture and developmental sce-nario of the two states.

Vaithilingam, who is on a maidenvisit to Kashmir Valley appreciatedthe hospitality of the people ofKashmir and said that the Valley is a"Paradise on Earth" in real sense. Healso lauded the efforts of successivegovernments for working hard to-

wards maintainingpeace, communal har-mony and mutualbrotherhood in thestate.

The DeputySpeaker stressed onthe PuducherrySpeaker to be an am-bassador of State’shospitality and con-vey a positive mes-sage from Kashmir sothat more people fromPuducherry and allparts of the country aswell as abroad visit here without anyfear.

Speaker Puducherry Assemblyalong with Deputy Speaker,Secretary Assembly and other senior

officers took a tour of AssemblyComplex and visited its various sec-tions. He also interacted with the staffof assembly.

The duos also exchanged memen-toes on the occasion.

Cultural programme byJKAACL mesmerizes audienceon 2nd day of Moungri mela

UDHAMPUR, MAY 15:

On second day of three-day Annual Shiv –ParvatiMoungri mela today thousands of visitors and devotesfrom within and outside the district thronged MoungriMela and paid their obeisance to Goddess Parvati and LordShiva. A scintillating cultural programme was presentedby the J&K Academy of Art Cultural and Languages, andrenowned local artists of the area which were highly appre-ciated by the people present in the mela.Welcoming thegathering, Dr Arvinder Singh Amn, Additional Secretary,Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture andLanguages said that since last few years JKAACL initiatedthe activities in the remote and upper reaches of Jammuprovince focusing the regional festivals so that the localartists can be encouraged.Tehsildar Moungri, AmitVerma while speaking on the occasion appreciated theartists from Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, cultureand Languages and said that local artists are being encour-aged. He hoped that JKAACL will continue participatingin such Melas in future. On the occasion, the department ofYouth Services & Sports in collaboration with EducationDepartment Udhampur organized rural sports activitiesas well. It was also given out that J&K Indian StyleWrestling Association is also organising a wrestlingmatch at Sar Dabber on 16th May where wrestlers of nameand fame from the state and outside are participating.Number of temporary sweet shops, toy shops and other eat-able corners by the locals as well as outside vendors werethe main attraction for the general public visiting the Melasite. The District administration has made adequatearrangements of Water, Electricity, Healthcare, Security,transport etc. for the successful conduct of the mela.Awareness stalls were also put up by many departments onthe occasion. The parties who performed during the cultur-al event include Kem Raj and Party (Kud), Pavitri Devi andParty (Dogri folk), Bodh Raj and Party(Geetru) and KartarSingh and Party ( Bhaakh).Ms Sonam Khajuria, Lecturerin English, Government Degree College, Mahanpur,Kathua conducted the proceedings while Sh. Bishan Dass,Assistant Cultural Officer, JKAACL presented vote ofthanks. Among others, Block Development Officer,Moungri Suman Katal, Zonal Physical Education Officer,Pawan Sharma , officials of different departments.

Puducherry Speaker visits JK AssemblyInteracts with Deputy Speaker, Staff

JAMMU WEDNESDAY MAY 16, 2018edit/OpiniOn6 Glimpses of Future

Glimpses of Future

By : Radha Kumar

Much groundwork and political con-sensus are needed to pull off the Ramzanceasefire proposal. Finally, after fourbleak years of unremitting conflict, a smallray of light appears to be struggling to getthrough in Jammu and Kashmir. ChiefMinister Mehbooba Mufti’s proposal for aRamzan ceasefire, backed by a State all-party delegation, has gained some tractionin the policy community. Though we areyet to see how Prime Minister NarendraModi responds, there is little doubt that aceasefire would be hugely welcomed, mostof all by the Jammuites of the border areasand the Kashmiris of the Valley, who havehad little respite from violence since 2014.Then and now Yet there is a sting in theproposal. Ms. Mufti talked about a unilat-eral ceasefire as was declared by PrimeMinister Atal Bihari Vajpayee inNovember 2000. In response, Chief ofArmy Staff General Bipin Rawat has askedwho would then guarantee that the securi-ty forces would be defended from attack.The question is not idle. During the firstthree months of the 2000 ceasefire, casual-ties amongst security forces rose sharply,despite the fact that there was consider-able public pressure on the separatists aswell as Pakistan to reciprocate, includingfrom the ‘azaadi’ constituency.

Gen. Rawat is right in anticipating thatthere will be continuing attacks on securi-ty forces under a unilateral ceasefire.Nevertheless, it is imperative to curtailthe violence that people in Jammu andKashmir suffer, and a ceasefire might pro-vide the best opportunity to de-escalate. Asthe rising number of youth turning toarms attests, the last four years of coun-terinsurgency have not succeeded in end-ing insurgency. We could have learned

this lesson from past experience too thecounterinsurgency of the 1990s did not endinsurgency. But it did pave the way for apeace process and it was this peace processthat made progress towards ending armedconflict until Pakistan’s then leader, Gen.Pervez Musharraf, put it on a back burner.

The 2000 ceasefire experience alsoshowed that casualties among the securityforces could have been minimised hadmore urgent attention been paid to tight-ening defence of security installations andpersonnel. The Vajpayee administrationdid not prepare for continuing attacks andthe ceasefire created both resentmentamong the troops and an understandablebut misplaced relaxation of alertness. Gen.Rawat and his corps commanders couldwork on plugging such lapses and the Modiadministration could take rapid steps toimprove working conditions for securityforces, including shorter service periods

in the Valley. What impact will a unilater-al ceasefire have on the ground? Clearlythere will be immediate relief to the belea-guered residents of the State. But theceasefire can only provide an opportunityfor other steps to be taken, such as India-Pakistantalks, dialogue with the Hurriyatand allied groups, and backchannel negoti-ations for a reciprocal ceasefire by armedgroups. It is not clear whether such initia-tives are already in the pipeline orwhether the State government has pre-sented a road map of how to get them going.What is clear is that taking these steps isfar more difficult now than it was in 2000.

Mr. Vajpayee’s ceasefire took place at atime when there were active negotiationsat a multitude of levels India-Pakistan,Hizbul-Indian Army, Hurriyat-India-Pakistan, civil society and even businessgroups. He was able to set off the rise in ca-sualties during the ceasefire against the

political gains of a peace process, whicheventually led to a sharp decrease in vio-lence. That context is gone today. There islittle public pressure on the armed groups.The impetus for peace has been replacedby communal stand-offs, anger and hatred.More civilians, militants and securityforces have died in the first five months of2018 than in corresponding periods for theprevious decade. The State is polarised,and society has become increasinglylumpen, as the death by stoning of a youngTamil tourist and the communal mobilisa-tion around the rape and murder of a childin Kathua indicate. In the Valley, alien-ation from India is as high as it was in theearly 1990s, when insurgency took root.The Pakistan factor For a unilateral cease-fire to have the desired impact, of pavingthe way for a sustained peace process, itwill have to be accompanied by rapid ac-tion on two fronts: externally, wide-rang-ing peace talks between India andPakistan, the Modi administration and‘azaadi’ groups; and internally, peace-building on the ground by the Mufti ad-ministration and Opposition parties.

There are faint indications thatPakistan’s military might be nudged intocurtailing support for armed groups. Theannouncement of a unilateral ceasefirewould put considerable internationalpressure on Pakistan’s civil-military lead-ership to restore the 2003 ceasefire alongthe International Boundary and the Lineof Control. Negotiations with armedgroups to reciprocate the ceasefire will bemore difficult to get started there is noMajid Dar today, and here again Pakistanholds the key, with so many instigatorslodged there. The quid pro quo forPakistan will be talks on Kashmir. This isa bitter pill for the Modi administration,

By : Sandhya Jain

While the Government is of the viewthat Rohingyas are a security threat andnot a religious problem, the top court hasrepeatedly deferred their deportation. Asolution to the problem is imperative. Inan interview with Russia Today on the cri-sis in Europe, French politician MarineLe Pen said, “Immigration is an organisedreplacement of our population. Thisthreatens our very survival.” Syria’sGrand Mufti, Sheikh Ahmad BadreddinHassoun, supports New Delhi’s view thatRohingyas are a security threat and not areligious problem. Yet, the SupremeCourt has repeatedly deferred the depor-tation of thousands of illegal Rohingyasand is even hearing their petition againstexpulsion. In Jammu, the demographicand security threat posed by illegalRohingyas and Bangladeshis has reacheda boiling point. Local ‘permanent resi-dents’ (hereditary State citizens) allege awell-funded and politically-backed con-spiracy to settle them across the Provinceand trigger Hindu migration, as alreadyreported from some villages. In November2017, the United Nations HighCommission for Refugees visited at leastfive Rohingya habitations in Jammu andurged them to leave, promising funds tosettle elsewhere. They refused, saying,“We are used to Jammu, we know every-one over here, why would we leave?” That,in a nutshell, sums up their comfort levelsin Hindu-majority Jammu, as opposed toliving with their co-religionists inKashmir. Perhaps this is why Jammu ledthe campaign to deport Rohingyas from

India. As is well-known, Hindus who fledWest Pakistan in 1947-48 and landed inJammu & Kashmir were treated shabbilyby Sheikh Abdullah and are languishingwithout official recognition (identity cer-tificates) needed for Government jobs, ed-ucation in State institutions and otherbenefits. The Bharatiya Janata Party(BJP) promised to address this seven-decade-old injustice during the 2014 elec-tion, but met with fierce resistance fromKashmiri separatists, the NationalConference and the Congress; and also thePeople’s Democratic Party.

At the Union Home Minister’s nudg-ing, the State Government set up a Groupof Ministers in May 2017, to examine ille-gal Rohingya and Bangladeshi settle-ments in Jammu and Samba districts. Butit was non-serious. The attack on theArmy camp at Sunjwan in February thisyear increased the clamour to evict theRohingyas, who have even settled nearthe camp. A senior police official saidthere are “consultation camps” on theborder, which direct the groups to settle ata particular place or city. Jammu is pre-ferred due to proximity with Pakistan andto “strengthen” its Muslim minority.

The infiltrators are given mobilephone, I-cards, Aadhaar cards, even ‘per-manent resident’ cards, illegal power andwater connections, and allowed to grabState lands and build houses on them.Funds for them are raised through hawalachannels and routed through local NGOs,such as Jamaat Ahle Haider, YateemTrust and Kashmiri Welfare Trust. TheNational Conference regime had forcedschools in some localities to admit

Bangladeshi and Rohingya children, whocomprise 80 percent of the student body.

Rohingyas are active in Tablighi ac-tivities through local mosques in Jammu(as in Chennai and Hyderabad). Securityagencies suspect them of having linkswith the Islamic State, Lashkar-e-Tayyeba, Al Qaeda and Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency. In fact,Rakhine (Arakan) is becoming an impor-tant node of the global jihadist movementand is being funded by organisations inSaudi Arabia and Pakistan. Rohingyasare linked to the Bangladesh IslamiChhatrashibir of Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami. They are involved in unsavouryactivities such as trafficking girls fromMyanmar and selling drugs. Given the in-

excusable sympathy for the infiltrators insome well-heeled sections of society, it isworth recollecting how they burst into theinternational limelight. Strategic analystBrahma Chellaney observes thatRohingyas were among the first groups inAsia to be radicalised by the British Rajand to demand partition; they tried to ex-pel Burma’s Buddhist population north ofArakan (170-odd miles) to join EastPakistan. The current crisis began onAugust 25, 2017, when the ArakanRohingya Salvation Army attacked policeposts in Maungdaw, Myanmar; over 100people died. The jihadis also attacked theHindu minority in Rakhine; over 500 wereslaughtered; the Army later found mass

By : Sujatha Byravan

There is growing frustration aftermore than two decades of intense climatetalks. This is an important year for makingprogress on the Paris Agreement (PA),which was discussed at the climate meet-ing called the Conference of Parties (COP-21) to the UN Framework Convention onClimate Change (UNFCCC) in December2015. The Paris Agreement entered intoforce in November 2016. A two-week-longmeeting was recently concluded in Bonn(April 30-May 10) where the operationalguidelines for implementing the PA wereto be discussed and agreed upon by all par-ties. What one was looking for was a com-mon, consistent framework of how eachcountry would define and measure its com-mitments. It would also include proposalsfor how action taken could be monitored,accounted for and kept transparent whileproviding some level of flexibility.

This meeting was the 48th session ofthe UNFCCC Subsidiary Body forImplementation (SBI) and SubsidiaryBody for Scientific and TechnologicalAdvice (SBSTA), referred to as SB48. Withinsufficient progress towards goals, anoth-er interim meeting has been proposed inBangkok ahead of COP-24 in Katowice,Poland, in December 2018. A good draft onthe rulebook ought to be ready before theCOP. Ideally, these guidelines should helpcountries develop ambitious targets for thenext level of the Nationally DeterminedContributions (NDCs). There should alsobe a regularised and dependable flow offunds from rich countries so that climateaction can be implemented in developingnations. Countries can then develop along

a path of sustainable development that islow carbon and inclusive of poor and othermarginalised communities. The barriersThe roadblocks at the Bonn meetingseemed predictable. On the issue of theNDCs, the question was the scope of therulebook. Developing countries want themto cover mitigation targets, adaptation andthe means of implementation for the NDCs.

Developed or rich countries would like therulebook to be limited to mitigation, the re-duction of greenhouse gases. But sincemost countries require adaptation pro-grammes in a warming world and needsupport to implement their national tar-gets, it is essential that these be includedtoo. In fact, most NDCs require support foroperationalising them. The “means of im-

plementation” are about financial supportand technology transfer to build capacityin poorer countries and have always beencontentious. At various sessions and dis-cussions on climate change, this issue hasturned out to be a deal breaker.

At the Copenhagen summit, it wasagreed that from 2020, rich countrieswould provide a minimum of $100 billioneach year to poor and developing coun-tries. There is little sign that these fundswill be available. Instead, the discussionon finance has veered towards: how to in-crease the number of donors who will pro-vide funds; which countries should per-haps be excluded from these funds; andwhether these funds are a part of or dis-tinct from the official development assis-tance, and so on. According to the principleof common but differentiated responsibili-ties of the UNFCCC, while actions need tobe ambitious to limit warming, providingsupport is essential for equitable action.Incomplete task The issues related to lossand damage (L&D) are another thorn in thenegotiations. L&D is a means to provide as-sistance to poor countries that experiencesevere impacts from climate change buthave contributed very little to the green-house gases responsible for the warmingand its effects. This is a very important is-sue for the least developed countries andfor small islands, which are already experi-encing the brunt of sea level rise. But therewas little progress on the funds that couldbe used to support L&D. Participants couldnot come to an agreement on any signifi-cant issue and thus have not produced adraft document to guide full implementa-tion of the PA. Some commentators have

Printed, published and owned by Prem Nath Sharma,Printed at Glimpses of Future Press 63 Padha Street, PuraniMandi, Jammu. Chief Editor Prem Nath Sharma, AssociateEditor : Rajiv Sharma, Ph. 2546079, Fax 0191-2547240, RNINO. 43798/86, email : gofpress@gmail.com, gofpress@red-iffmail.com, sundayplus@rediffmail.com

Towards a ceasefire in J&K ?

Towards a ceasefire on Page 7

Rohingya : A threat to Jammu

Is it possible to slow global warming?

By : CB Sharma

Research credibility ofIndian institutions is at itslowest ebb. This is one ofthe reasons for the poorperformance of Indian uni-versities globally. Overall,an attempt must be made toimprove the admissionprocess and evaluate doc-toral degrees. Every yearwhen the Times HigherEducation WorldUniversity Rankings list isreleased, people start curs-ing the Indian universityset-up for their failure toget into the global rankinglist. But no one ever tries tounderstand the reason be-hind the poor performanceof our universities.

Amongst the 13 per-formance indicators, re-search accounts for 30 percent of the total assessmentcriteria. There are threemajor heads under whichresearch is assessed — rep-utation survey; researchincome and research pro-ductivity. The major rea-son for poor performance ofour higher education insti-tutions is the assessment ofresearch in our universi-ties. Ranking is done on da-ta collected for the last fiveyears of the performance ofuniversities. EveryGovernment makeschanges and wants theranking to be influencedimmediately, which is notpossible. Do we trust ouruniversity research sys-tem, admission andawards? Ask anyone in anyof the academic institutionor even the public and youwill get an answer for thepoor performance of Indianinstitutions. In most meritlists and awards, are madeon the basis of region, caste,religion and gender. Thiswriter has himself been apart of various committeesto recommend the best re-ports or innovative experi-ments. The committee in-variably included names ofpeople from the North-East, members of theSC/ST community and alsowomen so that the recom-mendations look unbiasedand inclusive. But the rec-ommendations itself do notremain a list of the best. Itbecomes a politically cor-rect list. The nation and in-stitutions have not done

enough for the less-privi-leged communities.Members of the less-privi-leged communities shouldhave been given extra aca-demic support by organis-ing classes and campusesso that they come up to themark and are just not in-cluded into the list becausewe must have a memberfrom the reserved commu-nity. If admission to thedoctoral degree pro-gramme is made on the ba-sis of considerations otherthan academic, how canuniversities ensure qualityoutput? Governments haveinterfered so much with theso-called autonomousIndian institutions thatthey no more remain aca-demic but have become po-litical battle-fields for dif-ferent parties. There areschemes to coach the less-privileged groups but notmuch has changed. Theschemes have become onemore method to siphonpublic money. Rigorous re-view of such schemesshould be taken up and se-lected meritorious stu-dents from the less-privi-leged groups should be giv-en best support to competeon an equal basis.

Any survey will revealthat we don’t trust our doc-toral thesis and awards be-cause we all now know thedegrees are awarded onconsiderations than merit.So, on the 18 per cent markson Reputation Survey, ouruniversities would per-form poorly, for sure. Notonly foreign surveyors butany survey within thecountry will reveal that wehold very poor impressionof our doctoral degrees.University research, bothscience and social sciences,should contribute to the ex-isting corpus of humanknowledge which is alsoone of the criterion forranking of universities.Our research output is notused by the industry; and inmost cases, the industry toodoes not pay for conductingresearch to refine theirprocesses. They hire agen-cies outside the academiato give them suggestions.Our universities cannotearn good marks on thescale of research earning,an important criterion to

India’s quest for global rankings

Polls results coming out of Karnataka Assemblyelections are very disappointing for both the BJPand Congress parties as none of them have

crossed the numbers for forming government there andnow both are looking towards JD(S) for forming the gov-ernment. As Congress has announced unconditionalsupport to JD(S) for forming the government, it has cre-ated problem for the BJP which has emerged as thelargest party in the Karnataka. Congress has got lessseats as expected due to own mistakes in the campaign-ing. The Congress should not have raised the Lingayatissue before the polls and the party had not managedcaste equations well in its electoral strategy. To some ex-tent Congress president Rahul Gandhi had engaged apositive campaign as against the negative campaigncarried out by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJPchief Amit Shah in the run-up to the May 12 election.Despite BJP’s emergence as single largest party in theKarnataka Assembly, Congress and JD(S) are claimingformation of Government has created a very disappoint-ing situation for the BJP. The results are quite disap-pointing. Had it been on a development ground or a so-cial justice ground, the Congress should have had won.Somewhere there was something wrong with caste man-agement in Karnataka. That has played an importantrole. At the time of campaigning this time BJP had notraised development issues. But at the same time,Congress should acknowledge somewhere they have notmanaged the caste equations very well. Had Congressshould not have raised Lingayat minority status issue,the outcome of the results have been totally different.May be that is one factor that has backfired on Congressand they need to examine that. The Siddaramaiah-ledCongress government in Karnataka had written to theCentral government, recommending that it considerrepresentations of the Lingayat and Veerashaiva com-munity for recognition as a religious minority. TheKarnataka government had made the demand after thestate cabinet decided to recommend to the Centre that areligious minority status be granted to Lingayats andVeerashaiva Lingayats. The decision was seen by theBJP and other political opponents as a move by theSiddaramaiah government to cut into the vote bank ofBJP, which banks significantly on the support of theLingayat community. One thing has come out clearfrom the election results is that people of Karnatakahave not given clear mandate to any party and it is verydisappointing for a healthy democracy.

Disappointing poll results

Rohingya on Page 7

India’s quest on Page 7

Is it possible on Page 7

JAMMU WEDNESDAY MAY 16 , 2018natiOnal7 Glimpses of Future

graves with Hindu bodies.Many Hindu families fled to Bangladesh to escape, but

were again persecuted by the 4.5 lakh Rohingya Muslimsfleeing the Myanmar Army. In the refugee camps, Hinduwomen were forced to break their bangles, read namaz,wear burqas, and convert. They sought shelter near twotemples at Ukhia in Cox’s Bazar. The Hindus said theywere attacked by Rohingyas and feared to return toMyanmar as several members of their families had beenslaughtered and their homes burnt down. In October 2017,Bangladesh arrested 22 Rohingya Muslims posing asrefugees, but who were linked to the massacre of Hindus inMyanmar. They were reportedly trained by Pakistan’s ISI.

The Jerusalem Post was the only international mediato assert that while it was true that the Myanmar Army hadbegun ethnic cleansing of Rohingyas after the ARSA as-sault on police posts, the ethnic cleansing of Hindus inArakan (‘Rohingya Hindus’) could not be ignored. Evenwhile fighting the Army, jihadi groups were enteringHindu areas and “stabbing, shooting and raping the resi-dents”. One survivor reported that the terrorists would digthree holes one to dump the bodies of women, one for chil-dren and one for men; all overflowed. The paper noted thatwhile conditions in Bangladesh refugee camps were tough,Hindu refugees were worst hit. Many wanted refuge in

India. By the end of September 2017, when matters sub-sided, the Myanmar Government urged Hindu refugeeswho fled to Bangladesh to return, and assured that theywould be taken care of in Sittwe, capital of Rakhine State.So far, there has been no response to this plea and it seemsunlikely that Hindus would return to Rakhine. The enmitybetween Myanmar’s majority Buddhists and Rohingyas,most of whom are denied citizenship on grounds of beingBritish imports from the region now known asBangladesh, has flared up intermittently since 1948 whenBurma (Myanmar) became independent. But what hap-pened to the miniscule Hindu community was genocide.

Rohingyas are known to have settled in Jammu,Hyderabad, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Delhi-NCR andRajasthan. However, in April, Gorkha Janmukti Morchaleader Bimal Gurung alleged that Rohingyas were beingsettled in Darjeeling and Kalimpong districts of theGorkhaland region of West Bengal, as part of a sinister con-spiracy to alter the demography and marginalise the na-tive Gorkhas, superseding national interests for vote-bankpolitics. Gorkhaland, which borders Nepal, Bhutan, Tibetand Bangladesh, is politically sensitive and any “replace-ment” of the population, as warned by Marine Le Pen,could have a deleterious impact on the nation. A solution tothe Rohingya threat is an urgent imperative.

Rohingya ..........................................................................

said that the pace of the discussions was slow and thatthere was an absence of urgency. The NDCs put forth priorto the Paris COP would lead up to 2030. Discussions on rais-ing the bar beyond that would be discussed at COP-24 inPoland. Even if the current NDCs were implemented, theworld would be on track to be warmer by about 3°Celsius.The discussions at Bangkok in early September are there-fore crucial and continue the incomplete task from thisBonn meeting. The UN is also expected to release the re-

port on the impacts from a 1.5°C warming around the sametime. Given the growing frustration of experienced nego-tiators on all sides after more than two decades of intenseclimate talks, it appears that pressure from youth, espe-cially in rich countries, is vital. Unless they remind gov-ernments and the public of the responsibilities of theircountries towards mitigation, adaptation and support formeans of implementation, keeping global warmingunderreasonably safe levels for humankind could be impossible.

Is it possible ......................................................................

which has opposed talks while terrorist attacks continue.One way out would be to encourage talks between HomeMinister Rajnath Singh’s all-party delegation and PakistanParliament’s Kashmir committee. This would allow theModi administration some flexibility. It has the added ad-vantage of having been proposed by Mirwaiz Umar Farooqback in 2010. Talks with the Hurriyat are also complicated.The Mirwaiz Hurriyat is vulnerable, and the GeelaniHurriyat that has some, albeit limited, influence on mili-tants is under a new leader who refused to ask his son togive up arms how is he to be persuaded to support a cease-fire? Will he be amenable to suggestions from the othermembers of the ‘Joint Resistance Leadership’ who havesupported ceasefires earlier? And what about the Hizbuland other armed groups? Given the lack of youth leader-ship, despite the plethora of martyr icons, Yusuf Shah, akaSalahuddin, might be the best bet for the first port of call.Alternatively, there is our own short-lived initiative as in-terlocutors, of putting out feelers through militants safelylodged in jail, which aroused such a howl of protest that wewere forced to abandon it. Opposition within UnionDefence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has already op-posed Ms. Mufti’s proposal as have Minister of State in the

Prime Minister’s Office Jitendra Singh and the StateBharatiya Janata Party (BJP)unit. Mr. Vajpayee was ableto silence opponents within his party and alliance. There islittle doubt that Mr. Modi could do the same, given that he isfeted within the party and his allies in government would inany case support a ceasefire.

The question is, does he want to? The declaration of aunilateral ceasefire would undoubtedly be to his advantagein the Valley, where the BJP is reviled by many. But Mr.Modi is due to visit Kashmir on May 19, two days afterRamzan begins, and many in Kashmir hope that he mightannounce a ceasefire then. If he does not do so, he will againhave shattered Kashmiri hopes and snubbed Ms. Mufti, ashe did her father. Yet Ms. Mufti also bears responsibility. Ifshe has not done the groundwork to ensure that a unilateralceasefire will soon be reciprocated, and a political processfollows, then she too has played opportunist politics gearedtowards restoring the credibility of her failing administra-tion. In that case she would have done better to seek com-mon ground with her coalition partner to curtail the coun-terproductive counterinsurgency campaign and improvegovernance on the ground. We can only hope that both theChief Minister and the Prime Minister are in sync.

Towards a ceasefire ........................................................

assess research performance by scholars who manage toget research funding are looked upon with suspicion ofsquandering money so the administrative departments of-ten put roadblocks and it is also reported that researchershave to pay bribe to get bills passed. We cannot brush asidethese impressions and expect research performance to im-prove. However, it must also be mentioned that teachers ofwell supplied universities have misused the provisions andused funding injudiciously. Peer-review has been and is thepillar of academic excellence and cornerstone of quality im-provement in the best of institutions. However, peer-re-view has lost credibility in our institutions. Academics ofthe Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) are fighting to de-prive the Vice Chancellor of his right to nominate membersto the selection committees. It is apparent that departmentshave formed a national coterie and wish to have only theirfriends as selection committee members reasons all know.Similar is the case with PhD thesis examiners. The panel ofexaminers is often submitted by the supervisor and the listoften consists of the same names. A quick survey can bedone by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Our so-cial scientists are known to be ideologues of political out-fits. They will invariably take a stand and express viewswhich will be aligned to a political ideology. Scholars areknown more as political activists than as scholars and aca-demics. The global academic community, by and large, doesnot trust our academic contribution. That is the reason whywe are not quoted by other scholars (except our research

students and friends) either within the country or abroad.This is an important pillar of academic research, and also ofthe the ranking. We have decided on our own on a list of aca-demic journals as Academic Performance Indicators (API),which is not accepted by the world ranking. Very few jour-nals from India appear in the list of Elsevier’s Scopus listwhich is considered for rating research publication andranking. The introduction of API by the UGC did more dam-age to the research and publication than good.

It is now common knowledge that journals hire writersto write for academics on a payment so that teachers can ac-cumulate API and compete for teaching positions and alsopromotions. There have been scores of complaints by edu-cators against teachers at the JNU of plagiarising their doc-toral thesis and also publications. Action is delayed and of-ten no action is taken. Plagiarism is the highest form ofcrime in academia and there should neither be leniency norany delay in action. This sends a wrong message and breaksthe morale of true researchers. As an immediate measure,the UGC should constitute a committee of scholars whohave worked in this area and ask for recommendations tosubvert the existing practice. Research funding to universi-ties should be linked to research performance. Admissionprocess and evaluation of doctoral degrees should be mademore rigorous so that quality improves and scholars andstakeholders trust the degrees awarded by universities.Research credibility of our institutions is at its lowest ebb.We must rescue or be ready to perish.

India’s quest ............................................................

Contn. on Page 6 ........................................................................................

Press Trust of India

Ranchi, May 15 :

The provisional bail of RJDpresident Lalu Prasad, who re-turned to Ranchi jail yesterday af-ter his three-day parole ended,could not be processed today by thespecial CBI court as the order didnot reach the court. TheJharkhand High Court last weekgranted six-week provisional bailto Prasad on medical grounds inthe fodder scam cases he has beenconvicted in. Authorities at theBirsa Mundal jail in Ranchi hadseparately given him a three-dayparole on May 10 to attend his elderson Tej Pratap Yadav's wedding onMay 12 in Patna. Travel time wasnot included in the parole durationand Prasad returned to the prisonyesterday, a day after his paroleended. The HC order has notreached the trial court, whichwould issue the release order aftercompleting formalities, Prasad'slawyer Prabhat Kumar said. Thespecial CBI court is a morningcourt which ends at 12.30pm, whilethe HC is a day court, he said. "We

hope the HC order reaches the spe-cial CBI court later during the dayso that we can fulfil the formalitiesfor getting Prasad's release order,"the lawyer said.

RJD general-secretary andPrasad's close aide Bhola Yadav,camping in Ranchi and waiting forthe release order, said Prasad willhave to wait for another day.

Prasad's lawyer said they needed tofill the bail bond and deposit twosureties of Rs 50,000 to get the re-lease order from the trial court onthe basis of the high court judg-ment. He said the bail in the threefodder scam cases would be effec-tive from the day he is releasedfrom jail. Prasad, 69, suffers fromdiabetes, blood pressure, kidneyproblems and other ailments.Bhola Yadav said after getting therelease order Prasad would returnto Patna. From there he would go toDelhi, Mumbai and other places forspecialised treatment. The RJDsupremo has been in jail sinceDecember 23 after being convictedin the Deoghar treasury case andsentenced to jail for three-and-a-half years. He was later convictedin the Chaibasa treasury case andsent to prison for five years and theDumka treasury case and sen-tenced for 14 years. The over Rs 900-crore fodder scam cases are relatedto the illegal withdrawal of moneyfrom government treasury by theanimal husbandry department inundivided Bihar in the 1990s whenPrasad was the chief minister.

Lalu to wait for another day forrelease on provisional bail Press Trust of India

Vadodara, May 15 :

A woman from GirSomnath district of Gujarattoday wrote a letter toExternal Affairs MinisterSushma Swaraj, seekinghelp for bringing back herfisherman husband who isin a Pakistani prison and issuffering from cancer.Rudiben Chauhan (32), resi-dent of Paldi in Una tehsil,told PTI that her husbandDanabhai Chauhan (35) hasbeen languishing in a jail inthe neighbouring countryfor over a year. Chauhanandfive other fishermenfrom Gujarat were appre-hended by the PakistanMaritime Security Agencynear the Jakhau port inKutch district on May 3,2017 for allegedly enteringthe Pakistani waters. Theirboat, "Sagar Sonu", was alsoseized. Speaking to PTI,Rudiben Chauhan said herhusband called his nephewfrom a hospital in Pakistanthree days ago, and said hewas suffering from cancer

and he must return to Indiafor better treatment.

"My husband said hedoes not want to die inPakistani jail," she said.The couple has four daugh-ters and a son. In her letterto Swaraj, Rudiben said itwas the responsibility ofthejail authorities inPakistan to inform the fami-ly about her husband's dis-ease, but they failed to do so.Nor did she receive anycommunication from theMinistry of External Affairs

or the Indian HighCommission about her hus-band's condition, she said. "Iseek your help for doing theneedful," Chauhan wrote toSwaraj. Since her husbandwas captured by thePakistani authorities she isworking as a labourer tofeed her children, the eldestof whom is 12 years old andthe youngest is one and ahalf years old, she said. "Iearn Rs 100 a day which isnot enough to feed my chil-dren," she wrote in the let-ter. Rajya Sabha memberParimal Nathwani, whohails from Gir Somnath dis-trict, and Veljibhai Masani,vice president of theGujarat Fishermen'sAssociation (GFA), told PTIthat they too have writtenseparate letters to theExternal Affairs Minister,requesting her to bringback Chauhan in view of hishealth.According to theGFA, 415 Indian fishermenare in Pakistani jails atpresent for allegedly cross-ing the international mar-itime border illegally.

Fisherman in Pak jail suffering fromcancer, wife seeks swarajs help

Press Trust of India

Hyderabad, May 15 :

Busting a fake ATM card racket allegedlyrun by a four member gang of Romanians, po-lice today arrested two of them on the charge ofdefrauding 46 people here of Rs 35 lakh fromtheir accounts using cloned cards. VasileGabriel Razvan and his friend BuriceaAlexandru Mihai were the ones arrested. Theother two, Ticu Bogdan Costinel and PuicaEugn Marian, are absconding and a search is onto nab them," Cyberabad Police CommissionerV C Sajjanar said. Police acted on complaintsfrom 46 persons over fraudulent cash withdraw-al from their bank accounts in Mumbai.

During investigation, they identified fourATM centres in Mumbai from where theamounts were withdrawn by the accused.Explaining on the modus operandi of the ac-cused, the Commissioner said Gabriel hatcheda plan to collect the debit cards data from ATMsby placing skimmers and shared his plan withthe others. Subsequently, he obtained businessvisas to his gang members to visit India, theCommissioner said. Gabriel and Alexandrucame to Hyderabad in December 2017 and iden-tified ATM kiosks having no security guards.As per Gabriel's instruction, Bogdan andMarian came here and placed the skimmers atvarious ATMs during February-March period.After collecting the data, Bogdan and Marianleft India in April. The same month, Gabriel andAlexandru went to Mumbai with the data,cloned the cards and withdrew Rs 35 lakh fromdifferent ATMs, he said. The two were arrestedyesterday when they again came to Hyderabad,the official added. Police seized cash totalling Rs35 lakh, 196 skimmed cards, six ATM card skim-mers and one laptop from the accused.

Fake ATM card racket runby Romanians busted

Press Trust of India

New Delhi, May 15 :

The Supreme Court today partial-ly modified its March 6 order by whichit had stayed further progress inamending the Master Plan of Delhi-2021 and directed the Centre to give a15-day window for inviting objectionsto the proposed changes. A bench ofJustices Madan B Lokur and Navin Sinhaalso asked Attorney General K KVenugopal, who appeared for the DelhiDevelopment Authority , whether theconcerned officials of the departmentwould be immediately suspended ifunauthorised constructions come upin the areas under their jurisdiction.

Venugopal sought modification ofthe March 6 order and referred to theconcept of separation of powers. Hesaid the statutory authorities cannotbe prohibited from framing laws. Theapex court asked the Centre to give 15days for inviting objections for theproposed amendments and said thegovernment should take a final call af-ter considering all aspects.

The bench posted the matter forfurther hearing on May 17. TheMaster Plan-2021 is a blueprint for ur-ban planning and expansion in the me-tropolis to ensure overall develop-ment. The proposed amendments areaimed at bringing a uniform floor arearatio (FAR) for shop-cum-residentialplots and complexes on par with resi-

dential plots. FAR is the ratio of abuilding's total floor area (gross floorarea) to the size of the piece of land onwhich it is built. The apex court had onMarch 6 stayed any "further progress"in amending the Delhi Master Plan2021 to protect unauthorised construc-tion from the ongoing sealing drive inthe national capital, sternly observingthat this 'dadagiri' (bullying tactics)must stop. The apex court had earliersaid any interference in the function-ing of the court-appointed monitoringcommittee would amount to contempt,observing that the rule of law oversanction to construct buildings inDelhi had "completely broken down"while expressing concern over illegalconstruction. It had also orderedrestoration of its monitoring panel toidentify and seal offending structures.The committee, comprising K J Rao,former advisor to the ElectionCommission, Bhure Lal, chairman ofthe Environment Pollution ControlAuthority, and Major General (Retd)Som Jhingan, was set up on March 24,2006, by the apex court.

SC modifies its order staying proposedchanges in Delhi master plan

Press Trust of India

New Delhi, May 15 :

The commission-er for metro rail safe-ty has given themandatory approvalto start passengerservices on the 25.6-km-long section be-tween JanakpuriWest and KalkajiMandir, which willsoon be thrown openfor public, an officialsaid today. "The com-missioner for metrorail safety has giventhe mandatory ap-proval for the start of

passenger operationsfor Janakpuri West-Kalkaji Mandir, sub-ject to the fulfilmentof certain conditionsand stipulations," aDelhi Metro RailCorporation officialsaid. The MagentaLine section has 16stations, includingtwo inter-change sta-tions Hauz Khas(with Yellow Line)and Janakpuri West(with Blue Line). TheMagenta Line wouldreduce the traveltime between westDelhi and south

Delhi, Gurugram,Faridbad and Noidaconsiderably. For in-stance, travelling be-tween Hauz Khas andJanakpuri West atpresent requires aninter-change fromRajiv Chowk thattakes nearly 55 min-utes, but after the open-ing of the Magenta Linethe journey would takeless than 30 minutes."The exact date ofopening of this corri-dor will be intimatedafter compliance ofthe same by DMRC,"the official added.

Janakpuri West-Kalkaji Mandir metro sectiongets approval to start passenger services

Press Trust of India

Bengaluru, May 15 :

Karnataka Chief MinisterSiddaramaiah today resignedfrom his post after the Congresswas voted out of power in theAssembly elections. He metGovernor Vajubhai Vala andhanded over his resignation, offi-cial sources said. The chief minis-ter went to Raj Bhavan after an-nouncing the Congress' support tothe JDS to form the government

as the state headed for a hung as-sembly. Siddaramaiah, who con-tested from two constituencies,won Badami, but lostChamudeshwari in Mysuru.

Siddaramaiah resigns afterCong defeat in K'taka polls

Press Trust of India

Gopeshwar, May 15 :

Samajwadi Partyleader Mulayam SinghYadav's younger daughter-in-law has offered to donatea rare breed of cows toBadrinath, asking the tem-ple authorities to use itsmilk for ritual 'Abhishek' ofLord Vishnu at the shrine.'Chanwar' cows, the rarebreed is considered sacred

and found only in the highaltitude Leh-Ladakh region,Badrinath-Kedarnath tem-

ple committee CEO B DSingh said. Records at thetemple show that 'Abhishek'of lord Vishnu was per-formed only with chanwarcow's milk. A special shed isbeing built near the shrineto keep the cows, he said,adding initially aroundthree cows will live here.The offer was made byAparna Yadav when shevisited the temple last year,he said.

Mulayam Singh's daughter-in-law to donaterare breed cows to Badrinath shrine '

Press Trust of India

Itanagar, May 15 :

Arunachal Pradesh ChiefMinister Pema Khandu todaycongratulated BJP PresidentAmit Shah, Prime MinisterNarendra Modi and all BJPleaders and workers for thesuccess in the KarnatakaAssembly polls. "It is no meanfeat that BJP has emerged asthe single largest party in astate ruled by the Congress.

Khandu congratulatesShah, Modi for Karnatakaassembly result

JAMMU WEDNESDAY MAY 16, 2018wOrld8 Glimpses of Future

Dubai, May 15 (PTI)

The first consignmentof 2 million barrels of crudeoil from the UAE for India'sstrategic petroleum reserveat Mangalore is en-route toIndia and will help it dealwith supply side disrup-tions, Minister forPetroleum and Natural GasDharmendra Pradhan hassaid.

The cargo is the first un-der an agreement betweenAbu Dhabi National OilCompany (ADNOC) and theIndian Strategic PetroleumReserves Ltd (ISPRL), anIndian government-ownedcompany mandated to store

crude oil for strategicneeds. The loading of ap-proximately 2 million bar-rels of ADNOC crude oilwas witnessed by Pradhanand Sultan Ahmed AlJaber, UAE Minister ofState and ADNOC GroupCEO, at a ceremony in AbuDhabi yesterday.

Speaking on the occa-sion, Pradhan said: "TheUAE is the first country toinvest in India's StrategicReserves Programme. Thisimportant partnership willfurther strengthen the closeenergy cooperation that ex-ists between India and theUAE and builds on the his-toric acquisition of a stake

in the Lower Zakum off-shore concession by Indiancompanies."

In February, ONGCVidesh Ltd and its partnershad acquired a 10 per cent inthe Lower Zakum offshoreoilfield in Abu Dhabi forUSD 600 million. "Thestrategic reserve will pro-vide a boost to India's ener-gy security and help us dealwith supply side disrup-tions. While part of thestored oil will be used forcommercial purposes byADNOC, the major part willbe purely for strategic pur-poses.

Al Jaber said that thestrategic reserve project

represents an importantnew energy partnershipwith India that leveragesthe UAE and ADNOC's ex-pertise and oil resources."With this partnership, newmarket opportunities willopen up for ADNOC, as wenot only help to ensure theenergy security of theUAE's largest trading part-ner, but also gain greater ac-cess to one of the fastest-growing markets for high-quality crude oil. Our in-creased presence in India,will also catalyse demandfor our own refined andpetrochemical products,"he said. Indian energy de-mand is forecast by the

International EnergyAgency (IEA) to grow bymore than any other coun-try in the period to 2040, pro-pelled by an economy thatwill grow to more than five-times its current size and bypopulation growth that willmake it the world's mostpopulous country. energyconsumption is expected tomore than double by 2040,accounting for 25 per cent ofthe rise in global energy,and the largest absolutegrowth in oil consumption.

India is 82 per cent de-pendent on imports to meetits crude oil needs, eight percent of which is supplied bythe UAE.

First crude oil cargo from AbuDhabi departs for Mangalore'sstrategic crude oil reserve

Melania Trump undergoes surgeryfor 'benign kidney condition'Washington, May 15 (PTI)

US First Lady Melania Trump has undergone surgeryfor what the White House described as a "benign kidneycondition" and was expected to remain hospitalised forthe rest of the week. Her office said surgeons had per-formed an embolisation procedure on her at the WalterReed National Military Medical Center yesterday. Astatement was put out by the White House said, "Thismorning, First Lady Melania Trump underwent an em-bolisation procedure to treat a benign kidney condition.""The surgery was successful and there were no complica-tions," it said. Embolisation is most often used to blockthe blood supply to a tumour, benign orcancerous.Melania Trump, 48, is expected to spend therest of the week recovering at the medical centre, inBethesda, Maryland."The First Lady looks forward to afull recovery so she can continue her work on behalf ofchildren everywhere," the White House said. PresidentDonald Trump visited her and spent over a little over anhour with his wife."Successful procedure, she is in goodspirits. Thank you to all of the well-wishers!," he tweeted.

Soros foundation quits Hungary overgovt's 'repressive' policiesBudapest, May 15

The foundation run by US-Hungarian billionaireGeorge Soros said today it was closing its operations inHungary and relocating to Germany in response to the"repressive" policies of Viktor Orban's government."Faced with an increasingly repressive political and legalenvironment in Hungary, the Open Society Foundationsare moving their Budapest-based international opera-tions and staff to the German capital, Berlin," the networksaid in a statement.

Renowned physicist E C G Sudarshanpasses away at 86Houston, May 15 (PTI)

The cremation of eminent Indian-American theoreti-cal physicist, EC George Sudarshan who passed away onSunday in Austin, Texas will be held on Thursday.According to the family sources and close friends,Sudarshan, 86, died of natural causes. He is survived byhis wife Bhamathi Sudarshan and two children. The cre-mation services will be held in Austin, Texas onThursday.Sudarshan had been teaching as a professor atUniversity of Texas for over 40 years. He served asHonorary Advisory Council Member of Houston SriMeenakshi Temple. He was associated with the templefrom 1977. Sudarshan, an outstanding theoretical physi-cist, was born in Kottayam, Kerala, India, in 1931. The pro-fessional career of Sudarshan spans five decades. He dis-covered the V - A theory of weak interactions while work-ing on his PhD thesis under the late Robert E. Marshak.He has made remarkable discoveries in many fields ofphysics, including quantum optics, tachyons, quantumZeno effect, non-invariance groups, positive maps of den-sity matrices, quantum computation, etc. His contribu-tions include also relations between east and west sci-ence, philosophy and religion. In 2007, the Indian govern-ment recognised and awarded the physicist with the sec-ond highest civilian award, Padma Vibhushan. He was al-so awarded the Dirac Medal in 2010, which is known to begiven out to scientists who have made substantial contri-butions in theoretical physics, computational chemistryand mathematics. The renowned physicist was even rec-ommended for the Nobel Prize nine times but neverawarded.

Russia's news agency says its officesin Ukraine raidedMoscow, May 15

A Russian state-owned news agency says its office inthe Ukrainian capital has been raided and that at least oneof its correspondents has been detained for questioning.RIA Novosti said today that Ukrainian intelligence offi-cers stormed its office in Kiev and that it has been unableto get in touch with its correspondents theresince.Ukrainian security agency SBU said in a statementthat it is investigating "a network of media outlets" con-trolled by the Russian government which are "used astools in a hybrid war against Ukraine." Relations betweenMoscow and Kiev soured in 2014 when Russia annexedUkraine's Crimea and threw its weight behind separatistsin eastern Ukraine. More than 10,000 people have died inthe long-simmering conflict in the industrial east.

Bahrain strips 115 of nationality over'terrorism': public prosecutorDubai, May 15

A Bahrain court today sentenced 115 Bahrainis to jailterms ranging from three years to life and stripped themof their nationality for forming an Iran-linked "terrorist"group, the public prosecutor said.The defendants werefound guilty of forming the "Zulfiqar Battalions", whichthe court said had received training in Iran and Iraq fromIran's Revolutionary Guard with "the intent to commithostile acts" against Bahrain.

China urges Israel to show restraintafter Gaza deathsBeijing, May 15

China today called for restraint, "especially" fromIsrael, after 59 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forcesduring clashes and protests along the Gaza border againstthe US embassy opening in Jerusalem. "China is serious-ly concerned about the large number of casualties causedby the violent conflict in the Gaza border," foreign min-istry spokesman Lu Kang told a regular pressbriefing."We oppose violence against civilians. We call onboth sides, especially Israel, to maintain restraint andavoid further tension and escalation of the situation," Lusaid.The spokesman reiterated Beijing's support for atwo-state solution, with the establishment of aPalestinian state based on 1967 borders with EastJerusalem as its capital."China has always believed thatthe final status of Jerusalem should be finally settledthrough peace talks between Palestine and Israel in ac-cordance with the relevant resolutions of the UnitedNations," Lu said.Fresh protests were expected onTuesday as Palestinians mark the Nakba, or "catastro-phe," commemorating the more than 700,000 Palestinianswho fled or were expelled in the 1948 war surroundingIsrael's creation.It comes a day after the United Statestransferred its Israel embassy from Tel Aviv to the disput-ed city of Jerusalem in a move that infuriated thePalestinians and was widely condemned.

Indian-Australiankilled in road accident

in AustraliaMelbourne, May 15 (PTI)

A 36-year-old Indian-Australian man was killedand his father severely in-jured when their truck col-lided with another truckon a highway in SouthAustralia, according to amedia report today. AmitKumar Bonsrey was killedin the accident while hisfather, who accompaniedhim, was severely injuredand is undergoing treat-ment at Royal AdelaideHospital, Australian newswebsite SBS reported. "Hisfather accompanied himon the drive as it was along drive. He has been in-jured and has undergone a16-hour surgery three daysago. Bonsrey, who workedat a factory in Adelaidewas delivering goods toMildura, a regional city innorth-west Victoria, whenhis truck collided with an-other truck on the high-way on April 30.

An elderly Palestinian man falls on the ground after being shot by Israeli troops during a deadly protest at the Gaza Strip's border with Israel,east of Khan Younis, Gaza Strip. Thousands of Palestinians are protesting near Gaza's border with Israel, as Israel celebrates the inauguration ofa new U.S. Embassy in contested Jerusalem.

Dubai, May 15 (PTI)

Over 100 Indian busi-nessmen and executivesbased in the UAE have beenrecognised for their phe-nomenal success in theArab world by ForbesMiddle East who have a col-lective net worth of USD 26.4billion. "Top 100 Indianleaders in the Arab world",the list consists of the headsof the region's top compa-nies, as well as the most in-fluential of experts, Forbessaid in a statement.

Billionaires of Indian-origin, based in the Gulf,have a collective net worthof USD 26.4 billion, accord-ing to Forbes' World'sBillionaires 2018.

The top three individu-als, who are self-made bil-lionaires in the UAE with acombined net worth of morethan USD 12 billion, are

leading the rankings, withretail magnate Yusuff Ali MA, managing director ofLuLu Group International,taking the crown as the topbusiness owner.The Indiantycoon is the third-richestself-made billionaire inUAE with a net worth ofUSD 5 billion, Gulf News re-ported.Also UAE-basedbusinessmen B R Shetty,who holds a net fortune ofUSD 3.6 billion, and RaviPillai, with a net worth ofUSD 3.5 billion, are rankedsecond and third, respec-tively.These top business-men have now shifted theirgaze and are claimed to alsobe investing heavily in theArab region as well as India.Navdeep Singh Suri,Ambassador of India to theUAE, said that the Indiancommunity across the UAEholds key positions in all thedifferent aspects of life.

Forbes honours 100 Gulf-basedIndian businessmen

Islamabad, May 15 (PTI)

An unfazed NawazSharif today rejectedPakistan's top civil and mil-itary leadership condemn-ing his controversial re-marks on the 2008 Mumbaiterror attack with the de-posed prime minister de-manding the formation of anational commission to findout who committed treason.

The National SecurityCommittee (NSC) whichmet yesterday had con-demned the "fallacious"statement by Sharif aboutthe Mumbai terror attackand termed it as "incorrectand misleading".

In an interview lastweek, Sharif had ques-tioned Pakistan's policy toallow the "non-state actors"to cross the border and "kill"people in Mumbai as hepublicly acknowledged thatmilitant groups are activein the country.

His comments triggereda controversy, promptingthe National SecurityCommittee (NSC) -Pakistan's top civil-militarybody - to call a high-levelmeeting.Presided over by

Prime Minister ShahidKhaqan Abbasi, the meet-ing was attended by topCabinet ministers,Chairman Joint Chiefs ofStaff Committee Gen ZubairHayat, the three serviceschiefs, the director generalsof the Inter-ServicesIntelligence and MilitaryIntelligence.After the NSCmeeting, Prime MinisterAbbasi met Sharif and con-veyed to him the concerns ofthe military leadershipover his remarks regardingthe Mumbai attacks,Pakistani media had report-ed yesterday.Talking to re-porters at theAccountability Court hear-ing corruption casesagainst him and his family,Nawaz, 68, said the NSCstatement is "wrong,painful and frightening."

He reiterated his de-mand for the formation of anational commission to de-cide who committed trea-son and said that it would al-low all facts to become clear."A decision should be madeabout who is a patriot andwho is a traitor," headded."We should find out

who laid the foundation ofterrorism in the country,"he asserted.

"Pakistan is not becom-ing isolated, it is alreadyisolated. Tell me whichcountry stands with us, isthere any?" he asked.Later,speaking to the media whileleaving the courtroom,Nawaz said the time hascome to decide who is a pa-triot and who is a traitor. Hewas responding to beingtermed a traitor by politicalopponents.

He said further that heis not just a Pakistani citi-zen as the people electedhim prime minister and heknows a lot of things.Several lawmakers on bothsides of the aisle had fired abroadside at Nawaz forstatement about theMumbai attack, with somegoing as far as demandingthat the PML-N supremo betried for high treason; thathis name be placed on theExit Control List, and athorough investigation beundertaken to determinethe reasons behind thestatement made by three-time prime minister.

London, May 15 (PTI)

Confusion prevailed today overwhether Meghan Markle's father will walkhis daughter down the aisle to marry PrinceHarry at Windsor Castle on Saturday afterreports said that he will not attend the royalwedding.

Thomas Markle, 73, was quoted by someUS media as saying that he would not attendthe royal wedding to avoid embarrassinghis daughter and the royal family after pa-parazzi shots of him seemed to indicate hehad been paid to pose for photographers.

"This is a deeply personal moment forMs Markle in the days before her wedding.She and Prince Harry ask again for under-standing and respect to be extended to MrMarkle in this difficult situation," aKensington Palace statement said.

It had been announced earlier thismonth that Thomas, a retired Hollywoodlighting engineer who lives in Mexico,would walk his daughter to the altar at St.George's Chapel in Windsor Castle, wherethe 36-year-old former actress is set to wedPrince Harry, 33, in front of 600 guests andan international television audience of mil-lions on May 19.

Before the ceremony, Thomas was ex-pected to perform the duty of the meeting ofthe in-laws some time this week, when hewas to join ex-wife and the bride-to-be'smother, Doria Ragland, at tea with QueenElizabeth II, Prince Charles and Camilla.

Ragland, a social worker and yogateacher who lives in Los Angeles, is to ac-

company her daughter in the bridal car. The 61-year-old is now expected to step

into her ex-husband's shoes and walk herdaughter down the aisle if he is missingfrom the ceremony.

According to a US celebrity websiteTMZ, Thomas has given his ex-wife hisblessing to perform the duty.

He claimed to have suffered a heart at-tack due to stress six days ago and plans tocheck himself back into hospital over chestpains.

Meghan has previously heaped her fa-ther with compliments for investing in herfuture.

She has been quoted as saying: "Theblood, sweat and tears this man who camefrom so little in a small town ofPennsylvania, where Christmas stockingswere filled with oranges, and dinners werepotatoes and Spam invested in my future sothat I could grow up to have so much.

Gaza City, May 15

Palestinians observed astrike today to mourn dozenskilled by Israeli troops in amass protest on the Gaza bor-der the single deadliest daythere since a 2014 war andpart of a high-stakes cam-paign by Gaza's Hamasrulers to break a decade-longborder blockade. InMonday's protest, Israeliforces killed 58 Palestinians,most by gunfire, and injuredmore than 2,700, Gaza healthofficials said. In jarring con-trast, the U.S. held a festiveinauguration ceremony for anew U.S. Embassy in contest-ed Jerusalem just a few milesaway. The juxtaposition ofbloodshed on the Gaza bor-der and festivities attendedby a high-powered Trumpadministration delegationcaptured on split screens in

TV broadcasts around theworld briefly drew attentionto the plight of Gaza and its 2million people.

The high casualty toll al-so revived international crit-icism of Israel's use of lethalforce against unarmed pro-testers. At the same time, theopening of the embassy, con-demned by Palestinians asblatantly pro-Israel, furtherdimmed prospects of whatPresident Donald Trumphad once touted as plans tonegotiate the Mideast "dealof the century." The U.N.Security Council planned tomeet Tuesday to discuss theviolence, though it was notclear what might come out ofthe session.

Two UN diplomats saidmembers couldn't reachunanimous agreement on is-suing a proposed statement,circulated by Kuwait, that

would have expressed "out-rage and sorrow" over thekillings and sought an inde-pendent investigation.

The diplomats spoke oncondition of anonymity be-cause the discussions weresupposed to be private.

For Hamas, the Islamicmilitant group that seized

Gaza in 2007, Monday's bor-der protest was the culmina-tion of a weeks-long cam-paign to try to break theblockade. The group ledweekly protests near the bor-der with Israel since lateMarch as part of this push.

On Tuesday, there wereno signs that Hamas had

made a breakthrough inshaking off the blockade thatwas imposed by Israel andEgypt in 2007. In a sign of aneasing, Egypt extended theopening of its border cross-ing with Gaza, initially set tocontinue for four days, bytwo more days, untilThursday. Typically, theRafah crossing is closed formost of the year.

In recent days, there hadbeen negotiations betweenEgypt and Hamas, presum-ably on easing the blockadein exchange for ending theprotests.Hamas has saidprotests would continue in aweekly format, but it was notclear if it would be able tomaintain momentum duringthe fasting month ofRamadan, which begins thisweek.

Protest organizers saidTuesday was set aside for fu-

nerals, in an apparent at-tempt to lower expectation ofanother mass protest later inthe day.

Hamas had initially saidmass border protests wouldcontinue Tuesday, whichmarks the 70th anniversaryof what Palestinians calltheir "nakba," or catastrophethe uprooting of hundreds ofthousands in the Mideastwar over Israel's 1948 cre-ation.

The border marches areseen as Hamas' last hope ofending the blockade that hasmade it increasingly difficultfor the group to govern.Other tactics, includingthree cross-border wars withIsrael in a decade and recon-ciliation with Hamas' chiefPalestinian rival, WestBank-based PresidentMahmoud Abbas, havefailed.

Sharif rejects NSC's condemnation ofhis Mumbai terror attack remarks

Confusion over Meghan Markle'sfather attending royal wedding

Palestinians bury dead after bloodiest Gaza day since 2014

JAMMU WEDNESDAY MAY 16, 2018spOrts9 Glimpses of Future

New Delhi, May 15 (PTI)

The ICC working groupwill be meeting the seniorBCCI officials here onThursday to discuss some ofthe prevailing issues inworld cricket including thefuture of Tests.

The working group inICC formulates policies andthen takes feedback of itsstakeholders (member na-tions, sponsors). BCCI act-ing president CK Khanna,acting secretary AmitabhChoudhary, treasurerAniruddh Chaudhry andCEO Rahul Johri are ex-pected to be briefed aboutthe ICC working group's

progress in the meeting. Itis learnt that the discus-sions will be broadly basedon challenges facing thegame, especially how tokeep Test cricket alive, theways of crowd engagementand the rapidly growingpopularity of T20s.

After taking the feed-back from all the stakehold-ers, the working group thenprepares a comprehensivereport "Test cricket is theultimate format and I amsure all the stakeholderswill be working a way out tosustain the level of interest.I believe that all three for-mats can co-exist. I expectthat suggestions given by

the BCCI will be taken seri-ously," BCCI acting presi-dent CK Khanna told PTI to-day. Day/Night Test cricketis expected to be anotherkey issue. While it is nowwell-documented that act-ing secretary Choudharywas in favour of India play-ing pink ball Test againstWest Indies, something theIndian team's chief coachRavi Shastri had initiallyagreed. However it waslearnt that Indian teammanagement toldCommittee ofAdministrators (CoA) thatit still requires at least 18months to get ready for thefive-day game under lights.

The dwindling crowdsin Tests has been a concernfor ICC and the general feel-ing is that only Day/NightTests can save the format.

There are variousschool of thoughts and oneis to start Test matchesacross the globe onThursdays.

The third and fourthdays are always consideredto be the most importantdays and if it's on a week-end, then one can expectmore footfalls. Obviously,there would be an odd'Boxing Day' Test, but ingeneral, Thursday startscould prove to be beneficial.

Recently, former New

Zealand captain BrendonMcCullum has said thatTest cricket may not be sus-tainable in the long runwith the advent of T20leagues across the globe.

Trends have shown thatyoung cricketers are readyto choose club over country,freelancing in private T20leagues. During the recentICC quarterly meeting inKolkata, global body's chiefexecutive Dave Richardsonsaid that they would be talk-ing to the stake holders tofind out if there could be acap on the number of T20leagues that one can takepart in to maintain the sanc-tity of international cricket.

ICC working group to meetBCCI officials in Delhi

New Delhi, May 15 (PTI)

Afghanistan captainAsghar Stanikzai believesthe 'world-class' spinners inhis team will pose a seriouschallenge to the much-vaunted Indian batting line-up in the historic one-offTest in Bengaluru fromJune 14.

Afghanistan will maketheir much awaited Test de-but at the ChinnaswamyStadium and Stankizai saidthe aim is to give a goodfight to India, who will bewithout their regular skip-per Virat Kohli.

"With or without Kohli,India are a top team andeven stronger at home.Kohli is a very big playerand we would have enjoyedplaying against him,"Stanikzai told PTI."Irrespective of who is play-ing, everyone knows howtough it is to face India inIndia. It will be a greatlearning experience but weare surely not overawed bythe challenge. We will beplaying to win. We haveworld-class spinners in ourteam and they can troubleIndia."

Afghanistan are cur-rently training in GreaterNoida but would be travel-ling to Dehradun later thisweek ahead of the three-match T20 series againstBangladesh early nextmonth. While coach PhilSimmons has stressed onmaking his team mentallyand physically ready for thefive-day challenge,

Stanikzai feels adjusting tothe Test mode from four-daycricket will not be much ofan issue.

"We would like to learnfrom their players and theycan learn from ours. Yes weare playing our first Testbut we are going into thegame with enough first-class experience. "We playabout 10 four-day games in ayear and have won the ICCIntercontinental Cup twice.Tests will be different obvi-ously but I would not saythat there is a huge differ-ence," said the veteran of 86ODIs and 51 T20s.

The team's key players --spinners Rashid Khan andMujeeb Zadran, and all-rounder Mohammad Nabi --are currently playing in theIPL. Rashid especially hasevolved into a top-qualityleg-spinner and a few othersincluding Mujeeb, ZahirKhan and Qais Ahmed tooare improving rapidly."Spin is our strength, thereis no doubt about that. Wehave pacers too, Dawlat andShapoor Zadran, who can

bowl at 140kmph plusspeeds. So we have the re-sources." Any specific rea-son why Afghanistan pro-ducing spinners at a rapidrate? "Our spinners are do-ing well so that is why mostpeople are talking aboutthem. The wickets inAfghanistan are similar towhat you see in India, morehelpful to the spinners. Thatcould be one reason.Because of that factor, ourbatsmen also play spinwell," said Stanikzai.

He sees the upcomingAfghan T20 league inSharjah further fast-track-ing the growth of the gamein the country.

"What we would haveachieved in 10 years, withthe league we could do thatwithin the next three years.Our players will get to rubshoulders with the best inthe business. The mainthing in international crick-et is absorbing pressure andthey will get to learn that byplaying alongside top for-eign players," the 30-year-old added.

Our spinners will challenge Indianbatsmen: Afghanistan captain Stanikzai

JAMMU, May 15:

Hind Kesari and BharatKesari, Hitesh Kala ofBahadurgarh in Haryanaclinched 47th International Roun-Domail Kesari Dangal which wasorganised by Thill Roun-DangalCommittee in collaboration withJ&K Indian Style WrestlingAssociation under the overall su-pervision of Om Parkash Vermaand Rajinder Singh Ranyal.

Renowned wrestlers fromacross the country and J&K Stateparticipated in this dangal.Winner of the main bout, Hiteshawarded with cash prize of Rs71,000 jointly by chief guest,Deputy CommissionerUdhampur, Ravinder Kumar,Joint Secretary J&K State SportsCouncil, Shiv Kumar Sharma andgeneral secretary, DistrictUdhampur Indian StyleWrestling Association, OmParkash Verma. Runners-up,Benia Min presented with Rs40,000 by Prithvi Raj Sharma,Sunil Badyal and Rajinder SinghRanyal.

In all, 35 bouts played in theday-long dangal. Dinesh of Delhideclared as best wrestler and gift-ed five kg Desi Ghee.

SSP Udhampur, Rayees Bhatt,Prithvi Raj Sharma, ASP FaisalQureshi, former MLA BalwantSingh Mankoita and ARTOUdhampur, Kuldeep Singh wereguests of honour. Prominentamong others present were DySPKulbir Honda, Sunil Badyal,

Naresh Kumar (Pappu Lakri),SHO Udhampur, Sanjeev Gupta,Dhani Ram Atari, Deepak Anand,Yov Raj Katoch and SocialActivist, wrestling promoter RamPaul Sharma.

The second main bout went toHado of Georgia, who beatVikram Kotia of Delhi. Hadoawarded with cash prize of Rs41,000 and Vikram got Rs 30,000.Third main bout won by Gorgi ofGeorgia who defeated AjaySharma of Udhampur. In anotherfight for another third bout, Nisarof J&K Police beat Parminder ofBahadurgarh in Haryana. Fourthbout bagged by Ishaq Ahmed

(Lallu) of Bajrangi AkharaJammu who defeated Arun ofPanipat.

and technical officials whohelped for smooth conduct thedangal included Dharam SinghRanyal (president of DangalCommittee), Om Parkash Verma(organizing secretary), RajinderSingh Ranyal, Baldev SinghRanyal, Ashok Pada, ParsotamSingh, Sohan Singh, Arjun Singh,Parkash Singh, Dara Singh,Naresh Kumar (Pappu Lakri),Sunil Badyal, Lochan Singh, SatPaul Verma, Deepak Wazir, RamPaul Sharma and Sat Bir Singh(BSF Coach).

Other Results: Salman ofChopra Shop bt Nirmal of Delhi;Kaka of RS Pura bt Chand ofPanipat; Akram of Jammu bt Kalaof Himachal; Vikas of Delhi btMuneer Khan of Nagrota; Nirmalof Chandgi Ram Akhara Delhi btBabba of Domana AkharaJammu; Rakesh of Billawar btVirender of Rohtak; Laikat Ali ofJammu bt Amit of Delhi; Mohanuof Delhi bt Murad Ali of DomanaAkhara; Chain Singh of Reasi btJassar of Ghazibad; Anu ofHarayana bt Bharat Bushan ofDomana; Dinesh of Delhi btNadeem of Doda and Bobari ofSarore bt Anil (Sonu) of Panipat.

Hitesh of Haryana wins Roun-Domail Dangal

Wrestlers contesting for the main bout at Roun Domail in Udhampur.

JAMMU, May 15:

Patel Cricket Club(PCC) today made it a 46runs win against BahuFort XI in the ongoing JK-CA PremierChampionship for districtJammu, organised by theDistrict Committee atGGM Science CollegeHostel ground, here.

Batting first, afterwinning the toss, PCC seta target of 154 runs losingall their wickets in 28.2overs. Rytham Mahajanplayed brilliant innings of72-ball 70 runs, includingtwo sixes and six bound-aries while Abhinav Puricontributed 33 runs to thetotal. From Bhau Fort XI,Sahil emerged as mostsuccessful bowler withthree for 28 in 5.2 overswhile Rahul and Rohitshared two each.

In reply, Bahu Fortcould make 107 runs los-

ing nine wickets in 22.2overs. Rohit and Raj con-tributed 17 runs eachwhile Sahil added 16.From PCC, Abhinav Puriclaimed three wickets andSahil bagged two.

Tribhuwan, TayaabFarooq and Dhruv sharedapiece each.

For his superb in-nings, Rytham Mahajannamed man of the match.Salim Ur Rehman and

Sadiq Hussain Malik wereumpires while Vinod wasscorer.

NEXT MATCH:Ravish Cricket Club shalltake on Lakshmi CricketClub at 9 am tomorrow.

JAMMU, May 15:

Tawi Trekkers, J&K shall start its sum-mer season with J&K Himalayan TrekkingProgramme in the sylvan surroundings ofMoungri area from May 23. On every alter-nate day, a group of about 40 children wouldleave Jammu for the three days adventure inwhich about 500 boys and girls in the agegroup of 10 to 14 years are expected to partici-pate. “The programme shall continue tillJune 17. During the three-day programme inthe beautiful, calm and serene Moungri hills,about 50 kilometers from Udhampur, practi-cal lessons in Rock Climbing, Rapelling,Jumaring, artificial river crossing and otheradventure activities shall be given by expertsin the field besides trekking to the sacredShiv Parvati cave and Gouri Mitti meadow,”organising secretary of the programme,Sonam Sidharth told SAN. The trekkers

shall also learn about the bio diversity of thearea during this unique enture which prom-ises an experience of a lifetime to the partici-pants. The participation fee of this adventureprogramme which includes transportation,boarding, lodging, refreshments and any in-cidental charges besides supervision by ex-pert trekkers is Rs 1650 only, added Sonam,who is also joint secretary of Tawi Trekkers.For boarding and lodging of the participantsthe camp has been established at YouthHostel, Moungri wherefrom all the activitiesshall be conducted under the supervision ofcamp leaders. Besides initiating young boysand girls into adventure life by offering thema healthy outdoor activity during summerseason the purpose of the programme is alsoto highlight the adventure tourism potentialof the otherwise neglected and lesser knownbeauty spots of Jammu and thus bring themon the tourist map of J&K.

J&K Himalayan Trekking from May 23

RAJOURI, May 15:

four-member adhoccommittee, set up in the ab-sence of district body by theVolleyball Association ofJ&K (VAJK), has decided tohold District RajouriVolleyball Tournament inthe month of July.

This was decided in themeeting of the adhoc com-mittee held under the chair-manship of Mohd Tariq andattended besides others bythe members, GhulamAbbas, Wasim Raja Mallickand Mohd Arshad.

During deliberations itwas decided to hold at leastfour open volleyball eventsat Manjakote, Darhal,Nowshera and Siot areas ofthe district.

Apart from this, MohdTariq said, District

Volleyball Championshipwill be held in the month ofJuly at Rajouri.

In order to gear up vol-leyball activities in the dis-trict, Committee membersnominated RakeshChowdary from Nowshera,Balraj Sharma fromSunderbani, Rajinder fromMuradpur, Imataiz fromManjakote and ShakeelAhmed from Kotranka as

zonal officials to conductthe activities in their re-spective areas.

The committee, consti-tuted for rejuvenating vol-leyball activities in RajouriDistrict owing to dismalperformance of earlierbody, assured to come up tothe expectations of the VA-JK in promoting and nur-turing volleyball game inthe district.

Volleyball meet at Rajouri in July

Patel wins by 46 runs in JKCA district tourney

Winning team of Patel Club pose with officials at GGM Science College Hostel ground Jammu on Tuesday.

JAMMU, May 15:

District FootballAssociation (DFA), a recog-nised unit of the J&KFootball Association (JKFA)shall be holding Division-CLeague from May 27. Thiswas decided in a meeting ofthe DFA Jammu held underthe chairmanship of its pres-ident,Sheikh Mehmood,here today. It was also decid-ed to hold Division-A Leaguefrom August 25. And, for thesmooth conduct of other ac-tivities of the DFA Jammu,the meeting constituted se-lection committee, execu-tive committee and organis-ing committee for conduct-ing the League events, ahandout issued here today

informed. The Committees:Selection Committee andFive Spotters: Charan Dass(chairman), David Masih,Vishwamitar (both mem-bers), Arun Pal SinghJasrotia, Suresh Gupta,Mooon Stephen, RakeshKhanna and BharatBhushan (all Spotters).Executive Committee ofDFA Jammu: Mohan Lal,Narinder Gupta, FeastusSotra, Eliza Sotra, SudeshSharma, Surjeet Singh Heerand Sodagar Mattoo.Organising Committee forLeague: Yousuf Don (organ-ising secretary), Mohan Lal,Bharat Bhushan, RakeshKhanna, Narinder Guptaand Feastus Sotra (allMembers).

JAMMU, May 15:

Bandhu Rakh wonopening match of theShaheed Bhagat Sub-Junior HockeyTournament, organised byShaeed-e- Azam BhagatSingh Foundation underthe aegis of Hockey J&K atK K Hakhu Stadium, heretoday. Bandhu Rakh madeit a big 5-1 win againstBhargava Sports Club,Gadi Garh, courtesy threegoals coming from GurasisSingh. Harshkirat Singhand Inderjeet Singh nettedother goals. Earlier, theevent was declared openby SuperintendingEngineer, Gurmeet Singh,who was chief guest.Prominent among otherspresent were RajinderSingh and Dr Taran Singh.Harshkirat Singh andInderjeet Singh netted oth-er goals. Earlier, the event

was declared open bySuperintending Engineer,Gurmeet Singh, who waschief guest. The inauguralmatch officiated by the

technical penal includingGurpreet Singh, PrabjotSingh, Balmeet Singh andHarjeet Singh.

NEXT MATCH: Young

Khalsa Club shall take onNew National Schoolwhile AKS Digiana tomeetDeshmesh ClubNanak Nagar tomorrow.

Division-C League of DFAJammu from May 27

Bandhu Rakh wins opening tie in Sub-Junior Hockey

Teams playing in the opening match pose with chief guest at K K Hakhu Stadium Jammu on Tuesday.

Mumbai, May 15 (PTI)

Hosts Mumbai Indianswill fancy beating a floun-dering Kings XI Punjabwhen both sides face-off in amust-win match in theIndian Premier Leaguehere on Wednesday.

After a string of lossesinitially, Mumbai's hopes ofmaking it to the last fourwere revived after threestraight wins, but theireight-wicket defeat againstRajasthan Royals onSunday has again put themon the back foot.

While Mumbai are insixth position with fivewins from 12 games, a stut-tering KXIP have slumpedto the fifth spot with 12points having suffered their

fourth defeat on Monday infive games. Mumbai, withan excellent net run-rate,need to put behind the hu-miliation by the Royals andcome out with all guns blaz-ing against an equally jit-tery KXIP, who have losttheir way in the second halfof the tournament afterstarting strongly. bowlingtoo has been a worry. We'llhave to keep a watch on thenet run rate but stay posi-tive. The teams (From):

Kings XI Punjab:Ravichandran Ashwin (C),Chris Gayle, Aaron Finch,KL Rahul, Karun Nair,Mohit Sharma, Mujeeb urRahman, Barinder Sran,David Miller, Andrew Tye,Ankit Rajpoot, Axar Patel,

Akshdeep Nath, MayankAgarwal, Manoj Tiwary,Yuvraj Singh, MarcusStoinis, Mayank Dagar.

Mumbai Indians: RohitSharma (C), SuryakumarYadav, Evin Lewis, IshanKishan, Hardik Pandya,Krunal Pandya, KieronPollard, MayankMarkande, MitchellMcLenaghan, MustafizurRahaman, Jasprit Bumrah,Akila Dananjaya, BenCutting, JP Duminy, RahulChahar, Sharad Lumba,Adam Milne, Siddhesh Lad,Md Nidheesh, MohsinKhan, Anukul Roy, PradeepSangwan, Tajinder Singh,Aditya Tare, SaurabhTiwary.

Match starts at 8 PM.

With play-off hopes hanging by athread, MI take on KXIP

JAMMU WEDNESDAY MAY 16 2018�������������10 ���������������������� �� ��

Race 3 trailer: Don’t know aboutyou but we thought these 7 thingsstood out like a sore thumb

After Mahanati, Keerthy Suresh approached for SSRajamouli’s next with Ram Charan and Jr NTR?

Cannes 2018: SonamKapoor flaunts somehubby love at theFrench Riviera

Did Pyaar Ka Punchnamaactor Omkar Kapoor backout from Ekta Kapoor’s DilHi To Hai?

Deadpool received 7 cuts from the CBFC;but was Deadpool 2 an exception?

Race 3 trailer! SalmanKhan just LEAKED a dialogue and it deservesa whistle!

Ryan Reynolds‘Deadpool was one of themost interesting and hilari-ous Hollywood films thatwe have seen in India tilldate. However, several peo-ple, were disappointed thatthey could not see the origi-nal version of the film in thecountry. This was becauseof the fact that the anti-herofilm got 7 major cuts fromthe Central Board of FilmCertification. A lot of abus-es, gestures, movementsand scenes were cut. Buthas Deadpool 2 been an ex-ception? Or did it also seeseveral cuts like its pre-quel? Our source exclusive-ly reveals to us, “Deadpool 2has got no cuts as such. Afew words have beenbeeped out and nothingelse. All the scenes havebeen retained, giving the

viewers a better experi-ence.” From what wehear, a few cuss wordshave been beeped out ormuted and the audiencewill not even understandit. Clearly, it’s a good signfor the future and we ex-pect all the films to retainmost of their scenes, afterall, cinema should havethe freedom of expression,right? The film has alsogot an A certificate and isset to release across theworld on May 15. In India,the movie is set to releasein English, Hindi, Tamiland Telugu formats. Howexcited are you for thismovie? Share with us yourthoughts in the commentssection below!For those ofyou who don’t know, theCBFC had suggested 7 cutsin Deadpool.

After a series of speculations and rumoursaround her show, Ekta Kapoor dismissed the reportsthat suggested her upcoming show was a TV versionof the film Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, but a differ-ent family drama. Several names were associatedwith the show that is titled Dil Hi Toh Hai, and wewere excited about them. After Pyaar Toh Hona HiTha actor Bijoy Anand and Yogita Bihani joining thecast, Pyaar Ka Punchnama actor Omkar Kapoor wasfinalised for the lead. But according to the latest buzz,Omkar has backed out from the show. According tothe latest reports, just a day before the promo shoot,the actor backed out. Moreover, it is being said thateverything was organised and on point, but the actordidn’t show up for the shoot. Though the channel isstill not able to have a valid and reasonable answerfrom the actor’s part, there are rumours that Omkarwas not ready to play a father on the show as he willbe having a son in it. The makers are now searchingfor another lead to replace him.

Let’s not deny the fact that Sonam KapoorAhuja’s chutzpah is missing at Cannes

Film Festival this year. The actress whose nameis synonymous with some bold and desirableoutings is surprisingly playing it very safe thistime. Is it deliberate on the actress’ part? Or isshe is missing her hubby so much so that shewants to meet him ASAP and nothing else reallymatters to her at present? While her traditionalred carpet outing in Ralph and Russo receivedmixed response from the fashion pundits, thesecond pick was too blah. She’s the same Sonam,who once wore the more exquisite and elegantgowns at the red carpet and stunned critics likenever before. Her previous picks were always soravishing that we wondered if ruling the red car-pet is the ultimate mission of her life! Alas, thesame spark is nowhere to be seen thisyear.Nonetheless, ignoring her previous fauxpas, let’s move on and scrutinise her new lookfor the day. For her #OOTD, Sonam picked acrisp white shirt from Simone Rocha and pairedit with dark blue jeans from Bhane. Now, for theones who know, Sonam’s hubby, Anand Ahuja isthe owner of Bhane label and the actress hasflaunted his collections on many occasions inthe past. However, we are glad that she chose towear her hubby’s brand on an international plat-form and flaunt her love further. It’s typicalSonam, right? She would never hesitate to voiceher love and feelings so openly. She paired herchic attire with marsala wine lip colour andSergio Rossi black sandals. Trust us, we lovedher look until we looked at her sandals that ru-ined her look completely. The messy hair bunand dark lip colour highlighted her white shirtpretty well. If only she had picked a decentfootwear.

Clearly, Salman Khan is as excited as we are for the trailer ofRace 3. I mean, with just few minutes to go, the actor has got sorestless that he just happened to leak one of the most importantdialogues from the film even before the trailer could hit the web.Yes! Taking up to Twitter, Salman decided to tease his fans byposting random tweets about Race 3. Say for that matter, he evenshared the trailer of the original Race starring Saif Ali Khan fol-lowed by the second installment starring Deepika Padukone.But eventually he realised that right now it’s only time for Race3 and there….he tweeted one of his tagline from the film. Itsays,”Jis #Race se mujhe nikalne ki koshish kar rahe hai yehbewakoof woh yeh nahi jaante ki is #Race ka Sikandar mainhu.” For those of you who don’t know, Salman’s name in Race 3is Sikander. That way, BollywoodLife had exclusively revealedto you how Salman will be playing a grey character in Race 3 as asource confirmed,“While Salman did not want to play a villainin the past few years, he chose to play one in Race 3. But he didnot want to play a stereotypical villain, who goes around beat-ing up people, gets drunk and is a skirt chaser. In stead, he willbe seen playing a psychological villain where he would formu-late all his vicious plans in his brain and win the battles by witrather than brute power. He wants to be a conniving villain andthat’s what you will see him doing in Race 3.”

We were counting downthe days for the release ofthe Race 3 trailer and so,you can imagine our ex-citement when it finallyhappened. Our excitementover it was not only be-cause it is a Salman Khan-starrer but also because itis a film in a franchise thatwe have come to associatewith slick thrillers. In anindustry where genres areeasily clubbed, the Race

franchise is our hope forsome good old thrills. Andthe trailer did live up to ourexpectations. Right fromSalman’s explosive entry tothe cars being blown up –we were staring in awe atthe spectacle before us allthrough. However, givenour obsession, we did playit quite a few times, fawn-ing over the details. And itis then that we realised afew things that stick out

like a sore thumb in thetrailer. Read on and tell usif you agree with us

…The film looks verydated For a minute there,we thought we were watch-ing the trailer of a ’90s film.The look and feel of the filmis very jaded and we had toconstantly remind our-selves that we were watch-ing the trailer of a film thathas the potential to becomethe entertainer of the year.

Low on style; high on ac-tion The first point bringsus to the second one – thefilm, we felt, was very lowon the style quotient. If yourecall, the earlier films inthe franchise were allabout suave men and sexywomen playing mindgames. However, here notmuch thought seems tohave gone in the costumes.They look like somethingall of us wear.

Ever since Mahanati released onMay 9th, the movie has been a topicof discussion. The film has been laud-ed for its inspiring yet emotional taleon yesteryear actress, Savithri andthe casts’ commendable performanc-es. Keerthy Suresh in particular hasbeen praised for her remarkable act

as Savithri. She has carried off thepowerful role with such grace andconviction that fans, critics found ithard to tell the difference betweenthe two. Her performance is being de-clared her best till date. This movieis turning out to be a game changerfor Keerthy Suresh for so many rea-

sons. For starters, lat-est reports on IndiaToday suggest,Keerthy Suresh’s re-muneration has in-creased post this film.Also if other reportsare to be believed –The actress has beenapproached for SSRajamouli‘s next withJr NTR and MaheshBabu! It doesn’t comeas a surprise becausethe genius filmmakeris reportedly im-pressed with her act-ing skills. He eventook to social media topraise the film andthe cast’s perform-ance. With her onboard, it would proveto be a promisingteam – Three power-houses of talent –Ram Charan, Jr NTRand Keerthy Sureshcoming together

would be a dream come true for allthe fans out there. Talking about SSRajamouli’s next – it is touted to beanother mega budget in the making.The film is expected to take off inOctober. Big sets are created for thefilm. The budget of the film is report-edly Rs 300 crore.

JAMMU TUESDAY MAY 15, 201811 Glimpses of Future

CONT F ROM PAGE 1

PIL Seeking

Incharge Housing and Urban Development Department),Secretaries GAD, H&UDD and Commissioner JMC to initiatea high level probe into the illegal/backdoor allotments ofMunicipal Flats/Quarters with a further request to rescindsuch arbitrary allotments and also to initiate appropriate ac-tion against the delinquent officers/officials of JMC and alsoto get the allotment scam entrusted to State VigilanceOrganization for a thorough probe. Advocate Ahmed furthersubmitted that replies of GAD and H&UDD is mandatory asthe said respondents are under an obligation to disclose be-fore the Hon’ble Division Bench the action initiated upon re-ceipt of the legal notice dated October, 4, 2017 and further sub-mitted that both GAD and H&UDD are silent on the subjectand are inclined to shield the tainted officers/officials of JMCwho resorted to illegal allotments by abusing their official po-sition thereby causing immense loss to the state ex-chequer.At this stage Senior AAG S.S. Nanda appearing for GAD andH&UDD requested the Division Bench for extending furthertwo weeks time enabling him to file the response of the saidDepartments. However the Division Bench allowed 10 daystime to Senior AAG S.S. Nanda to do the needful. A battery oflawyers including Senior Advocate U.K. Jalali, AdvocatesS.K. Anand, Adarsh Sharma, Abhinav Sharma, Ajay Bakshi,Ratish Mahajan appeared on behalf of the beneficiaries (pri-vate respondents) and on their prayer the Division Benchgranted further 10 days time to file response to the PIL. TodayFormer Joint Commissioner (Adm) JMC R.S. Jamwal (KAS)and Ex-PA to Commissioner JMC Madan Mohan Khajooriafiled their response to the PIL through Advocates JugalKishore Gupta and Ratish Mahajan. Advocates Ajay Bakshiand Manjeet Partap Singh also filed their reply on behalf ofNarinder Sharma President PEACE (NGO). Today theAdvocates appearing for the beneficiaries submitted that inthe instant PIL the petitioner has selectively questioned theallotment of 10 Municipal Flats at Gandhi Nagar, Jammuwhereas there are around 300 such allottees in Jammu Cityand there is no challenge to such allotments. At this stageAdvocate S.S. Ahmed invited the attention of the DivisionBench towards paras 16 to 18 of the PIL wherein it is pointedout that the 10 illegal allotments of Flats at Gandhi Nagar,Jammu is just a tip of the ice berg as JMC has brazenly allot-ted its four bungalows situated at Krishna Nagar, Jammu toprivate persons for unknown reasons. Further in para 17 it isclearly stated that JMC has allotted several flats/shops to itsvarious officers who are not in service at throw away pricesand in one such case just Opposite Govt. College for Women,Parade, Jammu the petitioner has reliably learnt that amalaria/DTT centre was illegally allotted to an ex-ChiefKhilafwarzi officer who later converted the said malaria cen-tre into a commercial establishment and there are severalsuch cases and only a thorough and court monitored probecan unearth the allotment scam of JMC employees. AdvocateS.S. Ahmed further submitted that now the entire issue is be-fore the Hon’ble Division Bench and he has no objection incase all such allotments are re-opened and put to scrutinythrough State Vigilance Organization or by a committee con-stituted by the Division Bench. Senior Advocate U.K. Jalali atthis stage submitted that the instant PIL is not maintainableas the petitioner has no locus standi to file the present petitionas there is no element of public interest involved in the mat-ter. While rebutting the submissions of Senior Advocate U.K.Jalali, Advocate S.S. Ahmed submitted that the instant peti-tion highlights allotment scam of big magnitude where pub-lic property worth crores of rupees is being looted by a power-ful lobby of municipal employees of JMC and prime proper-ties of JMC are being utilized by the beneficiaries at a meagerrent of Rs.900/- to Rs.1000/- per month that too at posh placeslike Gandhi Nagar, Jammu. Advocate Ahmed further sub-mitted that petitioner is a young lawyer and has highlighted aallotment scam after getting the information through RTIand the instant petition involves element of public interestand the issue involved in the petition is a fit one to be entrust-ed to SVO for a thorough probe. After considering the submis-sions of both the sides, the Division Bench headed by JusticeAlok Aradhe in the open court extended 10 days further timefor filing response by the Commissioner/Secretary to Govt.of J&K General Administration Department,Commissioner/Secretary to Govt. of J&K Housing andUrban Development Department, Director Vigilance StateVigilance Organization, Jeet Lal Gupta (IAS) FormerCommissioner/Secretary to Govt. of J&K Housing andUrban Development Department, Surinder Kumar PSO toCommissioner/ Secretary to Govt. of J&K H&UDD, BalbirSingh (Driver SUDA) and Kharati Lal S/o Mani Ram. JNF

HC Stay

Abhinav Sharma appearing for the petitioners, ob-served that Petitioners challenge the selection conductedby the Public Service Commission (P.SC) inter alia on Iheground that the candidates were selected on the basis of anon uniform criteria, inasmuch as, various candidateswere interviewed by different selection Committees con-stituting of different expert members. It was urged that itwas not possible for the different Committees to adopt thesame adjudging standards and to determine inter see meritamongst various candidates appearing before them.During the course of hearing Adv Abhinav Sharma sub-mitted that Division Bench of this Court in titled JKSSRBVs Neelam Gupta stated that By changing the compositionof the selection committee, merit of the competing candi-dates which formed a class in itself was thus adjudged notby one single committee but by the two committees. Thestandards of adjudging the merit of the candidates, admit-tedly, got changed. There having been no uniformity in ad-judging the merit of the competing candidates, the selec-tion process was rendered arbitrary, violating the consti-tutional guarantees contained in Articles 14 and 16 of theConstitution of India. In the rebuttal Sr. Adv DC Raina ap-pearing for the PSC placed in a judgment of the Apex Courttiltled J&K Vs Raj Dulari Razdan. Justice DS Thakur afterhearing both the sides observed that when the matter cameup for first time on 07.05.2018, the same could not be takenup and was sought to be kept on board for 08.05.2018, whenMr. F. A. Natnoo, Advocate appearing for the respondentsprayed that the matter be fixed on 09.05.2018 as he wouldnot be available on 08.05.2018 for his personal reasons. Athis request, the matter was kept on 09.05.2018. However, onthe said date, because of the demise of a Bar member, thework was suspended so the matter was kept for today. Inthe meantime, it appears that the certain orders of appoint-ment have been issued in favour of the private respondentson 08.05.2018. Notwithstanding the fact that the order of ap-pointment has already been passed in the matter, yet thepetition had already been filed on 05.05.2018. Caveatorswere before the court on 07.05.2018 including the PSC,when the matter was adjourned to 09.05.2018 and could notbe taken up on 08.05.2018 because of the request made byMr. F. A. Natnoo. Justice Dhiraj Singh Thakur observedthat having considered the entire matter, prima facie, it isestablished that the appointments were preceded by a se-lection which was conducted by more than one committeeconsisting of different members. Keeping in view the ratioof Division Bench judgment cited herein above, on the faceof it, the appointments based upon such a selection cannotbe permitted to be made. Prima facie a case has been madeout and issued notice to the respodents returnable withintwo weeks and in the meantime, subject to objections and

till next date of hearing before the bench, selection/ap-pointment of private respodents shall remain stayed. JNF

Srinagar

particularly Shehre Khaas, on priority adding that theallocations of Rs. One crore each be utilized for pacing upthese works. She said there is a need for developing moreparks and green spaces in the city and till the Smart cityproject kicks off these interventions should be made on pri-ority. The Chief Minister also directed immediate opera-tionalisation of Radpora stadium and identifying a patch ofland at Iddgah for establishing a children’s park there. Shealso directed completion of heritage gate by TourismDepartment at Iddgah for which she asked the IGP Kashmirzone to sort out issues with CRPF. She also asked the HealthDepartment to explore the possibility of shifting the shop-keepers at Gousia hospital to a nearby complexl and usethat space for hospital activities. The meeting was in-formed that five bridges are being commissioned in the citysoon besides two each schemes under CRF and NABARD.Also an expert team from New Delhi is coming to Srinagarto survey the need for establishment of grade separators atvarious spots in the city to arrest the traffic congestion.Besides, the meeting was informed that Cluster University,Srinagar and SPS Library complex at M A Road are almostready for operationalization and two colleges at Zakura andBagh i Dilawar Khan would be inaugurated by year end.Besides work on additional blocks at LD Hospital is on anda project for Rs. 19 crore has been projected for compensat-ing the relocation of shopkeepers coming in the construc-tion of Mini Secretariat, Batmaloo. The Chief Minister di-rected to look into the causes of cost escalation of projectsand check this unhealthy trend so that projects are not leftmidway for paucity of funds. The meeting was also in-formed that projects worth Rs. 65 crore are under executionin Sports and other youth activities in the district. Themeeting was informed that to tide over the problem of dis-pruption in power supply the capacity of grid stations is be-ing enhanced besides commissioning some new grid sta-tions. Alastaing Grid station, the meeting was informed, isexpected to be commissioned by October this year along thecommissioning of Srinagar-Kargil-Leh transmission line.Also work on grid stations at Bagh i Ali Mardan Khan andTengpora is going to be started shortly. Also, the meetingwas informed, the existing grid stations in the Srinagar citywould be expanded in capacity by addition of more trans-formers to tide over the problem of frequent power cuts, lowvoltage and other issues. These measures on completionare expected to give major relief to people in coming winterfrom power disruptions. Mehbooba Mufti asked the ChiefSecretary to monitor the pace of work and capacity en-hancement on these grid stations regularly so that these areoperationalized before the onset of winter this year. She al-so directed the Divisional Kashmir, Kashmir to sort out theissues of land acquisition coming in the way of construc-tion of some of these grid stations. Later, the board ap-proved an enhanced outlay of Rs. 149.54 crore for the dis-trict for 2018-19. Chief Secretary, B B Vyas; FinancialCommissioner, Housing & Urban DevelopmentDepartment, K B Aggarwal; administrative secretaries ofall the Departments; Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir,Baseer Ahmad Khan; IGP Kashmir zone, S P Pani; heads ofall the Departments; officers of Divisional and District ad-ministration were present in the meeting.

9/11 and Y2K

Ambassador to the US, Navtej Singh Sarna, told aWashington audience. Pokhran-II was the series of five nu-clear bomb tests conducted by India at the Indian Army'sPokhran Test Range in May 1998. It was the second Indiannuclear test; the first test, code-named Smiling Buddha,was conducted in May 1974. Those were the days of Y2Kand suddenly Indian computer engineers began to solveproblems and actually set things right all over the UnitedStates. And we went up in respect. The diaspora had be-come about one and a half million and was beginning to beheard not only in companies and in hospitals but also onthe Hill. So that's where it all began," Sarna said at theCenter for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). TheY2K bug or the Millennium bug was a problem in the cod-ing of computerised systems that was projected to createhavoc in computers and computer networks around theworld at the beginning of the year 2000. Then somehow, acouple of years later the most significant thing happened, atragic event actually, but it brought us together was 9/11because we had known terrorism and cross-border terror-ism and the evils of terrorism for the last three decades be-fore that. But in a very unfortunate way terrorism wasbrought transatlantic and hit America at home. I think thekind of understanding and the bonding that created on thathas been a very important factor in bringing the two coun-tries together, Sarna said. The Indian Ambassador wasspeaking at an event titled 'US & India: From EstrangedDemocracies to Natural Allies' organised yesterday by theCSIS to mark the 20th anniversary of the Indian nucleartests. Sarna said now India is at a point when PrimeMinister (Narendra) Modi can stand up in the joint addressto the US Congress as he did in 2016 and say that the twocountries have overcome the hesitations of history. We areat a time when President Trump can declare that the rela-tionship between India and US has never been stronger,has never been better; that we can be designated as a majordefense partner by the United States; that we can be actual-ly conducting more military exercises with the UnitedStates done with any other country;" he said. "(We are at atime when) we can be proclaimed from this stage itself asthe other Asia bookended of stability of the Indo-Pacific,"he said. India is now seen as a huge market; middle classwill be half a billion strong by 2025. India is as a source ofprofessionals as a source of investment and so many otherthings. "And a four million strong Indian American com-munity getting stronger in political terms, besides the eco-nomic terms, he said. In addition to that is the 70-year-oldfactor that both are democracies; that there is a multi-reli-gious, multi-ethnic, multilingual society which sees theworld in the same way as America does, Sarna said. Notingthat objective changes did take place, Sarna said India un-leashed its potential through economic reforms and otherchanges and global conditions changed to help this."Fundamentally what changed was that we opened ourminds to each other. That we began to trust each other andnot to second guess each other. That we actually began totalk to each other rather than talk at or talk past each oth-er, which we often had done in the past, Sarna said.

Governor

Shri Umang Narula, Principal Secretary to Governorand Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board (CEO);Shri Bhupinder Kumar, Additional Chief ExecutiveOfficer; Shri R.K. Pandita, General Manager (Works)SASB and other officers of the Shrine Board. Governor re-viewed the status of preparations and the action being tak-en for timely securing the required arrangements forYatra 2018. CEO briefed about the item-wise todate posi-tion of all arrangements required to be made for the Yatra,within and outside the Yatra area. Governor was in-formed that till date nearly 1.39 lakh pilgrims have regis-

tered for Yatra 2018, including 2122 under the GroupRegistration facility and 31 under the category of ex-Indiapilgrims. It was also informed that till date 28,516 intend-ing pilgrims have availed the facility of online booking ofheli-tickets from both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes.

In order to strengthen the efforts already being madeto disseminate Yatra related awareness amongst the in-tending Yatris, CEO informed that SMSs containingHealth Advisories and “Dos and Don’ts” are being regu-larly sent through Bulk SMS facility of NIC to ensure thatYatris are better prepared for undertaking the arduousYatra. In addition, a “Help Line” facility with short code1364 has been set up, in the Additional CEO’s office to an-swer the queries of Yatris. The Short Code is easier to re-member than phone numbers. Governor directed CEO toensure that the website of Shrine Board should be keptconstantly updated with relevant information to facilitatethe Yatris for planning their Yatra. Governor directedCEO to ensure that timely advance action is taken to com-plete registration of Ponies, Pony-wallas, Dandi-wallasand Palki-wallas and to ensure that no person embarks onthe Yatra tracks unauthorizedly. Governor further di-rected CEO to ensure that both the DeputyCommissioners of Anantnag and Ganderbal districtstimely issue permissions for pitching of Tents and Shops.Arrangements regarding the provision of safety measuresat the Nunwan and Baltal Base Camps were also reviewedand CEO was directed to closely monitor each of therestoration and improvement works which are being car-ried out by various Government agencies to ensure thatthe same are available for the ensuing Yatra.

After the review the Governor observed that whilemost of the arrangements are being made within the earli-er fixed time lines it was necessary for sustained publicitybeing carried out to caution the pilgrims about the Dosand Don’ts of the Yatra, so that every pilgrim prepares tobe physically fit before embarking on this arduous pil-grimage. Governor further observed that disaster man-agement and preparedness should be accorded high prior-ity; that Mock Drill and Table Top Exercises are conduct-ed by NDMA, SDMA and other concerned agencies wellbefore the commencement of Yatra. It was further direct-ed that 9 Mobile Rescue Teams of State Police should be in-ducted in the Yatra area well before the pilgrimage starts.

Karnataka

have a clear majority in the 224-member Assembly.Elections were held for 222 seats on May 12. Both sidesrushed to meet Vala, their vehicles slowly cuttingthrough the throngs of party workers and supporters as-sembled outside the Raj Bhavan gates, and staked claimto power. In a roller-coaster ride for BJP, it initially ap-peared that the party was set to return to power after afive-year hiatus with a resounding majority. But as allthe trends became known, it appeared the party will fall afew seats short of the 112 needed to form the government."We had to be ready for any eventuality. So when therewas a window, we chipped in," Congress leader GhulamNabi Azad told India Today TV. "In the morning, itlooked like the BJP will have enough to form the govern-ment, and on the basis of that BJP started celebrating al-so. Meanwhile, we fared well. JD(S) did not fare that well.And later, when the JD(S) and the Congress numbersswelled up, that was the time we felt we can make it," hesaid. Azad's comments summed up the breathtaking day-long developments in an election seen as a bellwether forthe 2019 general elections at a time when the saffron waveis sweeping the country. Karnataka was the only majornon-BJP ruled state, and the party offices had reverberat-ed with jubilation in the morning when initial trends putit ahead. Several BJP and Congress leaders rushed toBengaluru from the national capital. The swift politicalmanoeuvring by Congress in reaching out to JD(S) head-ed showed that it had learnt its lesson after the debacle inManipur and Goa where it failed to form the governmentdespite being the single largest party because of BJP'sclever moves. "We have all together discussed and decid-ed this.... This is the opinion of the All India Congressparty. Congress will support JD(S) because there is ahung Assembly situation here as no party has been givenclear majority by the people," outgoing Chief MinisterSiddaramaiah told reporters. Siddaramaiah, who hand-ed over his resignation to Vala, said:"In a democracy wewill have to accept people's verdict, we have accepted it.

Power

affected onMay 16 from 9 am to 2 pm. Meanwhile, forshifting of electrical utilities of 11 KV SC-5 feeder comingin the alignment of construction of deep drain nallahs, theshutdown of 33 KV Channi-Sainik Colony line is being ob-served. During the shutdown, the power supply to Channi,Sainik Colony and its adjoining areas shall remain affect-ed from May 16 to May 28 from 9 am to 10 am. Similarly, toexecute work of branch cutting for smooth running of pow-er supply, the shutdown of 11 KV JDA-2, JDA-4, JDA-7,TRN-1, TRN-2, TRN-3 and TRN-4 feeders is being allowed.During the shutdown, the power supply to Bahu Plaza,Shiv Market its adjoining areas and Vodafone Installationshall remain affected on May 16 from 7 am to 11 am.Similarly, the power supply to Sec-1, 2, 3 and extensions ofTrikuta Nagar, Marbel Market, Adarsh Enclave and its ad-joining areas shall remain affected on May 16 from 8 am to11 am. Likewise, the power supply to Bahu Plaza,Divisional Commissioner Office Complex, Mangal Marketand its adjoining areas shall remain affected on May 20from 9 am to 12 noon. However, to carry out various devel-opment works by M/s IRCON International Ltd underscheme R-APDRP Jammu, the power supply to SainikColony, Chowdhi, Birpur, Ratnuchak, MES, Kaluchak andits adjoining shall remain affected on May 16 and 18 from 9am to 1 pm. Similarly, the power supply to Shakti Nagar,Rajpura, Canal, Krishan Nagar, Dogra Mohalla, ScienceCollege, Old University and its adjoining areas shall re-main affected on May 16 from 9 am to 1 pm. Likewise, thepower supply to Sainik Colony and its adjoining areasshall remain affected on May 16 and 18 from 9 am to 1 pm.

Indian Fisherman

"Sagar Sonu", was also seized. Rudiben said her hus-band called his nephew from a hospital in Pakistan threedays ago, and said he was suffering from cancer and hemust return to India for better treatment. "My husband saidhe does not want to die in the Pakistani jail," the 32-year-oldwoman said. The couple has four daughters and a son.Rudiben today wrote a letter to External Affairs MinisterSushma Swaraj, saying it was the responsibility of thejailauthorities in Pakistan to inform the family about her hus-band's ailment but they failed to do so. Nor did she receiveany communication from the Ministry of External Affairsor the Indian High Commission in Pakistan about her hus-band's condition, she wrote. "I seek your help for doing theneedful," Chauhan said in her letter to Swaraj. Ever sinceher husband was captured by the Pakistani authorities, shehas been working as a labourer to feed her children, the eld-est of whom is 12 years old and the youngest is one and a halfyears old, she said. "I earn Rs 100 a day which is not enoughto feed my children," she wrote. Rajya Sabha memberParimal Nathwani, who hails from Gir Somnath district,and Veljibhai Masani, vice president of the GujaratFishermen's Association (GFA), told PTI that they too have

written separate letters to the External Affairs Minister, re-questing her to bring back Chauhan in view of his health.According to the GFA, 415 Indian fishermen are inPakistani jails after being caught for allegedly crossing theinternational maritime border illegally.

Pak Attempt

group, comprised of five members, was confirmedthrough HSTI imagining. I am sure they will be detectedand neutralized, the BSF chief added. He said this (infiltra-tion attempts and Pakistani firing) was a "very serious in-cident" because it had happened ahead of the scheduledvisit of Prime Minister to the state on May 19. "The BSF al-ways gives a befitting reply to Pakistan. This time it is notgoing to be any exception. The martyrdom of our jawanwill not go in vain and we will take appropriate action, hesaid. Asked about intelligence reports suggesting pres-ence of terrorists at launching pads across the border, hesaid there is no second thought that a lot of terrorists werepresent at the launching pads and Pakistan is attemptingto push them into this side. On a smart fencing project, hesaid it was nearing completion. I am hopeful that it will bein place either by this month end or in the first or secondweek of next month and it will be inaugurated by theUnion Home minister, Sharma said. We have planned toroll out the project to make the Pakistan border safer andsecure and completely covered by the technology, he said.Technology is a big advantage as humans cannot see be-yond 100 meters or listen beyond 50 meters, he said. Afterthe induction of smart fencing, we can pick up enemymovement three kilometers away, he said. After the com-pletion of cultivation (season), sniping and cross borderfiring is a usual thing and the latest incidents are the partof this phenomenon," the BSF chief said.

Despite

project at a cost of Rs 416 crore for development of site atRakh-I-Arth for preparation of site and provision for infra-structure like road, water supply, electricity, drainage, andsewerage and other community facilities and providinghouse units to the dwellers under State plan and Central as-sistance 315.90 crore and 90.92 crore respectively. “Almost allthe funds released over the years have been spent on DalLake but there is no positive change. The LAWDA alone can'ttake steps for preservation of the Dal Lake. It is the responsi-bility of each individual and there should be close coordina-tion of all government departments for preservation of theLake and funds are utilized properly,” a senior official saidwishing not to be named. On the directions of the High Court,government has lately framed a monitoring committeeheaded by Chief Secretary for assessing works on the preser-vation of the Dal Lake. The government had framed threecentre and state sponsored major projects designed to leasefresh life to the Dal Lake. “Instead the condition of the famedwater body should have been improved; it has degraded de-spite spending huge amount of money since inception ofthese schemes due to mismanagement of the authorities,”sources maintained. The Dal Lake is famous across theworld and most of the tourists visit Srinagar to see the famedlake. The Lake is divided into four basins Small Dal, Big Dal,Gagribal and Nigeen besides small and big Dal have each anisland in the center known as Rup or Charchinari. (KNS)

249 Health

centres, one urban health unit, 28 new type publichealth centres and four Indian system of medicine (ISM)dispensaries, out of more than 275 institutions in the dis-trict. As many as 29 officials were found absent in ChiefMedical Officer (CMO) office, 12 in deputy CMO office, sixin district TB office, 15 in district hospital, 52 in sub-dis-trict hospital and community health centres, 100 in publichealth centres and 35 in NTPHCs and ISM dispensaries,the officials said. They said this was 10th major inspectionduring the last one year and third such inspection ofhealth institutions in the district. Show-cause noticeshave been served upon the Block Medical Officers, Headsof offices and Drawing and Disbursing Officers to explaintheir position for administrative inefficiency and weakcontrol. Salary of controlling officers and absentee offi-cials has been withheld. Absentees have been summonedto attend inquiry to be conducted by Additional DeputyCommissioner Rajouri on Sunday, the officials said.

Aadhaar

their bank accounts. The minister clarified thatAadhaar has not been made mandatory for getting pen-sion for government employees, according to the minutesof the meeting. Aadhaar is a 12-digit number, issued by theUnique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), thatacts as identification and address proof. There are about48.41 lakh central government employees and 61.17 lakhpensioners. Singh cited various initiatives started by thecentral government for the welfare of its employees andpensioners. "For instance, minimum pension has been in-creased to Rs 9,000, ceiling of gratuity has been increasedto Rs 20 lakh, fixed medical allowance has been increasedto Rs 1,000 per month," the minister said. Constant atten-dance allowance has been increased from Rs 4,500 to Rs6,750 with effect from July 1, 2017. Some benefits relatingto income-tax e.g. standard deduction, tax-rebate etc.oninterest made available in the Finance Bill, 2018," he said.

PM Address

-Jammu campus," he said. Prime Minister NarendraModi is likely to visit Jammu and Kashmir for two days thisweek, during which he will also inaugurate a hydro-electrici-ty project and participate in the 100th birth anniversary cele-bration of Ladakhi spiritual leader Kushak Bakula, state gov-ernment officials have said. Sharma said the prime minister"has accepted the request to be the chief guest" at the convoca-tion. He said the university was ranked 10th among all thestate agricultural universities in the country during 2017-18.

Separtists

Resistance Leadership (JRL) comprising Syed AliShah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq and MohammadYasin Malik, appealed the people to march towards LalChowk on 19 May to register their peaceful protest againstthe Prime Minister's visit to the state, a spokesman of theamalgam said. The decision to call for a protest march wastaken at a meeting of the separatist leaders at the resi-dence of Geelani today, the spokesman said.

Policeman

retaliated. In the attack, one policeman sustained in-juries," a police spokesman said. The injured policeman,identified as Bilal Ahmad, later succumbed to injuries, hesaid. The area has been cordoned off and a search opera-tion underway to track down the assailants, he added. PTI

Govt Issues

schools across Kashmir Division and Winter Zone ofJammu Division from 9 am to 3 pm with immediate effect. Allthe Head of the Government and recognized private schoolshave been ordered to adhere to the timing in letter and spirit.

CYMK

CYMK

CYMK

CYMK

JAMMU WEDNESDAY MAY 16, 2018�������������� ���������������������� �� ��

GOF StaB ReporterSRINAGAR, MAY 15:

Minister for PHE,Irrigation and FloodControl, Sham LalChoudhary today directedthe PHE authorities for en-suring adequate supply ofpotable water to people ofthe State during the HolyMonth of Ramadhan. TheMinister passed these di-rections during the inspec-tion of Water SupplySchemes (WSS) of BeerwahConstituency. During thevisit, he inspected WaterSupply Schemes ofGagerpora and Magam andtook stock of their function-ing. Interacting with thepeople atGagerporaNarbal, theMinister said that theGovernment is awareabout the hardships beingconfronted to them on ac-count of availability ofpotable water. He said inorder to meet requirementof water supply in the area,the government is con-

structing Water SupplyScheme at Chinar ColonyKawoosa at a cost of Rs 6.54crore under NABARD,adding that work on thescheme would be startedsoon. He said that with thecompletion of the schemeover 12000 souls of 4 vil-lages of the area get benefit-ted directly besides watersupply in the other villagesof the area would also beaugmented. Directing theconcerned for starting thework on the scheme, theMinister set 4-month targetto complete the Scheme. He

also asked the concerned topress into tanker service toprovide water supply topeople of area till thescheme is completed. ShamChoudhary said that moreWSS and Filteration plantswould be installed and de-funct WSS would be madefunctional to ensure watersupply in the area. TheMinister was informed thatthe 7 schemes worth Rs22.33 crore and 4 schemesat an estimated cost of Rs12.79 crore have been takenup under CentrallySponsored Scheme and

District Sector on whichRs. 9.62 crore and 5.10 crorestands expended respec-tively. With the comple-tion of these schemes, over30,000 souls of the area getbenefitted, the Ministerwas informed. TheMinister was further in-formed that the work on 6irrigation schemes at an es-timated cost of Rs 86.75crore has been taken up inthe area, on which Rs. 36. 58crore have been expendedup to March this year.

Earlier, giving brief ac-count of PHE schemes inDistrict Budgam, theMinister was informed thatout of 26 and 33 on-goingWater Supply Schemes un-der District sector and NRD-WP respectively in district, 5have been completed lastyear and 8 more schemes areexpected to be completed dur-ing this fiscal. As many as 43Filteration and treatmentplants are functional in thedistrict to provide potablewater to people of the district,the Minister was informed.

Kishtwar/Padder: May,15:-

A warm reception wasaccorded to SardarNarinder Singh on his firstvisit to Padder after beingappointed as President ofBlock Congress CommitteePadder of 51-KishtwarConstituency. Hundreds ofCongress workers includ-ing general public gatheredat entry point of GulabgarhPadder and welcomeNarinder Singh by garland-ing and beating drum fromwhere the reception rally inthe form of procession pro-ceeded to Bus StandGulabgarh Padder.Narinder Singh PresidentBlock Congress CommitteePadder while addressingthe gathering firstlythanked Ghulam Nabi Azad(MP and Leader ofOpposition in the RajyaSabha) and G A Mir(President PCC J&K) for

reposing faith in him by giv-ing responsibility of the or-ganisation and also thankedgeneral public and congressactivists for whole hearted-ly support and warm recep-tion. He assured that he willleave no stone unturned inprojecting general public is-sues and every possible ef-fort will be made for solvingthem and also reinforcing

steps will be taken at grass-root level for strengtheningparty performance.Congress leaders and work-ers who were present in theprocession included NekRam Manhas ( FormerBlock Congress PresidentPadder), Sahid HussainKhandi, Amar Singh(Sarpanch Gulabgarh)Abhimanyu, Bhupinder

Singh, Manoj Kumar,Prakash Singh Dadwal(NSUI) Renzing Dorjee,Sujaan Singh Bodh, RoshanLal Bodh, Namgyal Bodh,Sonam Narboo, Ram Singh,Gara Tsring, KuldeepKapoor, Ashok Kapoor,Sanjay Kumar, Gori Lal,Balwant Raj, Suraj Ram,Hari Krishan, Sri Lal Bodh,Dinesh Kapoor and others.

J&K Police to launchcleanliness campaign intwin capitalsJammu, May 15 (PTI)

The Jammu and Kashmir Police will launch separatecampaigns in Jammu and Srinagar in its effort to makeboth the cities clean, an official said today. The cleanlinessdrive, being launched by the Police Wives WelfareAssociation (PWWA), will be conducted from May 21 to 23in Jammu. In Srinagar, the campaign will be launched inSeptember this year. Director General of state police S PVaid flagged off a campaign vehicle for the three day cleanTawi - clean Jammu drive from Bikram chowk in the heartof the city here today and said the initiative was aimed atspreading awareness about the cleanliness in the city. Wewould like every citizen to join the campaign for its suc-cess. Jammu, the city of temples, can be made clean andbeautiful only with the collective efforts of all people andthe stakeholders, he told reporters. Vaid said a campaignof the same nature will be launched in Srinagar in themonth of September. A police spokesman said different de-partments of civil administration, educational institu-tions, NGOs, and theatre artists are part of this initiative.

J&K Bank reduces loanrates for women borrowersSrinagar, May 15 (PTI)

Jammu and Kashmir Bank has announced reductionin interest rates on loans for women borrowers followingstate government's decision to abolish stamp duty onproperties registered in the name of female folk. In linewith recent decision of state government to waive stampduty on the purchase of immovable property registered inthe name of women, J&K Bank has announced reductionin rate of interest in various loan schemes to women bor-rowers," a spokesman of the bank said. The spokesmansaid the bank will also establish two 'Ladies SpecialBranches' - one each in Srinagar and Jammu. In housingloan segment, the bank has reduced the rate of interest by10 to 40 basis points in non priority segment for womenborrowers, he said. In the priority segment, the bank is al-ready charging interest on MCLR basis, which is lowestthat bank can offer, the spokesman said. Interest in caseof two-wheeler loans, loan against mortgage of propertyand computer loans have been reduced by 50 basis pointswhile in education loan, it has been cut by 75 basispoints," he added. J&K Bank chairman Parvez Ahmad,hailing the state's decision to abolish the stamp duty, saidthis landmark decision will certainly have a positive ef-fect on the overall loan portfolio of the banks in the state.

Jammu, May 15 (PTI)

Jammu and KashmirDeputy Chief MinisterKavinder Gupta todaytermed the BJP's win in theKarnataka Assembly elec-tions a "trailer" of the 2019Lok Sabha polls and said theparty would secure a major-ity on its own in the generalelections. It's a trailer of2019. The BJP will retainpower and form govern-ment on its own strength,Gupta told reporters here.Asked about the BJP'sprospects in the elections inJammu and Kashmir, hesaid the party would winmore than its present num-ber of 25 seats. Gupta alongwith Director General ofBSF K K Sharma, DirectorGeneral of J&K Police S PVaid and other senior para-military, police and civil of-ficers laid wreath at the cof-fin containing the mortal re-mains of BSF ConstableDevender Singh Baghel,killed in Pakistani firing, atthe frontier headquarters ofthe force. "I salute the sacri-fice of Baghel and otherjawans who laid down their

lives safeguarding the bor-ders of the country, thedeputy chief minister said.The security forces were do-ing their job "quite satisfac-torily" and they were aliveto the situation, he said,when asked about five ter-rorists infiltrating into theHiranagar sector of Kathuadistrict from across theInternational Border (IB) onSunday night. It is the dutyof the security forces to dealwith such threats and theyare doing their job verywell. They are alive to thesituation and are fully capa-ble to tackle any eventuali-ty, he said. Gupta said hewould chair a meeting to re-

view the security situationin the state ahead of PrimeMinister Narendra Modi'svisit to the state on May 19.Asked about opt-repeatedstatements of ChiefMinister Mehbooba Muftifor dialogue with Pakistandespite frequent ceasefireviolations, Gupta said,"Dialogue should be heldwith Pakistan, but the offershould come from that side."In response to another ques-tion about amnesty to stone-pelters and the demand forceasefire during the holymonth of Ramzan, he said,"Amnesty has already beengiven to the (first time)stone-pelters.

New Delhi, May 15 (PTI)

Senior advocate MukulRohatgi has been appoint-ed as an eminent jurist inthe selection committee forappointment of anti-graftombudsman Lokpal, theCentre told the SupremeCourt today. AttorneyGeneral K K Venugopaltold a bench headed byJustice Ranjan Gogoi that adecision was taken on May11 to appoint Rohatgi as aneminent jurist in the selec-tion committee which ischaired by the PrimeMinister. Rohatgi was ap-pointed the AttorneyGeneral of India after theNarendra Modi govern-ment assumed power inMay 2014. He resigned fromthe post in June 2017. Thepost of eminent jurist in theLokpal selection panel waslying vacant since thedeath of senior advocate PP Rao on September 11,2017. The committee com-prises of the PrimeMinister, the Chief Justiceof India, Lok SabhaSpeaker, the leader of thelargest opposition partyand an eminent jurist. The

bench, on hearing the sub-missions, posted the mat-ter for hearing on July 2.

It was hearing a con-tempt petition filed byNGO Common Cause,which had raised the issueof non-appointment of theombudsman despite theapex court's verdict ofApril 27 last year. TheCentre had on April 17 toldthe apex court that a rec-ommendation for induc-tion of an eminent jurist inthe selection committee forthe appointment of Lokpalwas made at a recent meet-ing of the panel chaired bythe Prime Minister and ap-proval was awaited. Theapex court had observedthat since the steps for theappointment had alreadybeen taken, there was no

need to pass any further or-der at this stage.

Venugopal had told thebench that at the April 10meeting of selection panel,the recommendation "for in-duction/appointment of aneminent jurist in the com-mittee has been made and ap-proval of the said recommen-dation is presently pending."Senior advocate P P Rao wasearlier appointed as an emi-nent jurist in the committeebut the post fell vacant afterhis death last year. The apexcourt, in its last year's ver-dict, had said there was nojustification to keep the en-forcement of Lokpal Act sus-pended till the proposedamendments, including onthe issue of the Leader ofOpposition in Lok Sabha,were cleared by Parliament.

Beijing, May 15 (PTI)

A Chinese county hasbanned Tibetan Monks"wrongly educated" inIndia from teachingBuddhism, fearing thatthey may spread "sepa-ratist" content, accordingto a state-run media report."Monks wrongly educatedin India are banned fromteaching Buddhism to resi-dents of Litang county inSouthwest China'sSichuan Province," state-run Global Times quotedan official as saying yester-day. The county conductspatriotic education classesevery year for those edu-cated and awarded GexeLharampa - the highest ac-ademic degree in TibetanBuddhist studies - in India,an official from Litang'sethnic and religious affairsbureau told the paper.Those who behaved im-properly at the patrioticclasses or showed "anysigns of separatist intent"are strictly monitored andbanned from teaching

Buddhism to the public,the official said. The movewas a standard practiceevery year "in response tothe county's severe sepa-ratist situation," the offi-cial said. China accusesTibetan spiritual leaderthe Dalai Lama and his as-sociates as separatists.Over one and half lakhTibetans whose familiesmigrated along with DalaiLama in 1959 lived in India.They have also establishedschools to team TibetanBuddhism. China has itsown criteria to award GexeLharampa, and candidateshave to pass ChineseBuddhist tests and a sutradebate, the paper said.Those awarded the degreeoverseas are not acknowl-edged by China and are notqualified to teachBuddhism in the country,Zhu Weiqun, former headof the Ethnic and ReligiousAffairs Committee of theNational Committee of theChinese People's PoliticalConsultative Conference,told the daily.

JAMMU, MAY 15:

Deputy Chief Minister,Kavinder Gupta onTuesday convened a meet-ing of officers to take stockof the preparations beingput in place for the upcom-ing visit of Prime MinisterNarendra Modi to the Stateon May 19. During his visitthe Prime Minister isscheduled to inaugurateTarakote Marg from Katrato Adhkuwari , MaterialRopeway from Siar Dabri toBhawan and lay foundationstone of Pakal Dul HEProject (1000 MW) andJammu Ring Road fromGeneral Zorawar SinghAuditorium University ofJammu. He will also ad-dress the sixth convocationof Sher-e-KashmirUniversity of AgriculturalSciences & Technology ofJammu (SKUAST-Jammu)during his visit. KavinderGupta while chairing meet-ing with senior functionar-ies of various departmentsdiscussed in detail the over-all preparation works beingcarried out in this regard.

He asked the concerned de-partments to make surethat all necessary arrange-ments are being made wellin time for the PM visit.

He was informed aboutthe arrangements beingput in place with regard tosecurity, reception, traffic,healthcare, seatingarrangements, sanitation,drinking water and otherrelated arrangements.Deputy Chief Ministerstressed on maintainingclose coordination amongvarious departments in-cluding security to ensuresuccessful visit of thePrime Minister. The meet-ing was attended byDivisional CommissionerJammu Hemant KumarSharma, IGP Jammu S. D.Singh Jamwal, AdditionalCommissioner RehanaBatul, DeputyCommissioner JammuKumar Rajeev Ranjan,Commissioner JMCRamesh Kumar, JointDirector InformationNaresh Kumar and othersenior functionaries ofvarious departments.

SRINAGAR, MAY 15:

The Minister for Power,Sunil Sharma today direct-ed the officers to ensurethat the 132KV D/CRamban-Khilani-KishtwarTransmission Line is com-pleted by sorting out the is-sues, if any, so that thetransmission capacity getsa boost and people ofKishtwar and adjacent ar-eas get adequate supply ofelectric power. TheMinister was addressingthe officers during a reviewmeeting convened to dis-cuss the status of this pres-tigious project meant toaugment power supply inthe Kishtwar region.Commissioner SecretaryPDD, Hirdesh Kumar,Commissioner SecretaryLaw, Abdul Majid Bhat,DevelopmentCommissioner Power andsenior officers were pres-ent. The Minister asked theofficers to work out a viablemechanism to ensure thatthe issues concerned are

sorted out as early as possi-ble so that the work can bestarted on the prestigioustransmission line whichwould go a long way in in-creasing the transmissioncapacities and capabilitiesof the department andwould cater to large chunkof population of the Chenabregion. He said that theyshould hold regular meet-ings with the implementingagency as well so in order toamicably solve the pendingissues if any and re-startthe work on the same. Sunilwhile enumerating the var-ious initiatives being un-dertaken by the Central

government for upgradingand augmenting the elec-tric infra in the state saidthat the major chunk of thefunds under the PrimeMinister’s DevelopmentPackage has been ear-marked for the power sec-tor and we have to ensurethat they are spent in a judi-cious manner so that thepeople of the state get 24x7power which would go in-consonance with the PrimeMinister’s initiative of pro-viding round the clock elec-tric supply. He said that theofficers should also ensurethat the various initiativesbeing undertaken are com-

pleted within the stipulatedtime frames so that the costescalation of the scheme ischecked and the targetedpopulace get the requisitebenefits. The meeting wasinformed that the work wasinitially allotted to M/sKEC International Limitedon turnkey basis at the totalcontract value of Rs. 35.25crore for the entire scope ofthe work and it was due tocertain issues like clear-ances from different au-thorities, natural calami-ties and other relatedthings that the project gotdelayed. It was further giv-ing out that the main com-ponents of the transmis-sion line or supply of towermaterial and accessories,supply line material and ac-cessories, costing of foun-dations, erection of towersuperstructures, stringingof transmission line, pro-viding of protections totower footings but duringexecution some un-avoid-able calamities led to fur-ther revision of the project.

GOF StaB ReporterSRINAGAR, MAY 15:

Chief Minister,Mehbooba Mufti reviewedthe status of the air connec-tivity scheme launched bythe Government last year toconnect all the far-flung ar-eas of the State to the capi-tal cities, particularly dur-ing road blockades.

Currently, the StateGovernment runs chopperservice to some 14 far flungdestinations across theState including Gurez,Tulail, Doda, Kishtwar,Karnah, Kargil, Drass,Padum, Lingshit(Leh),Nubra, Poonch, Rajouriand other locations. Thesubsidized chopper servicewas launched by the

Government last year. Theaim has been to provideround the year and easyconnectivity to the peopleof these areas in particularstudents, aged, infirm andother such categories. TheChief Minister directed theconcerned agencies to raisenecessary helipad facilitiesat these places for smoothlanding of the choppers.

She also directed raising ofother requisite infrastruc-ture needed for efficient op-eration of these services.

Mehbooba Mufti in par-ticular directed clearingbottlenecks in raisingairstrips at Kishtwar,Rajouri and at Kargil andsort out the issues with theconcerned stakeholders.The meeting was informed

that since the launch of thescheme, 535 flying hourshave been provided bythese choppers benefittinga large number of peoplefrom these areas. The serv-ice has also fetched the ex-chequer a revenue of Rs. 44lakhs during the period, themeeting was told. ChiefSecretary, B B Vyas; DGP,Dr. S P Vaid; Financial

Commissioner, Housing &Urban Development, K BAggarwal; administrativesecretaries of concernedDepartments; DivisionalCommissioners of Kashmirand Jammu; representa-tives from AirportAuthority of India; officersof Divisional and districtadministration were pres-ent in the meeting.

R E Q U I R E D�������������������������������������������������������������������������������������� ��

�������� ����������������

CM reviews chopper service scheme to far flung areas� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � ! � � � �� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �

Sunil Sharma for early completion of132 KV Ramban-Kishtwar Transmission Line

Warm reception was accorded to Narinder Singhon being appointed as Block President

Rs 6 cr Water Supply Scheme coming up at Narbal: Sham

Karnataka election results a trailerof 2019 Lok Sabha polls: Dy CM

Sr lawyer Mukul Rohatgi appointedas eminent jurist in Lokpal panel: Govt

Dy CM discussespreparations for PM’s visit

Chinese county bans ‘wronglyeducated’ monks in India from

teaching Buddhism