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

STUdenT aGe
MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2013

JKENG/2012/41612 Vol. 2 No: 13

Over 11,000 RTI pleas pile up with headless MP info panel

LoC tension: Pakistan agrees to hold flag meet with India

Pakistan safe havens require more than military solution: Obama

IN BRIEF
Bihar's per capita income doubles in 8 years
PATNA,JAN 13: Indicative of its impressive growth, Bihar's per capita income has almost doubled since 2004. But it is still well below the national average, a state minister says. Planning and Development Minister Narendra Narayan Yadav said that Bihar's per capita income in 2011-12 was Rs.15,268, contd on page 2

Fresh reports of firing, shelling in Poonch

POONCH, JAN 13: Fresh reports of heavy firing and shelling across the LoC were received from Krishna Ghati area of Mendhar Poonch this evening. According to KNS correspondent, heavy shelling and firing started at around 7 pm on Sunday eveining in Krishna Ghati area, resulting in chaos among civilian population living near the LoC. He said heavy mortar shells have been witnessed dropping in civilian areas of Saloutri and Ghani Balnoi

LoC tension: Pak, India to hold flag meet on Monday

POONCH, JAN 13: A day after the IAF chief said India may have to "look at some other options" if Pakistan continues to violate the ceasefire on the LoC with impunity, the latter on Sunday agreed to hold first Brigadier-level flag meet on Monday. The meet between India and Pakistan commanders will be held in Poonch at 1 pm tomorrow. India will reportedly strongly protest against jawan's beheading at flag meeting and demand the severed head. Notably, villages on the LoC. "People are terribly Pakistan has agreed to hold a flag meeting at the brigade level only after repeated requests from India and its Army to de-escalate tension along the Line of Control (LoC). Indian and Pakistan troops on late Saturday night traded heavy gunfire along the LoC in Poonch sector after the movement of a group of suspected infiltrators was detected, in fresh escalation of tension. Earlier on Saturday, the Indian government said it would contd on page 2 dropping in civilian localities. contd on page 2

AJKPC demands Omar's resignation over sarpanch's killing

JAMMU,JAN 13: Outraged over the recent killing of a sarpanch by militants in Sopore district, an organisation of Panches and Sarpanches of the state on Sunday asked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to quit if he could not provide them security. All Jammu and Kashmir Panchayat Conference (AJKPC) today demanded the immediate dissolution of the government and imposition of president rule in the state following the killing of sarpanch Habibullah Mir by militants on January 11. "Chief Minister Omar Abdullah should provide security cover and ensure safety of members of panchayats or quit. The state government and Omar is responsible for the killings," AJKPC Chairman Shafiq Mir

28 village heads, members resign in Kashmir

SRINAGAR: As many as 28 sarpanches (village council chiefs) and panches (council members) from Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district Sunday said they had resigned from their posts due to threats to their lives. A total of 22 contd on page 2

Congress asks DGP to probe into the killing of sarpanch

JAMMU: The state unit of Congress on Sunday asked Jammu and Kashmir's Director General of Police Ashok Prasad to investigate into the recent killing of a sarpanch by militants in Sopore. Habibullah Mir, who was affiliated with the Congress, was shot in the neck contd on page 2

Call centre scam: 3 arrested for duping 60,000 Brits

LONDON: Nearly 60,000 Britons have become victims of a multi-million-pound c and Internet fraud. Investigators believe the number of people cheated makes it one of the biggest frauds ever carried out in the UK from overseas. According to the reports, more contd on page 2

scared and are coming out of their houses as shells are

CM inaugurates Lakhanpur Toll Plaza

LAKHANPUR, JAN 13 : Underscoring the importance of financial self-sufficiency in catapulting development and attaining new highs of progress and prosperity, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Sunday called for developing a mindset by the civil society and the government of working together to realize this goal. "The hand which contributes and extends financial support is always better than the one which receives it", he said adding that God has bestowed upon Jammu and Kashmir his blessings in the shape of water resources in plenty and these could be utilized to transform the economy of the State by generating surplus hydro energy. Addressing a function after inaugurating Toll Plaza here today, the Chief Minister said that enhancing tax orbit is not the answer to strengthen State's financial position but generation of electricity in huge quantity is only way forward to make financial autonomy role the roast in the State's development process. "Whatever is our right to receive from the centre, we should get it with our heads up, but when it is in the shape of concessions and mercies one does not feel elated", he said adding contd on page 2 Chief Minister Omar Abdullah inaugurates Lakhanpur Toll Plaza.

'State's economic self-reliance lies in power generation': Omar

SRINAGAR JAN 13: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Sunday evening received brief on prevailing law and order and security situation at a high level meeting, he chaired here. Various matters relating to the subject were discussed threadbare in the meeting. Minister of State for Home, Nasir Aslam Wani, Principal Secretary Home, Suresh Kumar, GOC 15 Crops, Lt. General Om contd on page 2 told reporters here today. "If the State government cannot protect the lives of innocent contd on page 2

CM reviews security situation in J&K

Nearly a month later, protests continue at Jantar Mantar

NEW DELHI: It is nearly a month since the gruesome gang-rape in the capital which shook the entire nation, but protests at Jantar Mantar here for stringent laws for women's safety refuse to peter out. "It is the anger in us which we want to convey to the government. We contd on page 2

2,500 ultras waiting to cross over into J&K

NEW DELHI,JAN 13: As tension prevails along the Indo-Pakistan border, more than 2,500 militants are getting ready in different terrorist camps at Pakistan-occupied- Kashmir and waiting for opportunities to cross over to India. Intelligence reports indicate that there were 42 militants camps functioning across the borders contd on page 2

Kashmir hosts first cyber gaming event

SRINAGAR: Kashmir today hosted the state's maiden cyber gaming event, which saw a huge participation from young to old alike -- all wanting to showcase their skills. Organised by Loud Beetle company, the two-day egaming event, called the 'Kashmir Cyber Games Championship 2013', was inaugurated by Talat Parvez, director, Tourism Kashmir, at the Sangarmal shopping centre here. Around 300 participants between the age group of six to 43 years - registered themselves for the championship. "We wanted to involve the youth of Kashmir in new kinds of games and unleash their potential," Ahmer Khan, founder of the Loud Beetle, said. Khan, a 20-year-old journalism student, along with other contd on page 2

Maha Kumbh 2013: Stage set for the biggest religious gathering
ALLAHABAD: Maha Kumbh Mela, often described as the "greatest show on earth" globally, is all set to begin here tomorrow with millions of people from across the country as well as abroad expected to attend the religious gathering. The Mela, held every 12 years, will go on for next two months contd on page 2

'Law not in favour of disclosing rape victim's identity'

KOCHI: Union Law Minister Ashwani Kumar on Sunday said that the law as it currently stands is not in favour of disclosing the identity of the rape victim. "The law today supports the view that the identity of the rape victim should not be disclosed and there are good reasons for that. Certain other views have been expressed. Maybe there is a point in what has been said. But the law as it currently stands is not in favour of disclosing the rape victim's identity," he told reporters on the sidelines of a function. He was replying to a query on Minister of State for HRD Shashi Tharoor's view that the Delhi rape victim's name should be revealed. On imposing capital punishment for rapists, he said strong views have been expressed in informed circles both for and against it. He said Justice JS Verma committee has been constituted to recommend changes in the laws, if necessary. The Union government was awaiting the recommendations, which is expected to be given by the end of this month or so. "After these recommendations are given, the cabinet will deliberate and discuss these recommendations and take specific action as may be considered appropriate after a broad political consensus," Kumar said. He said there is provision in existing law for life imprisonment for rape and capital punishment in the rarest of rare cases, for example if rape is followed by murder. "But what would constitute the rarest of rare cases will need to be left to the judiciary to be determined," he said. The real challenge before law enforcers, courts and law makers is how to make implementation and enforcement of laws more effective. There are already very stringent provisions to deal with offenders of various crimes. But the final view will be taken after we receive the recommendations and deliberated contd on page 2

Alliances, economy to dominate Congress meet Jan 18-20

NEW DELHI: Issues like pre- and post-poll alliances and women's empowerment besides political and economic challenges are likely to dominate the Congress 'Chintan Shivir' at Jaipur Jan 18-20 when party leaders will meet to work out a strategy for the next general elections. The last such session was held in 2003 in Shimla, before the Congress came to power in 2004 general elections. The United Progressive Alliance was formed after the poll. According to party sources, the Jaipur meeting will see around 300 delegates from all contd on page 2

UN chief urges international action on Syria, death Toll heads over 60,000
NEW YORK: UN Secretary-General Ban Kimoon has urged international action on Syria, comparing the ongoing civil conflict in the country to Holocaust, the UN News Centre reported. Speaking at a Holocaust memorial event in New York Saturday, the UN chief referred to the principle of the responsibility to protect, which puts the obligation on every state to protect the population from genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes or ethnic cleansing. The principle was adopted by the UN General Assembly in 2005. "Neither anti-Semitism nor Islamophobia nor other such forms of bias have a place in the 21st century world we are trying to build," he said. "In the face of these crimes and violations there is a corresponding duty of the international community to act." "The responsibility to protect applies everywhere and all the time," Ban said. "It has been implemented with success in a number of places, including in Libya and Cte d'Ivoire. But today it faces a great test in Syria." According to UN estimates, over 60,000 people have contd on page 2

Ministerial reshuffle imminent J&K

JAMMU,JAN 13: The longawaited reshuffle of the Omar Abdullah ministry is imminent. Both the ruling National Conference and the Congress have started internal exercises to this end. According to Congress sources, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad and state Congress chief Saif-ud-Din Soz have buried their differences for now to get their party's quota of ministerial vacancies filled. They have submitted a list of probable ministers to Congress president Sonia Gandhi. National Conference ministers and leaders have been asked to submit their resignations to contd on page 2

Three Maoists killed in an encounter on Chhattisgarh-AP border

HYDERABAD: In Andhra Pradesh, three Maoists are reported killed in an encounter with security forces in Nimmalagudem forest area in Khammam district this morning. According to district police, the police who were on combing operations encountered a group of Maoists. Initial reports said that during the cross firing eight Maoists reportedly got injured.

Delhi baby rescued from J&K

NEW DELHI,JAN 13: A man and his live-in partner have been arrested from Udhampur in Jammu and Kashmir for allegedly kidnapping a one-year-old baby girl from here four days ago, police said on Sunday. Shyamlal alias Mahender, 25 and Babita, 35, both hailing from village Bhatiwadi Garh in Udhampur and presently living at Jagatpur extension in North Delhi as husband and wife, were arrested from Jammu railway station, a senior police official said. The girl's father, on January 8, had complained that his immediate neighbour Mahender's wife Babita had taken away his daughter on the pretext of buying medicines and to purchase some clothes for the baby but had not returned. During investigations, police managed to trace Babita's contd on page 2

Katrina to visit Kashmir again

SRINAGAR: Katrina Kaif will be starting the next schedule of Dhoom 3 from January 16. But before she plunges into work, the actress plans to take one-day trip to Kashmir. Last year, Kat had apparently shot some scenes in Kashmir for the Yash Chopra film Jab Tak Hai Jaan. But this time, her mother Susanna Turquotte and sister Isabella will accompany her. A source revealed that she has planned a one-day trip but the details are being kept under wraps. "Katrina is going to Kashmir for a day. She is flying there in the morning and will return the very next day. Though the exact purpose of the visit is not known, what we do know is that it's personal and she's not there for shooting. Katrina had earlier said that she wanted to visit Kashmir with her family at least once, and that's why her sister and mother are expected to travel with her," the insider says. "It's a very hush-hush contd on page 2

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this direction would continue", he said adding that the government was sincerely moving forward to provide good-governance and people-friendly administration. Expressing gratitude to Union Government for extra-ordinary financial support to the State and providing Rs. 7300 crore Plan grants for the current fiscal, the Chief Minister said that transfer of money from the Centre to the State takes some time. "There are still Rs. 1900 crores with the Centre which have not been transferred to the State so far. This sometimes create difficulties for the State to carry on financial commitments", he said adding that he would take up the issue of early release of this amount by the Centre with the Prime Minister soon. He said sometimes this kind of situation results in delay in the payments to contractors and others. However, he added that the Finance Minister and his team has not allowed this difficulty to impact on transactions and development processes but managed to tackle the situation amicably. Congratulating Finance Minister, Abdul Rahim Rather, Minister of State for Finance, Dr. Manohar Lal Sharma and the officers of the Finance Department for completing the long cherished Toll Plaza project at Lakhanpur, Omar Abdullah said that he is fortunate to inaugurate the prestigious project for which three Chief Ministers made endeavours one after other. The Chief Minister said that Lakhanpur is the face of Jammu and Kashmir State and most of the visitors and people visit through this township to the State besides huge trade and commerce activities taking place via this station. He said that befitting and modern facilities at this place are all the more necessary to give good impression to the people and the traders visiting Jammu and Kashmir. Speaking on the occasion, Minister for Finance, Abdul Rahim Rather said that the new Toll Plaza will give further fillip to economic activities as the Lakhanpur has become State's economic hub. He said that the Toll Plaza will provide hasslefree facilities to the traders, industrialists and other business community to tranship their consignments to and fro. believe around 10 million pounds was cheated out of UK citizens seeking loans, the report said. Most victims have been cheated of small amount ranging from 90 to 250 pounds, but one man lost more than 200,000 pounds as he 'chased' his promised loan. Detectives said that they believe they have now burst the gang, with three Indian men arrested on suspicion of a 'deeprooted conspiracy' to commit fraud using electronic equipment. However, others remain on the run in the UK and India. According to the report, none of those held have links to Britain, although one was previously at the centre of an investigation into an Indian-based computer theft from UK credit cards. Among the finance companies they claimed to run was Max Infotech, based in offices above a motorbike repair shop in Pitampura, in north-west Delhi. The case has highlighted the disturbing ease with which fraudsters purchased confidential personal details and data provided to various Internet sites. Crucially, the details obtained included the fact that an individual was seeking a loan, the amount required, his or her telephone number, email address, date of birth and home address. Callers from Delhi with excellent English speaking over Skype or the web pretended they were in the UK and often referred the victim to the fictitious 'references' of satisfied clients already on the Internet. The victim was then told that while the full loan had been approved, a one-off processing fee was required. Initially, the Indian-based fraudsters requested this was paid through money transfer firms MoneyGram or Western Union. Police said that the operation became so successful that the fraudsters were forced to out-source to call centres around Delhi, the report added. "As per their plan, Mahender went to Jammu and arranged a rented accommodation and came to back Delhi on January 8. He didn't came to Jagatpur and called Babita and then fled to Jammu," said Sindhu Pillai, DCP North district.

Contd. from page 1...

Fresh reports....
Firing is still continuing", he said on telephone. Meanwhile, a commnader level flag meeting is scheduled between armies of India and Pakistan on Monay at Chakanda Bagh. According to sources, the meeting will be represented by Brigadier D S Sandhu from the Indian side.

'Law not in....

afresh in the light of the recent incident. Ashwani Kumar said he had written three letters to Chief Justices of all High Courts and Chief Ministers of all states to set up Fast Track Courts to deal with 'heinous' offences against women and most of them have responded positively. The Chief Justices of Delhi, Punjab and Haryana High Courts had already announced constitution of FTCs, he said. The Ministry of Law and Justice has assured funding and support for creating more fast track mechanisms and to give more subordinate officers, he said. The minister said the strength of the lower judiciary is being increased by 10 percent to reduce pendency of cases, adding the total number of subordinate judicial staff at present is 18,000 in India. Stating that over three crore cases are pending in courts in the country, he said in 2011-12, the pendency was reduced by six lakh and by 2013, the target was to reduce it by 20 lakh. "This is a 'multi-pronged' effort to reduce the strain in our judicial system and make it more effective so that the faith of people in our legal system remains intact," he said. On the proposed amendment in the Juvenile Justice Act, he said many recommendations have been made. There is demand for rationalisation of age for various purposes. But these matters have to be sorted out in cool and consensus manner, he said. The UPA government's priority was to ensure affordable and expeditious justice delivery system, he said. Earlier, speaking at 'Sameeksha' the legal enrichment camp of Indian Lawyer's Congress, he said the legal aid mechanism has to be strengthened to take justice to the people. The government planned to set up 5,000 Grama Nyayalays so that the common man can get justice at his doorstep, he said, adding he had issued instructions to organise regional conferences to promote the idea. The Centre would fund 75-90 percent of the amount and state governments would have to put in only 10 percent. This would ensure people need not travel far to seek justice. "The UPA government is totally committed to autonomy and independence of the judiciary. The judicial accountability amendment bill and National judicial appointments bill will be tabled in the budget session of Parliament," he said.

LoC tension: Pak....

not buckle to "wild calls for revenge and reaction" over the killing and beheading of two Indian soldiers by Pakistani troops. However, Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne termed violations of the LoC and the 2003 ceasefire agreement by Pakistan as "totally unacceptable". "We are watching the situation carefully, if the violations continue, perhaps we may have to think of some other options for compliance," he had said, but declined to elaborate on the options. "Options are optionsIf violations continue we might have to look at the whole issue again." Border tensions between India and Pakistan have risen sharply since the January 06 death of a Pakistani soldier in alleged firing by Indian forces along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. Two days later, Pakistani soldiers killed and beheaded two Indian soldiers in the Mendhar sector in Poonch district. In Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, the civil society appealed to the governments of India and Pakistan to restore peace and respect the 2003 ceasefire agreement.

AJKPC demands....
Panchayat members then the Chief Minister either should tell the 33,000 elected Panchayat members to resign or give his own resignation by taking moral responsibility," he said. The AJKPC chairman, however, said that Panchayat members will not bow down to death threats by militants but they must get support for this from the government. "We will not resign...We will fight back. But state and central governments should come to our rescue and ensure our safety," he said. Anil Sharma, general secretary of the AJKPC, also criticised the state government for its response in dealing with the issue of security and appealed to the Centre to intervene. "Our colleague has been killed we are in deep shock and grief. Our sympathies are with the bereaved family of the martyred sarpanch who stood unshaken before the diktats of the terrorists," he said. Habibullah Mir, who was affiliated with the Congress, was shot in the neck by the unidentified militants at his home in Goripora village on January 11.

Katrina to....
affair, as Katrina doesn't want her short trip to create any security hassles during her stay there," the insider adds. Despite her Kashmiri roots - Katrina's father is a Kashmiri - the star has visited the Valley only twice before. Reportedly, the actress had first visited the state in August 2011 for a reality show, wherein she even met the Indian army troops posted there. On her return, the actress will begin shooting for Dhoom 3 with Aamir Khan. Then she starts work on yet another action thriller Bang Bang with Hrithik Roshan. The film directed by Siddharth Anand is the official remake of the Tom Cruise and Cameron Diaz-starrer Knight and Day. The actress, who completes a decade in the film industry this year, is said to be quite excited about her actionpacked movies in 2013 after last year's blockbuster Ek Tha Tiger with Salman Khan.es with immediate effect", it added.

Nearly a month.....
will keep coming here until there is change in the system," said Suman, one of the fiery 14 youths who claim to have been protesting at Jantar Mantar in the heart of the capital since Dec 22, 2012. Suman recounts that it was the lathicharge and use of water canons by police Dec 22 which united these 14 youngsters from different parts of the capital. "We did not know each other. It was police violence that brought us here. We coordinate with each other before coming to Jantar Mantar now," said Vikram Singh, a student. Despondency is writ large on their faces, though they continue their protest. "We sort of know that that our voices might not be heard at the top, but we want to continue till the end," said Suman, a choreographer. She laments the dissipating anger among the crowds. She said that until Jan 1, the anger was palpable. "Most of the the NGOs come here in the morning and leave by 7-8 p.m. We have withstood biting cold and protested. Now, we know who a genuine protestor is, and who not," says Vikram. Although fasting protestor Babu Singh broke his fast Saturday, he claimed that he would not leave the historic Jantar Mantar until the government brought in laws to protect women. "I called off my hunger strike yesterday (Saturday). I had been receiving phone calls regularly from Arvindji (Kejriwal, social activist and politician) as he was very concerned about my failing health," Singh said, after a fast that lasted nearly 20 days. "Finally, Arvindji visited me at Jantar Mantar yesterday and urged me to end my fast and carry on with my agitation. He said that I should help in strengthening the movement," he added. Several women protestors from various non-government organisations were also present at Jantar Mantar, shouting slogans demanding justice for the 23-year-old woman who died of injuries after being brutally gang-raped in a moving bus Dec 16.

28 village heads.....
sarpanches and panches, from Sopore area of Baramulla, told media persons they were resigning their positions because of threats from separatist militants, while six others from the same area sent their resignation letters to the widely-circulated 'Greater Kashmir' daily to be published as paid advertisements in Monday's issue. A sarpanch at Bomai village near Sopore town was killed by separatist militants on Friday while another panch, a woman belonging to Harda Shiva village of the same area, was critically injured in another militant attack Saturday. Doctors in Sopore had referred the injured panch to the super specialty Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences Soura (SKIMS) here. Attending doctors say she is still in critical condition. Panchayat elections were held after 30 years across Jammu and Kashmir in 2011. Despite threats from the separatists, an overwhelming majority of voters turned out in the rural areas to elect their representatives. Since their elections, thousands of elected village representatives have been seeking security cover. The state government maintains that individual security to every sarpanch and panch is not possible, but individual security to some of them based on threat perceptions was being considered besides domination of areas where guerrillas are still believed to be operating. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah arrived here earlier Sunday to take stock of the security situation in the wake of attacks on the village representatives.

Alliances, economy....
over the country discuss pre- and post-poll alliances, women's empowerment and political and economic challenges facing the country on the first two days. The outcomes will be approved by an All India Congress Committee session to be attended by around 1,200 leaders Jan 20. Achieving growth amid a slowdown in the economy and foreign policy issues are also likely to be debated during the Chintan Shivir, said the sources. The various sub-groups, formed by the party to prepare discussion papers on the political, economic and social issues, have submitted their reports which will be reviewed by Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, said the sources. Small groups of delegates will further deliberate on these discussion papers during the first two days of the Chintan Shivir. The AICC session on the final day is expected to pass some resolutions based on the outcome of these debates, said party sources.

2,500 ultras....
of which 25 are in PoK and 17 in other parts of Pakistan where the 2,500 militants were getting ready with training, arms and ammunition, Home Ministry sources said. Besides, at least 90 Pakistani infiltrators entered India through the Indo-Pak border this year. At least 125 militants were also apprehended along the border in Jammu and Kashmir while trying to infiltrate into India. The huge jump in the number of Pakistani infiltrators -from 63 in 2011 to 90 this year -- sent alarm bells ringing in the Home Ministry, which directed security agencies to intensify vigil along the border. Altogether 94 Pakistani infiltrators have entered into India in 2010 and 69 in 2009 through the Indo-Pak border. There have been a total of 249 infiltration attempts this year as against 247 last year. There were 489 infiltration attempts in 2010, 485 in 2009, 342 in 2008 and 535 in 2007. The sources said these attempts were being made with the active help of Pakistan Army which often gives firing cover to the militants.

UN chief urges.....
been killed in Syria since the uprising against President Bashar al-Assad began in early 2011. Recent months have witnessed an escalation in the conflict, which is now in its 23rd month. "There will be no amnesties for those most responsible. The old era of impunity is ending. In its place, slowly but surely, we are building a new age of accountability," he said.

Congress asks....
by the unidentified militants at his home in Goripora village on January 11. "I took up the matter with Director General of Police Ashok Prasad and asked him to investigate into the killing and apprehend the killers very immediately," state Congress chief Saifuddin Soz said. "I offer my condolences to the bereaved family...I strongly condemn this dastardly act of marauders," he said.

Kashmir hosts ....

friends including a class 12 girl, Madeeha Majid, who organised the competition, see a lot of potential for gaming in Kashmir. "There is a lot of enthusiasm for gaming in Kashmir. The youth here are very talented in cyber games and this event will help them get proper exposure at national level," he said.

Maha Kumbh.....
and will conclude on Maha Shivaratri on March 10. Expecting a turnout of about 1.1 crore people to take holy dip tomorrow on Makar Sankranti, the administration has put in place elaborate security arrangements to thwart any kind of terrorist activity, prevent stampedes or any other type of law and order challenge. The administration are expecting a nearly 10 per cent rise in pilgrims attending the mass Hindu pilgrimage this year compared to the previous Maha Kumbh held here in 2001. Exceptionally large crowds are also expected on Mauni Amavasya (February 10, 3 crore) and Basant Panchmi (February 15, 1.9 crore). Besides, spiritual leaders like the Dalai Lama, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, Baba Ramdev and Asaram Bapu, also have planned their visits. The huge turnout of people, visits of high-profile gurus in addition to the presence of naga sanyasis have increased the pressure on police and administration for smooth functioning of the Kumbh Mela. A lurking fear of terrorist strike has further heightened the challenges in recent years. "More than 7,000 personnel of central paramilitary forces, including companies of the Rapid Action Force and the National Disaster Response Force, have been pressed into service," IGP (Allahabad) Alok Sharma, designated as the nodal officer for security arrangements during the Maha Kumbh, said.

Ministerial reshuffle .....

the chief minister to enable him to undertake necessary changes, a source close to Omar Abdullah told a news agency Sunday. The coalition government was sworn in Jan 5, 2009. Six months later, Abdullah expanded his cabinet, taking the number up from the original 10 to 24. The Congress has not filled one of its vacancies. Sources in both parties said 2013 was a critical year as assembly elections were due in the state in 2014. This has made the reshuffle even more necessary

Bihar's per.....
which was still far behind the national average of Rs.35,993. "It is a big change for the state as the income per person in 2004-5 was Rs.7,914," Yadav told a news agency. The per capita income figures were published in Bihar Statistical Handbook, 2012, and Bihar Through Figures, 2011, released earlier this week. "Both the books contain statistical figures on various aspects of socio-economic growth in the state," the minister added. Yadav said that the state registered an economic growth rate of 21.9 percent during the 11th Five Year Plan (2007-12) and the rise in income level was a healthy sign for the state. A few days ago, Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Sushil Kumar Modi said the state government aimed to achieve over 13 percent economic growth during the 12th Five Year Plan period (2012-17). According to a recent Planning Commission report on the economic performance of all states, only Sikkim and Goa, which are much smaller than Bihar, performed better on the economic front in 2011-12.

CM reviews.....
Prakesh, DGP, Ashok Prasad and top brass of army, security agencies, J&K police and civil administration participated in the meeting.

CM inaugurates....
that the total dependence on Central financial support has to be reversed by the joint efforts and determination of the people and the State Government. "We have lagged behind in harnessing the hydro electric potential of 20,000 MWs available in the State. Had half of it been realized so far we would have been providing 24x7 electricity to the consumers and industries in the State and selling about 5000 MWs to other parts of the country", he said reiterating his government's resolve to make necessary dent in this regard. He said his government has already launched prestigious projects in the State sector, in joint ventures, in PPP and IPP modes and the day is not far away when State would bash new strides in power generation and achieve the cherished goal of self-reliance. Saying that coalition government is committed to public service, Omar Abdullah said that besides focusing on upgradation and improvement of basic facilities across the State, the consolidation of health and education sectors loomed large in the development policy of his government during the last four years. "We enacted and implemented legislations to reduce the chances of corruption in public service delivery systems, to bring more transparency in administration and strengthen the institutions to empower people and make government answerable before them. Our endeavour in

Contract on French Rafale jets being fine-tuned: India

PARIS: India is fine-tuning a contract to buy 126 Frenchmade Rafale fighter jets, Foreign Minister Salman Khurshid has said, adding that Paris would have to "wait a little" to pop the bubbly. India last year selected Dassault Aviation as its preferred bidder in a USD 10 billion (7.6 billion euro) contract to equip its air force with new fighter jets. "We know good French wine takes time to mature and so do good contracts," Khurshid said after a meeting with French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius. "The contract details are being worked out," he said. "A decision has already been taken, just wait a little for the cork to pop and you'll have some good wine to taste." France is keen to make its first foreign sale of the Rafale, which has struggled to find buyers to support a project that has cost tens of billions of euros. If the contract is finalised, the first 18 aircraft will be supplied directly by Dassault and the remainder will be produced under licence by the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, a state-run Indian firm, in Bangalore. Fabius also struck an upbeat note saying that while the final choice was up to New Delhi, Khurshid had assured him that "things are proceeding well".

Call centre scam....

than 1,000 people a day who had legitimately sought unsecured loans with banks and finance companies were being 'cold called' from call centers in New Delhi, with 100 of them daily being duped into signing-up and paying a 'processing fee' to secure non-existent cash. A special Delhi police cell, normally focusing on anti-terrorist operations, is heading the investigations after a request from the British High Commission and the Serious Organized Crime Agency, the UK's national police agency. Indian police said that at a 'conservative estimate' they

Delhi baby...
mobile which was in Jammu. Immediately, a police team rushed to Jammu and arrested the couple and recovered the toddler. During interrogation, the accused said that they were in a live-in relationship for past few years. Babita has five children from her previous wedlock, but left her family in Udhampur after she came in contact with Mahender. They came to Delhi three years ago and started living as husband and wife. But they didn't had any issue. The toddler's family were their immediate neighbourhood and had good relations.

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STUDENT AGE MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2013

STATE

NEWS IN BOX

Saroori expresses deep concern over non availability of basic necessities in winter
JAMMU, JAN 13: Expressing his grave concern over the mountain woes of the common masses due to non availability of basic necessities Senior Congress Leader and MLA Inderwal Ghulam Mohammad Saroori has expressed his concern over non availability of Power, Gas in Erstwhile District Doda of Jammu region. In a statement issue here; Saroori said that in view of the harsh winters the hardships of the people have increased manifold. He said that many transformers have been damaged which resulted into the power crises in the area over the last one month. Charging the Power Development Department for not replacing damaged transformers in the Hura Tatani, Saroor, Khara, Trankel, Kansoo, Katota Drought, Gwass, Drabshallah, and for whole night Power department cuts the light and this is now become a routine from the last 15 days at Chatroo area, he demanded to replace transformers immediately. Saroori also said that power schemes under RGGVY are not functional despite big-big claims by Power Department adding that un-scheduled power cuts have made the life miserable, rotten wooden poles and trees are used in place of poles causing risk of life and cattle. He demanded that rotten poles & barbed wires should be replaced by proper wires immediately in rural areas so that power losses can be mitigated. He further demanded that the Power department to provide transformers to the habitation consisting of 20 to 50 families He observed that Official machinery seems to be completely collapsed because some areas are facing power curtailment between 15 to 18 hours. He urged the department to relax the electricity fee of BPL families which is highly exaggerated. In this chilling winter when the temperature is below minus degree Celsius people are confronting to get Power, Gas and Drinking water the basic amenities. He urged government to initiates measures to curb black market of LPG cylinders he added that non availability of LPG cylinder has directly affected the common man. He stressed need for home delivery of cooking gas. Saroori appealed to the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah who is also holding Power Department to intervene in the matter personally so that people may not suffer more.

Sham celebrates Lohri with physically challenged

JAMMU, JAN 13: Minister for Health, Horticulture & Floriculture, Mr. Sham Lal Sharma celebrated Lohri festival with the physically challenged children at Jammu Red Cross (JRC) Home for Handicapped at Udhaywala, here today. Deputy Commissioner, Jammu Mr. Sanjeev Verma, President JRC, Mr. P.C.Kapoor, General Secretary, JRC Mr. J. Chhaterpal, former IAS officer Mr. Mohammad Shafi Pandit, prominent social activist, Mrs. Nighat Shafi Pandit, several social workers, prominent citizens and inmates were present on the occasion. The Minister spent more than two hours with the physically challenged children and shared festival joys with them. He extended greetings to each Government for running the Home and urged the management to provide necessary education to the children so that they become self-reliant. He asked them to acquaint the inmates about the moral ethos and rich heritage of India so that they can contribute for the social reforms. The Minister also honoured Mrs. Nighat Shafi Pandit in recognition to her social work on the occasion. Mrs. Shafi is a prominent social worker of Kashmir and has distinction to receive prestigious Jamna Lal Bajaj award. The children presented colourful bonanza of cultural items, which mesmerized the jam packed audience. Mr. Chhaterpal while giving resume of the activities of the Home said that Home maintains around 60 children of different age groups. The Home takes care of their education, health and other issues. He said the management has full responsibility of each chi ld and several measures have been taken for their rehabilitation. The Home is run on the donation of common man and receives only a meagre share of grant-in-aids from the Government. Mr. P.C.Kapoor thanked the gathering for gracing the occasion. Earlier in the day, the Minister also participated in a religious Nagar Keertan procession taken out by the Sikh devotees at Mishriwala to mark the celebrations of 347th birth anniversary of 10th Guru Gobind Singhji. The procession was organized by the Nagar Keertan Committee, Block Bhalwal which was attended by thousands of devotees from different parts of the Jammu.

Minister for Health, Horticulture & Floriculture, Mr. Sham Lal Sharma celebrating Lohri festival with the physically challenged children at Jammu . inmate and distributed sweets among them. Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that physically and mentally retarded children have every right to live a dignified life and "we should extend helping hand to them for their proper rehabilitation". He maintained that service to the mankind is service to the God and people irrespective to their caste; creed and colour should come forward and help such children in whatever way. Appreciating the management for maintaining the Home, the Minister said that JRC has been doing yeoman's service to the mankind and the noble initiative is an inspiration for others. He assured all possible help from the

Only NC-Congress can uphold unity, integrity of State: Slathia

JAMMU, JAN 13: Saying that the NC-Congress coalition has all the allures to change the fortunes of the State, the Minister for Industries and Commerce Mr. S. S. Slathia today said that the contribution of coalition government in socioeconomic progress of the State is unprecedented and unparallel. Addressing a public gathering at Chak, Daulat in Vijaypur, Jammu today Mr. Slathia sought people's whole hearted support to strengthen the coalition government asserting that the present dispensation has a clear vision to change the fortunes of the State and its people. He said J&K being the abode of pious and spiritual ethos cannot afford to be divided on the basis of caste, creed, colour, region or religious as was being tried by some divisive and anti-nation elements adding that all such nefarious designs will be thwarted tooth and nail. He said both NC-Congress coalition partCountry, SKEWPY to provide gainful employment to the educated youth, its optimum implementation yet remains to reach its full zenith, adding that there was a dire need for a massive awareness campaign about its multifaceted and far reaching benefits. "The novel SKEWPY has been admired and liked even at the national level and some State's of the Country have sought to have the blue print of the Scheme for its implementation in their own States", Mr. Slathia added and urged the youth of the State to take full benefit of the scheme for earning a dignified livelihood. The District Development Commissioner Samba, Mr. Mubarak Singh and concerned engineers and officers of the district administration were also present on the occasion. Responding to the demands of the people, Mr. Slathia assured that all the genuine grievances of the people will be redressed steadily.

NSF burns effigy of Pakistan Government

JAMMU,JAN 13: National Secular Forum (NSF) protest against the ceasefire violation across the Line of Control (LoC), Pakistan fired at Indian posts in the Poonch sector in Jammu and Kashmir, the scene of Tuesday's brutal killing of two Indian soldiers by Pakistani army troops. They also burnt effigy of Pakistan Government. Addressing the protester Dr.Vikas Sharma State President NSF, said that the Pakistani troops have been continuously breaking the ceasefire which has resulted in to the loss of various precious lives of our soldiers. He also said that "The Pakistan government and their army are responsible for the incident. He further said that Govt's meek & weak response to this brutality is very painful and looking to the continuous attacks on our citizens and soldiers, Indian Govt. should break all trade and diplomatic ties with Pakistan. He said that Pakistan have crossed all limits of humanity by beheading both Indian army men and mutilating their bodies. He added that it is historical that whenever Indian Govt. extended his hand of friendship, Pakistan breached our trust and attacked us. Now, such a cruel inhuman access & attack on our brave army is unbearable, he said. NSF cant' kept mum on the issue, he added. NSF demanded immediate cancellation of all diplomatic and trade relations with Pak and seizes fire across the border to save our citizens and army men. Among those who were present in the Protest included Surjit Choudhary, Sukhdev Singh, Pushpinder Singh, Narinder Singh, Rahul Sharma, Vikram Madhyal, Ankit Raina, Jagmohan Singh, Nitish Salgotra, Simran Singh, Vimal Singh, Aryan, and others.

DC Kulgam praises rescuer of deer

KULGAM, JAN 13: Deputy Commissioner Jahangir Mir has decided to encourage and reward Gh Hassan Malik son of Gull Mohammad Malik- a daily wager watchman for his heroic deed of saving deer from the onslaught of canines. Malik, a plantation watchman sustained injuries while attempting to safeguard life of a deer weighing about 25 kg, which had strayed out of nearby mighty Pirpanhcal range and given a menacing hound by a group of prowling dogs here a dawn. The rescuer gave a long chase to the rare species animal after he found it in trouble and decided to come to its rescue. After extensive efforts, he succeeded in rescuing the endangered animal. The male deer was later handed over to the wildlife department on the advice of the district magistrate in presence of the concerned tehsildar. Meanwhile, the Deputy Commissioner has praised the heroic deed of Malik, saying his act was really commendable. Relevantly, Kulgam district took a lead in the formation of District Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The society aims at facilitating harmonious living of all animal species with focus on nurturing habitats through scientific techniques and public awareness campaigns.

Minister for Industries and Commerce S. S. Slathia addressing a public gathering at Chak, Daulat in Vijaypur, Jammu. ners, having strong secular democratic credential, only can ensure unity and integrity of the State and progress and prosperity of its people. Mr. Slathia also gave a detailed account of the landmark achievements of the present Government and asked the people to judge it's performance by its deeds on the ground. Earlier, the Minister inaugurated Grameen standard tractor- showroom cum sales outlet set-up in private sector at Jakh Tarore, Vijaypur and urged for developing a congenial industrial culture to bring a sustainable socioeconomic transformation in the State. He said need of the hour was to inculcate entrepreneurship spirit among youth by changing their mindset towards selfemployment. Mr. Slathia enjoined upon the authorities at the helm of affairs that it was their paramount duty to create a congenial atmosphere for entrepreneurship and industrialization so that burgeoning problems of unemployment is addressed in a holistic manner. He said though the coalition Government under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has launched a, first of its kind in the

Dr Shenaz visits Injured female Panch

JAMMU,JAN 13: Dr Shenaz Ganai Hon'ble M.L.C today flew from Jammu to Srinagar to inquire about the health of the critically Injured female Panch, Zooni W/O Mohd Ramzan Dar, who was shot at from the point blank range yesterday evening in her neck, and who is undergoing specialised treatment at SKIMS Soura Srinagar. While interacting with the family of the Lady Panch, she shared the pain being faced by them and consoled them and assured them that best Medicare facility will be provided to the injured. She assured them that in this hour of pain she is with them. Being herself a medico, Hon'ble M.L.C, had a detailed discussion with the concerned doctors about the health status of the patient, and the treatment being provided to her, and asked them to provide the best available treatment to her. Terming the incident as the cowardly act, she said that this is the handiwork of frustrated people who don't want peace to return to valley, and warned them that such cowardly incidents will not deter the popular Government from implementing the people friendly policies. Sh Ali Mohd Dar, Hon'ble M.L.C and provincial president National conference also accompanied her to the hospital.

Over 15000 attend mega awareness camp

Avail maximum benefit from govt schemes: Dy CM to people

JSM protests against National Conference

JAMMU, JAN 13: Jammu Students Morcha has warned the ruling National Conference against disturbing and deflation national integrity. In protest demonstration against Sheikh Nazir's statement advocating plebiscite in old city, the JSM state unit took out a procession under the leadership of Dheeraj Sharma President JSM expressed its deep anguish and concern over the statement given by Sheikh Nazir. The Morcha warned the Govt of dire consequences if action is not taken against National Conference General Secretary Sheikh Nazir who wants to disturb the peace and harmony in the state and sow the seeds of discord. The statement of Mr Nazir should be an eye opener for the Government of India, which must take strong action against the NC for its anti national utterances while the Congress party should also make its position clear on the issue, he said. JSM leaders said that such incidents will not be tolerated at any cost. Among those who were present in the protest included Rohit Gupta, Sapana Kumari, Surab Gupta, Kapil Dev, Rohit Sharma, Amarjeet Sing , Raman Gupta, Rajan Kumar, Rohit Mahajan and others.

Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Tara Chand addressing a mammoth gathering on the occasion of mega awareness camp at Khour, Akhnoor. JAMMU, JAN 13: Calling development and benefit of people aware about different of bee keeping, dairy farmupon people to avail maxi- all sections of the society," welfare and employment ing, sericulture, poultry and schemes launched under mushroom farming. mum assistance from differ- he added. Mr. Tara Chand appealed Urban Mr. Tara Chand was SKEWPY, ent schemes launched by the government, Deputy Chief addressing a mammoth gath- Development and other the youth to avail optimum Minister Mr. Tara Chand ering on the occasion of departments for addressing benefit from SKEWPY scheme, which not only said that various central and mega awareness camp about the needs of people. He called upon panchayat ensures voluntary service state funded initiatives have state and centrally sponsored been taken to address the schemes held at Khour, representatives to play their allowance but promotes role in making people aware entrepreneur culture among needs of different sections of Akhnoor today. The camp was attended of different government the youth. He said need of the society and people should come forward and get by over fifteen thousand schemes, as being nearer to the hour is to look beyond themselves registered to get people, who showed keen people they are in a better the government sector and benefits from these schemes. interest in knowing about position to serve their train the youth for facing respective areas by properly challenges of the coming He said adequate promo- details of the schemes. District Development identifying and executing times. tion needs to be given to difHe said aim of the flagferent schemes launched in Commissioner, Jammu Mr. the development works and ship SKEWPY is to extend a Verma, Sub- welfare schemes. rural development, labour, Sanjeev He said Kisan Credit helping hand to unemployed Magistrate, agriculture and employment Divisional sectors so that those living in Akhnoor Mr. N.S.Jamwal Card is an effective tool for by extending counseling and rural areas are made aware and other senior officers of providing soft loans to the motivating them to get of the benefits extended various departments partici- farming community for dif- equipped with the employferent agriculture related able skills as needed in the pated in the camp. under various schemes. Underscoring on the need activities and saves the present market economy. "Panchayats can play a "The SKEWPY is relapivotal role in making peo- to promote mass awareness farmer from the clutches of ple aware of various welfare about government schemes, private lenders. He said to tively new initiative but peoprogrammes and develop- the Deputy Chief Minister make the sector a profitable ple all over the state have ment initiatives launched by said series of camps have venture its scope needs to be started taking benefit from the government for all round been organized for making extended to allied activities it, as more than 40 lac are

already getting Voluntary service allowance and over Rs 60 crore have been extended as seed capital fund", he informed. He called upon all those workers engaged in the field of construction to get registered with the labour welfare board meant for them, so as to avail a host of benefits extended to them, adding that all type of construction workers are covered under the scheme. Constructions workers once registered can avail benefits which include scholarships for children education, accidental health care facilities, insurance cover and financial assistance for different needs, he added. He directed the SDM to extend the awareness camps into different farflung areas for the benefit of those living in the inaccessible belts.

CM visits SKIMS, meets injured Panchayat member

SRINAGAR JAN 13: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah this evening visited SKIMS here and met the injured Panchayat member Mrs. Zoona, who was shot at by unidentified gunman yesterday. Chief Minister enquired of her health conditions and prayed for her early recovery. He also gave directions to the hospital administration for providing all possible medical treatment to the lady panchayat member. Minister of State for Home, Nasir Aslam Wani was accompanying the Chief Minister.

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EDITORIAL & STATE WATCH

4 Pakistan demands third party probe, snubbed

akistan's desperate efforts to bring in a 'third party' to resolve the January 8 incident, wherein its troops crossed into Indian territory and killed two Indian soldiers and mutilated their bodies, have rightly come a cropper. Its demand for an investigation by the United Nations Military Observer Group for India and Pakistan has been entirely ignored by the international community including the US, which has instead called for a bilateral solution. In fact, even the UNMOGIP has cold-shouldered Pakistan, preferring to focus instead on talks between the two warring Armies. As for India, its response is possibly best exemplified in National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon's reply to journalists when he was quizzed about the UN agency's potential as a mediator. Mr Menon said: "UNMOGIP still exists? I thought they did not have a role." There are three reasons why Pakistan wants India to invite an international mediator. First, it wants to buy time and nothing serves the purpose better than announcing an investigation by an international agency. It will take weeks, if not months, before the agency can bring out its report, and in the meantime Pakistan will have ample opportunity to brush the episode under the carpet. Second, Pakistan wants to look above board by claiming that it has nothing to hide and is open to international scrutiny. A smart move, no doubt, but it has fallen flat on its face because the world sees through Pakistan's doublespeak. This is perhaps one of the most important reasons why even the Obama Administration has refused to involve itself in the dispute. Interestingly, this is the same

Vibrant Gujarat to Vibrant India: Modi's Dandi March

By Kanchan Gupta

he world wants a share of Gujarat's economic miracle in these tough times. It will need a visionary leader like the State's Chief Minister for India to replace Gujarat It may be entirely coincidental, or it may not be, that a Congress spokesman and a senior Minister should have spoken bitterly about investors and investment the same day Vibrant Gujarat was inaugurated. Sandeep Dikshit, the Congress MP who represents the glorified concrete slums and illegal colonies of east Delhi which exists somewhere in the twilight zone that separates India from Bharat, carped needlessly about industrialists and investors showering praise on Gujarat's Chief Minister Narendra Modi. His party colleague and Communications and IT Minister Kapil Sibal alerted us to the danger of allowing foreign investors into the country. Dikshit's comment, that other State Governments also organise events to attract investment and investors invariably praise the Chief Ministers of these States, may have been meant as a rude snub, but betrays both cussedness and churlishness. Envy is a green-eyed monster. With his public school background, he should have known of this adage. The son of the Chief Minister of Delhi, who has publicly praised Modi's development agenda and acknowledged his good governance record, is welcome to believe that he is smart, but it is he, and those he speaks for, and not the Chief Minister of Gujarat, who stand diminished. It would be in order to remind Dikshit that industrialists and investors, both at home and abroad, have long ceased to look forward to doing business with the Congress-led UPA Government he so robustly defends. It would also be in order to remind him how industrialists and investors, individually and collectively, have denounced the rampant corruption that has come to symbolise the regime

headed by an alleged economist and make-believe Prime Minister called Manmohan Singh. As for Sibal's eloquent statement, it is amusing to note that it flies in the face of the claimed policy of the Government of which he is a Minister, a policy which he has defended from various public fora in the past while ridiculing justified and reasoned criticism. Warning against 'foreigners' who come to India to do business, Sibal said, "People from foreign countries came to India for business and then became rulers of the country. Today they are again coming to do business here and divide us. We must be careful of them." This is the same Minister who mocked at the Opposition's concerns over foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail during the Winter Session of Parliament. He also happens to be a member of a party whose president came to India from foreign shores with no declared intention of participating in politics and has now become the de facto ruler of the country. Irony died a million deaths while Sibal spoke. And was resurrected to die once again: It is laughable that a senior Minister of a Government so concerned about India's image abroad should have lampooned foreign investors as modernday colonisers while a global investment conference, attended by potential bigticket foreign investors, is on in Gujarat. Are we then to presume Gujarat is not part of Sibal's India? Or has the Congress done a summersault on foreign investment and forgotten to post a letter to Manmohan Singh? All this and more frankly constitute diversionary tactics to try and make the Vibrant Gujarat global investors conference look as no more than a routine event. In the past, the Congress has used other means to dampen investor confidence in Gujarat under Modi's leadership. Pranab Mukherjee, as Union Minister for Finance, instructed public sector banks

not to lend money for, or participate in, projects for which MoUs were signed during Vibrant Gujarat. Income tax notices were issued to investors evincing interest in Gujarat and 'displeasure' was conveyed to top industrialists for praising Modi. Sections of the media, which survive on scraps from the high table of the Congress-run UPA, put out stories that many MoUs were never implemented, that actual job creation was way below numbers which had been projected. All that failed to flag investor enthusiasm. The turnout at this year's Vibrant Gujarat bears overwhelming evidence. And it's not for nothing that investors are keen to get into Gujarat. This is the only State in the country where the Government has taken on the role of facilitator, creating opportunities by putting into place policies that are based on a single-word ideology of governance: Development. The famed Gujarati spirit is no doubt a contributor. But every Gujarati, irrespective of political affiliation, would unhesitatingly acknowledge that Modi has provided the leadership to actualise their aspirations. Britain may have discovered that Gandhinagar and London are soul mates because of its large and politically influential Gujarati community, but Canada and Japan, this year's country partners of Vibrant Gujarat, have no such compulsion. Pragmatists on Capitol Hill can only regret the foolhardiness of their administration. A lot can be said about Gujarat that cannot be said about other States. Gujarat is way ahead in terms of growth, investment and infrastructure creation. With 12.5 per cent share of private investment, Gujarat is far ahead of Maharastra (8.9 per cent), a distant third. Modi has made a fetish of transparency and rectitude hence bribery is not the preferred way of doing business in this State. In an age when economic freedom matters most, Gujarat tops the list of States while Bihar hovers at the bottom. Like other Chief Ministers and

our feckless Prime Minister, he could have taken recourse to phoney rights, reforms and redistribution through handouts. Instead, he has chosen the hard way forward regardless of the potential political consequences, It doesn't make him popular with the 'Delhi Sultanate' which is used to buying votes with other people's money. But it has made him an immensely popular, in fact the most popular, leader among India's young men and women. They see in him a future that has been denied to generations of Indians under Congress tutelage. As a frequent visitor to Gujarat these past six months, I have often marvelled at this State's rapid march to prosperity for all. That a lot can be achieved in India is palpable in many of the things that you see. And the Modi Hallmark is stamped on everything that you see and feel proud of - as an Indian, as a citizen who believes Government's primary job is to govern with a firm and even hand. From the fabulous BRTS to the amazing Sabarmati Riverfront Project, from the factories that dot the landscape beyond cities to the harvest-rich fields, from the highways to the rural roads, from urbanisation to urban renewal. Modi not only talks about reviving the manufacturing sector; he walks the talk. He not only believes in agricultural growth but has delivered an astounding surge in farm output. While India debates climate change and its cataclysmic impact, Modi has begun experimenting on renewable energy sources and conservation of resources, for instance, water. Instead of taking recourse to highfalutin bunkum on developing human resource, he has adopted policies that focus on skill enhancement. Innovation with innate faith in enterprise is what drives him and his Government. Sadly, this remarkable story remains restricted to Gujarat, at least as of now. Hopefully we shall get to see a Vibrant India global investors conference being held in New Delhi.

Administration that had once toyed with the idea of appointing a special envoy to Kashmir. Of course, when Special Representative Richard Holbrooke's mandate was finally announced in early 2009, it did not include Kashmir - it was limited to Pakistan and Afghanistan - but that was the result of effective lobbying by India. The third reason is that Pakistan wants to internationalise the current border fracas in the hope that this would serve as a diving board for that country's leaders to then invite third-party intervention in the affairs of Kashmir as well. Because Islamabad realises that it cannot take on India unilaterally, it is seeking to muddy the waters by calling for third-party solutions. It has been persisting with the technique despite knowing well that India has consistently refused foreign interference in the Kashmir dispute and rightly asserted over time that the matter needs a bilateral resolution. This is one of the primary reasons why it has not given cognisance to the UNMOGIP for the past four decades. Islamabad must understand that such deviatory tactics are not going to work. In the case at hand, it would have done much better to punish its errant soldiers who had mutilated the bodies of two Indian jawans at the Line of Control, and express regret. But Pakistan's Foreign Minister Hina Rabbani Khar has straightaway denied the role of Pakistani soldiers in the brutal killing, while that country's Army has actually dismissed the matter as Indian propaganda. With Pakistan in denial - as it has always been over many recent instances - where is the scope for a peaceful resolution that Pakistani leaders keep mouthing ad nauseam?

STATE WATCH

Candidate list sets cat among pigeons in Tripura Congress

AGARTALA: In some places, the Congress workers even burnt down or damaged party offices in protest. All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary Oscar Fernandes in New Delhi Saturday night declared the nomination of 48 Congress candidates for the state's 60-member assembly, keeping one pending and allocating eleven seats to its long-time political ally Indigenous Nationalist Party of Tripura (INPT), a party with a tribal base. "We, the block Congress leaders of Charilam (in western Tripura), would resign en masse from our respective posts if royal scion 'Maharaj' Pradyot Bikram Kishore Debbarma is not given the party ticket, replacing Himani Debbarma," Charilam block Congress president Amal Debnath told reporters. Over one thousand party workers, led by local leaders from Charilam, Sunday met state Congress president Sudip Roy Barman here and communicated their decision to Barman and the AICC. Agitated Congress workers burnt down the party office at Boxanagar demanding change of the official candidate Billal Mian, a former minister, and nomination of Tofajjal Hossain, a senior party leader. Reports of the violent protests by party men and internal feuds over selection of Congress candidates have been received from Chandipur in northern Tripura, Charilam, Kamalasagar, Pratapgarh, Khowai, Teliamura, Golaghati, Takarjala in western Tripura and Hrishamukh and Amarpur assembly segments in southern Tripura. The state's main opposition Congress seemed to be in disarray over the selection of party nominees for the polls. A large number of Congress workers last week laid siege to Congress Bhavan, the party's headquarters in the state capital Agartala, to press for the nomination of Jawahar Saha, Ratan Chakraborty, Biva Nath and Billal Mia -- all former Congress ministers. They also demanded nomination of former legislators and senior Congress leaders, such as Kajal Das, Dilip Muhuri, Bikash Das and Jahir Ali. "In many places, Congress workers have locked party offices to protest against the selection of party candidates for the ensuing polls," senior Congress leader Tapas Dey said. "It would has been wise (of the party leadership) if the people who have lost polls in the state more than two times did not get party tickets," Dey said. Of the 48 Congress candidates, four are women and nine are tribals. Meanwhile, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which has also announced candidates for 26 seats, has urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to defer the Feb 14 assembly polls in Tripura in view of Saraswati Puja Feb 15, a popular puja among Hindu students. State BJP president Sudhindra Dasgupta in a fax message to the ECI said: "Lakhs of students would be upset if they do not perform the traditional Saraswati Puja. Hence, the polls must be deferred by a few days." Tripura, the country's lone Left-ruled state, is set for polling Feb 14. Two other northeastern states, Meghalaya and Nagaland, will have polling Feb 23. Results of all three states' assembly polls will be announced Feb 28, Chief Election Commissioner V.S. Sampath said in New Delhi Friday. The assemblies in Meghalaya, Tripura and Nagaland have 60 seats each. The five-year terms of these assemblies expire March 10, March 16 and March 26, respectively.

TRIPURA

JHARKHAND

Jharkhand Governor likely to recommend President's rule, say sources

RANCHI: Jharkhand Governor Syed Ahmad is likely to recommend a President's rule in the state with neither the Congress nor the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM) having the numbers to form the next government on their own, according to sources. Leaders of both parties met Mr Ahmad yesterday separately. Sources say the Governor though is unlikely to recommend dissolution of the house in his report to the President and may prefer keeping the house in suspend animation as the Congress and JMM have asked for more time to form an alliance. The BJP with 18 seats, the Jharkhand Vikas Morcha with 11 along with the All Jharkhand Students Union that has six seats and the Janata Dal (United) with two seats want dissolution of the house. The JMM, the Congress, along with the Rashtriya Janata Dal that has five seats say the house shouldn't be dissolved. The JMM, which pulled out of its 28month coalition government with the BJP last week, may be looking to the Congress for support, but has got no assurance so far. The JMM has 18 seats while the Congress has 13 seats in the 81-member Jharkhand assembly. The JMM leaders had yesterday them will be taken by the Congress lead-

requested the Governor to give the party a chance to form the next government. "We told the Governor there is scope to form a new government in Jharkhand and asked for some time to prove our majority," JMM leader Hemant Soren had said. After meeting the Governor, Rajendra Singh, leader of the Congress Legislature Party, said: "We are against President's Rule. We feel the Assembly should not be dissolved. The JMM has staked claim and should be given a chance to form the next government. The decision to back

ership in Delhi." Top JMM leaders, led by Mr Soren, had been in Delhi on January 9 to meet Congress leaders and try and form together an alliance. The JMM would prefer a tie-up with the Congress to keep Babulal Marandi's Jharkhand Vikas Morcha away, say sources. It reportedly wants the chief minister's post for Hemant Soren. But the Congress may be wary of the JMM's poor record in keeping coalitions working. Jharkhand has seen eight governments in the last 12 years.

Over 11,000 RTI pleas pile up with headless MP info panel

BHOPAL: As many as 11,441 appeals and complaints under Right to Information Act are pending with the Madhya Pradesh Information Commission which is currently functioning without chief and other commissioners. A total of 9,946 appeals and 1,495 complaints are pending against various state government departments for failing to give desired information sought by applicants under the transparency legislation, according to documents, updated till September 2012, accessed under RTI by an activist, Ajay Dubey. The Madhya Pradesh Information Commission is working without a Chief and other Commissioners apparently due to lack of guidance from the Centre on a Supreme Court judgement which said that only retire judges can be appointed in the transparency panel. The apex court has further said that a two-member bench, comprising a member from legal background, can hear appeals pending with the Commission. All eleven posts -- one Chief Information Commissioner and ten Information Commissioners -- are vacant in the Information Commission and it has stopped hearing any matters since September 13 last year. According to the documents received by Dubey, the Madhya Pradesh Government has sought direction from Personnel Ministry in this regard. The RTI activist said, "The state government is delaying the appointment of Chief Information Commissioner and other Information Commissioners in the State Information Commission by citing legal issues. The Centre has already said that appeals and complaints can be resolved without having members as retired judges." The RTI Act 2005 mandates disclosure of information related to all matters of governance. As per the Act, there has to be a Chief Information Commissioner and a maximum of ten information commissioners.

MADHYA PRADESH

PUNJAB Development projects in Amritsar to be completed by June: Dhillon

CHANDIGARH: Amritsar district would witness an upgraded road network as the construction on different 80 kilometer long road stretches were on full swing, which would be completed by June this year. Disclosing this here today, Sharanjit Singh Dhillon, Public Works Department Minister, said that works of 7 major road projects were started in Amritsar, which were on the advanced stage of completion. He said that these projects would include 16 kilometer long Khali Chinna to Amritsar-Mehta with a total cost of Rs. 541.84 lakh, 20 kilometer long AmritsarAjnala to Chetanpura (upgradation project) with a cost of Rs. 897.03 lakh, 17 kilometer long Wagha to Amritsar-Chabal (upgradation project) worth Rs. 894.19 lakh, 14 kilometer long Gaggo Mehal Chamiari to Khet Rai Kalan (upgradation project) with a total cost of Rs. 635.90 lakh, 8 kilometer long Manj to Bachi wind with a cost of Rs. 368.53 lakh, 3 kilometer long Sarandev to Abadi Sarandev New Link Road with a cost of Rs. 123.63 lakh and 2 kilometer long Harsha Chinna-Fatehgarh Churian to Abadi Jhander with a cost of Rs. 130.39 lakh. The Minister informed that four major four lane projects were under construction in the state including 56 kilometer long RoparChamkaur Sahib-NeelonDoraha (along Sirhind Canal), 30 kilometer long Morinda-Kurali-SiswanBaddi, 30 kilometer long Kot Kapura-Sri Muktsar Sahib and 36 kilometer long Batala-Mehta-Beas. He said that these projects would also be completed soon, which would provide a big sigh of relief to daily commuters from traffic congestions besides saving their precious time and energy. Dhillon said that SADBJP Government was committed for the overall development of the state and in future more road construction projects would be started for the public convenience.

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STUDENT AGE MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2013

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Education

Misc.

Education

FAMOUS LEADERS: V. K. KRISHNA MENON

Born On: May 3, 1896 Born In: Panniyankara in Kozhikkode, Kerala Died On: October 6, 1974 Career: Politician and diplomat V. K Krishna Menon was considered to be one of the most influential public figure during his career as a diplomat and politician and also, certainly the most reviled, for though he marked his career as a diplomat he was far from being diplomatic and his famous brusque behavior earned him the ire of both the western media and the Indian diplomatic and political elite. But his close friendship with Jawaharlal Nehru ensured that he could tide over his detractors, and when he was made the defense minister he even ruled the country's armed force. As Nehru's pet Rottweiler, he was the most vocal advocate of the Non-Aligned Movement and the harshest critique of the United States. No wonder he was the favorite enemy of the West as he went on supporting the other side at the height of the Cold War. In all this hullabaloo of his domineering character many tend to forget his immense contributions to the nation particularly in the military. Though many blame him for the loss of face in the 1962 Indo-China war, it is his policies that guided the Indian military to the strength it is at present. Childhood VKK Menon was born in Kerala in the then British Malabar in a Vengalil family in 1896 to Komathu Krishna Kurup and Smt Vengalil Lakshmikutty Amma. His father was a wealthy lawyer and the son of the Raja of Kadathanadu. He received his early education from Thalassery Municipal School and Kozhikode Native School. He completed his intermediate from Samuthiri College and received his B.A degree from the Presidency College, Chennai. In England, Menon enrolled himself at the London School of Economics as well as the University College from where he received his Master's. Soon after, he received his law degree from Glasgow University. He also started to advocate India's freedom, vociferously and passionately. After completing his education, Menon worked as a journalist. From 1929 to 1947, he worked as a secretary of the India League where he came into contact and became associated with Jawaharlal Nehru. In 1934 he was admitted to the English Bar and joined the Labor Party and was elected the borough councilor of St. Pancras, London and served from 1934 to 1947. Later Life Menon was appointed the High commissioner to the UK after the independence of India in 1947. He served in this post till 1952 after which he led the Indian Delegation to the United Nations till 1962. At the United Nations he was noted for his criticisms of the United States and adopted the policy of nonalignment. On 23rd Jan, 1957 he delivered what is considered to be longest speech ever in the United Nations Security Council, which went on an unprecedented seven hours and forty eight minutes defending India's stand on Kashmir. In 1953, Krishna Menon was elected to the Rajya Sabha and three years later he joined the Union Cabinet albeit as a minister without a portfolio. In 1957, Menon was elected to the Lok Sabha from Bombay and the same year he was appointed the Minister of Defense in the government formed by Jawaharlal Nehru. In 1962, after India's humiliating defeat at the hands of the Chinese, Menon resigned from his post as Defense Minister. In 1967, he contested for a parliamentary seat but lost. However, he was re-elected 1969 from Midnapore and again in 1971 from Trivandrum. Death In Oct 6, 1974, Menon passed away in Delhi. He was conferred upon with the Padma Vibhushan award thus, becoming the first Malayalee to be so honored. The V.K.K Menon Foundation, based in London was instituted in his memory and till date, works towards the eradication of illiteracy and the promotion of Indian arts and culture.

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The Magic Mirror

Contd.....

My Dog Lives On the Sofa

"Look at this, then," said the woman; "you shall have it for your own if you like," and she held up before the child's eyes the bright tortoiseshell comb which she had poisoned. Poor Snow-white could not refuse such a present, so she opened the door and let the woman in, quite forgetting the advice of the dwarfs. After she had bought a few things, the old woman said, "Let me try this comb in your hair; it is so fine it will make it beautifully smooth and glossy." So Snow-white, thinking no wrong, stood before the woman to have her hair dressed; but no sooner had the comb touched the roots of her hair than the poison took effect, and the maiden fell to the ground lifeless. "You paragon of beauty," said the wicked woman, "all has just happened as I expected," and then she went away quickly. Fortunately evening soon arrived, and the seven dwarfs returned home. When they saw Snowwhite lying dead on the ground, they knew at once that the stepmother had been there again; but on seeing the poisoned comb in her hair they pulled it out quickly, and Snow-white very soon came to herself, and related all that had passed. Again they warned her not to let anyone enter the house during their absence, and on no account to open the door; but Snow-white was not clever enough to resist her clever wicked stepmother, and she forgot to obey. To be Contd....

atching an opportunity, she left the castle, and took her way to the wood near the mountains, where the seven little dwarfs lived. When she reached the door, she knocked, and cried, "Beautiful goods to sell; beautiful goods to sell." Snow-white, when she heard it, peeped through the window, and said, "Good-day, old lady. What have you in your basket for me to buy?" "Everything that is pretty," she replied; "laces, and pearls, and earrings, and bracelets of every colour;" and she held up her basket, which was lined with glittering silk. "I can let in this respectable old woman," thought Snow-white; "she will not harm me." So she unbolted the door, and told her to come in. Oh, how delighted Snow-white was with the pretty things; she bought several trinkets, and a beautiful silk lace for her stays, but she did not see the evil eye of the old woman who was watching her. Presently she said, "Child, come here; I will show you how to lace your stays properly." Snow-white had no suspicion, so she placed herself before the old woman that she might lace her stays. But no sooner was the lace in the holes than she began to lace so fast and pull so tight that Snow-white could not breathe, and presently fell down at her feet as if dead. "Now you are beautiful indeed," said the woman, and, fancying she heard footsteps, she rushed away as quickly as she could.

Not long after, the seven dwarfs came home, and they were terribly frightened to see dear little Snow-white lying on the ground without motion, as if she were dead. They lifted her up, and saw in a moment that her stays had been laced too tight Quickly they cut the stay-lace in two, till Snowwhite began to breathe a little, and after a time was restored to life. But when the dwarfs heard what had happened, they said: "That old market-woman was no other than your wicked stepmother. Snow-white, you must never again let anyone in while we are not with you." The wicked queen when she returned home, after, as she thought, killing Snow-white, went to her looking-glass and asked: "Mirror, mirror on the wall,

Am I most beautiful of all?" Then answered the mirror: "Queen, thou art not the fairest now; Snow-white over the mountain's brow A thousand times fairer is than thou." When she heard this she was so terrified that the blood rushed to her heart, for she knew that after all she had done Snow-white was still alive. "I must think of something else," she said to herself, "to get rid of that odious child." Now this wicked queen had some knowledge of witchcraft, and she knew how to poison a comb, so that whoever used it would fall dead. This the wicked stepmother soon got ready, and dressing herself again like an old woman, but quite different from the last, she started off to travel over the mountains to the dwarfs' cottage. When Snow-white heard the old cry, "Goods to sell, fine goods to sell," she looked out of the window and said: "Go away, go away; I must not let you in."

My dog lives on the sofa. That's where he wants to be. He likes to sit there night and day and watch what's on TV. He surfs the channels constantly by chewing the remote, then watches what he wants to watch; I never get a vote. He's fond of films with animals. He takes in nature shows.

Whenever cat cartoons come on he always watches those. He loves the pet commercials too, and anything with food. Whenever there's a tennis match he nearly comes unglued. I got him from the dog pound. He didn't cost a cent. I asked them for a "watch dog," but this isn't what I meant.

THOUGHT OF THE DAY

"I realize there's something incredibly honest about trees in winter, how they're experts at letting things go." ~ Jeffrey McDaniel

FUN TIME
1. A boy takes his girlfriend on a date. They went to a coffee shop and they ordered coffee. The boy told to his girlfriend, "Drink quickly before it gets cold." Girlfriend asked with surprise, "Why?" The boy replied, "Don't u see, Hot cofee is for $ 5 and cold cofee for $10 !" 2. Ek patient Munna Bhai k paas aaya, Munna nay uss ka chek-up kiya aur bola MUNNA : Tumharay pass ziyada waqt nahi hai PATIENT : Meray pass kitna time hai. MUNNA : Dus (10) PATIENT: Kya Dus. Minute.. Ghantay. Din? MUNNA : No (9), Aath (, Saat (7),. 3. Maths teacher: If you have 12 chocolates and you give 5 to Priya, 3 to Sonia and 2 to Neha then what will u get???? SANTA: 3 New Girlfriends Mam!!! 4. Ek aadmi apne dost ki kabar par phool daal raha hota hai. Aur samne wale kabar mein bhi, ek aadmi apne dost ki kabar par chawal daal raha hota hai. Pehla aadmi doosre se kehta hai, "Ye tumhara dost phool sunghne kab uthega?" Doosra aadmi, "Jab tumhara dost chawal khane uthe ga."

SPOT THE DIFFERENCE

IMAGE TO COLOUR

SOME INTERESTING FACTS

1. There are 1,792 steps to the top of the Eiffel Tower. 2. The sound you hear when you crack your knuckles is actually the sound of nitrogen gas bubbles bursting. 3. Human hair and fingernails continue to grow after death. 4. It takes about 20 seconds for a red blood cell to circle the whole body. 5. The plastic things on the end of shoelaces are called aglets. 6. Most soccer players run 7 miles in a game. 7. The only part of the body that has no blood supply is the cornea in the eye. It takes in oxygen directly from the air. 8. Every day 200 million couples make love, 400,000 babies are born, and 140,000 people die. 9. Intelligent people have more zinc & copper in their hair. 10. The average person laughs 13 times a day. 11. Do you know the names of the three wise monkeys? They are:Mizaru(See no evil), Mikazaru(Hear no evil), & Mazaru(Speak no evil) 12. Women blink nearly twice as much as men. 13. German Shepherds bite humans more than any other breed of dog.

CRAFT: DUCK HAT

A little felt and glue and kids can transform a yellow baseball hat into an adorable duck hat. Get quacking with this adorable summer craft. For more great warm weather activities to keep kids occupied, check out our full list of summer crafts. What you'll need: * Yellow baseball cap * Orange felt * Scissors * 2 large wiggle eyes * Hot glue gun and fabric glue sticks How to make it: 1. Cut out two pieces of orange felt that fit on the bill of the hat. 2. Glue one of the pieces completely to the top. 3. Glue the other piece under the bill only on the side edges so that it will hang down under the bill of the hat. 4. Glue the two wiggle eyes just above the bill of the hat.

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STUDENT AGE MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 2013

NATIONAL
'Killing of Indian jawans unpardonable', says Ambika Soni
NEW DELHI: Congress MP Ambika Soni has termed the brutal killing of two Indian jawans along the Line of Control (LoC) as unpardonable, and urged the government to express its anger during talks with Pakistan. "This incident is unpardonable and if the matter is not taken seriously it would weaken the confidence of our soldiers. We do not want our soldiers to feel weak. The mistakes committed by Pakistan like violation of ceasefire, violation of border, violation of Geneva Convention and the way they have behaved with our soldiers is totally unacceptable," Soni told the media here yesterday. "The country is outraged Border tensions between India and Pakistan have risen sharply since the January 06 death of a Pakistani soldier in alleged firing by Indian forces along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir. Two days later, Pakistani soldiers killed and and being a worker of the Congress, I would want that the government must express this anger during talks with Pakistan," she added. Two Indian jawans Lance Naik Hemraj and Lance Naik Sudhakar Singh were killed by infiltrating Pakistani soldiers in Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir on Jan 8. Their bodies were found mutilated, sparking a diplomatic face-off between India and Pakistan and tension along the Line of Control that separates the two countries. Pakistan has denied India''s claim that its troops crossed the Line of Control to ambush a patrol party in the Mendhar sector in Poonch district. beheaded two Indian soldiers in the Mendhar sector in Poonch district. In Poonch district of Jammu and Kashmir, the civil society appealed to the governments of India and Pakistan to restore peace and respect the 2003 ceasefire agreement.

LoC tension: Pakistan agrees to hold flag meet with India

Juvenile delinquency on rise; 33,887 minors held in 2011

NEW DELHI: Over 33,000 juveniles, mostly between the age group of 16 to 18, have been arrested for crimes like rape and murder across the country in 2011, the highest in last decade. According to a Home Ministry data, of the total of 33,387 juveniles apprehended in 2011, 21,657 were in the 16-18 age group, 11,019 of 12-16 age group and 1,211 between 7-12 age group. A total of 33,628 adolescents were held in 2001, 35,779 in 2002, 33,320 in 2003, 30,943 in 2004 and 32,681 in 2005 for their involvement in different criminal acts. Whereas, 32,145 such youngsters below 18 years of age were held in 2006, 34,527 in 2007, 34,507 in 2008, 33,642 in 2009 and 30,303 during 2010, the data said. The data also shows increasing cases of rape by juveniles. As many as 1,419 such cases were recorded in 2011 as compared to 399 cases in 2001, it said. It is pertinent to mention that a juvenile and five others were arrested by Delhi Police for brutally raping and assaulting a 23-year-old girl in the national capital on December 16. The victim later succumbed to her injuries. The cases of murder by juveniles have also shown a surge in last ten years. As many as 531 youngsters below the age of 18 were apprehended for murder in 2001 as against 888 arrests between January and December 2011. According to the data, 6,770 juveniles were arrested in Maharashtra, 5,794 in Madhya Pradesh, 2,692 in Chhattisgarh, 2,542 in Rajasthan and 2,510 in Gujarat among others in 2011. In the same year, a total of 2,474 adolescents were arrested in Andhra Pradesh, 2,083 in Tamil Nadu, 1,204 in Uttar Pradesh and 1,126 in Bihar, the data said. Whereas, 942 juveniles were arrested in Delhi, 159 in Chandigarh, 85 in Puducherry, 22 in Dadar and Nagar Haveli, 16 in Daman and Diu and eight in Andaman and Nicobar in 2011. Of the total number of juveniles arrested in 2011 under different sections of IPC and Special and Local Laws (SLL), 6,122 were illiterate, 12,803 were primary passouts, 10,519 were above primary and below matriculation qualified and 4,443 were matric and higher secondary qualified, the data said. A total of 27,577 juveniles, who were held for criminal acts, were living with parents, 4,386 were living with guardians and 1,924 were homeless, the data said giving details of their family background.

NEW DELHI: The Indian and Pakistani armies will have a "flag meeting" led by brigadiers Monday in a bid to end clashes along the Jammu and Kashmir border, army sources said Sunday. The meeting will be held at 1 p.m. at Chakan da Bagh on the Line of Control (LoC) in the state's Poonch district. India had been seeking a brigadierlevel meeting to discuss escalating clashes on the LoC but Pakistan, which had called for a UN probe into the incidents, only Sunday. The meet between India and Pakistan commanders will be held in Poonch at 1 pm tomorrow. India will

reportedly strongly protest against jawan's beheading at flag meeting and demand the severed head. Notably, Pakistan has agreed to hold a flag meeting at the brigade level only after repeated requests from India and its Army to de-escalate tension along the Line of Control (LoC). Indian and Pakistan troops on late Saturday night traded heavy gunfire along the LoC in Poonch sector after the movement of a group of suspected infiltrators was detected, in fresh escalation of tension. Earlier on Saturday, the Indian government said it would not buckle to "wild

calls for revenge and reaction" over the killing and beheading of two Indian soldiers by Pakistani troops. However, Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne termed violations of the LoC and the 2003 ceasefire agreement by Pakistan as "totally unacceptable". "We are watching the situation carefully, if the violations continue, perhaps we may have to think of some other options for compliance," he had said, but declined to elaborate on the options. "Options are options...If violations continue we might have to look at the whole issue again."

Petitions on disqualification of HJC legislators dismissed

CHANDIGARH: Under directions from the Supreme Court to decide the matter, Haryana assembly speaker Kuldeep Sharma Sunday dismissed all 14 petitions before him seeking the disqualification of five Haryana Janhit Congress (HJC) legislators who had defected to the Congress party in November 2009. Dismissing the petitions, the speaker upheld the merger of the HJC legislators with the Congress. The move by these legislators, who had been elected October 2009 on the HJC ticket in the Haryana assembly election, was challenged by HJC president Kuldeep Bishnoi and 13 other legislators, including opposition Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) leader Abhey Singh Chautala, under the AntiDefection Act. All the petitions were clubbed together by the speaker. The speaker, who announced the 29-page judgment to the media here Sunday at the assembly complex, said he has accepted the merger of the HJC group with the Congress under provisions of the 10th Schedule of the constitution, which allows such a merger, provided it is supported by two-thirds of the party's legislators. The HJC had won six seats in the assembly election. Barring its president Bishnoi, all the other legislators had defected to the Congress, saying that they had "merged" their group with the Congress. The five HJC legislators are Sat Pal Sangwan, Zile Ram Sharma, Dharam Singh, Vinod Bhayana and Rao Narender Singh. Two of the defector legislators, Sat Pal Sangwan and Rao Narender Singh, are cabinet ministers in the Congress-led Bhupinder Singh Hooda government, holding important portfolios like health and revenue, respectively. Two other HJC defectors who joined the Congress, Vinod Bhayana and Zile Ram Sharma, were accommodated by Hooda as chief parliamentary secretaries (CPS). The Congress had failed to get a simple majority in the 90-member assembly in the October 2009 election. It won only 40 seats (simple majority was at 46 seats). It managed to rope in seven Independent legislators to form the government. Later, the HJC legislators also defected to the Congress. The speaker said the merger of the HJC group with the Congress had been allowed by his predecessor, H.S. Chatha. "The merger, which was allowed by my predecessor, was not challenged. The matter before me was that of disqualification," Sharma told media here. Sharma said he heard the matter after becoming speaker March 2011. He said he has met the deadline fixed by the Supreme Court of India to decide the case. "The decision of the merger in question is correct and is a merger of political parties," he added. Regarding the issue of four HJC legislators joining the Congress first and one legislator doing it later, the speaker said: "Merger is a continuing process." "The merger is possible only if two-thirds of the legislators of the party support it. In this case, it is as per the norm. The order of the speaker can be challenged only if it is legally incorrect," he pointed out. Asked to comment about the status of HJC as a political party, he said the original political party has been merged with the Congress and the status of HJC can be clarified by the Election Commission of India. Sharma said the petitions concerning seven independent legislators was still pending with him.

'Look forward to Rahul leading Congress in LS polls': I&B Minister

NEW DELHI: Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari Sunday when asked about Rahul Gandhi's role in the next year's Lok Sabha elections said, "He is our leader and we look forward to him leading us into battle in 2014." He also said the party would not be averse to new political tie-ups in some states in the next general elections. To a query whether Congress would project Rahul Gandhi as the leader in the next polls amidst the possibility of Narendra Modi being talked about as BJP's prime ministerial candidate, Tewari said that there is an institutionalised arrangement, the diarchy between the Congress president and the Prime Minister in place at this point of time that has "worked very successfully for the last nine years". In addition, he said, there wherever there is a need and ground level feedback from Congress units that some "If you go back to 2009 elections, in the months leading up to the poll, there were certain centrifugal tendencies which were at play in certain states where people who were part of UPA decided to go out and contest on their own. But after the election results came in, a lot of them converged back around UPA. And that is the way it has been." To a question on Congress contending with Narendra Modi in the next elections, Tewari said that is something which the BJP has to decide and the Congress is ready to face anybody. "Ultimately, who do we have to contend with is not a choice that we make. That is the choice which our opponents will make." "We have contended with Atal Behari Vajpayee and LK Advani earlier...We have triumphed on both occasions. So whosoever they put up against us this time, we will contend with him," he said. On Modi's hattrick in Gujarat pitchforking him into the national scene, Tewari said, "There is no denying the fact that in spite of our best efforts in 2002, 2007 and 2012, Gujarat in the Assembly context has not panned out to our expectations." At the same time, he maintained that there was another reality that in Gujarat in both the 2004 and 2009 Lok Sabha elections, Congress did not do badly. "It just goes to show that people vote differently in the state elections and differently in the national elections."

have been demands and they have been there for a while that Rahul Gandhi should be taking a far more proactive role both in the affairs of the party as well as in the affairs of the nation-state per se. On the question of alliances, Tewari said, "Yes we will attempt to keep our friends and allies together. I don't see a difficulty with that and

kind of alliance options needs to be explored, I don't think we will be averse to that." Tewari said the Congress has run a coalition for past nine years "fairly well". "There may have been odd hiccups here or there, but in terms of managing the alliance, I think we have managed fairly well."

Relief from intense cold conditions in Punjab, Haryana

CHANDIGARH: With the mercury rising by almost five degrees in Punjab and Haryana, the states got some respite from the severe cold conditions prevailing here for the past several days. Chandigarh, the joint capital of the two states, experienced a low of 8.7 degrees Celsius, which was four degrees above normal, Met department said here Sunday. In Haryana, Hisar was the coldest at 7.8 degrees Celsius, two degree above normal. Ambala, Bhiwani and Narnaul had a minimum of 9.7, 8.4 and 10 degree Celsius respectively. In Punjab, Amritsar recorded a low of 9.2 degrees Celsius, 5 degrees above normal. Ludhiana and Patiala recorded minimum temperatures of 8.3 and 9.1 degree respectively. The Met department forecast that the next 48 hours will remain dry but there is a possibility of light rain on January 16 and 17 in some places in the two states. Mist and fog may occur at some places in both Punjab and Haryana.

Delhi gang-rape incident a wake-up call: Dikshit

NEW DELHI: Admitting that the protests after the gang-rape incident were a "wake-up" call, Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit has taken on the Delhi Police for lack of faith the people have in them due to their "insensitive" approach. She also suggested that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's address to the nation on the December 16 incident could have come a little earlier instead of a week after the "horrendous" crime. Dikshit acknowledged that people "shy away" from helping others who are in distress because they feel that they will be "harassed" by the police, and asked the force to change its attitude and style of functioning. She felt that the force personnel should behave as "gentleman" police at the need of hour. "It worries me. Yes. It worries me that police force is not as sensitive or responsive as it ought to be or well behaved as it ought to be? The systems need to be changed and judicial system needs to be changed and bureaucratic system needs to be changed but it has to be thought out. But please remember it is not going to happen tomorrow," she said on a news channel. "Fault lies with police. I don't know. I have not minced my words (in saying) where the failure of this has come (from). In fact, I have not overtly but covertly criticised this." "It is not my job to appoint a Police Commissioner or take him away. It is the job of the Home Ministry and I am sure they will do something," she said in reply to a question on who was at fault for the incident. Dikshit said such mass protests were a challenge to politicians, bureaucracy, judiciary, police and to everybody, while "fully sympathising" with the anger and anguish of the people. Calling the gang-rape of the paramedical student as "horrendous", she said the Supreme Court's observation that women in Delhi are not safe was "telling" and says it all. The Chief Minister rejected suggestions that the government did not act swiftly to control the situation, saying it had moved fast in setting up fastpital on December 29, at the Delhi airport. To a question on whether Singh's address came being targeted and why not any other organisations, in an apparent reference to the Delhi Police. to have more faith in the people and if they have faith as a police force in the people, people will have faith in it. Asked whether she addressed the issues with Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde and Police Commissioner Neeraj Kumar, she said she had met them and explained the issues and had even written letters to them. Asked whether the Home Minister and the police understand the issues, she said: "Yes Yes. I hope they do. My understanding is amongst all these people, whether it is the Home Minister or the Police Commissioner or Lt Governor or Secretary, Home. They are not the people who are in touch daily with the people I am because I happen to be the Chief Minister." Dikshit also said during her meeting with the Prime Minister, she told him that there should be an immediate change in the mode of police training if one wants to bring the confidence back into the policing system. The Chief Minister also felt a lot of the VVIP security has to be removed, saying, "I can tell you about myself, I don't need that kind of security. Why?" Asked whether she broached the topic with Shinde, she replied in the affirmative and quoted him as saying that there will be a review of VVIP security so that it can go to the people. On the apex court's observation about safety of women in Delhi, she said, "Now you see the judiciary and no less than the Supreme Court had to come out with this comment. This comment is telling, I mean it says it all." "Something I may not be able to say or somebody else may be saying and the Supreme Court is saying. This is about the third or fourth time that they have said something like this." The Chief Minister said no one has any "magic wand" to bring back safety and that it will take time. She also said the family values where the boy is treated as a "king and the girl as a curse" needs to be changed first.

track courts and appointing the Justice JS Verma Committee. In this context, Dikshit said the Prime Minister addressed the nation, while Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi met the protesters. She also noted that Singh and Gandhi received the body of the girl, who died in a Singapore hos-

late, she said, "Maybe it was one week too late. He should have perhaps done it earlier." "...It (the government) moved...To get some other things like we got this 181 line or whatever it may be a small effort, that rang the bell for everyone to wake up," she said. Dikshit also asked why only politicians were

"Why are you putting it all on the politicians? Why not on many other things... The society, the way we are bringing up children, the way we are teaching children and the way our schools are running. Why is it only the politicians?" she asked. Pitching for a change in the system, she said the police needs

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I think, has indicated, it's very hard to imagine a stability and peace in the region if Pakistan and Afghanistan don't come to some basic agreement and understanding about the threat of extremism to both countries and both governments and both capitals." "I think you're starting to see a greater awareness of that on the part of the Pakistani government," Obama said. Earlier in his opening remarks, Obama welcomed the recent steps taken by Pakistan towards reconciliation process. He was apparently referring to the recent release of Taliban prisoners by Pakistan. "Reconciliation requires constructive support from across the region, including Pakistan. We welcome recent steps that have been taken in that regard, and we'll look for more tangible steps because a stable and secure Afghanistan is in the interest not only of the Afghan people and the United States but of the entire region," Obama said. Earlier, the two leaders had three rounds of meetings in separate settings at the White House including oneo-one in the Oval Office, one with the two delegations and finally luncheon. Both the leaders expressed satisfaction over the progress made in the meeting.

Israel evicts Palestinian protesters from West Bank

WEST BANK: Over a hundred Palestinians protesting against a planned Israeli settlement were evicted early Sunday morning from an outpost of tents in a strategic area of occupied West Bank, Spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said. No arrests were made during the half hour operation and that no injuries were sustained on either side, said the spokesperson Rosenfeld. He said the tents were not dismantled and that a decision on that would be made later in the day. The Palestinians had pitched over 20 tents at an area called E-1 where Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu has planned settlement after the UN recognized a de facto state of Palestine in the West Bank, Gaza and east Jerusalem in November. Israeli Supreme Court on Friday ruled that the outpost of Palestinians could remain there for six days while the issue of the removal of the tents was being discussed. Palestinians say E-1 would be a major blow to their statehood aspirations as it blocks east Jerusalem from its West Bank hinterland. Palestinians are demanding these areas, along with Gaza, for their future state. Activists said they want to build a village called Bab Al Shams at the site. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday evening ordered roads closed leading to the area and had the military declare a closed military zone and shut off access. Netanyahu's office said that the state was petitioning the Supreme Court to rescind an earlier injunction blocking the evacuation. Israeli officials have said actual construction on the project may be years away if it ever gets off the ground, while Israeli critics have questioned whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu actually intends to develop E-1, or is pandering to hardliners ahead of Israel's Jan. 22 election.

Pakistan safe havens require more than military solution: Obama

WA S H I N G T O N : Concerned over the extremist safe haven in Pakistan, US President Barack Obama has said that the issue requires more than simply military actions. "With respect to Pakistan and safe havens there, Afghanistan and the United States and Pakistan all have an interest in reducing the threat of extremism in some of these border regions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and that's going to require more than simply military actions," Obama told reporters at a joint press conference with visiting Afghan President Hamid Karzai on Saturday.

China sends fighter jets to East China Sea to monitor Japan's F-15s
TOKYO: China scrambled two J-10 fighter jets to the East China Sea on Thursday to monitor a pair of Air Self-Defense Force F15s that were shadowing one of Beijing's patrol aircraft, the Chinese Defense Ministry reported . In a statement posted online by the ministry said that the Chinese aircraft was conducting routine patrol duties near oil and gas fields east of the coastal city of Wenzhou. According to a realiable news source, the ASDF's F-15 fighters 'trailed and interfered with' the Chinese planes, which were conducting regular military patrol exercises, the ministry said, arguing Thursday's incident underscored the alleged increased surveillance activities by the Self-Defense Forces against China. The ministry said that the Chinese J-10s also monitored a Japanese reconnaissance plane in the same airspace. The ministry stressed that China will 'resolutely defend the safety of its territorial air space and the rightful privileges under international law', the report said. The incident marks a further escalation in the dispute that erupted between the two countries in mid-September over the Senkaku Islands. According to the report, Hong Lei, a Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman, meanwhile used a press briefing in Beijing the same day to pin the blame for the 'current difficulty' between the two sides squarely on Japan.

That's really going to require political and diplomatic work between Afghanistan and Pakistan, he said in response to a question from a visiting Afghan journalist when he asked the question of continued safe

havens inside Afghanistan. The United States, obviously, will have an interest in facilitating and participating in cooperation between the two sovereign countries, he noted. "But as President Karzai,

Sri Lanka's first woman Chief Justice sacked

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan President Mahinda Rajapaksa on Sunday sacked the country's first woman Chief Justice Shirani Bandarnayake after ratifying her impeachment by Parliament which held her guilty of corruption, notwithstanding widespread protests by lawyers and others. 54-year-old Bandaranayake was served a notice ordering her to quit her post, two days after the Parliament overwhelmingly voted to impeach her deepening a standoff between the judiciary and the government. The notice was served on the Chief Justice "informing her of the removal from the post," officials were quoted as saying by local media. The impeachment of Bandaranayake had earlier been ruled as unconstitutional by courts and a finding by the Parliamentary committee that found her "guilty" had been quashed. The impeachment of the Chief Justice went ahead despite calls by rights groups, citizens, clergy and lawyers who asked the government not to do so. The Parliamentary committee on December 8, 2012, had ruled that Bandaranayake was guilty of three of the 14 charges in the impeachment proceedings against her moved by the ruling UPFA coalition legislators. The three charges were of financial impropriety based on non-declaration of assets and conflict of interest in a case involving a failed investment company. Bandaranayake denied all the charges against her. On December 6, she stormed out of the impeachment hearing in Parliament, saying she would not be given a fair trial. She also claimed verbal abuse by the government members of the parliamentary committee. On Friday, the Parliament voted 155 to 49 to dismiss Bandaranayake, whose recent rulings had gone against the government.

Maldives Prez party faces prospect of de-registration

MALE: Less than a year after he was sworn in as President of the Maldives, Mohamed Waheed is facing the prospect of his party being dissolved as a new bill passed by the Parliament requires a minimum membership of 10,000 for a political group to be recognised. Upon ratification, the Political Parties bill, passed late last month, will provide a three-month deadline to any political party with less than 10,000 members to reach the required number or face the prospect of being dissolved. President Waheed, whose Gaumee Ihthihaad Party (GIP) has only 3,427 members, had returned the bill to Parliament for reconsideration earlier this week. Of the 16 parties currently in existence, only three have more than 10,000 registered members, including the former ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) as well as the governmentaligned Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party (DRP) and Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM). The Dhivehi Qaumee Party (DQP) led by Waheed's Special Advisor Hassan Saeed has 2,125 members, the Minivan News reported. The bill was pushed forward by former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's PPM and exPresident Mohamed Nasheed's MDP, government sources said. Incidentally, Nasheed had earlier accused Gayoom of orchestrating what he called was a coup that led to his ouster in February last year. Gayoom had ruled Maldives for three decades before he was defeated in the country's first democratic elections by Nasheed in 2008. "Ratification of this bill will be a denial of the citizens Right to Association, a fundamental right guaranteed to all Maldivians in the Constitution," Masood Imad, Media Secretary of the President's Office said. He said it is very likely that even if the President ratifies this bill, smaller parties may file suits in the Supreme Court seeking its intervention to stop the process of the Majlis (Parliament). The President's advisor Saeed told local media that the bill infringed upon the rights enshrined in the Constitution and that he would file a case in the Supreme Court requesting the law be struck down. The bill was proposed on behalf of the government during Nasheed's administration. It was submitted by MDP MP Ahmed Abdulla in April 2011.

ECONOMY

India hopes to reduce trade deficit with China

NEW DELHI,JAN 13: The new year could see the balancing of trade between India and China a bit. Three joint working groups on trade, services and investment will meet next month to discuss issues affecting bilateral trade and investment. Among these, market access for Indian companies in China is a major concern for commerce ministry mandarins, who are otherwise confident of reaching the target of $100-billion bilateral trade by 2015. "The problem for the sustainability of this trade is that India's trade deficit with China jumped to nearly $40 billion in the last fiscal year," Asit Tripathy, joint secretary in the commerce ministry, said on the sidelines of an event organised by the India China Economic and Cultural Council to promote the first China-South Asia Expo to be held in June in Kunming, capital of China's Yunnan province. In 2011-12, trade between the two countries stood at $75.45 billion. While India's exports were at $17.90 billion, imports stood at $57.55 billion. The deficit has widened over the last two fiscal years due to lower Chinese import of iron ore and copper that account for almost half of India's exports to China. As a corrective measure, India has offered a large range of products from drugs and medicines to diamonds, seafood, and agricultural produce like rice and beef, textiles and light engineering goods to China to balance massive imports of manufactured goods from that country. Indian officials have presented to their Chinese counterparts a list of 916 items that could be sourced from India. India wants greater access for its value-added products and wants China to increase government procurement in sectors such as pharmaceuticals. "Up to this point there has only been some response on the pharmaceutical sector and a few agricultural products," said Tripathy on the status of the long list of goods for market access. On most products and sectors there is however nothing forthcoming from the Chinese, he said. He was hopeful that the first joint working group meetings would help begin progress on the market access for Indian goods. "On the trade deficit with China one must consider that we are also importing products that are required here in India," Tripathy, a negotiator with the Chinese, said, giving a rounded perspective on trade deficit.

Fiscal situation may get worse: Assocham

NEW DELHI, JAN 13: With little room available for taking counter-cyclical fiscal measures, India's faltering growth coupled with unresponsive inflation can push the country's economy to a precarious situation which could be closer to the one prevailing at the time of 1991 economic crisis, an Assocham paper released today said. "Analysts have been stating that India, currently has the least room for counter-cyclical fiscal policy response if conditions take a turn for the worse in global markets," the study by Assocham said. It said faltering growth, unresponsive skewed inflation, continued turbulence in the global economic conditions and widening infrastructure deficiencies are challenging India's growth story. "If appropriate action is not taken in time, we are likely to be in a worse situation than in 1991 for several reasons," the chamber said. The paper has said that with public finances remaining in great stress, the Central Government fiscal deficit may even go to touch 6.1 per cent of GDP in the current financial year 2012-13.

Excise dept detects tax evasion of Rs 362 cr from Chennai zone

NEW DELHI,JAN 13: Excise duty and service tax evasion of about Rs 362 crore has been detected up to December in the current financial year by the Chennai zonal unit of Central excise department. "During the current financial year (up to December 2012), the Directorate General Of Central Excise Intelligence, Chennai Zonal Unit has detected central excise duty and service tax evasion to the tune of Rs 362.45 crore," the department said in a statement. It recovered an amount of Rs 76.88 crore on the spot voluntarily from various evaders, up 17 per cent from Rs 65.49 crore over the same period a year ago. The department booked cases against manufacturers of iron and steel products who were suppressing production and clandestinely removing their dutiable finished goods without payment of duty, it said. "Cases where CENVAT (Central Value Added Tax) credit was taken on the basis of bogus invoices which have been obtained from various firms /registered dealers without actually receiving the corresponding goods /raw materials were also detected," it added. Without mentioning name of a firm, it said clearing and forwarding agents of a reputed watch manufacturer were found altering the maximum retail price on watches, subsequent to their clearance from factory, resulting in evasion of central excise duty. The Excise department also booked cases of service tax evasion against assessee in airport services, works contract services, banking and financial services, intellectual property services, scientific and technical consultancy, commercial construction, outdoor catering, and commercial coaching, among others. "There have also been cases against public sector undertakings booked by this Directorate. It was noticed in a lot of cases where significant amount of service tax have been charged and collected by the assesses but same has not been deposited with the government exchequer." The Directorate also detected excise and duty evasion of Rs 300.63 crore and recovered Rs 100.03 crore on the spot from Ahmedabad Zonal Unit. "...certain big manufactures of pharmaceutical products have been making payments in foreign exchangeabroad for availing various types of services for promotion of their products abroad," it said.

Katrina Kaif gets relief in Rs 2.79 crore service tax case

NEW DELHI,JAN 13: Bollywood actress Katrina Kaif has got relief in the Rs 2.79-crore service tax case as a tribunal has ruled that this liability has been discharged by her agent for the the modelling assignments she has done. "In this case, appellant (Katrina) has appointed Matrix as her agent to discharge her service tax liability on her behalf and the same has been discharged by Matrix," said a recent ruling by the Mumbai bench of Customs, Excise and Service Tax Appellate Tribunal (CESTAT). The ruling follows an appeal by Katrina R Turcotte (Katrina Kaif) against an order of the Service Tax Commissioner asking her to clear service tax liability of Rs 2.79 crore under the head classified as 'Business Auxiliary Service'.

WTO agreement on IT, environment not acceptable: India

NEW DELHI,JAN 13: India will not accept any agreement on IT and environmental goods which is being proposed by a group of developed nations at WTO, as it would adversely impact the domestic industry, a top official said. Rich nations, including the US, wants India and other emerging economies to be part of the four major sectoral pacts - trade facilitation (TF), information technology (IT), environmental goods and international services agreement. "On IT and environmental goods agreement, India has clearly showed its reluctance. We are against this approach. On TF, we have not said no, but we are viewing the situations and on international services agreement, we will continue to observe it from a distance and later on take a view," the official said. On these four matters, developed countries wants to go plurilaterally. In other words, the trade benefits arising out of such an agreement will be shared only by signatories. The plurilateral agreement on these issues that the US and Europe seem to be eager to ink would exclude the interests of developing and the least developed countries, the official added. The official also said that the developed economies instead of focusing on the issues of Doha Round, they want to sign agreements which would benefit more to them instead of developing and least developed nations. "IT is a sectoral agreement, environmental good will be a sectoral agreement. So, effectively what they are doing is they are cherry picking sectors where the developed world is strong and getting you to agree to those elements because if you do not agree today and if you decide to join the agreement tomorrow there will be a cost to be paid," the official added. Explaining how rich nations are pushing their own agendas on poor and developing economies, he said that under the IT agreement, they want to include 357 products out of which 50 items belong to non-IT category like washing machines, refrigerators and window AC. Similarly 136 are dual use products in which developed countries have suggested to eliminate duties. There are another 50 items on which domestic industry has expressed serious sensitivities. "One of the objectives of (developed world) all these four proposals is to cash them and then forget Doha and that is what exactly we do not want to happen. That is one the main reason why we are acting soberly and with so much of caution ... once you harvest these agreements, there is nothing left in Doha for countries like the US," he said. Big differences between developing and developed countries have bedevilled the WTO talks, which were launched in 2001 in the Qatari capital with the goal of helping poor countries prosper through enhanced trade. India has also rejected the US allegation that developing countries are seeking significant concessions for pushing the global trade deal under WTO. Rich nations are hampering the conclusion of Doha Round, stalled since 2001, the official added. "The US and other developed nations are again bringing those issues which were agreed earlier and are also pushing new agendas like trade facilitation, international services agreement and information technology," the official said. The official was responding to the comments made by US Deputy National Security Adviser for International Economic Affairs Michael Froman, who is tipped to be the next US Trade Representative. Froman is reported to have said that "a small group of middle income countries particularly India is standing in the way (of concluding Doha Round of talks) because they want to be 'paid' by developed countries for agreeing to something that is beneficial to the global trading system, especially poorer countries". The negotiations have seen numerous deadlines come and go amid basic disagreement over rich-country farm subsidies and access to developing-country markets for manufactured goods.

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AITA forms committee to look into concerns of rebel players
NEW DELHI: The All India Tennis Association (AITA) will form a high-level committee to look into the issues raised by the rebel players who have made themselves unavailable for next month's Davis Cup tie against South Korea. AITA president Anil Khanna on Saturday proposed the idea of forming the committee that would be headed by a retired judge or a senior bureaucrat and a former tennis player. The committee will be formed during AITA's executive committee meeting here on February 3. "The committee will go into the matters relating to Davis Cup and arrive at a suitable agreement with the players and code of conduct for Davis Cup matches," said Bharat Oza, AITA secretary general. Eleven players, headed by Somdev Devvarman, have refused to play for the Davis Cup if their demands are not met. The AITA had accepted most of the demands Jan 6 but still the players were adamant on having a coach and captain of their choice. But the AITA refused to budge and retained S.P. Mishra as the non-playing captain and Zeeshan Ali as the coach. The AITA was also forced to select a depleted team for the Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Group I tie against South Korea here from Feb 1-3. Leander Paes is the only experienced player while V.M. Ranjeet, Vijayant Malik and Purav Raja will be making their debut. Indian tennis players who have rebelled against the AITA Friday said they were disappointed with the national body for having selected an inexperienced team for the Davis Cup Group I tie against South Korea instead of engaging with them in a dialogue. Besides Somdev, the other revolting players are Mahesh Bhupathi, Rohan Bopanna, Somdev Devvarman, Yuki Bhambri, Vishnu Vardhan, Sanam Singh, Divij Sharan, Saketh Myneni, Sriram Balaji, Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Vijay Sundar Prashanth.

India-Palestine football friendly might shift to Delhi

NEW DELHI: Due to a bad-pitch in Guwahati, the international football friendly between India and Palestine slated for Feb 6 may be shifted to the national capital. "The pitch at the Nehru Stadium is in a bad shape. We are looking at other options but in all probability it would take place in Delhi," an All India Football Federation (AIFF) official said on Saturday. The friendly slated for Feb 6, a FIFA match date, will help India garner ranking points. Palestine are ranked 152 while India 166 in FIFA rankings.

2nd ODI: Sri Lanka beat Australia by 8 wickets

ADELAIDE: Lahiru Thirimanne struck his first one-day century as Sri Lanka levelled the one-day series against Australia with a convincing eight-wicket win on Sunday. Sri Lanka put the hosts in to bat after rain delayed the start at the Adelaide Oval and the bowlers capitalised on cloud cover and moisture in the pitch to restrict Australia to 170 all out from 46.5 overs. The tourists' reply started poorly when Upal Thuranga was caught behind off Clint McKay without scoring but Thirimanne (102 not out) and Tillakaratne Dilshan (51) dug in to help Sri Lanka reach 172-2 with almost 10 overs remaining. The series is level at 1-1 after two of the five matches, with the teams next meeting in Brisbane on Friday. The outcome hinged largely on the toss, with Sri Lanka able to tie down the Australian batsmen with the swinging ball before batting conditions improved. The tourists reduced Australia to 83-6 at one stage though Brad Haddin (50) and Ben Cutting (27) rallied for the hosts with 57 batsmen to reach double figures and it was left to Haddin to make the score respectable with his Thuranga's dismissal as Thirimanne and Dilshan inched their way to 66-1 from 20 overs. From that point, they struck out with greater freedom to up the run rate and ease their side to victory under the floodlights. Thirimanne surpassed his previous one-day best score of 77, set against India last August, with a four to the fine leg boundary. He played with far greater fluency than Dilshan, who holed out off Cutting to Glenn Maxwell at point. Kushal Perera had hit 14 from 12 deliveries before he resisted the temptation to hit the winning runs with Thirimanne on 98. Perera faced four balls without attempting to score, giving Thirimanne the chance to reach his century and win the match with his 12th boundary as Sri Lanka avenged Friday's 107-run defeat in Melbourne. Australia will look forward to the return of rested captain Michael Clarke and opener David Warner, with several issues to address ahead of Friday's third game in Brisbane.

HIL announces handsome cash prizes

NEW DELHI: The Hockey India League (HIL) Sunday announced massive cash prizes for various categories with the Player of the Tournament set to get a whopping Rs.25 lakh. Managing Director of Hero MotoCorp Ltd Pawan Munjal and Hockey India (HI) secretary general and chairman of HIL Narinder Batra unveiled the HIL trophy in New Delhi. Batra announced that the 'Upcoming Player of the Tournament' will receive the Gurdeep (Ponty) Singh Chaddha Award of Rs.20 lakh. In every match, the best goal scorer will receive 'Hero Goal of the Match Award' of Rs.25,000 while the local franchise will be giving 'The Man of the Match Award' and the winner will get Rs.25,000. To make the league more interesting, a special prize was announced for the spectators also. Five spectators will be chosen from the match and will be given a chance to participate in a penalty shoot-out against the goalkeeper of the home team during the break to win Airtel Golden Goal Award of Rs.10,000 each. Munjal thanked the fans and media for their keen interest in the Hero Hockey India League and said: "Hero Hockey India League will surely bring Indian Hockey back on to the world map and this initiative is a historical moment for all of us." The opening match of the inaugural league will be played between Delhi Waveriders and Jaypee Punjab Warriors on Jan 14 at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here.

Sri Lanka's Lahiru Thirimanne (right) celebrates his 100 runs with teammates to win the game against Australia during their one-day international cricket match at the Adelaide Oval on January 13, 2013. runs for the seventh wicket. Paceman Lasith Malinga, the pick of Sri Lanka's bowlers with 3-32 from nine overs, halted the recovery by dismissing debutants Cutting and Kane Richardson with successive deliveries. Earlier in the innings George Bailey (26) and David Hussey (29) were the only recognised 16th one-day half century. But Haddin, playing impressively in place of the rested Matthew Wade, hurt his hamstring while batting and had to hand over the wicketkeeper's gloves to Phil Hughes after 20 overs. Sri Lanka began the run chase conservatively after

'Rebel' Somdev to begin Australian Open campaign against Bjorn Phau

MELBOURNE: Somdev Devvarman, who is demanding better playing conditions in Davis Cup from AITA, was on Sunday drawn against Germany's Bjorn Phau for his opening match in the men's singles event of the Australian Open. It will be the first meeting between Somdev, whose ranking has plummeted to 551, and Phau, who is ranked 78. If Somdev puts up a good show, it will do a world of good to his rankings, which has gone down due to his absence from the circuit following a shoulder surgery. In the men's doubles, Kevin Anderson and Jonathan Pablo Andujar and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez, in their first round. Rohan Bopanna and Rajeev Ram are seeded 12th and will meet local pair of Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios first up. The teams of Bhupathi and Bopanna could meet in the third round if the draw goes as per seedings. In the women's doubles, Sania Mirza and her American partner Bethanie MattekSands, seeded 10th, have been drawn against the Spanish team of Silvia Soler-Espinosa and Carla Suarez Navarro.

Elena Vesnina wins first WTA title in Hobart

HOBART: Russia`s Elena Vesnina won the first WTA singles title of her career here Saturday, beating Mona Barthel of Germany in straight sets in the final. World No. 68 Vesnina, who had lost her six previous WTA finals, defeated ninth seed Barthel 6-3, 6-4 in a match that saw seven breaks of serve. Vesnina was helped by accurate serving, winning 78 percent of points on her first serve. On the way to winning the tournament, Vesnina had earlier beaten seeded players Yaroslava Shvedova and Sloane Stephens. The $235,000 Hobart International is one of the last two WTA warm-up events for the Australian Open, which starts Monday. In Melbourne, Vesnina will play France`s Caroline Garcia in the first round, while Barthel is seeded 32nd and faces Kazakhstan`s Ksenia Pervak.

Somdev Devvarman defending champions Leander Paes and Czech Radek Stepanek are seeded second and they start their title defence against South Africa's Erlich of Israel. The pair of Mahesh Bhupathi and Canadian Daniel Nestor is seeded fifth and will take on Spaniards,

Soumyajit Ghosh becomes youngest National TT champion

RAIPUR: India's number one player Soumyajit Ghosh on Saturday became the youngest national champion after he defeated sixtime winner Achanta Sharath Kamal in the summit clash of the 74th National Table Tennis Championships. The 19-year-old Soumyajit overcame a tough challenge from Sharath Kamal, world number 70, and won the final 4-2 (3-11, 11-5, 5-11, 11-8, 11-6, 11-7) to bag the Maharaja Pitampura Cup along with a prize money of Rs 2.30 lakh. K Shamini avenged her last year's loss with a 14-12, 11-9, 9-11, 11-4, 11-8 victory over Poulomi Ghatak in the final to win the women's title. The men's final was a gripping affair with Soumyajit showing great determination and class as he came back from 1-2 down to beat the experienced Sharath. The 30-year-old Sharath, who scored a comfortable win over Poulomi at 8-8, and went on to win the first set 14-12 after three deuces. Poulomi, however, did manage to win one set back after losing the first two. But the 25year-old Shamini did not lose her grip over the match and shut out the challenge to win the final 4-1. In the men's doubles category, Sourav Chakraborty and G Sathiyan of PSPB beat Aman Balgu and Noel Pinto (Railways) 11-5, 11-5, 12-10 in the final. PSPB failed to repeat its men's double feat as the pair of Madhurika Patkar and Pooja Sahasrabudhe went down fighting to Andhra's K Spoorthy and Nikhat Banu 14-12, 3-11, 11-7, 11-5 in the women's doubles. Delhi's Utkarsh Gupta and Manika Batra emerged winners in the mixed doubles category as they beat Gujarat's Harmeet Desai and Frenaz Chipia 11-8, 115, 11-6 in the final.

Now, headphones that you can wear like headband to bed

LONDON: Researchers have created a headband with built in earphones could help us sleep more soundly and easily. The SleepPhones are a fabric band with earphones built in - and its makers claim you can even use them without waking a partner sleeping next to you. Current versions have a wire to connect to a phone, but a wireless version, set to go on sale in April, has just won a prestigious award at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. "Being able to sleep soundly is crucial to feeling well overall, and SleepPhones help by playing relaxing audio, drowning out noises, and establishing a

Soumyajit overcame a tough challenge from Sharath Kamal, world number 70, and won the final to bag the Maharaja Pitampura Cup. lost to A Amalraj in the finals last year, made several unforced errors, paving the way for Soumyajit's recovery after he was trailing 1-4 in the crucial sixth set. In the women's final, Shamini Poulomi Ghatak to grab a prize money of Rs 1.45 lakh along with the Travancore Cup. Shamini was a bit shaky initially and was straightaway down 3-5. But soon, she caught up with

positive bedtime routine," Wei-Shin Lai, one of the inventors of the headphones said. The firm began selling the product in 2007, when Lai was working as a doctor. The firm is now set to introduce its first wireless version, selling for 50 pounds in April. "There's a version of our

product for sports, a version for sleep, and now a wireless version that eliminates cords entirely by playing back media from any Bluetoothenabled device," Lai said. The current version has a wire so it can be plugged into an iPod or bedside alarm, but the next version will be wireless, the firm said.

Indian scientists devise 16 disaster management drugs

reparing to deal with any future chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) incidents, Indian scientists have devised 16 drugs that can be used for disaster management. These include an anti-cyanide drug, an anti-nerve gas drug and an antitoxic gas drug. Several radioactive decorporation agents and drugs for anti-cyanide, antinerve gas and toxic gas injuries have been approved by the Drug Controller General of India as trial drugs. Developed by scientists at the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences

(INMAS) here, the drugs have passed the efficacy test and will be cheaper than those currently available in the market. "Sixteen new drugs have been approved by the Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) as trial drugs for disaster management. These include an anti-cyanide drug, an anti-nerve gas drug, an anti-toxic gas drug and several radioactive decorporation agents," Aseem Bhatnagar, in charge of the project at INMAS, said. These will be used as samples for the users, including the armed forces, the paramilitary, the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), the

Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the Ministry of Health. "Batch production of these drugs is being undertaken in collaboration with the pharmaceuticals industry through contract manufacturing. About 50,000200,000 doses (licensed for human use) are expected to be manufactured by March 2013," Bhatnagar said. The DGCI approvals cover all-India use for 15 years for any number of victims. Since there cannot be proper phase two trials of drugs useful in disasters, their use in any future incident has been approved as trial drugs due to a legality. "These shall also be used for contin-

uing clinical trials and for stockpiling. This is necessary to effectively plan stockpiling cost and perpetually (it is envisaged to provide the drug at cost price to the users). The average cost price is expected to be less than 15 percent of market price in all cases," Bhatnagar said. Several of these drugs have been patented by the defence ministry. "The contract has been given to pharmaceutical companies to ensure that quality checks and pricing remains the prerogative of the defence ministry. Besides, adequate stocks can be retained in a cost-effective way and companies can initiate mass production

in case of a disaster without any time wastage," Bhatnagar said. INMAS previously made and supplied drugs against nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) incidents during the 2010 Commonwealth Games and to meet an emergency requirement of the Indian Navy. "We also plan to keep some with the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) for usage during any disaster," Bhatnagar said. Scientists say that research and development and coordination will enhance the shelf life of NBC drugs by 60-100 percent and this project is planned in coordination with other gov-

ernment agencies. "A mission mode project is planned to establish nuclear security in the national capital region by way of drugs, equipment and training to six echelons of medical services around Delhi under a project for seven years," Bhatnagar added. INMAS had developed a skin radioactivity decontamination kit (shudhika) that was given for production to a company in Pune. "Its market cost is more than Rs.12,000 and we are developing it for just Rs. 1,000 (less than $2). Five hundred such kits will be made available to users, including the services, as samples by March," Bhatnagar said.

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