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

STUdenT aGe
THURSDAY, JANUARY 24, 2013

JKENG/2012/41612 Vol. 2 No: 22

Tata Offers Its Trucks for Tatra Replacement

'One IT literate person in 10 lakh households by 2020': Kapil Sibal

British PM promises referendum on staying in EU by 2017

IN BRIEF
Fog engulfs Delhi, 26 trains running late
NEW DELHI: After over a week of respite, fog returned in the national capital and hit flight as well as train schedules. Some flights were reported to have been delayed while at least 26 trains are running late. The Met department had forecast that minimum temperature in Delhi will remain below normal on Wednesday.

Rajnath unanimously elected party president amid mounting organisational and electoral challenges
NEW DELHI, JAN 23:Rajnath Singh began his new innings as the BJP president Wednesday amid mounting organisational and electoral challenges for the party ahead of the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. Former Uttar Pradesh chief minister Rajnath Singh's unanimous election as the BJP president from 2013 to 2015 was announced by Thawarchand Gehlot, who was the returning officer for the party's presidential election. Rajnath Singh emerged as the presidential candidate Tuesday following the BJP's desire to insulate itself from allegations of financial wrongdoing faced by incumbent Nitin Gadkari over investments in Purti Group linked to him. Till Tuesday afternoon, it looked almost certain that Gadkari would get another term but an income tax survey of shell companies linked to Purti group Tuesday sealed his fate. Senior BJP leader L.K. Advani, who had reservations about giving Gadkari a second term, told gthe newly-elected Rajnath Singh that his big responsibility would be to ensure that "there should be no compromise with anything that's not moral". He also said the new BJP chief had to ensure that the party continues to be "party with a difference". Rajnath Singh's reappointment as the BJP chief has coincided with Rahul Gandhi taking over as the vice-president contd on page 2

Slight respite from cold conditions in Kashmir Valley

SRINAGAR: Residents of Kashmir got a slight respite from the bitter cold conditions as the night temperatures across the Valley registered an increase of several degrees. The weather has remained dry even as the MET Department predicted light rainfall or snowfall for Wednesday and Thursday. Most of the water bodies across the Valley, including the world famous Dal Lake, continued to be partially frozen. The summer capital Srinagar, which recorded a low of minus 5.3 degrees Celsius yesterday, was warmer by two notches at minus of 3.2 degrees Celsius during the night, a Met department spokesman said. He said the highway town of Qazigund in South Kashmir registered an increase of over six notches in the night temperature to settle at minus 4.0 degrees Celsius as against yesterday's minus 10.3 degrees Celsius. The night temperature in Kokernag settled at a low of minus 8.2 degrees Celsius as compared to minus 8.7 degrees Celsius yesterday, the spokesman said. He said in North Kashmir's Kupwara town, where the previous night's minimum contd on page 2

WB celebrates Netaji Birth Anniversary

KOLKATA: West Bengal celebrates the 116th birth anniversary of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Wednesday. The main function was held at Netaji Bhavan in Kolkata, where State Governor Mr. M. K. Narayanan and Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee paid floral tributes at the portrait of Netaji. Speaking contd on page 2

Earlier Wednesday, the party's parliamentary board met in the morning and

approved Rajnath Singh's candidature for the top party post.

Govt advisory on possibility of nuclear war, triggers panic in J&K

NEW DELHI/ SRINAGAR: Panic has gripped Jammu and Kashmir after the state government issued an advisory in local newspapers warning residents to be prepared for a possible nuclear war. The advisory by the state disaster response force (SDRF) details the steps one should take in case a nuclear, biological or chemical war breaks out in the state - stoking fears of a possible war between India and Pakistan as it comes amid simmering tension on the Line of Control after Pakistani troops beheaded two Indian soldiers and took away the head of one of them. "Construct/identify basements in your residence where the whole family can stay for a fortnight (before nuclear war). In case no basement is available in the open space in front of your house construct bunkers as in conventional war (as some protection is better than no protection)", said the advertisement issued in local newspapers by Yoginder Kaul, inspector general of police (civil defence, SDRF and home guards). "If in open during nuclear attack, a person should immediately drop to ground and remain in lying position. Protect eyes and face by covering it with hands. Protect ears with fingers to prevent ear drum rapture. If blast wave does not arrive within five seconds of the flash you were far enough from the ground zero and initial radiation exposure will not exceed 150 rads". In case of biological warfare, the SDRF has asked people not to allow open pools/collection of water in surrounding areas. IGP civil defence, SDRF and home guards have tried to play down the issue saying the advisory is a routine exercise aimed at creating awareness among the people about the disasters whether natural or manmade. However, the state government is amused by people's reaction to the advisory which it considers routine. "This is part of our awareness programme. We have issued advertisements about other contd on page 2

IMF says India to grow at 5.9% in 2013

WASHINGTON: The International Monetary Fund (IMF) today pegged India's economic growth rate in 2013 at 5.9 per cent and projected a higher growth of 6.4 per cent next year in line with the gradual strengthening of global expansion. IMF in its update to the World Economic Outlook (WEO) also said the global growth is expected to reach 3.5 per cent this year, higher than the estimated 3.2 per cent. For China, the IMF report has projected a growth rate of 7.8 per cent in 2012, 8.2 per cent in 2013 and 8.5 per cent in 2014. In 2011, China had achieved a growth rate of 9.3 per cent while India grew by 7.9 contd on page 2

House committee expresses displeasure at state of UP Rivers

LUCKNOW: In Uttar Pradesh, the Parliamentary Standing Committee of Rajya Sabha has expressed displeasure over low oxygen content and pollution in the rivers of the state including Ganga, Yamuna and Gomti. The committee on Science and Technology, contd on page 2

Govt committed to Fill vacant posts on priority: Dy CM empower Panchayati Raj institution: G A Mir to officers ANANTNAG, JAN 23: Minister for Tourism,
JAMMU, JANUARY 23 : Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand today said that the government is fully committed to ensure quality education in schools and improve education infrastructure. He said all ranks and files of the education department have been geared up and performance of students would be the benchmark for judging teachers. "Education department is facing challenges and shortage of staff has been hampering the education system particularly in rural and far-off belts of the state," he added. Mr. Tara Chand was addressing deputation of people from rural belts and educated unemployed youth. Underscoring on the need to fill up vacant posts, the Deputy Chief Minister said instructions have been issued to the department for referring the posts of lecturers to Public Service Commission for early selection so that staff requirements can be met, adding that need of the hour is to speed up the procedure of recruitment so contd on page 2 Mr. G.A. Mir has said that the coalition government is committed to empower Panchayati Raj Institutions and decentralize the powers so that people at grass root level are benefited. The Minister was addressing a public meeting of Panchs and Sarpanchs at Dooru Shahabad here today. Mr. Mir impressed upon the Panchs and Sarpanchs to work with honest and sincere attitude and serve masses with dedication. He said that Government is serious in providing all possible facilities to the public representatives including Insurance cover. He said that the State's economy is largely dependent upon the tourism sector and every step is being taken to strengthen tourism infrastructure in all the three region of the State. The Minister said that the State has been bestowed with natural and scenic beauty, attracting large number of tourists to the State and it is duty of one and all to preserve the environment of the State from degradation and depletion.

Ramdev accuses Shinde of 'insulting' nationalist organisations

NEW DELHI: Yoga guru Baba Ramdev accused Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde of insulting nationalist organisations by saying they run terror camps. "By saying 'saffron terrorism' or 'Hindu terrorism', the Home Minister (Shinde) is doing unethical work. The terrorists are being portrayed as patriots and contd on page 2

Rs. 22252 lakhs spent under MG NREGA in Valley

Sagar urges for bringing transparency in execution of rural development works
SRINAGAR, JANUARY 23: The Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar today said that an amount of Rs. 22252 lakhs have been spent during current financial year upto ending December 2012 on execution of various rural development works and flagship programmes. The Minister was addressing an officers meeting Rural Development department here today convened to review the pace of progress registered on execution of various rural development

Jan Skinder met PWD (R&B) Minister Raised Various demands

JAMMU, JANUARY 23: State Secretary Youth Congress (J&K) Jan Skinder today met PWD (R&B) Minister Abdul Majid Wani and extended his gratitude on assuming the charge of PWD Deptt. Jan Skinder raised various demands pertaining to PWD (R&B) sector in Batmalu area of Srinagar. He highlighted the various issues & problems faced by the people of Batmalu region. He raised the concern regarding the poor condition of the link roads, in Madin Sahab locality of the old city. He stressed on the possibility of widening the interiors roads for hassle

Poonch to get Special funds for restoration works: Lone

POONCH, 23 JAN: The Minister for Higher Education, Mohammad Akbar Lone today said that the government would provide a special package to Poonch District for restoration of damages caused to infrastructure due to recent snowfall. "Special package of funds, under different sectors, would be provided to the contd on page 2

Minister for Rural Development and Panchayat, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar addressing an officers meeting at Srinagar. schemes. The Minister impressed upon the officers to speed up the pace of work on various schemes so that the benefits reaches the common masses in a shortest possible time frame. Giving resume of the achievements of present Government in respect of Rural Development, Mr. Sagar contd on page 2

free flow of traffic from Botla Kotla, Hazratbal & other adjacent areas, so that people can travel smoothly without any risk during winters. Mr. Jan Skinder laid emphasis on the pathetic conditions of the

blocked roads in bad weather due to which people have to faced lots of problems in day today life. He expressed the fear that this road will consume precious lives if the Govt. does not wake up.

Netanyahu, allies win Israeli election: Exit polls

JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's Likud Party emerged as the largest faction in a hotly contested Parliamentary election, positioning the hard-liner to serve a new term as Prime Minister, according to exit polls. But a lackluster performance by Likud, along with surprising gains by a centrist newcomer, raised the strong possibility that he will be forced to form a broad coaliwith its traditional hardline and religious allies, capturing a shaky majority of just 61 or 62 seats in the 120-member parliament. With official results trickling in throughout the night, it was possible that the two sides could end in deadlock. In a statement posted on his Facebook page, Netanyahu said he would reach across the aisle and try to form a broad-based coalition. "According to the exit polls, it is clear that Israel citizens decided that they want me to continue to serve as prime minister of Israel and that I form the widest possible majority (coalition)," he said. "Already this evening I will begin working toward the widest possible government." Such a scenario would have deep implications for Mideast peace prospects. Netanyahu's centrist opponents have said they would not join his government if he does not make a serious contd on page 2

tion. The exit polls aired on Israel's three major TV stations all forecast Likud along

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Tata Offers Its Trucks for Tatra Replacement
NEW DELHI: Seeking a share in the pie for supply high-mobility vehicles to the Army, Tata Motors has offered its latest vehicles to the Defence Ministry to replace the controversial Tatra trucks, used so far to carry missiles such as Agni and Prithvi. The procurement of Tatra trucks has been put on hold pending a CBI probe into bribery allegations by former Army chief Gen V K Singh. Tata Motors will make a presentation before Defence Ministry's Director General (Acquisition) S B Agnihotri about its latest vehicles offered by it to replace Tatra trucks for carrying missile systems of the armed forces such as BrahMos and Pinaka, Defence Ministry sources said here. The Ministry has already been offered trucks by Russian and Belarusian firms for replacing the Tatras including the Volat trucks from Belarus which are used to carry strategic missile systems of the Russian armed forces. Due to the virtual ban on the procurement of Tatras, several key projects of the Army and the IAF have been put on hold including procurement of land-based version of BrahMos supersonic cruise missile for the Army and the IAF and the Pinaka rockets launchers for the land forces. If the proposals made by these firms are accepted, they would be put under trials for being integrated with the missile systems, they said. Already, a significant number of Tata trucks are in service with the armed forces but they are in light and medium vehicle category. More than 7,000 Tatra trucks are in service with the armed forces and after the controversy in March last year, their repair and maintenance have also become an issue in the defence forces. Last March, Gen V K Singh had leveled allegations that he was offered a bribe of Rs 14 crore by a retired Lt Gen to clear a file relating to the procurement of over 600 of these trucks.

Jora inspects ST Plant at Bhagwati Nagar

JAMMU, JANUARY 23: To get on the spot feedback about the progress on various under construction and functional sewerage treatment plants in Jammu city, the Minister for Urban Development and Urban Local Bodies, Mr. Nawang Rigzin Jora today paid surprise visit to Sewerage Scheme, Talab Tiloo Sector I, Phase-II, 'Div.'A'., Bhagwati Nagar Jammu and inspected the functioning of various plants and pumping stations. The Minister was accompanied by Commissioner-Secretary, Urban Development and Housing Department, Mr. Jeet Lal Gupta, Chief Engineer, UEED, Mr. R.C Gupta, Superintendent Engineer, Mr. Prem and other senior officers of the concerned agencies. On the occasion, the Chief Engineer gave a brief account of the functions of the sewerage plant . The Minister took a round and inspected various plants including 45 MLD Sewerage Pumping Station, 2No 5MLD UASB Reactor, sludge drying beds and inspected the ongoing work. The Minister stressed upon the concerned engineers to complete all the non functional plants within stipulated time frame and added that a better sewerage system will help to overcome the water logging problems in the city. The Minister was informed that Rs.34.77 crore have been spent on Talab Till Sewerage Scheme, Sector Ist and had been commissioned in March 2012 with 5704 house connections. He was further informed that another 10 MLD STP Project for left out portion of Talab Tillo, covering Jain Colony, Vishal Nagar, Gole Panjpeer ,Hari Om Nagar, Camp Main Road of Bhagwati Nagar is coming up at a cost of Rs.13.81 crore and Rs.12.5 lacs have been expended on the project till March,2012. He was also told that works amounting to Rs.17.8 crore, including trunk sewer, laterals house connections have been allotted the concerned agencies. Mr. Jora was also briefed about the comprehensive sewerage scheme for left our areas of Phase-II, Division 'A' Greater Jammu. The UASB is coming up at an estimated cost of Rs 20.32 crore will cover Krishna Nagar, Resham Ghar, New Plot and some ports of Sarwal colony, Rajiner Nagar, Lajpat Nagar and parts of Bakshi Nagar area around Medical college. The Minister was further told about progress on sewerage scheme costing Rs.129.24 crore to cover B.C Road to River Tawi including Karan Nagar, Radio Station colony,Panch Teerthi, Ustad Mohalla, Pakki Dhaki, Dogra Hall colony, Parade Gropund, Secretariat, Kanak Mandi, Gujjar Nagar, Bus Stand, Jewel Chowk and Kasim Nagar etc. The Minister was also briefed about under construction 30 MLD STP coming up at a cost of Rs.145.50 cores. which will cover area from sector 3 to 6 of Phase-II Div.'A', including Baskhi Nagar, Gurah, Shakti Nagar, Shiv Nagar, Tope Sher Khania Subash Nagar,Rajpura, Patoli, Sarwal, New Plot, Janipur and Paloura.

Mian Altaf reviews achievements under CAMPA, other schemes, calls for massive aforestation
JAMMU, JANUARY 23: The Forest department has planted 6 lakh saplings over an area of 965 hectare forest land across Chenab Forest Circle, under flagship forest conservation programme CAMPA during the current financial year, till ending December. The information was given to the Forest Minister, Mian Altaf Ahmed while chairing a meeting of Divisional Forest officers convened to review the financial and physical achievements in the implementation of CAMPA programme in the area. The largest in the state, the Chenab Forest Circle has is spread over to Marwah from one end and Gool to other with six divisions of Bhaderwah, Batote , Doda , Ramban , Kishtwar and Marwah. The meeting was told that the department has completed fencing along 373 hectare forest land under CAMPA and RDF schemes in the circle to protect the forest area from encroachment. The meeting was informed that the forest department distributed 362703 Cft timber directly to the consumers generating a revenue of Rs over 22 Lakh, while the department also sold 4482 quintal firewood and fetched a revenue of Rs 9.21 lakh. A sprawling city forest park has also been developed in Batote over an area of forty Kanal land involving a cost of Rs 27.12 lakh. The works completed under the city forest park project, include Chainlink fencing, development of View point, root protection and construction of protection wall. Inspecting the works, the Minister asked the department to construct a walking path and Public Convenience in the park. Reviewing the achievements, the Minister underlined the need for regular monitoring of the CAMPA works to ensure discernable impact on the ground. Underlining the need for massive aforestation, the minister asked the department to launch a sustained plantation drive across the circle, with special thrust on the large barren tracks along Patnitop to Banihal stretch of National highway. The Minister asked for effective implementation of reforms and measures for protection of the forests with special thrust on the involvement of the locals and other stakeholders. He called for holding awareness camps in the populated areas in the vicinity of the forests to make people aware about the long lasting impact of forests on their day today life. On way, the Minister inspected Nursery of Soil Conservation Department at Phlata spread over an area of 12 kanal. The Nursery has presently 34000 plant saplings of different species ready to be used for plantation drive in the month of March, he was told. The Minister also inaugurated a Conference Hall of Forest department at Batote. Later, the minister met National Conference delegation headed by Former MLA Ramban, Dr. Chaman Lal and discussed various issues relating to the development of Batote. The demands they projected included construction of Bus stand, sanctioning a Degree College for Batote, granting of Tehsil status for Batote and establishment of Timber Depot at Batote. The Minister assured them that their demands would be taken up with the concerned ministers for early consideration. Commissioner Secretary Forests, Mr. Ejaz Iqbal, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, Mr. Vinod Ranjan, Deputy Commissioner, Ramban, Mr. Shabir Ahmed Bhat, Chief Conservator Forest, Jammu , Mr. Ravi Kesar, Joint Director soil Conservation Jammu, Mr. Sameer Bharti, Conservator of Forests, Chenab Circle, Mr. M. M. Gupta, Regional Director Social Forestry, Mr. Ashwani Gupta, Director of Soil Conservation, Mr. U. Pachnanda, Joint Director of Forest Protection Force, Mr. B. M. Sharma, CCF CAMPA, Mr. L. K. Sharma, all Divisional Forest Officers of Chenab Forest Circle and senior officers of allied departments accompanied the Minister.

Contd. from page 1...

WB celebrates ....
on the occasion Ms. Banerjee announced that the state Government will construct a Monument at Subhasgram in the name of Netaji and will preserve his native house at Kodalia in South 24 Pargana District as a heritage building. The reports that said, large number of people are visiting Netaji Bhavan in South Kolkata since morning to pay their homage to the great hero of the freedom movement.

House committee ....

Environment and Forests comprising five members was in the state capital to review the pollution level of Gomti. The members included chairman of the committee, T Subbarami Reddy, Prof Ranjan Prasad Yadav, Rabinarayan Mohapatra, Alok Tewari and Pradeep Tamta. The committee discussed the existing problems regarding availability of water with the chief secretary Javed Usmani and other senior officers. Senior BJP leader and MP from Lucknow, Lalji Tandon was also present in the meeting.

Ramdev accuses....
the nationalist organisations are being branded as terrorists," the Yoga Guru said after coming out from a court in New Delhi. He had come to depose as a witness in a criminal case lodged last year against one Kamran Siddiqui for throwing black ink on his face during a press conference in New Delhi. The Home Minister, on January 20, had stoked a controversy by accusing BJP and RSS of conducting terror training camps and promoting "Hindu terrorism". Asked about Shinde's statement, the Yoga Guru said, "Saffron is there even in our flag...such remark is an insult to the flag, over 100 crore Indians and our culture." He also accused Congress Party of demolishing Indian culture, saying that such an statement should not have come from a minister.

that HT power transmission line from Jammu to Kashmir valley over Banihal Jawahar Tunnel did not damaged despite 4-6 times heavy snowfall in the area but Towers of Jammu to Poonch HT line crumbled down merely by 2-3 feet snowfall and added that a high level inquiry committee has been constituted to inquire into the reasons and fix responsibility of any lapse. MOS, CA & PDS assured that additional 2 trucks of Rice and APL atta would be provided besides early supply of normal ration. He also assured 2 tankers of k-oil and additional cooking gas would also be provided for snow bound areas of the district. Minister of state for Animal and Sheep Husbandry (MOS), PHE and Flood Control Mr. Nazir Ahmed Khan Gurazi assured that funds for restoring the damaged PHE schemes would be provided as soon as possible to speed up restoration of water supply. He also assured that Gen sets would be provided in a phased manner to operate schemes operated lift PHE schemes to meet exigencies as alternative to power supply. He also instructed Horticulture and Agriculture Officers to submit a report of the damages to Orchards, crops and other infrastructure. MLA Haveli Mr. Ajaz Ahmed Jan projected a brief outline of damages and urged the ministers for adequate funding and to speeding up of restoration works so that people of this remote and hilly district may not feel isolated.

Govt advisory....
disasters like earthquake, snowstorm flood, etc before that. In the second part we issued this advisory. It is a routine exercise," Kaul said. However many people in the state consider the advertisement is a brazen way to educate people.

Reviewing the achievements of Rural Development department, the Minister was informed that Rs. 22252 lakhs were spent on various rural developmental works in Valley upto ending December last year. The Minister was told that 43996 rural developmental works have been taken in hand and out of which 22195 works completed so far. The meeting was also informed that 517994 job cards have been issued and also more than one crore mandays were generated in Valley. In the meeting, the Minister was also apprised that under Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan (NBA) scheme Rs. 9.83 crore have been utilized, while as the Minister was also informed that work for construction of 466 Panchayat Ghars in Valley have been taken in hand and Rs. 20 lakhs are being spent for the construction of each Panchayat Ghar. The Minister was also informed in the meeting that under IAY scheme Rs. 40 crores has been spent for construction of 22,000 dwelling units in Valley besides Rs. 3.63 crore were also spent under Swarnajayanti Gram Swarojgar Yojana (SGSY) scheme in Valley. The meeting was attended by Director, Rural Development Department, Kashmir, Mr. Altaf Ahmad Mir, Director Sanitation, Kashmir, Mr. Tufail Mattoo, OSD to Rural Development Minister, Mr. Owais Ahmad, all Assistant Commissioner Development, officers of District Rural Development Agency, all Block Development Officers, Executive Engineers of Rural Development Agency and other officers.

IMF said the space for further policy easing has diminished, while supply bottlenecks and policy uncertainty have hampered growth in some economies for example, Brazil and India. Observing that economic conditions improved modestly in the third quarter of 2012, with global growth increasing to about three per cent, the IMF report said the main sources of acceleration were emerging market economies, where activity picked up broadly as expected, and the United States, where growth surprised on the upside.

Dy Speaker inspects repair work on Legislative complex

JAMMU, JANUARY 23: Deputy Speaker, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Mr. Mohammad Sartaj Madni today inspected the pace of progress on repair work of Legislative Complex and inquired about the present status. The Deputy Speaker impressed upon the executing agencies to speed up the pace of repair and allied works to ensure completion by January 31 so that the budget session could be held smoothly. He also called for conducting thorough safety check of the complex by a team of experts before shifting inside the building. Secretary, Assembly Mr. M. Ramzan, Managing Director, Jammu and Kashmir Project Construction Corporation (JKPCC) Mr. Ishtiyaq Ahmad Hamal and other officers and engineers of Assembly Secretariat and JKPCC accompanied the Deputy Speaker during the inspection. Earlier, the Deputy Speaker convened a meeting with the officers of JKPCC and discussed threadbare the status of work on the complex. He directed for replacement of old electricity wiring and creation of a temporary structure for housing canteen during the ensuing budget session. MD, JKPCC assured the Deputy Speaker that the repair of damaged structure and other allied works will be completed well in time.

Rajnath unanimously....
of the Congress. It also coincided with the BJP government in Karnataka facing a serious threat of survival as two ministers quit the cabinet and they with 11 other party legislators said they would quit from the assembly too. Rajnath Singh, 61, said the party will come true to the expectations of people and win the forthcoming elections in the states and to parliament. "We will form the government in 2014," he said. Rajnath Singh attacked the Congress for "ills of the country" and said he was assuming his duties with a sense of responsibility. He announced thhat the BJP will hold countrywide protests Thursday against Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde's "Hindu terror" remarks. Rajnath Singh also defended Gadkari, saying the allegations against him were "baseless". "The circumstances in which I accept this responsibility are not happy for us. Gadkari is one of our workers on whose character questions cannot be raised. We wanted him to continue. We amended the constitution for it. But the way he was attacked by baseless allegations, he was hurt and resigned," he said. "The entire party stands with him. I am not accepting this as a post but as a responsibility," Rajnath Singh added. Rajnath Singh's mettle will be first tested in Karnataka, which is slated for elections in a few months. In Karnataka, the party faces challenges not only from the Congress but from its own former chief minister B.S. Yeddyurappa. There are a series of elections this year, including in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, ruled by the BJP, followed by the Lok Sabha polls in 2014. With the Congress campaign expected to be led by Rahul Gandhi, the BJP will have to evolve an effective strategy to attract youth, the middle class and the poor. Rajnath Singh will also have to deal with the tricky issue of the party's prime ministerial candidate in view of ambitious senior leaders and issues linked to the rise of regional satraps. Though Rajnath Singh served as chief minister of Uttar Pradesh from Oct 2000 to March 2002, he has won only two elections: a by-poll for the Haidergarh assembly seat in Barabanki when he was elected the chief minister, and second when he won the Ghaziabad parliamentary seat in 2009. There are also apprehensions that he does not have a pan-national appeal. Rajnath Singh first became party president in 2005 following L.K. Advani's resignation. He was re-elected Nov 2006 and was succeeded by Gadkari in 2009 after the party's defeat in the Lok Sabha polls that year.

Netanyahu, allies....
push for peace with the Palestinians. Peace talks have been deadlocked throughout Netanyahu's four-year term. According to the exit polls, Netanyahu's Likud-Yisrael Beitenu bloc captured just 31 seats, far below forecasts of recent opinion polls. The two parties, running separately, had 42 seats in the outgoing house. In the biggest surprise, the centrist "Yesh Atid," party headed by political newcomer Yair Lapid, captured as many as 19 seats, well above the forecasts. That would position Lapid to become either opposition leader or seek a major Cabinet post if he decides to join Netanyahu's governing coalition. Lapid campaigned on a platform calling for an end to the generous subsidies and draft exemptions given to ultra-Orthodox Jewish communities. He also has said he would not serve as a "fig leaf" for a hard-line government. Lapid would likely seek deep concessions for Netanyahu in exchange for joining the government.

Slight respite....
was minus 4.8 degree Celsius, the minimum temperature showed an increase of three degrees to settle at a low of minus 1.7 degree Celsius during the night.

'Dereliction of duty shall not be tolerated':Nazir

SRINAGAR, JANUARY 23: Minister of State for Animal and Sheep Husbandry (Independent Charge) Mr. Nazir Ahmad Gurezi today paid a surprise visit to Directorate of Animal Husbandry, Kashmir and Directorate of Sheep Husbandry, Kashmir here and ordered suspension of an employee of Sheep Husbandry department. During inspection, the Minister took stock of availability of drugs, supply and the distribution of the same among the farmers. He also inquired about the staff strength and assignments. Mr. Gurezi issued instructions to head of the departments to ensure that the staff posted in various areas work at their respective place of postings and shall be assigned the job for which they are meant for. At sheep husbandry directorate, the Minister, while examining the offices files, found some of these lying on the table of an employee for long time. He directed for immediate suspension of the employee for dereliction of duty. The Minister stressed for punctuality of the employees and warned that any laxity in duty shall not be tolerated. He also called for quick disposal of files adding that any official found resorting to unnecessary delay will be punished. Mr. Gurezi impressed upon the employees to work with utmost zeal and said that the dedicated and honest employees will be rewarded by giving special increments.

Poonch to....
district to speed up the restoration works" Mr Lone, who reached here with Minister of state for Animal and Sheep Husbandry, PHE and Flood Control (MOS) Mr. Nazir Ahmed Gurazi and the Minister of State for Information, CA & PD and Power Mr. Viqar Rasool, to assess the situation, assured a joint meeting of District Officers, civil society members, Sarpanches and Panches, here at Dak Bunglow Poonch. He asked the district administration to furnish a detailed report in this regard to the state government so that funds are allocated at the earliest. He also assured that matter pertaining to security and safety of the youth of the district engaged on Private jobs in Maharashtra would be taken up with the government of the concerned state. Earlier, the Ministers, along with MLA Poonch, Ajaz Ahmed Jan, reached here to assess restoration works, post snowfall. Minister of State for Power, Information, CA & PDS Mr. Viqar Rasool Wani, expressed grave concern over damage to Jammu - Poonch 132 KV Transmission line. He said

Fill vacant....
that necessary staff can be posted in the schools. He said besides expediting recruitment, necessary orders have also been passed for fast tracking the promotion process so as to ensure that all those who are eligible get their promotions well in time. Posts which fall vacant due to promotion of staff should also be referred to SSRB and the department should pursue early selection at all levels, he added. Giving patient hearing to the deputation, Mr. Tara Chand said the government is committed to enhance the stipend of RETs and called upon the concerned officers to prepare the required memo for presenting the case to cabinet for approval. RETs are playing their active role in education system and all out efforts would be made to address their grievances, he added.

IMF says....
per cent in the same year. "Growth in emerging market and developing economies is on track to build to 5.5 per cent in 2013. Nevertheless, growth is not projected to rebound to the high rates recorded in 2010-11. "Supportive policies have underpinned much of the recent acceleration in activity in many economies," the IMF said. "But weakness in advanced economies will weigh on external demand, as well as on the terms of trade of commodity exporters, given the assumption of lower commodity prices in 2013 in this Update," it said.

Rs. 22252 lakhs....

said that the connectivity in respect of roads and infrastructural development in rural areas was given special focus during the last four years regime by present Government. He assured that many more steps are being taken to ameliorate the lot of masses living in rural and remote areas of the State.

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NEWS IN BOX

NC directs party leaders to not to leave Valley

SRINAGAR: Ruling National Conference in Jammu and Kashmir Tuesday directed all the office bearers of the party to stay in the Valley and remain available to the people. "All the Office bearers have been told not to move to Jammu or out of the Valley without taking permission from the province," newly appointed provincial president for Kashmir Nasir Aslam Wani said in a statement here. "If you are an office bearer of the Kashmir province, you need to be here, you have no work in Jammu or elsewhere," Wani said. He said in case the leaders need to travel out of station, they can seek permission for that purpose. Wani held meetings with various delegations at the party headquarters and assured them that all their grievances will be taken up with the government to ensure speedy redressal. "I am in the process of making a committee which will be in regular touch with the secretariat. They will look into all the demands and ensure that all the problems, the party headquarters are apprised of, are immediately brought to the notice of the concerned ministers and ensured its speedy redressal," he said.

Traffic Route plan for Eid-e-Milad-unNabi (SAW) celebrations finalized

SRINAGAR, JAN 23: In connection with Eid-e-Miladun-Nabi (SAW) celebrations, the Traffic Police department took review of the arrangements for plying of traffic to ferry devotees from various areas of the Valley to Dargah Hazratbal and back at a meeting of officers here today. Addressing the meeting, the Superintendent of Police Traffic City, Srinagar said that the department has made elaborate arrangements for the devotees to ensure their hassle free and safe travel from their Traffic Police department will provide buses from SRTC bridge to Hazratbal via Ikhwan Crossing, Police Station Khanyar, Bohri Kadal, Rajouri Kadal, Gojwara Chowk, Hawal, Shree Bhat, Bagh-i-Ali Mardan Khan and Lal Bazar. Similarly, the devotees of various districts of the Valley which include Baramulla, Kupwara, Handwara, Bandipora and Budgam shall be provided the route passing through Tengpora Bye Pass, Bemina Bye Pass, Qamarwari, Cement Bridge, Noor Bagh, Eidgah Crossing, Alamgari Bazar, Bagh-i-Ali Mardan Khan, Lal Bazar and finally the Dargah Hazratbal, while as the devotees of Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian, Kulgam and Awantipora shall proceed to Dargah Hazratbal via Pantha Chowk, Sonwar, Gupkar, Foreshore and Nishat. On the return, the buses carrying the devotees of Lal Chowk, Budgam, Baramulla and Kupwara shall ply via National Institute of Technology, Ashai Bagh Crossing, Rainawari, Khalifapora, Nowpora bridge and Khayam Chowk (right), however, the buses heading towards North Kashmir will be diverted at Khalifapora towards Peer Dastigeer Sahib Khanyar, Sumkachbal, Police Station Khanyar, Nalamar road and Qamarwari for their respective destinations. On the return, the vehicles bound for Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Awantipora shall have to follow Foreshore Nishat, Gupkar, Sonwar Bazar and Pantha Chowk route.

Superintendent of Police Traffic City briefing officials regarding security arrangements at Srinagar. localities to Dargah Hazratbal and for this purpose one way traffic system shall strictly ensured. He said that from January 25 to February 01, 2013, the

SDM reviews R-Day arrangements

JAMMU, JAN 23: Sub Divisional Magistrate, R.S. Pura, Suraj Parkash Rakwal, today reviewed the arrangements for Republic Day celebration to be held in various educational institutions of R.S. Pura. The SDM witnessed full rehearsal of the programmes to be presented on R-Day at Bhana Singh Stadium and suggested some changes to make the event more attractive and appealing. Rakhwal directed the officers of different departments to ensure proper and uninterrupted services like water, power supply and traffic management etc to avoid any kind of inconvenience during the celebrations.

Sham reviews functioning of PHE, Irrigation in Valley

SRINAGAR, JAN 23: Minister for Public Health Engineering, Irrigation and Flood Control, Mr. Sham Lal Sharma exhorted upon officers to perform their duties consciously and honestly besides judicious the machinery and manpower available in the departments to fulfil the expectations of the people. The Minister was addressing a meeting of officers of PHE and Irrigation & Flood Control to take stock ofthe functioning of the departments here today. The meeting was attended by Chief Engineers of PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control, Executive Director CCDU, Superintending Engineers of various sectors and other senior officers of departments. The Minister urged upon officers to inculcate the work culture and transparency and render duties with the spirit of humanity so that common masses do not suffer for basic amenities such as drinking water, irrigation and

Chairman LC reconstitutes Joint Select Committees

JAMMU, 23JAN: As per a notification issued here today by Council Secretariat, Chairman, Legislative Council, Amrit Malhotra, has reconstituted Joint Select Committee on Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Laws (Second amendment) Bill, 2010, with Minister for Urban Development and Urban Local Bodies, Nawang Rigzin Jora, as its Chairman. The Chairman has also nominated the legislators Vijay Bakaya, Ravinder Kumar Sharma, Bashir Ahmad Magray, S. Dharambir Singh Oberoi, Muhammad Ashraf Mir, Abdul Rehman Veeri, Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami, Balwant Singh Mankotia, Jagdish Raj Sapolia, Er.Abdul Rashid, Ajaz Ahmad Jan and Ch.Zulfikar Ali as members of the Committee. Meanwhile, the Chairman has also reconstituted Joint Select Committee on Jammu and Kashmir Property Tax Board Bill, 2011 with Minister for Urban Development and Urban Local Bodies, Nawang Rigzin Jora, as its Chairman. Malhotra nominated the legislators Murtaza Ahmad Khan, Naresh Kumar Gupta, Khalid Najeeb Suharwardy, Sheikh Ghulam Rasool, Nurboo Gialchan, Dr. Mustafa Kamal, Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen, Muhammad Sharief Niaz, Abdul Gafar Sofi, Yashpaul as members of the Committee.

Police denies media reports

JAMMU, JAN 23: The Inspector General of Police (IGP) J&K, Home Guards/Civil Defence and State Disaster Rescue Force (SDRF) has rebutted the news item published in a section of press on Tuesday and Wednesday, regarding advertisement on Natural and Manmade Disasters on 1st Raising Day of State Disaster Response Force. The IGP has clarified that advertisement was published on the eve of 1st Raising Day of SDRF in public interest to make them aware about the natural and manmade calamities. He said that it was a routine exercise to raise general awareness and educate the people about the preventive measures to be taken in the event of various disasters like floods, earth quake, snow avalanches or manmade disasters. He further clarified that there is no such alarming situation in the state and the news item carried by a section of press is not factually correct.

Minister for Public Health Engineering, Irrigation and Flood Control, Sham Lal addressing a meeting with the officers of PHE and Irrigation & Flood Control at Srinagar. flood control which is fundamental right of people. Mr. Sham asked the officers to bridge the gaps and improve the functioning of their departments besides assess the ground situation so that common people do not suffer for basic needs. Mr. Sham asked the officers that dereliction of duties will not be tolerated and urged upon Chief Engineers to ensure that officers should not to leave stations and are shall ensure 3 to 4 day field visits in a week. He also asked them to submit work done report of current fiscal year within 10 days. The Minister directed them to take necessary steps for the face lifting of tube wells, pumps, tankers and intake channels of water sources within 15 days besides follow the hygiene and cleanliness strictly in their respective areas. The Minister also enjoined upon them to adhere set guidelines and norms for executing all projects and other official coursework. He also stressed for the conservation of water bodies and said mass awareness campaign should be launched among the people for the conservation of water bodies and about the judicious use of drinking water. Mr Sham stressed upon officers to work in close coordination and collective efforts be made for the benefit and welfare of people and State as well.

95% NREGA Plan utilized in Kulgam

KULGAM, JAN 23: Rural Development Department has utilized Rs 44.46 crores out of the total allocation of Rs 46.43 crores under MGNREGA by the end of 3rd quarter this fiscal accounting for an expenditure of 95%. This was revealed at a review meeting of BDOs, convened here under the Chairmanship of District Development Commissioner Jahangir Mir. Assistant Commissioner Development Abdul Hamid and District Panchayat Officer also attended the meeting. It was given out that 5,135 rural development works stand completed while execution is apace on 4,159, leading to the generation of 19.10 lakh mandays in the district. As many as 442 dwelling units have been completed while 361 huts are nearing completion under IAY, the meeting was told. An amount of Rs.2.43 crores have been incurred so far under this scheme. It was stated that 955 individual household latrines and 26 toilet points for schools stand completed out of the total 2,284 taken up involving an expenditure of 35 lakhs. Addressing the meeting, the Deputy Commissioner stressed on full utilization of funds making quality parameters and observance of codal formalities bench mark in the execution. He stressed on roping in PRIs in policy formulation as well as implementation so that quality standards and plan stipulation are maintained. Jahangir reiterated the prime significance of MGNREGA in the development and face-lifting of rural villages, maintaining that fair implementation of the flagship programme is aimed at complete transformation of the countryside.

Raman Bhalla stresses for revival of cultural heritages

Chairman LC reconstitutes Joint Select Committees

JAMMU, JANUARY 23: As per a notification issued here today by Council Secretariat, Chairman, Legislative Council, Amrit Malhotra, has reconstituted Joint Select Committee on Jammu and Kashmir Municipal Laws (Second amendment) Bill, 2010, with Minister for Urban Development and Urban Local Bodies, Nawang Rigzin Jora, as its Chairman. The Chairman has also nominated the legislators Vijay Bakaya, Ravinder Kumar Sharma, Bashir Ahmad Magray, S. Dharambir Singh Oberoi, Muhammad Ashraf Mir, Abdul Rehman Veeri, Muhammad Yousuf Tarigami, Balwant Singh Mankotia, Jagdish Raj Sapolia, Er.Abdul Rashid, Ajaz Ahmad Jan and Ch.Zulfikar Ali as members of the Committee. Meanwhile, the Chairman has also reconstituted Joint Select Committee on Jammu and Kashmir Property Tax Board Bill, 2011 with Minister for Urban Development and Urban Local Bodies, Nawang Rigzin Jora, as its Chairman. Malhotra nominated the legislators Murtaza Ahmad Khan, Naresh Kumar Gupta, Khalid Najeeb Suharwardy, Sheikh Ghulam Rasool, Nurboo Gialchan, Dr. Mustafa Kamal, Hakeem Muhammad Yaseen, Muhammad Sharief Niaz, Abdul Gafar Sofi, Yashpaul Kundal, Jugal Kishore, Nizam-u-din Bhat, Ashok Kumar and Charanjeet Singh as members of the Committee.

Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture, Mr. Raman Bhalla chairing a meeting at Srinagar. SRINAGAR, JANUARY 23: A meeting of officers was held here today under the Chairmanship of Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture, Mr. Raman Bhalla in which matters related to renovation and repairs of Museum and Tagore Hall at Srinagar and Abhinav Theatre at Jammu were discussed threadbare. Minister of State for Industries and Commerce, Mr. Sajjad Ahmad Kitchloo and, Provincial President of National Conference, Mr. Nasir Aslam Wani were present in the meeting. On the occasion, the Secretary Cultural Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, Mr. Khalid Bashir Ahmad apprised the meeting about the steps being taken by Academy of Art, Culture and Languages for preservation of precious artefacts and other entities of importance. He appealed the Minister to extend financial support to Academy of Art, Culture and Languages for execution of work on cultural heritage of the State. Mr. Raman Bhalla impressed upon the officers to ensure safety and security of precious artefacts so that new generation shall be made aware about the ancient history of the State through these precious artefacts.

VC ABDK reviews working of Agri, Horti deptts

JAMMU, JANUARY 23: Vice Chairman, J&K State Advisory Board for Development of Kissans, Radhay Sham Sharma, today convened a meeting to take stock of functioning of Agriculture and Horticulture departments. Director Agriculture and Director Horticulture besides senior officers of the departments attended the meeting. The Directors presented a detailed description of working of their respective departments. They apprised the Vice Chairman of various state and centrally sponsored schemes being implemented by their respective departments in Jammu region. The Vice Chairman asked the officers to ensure that all their functionaries should work with utmost zeal and dedication for benefit of the farming community.

Sakina for extension of benefits under flagship programmes to the disabled persons
JAMMU, JANUARY 23: A delegation comprising Officials of National Trust and representatives of various Delhi based NGOs, working for the welfare and rehabilitation of disabled persons, today called on the Minister for Social Welfare, ARI, & Trainings and Public Grievances, Ms Sakina Itto, at her Office Chamber, Civil Secretariat, Jammu. Comprising of Chairperson of National Trust, Ms Poonam Nataranjan, Regional Director CMB SARO, Banglore, Dr. Sara Varughese, Legal Advisor of National Trust of India, Mr. Umesh Shukla, Advocacy -Lead, CMB SARO, Mr. Umesh Baurai and Alliance and Networking Officer, CBM SARO,Mr. Engineer Mechanical have been included in the list of job providing for reservation for such persons . She said this move was expected to benefit a huge number of candidates of this category. Ms Sakina asked the members of the Trust to submit a proposal to her department, while assuring that best provisions would recommended for the incorporation in the State Act. The meeting was attended by Secretary, Social Welfare Department, Mr.Gazenffer, Director Social Welfare, Kashmir, Mr. Bashir Ahmed Bhat, Director Social Welfare, Jammu, Mr. M.H.Bathi ,OSD, Dr. G.N Itoo, and other senior officers of the department.

LSS training programme held at Kashmir Nursing Home

SRINAGAR, JANUARY 23: To impart Life Saving Skills (LSS) for ambulance drivers, a daylong training programme was inaugurated by Director Health Services, Kashmir, Dr. Saleem-ur-Rehman at Government Kashmir Nursing Home here today. As many as 40 Drivers of the Health Department were imparted basic life saving and stabilization techniques training on the occasion. Speaking on the occasion, the Director enjoined upon the trainers to ensure training of entire Health staff so that training programme for advanced life support and ERTC proves fruitful for advanced life saving care of patients.

Minister for Social Welfare, ARI, & Trainings and Public Grievances, Ms Sakina Itto chairing a meeting at Jammu. Jesuraj, the team discussed various issues and gave details of the efforts being made by the National Trust for rehabilitation of the physically challenged persons. Informing the Minister about various activities of National Trust towards emancipation of this section of the society, the delegation gave various suggestions with regard to the welfare of special children, like imparting of skill training and education. The team members pleaded for implementation of National Trust Act in Jammu and Kashmir State for providing more facilities to the physically challenged persons, particularly introduction of health insurance scheme. Interacting with the visiting delegation, the Minister said that the State Government has already taken a number of steps to improve the lot of this section of the society by providing pension and scholarship and other facilities under Disability Act, 1998. She further said that her department has already asked the Transport department for reserving seats in the public transport vehicles for these people, while Education Department has been asked to provide them job share. She said that Health Department was also directed to prioritise this section of the society with regard to medical facilities. She also informed the members that as per disability Act, the state Government constituted a review committee and on the recommendation of it, the post of Teacher, Junior Engineer (Civil) and Junior

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EDITORIAL

Illegal Infiltration in J&K

BY SHWETA BHAT n illegal immigrant in India is a person residing in the country without an official permission as prescribed by relevant Indian law. Those who are explicitly granted refugee status do not fall under this category. The steep and continuous decline in terrorist violence in Jammu & Kashmir (J&K) continued through 2011, bringing fatalities to a new and dramatic low. 2010 had been described as the "most peaceful year" in over two decades of insurgency in the State, with 375 terrorism-related fatalities. 2011 witnessed a further consolidation, with just 183 killed in the State. Crucially, despite continuous efforts by the separatist constituency in State to replicate the militant-backed summer unrest of 2010, street demonstrations and violence failed to secure significant traction through 2011. 34 civilians, 30 Security Forces (SFs), and 119 terrorist fatalities were recorded in 2011, down from 36 civilians, 69 SF personnel and 270 terrorists in 2010. Terrorism related incidents, at 189 in 2011, dropped to just over a third of their number in 2010 (488). Significantly, by end of 2011, at least seven Districts in the State had been

incident in the year, though it had been declared militancy free). This left just four Districts with double-digit incidence of insurgency: Srinagar, Baramulla, Kupwara and Pulwama. Sopore, in the Baramulla District, remained the terrorist-extremist heartland, as one intelligence officer noted in June 2011, "The day support for militancy ends here, it's finished. Sopore is the key." As if to underline this reality, in the first terrorist attack in 2012, on January 7, terrorists launched coordinated attacks on the Sopore Police Station, killing one civilian. Three civilians, three SF troopers and one militant were also injured in the attack. In January 2012, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs asked the State Government to take measures to free more Districts from militancy through 2012. The sharp decline in militant fatalities was substantially a consequence of an increasing reluctance on their part to engage with the SFs, heightened sharply by the continuous loss of leadership. Among top militants killed in 2011 were: Lashkare-Toiba's (LeT) 'operational commander' for North Kashmir Abdullah Uni; LeT 'divisional commander' Abdul Rehman alias

State Government data indicated that 19 militants had surrendered in 2011 (till November) as compared to 20 in 2010. A total of 4,080 terrorists, including 276 'commanders', had surrendered over the past 22 years. The State Government had also received some 800 applications in response to its November 23, 2010, surrender and rehabilitation policy, which was intended to facilitate the return of its estimated 3000 to 3500 youth who had crossed over into Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK) and Pakistan, for training, but had now given up the idea of joining the militancy, and sought an opportunity to the State. However, on July 6, 2011, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram had acknowledged that there were "practical issues" in implementing the rehabilitation policy for militants. Despite isolated pools of continuing, low grade violence, the improved security scenario led to a huge rush of tourists into the State, with 2011 recording an estimated one million visitors, significantly outstripping the pre-militancy record of 700,000. Tourism Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora observed, "In the history of Kashmir, we have not witnessed so many tourists." Increasing electoral partici-

are due to be held in March 2012. An estimated 350 to 370 militants were still believed to be operating in the State. Union Minister of State for Home, Jitendra Singh, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha (Lower

Musharraf's departure in 2008. According to the Government data, 198 ceasefire violations have been reported along the Line of Control (LoC), of which 77 were in 2008; 28 in 2009; 44 in 2010; and 45 between January

(APHC-G) leader Syed Ali Shah Geelani, and others, in an alleged hawala racket. In its charge sheet filed on August 2011, the NIA alleged that Bhat collected over INR 45.7 million over three years, commencing January 2008,

The arrest of more than 5,255 stone pelters, between January 1, 2010, and February 28, 2011, also worked as a deterrent. However, in a surprising move on August 28, 2011, Chief Minister (CM) Omar Abdullah announced an amnesty package for nearly 1,200 youth arrested during the 2010 summer agitation in the Valley. While the unrest in the past may have substantially been the result of the Government's 'mishandling', there is reason to believe that public exhaustion and disillusionment with the separatist agenda has also contributed to the failure of the protests to secure wider traction. Nevertheless, three major protests have already been reported from the State in 2012, with one civilian killed so far.
House of Parliament), on September 6, 2011, stated that "about 350-370 (militants) are assessed to be operating in Jammu and Kashmir. Out of which approximately 38 per cent are foreign militants, primarily Pakistani." Reports also indicate that militants continued to work towards recruiting local youth in certain areas of the State. Camps in PoK and Pakistan were also believed to have between 2,000 and 2,500 terrorists, according to Army sources. Reports indicated that 900 to 1,000 militants were in readiness to cross over into J&K from PoK, up from an estimated 500 to 600 militants in October 2010. Despite a 'multi-pronged approach' to contain border infiltration, which included, inter alia, strengthening of border management and multitiered and multi-modal deployment along international borders/ LoC and infiltration routes, construction of border fencing, improved technology, weapons and equipment for SFs, a total of 235 Pakistanbased terrorists attempted to infiltrate in 2011 (till November 30) in at least 85 infiltration bids. This figure was, however, significantly lower than the 495 militants who attempted to infiltrate in 2010; 480 in 2009; and 342 in 2008. Regrettably, Pakistan continued to violate the Cease-fire Agreement (CFA) of November 26, 2003, which had held without major incident till General Pervez and November 2011. The violations are ordinarily initiated by Pakistani Forces to facilitate terrorist infiltration across the border and LoC. Terror funding also continued to flow into J&K. Disclosures of arrestees revealed linkages between cross-LoC traders, Pakistanbased militant 'commanders' and the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Meanwhile, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has disclosed that the HM-backed and PoKbased Jammu and Kashmir Affectees Relief Fund Trust (JKART) had been funding terror in J&K. Investigators allege that JKART had pumped more than INR 800 million into the Valley in the name of relief and rehabilitation work, but diverted this amount to finance terror. Further, security agencies had arrested 98 persons and seized INR 12.3 million since 2009, as part of their efforts to check the flow of hawala (illegally transferred) money into J&K for funding secessionism and militancy, the State Government informed the Legislative Assembly on September 27, 2011. 17 persons had been arrested in this connection in 2011, till July, and INR 3.61 million had been recovered from them. This compared to 15 arrests and nearly INR 1 million recovered in 2010. Notably, a Delhi court, on February 18, 2012, framed charges against Ghulam Muhammad Bhat, said to be a close associate of All Party Hurriyat Conference-Geelani through hawala channels for terrorist activities. Bhat was arrested from Kashmir in January 2011 by a joint team of the Delhi and J&K Police, and INR 2.1 million was recovered from him. According to sources, some 369 incidents of stone pelting were recorded in 2011. Authorities insist that a major flare-up was averted as a result of improved responses on their part. One unnamed Police official asserted, "Use of nonlethal equipment and body protectors by Police have resulted in zero death of civilian or security personnel and injuries to only 58 persons in law and order disturbances this year [2011]. The arrest of more than 5,255 stone pelters, between January 1, 2010, and February 28, 2011, also worked as a deterrent. However, in a surprising move on August 28, 2011, Chief Minister (CM) Omar Abdullah announced an amnesty package for nearly 1,200 youth arrested during the 2010 summer agitation in the Valley. While the unrest in the past may have substantially been the result of the Government's 'mishandling', there is reason to believe that public exhaustion and disillusionment with the separatist agenda has also contributed to the failure of the protests to secure wider traction. Nevertheless, three major protests have already been reported from the State in 2012, with one civilian killed so far. Amidst these concerns,

Jammu and Kashmir: Key Indicators - 2006-2012*

Years Civilian SF Fatalities Fatalities 2006 1667 349 168 2007 1092 164 121 2008 708 69 90 2009 499 55 78 2010 488 36 69 2011 189 34 30 2012* NA 4 0 Source: SATP, *Data till February 19, 2012 declared completely free of militancy. These included Leh and Kargil, which had never seen significant militancy, as well as Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Reasi and Doda. 13 Districts, according to the State Home Ministry, had reported militancy related incidents 'in single digits': Budgam, Kulgam, Anantnag, Shopian, Ganderbal, Bandipora, Kishtwar, Ramban, Doda, Poonch, Rajouri, Udhampur and Jammu (Jammu recorded just one Incidents** Terrorist Fatalities 599 492 382 242 270 119 3 Total Explosions Infiltration Fatalities Attempts** 1116 215 573 777 109 535 541 43 342 375 13 485 375 36 489 183 42 NA 7 2 NA ** Source: State Home Ministry pation has also provided grounds for further encouragement. The 2002 Assembly Elections had recorded a 43.7 per cent voter turnout, despite enveloping terrorist threats and calls for boycott. By 2008, participation in the Assembly Elections had risen to 63 per cent of registered voters. The 2011 Panchayat (village local self-government institutions) Elections recorded a 79 per cent voter turnout. Elections to various Corporations and Urban Committees in the State

Rehman Bhai, who had been nominated as 'operational commander' of LeT (North Kashmir) after the death of Abdullah Uni; Hizb-ulMujahideen (HM) 'divisional commander' Qari Zubair; Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) 'commander' Ahsan Bhai; LeT Kishtwar 'chief' Habib Gujjar alias Salman; JeM 'commander-in-chief' Sajjad Afghani alias Qari Hamaad, LeT 'divisional commander' Mohammad Aiyaz Malik alias Abu Moosa.

the premature demands and proposals for further troop cuts and the withdrawal of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA) raised temperatures in the Valley. Despite the withdrawal of 10 battalions of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and nearly 30 battalions of the Indian Army from the State in 2009, demands for the further dilution of Force were raised stridently through the year, both by separatists and by the mainstream political parties. The State Government has also sought a more structured phased removal of Central Paramilitary Forces (CPMFs) from the State. On January 1, 2012, official sources stated, "In the first phase, the Government has asked for sanction for raising five Police battalions comprising 5,000 Police personnel. However, as a long term measure, the State has sought the creation of a total of 50 Police battalions to gradually replace paramilitary and security personnel with the Police Force." Similarly, despite the Army's opposition to the withdrawal of AFSPA on the grounds that this could result in the "emergence of terror sanctuaries and safe havens", Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, on several occasions, reiterated the separatist and popular demand for partial removal of AFSPA. Those opposing AFSPA allege that it has been misused by the SFs. In what can only be an embarrassing response, Defence Minister A.K. Antony disclosed in Parliament, on December 20, 2011, "24 cases seeking sanction for prosecution under AFSPA have been received from Jammu and Kashmir Home Department during the last five years, from 2007 to December 15 this year. In 19 cases, the requests for prosecution sanction were rejected, as it was found on examination that no prima facie case was made out against the accused Army personnel. Five cases were still under examination." Meanwhile, the Valley-based Association of Parents of Disappeared Persons (APDP) admitted that militants were responsible for more enforced disappearances than the SFs. It

claimed that, of the 132 cases it had documented, militant groups were responsible for 24 cases of enforced disappearances compared to 22 by the SFs, including the Police (the remaining cases remained indeterminate). The State Cabinet, on October 28, 2011, approved amendments to the Public Safety Act (PSA). One of the major amendments reduced the detention period of one year to three months in cases where the accused was arrested for disturbing public order. The amendments also included a provision prohibiting the detention of a minor under the PSA. CONCLUSION J&K is at crossroad. Though these measures, in addition to several others, have helped in improving the situation, any slackness on the part of State Government as well as New Delhi to fulfill their political goals will devoid the State of an opportunity to return to permanent peace sooner than later. Dramatic and continuous improvements have, no doubt, been registered in the security environment in the terrorwracked State of J&K over the past years. Nevertheless, residual dangers continue to exist, seeking an opportunity to reopen the wide wounds inflicted over 23 years of terrorism. Processes of radicalization, and well funded programmes for the expansion of Salafi Islamist ideologies and institutions, continue across the Valley, suggesting the possibility of a future conflagration. Worse, the entire political spectrum in the Valley ranges from soft, through hard, to militant separatism. Systematic distortions continue to undermine democratic legitimacy and frameworks, discount and discredit elected leaderships, privilege violence, and appease the most intractable constituencies in the State. Across the border, while the impetus of support to terrorism has waned due to strategic pulls and pressures, the intent remains unchanged, and a destabilizing shift in the enveloping geo-political environment - particularly as a result of a premature withdrawal of Western Forces from Afghanistan - could easily destroy the tentative, hardwon, and still imperfect peace in J&K.

Khap Panchayat: Power or Honour?

By Sowmya Krishnamurthy: ndia portrays itself as a developing nation with an economic growth that is skyrocketing every microsecond. India portrays itself as a nation of mixed cultures and traditions that is tolerant of one another. What is true in reality is that India is a nation of engineers and thinkers that are more familiar with outsourcing and L1 visas than innovation and independent thinking. India is a nation of mixed faith and religion but often, one is not very amicable with another despite the similarities. Does this seem too familiar? Perhaps like the movie "Pleasantville"? What does this tell us? That India cannot boast of more than 20% plus economic growth or anything at all in any given year in the name of development when some of the basic things in India are missing or much worse, the reverse. It is one thing when a basic need is missing, it's relatively easier to try and introduce something in place. People are relatively open to that. But the reverse, when something that is not of much value to human progress exists it is much worse because now there is an additional step of convincing people to stop doing that before introducing anything new. Khap is one such thing. Whenever and wherever there is curtailing of information and expression of opinion there is a corrupt force behind it. Khap is no exception. "The Khap and Sarv Khap was a system of social administration and organization in the republics of Northwestern Indian states such

as Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh since ancient times. Khap is a term for a social political grouping and used in a geographical sense. Other parallel terms are Pal, Ganasangha, Janapada or republic." [Source wikipedia] Wealth distribution or Caste problem? Men in many affluent families are insecure about wealth distribution. They are worried about their wealth being transferred to other families, more specifically other castes. The reasoning probably is that if the girl marries in the same caste, wealth stays within that caste which according to them is much better than a different one. Known devil Vs Unknown angel, Us Vs Them or "My religion better than your religion" syndrome. When did the dowry problem sneak in as a wealth issue? When did dowry problem turn in to a series of slaughters? For instance, consider this sample case: Nobody says a word when a politician's children decide to marry against norms. It's very selective,' says Aidwa's Sudha Sundararaman. Or when couples can pay the "fines" khaps impose, in short paying their way out. Matters come to a head if the woman marries a lower caste guy. Her succession rights can mean property going-via the girlinto a lower-caste family. Inter-caste, intravillage, intra-gotra are the big daddies frowned upon. But again, selective. 'A khap had declared a couple brother-sister recently and nullified their marriage. We intervened and as the boy was Delhi-based and had clout,

their khap revoked the decision,' says Sundararaman. Fighting against the dowry system would be much easier. Instead Khap believes it's better to control the whos and whats of the dowry recipients. That along with the belief that one caste is better than the other is what's ruining this country. Controlling or gender assertion? Some men think that if a woman is empowered to do what she wants, their own role is diminished because now they have nothing to control. Here's what a UP farmers' leader thinks: "Only whores choose their own partners. Recently an educated couple married against the samaj's (community's) wishes in Jhajjar. We hail the panchayat's decision to execute themThe government cannot protect this atyachar (immoral behaviour). (The law of the land) is the root of all problems That's your Constitution, ours is different." They truly believe that women are not supposed to pick their own partners. It seems like it is way more of a prejudicial attempt to dominate and control people. Mostly women. Ignorance or Dependency? Men (and probably women too) think that the outside world is bad and one has to stay within the community. Just because Khap exists only in North India doesn't mean the Southern states are immune to it. Those atrocities are practiced there as well, just not in the same name. The Megala case proves that:

"Megala, 20, and Sivakumar, 24, were told they couldn't marry as they were related (nonblood). Her family married her off in June. Ten days after the wedding, she ran away with Sivakumar. Her family tracked the couple down and attacked Sivakumar with 'aruvaals'. Sivakumar died on the spot, and his killers, who included her father and brother, have been arrested. Megala, now in hospital, says that everyone in her village, including her mother, feels that the punishment is justified as she brought shame to her village and the Thevar community to which she belongs." Lack of education or surrender? Women, like in many other parts of the country mostly just attend to the household chores and taking care of the family. It's hard to say it is the woman's fault although in many cases it is. But mostly, they surrender. Out of fear. Out of not knowing an alternative. For instance, Gangamma could have completely prevented this killing: According to the FIR, Patil's mother, Gangamma, saw them together in his house and informed Rekha's father, Narasa Reddy. Narasa Reddy and his elder brother, Bhooma Reddy, rushed to the place, dragged Rekha out and beat her black and blue. Is it her illiteracy that drove her to do such a despicable act? Illiteracy doesn't necessarily mean just a lack of school education or degree. It also means lack of the knowledge or distinction between the absolute right and wrong.

Power hungry or plain clout? Men, especially older ones have the role and probably the only role of serving as an advisor to the younger generation. In doing so, they forget to empathize or acknowledge their needs. The average age of Khap members being 60, it is no wonder they are still rooted in old customs and waddle in a pigsty of backwardness. Their argument against same gotra marriages citing "scientific" reasons is so very perplexing. If science discourages consanguineous marriages, then doesn't it mean it encourages inter-caste marriages and hence they should be approved? The well known Manoj-Babli killing was done because they were considered to be of the same gotra. In another case, Ved Pal was accused of violating bhaichara (brotherhood) because he did not marry a girl from a neighboring village even though the gotra wasn't the same: The Banwala khap argued that even though the gotras of the youngsters were different (sections in the media erroneously reported that it was a sah-gotra, or same-gotra, marriage, causing more confusion and anger as such marriages are strongly disapproved of), the villages, Singhwal and Mataur, were neighboring ones where the norm of "bhaichara" or "Seem-Seemali" (a concept of fraternal neighborhood for villages located in a proximate vicinity) applied. Therefore there could be no conjugal relations between people of even different gotras. It's time to figure out how to work on this plague and nip it in the bud. What are your thoughts?

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NATIONAL

Two BJP ministers Shobha Karandlaje, CM Udasi quit cabinet in Karnataka

BANGALORE: Two ministers, C.M. Udasi and Shobha Karandlaje, Wednesday quit Karnataka cabinet as part of BJP rebels plan to prevent Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar from presenting his maiden budget Feb 8. The Karnataka government seems headed for fresh trouble as two ministers, loyal to former Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa, resigned today. Energy Minister Shobha Karandlaje handed in her resignation along with Public Works Minister CM Udasi. In a high voltage drama at the Assembly Speaker's office, 13 ruling BJP MLAs, loyal to former party strongman B S Yeddyurappa, on today made a vain bid to submit their resignation from assembly membership insisting that the government had been reduced to a minority. "I have resigned as a minister. I am also going to resign today as MLA and so is Shobha. We will meet the Assembly secretary since the speaker is not in town," Mr Udasi said. Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar confirmed the resignations. He said, "Yes, both ministers have given their resignations to me. I have a tour now. We will decide what to do next.'' The legislators who resigned today, reached Omprakash were present when the MLAs arrived. After waiting for about an hour, the agitated MLAs insisted that some official of assembly secretariat either receive their resignation letters or give an acknowledgement that they are not empowered to receive them. Udasi insisted on an acknowledgement, but Joint Secretary Jayatheertha Galali said, "As Joint Secretary I can't accept it. Please come and submit resignations when Speaker comes to office". Enraged over the development, former chief minister and Karnataka Janata Party supremo Yeddyurappa rushed into the Vidhana Soudha, hit out at the speaker's absence and also chief minister Jagadish Shettar. "Jagadish Shettar government has been reduced to a minority. He has no moral right to continue in office. The chief minister should call off his tour, return to the city and resign forthwith", Yeddyurappa demanded. Yeddyurappa also took a dig at Bopaiah, who, he said, had been alerted yesterday about the resignation of MLAs, but has left on a tour. However, neither Bopaiah, who was not in station, nor the Assembly Legislature Secretary Omprakash were present when the MLAs arrived.

Uddhav Thackeray appointed Shiv Sena president

MUMBAI: On his father late Bal Thacekray's birth anniversary, Shiv Sena's executive president Uddhav Thackeray was Wednesday appointed as the party's president. A function was organised at the Shiv Sena Bhawan in Mumbai where Uddhav was appointed the party president. As a part of the birth anniversary celebrations at Lalbaug, the Shiv Sainiks are distributing Chinese retractable knives to women of the city so that they can protect themselves. "Bal Thackeray used to say women should prefer a Rampuri in their purse rather than a lipstick," the right wing Shiv Sena's South Region head Ajay Chaudhry

Speaker KG Bopaiah's office in Vidhan Soudha, the state secretariat, with their hand written resignation let-

ters. However, neither Bopaiah, who was not in station, nor the Assembly Legislature Secretary

said when asked about the inspiration behind the plan. "This govt. has failed to provide security to women so we are distributing these knives to empower them," he added. Sena MP Bharat Raut had, however, said on Tuesday that "this is something that's being done at a shakha (block) level." He said he was not aware if this had the support and blessings of Sena's top leadership.

No respite from cold Voter to get paper receipt after casting ballot: EC tells SC Delhi gang-rape: Justice Verma Committee to submit recommendations today in Punjab, Haryana
NEW DELHI: The Election Commission told the SC that it would soon incorporate a paper trail and issue a paper receipt to each voter after the ballot is cast through Electronic Voting Machine. The EC submitted before a bench of justices P Sathasivam and Ranjan Gogoi said that trial of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) in EVMs has been done in around 180 polling stations in various states and it could be incorporated in elections after an expert committee's nod. Senior Advocate Ashok Desai, appearing for the Commission, said VVPAT would first be used in bye-elections and then in state election and general elections. "The Expert Committee is keen to have reliable system. The manufacturers have made considerable progress and it is hoped that the system will be stabilised within a few months," he said, adding 17 review and monitoring meetings have so far been held with EVM manufacturers. "The Commission asked EVM manufacturers to accelerate their development and further fine-tune the design of VVPAT system for making it suitable for use in elections at the earliest. Bharat Electronics Limited and Electronic Corporation of India are working on improvement in the design of VVPAT system," the EC said in its report. The apex court was hearing a plea of Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy seeking direction to the poll panel to ensure that EVMs should have a paper trail and issue a paper receipt to each voter. Earlier, Swamy had made a plea for reverting to paper- ballot system saying all advanced countries, including the US and Japan, have discarded EVMs and gone back to the old system. The Janata Party leader had contended that even Japan, which had pioneered the launch of EVMs, was today relying on the paper-ballot system only. He said only private companies across the world are manufacturing EVMs, which are vulnerable to hacking. NEW DELHI: Over a month after the December 16 gang-rape of a para-medical student in Delhi shook the entire nation and led to widespread protests, a threemember panel set up by the government to look into women's safety will submit its report on Wednesday. The Justice Verma Committee was constituted to look at existing legislations and suggest changes to check crimes against women. The panel will submit its recommendations to the government. While reviewing the laws, the panel had also sought suggestions from the public. Among the issues the panel is reported to have looked at include enhanced punishment for those who were involved in sexual crimes of extreme nature. Among other parties, the Congress had suggested to the Verma Committee that rapists should be given a maximum of life sentence and capital punishment must be reserved only for rarest of rare cases. Under the existing law, the maximum punishment for rape is a life term but the nation-wide outrage over the gang rape of the 23-year-old physiotherapy student in a moving bus had sparked a demand for death penalty for rape convicts. The BJP had also favoured death for perpetrators of such crimes and demanded a special session of Parliament for amending the laws.

CHANDIGARH: There was no respite from cold conditions in Punjab and Haryana as mercury dropped by up to five degrees below normal in several places in both states. Thick fog enveloped plain areas of Punjab and Haryana, affecting road traffic, while a few trains were running late because of reduced visibility. Karnal in Haryana turned out to be the coldest place in the region with minimum settling at 1.8 deg C, five notches below normal, the MeT office said here on Wednesday. Narnaul braved cold at 2.7 deg C, down by two degrees below normal, while Hisar had a low of 2.9 deg C, dipping by three notches. Ambala and Bhiwani shivered at 6.1 deg C and 3.8 deg C respectively. UT Chandigarh experienced cold at 5.8 deg C. In Punjab, Amritsar recorded minimum at 2.2 deg C, while Ludhiana and Patiala had a low of 4.8 deg C and 5.2 deg C respectively. The MeT Department in its forecast said dry weather conditions will continue to prevail in Punjab and Haryana while fog and mist may occur at several places during morning and night in both states. Ground frost may also occur at isolated places during next two nights. The maximum temperature in Punjab and Haryana were also hovering below 20 deg C.

'One IT literate person in 10 lakh Governor withholds assent to Meghalaya Lokayukta Bill Regulation (Amendment) 'flaws'. households by 2020': Kapil Sibal SHILLONG: The Mukula as full ofanti-graft Bill, 2012 which according to Similarly, Sangma-led government got
NEW DELHI: The government said that it plans to make one person Information Technology, IT, literate in every household by 2020. Giving details of the agenda of the Department of Electronics and Information Technology, for 2013, IT and Communications Minister Kapil Sibal said in New Delhi that one Information Technology literate person in 10 lakh households, is the target for the current year. He said 18 specific agenda items have been identified for further promotion and development of domestic shocker ahead of the February 23 Assembly elections when Meghalaya Governor R S Mooshahary refused to give assent to the Meghalaya Lokayukta Bill, 2012. 'I have returned the Lokayukta Bill to the government with certain observation regarding the term and conditions of office of Lokayukta and its members besides other provisions in the Bill,' Mr Mooshahary said. It may be mentioned that the Meghalaya Lokayukta Bill, 2012 was passed in the recent winter session of Assembly amid protest by the opposition NCP which described the Bill activists under the banner of Meghalaya Right to Information M o v e m e n t (MRTIM) also petitioned the governor requesting him to withhold his assent to the 'flawed' bill. On the other hand, the governor gave his nod to the Meghalaya Forest Regulation (Amendment) Bill, 2012 saying that there should be sustainable development. 'I have gone through this Amendment Bill and found that it was good for the larger development of the State. The them would pave the way for more destruction of forests for industries and mining. Under the bill, a new clause (10) has been inserted (Section 3 of the Act) which stated an area would be 'forest' if it is a compact or continuous tract of minimum four hectares of land irrespective of ownership and where more than 250 naturally growing trees per hectare with size of 15 cm at breast height or more than 100 naturally growing bamboo clumps per hectare are present in case of the tracts containing predominantly sympodial bamboo.

electronics and IT-enabled Services in the country during the year. Mr Sibal said the government will also notify the Cyber Security policy to set up an ecosystem for cyber security in the country.

SC upholds compensation of Rs. 33 crore for families of Dabwali fire victims

families of those killed in a fire at a school function in Dabwali, Haryana in 1995. The compensation had been ordered by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The DAV Managing Committee had appealed against it in the Supreme Court. On December 23, 1995, a fire swept through a banquet hall in Dabwali during the annual function of the DAV School. Of the 456 people killed, 250 were women and 130 students. On Nov 9, 2009, the high court ordered a compensation of Rs. 55 crore Rs. 33 crore by DAV Managing Committee and Rs. 22 crore by the Haryana government. While Haryana paid its share, the DAV Managing Committee appealed in the Supreme Court in 2010. The committee argued that it could not be held responsible for the fire tragedy since the authorities had allowed the hall to function without a licence. On March 15, 2010, the DAV committee was directed to pay an interim compensation of Rs. 10 crore until its appeal was decided upon.

State must also have some industries and we cannot overlook the need of the government,' Mr Mooshahary said. Earlier, the FKJGP and Meghalaya People's Environment Rights Forum (MPERF) have also written to the governor requesting him not to give his seal of approval to the Meghalaya Forest

EC registers 2.32 crore citizens under enrollment drive ahead of NVD

NEW DELHI: Over 2.32 crore citizens have been registered under the enrollment drive conducted by the Election Commission across the country ahead of the 3rd National Voters Day-NVD which will be celebrated on 25th of this month. On this day the newly enrolled voters will be given Electoral Photo Identity Card-EPIC at various functions. The Director General of Election Commission, Mr Akshay Rout in New Delhi said that out of the newly added voters, around 93 lakhs are those who are in the age of 18 to 19 years. He said, with this the total electorate now stands 77.78 crore out of which 36.90 crore are women and 1.76 crore are in the 18 to 19 year age group. Highlighting the various events to be held on the occasion of National Voters Day, Mr Rout said that functions will be held at more than 6.5 lakhs locations across the country covering almost all Polling Stations.

End political neglect of tribal issues: Ramesh

that Dalits and Muslims are major forces in the electoral politics, Ramesh said, "No political party makes tribal issues in the mainstream of their political activities the way they deal with the Dalit issues or Muslim issues." Observing that the Indian political system is "very flexible" and the country defeated insurgency in Punjab and some northeastern states through political process, he said "the political parties must expand their presence in the tribal areas" so that the Maoist problem can be addressed politically. He referred to former Home Minister P Chidambaram's call for talks with Maoists without giving up arms, ideology and cadres but said the response of Maoist chief Ganpati to this has created a "political impasse". He said, the Maoist chief has put forward the condition that "all out war" has to be withdrawn, "the ban on the party and the mass organisation (CPI-Maoist) has to be withdrawn, illegal detention and torture of the Maoists have to be stopped and they should be immediately released" for talks and these conditions have created a situation that is so difficult that no progress can be made.

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today upheld a compensation of Rs. 33 crore from the DAV school management for the

RSS may press charges against Shinde, RK Singh over terror comments
NEW DELHI: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) is likely to press charges against Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde and Home Secretary RK Singh for their comments linking the Sangh to terror strikes in the country. RSS spokesperson Ram Madhav Wednesday said that the organisation is contemplating on filing a case against Shinde and Singh. The duo had said that many terror attacks in the country in the last several years had been planned in the training camps run by the RSS and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Shinde had also blamed the organisations for promoting Hindu terrorism. "Training camps of both BJP and RSS are promoting Hindu terrorism. Whether it is Samjhauta blast or mos1 Mecca Masjid blast or Malegaon blast, they plant bombs and blame it on the minorities," Shinde had said. The Home Minister later said that whatever he had said was already in public domain. "What I said has already been reported. I have said nothing new," he said. The Home Secretary had backed Shinde and claimed on Tuesday that at least 10 people allegedly involved in terror attacks had links with the RSS. "After investigation into Samjhauta Express blast, Mecca Masjid blast and Ajmer Sharif blast, we have 10 names of those who were associated with the RSS at some point or the other," said the Union Home Secretary. The Union Home Secretary named Sunil Joshi, Sandeep Dange, Lokesh Sharma, and Aseemanand among those who figure in the terror list. "We have evidence against them," said the Union Home Secretary. The statement from the Home Secretary came after the RSS attacked Shinde over his statement, demanding his apology. Terming it as an irresponsible statement from the Home Minister, RSS member Manmohan Vaidya said, "This will only weaken our fight against terrorism." "The Home Secretary's statement this evening...he showed undue haste in coming to the rescue of his political masters which is unbecoming of any bureaucrat in this country," Madhav said. Madhav said the Sangh took strong exception to Singh's remark that these people were involved in terror cases, as probe was still going on and these cases was yet to go before the court. "To link all those people with the RSS is another big lie that he is trying to perpetuate through his statement and we are strongly condemning his statement on this purported link," Madhav said. The RSS spokesperson said that if the Home Secretary could list the name of people in five cases, he should also release list of all people who were involved in all the cases of communal riots and bomb blasts. "The Home Secretary has openly come out today trying to influence the investigations. We will now consider legal options to take up this matter now. We will take recourse to legal action against the Home Secretary," he added. "To link RSS with these cases is a deliberate political move. We can understand politicians doing it, but we cannot understand the home secretary of the country coming out and doing this. I don't know what the motivation is," Madhav said. Referring to the reaction of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) terrorist Hafiz Saeed, the RSS said, "Shinde has not only strengthened Pakistani terrorist outfits by his statement, but also demoralised our forces." The BJP also hit out at Shinde over the issue with party spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad saying that remarkable achievements of India's diplomatic efforts is undermined by these comments.

NEW DELHI: Terming the issues raised by Maoists as a "wake up call", Union minister Jairam Ramesh Wednesday asked parties to end "political neglect of tribal issues" in view of the growing Red menace. Delivering a public lecture on "21st Century Maoism in India" here, he said no political party can ignore the issues raised by the Maoists, but expressed disappointment over the response of the Reds towards the government's call for talks. "Of every indicator, the tribals are at the bottom line. Education, health, nutrition, sanitation, agriculture... I think issues that they (Maoists) have raised, advertently or inadvertently are the issues we cannot ignore... It's a wakeup call," he said, terming as "the great tragedy" of the society the fact that it required the Maoists to wake India up on the issues of tribals. Noting

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INTERNATIONAL & ECONOMY

TOKYO: Japan is to launch a new spy satellite on Sunday to strengthen its monitoring capabilities amid concern that North Korea may carry out more missile and nuclear tests. A rocket carrying a radar-equipped satellite is scheduled to blast off from a space centre at Tanegashima in the southwest, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency has announced. The space agency said the satellite would be used for information-gathering, including data following Japan's 2011 quake and tsunami, but did not mention North Korea by name. The launch, planned for Sunday between 1:00 and 3:00 pm (0400-0600 GMT) UN Security Council action, saying there would be "no dialogue to discuss denuclearisation" and hinting that a new atomic test could be planned. Japan hopes the satellite launch will enable it to complete a system first devised in the early 1990s as a response to fears about North Korea. From an altitude of several hundred kilometres, the satellite will be able to detect objects on the ground as small as a square metre, including at night and through cloud cover, thanks to its radar. Tokyo has four opera-

7
tional satellites in space, of which just one is equipped with radar. It has used satellites for monitoring and information-gathering since the late 1990s. Last year Pyongyang launched two long-range rockets. The first failed but the second in December flew over the southern Okinawa island chain, jangling nerves in Japan. North Korea insists its December 12 rocket launch was a peaceful, scientific mission aimed at putting a satellite in space. The UN condemned it as a disguised ballistic missile test.

Deadly blasts rock Iraqi capital

BAGHDAD: Three blasts, including a suicide attack, have killed at least 17 people in and around the Iraqi capital, Baghdad, officials say. The most deadly of Tuesday's explosions took place in Taji, 20km north of Baghdad, where a suicide bomber driving a car packed with explosives detonated his bomb near an army base, killing at least seven people and wounding 24. Nasseer Rahman, a teacher, said he was sitting in a minibus waiting to pass the checkpoint when the bomb exploded about 120 metres away. He said dozens of cars were waiting in lines when the blast went off. "As soon as the blast struck, we got off the minibus and ran to the site of the explosion," he said. "We saw several cars on fire and pools of blood, and everybody was screaming for help.'' Another car bomb exploded in a crowded market in the Shia neighbour-

Japan launching spy satellite

Three explosions kill at least 17 people in Baghdad hood of Shula, in the northwest of the capital, killing five people and wounding 13, police and hospital sources said. "We received a call for us to head to the blast site. It was a car bomb. A woman was laying dead with a sack of groceries still beside her, and the wounded were screaming," said policeman Ghalib Ameer, whose patrol was called to Shula. In Mahmudiya, a town 30km south of Baghdad, a car bomb attack near an army checkpoint killed five people, including two soldiers, and wounded 14 more. Violence in Iraq has eased since the widespread sectarian carnage of 2006-2007, but Sunni armed groups still launch frequent attacks to reignite confrontation among the Shia majority, Sunni Muslims and ethnic Kurds.

comes after Pyongyang rejected dialogue on its atomic programme following tightened UN sanctions for a banned rocket launch. The North's foreign ministry responded angrily to the

British PM promises referendum on staying in EU by 2017

LONDON: Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday promised to hold a referendum by the end of 2017 giving British people the choice of staying in or leaving the EU if his party wins the next election. In a long-awaited speech in London, Cameron said he wants to first renegotiate the terms of Britain's membership of the European Union because "public disillusionment with the EU is at an alltime high". He said: "When we have negotiated that new settlement, we will give the British people a referendum with a very simple in-or-out choice." Cameron said that if his party wins an outright victory in the general election, it would hold a referendum during the first half of zens had "grown dramatically in recent years". "If we don't address these challenges, the danger is that Europe will fail and the British people will drift towards the exit," he said. Cameron has faced intense pressure from the eurosceptic right wing of the Conservative Party to take a stand on Europe, an issue that has long divided the party. "The next Conservative manifesto in 2015 will ask for a mandate from the British people for a Conservative government to negotiate a new settlement with our European partners in the next parliament," he said. Cameron said a rethink of Britain's membership was essential because British people resented the intrusion into national life of unnecessary rules and regulations set by the EU. The prime minister said he understood the "impatience" of those who want to hold a referendum immediately, but insisted the time was not right now. Explaining why he wants to wait, Cameron said the euro zone crisis will leave the EU transformed "perhaps beyond recognition" and that Britain wanted to help shape the future of the bloc that emerges from it. Cameron has also faced warnings from Britain's close ally the United States against isolating the country from the EU.

U.S. prosecutors seek up to 35 years in terror sentencing

WASHINGTON : The Justice Department has urged a federal judge to sentence a U.S. man convicted of charges related to the deadly Mumbai terror attack to 30 to 35 years in prison when he appears in court on Thursday. David Headley, 52, of Chicago, has pleaded guilty to counts related to the 2008 attack in India that killed 160 people, including six Americans. Headley admitted conducting advance surveillance for the India operation. Prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty in exchange for his plea. He signed that agreement in 2010 and promised to cooperate with U.S. authorities. U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder noted at the time that he had provided extensive "valuable intelligence about terrorist activities." Gary Shapiro, the acting U.S. attorney in Chicago, issued a lengthy sentencing memo to the federal district court on Tuesday concluding that the 30- to 35-year sentence the government recommended for Headley was fair. "While his criminal conduct was deplorable, the uniquely significant cooperation which he provided to the government's efforts to combat terrorism support the government's recommendations," Shapiro said. Headley could receive up to life in prison. The Indian government wants to conduct another trial for Headley, but the United States has said it would not send him to any other country.

Polls open in Jordan parliament election

AMMAN: Polling stations in Jordan opened Wednesday in a vote boycotted by Islamists behind strident pro-reform protests who have already labelled as illegitimate what is expected to be an opposition-free parliament. Analysts say tribal leaders and other pro-regime figures, along with independent businessmen, are expected to sweep the polls in the country of 6.8 million people. The powerful Muslim Brotherhood and the National Reform Front of former premier and intelligence chief Ahmad Obeidat are staying away from the polls. Around 2.3 million Jordanians are eligible to vote at 1,484 polling stations, choosing from 1,425 candidates including around 140 former MPs and 191 women, vying for a four-year term in the 150-seat lower house of parliament. The Arab Spring movement that began two years ago and toppled four regimes across the region also sparked regular protests in Jordan, where a combination of youths and Islamists have been demanding sweeping political and economic reforms. Their protests have become increasingly vocal and, during deadly November rioting over a sharp hike in fuel prices, there were unprecedented calls from some quarters for King Abdullah II to step down. The monarch, whose throne is not seriously thought to be under threat, is hoping that Wednesday's polls will produce a new crop of strong MPs who will work efficiently to jump start reform.

the new five-year parliament, by the end of 2017. He warned that if the EU failed to bring in the reforms that he wanted, Britain could "drift" out of the 27-member bloc. Cameron said the EU was grappling with the eurozone, "a crisis of European competitiveness" and the gap between the EU and its citi-

Russia: No plan for large evacuation from Syria

MOSCOW: Russia's foreign minister says that Moscow has no plans to launch a large-scale evacuation of its citizens from Syria, after 77 Russians left the troubled country and were flown out to Moscow. Sergey Lavrov said that some 1,000 of tens of thousands of Russians residing in Syria want to leave the country in the midst of civil war that so far has killed over 60,000 people. Lavrov said that Russia already had pulled out families of diplomats from Syria but has no immediate plan to reduce its Embassy staff, adding that there are contingency plans if the situation changes. Russia has been the main protector of Syrian President Bashar Assad, shielding him from the United Nations sanctions over his crackdown on an uprising that began in March 2011.

ECONOMY

Charge prepayment penalty only on fixed rate loan dues: RBI

MUMBAI: Home loan borrowers who have opted for fixed rates may have easier terms on their mortgages as the Reserve Bank of India has advised banks to revise the penalty structure on prepayments and charge it only on the outstanding amount. It has also recommended that banks should focus on raising long-term deposits to fund more long-term loans to help reduce the EMI burden on home loan borrowers. A report on the 'Feasibility of Introducing more LongTerm Fixed Rate Loan Products by Banks' from the banking regulator has said banks should charge pre-payment penalty only on the outstanding loan amount and not on the value of loans as is normally done. The guideline will help borrowers save substantial amounts if they were to prepay a fixed rate loan. This comes after the RBI's recent mandate to banks to do away with pre-payment penalty on floating rate home loans. The RBI committee that prepared the report has also advised banks to popularise longterm deposits to develop a longterm fixed rate product. The committee notes that the Indian financial system has government bonds for up to 30 years. This creates a benchmark to issue and price 30-year bonds by banks. Banks could, therefore, make efforts to offer longer-tenor fixed rate loans, say up to 30 years, which would help reduce the EMIs of borrowers. Fixed-rate long-term loan products with periodic interest reset provision (say every 7-10 years) may be offered by banks in addition to plain vanilla fixed-rate loan products. However, banks should take care that the resetting of interest rate does not violate regulatory guidelines on the base rate, the report said. Banks may explore the option of take-out financing. In addition , banks may explore promoting securitisation market for better assetliability management. The committee has also suggested that banks and Indian Banks Association should play a prominent role in educating customers regarding possible impact of rate changes on their equated monthly instalments.

Bharti Airtel, Vodafone, Idea Gold up Rs 95, silver by Rs 450 announce hike in call rates NEW DELHI: Extending gains for the third straight session,
NEW DELHI: In what can only be termed as a set back to consumers, voice call tariffs are set to rise as Bharti Airtel, Vodafone and Idea Cellular announced a price hike on Wednesday. Both Bharti Airtel and Idea Cellular have increased their call tariff rates by nearly 100 per cent. While Bharti Airtel has doubled the call rates from Rs 1 per minute to Rs 2 per minute, Idea has also gone for a steep hike from 1.2 paise per second to 2 paise per second. Vodafone has also confirmed a hike. In some cases, Bharti Airtel is reducing free minutes by 10-25 per cent and has increased prices of some call vouchers for prepaid customers by Rs. 5-15. "This revision in prices is in line with these increasing costs. We are committed to enhance value for our customers through continued investments in network, technology, customer experience and life enriching services," Bharti Airtel said in a statement. The news will adversely affect consumers, but investors have a reason to cheer as higher call rates would translate into better margins for the company.Bharti shares jumped sharply on the news of tariff hike. gold prices on Wednesday rose by Rs 95 to Rs 31,385 per 10 grams here on pick-up in seasonal demand amid a firming global trend. Silver also rebounded by Rs 450 to Rs 59,750 per kg on increased off take by industrial units and coin-makers. Traders said a pick-up in wedding season demand and a firming global trend mainly pushed up gold prices. They said hike in import duty by the government also influenced gold prices. In New York, gold rose by USD 1.70 to USD 1,691.80 an ounce and silver by 0.19 per cent to USD 32.21 an ounce. On the domestic front, gold of 99.9 and 99.5 per cent purity advanced by Rs 95 each to Rs 31,385 and Rs 31,185 per 10 grams, respectively. Gold rose by Rs 380 in last two sessions. Sovereigns also gained Rs 50 to Rs 25,500 per piece of eight grams.

Kingfisher Airlines needs at least 1,000 cr to restart operations: Ajit Singh

NEW DELHI: Kingfisher Airlines(KING.NS) needs at least 10 billion rupees to restart its grounded operations and must also demonstrate an ability to sustain itself for at least 6 months, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said . Earlier, a senior government source said India was willing to support a rescue plan from Kingfisher if it could settle months of salary due to frustrated employees, sending the airline's shares up as much as 9 per cent. The comments came after Kingfisher Chief Executive Sanjay Aggarwal met officials at the ministry of civil aviation to discuss the plan, which was earlier rejected by the regulatory Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Singh said all stakeholders, including banks, airports and oil comis estimated to owe $2.5 billion in debt to banks, staff, vendors and others, has submitted a $119 million revival plan to the regulators. An official at the DGCA said earlier this month that the plan would not be sufficient to rescue the airline. Kingfisher shares, which hit a lifetime low of 7.05 rupees, last August, closed up 7 per cent at 14.45 rupees on the National Stock Exchange.

SC directs airlines not to levy any transaction fee

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the airlines not to levy any form of transaction fee on passengers, a move that could bring down the cost of air fares. The apex court has also ordered the Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to examine the tariff structure of the airlines in view of wide range of basic fares. The airlines are violating agreed-upon structure of pricing of tickets by charging unsanctioned taxes and fees, the Supreme Court said. With the suspension of Kingfisher Airlines, other airlines have sought to cash in on the situation and have hiked the prices accordingly. Fair trade regulator Competition Commission said earlier that suspension of flights by crisis- hit Kingfisher Airlines may be a possible reason for soaring airfares, although there is no evidence as yet of any price cartelisation among the carriers. "If there was indeed a cartel, which is formed to make disproportionately high profits, the airlines would not have been making losses. But, the fact is none of them is making profits, so you cannot have a cartel," Competition Commission of India (CCI) Chairman Ashok Chawla said. Noting that the "sensitive" matter of carriers forming a possible cartel to push up airfares has been probed by CCI more than once in the past, Chawla said that he is open to looking into the matter again if there is something to show anti-competitive practices. "I don't want to prejudge and if there is something we will look into it. At the moment, there does not seem to be anything (related to cartelisation)," he said. Kingfisher had to suspend its entire operations in October after many months of frequent disruptions. The other carriers present in the market include state-run Air India and private players like IndiGo, Go Air, Jet Airways and SpiceJet. Asked whether other carriers are getting benefitted from less competition in the

panies, will have to give noobjection certificates for the carrier to fly again. Kingfisher has already received no-objection certifi-

cates from oil companies and some aircraft leasing companies to restart operations, a senior regulatory source said last week. The airline, which

IRDA suggests strict norms to prevent insurance sector frauds

NEW DELHI: To prevent fraudulent activities in the insurance business, sectoral regulator IRDA has asked insurers to follow stringent due diligence process for staff and agents besides identification of vulnerable areas within an organisation. The communication, sent out to chief executives of all insurance and reinsurance companies, comes against the backdrop of concerns about financial frauds that could hurt the interests of customers as well as insurers. In its 'Insurance Fraud Monitoring Framework', Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) has asked insurers to lay down procedures for monitoring and early detection of frauds. "Fraud in insurance reduces consumer and shareholder confidence; and can affect the reputation of individual insurers and the insurance sector as a whole. It also has the potential to impact economic stability," IRDA said in a communication this week. The insurers have to submit a compliance report with the regulator by June 30, 2013. "Lay down procedures to carry out the due diligence on the personnel (management/staff)/ insurance agent/ corporate agent/ intermediary/ TPAs before appointment with them," it noted. According to the regulator, it is required that insurers understand the nature of fraud and take steps to minimise the vulnerability of their operations to fraud. Further, insurance companies have been asked to ensure that the risk management function is organised in such a way that the insurer is able to monitor all the risk and take steps to address them. The IRDA classified frauds in the insurance sector under three heads -claim fraud or policyholder fraud, intermediary fraud and internal fraud. It also asked the insurance companies to frame anti-fraud policy and said that the company's board would review the policy on an annual basis. Insurer shall inform both potential and existing clients about their antifraud policies, the IRDA said, adding that the insurer has highlight the consequences of submitting false statement for the benefit of policyholder in the insurance contract.

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unleashed a stunning counter-attack to steer the total past the 250-run mark, which looked doubtful at one stage. Root, who clobbered eight boundaries and a six during his 45ball blitzkrieg, and Pietersen were largely responsible for England recovery, while captain Cook laid the foundation with a solid 76. The visitors scored as many as 100 runs in the last ten overs as the Indians, who had the game under control for most part of it, suddenly appeared to lose the plot with Root and Pietersen going on the offensive. Spinner R. Jadeja was the pick of the Indian bowlers with 3/39 while Ishant Sharma 2/47 and R Ashwin 2/63 were the other wicket-takers on a Mohali track, which appeared to be good for batting. England started their innings on a cautious note as the two Indian new ball bowlers, B Kumar and Shami Ahmed got the ball to move around in the initial overs. Both Kumar and Shami, who proved to be a little expensive in the first spell, troubled the batsmen as openers Cook and Ian Bell played and missed on a few occasions. But they were lucky not to edge the ball. With Shami giving away 18 runs in his first three overs, Indian captain MS Dhoni brought in Ishant Sharma from the pavilion end and the lanky seamer bowled a probing line and troubled the batsmen. The opening pair put on 37 runs for the first wicket before Ishant provided the breakthrough by evicting Bell, who perished to a rash stroke. BHUBANESWAR: A day after the state government allowed the Odisha Cricket Association (OCA) to hold Pakistan team's matches in the Women's World Cup, a delegation of ICC and BCCI on Jan 22 met top officials amid protest by different groups. The Bajrang Dal has called a 'bandh' on Jan 24 here to protest Cuttack hosting Pakistan women's team for the mega event. The state government has assured foolproof protection for players from Pakistan, said OCA president Ranjib Biswal. Meanwhile, Bajrang Dal state coordinator Girish Mahant announced at Cuttack the outfit's plan to observe a

India beat England in Mohali to clinch 5 Match ODI Series

MOHALI : India beat England by five wickets to take unassailable 3-1 lead in the five-match series at Mohali on Wednesday. S. Raina looked firm between the wickets against England as the batsman scored 89 runs in the fourth cricket one-dayer. V. Kohli was dismissed at the score of 83 after the batsman lifted Indian innings in the 4th ODI while Rohit Sharma slammed fifty against England. Leaving India in trouble, Yuvraj Singh was dismissed at the score of 3 in the fourth onedayer against England at Mohali on Wednesday. Virat Kohli was dismissed at the score of 26 after the batsman lifted Indian innings in the fourth one-dayer. India's young blood Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma look to rebuilt

ICC-BCCI delegation visit Odisha amid protests

24-hour bandh on January 24. The visit of ICC-BCCI team on Jan 22 also saw protest demonstrations here and at Cuttack by activists Sangh Parivar, Kalinga Sena and Utkal Bharat.Bajrang Dal and Utkal Bharat workers demonstrated at various places in Cuttack and Bhubaneswar, including the Police Commissioner's headquarters and certain star hotels where the players were supposed to stay. Pakistan are likely to arrive here on January 27 to play two friendly matches against Odisha Women Cricket team on January 28 and 29 at Barabati Stadium before the main tournament begins.

innings after England pacer Tim Bresnan dismissed Gambhir in the fourth one-dayer. Indian opener Gambhir was dismissed at the score of 10 in the fourth one-dayer. The unheralded Joe Root (57 not out) and Pietersen (76) provided the late sparks with some lusty hits as

England recovered from a midinnings slump to post a decent 257 for seven in their must-win penultimate cricket one-dayer. Put into bat, England lost three wickets in quick succession in the middle of the innings after a reasonably good start but young Root

American teenager Sloane Stephens stuns Bopanna out of Australian Open Serena in Australian Open quarterfinal after mixed doubles loss
M E L B O U R N E , AUSTRALIA: Serena Williams' dominating run at the majors ended in a painful loss to American teenager Sloane Stephens. After the biggest victory of her life, the 19-year-old Stephens is headed to the semifinals of the Australian Open. Williams hurt her back in the eighth game of the second set, slowing down her serve, restricting her movement and causing her obvious pain.Stephens kept her composure, blocking out the injury issue on the opposite side of the net, and rallied for a 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 victory on Wednesday - by far the most significant in her seven Grand Slams. The gravity of it didn't hit Stephens until she was warming down, and even then the victory had an unreal feeling. "I was stretching, and I MELBOURNE: It was curtains for Rohan Bopanna at this year's Australian Open after the Indian and his Chinese Taipei partner SuWei Hsieh made an exit from the mixed doubles event following a straight-set quarterfinal loss on Wednesday. Bopanna, already out of the men's doubles event, and Hsieh went down 2-6 3-6 the Czech-Polish combination of the Kveta Peschke and Marcin Matkowski. The 56-minute clash was completely dominated by Peschke and Matkowski, who did not concede a single break of serve during the match. In the first set, which last-

Rahul Dravid, Sushil Kumar in race for Padma Award

BANGALORE: Cricketer Rahul Dravid and wrestler Sushil Kumar are the Union sports ministry's choices for the Padma Bhushan, the country's third highest honour. While Dravid quit the game last year after an illustrious career that lasted 16 years, Sushil made himself and India proud with a 66kg silver at the London Olympics, his second medal in the quadrennial Games after the 2008 Beijingbronze. Sushil, 29, was rewarded with a Rajiv GandhiKhel Ratna award in 2009 and Padma Shri in 2011 but Dravid missed out on the Khel Ratna last year after much of the nation's attention was cornered by a triumphant Olympic contingent. The ministry's recommendations for the Padma Shri include pistol shooter Vijay Kumar, who won the silver at the London Games and wrestler Yogeshwar Dutt, who bagged the 60kg bronze. Both Vijay and Yogeshwar won the Khel Ratna last year. Karnataka's HN Girisha, who shone at the London Paralymics with a silver in high jump, too gets the ministry's nod for Padma Shri along with cricketer Gautam Gambhir, Dingko Singh, the gold medal winning boxer of the 1998 Asian Games and cue sports ace Alok Kumar.

Serena Williams of the US reacts during her quarterfinal match against compatriot Sloane Stephens at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Wednesday was like, 'I'm in the semis of a Grand Slam.' I was like, 'Whoa. It wasn't as hard as I thought.' But it's pretty cool," she said. "To be in the semis of a Grand Slam is definitely I say a good accomplishment. A lot of hard work." After winning her first Grand Slam quarterfinal, Stephens next plays defending champion Victoria Azarenka.Azarenka beat Svetlana Kuznetsova 7-5, 6-1 in the earlier quarterfinal at Rod Laver Arena. Defending champion Novak Djokovic plays No. 4seeded David Ferrer in the other semifinal.

Rohan Bopanna and Hsieh went down 2-6 3-6 the Czech-Polish combination of the Kveta Peschke and Marcin Matkowski. ed a mere 20 minutes, the Czech-Polish pair broke Bopanna and Hsieh twice and sent down 11 winners to set the tempo for the game. The second set followed a similar script as Peschke and Matkowski clinched the crucial a break of serve to seal the issue in their favour. Bopanna was the only Indian in action on Wednesday at the year's first Grand Slam.

Bryan brothers close in on Grand Slam record

MELBOURNE: America's Bryan brothers reached the Australian Open semi-finals on Wednesday as they neared a new all-time record for Grand Slam men's doubles titles. The identical twins, 34, beat Italy's Daniele Bracciali and his Czech partner Lukas Dlouhy 6-3, 7-5 to reach Thursday's semis, where they will attempt to reach their 23rd Grand Slam final. Victory in Melbourne would give the Bryans a new record of 13 major titles. They currently share the record of 12 with the Australian pairing of John Newcombe and Tony Roche. The top seeds will play the unseeded Italian duo of Simone Bolelli and Fabio Fognini on Rod Laver Arena on Thursday.

Injured Hashim Amla withdrawn from final ODI; Dean Elgar included
JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa says batsman Hashim Amla's fitness will not be risked in the final one-day international against New Zealand on Friday. CSA has withdrawn the right-hander from the game because of a right thigh strain - when he was 50-50 to play and will allow him to rest ahead of the upcoming threetest home series against Pak, which starts on Feb 1. South Africa said left-arm spinner Robin Peterson was also unavailable for the final game against the Black Caps in Potchefstroom because of split webbing on his right hand. South Africa trails 2-0 in the three-game series and faces a rare home series whitewash. Fast bowler Dale Steyn was recalled to the squad on Wednesday while Dean Elgar was added as batting cover for Amla.

Murray cruises into Australian Open semifinals

MELBOURNE: Andy Murray produced his best performance of the tournament against Jeremy Chardy to reach the Australian Open semifinals for the fourth consecutive year on Wednesday. The British third seed was too strong for the unseeded Frenchman winning 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 in 1hr 51min on Rod Laver Arena, and will now face either Roger Federer or Jo-Wilfried Tsongain the semi-final on Friday. Murray broke Chardy's service eight times and played a clean match with 32 winners against 20 unforced errors. It took the Scot's winning streak at the majors to 12 since his breakthrough US Open triumph in New York last September, and put him into his 12th Grand Slam semi-final. Murray, who took his record to Chardy to 5-1, has only spent 8h 56min on court in total for his five matches at this year's Open and he faces a potential semi-final against 17-time Grand Slam champithe Frenchman's serve three times to stroll through the second set in 32 minutes. Murray got two more serv-

Tata Chess tournament: Anand draws with Leko in ninth round

WIJK AAN ZEE (THE NETHERLANDS): World champion Viswanathan Anand played out an easy draw with Grandmaster Peter Leko ofHungary in the ninth round of Tata Steel Chesstournament. Playing the black side of a Sicilian Najdorf, the Indian ace had little difficulty in maintaining the balance in an age-old variation and drew rather easily to take his tally to six points out of a possible nine. Anand and Leko battled it out in a variation that both have employed with for many years in the past. If Leko had an idea he did not get the opportunity to show it as Anand was well armed and blitzed out the opening moves in quick time. When the middle game arrived Anand went for a thematic pawn sacrifice that was promptly declined and when Leko finally captured the pawn the position was just equal offering little chances to either player. The peace was signed in just 25 moves and this game was first to end in the day. While the other games of the ninth round were still in progress, it appeared as though Magnus Carlsen would stretch his lead to a full point as the Norwegian held a superior position against former women's world champion Yifan Hou of China. As things stood before the start of the ninth round, Carlsen on six points enjoyed a half point lead over Anand who stood a half point adrift of Levon Aronian of Armenia and Hikaru Nakamura ofUnited States. The other Indian in the fray, P Harikrishna also enjoyed a good position as black against Sergey Karjakin of Russia. Harikrishna on 4.5 points is playing above his current rating and is set to become the third Indian to enter the 2700 ELO rating club ever after Anand and Krishnan Sasikiran.

Mumbai retain squad for Ranji Trophy final against Saurashtra

MUMBAI: Hosts Mumbai, bidding to regain the Ranji Trophy championship after a gap of two seasons, on Wednesday retained their semi final squad for the summit clash against Saurashtra to be played at the Wankhede Stadium here from January 26-30. However, Mumbai's hopes of summoning opener Ajinkya Rahane and middle-order batsman Rohit Sharma, who are part of the Indian ODI squad playing against England, for the game have been dashed, according to Mumbai Cricket Association's joint secretary Nitin Dalal. "We have retained the same squad for the final. But I don't think the Rahane and Rohit would be released for the match," he said. The two players' presence was requested through a letter to the Cricket Board by MCA The full squad: Ajit Agarkar (captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Wasim Jaffer, Suryakumar Yadav, Dhaval Kulkarni, Kaustubh Pawar, Abhishek Nayar, Hiken Shah, Aditya Tare, Ankit Chavan, Nikhil Patil (Jr.), Javed Khan, Sushant Marathe, Shardul Thakur and Vishal Dabholkar

Andy Murray was too strong for the unseeded Frenchman winning 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 in 1hr 51min on Rod Laver Arena. on Federer, who beat him in last year's Wimbledon final. Murray broke Chardy's opening two service games, before dropping his own in the sixth, and claimed the opening set on his third set point in 44 minutes. He got stronger as the match progressed as Chardy began to fade and he broke ice breaks to lead 5-1 in the final set, but was broken as he attempted to serve out for the match. His victory was clinched in Chardy's next service game, winning it on his first match point. Chardy beat former US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro and 21st seed Andreas Seppi on his way to the quarterfinals.

'Mars mission to boost India's global credentials'

BANGALORE: India's proposed Mars mission in November would boost New Delhi's credentials to become a partner in international ventures of such kind in the future besides achieving its scientific objectives and demonstrating capability, veteran space scientist K Kasturirangan said. Planning Commission Member Kasturirangan, who was also former Chairman of Indian Space Research Organisation, said while the mission is indeed a logical extension of the country's planetary exploration programme, it's more than just a "technical bonanza." He saw the event is as an attempt by India to upgrade and up-rate established capabilities (in the space sector) and demonstrating in a scale in which it's affordable, noting that the cost of the unmanned orbiter venture is no more than Rs 450 crore. "Once you show an affordable scale of the activity, then you qualify yourself to be a partner of international programme. So, when future manned missions or even future important missions to several dimensions, objective of conducting scientific experiments, demonstrating technological capabilities and creating necessary credentials to be a part of any future international space missions, he felt. According to ISRO officials, the proposed mission to demonstrate India's capability to reach Martian orbit is planned to be completed by 2015-2016. The Mars orbiter is planned for launch using India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLVXL) from Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota. It will be placed in an orbit of 500 x 80,000 km around Mars and will have a provision for carrying nearly 25 kg of scientific payloads onboard, they said. On concerns in sections of the Indian space establishment about China "forging ahead" in the area of space, with New Delhi "lagging behind", Kasturirangan dismissed suggestions of a space race between the two countries. "We have never been at competition with China. We have our own pace. We have our own priorities. There are many things in which we have scored very high in terms of international reckoning, the use of space for socioeconomic sectors, and we are one of the well organised systems in the world in terms of getting mission benefits out a shoe-string budget", he said. Kasturirangan underlined that India's space programme is guided by the country's own requirements and the nation has world-class remote sensing and communication satellites and rocket developments are contemporary in nature.

Mars take pace, India would be part of the global community because you have already demon-

strated that you have reached the place (Mars)," Kasturirangan said. The mission, therefore, has

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