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

STUdent aGE
MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

JKENG/2012/41612 Vol. 2 No: 58

Par panel asks Centre to keep it updated on ARWSP schemes

Road terror looms larger over the State

Swiss Govt proposes new laws against black money in banks

NC, Congress discuss adjournment motion on Guru
JAMMU, MARCH 3: Leaders of the National Conference and Congress party met at the official residence of Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand here Sunday evening to iron out differences on the impending adjournment motion on the execution of Afzal Guru. It was not immediately known as to what transpired in the meeting. On Friday, Speaker Mubarak Gul had agreed to take up for discussion Monday the adjournment motion on the Feb 9 hanging of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru after uproarious scenes in the state assembly over demand for admitting it by opposition People's Democratic Party (PDP). While the ruling National Conference too joined the demand to secure its political future in the state, its coalition partner Congress opposed the move. Both the parties will also hold their separate internal meetings to decide on the future course of action, party sources said.

IN BRIEF Modi launches attack on dynasty politics in Congress, 6.5 % economic growth says the party has sacrificed nation for one family projected for next fiscal
reasonable: Montek
NEW DELHI,MAR 3: Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia has said the 6.5 per cent economic growth projection for next fiscal is reasonable. In an interview to a News TV channel today ,Ahluwalia said that Government have taken corrective steps needed to get rid of impediments to growth, so the 6.5 per cent economic growth, is not that unreasonable. NEW DELHI,MAR 3:Against the backdrop of a growing chorus for making him the BJP's prime ministerial candidate, Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday lashed out at the "commission-seeking" Congress-led UPA government which is destroying the nation like a termite and dubbed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as a "night watchman" for the Gandhi family. Modi was scheduled to speak on good governance in Gujarat, but he used the forum at the BJP conclave here to lambast the UPA government and the Congress in his one-hour speech. "Congress is destroying this country like termites. It is very difficult to deal with termites - you finish them in one place and they rise in another. The only medicine for this ailment is sweat of the BJP worker. Only this sweat can free this nation from the termite that is the Congress," Modi said in his speech, amid applause from the gathering. In what sounded virtually like an election speech, Modi said the time has come to throw out the Congress and bring in a government that is Without naming Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, he said the Congress appoint-

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Congress Party condemns Modi's remarks

NEW DELHI, MAR 3: The Congress Party on Sunday condemned remarks made by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi at the Bharatiya Janata Party's national conclave here. Modi had criticised the Congress Party over increasing corruption scams in the country and for pursuing dynasty politics. Reacting to Modi's diatribe, Congress leader Mani Shankar Aiyar said: "It (BJP) is a party for killing Muslims. It is a party that suppresses the minority community. It is party that breaks the unity of our country. It is party that holds no faith in the secularism of the country. Why dwelled on national issues. The Talkatora Indoor Stadium was jam-packed when Modi delivered his speech. Modi said that though Pranab Mukherjee was more deserving, the Congress did not make him the Prime Minister and chose Manmohan Singh. "They would we expect any praise from a party like this?" Shiv Sena leaderSanjay Raut, however,defended Modi, saying that the political dynasty of Congress is responsible for the deteriorating situation of the country. "What wrong did Modi speak? He has only spoken of the sentiments of the hundreds of crores of people of this country in Delhi today and spoken loudly in front of all. It is important because Modi has himself said this. This was spoken by Bal Thackeray too a few years back. Whatever bad has happened to the nation, it is because of political dynasty of contd on page 2 realised that if Pranab Mukherjee is successful then what will happen to the (Gandhi) family." The Gujarat Chief Minister also criticised the National Advisory Council, headed by Congress president Sonia Gandhi, as one which is filled with people belonging contd on page 2

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Film festival to mark International Women's Day

PUNE, MARCH 3: The fourth edition of the Women's Film Festival focuses on female directors. The threeday event, starting March 8, will screen "Gulabi Gang", "Gangoobai" and "Firaaq", among others, to commemorate International Women's day, an organiser said. The fourth festival is being organised by citybased Aashay Film Club in association with the National Film Archive of India and Aayam, a group of women journalists from the city. "Aayam intends to bring to the fore issues related to women in various means. We believe that the visual media is very effective in reaching out contd on page 2

sensitive towards the sufferings of the people. Attacking the Congress for scams like the VVIP helicopter deal and 2G spectrum, Modi said, "The time has come to draw a comparison between the Congress and the BJP. While BJP is for a mission, Congress is for commission. The contest will be between mission and commission." Modi also alleged that the Congress tradition has been to sacrifice the nation's interest for the sake of one family.

ed a "night watchman" to keep the seat warm for the first family of the Congress. "They did not realise that the night will be so long and dark. As a buffer, they appointed an economist to the post," he said. Modi's address stood out in sharp contrast to that of his Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh counterparts Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Raman Singh. While the two chief ministers stuck to highlighting achievements of their governments, Modi

Handwara tense after killing of two policemen

SRINAGAR, MAR 03: A day after the killing of two policemen in Handwara, Police and security agencies have launched a hunt to trace that red van which was allegedly used by militants to carry out their attack on Saturday. Police called dozens of drivers in police stations to enquire about the matter; however no one has been arrested so far. Meanwhile security across the North Kashmir has been beefed up to thwart any more militant attack in coming days. Police, paramilitary forces and Army have intensified patrolling in North Kashmir especially in Handwara Town. Vehicle checking has also been intensified and pedestrians are being frisked. People are also being asked for their identity cards. Tight security arrangements were made in Handwara and no vehicle was allowed to ply while Army convoy was on its way to base camp. Handwara market was cordoned and security personnel along with Amy jawans were deployed in strength to pave safe passage for the Army convoy. "We are on the job and hopefully the police will trace the red van that was used for the attack. We had called dozens of drivers to police station and we questioned them. We are planning to call those persons who drive red light motor vehicles," Superintendent of Police, Handwara, Choudri Mohammad Aslam told CNS. Police and security personnel were seen stopping vehicles, checking their documents contd on page 2

Pranab Mukherjee visits Bangladesh amid violence

Khaleda Zia cancels meeting
DHAKA: Bangladesh today rolled out the red carpet for President Pranab Mukherjee who arrived today on a threeday state visit to boost bilateral ties amidst a general strike by fundamentalist Jamaat-e-Islami to protest the conviction of its three top leaders for 1971 war crimes. In an apparent fall out of the domestic political standoff over war crimes trial and consequent violence, opposition leader and BNP chairpersonKhaleda Zia cancelled her meeting with Mukherjee that was scheduled for tomorrow, casting a shadow on the President's maiden foreign visit since taking over the highest constitutional post seven months ago. BNP, which called a countrywide shutdown on Tuesday, the concluding day of Mukherjee's visit, cited no reason officially to call off Zia's meeting with the President. BNP was underincluding three women and a policeman, were killed fresh violence rocked the first day

Death of Kashmiri student triggers wide spread protests

SRINAGAR, MAR 03 : The mysterious death of Kashmiri student in Hyderabad sparked wide spread protests all across Kashmir on Sunday while at many places police resorted to aerial firing to disperse the agitated youth. Police imposed strict restrictions after heavy stone pelting incidents in Pulwama while in North Kashmir's Hajin and Naidkhai area agitated people staged heavy protests against the mysterious death of Pulwama youth. Stray incidents of stone pelting and tear gas shelling were reported from dozens of place all across Valley. According to reports Mudasir Ahmed Malla alias Kamran son of Ghulam Qadir from Parigam, Pulwama studying at English and Foreign Languages University (Eflu) allegedly committed suicide by hanging to the ceiling in his room at Basheer hostel, on the campus on Saturday night. As the word of his death spread in Pulwamma, thousands of people in Parigam came on roads and moved towards Pulwama market. Another procession from the same village reached Kakapora. Eyewitnesses said the procession amid antiIndia slogans reached at Muran Chowk Pulwama where some youth pelted stones on Police and security personnel that resulted in ding-dong battle between men in uniform and protestors. Same conditions were seen at Kakapora. At both the places, police resorted to heavy tear gas shelling to disperse the protestors. Eyewitnesses told CNS that at both the places police used hundreds contd on page 2

Centre to convene meeting of Naxal affected states

NEW DELHI: The Centre has convened a meeting of top police and civil officials of Maoist-hit states in New Delhi tomorrow to review the antiNaxal operations and discuss steps to improve the efficacy of strategies. The high-level meeting, to be chaired by Union Home Secretary R K Singh, will be attended by Chief Secretaries and DGPs of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Agencies report that the meeting will review the development programmes being carried out in Naxal-hit districts and ways to speed them up contd on page 2

FM to interact with citizens on Union Budget through Google Plus tomorrow

NEW DELHI, MAR 3:Finance Minister P Chidambaram will interact with citizens and answer their questions on the Union Budget 2013-14 through Google Plus Hangout tomorrow night. The video conference scheduled for 8 pm is the first time that any Union Cabinet minister is using this online platform to converse with the citizens. Mr Chidambaram will be joined by a group of esteemed panelists, including senior economist and industrialist Jahangir Aziz and Chairman and Managing Director of Mahindra and Mahindra Anand Mahindra, for the interaction. Before the Hangout, the citizens can submit their questions to the Finance Minister either by uploading a video or commenting on the In Conversation YouTube channel. They can also get in touch through the Google India Plus page and tagging text or a video with the hastag ask the FM.

stood to have conveyed her inability to meet Mukherjee a couple of days ago. Interestingly, Khaleda had met Mukherjee in New Delhi in November last year on the concluding day of her nineday visit to India. As Mukherjee began his visit, at least 14 people,

of the strike called by Jamaat in four districts of Bogra, Joypurhat, Jhenaidah and Rajshahi districts. Mukherjee, who arrived here on an Air India One flight, was received by Bangladesh President Mohammad Zillur Rahman at contd on page 2

Separatists in J&K issue weekly protest calendar

SRINAGAR: The Majlis Mashawarat, an amalgamation of several separatist groups, on Sunday issued the weekly protest calendar in support of their demand for handing over of mortal remains of Mohammad Afzal Guru and Mohammad Maqbool Bhat to their families. In a statement here, the Majlis (Consultative Committee) also called for a complete shutdown in the Valley tomorrow to protest the death of Kashmiri student Mudasir Kamran who was found hanging from the ceiling of his hostel room in Hyderabad. contd on page 2

CS for re-energizing administrative setup

first priority of his service. The Chief Secretary was addressing an interactive and introductory session, representing tourism, travel, trade bodies and media fraternity of Kashmir Valley, here at Grand Palace, Srinagar. The session was organized by Jammu and Kashmir Hoteliers Club in association with Trade Agencies to welcome the Chief Secretary. The Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon, Deputy Commissioner, Srinagar, Mr. Baseer Ahmad Khan and Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, Mr. Farooq Ahmad Shah were present on the occasion. Mr. Khanday said ''I will try my best to come up to the expectations of the society adding that although the responsibility of holding the top position in administration is very huge yet we together can plan our role and set things right at all levels. Earlier on his arrival at the Srinagar International Airport yesterday the Chief Secretary was given a rousing welcome by the Head of the Departments and Divisional level officers The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir while addressing the interactive session said that civil society has a critical role to play in making the State prosperous. He hoped that civil contd on page 2

Bullets recovered from cross-border trader

CHAKAN DA BAGH: Authorities at the Chakan Da Bagh check post here have withdrawn the work permit of a cross-border trader after they recovered two AK-47 bullets from the goods he was importing from Pakistan. Cross border trade has been temporarily suspended at the Chakan Da Bagh border outpost in Poonch District in the Jammu region as one empty shell and one live bullet were found mixed in a consignment of almonds that were being imported by trader Abdul Ghani Dewan recently. Dewan contd on page 2

BJP plans to uproot corrupt UPA Govt. in 2014 polls: Advani

NEW DELHI, MAR 3 : Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader L.K.Advani on Sunday said his party plans to uproot the corrupt UPA Government in the 2014 general elections. "The country should get freedom from this corrupt government and in order to achieve this target we have made a strategy in this year's national executive meet. If we disperse from here by understanding and implementing the decisions taken during this meet then I feel we will be able to serve the nation better," said Advani. The motive of the BJP meet was to analyze the economic condition of the country and also discuss a strategy to counter the anti-people policies of the ruling Congress Party. Advani also said: "Our goal should be to form a NDA (National Democratic Alliance) plus government at the centre. The NDA has shrunken and needs to revive by an NDA plus government which is led by the BJP. And this is not very difficult to achieve as the Congress party has done our homework and we should make complete use of it." Over the past couple of years, the Congress has come under intense scrutiny for its perceived inaction in a spate of controversial scams, in which many of the party's own leaders and allies have been named or indirectly linked. The central government has been under the scanner for rampant scams beginning from the Commonwealth Games, telecom scam to the recent multi-billion coal scam. The latest controversy that has maligned the image of the Congress party is the multi-million rupee Italian helicopter scam involving scores of senior politicians, bureaucrats and their relations.

SRINAGAR, MAR 03: The Chief Secretary, Mr. Mohammad Iqbal Khanday said that every nerve would be strained to retrieve the administrative set up in Jammu and Kashmir for the welfare of the people, adding that public good shall remain

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STUDENT AGE MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

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they got to see in the regime of Congress. I agree with my party's view that there has been corruption in their regime, which needs rectification," said Ali. Modi, is praised by both corporate India and a majority of voters in Gujarat for presiding over years of fast growth and clean governance, but his record is marred by deadly religious riots in the affluent state 11 years ago. In December he won a third consecutive term in office, and since then many in his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have called for him to lead the party in national elections due by early 2014. of the matter. Talking to CNS, Superintendent of Police Pulwama, Amit Kumar said that preliminary investigations have proved that it is a case of suicide. "Soon after this incident,Jammu and Kashmir Police contacted the Hyderabad Police. According, to the District Police authorities Pulwama the Hyderabad Police has informed that Mudasir Ahmed Malla son of Ghulam Qadir Malla resident of Parigam Pulwama was a student of English and Foreign Languages University (EFLU) Hyderabad. He was putting up with a friend namely Waseem in a hostel room for some time. However, some time back Waseem who belongs to Maharashtra had shifted from this room. Waseem had also complained against Mudasir to the proctor of the University. The proctor had called and counselled Mudasir a couple of times. Yesterday Mudasir Ahmed Malla was found hanging in his hostel room," Meanwhile, Hyderabad Police has lodged an FIR 79/2013 under section 306-IPC in police station Osmania University against the proctor. Further investigation in the case is going on and Jammu and Kashmir Police is in constant touch with the Hyderabad Police.

Contd. from page 1...

Film festival to ...
to people, thus the idea of holding the film festival," said Manaswini Prabhune, Coordinator of Aayam. The festival will also celebrate 100 years of Indian Cinema along with International Women's Day and it will be inaugurated by actress and filmmaker Mrinal Kulkarni. This would be followed by the screening of the movie "Gulabi Gang", directed by Nishtha Jain. Some of the films that would be screened include "Firaaq", directed by Nandita Das; "Gangoobai" by Priya Krishnaswamy; "English Vinglish" by Gauri Shinde and Suhasini Mulay's documentary "Bhramawadinee". Every year, Aayam honours a woman film critic or journalist. This year, the Aayam Woman Journalist Award will be given to Deepa Gehlot, a film critic and journalist. It will be presented by Sudhir Nandgaonkar, film journalist and pioneer of the film society movement. Aayam will also felicitate Shyamala Vanarase for her book on Satyajit Ray.

Modi meets BJP President Rajnath Singh after party's national conclave in New Delhi
NEW DELHI, MAR 3 : Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi met Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Rajnath Singh here this evening, shortly after the conclusion of the party's national conclave. The media projected the nearly half-an-hour-long meeting between the two leaders as a courtesy call by Modi before his deparature for Gandhinagar, but sources suggested that the two may have discussed strategies to be followed in the run-up to the 2014 general elections. Later, however, Rajnath Singh told media that his meeting should not be seen as a courtesy call by Modi, but more as a meeting between two old friends. He also rubbished Congress criticism of Modi on the issue of him projecting the ruling party as a sychophantic entity. He said that Modi had not named anybody, but had only stated an already known fact that the Congress was a family bastion. Modi, who was by Singh's side, did not make any comment. Earlier in the day, Modi scathingly attacked the ruling Congress party while addressing the BJP National Executive. "It goes without saying that the BJP is with a mission. And if we talk about the activities of the Congress, then we find that the Congress is for commission. Friends, the country is going to witness a battle between mission and commission. And the country wants freedom from commission. I believe the whole country should be told that this is a commission party. Its name is commission party. It is in the helicopter scam, the 2G scam, they want commission out of everything. Be it one percent, two percent, five percent, for the uncle, for the brother-in-law, for the sister-in-law, for the brother, for the niece, this is what has been going on," said Modi. In the backdrop of the recent budget presented by finance minister Palaniappan Chidambaram, Modi called the federal government's various economic reforms as a bluff and termed the economic crisis as a result of the UPA's own mistakes in policy making. "I ask the economists from anywhere in the world, do the steps that the government of India taking come even close to the term economic reforms? You correct your delivery system, which has resulted due to your mistakes, which shows your misgovernance. You call it a reform when you go to correct it? Is this what a reform is? Reforms are related to policies which prove effective for the next forty to fifty years. They are nowhere to be seen here," he said. The Gujarat chief minister state also launched a bitter attack on the Gandhi family accusing them of running a dictatorship within the Congress party, adding that to keep themselves in power, they have put up a puppet Prime Minister like Manmohan Singh and left out deserving candidates like Pranab Mukherjee. Modi accused the Gandhi family of sabotaging Mukherjee's prowess to keep themselves in power within the party and the government. "I don't as to what is the general opinion in the party. But I feel that if Pranab Mukherjee had been made the Prime Minister instead of Manmohan Singh, then maybe we would not have seen so much economic ruin. Because he is a man connected to the soil. He knows the problems, he could look for solutions to the problems. But if had Pranab Da succeeded, then what would have happened to the family? To ensure this, they started the tradition of putting the reins of the country into anybody's hands and appointing a night watchman," he said. Modi is being pitched as next Prime Ministerial candidate by the opposition, National Democratic Alliance (NDA). Modi had won a fourth successive term as the Chief Minister of Gujarat state in December; a victory that could launch the prime ministerial ambitions of one of the country's most popular but controversial leaders. The black mark against Modi, 62, is the accusation by critics that he did not do enough to stop - or even quietly encouraged - religious riots in 2002 that killed as many as 2,000 people, most of them Muslims. The meeting which stresses on channelising on a party strategy for the next General Elections in 2014 and reflecting on the economic scenario of the country saw Modi take a strong position on the economic front as well. Modi, is praised by both corporate India and a majority of voters in Gujarat for presiding over years of fast growth and clean governance, but his record is marred by deadly religious riots in the affluent state 11 years ago. In December he won a third consecutive term in office, and since then many in his Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have called for him to lead the party in national elections due by early 2014.

Pranab Mukherjee visits...

the VVIP lounge of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. A galaxy of senior ministers of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's cabinet were also present. Mukherjee was given a ceremonial reception at the airport including a 21-gun salute, after which he inspected the guard of honour by the three services of Bangladesh defence forces. The visit by Mukherjee and his wife Suvra Mukherjee is invested with a lot of symbolism and takes place in the backdrop of spiralling violence by Jamaat-e-Islami, whose three top leaders have been convicted by international war crimes tribunal of genocide, rape and crimes against humanity during Bangladesh's liberation war in 1971. Soon after his arrival, Mukherjee flew by a chopper to the national memorial at Savar, near Dhaka, and paid floral tributes to those who laid down their lives for the liberation of Bangladesh. In his remarks in the Visitors' Book at Savar, Mukherjee wrote "the National Martyrs' Memorial symbolises Bangladesh's struggle for justice, emancipation and independence". "It reminds us of the valiant sacrifices made by innumerable men, women and children who fought for their homeland -- Sonar Bangla," wrote Mukherjee. By itself, Mukherjee's visit to Savar would pass off as the usual curtain-raiser to any foreign dignitary visit to Bangladesh but its significance in the present circumstances, when there is renewed focus on the spirit and values symbolised by Bangladesh liberation war. Sayedee, Jammat Vice President, was the third man to be convicted by the domestic war crimes tribunal for setting afire 25 houses in a Hindu village, and abetting the killing of two persons, including a Hindu. It is in this backdrop that the visit by the President rides high on symbolism especially when Mukherjee receives Bangladesh's highest award from his Bangladeshi counterpart Zillur Rahman on March 4 for his contribution to the independence of the country. The visit takes place at a time when the trial of the Islamists for the crimes they committed during the liberation war of Bangladesh triggered a popular upsurge at Shahbagh Square against religious fundamentalism in the neighbouring country. New Delhi has already voiced its support for the agitation. On the concluding day of his tour, he will go to Bhadrabila village in Narail district of Bangladesh to visit the ancestral house of his in-laws. He will also visit Shelaidah in Kusthia district where the family estate of Rabindranath Tagore is located and where the poet had written many of his memorable poems, short stories and essays. Ahead of the visit, Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai has said Mukherjee's visit "is not designed to engage in political negotiations. What the President will convey to the top Bangladesh leadership is the Indian government's commitment to take bilateral relations to a higher level and to resolve unresolved issues".

Centre to convene ...

to reach the maximum number of people. It would also likely deliberate on the issue of coordination among states and central police forces and decide on a strategy to tackle Naxals who are known to flee from one state to another after carrying out offensives.

Handwara tense...
and identity cards. Shopkeepers were not allowed to take their stock out of the shop and footpaths were all cleared not allowing any vendor to do business there. Meanwhile, Additional Director General Police, Law and Order, K. Rajendra had an important meeting at Police Lines Handwara in which top police official participated.

Separatists in J&K...
"Kamran was murdered for leading funeral prayers for Guru," the statement said alleging the police were misleading the people about the circumstances of his death. The amalgamation called for a march to Kamran's native village Parigam in south Kashmir Pulwama district on Tuesday for expressing solidarity with the bereaved family. During the march, the demand for return of mortal remains of Parliament attack convict (Guru) and JKLF founder (Bhat) would be reiterated, the statement said. The Kashmiri diaspora living across the globe were asked to protest outside Indian missions, it said. There would be no strike on Friday, the statement said. Both factions of the Hurriyat Conference, the JKLF, the Kashmir Bar Association and the Dukhtaran-e-Millat are constituents of the Majlis which was formed in the wake of Guru's execution inside Tihar Jail on February 9. The main demand of the Majlis is to seek return of mortal remains of Guru and Bhat. Bhat was hanged and buried inside Tihar Jail on February 11, 1984 after he was convicted for murdering a police officer.

CS for re-energizing....
society will put in their efforts to ensure inflow of tourists in the Valley. Deputy Commissioners of Srinagar and Anantnag also spoke on the occasion. Heads of various Trade Agencies and Associations accorded warm welcome to the Chief Secretary and shared their views for ushering era of development and prosperity in the State. The Chief Secretary expressed his gratitude to all the participants for their warm welcome and giving him feedback about their organizations. Among others, who spoke on the occasion include Mr. Musadiq Hussain of Hotelier Club, Mr. Showkat Choudhary of KHARA, Mr. Hamid Punjabi of KCCI, Mr. Yaseen Tuman of MASCOT Travels, Mr. Shamim Shafi of TAAI, Mr. Ghulam Hassan Kaloo of Press Association of Kashmir, Mr. Rashid Rahi of Editors Association of Kashmir, Mr. Qasim Sajjad of South Kashmir Journalist Association besides, Mr. Mohammad Qasim and Mr. Shakeel Qalandar. Mr. Tariq Rashid presented vote of thanks.

DDC inaugurates Orthocare Physiotherapy-cum-Rehab Clinic in Doda

DODA, MARCH 03- District Development Commissioner, Doda Mr. Farooq Ahmed Khan today inaugurated an Orthocare Physiotherapy-cumRehabilitation clinic set up by Dr. Baber Ali Khan BPT, MPT (Ortho) MIAP, CPMT Dr. Baber while giving brief detail about the Clinic said that the clinic well equipped with computerized machines and other facilities will provide treatment relating to Cervical Spondylitis, Low back pain, Cerebral Palsy Disc Prolapse, Paralysis, Osteoarthritis, Cervicogenic Headache, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Heel Pain, Muscular pain, Joint Pain, Fracture Stiffness, Sprain, Strain, Tennis Elbow, Sports Injuries besides treatment for various other ailments is available in the Clinic. DDC Doda Mr. Farooq Ahmed Khan while inaugurating the Clinic congratulated and appreciated Dr. Baber for establishing the clinic in the district. He said the the clinic is a great step and will benefit ailing poor people in the region. Various prominent citizens including Administrator Auqaf Mr. Asif Jahan Gattu attended the inauguration ceremony.

Modi launches attack...

to the "five- star" culture and having "total disconnect" with the people. Modi, who may be given a prominent role in national politics by the BJP later this month by inducting him into the Parliamentary Board of the party, said it is a very big challenge and a matter of concern that the UPA government is there at the Centre. "There is no feeling of whether there is a government or not. It is not in the Congress character or in their blood to do something for the nation," he alleged. Earlier, Modi began his speech by thanking BJP president Rajnath Singh for felicitating him yesterday and attributed his third consecutive victory in Gujarat Assembly elections to the guidance of the national party leadership, party workers and the people of his state. "This is a victory of the BJP's ideology and of its political culture," he said. Modi praised the performance of the BJP governments in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Goa. "My experience in Gujarat has been that the country has decided to move ahead. People of the country have decided to throw out the Congress. Our only concern is to fill the places vacated by the Congress with the right people," Modi said. He also asked the party workers to rise above leadership issues and work tirelessly to bring the BJP to power. "We should go from here with the pledge that we will contribute all our might for the party. BJP and lotus, the symbol of the BJP, have the strength to save this nation. Who is the individual, who is the leader does not matter. The aim is important. We have no right to disappoint the people," Modi said.

Bullets recovered from...

has been blacklisted by the authorities along with the Pakistani trader he has been dealing with. Indian traders have objected to the banning of Dewan, declaring that he was innocent. Dewan has said that he is ready for any investigation as he is not guilty. "I want that a high-level enquiry should be conducted by the authorities. I am an Indian. We are not indulging in arms smuggling. I have been working here since long. I am being targeted and the way out of this is that an enquiry should be conducted. I have no idea about all this," said Dewan. The authorities said the traders have not given any formal declaration for striking work over the matter. The custodian of the Chakan Da Bagh trade centre, Krishan Lal, said the final decision regarding Dewan would be taken by the higher authorities. "Earlier, the authorities held a meeting with the traders under the aegis of the Deputy Commissioner. The traders presented their views. So, it is upto the higher authorities as to what kind of decision they would take. The meeting was conducted in the presence of the security agency that imposed this ban. We are waiting for the decision of the higher authorities," he said. Cross border trade between India and Pakistan suffered a brief setback when both countries got involved in an exchange of firings along the Line of Control (LoC) earlier this year in January. Trade between both the countries was resumed in February after the ceasefire violations were settled between both armies. In January, three Pakistani and two Indian soldiers were killed in the worst outbreak of titfor-tat violence in Kashmir since India and Pakistan agreed to a ceasefire along a de facto border there nearly a decade ago. India and Pakistan have fought three wars since partition in 1947, two of them over the Himalayan region that both claim but rule in part. However, firing and small skirmishes are common along the internationally recognised 740-km (460-mile) LoC despite the ceasefire that was agreed in 2003.

Science finds more takers at college level

NEW DELHI : There is good news for future of science in India. A study by a premier Indian research organisation has found an increase of 44 percent and 121 percent in enrolment in science at undergraduate and postgraduate courses respectively in the last six years, dispelling apprehensions that students are not opting for it. The study by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) reported an annual growth of eight percent and 19 percent in science courses at college level between 2004-05 and 2009-10. The study found that 2,148,956 students enrolled for undergraduate courses in science in colleges in 2009-10 compared to 1,490,785 in 2004-05, an increase of 44 percent. The response was much better in postgraduate courses in science with 439,725 students enrolling in 2009-10 compared to 198,719 in 2004-05, an increase of 121 percent. The authors from the Human Resource Development Group of the CSIR also studied data pertaining to students availing themselves of science research fellowship for pursuing PhD in academic and scientific institutions across India. "There has been an increase in the enrolment of students for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in science during the period 2004-05 to 2009-10 and it is accompanied by significant increase in registration for science research fellowship," Rajesh Luthra, lead author of the study, told IANS. The research fellowship CSIR-UGC National Eligibility Test (NET) for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) and Eligibility for Lectureship - was started in 1983 to identify young scientific talent. The study found that over the years, the number of candidates registering for fellowships has increased significantly but about 41 percent of the selected students did not avail themselves of the fellowship for various reasons. The study also showed that the NET-qualified candidates who did not avail themselves of the fellowship are actually staying in the same stream. "A majority of qualified fellows who did not avail it remained in the science stream and have been pursuing doctoral research with the fellowships provided by other funding/sponsoring agencies, or pursuing research in foreign institutes or are employed in academic and research and development institutes," Luthra told IANS.

ADMISSION BOOKING 2013

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Death of Kashmiri...
of tear gas shells. "When agitated youth were not yielding, police went for aerial firing which created panic in Pulwama market," one of the witnesses told CNS adding that one policeman was severely injured during the clashes. Police used strict restrictions and soon the Pulwamma market wore a deserted look. Police and central reserve police force (CRPF) in full riot gear was moved out in Pulwama town and other parts of the district to tackle the sensitive law and order issue. Stray incidents of stone pelting by angry youths occurred in some parts of the district. In Shopian and Kulgam districts, stone pelting incidents were also reported from many parts amid shut down. Youth pelted stones on police and Para-military troopers at Sheermal, Bonabazar and at other places. Police resorted to aerial firing at Hajin as well to disperse the agitated youth who were protesting against the mysterious death of the youth. At Ompora Budgam, a youth Abdul Rashid was injured when he was hit by a shell. Stone pelting incidents were also reported from Gojwara, Rainawari and Norbagh Srinagar, Sambora, Bandipora and at other places. Police said that they were in touch with the authorities in Hyderabad to ascertain the facts

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Congress," said Raut. Janata Dal United (JD-U) leader Sabir Ali also agreed with Modi and criticized the Congress for graft cases. "See, what he is has said is right, who can deny that in the regime of Congress, there hasn't been corruption. It is practically impossible to list out the scams that they have done. The people have never seen the kind of scams that

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KAS Officers Association elects adhoc body

JAMMU, MARCH 03- A meeting of the Kashmir Administrative Service (KAS) Officers was held today at the Excise Taxation complex under the chairmanship of Kifayat Hussain Rizvi KAS, Commissioner Commercial Taxes. During the meeting various issues to invigorate the KAS Association were discussed. It was unanimously agreed to form an adhoc body of the Association to facilitate the conduct of the elections for a regular body. The following were unanimously nominated office bearers and counsellors for the adhoc body. They are M. H. Malik, President, Arvind Kotwal, Vice President, Dr. G. N. Itoo, General Secretary, Dr. R. S. Sharma, Treasurer, Syed Murid Hussain, Publicity Secretary besides Ms. Anuradha Gupta, G. M. Dar, Ramesh Chander, Suraj Prakesh Rakwal, Moses Kunzang, Pradeep Kumar, T. K. Bhat, Khurshid Ahmad Shah, Dr. B. A. Lone, R. A. Inqualabi as counsellors. Besides the formation of the adhoc body, it was unanimously decided to hold the elections of the Association on the 15th of April, 2013 for which election notification shall be issued separately.

NEWS IN BOX

Pathribal case: Statements to be recorded in Awantipur

SRINAGAR: Nearly six months after commencing General Court Martial proceedings against its five officers in the alleged fake Pathribal encounter case, the army on Saturday accepted the demand of civilian witnesses to record their statements in south Kashmir, as they were finding it difficult to travel to Jammu. Terming the move as "exceptional effort" to ensure free, fair and transparent trial in Pathribal case, an Army spokesman said this extraordinary judicial initiative will help in prompt and indisputable delivery of justice. Despite repeated summons issued to the civilian witnesses, they have not come forward to depose before the Army court which was unduly delaying the judicial process. Civilian witnesses, particularly the next of kin of the deceased, had expressed their inability to travel to Nagrota to depose before the court citing the reasons of cost and difficulties of journeys. Some media reports had also highlighted the old age as the reasons for their reluctance to travel to Nagrota, the spokesman said. In consideration of the sensitivity of the case and the difficulties expressed by the remaining witnesses and to impart early justice in the case, he said officer will be moved to Awantipur to facilitate the recording of their statements. "Upholding the principles of justice, in a significant endeavour to facilitate timely conclusion of the case, the officer recording Summary of Evidence has been directed to move to Awantipur (from Nagrota in Jammu) for recording the statements of the remaining witnesses which will commence from March 5," a defence spokesman said in a statement here. Brigadier Ajay Saxena, Lt Col Brajendra Pratap Singh, Major Sourabh Sharma, Major Amit Saxena and Subedar Idrees Khan were charge-sheeted by the CBI in 2006 for allegedly killing five civilians at Pathribal in Anantnag district. After killing the civilians, the accused army officers had dubbed them as foreign militants days after 35 Sikhs were massacred in the nearby Chattisingpora village in 2000. Consequent to the orders of the Supreme Court last year, Army had taken over the Pathribal case from Chief Judicial Magistrate, Srinagar and commenced General Court Martial proceedings against the five officers allegedly involved in the case at Nagrota-based 16 Corps headquarters in September. After hearing the CBI charges, the General Officer Commanding 16 Corps who is based at Nagrota, had directed recording of the Summary of Evidence against the accused Army personnel. Accordingly, the summons were served to all the witnesses including the family of the deceased. Statements of 26 witnesses, including all the Army witnesses and some police as well as government officials, have been recorded so far, the spokesman said.

Rehman inspects Boys Pahari Hostel

JAMMU, MARCH 03- ViceChairman of the Advisory Board for the development of Pahari-speaking people Mr. Kafeel-ur-Rehman visited Government Boys Pahari Hostel Jammu here today. He was accompanied by Secretary State Advisory Board Mr. Farooq Ahmed Baba. He took round of the hostel rooms. He interacted with students and asked them to pay full attention to their studies. He lauded the role of youth in the development of community. Students demanded for early completion of hostel building. While responding to their demands, Mr. Rehman said that every efforts will be made for early completion of building. He expressed his satisfaction over the the functioning of the hostel. The warden of the hostel apprised him about the functioning of the hostel.

Excesses committed by Security personnel can't be tolerated: Div Com

SRINAGAR, MARCH 03: Asking Security Forces including Army to display utmost restraint while dealing with protestors, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Dr Asghar Samoon Sunday said that on the instructions of Chief Secretary Mohammad Iqbal Khandey strict directions have been given to all the district magistrates of Kashmir Valley to take strong action against the erring cops and security personnel. "We are not going to tolerate the excesses if any committed by Security Forces and strong action will be taken against those security personnel who indulge in such acts which bring disrepute to the establishment," Samoon said on the side lines of a function organized by Kashmir Hoteliers in the honour of newly appointed Chief Secretary Mohammad Iqbal Khandey. Samoon said that new Standard Operative Procedures have been set for the Security personnel and whosoever indulge in excesses will be brought to book. "During 2012 agitation we lost more than 100 boys. Enquiry is going about these killings. Security personnel must restraint themselves or face the music. I don't hesitate in ordering an enquiry whenever people complaint of excesses committed by security personnel. I have even asked police on several occasions to lodge an FIR against the Army when they breached the law," Samoon said adding that even Chief Secretary has directed all the district magistrates to order an immediate inquiry against the men in uniform if they commit excesses.

AKSAJ organised seminar at Rather Says blend of moral education vitial to all round personality dev of children Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan
JAMMU:All Kargil Student Association Jammu (AKSAJ) today organised one day seminar on the topic "Educational Migration a Compulsion or a Choice & Role of Youth in changing Educational System in Kargil" at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan, Residency Road here. The one day seminar was a joint effort of students associations in different states of the country including Jammu, Delhi, Chandigarh and Srinagar. Asstt. Prof. Feroz Ahmad, Asstt. Prof. Amjad Hussain, ZEO Mr. Ali, Social Activist Sajjad Kargili, Senior Educationalist Master Qasim Goma, Mr Hassan Captain were present on this occasion appreciate AKSAJ for organising such kind of seminar in Jammu. While interacting students they stress on quality education and express their ideas on the role of students for building up nation and how to change the education system of Kargil. Speaking on the occasion Mr. Asgar Ali Yarkain, President AKSAJ stated that the aim of the seminar is to mobilise students studying in different institutions across the country on a common platform to collectively work for

the betterment of the state of education in the region. He also expresses grief over the recent Annual result of class 12th Board Examination of Kargil district and stressed the concerned authority to take the matter seriously and sort out the fault either on the side of Parents, Teacher or Board Authority. Seminar was attended by hundreds of student from Kargil District. Later a questioning session was also conducted by Association in which various issue relating to the topic was take up.

Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Mr. Abdul Rahim Rather during at 40th annual day function of the Tiny Tots Higher Secondary School Jammu JAMMU, MARCH 03Observing that education must have social relevance, the Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Mr. Abdul Rahim Rather today called for further emphasis on moral, spiritual and physical aspects of curricular to ensure all round personality development of children. Speaking at the glittering 40th annual day function of the Tiny Tots Higher Secondary School Jammu today Mr. Rather said though knowledge explosion has necessitated to equip the students with the modern science, IT and digital creativity, the moral and spiritual aspects of education system cannot be over looked adding that a blend of modern and moral education only can make the system relevant for the society with the objective of universal peace and welfare of mankind. "Modern Science has made teacher's role all the more significant and pivotal in exploiting the talent of children optimally", Mr. Rather said adding that a teacher should be a role model to ensure his character building, physical and mental development alongside the full academic exposure. While highlighting the rile of a teacher in personality development of students, Mr. Rather said that a child is the future of nation who is to be taught and nurtured so that he becomes an assets for the society as a whole and is able to with stand all competitions and tests in the practical life. "We shall have to build a capacity among the students to enable them to fight with fortitude against all the evils confronting the society", Mr. Rather asserted. Mr. Rather also underscored the importance of sports and extra-curricular activities in the personality development of a child and said a healthy and strong physique was imperative for a sound mind. "Besides, the sports also inculcate discipline, reasoning and quick decision making instinct, qualities which are must to be a good administrator", he added. The Tiny Tots (Kids) of the school presented a scintillating variety cultural programme on the occasion, which enthralled the audience, comprising parents and distinguished personalities including Inspector General of Police, (SSG) Heemant Kumar Lohia, Regional Director, Indian Council for Cultural Relations, Ministry of External Affairs, noted Dramatist, Mr. Balwant Thakur, Chairman SOS International Mr. Ravi Chuny, Dy Excise Commissioner S. Manmohan Singh, Dr. Kum Kkum Sharma etc.

136 quintals of cocoon produced in Bandipora

BANDIPORA, MARCH 03: A record number of 136 quintals of cocoon production has been registered in Bandipora district this year. As many as 433 families involved with this trade have earned about Rs. 20 lakh and made themselves able to earn their livelihood. The department of Sericulture is going to distribute about 60,000 mulberry trees among the cocoon rearers free of cost for plantation purposes. Presently, 3 departmental nurseries and 5 farms are existed in the district. This was stated during a Kissan Mela organized by Sericulture department at Ayatmulla Bandipora today. Among others, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Bandipora, Mr. Shabir Ahmad Raina, Additional Director SKUAST-K, Srinagar, Malik Farooq, officers of Sericulture and allied departments besides cocoon rearers were present in the Mela. The speaker's on this occasion highlighted various schemes launched for the welfare of cocoon rearers. They said that cocoon rearing would be beneficial the minimize poverty and unemployment and there was a tremendous potential in Bandipora district to uplift this sector. Later, 04 best cocoon rearers were encouraged to awarding them cheques worth Rs. 10,000 for their outstanding efforts put in by them in the field.

Sakina addresses public darbar at Nagrota

PGurezi pays surprise visits of veterinary centres, Nurseries in Jammu

JAMMU, MARCH 03Minister of State for Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Agriculture and Horticulture, Nazir Ahmed Gurezi today paid surprise visit to various veterinary Centres in Jammu district and interacted with the staff enquiring them about their performance besides facilities available in these Centres. These included Veterinary Centre Miranshaib, Mridula Sarabhai Institute of Animal and Biological Products, R.S. Pura, Sub-Centre, Animal husbandry Bandyal Brahmna and Sub Division Veternary hospital, R.S.Pura. During his visit, the Minister was informed that the Animal Husbandry Department has administered 11.76 lakh artificial inseminations, 6.52 lakh dosing besides 3.14 treating lakh animal and sheep cases and recording 42353 births in Jammu district during the current year up to ending February. He also inspected Fruit Plant Nursery at Maralia, R.S. Pura and Chief Agriculture Office, Jammu. At Veterinary Centre Miranshaib, the Minister was informed that the centre has administered 1168 artificial inseminations till date. During his visit to Mridula Sarabhai Institute of Animal and Biological Products, R.S. Pura, the Minister was informed that 14 lakh vaccinations produced by the lab to prevent livestock from two diseases Hemorrhagic Septicaemia and bluck quanter. He was also informed that quality and quantity check is also being done in the centre.

Sericulture dev deptt organizes awareness camp at Nowshera

JAMMU, MARCH 03- Department of Sericulture organized awareness camp at Ganaih (Nowshera) of Rajouri District here today. The camp was organized under Centrally Sponsored Scheme ATMA to aware the farmers of the district about the latest techniques of silkworm rearing and plantation. Vice Chairman of State Advisory of Kissans Radhey Sham Sharma was the Chief Guest on the occasion. More than 1000 farmers of Sericulture and allied sector participated in the occasion. Additional Director, Sericulture Development Department, Jammu Madan Lal Chadgal welcomed the chief guest and other district officers and farming community in the camps. Vice Chairman of State Advisory Board of Kissans advised the farmers to avail the benefits provided under various schemes in the department and work with devotion to improve cocoon crop production and enhance their income. SDM Rajouri R.K Khajuria asked the farmers to avail the schemes being implemented in the department for upliftment of economy of poor farmers and set up their subsidiary income generating units. Deputy Director, Sericulture Rajouri told that during current year 2.27 lac Kg Cocoon has being produced of worth Rs.3.25 crore . He briefed that during 11th five year plan Rs. 9.5 Crore distributed under Centrally sponsored Scheme and Cheques worth Rs 5.0 lac distributed among farmers 32 for construction of rearing house.

JAMMU, MARCH 03: The Minister for Social Welfare, Ms Skaina Itoo on Sunday said that the government was making all out efforts to reach out needy, destitute, women in desperation, downtrodden, especially those belonging to SC, ST, OBC and Economically weaker sections . The Minister was addressing a large gathering including panchs, Sarpanchs, Senior citizens, NC workers near here at Nagrota. Ms Sakina said that at present in Nagrota constituency, under old age pension schemes, 1207 beneficiaries are getting financial assistance amounting to Rs. 2,41,400 lakh rupees monthly, while under widow pension, 409 women are getting Rs. 81,800, under physically handicapped schemes, 556 persons are being provided Rs. 2,22,400 and 542 beneficiaries are getting Rs. 2,16,800 under Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Schemes. She further said that under Indira Gandhi Widow Pension Scheme, 53 beneficiaries are getting Rs. 21,200 as monthly financial assistance, while 19 beneficiaries are getting Rs. 7,600 as financial assistance under

Indira Gandhi National Disable Person Scheme. Ms Sakina also said that under two schemes namely Bank tie up and Direct Financing, 329 units have been established in Nagrota and on which Rs. 259.58 lakhs have been incurred. She said that since Omar Abdullah took the reins of the present government, education, Health Care, Road Connectivity, power, PHE sectors were tagged as priority sectors. She said that during last four years a number of new colleges and schools have been opened while scores of schools have been upgraded all over the State for meeting the aspirations of the people, particularly in far flung and rural areas. The Minister said presently five lakh people are being benefited by various welfare schemes launched by the State government and assured that the pending cases of old age and other pension cases would be cleared soon. She said that at present 28000 Anganwari Centres are functional in the State. Earlier, Ms Sakina Itoo made a fervent appeal to workers for further strengthening the hands of young leader Mr. Omar Abdullah.

Wani, Ajaz, Sajjad visit Panchari

UDHAMPUR, MARCH 03: Minister for R&B Abdul Majid Wani along with Minister of State for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Ajaz Ahmad Khan and Minister of State for Home Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo Sunday morning conducted aerial survey of the Chowhunallah in Panchari area where heavy landslide yesterday caused damage to public property, besides cutting a portion of the highway. The Chief Engineer heading a team has already been dispatched to the site to ascertain the damage caused due to the slip slide and to fast track relief and restoration work. After conducting detailed aerial survey of the affected area, the Ministers

convened a high level meeting at District Police Line Udhampur to review the relief and rehabilitation work for the affected people and took stock of the restoration work. MLA, Chenani, Mr. Krishan Chander Bhagat, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Udhampur-Reasi Range, Mr. Jagjit Kumar, District Development Commissioner, Udhampur, Mr. P.K Pole, SSP, Udhampur, Mr. Ashkoor Wani, Chief Engineer R&B, Mr. Tehseen Mustafa, Executive Engineer, Flood Control, District officers of various departments were present in the meeting. The meeting was informed that the affected families are safe and have been provided

blankets, tents and other relief material. It was also announced that immediate relief under IAY will be provided to the families whose houses got damaged in the slide besides providing them 2 month free ration. Deputy Commissioner Udhampur was asked to personally supervise and monitor the relief work and take all necessary steps to ensure proper and early rehabilitation of the affected people. Meanwhile, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Mr. Pardeep Gupta accompanied by MLA Chenani and Deputy Commissioner Udhampur also visited the spot to take stock of relief and rehabilitation measures being made by the administration.

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Chief Secretary accorded warm welcome
others. The hoteliers and people pertaining to tourism industry present during the session hoped that Chief Secretary will address their problems and during his tenure tourism industry will touch to new heights. The Hoteliers Club urged the Chief Secretary to work for the promotion of the tourism sector."Tourism and hospitality industry is very fragile and is subservient to peace. We are the biggest employment and revenue generators but are also at the receiving end when the situation is bad. We will cooperate with the government in its planning at every level and ensure that tourism grows for the betterment of the Kashmir economy," said Secretary General Hoteliers Club Musadiq Shah in his welcome address. President Pahalgam Chapter of Hoteliers Club Asif Burza urged Chief Secretary to allow Pahalgam hotel for its rebuilt which was recently damaged in a fire incident."The portion of the Pahalgam Hotel was recently gutted in a fire incident and government should give permission to the hotelier so that it is rebuilt. This is a historic hotel," said Burza. Speaking on the occasion, Divisional Commissioner Asghar Samoon said that the government is trying its best to come over all the obstacles and there is a lot of scope for the improvement. "We can make tourism sector much better by taking certain steps and the government is work-

Omar Abdullah played no role in Afzal's execution: Ram Jeth Malani

SRINAGAR, MARCH 03:
Blaming Central leadership for acting in an autocratic way in Afzal Guroo's execution case, Kashmir Committee Chairman and senior Supreme Court lawyer, Ram jeth Malani Sunday said that he is deeply grieved that his kith and kin were not allowed to meet Afzal before his hanging. "I am not only deeply hurt but ashamed as well the way Central Leadership tarnished the democratic set up of the country. Where it is written that family members can't meet the person before his execution and merely on the pretext of law and order you are hurting the sentiments of Kashmiri people more by not handing over his body to his family," Malani told Srinagar based news agency CNS adding that it is sorry to say but the reality is that Gandhi's India has turned into Hitler's Germany. He said though we can't challenge the decision of Supreme Court but it is a fact that Afzal was not allowed beforehand about his execution in Tihar Jail so that his family could have taken any legal action about the decision. "There was considerable delay in his execution and all this was done to increase vote bank. I sincerely regret that he was not allowed even to meet his little son before his execution which speaks volumes," he said. Ram Jeth Malani advised Government of India to hand over the body of body of Afzal Guroo to his family without any delay. "A spark neglected burns the house. Save Kashmir before it burns. On the pretext of law and order problem, the government can't deprive his family from his body," he said and added that Government should face terrorism in a humane way. "If Government will let loose a reign of terror then what is the difference between terrorists and Establishment?" Malani said. He said Chief Minister Omar Abdullah played no role in Afzal's execution. "It was the Delhi's prerogative to hang Afzal and Omar's apprehensions were not taken into consideration. So it is wrong to say that Omar could have played any role. We all know that state government of Jammu and Kashmir has a least say in the Centre," Malani said.

"People are expecting a lot from me" CS

SRINAGAR: Promising people that he will give patient hearing to their problems and will perform as per his ability, Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey Sunday said that people are expecting a lot from him. Speaking at an interactive session organized in his honour by the Kashmir Hoteliers in Srinagar, Khandey said that expectations are very high and he will try his best to perform as per his ability. The session was attended by reputed bureaucrats including Divisional Commissioner Asghar Samoon, DC Srinagar, Baseer Khan, DC Anantnag, Farooq Ahmed Shah, Civil Society members Shakil Qalandar journalists, Zafar Mehraj, Rasheed Rahi, and ing over it," Samoon said. Deputy Commissioner Anantnag, Farooq Ahmed Shah said there is a need to get foreign investments exactly as Gujrat has done. "Gujrat has progressed by leaps and bounds and we must follow their footsteps," he said and appealed Chief Secretary to encourage those people who want to set up hotels and other industries. "There should be Single Window Clearance system so that aspirants will get hassle free permissions from the government to start their business. DC, Srinagar Baseer Khan said that each and every order and directions of the Chief Secretary will be implemented without any delay

Slathia addresses public meeting at border village Nanga in Vijaypur

Amusement park at Sidhra soon: Dr Manohar

JAMMU, MARCH 3: Minister of State for Finance, Planning and Fisheries, Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, today inspected several units of Fisheries Department in Jammu and Samba districts and instructed officers to expand the ambit of their activities so that maximum persons are brought under the schemes introduced in the Fisheries Sector. He inspected fisheries office Sidhra, Fisheries Marketing Unit Narwal and Sungwal Fish Demonstration Centre at Samba. Director Fisheries, A K Dogra, Chief Executive Officer, NHPC, NABARD Funded Fisheries Projects, Mr. K.S.Charak, Assistant Director, J.L.Sharma, besides other senior officers of the department accompanied the minister. The Minister directed the authorities to come up with a comprehensive proposal for construction of an amusement park cum awareness centre on the available 37 lakh land at Sidhra. He said the park on completion can become a recurring source of income to the department and also provide alternate spot for entertainment to the people, particularly, living in Jammu city and the means of awareness about the income generating schemes being run by the department. The Minister was informed that 50 fish ponds have been set up in the district Jammu so far and 4 more such ponds are expected to be completed this year, while the department has earned revenue of Rs. 6 lakh during current fiscal. While inspecting the Bahufort Aquarium, the minister was informed that about 4.50 lakh visitors visited the place and department has earned Rs. 77 lakh on account of entry fee during this fiscal till date . He directed the authorities to carry out necessary repairs and renovation works in the aquarium to add to its attraction. Dr Sharma also visited Fish Market Narwal and took stock of the progress of the project.

Chatha village to get facelift at par with all urban facilities: Bhalla
Lays foundation of Rs.75 lakh development works at Chatha PInd, Bhour Camp
JAMMU, MARCH 03Minister for Housing, Horticulture and Culture Mr. Raman Bhalla has said that the current focus of the Government was to create all basic amenities in rural pockets at par with urban centres, adding that in this regard several schemes have been launched to improve the necessary infrastructure there. The Minister was addressing a large gathering after laying foundation stone of link road from Bhour Camp to Shamshan Ghat, upgradation of lanes and drains at Chatha Pind, besides construction of parking slot at Bhour Kothey near Government Primary School, coming up at an estimated cost of Rs. 75 lakh under Rural Development Department (RDD) funding. Mr. Bhalla asked the engineers of RDD to complete all the projects within stipulated time frame by using quality material. He said Government was committed to create durable assets for the people and it was making all out efforts to develop every village with modern line and improved basic facilities like safe drinking water, road connectivity, healthcare, irrigation, education, power besides better lanes and drains. Responding to the said Government has sanctioned Rs. 15 lakh for upgradation of transformers and other allied works in the village. He asked the PDD of toilet. Listing the development works taken up in Chatha Pind and Bhour Kullian, the Minister said Rs. 50 lakh

MLA Vijaypur and Senior Vice President National Conference Mr. S. S. Slathia addressing public meeting at Border Village Nanga in Ramgarh Samba. SAMBA, MARCH 03, 2013- Coalition government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is committed to socio-economic empowerment of the people, especially those living in hilly, remote and far-flung areas. This was stated by MLA Vijaypur and Senior Vice President National Conference Mr. S. S. Slathia here today while addressing public meeting at Border Village Nanga in Ramgarh Samba. On the occasion, Sarpanchs, Panchs and local people apprised the MLA about their grievances and demands which included provision for uninterrupted power supply, potable drinking water, road connectivity, better medicare, benefits under IAY, BPL and other state and centrally sponsored schemes, etc. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Slathia assured the people of the area that their demands like upgradation of roads, opening of veterinary hospital, blacktopping of link road from Ramgarh to Nanga, two electric transformers, 50 electric poles, 5 cases of IAY and Widow Pension Cases would be redressed at the earliest. Earlier, Mr. Slathia laid foundation stone for construction of community facility centre to be completed at an estimated cost of Rs. 18 lakh. He also inaugurated development works of lanes, drains and roads which have been completed at an estimated cost of Rs. 66 lakh. Slathia said that equitable development of all three regions of the state was the prime motto of the coalition government. He said that last four years have witnessed massive development activities which have changed the developmental profile of the state.

Mir, Gurazi dedicate two Mobile Plant Health Clinic vans to farmers
'All districts of J&K to have the facility soon'
JAMMU, FEBRUARY 03: Minister for Agriculture, Mr Ghulam Hassan Mir today dedicated two Mobile Plant Health Clinic (MPHC) Vans to the farmers at Directorate of Agriculture, Krishi Bhawan, Jammu. The Mobile Plant health Clinic vans have been pressed into service immediately after inauguration in the Yellow Rest prone areas of Jammu, Samba and Kathua districts. Minister of State for agriculture, Mr Nazir Ahmed Gurazi was also present on the occasion. Mr Mir said that soon all the districts of the state would have Mobile Plant Health Clinic Van facilities to provide surveillance against insects, pests and other diseases affecting the farms. He said the new initiatives of MPHC Vans for different districts of the state has been taken under the innovative

demand of villagers, the Minister said the Government has earmarked Rs. 45 lakh for construction of playfield on the proposed site at Bhour Camp, adding that the project would be started after completing tendering formalities by Rural Development Department. He said that the funds for the project has got sanctioned by RDD Ministry. For improving the power scenario in Chatha Pind, he

engineers to start the works so that the villagers do not face any inconvenience during ensuing summer season. Regarding desilting of choked deep drain of both sides of approached road to Chatha Pind, Mr. Bhalla asked the RDD to immediately start the desilting work of the drains . He asked the villagers to avail the benefits of Rural Sanitation Scheme offering Rs. 9500 to each household for construction

have been earmarked for construction of cremation ground at Bhour Kullian, adding that the project is under progress and would be completed within stipulated time frame. He said the cremation ground would be completed with the facilities of cremation shed, waiting shed with benches, bathing ghat (Tootian), drinking water storage reservoir, approach road, besides boundary wall.

Wani lays foundation stone of 4KM Marjali Gharota to Satorwan Road

JAMMU, MARCH 03Minister for R&B Abdul Majid Wani Sunday laid foundation stone of up gradation work of link road from Marjali Gharota Chowk to Satorwan via Kaink Village. The 4 KM road, under NABARD assistance, will be completed at an estimated cost of Rs 264.49 Lakhs, benefitting huge population of Marjali, Kaink ,Satorwan, Nandwal, Clay and other adjoining villages of block Bhalwal of Raipur Domana. MLA Raipur Domana constituency Mr Bharat Bhushan, Chief Engineer R&B Jammu, Chief Engineer PMGSY and other officers, Sarpanches, Panches besides a large number of people were present on the occasion. Addressing the large gathering at Kaink, Wani said that Coalition Government deeply cares and values the genuine aspirations and urgent needs of its people and is wholeheartedly striving to address these. He said that Government especially the R&B department needs full support from the public whose land or property gets involved during road laying and widening projects as these are meant for the overall development and welfare of the people. " Roads schemes can be completed rapidly if people fully cooperate in land acquisition and other related matters" he added. Highlighting importance of better road connectivity between Rural areas and Urban centers Wani said it gives new impetus and considerably improves the overall socio-economic development index of the area through mutual exchange of goods and services. " Better roads act as magnet and provide the basic lifeline to attract further development and welfare" he added reiterating his resolve to improve the road connectivity percentage in hitherto unattended areas especially in rural and hilly pockets of the state. Appreciating the recent decision of the Union Government to support the endeavor of Jammu and Kashmir Government to provide road connectivity to left out habitations, the Minister said "I am pleased to inform you that we have received the nod for covering as many as 1100 habitations spread across rural and remote hilly areas under PMGSY. This has lent vital support to our endeavor to reach out to people residing in remote and far flung areas. We are meanwhile also vigorously pursuing for covering habitations of 100 persons and above with the Union Ministry of Rural development.

component of the "Macro Management of Agriculture Scheme" The Minister said that government envisages providing Information technology (IT) facility within the Mobil van to upgrade its functioning and help the farming community at large. He said this facility would help the farmers to detect different diseases of the crops at early stage so that necessary steps would be taken to con-

trol these from spreading to other crops. The Minister further stated that the Mobile Plant Health Clinic will be more effective in rendering comprehensive diagnostic & advisory services, particularly in the event of outbreak of epiphytotics such as incidence of Yellow Rust in wheat in Jammu, Kathua and Samba Districts, which can be identified in time and addressed right in the field.

"Police didn't detain Kashmiri student for leading procession in favour of Afzal Guroo" Police Commissioner Hyderabad Anurag Sharma
SRINAGAR, MARCH 03: Refuting these allegations that Kashmiri student was arrested for leading a procession in favour of Afzal Guroo, Hyderabad Police Commissioner, Anurag Sharma Sunday said that it is a simple suicide case and police has nothing to do with it. "Our patrolling party of course brought him to police station but he was not alone, the warden of the University and one more student was with him and we released both the students immediately," Police Commissioner Hyderabad told Srinagar based news agency CNS on phone and added that it is totally baseless that Mudasir was lodged in police cell for a night. Giving details, Police Commissioner Hyderabad, Anurag Sharma said that after investigating the matter it has come to surface that Kashmiri student Mudasir Ahmed Malla alias Kamran and another student from Maharashtra namely Waseem were roommates and both were good friends. "Gradually animosity developed between them and Waseem complained to Procter of the University P.S.Vijira who allegedly humiliated Mudasir in front of everyone," Police Commissioner said adding that after this frequent trifles used to take place between the two. "On January first, a show cause notice was issued by the Proctor against Mudasir after Waseem once again have complained that Kashmiri student was harassing him," he said. Anurag Sharma told CNS that a police patrolling vehicle arrested both the students and the warden of the University was also called to the police station. "He was not kept in lock up but the police personnel kept both the students including warden in a room and our men tried their best to reconcile them. We let the both students free when the Warden gave an undertaking that they will never fight again," he said. Police Commissioner Hyderabad said that he can't say why he (Mudasir) took such an extreme step? "I feel that Mudasir might have felt humiliation and that is why he committed suicide. It is a simple suicide case and nothing else," he said. Anurag Sharma termed the allegations baseless that Mudasir was apprehended for leading a procession that student had taken out in favour of Afzal Guroo. "We didn't pick him for that issue and neither the police lodged him inside the cell," he said.

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STUDENT AGE MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

EDITORIAL

Road terror looms larger over the State

State which is fighting terror for the last two and half decades an emergent situation has arisen which deserves the collective attention of all the stake holders of the. The State is suffering intense bloodletting on the roads. The latest statistics which have been owned by the Chief Minister of the State Omar Abdullah have revealed that about 4000 people have been killed in road accidents in the last four years. While as the road length has not seen any significant increase the number of vehicles on the roads has increased manifold. Jammu and Kashmir stands second only to Nagaland being the most accidental prone zone in the country. Every day bloodletting continues on the roads and there seems to be no let up in the occurrence of road accidents. We have inherited a unique geography of which large part hilly. Baring the road stretches from Lakhenpur to Jammu city and from Quazigund to Baramulla the rest of roads whether feeder or link roads are hilly. The crucial portions of important roads from Srinagar to Nobra or from Jammu to Srinagar, Doda, kishtwar, Rajouri or Poonch are all hilly roads incuding the Mughal Road which is now deemed to be an alternate link to Valley. With such a scenario it is unfortunate that no comprehensive road policy has been put in place which would have taken all possible steps to ensure that roads are safe and modern. Despite the scourge of terror which engulfed Jammu and Kashmir the present statistics reveal that since the time militancy has been contained the demon of road accidents has emerged as the biggest killer. It is shocking to see that while only ninety five lives were lost in the State during 2012 in terrorist related activities about 1070 persons were killed in the road accidents during the same period. Most of the deaths have taken place either on the hilly roads of the region or due to overloading. The apathy of the State Government in this matter is so morbid that in the wake of a road accident all political parties issue statements expressing shock over the loss of lives. Promises are made to have an inquiry committee which would investigate the particular accident and furnish report. Promises too are made that traffic personnel manning the road stretch would be held accountable and severe punishment shall be meted out to the guilty. As a routine when some days pass the matter dies down .Things return to normal and then another accident evokes the same response from the government. Compensation is announced for the kith of those who die or are injured. It is intriguing to see that a new brand of compensation politics is played over the loss of lives but neither the government nor the other stake holders play a serious role to stem the tide of recurring road accidents. It is also true that there are many constraints in making the roads of the State safe. The people are well aware that road accidents will occur but they can be curbed to a very large extent. There is an intense need to revisit our strategy in order to make the roads safe. It calls for an integrated approach in which co- ordinated traffic management becomes a matter of prime importance. Traffic department is woefully short of manpower and government should look into the matter earnestly. The delinquent traffic personnel who have been involved in bribery activities should be weeded out so that the honest officers who want to deliver and make the roads safe are promoted and pushed up. There are many examples in which the traffic policemen manning the accident prone roads allow overloading for a Hafta which results in maximum number of accidents. Many times drivers without license or valid ones ply vehicles on the roads which put the passengers and other road users to risk. Over speeding is another area where the government has to look into. With huge number of vehicles being added everyday and no mechanism to enforce traffic rules strictly the onus shifts on the government how it intends to control the rising graph of road accidents. If more than one thousand lives are killed in one year in the roads of Jammu and Kashmir then something is seriously wrong somewhere. Tourists come in millions in every year and if this news somehow reaches that the roads of their destination are very risky then it will badly impinge upon the tourism which stands the largest revenue earner for us. Otherwise we have a large begging bowl ready to point towards the Government of India. But given the political wrangling going on at present in the portals of State Assembly it is unlikely that something serious and credible will be done to bring down the rising graph of bloodletting on roads to a minimum.

J&K and the Indo-Pak Peace Process: New Delhi, Islamabad & the Hurriyat
By Zainab Akhter fter a prolonged ceasefire between India and Pakistan since 2004, the Line of Control (LoC) has recently witnessed a violent outburst. Despite the continued bus and truck services, hostility has returned to the LoC. In this regard, what further measures can be pursued? Recently, the moderate Hurriyat visited Pakistan; without the tacit understanding of both countries, this visit could not have happened. Do they provide a space for both countries to reach a plausible solution? Before embarking on the visit on 17 December 2012, the head of the moderate Hurriyat, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, stated the purpose of the initiative was to stress on Islamabad, the need to bring Kashmir and the Hurriyat to the forefront of its political engagement with India. India, Pakistan and the Hurriyat: Differing Strategies Both India and Pakistan were flexible in terms of allowing the visit of the moderate Hurriyat to Pakistan. At the time, one of the reasons given for such a strategy was that both countries will face general elections in 2014 and thus have a motive to sell something to their people, for which the moderates serve the purpose. Over many decades, successive governments in Islamabad have treated Kashmir as a bilateral issue and as such explored the possibility of settling the issue through the process of dialogue with New Delhi. Post the visit, the statement by the Hurriyat (M) that Pakistan is

in favour of making Kashmir a trilateral matter by involving a representative of the people from Kashmir, has set all eyes on New Delhi

tive to win Indian voters; who want peace to prevail so that the pace of economic prosperity continues. Hence, in a way, this is one more

Can India and Pakistan channel the Hurriyat visit to instigate CBMs? Mirwaiz termed the visit as successful and is in favour of CBMs between India and Pakistan, to address the Kashmir issue. All separatist factions need to be accommodated and must be involved in the political process. New Delhi should invite them for talks since, given the current crisis across the LoC on the disruption of the ceasefire agreement, New Delhi will have to restart the peace process, both at the bilateral level, as also within India vis--vis the Hurriyat.
to see whether the Congress-led UPA Government would support the trilateral process of dialogue or not. If Delhi supports triangular talks, it means that the Hurriyat Conference leaders, as well as others who are on the other side of the fence, should expect an invitation from the Government of India for talks. Within J&K, a section believes that India has succeeded to a degree, in taking the moderate Hurriyat on board in its "plan to weaken" the Kashmiri resistance movement. They are of the opinion that because of its weak position at the centre, the Congress wants to play the Kashmir card. This time, having the Hurriyat on board, would be with the objecexercise to keep the "pot boiling" and the Kashmir issue "alive". For Pakistan, the issue of Kashmir may indeed be popular; but according to a report inDawn, listing Kashmir as the core issue in any negotiation with India after the 2008 Mumbai terror attacks does not suit Pakistan. It further says that Kashmir is no more a priority for Pakistan and that the Pakistan government has remained over-cautious after Ajmal Kasab, the lone survivor of the 26/11 Mumbai attacks, was secretly hanged in Pune. The invitation by Pakistan to the Hurriyat could be understood in two different ways. Firstly, Pakistan might be trying to give an impression that they have not ignored the

Kashmir issue; and secondly, that they are trying to take the local leadership in Kashmir into consideration. But, does the present stand-off at the LoC imply a complete deviation from the above strategy? The Hurriyat used the visit to convey their dissatisfaction with both India and Pakistan. Taking part in a discussion at the Institute of Strategic Studies of Islamabad (ISSI), the moderates stressed that though intra-Kashmir Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) need to be strengthened, the people of Kashmir should also have a say in this regard. They urged Pakistan to give unconditional support to the people of Kashmir in determining their futures and were of the view that an alternative settlement negotiated amongst India, Pakistan and Kashmiris would be the more doable approach towards reaching a solution. The need for channelizing Pakistan's support into policy was also brought forward by the Hurriyat. What Next? Can India and Pakistan channel the Hurriyat visit to instigate CBMs? Mirwaiz termed the visit as successful and is in favour of CBMs between India and Pakistan, to address the Kashmir issue. All separatist factions need to be accommodated and must be involved in the political process. New Delhi should invite them for talks since, given the current crisis across the LoC on the disruption of the ceasefire agreement, New Delhi will have to restart the peace process, both at the bilateral level, as also within India vis--vis the Hurriyat.

FEAR AND INSECURITY IN THE REPUBLIC OF TERROR

By Nidhi Khurana: It was seven in the evening and finally a cumbersome day in the office had ended. This particular time gives me a peace of mind on a daily basis. The thought of reaching home in an hour was always soothing. Suddenly my phone beeped and my hands reached out for it.Annoyed by the plethora of people chattering around me, I wished it to be a message from some friend, so that I could kill some time. Surprisingly it was a news clipping, and it shockingly read, 'Twin Blasts at Dilsukhnagar in Hyderabad'. My eyes stuck onto it, fingers swapped the screen as I uttered,"shit". It wasn't peaceful anymore and lots of thoughts started coming to my mind. "Who is responsible for these blasts? Delhi might also be the target", I said to myself. The thought that there could be a bomb in the metro too, making it my last journey, jolted me out of my comfort zone. The people around me seemed to be strangers no more. I started feeling sorry for the girl next to me who was happily talking to her boyfriend; and for others too, who, unaware of the tragedy were busy in their own activities. I started fiddling with my phone and to divert my mind I logged into Facebook. The news of the blast had spread online like a wild fire. Facebook asked me, "How are you doing, Nidhi?" And soon I updated my status "I feel terrorized". Work is done. Bomb blasts once again became successful in disrupting our lives and generating fear. It goes without saying that blasts are a routine activity happening all across the world. Terrorism is poking its ugly face every now and then, and there is hardly any magic formula to wane that terror that follows. This can also be said in the light of the recent blasts that occurred in Hyderabad on the 21st of February, 2013, devouring 16 lives and inflicting injuries to many. Necessary investigations are being done, but it seems that petty politics is hampering them. The usual blame game that follows breeds the partisan politics. The incident has unfortunately given a spark to the already existing communal tensions. Ministers like always have asked citizens to stay calm, and maintain peace. Well yes, that is what needs to be done, but until when, is the question. Life doesn't come so cheap that it can be wasted on a bomb blast. Haven't bomb blasts become a part of our lives? It is assumed that the public will forget everything soon, and life will resume its natural course as people get back to their daily routines. The dehumanizing attempt by some power seekers is condemned, as we, as a nation try to stand hand in hand to face yet another national tragedy, but at the same time we want our lives to be secure. We don't want to step out of our houses, with thoughts of never returning back, haunting our minds. The faith in the government will be restored soon as our national security is stepped up but what about the mother who lost her only son? What about someone who got his limbs ripped off from his body? Who can bring justice to cries, tears and pain? Bomb blasts are for once, but suffering lasts a lifetime.

Economy's future is Ram bharose

By Swapan Dasgupta ike most things Indian or, rather, Hindu, there is a great deal of ritualism that accompanies the annual Budget exercise. For Finance Minister P Chidambaram, a seasoned hand in presenting Budgets, the predictable part of the choreography may lie in the mandatory recitation of a verse from Thiruvalluvar; for the writers of the Economic Survey it may consist of repeating last year's assurance that darkness is inevitably accompanied by sunshine; and for those who are dubbed corporate 'honchos' it may lie in describing every Budget as 'responsible', 'innovative', or even 'path-breaking'. However, like the mantras that commit the worshipper to give generously to the Brahmin intermediary between God and the devout, the invocations need not be taken at face value. This is particularly so with a Chidambaram Budget. PC's reputation for having a low threshold of tolerance and his self-projection as a most superior person have ensured that candid discussions of the Budget are behind closed doors. Apart from the political class

who enjoy exceptional protection and a few economists who are mad enough to speak their mind, the predictable response to a PC Budget is about as mellifluous as the King of Basutoland's tribute to Queen Victoria: "My country is your blanket, and my people the lice upon it." I am naturally not referring to those corporate notables who were sceptical of the claim that the present fiscal deficit is 5.2 per cent of the GDP because some crucial items of expenditure had been conveniently overlooked but, yet, that the Budget was good or even excellent. I am not even contesting the belief that the Indian economy needs to be talked up, as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh tried to do when he feebly suggested that an 8 per cent GDP is not in the realms of a Bollywood fantasy. My simple assertion is that the orchestrated projection of PC as the perennial Superman (recall an India Today cover after the Budget of 1997) who, having 'fixed' the deficit, now deserves a role greater than being Finance Minister is a tad overstated. Nor is this particular reading of the tea leaves too fanciful.

According to the political grapevine of Lutyens' Delhi which tends to get a little overshadowed by the Budget drama, there was a flutter of sorts in North Block last Thursday following an article in The Hindu that painted the Finance Minister as yet another lackey of corporate India - a Congress version of Narendra Modi who was being projected by an alliance of moneybags, 'communalists' and Middle India as the great brown hope. That it had been penned by a man whose understanding of the Congress is quite profound added to the consternation. That the article was brought to my proverbial attention by a man whose understanding of the Prime Minister is equally deep, suggested that something was brewing. In public, the Congress will heartily endorse the Budget of 2013. They will point to the fact that PC has not curtailed expenditure, particularly on welfare schemes, has reached out to women albeit symbolically, has snarled at the 42,800 of India's super-rich with a taxable income of over Rs.1 crore and even managed to set new norms for backwardness that could increase the

wedge between Nitish Kumar and the BJP. To add to these achievements, he deftly targeted Indian SUV manufacturers, enhanced the tax burden on the futures trades in non-agricultural commodities and added to the woes of the diamond industry. On paper these may look random but there was an underlying hint of punitive action against those who have links to Gujarat and Modi. In this Budget, the Finance Minister had little elbow room. That he made the most of the limited opportunities will endear him to a section of the Congress that believes the way forward is for Rahul Gandhi to find his own answer to his mother's choice of Manmohan Singh as Regent. Only the wilfully obtuse can overlook the fact that the Budget has been accompanied by the first tentative demands of a 'PC for PM' campaign. At present, the hints of such an approach for the 2014 general election is emanating from a group that can be said to be headquartered in Race Course Road, a clutch of businessmen and industrialists who are based in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and, as such, have little or no dealings

with the alternative superstar in Gujarat. It may even find tacit support from diplomatic missions who are uneasy at the thought of a familiar establishment being replaced by unknown people. Ideally, for these sections, Rahul should have been at the helm of the 'continuity with change' strategy. However, for reasons well known, he has proved a disappointment. Hence, the importance being attached to Chidambaram and, equally, the rising opposition to what Congress loyalists see as a recipe for electoral disaster. "Manmohan Singh joined the Congress to become Finance Minister", a disaffected Congress MP told me last week, "but Chidambaram left the Congress to become Finance Minister." The reference was to PC's defection to the Tamil Maanila Congress in 1996. In India, few remember history. For PC, the real test is not whether his DNA is Congress but whether India experiences a bout of sunshine before voting day in 2014. At present, the future of the economy is in a state of Ram bharose.

READERS SPACE
Real hero
Dear Sir During the Chennai Test, India were tottering at 194 for the loss of 4 wickets. Sachin Tendulkar's dismissal brought the Indian skipper, M.S. Dhoni, to the crease. Tendulkar and Kohli were trying to rebuild the innings, but the fall of the master's wicket forced Dhoni to play differently. He smashed the Australian bowling attack to pieces. Dhoni could not have asked for a better partner than Kohli. They ran between the wickets very well, converting singles into twos, and twos into threes.

I think Dhoni's knock will force his critics to eat their words. Dhoni had taken India to glory on numerous occasions. Under him, India had won the world cup and become the top Test side in the world. Dhoni had been criticized heavily after losing the series against England at home. Instead of supporting him, Indians chose to censure him in his hour of need. In India, people seldom know how to respect a hero. Dhoni should continue to lead the side. He remains composed during a crisis. Occasionally, he takes a wrong decision but learns from his mistakes. Yours etc, Brij Lal,Samba

Green murder
Dear Sir It has been reported that the Jammu and Kashmir government seized over 30,000 square feet of timber and booked nearly 600 timber smugglers last year. The authorities also confiscated the vehicles used by the culprits. Wood smugglers have devastated large stretches of forests in most parts of the country. Having exhausted their supplies elsewhere, they have now turned their attention to the forests in Kashmir. The state government must come down heavily on these criminals before they destroy Kashmir's forests. Yours etc, A.S. Mehta, Akhnoor

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STUDENT AGE MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

NATIONAL
Irom Sharmila likely to appear before Delhi court
of AFSPA," Imphal central jail superintendent IK MUivah said. She has to appear before the court under IPC 309 (attempt to commit suicide) for fasting at Jantar Mantar NEW DELHI: Social activist Irom Sharmila, who has been on fast for about 12 years demanding the repeal of controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act (AFSPA), would be flown to Delhi on Sunday in connection with a court case, official sources said. "Sharmila would be flown to Delhi tomorrow (Sunday) as she has to appear before a court in connection with the fast she undertook in Delhi in the past demanding the repeal in Delhi. Sharmila has been summoned by the Patiala House court under IPC 309 (attempt to commit suicide) for fasting at Jantar Mantar in October 2006. The "iron lady of Manipur" launched her fast unto death in 2000 after 10 civilians were killed by Assam Rifles personnel at Malom area near Imphal airport. She is now in jail and is being fed through her nose at JNIMS Hospital in Imphal.

Bodies of three anti- Posco activists who died in bomb blast recovered
PARADIP: A day after three anti-Posco activists were killed while allegedly making bombs, tension gripped the proposed plant site in Jagtsinghpur district on Sunday as police recovered the bodies and materials used for making the explosives. Three persons were killed and another was critically injured in the blast when members of Posco Pratirodh Sangram Samiti (PPSS) were making crude bombs, Jagatsinghpur SP Satyabrata Bhoi said today after reaching the spot. "Police have recovered the materials used for making crude bombs from the site," Bhoi said, adding that the three bodies were sent for postmortem. The injured was rushed to SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack in critical condition, police said. The bombs were intended to be used against the police and supporters of the proposed mega steel plant, Bhoi said. However, Nachia Mandal of Gobindpur, who was injured in the blast, claimed that unidentified persons hurled two bombs at him and others when they were standing near a pond at Patana village. While police claimed it had gathered evidence showing the explosion took place during bomb making, PPSS alleged that some miscreants hurled bombs on its activists. PPSS president Abhay Sahu claimed that some miscreants had hurled bombs targeting him. "They hurled bomb targeting the house where I stay at Patana village," Sahu claimed. However, police rejected the PPSS claim and said that the accident took place while they were making bombs. "The PPSS leader is desperately trying to divert public attention from their anti-social activities which have been exposed following the blast," the SP said. "In fact, bombs were being manufactured in the backyard of the house where Sahu used to stay," said a police official. Meanwhile, the district administration of Jagatsinghpur deployed 12 platoons (360 personnel) of armed force at Posco's proposed plant site villages. "I ensure that peace will soon return to the area," said Jagatsinghpur district collector SK Mallick. As the police staged a march at the tension hit areas, the antiproject activities assembled at Mangala Chhak and held a meeting alleging bomb attack on them.

Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit flags off campaign for women's safety

NEW DELHI: Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit Sunday launched a weeklong campaign to raise awareness among the p u b l i c a b o u t w o m e n safety and the various government initiatives to t a c k l e c r i m e against women. Ms Dikshit flagged of three truck-mounted tableau, which on behalf of the state government will cover all the districts of Delhi highlighting women's safety issues through musical and theatrical performances. "Respect for women is a foundation stone of a healthy society. One has to remember, where the capability of protecting forces such as police ends, the responsibility of the society starts to protect their daughter, sisters and mothers," Ms Dikshit said. The campaign, launched ahead of 'International Women's day', marked on March 8 each year, will also display the steps taken by the government, especially encouragin g the society to stand up against such crimes and to take help of the women's dis t res s helpline number 181 whenever necessary. Wom e n and Child Development Minister, Kiran Walia said that the campaign is designed to focus on women's safety by highlighting the struggle of women, both at home and workplace. The tableaux will frequent various metro stations, markets and Delhi University Campus. On International Women's day a special programme will be held at Talkatora Stadium. When asked to express her views on the investigation in the alleged rape of a seven-year old girl in North Delhi on Thursday, Ms Dikshit refused to comment.

'Sharad Pawar will be Par panel asks Centre to keep ready to become PM' it updated on ARWSP schemes
NEW DELHI: NCP chief Sharad Pawar will be certainly ready to become the Prime Minister if there is sitremain the president of NCP and that the reins of the party will be with him even if he did not contest elections, Patel said Pawar will be NCP's candidate for the post of Prime Minister. Asked if he was willing to work under Rahul Gandhi if UPA is in majority after the General Elections, Patel said, "Certainly". To a question that he and Pawar would both be willing to work under Rahul, the minister for heavy industries, said, "Who will take decisions (speaking of Congress-led UPA) is not the issue." "The government runs on the basis of the largest party, Congress is the largest party in UPA and it does not seem that in future they won't be the largest party," Patel said. He also said there is a similarity between NDA and UPA as far as foreign policy, economic policy are concerned. "This does not mean we are comparing NDA and UPA," he said. "The committee would like to be apprised of the present status of 56,162 schemes which were stated to be completed by March, 2012." Earlier, the ministry had informed the panel that 56,162 schemes are targeted to be completed by March 2012, 9,885 schemes by March this year and 3,298 schemes after this NEW DELHI: Concerned over the slow rate of completion of water projects in 15 states, a Parliamentary panel has asked the Centre to inform it about the progress made in the execution of schemes under the Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme. The Public Accounts Committee, chaired by BJP MP Murli Manohar Joshi, has refused to accept the "stock reply" tendered by the Drinking Water and Sanitation Ministry. The PAC said it was "concerned to note that no time frame has been provided to ensure timely completion of schemes as more than one to four thousand schemes are pending finalisation in 15 states". In its report tabled in Lok Sabha, the panel said, month. Reiterating that the ministry should keep a constant watch over the progress of remaining 9,885 schemes which are slated for completion by March, the panel urged it to streamline and improve implementation of ARWSP so that these schemes are completed on time and a status report is submitted within three months. The panel also recommended that the independent agency engaged to carry out a nationwide verification of data of these schemes completes its work within stipulated time frame. The ministry had informed that the agency engaged to carry out the nationwide verification of data is expected to be submitted by the end of March.

Portugal's Foreign Minister to arrive in India today

NEW DELHI: Portugal's Foreign Affairs Minister Paulo de Sacadura Cabral Portas will arrive here on a five-day official visit on Sunday. He will be accompanied by Minister of State for Culture of Portugal J o r g e Barreto Xavier and a business delegation. During his stay in New Delhi, he will hold talks with External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid. Both sides will discuss bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest. The Portugal Foreign Affairs Minister with his delegation will also visit Mumbai and Goa. India and Portugal share a warm and friendly bilateral relations h i p . Portugal is home to the third largest pop ulation of people of Indian origin in Europe. The two countries share common perspectives on a wide variety of issues in the global arena. The visit would strengthen the existing friendly ties and provide a filling to bilateral cooperation especially in the economic and cultural arena.

Congress to move court against post-poll violence in Tripura

uation where there is a consensus on the issue, his party leader and Union Minister Praful Patel has said. "And this gossip of merger with Congress, which happens many times, that is never possible," Patel said. "If there is a situation where there is consensus on the issue, then why not Prabhuji, Sharad Pawarji will be certainly ready (to become Prime Minister)," he said, adding, "But I think to talk like this now is basically wrong." Noting that Pawar will

16 Indian fishermen arrested in Sri Lanka

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan Navy on Sunday arrested 16 Indian fishermen and seized their three trawlers for allegedly violating the country's international maritime boundary. The Navy spokesman said that they were arrested off the coast of Kalpitiya for violating Sri Lanka's international maritime boundary. They would be handed over to the Kalpitiya police for further action. Tension prevails between the fishermen of the two countries who regularly cross into each other's territorial waters. Fishermen in Sri Lanka's north last month staged a protest march to ask authorities to prevent Indian fishermen from poaching in Sri Lankan waters.

CIC faces criticism for poor data keeping

NEW DELHI: Founded as a transparency and information dissemination watchdog, the Central Information Commission (CIC) has received flak from the government for apparently publishing wrong data on RTI appeals and complaints which were to be used in Parliament questions. The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) has raised the issue of discrepancy between the figures published by CIC on its website and actual figures of disposal of RTI appeals and complaints received at the Commission. The DoPT needed these figures from the CIC to furnish response to a Lok Sabha starred question on December 05, 2012 raised by BJP MPs Virender Kashyap and Virendra Kumar on implementation of RTI Act. Officials handling the matter were left stunned when they found that as per the receipt and disposal shown on the officials' website of the CIC as on April 2012 a total number of 28,136 appeals and complaints were pending for disposal. The file notings were furnished in response to an RTI application filed by Hyderabad-based activist CJ Karira. When contacted over phone, Chief Information Commissioner Satyananda Mishra said he was not aware of the matter but would react after seeing all the related documents on Monday. In the note sheet it was pointed out that regarding the data on total number of RTI requests filed with central public authorities during 2011-12, though the total number of receipt in 2010-11 was 4,17,955, the carry over in 2011-12 was 4,30,425. On the data related to RTI applications received by various ministries, the CIC had explained to DoPT that "correctness and authenticity of reported figures is the responsibility of ministries and public authorities concerned under their control". It is not for the first time that CIC has come under criticism for poor maintenance of data about it working. The issue of incomplete data on its website had been raised by former Central Information Commissioner Shailesh Gandhi in the internal meetings of the commission. The website of the panel, mandated under the RTI Act to promote and propagate transparency across government offices and other public authorities, is in poor shape with no details of complaints or appeals received by it since May 2012. The information about pending cases in each registry including that of Chief Information Commissioner was last updated on August 31, 2012.

BJP calls for decisive change in Lok Sabha polls

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party Sunday accused the United Progressive Alliance government at the centre of leaving behind a legacy of insecurity and suffering, and called for decisive change in a resolution a d o p t e d Sunday. In the political resolution adopted at the party's national council meeting here, the BJP charged the United Progressive Alliance government of indulging in "rampant corruption," and said it was leaving behind an "insecure India", a "suffering India". The BJP also called for the expansion of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA). "The UPA is leaving a legacy of 'insecure India' and 'suffering India'. India needs to be redeemed by the NDA under the leadership of BJP. It is time to awaken the country, expand the NDA and generate a hope for decisive change, whenever election is held," the resolution said. It said people fondly recalled the Vajpayee-led NDA government which left a legacy of "hope, enthusiasm, tangible growth, participation, good manag ement of price rise and overall feeling of goodwill." The resolution said most NDA-ruled states had recorded a growth rate of over 10 percent. Addressing the youth, it said the BJP would give India its rightful place in the comity of nations with all-round inclusive growth. "The choice is clear - to relieve the country of the misery and misrule of the Congress-led UPA, the BJP-led NDA, with its exemplary record of governance, is the only alternative. The national council calls upon all party workers to dedicate themselves fully towards this goal," the resolution said.

Tewari reminds Modi about Vajpayee's remarks after 2002 riots

NEW DELHI: Taking a dig at Narendra Modi, I n fo r ma ti o n a n d Broadcasting Minister M a n i s h Tewari on Sunday said then Prime Minister Atal B i h a r i Vajpayee had reminded the Gujarat Chief Minister about 'Raj Dharma' in the wake of the 2002 riots in the state. Reacting to comments by Modi in his speech at BJP's National Council meeting here, he also said it was under the Prime Ministership of Indira Gandhi that the country had conducted its first nuclear test in 1974. Following the defeat of NDA in 2004 polls, Vajpayee had blamed that violence in Gujarat as one of the reasons that led to the electoral loss. "FACTS- Indira Gandhi carried out P N E (p e ac efu l nuclear explosion) in 74, successive C o n g govts nurt u r e d strategic p r o gramme and Manmohan Singh dismantled nuclear aparthied," Tewari said. Maintaining that Vajpayee had shown what a single leader could do, Modi had said while addressing the BJP conclave today that it was under Vajpayee's leadership that India had conducted nuclear tests on May 11 and May 13, 1998 despite international pressure and stood up to the sanctions imposed against it thereafter.

AGARTALA: The Congress threatened to move court and the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) against alleged attacks on party workers by CPM activists after the Tripura polls. "We will report to Congress president Sonia Gandhi about the atrocities on party workers by the CPM. The party will move to the court and NHRC to intervene into this violence against Congressmen," Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi told reporters in Agartala. "This is the responsibility of the Left Front government to take appropriate steps to stop the post-poll violence," he said. According to Gogoi and other Congress leaders, many Congress workers were injured and their houses burnt down allegedly by CPM (Communist Party of IndiaMarxist) workers in different parts of Tripura after the Left Front won the Feb 14 polls, results of which were declared February 28. Gogoi, Congress general secretary in-charge of the northeastern states Luizinho Faleiro and Congress general secretary Shakeel Ahmed met Governor DY Patil. They

urged Patil to ask the state government to take suitable actions to stop violence against Congress workers. After briefing the media, when Gogoi, Faleiro, Ahmed, state Congress president Sudip Roy Barman and opposition leader Ratan Lal Nath were coming out from the Congress Bhavan here, agitated party workers attempted to attack them. "Some Congress workers tried to reign blows on Faleiro. NSG commandos, who were protecting Gogoi, rescued the high-profile Congress delegation," a police official, present at the spot, told reporters. The Congress workers were agitating against the party's failure in the Tripura polls and not extending any help to the distressed workers in the post-poll violence. The CPM instead accused the Congress of resorting to violent attacks against its members injuring at least 20 in different parts of the state. The Congress suffered a humiliating defeat in Tripura bagging only 10 seats in the 60-member house while the CPM-led Left Front retained the political supremacy securing 50 seats.

Indian students to visit tsunami-hit Fukushima

NEW DELHI: A group of 138 students from the country are visiting Japan on Sunday during which they would visit the 'Fukushima prefecture' to witness the current situation in the region following the tsunami-induced disaster. They will also receive lectures about the lessons learnt from the earthquake and tsunami of March 11, 2011 and also observe the recovery process of the areas, said a statement. The students, who are learning Japanese, would be in the country till March 13 under the Kizuna Project youth exchange programme introduced by Japanese government. Japanese government has launched the youthexchange project with AsiaOceania and North America.

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STUDENT AGE MONDAY, MARCH 4, 2013

MISC

2nd Test, Day 2 Pujara, Vijay tons put India on top Vipul to represent India in World University Games
HYDERABAD: Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara recorded India's highest-second wicket partnership against Australia on way to putting their team on top in the second cricket Test at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Sunday. Vijay (129) and Pujara (162) went through the grind in the morning session to end day two unbeaten on a 295-run stand with their team sitting pretty at 311 for one and a healthy 74run lead. Virender Sehwag, the lone batsman to be dismissed during the day, departed cheaply after India resumed with an overnight score of five for no loss. Australia apparently ran out of ideas after their fast bowlers kept things tight till lunch. India's spinners have made the difference so far in the series while their Australian counterparts have failed to make an impact. It was no different For Pujara, it was his second successive hundred at this ground after a 159 against New Zealand in the first Test match played at the venue in August last year. The Saurashtra batsman stroked 25 fours and a maximum with an innings strike rate of 64.54. He brought his 150 by hooking Siddle for a six. Vijay, on the other hand, batted out of his comfort zone. It was crucial for India to start the day well and, along with Pujara; he withstood the constant pressure by the Australian pacers. He still ended up smashing 17 fours and a couple of big hits. More importantly, the timely hundred has given him breathing space in the competitive top-order. With Gautam Gambhir back amongst the runs in domestic cricket, the bulk of the pressure to perform is on Sehwag. team, Vipul is all set to be part of the Indian team for the important event ahead. "For the last some time, I have been shifted to neighboring Punjab for the dual purpose of studies and training with top ranked shuttlers of the country. So, I represented Punjab University Chandigarh in the Inter-University competitions and bagged gold in North Zone and then finished third in All India level," said Vipul. Among the probable for the 2010 Commonwealth Games, this Jammu shuttler has attended three India camps and was India ranked six in the junior category. Struggling to achieve the desired results, this young man from the state suffered because of the sheen injury for one and half year during 2011-2012. Prior to his excel at the University level, Vipul participated in the Tata Open International Challenge held at Mumbai and had lost to his Korean opponent in the qualify rounds. It was followed by his participation in the Grand Prix Gold International Tournament that took place at Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. Vipul currently holds all India singles 39 rank and 27 in doubles as also 25 ranking in mixed doubles. "It was due to the untiring support from my parents, Ved Saini and Mohini Saini that I have continued with my passion of achieving the desired results at the higher level. Despite badminton being an expensive game, my parents always supported me in my endeavor to excel," expressing his gratitude to family, persistent Vipul said.

Vijay & Pujara scored century to lead the Indian charge on Day 2 of the second Test on day two here as Xavier Doherty (0/85) and Glenn Maxwell (0/55) looked far from threatening the powerful Indian batting. Having said that, due credit should be given to Pujara and Vijay, who scored their second and fourth Test hundreds, respectively. Surprisingly, Pujara was the aggressor in the monumental stand while the usually attacking Vijay showed more patience at the crease.

Deepika Kumari named 'sportsperson of the year'

ments. The announcement was made by Tata Steel on the occasion of 174th birth anniversary of its founder Jamsetji Nusserwanji Tata. It was the third consecutive time when Deepika, who recently topped the National Senior Ranking Archery Tournament held in Hyderabad, was given the honor. Deepika, who has decided to skip the forthcoming Asian Grand Prix scheduled to be held from March 9 to 15 at Bangkok due to her ongoing intermediate examination, was not present.

Nadal crushes Ferrer to win in Acapulco

ACAPULCO: Rafael Nadal won the Mexican Open with a demolition of Spanish compatriot David Ferrer in the final. The world No.5 crushed Ferrer 6-0, 6-2 on Saturday to win his second Acapulco title and end Ferrer's dreams of matching Thomas Muster as the second man to win four consecutive Mexican Opens. The victory extends Nadal's record against Ferrer to 17 wins in 21 meetings. Nadal has now won two of the three competitions he has entered since returning last month from a seven-month absence with a knee injury. In the women's competition, world No.8 Sara Errani completed the defense of her title with a 6-0, 6-4 thrashing of Spanish second seed Carla Suarez Navarro, following a roller-coaster second set that saw seven breaks of serve. The Mexican Open in Acapulco is a hard-court tournament that is a $1.2 million ATP 500 event for the men and a $235,000 WTA International event on the women's tour.

JAMMU: Current state champion and promising shuttler, Vipul Saini is all set to represent Indian University team to World University Games being hosted by Russian in the month August. Captain of the gold winning North Zone team, represented by Punjab University Chandigarh, Vipul and his team finished third in the All India Inter-University Badminton Tournament held recently. Now, first three position holders will be called for the camp to finalize Indian University team for the World Games. Being captain and a key player in Punjab University

JAMSHEDPUR: Ace woman archer Deepika Kumari on Sunday named 'Sportsperson of the year' by Tata Steel for her outstanding achieve-

Lewis wins HSBC Women's Champions golf

SINGAPORE: US player Stacy Lewis holed a two-foot par putt on the last hole of a thrilling final round to win the HSBC Women's Champions golf tournament on Sunday, beating her opponent from South Korea Choi NaYeon. World No.4 Lewis, who shared the lead with Choi before the fourth round began on Sunday, finished 71 for 15-under-par 273. Choi, world No.2, carded 72 for 14-under-par 274, while Paula Creamer, Lewis's teammate, who is suffering whiplash injuries after a car crash last week in Thailand, finished 71 for 13-under-par 275. However, the top-ranked player Tseng Yani from Chinese Taipei, out of expectation, finished joint-28th place. Meanwhile, Feng Shanshan of China carded 71 for 1-over-par 289 at the end of the game, finishing joint32nd place.

NGR, Sainik Colony wins opening ties

JAMMU: The NGR Club and Sainik Colony Football Club won their respective matches on the opening day of the 3rd Rajiv Gandhi Gold Cup Football Tournament which got underway at GGM Science College ground, on Sunday. In the inaugural match, NGR Club blanked Hero's Club 3-0 to move into the next round of this knockout event. Umar netted the ball for first blood in the 24th minute, followed by the back to back second goal that came through through Kamal in the 28th minute. Umar scored his second goal in the 32nd minute to make it a onesided 3-0 contest. In another match of the day, Sainik Colony Club trounced Param Football Club by a solitary goal. The only goal of the match came through Ishaan Verma in 10th minute. The well contested game also witnessed foul play from both sides resulting into Gourav and Romesh of Sainik Colony were shown yellow cards. Arun Nagial of Param FC was punished by the centre referee for deliberate mistake in the 40th minute with a red card. Today's matches were conducted by the penal of technical officials including Hilal Ahmed, Vijay Kumar, Ramesh Kumar, Gagan Kumar, Rakesh Kumar, Koushal Kumar and Shafi Ahmed.

Sri Lanka to drop any player who refuses to sign new contract
COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's team selection was thrown into chaos on Sunday after all its international cricketers refused new contracts and demanded higher pay and perks before the upcoming Bangladesh series. Sri Lanka Cricket chief executive officer Ajith Jayasekera said a Saturday deadline passed with Sri Lanka's 23 international players failing to enter into employment agreements with the sport's governing body in the island. "The deadline passed without the players signing the contracts," Jayasekera said. "They wanted us to negotiate with a representative of theirs. We said no. We had already had one-on-one meetings. There is nothing to negotiate now." The authorities demonstrated their uncompromising stand by dropping former skipper Kumar Sangakkara from Sunday's three-day practice match against Bangladesh at the southern town of Matara. The First Test is due to start on March 8 at Galle and the t e a m selection was due to be made over the weeke n d . Players were not immediately available for comment. The players had insisted that they need a 25 percent share of all payments made by the International Cricket Council as guarantee money for tournaments, as well as a business-class ticket for a spouse to travel on tour. Sports Minister Mahindananda Aluthgamage said he had instructed Sri Lanka Cricket to drop any player who refused to sign their new contracts. "I have told them that they should pick a new team for the Bangladesh tour if the seniors refuse," Aluthgamage said. He said senior players received four million rupees ($32,000) a month, or about 400 times the salary a graduate earns when entering government employment.

AFC chief quits election 'out of own will'

BEIJING: Asian football caretaker Chief Zhang Jilong confirmed on Sunday that he will not run for the election of AFC president. The decision was made "totally out of his own will", he said. Zhang formally announced his decision on the day which is the registration deadline for running the election in early May. "I will not run for the Asian Football Association presidency. I made this decision totally out of my own will and with careful thinking," the 61-year-old said. Zhang took the reins in June 2011 after former AFC president Mohamed bin Hammam was banned from football activities over bribery accusations which he denies. He will stay on as senior vice president of AFC. "I am really honored that I was entrusted with the caretaker job while AFC was in its most difficult time. "I am happy that I did my part to maintain the stability of AFC and my job has been done. It is time to elect a new leader for the AFC." With Zhang dropping out, the election will see two candidates, namely Thai football chief Worawi Makudi and Bahrain's Sheikh Salman bin Ibrahim alKhalifa fight it out for the top spot. Zhang said he hoped less competition in the election will bring more harmony to AFC. "Peace has been a rare thing in AFC and I am sure that every member would like to see it again," said Zhang. "Hopefully my withdrawal will reduce the tension and bring more unity and harmony to the Asian football family."

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