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

STUdenT aGe
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

JKENG/2012/41612 Vol. 2 No: 48

Centre notifies Cauvery Tribunal award

Katju -Jaitley spat in bad taste

12th Plan focuses on inclusive growth: Montek

Editorial

Page 6

Urgent need to amend SC/ST Act, says Selja

IN BRIEF

J&K seeking coal block to generate 1000 MW thermal power: Omar

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 20 Jammu and Kashmir is seeking allocation of coal block from Union Ministry of Coal under government dispensation route for setting up of a Pit-Head Thermal Power Plant of 1000 MW capacity to meet the energy needs of the State. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, on whose directions the State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) has initiated action on this initiative, Wednesday received detailed brief on the proposed project at the 68th meeting of Board of Directors of JKSPDC he chaired here.

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NEW DELHI: There is an urgent need to amend the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act to protect Dalits and tribals, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Kumari Selja said here Wednesday. "We are trying our best to plug loopholes in the draft amendment of the Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989. contd on page 2

Yet another new initiative to address electricity deficit

Managing Director, JKSPDC, Basharat Ahmad Dhar informed the meeting that with the approval of the Chief Minister the Corporation has sought allocation of coal block out of the eight such blocks notified by Union Ministry of Coal in Chattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal and Jarkhand. This path breaking initiative would help to augment power supply by 1000 MWs and meet the generation needs especially during the winter when the generation of hydro electric projects recede and demand increases. Underlining the necessity of a coal-run thermal power plant to generate 1000 MW electricity round the year, the Chief Minister said that Jammu and Kashmir would get greatly benefited by such a type of power project and help mitigate the difficulties on power supply count in the peak demand periods. Omar Abdullah said that power sector is the focused area and multipronged strategy has been put in place by his government to increase the power generation manifolds and help flourishing of wide-ranging economic activities in the State besides meeting the domestic power needs. The Chief Minister said that his government is determined to transform Jammu and Kashmir from power deficit State to energy sufficient one and relieve the people from the constant burden of load sheding and power cuts. He said availability of sufficient power is also necessary for the growth of industry and trade activities. "We are trying to avail all possible means to address energy problem and make necessary dent in this sector", he said adding that upgradation of power supply and distribution system is also receiving due attention. Omar Abdullah asked the JKSPDC to fast track the completion of projects under its implementation in the State. He also directed for ensuring time line completion of works under execution in joint venture and other modes. The Board approved the proposal of placing the recommendation of JKSPDC before the Cabinet for award of EPC contract for construction of 48 MW Lower Kalnai and 21 MW Patnazi Bunjwah HEP through IPP route to successful bidders. With these two projects the number of projects approved for award during the current financial year will increase to 13 with a capacity of 712 MWs. The Board also approved the road map for capacity addition of about 9036 MWs in the State during the 12th and 13th Five Year Plan peri-

125 Omani nationals to undergo skill upgrade in India

OMAN: 125 Omani nationals to be sent to India for education, training and upgradaton of skills this year 125 Omani nationals will be sent to India this year for further education, training and upgradation of their skills under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation Program, ITEC. This was announced by India's Ambassador to Oman, contd on page 2

ods comprising 7357 MWs in State sector including JV and IPP mode projects. As many as 10 projects with an aggregate capacity of 3824 MWs would be constructed by JKSPDC. The meeting discussed matters relating to the funding of power projects, construction of external access road to Sawalakot, financial closure of 9 MW Dah and 9 MW Hanu HEPs, setting up of 5 MW TDP-cum-Resource Assessment Geo-thermal project at Pugah Leh, status of implementation of projects, setting up of football academy, action taken on decisions contd on page 2

BJP holds protest march against Shinde, detained by Delhi police

NEW DELHI: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, including national president Rajnath Singh, were detained by Delhi Police at the Jantar Mantar here on Wednesday during the protest against Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde over his ''saffron terror'' remark. Scores of BJP party workers and supporters have gathered at the Jantar Mantar here to vent their ire against the Home Minister. Bharatiya Janata Party president Rajnath Singh and colleagues Arun Jaitley, M. Venkaiah Naidu and Ananth Kumar were detained along with a mass of supporters at Jantar Mantar in the heart of the capital."We cannot allow such a huge crowd to march. We are detaining you here," announced a Delhi Police official.

Cameron offers prayers at Golden Temple, describes Jallianwala Bagh massacre 'shameful'
AMRITSAR: British Prime Minister David Cameron on Wednesday offered prayers at the holiest of Sikh shrines, Harmandar Sahib, popularly known as the Golden Temple, in this Punjab town. Cameron's visit, amid tight security, is clearly aimed at wooing the Sikhs and Punjabis settled in Britain. Dressed in a dark blue suit, his head covered with a navy blue cloth, Cameron was given a saffron scarf by the shrine priests which was put around his neck and shoulders. Cameron, accompanied by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal, keenly listened to the 'gurbani'. He was briefed about the shrine by officials. As he went around the shrine, Cameron could be seen greeting people with folded hands and smiling occasionally. Cameron is the highest democratically

Agra to host SAARC literature festival

AGRA: The Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature (FOSWAL) is organising a SAARC festival of literature in this Taj city March 10-11. FOSWAL chairperson Ajeet Caur said that the festival will bring together writers, scholars, artists, academics and historians from the South Asian region. There will be participation from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, which make up the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation.

Stand- off over Shinde's terror marks likely to end soon

NEW DELHI: The row over Sushil Kumar Shinde's "saffron terror" remark might end shortly, sources said, adding that the Home Minister is expected to make a clarification as the UPA government, desperate to transact important legislative business, makes every effort to ensure that Parliament functions when the Budget Session convenes tomorrow. A belligerent BJP has made it clear that its attack on Mr Shinde will dominate proceedings as the session contd on page 2

Former bureaucrat BD Bhagat joins NC

JAMMU, FEB 20- Mr B. D Bhagat, a retired IAS officer and former Chairman J&K State Services Selection Board on Wednesday joined National Conference in presence of Provincial President Mr Devender Singh Rana and Minister for Higher Education Mr Mohammed Akbar Lone besides senior party leaders. Welcoming Mr Bhagat to the party fold, the Provincial President exuded confidence that his joining will contd on page 2

From Jantar Mantar, the party had planned to march towards the Home Minister's residence about 5 km away. But the protesters, nearly 25,000 of them, were not allowed to reach their destination at Parliament Street; the Delhi Police had erected barricades about 500 metres away from there. Addressing the gathering earlier, Rajnath Singh asked Shinde to apolo-

gise for his remark made at a meeting of the Congress party in Jaipur. He said, "Terrorism has no colour. It is neither Hindu nor Muslim. Why is the Congress trying to divide it on the basis of caste and religion?" "I appeal to Sonia Gandhi to get the Home Minister to retract his statement and apologise, otherwise we will continue our protest contd on page 2

elected leader from Britain to visit the Sikh shrine. British monarch Queen Elizabeth visited Amritsar in October 1997. Britain is home to nearly 1.5 million Indians, most of Punjab origin. David Cameron became the first serving British Prime Minister to visit the Jallianwala Bagh - the site of one of the British Empire's bloodiest episodes in India and described the 1919 massacre as a deeply shameful act in the British history. Cameron laid wreath at the

Jallianwala Bagh and wrote in the visitors' book that the massacre at Jallianwala Bagh was a deeply shameful act in the British history. "This was a deeply shameful act in British history. One that Winston Churchill rightly described at that time as monstrous. We must never forget what happened here and we must ensure that the UK stands up for the right of peaceful protests," Cameron wrote. However, Cameron did not contd on page 2

Mixed response to trade unions strike, cripples banking, transport

NEW DELHI: The two-day nationwide trade union strike began on a tragic note after a trade union leader was killed in Ambala in the wee hours on Wednesday. Commuters in the city on Wednesday faced hardships as a section of auto-rickshaws and taxis remained off the road in support of the two-day nationwide strike called by 11 trade unions. School children and office goers suffered the most as most auto-rickshaw and taxi drivers either refused or overcharged. Passengers at major railway stations and bus stands remained stranded or had to shell out more to reach their destinations. Five major auto-rickshaw and taxi unions have announced that they will join the contd on page 2

Strike evokes partial response in Jammu

JAMMU: The two-day nationwide strike called by major trade unions evoked partial response in Jammu Wednesday as majority of private and commercial vehicles plied on roads and shops and other business establishments remained open in the city. All the major banks in Jammu, except the Jammu and Kashmir Bank, observed the strike. "We are doing all transactions as per routine. Only outstation clearing is not being done," said Anil Sharma, public relation contd on page 2

Handicraft export touches a high of Rs. 2282 Cr: Kichloo

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 20: Saying that world famous handicrafts of the State have a vast scope to generate economy and employment, the Minister of State for Industries and Commerce, Law, Tourism and R&B, Mr. Sajad Ahmed Kichloo today called for optimum exploitation of its abundant potential in a big way. Speaking to a group of artisans, which called on him today at Civil Secretariat, Jammu Mr. Kichloo contd on page 2

Minor among three killed, 5 injured in separate mishaps in Jammu

JAMMU: Three persons, including a minor, were killed, and five persons were injured in separate mishaps, police said on Wednesday. One unidentified middleaged woman was crushed to death by a passenger bus at Satwari Chowk in the city this morning, police officials said, adding her body has been shifted to the GMC hospital. In a separate incident, Rajan, a minor studying in class 1st was killed by a speeding Army vehicle in Chowki Chora area of the district contd on page 2

Pvt Education Instts have key role UNHRC urged to probe Sri Lanka 'war crimes' to play in education sector: Dy CM
Delegation of pvt school asso call Tara Chand
JAMMU, FEBRUARY 20Office bearers of private education institutes of Kashmir as well as Jammu province today held a meeting with Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand at civil secretariat. The delegation presented the memorandum and brought to the notice of the Deputy Chief Minister various issues concerning private sector education the state. Tara Chand advised them to play their key role in boosting quality education system in the Jammu and Kashmir state. He said that GENEVA: Human Rights Watch Wednesday urged the UN Human Rights Council to launch "an independent, international investigation into war crimes" committed in the final months of the Sri Lankan conflict. It said that since the Council adopted a resolution on Sri Lanka in March 2012, Colombo "has taken no significant steps to provide justice for victims of abuse and accountability for those responsible". "Over the past year the Sri Lankan government has alternated between threatening activists who seek justice and making small, cynical gestures to keep the international community at bay," it said in a letter to members of the Council. "The Human Rights Council should dismiss these tactics, end the delays and authorize an independent, international investigation into the estimated 40,000 civilian deaths at the conflict's end." On Feb 11, the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights issued a highly critical report on the Sri Lankan government's contd on page 2

Photos of Prabhakaran's son morphed: Sri Lanka

NEW DELHI: Sri Lanka's envoy to India said Wednesday that photographs showing the late LTTE chief Velupillai Prabhakaran's son alive before being killed were morphed. "Prabhakaran's son could have been killed in crossfire while he was in a little bunker. There is no need for an international probe. The photos are morphed," Prasad Kariyawasam said. A section of the media carried contd on page 2

Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand interacting with Delegation of pvt school association at Jammu. future generation's strong foundation in education sector is laid by dedicated work of government as well as private education institutes. He hoped that private institutes will fulfil their commitment in imparting best contd on page 2

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STUDENT AGE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

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serve his m a st e r s . He has given a handle to Pakistan to beat India. And to say that India is the epicentre of terror and whatever is happening in Pakistan is happening because of this Indian terror. So, he has actually given a handle to the Pakistanis and (it is) most unfortunate. In 65 years of independent India nobody has equated religion with terror, but that Shinde has done," said Javadekar. "And more so, he has criticised BJP and RSS that they are running the training camps. We are the principle opposition party, then how he can have a meeting with us, how can he have a meeting with the terrorists those who run terrorist camps. And that is why we have said if you have proof, arrest us and take action. As you don't have proof, you have to apologise, you have to take back your remarks and that is what we are demanding," he added. Javadekar further accused the ruling Congress Party of playing vote bank politics, and demanded an apology from the Home Minister. "With a month now practically, the Congress wants to play politics over it and does not want to make a simple regret or withdrawal of remark or apology because they are into a vote bank politics now. And that is why we are taking demonstration today and we will raised this issue in Parliament also," he added. The decision to carry out a protest march against Shinde, who had made the controversial remarks at a Congress conclave in Jaipur last month, was taken at a BJP Parliamentary Executive Committee meeting yesterday. The BJP top brass yesterday also discussed the party's strategy for the Budget Session of Parliament, which begins tomorrow. enhanced from 5% to 10%. He asked the artisans and weavers to take benefit of this credit facility, which is first of its kind, in the State. He said about 4300 weavers of the State are being imparted carpet weaving training under Skill Upgradation and Entrepreneurship. Project sanctioned by the Union Ministry of Textiles at a cost of Rs. 5.87 crore. Mr. Kichloo said a formal education programmeMasters in Craft Management and Entrepreneurship (MCME) has been introduced in Craft Development Institute (CDI) Srinagar which is recognized by the University of Kashmir. He said MCME programme is, the first of its kind in the country, adding that this is a new beginning towards building a technically sound professional human resource for the handicrafts sector. He said introduction of post graduate course in handicrafts is an endeavor to professionalize and organize the craft sector. He said the MCME initiative is the dire need of the hour to save our cultural and traditional heritage and take it to its best possible levels contextualized with emerging markets, international standards of quality, production and design and thus create a thriving industry for the regional and national handicrafts. He said the graduates of the MCME programme are expected to find rewarding career opportunities as trained craft entrepreneurs, craft managers, craft merchandisers and craft trainers, in private as well as govt. agencies. the rank of chief managers were on strike to protest government policies. While some branches headed by assistant general managers may be open, there will not be any banking transactions as the staff is on strike. "Operations of ATM may be affected as refilling of cash is done by banks," Venkatachalam added. According to him, 12,000 bank branches (8,000 commercial banks, 4,000 cooperative banks) in Tamil Nadu were closed as around 85,000 bankers were on strike. "In Chennai alone clearing of 400,000 cheques amounting to around Rs.2,500 crore is affected," he said. The bank employees are holding a rally here, he said. "In the general insurance sector, around 35,000 employees have struck work and in many places offices have not been opened," J. Gurumurthy, general secretary, All India Insurance Employees Association (AIIEA), said. Two major unions - AIIEA and General Insurance Employees All India Association (GIEAIA) - in the public sector insurance companies had called for the strike and the response was good. The strike call also evoked good response in Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) with a majority of employees on strike, a union official said. Central trade unions called for two-day mega strike as their talks with the government failed to reach a conclusion. The unions have demanded concrete measures for containing inflation, steps for employment generation, universal social security and making the minimum wage Rs.10,000 per month along with daily allowance. The strike has been called jointly by the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), Indian Trade Union Congress (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC), Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS), Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU), All India United Trade Union Centre (AIUTUC) and other such central organisations. said. The West Bengal government has issued a warning to employees against being absent during the strike. The state government has also asked shops and markets to remain open or face administrative action, including cancellation of trade licence. CITU leaders have criticised the state government for this saying that it was undemocratic and illegal. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has said that her administration would ensure that life was normal and there would be no shutdown in the state. She has also said that the government would pay in case of damage caused during the strike. Kerala The 48-hour nationwide strike called by central trade unions hit normal life across Kerala on Monday with workers from varied sectors, including transport and banking, staying away from work to protest the UPA government's economic and labour policies. The Congress-led UDF government has declared 'dies non' (no work, no pay) as proLeft service and teachers unions are also striking work. Security has been tightened and no violence has been reported from anywhere. Police have offered protection to those willing to work and public conveyances ready to ply, police sources said. Andhra Pradesh The nationwide strike called by Central Trade Unions in support of their various demands began in Andhra Pradesh with the personnel of various public sector organisations staying away from work. The leaders of the bank unions sit-out at the government's alleged attempts to dilute the public sector banking system. The other trade unions have also planned protests during the two-days of the strike. In Vijayawada, the trade unions took out a rally and demanded that the government respond to their demands. The staff of the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (APSRTC) have also joined the strike in different parts of the state. Tripura Normal life and business came to a standstill in Tripura as trade unions enforced twoday nationwide general strike commenced on Wednesday morning. The strike called by 11 trade unions evoked complete response across the state with business establishments and educational institutions remaining closed. Government offices recorded very thin attendance while vehicular movement was off the road. No untoward incident reported from anywhere in the state. The strikers organised picketing outside some government offices. Emergency services and all activities relating to assembly election were kept out of general strike. The 48 hour bandh also affected functioning in ONGC in state. ONGC workers' Union supported 10-point demands of the trade unions. Trade union strike could cost economy Rs. 20,000 crore A two-day strike called by all major trade unions began today, hitting banking and public transport services, even as the government prepares to present an austerity budget to Parliament and weather a corruption scandal in a big arms deal. The Budget session begins on Thursday. The unions are protesting high inflation, a fuel price increase and what they say are violations of labour laws. The Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham) said the two-day strike was expected to cause an estimated loss of Rs. 15,000-20,000 crore. "The national economy, battling a slowdown, can illafford this situation. In fact, the strike will aggravate the price situation because of a disruption in the supply of essential commodities," Assocham president Rajkumar Dhoot said in a press release. "Given the nature of the strike and the involvement of all the five major central trade unions, it is going to largely affect the services sector, including banking, financial services, tourism and transportation, all of which are major contributors to the country's GDP," Mr Dhoot added in the statement. Assocham has estimated the loss based on a daily erosion of about 30-40 per cent in the country's GDP over the past two days. Therefore, the loss is likely to be Rs. 26,000 crore per day. Narsing Rao, head of state-owned Coal India Limited, which accounts for about 80 per cent of India's coal, said output losses this week could touch 4 million tonnes (mt) pushing the company further away from its production target of 464 mt in this fiscal year through March. "The strike is totally uncalled for and will be destructive," said Chandrajit Banerjee, director general of the Confederation of Indian industries. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, grappling with the country's worst economic slowdown in a decade, asked the unions to call off the strike, but talks between a ministerial panel and union leaders broke down on Monday. "As far as we have seen, the government has nothing to offer to labourers," said Atridev Tiwari, general secretary of Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, one of the main unions leading the strike. "The education sector has to achieve new heights in the state and private players have active role to play in universalizing quality education in all parts of the state," he added. He enjoined upon the teaching fraternity for imparting quality education based on moral values to their students so that they could become responsible citizens.

Contd. from page 1...

Urgent need to....
We are in the last stage of consultation with state governments and union territories. We hope to get the bill introduced in this budget session," Selja said. The minister was addressing representatives from various state governments, union territories and national commissions for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and safai karamcharis who had gathered in the city to deliberate on the amendments to the SC/ST (PoA) Act. "Despite several measures taken and earnest efforts made, it is ironical that the atrocities against members of the SC and ST communities continue unabated. It is a matter of deep concern," Selja said. Referring the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2011 statistics, the minister said that 39,401 cases were registered by police under the SC/ST Act, and around 93 percent of these cases were from Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Gujarat. Accepting that certain lacunae persist in the 23-yearold act, Selja said: "While there are certain weaknesses in the PoA Act, these should not be looked as the reasons for its poor implementation." "This calls for an assessment whether the existing provisions of the act fulfil its objectives." Noting that certain suggestions on amendments were received from the central ministries and state governments, she said more comprehensive review of certain sections of the act was required. "The major problems faced by Dalits and tribals are non-registration of cases, delay in investigations, filing charge-sheets, delay in trial leading to high rate of pendency and low disposal of cases," a representative of the National Commission for Safai Karamcharis said. According to the National Coalition for Strengthening SCs and STs (PoA) Act, a study conducted by a group of organisations working for Dalits and Scheduled Tribes' rights found that every day three Dalit women are raped, two Dalits are murdered and 11 Dailts are beaten up. with a missionary zeal.He recalled the contribution of Mr Bhagat as an upright civil servant and said integrity has remained hallmark of his service career. He said his joining will motivate honest and dedicated people to join the party cadres for steering the state to peace and progress. The Minister for Higher Education hoped that Mr Bhagat will serve the people in his new role with same zeal and dedication as he did during his service career. Mr Lone welcomed Mr Bhagat in the larger National Conference family. Earlier, Mr Bhagat said that he will humbly contribute to carry forward the great mission of Sher-i-Kashmir Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah to serve the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Those present to welcome Mr Bhagat in National Conference included senior leaders State Vice President Mr Rattan Lal Gupta, Central Secretary Kr. Rachpal Singh, former Legislators Thakur Kashmira Singh, Rampal, Sheikh Bashir Ahmad, Dr. Chaman Lal, Provincial President Women Wing Vijay Lakshmi Dutta, Gurdeep Singh Sassan, Ch. Haroon, Sajjad Shaheen, Rakesh Chib, Mudasar Zargar and others.

UNHRC urged to...

failure to provide justice and accountability. It also urged "an independent and credible international investigation into alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law". Human Rights Watch called on Council members to support a resolution that would establish an international investigation under the high commissioner's office. Several independent bodies have reported credible allegations of war crimes and other serious rights abuses committed by government forces and the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) during the armed conflict that ended in 2009. "However, the government has taken no significant steps to undertake impartial and credible investigations of these alleged violations," said Human Rights Watch.

Minor among three ....

early today, they said, adding that his body has been handed over to the family after post-mortem. In a vehicle collision near Miran Sahib in R S Pura border Tehsil of the district, five persons including four women teachers were injured this morning, officials said, adding they have been hospitalized. In another mishap, Amun Kumar from West Bengal fell off from the running Shalimar Express train near the city railway station last night resulting in his death, they said, adding that his body has been sent to a hospital.

Photos of Prabhakaran's....
photographs of 12-year-old Balachandran Prabhakaran seated in a Sri Lankan army bunker just before he was killed allegedly at close range.The pictures are part of a film, "No Fire Zone", which seeks to document the rights abuses during the final phase of Sri Lanka's war when the military crushed the Tamil Tigers in May 2009. Kariyawasam urged Indian Tamil leaders to visit Sri Lanka "to see progress. Sentiment in Tamil Nadu is worrying. We cannot tell India how to vote in Geneva. It is a responsible regional power". The reference is to next month's meeting in Geneva of the UN Human Rights Council where the US is expected to bring a resolution critical of Sri Lanka visa-vis human rights. India voted with the US and against Sri Lanka last year.

Mixed response to....

strike to demand a hike in auto and taxi fares. Although Metro services were not affected by the strike, bus services were partially hit by the strike as a number of bus unions, including a section of Delhi Transport Corporation employees, have also extended support to the strike. Long queues were seen at Metro stations and bus stands as they remained the only viable option for people to commute. The situation spun out of control in Noida Phase II after thousands of trade union workers protested and pelted stones at some factories that had opened and burnt vehicles, including a fire engine. The police had to resort to lathi charge to disperse the restive crowd; however, the situation remains very tense in the area. The top brass of the district administration is at the spot trying to bring the situation under control. At least one factory complex was also torched, while a hosiery unit was ransacked, reports said. Additional police force has been rushed to Noida. Sporadic incidents of violence have also been reported from Sector 63 in the city. Banking transactions across India were paralysed today with around one million bankers striking work, affecting the clearance of around four million cheques valued around Rs.250 billion (Rs.25,000 crore), said a union leader. "Bankers numbering around 10 lakh working in around 90,000 commercial banks and 70,000 cooperative banks across the country are on a two-day strike. Around 40 lakh (four million) cheques with a value of around Rs.25,000 crore could not be cleared today (Wednesday)," C.H. Venkatachalam, general secretary, All India Bank Employees' Association (AIBEA), said here. He said employees up to

Stand- off over....

opens. But, sources said, the main Opposition party has agreed to withdraw its protest of Mr Shinde withdraws his comments.

J&K seeking coal block....

taken in previous meetings and issues pertaining to administration and management of the Corporation. The Board also reviewed the status of implementation of Baglihar HEPII, Parnai, Lower Kalnai, New Ganderbal, Sawalakote, Karthai-I and II HEPs. It also discussed matters of pension policy, regularization policy and compassionate appointment policy for the Corporation employees.

Cameron offers prayers....

offer any apology for the massacre. Hundreds of people were massacred at Jallianwala Bagh in 1919 on the orders of General Dyer during the British Raj. Jallianwala Bagh massacre was described by Mahatma Gandhi, the father of the Indian independence movement, as having shaken the foundations of the British Empire. Cameron also stood in silence for a minute before leaving. Earlier in the morning, Cameron had also paid obeisance at the Golden Temple after arriving here. Cameron was received by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and other dignitaries when he arrived in Amritsar this morning. Around 3,000 police personnel from six districts have been deployed along with other forces, as part of tight security arrangements for the British Prime Minister's visit.

Strike evokes partial....

officer of the Jammu and Kashmir Bank. Although there was no major drop in the number of vehicles covering short distances in the city, long-distance commuters arriving at the Jammu railway station had to wait for longer than usual for mini-buses and taxis, some of which remained off road. Coolies and some private taxi owners at the station too joined the strike.Employees of private and nationalised banks held small demonstrations in various parts of the city. The main protest was held at the administrative office of the State Bank of India. "The demonstrators agitated against the government's anti-worker policies and the attempt by the management of banks and government to deunionize employees," said Shyam Lal Hans, deputy general secretary of the State Bank of India Staff Association. West Bengal There was little impact of the two-day strike called by central trade unions on the first day on Wednesday in West Bengal with situation being normal and peaceful across the state. Shops and markets were mostly open in the metropolis. Private buses and taxis were less, though state buses were present in large number on the roads, police sources

Pvt Education Instts....

education to the students studying in respective institutes. He said that the institutions should also share their social responsibility of providing quality education to the underprivileged students of the society and train them to compete with their counterparts in the world of competition. The delegation was headed by Prof. V.L. Vishan and associated by Prof. G.N. Parrey, Mr. Kapoor from Jammu province, Mr. Yusuf Manzoor, Mr. Nazir Ahmad Nazir, Mr. Akhtar Hussain, Mr. Saifuddin and other distinguished educationists. Delegates apprised to the Deputy Chief Minister that more than 10000 private education institutes are working in the state where more than 2 lac students are studying. They hoped that their confidence got further augmented with the fact that Mr. Tara Chand is taking keen interest in stream lining the education system in the state for the welfare of all. They said that the association will provide full cooperation to the department of education in realizing the dream of turning the state into one of the ideal states in education spectrum. Tara Chand apprised them of all steps which are being taken to gear up the education infrastructure and also highlighted the achievements made by various schemes in vogue in this direction.

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125 Omani nationals....

J.S.Mukul at a function organized at the India House in Muscat addressing a gathering of over 250 alumni who have benefitted from the program. Mr. Mukul said that the program is aimed at human resource development, capacity building, skills upgradation through education, training and vocational courses for enhanced job opportunities. Under ITEC, India provides fully-funded training scholarships to Oman every year. It has been quite popular among Omani nationals and subsequently the numbers have gone up from 80 last year to 125 this year. On this occasion, the ITEC alumni shared their experiences on this occasion and lauded the efforts to help them expand their horizons and learn in a cosmopolitan environment in India The Indian Technical and Economic Co-operation program began in 1964 to share the fruits of India's economic and technical progress with other developing countries in the South-South Cooperation framework.

BJP holds protest ....

both out on the streets and inside Parliament," he said. Mr Singh then threatened that his party would "continue our protest inside Parliament unless the Home Minister is sacked." The main Opposition party has said that if Mr Shinde does not apologise, they will boycott him in Parliament, which will mean not allowing him to speak at all in either House by disrupting proceedings every time he rises. "Either he should apologise or there will be no cooperation," party leader Arun Jaitley told the gathering at Jantar Mantar. He added that his party "is ready for a full confrontation on this in Parliament." BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar earlier in the day said Shinde's remarks have created outrage over the country. "Pakistan has welcomed Shinde's remark. So, this is exactly what he has done to

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Handicraft export....
said that the export of handicrafts from the State has touched a high of Rs. 2282 crore by the end of November last fiscal adding that promotion of this heritage sector is in the main focus of the Government planning. Mr. Kichloo said, for the convenience and benefit of the artisans, the slab of Micro Credit for has been raised from Rs. 50,000 to Rs. 1 lakh without any mortgage and the interest subsidy has also been

Omega International

Former bureaucrat ....

further strengthen the party and help in serving the people

Hall 101, South Block, Bahu Plaza, Jammu (M): 9906083095, 9205072038

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STUDENT AGE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

STATE

NEWS IN BOX

Anjman-e-Jafria Poonch condemn killing of Shias in Pakistan

POONCH: In an extra ordinary meeting of "Anjman -eJafria" & "Shia Youth Organization Poonch" held under the chairmanship of Syed Zaki Hayder Kazmi President "Anjman-e- Jafria Poonch" condemned in strongest terms the massarce of Shia Community at Quetta Pakistan on 15th feb,2013. The meering strongly condemned the killing of innocent people. The Speakers called this an act against humanity. They said this is unfortunate and heart rending. The strees was given to bring the people behind such dastardly act to task. The participants in the meeting said that efforts are being made to polarize different communities in Pakistan. On such an anti-human act there is great resentment in Shia community and they condemn the gruesome massacre accused at Quetta in Pakistan. In the meeting it was decided that District Dev. Com. Poonch will be approached and requested to convey resentment to Pakistan Embassy to Convey it to Pakistan Govt.

India not sensitive to the person killed in cold blood by Pakistan: BJP
JAMMU: The inhabitants of the villages of Nikowal, Pargwal, Najwal, Rangpur, Gura and Anaspura demonstrated against the callous attitude of the powers that be in not forcefully claiming the body of the slain Indian National hailing from Pargwal from Pakistan who had mistakingly crossed to the other side and was captured. This massive demonstration was led by State Incharge Cells and former General Secretary of State BJP Sat Sharma(CA) and Jai Singh, Mandal President Pargwal who sharing the anguish and indignation of the people over Pakistan's high headedness and our country's total indifference and weakness over this issue. It has been the habit of the belligerent neighbour, Sat Sharma wondered that like the beheading instance of our Indian Jawans two months back Pakistani authorities did not handover the severed head to the family of the Jawan, in the same fashion the body of the brutally killed Chamel Singh has not been handed over to his relatives. Sat Sharma cautioned the State and the Indian government to abandon the knee weak policy in dealing Pakistan. Sharma said at the moment we are not even questioning circumstances in which Chamel Singh was killed in cold blood but we only want at the moment his body to be handed over to his family to enable them perform his last rites. Sharma assured the agitating villagers of Pargwal and other adjoining villages who had assembled in large numbers to protest against the ghastly incident of murdering Chamel Singh and overall not to hand over the dead body. Sat Sharma also assured the people that BJP is committed to take up the matter at the highest level and shall not rest till the matter was resolved as per the aspirations of the family and the people here. The villagers were all in unison in condemning Pakistan, its anti India stance since its birth and moreover inhuman tactics employed by it even in matters of disposing of the dead bodies. Sat Sharma and Jai Singh also visited the victim's family and while comforting them assured all possible help in securing the dead body as also other measures providing relief to the family. Jai Singh mentioned that a same incident occurred few days back in the Rajouri District in llam area of Nowshera where one soldier entered Indian territory and was killed and the body of the soldier was returned with full honors to the Pakistan government. The Pakistan government should also learn lesson from such things and should hand over the body of Chamel Singh to the family. The deceased's wife who was all in tears and in deep shock wondered what fault her husband had committed for which he was killed and worst the body not handed over to us. The mails and the correspondence which the deceased's family had made with the High Commission of India were also shown to the media persons by Kamlesh Devi, wife of the deceased. The demonstrators raised slogans against Pakistan and burned Pakistani flag as well near the Border area. In addition to the demonstrators prominent people who took part in the demonstration including Rakesh Singh, Rajesh Singh, Dara Singh, Deepak, Babbi, Balwan Singh, Multaan Singh, Ghaar Singh, Ramesh Sharma, Munish Kumar, Karan Sharma.

Rise in temple thefts cause of concern: Agnishekher

JAMMU: Panun Kashmir convener Dr. Agnishekher has expressed grave concern over alarming rise in thefts in the temples of Jammu city. He criticized the law enforcement authorities for their failure to protect sensitive places of faith like temples and Ashrams he called for a speedy and proactive policing so that such things do not occur in future. It is pertinent to mention that in recent days many thefts in temples at Ganga Nagar, Bantalab, Hunuman Temple, Bantalab and Sharda temple in the same locality has made people angry over the failure of the police to nab the culprits. It may be recalled that a theft in the famous Uma Temple took place some days ago in which the thieves took away the gold ornaments of the goddess along with other valuables. Dr. Agnishekher further said that if police is unable to nab the culprits it would create resentment among the people and create a law and order situation proving eventually difficult for police to control. It may be recalled here that temples and other places of worship have for a long time become soft targets for anti-social elements who have stolen valuable articles from their premises with impunity.

JCCI felicitates Chief Secretary

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 20 - The members of Jammu Chamber of Commerce and Industries (JCCI) led by its President V. Y. Sharma today called on Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khanday here to felicitate him on taking over as the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir. They extended their congratulation and full support to him and wished him all success.

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 20: Minister for Public Enterprises, Haj and Auqaf Peerzada Mohammad Sayeed Wednesday said that the adjoining area of Jamia Masjid Sharief, Talab Khatikhan would be developed as per Jammu Master Plan. The Minister was chairing a joint meeting of officers of Revenue, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Jammu Development Authority, Auqaf Islamia, Jammu and Police department convened to get the first hand appraisal of progress on the reconstruction of Jamia Masjid, Talab Khatikhan. The Minister said that the residential buildings and commer-

Adjoining area of Jamia Masjid to be developed as per M-Plan: Peerzada Returning of Afzal's body
cial establishments in adjoining areas would be developed according to Jammu Master Plan. He said the development as per the Master Plan would add to the attraction of the area and help in promotion of business activities. Peerzada asked the Revenue, JMC and Auqaf authorities to work in coordination to remove the bottlenecks if any regarding land acquisition for road widening leading to the Mosque and expansion of its area. The Minister was briefed that the process for acquisition of land required for widening of road has been initiated and would be completed within ten days, adding that the steps have already been taken by the Auqaf Islamia and JMC to properly rehabilitated the persons who would be affected in the process. Peerzada directed the concerned to expedite the pace of construction work and ensure timely completion. The meeting also decided that the truck and tippers used for carrying away the debris and transporting construction material would be allowed after 9.p.m. The upcoming Mosque, being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs.5 crore by the Auqaf Islamia, Jammu of its own resources, would have 50,000 square feet inbuilt area comprising ground and first floor with a capacity of 12,000 to 15,000 Namazies. The Mosque, with a 180 feet high Minaret, would be unique architecture in the country with centrally air conditioned facility, escalator and inbuilt audio-system. Among others, the meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner, Jammu, Mr. Sanjeev Verma, DIG, J P Singh, Commissioner, Jammu Municipal Corporation, Kuldeep Khajuria, Secretary, Jammu Development Authority Mr. Mohammad Yousif, Administrator, Auqaf Islamia, Jammu Raj Mohammad Malik and Superintendent of Police Mr. Rajeshwar.

"Do what Law says" : BJP leader Ashok Khajuria

SRINAGAR, FEB 20: Terming the decision of Congress to execute Afzal Guroo right but a bit late, senior leader of BJP Ashok Khajuria Wednesday said that law permits Centre not to handover the body of Afzal Guroo to his family. "My point is very simple. If law permits Centre that it can't return the body of person then who we are to oppose the law. Everything should be done according to law," Khajuria told CNS and added that state may find it difficult to maintain law and order if his body will be handed over to his family. Khajuria said that law has taken its own course and the guilty was punished. "We can't challenge the verdict of the Court. Afzal Guroo was awarded death penalty and he was executed. Now as far as the returning of his mortal remains are concerned, it should also be done according to law," he said and added that undue delay was done in the execution of Afzal Guroo. While replying to a question, Khajuria said that the expelled members of the BJP are not the part of the party anymore and party is not ready to accommodate them at any cost.

71% plan funds utilized in Kulgam

KULGAM, FEBRUARY 20- An amount of Rs 36.52 crores have been incurred by the end of January under District Plan in Kulgam District this fiscal accounting for 71.16 % of the plan availability. This was disclosed at a review meeting of sectoral officers, convened here under the Chairmanship of District Development Commissioner Jahangir Mir. It was given out that 21.60 km roads have been blacktopped while 24.50 Km roads stand metaled. As many as 1950 Pacca and 1420 katcha drains were completed under R&B sector so far. The meeting was told that 47.09 crores have been spent on the completion of 5971 works under NREGA generating 21.27 lakh mandays.

Rural areas heading towards socioeconomic transformation: Sagar

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 20: Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats, Mr. Ali Mohammad Sagar has said that the government has ensured the socio-economic transformation of the rural and far-flung areas by putting in place a vibrant and fully empowered Panchayati Raj System. The Minister was speaking at a one day interaction on the status of devolution of powers to the Panchayats, organized by the Department of Rural Development at Majalta block in Udhampur district. District Development Commissioner, Udhampur, Mr. P. K. Pole, Director Rural Development, Jammu, Mr. Shafiq Ahmed Raina and other senior officers of various departments were present. Mr. Sagar said that the government has created a watershed in the political history of the state by holding elections to the panchayats and ensuring their empowerment with the powers of 14 vital departments. He said a senior officer of the rank of Additional Deputy Commissioner has been nominated as the nodal officer for overseeing that these orders are implemented in letter and spirit. Calling upon the officers and the panches and sarpanches to work in close coordination with each other, the Minister said that the same is necessary for carrying out sustained and need based development of the rural and far-flung areas. He said that they should convene regular meetings so that the bottlenecks if any in the empowerment of Panchayati Raj representatives are removed. The Minister said that the government has been holding these types of interactions across the state on the directions of the Chief Minister to get the necessary feedback about the status of implementation of the orders for the empowerment of the PRIs. He warned that the officials and the persons who are found deviating from the order would face action. Mr. Sagar said that the government was committed to put in place a 3-tier system of governance to ensure the democratic decentralization of powers so that the people at grass root level are involved in the policy formulation and the implementation of various schemes undertaken by the government for the welfare of the people. He said that the government believes in sustained action rather than rhetoric and has ensured holistic development of the state.

Youth injured in accidental firing in Rajouri

JAMMU: A 20-year old youth was injured allegedly in an accidental firing in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, a police official said on Wednesday. There was possibly an accidental fire from a rifle of Village Defence Committee (VDC) member resulting in injury to Sajay Kumar in Bajwal hamlet in Noushera belt of the district late last night, SSP Rajouri Mubassir Latifee said. Kumar has been hospitalised, Latifee said. Kustari Lal, the father of the injured youth is also a VDC member, he said. A case has been registered and investigation is on, he said, adding that further details would be known later.

Militants desperate to infiltrate

Army has put on been alert: Army Commander Srinagar, Feb 20: "The Indian Army has stepped up its vigil along the Line of control (LoC) following reports that militants were waiting to infiltrate," 7 Sector Army Brigadier posted in North Kashmir's Handwara area said Wednesday. Talking to CNS on the sidelines of a meeting with Handwara Traders Federation, 7 Sector Army Brigadier, A Arun said that the army has diverted more troops to the LoC, mostly from the counter-insurgency grid, to strengthen its vigil along the borderline that divides Jammu and Kashmir between India and Pakistan. "There are authentic reports of the militants' concentration at the launching pads across the LoC, waiting to infiltrate anytime as the snow will start melting in the mountainous passes that serve as a deterrent during winters," Arun said and added that militants try to sneak into Jammu and Kashmir during the first week of March and army is ready to counter them. He said that the army is taking no chances as the hard effort put in to gain peace in the state is vital for all of us. "People are showing confidence in us and this can be ascertained by the fact that Handwara Traders Federation are seeking the help of Army instead of local administration for the redressal of their problems," Arun said and added that the Army has already put up fence, floodlighting and sensors along the LoC to check infiltration.

Congress District President Ganderbal, withdraws resignation

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 20 - On the directions of Congress high command, Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Mr. Sham Lal Sharma today called on the Congress District President, Ganderbal and Member Pradesh Congress Committee, J&K, Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar, Sarpanchs/Panchs, Block President Mahila Congress and Congress workers, who had protested for not giving representation to Central Kashmir in the Upper House, which led them to resign from the party the other day. The Minister held detailed discussion with Mr. Ishfaq and other workers on the issue and conveyed the message of Congress high command. He assured them on behalf of party high command that their genuine aspirations regarding giving representation to their district would be meted out in near future and Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar would be accommodated suitably. Mr. Sham appealed them to withdraw their resignations in the interest of party. Convinced with the message of the party high command, Sheikh Ishfaq Jabbar and all other Congress workers of District Ganderbal withdrew their resignations and assured that they will continue to work for the betterment of the party. They reposed full faith in the leadership of Congress President, Mrs. Sonia Gandhi and Mr. Rahul Gandhi.

ISVG Association calls on Gurezi

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 20: Minister of State for Animal and Sheep Husbandry, PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Mr. Nazir Ahmad Gurezi today asked the Veterinary experts to work towards the promotion of Animal and Sheep Husbandry sector by encouraging the farmers to adopt modern techniques for cattle and sheep rearing. He said that the sector has huge potential in the state with over sixty percent of the population traditionally associated with this vital activity adding that there was a need to switch over to scientific methods to make it a profitable activity. The Minister was interacting with the representatives of the In Service Veterinary Graduate Association (ISVGA) who called on him here today to project their demands. He asked the Veterinary graduates to put their expertise and knowledge to best use by working towards the increase in livestock to meet the huge demand of mutton, poultry and milk products in the state, the major part of which is being imported from the outside states. He said if promoted on scientific lines, half of the unemployed youth of the state could earn a dignified livelihood from this sector. The Minister gave a patient hearing to the deputation and assured them that there genuine demands would be looked into.

Inhabitants of Shanti Nagar calls for repairation of damage road

SHANTI NAGAR:The inhabitants of Mohalla Shanti Nagar have been suffering from great difficulties due to the damage of Road from Govt. Quarters(Subash Nagar, Jammu) to Shanti Nagar which has been done during the construction of Drainage system. But now the Drainage system has been completed since 2012 of that particular Area, a year has gone, but nothing has been done to complete the damaged Road. Number of time the people of the Area Shanti Nagar along with their Representatives approached to the higher authorities , but all in vain. All the Roads of the adjoining Areas have been completed. But it looks that the Resident of Mohalla Shanti Nagar has been ignored and force fully threshed to face the hurdles, as this Road is ultimate

Sakina Itoo calls on Governor

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 20 - Ms. Sakina Itoo, Minister for Social Welfare, called on Mr. N. N. Vohra, Governor, at Raj Bhavan, here today. During the meeting, the Governor and the Social Welfare Minister discussed several important matters concerning the welfare of all those falling within the less-privileged sections of the society. The implementation of various schemes and programmes enabling the welfare of differently abled persons was also discussed. Ms. Itoo also briefed the Governor about the obtaining status of implementation of the various Centrally Sponsored Schemes in the State.

Malhotra reviews arrangements for upcoming budget session

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 20: The Chairman, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council, Amrit Malhotra today reviewed arrangements made for smooth conduct of upcoming budget session commencing from February 28, while chairing a meeting of senior civil and police functionaries. The Chairman asked the civil and police officers to work in tandem and ensure foolproof arrangements for smooth conduct of the budget session. He also directed the General Administration department to ensure

Asks civil, police functionaries to work in tandem

furnishing of the replies to the questions of Legislators well in time. Threadbare, discussion was held on the arrangements made by the Security, Traffic and Fire Services besides Information departments Doordarshan and Radio Kashmir for the coverage of the business during the session. The meeting also reviewed the process of issuance of entry passes, stay and provision for parking facilities for media persons and heads of the departments. The meeting was informed that the sites for parking the vehicles have already been identified. It was also informed by the Estates department that the renovation works on the Legislature complex have almost been completed. Among others, Principal Secretary, Home Mr. Suresh Kumar, Director General of Police Mr. Ashok Prasad, ADGP, Armed,

CM meets Governor
JAMMU, FEBRUARY 19 - Mr. Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister, met Mr. N. N. Vohra, Governor, at Raj Bhavan, here this evening. During their hour long meeting, the Governor and the Chief Minister had discussions on wide ranging issues relating to the interests of the State and its future growth and development.

Law and Order K. Rajindra Kumar, ADGP, Security, Dr. Ram Lubhaya, Secretary Law and Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Ghulam Hassan Tantrey, Director Information Mr. Zaffar Ahmed, Director Estates, Mr. R. K. Koul, IGP Jammu, Dilbagh Singh, Secretary Council, Mr. Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Director General Fire and Emergency Services, Dr. G. A Bhat, Deputy Secretary, Council Secretariat Mr. Mohammad Maqbool Bhat and other concerned officers attended the meeting.

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EDITORIAL

Katju -Jaitley spat in bad taste

Scoring higher on education

PHILIP G. ALTBACH PAWAN AGARWAL lthough Indian higher education suffers from many dysfunctionalities and the system overall is characterised by "pinnacles of excellence in a sea of mediocrity", it does reasonably well by some international comparisons. Here are a few examples: - India is a global leader in terms of GDP spent by public and private sources on higher education. India devotes a very high proportion of its national wealth on higher education. At 3 per cent of the GDP (1.2 per cent from public and 1.8 per cent from private sources), India spends more than what the United States (1 per cent public and 1.6 per cent private) or Korea (0.7 per cent public and 1.9 per cent private) spends on higher education. This suggests a limited scope for further increase, though more is required since in absolute figures, investment in higher education does not measure up to international terms. Further, there is an urgent need for effective and efficient use of funds to promote both equity and excellence. - The gross enrolment rate - the proportion of the age group accessing higher education - of 18 per cent is among the highest for countries at India's level of development. This is particularly impressive given India's size and complexity. The recently approved 12th Five-Year Plan aims at raising the gross enrolment rate to 25 per cent by 2017, which is both desirable and achievable. - Finally, academic salaries, by

hen two of the most respected luminaries of India's legal system engage in war of words the common man of the country gets perturbed. It is but natural as the two men who hold important office should have desisted from indulging in a mudslinging match which serves no purpose. The nation is watching with a gaping mouth that what has gone wrong. Katju the maverick Chairman of the Press Council of India (PCI) and as a former supreme court Judge should have acted in a more mature fashion as is expected from him given his stature. Katju belongs to an illustrious family of freedom fighters who have done a lot of service to the nation. His father's elder brother Pt. Kailash Nath Katju was a renowned politician and close associate of top Congress leaders during the freedom struggle. All said and done Markandey Katju did a great job as the judge of the Supreme Court of India and his land mark judgments have broken new grounds. It was intriguing to see that soon after taking over as the Chairman of The Press Council of India he started his new innings on a bad note. Nobody in this country discounts the right of holding one's own opinion and when eminent people like Katju speak the whole country listens. One thing that he must realize that what he speaks in the cozy and air conditioned conference halls reaches out to the common man of this country. Thanks to the aggressive and proactive media what the people in powerful places utter is transmitted to the country in a matter of minutes. In this sense the nation takes notice when men like Katju speak. He has been in the news for a wrong reason. His views on Gujarat and on Modi have come when the people of this nation in general and youth of this nation in particular are praising Modi for his developmental model. The whole world has appreciated the economic miracle of Gujarat and the pace of development there. Of course no developmental model is hundred percent correct but the common perception in the country today is that Gujarat under Modi has delivered to very large extent. To deride Modi and cast aspersions on the Godhra episode is like rubbing salt to the sensitivities of Guajaratis and the people of this

country. As of now we still do not know how and why Godhra took place. It is also true that one wrong cannot justify other. The Gujarat rights were a black spot in India's modern history as was Godhra. But Katju in order to prove himself more loyal than the king has taken things too far by questioning role of Modi in Gujarat riots. Juatice Katju himself a legal luminary should have known that the Courts in this country have not found even a shred of evidence against Modi. But it is sad that a man like Katju conveniently has chosen to ignore this fact. The senior BJP leader Arun Jaitley is not wrong in suspecting that Katju after his retirement is holding his brief for the UPA otherwise his objectivity should have guided him to be more circumspect. PCI Chairman is a quasi -constitutional post and anybody holding it has to be responsible. There are better ways to air your differences but this time katju has miss fired and that too for a wrong reason. Previously too he seems to have developed a penchant to issue statements that rake controversies. On 2nd August Katju said that 90 percent people of this country are fools. This had prompted two young students to file defamation suits against him in the court. Later on in his retractable modI he gave his explanation to the young students. In the same vein Katju has derided British for sowing seeds of discord and has given a clean chit to Muslim rule for being generous to the majority of this country. It is a common knowledge that barring a few Muslim rulers who promoted secular politics India was laid waste by Islamic zealots who destroyed the priceless heritage of this great country. It will be wise that Katju objectively reads history and then alone he will prove more beneficial to the country. Arun Jaitely is right to a large extent that katju is on a thanks giving mode and is praising Congress out of the way. The Katju Jaitely spat was not needed when we are facing problems on every front. This is time not to rake preposterous controversies. We Indians want to move ahead and bury the past. Gujarat under Modi too wants move forward and leave behind the scars of 2002. Mr. Katju give Gujaratis a chance, this is the least they hope from an eminent person like you.

accurate purchasing power parity comparisons, are quite good. Among 28 countries in a recent study, India ranked fourth in entry salaries for academics - better than the other BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, and China) nations. China scored near the bottom for average salaries. This good showing is the result of the major pay increase implemented in 2006. Value for money Is India gaining value for its investment in higher education? Also, is more money the answer to the challenges? Most observers would agree that on average Indian colleges and universities do not do a very distinguished job and are definitely not "world class". A number of factors are related to the positive trends noted here. Though India invests significant sums in postsecondary education, with the funds increasingly coming from students and their families, it does not spend effectively. There is little coordination between the States and the Central government. Many of India's 34,000 undergraduate colleges are too small to be viable. They are generally understaffed and ill-equipped; two-thirds do not even satisfy governmentestablished minimum norms, and they are unable to innovate because of the rigid bureaucracy of the affiliating system that links the colleges to a supervising university. All this makes the system highly fragmented, scattered and difficult to manage. There is a strong case for consolidation and merging small institutions. But the affiliating system is vast and deep-

rooted and, therefore, is neither feasible nor desirable to dismantle it. However, decentralisation of part of the curriculum holds great promise. With greater academic autonomy, the core courses could be retained by the university, while the responsibility for the rest of the curriculum could be devolved to the colleges. This would create a desired innovation culture in the colleges. Clustering and even merging colleges that are very small would also have to figure in this reform. In addition, universities that affiliate a large number of colleges would need to be reorganised into two or more universities, with each affiliating a smaller number of colleges to improve overall academic effectiveness. While gross enrolment rates are not bad by relevant international standards, India, however, is about four decades behind most advanced nations in enrolments. While the United States had an enrolment rate of 15 per cent by the 1940s, most advanced nations reached that stage several decades later. The United Kingdom, Australia, France, and Japan had enrolment rates of 18, 23, 24, and 25 per cent in 1975; and Korea enrolled only 8 per cent in 1975, which rose to 13 per cent in 1980, and then rapidly rose to 34 per cent in 1985. All these countries have achieved a system close to universal higher education; but it must be recognised that enrolments have grown based on the rise in demand for qualified people, with agriculture contributing to less than 5 per cent of

the workforce. Considering that over half of the people in India are still engaged in the farm sector with limited need for higher qualifications, current levels of enrolment in India appear to be adequate. The bigger challenge is that the students do not choose to study in fields that will best contribute to economic growth - or to their own job prospects. Also, employers regularly complain that graduates are not adequately prepared for available jobs. While it is true that Indian academics, by international comparisons, are relatively well paid, they are not necessarily effective. Academics, and especially college teachers, are constrained by rigid bureaucracy. Further, their work is not carefully evaluated - salary increases and promotions are awarded rather on the basis of seniority. Unfortunately, when salaries were increased in 2006, this boon was not accompanied by any reforms in the teaching profession or requirements for evaluation. A System of Academic Performance Indicators for promotion and appointment of professors and lecturers is yet to take roots. It appears that Indian academics want to do a good job and most are committed to their profession. However, structural impediments and an ossified culture get in the way. Our general impression is that despite several areas in which India compares well, globally, deep structural and cultural impediments constrain the academic system as a while from performing effectively.

De-politicise defence acquisition processes

BY ASHOK K MEHTA The Government must review and make the procurement system less cumbersome. The 2009 Bernard Grey review in the UK did just that. Contrast it to the Indian method of canceling contracts and blacklisting firms There's many a slip between the cup and the lip. AgustaWestland101 VVIP helicopter should have made its maiden flight on Friday carrying President Pranab Mukherjee from Jaisalmer to Pokharan to witness Exercise Iron Fist, the IAF's premier air power demonstration held every two years. Instead, he will travel in the ageing though modified Mi8 helicopter. In another modified Mi8 helicopter, Union Minister for Defence AK Antony will give a lift to an Opposition predecessor Jaswant Singh for the same event. AW101 is a unique helicopter. The pilot sits on the left and not on the right as in other machines. The rotors of the three-engine helicopter move in an anti-clockwise direction, not clockwise, as in other helicopters. The feel of the ultra-safe helicopter is completely different from others, say IAF pilots who have trained in them. The Hindon-based VVIP Mi8 squadron will be phased out within the next 12 months and will require another lifecycle extension in case the contract is cancelled. The IAF is hoping that the contract will not be cancelled as it will set the programme back by at least another five years. Westland was bought over by Agusta, and AgustaWestland, the UK subsidiary of Italy's Finmeccanica, has been issued a notice to come clean. In his conversations with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh recently, British Prime Minister David Cameron tried to insulate the contract and AW from being blacklisted as it would affect jobs in Somerset where the helicopter is made. He also lobbied for Eurofighter Typhoon which lost to the French Dassault Rafale, the contract for which has yet to be signed. Linked to AW, a Britisher, Mr Christian Michel, who was allegedly the agent for Dassault Mirage 2000 contract more than a decade ago, could create a problem for the Rafale. The IAF says a lot of work has to be done in finalising cost and production norms of the Rafale. If the Government does not wish to get embroiled in the Rs1,00,000 crore deal before the elections, it may shelve it until after 2014. The showcause notice to Finmeccanica threatening to cancel the contract will immediately affect its prospects in the Army-led tender for 197 ULH helicopters in which AW is pitted against the French Eurocopter and the US Sikorsky, and other future projects like Naval radars and the design of the aircraft carrier in the $100 billion arms market in India over the next five to seven years. This is perhaps the first time any bribe giver has named the bribe takers and spelt out the services they provided. This is also the first time that payment details have been indicated and names of military officers - a Brigadier Saini who apparently claimed he would be able to swing another deal and former Air Chief, Air Marshal SP Tyagi, who allegedly tweaked the Air Staff Requirement - are mentioned in the Milan dispatches. These are extraordinary bits of findings emanating from the Italian court's investigations. The normal amount for commission on a contract is two per cent of the deal. In the Rs3,600 crore AW101 case, it is 10 per cent thereby inflating the overall cost of the contract and making each machine worth Rs300 crore. Why has the bribe giver mentioned the names of the recipients, chosen the Tyagi brothers and connected them with the then Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal SP Tyagi? One theory is that this has been done to throw up a smokescreen to conceal the identity of the actual conduits and the ultimate bribe takers. thene to collect the articles from hawkers , shopkeepers etc. So the things are clear that the cooperation by people in this regard stands to nearly zero. It is also an important matter how far the law enforcing agencies are serious to stop the use of polythene. As there many polythene factories still in operation in many places across the city so to begin with the government should first of all shut down these factories which are manufacturing the polythene bags because if there is no supply Identifying the money trail will be a challenge. This was the lesson from Bofors as well as from the Su MKI Sukhoi India aircraft purchases. As someone who investigated the Sukhoi deal, tried to follow the money trail and wrote some 20,000 words over eight months in the mid1990s for Sunday magazine, I can re-state what I wrote then. The PV Narasimha Rao-led Government paid an advance of Rs200 crore to Sukhoi Irkutsk even before the contract was signed; the United Front Governmentled first by HD Deve Gowda and later by IK Gujral, was the beneficiary from subsequent orders. The NDA Government that followed gained from enhancing the Su30 MKI inventory. The Sukhoi order book has never been idle as fresh demands were placed with Irkutsk. Names of relatives and acquaintances of politicians who received kickbacks figured at the time but the money trail could not be established. The AW101 revelations could not have come at a worse time for the Armed Forces and the Government, especially for Mr Antony who is seen to have done little to uncover the alleged graft, after he sat silent over General VK Singh's claim that the former Chief of Army Staff was offered a bribe. Mending the fiscal deficit, Union Minister for Finance P the people will be compelled to search for the alternates like cotton bags, which are in use now-a-days. The second thing in this direction is that authorities concerned should deal sternly with those who are not complying with the law. Kewal Rajput Student M.A(political science) Chidambaram has indicated a cut of Rs10,000 crore from the capital account of the current defence Budget. Payments for big ticket items like INS Vikramaditya and Rafale have been postponed to the next year. Still, 'ChopperGate' is sufficient for the fear of the three Cs: CBI, CVC and CAG clogging processing channels of projects in the pipeline. What is worse is that Mr Antony's obsession with probity in public life, placed on the altar of operational readiness over the years, has led to wholesale blacklisting of foreign firms like Denel, Singapore Technology Kinetic, Israel Aerospace Industry, Germany Rhinemetal and of course, Bofors. Blacklisting leads to a single-vendor situation and re-tendering of the project. That is why the Army has not acquired an artillery gun after Bofors. It is time the Government set up a commission to review the acquisition system and make the defence procurement procedure less cumbersome, so that at least allotted capital funds are utilised and not returned unspent. Balancing probity with timely operational deliverance and defence preparedness is another necessity. The 2009 Bernard Grey review in UK did just that, which is in contrast to the Indian method of canceling contracts and blacklisting firms. six men deserves to rest in peace. Her death has created a deep anger, awareness and a demand for justice. Her name should not be dragged into open and made a subject of discussion in various media sources. One should also think of her traumatised family members and her friend who will bear the scars for life. They need to be kept away from prying eyes and not made objects of sympathy and curiosity, which is bound to happen if her name is made public.

Think beyond censorship

overnments and official agencies try very hard to control the Internet, but the design of this global network with no physical centre makes it difficult to achieve. What is blocked in one territory is accessible in the rest of the world. More importantly, scrubbing is counterproductive. That bruising lesson must have been learnt by all actors involved in the blocking of over 70 web pages containing content critical of the Indian Institute of Planning and Management, an agency that widely advertises a variety of study courses and degrees. The online community has responded with a counter-offensive against the institution on a devastating scale, and called attention worldwide to precisely what the institute wanted purged. Moreover, the episode proves once again that the Information Technology Act is a handy censorship tool. Although the order to the Department of Telecommunications to block the web pages was issued by a Gwalior court, it is flawed, because no opportunity was provided to the websites to enter a defence. It is shocking that the court saw merit in the plaintiff's plea to block a page of the University Grants Commission, the highest body regulating the general university system, simply because it declared that within the meaning of the UGC Act, IIPM is not a university, and does not have the right to confer or grant degrees.

The assault on freedom of expression on the Internet has taken on crude forms in India, with a regime of arbitrary arrests and censorship orders demolishing a cherished fundamental right. In an extraordinary extension of this outrageous trend, a cyber cell unit in Kerala has issued a notice to a website, Bodhicommons.org asking it to take down a report on a protest held by newspaper employees outside the Mathrubhumi office in Kozhikode. The police, who cited the Criminal Procedure Code, have taken it upon themselves to rule on what is 'defamatory, misleading and false'. Their demand to disclose the registration details of the website, with the stated objective of penalising the owners is wholly unwarranted, if not illegal. This trend of arbitrary restraints imposed on small, independent online media stands in contrast to the general approach of courts to questions concerning mainstream media which is to protect the right to free speech. The decision of the Madras High Court not to restrain Dinamalar from publishing facts, particularly publicly documented information including court records, about Sun Group chairman Kalanithi Maran and his family is a case in point. The IIPM issue highlights the dangers inherent in the IT Act, with its omnibus provisions that lend themselves so easily to the stifling of free speech and expression.

READERS SPACE
Poythene menace
A welcome change was anticipated by masses of Jammu and Kashmir when the government enacted non biodegradable material management, disposal and handling Act 2009. As per this Act, polythene bags and their use were banned. Many people appreciated the Act as the polythene is non biodegradable stuff and take infinite time to exhaust. The use of polythene creates sanitary problems because the people dump their daily refuse in the vicinity or throw it away in drains which block the flow of water in drains as the polythene stuffs hardly ever corrodes. But it is often observed that the people still stick to the old practice of doing the things. Hawkers use the polythene while packing the stuff of customers and the customers hardly bother about taking bags other than poly-

Don't name the Delhi rape victim

Sir, The young girl who lost her life due to the brutality of

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NATIONAL

Centre notifies Cauvery Tribunal award Congress top brass meets

Notification of Cauvery order great victory, says Jayalalithaa
CHENNAI: Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa Wednesday termed the gazette notification of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal's (CWDT) final award as the culmination of 22 years of struggle and a "great victory for me and my government". After six years, the final award of the Cauvery Waters Dispute Tribunal was notified today. The move came after the Supreme Court rapped the Centre for delaying the decision and had on February 4 set February 20 as the deadline to issue notification. The notification was issued in yesterday's date. Terming the notification a "birthday gift" (her birthday falls Feb 24), Jayalalithaa said it was a "big personal achievement in her 30 years of political life". She said that for the first time in 30 years in politics, she was experiencing "a sense of fulfillment and achievement". According to her, the state has permanently secured its rights to Cauvery river water and it is the happiest day of her life and of the lives of farmers in the Cauvery delta region. Showing a copy of the gazette notification According to her, it was a long struggle to get water from Karnataka as the water release by the latter was not as per the prescribed formula. Recalling her four-day fast in 1993 here, demanding release of Cauvery river water, she said on the fourth day, on the assurance of the Union Minister for Water Resources that the mechanism for sharing of water would be set up, the fast was ended. Following that, the Cauvery River Authority (CRA) and Cauvery Monitoring Committee (CMC) was set up. "In the past few years the central government was reluctant to convene a meeting of the Cauvery River Authority. We had to approach the Supreme Court for that," she said. Referring to the gazette notification of the CWDT's final order, Jayalalithaa said: "Now it becomes binding on Karnataka." She added that Karnataka should release water as per the award during normal times and during periods of distress, the water would be shared as per the distress formula mentioned in the award.

ahead of Budget Session

to the media here, Jayalalithaa said the notification marked the culmination of the 22-yearlong struggle that began in 1991 when she became the state's chief minister for the first time. Jayalalithaa said she became Tamil Nadu's chief minister for the first time June 24, 1991 and on the next day the Cauvery Tribunal gave its interim award, which was challenged by Karnataka in the apex court. The Karnataka government also passed a

law to nullify the tribunal's interim award. She said it was under her orders that Tamil Nadu approached the Supreme Court, which struck down Karnataka's law. "The next hurdle was notification of the interim award in the gazette by the central government. The central government was reluctant to do that," Jayalalithaa said. The state government again approached the apex court and in December 1991 the interim order was notified in the gazette.

NEW DELHI: Ahead of the Budget Session of Parliament, Congress top brass, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party president Sonia Gandhi, on Wednesday held a meeting to decide on the strategy ahead. Meeting of the Congress core group was held on the eve of the three month-long Budget Session, expected to be a stormy affair. Government is going to face problem over the helicopter deal with allegations of kickback. It has already said that it was not averse to a JPC on the helicopter deal with Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath stating, "We are open for a Joint Parliamentary Committee if this satisfies everybody."

The demand for the removal of Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P J Kurien in the wake of fresh revelations in the Suryanelli gangrape case is another issue which could put the Congress in problem. Kurien has time and again claimed innocence and has rejected the demand for his resignation. Government has insisted that it was "neither afraid nor hesitant" on discussion on any issue during the Budget Session beginning tomorrow. At a meeting of chief whips convened by Nath yesterday, political parties had conveyed that they intend to raise issues including the chopper deal, hanging of Afzal Guru, price rise, land acquisition, food security, during the session

India sends team to 2G collusion net widens, Shahid Balwa to join probe Maldives as Nasheed NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) faces arrest
has now summoned Swan and DB Realty promoter Shahid Balwa to join investigations in the 2G collusion. The net in the 2G collusion has widened after Balwa has been asked to join CBI investigations. Balwa is expected to join the investigations on Wednesday at the CBI headquarters after lunch. Balwa has been summoned after his name was discussed by Sanjay Chandra and CBI prosecutor AK Singh in their recorded conversation. The CBI has said that prima facie the audio tape is genuine and that corporate rivalry is behind this recording. The case has been in the news for irregularities in auction during the allocation of 2G spectrum. The accused in the case include high profile names like former Telecom Minister A Raja and DMK leader Kanimozhi, amongst others. NEW DELHI: India has stepped up intervention in Maldives as it appears that former President Mohammed Nasheed will defy a second court summon against him. The Indian High Commission is getting help from a team of diplomats amidst growing concern that the crisis is getting dangerously prolonged. Nasheed has been holed up in the Indian High Commission in Male since the past seven days, can be arrested if he fails to show up for the hearing. He has been evading arrest and staying at the Indian High Commission in Male since last Wednesday. On Tuesday, the Maldivian Foreign Ministry put a fresh request with Indian officials to facilitate his arrest.

LS Speaker holds all-party meet ahead Budget Session

cal parties. The government apprehends disruption of the house over issues like the tainted VVIP chopper deal, food prices and the hanging of parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. A long list of legislative business lies ahead for the government in the session, with a total of 55 bills, including financial bills, listed. There are 16 new bills listed for introduction while 35 which had been introduced earlier are there for consideration and passing. Four new bills are also listed to be passed in this session.

PM appeals for productive session of Parl

NEW DELHI: A day before Parliament's Budget Session starts, PM Manmohan Singh has appealed to the Opposition to let the House function without disrupting the proceedings. The PM said Parliament is the forum for every debate and all parties have an obligation to let it function. He made the statement at the end of an all-party meet called by Speaker Meira Kumar. "This session of Parliament will transit important financial matters. Hope there will be a productive and constructive debate on issues being faced by the country," PM Manmohan Singh said. However, the main Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seem to have set the tone for the upcoming Budget Session, due to start on Thursday, by announcing it will not cooperate with the govt. till Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde apologises for his "Hindu terror" remarks.

NEW DELHI: In a bid to ensure a smooth budget session beginning Thursday, Lok Sabha Speaker Meira Kumar Wednesday met leaders of politi-

SC stays Veerappan aides' hanging for 6 months

NEW DELHI: Hanging of four aides of sandalwood smuggler Veerappan has been further delayed with the Supreme Court on Wednesday extending its interim order staying the execution of death sentence imposed on them for killing 22 police personnel in a landmine blast in Karnataka in 1993. A bench headed by Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir said it was keeping the matter pending since another bench, which has heard an identical plea, has reserved its judgement. "In our view, the proper course of action is to adjourn the matter until another bench renders its judgement on similar matters. Therefore, accordingly we adjourn the hearing of this matter for six months to enable another bench to deliver the judgement in another pending matter. "As a consequence, the interim order staying the execution of petitioners (Veerappan aides) passed on February 18 shall continue" until further orders, the bench also comprising justices A R Dave and Vikramajit Sen said. The bench noted that the subject matter of the petition was relating to the right of the death row convicts to get their sentence commuted to life imprisonment on account of delay of execution of their death sentence. "This is the main question involved when this matter was taken by us. It was brought to our notice that other writ petitions involving the same issue were heard by a bench of two judges in which senior advocates Ram Jethmalani and T R Andhyarujina were requested as amicus curiae," the bench said. Veerappan's elder brother Gnanaprakash and his aides Simon, Meesekar Madaiah and Bilavendran were awarded death sentence in 2004 in connection with a landmine blast at Palar in Karnataka in 1993 in which 22 police personnel were killed. Their mercy petition was rejected by President Pranab Mukherjee on February 13 and they are presently lodged in a jail in Belgaum in Karnataka. A TADA court in Mysore had in 2001 sentenced them to life term which was enhanced to death sentence by the apex court. Gang leader Veerappan was killed in an encounter with the Tamil Nadu Police in October 2004. The apex court also noted that the judgement in the writ petition heard by another bench on the issue was reserved on April 19, 2012. The bench said it has been informed by Additional Solicitor General Haren Raval that while considering the two writ petitions, of Devender Pal Singh Bhullar and M N Das, the other bench had the occasion to consider similar matters in which the mercy petitions were pending before the President. The CJI said that since another bench has already heard and reserved its judgement on the issue, there is a possibility that the pleas of Veerappan aides can be heard by the same bench also. The court is hearing two petitions, out of which one was filed by the four convicts and the other by advocate Samik Narain, on their behalf. Urging the apex court to intervene, the four death convicts pleaded that a decision on their mercy petition has been delayed by nine years and as per its earlier order they are entitled to seek remedy for undue long delay in the execution of the sentence of death. "Nine years delay in disposal of the petitioners' mercy petitions has given them a right to approach this Court or the High Court to seek a commutation of the sentence of death," the petition said. On the last date of hearing, the court gave Narain the liberty to amend and rectify the petition after objections were raised on its maintainability by Attorney General G E Vahanvati who was asked to assist the court. The bench earlier had said that hearing this matter may also have a bearing on the petitions filed by the death row convicts in the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case against the rejection of their mercy petition. The apex court had on May 1 last year had decided to adjudicate itself the pleas of Rajiv Gandhi killers -- Santhan, Murugan and Perarivalan alias Arivu -- against their death penalty due to the delay of over 11 years in deciding their mercy petitions by the President. The Madras High Court had earlier stayed their hanging and had issued notices to the Centre and the Tamil Nadu government.

Sri Lankan war crimes similar to Nazi rule: Jayalalithaa

CHENNAI: Terming the coldblooded killing of slain LTTE chief V Prabhakaran's 12-yearold son Balachandran as a war crime of the gravest nature, Tamil Nadu CM J Jayalalithaa on Wednesday sought active intervention from the govt. of India to ensure that the guilty are punished. "It (Balachandran's execution) reveals the mindset of the present govt. in Sri Lanka. These systemic, methodological, coldblooded killings remind us of Nazi rule in Germany, were Jews were killed only because they were Jews," Jayalalithaa said at a press conference. "killing of Balachandran is a war crime of the gravest nature, therefore unforgivable," she said. Fresh questions were raised over Sri Lanka's armed forces conduct during the final stages of the operation against Tamil Tiger rebels after new photographs emerged claiming that Balachandran was summarily executed. According to the Independent, one of the photos shows the boy sitting in a bunker, alive and unharmed, apparently in the custody of Sri Lankan troops. Another picture which was taken a few hours later shows the boy's body lying on the ground, his chest pierced by bullets. The images were taken in May 2009 at the end of the Sri Lankan Government's operation to crush the LTTE, which had launched a bloody, decades-long insurgency against the state that led to the deaths of perhaps 70,000 people "I call upon govt. of India to hold discussions with US and other likeminded nations to prepare a resolution and get it passed in the UN and also work in tandem with other nations to see to it that all those guilty of war crimes are made to stand trial in the international court," Jayalalithaa said. "India should also strive to impose an economic embargo in Sri Lanka until the Tamils displaced there and confined in camps are allowed to return to their own places and allowed to live with equal rights with Sinhalas until Tamils are allowed to live a life of dignity," she added. Earlier, the US said that it plans to introduce its own resolution on the issue at the Human Rights Council meeting in Geneva. At the corresponding session last year the India-backed US sponsored resolution urged the Sri Lankan government to show progress on reconciliation. Sri Lanka while formulating an action plan for implementation maintained that most of the recommendations were already put in to effect.

Chopper deal: Antony says govt will further tighten norms

NEW DELHI: Regretting that corrupt practices were happening despite taking precautions, Defence Minister AK Antony on Wednesday said the government will further tighten norms to prevent controversies such as the VVIP chopper deal and rely less on imports. The Minister said indigenisation of military hardware is the "ultimate answer" to avoid controversies such as the chopper scam and asked the armed forces to change their mindset of relying on imports to meet operational requirements. "The need to maintain transparency, honesty and sincerity at every stage cannot be compromised. In spite of taking so many precautions, again here and there things are happening. I don't know what to do," Antony said addressing an Army seminar where he deviated from his written speech. He said in the Ordnance Factory Board scam, the government went to the extent of blacklisting six defence firms and arms dealer Abhishek Verma was players," the Defence Minister said. Commenting on the CII Defence Committee chairman Atul Punj's demand for more support from Government for indigenisation, the Minister said, "I fully agree with him". "As we move forward more and more especially after the recent deal controversy coming, the ultimate answer is maximum indigenisation. Depending too much on imports is not the solution." He said the Government will have a "second look" at its policies on defence production and defence procurement to speed up indigenisation in "mission mode". The Defence Minister said in view of the "volatile security scenario" and the "dangerous surroundings" around the country, the armed forces required the most modern equipment as "We cannot take risk". "But see what is happening sometimes. Last moment we have to reverse the process because of the foul play. We are back to square one," the Minister said, referring to AgustaWestland deal, for which process of cancellation has been initiated three years after the deal was concluded and three of the 12 choppers have been delivered. He said the armed forces should ensure that "Import should be the last resort not the easiest resort. That mindset you must change. The government change and the armed forces must change. Priority should be given to indigenisation." "There is a tendency that when you go abroad, you see a number of most modern equipment and immediately we try to take it from the import route. You should have a second look about our priority," the Minister said. He said before taking the import option for procuring equipment, the armed forces should try to find the product from Indian sources including private and public sector and DRDO officials. "If they can assure us that they can provide us similar equipment in given time in India, and then go for it. Made in India should make us more proud. If we are so convinced that it is difficult to get the thing in that time period, and then only go for the import route," he said. The Minister said all the stakeholders must change their "mindsets and work in a mission mode that within few years we can produce maximum equipment in India. Zero import is not possible but maximum should be indigenous. New thrust would be given to self-reliance." The Government initiated the process for cancellation of the Rs 3,600 crore chopper deal after the arrest of Finmeccanica CEO Giueseppe Orsi for allegedly paying kickbacks of Rs 362 crore to secure the deal.

Indian sleuths to meet Italian prosecutors

ROME: A joint team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Ministry of Defence has arrived in Italy as part of the probe into the 2010 AgustaWestland VVIP helicopters deal. Indian officials will on Wednesday meet Italian prosecutors after the latter agreed to a meeting. The Indian team visiting Italy includes a CBI deputy inspector general, a legal advisor and a senior MoD official. Italian public prosecutors are looking into allegations that the Italian firm Finmeccanica, which bagged the deal to supply AgustaWestland VVIP helicopters to India, had paid bribes. Finmeccanica had yesterday said its Britain-based subsidiary AgustaWestland had conducted the deal in full compliance with the Indian law and would cooperate with Indian authorities to clarify the matter.

put in jail after the Ministry received allegations about his involvement in corruption in defence deals. "Even after all this, there are people who are not learning lessons. So, we have to further tighten our mechanisms. Whenever allegations are made, we have to go the root and find the truth and punish the guilty. We cannot waste even a single penny of Indian taxpayers? money for greedy

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INTERNATIONAL & ECONOMY

Missile that flattened district killed 31 Syrians

BEIRUT: An apparent surface-to-surface missile strike killed at least 31 people, nearly half of them children, when it flattened a residential district of Syria's second city Aleppo, a watchdog said. " Fourteen children and five women were among the dead, and the "toll is likely to rise as bodies are being retrieved from under the rubble," said the Britainbased group, adding some people were critically injured. There were no planes overhead when the missile hit, according to residents cited by the Observatory, and the extent of the destruction indicated a surface-to-surface missile was likely used, director Rami Abdel Rahman said. Video footage and photographs shot by activists in Aleppo, scene of fierce fighting since the army launched an all-out assault to stop a rebel advance on Syria's second city on July 20, showed massive destruction in Jabal Badro. Amateur film posted online by the anti-regime Aleppo Media Centre showed crowds of people gathering around hills of rubble and a bulldozer shoveling the debris as residents searched for relatives. The Syrian National Council, the biggest bloc in the umbrella opposition National Coalition, linked the attack to the paralysis of the international community, and criticized the European Union for deciding against arming the rebellion. "Hours after the European decision to continue to deprive the Syrian people of the arms they need to defend themselves, which makes no moral distinction between the genocide perpetrated by the regime and individual abuses... the regime bombed Aleppo city... leaving dozens of civilians killed," "The destruction of Syria by Russian missiles, Iranian weapons and Hezbollah fighters are the result of the European decision, the Arab silence and lost time due to stillborn international initiatives," it added. European Union foreign ministers decided to maintain an embargo against arming Syrian rebels fighting the regime of President Bashar al-Assad. On the same day, a UN commission of inquiry found war crimes by both government forces and rebels were spiraling in the embattled country, though it underlined that the regime was still the major perpetrator. Activists have reported the army's use of surface-tosurface missiles on various targets in northern Syria since late 2012.

14 hurt in Kansas Bulgarian protests lead to City gas blast, fire government resignation
KANSAS CITY: A gas explosion that sparked a massive, block-engulfing blaze in an upscale Kansas City shopping district injured 14 people, a city official said, adding that it is believed that an accident involving a utility contractor may have caused the blast. City Manager Troy Schulte said he did not know of anyone being reported missing and had not heard of any fatalities. Earlier Kansas City police had said the blast was caused by a car crashing into a gas main just after 6 p.m. Fire officials said later they were not aware of a crash being involved in the blast. Other witnesses noted street signs in the area indicated utility work was being done in the area, and a worker at a restaurant destroyed in the fire said the facility was being renovated at the time. Police Sgt. Tony Sanders said the manager of JJ's restaurant was unable to account for three people, but it was unclear whether they were caught in the blaze or had left earlier. 'The first thing we need to be concerned about is the people that are injured,'' said Mayor Sly James, who also praised the work of first responders. James said officials were in contact with Missouri Gas Energy. S O F I A : Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko B o r i s o v announced his government's resignation on Wednesday following days of sometimes violent street protests in the European Union's poorest member. The move paves the way for early elections, which had been due to be held in July. "We have dignity and honor. It is the people who put us in power and we give it back to them today," Borisov told parliament, adding that he would not participate in an interim government. Bulgaria has been shaken over the past week by protests that initially were about soaring electricity prices but which have turned

Top Pak based Taliban commander captured in Afghanistan

ISLAMABAD: Senior Taliban commander Maulvi Faqir Mohammad has been captured by Afghan intelligence agencies in an area along the border with Pakistan. Pakistani security official said: "This is big news. We are reasonably sure that reports of his arrest are correct but unless the Afghans officially confirm it, we would not like to say anything publicly on this." The official claimed the reports had confirmed Pakistan's contention that "Maulvi Faqir and others have fled and taken shelter in Afghanistan". He expressed the hope that other Pakistani militant commanders hiding in Afghanistan would also be captured. An official in Mohammad's native Bajaur tribal region said the fugitive militant had been captured at Basawal in eastern Afghanistan while trying to cross over Pakistan's Khyber Agency. Local militants too said the commander had been captured with his aides Maulana Hakim, Shahid Khan, Maulvi Turrabi and Fathi Khan. The commander had taken refuge in Afghanistan's Kunar province with other Pakistani militants after security forces launched a military campaign against him in August 2008. The Pakistani Taliban have neither rejected nor confirmed the development.

Earth quake hits China; 8 injured

BEIJING: Eight people were injured in an earthquake near the border area of China's southwestern Sichuan and Yunnan provinces, local authorities said. The 4.9-magnitude quake, which occurred at 10:46 a.m. with an epicenter 6 km deep, toppled 72 houses and damaged 949 others in Yunnan's Qiaojia County, the county government said. The injured, including two people in serious condition, have been sent to local hospitals, state-run Xinhua news said. "Many people ran out of buildings when the quake came, but there was no falling debris. The shopping mall resumed business shortly after," a mall shopper in the county said. Rescue work is underway and local civil affairs authorities have dispatched relief materials such as tents and quilts to the area, the county government said. The quake was followed by two more in Sichuan Province that both registered above magnitude 4. A 4.5-magnitude quake jolted Yibin City, Sichuan Province, at 3:55 p.m., and another 4.7-magnitude quake hit Mianyang City at 10:17 p.m., according to the China Earthquake Networks Center. Casualties and damages from the two quakes are not yet known.

into nationwide demonstrations against the right-wing government in general. The clashes left dozens of people wounded and scores were arrested with demonstrators fighting running battles with riot police and vandalizing government buildings in the capital Sofia. Borisov on Monday attempted to ease the crisis by sacking his unpopular finance minister and on Tuesday by announcing he would revoke the license of a Czech utility firm.

Tunisian prime minister resigns

TUNIS: Tunisian Prime Minister Hamadi Jebali has announced his resignation at a news conference in Tunis. "I promised if my initiative did not succeed I would resign as head of the government and this is what I am doing following my meeting with the president," Jebali said at the presidential palace. "Today there is a great disappointment among the people and we must regain their trust and this resignation is a first step.". Jebali, who had warned of chaos if his plan fell through, made a last ditch effort to push for "another solution" and was due to meet President Moncef Marzouki later in the afternoon. Jebali met the cabinet in the morning to say goodbye and to ask them to "continue to expedite current matters," one government member said. Ennahda's leader, Rachid Ghannouchi, had put forward his own proposal for a mixed government of politicians and technocrats and had said there was a consensus among political parties for Jebali to remain prime minister. Jebali did not rule out accepting if he was charged by the president once more to form a new government, but he said any new cabinet he would lead must be free from partisan haggling, inclusive and charged primarily with holding new elections.

US General John Allen to retire

WASHINGTON: US General John Allen has decided to retire rather than proceed with his nomination as the NATO supreme allied commander, Barack Obama, the US president, has said. "I wish him and his family the very best as they begin this new chapter, and we will carry forward the extraordinary work that General Allen led in Afghanistan," Obama said in a statement. Obama praised the general's performance in Afghanistan, where he oversaw the start of the withdrawal from America's longest war. "John Allen is one of America's finest military leaders, a true patriot, and a man I have come to respect greatly," Obama said. General Allen, the former commander of NATO-led forces in Afghanistan, was investigated for alleged inappropriate communication with a Florida socialite at the centre of a scandal involving former CIA Director David Petraeus, who was forced to resign in November last year.

ECONOMY

NEW DELHI: India may soon stop concessional import of gold from Thailand under the bilateral free trade agreement till the country can prove that the gold originates from there and is not being routed through it by a third country. "The Commerce Department has written to the Department of Revenue asking it to issue a notification suspending import of gold jewellery from Thailand under the provisions of Early Harvest Scheme till the certificates of origin issued by Thailand are verified to our satisfaction," an official statement issued by the Commerce Department on Wednesday said.

India to stop gold import from Inter Continental Hotels Thailand till origin is verified plans 47 new hotels in India
With rising gold imports consistently adding to the trade deficit and the current account deficit despite increase in import duties, the The Finance Ministry had been long suspecting that traders are bringing in cheaper gold from other South East Asian countries through Thailand to escape the steep import duties. Officials in the Commerce Department say that India had put in place very strong rules of origin in the Early Harvest Scheme signed with Thailand that allows import of 82 items including gold at concessional duties. "In the rules we have ensured that Thailand should not be able to pass off goods from other countries as its own by making cosmetic changes. That is why we are sure that if there is any wrong-doing taking place, it will come to light as soon as we verify the certificates of origin," a Commerce Department official told Business Line. Despite a 2% hike in gold import duties in January this year, gold imports during the month were almost 100 tonnes, the highest in 18 months, according to figures released by industry body Bombay Bullion Association. The increase in purchase is mainly due to fears of a further duty hike in the Union Budget to be announced later this month, an industry source said. NEW DELHI: Global hospitality major InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) on Wednesday said it plans to open 47 new hotels in India by the end of 2017 thereby taking its room strength to over 12,000 in the country. "We currently have 47 hotels in our pipeline. The hotels will be ready by 2017. These will be additional 9,882 rooms," Jan Smits, Chief Executive Officer Asia, Middle East & Africa, InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) said. IHG currently operates 13 hotels in nine cities across India, including Benguluru, Mumbai, Pune, Kochi, Jaipur, Ahmadabad and Delhi with a total of 2,334 rooms. The company will be opening five new hotels in 2013 and 8 new hotels in 2014, he added. "The pipeline of 47 hotels includes the 13 hotels that we signed in 2012. These will be in cities like Chennai, dle-class there is very high demand of domestic traveler segment. The opportunity lies in over 10 to 15 cities for Globally, IHG added 226 new hotels and launched two new brands during the last year. "Most of the new hotels in India will be managed hotels. IHG will be employing between five to ten thousand people in the next five years," Smits said. IHG currently has 6, 75,000 rooms in over 4,600 hotels in nearly 100 countries and territories around the world. It operates hotels in three different ways - as a franchiser, a manager and on an owned-and-leased basis with largest part of business being under the franchising model. It operates nine hotel brands including InterContinental, Crowne Plaza, Hotel Indigo, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn Express, Stay Bridge Suites and Candlewood Suites.

Government is closely examining all other factors that may be acting as fuel. The Early Harvest Scheme signed by India and Thailand in 2004 allows import of gold jewellery at a concessional duty of 1% against a regular duty of 6%.

FDI inflows dip 19% at $1.1 billion in Dec

NEW DELHI: Falling for the second straight month, India's foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows declined nearly 19 per cent to $1.10 billion in December 2012 due to global economic uncertainties. In December 2011, the country had attracted FDI worth $1.35 billion. For the April-December period of 2012-13, inflows have declined by about 42 per cent to $16.94 billion, according to the data of the Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP). According to experts, the decline in inflows is largely due to uncertainties in the global economy. An official said liberalization of the FDI policy in various sectors would help boost inflows in the coming months. Sectors which received large FDI inflows during the nine months of the current fiscal include services ($4.04 billion), hotels and tourism ($3.15 billion), metallurgical ($1.30 billion), construction ($1.08 billion) and automobile ($803 million). India received maximum FDI from Mauritius ($7.45 billion), followed by Japan ($1.62 billion), Singapore ($1.63 billion), the Netherlands ($1.33 billion) and the UK ($622 million). In November 2012, India attracted FDI worth $1.05 billion, which was a two-year low. The inflows had aggregated to $36.50 billion in 2011- 12 against $19.42 billion in 2010-11 and $25.83 billion in 2009-10. Foreign investments are important for India, which needs around USD 1 trillion in the next five years to overhaul its infrastructure sector such as ports, airports and highways to boost growth. Decline in foreign investments will put pressure on the country's balance of payments and could also impact the value of the rupee.

Sensex ends flat; Oil & gas, realty stocks major gainers
MUMBAI: The Nifty and the Sensex ended flat on Wednesday with no clarity on future direction. The Nifty closed at 5,943 up three points and the Sensex closed at 19,643 seven points up. "The budget remains the next macro trigger the sustained PSU equity supply is likely to remain an overhang for the markets over the next few months, short of a substantial positive surprise. A 4.8 per cent fiscal deficit for FY14 is structurally positive, save the higher fuel/fertilizer inflation. Markets would look at a lower fiscal print positively as it improves Government finances in the longterm," said a Religare Institutional equities report. Volatility was down 1.33 per cent and the volatility index India Vix closed at 15.6. DLF, Ambuja Cement, BPCL, RIL and HCL tech were the top five Nifty gainers while Tata Steel, IDFC,Jindal Steel, Bharti Airtel and Cipla were the top losers.

Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmadabad, Gurgaon and Delhi, among others," Smits said. Out of 47 hotels, 25 will be under Holiday Inn brand, 15 will be under Holiday Inn Express, 6 will be Crowne Plaza and one will be InterContinental. "The big opportunity in India is in the mid-scale. India has a very strong mid-

Holiday Inn and Holiday Inn Express brands," Smits said. "We are very focused on India. We see great opportunities in India. We have been in India since 1962. We have invested heavily in our infrastructure here. We are here are for the long run," Smits said. China and India are the biggest growth markets in Asia Pacific, he added.

12th Plan focuses on inclusive growth: Montek

LUCKNOW: Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia on Wednesday said the 12th Five Year Plan lays emphasis not merely on economic development but on inclusive growth to bring more poor and marginal people under its ambit. "The one point that I find reading the newspapers talking about the economic development is that there is a tendency to think that economic growth is a very narrow objective," Ahluwalia said while addressing the convocation of the Lucknow University. "I think that's correct. In the 12th Plan for that very He said that's why constant emphasis was being said when looking at the newspapers, he would find that the focus was always on the government expenditure. "That's very important. Actually what is going to cause this growth is not just government expenditure. Another very important thing we should realize is that 75 per cent of the investment that is actually done in the private sector," he said. He said, if the economy achieves an 8-9 per cent growth, which it will, then the efforts will depend on individuals like those in the corporate and the agriculture sector.

reason we have actually set out a very different objective. Our objective is not economic growth, it will happen, but our objective is inclusive growth," he added.

given to highlight on inclusive growth. Ahluwalia said "the 12th Plan will start a very large agenda of change". The Deputy Chairman

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STUDENT AGE THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2013

MISC
the Black Caps to 91 before Williamson (33) dragged a ball from Chris Woakes on to his stumps to again slow the host's momentum. New Zealand's struggle was apparent when Taylor, in his best performance since returning to the international fold after being taxed as captain late last year, brought up his half century off 81 balls with only three fours. Backed by McCullum, his successor as captain, Taylor notched a century off 116 balls with a four but was dismissed by the next delivery he faced. The New Zealand tail failed to fire, leaving England with a tricky but achievable target. England's Ian Bell and Alastair Cook made a brisk start to the run chase with an opening partnership of 89 in the first 20 overs before parttime spinner Williamson dismissed Bell for 44. The England batsman attempted to cart Williamson's delivery over mid-wicket but was out when Hamish Rutherford made an athletic dash to catch him on the boundary. Cook brought up a chanceless 50 from 67 balls, including five fours and one six, bit he was dismissed on 78 after hitting the ball straight back down the wicket to Tim Southee. Trott and Root then combined the see England home, with Root displaying a wide variety of shots ranging from authoritative drives to risky reverse sweeps.

England beat New Zealand by 8 wickets in 2nd ODI

NAPIER, : A five-wicket haul for James Anderson backed by a dominant England batting display set up an eight wicket win over New Zealand in the second one-day international in Napier on Wednesday. Facing a series defeat after an upset loss in the first match in Hamilton, England bounced back after standout performances from Anderson and up-and-coming batsman Joe Root. England's top order rose to the occasion, with half centuries to Captain Alastair Cook (78), Jonathan Trott (65) and Root (79), the 22-year-old tipped as a future star. But the foundation for England's victory came from a miserly five for 34 from Anderson, who swept through New Zealand's batters to restrict the home side's total. His scalps included both the Black Caps opening batsmen and a rejuvenated Ross Taylor, whose century late in New Zealand's innings threatened to set England a formidable total, along with a quick fire 74 from 36 balls from Brendon McCullum. The Black Caps made a slow start after being sent into bat on a tame wicket, all out for 269 after 48.5 overs, with England reaching the target of 270 after 47.4 overs. Missing injured opener Martin Guptill, New Zealand were pedestrian, with the first boundary coming when Hamish Rutherford pulled a delivery from Anderson in

Radwanska beat Kazakh teenager Yulia Putintseva

Joe Root's unbeaten 79 helps England to an eight-wicket win over New Zealand, leveling the one-day series at 1-1. the fifth over. Anderson dismissed openers BJ Watling (7) and ODI debutant Rutherford (11) cheaply as New Zealand's frustration mounted and the home side were on just 22 runs after 12 overs. Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor gradually increased the run rate, putting on 72 runs together to take

Strict laws required to get rid of match fixing menace: FIFA

KUALA LUMPUR: Football authorities vowed on Wednesday to excise the "cancer" of match-fixing but said tougher laws were needed worldwide to smash criminal syndicates responsible for throwing hundreds of matches. FIFA's director of security Ralf Mutschke said at twoday gathering with Interpol that the world governing body's "zero tolerance" for match-fixing must be buttressed by "the right policies for law enforcement and the football community". The meeting comes on the heels of revelations a fortnight ago that almost 700 matches worldwide, including Champions League ties and World Cup qualifiers, were targeted by gambling gangs. He pointed to the November acquittal of three players in Switzerland accused of committing fraud by throwing games, where a judge said there was no obvious victim. Mutschke said FIFA was cooperating with the Council of Europe to draft legislation to fight match-fixing, with hopes it would be implement (AFC). Peter Velappan, who was AFC general-secretary for 30 years until 2007 and is now retired, said AFP that football authorities also must press for strict punishments in any legislation aimed at match-fixing. According to the European police agency Europol, 380 suspicious match results have been identified in Europe, among nearly 700 worldwide, with the problem tied to a criminal syndicate based in Singapore. Police in Singapore are calling for hard evidence before acting against Dan Tan Seet Eng, a Singaporean citizen whose name has cropped up in probes across several countries. Asked by reporters whether FIFA might initiate any sanctions against Singapore football over the situation, Mutschke ruled that out, saying Singapore's football should not be "punished for a political problem"

Kohli named captain of RCB for IPL 6

BANGALORE: IPL franchise Royal Challengers Bangalore on Wednesday appointed Virat Kohli as their captain for the upcoming sixth edition of Indian Premier League. Kohli succeeds former New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori, who was at the helm during last season. Kohli's appointment follows a productive IPL 6 auction in which RCB strengthened their bowling line-up significantly and added capable all-rounders to increase the amount of flexibility in the selection of the playing squad. "We are delighted to announce Virat as our captain. run-scorer in overall IPL history with 1639 runs and a strike rate of 119.28. He has scored eight half centuries and is also the 3rd highest run scorer in Champions League T20 history. "Glad to be appointed captain of RCB. I thank the owners for reposing their faith and I am looking forward to the challenge and the responsibility to carry the team to greater heights," Kohli stated.

ed across the continent. FIFA's legal team will also press the case at a May meeting of national sports ministers in Berlin where matchfixing is due to be discussed, he added. About 150 delegates from Asian football associations, player and referee representatives, as well as government agencies, are meeting in the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, home to the Asian Football Confederation

His hunger to learn, lead, motivate and set an example is unquestionable," team owner Vijay Mallya was quoted as saying in a press release. Virat is the 11th highest

DUBAI: World number four Agnieszka Radwanska overcame a misfiring serve to beat Kazakh Yulia Putintseva 7-5, 6-3 in the second round of the Dubai women's tennis championships on Wednesday. The Pole, who received a first-round bye, lost three of her first four service games on an overcast centre court and she will need to improve if she is retain her Dubai title, with Petra Kvitova or Ana Ivanovic awaiting her in the next round. Serving at 3-3, Radwanska saved four break points after falling 040 behind, but Putintseva was undeterred and she earned another break point with a forehand winner down the line that fizzed past the advancing Pole. Rattled, the 2012 Wimbledon finalist double-faulted to fall 4-3 behind. Radwanska, 23, responded by coming to

the net more frequently to force Putintseva, ranked 101 in the world, to play on the back foot. The Kazakh, seeking her third victory over a top-50 player, was found wanting and Radwanska broke for 4-4, with six out of eight games going against serve. The Pole was too out of sorts to fully exploit her opponent's shortcomings but as the overcast sky gave way to a muggy desert sun she also upped the playing temperature on court, earning two set points with a flat forehand winner down the line. She needed only one as Putintseva smashed an attempted winner long. Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki routed Chinese qualifier Jie Zheng 6-0, 6-1, while Russian veteran Nadia Petrova had a similar romp against Spain's Carla Suarez Navarro, winning 6-1, 6-0.

PHF wants to enter into an agreement with HI

KARACHI: With a bilateral test series planned for March-April, the Pakistan Hockey Federation wants to enter into an agreement with Hockey India under which the party found to be defaulting will be liable to pay the other federation a compensation of $200,000 dollars (around two crore rupees). Sources in the PHF have said that the federation has sent a draft copy of the agreement to Hockey India for the series. The PHF has proposed that the Indian hockey team first tour Pakistan, before they pay a return visit in April. The PHF has, apparently, indicated that while it has confidence in HI, the same does not apply for the Indian government. "Basically, the PHF has said that while it has confidence in any agreement with Hockey India, which wants Pakistan to first play in India, it does not feel the same way about the government. It feels the Indian government could well come up with any reason for not permitting its team to go to Pakistan," a source said. He said the PHF now wanted the International Hockey Federation to be a third party in the agreement between the two federations to ensure all clauses were met.

Karnataka win SZ one day title

MARGAO; Karnataka made heavy weather of a modest total before eking out a narrow one-wicket win which helped them defend the South Zone one-day championship for the Subbaiah Pillai Trophy at the MCC ground on Wednesday. Seemingly on course for a facile victory, Karnataka, in pursuit of Andhra's 228 all out in 48 overs, had almost lost the match but lastman KP Appanna drove a four off Y Gnaneswara Rao as Karnataka reached the winning target of 229 in 49.4 overs. Karnataka, with an all-win record, gathered 20 points to qualify for the all-India knockout tournament for the Vijay Hazare Trophy to be held in Visakhapatnam from February 26. Comfortably placed at 147 for one at the one stage of the game after Robin Uthappa (50) had given them the desired start in the company of KL Rahul (75), Karnataka lost their way to slip to 216 for eight when regular skipper R Vinay Kumar, joining the squad for the final match, fell jeopardising Karnataka's chances of qualification for the knockouts. In between, Stuart Binny and Manish Pandey had perished after cameos while the team management's decision to promote fast bowler Abhimanyu Mithun to number six ahead of Karun Nair defied logic. Mithun lost his stump to left-arm spinner B Sudhakar (three for 49) but with the reliable CM Gautam in the middle all was not lost. The right-hander, however, picked up the fielder at square-leg fence while Nair and Ryan Ninan paid the price for poor shots. With five required off the final over by Gnaneswara, Rajoo Bhatkal (13 n.o.), who came in for HS Sharath, took a single off the first ball. Appanna, after a couple of wild swings, finally was able to connect the ball that sped through covers to the fence.

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Poonch Boxers demand Infrastructure

POONCH, FEB 16: Despite the fact that the boxers of Poonch including gold medalist Jugvinder Singh and Rahul Sharma, have won over 10 medals at the national scene and participated in over 50 national level boxing events from the last decade, there is hardly any boxing infrastructure available here. This was expressed by Poonch District boxers while appealing to the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, Sports Minister Taj MohiUd-Din and Secretary J&K State Sports Council to provide proper equipment and infrastructure to the youth of the district and help them to hone their skill and represent at the higher levels. Talking to Student Age Correspondent, the boxers stated that it is unfortunate that there isn't any boxing equipment or infrastructure available in the district, adding that the work initiated way back in 2010 by DDC Poonch with regard to installation of boxing rink, has stopped due to lack of funds. "Expecting miracles from the players without proper infrastructure is to flog a dead-horse," said the boxers. Prominent among those present during on the occasion were Nazam Mahiud Din, Tushar Khajuria, Satyajeet Sasan, Sahil Khan, Imran Ali and Ankit Sharma.

CHIEF-EDITOR, PUBLISHER, OWNER: Rohit Singh Rana, C.E.O.:Pawan Rathore, DY. CHIEF EDITOR : Vikram Singh Shan, Administrative Head Jammu: Vikram Singh Bhandari, Bureau Chief Kashmir: Allayee Faizan, LEGAL ADVISOR: Advocate Ashok Parihar PRINTED AT JK PRINTING & PUBLICATIONS, SUJWAN, JAMMU TAWI. For Contributing articles mail us at callme.ranasahib@gmail.com, editor.studentage@gmail.com. For Complaints, Querries or Advertisement Contact us: 0191-2580342.. Address: Sector-12, H.No-12 Nanak Nagar, Jammu (All disputes are subjected to the exclusive jursisdiction of Jammu District courts only.)