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JAMMU: The employees of J&K

State Road Transport Corporation

will be provided 20 per cent

Dearness Allowance prospectively.

This decision was taken in the 70th

Board of Directors Meeting of the

Corporation here today.

Minister for Transport, CAPD,

Choudhary Mohammad Ramzan

was in the chair.

Minister of State for Transport

Dr Manohar Lal Sharma was also

present in the meeting.

The instalment of DA was

eleased prospectively keeping in

view the encouraging revenue gen-

ration by the Corporation during

ast fiscal.

Reviewing the performance of

he Corporation, it was informed

that the Corporation has earned rev-

enue of Rs. 83.43 crore during

2011-12 against Rs. 55. 26 crore

earned in 2010-11 thereby register-

ing growth of 51 per cent.

The meeting also adopted Sixth

Pay Commission scales with effect

from April 1st, 2012 without pay-

ing D.A to the employees so far.

The meeting also adopted Group

gratuity Scheme for the employees

of the Corporation through LIC of

India, compassionate appointment

in favour of dependents of J&K

SRTC employees who died in har-

ness on case to case basis and exe-

cution of works for providing better

amenities to the convenience of

both general public, tourists and its

employees Contd on page 2

www.thestudentage.com

STUDENT AGERead thVol. 2 No: 30 | JKENG/2012/41612 | Jammu, Saturday, January 27- February 2 ), 2013 | Pages: 32 | ` 5

News Inbox

Congress announcescandidate for Mizoram by-pollsAIZAWL: The ruling Congress on

February 1 announced that Dr H

Ngurdingliana would be the party's

official candidate for the coming

by-election Contd on page 2

CBSE pre-exam counsell ing toaid students overcome stress

starts todayNEW DELHI: The Central Board

of Secondary Education, CBSE

will start its pre-exam annual coun-

elling from today to help students

overcome exam-related stress. The

counselling Contd on page 2

Surajkund Mela goes inter-national, opens Friday

CHANDIGARH: The popular

nnual Surajkund crafts Melaegins today in the avatar of an

nternational fair with 21 countries

articipating in the 15-day long

ultural Contd on page 2

World Book Fair will startfrom Feb 4th with theme-

Indigenous VoicesNEW DELHI: This year's Delhi

World Book Fair will start from 4th

of this month at Pragati Maidan in

New Delhi. With the theme -

ndigenous Contd on page 2

NEW DELHI: Diesel prices will

be hiked by 40-50 paise per litre

every month till losses on the

nation's most used fuel are com-

pletely wiped out, Oil Minister

Veerappa Moily said Friday. "Until

further orders, oil marketing com-

panies can increase it (diesel price)

by 40-50 paise (per litre) every

month," he said.

The government had on January

17 permitted state-run oil market-

ing companies to set diesel prices

in a move that could help the gov-

ernment reduce its budget-busting

subsidy bill. A day later, the price

of the fuel was hiked by 45 paise.

Diesel currently costs Rs. 47.65 in

Delhi, Rs. 51.51 in Kolkata, Rs.

53.71 in Mumbai and Rs. 50.68 in

Chennai.

While the price of petrol is

purely market-determined, diesel

is still under government control,

even though oil firms now have the

freedom to make minor revisions

in the price. India's policy to sub-

sidise retail prices of fuels such as

diesel, which accounts for about 40

per cent of refined fuel consump-

tion, is a major drain on the budg-

et. State-run refiners currently sell

diesel at a loss of Rs

litre.

Moily said the deci

diesel prices in small

month will stand "u

orders". He, however,

when the oil firms wi

the second price inc

decision for retail pric

coupled with a move

bulk consumers like d

ways and state transpo

ings the market price

almost Rs. 10 a litre

retail Contd o

Di esel p r i ces t o b e h i ked 4 0 -50 pa i se eve ry m on t h : M

J&K SRTC employees to get 20 per cent DACorporation earned Rs 83.43 cr revenue in last fiscal:Ramzan

WASHINGTON: U.S. Secretary

of State Hillary Clinton steps

down as America's top diplomat

Friday. Massachusetts Senator

John Kerry will be sworn-in to

replace her. In her four years as

secretary of state, Hillary Clinton

said that she has focused on

defending universal values and

protecting U.S. security.As Hillary Clinton made her

final speech as America's top diplo-

mat, she suggested US had encour-

aged India's "Look East" policy as

an exercise in 'smart power' in its

pivot to Asia Pacific."There are

limits to what soft power on its own

can achieve," said Secretary of

State Clinton Thursday emphasiz-

ing American leadership, and the

need to reshape diplomacy to meet

the changing landscape of the

world.

"And there are limits to what

hard power on its own can achieve.

That's why, from day one, I've been

talking about smart

said during a forum a

on Foreign Re

Washington a day be

down after four years

pressure diplomacy.

"America's expanding

in the Asia Pacific",

"First and foremost,

pivot has been about c

macy."

By way of examp

the nudge to New De

and cooperation

ASEAN and use of t

tions Contd o

Hillary Clinton steps dowUS Secy of State

US nudged India to 'Look East'

NEW DELHI: The dates for the

presentation of the Union Budget

and the Railway Budget were

announced on Friday. While the

Union Budget will be presented on

February 28, the Railway Budget

will be present two days earlier on

February 26. The Budget session

will last from February 21 to May

10. The Congress on

said that a "very prom

is on the anvil, indica

Union Budget 2013

replete with populist

also economic reform

promising budget is go

The government is n

control. Contd

Budget Session of Parl from FUnion Budget on Feb28

NEW DELHI: Chief Minister

Omar Abdullah had separate meet-

ings with the UPA chairperson

Sonia Gandhi, Prime Minister Dr.

Manmohan Singh and Union Home

Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde here

Thursday in which issues pertain-

ing to the development and prevail-

ing peace situation in Jammu and

Kashmir were discussed.Omar had a meeting with UPA

Chairperson Sonia Gandhi here this

morning in which various matters

concerning development and polity

of Jammu and Kashmir were dis-

cussed in detail.

An official spokesman said the

President All India Congress

Committee (AICC) and the

Working President J&K National

Conference (JKNC) talked about

the functioning and status of NC-

Congress coalition in the State and

expressed satisfaction over it. Theyalso noted with happiness the

smooth and tandem functioning of

the coalition government in the

State. Contd on page 2

Omar meets Sonia, Dr Singh,Shinde,ChidambaramSeeks assistance of Rs 30000 crore

BJP to boycott HomeMinister Shinde for

'saffron terror'remarks

NEW DELHI: The BJP here on

Friday decided to boycott all pub-

lic programmes of Home Minister

Sushil Kumar Shinde to protest

against his Hindu terror remarks

till he tenders an apology. It will

also not respond to any communi-

cation from him to the party top

brass in his capacity as Leader of

the House.

The decision was taken in the

first Core Group meeting of the

BJP after Rajnath Singh took over

as party president on January 23.

"The Core Group observed that

Mr Shinde's remarks have hurt

Hindu sentiments. It condemned

his comments that the BJP and

RSS run Contd on page 2


2/32

Diesel prices to...selling rate, to save an estimated Rs.

12,907 crore in annual subsidy.

Moily said he had heard of states like

Gujarat and Tamil Nadu asking their public

transport fleet to refuel at petrol pumps

nstead of buying diesel from oil firms direct-

y as is the current practice. This is being

done with a view to avoid paying the market

price mandated for them.

"We need to look into that (issue). I have

also heard about it. We are ceased of that mat-

ter," he said, adding when rules are laid there

are people who find ways to circumvent it.

Instead of buses being asked to refuel at

petrol pumps, the states should reduce high

ocal sales tax or VAT on diesel to cut prices,

Moily added.

Hillary Clinton...

over the Trans-Pacific Partnership to find

common ground with former adversary

Vietnam.

"We've encouraged India's 'Look East'policy as a way to weave another big democ-

racy into the fabric of the Asia Pacific," she

said making her only reference to a country

she has described as "an indispensable strate-

gic partner."

Clinton cited five pillars of her brand of

smart power: technology, development,

human rights and women coupled with mili-

tary might.

"America's military might is and must

remain the greatest fighting force in the his-

tory of the world," Clinton said as "our diplo-

matic power, the ability to convene, our

moral suasion is effective because the United

States can back up our words with action.""We will ensure freedom of navigation in

all the world's seas. We will relentlessly go

after Al Qaeda, its affiliates, and its

wannabes. We will do what is necessary to

prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear

weapon," she declared.

Clinton's survey of the issues, however,

had one glaring omission. It made no mention

of terrorism emanating from Pakistan or the

terrorist safe havens in what US officials

have described as the most dangerous place

on the planet.

Her only reference to Washington's key

ally in Af-Pak region was in the context of

human rights. "It's not a coincidence that vir-

tually every country that threatens regional

and global peace is a place where human

rights are in peril or the rule of law is weak,"

she said, "specifically, places where women

and girls are treated as second-class, margin-

al human beings."

"Just ask young Malala from Pakistan,"

Clinton said referring to Malala Yousafzai,

the 15-year-old Pakistani girl shot in the head

by a Taliban gunman for advocating girls'

education, Turning to China, she said US

relationship with Beijing was "uniquely con-

sequential" and "uniquely complex" as they

were "trying to write a new answer to the

age-old question of what happens when an

established power and a rising power meet."

Budget Session...

Economic steps are the most important

thing.... In next year we are going to have

many programmes, which are going to have

far-reaching consequences. "...Some immedi-

ate steps are to be taken. These are going to

be announced in the coming budget," party

spokesperson PC Chacko said. Chacko also

said that the party is ready to implement the

decisions taken by the Jaipur session of the

AICC and "at all levels in the party, reorgan-

isation is being done".

Congress announces ...

to the Chalfilh assembly seat scheduled to be

held on February 23. Ngurdingliana, son of

veteran Congress leader and former state

assembly Speaker Dr H Thansanga had con-

tested unsuccessfully in 2008 from the same

constituency. With the announcement of its

candidate by the Congress, all the major

political parties have announced their nomi-nees for the coming by-poll.

The main opposition Mizo National Front

(MNF) candidate was Lalvenhima Hmar,

while the Mizoram People's Conference

(MPC) nominated its president

Lalhmangaiha Sailo, son of the former chief

minister and founder president of the party

Brig T Sailo.

The Zoram Nationalist Party (ZNP) candi-

date was C Lalchhandama, a retired govern-

ment officer while the BJP state unit nomi-

nated C Ramkinlova, who had unsuccessful-

ly contested from the seat in 2008 assembly

polls.

Meanwhile, the MNF nomineeLalvenhima Hmar and MPC candidate

Lalhmangaiha Sailo on February 1 filed their

nominations for the Chalfilh by-polls and

they were the first and only candidates to file

nominations so far with the last date of filing

nominations fixed on February six.

World Book ...

Voices - Mapping India's Folk and Tribal

Literature, the fair will celebrate indigenous

literature and commemorate the 150th birth

anniversary of Swami Vivekananda with a

special pavilion exhibiting photographs and

books from the spiritualist's life.

The fair will host 1,100 Indian and foreign

publishers from countries such as Pakistan,

Iran, Nepal, the US, Britain, South Korea,

Singapore and Sri Lanka. The 7-day fair is

being organized by the National Book Trust.

An entry fee of 20 rupees for adults and 10

rupees for school children will be charged.

The entry to the fair will be from gate

number 1, 2,5,7,8 and 10 and the entry tick-

ets will be available at gate number 2, 5, 7

and 10 for general public. Minister of State

for Human Resource Development Shashi

Tharoor will inaugurate the fair on Monday.

There will be exclusive children and youth

pavilion for promoting book reading habits.

France will be the guest country, with a large

delegation of authors, publishers and schol-

ars. The Delhi World Book Fair will also set

up an author's corner in different halls where

a number of writers and literary personalities

will interact with the public. Besides, 50 to

60 books will be released at the fair. It will

conclude on 10th of this month.

CBSE pre-exam...process will continue till 17th of April. The

class 10th and class 12th board exams will

begin from 1st of March, 2013.

The CBSE, in its release, said that stu-

dents can dial a toll-free number 1XXX XX

8004 from any part of the country which will

give centralized access to the CBSE helpline.

This is the 16th consecutive year that CBSE

will be providing counselling to students dur-

ing the examinations.

Surajkund Mela...

and handicrafts extravaganza. Haryana's

Principal Secretary, Tourism, and Vice

Chairman of the Mela, Vijai Vardhan saidthat the festival this year has been upgraded

to international fair and 21 countries from

Africa, Eurasia and SAARC nations would

participate in it. President Mr Pranab

Mukherjee will inaugurate the annual cultur-

al and handicrafts extravaganza on Saturday.

Karnataka is the theme state this year. The

Mela will showcase the archaeological her-

itage of Karnataka, the traditional dance of

Yakshagana with display of finest handicrafts

and handlooms from across the country and

abroad.

J&K SRTC ...

at various locations in the State.The Board appreciated the liquidation of

accumulated liabilities of the corporation by

Rs 33.45 crore during 2011-12 and 2012-13.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Ramzan

asked the employees of the corporation to

work hard for making it a viable corporation.

The Minister asked the corporation to ensure

safe and efficient bus services to commuters

and tourists besides timely transportation of

food grains to every nook corner of the state.

Economic Advisor to J&K Government,

Jalil Ahmad Khan, Financial Commissioner

Finance, Mr. M.I Khanday, Secretary

Transport, Mohammad Abass, Transport

Commissioner, M. A. Kakroo, Chief

Engineer R&B, Jammu, Mr Tehseen

Mustafa, MD J&K SRTC, Mr. J. S. Tandon

were present in the meeting.

BJP to boycott ...

terror training camps. The party has

decided that its members and workers will

boycott all public programmes in which Mr

Shinde takes part," BJP General Secretary

Ananth Kumar told reporters.

The BJP will also not respond to any com-

munication or request for meetings from Mr

Shinde to the party's senior parliamentarians,

including NDA Working Cha

Advani, and leader of the Oppo

Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj.

Mr Shinde may find it difficu

ernment business through durin

coming budget session of Parli

BJP does not respond to his cal

sions on crucial issues.

However, the BJP president s

does not intend to boycott Mr S

Parliament and will not disrupt

when he rises to speak. "But we w

issue (Mr Shinde's remarks on H

in Parliament," he said.

Significantly, this strategy

appears to be a slight climbdown

had earlier insisted that Prim

Manmohan Singh and UPA

Sonia Gandhi should apolog

Shinde's remarks and that he

sacked from the post of home m

Omar meets...

Omar Abdullah expressed gr

UPA Chairperson for the un

Central financial and logisticJammu and Kashmir Govern

efforts to realize equitable develo

regions and sub-regions of the S

fare of all sections of the society

The achievements of the coal

ment on peace and development

last four years were viewed with

positive note by the two leaders

Omar Abdullah presented t

resume of achievements regist

coalition government in various

sectors. He also gave brief about

tiatives taken for inclusive d

uplift of weaker sections and rea

people in remote and far-flunholistic and equitable developm

He also discussed issues

strengthening of panchayat

including those relating to provid

ium, insurance and security cov

and sarpanchs.

The Chief Minister expressed

the Prime Minister for his keen i

development of Jammu and K

expressed hope that the Central

would continue its financial and

port to the State Government

development goals and movin

road to peace and prosperity.

"The focus of discussion wa

release of funds by the Centre

under various schemes in a time

ner so that these are utilized wit

year these are earmarked for," th

said.

Urging strongly for replacing

tied special plan assistance by u

central assistance head, Omar Ab

lighted this need as significant

for the states like Jammu and Ka

that such mechanism is essentia

the development requirements a

every area equitably.

CONTDSTUDENT AGE

SATURDAY, JANUARY 27 - FEBRUARY 2, 2013

Continued from Page 1


3/32

NATIONALSTUDENT AGE


S R E E R A M A M U R T H Y

JANAKI: Sreeramamurthy

Janaki, the

renowned play-

back singer,

refused to

accept the

Padma Bhushan award.

USTAD ABDUL RASHID

K H A N :

H i n d u s t a n i

vocalist Ustad

Abdul Rashid

Khan (105) has

become the oldest person to be

chosen for this year's Padma Shri

award.

KAMAL HAASAN: Kamal

Hassan is in

c o n t r o v e r s y

over his movie

'Vishwaroopam'

which was orig-

inally slated to be released on 25January 2013 was once again

banned by the Madras High Court

on 30 January 2013.

SHAH RUKH KHAN: Shah

Rukh Khan, the

B o l l y w o o d

superstar topped

the inaugural

Forbes India

Celebrity 100

list.

NEW DELHI: After national out-

rage over the gang-rape of a med-

ical student on a Delhi bus last

month, the government has decided

to issue an ordinance that imple-

ments tougher jail terms for sexual

offenders, as recommended by the

Justice JS Verma Commission.

Named for the retired chief jus-

tice who was its chair, the Verma

committee recently recommended

major revisions of the laws that

deal with crimes against women.

The ordinance will enact tougher

jail terms for sexual offenders ,

including life imprisonment that

"should mean the rest of the per-

son's life" for extreme rape cases.

Parliament is scheduled to meet

later this month for its budget ses-

sion. The ordinance allows for the

changes to be enacted before

Parliament debates the 600-page

report of the Verma commission,

which was readied in just 29 days.

Justice Verma, who is 80, had

urged the government to match his

team's commitment by implement-

ing the changes urgently. Earlier

this week, the Prime Minister sent

him a letter stating, "On behalf of

our government, I assure you that

we will be prompt in pursuing the

recommendations of the commit-

tee."

Five men have been arrested for

the fatal gang-rape a

tried at a fast-track co

A sixth who says he

tried separately at a ju

The barbarous ga

voked fierce street p

thousands of students

would fight for better

tougher anti-rape law

anger surged, the

appointed the Justice

mission to review exis

Cabinet to bring in ordinance for stronger penalties in rape cPEOPLE IN NEWS

NEW DELHI: In a big relief to

renowned sociologist Ashis

Nandy, the Supreme Court on

Friday stayed his arrest in con-

nection with his controversial

anti-Dalit remarks that triggered

criticism from all quarters.

According to reports, the apexcourt directed the police not to

arrest the sociologist in connec-

tion with the matter.

The apex court, however,

slammed Nandy for making those

irresponsible remarks and cau-

tioned him not to make such com-

ments, which hurt some people's

sentiments.

The apex court passed its order

in response to Nandy's petition

seeking the quashing of all FIRs

against him and protection from

arrest in connection with the case.

Meanwhile, reacting to SC's

order, Nandy said, "the court has

ordered stay on my arrest and all

cases file against me will be

probed collectively."

The apex court also issued

notices to Rajasthan, Bihar,

Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra

governments seeking their stand

on Nandy's statements.

Nandy landed in a soup after he

made those controversial remarks

at the Jaipur Literary Festival ear-

lier this week.The sociologist had linked cor-

ruption to Dalits and Other

Backward Classes.

The renowned sociologist had

approached the apex court seeking

a direction from it the police to

quash all FIRs registered against

him under the SC/ST Prevention

of Atrocities Act, arguing that

there is no mention of any offence

in those case against him.

KOLKATA: Taking the

West Bengal government

head on, author Salman

Rushdie Friday said Chief

Minister Mamata

Banerjee ordered police

o block his arrival to

Kolkata and that organis-

rs of the literary festival

were lying when they said

he wasn't invited to the

vent.

The controversial author of "The

Satanic Verses", who found himself

back in the headlines when his visit

o Kolkata was called off, hit back

with a series of tweets.

The 65-year-old was slated to

visit Kolkata to promote Deepa

Mehta's film "Midnight's Children",

based on his novel.

Hours before the scheduled

arrival, Muslim groups under the

banner of Milli Ittehad Parishad

demonstrated Wednesday morning

near the airport and only relented

after authorities said he was not com-

ng.

Since then senior ministers and

government officials have claimed

they had no knowledge of Rushdie

intending to visit Kolkata. Rushdie

disagreed. "The simple fact is that

the Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee

ordered the police to block my

arrival," said one tweet.

Rushdie also took on the Kolkata

Literary Meet (KLM) organisers for

saying they had not invited him and

claimed he had email and plane tick-

ets sent to him by them. In a separate

tweet, Rushdie slammed the police

for giving his itinerary to the "press"

and calling Muslim groups.

Dalit remarks row: SC stays Ashis Nandy's arrest

NEW DELHI/CHENNAI:

Amidst controversy over

Kamal Haasan's

" V i s h w a r o o p a m " ,

Information and Broadcasting

Minister Manish Tewari

Thursday said film certifica-

tion is the central govern-

ment's "exclusive domain"

and it was planning a re-look

at the existing statutory framework

to ensure that states adhere to it.

Film certification falls "within the

exclusive domain of the central gov-

ernment in terms of constitutional

scheme. And it is imperative that

integrity of the constitutional scheme

must be upheld. Therefore, a view

has been taken to re-examine the

statutory framework to ensure opti-

mization of the mandate", Tewari

told media persons here He said that

a committee would be set up for a re-

look into the Cinematograph Act as

"certain issues have come up as a

result of certain decisions which

have been taken in the past by certain

state governments".

Under the constitution, the centre

has been vested with powers to certi-

fy whether a film was fit for viewing

or not, said Tewari. "The central gov-

ernment exercises those powers

through the Central Board of Film

Certification (CBFC)." Tewari said

the committee would see whether

there was a need to make the statuto-

ry architecture or the regulatory

framework of CBFC more robust.

"Once a decision is taken then

that decision should be implemented.

If at all the state government has a

difficulty with it then they should

have avenues available under the act

to see that this grievance is

redressed," he said.

13 BJP legislaKarnataka as

likely to joinBANGALORE: Form

CM and Lingayat s

Yeddyurappa continue

the ruling BJP with

rebel MLAs, who had the party, set to take o

bership of his Karn

Party (KJP) on Thursd

nations of 12 BJP M

Wednesday accepted

Assembly Speaker K

who held one back

grounds. The resignat

the Jagdish Shettar gov

a wafer-thin majority

Assembly, and if more

quit, the BJP would h

on independents for

BJP strength now st

including the Speakermember Assembly. T

vacant. The party has

one of the seven indep

is also a Cabinet m

Congress has 71 mem

Janata Dal-Secular 26

and state BJP chief KS

have expressed confide

is no threat to the BJ

although it has a wafer

in the House. The two

confident that the 10

Session would be held

beginning February

reporters, Eshwarappa

would present the 20

on Feb 8. Jagadish Sh

no more resignations w

from the ruling BJP, th

tion continued that sev

makers would soon qu

13 who have already

BJP-led Karnataka go

going through a majo

Yeddyurappa resigned

his own party in Dec, 2

his loyalists in the BJP

ed the convention w

was launched.

Mamata ordered police to

block my visit: Rushdie

Tewari for stronger censor

board regulatory framework


4/32

NATIONALSTUDENT AGE


HYDERABAD: Six Congress MPs

from Telangana Thursday made it

clear that they will not take back their

resignations over the delay in forma-

tion of a separate state. The MPs, who

met here a day after reports of differ-

ences among them, claimed that res-

ignations of seven MPs were submit-

ted to party president Sonia Gandhi's

office. However, Madhu Yaskhi

Goud, later stated that there is no need

for resignations as the party

spokesperson has clarified that the

party is not against Telangana state.

K. Rajagopal Reddy told reporters

that Goud's views were his personal

and that the remaining MPs stand by

their resignations both from parlia-

ment and the party. He said the resig-

nations along with a letter addressed

to Sonia Gandhi were sent to Delhi

through Goud and another MP,

Ponnam Prabhakar. Reddy said they

had requested Gandhi to accept their

resignations if the party was unable to

take a decision for formation of

Telangana. "We will continue to put

pressure n the leadership till a

favourable decision is taken," he

added. Senior leader K. Keshava Rao,

at whose residence the meeting was

held, said he would send his resigna-

tion from the party to S

He denied that there we

ences among the mem

Minister Sushil Kuma

Wednesday refused to g

deadline for making a

ment on Telangana, say

on the issue wa

"Consultation process i

said when asked wheth

has set any fresh

Telangana. A decis

Telangana statehood

deferred on Sunday wi

and Congress saying th

for "further consultation

take a "little more time

on Dec 28 declared tha

make an announcemen

statehood issue within a

Centre refuses to set any fresh dead

JAMMU: Trade across the Line of

Control (LoC) that divides Jammu

and Kashmir between India and

Pakistan resumed Tuesday after

being suspended due to tension over

the Jan 8 killing of two Indian sol-

diers. Six Pakistani trucks entered

the Indian side.

An official handling the cross-

LoC trade at Chakan-da-Bagh in

Poonch district said that Indian

trucks could not go to the Pakistani

side due to late security clearance.

"The trucks can cross LoC

between 10 a.m. and noon, but

trucks from India got delayed dur-

ing security clearance. They are

lined up at trade and facilitation

centre at Chakan-da-Bagh and will

go to the Pakistani side tomorrow,"

he said. Pawan Anand, president of

cross-LoC traders association in

Poonch, said: "Onions and dry dates

have come from Pakistan today

while six Indian trucks, carrying

tomatoes and bananas, could not

cross the LoC due to delay in secu-

rity check."

These Indian trucks, along with

some more carrying embroidery

items, will go t

Wednesday, he said.

feeling to see the cro

resume on Chak

Rawalakot route as th

ply trade but it carries

people of this area," he

Trade takes place f

to Friday every week.

Rs.2 crore are traded e

about 25 trucks crossi

trade was halted Jan 10

officials said Pakistan

gates for the trucks a

Bagh.

NEWS IN BOX

Congress sets up poll reforms panel, Soni to headNEW DELHI: Former union minister Ambika Soni will head the Congress

party's panel on poll reforms, especially political funding, set up by party

Chief Sonia Gandhi Thursday. "The Congress president has set up the poll

reforms panel announced in the Jaipur declaration...It will give suggestions

for action plan," Congress general secretary Janardan Dwivedi told reporters.

Besides Soni, Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister M. Veerappa Moily,

former chief election commissioner and union minister M.S. Gill, Rajya

Sabha member Mani Shankar Aiyar, and senior leaders E.M.S. Nachiappan

and Mohan Gopal would be in the six member panel.

Gandhi had announced setting up of the panel at the All India Congress

Committee meeting on the concluding day of the 'Chintan Shivir' or intro-

spection meet in Jaipur Jan 18-20. "Various suggestions are being debated in

government and non-government forums. We need to implement them. The

party group will suggest an action plan," she had said.

NDMA organising mega drill on earthquakeNEW DELHI: The National Disaster Management Authority is organising

a series of drills to generate greater public awareness about the vulnerability

o disasters with specific emphasis on earthquakes.

During the exercise, people will be made aware of steps to be taken to

save themselves during disaster, their families and the community and prop-

erties in the event of an earthquake.This mega drill is designed to test the system capabilities for an effective

coordinated response to an earthquake having impact on multiple states, an

official release said.

The drill will be conducted at 60 different locations simultaneously,

spread over Chandigarh, Panchkula, Mohali and Shimla for which experts

from NDMA have been extending all preparatory support.

251 aspirants to contest Tripura assembly pollsAGARTALA: A total of 251 candidates, including representatives of 16

political parties and independents, will contest the Feb 14 elections for the

60-member Tripura assembly, officials said here Friday. Of the 251 con-

enders, 14 are women and 25 are independents. In the last assembly elec-

ions in 2008, 313 candidates, including 18 women, had contested the polls.

"Altogether 296 candidates have filed nominations for the elections.

During scrutiny, 30 nominations were rejected due to various reasons and 15candidates withdrew their candidature," Tripura Chief Electoral Officer

Ashutosh Jindal told reporters here. Thursday was the last date for withdraw-

ng nominations. Jindal said, "For the first time in Tripura four all-women

polling stations will be set up to conduct the elections."

Ensure rape, accident victims notdenied treatment: HC

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court asked the Delhi government to issue

a direction to all the hospitals in the capital not to deny treatment to victims

of criminal offences, especially those of rape and road accidents. The court

also wanted that the police be given clear instructions to take those injured to

he nearest hospital "without any debate" to identify a government hospital

hat is nearby.

"Why can't you consider issuing standing instructions to all hospitals to

reat victims brought to them without any delay?" the court told the police.

A hospital should not delay treatment on any grounds. If the hospital is a

small hospital, at least they should give first aid to the victims before send-

ng them elsewhere," the court said. The court's order comes after the brutal

gang-rape of a 23-year-old para-medical student on Dec 16. The girl and her

friend were stripped off and thrown out of the bus. Later the 28-year-old man

said that the policemen who reached the spot, initially, argued over the juris-

diction of the case, rather than taking them to a hospital.

They were driven many kilometers to government-run Safdarjung

Hospital, though there were many good private hospitals near where she was

found in a bloodied condition. The panel slammed the police practice of

approaching only a government hospital and not the nearest available hos-

pital" in a medico-legal case.

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court

on Monday sought the response of

former UP Chief Minister Mayawati

on a plea seeking her prosecution in

the Rs 17 crore Taj corridor scam case

without the sanction of the Governor.

"We will examine the case," a bench

comprising justices HL Dattu and

Ranjan Gogoi said.

The court also issued notice to the

Centre, the CBI and the Uttar Pradesh

government on a petition challenginga judgement of Allahabad High Court

giving relief to the BSP chief. The

bench also issued notice to

Mayawati's former Cabinet colleague

Naseemuddin Siddiqui and sought his

response in the case.

The bench was hearing a batch of

appeals against the November 5, 2012

judgement of the Allahabad High

Court. The petitioners have contend-

ed that the prosecution can be

launched against them without sanc-

tion of the Governor.

The Lucknow bench of the

Allahabad High Court had upheld theJune 2007 order of the special CBI

court which dropped the criminal pro-

ceedings against Mayawati and

Siddiqui for want of Governor T V

Rajeswar's sanction to prosecute

them. In 2002, Mayawati launched

the corridor project to beautify areas

near the Taj Mahal. A year later, the

Supreme Court had directed the CBI

conduct an enquiry into the alleged

scam in the Taj corridor project.

SC issues notice to Mayawatiin Taj Corridor case

Meet RTE tbefore Mar

Govt to stNEW DELHI: Ruling

of the deadline on Right

the govt. asked the stat

the process of meeting

before March 31 and im

ance mechanism for imp

mid-day meal program

meeting of the state ed

taries here, senior HRD

cials made it clear that t

no extension of the R

beyond March 31 by wstates have to fulfil t

under the Act, sources

states including Bihar a

ging behind in meeting

ing to achieve signific

fields like teacher-studen

infrastructure and teach

tions. The deadline ex

was raised by Bihar at t

meeting here last year

turned down by M M Pa

Indo-Pak Cross-LoC trade resumed Tues

'Six Congress MPs from Telangana firm on resignat


5/32

MILOS ZEMAN: Milos Zeman

became Czech

Republic's first

directly elected

President as per

the Czech

Republic Presidential election

results declared. He won 55 per-

cent as compared with 45 percent

of Karel Schwarzenberg.

JIGME KHESAR NAMGYEL

WANGCHUCK: Bhutan King

Jigme Khesar

N a m g y e l

Wangchuck was

the chief guest

at the Republic

Day parade for the year 2013.

NOVAK DJOKOVIC: The

Serbian profes-

sional tennis

player Novak

D j o k o v i c

became the firstman to win three successive

Australian Open titles in the pro-

fessional era when he beat Andy

Murray in the finals of men's sin-

gles at Australian Open 2013.

COLOMBO: Sri Lankan President Mahinda

Rajapaksa reshuffled his cabinet on Monday and

appointed ten new ministers, the President's office

said. Presidential Spokesman Mohan

Samaranayaka said that six new deputy ministers

were also appointed during the cabinet reshuffle.

Among the major notable changes were those of

the Power and Energy Ministry and Petroleum

Resources Ministry. Pavithra Wanniarachchi was

appointed as the new minister of Power and

Energy while the minister who held that post ear-

lier, Champika Ranawaka, was appointed as the

Minister of Technology and Research.

Meanwhile, former Petroleum Resources

Minister Susil Premajayantha was named the new

minister of Environment while Anura

Priyadharshana Yapa took over as the new minis-

ter of Petroleum Resources.

The former ministers of Petroleum and Power

and Energy had been in the media spotlight in the

recent past after both the state owned Ceylon

Petroleum Corporation and the Ceylon Electricity

Board began to suffer losses.

Meanwhile Lakshman Seniviratn

the Minister of Sugar Industries, Jay

the Minister of Botanical Garden

Enterprises, Lakshman Yapa Abey

Investment Promotion Minister

Dissanayake the Education Servi

Basir Segu Daud the Minister of

Promotion and Wijith Wiheyamun

Minister of Wildlife Conservation.

Nirmala Kotalawala was named

Minister of Highways an

Abeygunawardena the Project Mini

Meanwhile Sri Lanka's Prime M

Jayaratna remained at his post despi

being rife that he would be replac

present ailing health condition.

Sri Lankan Cabinet reshuffle:President appoints ten new minist

PEOPLE IN NEWS

INTER NATIONALSTUDENT AGE


C M Y K C M Y K C

MOSCOW: Russia and other UN

Security Council members have

again urged Iran to freeze its urani-

um enrichment programme, after

Tehran announced plans to install

new centrifuges at its Natanz

nuclear facility, Russian Foreign

Minister Sergei Lavrov said

Thursday. Tehran notified the

International Atomic Energy

Agency (IAEA) earlier this month

that it plans to install more modern

equipment at the Natanz site,

which has previously enriched ura-

nium to five percent purity. That

has caused concern because the

new gas centrifuges might allow

Iran to refine large amounts of ura-

nium to higher levels of purity,

which would be suitable for a

nuclear bomb, rather than fuel for

an atomic power plant or other

peaceful uses. "The IAEA has been

notified, and the IAEA will be

there and will supervise this, but I'd

like to repeat that this is a legal

aspect of the matter, while the

political aspect is that we, along

with the other Security Council

members, have called on Iran to

freeze enrichment operations dur-

ing the negotiations," Lavrov said.

"But they are doing

line with their comm

the Safeguards Ag

added. The Safeguar

between the IAEA

signed in 1974, and s

measures coverin

nuclear activity. The

comes despite intern

tions aimed at slow

nuclear programme a

national efforts to l

round of talks betwee

"sextet" of internatio

comprising Britain, C

Russia, the US and G

group, known as P5+

rounds of talks ove

nuclear issue last yea

one-year break in the

Australia to go to

the polls on Sep 14SYDNEY: Australian PM Julia Gillard on

Wednesday said the nation would go to the

polls on Sept 14, announcing the date early

to give "shape and order" to the year.

Australians usually know only weeks before

when an election will be held, but the Labor

leader, whose minority govt. holds power by

only a narrow margin, surprised pundit by

giving close to nine months' notice. Gillard,

who is tipped to lose the election to conser-

vative opposition leader Tony Abbott, said

announcing the date of the polls would give

individuals, businesses and investors the

ability to plan ahead. "It gives shape and

order to the year, and enables it to be one not

of fevered campaigning, but of cool and rea-

soned deliberation," she said. Parl will be

dissolved on Aug 12.

Mali plans tohold electionsby July 2013

ADDIS ABABA: The Malian

president announced plans to hold

lections by July as French-ledroops battled Islamists in the last

major northern town under militant

ontrol. A battle is under way to

ecure Kidal, the last major town in

he sweep to flush out militants in

he north. The French military said

t seized the airport in Kidal, thus

gaining control of a major point of

ccess. French forces are focusing

on recapturing airports while

Malian forces take over the cities,

French army spokesman Col.

Thierry Burkhard said.

Mali's former colonial power,

France, is leading the offensive in

he north. As troops made gains in

he region, the French Defense

Ministry hailed President

Dioncounda Traore's transition

plan as a crucial step forward.

France welcomes the unanimous

doption by Mali's parliament of

he road map for the transition,

which makes provision for the

holding of elections and the open-

ng of negotiations with the north,"

he Defense Ministry said in a

tatement.

BEIJING: China has

approved construction of three

more dams on Brahmaputra

River in Tibet in addition to theone being built, and much to

the disquiet of India, it has not

been informed about the plans

so far. A document approved

by the Chinese cabinet recent-

ly mentioned three dams to be

built at Dagu, Jiacha and

Jiexu on Brahmaputra, Indian

officials here said. The docu-

ment listing projects to be

completed in China's 12th

five year plan made a passing

reference to the three dams

without any details, they said.

India has not been informed

about the move so far, they

said. Asked about the plans to

build the dams, Chinese

Foreign Ministry spokesman,Hong Lei told a media briefing

here that "China has always

taken a responsible attitude

towards the development of

cross Border Rivers". India

urged China to ensure its plans

to construct upstream dams on

Brahmaputra River do not

harm interests of lower ripari-

an states. On a query about

China's move to build three

hydropower dams in the mid-

dle reaches of the

Brahmaputra, the External

Affairs Ministry spokesperson

said India carefully monitored

all developments on the river

and had conveyed its views

and concerns to China. "Indiaurges China to ensure that the

interests of downstream states

are not harmed by any activi-

ties in upstream areas," the

spokesperson added.

JERUSALEM: Israel became the first co

cott a periodic review of its practices by the

Rights Council, citing what it called the bod

against it. Israeli representatives did not atte

of the 47-member council in Geneva, and th

postponed to no later than November. All

states are required to submit to a council

four years, and nearly all have attended, inc

accused of extensive human rights abuses,

and North Korea. Council spokesman Ro

said that Israel's absence from the mandat

Periodic Review put the council "in new t

United States had urged Israel to participate

Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Yigathe move was in line with a decision taken

suspend Israel's participation in the work o

after the body decided to form a fact-findi

examine the effect of Israeli settlements in t

and East Jerusalem on the human rights of

Israel boycotts

human rights re

Russia, UNSC urge Iran to halt nuclear enric

China approves construction of

dams on Brahmaputra River

Chinese Foreign Ministry

Hong Lei


6/32

EDITORIALSTUDENT AGE


RBI does its bit;Centre shouldnow perform

Although marginal, the cut in the inter-

est rates which the Reserve Bank of

India announced on Tuesday goes to

show that the RBI is open to revising its mon-

etary policies if the Government demonstrates

a tangible commitment to put its fiscal house

in order.

But the rate revision does not mean that the

country's premier bank is gung-ho about the

prospects of a fiscal revival. The cut by a small

0.25 per cent - and that too coming after nine

long months - signals that the RBI is still not

entirely convinced of the UPA's oft-repeated

commitment to fiscal prudence, the lack of

which commitment has plunged the country

into a financial mess and spurred inflation. In

fact, the premier bank has trimmed the growth

figures for fiscal 2012-13 to 5.5 per cent of the

GDP from the earlier 5.8 per cent, unambigu-

ously indicating its lack of confidence in the

kind of revival which the Government's moneymanagers have been claiming is round the cor-

ner.

The reason why the RBI has effected the

downward revision is primarily because it

wanted to be seen as giving a helping hand to

efforts at shoring up the sagging economy.

And, by simultaneously reducing the cash

reserve ratio to release `18,000 crore into the

market, the RBI has in fact left no scope for

the Government to find excuses for the latter's

laggard performance on the economic front.

Because, while consumers will benefit, even if

not too largely, from the reduction of interest

rates, the financial system too will have more

money to deploy for economic growth. If theCentre is unable to make good use of this

opportunity, it will have little reason left to

explain away the failure.

The Union Ministry of Finance will, in the

meantime, do well to take with seriousness

some of the remarks that RBI Governor D

Subbarao made in the course of announcing

the cuts, that the widening current account

deficit is "by far the biggest risk for inflation".

The Government may argue that it has tried to

address the issue by deregulating the price of

diesel, given that the fuel bill comprises a vast

segment of our imports.

But the fact is that the deregulation at this

point in time will help inflationary trends and

negate the very initiatives that the RBI has

taken to ease control over the flow of money

into the system. It must not be forgotten that,

while headline inflation has been under rela-

tive control in recent months, it needs just the

kind of pressure that a hike in diesel price pro-

vides, to begin spinning away madly. After all,

dips in inflation are meaningful only if they

are sustained and not be limited to fits and

starts. It remains to be seen whether the UPA

regime, in its last lap before the Lok Sabha

election, can manage the feat. The coming

Union Budget should provide an answer.

By Kanwal Sibal

Looking ahead, what could President

Barack Obama's second term mean

for relations between India and the

United States of America? Will the rela-

tionship stay more or less at the level that it

has already reached or will it see a surge in

the years ahead? Can it begin to wane?

There is no reason for the relationship to

wilt, even if it has not lived up to its prom-

ise in the eyes of some Americans. India's

nuclear liability law and the ouster of US

suppliers from the 126 fighter aircraft deal

are cited as evidence. The other areas of

disappointment are the lack of convergence

in views on developments in the Gulf and

West Asia, India's reluctance to accept bur-

den-sharing in upholding the international

order as it is obliged to do by its rising

global status, as well as its inadequate

bureaucratic expertise and capacity to deal

with the expanded scope of the India-USengagement.

A less transactional assessment of the

state of relations would highlight the great

shift in Indian perceptions about relations

with the US - from strategic distrust to

strategic cooperation. This is best mani-

fested in the $9 billion worth of defence

contracts won by the US in the last seven

years, with more to come as India diversi-

fies its sources of supplies, as well as the

numerous joint military exercises conduct-

ed with strategic objectives in view.

Counter-terrorism cooperation is

acknowledgedly much better than before,

as is the quality of exchange of views onregional and global issues. India-US rela-

tions are now stable, with a remarkably

rich bilateral agenda whose implementa-

tion will occupy both sides in the years

ahead.

The chance of any dramatic upswing in

relations in the next four years, however,

seems unlikely. For one, the economic

backdrop is not very favourable. With US

economic recovery still sluggish, unem-

ployment high and the debt problem unre-

solved, Obama will remain preoccupied

with the domestic agenda.

He is anyway not seen as a 'foreign pol-

icy' president temperamentally. In India,

too, growth rates have fallen and investor

sentiment, both domestic and foreign,

remains unenthusiastic in spite of some

reform measures by the government.

Regulatory, taxation, environmental, land

acquisition, and implementational issues in

general remain to be addressed. With

growth rates high, market sentiment buoy-

ant and optimism in the air, countries can

deal with each other in a more positive

spirit than when they are preoccupied with

protecting their own interests first - and

those of others become even more second-

ary.

This means that on issues of concern to

us relating to the hike in visa fees and the

denial of visas to our income tax profes-

sionals, making US companies which out-

source work ineligible for federal govern-

ment grants and loans and the totalization

agreement that would address the problem

of Indian professionals in the US having to

compulsorily contribute to social security,

the US, already unresponsive, is unlikely to

give us satisfaction. Apart from the pop-

ulism of opposing outsourcing at a time of

high domestic unemployment, Obama

seems to have an ideological bias against

the transfer of jobs abroad even if that

improves the competitiveness of US firms.

India-US economic ties are not as

dynamic as some may suppose. In the last

three to four years our negotiators feel that

we have not been able to secure any tangi-

ble concessions from the US for our mer-chandize and services exports. The Trade

Policy Forum has not met for two years,

although it should do so in a couple of

months. The US has dropped to third place

as our trading partner, down from 17 per

cent to a 10 per cent share of our trade.

Investment levels are also low.

The US Consumer Protection Act, the

extension of the US Foreign Account Tax

Compliance Act of 2009 to foreign compa-

nies currently under Congressional consid-

eration, the foreign manufacturers liability

bill, the 'Buy America' campaign and so on

are all potential hurdles for building a

stronger trade partnership with the US.Some US trade initiatives would need to

be watched closely for their impact on

India.The Trans-Pacific Partnership that

the US is promoting does not include India,

or, for that matter, China and Japan. India's

focus is on the East Asia-centred Regional

Comprehensive Economic Partnership.

The contemplated trans-Atlantic free trade

area between the US and Europe, if estab-

lished, will affect Indian interests.

Bilaterally, regulatory issues on our side

need resolution for allowing trade in US

agricultural products. In the education sec-

tor there are complementarities but legisla-

tion on foreign universities operating in

India is languishing in Parliament.

The stipulation of local content in the

solar power and telecommunications sec-

tors has raised US objections.

Internet governance is a contentious

issue ahead. Our energy dialogue contin-

ues, with India hoping to obtain exemption

for importing liquefied natural gas from the

US. If that happens on a significant scale, it

can change India's energy equations and

concomitant strategic calculations. The

ambitious goal ahead is to finalize a bilat-

eral investment treaty with the US, the

prominent sticking issues

demands on intellectual pro

(India is on the US watchli

environmental and labour iss

establishment rules. In our

India-US FTA, for which w

appetite in the US as of now, s

the BIT. All said and done

issues, it is well to keep in m

economic cooperation with the

ly builds our strategic capaci

that with China erodes them.

The US envisages a key I

its pivot towards Asia, but we

about its scope given the com

of trade and financial inte

between the US and China. M

US financial downturn will in

to a reduction of the count

budgets, whereas any credib

require enhanced US military

Asia with a concomitant defence outlays. Obama's dom

ties could also over-ride any

pivot. India is already dist

from the pivot by the notable

course towards China by the fo

ter, Salman Khurshid.

Australian foreign minister's

both countries poured cold w

idea of a trilateral India-Au

dialogue, not to mention any

dialogue involving the US in

The contours of Obama's po

Afghanistan turning on the ac

effectively complete withdraw

the offer of a share in power tothe use of Pakistan as a facili

ing greater deference to its

Afghanistan - are all causin

India. India could be pushed in

ing axis in Afghanistan. India

will need, therefore, to rec

respective visions of Afghan

in the period ahead. Pakista

agressiveness towards India

ing the situation further.

There are some question m

Delhi about the new team in

especially with regard to the n

senator, John Kerry, as secre

because of his perceived soft

Pakistan and the expected

some India-friendly state dep

cials.

The changes in the Penta

Central Intelligence Agency,

not causing any particular u

much attention Obama pays

the India-relationship, which

tally on track, is open to ques

in all, therefore, India and the

ther enter into an embrace no

they will continue to shake fr

as Obama's second term unfol

FRI ENDLY HAN DSHAKChange is unlikely in India-US relations in the next four year


7/32

EDITORIALSTUDENT AGE


By Hiranmay Karlekar

What we now need is the

constitution of a com-

mittee to scrutinise all

nstances of surprising acquittals

n rape cases

The country must not lose its

focus on crimes against women as

t waits to see how soon and to

what extent the Union

Government implements the

Verma Committee's report. The

statistics are alarming. According

to the National Crime Records

Bureau's publication, 'Crime in

India 2012', the number of cases of

rape and kidnapping and abduction

of women and girls, and molesta-

tion reported all over India in 2011

was 24,206, 35,565 and 42,968

respectively. Cases of sexual

harassment, cruelty by husbands

and relatives and importation ofgirls numbered 8,570, 99,135 and

80 respectively.

According to 'Crime in India

2008', reported cases of rape, kid-

napping and abduction of women

and girls, and molestation num-

bered 15,151, 16,351 and 30,959

respectively in 2007. In the same

year, cases of sexual harassment,

cruelty by husbands and relatives

and importation of girls numbered

8,053, 41,375 and nil respectively.

Going by the same two docu-

ments, reported cases of dowry

deaths were 6,975 in 2007 and

8,618 in 2011. This is a serious

matter, particularly since the inci-

dence of crimes against women

has continued to rise despite grow-

ing awareness of the importance of

women's rights since the appoint-

ment of the Committee on the

Status of Women in India in 1971

and the judiciary's astonishing

response to the case in which two

policemen, charged with raping a

16-year-old tribal girl, Mathura,

inside a police station on March

26, 1972, were acquitted. As therape and torture of a 23-year-old

woman inside a bus in Delhi, who

subsequently succumbed to her

injuries, on the night of December

16, 2012, underlined, the police's

response to crime against women

remains scandalous, the recom-

mendations of the various com-

missions and the National

Commission for Women, consti-

tuted in 1992, notwithstanding.

All this spurs the apprehension

that the Verma panel's admirable

report will gather dust as politi-

cians and male-dominated legisla-

tures debate over translating its

recommendation into law. Indeed,

the Verma Committee itself would

not have been appointed but for

the upsurge of intense public anger

over the December rape, and angry

demonstrations staged by students

and youth at the heart of Delhi.

Pressure, therefore, has to be

maintained and the suggestion that

December 16 be observed every

day as Anti-Rape Day merits sup-

port. According to the NCRB, the

number of rape cases registered inIndia increased by a startling 873.3

per cent, from 2,487 in 1971 to

24,206 in 2011, which makes it the

fastest growing crime in the coun-

try.

Pressure should be maintained

on the police throughout the coun-

try to ensure that its generally atro-

cious treatment of rape victims

improves. It may be a good idea to

reopen some of the old cases in

which the accused were surpris-

ingly acquitted, to examine

whether there were shortcomings

in investigation or systemic flaws

thwarting conviction.

As a report by Joseph Goldstein

in The New York Times of January

10 this year states, New York

City's medical examiner's office

had undertaken an unusual review

of more than 800 rape cases in

which critical DNA evidence had

been mishandled or overlooked by

a lab technician.

The exercise had, the report

points out, found 26 cases in

which the technician failed to

detect biological evidence whensome actually existed and that this

had hindered the ability to develop

rape cases in respect of some sus-

pects. According to the report, the

technician concerned resigned in

November 2011, after the office

moved to terminate

ment.

India has heard nu

gations of shoddy inv

rape and sexual assau

the abysmally low rate

tion suggest that th

baseless.

While the need t

stringent norms for re

investigation of compl

install devices embo

of-the-art technology

tion, is imperative, it i

sary to examine some

cases for the purposes

er.

This will convey t

men that lax investigat

erate sabotage can b

and that they can be pu

after a case has been c

The Union Home Mdo well to appoint a b

by a serving or retire

High Court, to look at

acquittal in rape ch

there seems to be mor

meets the eye.

Let's look beyond the Verma pane

By Kota Sriraj

Given the delicate state of

environment, and the

ever-increasing fuel and

compressed natural gas prices,electric vehicles provide a promis-

ng alternative. But that alterna-

ive can be successful only if we

change our mindset

The recent decontrol of diesel

prices would now mean that fuel

cost is headed only one way now:

Northward. But the good news is

he recent move by the Union

Government to infuse `14,000

crore to promote electric and

hybrid vehicles besides incentives

hat will be offered to manufactur-

ers of such vehicles. The ambi-

ious National Electric Mobility

Mission Plan, 2020 unveiled by

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh

aims to reduce the dependence on

fossil fuels.

Electric vehicles emit least

amount of carbon dioxide and,

herefore, ensure lesser emissions.

This helps reduce global warming

and climate change. Many car

manufacturers such as Toyota,

Honda and Mahindra with cleaner

environment as one of the corpo-

rate goals have fully committed

facilities, design team and

research and development for

such vehicles, but lack of

Government support till now has

ensured that electric and hybridvehicles remained expensive and

out of reckoning for the regular

buyer.

NEMMP 2020 aims to ensure

the fund availability for research

and development and infrastruc-

ture for electric vehicles, besides

giving original equipment manu-

facturer and component manufac-

turers tax breaks.

Further, the Government can

explore customs duty reduction on

lithium-ion batteries and other

imported parts that are used to

produce these vehicles and can

help reduce input costs for the

manufacturers and coupled with

tax rebates can lower the entry

costs for the consumer.

Also, the demand for these

vehicles and the technology

involved in the manufacture of

such vehicles will get a shot in the

arm if the Government reduces

interest rates that banks charge on

loans for electric vehicles, and

provide other benefits such as life-

time free parking at authorised

municipal parking lots and sub-

sidised insurance premiums. The

National Council for Electric

Mobility, set up last year, has pro-

posed exemption on various taxeslike sales tax, value added tax etc

with the ownership of an electric

car, like the Belgian Government,

which offers tax deduction of upto

30 per cent including VAT on pur-

chase of a new electric vehicle.

In India, two-wheelers hold a

large chunk of the market and pol-

lution too. But the number of elec-

tric two wheelers has steadily

increased over the past three

years.

Currently there are approxi-

mately 4,00,000 electric two

wheelers on roads and over 1,500

electric cars. Eventually, the

Government's idea is to ensure

conservation of up to 20 lakh

tonnes of liquid fossil fuels.

However, electric recharge points

across the urban landscape are an

essential component of this green

initiative.

For this, the Government can

take a leaf out of the social devel-

opment sector where international

multinational companies special-

ising in electric power supply and

components have tied up with

NGOs to set up rural recharge sta-

tions for recharging community

batteries that provide power to

streetlights or run pump sets. Thesame organisations with

Government support can set up

urban recharge stations as a part of

their Corporate Social

Responsibility mandate.

As a buyer who is faced with

ever increasing fuel and com-

pressed natural gas prices, the

electric vehicles provide a promis-

ing alternative. The Union

Ministry of New and Renewable

Energy provides for a subsidy of

`1 lakh on electric cars that will be

replaced by an incentive scheme

after April 2013, whereby electric

vehicles will be made cheaper by

`1.5 lakh.

However, our mindset as a

'customer' also needs to undergo a

change. Given that an average of

1,000 vehicles are registered

everyday in Delhi alone, the glar-

ing absence of a respectable num-

bers of electric vehicle registra-

tions is very much evident.

With an annual production of

around 40 lakh automobile units

per year, India has more than 4.5

crore passenger vehic

thus one of the larges

the world.

Electric cars, as

tally right as they mayfailed to create an im

ple. Given the ambiti

the Government to h

electric vehicles on r

the above measures a

suddenly seem feeble

Take for instance

tions made by China o

lion (`80,000 crore)

and development on e

cles and US$4.4billi

crore) on pilot p

US$5billion (`26,00

public charging amen

Compared to the

still has a lot to do to

cause. Given the deli

environment and the

today one can actuall

'purchase' a non-poll

cate for his/her vehicl

umes about how syste

are being mocked.

How the Govern

duces norms that are

lowed in letter and sp

to be seen, but we hav

able role in ensuring

Driving into an eco-friendly futur


8/32

STATESTUDENT AGE


NEWS IN BOX

Hideout busted, five IED defused inREASI IN J&K

UDHAMPUR: Security forces today detected and defused five

Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in a hideout in Reasi district of

Jammu and Kashmir. On a specific information, a joint team of Army

and Police detected five IEDs in a hideout at Shekhari in Mahore area of

Reasi district on Friday, officials said.

The IEDs were later defused and the hideout busted, they said.

Gov summons J&K Legislature session on Feb 28JAMMU: Mr. N. N. Vohra, Governor, in exercise of the powers con-

ferred upon him under section 53 of the Constitution of Jammu and

Kashmir, has summoned the State Legislative Assembly and the

Legislative Council to meet at Jammu on Thursday, the 28th February,

2013, at 10.30 a.m.

The Governor has called upon the Members of the Jammu and

Kashmir Legislative Assembly and the Legislative Council to assemble

together in the Central Hall of the Legislature Building in the New

Secretariat premises, Jammu, on Thursday, the 28th February, 2013 at

10.30 a.m. to hear his Address to both the Houses of the Legislature

under the provisions of sub-section (1) of section 55 of the Constitution

of Jammu and Kashmir.

After the said Address, each House of the Legislature will meet as aseparate body at the time specified by the Speaker or the Chairman, as

the case may be.

The Governor approved the proposal of the State Government to this

effect today.

J&K Legislature Session: Members tosubmit questions by 7thFeb: SecretaryJAMMU: According to the Secretary, Legislative Assembly, Mr.

Mohammad Ramzan the Members of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative

Assembly have been requested to send not more than ten starred and ten

un-starred Questions by or before Thursday, the 7th of February, 2013 in

relaxation of Rule 32 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business

in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.

Similarly, not more than five Bills by or before Thursday, the 7th ofFebruary, 2013 and not more than four Resolutions by or before

Wednesday, the 13th of February, 2013 should be submitted.

DAT launches its websitesJAMMU: The Directorate of Accounts and Treasuries, J&K has

launched its official website and information pertaining to this

Directorate can be accessed under URL www.jkdat.nic.in.

This website provides information about who-is-who, organizational

set up, various aspects of functioning of the Directorate and the measures

taken from time to time for good governance. With the launch of this

website, a long pending requirement under the J&K Right to Information

Act, 2009 has also been fulfilled. Information seekers under the Act can

benefit from the material available on this website.

J&K Panel set up to probe Master Plan violationsJAMMU: Jammu & Kashmir government has reconstituted a panel

tasked with probing violations of Master Plan in residential colonies in

Jammu and Srinagar, and named former advisor to CM, Devinder Singh

Rana, as its Chairman. Amrit Malhotra, Chairman of the Legislative

Council, re-constituted the House Committee to look into the issue of

conversion of residential areas into commercial ones in violation of

Master Plan in the two capital cities. This was done in partial modifica-

tion of the order dated October 8, 2012 when the first panel was consti-

tuted by the Council. The panel had not submitted any report.

Devinder Singh Rana has been nominated the Chairman of the six-

member panel that has Murtaza Ahmad Khan, Jugal Kishore, B R

Kundal, Sheikh Ghulam Rasooland Mohammad Ashraf Mir as its mem-

bers.

JAMMU: With a view to ensure

quality pesticides products to the

farmers, Minister for Agriculture,

Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir today

asked Sarswati Agro Chemicals

(India) Pvt. Ltd to setup Analysis &

Research Centres in the State.

The Minister passed these direc-

tions during the inspection of pesti-

cide manufacturing company at Bari

Brahmana, this morning. He said

that "our main objective should be

to address the concerns of farmers

and they must be satisfied with the

quality products which they use. He

said this factor should be the motto

of the companies dealing with the

pesticides, insecticides and herbi-

cides. Director Law Enforcement,

Mr M.S.Katoo, Chief Agriculture

Officer Samba, Mr. R.K. Sharma

and other senior officers of

Agriculture and Law Enforcementaccompanied with the Minister.

The Minister went round all the

units of the company and was

briefed about the functioning and

management. The Minister was

apprised about the detailed func-

tioning of world class manufactur-

ing facility & equipments installed

with high quality labs and qualified

staff. The Pesticide, insecticide andherbicide units of the company are

housed in separate bui

vent them from cros

tion.Mr Mir emphasiz

anufacturing units for

the quality standards

facturing of such pest

benefit of the farmin

and also stressed to adh

norms as laid by thauthorities.

Set u p Analy s is & Research Cent reensure e f f i c iency o f agro p r odu c ts :

JAMMU: Minister for Forests,

Mian Altaf Ahmad today directed

the officers to implement all

approved projects by the Centre

under CAMPA scheme expeditious-

ly which are aimed at to improve

wildlife infrastructure in the State.

While reviewing the progress of

projects approved under CAMPA

scheme for protection and conser-vation of wildlife in Jammu and

Kashmir, at a meeting of officers

held here today, the Minister laid

stress on expeditious implementa-

tion of all the sanctioned projects

strictly under the Supreme Court

guidelines. He issued categorical

instructions to the concerned offi-

cers to make judicious use of funds

in a time bound manner to achieve

the financial targets.

The Minister maintained that

Centre has approved Rs. 13.20

crore under CAMPA for protection

and conservation of wildlife habi-

tats in the State and directed the

officers to gear up men and machin-ery to complete the projects in a

time bound manner. He said the

officers who will perform better

and achieve targets in time will be

suitably rewarded and poor per-

formers will face action, the

Minister asserted.

Giving details abou

of sanctioned pro

CAMPA scheme, the C

Warden said that nec

lines and instruction

issued to the field fun

taking up the projects

He said the work on

conservation proje

address man-animal related to eco-tourism

been taken up and

progress. He said an a

1.53 crore stands exp

Rs. 2.73 crore appr

2010-11 under the

added.

Centre approves Rs. 13.20 cr. under CAMPA: MianAsks for implementation of scheme in a time bound m

JAMMU: The Government is

working on new Master Plan 2021

for winter Capital Jammu to be

implemented in next ten years

envisaging its expansion over twice

of the present area of the city from

Purmandal to Akhnoor.

The Master Plan having been

framed by CEPT University,

Ahmadabad was discussed here

today at a high-level meeting with

Minister for Urban Development

Mr Nawang Rigzin Jora in the

chair.

Threadbare discussion was held

on wide ranging issues related to

the prospective requirements of

Jammu city and its development on

scientific lines with focus on mod-

ern sanitation system, green area

and clearly divided residential and

commercial areas, besides adequate

roads to meet the increasing traffic

rush. The meeting was informed

that at present the existing Jammu

city, with a population of 9,32,500

souls, is spread over on 175 sq km,

while as the projected population of

the city in 2021 is estimated to be

near to double with 17,62,425 souls

requiring an area of 404 sq kmt.

A power point demonstration of

the concept model envisaging

requirements of next ten year was

presented by experts from CEPT

University, Ahmadabad, who were

assigned the job to draw a compre-

hensive plan for the modern Jammu

city.

The new Master

city proposes dev

modern sanitation wi

Treatment Plants (STP

izing of water bodies,

of new and widening

roads , flyovers, sepa

Hospitals, Educationa

gardens, parks, indu

commercial areas bes

es on the National Hig

from Kathua to ease t

the city.

Discussing the pro

Plan, the Minister stre

to protect forest and

land during the imple

the New Plan.

Govt moots New Master Plan-2021 for Jamm

Minister for Agriculture, Mr. Ghulam Hassan Mir during the pesticide manufacturing company at Bari Brahmana


9/32

STATESTUDENT AGE


JAMMU:Admitting for the first

time that their efforts, hard work

and interactions with Kashmiri

people have gone all in vain, the

woman interlocutor, Professor

Radha Kumar Wednesday said that

people of Kashmir were disap-

pointed the way Central

Government made a fun of their

report and recommendations made

by the team of interlocutors headed

by renowned journalist Dilip

Padgounkar. "Central Government

cared a fig for our report and rec-

ommendations. Kash

are disappointed and

ting that. If our reco

don't suit the Central

at least it should do so

crete to address the

Kashmiri people on

Radha Kumar told N

and added that Kash

nessed no major ch

institutions and gove

last 2 years. Profe

Kumar said that most

mendation.

"Our recommendations wethrown in dust bin" : Radha K

NEW DELHI: Minister for

Urban Development and Urban

Local Bodies on Friday said that

Ladakh is one of the most impor-

ant regions of Jammu and

Kashmir State. He said though

egion having its own cultural and

inguist identity, the people of

Ladakh are very peace loving

people, like co-existence, and nat-

ural born of communal harmony

ociety. The Minister was speak-

ng at a Seminar on Ladakh,

organised by Institute of Peace

and Conflicts in collaboration

with India International Centre

here today. Highlighting varied

ssues faced by the people of Leh

and Kargil, its empowerment,

unctioning of Ladakh Hill

Development Council, its empow-

erment, problems being faced by

he Council, influx of tourists in

he region, impact of fast growing

tourism industry and tourists on

Ladakhi society and culture, posi-

tive and negative aspects on edu-

cation and environment.

The seminar was also

addressed among others by vari-

ous prominent Scholars having in-

depth studies of Ladakh including

Mr. S .S Blouria, Vice Chancellor,

Central University, Jammu, Mr.

Sadiq Wahid, former Vice

Chancellor, Islamic University

Kashmir, Mr. Motup, Dr.Kavita

Suri and put light on various

issues confronting to the people of

the Ladakh region in with the new

scenario emerging in this

Himalayan region.

Mr Jora while thanking to the

organisation for giving him an

opportunity to express his views

on this vital issue is concerning to

the people of his region and chal-

lenges being faced by them and

their possible solutions. He said

the seminar have also provided a

platform to the students of Ladakh

in studying various Universities

of National Capital, including

Jawaharlal Nehru University and

Jamia Millia to present their view

papers, express their view points

before the galaxy of scholars.

The Minister said that Ladakh

remains landlocked between

November to June as Srinagar-

Leh and Leh-Manali highways

remain closed because of snow

and rigorous winter, the people of

the region are facing tremendous

problems and hardships.

Calling the Ladakh the roof of

the World with an elevation of

11000 kms from the sea level,

best tourist destination. He said

that in the ancient times, the

Ladakh was a hub of trade activi-

ties.

Jora speaks on various issues confronting to Ladakh

MARDID: The Jammu and Kashmir government has

equested the Government of Spain to lift the negativeravel advisory issued to its citizens against visiting the

tate as the situation here has improved considerably.

The request to lift the advisory was made by state

Tourism Minister Mr. Ghulam Ahmad Mir during his

meeting with Spanish Tourism Officers here on Friday.

The Minister during his meetings and interaction

eceived positive response from the Spanish func-

ionaries and hoped that government of Spain would

lso lift the negative travel advisory and allow its citi-

ens to visit and avail holidays in mesmerizing tourist

estination of the State.

The Tourism Minister along with the officers of

Tourism Department is on the 4-day visit of Spain,

where they represent the State in International Trade

nd Travel Event to showcase the world famousourism potential of the Jammu and Kashmir.

The State government has installed various stalls

depicting varied tourism potential of all the regions ofthe State, besides publicity counters to familiarize the

participants about serene beauty of spots, besides

adventure, heritage and spiritual tourism of Jammu and

Kashmir. The delegation will also utilize the trip as pro-

motional campaign in the cities of Spain and motivate

Spanish people about the innovative measures taken by

the State government for developing new destinations

like Yousmarg, Doodpatheri, Lolab- Bangus valley,

Mughal road etc., besides creating of world class

tourism infrastructure with focus on development of

new attraction like gondola riding and eco- tourism.

Mr. Mir told the Spanish officials that Germany and

UK have already lifted its similar travel advisory

against Jammu and Kashmir following which a large

number of foreign tourists have visited the State thisyear.

JAMMU: The 55-day religious

voyage to Amarnath, the holy

Himalayan cave shrine of Lord

Shiva in south Kashmir, will begin

from June 28 this year, Shri

Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB)decided on Thursday.

The Board finalised the pil-

grimage to Amarnath, which

would commence on June 28 and

conclude on Raksha Bandhan on

August 21, CEO SASB Navin

Choudhary said.

This decision was taken by

SASB headed by its chairman N N

Vohra, Governor of Jammu and

Kashmir during a three-hour meet-

ing of the Board which was held in

New Delhi.

The Board directed the CEO to

arrange a special Pooja on JyesthPurnima on June 23.

The Board noted that even on

June 25, the date on which yatra

had commenced in 2012, there

was heavy frozen snow accumula-

tion in the Domel, Sheshnag and

holy cave camp areas because of

which it was difficult to set up

power and water supply facilities

in the yatra camps, a spokesman

said.

The CEO, said th

will have to furnish a

Health Certificate w

registration for yatra

He said a committeexperts from Un

Ministry and the

department had desig

mat of the Compul

Certificate and the p

now be required to s

mation in the form of

ration about his and

health status, past me

and various ailments

they may be suffering

suffered in the past.

To prevent the use

health certifica

Compulsory Healthwould be issued on

authorised doctors a

institutes, he said.

All the states an

been asked to furnish

tors and medical in

would be authorised

Compulsory Health C

the eligible Yatris of

UT, he said.

Amarnath Yatra to begin from Ju

SRINAGAR: Welcoming the

assurance of Prime Minister

Manmohan Singh on the imple-

mentation of Justice Verma

Committee's recommendations,

Jammu and Kashmir unit of

CPI(M) on Thursday said the

part of the report with regard to

AFSPA needs prompt implemen-

tation in the state and Northeast.

"The assurance from the

Prime Minister (on the Justice

Verma Committee recommenda-

tions) is welcome... The recom-

mendation about reviewing the

contentious AFSPA a

armed forces unde

criminal law to pre

offences against wo

state and the Northe

appreciated and ne

implementation," C

secretary M Y Tar

reporters here.

Referring to cor

unemployment in th

CPI(M) leader said t

ernment in power h

able to address these

isfact

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