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Vol No: XXII Issue No. 44 20.02.2017 (Monday) Daily Jammu Tawi Price ` 2/- Pages-12 Regd. No. JK|306|2014-16

INSI

DE 3

Govt indifferent to people'sproblems: Congress

Underlining the hardships faced bypeople in due to lackadaisical attitudeof the government, former DeputyChief Minister Tara Chand said dueto ineffective and poor...

5 7JKAC holds meeting,discuss various issues

A team of Jammu and KashmirAgainst Corruption (JKAC) held ameeting with the youth of DistrictRamban at Al Fallah WelfareFoundation Banihal, today....

Steering committee of CUCETholds meeting

A meeting of the Steering Committeeof the CUCET-2017 consortiumcomprising 11 Central Universitiesfrom across the country was held atGulmarg on Saturday. ...

northlinesDate Min Temp Max Temp Weather

20-Feb 15.0 23.0 Thunderstorm with rain21-Feb 13.0 24.0 Generally cloudy skywith possibility of rain or Thunderstorm or Duststorm22-Feb 12.0 25.0 Mainly Clear sky

3 DAY'S FORECAST SRINAGARDate Min Temp Max Temp Weather20-Feb 3.0 11.0 Rain or Snow21-Feb 2.0 12.0 Generally cloudy skywith possibility of rain or Thunderstorm or Duststorm22-Feb 1.0 13.0 Partly cloudy sky

3 DAY'S FORECAST JAMMU

CM meetsannoyedministers, nooutcome SRINAGAR, FEB 19

The stalemate caused dueto the resignation of twosenior PDP ministers whosubmitted theirresignations on Fridayfrom the Cabinetcontinued as they metChief Minister MehboobaMufti separately inSrinagar.While Basharat Bukharimet the Chief Ministertoday, Imran Ansari had ameeting with Mehboobalate Saturday. P2

Air Asia launchesSrinagarOperationsSRINAGAR, FEB 19

Low cost airline carrierAir-Asia started itsoperations here from todaywith the launch of itsmorning and eveningflights daily between Delhiand Srinagar.The inaugural flight fromNew Delhi today reachedat the SrinagarInternational Airport at 10am. Another flight to NewDelhi was also seen off bysoon after.The airline is also planningto connect Srinagar tomany other destinations inthe country in comingdays. P2

IN BRIEF

NL CORRESPONDENTNEW DELHI, FEB 19

The air Indians breathe is turningmore toxic by the day and anaverage of two deaths take placedaily due to air pollution, says anew study.According to medical journal TheLancet, over a million Indians dieevery year due to air pollution andsome of the worst polluted citiesof the world are in India.The study released this week butbased on 2010 data estimates thatglobally 2.7-3.4 million pretermbirths may be associated withPM2.5 exposure and South Asia isthe worst hit accounting for 1.6

million pre-term births.The study says causes of airpollution and climate change areintricately linked and needed to betackled together.The Lancet concludes that climatechange posed both a "potentiallycatastrophic risk to humanhealth", while conversely being"the greatest global healthopportunity of the 21st century" ifthe right steps are taken.The smog over northern India isextracting a heavy toll, everyminute two lives are lost in Indiadue to ambient air pollution, thestudy published in The Lancetsays.

Further, according an estimate bythe World Bank, this wouldamount to a whopping USD 38billion loss in income towardslabour in India.Air pollution has also emerged asthe deadliest form of pollutionand the fourth leading risk factorfor premature deaths worldwide,it says.Recently, 48 leading scientistsreleased the study and they findthat Patna and New Delhi theworst polluted cities of the worldfor PM 2.5 levels or the fineparticulate matter that hurts theheart most.The study notes that a broader

evidence base on interrelatedhealth and climate change trendswill notably help demonstrateclear co-benefits of action.An estimated 18,000 people dieevery day due to air pollutionexposure, making it the world'slargest single environmentalhealth risk.The World Bank in turn estimatesit costs the global economy USD225 billion a year in related lostlabour income.Contradicting some of the Indianreports, The Lancet says coal firedpower plants contribute to 50 percent of the ambient air pollution.Minister of State for

Environment, Forest and ClimateChange Anil Madhav Daverecently admitted in Parliamentthat the country spends a mere Rs7 crore annually on monitoring airpollution for a vast country ofIndia's size with a 1.3 billionpopulation.He had also said no credible studyto quantify number of people whohave developed lung and allieddiseases or number of deathsdirectly as a result of air pollutionis available.Science and Technology MinisterHarsh Vardhan, a trainedphysician himself, says,"Pollution when it starts affecting

lungs especially in little childrencan be a killer, it is like a slowpoison and there is no reason forme not to be worried, a lot hasbeen done, but still a lot thatneeds to be done."Meanwhile, called The LancetCountdown, this study will reportannually in The Lancet.With inputs from across theworld, some 16 institutions areacademic partners of theinitiative, including UniversityCollege London, TsinghuaUniversity and the Centre forClimate & Security among others.This is special collaboration withthe World P2

2 Indians die every minute due to air pollution: Study

NL CORRESPONDENTSRINAGAR, FEB 19 (KNS)

There were as many as 670developmental projectscosting rupees one crore orabove which had overshottheir scheduled completiondates due to which the stateexchequer has lost around1900 crores.The official documents inpossession reveals that theincomplete projects had atotal sanctioned cost ofrupees 3100 croresapproximately and an extraamount of rupees 1901.52crores had been expended onthese incomplete projectsand those are still notachieved completion.Furthermore, in respect ofsix projects of Public WorksDepartment (PWD), 41projects of PHE and sixprojects of PDD divisions,the cost was revisedupwards by a whoppingrupees 224.92 crores.However, there were nospecific reasons given overthe revising of the costs ofthe pending projects.The documents reveal thatfor public works in Jammuregion of the state, thenumber of incompleteprojects was 574, sanctionedat the cost of rupees 2452.69crores, The cost was laterrevised to the tune of rupees2518.93 crores, resulting the

extra expenditure of rupees1328.10 crores.In Power DevelopmentDepartment Jammu, thetotal incomplete projectswere 30 for which rupees525.29 crores weresanctioned. Owing to theincompletion of theseprojects, their costs werelater revised to rupees655.53 crores, resulting inan extra expenditure ofrupees 401.16 crores.In Public Health

Engineering Jammu, thetotal number of incompleteprojects was 56 in number.These projects weresanctioned at the cost ofrupees 81.92 crores. Thecost of these projects wasrevised to rupees 110.36,hence the extra expenditureincurred upon these projectsof PHE was 69.63 crorerupees.In the department ofIrrigation and Flood ControlKashmir, there were 11

incomplete projects,sanctioned at the cost of77.48 crore rupees.Meanwhile, be it theconstruction of roads,bridges or building powerinfrastructure, delay hasbecome synonymous to thefunctioning of governmentsin Jammu and Kashmir. Inthe power sector, upgrade oftransmission lines andconstruction of several hydelpower projects were earlierobstructed. P2

JK loses 1900 Cr to projects spill-over670 dev. projects worth 3100 crores gather dust, action a distant dream

SRINAGAR, FEB 19 (KNS)

The resolution passedunanimously by the upperhouse in Jammu andKashmir over declaringstate holiday on the birthanniversary of MaharajaHari Singh- the last King ofthe state, is pending with thegovernment and is awaitingthe final nod.Top sources within the statedispensation told KashmirNews Service (KNS) that onday when the LegislativeCouncil passed theresolution, its details weresent by the secretaryAssembly to SecretaryGeneral Administrative

Department. "It is a generalprocedure that wherever aresolution is passed in theUpper house of the statelegislature, its details areforwarded the GAD for

further action. Theresolution pertaining todeclaring state holiday onMaharaja Hari Singh'sbirthday has also been sentto the GAD for furtheraction thereof," sourceswithin the government toldKNS.It was informed further thatthe file is with thegovernment and is awaitingits final nod for action onground. "There hasn't beenany move forward over theissue as far as I know. It isthe government that has totake a final call over theissue now," divulged anofficial.On Jan 24, P2

File under consideration at GAD as Deputy Chairman asks Govt. to respond

Holiday on Maharaja Hari Singh'sB'Day awaits Government's nod

NL CORRESPONDENTJAMMU TAWI, FEB 19

The State Government hasinvited nominations fromAdministrative Secretariesfor appointment of newChief VigilanceCommissioner (CVC) andVigilance Commissioners inthe J&K State VigilanceCommission (SVC).The AdministrativeSecretaries have been askedto submit nominations by6th March 2017. "Noapplication will beentertained by the GeneralAdministration Department(GAD) directly from anyapplicant," a notificationissued by GAD said."Section-3 (3) of the J&KState Vigilance Commission

(Amendment) Act, 2011provides that the ChiefVigilance commissioner andthe VigilanceCommissioners shall beappointed from amongstpersons who have been orare in All India Service or inany Civil Service of theState or in a civil post underthe State having knowledgeand experience in thematters relating tovigilance, law, finance,policy making andadministration includingpolice administration," theGAD notification said.It said GAD videnotification dated:29.12.2011 has alreadyissued guidelines regardingthe appointment of CVCand VCs P2

Govt invites nominations forappointment of CVC, VC

Srinagar, Feb 19 (PTI)Jammu and Kashmir ChiefMinister Mehbooba Muftitoday vowed to take "anytough decision" for thebetterment of the state.She asserted that 'Agendaof Alliance' between PDPand BJP includes every"aspirational requirement"of the people."The party (PDP) has timeand again displayed that itwould rise to the occasionfor the welfare of thepeople and won't shy awayfrom even taking toughdecisions for thebetterment of the state,"she said.She was speaking at afunction in Budgam wheresenior Congress leaderNazir Ahmad Khan, son offormer ministerMuhammad Sarfaraz Khanand long-time associate oflate Chief Minister MuftiSayeed, joined PDP.In the last Assemblyelections, Khan lost to thethen Chief Minister Omar

Abdullah by a slendermargin of less than1,000 votes inBeerwah constituency.The Chief Ministersaid the successfulexecution of theAgenda of Alliance thecommon minimumprogramme with itscoalition partner BJP -would lead the state tothe heights of peace,prosperity anddevelopment.Mehbooba, who is alsothe PDP president, saidthe agenda of the PDP

is to change the situationof the state for the betterand its commitment andseriousness have beentested time and again."It is an open page of therecent history of Jammuand Kashmir that how PDPchanged the things when itcame to power in 2002. Beit on the political front orgovernance, everythingwitnessed a positivechange during that period,"she clamied.The party under theleadership of Sayeed hadtaken bold decisions totake the state out of thedifficult situation.Welcoming Khan,Mehbooba said he carriesthe political legacy and isfull of enthusiasm to workfor the people of the area.She said PDP needs youngleaders like Khan to carryforward and implement theagenda of the party whichaims at bringing happinessand prosperity back to thestate.

Won't shy away fromtaking tough decisions: CM

JAMMU, FEB 19 (KIP)

with support from thecongress and the NationalConference people haveignored the Army Chief'swarning to those trying todisturb attention of securityforces during encounters.Since the NationalConference and theCongress berated the ArmyChief for having issued apolitically motivatedstatement people inKashmir have shown norespect for the Army Chief'swarning. This waswitnessed during theencounter between militantsand security forces the otherday in Pulwama district

where people hurled stonesat the security forces whilethey engaged in flushing outmilitants.

In fact it has become afashion for people inKashmir to stage protestdemonstrations wheneversecurity forces cordoned offarea for eliminatingmilitants. This woulddistract the attention ofsecurity forces and in suchoperation two militants hadescaped . The Army Chief had warnedthose who will unfurl Pak orISIS flags or hurl stones atthe security forces will bedealt with a heavy hand.Official circles said thatpeople P2

Protesters ignore ArmyChief's warning

NL CORRESPONDENTSRINAGAR, FEB 19

Retired Lt General andformer Northern ArmyCommand Chief, D SHooda has said there hasbeen steady reduction oftroops in Jammu andKashmir over the years."We have de-inducted twodivisions from the Jammuregion. In the past, we havepulled out troops fromKashmir and moved theminto the Ladakh region.Actually, if you see, therehas been a fairly steadyreduction (of securityforces). You don't see it inthe Kashmir Valley becauseeveryone wears the sameuniform. The CRPF and theArmy are sort of wearing the

same uniform and standingon the streets. Roadprotection is largely theresponsibility of the CRPF,and you see so many of theirmen on the road that itappears like a hugemilitarised society. We havethinned out a lot but someminimum presence isrequired." Hooda told anational daily in aninterview. He said, "Though there is afeeling that the Army is notpulling out forces… Look atthe Jammu region. Over aperiod of time, the regioncooled down and forceswere pulled out. Today thesecurity cover is very thin.But what do you do whenyou have a situation like lastyear (in the Valley)? The

state can't abdicate itsresponsibility to establishlaw and order. So, we wereforced to push in someadditional troops to keep thesituation under control.There are no immediateanswers. There are no easysolutions. We need to sitdown, put our headstogether and find asolution."However, he said thepolitical issue of Kashmirissue has to be addressed."As far as the question of thepresence of the militaryforces on the ground isconcerned, well, it is like thechicken and egg story. See,when things are peaceful,the guys (security forces)will move out."Hooda P2

Steady troops reduction in JK:former Army Commander

NL CORRESPONDENTSRINAGAR, FEB 19

The state government hasinformed the Jammu andKashmir High Court that thestatus of the regular inquiryinto the scam involvingembezzlement of crores ofrupees in the Public HealthEngineering (PHE)Department, Handwara,would be submitted within

three weeks.The HC was also informedthat the Director General ofthe Audit and Inspections,J&K, was also conductingits inquiry and scrutinisingthe records.The scam of the PHEdivision, Handwara, whichwas unearthed in April 2014,involves fraudulentwithdrawal of crores ofrupees from the official

account which was managedby the Executive Engineer,PHE division, Handwara,under the National RuralDrinking Water Programme(NRDWP) scheme.Subsequently, the ChiefEngineer, PHE, Kashmir,had constituted a three-member committee to probethe allegations and find outthe truth. After scrutinisingthe records, the committee

in its detailed report inAugust 2014 hadrecommended that the primafacie evidence meritsreference of the case to theCrime Branch of the J&KPolice for investigation.Subsequently, the caseregistered at the Handwarapolice station wastransferred to the CrimeBranch on August 8, 2014. Meanwhile, P2

Govt. to submit PHE Scamreport to HC within 3 weeks

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Printed, Publish

JK loses 1900 Cr to

projects spill-overTwo years ago, work on the 850-MW Ratle project on

Chenab river at Drabshalla in Kishtwar district was

stopped as those who were accorded the project stated that

the "atmosphere around the site was insecure.'' The

company was forced to do this after people entered its site

offices "and harassed the staff demanding employment. At

present even, the snail's pace of work on this multi-crore

project is raising several eye brows in the state.

Moreover, the four-laning of the 300-km Jammu-Srinagar

highway was delayed due to land acquisition issues at the

67.7-km Srinagar-Banihal section. The contract was

awarded in September 2010 to a consortium of Ramky

Infrastructure (74 per cent stake) and China's Jiangsu

Provincial Transportation Engineering Group Co Ltd. The

venture had to design, build, finance, operate and transfer

the project on an annuity basis. The concession period was

20 years. The semi-annual annuity was Rs 134.82 crore and

the estimated project cost was Rs 1,101 crore. The project

is yet to witness completion with government claiming that

it would be completed soon. Earlier, it was scheduled to be

completed by June 2016. (KNS)

Govt. to submit PHE Scamreport to HC within 3 weeks

a PIL was filed by a petitioner before the High Court,

alleging that a number of irregularities and embezzlement

worth crores of rupees in a number of schemes like the

NRDWP, executed in the past, particularly from 2006, was

done in connivance with officers/officials at the helm of

affairs at the given point of time in the PHE division,

Handwara.

As the HC started monitoring the investigation into the

case, the PHE authorities placed 16 officers/officials,

including the then Executive Engineer, under suspension,

pending inquiry.

As the matter came up before a division bench of the High

court this week, the court demanded the status of the

regular inquiry into the matter.

"The state counsel states that the Director General, Audit

and Inspections, J&K, is very vigorously conducting an

inquiry and the same shall be concluded by the end of this

month. It is also stated that the status of regular inquiry will

be submitted within three weeks," the High Court observed

in its orders, while granting the Additional Advocate

General three weeks to file the statement of facts and

compliance report.

2 Indians die every minutedue to air pollution: Study

Health Organization (WHO) and the World Meteorological

Organisation (WMO) to promote synergies, collaborate on

data sources, and ensure strong engagement with

Ministries of Health.

Dr Diarmid Campbell-Lendrum, Head of the Health and

Climate Change team at the World Health Organization,

says, "The Paris Agreement was a landmark achievement -

the challenge now is to meet the targets agreed by world

leaders.

"The WHO is working directly with countries to provide

evidence of the specific health risks that each of them

faces, and the health opportunities of a resilient, low

carbon future - as well as the support that they need to

respond to this defining health issue of our time."

According to the WHO, compared with a future without

climate change, the following additional deaths for the year

2030 are projected, 38,000 due to heat exposure in elderly

people, 48,000 due to diarrhoea, 60,000 due to malaria, and

95,000 due to childhood undernutrition.

The WHO projects a dramatic decline in child mortality,

and this is reflected in declining climate change impacts

from child malnutrition and diarrhoeal disease between

2030 and 2050.

On the other hand, by the 2050s, deaths related to heat

exposure (over 100,000 per year) are projected to increase.

Impacts are greatest under a low economic growth scenario

because of higher rates of mortality projected in low- and

middle-income countries.

By 2050, impacts of climate change on mortality are

projected to be greatest in south Asia. These results

indicate that climate change will have a significant impact

on child health by the 2030s.

The World Bank estimated that 5.5 million lives were lost

in 2013 to diseases associated with outdoor and household

air pollution, causing human suffering and reducing

economic development.

The reports calls air pollution and climate change a

"potentially catastrophic risk to human health". The silver

lining is that citizens are waking up and the study finds that

almost 60 per cent of the people surveyed in India feel

climate change substantially harms people. - PTI

Holiday on Maharaja Hari Singh'sB'Day awaits Government's nod

this year, the upper house adopted a resolution urging the

government to declare holiday on September 23 every year

on birth anniversary of Maharaja Hari Singh, the last Dogra

king of Jammu and Kashmir. The private member

resolution was moved by BJP MLC, Ajatshatru Singh, who

is the grandson of the late Maharaja.

The resolution was accepted and Deputy Chairman

Jahangir Hussain Mir asked government to respond.

Minister of Education and Leader of the House Neeam

Akther said, "Jammu and Kashmir already observes 28

state holidays in addition to provincial, restricted, local

holidays," adding, "In this circumstance it's not feasible for

government to further increase the number of holidays,"

and urged Ajatshatru Singh to withdraw the resolution.

Normally members withdraw resolutions after reply from

the government but in this case Ajatshatru Singh refused to

withdraw and pressed for discussion and voting.

Several legislators from PDP and BJP praised the

administration of late Maharaja.

Govt invites nominations forappointment of CVC, VC

of J&K State Vigilance Commission keeping in view the

order of the Supreme Court in P J Thomas Case.

Pertinently, the incumbent Chief Vigilance Commissioner

and a Vigilance Commissioner of SVC are scheduled to

demit office by next week whereas other Vigilance

Commissioner shall demit office next month.

"While making a nomination, a note containing reasons

why in the opinion of the forwarding/sponsoring authority

the person is considered to be suitable for appointment as a

Chief Vigilance Commissioner/Vigilance Commissioner

including merit and integrity should be made part of the

nomination," the GAD notification said adding that up-to-

date curriculum vitae, including age, educational

qualification and details of all posts held by the officer

since the beginning of his/her career should be also

provided alongwith the nomination.

A copy of the detailed OM in this regard is available on

GAD website (www.JKgad.nic.in).

Protesters ignore ArmyChief's warning

would have not ignored Army chief's warning had not the

opposition political leaders questioned the Bipin Rawat's

warning. These circles suggested to the political

leaders to abstain from criticizing the Army Chief's

warning because that was meant to save precious

lives.(KIP)

Steady troops reduction inJK: former Army Commander

believes there is an element of anger of certain level among

the youth. "There is need for engagement, particularly

with the youth. I think 70% of the population there is below

30 years of age. They don't have opportunities. They are

also reluctant to come out of the state. There is enough

scope for generating employment. There is scope for

talking to these guys, understanding what they need. We

need to talk to the traders, taxi owners, people in the

tourism industry, students etc."

He said there are enough opportunities of employment

generation in the state. He said there is a huge tourism

industry, there is horticulture, local handicrafts. "But how

do we utilise it? Ultimately, everyone wants a peaceful life.

I don't think anyone wants this turmoil."

He said if the Army has to be in the state, then there is no

option but to have AFSPS. "Otherwise, legally, the Army

is not supposed to intervene in internal situations. Has the

situation improved, and can we say that the military can be

pulled out and things can be left entirely to the police and

para-military forces? I don't think we have reached that

situation, although the Army has always held the view that

internal security situations are best handled by the police,"

he added.

Further he said the Army has cleaned up its human rights

record over the years.

CM meets annoyedministers, no outcome

Bukhari held a nearly two-hour meeting with the Chief

Minister wherein he discussed issues which he had raised

in his resignation letter.

"I raised the very political issues raised in the

communication (resignation letter). We also discussed

many governmental, administrative, party as well as some

personal issues," Basharat Bukhari told over phone to

media. He, however, did not disclose whether he would

withdraw his resignation. Sources, however, said

Mehbooba urged Bukhari to join his new ministry while

promising to discuss his concerns later.

After his meeting with the Chief Minister, the group of

senior party leaders headed by vice-president Sartaj Madni

met Bukhari at his Srinagar residence. "Bukhari flew to

Jammu, where further discussions will be held," a source

said, adding that the issue would be resolved.

Late Saturday, influential Shia leader Imran Ansari met the

Chief Minister. "Imran met the Chief Minister and insisted

that she should fulfill the promise made to him that at the

time of reshuffle he would get a new ministry," said

Zadibal MLA Abid Ansari and Imran's uncle said. "He

needs a ministry where he can help people. After all, we

have to seek votes."

The PDP sources said the talks with Ansari and Bukhari

were on track and a breakthrough was expected shortly.

Ansari was heading for a pilgrimage trip to Mecca along

with his family, the sources added.

Within hours after the Altaf Bukhari was sworn in as

Education Minister on Friday, the PDP celebrations were

interrupted by the news that senior PDP ministers Bukhari

and Ansari had resigned.

Both ministers are not happy at the treatment meted out to

them in the reshuffle of portfolios.

The sources said the resignations were triggered by the

allotment of Public Works Ministry to Naeem Akhter as

some ministers have been resentful about him getting

important portfolios without being elected by the voters.

The resignations created a buzz in Jammu and Kashmir,

with questions being raised about the well-being of the

party.

Air Asia launchesSrinagar Operations

The Chief Minister welcomed the airline carrier hoping it

would augur well for the coming tourist season in the State

and also facilitate local people with more connectivity to

other cities in the country. Facing pressures, the airline has

decided to recruit all its cabin crew and ground staff

locally.

FROM PAGE 1

2 CITYthe northlines

Jammu | Monday | Feb | 20 | 2017

NEW DELHI: A seniorUnion Home Ministry officialhas slammed the Delhi policefor framing two youths fromJammu and Kashmir in theserial blasts case ahead ofDiwali in 2005 and has alsoraised a question mark on the

kind of policing and criminaljustice system in the country.Senior IPS officer and JointSecretary (North East) in theHome Ministry SatyendraGarg took to the facebook toslam the shoddy investigationsby the Delhi police in the 2005

terror case. "If you are in jailfor more than 11 years for acrime which court finds youhave not done, you must besick of the system. I try toimagine the mental states oftwo persons arrested for 2005Delhi blasts, who spent 11 long

years in Jail and now the courtclears them of all charges, onewonders the type of policingwe have, the type of criminaljustice system we have whereinnocents can be made tospend as much as 11 years inJail," Garg said in his comment

posted on the facebook pageThis is the first time a seniorserving police officer hasspoken about the injusticemeted out to the two youthswrongly implicated in terrorcases on flimsy grounds andfalse charges.

After wasting 12 long years inTihar jail here, the two --Mohammad Rafiq Shah andMohammad Hussain Fazli --were acquitted earlier thisweek by a Delhi court thatruled the evidence against themwere "fabricated and flimsy".

Senior MHA officer slams Delhi police for shoddy probe in 2005 serial blasts case

Director General (DG),

Indian Institute of Mass

Communication, K. G.

Suresh, called on Minster

of State for Education for

Education, Technical

Education Priya Sethi to

discuss modalities for

establishment of permanent

campus of the Institute in

Jammu.

During the meeting, the

Minister assured him of

government's full support

towards development and

growth of the institution in

the State for the benefit of

students. She stated that

efforts would be made to

make IIMC's Jammu

campus a hub for media

education in North India.

She further said that an

independent community

radio station would also be

established at IIMC, once

the permanent campus is

made operational in

Jammu.

DG, IIMC apprised the

Minister that construction

work of boundary wall on

the allotted land measuring

122 kanal at Keran in

Bantalab is going on in full

swing and would be

completed in next three

months.

He further conveyed that

IIMC is planning for short

term and refresher courses

in media communication

for students and working

journalists in the State,

besides reserving about 15

per cent seats at its campus

for students from Northern

regions. Besides, IIMC has

also nominated two senior

journalists, Rahul Jalali and

Rakesh Khar as member of

the editorial board and

Chairman of Admission

Commission, 2017-18

respectively, he added.

Speaker Legislative

Assembly, Kavinder Gupta,

today inaugurated a free

medical camp at Lakshmi

Narayana Mandir organized

by the Rotary Club Jammu

City in collaboration with

Swift Hospital Amritsar.

A team of expert doctors

from Swift Hospital

Amritsar including Chief

ENT and Head/Neck

Surgeon, Dr Prahlad Duggal,

Neuro Surgeon, Dr Dushyant

Thaman, Chief Orthopedic

Surgeon, Dr Ravijot Singh

and Consultant Plastic

Surgeon, Dr Vikas Kakkar

extended healthcare services

to the participants of the

camp.While speaking on the

occasion, Kavinder Gupta

appreciated the camp

organizers saying that such

philanthropic measures are

the need of the hour to save

many precious lives of poor

and needy people. Such

medical camps immensely

help in early detection of

several prevalent ailments

besides suggesting

preventive measures to the

people at their doorsteps, he

added. He asked the people

to take optimum benefit of

such camps and adopt

healthy lifestyle to prevent

themselves from several

diseases.

Speaker said the problem of

chronic diseases in the

country has assumed

epidemic proportions and

such initiatives by the

medicos are imperative for

educating the people about

the symptoms of various

diseases besides

recommending preventive

measures so that they get

timely treatment.

During the camp, patients

were provided free

medicines and were assured

free follow up visits.

Among others who were

present on the occasion

included President, Rotary

Club, senior BJP leader,

Gulchain Singh Charak,

members of Rotary Club,

trustees of Lakshmi Narayan

Mandir Trust and patients.

3 STATE the northlinesJammu | Monday | February 20| 2017

Department of Archives,

Archaeology & Museums,

Jammu and Kashmir in

collaboration with Shasvat

Art Gallery, Jammu and

Indian National Trust for Art

and Cultural Heritage

(INTACH) is organizing five

day workshop-cum-

Exhibition regarding

"Preservative Conservation

of Manuscripts" on Tuesday

(21-02-2017) at Kala

Kendra, Jammu. The

workshop has been

sanctioned by National

Mission for Manuscripts,

Ministry of Culture,

Government of India, for

creating awareness among

general public/Scholars

regarding the importance

and preservation

methods/techniques of

Manuscript Conservation

Resource persons from apex

conservation institutions of

India are expected to deliver

lectures. Near about 45

participants are expected to

attend the 5 days workshop.

Besides workshop,

exhibition of rare

calligraphic specimens, rare

Thangka's, Manuscripts, and

painting shall be displayed.

Minister of State for Culture,

Education, Tourism,

Floriculture, Priya Sethi will

inaugurate the Exhibition,

while as Secretary Culture

Dilshad Khan, V.V. Reddy,

Director, National Mission

for Manuscripts, Ministry of

Culture Government of India

will be present at

inauguration function.

According to officials, the

state of Jammu and Kashmir

possesses an un-interrupted

account of oriental learning,

which can be traced to the

beginning of history. By

virtue of its uniqueness, the

state has remained a

sanctuary of a mixed and

harmonised culture. The

State has produced a galaxy

of philosophers, scholars,

poets, historians, physicians,

mathematicians and not a

single branch of knowledge

has been left untouched by

them and this mental

exercise has never cooled

down but continues even at

present.

Workshop on 'Preventive Conservation of Manuscripts' to begin on Feb 21NL CorrespondentJammu Tawi, Feb 19

JKPSA holds meeting,highlight demandsJammu, Feb 19

To discuss their burning issues, Jammu and Kashmir

Private School Association on Sunday conducted an

Inter-State Conference of Private schools in which they

demanded a clear cut policy for low budget school. They

also warned if government will fail to bring a

comprehensive policy for low budget school running

across the state then they would launch an agitation

against callous attitude of the government at Jantar

Manter, New Delhi.

Addressing the conference, the speakers said, "Should

come out with the clear cut policy to support the low

budget Private Schools which are being run by the

educationist who has passion in providing the education

by charging nominal amount as fees.

They said that axe of the government always falls on the

low budget private schools reason they are not pro poor

people as these schools work for the poor marginal and

minority community. Meanwhile, they also highlighted

the issues pertaining to the new education policies of the

State government for conduct of the examination from

class 5th to 9th & 11th, constitution of new committee to

examine and keep a check on fee structure of unaided

Private Schools, imposition of fine @ Rs. 250/ - per day

to the unaided schools by the Director School Education

on the basis of RTI, increase in number of formalities and

others. Others who were present during the occasion

including Sanjeev Luthra, Lal Chand, O.P. Chandail,

Siddeshwar Sadotra, Chain Singh, Sat Paul Mansotra, R.P

Sharma, Vaneet Gupta, Ajay Kotwai.

CSIR-Indian Institute of

Integrative Medicine (CSIR-

IIIM) on Sunday conducted

'On-the-spot Floral

Painting/Drawing Competition'

at CSIR-IIIM Main campus,

Jammu.

The main purpose of this event

was to ignite the passion for

natural beauty its conservation

and attract the children towards

plant biology especially flowers

and promotion of

entrepreneurship in future

towards floriculture. Around

562 children from 43 different

schools and individuals from

civil society of Jammu region of

J&K participated in the event.

It is pertinent to mention here

that this programme is a part of

'National Seminar-cum-

Exhibition of Kisan Mela,

Entrepreneurship Programme

and Flower Show, 2017' which

will be organized on March 5 at

CSIR-IIIM Farm, Chatha.

The event was categorized in

three age groups viz. Group I

(5-8 years), Group II (9-12

years) and Group III (13-16

years). Children of Group I,

Group II and Group III were

given Gerbera, Nasturtium and

Rose flowers for painting

respectively. Three participants

of each group will be chosen for

prizes. Result of the floral

painting/ drawing competition

will be sent to their respected

schools and prizes will be

distributed on March 05 during

National Seminar-cum-

Exhibition of Kisan Mela,

Entrepreneurship Programme

and Flower Show, 2017 at

CSIR-IIIM Farm, Chatha.

Dr. Suphla Gupta, Dr. Bikarma

Singh, Dr. V.P Rahul, Rajni

Kumari, Chandra Pal Singh,

Rajendra Gochar and other

staff members of CSIR-IIIM

Jammu were also present

during the event.

Kavinder inaugurates medical campNL CorrespondentJammu Tawi, Feb 19

DG IIMC calls on Priya SethiNL CorrespondentJammu Tawi, Feb 19

Minister for PHE, Irrigation &

Flood Control Sham Lal

Choudhary today said the

objective of the department is to

supply clean and pure drinking

water to the people of the State.

For this, the government has

adopted holistic approach

through conjunctive use of

surface, ground and rain water

harvesting, the Minister said

while addressing a gathering

after inaugurating a tube well at

Bakshi Nagar constructed by

Economic Reconstruction

Agency (ERA) at a cost of Rs 1.5

crore.

The water supply scheme having

a discharge capacity of 3 lakh

gallons per day will provide

clean drinking water to 10000

people in Bakshi Nagar,

Maheshpura, Resham Ghar,

Shopping Centre and Gurha

Bakshi Nagar.

The Minister further said the

department is constructing 19

new Water Supply Schemes to

further streamline water supply

scenario in Jammu city and

directions have been given to

complete these schemes by the

end of this year. The department

has been asked to fix leakages in

water pipes and it is the

responsibility of the general

public to immediately inform the

department if they find leakage

of clean drinking water at any

place, he stressed.

MLA, Jammu West in his

address, said the tube well will

definitely help in further

streamlining the water supply in

the area. The work on

constructing seven new tube

wells in the area is going on in

full swing for ensuring that

people don't face any difficulty

in getting sufficient drinking

water in the ensuing summer

season, he informed.

Chief Engineer, PHE Susheel

Aima, Chief Engineer, I&FC

Rajeev Gandotra, Chief

Executive Officer, ERA Vinod

Sharma and other officers of the

department were present on the

occasion.

'Govt working on streamliningpotable water supply'

NL CorrespondentJammu Tawi, Feb 19

Urging the government of Jammu

and Kashmir to bring a legislation to

protect the socio-economic and

ethno-cultural individuality of

Scheduled Tribe communities of

State- the Gujjars and Bakerwals

after conclusion of a programme

organized by Tribal Research and

Cultural Foundation- the speakers

pleaded to provide identical rights to

them which were granted to other

ST communities of India. Attended

by a number of tribal dignitaries the

programme was presided over by

well known Tribal scholar Dr. Javaid

Rahi which was held here on the

topic ' Tribal Rights in India -an

over view of state of J&K State'.

Dr. Javaid Rahi, in his presidential

address stated that 12 ST groups of

J&K state are struggling hard since

many years for a legislation which

can empower the tribes of the state

with identical to rights provided in

the Constitution of India. He said

tribes have many expectations for

Chief Minister Mebooba Mufti who

is also the Tribal Minister.

He said the Indian Constitution

gives many special rights to Tribal

like 'Political Reservation- under its

Article 334, Forest Rights Act -

2006, SC/ST prevention of

Atrocities Act-1989, Rehabilitation

Act -2013 and Conservation Act -

1980 but all these Act are not

extended to state of Jammu and

Kashmir because of its special

status.

He said, "A state Act can enable the

tribes to get identical rights enjoyed

by the nomadic/tribes of other

states of India. Since State have no

identical Act/ Provisions of its own

like other Indian States have, the

tribal of J&K are less empowered in

country said a speaker and added ST

status in J&K is like ALC/RBA

category and no special provisions

were made to strengthen it like it

exists in other states.

Those who spoke on the occasion

included; Dr Rafeeq Chouhan,

Waris Ali Mohammad Din Banya,

Shabnum Rafeeq Bajran, Ali

Hussain Khatana, Bashir Bajad,

Haneef Lodha.

Bring legislation to protecttribal identity: TRCF

NL CorrespondentRajouri, Feb 19

CSIR-IIIM organizes

painting competition NL CorrespondentJammu Tawi, Feb 19

Underlining the hardships

faced by people in due to

lackadaisical attitude of the

government, former Deputy

Chief Minister Tara Chand

said due to ineffective and

poor delivery of the

administration at the ground

level, the public had to bear

the harassment daily.

He said people living in

border areas and far-off belts

were facing huge

administrative deficit.

Addressing a one-day

convention of party workers

at Halqa Marh, he said

people living alongside the

International Border (IB)

were the worst sufferers.

The party convention was

organised by former MLA

and general secretary

Pradesh Congress

Committee (PCC) Balwan

Singh to project the

problems and issues faced

by the residents of the area.

Speaking on the occasion,

Balwan Singh said the PDP-

BJP coalition had failed on

all fronts. He regretted that

except tall promises nothing

constructive had been done

on the grounds and problems

of the common masses were

compounding with every

passing day due to the "anti-

people" policies being

propagated by this regime.

Singh added that poor

people were going through

tough times due to the

indifferent attitude of the

government as the quota of

ration and other essential

commodities was being

denied to them. He said

soaring prices had made the

life of people extremely

difficult and the government

should immediately ensure

that people get their share of

ration.

Raising the issues pointed

by Congress Vice-President

Rahul Gandhi, the former

MLA said post

demonetisation, relevant

questions had been asked

from the BJP-led

government and five points

raised bring to the fore the

ill-conceived drive launched

by the Prime Minister. He

called upon party cadres to

prepare for the panchayat

elections and lambasted the

government for playing with

the real spirit of the 73rd

amendment and the local

self-government concept.

Govt indifferent to people'sproblems: Congress

NL CorrespondentJammu Tawi, Feb 19

Printed, Publish

4 HOME & GARDENthe northlines

Jammu | Monday | Feb | 20 | 2017

Considered to be one of the most dirty things we pay

least attention to, laptop keyboards

n e e d y o u r attention this

weekend. This th ree - s tep p r o c e s s will help you clean y o u r l a p t o p without causing any damage t o y o u r cyber world. Here's how...-Use distilled water to clean your laptop. And, if heavy cleaning is

required then use homemade solutions like white vinegar with water. No

alcohol, ammonia should be used.-After the solution is made, put it in a

Rains might poke the romantic avatar in some but for many, it is also becomes a reason to stay confined to their homes while it rains cats and dogs outside. The sight of an overcast sky and the raindrops tapping incessantly at the window glass is a recipe for melancholia. Here’s how to bring back the fun.

C re a t e a recipe bookMake recipe cards — the shabbier the better. Collect photos from big family dinners. Hunt out old champagne and wine labels. Compile the memorabilia by time period or holiday. Affix the items horizontally in an unlined journal. Use photo corners for pictures and

recipe cards and adhesive for labels and clippings. Stick a title on the front of the journal with alphabet stickers, and finish off with a ribbon.

Your own film festQueue up DVDs of classics (Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, Amar Akbar, Anthony), old (Andaz Apna Apna) and new (The Dark Knight), and have a marathon screening. Keep a cozy throw at hand to snuggle under, a big bowl of popcorn to dip into, and settle in to enjoy the show.

No-battery gamesThere are plenty of games you can play that don’t require paraphernalia or even batteries. Like the “one-word story”. Starting with “Once upon a time,” go around the room and have each person add a single word to the story. To make things easier, decide on a genre in advance — vampire, horror or fairytale.

Take to craftThere’s nothing like creative time to beat the monsoon blues. Start with origami. Or if you’re a klutz, look around the house for items that you might not normally use for crafting — dry pasta, magazines, paper bags, straws, string, newspaper, fabric scraps or old socks. Then bring out the glue, tape, scissors and markers, and have a blast.

Indoor treasure huntMake one set of clues for every player (try rhyming the clues for fun), each clue leading to the next one and, finally, to the treasure. Seal them in envelopes marked with a clue number (like “four of eight”); this will help the treasure

If you have a large window at a strategic point, there is no

reason why you should cover it with a curtain. It can, in fact turn

into one of the biggest attraction points of your home, if you decorate it right!Here are some tips to add glamour to your window.

Foliage magic : Nothing looks better than fresh green vines decorating a

window. Plant a few all weather creepers and make them climb

on your window. You can use artificial plants as well.

Lacy Charm: If you want an elegant, dreamy look

for your house, lace curtains are the best

choice to deck up your window. You can get laces stitched t o

your existing curtains to cut down the budget.Chirpy Chimes: For happy tinkling that will add a festive fervor to your home, use chimes to dress up your windows. For a sweet disharmony, use chimes with differently shaped rods.Cage Couture: Cages are the new rage today. You can stuff them with flowers,

3 simple tips to clean

Things to do at home on a wet wet day

hunters keep track. Whoever solves the clues first and finds the treasure — movie tickets, chocolate — is the winner.

Fun tea partyYou’ll need to call friends over, or gather the family around for this one. Dress up in the fanciest — or the most ridiculous — clothes you have. Set the table with the good china. On the menu could be tea, hot chocolate, egg or chicken salad, muffins and tea sandwiches in fun shapes. If you have kids, ask them to bring along their dolls and soft toys for the party.

Mini marshmallow popping contestThis one will require a bit of effort, but is lots of fun. Knot the end of a balloon, then snip off ½ inch from the top. Stretch the balloon over the cutoff end of a paper cup so that the knot is in the centre. Place a mini marshmallow into the cup so it fits snugly in the knotted centre of the balloon. While aiming the cup away from you, pull the knot back, release, and send the marshmallow soaring. See who can pop marshmallows the farthest or get the most into a bowl that is kept a few feet away.

Camp indoorsCreate tents by draping sheets over the couch. Make them comfy with pillows and sleeping bags. Follow through with an indoor picnic.The most severe form of weather-based emotion is known as SAD (seasonal affective disorder). The signs are severe hopelessness or anxiety. Arrange your environment so that you receive maximum sunlight. Move furniture so that you sit near a window. Installingskylights and adding lamps can also help.

5 ideas to dress up Your WindowsWindows5 ideas to dress up

leaves and candles and hang them for a pretty, dainty look!Dazzling lights: What can be prettier than colourful glow bulbs arrangd in an array, or lovely hanging tea lights? You can also buy hanging lamps and put them on the curtain hanger.According to Shruti S, decorator and design enthusiast, " It is important to keep

the decor of your home in mind while decking up a window. Ensure that you do not clutter it and keep space for light and sunshine.""You can create a kitsch look by hanging paraphernalia which do not exactly match, but create a lively, bright look as a whole," she adds.

small container and use it like a spray from top to get the fine mist.-A soft disposable cloth is best, since it will help to reduce the risk of leaving streaks across the screen from finger pressure. Wipe the cloth against the screen in a circular and consistent motion.

Your laptopYour laptop

Make creative use of mirrors in your home décorApart from telling you that you look beautiful everyday, mirrors can be used creatively at strategic points in the house to enhance the decor. Here are some ways to use them in a creative manner.Add sparkle to your cookingMirrors in the kitchen can attract grease and grime, so use them in a smart way. One way of doing this is by using an antique mirror with a smoky effect. Place them in such a way that they don't attract unnecessary soot.Mirrors for outdoor areasIf you have an outdoor area, terrace or a big balcony you can use a clear mirror to make the space look much larger. Use mirrors with appropriate frames as per the theme of the outdoor area.Smart use of mirrors in the bedroomAccording to vaastu and feng shui experts, mirrors placed in front of your sleeping area are a strict no, but with proper advice and creativity you can place them in areas other than these. Place them in such a way that they reflect light from the lampshade.Make the bathroom look elegantUse lean mirrors instead of bulky ones for the bathroom area with shades like bronze, cinnamon and dark chocolate. You can also buy modern mirrors with chrome finish.Try mirrored furnitureYou can buy mirrored furniture like a chest of drawers or coffee table with mirrors on it. If you have a small roon, you can place them next to a wall and it will give an illusion of the floor extending beyond the wall.Use them creatively in your hall

Take mirrors of different shapes and sizes and frame them. The frames can be ornate, antique, funky or anything that you like. Create a collection of these frames on the wall and they will look like artwork. Mirrors can also be used to lighten the look of your seating area if you have used vibrant paint on the wall.Do's and Don'ts while using mirrorsDo use big mirrors in small rooms.This creates an illusion of

adding more depth to the room, so go ahead and use a big mirror.Try having wall-to-wall mirrors.Do use mirrors even in small spaces.Use a horizontal mirror in a narrow hallway or staircase, to widen the space.Don't just use mirrors anywhere.Dont't hang a mirror to cover any empty wall space.Make sure the miror reflects something good to look at and not a pile of unused things in the hall or a laundry basket in the bathroom.Don't have too many mirrors in the kitchen since they need constant maintenance.

5 KATHUA the northlinesJammu | Monday | February 20| 2017

In the court of Distt. JudicialMobile Magistrate(T), Kathua

Present Sh. Munish K Manhas

Vinod Singh S/o Hazoor Singh R/o Village Nanan,Tehsil andDistrict kathua. (Petitioner)

V/s Chief Medical Officer, Kathua.(Respondent)

Petition U/s 13(3) of registration of Birth/Death Act, seekingdirection to the respondent to enter the Birth particulars of thepetitioner's daughter Namely Manvi Devi D/o Vinod Singh &Smt.Anita Devi R/o Village Nanan,Tehsil and District kathua .Whowas born on 15-06-2014. at home.

*Proclamation*Whereas petitioner has field the above titled petition in this court forissuing direction to respondent regarding registration of birthparticulars of petitioner's daughter Namely Manvi Devi D/o VinodSingh & Smt.Anita Devi R/o Village Nanan,Tehsil and DistrictKathua .Who was born on 15-06-2014. at home.and through themedium of this proclamation, general public is informed that anyperson/s has/have to the same, in that event he/she/they shall fileobjection before this court on/or before 04-03-2017, failing whichappropriate order shall be passed. Take notice that in case the datefixed is declared holiday, the matter shall be taken in the nextworking day.

DJMM (T), Kathua.

In the court of Distt. JudicialMobile Magistrate(T), Kathua

Present Sh. Munish K Manhas

Vinod Singh S/o Hazoor Singh R/o Village Nanan,Tehsil andDistrict kathua. (Petitioner)

V/s Chief Medical Officer, Kathua.(Respondent)

Petition U/s 13(3) of registration of Birth/Death Act, seekingdirection to the respondent to enter the Birth particulars of thepetitioner's son Namely Vansh Singh S/o Vinod Singh & Smt.AnitaDevi R/o Village Nanan,Tehsil and District kathua .Who was bornon 14-03-2011 at home.

*Proclamation*Whereas petitioner has field the above titled petition in this court forissuing direction to respondent regarding registration of birthparticulars of petitioner's son Namely Vansh Singh S/o Vinod Singh& Smt.Anita Devi R/o Village Nanan,Tehsil and District kathua.Who was born on 14-03-2011 at home and through the medium ofthis proclamation, general public is informed that any person/shas/have to the same, in that event he/she/they shall file objectionbefore this court on/or before 04-03-2017, failing which appropriateorder shall be passed. Take notice that in case the date fixed isdeclared holiday, the matter shall be taken in the next working day.

DJMM(T), Kathua.

In the court of Distt. JudicialMobile Magistrate(T), Kathua

Present Sh. Munish K Manhas

Gulshan Kumar S/o Jai Gopal R/o Uttri,Tehsil and District Kathua. (Petitioner)

V/s Chief Medical Officer, Kathua.(Respondent)

Petition U/s 13(3) of registration of Birth/Death Act, seekingdirection to the respondent to enter the Birth particulars of thepetitioner's son Namely Shivam Verma S/o Rekha Kumari &Sh.Gulshan Kumar R/o Uttri,Tehsil and District kathua .Who wasborn on 14-11-2010 at home.

*Proclamation*Whereas petitioner has field the above titled petition in this court forissuing direction to respondent regarding registration of birthparticulars of petitioner's son Namely Shivam Verma S/o RekhaKumari & Sh.Gulshan Kumar R/o Uttri,Tehsil and District kathua.Who was born on 14-11-2010 at home and through the medium ofthis proclamation, general public is informed that any person/shas/have to the same, in that event he/she/they shall file objectionbefore this court on/or before 02-03-2017, failing which appropriateorder shall be passed. Take notice that in case the date fixed isdeclared holiday, the matter shall be taken in the next working day.

DJMM (T), Kathua.

In the court of Ld SpecialMobile Magistrate, Kathua

Present: Sh.Sunil Sangra

Harjeet Singh V/s Chief Medical Officer, Kathua

Petition U/s 13(3) of registration of Birth/Death Act, seekingdirection to Chief Medical Officer, and Kathua to register the dateof birth particular of petitioner namely Samardeep Kour D/o HarjeetSingh R/o Rakh Lachhipur Tehsil and District Kathua.

*Notice to Public at Large*Whereas petitioner has field the above titled petition in this court forissuing direction to respondent regarding registration of birthparticular of petitioner namely Samardeep Kour D/o Harjeet SinghR/o Rakh Lachhipur Tehsil and District Kathua who was born on 12-01-2010 And through the medium of this proclamation, generalpublic is informed that any person/s has/have to the same, in thatevent he/she/they shall file objection before this court on or before10 days from date of this notice failing which appropriate order shallbe passed. Take notice that in case the date fixed is declared holiday,the matter shall be taken in the next working day.

Given under my hand and seal of this court today the17th day of feb.2017.

Sd/-Special Mobile Magistrate,

Kathua

Jammu Sanskriti SchoolKathua celebrated its firstAnnual Day "Prayaas"(inculcation of ethicalvalues). This came acrossclearly during the AnnualDay celebration 2016-17,"Prayaas-I show casing, "Apositive and constant striveto give our best efforts,eventually. We willovercome our immediateproblems and are ready forgreater challenges." RameshKumar (IAS), DC Kathuawas the Chief Guest, Rajesh

Sharma DC Excise,Lakhanpur as the Guest of Honour and YasinChoudhary (IAS), was thespecial invitee. The programbegan with the ceremoniallightening of the auspiciouslamp by all the dignitariesamidst reciting of shlokas.Various cultural activitieswere performed by our littleSanskritians and spread themagic by their artisticperformances. In his speech,Chief Guest Ramesh Kumar(IAS) motivated thestudents . He appreciatedthe efforts of students andstaff. He further added, that

in order to gain success wehave to face manydifficulties and face themwith courage. Guest ofhonour Rajesh Sharma DCExcise appreciated thefunction and motivated thestudents to work hard andstruggle for success. Specialinvitee Yasin Choudhary(IAS) said that suchprogrammes based on moralvalues should beencouraged as a resultchildren will be able tounderstand them nicely.Shuchita Gupta, Principal ofJammu Sanskriti SchoolKathua with immense pride

presented the Annual Reportshowcasing andbroadcasting the accoladesand laurels notched by thestudents of the school in their pursuit for excellencein all fields like sports,scholastic and co-scholasticetc. Shuchita Gupta spokeabout her future plans fornurturing and promotingJammu Sanskriti SchoolKathua. Chairman HarpreetSingh Anand alsoappreciated the hard workdone by the students tomake the annual function anunforgettable event. Parentsof the children, specialinvitees and principals fromvarious reputed schoolswere also present on thisoccasion. Rohini Aima vicechairperson cum principalof Jammu Sanskriti School,Jammu concluded theprogramme with a vote ofthanks.

JSS celebrates its first Annual Day

Notice I, Naresh Kumar S/o Sh.Puran Chand R/o PatelNagar, Kathua, going forthe correction of mymother's name which hasbeen wrongly written asAnju Bala instead of AnjuDevi in my 8th & 10thclass mark sheet under Roll No.2611028 Session 2016(Annual). Objection, if any, may be conveyed to concernedauthority within 7 days from the publication of this notice.

Notice I, Rajesh Kumar S/o Sh. Dev Raj R/o ward no. 2 Kathua,have lost cheque of my current account bearing regd.no.31676254037 and cheque no. 031138. Now, I am applyingfor the cancellation of this cheque. Objection, if any, may beconveyed to concerned authorities within 7 days from thepublication of this notice.

NL CorrespondentKathua, Feb 19

Expressed grave concern over scarceavailability of rations, especiallysugar at the CAPD outlets across thePoonch District, former MLA andProvincial President Youth NationalConference Ajaz Jan on Sunday askedthe government to shoulder the basicminimum responsibility ofgovernance and solve the problems ofpeople forthwith.

Addressing party workers at MandiPoonch, Jan said the PublicDistribution System (PDS) outlets arealmost empty, forcing rationees towait for weeks together. "Due tosnowfall and land lockedness ofvarious areas the supplies have gotfurther impacted adversely", he said,adding that the ration holders havebeen deprived of sugar quota forabout four months."As if it is not enough, the insensitivegovernment is linking PDS

distribution with Aadhar with asizable chunk of population yet tohave cards, as the concerned agencyhas wound up its centres due to non-payment of their dues", he added.The Provincial Youth NationalConference President also criticizedthe Centre for not allotting requiredquota of LPG and kerosene oil to thestate as a result of which the people infar-flung areas are hugely suffering.He said both the Centre and the StateGovernment have failed in mitigatingthe problems of the people in Jammuand Kashmir and during the past twoyears these have accumulatedmanifold.Earlier, people from different villagesof Poonch Mandi met the formerMLA and raised issues of their areasrelated to rations, power, drinkingwater besides dilapidated condition ofroads and failure of the government inundertaking restoration of damagedutility services due to rains andsnowfall. (KNS)

Jan expresses concern over rationscarcity at PDS outlets

NL CorrespondentPoonch, Feb 19

NL CorrespondentRAMBAN, Feb 19

A team of Jammu andKashmir Against Corruption(JKAC) held a meeting withthe youth of DistrictRamban at Al FallahWelfare FoundationBanihal, today.The team membersincluding vice presidentMohammad Ashraf Bhatalongwith Mir Irfan, ShahAadil, Adnan Manzoor,Sajid Yousuf, MohammadAslam and Aasif Plaisarvisited Banihal.Focused on how to eradicatethe evil of corruption fromour society were discussedand during the meetingfuture strategies where alsodiscussed. The meeting wasalso backed by the membersof Alfalah WelfareFoundation, World Aidorganization for HumanRights J&K, president BaparMandal Banihal. Mudasir

Rashid was chosen as"District President" as on thelocal vote counts of theyouth present there. Theplans about futuredevelopment regardingyouth was also discussed byShah Aadil. The JKACwelcomes the youth of thevalley to come forward andJoin the cause. JKAC cameto know the Corruption levelat Banihal that youth putforth. The youth of Banihalhas a lot of potential to dobest for the society. In the

message the JKAC StateVice President MohammadAshraf Bhat said that all theyouth has an important roleto play to build the society.Ashraf Bhat also focused onthe development of the youthin all respects and promisedthat every possible help willbe given to the needy. Therewere numbers of youthjoining the JKAC today atBanihal. They have a provenability to fight againstcorruption and have showndedication towards the work.

JKAC holds meeting, discussvarious issues

Minister of State for Finance and Planning,Ajay Nanda, today conducted SamparkYatra in several villages includingDhanowa, Kothiyan, Kherlair, Dab Khalsaand adjoining parts of Pouni block to takestock of public issues besides reviewingdevelopment works. The Minister, whileinteracting with the locals, assured them thatthe government is well abreast with theirproblems and demands and is working hardto ensure better amenities with enhancedbasic services. He asked the people toactively participate in development works

being executed in their respective areas foreffective outcome. Elucidating on theinitiatives taken by the present dispensation,the Minister said that all-round developmenthas been recorded in the state with emphasison unattended areas. "This has becomepossible due to people's trust andcooperation being extended to thegovernment agencies in execution of vitaldevelopment projects," he maintained. TheMinister also hailed the initiatives of CentralGovernment like demonetization, cashlesstransaction and other welfare schemessaying that these efforts would definitelyhelp in containing corruption besidesimproving the living standards of people.

Continuing with their driveagainst smugglers, a jointteam of the officials of TollPost Lakhanpur and PoliceDepartment Lakhanpurfoiled a major smugglingbid when they seized 90Kgs of Poppy straw beingcarried outside the State. Avehicle bearing registrationro. PB09X-2075 carriedgoods (wooden chips) of anIndustrial Unit and claimedexemption from payment ofToll on these goods thatwere consigned by M/s.Classic Popular Works,Gariend, Budgam to M/s.Kuantum Paper Ltd, ShalaKhurd Hoshiarpur, Punjab.However, on physicalchecking of the vehicle, itwas found carrying 5 bagsof Bhukki alongwithwooden chips. The vehiclealongwith wooden chipsand contraband item(Bhukki) has been seized bythe Police Station,Lakhanpur for further

action under the NDPS Act.The whole operation wasconducted by the joint teamheaded by Excise &Taxation Officer VirinderSingh Pawar and SHOPolice Station LakhanpurKulbir Choudharyalongwith Excise InspectorsAnil Kumar, S. AnmolakSingh & Sanjeev Khajuria,Excise Sub-InspectorSurinder Bagal, ExciseGuard Sham Lal and theteam of Police StationLakhanpur. In this regard acase FIR No. 19/2017 u/s8/15/18NDPS has beenlodged in Police StationLakhanpur. The SeniorSudpt. Of Police, KathuaSh. Pawan Parihar and TheDeputy ExciseCommissioner, Toll PostLakhanpur Sh. RajeshSharma and appreciated theefforts of the respectivestaff in detecting the instantcontraband items andenjoined upon them to workwith more zeal and incoordination with differentdepartments / agencies.

'JK witnessing all-round development'

NL CorrespondentReasi, Feb 19

Peoples Democratic PartyPresident and chief minister,Mehbooba Mufti todayasserted that the agenda ofher party is to change thesituation of Jammu &Kashmir for better and itscommitment and seriousnesshave been attested time andagain. Addressing a largenumber of people fromBudgam district on theoccasion of joining of apolitical heavy weight ofCentral Kashmir and seniorleader of Congress party,Nazir Ahmad Khan ofBeerwah into PDP heretoday, Mehbooba Mufti saidthe party has time and againdisplayed that it would rise to the occasion for thewelfare of the people and

won't shy away from eventaking tough decisions forthe betterment of the State.Mehbooba Mufti said theparty under the leadership oflate Mufti MuhammadSayeed has taken even verybold decisions to ensure abetter environment to thepeople and take the State outof its difficult situation.Welcoming Nazir AhmadKhan into the party fold,Mehbooba Mufti said hecomes from a good politicallegacy and is full ofenthusiasm to work for thepeople of the area adding hisentry into the party is like ahome coming for him. Shesaid the party needs youngleaders like him to carryforward and implement theagenda of the party whichaims at bringing happinessand prosperity back to the

State. Earlier, Vice Presidentof PDP, Muhammad SartajMadni formally welcomedNazir Ahmad Khan and hissupporters into the partyfold. Son of MuhammadSarfaraz Khan, a long-timeassociate of late MuftiMuhammad Sayeed andformer Minister, NazirAhmad Khan has been inactive politics for the lasttwo decades. In the lastAssembly elections he lost tothen then chief minister,Omar Abdullah by a slendermargin of less than onethousand votes. GeneralSecretary of PDP, QaziMuhammad Afzal, Ministerfor PWD, Naeem Akhter,former MLA, Dr. ShafiAhmad Wani and hundredsof party workers werepresent on the occasion.(KNS)

90 Kg of poppy strawseized at Lakhanpur

NL CorrespondentKathua, Feb 19

Congress veteran NazirKhan joins PDP

NL CorrespondentSrinagar, Feb 19

Lt Gen Prakash Katoch

December 21, 2016 was badday for India when the trialtest of the nuclear-capable'Nirbhay' long-range cruisemissile failed for the thirdtime. Ironically the missilehas failed to achieve itsfailed parameters sinceMarch 2013. Like theprevious tests, the third testalso took place at theIntegrated Test Range (ITR)off the coast of Odisha.According to DRDOofficials, "The boosterengine in Nirbhay's firststage started working. Themissile lifted off from itslauncher. But it startedveering dangerouslytowards one side in lessthan two minutes of its lift-off", adding, "This is ahardware element issue.This is a reliability issuewith a component. …. It isa big failure. We shouldhave a thorough re-look atwhat has been done so far.Out of four Nirbhaymissions, three have endedin failure."Nirbhay missile, onceoperational, will also likelybe deployed aboard surfacewarships of the IndianNavy. DRDO is reportedlyalso working on developingan air-launched variant ofthe weapon system for theIAF.The missile reportedly hadto be destroyed mid-airafter it deviated from itscourse. During the flighttrial of this missileconducted on Octobe4 17,2014, the missile reportedlytravelled 1,010 kms whilebeing monitored by theground station and an IAFfighter jet. Nirbhay is asubsonic land attack cruisemissile armed with a 300-kilogram warhead andcapable of reaching speedsof 0.6-0.7 Mach. It isdesigned to be highlymaneuverable, has loiteringcapabilities, and can belaunched from air, sea, andland. India's firstdomestically developed andbuilt ballistic missilenuclear submarine (SSBN)class, the Arihant-class, isto be armed with theNirbhay cruise missile.Nirbhay missile, onceoperational, will also likelybe deployed aboard surfacewarships of the IndianNavy. DRDO is reportedlyalso working on developing

an air-launched variant ofthe weapon system for theIAF.Government has now givenan 18 month extension forthe Nirbhay project over themissiles operationalcapabilities. Having beenlaunched in 2004,completion date of theproject was 31 December2016. The Nirbhay team hasbeen asked to complete theproject by June, 2018.Under developmental trialsince 2013, the missile isyet to perform as per theexpectations. Meanwhile,an independent technicalcommittee has been formedto identify faults in thesystem that led to failure ofthe missile during its fourthtrial on December 21.The probe committee led byDr Nagarajan Vedachalam,founder director of ISRO'sInertial System Unit, willidentify the faults and makerecommendations to rectifythem and make the systemrobust. Such a probe shouldhave actually been launchedduring previous failures,which could have beenaffected earlier rectificationgiven the expertise ofISRO. In fact, probe apart,ISRO should have beeninvolved in the project itselfmuch earlier, right from itsinception.There is no reason to bedisheartened with Nirbhay'sfiasco on last December.Developing a cruise missileby itself is a complex issue,and Nirbhay will match theworld's most advanced in itscategory.According to an unnamedofficial of the Nirbhayproject quoted by themedia, the blame gamebetween the AeronauticalDevelopment Establishment(ARDE) and ResearchCentre Imarat (RCI), bothlaboratories of DRDO costthe project more than thefaults in the system. ARDE,which designed the missile,has been blaming RCI forsupplying defectivehardware, while RCIblames ARDE developedsoftware causing recurringfailures.The Nirbhay project isabout mastering cruisemissile technology as muchas it is about delivering auseable weapon to thearmed forces. The Nirbhaysubsonic cruise missile is tohave: range exceeding

1,000 km; speed between0.8 and 0.9 Mach; launchweight of 1,500 kg; lengthof 6 meters; carryconventional or nuclearwarheads of 24 differenttypes, and; fly at very lowaltitudes of 20 meters orless evading radar detection,using a terrain-followingfunction facilitated by itsonboard inertial navigationsystem.There is no reason to bedisheartened with Nirbhay'sfiasco on last December.Developing a cruise missileby itself is a complex issue,and Nirbhay will match theworld's most advanced in itscategory.It is well known that even acountry like China coulddevelop a cruise missileonly through reverseengineering after it pickedup an unexploded Americancruise missile aimed atOsama bin-Laden verymany years ago. WhileOsama was saved havingswitched off his satellitephone and moving away,one of the three unexplodedmissile fell inside Pakistan,which China promptlypicked up and copied.India could have reverseengineered the BrahMos butrefrained from doing so indeference to the agreementwith Russia. There is everyreason to believe that withISRO's involvement,Nirbhay will be deliveredwithin the 18 monthsextension accorded to theproject. It is quite amusingto note that soon after theNirbhay test last December,Pakistan floated video clipof the test flight of itssubmarine launched BaburIII missile, which appears tobe nothing more than ananimation fake.…there is no reason DRDOcannot come up with asuccessful Nirbhay flight-test in the near future,especially with ISROintegrated into the project.On February 11, 2017 theDRDO successfully test-fired a interceptor missileoff Odisha coast andachieved a significantmilestone in the direction ofdeveloping a two-layeredBallistic Missile Defencesystem. This mission,termed as "PDV mission isfor engaging the targets inthe exo-atmosphere regionat an altitude above 50 kmof earth's atmosphere", as

per the DRDO. Theinterceptor is based on thenuclear-capable Prithvimissile and the target wasdeveloped for mimicking ahostile Ballistic Missileapproaching from more than2,000 km away waslaunched from a shipanchored in the Bay ofBengal.In an automated operation,radar based detection andtracking system detectedand tracked the enemy'sballistic missile. Thecomputer network with thehelp of data received fromradars predicted thetrajectory of the incomingBallistic Missile. The PDVthat was kept fully ready,took-off once the computersystem gave the necessarycommand for lift-off.Significantly, the TerminalHigh Altitude Area Defense

(THAAD) system is one ofthe recent additions toAmerica's anti-ballisticmissile arsenal; designed tointercept incoming missilesat the maximum altitude of93 miles above the surfaceof the Earth.India's successful interceptortest brings the countrycloser to developing arobust BMD. With thisfeather under its cap, thereis no reason DRDO cannotcome up with a successfulNirbhay flight-test in thenear future, especially withISRO integrated into theproject. The Nirbhaymissile, together with theBrahMos, Agni-V andsuchlike weaponry in India'sarsenal, should deter ouradversaries from mischief.Lt Gen Prakash Katoch is aformer Lt Gen SpecialForces, Indian Army.

Nitin A Gokhale

'General Rawat'sunambiguous standhas acted as a much

needed confidence booster tothe troops -- young officersand soldiers at the cuttingedge -- who were often leftwondering if they were doingthe right and necessary thingin combating the terrorists,many times paying with theirown lives,' says Nitin AGokhale.There was one section -- andI don't want to call themintellectuals -- which pays lipservice to the fauj, but inreality stands againsteverything that the armyseeks to protect and defend.

This group has variouslydubbed the army chief'sremark as an 'intemperatestatement,' 'belligerent stand,'and 'declaration of waragainst Kashmiri youth.'This group of people havesought to create animpression that the armychief has ordered his troopsto kill and maimindiscriminately.This is nothing but deliberatedistortion of an emphaticassertion by a professionalentrusted with the security ofthe country. But more of thata little later. General Rawat'sunambiguous stand has actedas a much needed confidencebooster to the troops -- youngofficers and soldiers at thecutting edge -- who wereoften left wondering if theywere doing the right andnecessary thing in combatingthe terrorists, many timespaying with their own lives.In the wake of elimination ofBurhan Wani, a local youth-turned terrorist leader lastyear and the subsequentturmoil in the Kashmirvalley, abetted in no smallmeasure by the PakistaniDeep State through selfishand self-centred separatistleaders, politics had

dominated the discourse onJ&K.It was conveniently forgottenthat irrespective of his origin(as a Kashmiri youth),Burhan Wani was after all aterrorist whose days werenumbered once he took uparms against the Indian State.His killing in an encounterwith the security forcesshould have been treated asjust that -- neutralisation of aterrorist.Instead, a narrative wassought to be built, blamingthe security forces for doingtheir job and doing itprofessionally.The months of unrest thatfollowed Burhan Wani'sdeath often hampered themovement of the securityforces, disrupted theirlogistics chain and disturbeda well laid out security grid.The successful surgicalstrikes by the Indian Army'sspecial forces againstterrorist launch pads locatedin Pakistan occupiedKashmir was preceded andfollowed by two setbacks forthe Indian Army at Uri andNagrota respectively.The army can take thesetbacks in its stride andlearn lessons from them, butwhat demoralises the soldiersare the barely concealedbarbs by ill-informed criticswho do not have the faintestidea about the difficulties andconstraints under which thetroops have been operating inthe unending war in J&K forover a quarter century now.No army in the world hasmaintained the relentlesstempo of operations as theIndian Army has done since1990.It is to the credit of the IndianArmy's leadership over theyears that the troops haveretained the highest degree ofmotivation despite mountingodds.However, the unwarrantedcriticism about strategy and

tactics and the contempt thatsome of our prominentopinion makers hold againstthe army had begun to affectthe soldiers on the ground.A slight hesitation had startedto creep in in their approachto counter-insurgency andcounter-terrorists operations.Fortunately, the army chief'sstatement would haveremoved any lingeringdoubts the soldiers may havehad about the necessity oftheir job and their role.At another level, the armychief's warning to thosehindering operations and thesupport extended to him bythe political leadership overhis stand should send theright message to those fishingin Kashmir's troubled waters.The separatists cannot useunsuspecting young men andwomen as cannon fodder fortheir own agenda and getaway with it.The Kashmiri awam mustquestion the separatists: Howlong are you going to firefrom the shoulders ofordinary Kashmiris?There have been suggestionsthat the Centre must reachout to the youth of Kashmir.Perhaps the time has come todo just that and ignore theusual suspects, but beforethat the youth must begin tounderstand the differencebetween mindless protestsand legitimate demands.Politics apart, Kashmiriparents must also begin toask the question tothemselves: Why allow theyoung to be used as a smokescreen for politicalobjectives?Perhaps the stern warningthat those who hamperlegitimate army operationswill not be spared shouldspur families in Kashmir toask that question sooner thanlater.So for all those who outrageagainst the army chief'sstatement: hold yourthoughts. He is not seekingany impunity for his troops.All that he is asking for is theright of the Indian Army toexercise its legitimate powersgiven under the veryConstitution by which youclaim to swear.Nitin A Gokhale is the Editor-in-Chief, BharatShakti.in anda long-standing Rediff.comcolumnist.

K Srinivasan

The Goods and Services TaxCouncil's (GSTC) tenth

meeting took place inRajasthan's lake city, Udaipur, on

Saturday, February 18.

In a bid to roll out the GST by thescheduled date, July 1, which has beenachieved at long last, the final draft of

the Bill meant for providing statescompensation for possible loss due tointroduction of national sales tax, wasapproved by the finance minister ArunJaitley-led council on Saturday.The council has put off draft laws of C-GST, I-GST and S-GST for approval in itsforthcoming meeting on March 4 and 5 inNew Delhi. In fact, it was eagerly expectedthat all four bills would be passed duringSaturday's meeting itself.The council, however, cleared the draft ofthe anti-profiteering clause of the modelGST law, which is the machinery provisionfor ensuring the passing on of the benefit oflower taxes each time tax is reduced by thegovernment.Former PM Manmohan Singh's entreatiesover the same issue, of passing on thebenefit to consumers, had earlier fallen ondeaf ears, hence this statutory arrangementthis time.Speaking to reporters after the meeting,Jaitley said all 57 issues raised so far hadbeen resolved and he added that theendeavour of the government would be totable the supporting legislations first beforethe cabinet committee and then beforeParliament in the second half of the Budgetsession, beginning March 9.However, the S-GST law will go before the

respective state legislatures before itspassage there, in tandem with the passage ofthe above three laws in Parliament.Earlier, the law ministry had sent theapproved draft of the Model GST Law(MGL) outlining the new national valueadded tax to be levied on goods and servicesacross the country, starting from July 1.The legal drafting of C-GST, I-GST and S-GST Bills has thrown up challenges relatingto constitution and eligibility of members ofthe GST appeal tribunal at the state andnational level, exemptions to be extendedduring the transition time and delegation ofpowers under GST for cross-empowerment.The other challenges include the treatmentof works contract - whether as deemed saleof goods or still as service, keeping in viewthat Article 366(29A) of the Constitution isstill in force; definition of agriculture andthe fine print of the composition schemewith some relaxation of requirements.The council has given its opinion on allthese issues with a view to writing them intothe model laws. The last task waiting to bedone after the council clears these bills willbe to fit goods and services into various taxbrackets/baskets to serve as a sound unified

tax scheme across the country, to integratethe economy into one nation and onemarket, and in some sense one rate alsowithin certain limits.This, he said, will require one more sittingof the council to give its approval to thespecific items in each slot.MS Mani, senior director at Deloitte, said itis now necessary to bring more focus on theoutcome of the rate fixation exercise asbusinesses can plan only if rates are known,and without knowing what rates are goingto be applied to specific goods and services,it will be very difficult for the industry tomove forward with GST preparations.Finally, coming to the accountability aspect,there was talk that even as indirect taxes ofthe Centre and states were under theauditing purview of Comptroller andAuditor General of India (CAG), if GST isalso placed under the ambit, Jaitley hasdecided against giving powers specificallywith respect to indirect tax.This is because CAG is already empoweredunder the CAG Act to audit therecords/information relating to publicfinances under taxation laws like theIncome Tax Act.

The FM had ended his press report on theabove matter with the clincher that thepresent direct tax law, that is the IncomeTax Act, has not given any separate powersto the CAG. So why should there beseparate powers under the new indirect taxalone? he asked.But the point is that under the existingindirect tax laws of excise, service tax andperhaps even under state VAT laws, thereappear to be powers given in the respectiveActs to the CAG.Andhra Pradesh finance minister YanamalaRamakrishnadu said that taking theterritorial waters as the territory of theUnion of India and to delegate powers tostates to collect tax is not the correctapproach being followed in drafting of therelevant provisions of the law.To the contrary, it would be appropriate todraft the law to treat the territorial waters asthe territory of states not just to collect taxbut to levy, collect and appropriate tax tostates, especially since the high court hasdecided in favour of the states. It is onceagain worthwhile to point out here that theappeal in the above matter is pending beforethe Supreme Court.Jaitley had agreed to refer the matter to thelaw committee of GSTC to examine themerits.It looks highly probable now that GST lawsare ready to be put before the GSTC in thenext meeting and thereafter, beforeParliament in the second half of the Budgetsession. There is nothing more to comewhich is unresolved now, at last in terms ofthe legislation, said Pratik Jain, Partner andleader at PwC.Let us sincerely hope we are through withthe GST legislations and the other attendantissues discussed so far.

Modifying PM’sMaternity Benefit Prog!

Keeping in view the financial constraints andenough resources, the central government hasfinally compelled to restrict the Maternity Benefit

Programme (MBP), which was part of Prime Minister'stelevised address on New Year's Eve to only the first childinstead of two as was earlier announced. Since theamount of Rs 2,700 crore set aside for MBP in the UnionBudget 2017-2018 was insufficient, the scheme providingrupees 6000 for each pregnant woman has now beenrevised to cater to the birth of the first child alone ratherthan the two as earlier planned. Law-abiding citizens,rationalists and tax-paying public had been much criticalof the announcement which was not at all necessary as itput unnecessary tax burden on the genuine citizens whofeels such schemes should be funded from otherresources.Despite tall claims, the polity in India has been sufferingfrom basic malaise for conceiving and making policies ofproviding freebies for petty political considerations andare thus in themselves are not proper. Such policies areeither for vote-bank politics or for hiding some unpopularsteps. It is indeed surprising why and how such anannouncement was made at a time India is amongst thecountries with problem of increasing population in acountry with limited land and resources. Any suchfreebies at central or state levels should be announcedonly after getting nod from some non-governmentalcentral agency to avoid political misuse. Goal should beto abolish subsidies and such existing freebies so as toreduce indirect burden in form of avoidable taxes forgetting money for such populist political schemes. It isotherwise also improper to make people used to freebiesrather than working hard to earn money. The mindsetneeds a positive change.

6 OPINION the northlinesJammu | Monday | Feb | 20 | 2017

the northlinesMonday | Feb | 20 | 2017

(Disclaimer: The views expressed here are personalopinions of the writers. The information, facts or opinionsappearing in the articles do not reflect the views of TheNorthlines and it does not assume any responsibility orliability for the same)

Good news: Contentious GST issues get resolved

The Indian Army is notasking for immunity

Nirbhay Fiasco - no need to be disheartened

7 KASHMIR the northlinesJammu | Monday | February 20| 2017

2 drug peddlers arrestedSrinagar, Feb 19Kulgam police arrested two drug peddlers andrecovered 04 kilograms of poppy straw from theirpossession during a naka checking.Kulgam police laid a naka near Nandi MargCrossing in the jurisdiction of Police Station D.HPora. During the naka checking two personidentified as Showkat Ahmad Bhat son of NazirAhmad and Sabzar Ahmad Malik son of Abdul Ganiresidents of Okay Kulgam were intercepted. Ontheir checking 04 kilograms of poppy straw wasrecovered from their possession.Kulgam police has registered a case FIR number06/2017 under section 8/25 NDPS Act against themand investigation was taken up.

2-day bookexhibition concludes Srinagar, Feb 19A 2-day book exhibition organized by Directorate ofSchool Education Kashmir concluded at Govt GirlsHigher Secondary School Kothibagh in Srinagartoday.Director School Education Kashmir, Kumar RajeevRanjan, who had inaugurated the exhibition, stressedthe teachers to inculcate the habit of book reading instudents. He said efforts are afoot to make librariesand book reading habit a living reality of education inKashmir. He said the department has entrusted theselection of books to experts of different subjectswho have been selected from the educationalinstitutions of the valley.During the exhibition, 50 book sellers and publishershad set up their stalls which were visited by a largenumber of students, teachers and general book lovers.

Status of rev, reliefmeasures reviewed

ANANTNAG, FEB 19Minister for Revenue, Relief & Rehabilitation, AbdulRehman Veeri, today convened a meeting to review thestatus of various revenue, relief and rehabilitationmeasures in Anantnag district. During the meeting, the Minister was briefed about therevenue profile of the district and was informed thatnew 268 patwar halqas have been proposed forAnantnag.Deputy Commissioner, Dr. Syed Abid Rasheed Shah,apprised Veeri of the status of land acquisition casesunder different roads and developmental projects inthe district. Besides, the performance in Jamabandisand Girdawari preparation was also detailed in themeeting.With respect to State and Kahcharai land, it wasinformed that in Anantnag, as many as, 4389 kanal ofstate land and 9491 kanal of Kahcharia land has beencleared of encroachments, so far. It was also apprisedthat a mechanism to retrieve the encroached land hasbeen established wherein monthly report of landeviction is being reported to the FinancialCommissioner Revenue on regular basis.The meetingalso reviewed performance under Public ServicesGuarantee Act, Right to Information Act, disposal ofcases registered with State Vigilance Commission andState Vigilance Organisation and the remittance madeby the Department in terms of mutation fees, revenueextract fees and recoveries.ADDC, ADC, ACR, SDMs of Kokernag, Dooru andPahalgam, besides Tehsildars, Naib Tehsildars andother concerned attended the meeting.

District DevelopmentCommissioner, Mir AltafRs 627.79 crore Ahmad,today chaired 58th DistrictLevel Review Committeemeeting to review theprogress of line departmentsand Banks with respect toeconomic development ofthe district.Officers of concerneddepartments, DDMNABARD, representativesfrom RBI, Cluster Head ofJ&K Bank and District

Coordinators of variousBanks operating in thedistrict attended themeeting.The meeting discussed indetail progress andachievements made by theBanks in implementation ofvarious governmentsponsored schemes likePradhan Mantri Jan DhanYojana, MUDRA Yojana,Fasal Bhima Yojana, NULMand Stand-up India.Giving details aboutperformance of Banks, as onDecember 2016, operatingin the district, it was

informed that total depositsin the district have increasedfrom Rs 1624.26 crore to Rs1982.24 crore. Similarly,advances have increasedfrom Rs 1264.26 crore toRs.1330.63 crore, while asCD ratio is at 67.13% whichis 7.13 percent above theRBI bench mark.It was apprised that underpriority sector, the bankshave disbursed Rs 119.53crore against the target ofRs 508.80 crore and undernon-priority sector havedisbursed Rs148.68 croreagainst the target of Rs

155.22 crore, thusregistering the achievementof 23.57 percent and 95.78percent respectively againstthe annual targets.While reviewing theprogress achieved inCentral/State SponsoredSchemes and under SocialSecurity Schemes, the DDCappreciated the role ofsponsoring agencies andBanks for participating in theimplementation of schemesduring the month of Januaryand February-2017. He also directed officials ofBanks to expedite thesanctioning of pendingsponsored cases, as theyhave pivotal role ineconomic uplift of generaland weaker sections of thesociety.On the occasion, the DDCapproved Potential LinkedCredit Plan of Rs 627.79crore for fiscal year 2017-18.

DLRC meeting held

NL CorrespondentBudgam, Feb 19

A meeting of the SteeringCommittee of the CUCET-2017 consortium comprising11 Central Universities fromacross the country was heldat Gulmarg on Saturday. Seven Vice-Chancellors andrepresentatives of theseCentral Universitiesdiscussed and approved themodalities in respect of theupcoming CentralUniversities CommonEntrance Test (CUCET-2017). The admission noticefor the various programmesoffered by these universitiesis expected to be put onlineby the middle of March,2017 and entrance test istentatively scheduled for the3rd week of May. During themeeting, the decision of theCentral University ofKashmir to conduct the

admission tests for someintegrated programmes ontheir own immediatelyfollowing the declaration ofthe 12th class results wasappreciated keeping in viewthe interests of the studentsof the state. However, thestudents from the valleythrough CUCET 2017 couldhave additional option to optfor various other integratedprogrammes offered by theUniversities across thecountry.

The Vice-Chancellor of theCentral University ofKashmir, Prof. Mehraj udDin Mir impressed upon theconsortium to prepone theadmission processes of theCUCET 2017 in the interestof the students of the valleywhich was agreed upon. Theoption of conductingmultiple entrance teststhrough CUCET to cater todifferent academic calendarswas also discussedthreadbare and modus

operandi would be proposedin very near future.Prof Mehraj Ud Dinimpressed upon themembers of the Steeringcommittee to explore waysand means for providingmore opportunities to thestudents of the state of J&K.Besides partnering in thesmooth conduct of theadmission test of CUCET2017, the committee tooksome very importantdecisions to forge moreproductive alliance throughvarious academic initiativesincluding faculty andstudent exchangeprogrammes amongst theparticipating Universities.The members of thesteering committee thankedthe host university for thewarm hospitality extendedfor the successful conductof the meet.

Steering committee of CUCET holds meetingNL CorrespondentSrinagar, Feb 19

Minister for Public Works,Naeem Akhtar today calledfor employing latest projectmanagement techniques fortimely completion ofprojects in key sectors.Speaking at a reviewmeeting of the R&BDepartment Kashmir herethis morning, the Ministerset timeline for completionof all the ongoing projectswhile laying focus onquality execution of works

and adopting proper designmethodology.Chief Engineer R&BDepartment Kashmir, ChiefEngineer, MechanicalEngineering Department,Chief Engineer PMGSY,Superintending Engineersand Executive Engineers ofKashmir division werepresent at the meeting.The Minister took acomprehensive review ofthe projects being executedby the PWD in R&B,Health, Education and underCentrally Sponsored

Schemes.Mr Akhtar called forexpediting projects underNABARD and CRF forwhich funds to the tune ofRs 103.57 crore and Rs65.94 crore respectivelyhave been earmarked for thecurrent financial year. TheMinister directed officials tomake the process ofexecution of works hassle-free, saying that planning,construction, up-gradationand maintenance of roads,bridges and buildings mustbe the concern for all the

officials of the Department."Providing connectivity tounconnected habitations hasto be our first objective," hesaid and added that thePWD needs a professionaltouch and the Governmentwill do everything torevamp this vitaldepartment.The Minister asked theofficials to review the longpending construction anddevelopmental projects andadhere to the set deadlinesfor their completion.The Minister said thatinfrastructure deficit hasbeen persistent in the Statebecause of its topography.He said that PWD could bea vital department inbridging the gap and helpthe State to emerge on theinfrastructure front.

Progress of dev works reviewed

NL CorrespondentSrinagar, Feb 19

An amount of Rs 28.09crore has been spent onvarious developmentprojects and welfareschemes in the district upto January 2017.This was stated during areview meeting held underthe chairmanship ofDistrict DevelopmentCommissioner, SajadHussain, here today.The meeting took stock ofphysical and financialachievements registeredunder Health, Education,PHE, R&B, Power, RuralDevelopment, Irrigationand other sectors in thedistrict.It was informed that Rs

12.39 crore were incurredunder MGNREGA, Rs2.56 crore under RMSA,Rs 2.29 crore under R&Band Rs 1.39 crore underHealth.The DDC impressed uponthe officers to speed uptheir efforts and ensurecompletion of all ongoingdevelopmental workswithin the stipulatedperiod. He asked officersto submit their proposedplan for year 2017-18within next three days inview of upcoming DistrictDevelopment Boardmeeting. Among others, ChiefPlanning Officer, Districtand Sectoral Officers andother concerned attendedthe meeting.

1 dies, 1 injuredin road accidentsSrinagar Feb 19One person dies while another was injured inroad accidents in Valley on Sunday.According to sources, a scooty bearing regd.no. JK01R-0687 driven by MohammadShafi Wani S/o Mohammad Ismail WaniR/o Manigam, Ganderbal met with anaccident near Serch, resulting in on spotdeath of the scooty rider. After completionof medico legal formalities, the body of thedeceased was handed over his legal heirs forlast rites. Meanwhile, a Motorcycle drivenby Shahid Ahmad Wani R/o Shahabad,Kharpora turned turtle at Trali Bala near SubDistrict Hospital Tral, resulting in injuries tothe motorcyclist. The injured was shifted toSub District Hospital Tral for treatment,wherefrom he was shifted to SMHSHospital, Srinagar for further treatment.Police have registered cases in both theaccidents and initiated further proceedings.

Party Workers backboneof PDP: Rafi Mir

Anantnag, Feb 19Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) General Secretary RafiAhmad Mir lauded the efforts of the party cadres for theircommitment towards the party. "Our cadre has reposed faithin leadership of the party and our worker is the backbone ofthe party who have been playing a crucial role not only tostrengthen the PDP but making every effort to orient thepublic opinion on the possible roadmap which couldaddress the aspirations of the people of the State," PartyGeneral Secretary, Rafi Ahmad Mir said while addressing aworkers convention in Anantnag today. Mir said thatgovernment led by the Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti isworking on a series of reformative measures which willchange the entire governance discourse in the state. Theadministration is being made accountable and transparencyis ensured at every level," he added. Hailing the significantwelfare initiatives of Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti-ledgovernment Rafi Ahmad Mir appealed the public to becomethe part of peace and developmental process initiated by theChief Minister. Mir said his party is committed to thewelfare of the people of the state and the ranks of party wereworking tirelessly to implement its welfare agenda.He also asked the party workers to gear up for newchallenges on the ground. PDP political affairs committeemember and former MLA Peerzada Mansoor also spoke onthe occasion stating that PDP wants to channelize theenergy of youth towards the constructive purpose and theiroverall development". (KNS)

Rs 28.09 cr spent on devworks in Bandipora

NL CorrespondentBandipora, Feb 19

An extra ordinary session of Jammu& Kashmir Teachers forum wasconveyed under the chair ofChairman Ab. Qayoom Wani atJammu. The session welcomed andcongratulated Syed Altaf Bukhari forholding Port Folio of Education andit was hoped that Syed AltafBukhari. In a statement issued toKNS, Abdul Qayoom Wani said thatteacher's forum shall lend its fullsupport in bringing reforms in thedepartment and for the bright futureof the students. Wani said that we arehopeful that education Minister shallkeep in view the pulse andsensitivity of the department and putin all his capabilities to brighten thefuture of students and reforming thedepartment shall be the priorities andshall improve the image and will

leave no stone unturned to improvethe department. Wani said thatteachers are the builders of nation assuch deserve honor and respect, butunder the circumstances whenteachers are without pay for sixmonths and forcing their family's tostarvation is not less than a tragedy.Wani hoped that steps to release thepay of teachers shall be givenpriority so that there would be nofoul play with the honour self respectand future of their children. Leaderswho were present in the session wereGanesh Khajuria, Mohammad AkbarKhan, Mohammad Rafiq Rather,Mohammad Afzal Bhat, Showket AliBeigh, Peer Nisar, Toofani Singh,Gopal Singh, Jamaid Ali Agam,Bashir Ahmed Thoker, DarshanSharma, Kuldeep Singh, FarooqAhmed Sofi, Khalid Bashir,Muzaffar Ahmed Dar, Ali Bhato andothers. (KNS)

ADGP visits ArmedComplex Zewan

Srinagar, Feb 19Additional Director General of Police Armed J&K L.TMohanti visited Armed Complex Zewan where heinaugurated newly constructed building of Bore Well-2nd. This newly building of bore well was constructedthrough Estates APC Zewan. The ADGP wasaccompanied by Commandant JKAP 9th Battalion,Shailender Singh-SSP / Estates Commandant APCZewan and Commandant JKAP-12thBn Bakar Samoon.Among others Dy. Commandant JKAP 9th BnHamidullah Sheikh, Dy. Commandant JKAP-12th Bn Sh.Muneer Ahmad, DYSP, JKAP-9th Bn Devender Singh,DySP JKAP-9th Bn Sunil Singh, DYSP JKAP-9th BnFaraz Hussain, DySP JKAP-12th Bn Rigzin Sundop andother officers were also present on the occasion. (KNS)

JKTF congratulates Altaf BukhariNL CorrespondentSrinagar, Feb 19

Printed, Publish

8 FOODSthe northlines

Jammu | Monday | Feb | 20 | 2017

Recipes

Foods

Barley water, the best

We are in the health-conscious era. So

obsessed we are about our health and fitness

that we don't mind reading even disputed theories about health

benefits for all we want is to somehow be fit and

Despite all the half-truths populating our dieting

world about bananas being bad for weight loss,

nutritionists and dietitians swear by their energy

giving properties.

Like every other food and drink, bananas must be consumed in moderate quantities. Exercise regularly and relish them guilt-free! And if baked the right way, bananas can be your best friends in a figure-friendly diet. Here are three healthy baked banana recipes that will work perfectly for mid-evening snacks. Banana oats muffin Ingredients: 2 3/4cup mashed bananas, 2 tbs oil, 1 egg, 1/2cup fat-free milk, 3/4 tsp vanilla extract, 2/3cup whole-wheat flour, 1/2cup quick-cooking oats, 1/4cup sugar, 1 tsp baking powder, 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon, 1/4 tsp salt, cooking spray.

Protein-rich vegetable pulao

Office lunches tend to get boring with similar food making its way into our

lunch boxes every day. Take a break from the dals, rotis, burgers and sandwiches and

try this protein-rich vegetable pulao instead.

Not only will you gain crucial prote in to replenish and rejuvenate your muscles' wear and tear, but you will also enjoy the light brown rice flavoured with delicious, lightly sauteed vegetables and soya chunks. Por t ion cont ro l becomes important, since this is rice based, even though it is brown rice we're talking about. Try this simple, protein-rich vegetable pulao this weekend, and pack it along for a healthy and different lunch. Ingredients - 1 cup brown rice - washed and soaked - 2 cups chopped, mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, cauliflower, broccoli)- 1 medium onion diced - 1/2 cup sprouts - 1/2 cup soya chunks - soaked and ready to cook - 1'' cinnamon stick - 1 tsp cloves - 1/2 tsp black peppercorns - 2 black cardamoms - 1 tsp red chill powder - Salt to taste - 2 cups water - 1 tbs Olive oil Method - Add the oil to a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. After a few seconds, add the onions and stir till the onions become light pink. - Add all the whole spices, along with the vegetables (not sprouts and soya). Stir well, and cook (covered, with 1/4 cup water) until the hardest vegetable (in this case carrots) is slightly tender. If you're short on time, skip the carrots. This should take about 5-8 minutes. - Add sprouts and soya and stir for 2-3 minutes. - Now, add the drained brown rice, with salt and chilli powder. You can also add any other favourite masalas at this point. Stir till the rice starts forming clumps.

Banana RecipesBanana

Healthy bakedHealthy baked

Recipes

Beverage

Method: Preheat oven to 375o. Mix all ingredients together - starting with the wet ingredients and then adding the dry ingredients. Pour into a baking tray. Bake for 18-20mins or until a wooden pick placed in the center comes out clean. Banana blueberry bread Ingredients: 1cup all-purpose flour, 1/2cup whole wheat flour, 3/4cup uncooked quick-cooking grits, 1/2cup sugar, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp baking powder, 1/4 tsp baking soda, 3 tbs oil, 1cup mashed banana, 3/4cup blueberries (a low-preservative blueberry jam will also do - reduce sugar if

using jam), 2 large eggs. Method: Preheat oven to 350°. Mix flours, grits, sugar, salt, baking powder, and baking soda. Then, make a well within the mixture and add oil, banana, blueberries, and eggs; add to flour mixture. Spoon the batter into a baking tray and place it in oven. Morning glory muffins Ingredients: 1cup whole wheat flour, 1/2cup all-purpose flour, 1cup regular oats, 3/4cup packed brown sugar, 1 tbs wheat bran, 2 tsp baking soda, 1/4 tsp salt, 1cup plain fat-free yogurt, 1cup mashed banana, 1 large egg, 1cup chopped dates, 3/4cup chopped walnuts, 1/2cup chopped dried pineapple, 3 tbs

ground flaxseed. Method: Preheat oven to 350°. Combine all ingredients (starting with wet, and then adding dry). Now throw in walnuts, dates and pineapple. Pour into baking tray and bake at 350 degree for 20mins. Banana corn muffins Ingredients: 1/2 cup mashed ripe banana, 1/2 cup of 2% reduced-fat milk, 1 pack of corn muffin mix and cooking spray. Method: Preheat oven to 350°. Combine milk, corn mix and banana and mix it in a bowl. Pour the batter evenly into a muffin baking tray. Bake at 350 degree for 20 minutes and your yummy banana corn muffins are ready to be served hot!

- Then, add the 2 cups of water and bring the whole pot to a boil. After the boil, simmer and cook covered, till the rice is cooked - usually another 8 minutes. You can serve this simple protein-rich vegetable pulao with some skimmed yogurt, a side salad or some grilled fish. Remember to practise portion control. A good serving size would be approximately 80gms, which is essentially the size of a quarter plate. Enjoy!

Slowly, people are waking up to the fact that home remedies are any day better compared to chemical products. So here's something that has existed since our ancestor's times, but we have given it a royal ignore. Wonder what it is? Well, it's the barley seeds. The moment you say barley, the first thing that comes to your mind is beer. But have you ever wondered how healthy barley itself is? The best thing is the seeds are available throughout the year and is the cheapest among all cereals. Here are ways in which you can consume barley. Yes, you have heard that before. Drinking beer has always made you run to the loo a little more frequently than you generally do. Drinking barley water, on the other hand, also induces increased urination which means it flushes out the toxins in the body. Barley water is hence the best medicine when you have a Urinary Tract Infection. Boil a table spoon of barley seeds in a litre of water. Bring down the quantity to half and keep consuming barley water through out the day. Barley water also brings down the heat content in the body. In some countries, people consume barley rice during summer for its cooling properties. - It also works as an excellent substitute to aerated drinks to quench your thirst. - Barley water also helps reduce burning sensation in the stomach as it's a cooling agent - Barley water also prevents urine from stinking. This works in case of pregnant women or patients who are on hormone tablets. - Regular consumption of barley water cleanses your kidney and keeps it free of toxins. - If you don't enjoy the bland taste, then you could add a dash of lemon to the drink A study conducted by American Journal of Clinical Nutrition has shown that the fiber that comes from barley water lowers

cholesterol. Hence, this is a must-have drink for fitness freaks. The insoluble fiber is also known to help women prevent formation of gallstones. Barley water also cuts risk of Type-2 diabetes. The antioxidants in barley prevents cancerous growths. Consume a glass of hot barley water everyday for better digestion and fight constipation or feeling of nausea. Regular consumption of barley water has shown to help weight loss too. With its many benefits, barley water is definitely the best beverage. The next time you reach for a bottle of aerated drink, you know what's more healthier.

Nation the northlinesJammu | Monday | Feb. 20 | 20179

New Delhi: The Supreme

Court has declined a plea by

a Pakistani national seeking

extension of visa to stay in

India, saying it is a call to

be taken by the Executive.

A bench headed by Justice

Dipak Misra said it cannot

allow the request of Syed

Waseem Ur Rehman, a Sufi

cleric, who had approached

the apex court against a

Bombay High Court order

asking him and his wife to

leave India.

"That (extension of visa)

will be a call to be taken by

the Executive. We cannot

extend visa if the

government is not doing it,"

the bench, also comprising

Justices R Banumathi and

Mohan M Shantanagoudar,

said.

Rehman's lawyer had

pleaded to the bench that

the government be asked to

take a "compassionate view"

in the matter as there was

no adverse report against

him or his wife.

The counsel had also argued

that since Rehman is

practising Sufism, there is a

threat to him in Pakistan.

The apex court did not

accept the contentions and

said it was for the

government to take such a

decision.

His counsel had also

contended that Rehman

should be granted time to

make a representation

before the government in

the matter but the bench

said, "We cannot allow it."

Solicitor General Ranjit

Kumar, representing the

Centre, opposed the plea

and told the bench that the

couple had given an

undertaking before the high

court that they would leave

India. The couple have been

staying in India since

October 2010.

The high court had

dismissed their plea against

last year's order of

Mumbai's foreigner regional

registration officer who had

refused to extend their visa.

SC declines Pak national's plea seekingextension of visa to stay in India

Chandigarh: Haryana is onthe edge as the ongoing Jatagitation seeking reservationin education and governmentjobs has once again raisedthe spectre of last year'sviolence that killed 30people.

Members of the Jatcommunity have been sittingon dharnas in 19 of thestate's 22 districts sinceJanuary 29.The fresh protests come at atime when Haryana isobserving golden jubilee ofits formation.

The images of mobs settinghouses, schools, eateries andother places on fire duringlast year's quota agitation arestill fresh in public memory.The Delhi-Ambala NationalHighway, the gateway fortravel to Punjab, Jammu and

Kashmir and HimachalPradesh, had remainedblocked for days.The Manohar Lal Khattargovernment had drawn flakfrom various quarters,including the opposition, forits alleged inept handling ofthe situation last year.

A complete breakdown ofthe official machinery waswitnessed between February19 and 22 last year.As many as 1,196 shopswere set ablaze, 371 vehiclestorched, 30 schools/collegeswere burnt, 75 houses wereset on fire, 53hotels/marriage palaces weredevastated, 23 petrol pumpswere attacked andvandalised, the committeehad observed in its report.An industry body hadpegged the loss at around Rs34,000 crore in last year'sviolence.Jats are demandingreservation in governmentjobs and educationalinstitutions, besideswithdrawing of criminalscases registered againstseveral youths of thecommunity during last year,release of those lodged injail, compensation andgovernment jobs to the nextof kin of those killed in lastyear's agitation.

Jat agitation raises spectreof last year's violence

Lucknow: Samajwadi Party

patriarch Mulayam Singh

today dismissed Prime

Minister Modi's claim that

he was the "adopted son of

Uttar Pradesh", saying the

state has adopted the

Samajwadi Party. The Prime

Minister's claim has drawn a

lot of criticism from the

opposition, with Congress's

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra to

RJD chief Lalu Prasad

rushing to comment on the

matter.

Asked what he has to say

about PM Modi's comment

after he cast his vote in

family turf Etawah,

Mulayam Singh said, "He

can say whatever he wants...

Uttar Pradesh has adopted

the Samajwadi Party".

On Thursday, speaking at a

rally in Hardoi, PM Modi

had drawn a parallel with

Lord Krishan, saying,

"Krishna was born in Uttar

Pradesh but made Gujarat

his karma bhoomi. I was

born in Gujarat but Uttar

Pradesh has adopted me".

He had added that he would

always care for Uttar

Pradesh and would not let

its people down.

The BJP, which had swept

70 of the state's 80 Lok

Sabha seats in the 2014

elections, is hoping for huge

wins in the state, where it

has not been in power for

20 years. PM Modi, who

had won from the country's

holiest pilgrim centre,

Varanasi, had retained it,

dropping the other seat from

where he won - Gujarat's

Vadodara.

But his comment, an attack

on the partnership of sons of

the soil Akhilesh Yadav and

Rahul Gandhi, drew a

riposte from Priyanka

Gandhi. "UP doesn't need an

adopted son to do good for

the state. Rahul Gandhi and

Akhilesh Yadav are two

sons of UP," Ms Gandhi

said at Raebareli, her

mother and Congress

President Sonia Gandhi's

parliamentary constituency.

Ms Gandhi has been

credited by her party with

piloting the alliance with

Samajwadi Party after it had

hit an impasse over seat

division in Gandhi family

turf Amethi and Raebareli.

The BJP has labeled Mr

Gandhi and Mr Yadav the

"shehzaade" or princes,

accusing them of a direct

and privileged access to

power because they belong

to political dynasties.

'Let Modi talk UP adopted SP : Mulayam

New Delhi: Prime

Minister Narendra Modi

on Sunday appealed to

the voters to participate

and come forward in

large numbers to cast

their votes.

The third phase of Uttar

Pradesh Assembly

elections began on

Sunday morning.

"Today is the third phase

of Uttar Pradesh

elections. I request the

voters to participate in

the festival of democracy

and vote in large

number," Prime Minister

Modi tweeted.

With over 826 candidates

from 105 political parties

contesting for 69 seats,

polling began on Sunday

morning for the crucial

third phase of the Uttar

Pradesh Assembly

Elections.

The polling began at 7

a.m. and will continue

till 5 in the evening.

Polling parties have been

sent to polling centers

amid tight security.

The districts going for

polling in this phase are

Farrukhabad, Hardoi,

Kannauj, Mainpuri,

Etawah, Kanpur, Kanpur

Dehat, Auraiya,

Lucknow, Unnao, Sitapur

and Barabanki.

Elaborate security

arrangements have been

made for the smooth

functioning of the

polling process.

Borders of districts have

been put under

surveillance and heavy

deployment of forces for

round the clock checking

is made.

UUUUttttttttaaaarrrr PPPPrrrraaaaddddeeeesssshhhh AAAAsssssssseeeemmmmbbbbllllyyyy eeeelllleeeeccccttttiiiioooonnnnssss 2222000011117777

Participate largely in festivalof democracy: PM to voters

Lucknow: Union Home

Minister Rajnath Singh

has claimed that his party

BJP is winning the Uttar

Pradesh Assembly

elections 2017.

" Not only clear majority,

BJP is winning by

absolute majority in Uttar

Pradesh," Rajnath Singh

said after casting vote in

Lucknow.

Union Home Minister

Rajnath Singh on Sunday

cast his vote here in the

third phase of the Uttar

Pradesh assembly

election.

Accompanied by his wife

Savitri Singh, the Home

Minister cast his vote at

the PWD polling station.

Earlier on Sunday, his son

and Bharatiya Janata Party

candidate from Noida,

Pankaj Singh cast also his

vote in Lucknow and

claimed an overwhelming

support from the BJP.

BJP is winning by absolute

majority in UP elections: Rajnath

New Delhi: Prime Minister

Narendra Modi paid tribute

to Chhatrapati Shivaji

Maharaj on his birth

anniversary on Sunday

expressing his gratitude to

the Maratha warrior for

having taken birth here.

"I bow to Chhatrapati

Shivaji Maharaj on his

Jayanti.

India is proud that a

valorous and great soul like

him was born on our land."

"Shivaji Maharaj placed

wellbeing of his people

above everything.

He was an ideal ruler

blessed with exceptional

administrative skills," Modi

said.

PM lauds 'warrior' Chhatrapati

Shivaji Maharaj on birth anniversary

New Delhi: The Supreme

Court has pulled up the

Centre for "making money"

at the cost of citizens' health

by allowing dumping in

India of hazardous waste

from foreign countries.

A bench headed by Chief

Justice J S Khehar termed

the issue as "important" and

said the authorities cannot

bypass the regulations as the

people of the country are

facing the consequences.

The apex court also refused

to give much time to the

Centre for filing a response

to the plea seeking to curb

the dumping of hazardous

waste in India from other

countries.

Advocate Sanjay Parekh,

appearing for NGO

Research Foundation for

Science, claimed that

authorities were giving

permission and allowing

disposal of hazardous and

contaminated materials in

India which is affecting the

citizens' health.

He argued that rules and

norms were not being

followed despite several

directions by the apex court.

Earlier, on the NGO's plea,

the apex court had denied

permission to a foreign ship,

which was involved in one

of the worst-ever oil spills

off Alaska in 1989, to

anchor off the Gujarat coast

for dismantling.

The NGO had alleged that

the ship was contaminated

and that the 1989 Basel

Convention made it

mandatory for a ship to be

decontaminated at the port

of the exporting country

before being sent for

dismantling.

The Basel Convention had

come up in 1989 following

an outcry over toxic wastes

being exported to the

developing countries.

SC raps Centre on dumping

of hazardous water in India

New Delhi: Delhi Police

has managed to install just

over 4,000 CCTV cameras

in the past eight years even

though the issue of women

safety remains a cause for

concern.

In 2016, the force managed

to put up just 85

surveillance cameras despite

the crime rate going up by

over nine per cent as against

the previous year in the

national capital, which has a

population of over 1.67

crore.

The Ministry of Home

Affairs had in 2008

awarded the work of

installation of CCTV

surveillance system in

different market places and

border check-posts in

phases, according to the

annual report of Delhi

Police.

"A total of 4,074 CCTV

cameras have already been

installed at various locations

in different phases. 85

cameras were installed in

2016," said the report.

CCTV cameras have also

been installed by Delhi

Police in the Supreme

Court, the Delhi High

Court, five district courts,

VP House, the LG's House

and the Home Minister's

residence.

A revised detailed project

report of the "Safe City

Project", which will utilise

'Nirbhaya Fund', was sent to

the Expenditure Finance

Committee on December 2,

2016.

It has proposed installation

of 10,000 CCTV cameras at

an estimated cost of Rs

1,225.74 crore.

Delhi Police installs 4000 CCTV cameras

even though women safety remains cause

New Delhi: Bhojpuri movie

star Ravi Kishan on Sunday

joined BJP.

Ravi Kishan joined the

saffron party in presence of

party president Amit Shah.

"Have come to the party

that thinks for the poor, my

focus is on development not

on insulting others," Ravi

Kishan said after joining

BJP. Earlier, BJP MP Manoj

Tiwari had confirmed that

Kishan will join the party.

Bhojpuri actor joins BJP

New Delhi: Former Chief

Justice of India Altamas

Kabir passed away at a

Kolkata hospital after

suffering from prolonged

illness on Sunday afternoon.

Kabir was unwell for

sometime and was admitted

at city's Apollo Hospital

where he was undergoing

treatment.

Earlier, some reports stated

that Kabir passed away on

Sunday morning. However,

Apollo Hospital released a

statement soon after and

clarified that Kabir has been

undergoing treatment and is

severely unwell.

"He is on a life support

system since his condition is

very critical," former

Supreme Court judge Ashok

Ganguly, who was present

at the hospital, told the

media.

"He is suffering from a

kidney-related ailment,"

Justice (retd) Ganguly, also

a close friend of Justice

(retd) Kabir, said.

Kabir was enrolled as an

Advocate in 1973 and

practiced in the District

Court and the Calcutta High

Court on Civil and Criminal

sides.

He was appointed as a

permanent Judge of the

Calcutta High Court in 1990

and as the Chief Justice of

the Jharkhand High Court in

2005. In the same year in

September, he was elevated

to the Supreme Court.

Former Chief Justice

Altamas Kabir passes away

Guwahati: No toilet, no

nikah. Maulvis and muftis

in Haryana, Himachal

Pradesh and Punjab have

decided not to solemnise

marriage in a house where

there is no toilet.

Maulana Mahmood A

Madani, secretary general

of Jamiat Ulama-i-Hind

said having a toilet has

been made a mandatory

condition for Muslim

marriage in the three states

and will be soon be applied

in all other states in the

country.

"Maulvis and muftis in

Himachal Pradesh, Punjab

and Haryana have decided

that they will not solemnise

the 'nikah' or Muslim

marriage in a house where

there are no toilets," he

said.

Madani, who is also a

former Rajya Sabha MP,

stated this during the

inauguration of Assam

Conference on Sanitation

(ASCOSAN) 2017

conducted here in

Khanapara last week.

"I feel that all religious

leaders from all the

religion throughout the

country should decide that

they will not conduct any

rituals in houses where

there are no toilets," he

said.

Emphasising on cleanliness

and sanitation, he asked

people to use toilets and

also to make not only

Assam, but the country as a

whole clean.

"There are two types of

cleaning - one is external

and the other internal. Both

are interconnected, we will

only be able to achieve the

internal cleaning if our

body is clean," he said.

No nikah in houses without toilets

New Delhi: From next

month, people in select

cities will be able to apply

for passports in post offices

under an ambitious initiative

of the External Affairs

Ministry.

This is aimed at making the

passport issuance process

hassle-free and ease burden

on passport offices across

the country which are

grappling with large volume

of applications.

In the first phase of the

project, passport services

will be made available in

select post offices in

Rajasthan, West Bengal,

Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and

Jharkhand and some other

states.

The External Affairs

Ministry, which issues

passports, is making all

required arrangements for

rollout of the scheme in

some of the select cities in

first half of March.

Currently, 89 Passport Seva

Kendras (PSK) are

operating across the country

as extended arms of the 38

Passport Offices.

According to the MEA, the

government rendered 1.15

crore passport and

other related

services

during

2016.

In Rajasthan,

passport services will be

available in Kota, Jaisalmer,

Bikaner, Jhunjhunu and

Jhalawar while in West

Bengal it will be in Asansol,

Nadia, North Dinajpur

North Kolkata.

In Jharkhand, services will

be offered in Deoghar,

Jamshedpur and Dhandbad.

"It is our effort that Post

Office Passport Sewa

Kendras announced in the

first phase should start

functioning before

31.3.2017," External Affairs

Minister Sushma Swaraj

tweeted.

In Tamil Nadu, passport

services in post office will

be rolled out in Salem

and Vellore while in

Karnataka, it will

be in Belgaum,

Davangere,

Hassan,

Gulbarga and

Mysuru.

According to

MEA, the

objective of the government

has been to cater to the

demand for passports and to

reach out to the people

located far away from the

passport offices.

The MEA had recently

liberalised norms for certain

categories of citizens as part

of efforts to streamline the

passport issuance process.

Apply for passports at select

post offices from March

10 SPORTS the northlinesJammu | Monday | Feb. 20 | 2017

New Delhi: In what would

come out as a bitter blow to

the Indian cricket fraternity,

MS Dhoni has reportedly

been removed as the captain

of IPL outfit Rising Pune

Supergiants, with Steve

Smith expected to lead the

side for the 10th edition of

the cash-rich league.

The captaincy change for the

2nd bottom team of IPL

2016 came came just one

day before the auction for

the 2017 season.

ANI revealed that the team

management wasn't happy

with MS Dhoni's captaincy

and hence chose to name

Steve Smith as the skipper.

Sources confirm that Dhoni

has also been communicated

about the decision by the

franchise and he has

extended his full co-

operation to the team as well

as their decision to replace

him with the Australian

national team skipper.

Under Dhoni, RPS only

managed to win only five of

their 14 matches in the IPL 9

and the management wasn't

too keen on giving Dhoni

another season as the team's

skipper. On a personal level,

Dhoni only scored 284 runs

from 12 innings with only

one fifty to his credit.

The Pune franchise,however,

are yet to give a

confirmation on the news

but several media reports

have suggest that Mahi will

no longer be in charge of the

team for the 10th edition of

Indian Premier League.

It was later clarified that MS

Dhoni himself asked the

team management to step

him down as captain and

wanted to be part of the

team as player only.

The 35-year-old, who led

Chennai Super Kings for

nine editions starting from

the league's inaugural season

in 2008, recently decided to

quit ODI captaincy and hand

bandwagon of all three

formats to Virat Kohli.

IPL 2017: Smith replaces Dhoni as

captain of Rising Pune Supergiants

New Delhi: Following the

footsteps of Indian boxing

sensation Vijender Singh,

Olympic Quarterfinalists

Akhil Kumar and Jitender

Kumar are all set to make

their profession debut.

Both the boxers will likely to

make their pro debut in

Mumbai on April 1.

The fight night will see Akhil

and Jitender`s return to the

ring after a long time. Akhil

and Jitender, who are serving

as Deputy Superintendent of

police with Haryana

Government, have recently

got the permission to turn

professional.

Both the effervescent

Haryana-lads have formally

signed up with the IOS

Boxing Promotions here

today. Commonwealth

Games 2006 Gold medalist

and Beijing Olympics.

Quarterfinalist boxer Akhil

Kumar, who spearheaded the

Indian boxing contingent at

numerous international

tournaments for years,

including World Cup (2008)

where he won a bronze

medal, has represented

country in nearly 250 bouts

during his amateur career.

Talking on his decision to

turn pro, Akhil said, "I am

very grateful to the

authorities for granting me

permission to turn towards

pro boxing.

It is going to be a very

exciting new phase in my

boxing career, with our

promoter Neerav Tomar."

Olympians Akhil and Jitender set tomake Pro-Boxing debuts in April

While the maximum squad strength can be

27, most franchises like to keep squad base

between 22 and 24. There will be a strong

focus on buying uncapped Indian players

with eight franchises gearing up to pick a

maximum of 76 out of the 350 plus, who will

go under the hammer at the auction for the

10th Indian Premier League, here tomorrow.

This is the last auction of the 10-year cycle

after which all players are set to go back into

the auction pool. While the maximum squad

strength can be 27, most franchises like to

keep squad base between 22 and 24.

The base price ranges from Rs 10 Lakh to Rs

2 crore and there could be a clamour for

uncapped Indian players based on their

performances during the recent Syed

Mushtaq Ali Trophy. It will be interesting if

Test specialist Ishant Sharma, not one of the

most sought after players in the shortest

format, invites bidders at a premium base

price of Rs 2 crore. At his base price and his

erratic bowling in the format, Ishant is a

tricky pick. Being a current India player is

his only USP as franchises also need faces

for brands to invest in them.

But Irfan Pathan, now dubbed as an 'IPL

specialist' with a base price of Rs 50 lakh and

his all-round abilities, can get a few bids.

Fast bowler Varun Aaron, with a reasonable

Rs 30 lakh base price, is expected to attract

bidders.

Among the uncapped Indian players, young

performers like Jharkhand batsman Virat

Singh and teenage sensation Prithvi Shaw

(both Rs 10 lakh) can attract good bids.

Rookie left-arm speedsters T Natarajan of

Tamil Nadu, Kulwant Khejroliya of Delhi

along with right-arm pacer Basil Thampi of

Kerala could also invite good bids.

All three are in the lowest base price bracket

of Rs 10 lakh.

Khejroliya and Natarajan have appeared for

trials at multiple franchises and Thampi

bowls at 140 clicks regularly with an ability

to hit the blockhole during death overs.

A clutch of top England players, including

dashing all-rounder Ben Stokes, limited-

overs skipper Eoin Morgan (back in auction)

and hard-hitting opener Jason Roy have

entered the fray but in all likelihood will only

be available for the month of April.

Focus on uncapped Indians,

Afghans, 1 month slot for Eng, WI

Chandigarh: Kalinga

Lancers displayed rampaging

form as they decimated

Punjab Warriors 7-0 to seal a

semifinal berth in the fifth

edition of the Hockey India

League here today.

The home side, thus, lost its

second successive match

here.

Kalinga Lancers have been

one of the most consistent

teams in the league this

season and they continued

their good show by getting a

lead early in the game.

It was skipper Moritz Fuerste

who created a PC in the 9th

minute of the match but a

miss trap by Adam Dixon

almost seemed like the

chance would go waste.

But Dixon was quick to

make up for the error by

fetching the rebound, only to

ambitiously drive into the

striking circle beating

defenders Mark Gleghorne

and Varun Kumar to send a

fiercely struck ball past in-

form keeper Tristan

Clemons.

The visitors ended the first

quarter with a strong 2-0

lead.

When the two teams met

earlier in the league in

Bhubaneswar, Kalinga

Lancers enjoyed a narrow 6-

5 win.

Kalinga Lancers crush Jaypee

Punjab Warriors 7-0 in HIL

New Delhi: Thirteen-year-

old Japanese sensation

Tomokazu Harimoto ended

Sharath Kamal's impressive

run at the ITTF World Tour

India Open, surprising the

home hero in the men's

singles semifinals here

today. The reigning Junior

World Champion showed

exemplary skills to outplay

his 34-year-old opponent 11-

7, 5-11, 11-7, 11-13, 11-9,

11-9 in a late night match at

the Thyagaraj Sports

Complex.

The loss notwithstanding, it

was a memorable

tournament for Kamal who

reached his first ITTF World

Tour semifinal since the

series (formerly called Pro

Tour) was rechristened in

2012.

The Japanese, on the other

hand, has had a dream run

and meets top seed Dimitrij

Ovtcharov in the final

tomorrow.

Harimoto took Kamal by

surprise from the outset with

his speed and agility around

the table. The boy whipped

winners at will and his over

the table forehand flicks

came at lightening speeds.

Kamal knew he had to slow

things down to make a

match out of it. The Indian

did just that and with more

accuracy in his drives, took

an 8-2 lead in the second

game before leveling the

match.

13-year-old Japanese stops

Sharath's rich run at India Open

Virat Kohli is in the midst of

a golden run both as a

batsman and as skipper of

the Indian cricket team.

Kohli recently created

history when he became the

first batsman in history to

score a double ton in four

consecutive series. Under

his captaincy, India have

continued their winning run

after registering his sixth

consecutive series win as

full-time captain.

Recently, the Indian skipper

shared a photo on his official

Instagram account where he

revealed the source that

changed his life. In the

photo, Kohli showed a book

the ‘Autobiography of a

Yogi’ written by Paramhansa

Yogananda. In the caption he

wrote, “I love this book. A

must read for all those who

are brave enough to let their

thoughts and ideologies be

challenged. The

understanding and

implementation of the

knowledge in this book will

change your whole

perspective and life. Believe

in the divine and keep

marching on doing good

deeds.” Autobiography of a

Yogi is an autobiography of

Paramahansa Yogananda

which was first published in

1946. The book is an

introduction to the methods

of attaining God-realization

and it showcases the life of

Paramahansa Yogananda

and his encounters with

spiritual figures of both the

East.

Kohli reveals the inspiring

source that changed his life

Jannu, Feb 19

A friendly T20 cricket match

was played between SDM

Eleven and principal Boys

higher secondary school

NSR eleven today at Boys

higher secondary school

NSR in which SDM eleven

NSR defeated BHSS NSR

by 60 Runs. After winning

the toss SDM eleven decided

to bat first they scored 180

runs for the loss of 6 wickets.

Harbans Lal Sharma SDM

NSR scored 35 Runs wth the

help of 5 boundary while

Riaz Ahmed scored 60 Runs

with the help of 3 sixes and 7

fours. Amir and Rakesh

Choudhary was the most

successful Bowlers for

BHSS NSR both took 2

wickets each...Chasing 9

runs per over BHSS NSR

made a poor start by losing 3

wickets for 20 runs. Shafik

was the main scoorer for

BHSS NSR who scored 75

runs with the help of 7 sixes

and 5 fours. He hit 5sixes in

1 over.

Billa and mosam was the

main bowler for SDM eleven

they took 3 wickets each.

BHSS NSR scored 120 runs

in allotted 20 overs for the

loss of 7 wickets. Speaking

on the occasion MR Harbans

Lal Sharma SDM NSR

asked the students to take

part in games and sports to

keep them self physically fit

which is the dire need of the

time...MR Rakesh

Choudhary Physical

education master Conducted

the proceedings.

Friendly T20 cricket match played betweenSDM Eleven and Principal BHSS NSR Eleven

JAMMU, Feb 19

Sumiya Kousar of

M o u n t a i n e e r i n g

Association of J&K left

today for Delhi to

participate in an Eco

Cycling Expedition from

Delhi to Kathmandu

(Nepal). She is among the

five girls selected across the

country for this prestigious

expedition.

The expedition being

organized by 'Stand With

Girls', an NGO shall start

from Delhi on March one

and conclude at Kathmandu

on March 15. Prior to the

commencement of the

expedition, Sumiya shall

attend a 10-day coaching

cum practice camp at Delhi.

It will be the first time that

such a cycling expedition

exclusively for girls is

being organized.

Immediately after her

selection in the cycling

expedition Sumiya had met

Chief Minister, Mehbooba

Mufti, who encouraged her

to do her best in the

expedition and bring laurels

to the state. Chief Minister

also promised her all

possible help in the shape of

equipment and financial

assistance.

However, Sumiya has been

sponsored by Government

College for Women (GCW)

Parade, Jammu in which

she is studying. Meanwhile,

participants of a sport

climbing coaching camp

which Sumiya was

attending at Sprawling

Buds School, Ban Talab,

here gave her an emotional

send off and wished her all

success.

It may be mentioned here

that Sumiya is an upcoming

climber of Mountaineering

Association of J&K who

had recently won a silver

medal in the North Zone

Sport Climbing competition

held at Delhi.

Prominent among others

who attended the send off

included general secretary,

Ram Khajuria and joint

secretary of Mountaineering

Association of J&K,

Shawetica Khajuria; vice

president. Yogeshwar

Kumar; Executive

members, Rakesh Goswami

and Sonam Sidharth; trainer

Shashi Kant Sharma and

climbers Ambreen Fatima,

Sakshi Magotra, Deepika

Dutta and Juhi Jamwal.

Somiya leaves for Delhi to take partin cycling expedition

JAMMU, Feb 19

Jammu district men and Jammu Red

women claimed the title trophies in

the IV State Handball Championship

held under the banner of J&K

Handball Association at MA Stadium,

here today.

In the men's final, Jammu district

trounced the young side of STC

Jammu 31-16 by a comfortable

margin. Rahul remained top scorer

from winning side of Jammu with 11

goals to his credit.

Similarly, in women's title clash,

Jammu Red defeated district

Udhampur 19-03 making it a one-

sided contest. Kashish Baru played

fine game for the Jammu Red netting

nine goals. The finals were officiated

by the technical penal comprising

Gaurav Sharma, Vikram Dogra,

Chander Shekhar, Bhawna and Kartar

Dogra.

In the finals and prize distribution

function Member Legislative

Assembly (MLA), Sat Sharma was

chief guest, who gave away the title

trophies as also other individuals

prizes and medals. President of the

J&K Handball Association, SM Bali

and former India Handball captain,

SP Ranjit Singh, Krishan Lal,

Mohammaed Ashraf Parry were

among other distinguished gathering.

Earlier, general secretary of the

Association, Ashwani Kumar Raina

welcomed the distinguished guests

and presented a brief note on the

championship.

Jammu men, Jammu Red womenclaim Handball titles

Simula wins in KCSC Cup JAMMU, Feb 19

Simula Cricket Club today registered a fine six wickets win

against Whites Cricket Club in the ongoing KC Sports Club

(KCSC) Cup Cricket Tournament, here.

Earlier, batting first, Whites Club made 116 runs for seven

wickets in given 20 overs. Rahul, Rohit and Manik were

main contributors to the total with 25, 18, 17 runs in their

respective accounts. From Simula, Shabir, Bobby and

Shashi claimed three, two and one wicket respectively.

In reply, Simula chased the target of 117 runs in 15.5 overs

losing their four wickets. Yuvraj Saini played fine innings of

50 runs coming off just 32 deliveries while Shashi and Hilal

Rather contributed 32 nad 24 runs respectively. Raja and

Deppu bagged two and one wicket respectively from

Whites Club. For his match wining innings of half century,

Yuvraj was declared man of the match.

Jammu, Feb 19

Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)

today, inaugurated the

district Level Football

Tournament (DLFT) at

Sports Stadium Samba.

While addressing the

gathering, DC Samba said

that Sashastra Seema Bal

(SSB) doing their duty on

border, and internal

security very bravely as

well as played a vital role

in Civic Action programme

like veterinary medical

camp, medical camp and

Community welfare

programmes, which is

organized by SSB time to

time. In this tournament in

total six teams of district

Samba are participating.

First match will be played

between Sangwali Football

Club and Narsingh

Football Club. Tournament

will be concluded on 21

February. In the opening

ceremony of the

tournament, DC Samba,

Sheetal Nanda (IAS) was

the chief guest. The

tournament is organized in

the presence of DIG R.K.

Bhumbla, SSB Sector H.Q.

Sronagar Srinagar and DIG

Manvendra Negi SSB

Sector H.Q. Jammu.

During this programme

S.B Chand Officiating

Commandant 7th BN SSB

told about the working

culture of Sashastra Seema

Bal (SSB) and it's various

programmes conducted by

the SSB in their Own Area

Of Responsibility (AOR).

S.B Chand Officiating

Commandant 7th BN,

Neeraj Thappa Deputy

Commandant, Ravi

Shankar Kumar Asst.

Commandant, Rajesh

Kajoor Asstm

Commandant and Sushil

Kumar, District Sports

Officer and several others

were present on the

occasion.

SSB inaugurates football tourney

BUSINESSthe northlines

Jammu | Monday | Feb. 20 | 201711

New Delhi: India may be

able to meet all its energy

requirements from

resources from the Moon by

2030, said Dr Sivathanu

Pillai, a professor at the

Indian Space Research

Organisation (ISRO).

Elaborating on ISRO's

future programme plans,

Pillai, who was formerly

the chief of BrahMos

Aerospace, said all of

India's energy requirements

could be met through

Helium 3 mined from the

Moon.

Pillai said that mining lunar

dust, which is rich in

Helium 3, is a priority

programme for his

organisation.

He said that ISRO was

planning the whole of

process of mining Helium

from the Moon, producing

energy and transporting it

back to earth.

Pillai also said that creating

low cost access to the Moon

and developing multi-

purpose and reusable

vehicles would help in a big

when it comes to intra-

planetary mining and space

tourism.

Lieutenant General PM

Bali, director general of

Perspective Planning,

Indian Army, said that the

launch of GSAT-7, India's

first dedicated military

satellite, was testimony to

its outlook towards

utilisation and exploitation

of outer space for national

security.

He pointed out that at

present, India possesses one

of the largest constellations

of communication and

remote sensing satellites

covering the Asia Pacific.

Lt Gen Bali also said that

though India continues with

a civilian orientation to its

space programme, the

changing regional and

global realities require it to

also develop military assets

in space and on ground, as

an emerging regional and

global power.

The third ORF-Kalpana

Chawla Space Policy

Dialogue had discussions

on 'Space Finance',

'Transponder Capacity for

Broadcasting and

Broadband over India',

'Collective Governance of

the Global Commons',

'Derivatives Space-scoping

the Downstream

Applications', 'Emerging

Space Actors', 'Making the

Case for India's Space

Policy', 'A New Frontier:

Boosting India's Military

Presence in Outer Space'

and 'Space Sustainability

and Global Governance'.

India to get all its energyfrom the moon by 2030

New Delhi: Overseas

investors have pumped in

over Rs 9,500 crore (USD

1.4 billion) into the country's

capital markets this month so

far, enthused by clarity on

FPI taxation. The latest

inflow followed a net pullout

of Rs 80,310 crore from

equity and debt together in

the past four months

(October-January). Prior to

that, FPIs had invested over

Rs 20,000 crore in the capital

market in September 2016.

According to depository data,

foreign portfolio investors

(FPIs) infused a net sum of

Rs 3,002 crore in equities

during February 1-17 and

another Rs 6,559 crore in the

debt segment, translating into

a total inflow of Rs 9,561

crore (USD 1.42 billion).

Finance Minister Arun

Jaitley, in his Budget speech,

proposed that category I and

II FPIs should be exempted

from taxation on indirect

transfers. Meanwhile, Nikkei

Markit India Manufacturing

PMI in January rebounded

from the demonetisation

downturn by increasing to

50.4, from 49.6 in December,

amid rising order books,

production as well as buying

levels and expansion in the

sector.

Further, SIAM's auto

numbers have shown that

passenger vehicle sales in

India rose by 14 per cent in

January.

FPIs pour Rs 9,500 cr incapital markets in Feb so far

New Delhi: Stock marketslikely to witness volatilityamid derivatives expiry in aholiday-shortened weekahead, and the ongoing UPassembly elections will alsocontinue to dominatesentiments, say experts.Stock markets will remainclosed on Friday for'Mahashivratri'."In absence of any major

trigger on the domestic front,this week looks unexcitingand will be guided largely byglobal cues. Hence, chances ofconsolidation cannot be ruledout. Trading is expected toremain volatile in truncatedtrading as traders roll overpositions in F&O segment,"said Vijay Singhania,Founder-Director, Trade

Smart Online."The ongoing UP assemblyelections will continue todominate market sentimentsin the week as pollingprocesses. We believe market to takecues from UP polling alsoand behave similarly.Overall, we foresee range-bound trading in benchmarkindices for the coming week.

Stock markets to see volatility inholiday-shortened week ahead

New Delhi: Retirement

fund body EPFO is

expected to launch online

facility for settlement of

claims, including EPF

withdrawal and pension

fixation, by May this year

to put an end to tedious

paper work by its

members.

At present, the Employees'

Provident Fund

Organisation (EPFO)

receive close to 1 crore

applications manually for

settlement of EPF

withdrawal claim, pension

fixation or getting group

insurance benefit by

deceased persons.

Joy said that all EPFO

offices would be connected

to central server in couple

of months following which

the facility of online

submission of all sort of

applications can be

introduced.

EPFO has an ambitious

plan to settle the claims

within few hours after

filing of application. For

instance, it has plans to

settle the EPF withdrawal

claim within three hours of

filing of online application.

As per the scheme, EPFO

is required to settle all

claims within 20 days from

filing of the application for

settlement of pension or

EPF withdrawal.

Under the pilot, the EPFO

has already connected its

around 50 field offices

with the central server.

In a recent review meeting

on digitisation in the

EPFO, the field formations

and Information Services

wing has been asked to

link all 123 offices with

the central server so that

subscribers can be

provided services online.

EPFO has made it

mandatory for all

subscribers as well as

pensioners to submit their

Aadhaar number. This will

help linking EPF account,

pension account, bank

account and Aadhaar

number which would

eventually facilitate

providing a host of online

facilities to subscribers like

online withdrawal and

fixation of pension.

Online EPF withdrawal, pensionfixation to be a reality by May

The country's steel

production and

consumption is likely to

remain higher in 2017-18

from 89.79 MT of crude

steel during 2015-16 backed

by an increase in

infrastructure allocation in

the Budget, a report said. In

2017-18, steel production is

expected to remain higher.

This will be backed by an

expected revival in

consumption. An increase

in infrastructure allocation

by the government in the

Union Budget 2017-18 is

expected to drive the pace

of construction and

infrastructure in the

country, Care Ratings said

in its report here. The

National Steel Policy 2017,

released by the government,

also aims to increase steel

production.

While crude steel output in

China, Japan and Russia

grew by mere 0.5-3 per

cent, output in US remained

flat and that in South Korea

declined by 1.3 per cent. In

contrast, crude steel

production in India rose by

8.8 per cent to 72.35 MT

during this period. This was

on account of higher output

by the major Indian steel

companies.

The imposition of

Minimum Import Price

(MIP) encouraged the

producers to increase their

output. Care Ratings said

that the consumption of

steel, on the other hand,

grew by just 3.2 per cent to

73.75 MT during April-

December 2016. Post-

demonetization, steel

consumption is expected to

remain under pressure in

the coming few months to a

certain extent.

This is because it is likely

that the demand for steel

from the user industries like

construction, real estate will

take some time to

strengthen. However,

government push towards

infrastructure will

compensate for this

reduction in demand, it

added.

Steel production likely to remain

higher in 2017-18: Report

Its Managing Director Rajiv

Bajaj, last week, became one

of the most vocal

industrialists to criticise the

move by saying the idea of

demonetisation was itself

"wrong" and it is incorrect to

blame only the execution

side of it.

The two-wheeler sales are

yet to recover from the

impact of demonetisation

and industry data releases

over the last two months

have been showing a slump.

HUL said the market growth

was severely impacted

during the quarter due to

demonetisation, while input

costs also continued to

remain inflated.

In a conference call, Ujjivan

officials told analysts it was

"a period of high stress both

for our customers and for us

and we have to go through

this with patience and we

feel wherever people have

become impatient, there are

reports in areas where some

of the MFIs got impatient

and become aggressive".

Dabur India said note ban

led to "severe liquidity

crunch, impacting FMCG in

third quarter", while the

growth for personal care

items like shampoo, hair oil

and toothpaste decelerated in

December to almost half of

November levels.

Some banks also reported

that their business was

impacted and credit growth

was muted as the focus was

mainly on dealing with the

demonetisation move and

the subsequent

remonetisation process,

which also led to increased

costs.

Coffee Day Enterprises,

which runs popular Cafe

Coffee Day stores, said it

saw some impact on its cafe

sales for two weeks after the

announcement but sales

recovered subsequently.

A number of other

companies from various

sectors, including Godrej

Consumer, Jyoti Labs,

Adlabs Entertainment,

Talwalkars, Bharat Financial

Inclusion, India Cements,

Magma Fincorp, Crompton

Greaves, Deepak Nitrite,

Gujarat NRE Coke, DFM

Foods and Sutlej Textiles

also reported adverse impact

of the demonetisation move,

at least for a short period.

Demonetisation move hadan adverse: Bajaj Auto

Mumbai: With the

domestic IT industry staring

at a shift in nature of work

due to increasing use of

digital technologies, a

leading firm has said a

majority of the workforce

cannot imbibe the required

emerging skill-sets, and

warned of high job losses at

the middle and senior

levels.

The domestic arm of the

French IT major employs

nearly one lakh engineers in

the country.

"A large number of them

cannot be trained. Probably,

India will witness the

largest unemployment in the

middle level to senior

level," he said at the annual

Nasscom leadership summit

here over the weekend.

He also flagged concerns

surrounding the quality of

IT workforce, saying much

of the 3.9 million IT

employees come from low-

grade engineering colleges

which do not follow

rigorous grading patterns

for students in their zeal to

maintain good records.

The remarks come days

after the industry lobby

Nasscom said there is a

need to re-train up to 1.5

million, or nearly half of its

sectoral workforce. This is

primarily on the back of a

change in nature of work in

newer, digital technologies.

Kandula said the industry,

driven by yield-seeking

investors, has not invested

enough to upgrade the skill-

sets of its employees.

65% of IT employees not

trainable: Capgemini India chief

New Delhi: Now, ISRO and

IAF may have to pay the

government for getting

accurate timings on par with

the global standard for

various activities like launch

of satellites and flight

operations.

So far, the National Physical

Laboratory (NPL) has been

extending the service free of

cost to ISRO, IAF, Indian

Railways, State Bank of

IndiaBSE -0.59 % and

several other agencies.

The move is aimed at

ramping up NPL's

chronometer infrastructure to

match global standards.

The NPL, one of the oldest

laboratories in the country,

maintains five atomic clocks,

all synchronised with the

atomic clock of the

International Bureau of

Weight and Measure, France.

There are 300 such high

precisions clocks across the

globe linked to the Bureau in

France.

The accuracy of NPL's

chronometer is (+/-) 20 nano

seconds, whereas the global

accuracy standard is as low

as (+/-) 5 nano seconds.

The NPL under the premier

Council for Scientific and

Industrial Research (CSIR)

held separate meetings with

the Indian Space Research

Organisation (ISRO) and the

Indian Air Force (IAF) last

week, conveying its plans to

charge them for the services

it offers.

The plan is to charge Rs 1

crore per location where the

service is provided, an NPL

official said.

Discussions are on to either

issue a notification or bring

in a legislation in this regard.

The NPL will also hold talks

with its other customers like

State Bank of India, India

Railways and the Department

of Telecommunications to

discuss the issue.

The high precision timing

has impact on the lives of

people as services by

agencies like ISRO, banks,

railways and telecom

operators use NPL services.

Agencies like ISRO trust the

accurate timings during the

launch of a satellite. In case

of ISRO, timings are sent via

satellite.

ISRO, IAF may have to pay

for getting precision timings

New Delhi: Cash purchases

of jewellery will attract 1

per cent TCS (tax collected

at source) from April 1 if the

amount exceeds Rs 2 lakh,

as against the current

threshold of Rs 5 lakh.

Once the Finance Bill 2017

is passed, jewellery will be

treated on par with general

goods which attract 1 per

cent TCS on cash purchase

of above Rs 2 lakh.

The Bill seeks to do away

with the threshold of Rs 5

lakh on jewellery purchases

for applicability of TCS

because the Union Budget

2017-18 has proposed to ban

cash dealings of over Rs 3

lakh and make violations

punishable with a penalty of

an equivalent amount to be

paid by person receiving the

cash.

The Income Tax Department

has been levying 1 per cent

TCS on cash purchase of

bullion in excess of Rs 2

lakh and jewellery in excess

of Rs 5 lakh since July 1,

2012.

However, the Budget for

2016-17 had imposed TCS

of 1 per cent on goods and

services purchased in cash

over Rs 2 lakh.

The Finance Bill 2017 states

that current provisions

provide for "tax collection at

source at the rate of one per

cent of sale consideration on

cash sale of jewellery

exceeding Rs five lakh.

Buying jewellery over Rs 2 lakh

cash to attract 1% TCS from April 1

New Delhi: Fabindia has

started removing the brand

name 'Khadi' it uses to

promote its cotton products

after a legal notice by Khadi

India that the use of the word

amounted to "unfair trade

practice" and misusing its

trade name.

Khadi & Village Industries

Commission (KVIC) had

sent a legal notice to

Fabindia Overseas Pvt Ltd, a

chain of ethnic wear retail

outlet, asking it to

immediately stop using the

word Khadi from all its

cotton products and remove

display banners from its

showrooms.

Sources said Fabindia CEO

Viney Singh has responded

to KVIC's notice, saying it

was complying with all the

directions of the KVIC.

Fabindia has stated that "as

per the direction issued" by

KVIC, it has complied with

them, they said.

Fabindia, in its reply, has

also sought a meeting with

KVIC officials to explain its

position in order to resolve

the matter to the satisfaction

of Khadi India.

KVIC Chairman V K

Saxena, who justified serving

the legal notice, referred to

the earlier communications

with Fabindia by which the

private firm's application for

Khadi mark was treated as

closed.

Fabindia removing 'Khadi'brand name from its products

New Delhi: With the government clearing

the merger plan of State Bank of India (SBI)

and its five associate banks – State Bank of

Bikaner & Jaipur, State Bank of Mysore,

State Bank of Travancore, State Bank of

Patiala and State Bank of Hyderabad India’s

largest bank is gearing up to become even

larger.

While SBI plans to complete the merger in

the next financial year, it will need to

address a handful of issues including

convincing trade unions which are opposed

to the merger.

He said now that the Cabinet has decided to

go ahead with the merger, all related unions

have come together and a new course to

oppose it will be taken on Feb 28. Nine

major bank employees union have formed a

United Forum of Bank Unions, which also

includes existing major unions such s All

India Bank Employees Association and All

India Bank Officers’ Association.

SBI to face some thorny issues aheadof merger of its associate banks

New Delhi: CAclubindia's

Goods and Services Tax

(GST) app became the

number one app on GST

on Google Play Store, with

a successful 85,000 plus

downloads within a

month's time, scoring an

average of 4.4 rating by

over 700 users.

The largest platform for

finance professionals in

India, CAclubindia has 1.7

million registered

members. Recently, it

launched a free interactive

GST App that integrates

and connects technology,

tax practitioners and

businesses and does not

require an internet

connection to operate.

Mobile application being

one of the most powerful

tools for creating and

engaging, interactive

eAdvisory experience has

also become the go-to

technology for finance and

legal professionals.

It enables the learner to

learn with the pace of

change.

"The idea is to bridge the

gap between the business

and finance professionals

by enabling them with an

on the go Mobile

technology and also, to

help both professionals and

business in adapting with

GST and connecting them

in relation to learning,

compliance and

consultancy," said Vivek

Jain, Founder

CAclubindia.com.

This app provides latest

updates on Goods and

Service Tax, SGST, CGST,

IGST applicability and

GST Sections with chapter

wise details.

This GST mobile app not

only gives a complete

access to the GST Act but

also supplements it with

highly interactive features

like latest articles on GST

laws, GST News and GST

Discussion Forum, where

more than 30, 000

chartered accountants and

finance experts address

queries on GST and related

laws.

CAclubindia's GST app crosses

85,000 downloads in a month

The NORTHLINESJAMMU || MONDAY | FEB | 20 || 201712

Former CJIAltamas Kabirpasses away

KOLKATA, FEB 19

Former Chief Justice ofIndia Altamas Kabir passedaway at a city hospital onSunday.He was 68.Kabir, who was sufferingfrom a kidney ailment andrelated complications, diedat 2.52 pm, a senior hospi-tal official told PTI.He is survived by his wife,a daughter and a son, hisson in-law Leon D'Souzasaid.Born on July 19, 1948,Kabir was enrolled as anadvocate in 1973 and prac-tised in the district courtand the Calcutta HighCourt in Civil and Criminalsides.He was appointed as a per-manent judge in theCalcutta High Court onAugust 6, 1990.Kabir was thereafterappointed as the ChiefJustice of Jharkhand HighCourt on March 1, 2005and was appointed as ajudge of the Supreme Courtof India on September 9,2005. — PTI

FATEHPUR (UP), FEB 19

Prime Minister NarendraModi on Sunday criticisedSamajwadi Patry govern-ment under Chief MinisterAkhilesh Yadav for its "fail-ure to maintain law andorder in the state”."The SC had to intervene toget the FIR registeredagainst Gayatri PrasadPrajapati. 'Goonda raj' isprevailing all over UP andpolice stations have becomeSamajwadi Party office,"Modi said at an electionrally, referring to a ministerwho was booked in cases ofrape on Saturday."The glow has disappearedfrom Akhilesh Yadav's face,his voice has become feeble,he is afraid and looking for

right words while talking tomedia," he said, adding thatthe SP chief has "acceptedthat he has lost the game"."Why is the policing systemso inefficient in UP? Whyare complaints not regis-tered? What work culture isit? SP is least concernedabout improving law andorder situation in UP.I urge people to elect agovernment that will

ensure safety of people,"he said, putting SP gov-ernment on the dock.Modi referred to the CM'srally to campaign forPrajapati and wonderedwhether "the (Cong-SP)alliance was as holy asGayatri". Prajapati, whois contesting as a candi-date of the alliance fromAmethi, was sacked byAkhilesh from his cabinet

in 2016 but later reinstat-ed, although without themining portfolio.Modi called SP's alliancewith Congress an "insult"to socialist leader RamManohar Lohia.In a jibe at Rahul Gandhiwithout naming him,Modi said: "Those bornwith silver spoon inmouth have realised thatthe situation is not in theirfavour on the ground.After '27 saal, UP behal'slogan, Congress wascompelled to formalliance with SP becauseof this reason".The Prime Minister alsosaid development hasbeen "in exile for 10years" in Uttar Pradesh.— PTI

'Goonda raj' in UP, SC had to intervene: ModiLUCKNOW, FEB 19

A 61.16-per cent voterturnout was on Sundayrecorded in the third phaseof the seven-phase UttarPradesh polls which con-cluded by and large peace-fully.As many as 69 Assemblyconstituencies in the Yadavheartland, considered cru-cial for the rulingSamajwadi Party in thestate, went to the polls inthis phase."Turnout of voters was61.16 per cent when pollingdrew to a close at 5 PM," UPChief Electoral Officer TVenkatesh said.He said the exercise washeld by and large peacefullyin this phase, adding thattight security arrangementswere put in place at all the25,603 polling booths.In the 2012 Assembly and2014 Lok Sabha polls, theturnout in these areas was59.96 and 58.43 per cent,respectively.The polling percentage was64.2 in the first phase of theongoing election and a littleover 65 in the second phase.Besides BSP supremoMayawati, Union HomeMinister Rajnath Singh casthis vote along with his fam-ily members in Lucknow,while Chief MinisterAkhilesh Yadav voted inSaifai (Etawah).Most of the leaders claimedthat the parties they repre-sent will form the next gov-ernment in the state.Maya upbeatMayawati, who cast her votein the Mall Avenue areahere, told reporters that BSPwould win over 300 of the403 seats."Unlike the Congress andBJP, I am not saying thiswithout any basis. The waythe people are attending myrallies, I can say that I amgoing to form the next gov-ernment. The people of thestate want change as they arefed up with the misrule andgoonda raj of SP," she said.In a similar refrain, Singh,after casting his vote here,claimed that the BJP wouldsecure an absolute majorityin UP.

At Saifai, Akhilesh said,"The voters have made uptheir minds in favour of theSP-Congress alliance."Polling in this phase beganslowly but picked up pacelater. There were reports ofminor skirmishes betweenthe supporters of the candi-dates at some pollingbooths.SP leader and Akhilesh'suncle Shivpal Yadav com-plained that his supporterswere attacked by the "politi-cal opponents" in hisJaswantnagar constituency.In the 2012 Assembly polls,the SP had won 55 of these69 seats, while the BSP, BJPand Congress had securedonly six, five and two seatsrespectively. One seat waswon by an Independent.There were 826 candidatesin the fray in the third phasewhose fate will be decidedby 2.41 crore voters, includ-ing 1.10 crore women and1,026 people belonging tothe 'third gender' category.Besides SP strongholdsKannauj, Mainpuri andEtawah, Lucknow (the LokSabha constituency ofRajnath Singh),Farrukhabad, Hardoi,Auraiya, Kanpur Dehat,Kanpur, Unnao, Barabankiand Sitapur were among the12 districts where pollingwas held today.Etawah is the native place ofSP patriarch Mulayam SinghYadav, while another keydistrict is Mainpuri, which isrepresented in Parliament bySP's Tej Pratap Yadav.Dimple Yadav, the wife ofAkhilesh, is the MP fromKannauj.In the third phase, the maxi-mum of 4,98,573 votersexercised their franchise inthe Sarojini Nagar seat in

Lucknow, while the mini-mum of 2,72,294 voterswere in Sisamau.The highest number of 21candidates were in Etawahand the minimum of three inHaidergarh (Barabanki).Lucknow West and Centralhad 17 candidates each.Prominent among those,whose prestige is at stake,are Nitin Agarwal, son of SPleader Naresh Agarwal,from Hardoi, BSP turncoatBrijesh Pathak fromLucknow (Central) on a BJPticket and Congress turncoatRita Bahuguna Joshi (nowin BJP), who is pittedagainst Mulayam's daugh-ter-in-law Aparna fromLucknow Cantt.SP leader Shivpal too is akey figure in this round. Heis contesting fromJaswantnagar.Congress leader PL Punia'sson Tanuj Punia is trying hisluck from the Jaidpur seat inBarabanki.Interestingly, the much-vaunted 'kaam bolta hai'(work speaks) slogan ofAkhilesh faced a litmus testin the battle of ballots todayin the state capital, the cru-cible of his dream projects.Akhilesh (43) has used thedevelopment card to the hiltduring his campaign acrossthe state, often highlightinghis work in and aroundLucknow, the city ofNawabs, doing away withthe traditional SP politicsthat hinged on caste equa-tions and dependence on the'M-Y' (Muslim-Yadav) fac-tor.The next four phases ofpolling will be held onFebruary 23, 27 and onMarch 4 and 8. Counting ofvotes will be taken up onMarch 11. — PTI

Over 61% voting in third phase of UP polls

LONDON, FEB 19

A British Sikh man, working at aninternational telecom firm in the UK,has been given permission to wear kir-pan to the workplace after initiallybeing refused.The Sikh Council, among the largestrepresentative bodies for the Sikhs inthe UK, had intervened on behalf ofthe unnamed worker to explain theSikh articles of faith following whichthe employer conceded and has sinceadopted a policy permitting the indi-vidual to wear his kirpan in the work-place. “It is unfortunate that cases suchas these still occur too often for our lik-ing, especially in large multi-nationalorganisations. However, we arepleased with the outcomes in thesecases, which has meant these Sikhs arenow able to practice their faith whilst

at work,” said Jagtar Singh, secretary-general elect of the council.“Casework like this is a regular featureof the work of Sikh Council UK andwe frequently receive queries seekingour assistance in such matters. Subjectto capacity we of course seek to assistany Sikh who faces any issues at workor elsewhere in connection with theirarticles of faith. If any Sikh is facingany such problems they are requestedto get in touch with us without delay,”he added. The individual in questionhad taken the decision to become an

Amritdhari, or an initiated/baptisedSikh, and as per the mandatory Sikhcode of conduct was required to carrythe five articles of Sikh faith, or the 5Ks, on his person at all times – kirpan,kada, kanga, kesh and kachera.He informed his employer of the cir-cumstances following which hisemployer had initially refused consent.The council claims this was the secondsuch case in recent times where it suc-cessfully intervened in connection withthe wearing the kirpan in the work-place. The other case involved twoSikh employees initially being stoppedfor wearing kirpans at a large interna-tional airport based in south-eastEngland. The airport has now adopteda policy around the wearing of the kir-pan by employees in the workplace inconsultation with the Sikh CouncilUK. — PTI

Sikh man allowed to wear kirpan to workplace in UK

LAHORE/PESHAWAR, FEB 19

More than 130 suspected ter-rorists have been killed andover 350 people, mostlyAfghans, arrested inPakistan as part of a nation-wide crackdown by securityforces following a string ofsuicide bombings in thecountry. At least 15 terrorists werekilled in another targetedstrike by the Pakistani forcesacross the Afghan bordertoday, Geo News reported.A high-value target, knownfor recruiting terrorists andtraining suicide bombers,was also reportedly gunneddown and at least 12 terrorsanctuaries, including ahideout and weapon depotcamp of Jamaat-ul-Ahrar’scommander were alsopounded.In Pakistan’s northwest trib-al region, at least 11 Afghanterrorists were killed duringa gun battle with the securityforces. The gun-battleoccurred in Sapperkot and

Para Chamkani in KurramAgency.Pakistan had reportedlylaunched “strikes” againstmilitant bases in Afghanistanyesterday.The killing of militants andarrests were part of a nation-whide crackdown followinga spurt in terror attacks.Punjab police spokesmanNiyab Haider told PTI todaythat, “More than 350 sus-pects have been taken intocustody (in Punjab), mostlyAfghans, since the Lahoreblast last Monday on the

Mall Road.”“During Saturday andSunday the police havearrested more than 200 peo-ple mostly Afghans andPashtoon as they did nothave identification papers.Police have also arrestedthose who had given themtheir houses on rent,” hesaid.According to a spokesmanof the Crime InvestigationDepartment, “Police arefocusing on intelligence-based search operations toget maximum results.

Deployment at all sensitivegovernment installations hasbeen increased and the oper-ation in and around localitiesof shrines in the province isalso being conducted.”He said illegal weapons havealso been recovered fromsome of the suspects whohave been shifted to undis-closed location for identifi-cation.Police have also taken a maninto custody who had rentedhis house to handlerAnwarul Haq of the Lahoreblast.

According to Punjab ChiefMinister Shahbaz Sharif,Haq had brought the Afghansuicide bomber to the MallRoad.An anti-terrorism court yes-terday handed over Haq toCounter TerrorismDepartment on a 30-dayremand.Tahrik-i-Taliban Pakistansplinter group Jamaat-ul-Ahrar had claimed theresponsibility for the Lahoreblast. — PTI

130 terrorists killed, 350 arrested in Pak’s anti-terror drive

BANGKOK, FEB 19

A United States aircraft carrierstrike group has begun patrolsin the South China Sea amidgrowing tension with Chinaover control of the disputedwaterway and concerns itcould become a flashpointunder the new US administra-tion. China’s Foreign Ministry onWednesday warned

Washington against challeng-ing its sovereignty in the SouthChina Sea.The US navy said the force,including Nimitz-class aircraftcarrier USS Carl Vinson,began routine operations in theSouth China Sea on Saturday.The announcement was postedon the Vinson’s Facebookpage. The strike group’s com-mander, Rear Admiral JamesKilby, said that weeks of train-

ing in the Pacific had improvedthe group’s effectiveness andreadiness.“We are looking forward todemonstrating those capabili-ties while building upon exist-ing strong relationships withour allies, partners and friendsin the Indo-Asia-Pacificregion,” he was quoted as say-ing by the Navy News Service.Friction between the UnitedStates and China over trade

and territory under USPresident Donald Trump haveincreased concerns that theSouth China Sea couldbecome a flashpoint.China wrapped up its ownnaval exercises in the SouthChina Sea on Friday. Wargames involving its own air-craft carrier have unnervedneighbours with which it haslong-running territorial dis-putes.

US carrier group patrols in tense South China Sea

MOGADISHU, FEB 19

A car bomb blast at a market-place in Somalia’s capitalhas killed at least 20 peopleand injured 50 others, said alocal Somali official.The blast by a car bombparked near a restaurantwent off at a busy time whenshoppers and traders weregathered inside the market,said district commissionerAhmed Abdulle.The powerful blast was thefirst major attack sinceSomalia’s new president waselected on February 8.“Someone had parked thecar here and left before itwas detonated,” saidMohamed Haji, a butcherwho suffered shrapnelwounds, pointing his fingerat a clothes shop devastated

by the blast. Pieces of woodand metal sheets on theground were all thatremained of the shop.Women sobbed andscreamed outside the marketas rescue workers weretransported bloodied bodiesand wounded victims intoawaiting ambulance vehi-cles.“It’s a painful carnage.” saidAli Mire, a government sol-dier who was helping afriend with multiple shrapnelwounds.The blast occurred a fewhours after Somalia’s Islamicextremist rebels, al-Shabab,denounced the newly electedPresident MohamedAbdullahi Mohamed as an“apostate” and vowed tocontinue fighting against hisgovernment. — AP

Blast in Somalia kills 20 inMogadishu marketplace