CMYK

CMYK

CMYK

CMYK

TUESDAY 04 March | 2014 | 01 Jamadi-Ul-Awal 1435 AH | PAGES 12 | VOL NO: 4 | ISSUE NO: 63 | RS: 2/- (AIR SURCHARGE FOR JAMMU /DELHI/LEH 50 Paisa)Pen For JusticeLargely Circulated, No. 1 Bilingual Daily of J&Khttp://www.zabarwantimes.com

11 private members bills moved in LA; four admited, two withdrawn, five rejected

Orders passed for release of 3rd installement of 6th pay commission arrears to pensioners: Rather See More On Page 06

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See More On Page 10Stands like a wall

WEATHER

TEMPERATUREMAXIMUM MINIMUM

SUNSET ON(TUESDAY)SUNRISE ON (WEDNESDAY) 06:59 AM

06:28PM 2.4 0C 12.20C

FORECAST FOR NEXT 24 HRS:

FORECAST OF SRINAGAR:

Light Rain/Snow would occur at a few places over the state.

Partly cloudy sky. Maximum &Minimum temperatures will be around 13°C & 2°C respectively.

Inside story

On Edit Page

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3 Army men among 5 held for

stabbing youth

Snow-storm victims seek rehabilitation

The progress and prosperity of any nation can be measured only on one yard-stick, as to how many citizens have excess to quality educational facilities. The off rule, Might is Right, Aristocrats rule the Na-tions, are now obsolete. The developed countries paid heed to education in the initial stage and now they are harvesting the fruits of those initiatives by way of dictating their terms on developing and under developed countries. The citizens are leading comfortable life with all the basic necessities fulfilled. They don’t have to live under open sky or stand in que for hours together to fetch one bucket of water or ration at concessional rates. Their children don’t have to lose

Safai Karamchari in Health Department stage protest

Srinagar, March 3, CNS: Safai Karamchari working in Health Department and ISM Mondaystaged a protest at Pratap Park Srinagar. The protestors alleged that even after assurances given to them by the State Government their services have not been regularized and neither any enhancement in their pay-scale was made. The protestors told CNS that they have been working in the Health Department from past 16 years on a meager salary of Rs 500 per month. “The Government had

Education-Magic wand to progress and prosperity

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Lauds senior players for their contribution

J&K first state to launch project Swasthya slateMilitants kill two SPOs in Pulwama

Hizb claims responsibilityWe are searching the suspected areas: Police

If there are any thieves in J&K, it is NC leadership: Mehbooba

30,000 MW solar energy potential in J&K: Dr. Farooq

MoU for generation of 7500 MW solar power signed

CTD imposed fine of RS. 27.26 Lacs at

Lowermonda

Congress-NC differences surface Kashmiri students ‘thrashed’ in Meerut University

‘We were forced to leave campus by authorities’

National Food Security Act to be implemented within 2 month

JAMMU, MARCH 03- Union Health and Family Welfare Min-ister, Ghulam Nabi Azad along with Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah, today inaugurated 220 bedded Super Speciality Hospital besides launching Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakaram (RBSK), Project Swasthya Slate and 102-J&K Referral Service under Na-tional Rural Health Mission at Jammu.Jammu and Kashmir has been honoured with the credit of be-coming the first state in the coun-try to get the Project Swasthya Slate launched to cover most dif-ficult parts of the state.Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, Minister for Health & Medical Education, Taj Mohi-ud-Din, Minister for R&B, Abdul Majid Wani, Minister for Cul-ture, Raman Bhalla, MPs, Ch. Lal Singh and Madan Lal Shar-ma, Minister of State for Plan-ning & Finance, Manohar Lal, MLAs, MLCs, Commissioner/Secretary Health & Medical Ed-

ucation, Gazzafar Hussain, Addi-tional Secretary and Mission Di-rector, National Health Mission, Anuradha Gupta, Embassy NIPI.Congratulating the people for getting this special healthcare institution, the Union Health Minister was optimistic about the successful functioning of this prestigious centre which will surely play a key role to perk up the medicare facilities in the

state. He said that the focus is be-ing laid on extending optimum relief to the people within the state thus saving them from wait-ing for months in other states for special healthcare services.Spelling out achievements of the centre and state governments, Azad said that “We have not only given new dimensions to health sector but all

See Azad On Page 11..

Azad inaugurates SSH, launches RBSK, Project Swasthya Slate,

102-J&K Referral Service Pulwama Correspondent

Pulwama, Mar 03: Two policemen were killed and another injured when suspected mili-tants attacked them in this South Kashmir district on Monday afternoon. Talking to Zabarwan Times sources told that militants opened fire on a police vehicle that was parked outside the district court com-plex, resulting in injuries to three policemen."The trio was immediately rushed to district hospital for treatment, however, one cop suc-cumbed to his injuries," sources said. Latter on the doctors of the hospital confirmed the death of two policemen.The slain policemen were identified as SPO Farooq Ahmad from Vedapora Shopian and Mukhtar Ahmad from Veernag in Anantnag district. Both of them were deployed at Dis-trict Police lines as SPOs.IG Kashmir Ab Gani Mir, DIG South Vijay Kumar and Deputy Commissioner Pulwama Manzoor Ahmad Lone rushed to the spot and took stock of the situation in detail. The two slain cops were accorded guard of honour at police lines latter before taken to their native villages.Police, Army, Special Operation Group and Central Reserve Police Force deployed in large number immediately cordoned off the area and launched a hunt to nab the attack-ers. However, as per sources, they managed to flee from the spot.

Panic gripped in the Pulwama town after the attack as dozens of gunshots forced the peo-ple to run for cover. Shopkeepers downed the shutters and traffic was off the road following the tension.Meanwhile militant out-fit Hizb-ul Mujahi-deen has claimed responsibility of the Pulwa-ma attack.Before this one security personal Davinder Singh,

See Militants On Page 11..

Omar condemns attack

Jammu, Mar 3 (KNS): Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has condoled the demise of two SPOs in a militancy related attack in South Kashmir’s Pulwama area on Monday in which one personnel is also reported to be injured.Condemning the act of militants, the Chief Minister lauded the bravery of the personnel and highlighted their sacrifice as the highest degree of service to the people and the State.In his condolence message to the Police Department and the bereaved families, the Chief Minister expressed

See Omar On Page 11..

Expresses solidarity with bereaved families

Jammu, Mar 3: Demanding an apolo-gy from National Conference patron, Dr Farooq Abdullah for his ‘all Kash-miris are thieves’ remarks, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Monday raised the issue in the Legislative As-sembly and said his comments had insulted the people of the state. The statement issued to KNS said that while displaying copies of prominent newspapers including Greater Kashmir and Kashmir Times, the par-ty legislators came into the well of the house and demanded an apol-ogy from Dr Abdullah for his anti-Kashmir remark in New Delhi. Unsatisfied with the government response, the legislators latter staged a walkout from the house.Speaking to media persons outside the assembly, the party president, Mehbooba Mufti said this is not the first that the NC leadership has de-famed the people, who have been voting them to power, but they have always been on the forefront in doing their character assassination both in and outside the state. She said, “They

call people, who raise voice against them, as anti-nationals and they have demonised our youth as drug addicts, LeT agents and criminals.” She said to remain in the power the NC has been exploiting people on hal-low promises from last more than 60 years now. “Be it in 1975 or 1996, the NC has always betrayed people and

compromised their inter-ests, self-respect for the sake of power,” Mehboo-ba said adding they have been treating people as their slaves and it is their deliberate strategy to defame the image of Kashmiris to remain rel-evant in certain quarters in New Delhi.She said instead of de-creasing the existing

power deficit in the state, the NC leadership has sold the most feasible power projects to NHPC only for the chair. She said ‘Meter Todo; Heater Lago’ (break meters, use heaters) slogan, by NC during 2008, was an as-sault on the system, which PDP had reformed during its brief stint in the government. She said they took off this promise and instead

See Mehbooba On Page 11..

‘Haji Yousuf’s death exposes the muck of corruption in the Abdullah family’Jammu, Mar 3 : In its yet another signif-icant stride towards achieving self-reli-ance in energy generation, the State Gov-ernment today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ministry for New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India for implementation of Solar Power Projects of the capacity of 7500 MWs.According to the statement issued to KNS, signing of memorandum was per-formed at a high level meeting of the se-nior officers of the State Government and MNRE, Government of India, chaired by the Union Minister for New and Renew-able Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah here on Monday.Under the Memorandum of Understand-ing Solar Projects of the capacity of 5000 MWs in Ladakh and 2500 MWs in Kargil possessing tremendous potential for new and renewable energy would be taken up for implementation.The Union Joint Secretary, MNRE, Ta-run Kapoor and the Jammu and Kashmir State Commissioner Secretary, Science and Technology, Bipul Pathak signed the Memorandum of Understanding on be-half of the duo Governments. Jammu and Kashmir Ministers, Nawang Rigzin Jora and Mohammad Akbar Lone, Advisor to the Chief Minister, Qamar Ali Akhoon, Ministers of State, Vikar Rasool,

Nazir Ahmad Gurazi and Feroz Ahmad Khan, Legislators, Syed Ahmad Rizvi, Tse-tan Namgyal and Narboo Gyalsan, Chairman, Ladakh Hill Development Council, Kargil, Asgar Karbalai and Execu-tive Councilor, Lada-kh Hill Development Council, Leh, Mo-hammad Shafi Lassu, Union S e c r e t a r y , MNRE, Dr. Satish B. Agnihotri, J&K Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey, Principal Secretaries, Suresh Kumar, B. R. Sharma and B. B. Vyas and various Administra-tive Secretaries were present in the meet-ing.The Union Minister for New and Renew-able Energy while highlighting the im-portance of the signing of MoU between the State and the Centre Government for harnessing of green energy from the La-dakh area said that this area possesses vast potential of solar energy. He said the signing of the MoU for its harnessing is an important landmark

See Farooq On Page 11..

Srinagar, Mar 3 : Commercial Taxes Department has seized a bulk quantity of copper scrap and 15 quintals of polythene carry bags last week from two different vehicles and has imposed and recovered huge penalty of Rs. 2726106/ from drivers/owners of the vehicle and owner of goods, authorities said.Giving details Commercial Taxes Officer, Check post Lower Munda, Hamid Gania told KNS that a vehicle bearing No: JK03/6922 while carrying copper circles, Aluminum Bartans & copper scrap of M/S Vardhman Bartan Store, Jammu and M/S Sharma Metal Traders, Jammu respectively was intercepted at this check post and put to under through physical check. After a daylong physical check of the vehicle, it was found that the vehicle is carrying 8070 Kgs of copper scrap excess in quantity and were without any valid documents. The goods were coming from Jammu to Srinagar and were consigned by Jammu based dealers and were being dis-patched to a Srinagar based dealer. The market value of the goods were assessed

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Jammu, Mar 3: Difference between ruling Alliance partners-Congress and National Conference figured in the Legislative Assembly today when Congress MLA from Inderw-al, Ghulam Mohammad Saroori, a former Minister, charged the Gov-ernment with shifting all 10,000 solar lights and 6,000 solar cook-ers meant for Kishtwar district to Kishtwar Assembly segment, represented by National Confer-ence MLA and Minister of State for Home Sajjad Ahmad Kitchloo. According to the statement issued to KNS, raising the issue during Zero Hour, Mr Saroori, whose In-derwal segment was also part of Kishtwar district, said the Union Ministry for New and Renewable Energy (which is headed by NC leader Dr Farooq Abdullah) had sanctioned 10,000 solar lights, each valued at Rs 12,000 and 6000 solar cookers, each having a cost of Rs 6000, for Kishtwar district.“My constituency (Inderwal) is also part of Kishtwar district but all 16,000 solar lights and cookers have been shifted to Kishtwar As-sembly segments and were being distributed among the workers of a party,” Mr Saroori said.

He claimed that 10 per cent cost of solar cookers had even been paid by the MLA from his Constituency Development Fund for which the Planning Minister had relaxed the rules.Mr Saroori alleged that this was a clear case of discrimination with his Inderwal Assembly segment.The Government, however, didn’t respond to the charges made by Mr Saroori.Meanwhile Opposition PDP mem-ber from Kishtwar area also al-leged that over 6000 Solar cookers were distributed among the NC workers in district Kishtwar de-spite assurance by the Govern-ment in the House.The issue was raised by Sayed Asgar Ali from PDP soon after the House started Question Hour to-day. The PDP member alleged that Solar cookers in the district were distributed in the district on the be-hest of the NC leaders and in sheer violations of the rules. The public representatives were ignored and despite assurance in the House by the Government, sanctity is not be-ing maintained.The PDP member sought directions

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Congress-PDP joins hands in Kishtwar over solar lights, cookers issue

Srinagar, March 03: (GNS) The Kashmiri students at the Swa-mi Vivekananda Subharti Uni-versity in Meerut city of Uttar Pradesh have been asked to va-cate the varsity by the author-ities after a group of local stu-dents allegedly thrashed them over celebrating Pakistan’s win over India in the Asia Cup match on Sunday.The students told GNS over phone from Meerut that all the Kashmiri students were watching the Indo-Pak Asia cup match with the students of oth-er parts of India in the campus on Sunday evening. However, trouble started when India lost the match and Kashmiri stu-dents celebrated the victory of Pakistan team.“When Indian team was in stronger position, the Hindu students were cheering. And when Pakistan team was in strong position, we used to cheer,” a 3rd year B Tech stu-dent wishing anonymity told GNS. He said “Finally when In-dia lost, we cheered and this an-guished and enraged our fellow Hindu students.”The angry Hindu students, he

said, started to thrash Kashmi-ri students. He said had their senior not intervened, the en-raged students would have lynched them to death.“They ruthlessly thrashed our ten boys. Our seniors saved us from their wrath,” he said, add-ing “When we went to the hostel to sleep, the students broke the window panes of our rooms. They terrorized us throughout the night,”He said this morning the Hindu students staged protests in the University campus demand-ing the ouster of the Kashmi-ri students. Besides abusing them, the student, he said, also accused Kashmiri students of breaking window panes. He said succumbing to the pres-sure of the Hindu students; the administration asked all the Kashmiri students to leave the varsity. “We were told to leave the Uni-versity at the earliest. The ad-ministration also slapped a fine of Rs 5000 on us without any rea-son or rhyme. We’re being pun-ished for supporting Pakistan cricket team,”

See Kashmiri On Page 11..

Director CA&PD issues help line numbers

Srinagar, March 3: Director, Consumer Affairs and Pub-lic Distribution department, Kashmir Bashir Ahmad Khan Monday appealed peo-ple to fill up the declaration forms in order avail benefits under National Food Securi-ty Act. Addressing a news confer-ence in Srinagar, Director CA&PD said that National Food Security Act is going to be implemented with the next two months in the State of Jammu and Kashmir and for that purpose the Depart-ment has issued a two-page declaration form seeking the details of income and land from the people. “We have divided people into four categories, viz: ‘Extreme Below Poverty Line (EBPL), Below Poverty Line (BPL), Above Poverty Line (APL) and Tax payers or those who have sufficient means of income. Those who fall in EBPL will get ration free of cost while people liv-ing BPL will get a kilogram

of rice for Rs 3 and wheat for Rs 2 per month. People liv-ing APL mostly middle class people will get food grains on non-subsidized rates while the last category of people in-cluding tax prayers, bureau-crats and those who have sufficient means of income will get food grains in Open Market System,” Khan said. He said that a consumer must know his rights and there is a dire need to create awareness amoung people about the new National Food Security Bill. Responding to a query, Director CA&PD, Bashir Ahmed Khan said that about 75 percent rural and 50 per-cent urban population will get benefits under Food Se-curity Act. He said that peo-ple have to provide correct information about land and income which will be cross checked by different depart-ments and officials includ-ing Rural and Development Department and Tehsildar concerned. “Those people who have notSee National On Page 11..

People asked to fill up declaration forms to avail benefits

Srinagar, March 03: A youth was stabbed during a brawl with skiing instructors, who work for the army, after Pakistan narrowly beat arch rivals Indian in the ongoing Asian Cup being played in Bangladesh. Police Monday arrested five persons, including three troopers, after a youth Muhammad Yousuf Reshi was stabbed inside a hotel in world-famous health resort, Gul-marg in north Kashmir’s Varmul district.The incident took place when the troopers were watching the crunch game in Hotel Shahra. Official sources said last evening scuffle broke out between army troopers and few civilians at Jawa-har Lal Nehru Institute of Moun-taineering and Winter Sports.“During the scuffle, one of the army troopers hit a youth

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Kulgam, March 3, CNS: The victims of snow-storm Monday while seeking their rehabilitation alleged that government is taking no measures to rehabilitate them. They said that whole village of Waltangoo Nard in Qazigund was destroyed in snow storm that oc-curred on February 2005. They said that there were 128 families in the said village while all the residential houses were completely

See Snow On Page 11..

11 Srinagar, Tuesday 04 March 2014 Zabarwan Times

FROM THE FRONT PAGE

Azad

Farooq

Youth

Snow

CTD

Congress

Kashmiri

National

Omar

Mehbooba

Militants

Owner , Printer & Publisher: Suhail Malik Editor -in-Chief: Shahana Malik RNI NO. JKBII/2011/39764, Email: zabarwantimes@gmail.com Publised at Govt. Quarters , M-13 Magarmal Bagh Srinagar-190001 J&K, Printed at:- Sangarmal Offset Press Humhama Sheikhpora Tele/Fax: 2478370 Cell No. 09999964750, 9796 787844

the development fields have witnessed a discernible change during the past 4 to 5 years”. “I had to work out several new schemes besides bringing in certain changes in existing rules for further streamlining of health sector in the country which has yielded incredible outcomes”, he added. Besides, it has also been ensured that these programmes reach the targeted segment.Azad informed that one more medical college has also been sanctioned for Rajouri thus raising the total number of new-ly sanctioned MCs to 5. He said that now the government has given nod to establishment of 75 Cancer Institutions in the country as compared to only 1 such centre in the last 65 years.The Union Health Minister also counted the achievements registered in the state adding that the funding under NRHM in J&K has been doubled besides schemes like JSSK, JSY have greatly helped in improving institutional deliveries thus reducing maternal and infant mortality rate. Besides, 1100 ASHAs have been recruited and VHSNCs established apart from funding Rogi Kalyan Samities under National Health Mission. Likewise, 350 health institutions have been taken up for construction and two maternity hospitals are being constructed.Referring to shortage of medical faculty in the state, Azad asked the state government to enhance the retirement age of doctors so that the health sector does not suffer for want of adequate staff. Regarding 102 referral service, he also asked the state Minister to bring the remaining sanctioned 200 am-bulances at the earliest.The Union Minister said that the UPA government in its both tenures has extended massive financial and moral sup-port to all the states irrespective of any political, social or religious considerations. He said that tremendous increase in number of people availing benefits of government pro-grammes under different schemes of the government can-didly reflects their faith and trust in government’s services.He also emphasized the need of an attitudinal change in the political leadership so that the people could get optimum benefit of govt schemes.Dr. Abdullah while speaking on the occasion extended grat-itude to the Centre for giving special consideration to devel-opment of J&K in view of its tough terrain and hoped that it will continue in future also. He also appreciated Azad for transforming the healthcare profile of the state. He said that no doubt the state has recorded tremendous progress but there is still a huge space to march further towards growth and development.Dr. Abdullah appealed the medical fraternity, staff and nurses to optimally utilize the latest facilities like Swasthya Slates to provide better services to the ailing. He asked them to work with allegiance to meet the responsibilities of their gracious profession. He said that doctors of J&K possesses high caliber and are no less than anyone in the field.Terming nursing as fundamental to healthcare, Farooq stressed upon the need of opening more private or govern-mental nursing training colleges to meet the shortage of this vital force in health sector. “I must say that without proper nursing healthcare is incomplete”, he added.He said that health and education are prime sectors which should be taken care of in all respects for progress and pros-perity in real sense.Later, Azad and other dignitaries distributed Swasthya slates among ASHAs and ANMs and flagged off mobile health teams under RBSK.Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, Minister for Health and Medical Education, Taj Mohi-ud-Din, lauded Azad and the UPA government for providing liberal funding to the state for improving the health sector in the state and highlighted the achievements of the center and state governments.The MPs demanded deployment of adequate staff in the SSH so that the people will get complete healthcare services in the hospital.

was stabbed by an unidentified youth in Khrew chowk Pampore, with the result he got severely injured. Police sources told that when the SOG man was evacuated his throat was badly bleeding. Sources added that the cop was critically injured; however the attacker was arrested in a few moments of the act. He is said to be resident of a Tral Village.The attacker was overpowered by other security men who saw their colleague under attack, and nabbed him on the spot. An FIR has been registered in this regard in Pampo-re Police station and investigation has been initiated police sources told. Some gunshots were heard after the incident at Pampore, locals said, however situation was brought under control in few hours.

his solidarity with them and prayed for peace to the depart-ed souls. He also prayed for early recovery of the injured. (KNS)

gave consumers a shock by raising the electricity tariff five fold in the last five years. “Instead of their promised honey & milk, what they gave the people of Kashmir pellet guns, chilli grenades, PSAs, arrests, disabilities and police cases,” said Mehbooba and added the NC promoted darkness with load shedding touching new lowest level of power supply. They handed over the administration to middle man, agents and bringing development process to a halt. She said while the ministers and ruling party politicians became richer, the state became poorer and people, from whom NC took votes on the promise of good governance, where subjected to unending curfews, tear gassing, lathi charge, if they ever raised their voices against the government atrocities. Mehbooba said there is serious corruption charges pending against Dr Farooq himself, and if there are any thieves in the state it is the NC leadership, who have been thriving at the cost of people of Jammu & Kashmir. She said there are proved corruption charges against them and they can’t gen-eralize this accusation with every citizen of the state. “Dr Farooq is involved in siphoning off millions of rupees meant for the promotion of cricket in the state and even now police have proved his involvement in the case,” she said adding the mysterious death of Haji Yousuf at the chief minister, Omar Abdullah’s residence expose the muck of corruption in the Abdullah family.Referring to the BOPEE Scam, the PDP president said the corrupt Mushatq Peer would not had been doing the frauds without the patronage of his political bosses, who have been giving him extension after extension, besides serious corruption charges pending against him. She said Omar Abdullah was unable to take any action against his battery of ministers who have been found involved in serious mal-practices be it Drug Scam, PHE Scam, Land grab scam, re-cruitment frauds etc. , as he fears reprisal from them given his involvement in host of other serious frauds.She said besides having huge potential in new and renew-able energy in J&K, if the state has not been able to perform well in tapping the potential, it is all because of the ineffi-ciency of Dr Farooq, as he has not been able to perform well. She said it is shameful on part of the part of the NC patriarch to defame the entire population without looking at his per-formance, as J&K features nowhere in the programme with zero MW capacity project installed anywhere in the state. She said the abysmal performance of Dr Farooq should not come any shocker to the people of the state, as the wounds

inflicted by him as the chief minister of J&K, for many oc-casions in the past, are still fresh and people can’t forget his cruelty. She said if it is in a public view that Dr Abdullah has made such a disgusting comment, what will would be the NC top leadership actually feeling about the people, whom they claim representing and what would they be speaking in private with the people, who see Kashmiris through a ste-reotype.Raising the issue in the Legislative Council, the party Chief Spokesperson, Naeem Akhtar said castigated Dr Farooq for his insensitive and disgusting remark. “It is very insulting on part of Mr Abdullah to defame the entire population,” he said adding we are proud to be Kashmiris, but we are not thieves. Meanwhile, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Sajad Gani Lone, Er. Rashid, Raja Muzaffar slam Dr. Farooq for his ‘Maha Chor’ remarks. (KNS)

Under unprecedented attack over the ‘Coal-Gate scam’, the government today cited the 1991 economic crisis in India to justify the allocation of coal mining blocks to pri-vate parties.

In the Supreme Court today, the Attor-ney General said the privatization of coal mining was one of the policies to tide over a major economic crisis.

He also quoted from a speech on by Prime Minister Man-mohan Singh, who was then the Finance Minister, on the coun-try’s economic tur-moil.

“In 1991, the country had only Rs. 2,500 crore in foreign exchange to run the country for a fortnight. We needed 1, 25,000 crores for to generate power,” said the government’s top lawyer.

“The Planning Commis-sion said there was no objec-tion to privatizing coal min-ing for power generation.”

The Supreme Court said: “But we are concerned

whether these policies have legal sanction.”

The government said laws were amended to privatize coal blocks for power com-panies which would supply power to states at regulated tariff.

The UPA government has been fighting allegations that precious coal mining blocks were allocated illegally to private parties and individu-als close to the government

at throwaway prices, costing the country hundreds of crores in revenue.

The controversy over coal allocation files sought by the CBI that are missing, stalled much of Par-liament’s last session with the Opposition alleging that most of the missing files are from the time the PM was in charge of

the coal ministry.After reports that an of-

ficer investigating the coal scam wanted to examine Dr Singh, but was overruled by the CBI chief, the BJP said the PM should volunteer himself for questioning.

wednesday september | 18| 2013zabarwan times 7

Agencies

Shabra’s nine-year-old daughter went missing from Jahangirpuri slums in 2008. Now over four years later neither the police and courts nor child rights commis-sions have been able to help her and her hus-band find their daugh-ter.

The police demand-ed money to help us find our daughter and we are just too poor to now continue our search. We appeal to the government is to help us locate her,” said Shabra, speaking at a public hearing on Mon-day organised by Child Rights and You and Alliance for People’s Rights which saw the participation of parents and those working in the area of child rights.

The objective of this public hearing was to understand the trend for increasing number of missing children, and state the reasons, challenges and difficul-ties encountered in their search.At the meeting, parents of missing children from across Delhi presented their case before the panel comprising National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), State Commission for

Protection of Child Rights, Integrated Child Protection Scheme, Delhi and offi-cials from Delhi Police.NCPCR member Nina Nayak said: “As soon as the child

goes missing, all the relevant child pro-tection stakeholders should be alerted for fast tracking of the case. Inputs of family are paramount in the process of tracing the child and it should be done in a professional manner. There should be convergence between all child pro-tection authorities in the State”.A re-port on the status of missing children in

Delhi, which threw light on the lack of coordination between various depart-ments of the State, was also released during the public hearing.

“The figures of missing children collected from RTI’s, ZIPNET (Zonal In-tegrated Police Network) and NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) are differ-ent, which shows the lack of convergence between child protection agencies. This is a matter of serious concern for implementa-tion of child rights in the State,’’ said Child Rights and You regional director (north) Soha Moitra.Stat-ing that adequate human/material and financial re-sources should be invested towards establishing an effective system of trac-ing missing children, Ms. Moitra said: “There are no timelines for police depart-ment to trace missing chil-dren which shows the apa-thy and non seriousness towards handling these

issues.’’The stakeholders noted that there is a need for proactive support from various sectors to address the is-sue of missing children in a systematic way. “There are important questions to be answered. Where did these children go? Were they abducted? Were they sold for money? Are they still alive?’’ she demanded to know.

Tracing Delhi’s missing children not a police priority

Woman alleges police shielding

molesters, consumes

poison in Sikar Agencies

A woman, who was alleg-edly abducted and assaulted, consumed poison in a local court during the hearing in her case alleging that police was shielding the two accused, po-lice said on Tuesday. The victim consumed aldrin in front of the ACJM Court in Sikar district on Monday during the hearing of her case for alleged abduction and assault in March this year, Kotwali SHO Dharamveer said. She was rushed in a critical con-dition to the Sri Kalayan Govern-ment hospital after taking her statement. District hospital doc-tors on Tuesday referred her to Jaipur’s SMS hospital for a better treatment, but she refused to go there, the SHO said. She report-edly told the court that she did want to live as the police was trying to cover up the case, the SHO said.

Asaram lawyer Jethmalani loses the argument on Twitter with girl has a disease remarkAgencies

Senior advocate Ram Jethmalani, one of India’s top legal minds, may need to defend himself against Twitter users who are criticising him for his contro-versial statement about a girl who has accused self-styled godman Asaram of sexual assault.Jeth-malani, while argu-ing for Asaram’s bail in the Rajasthan high court on Monday, said the girl was af-flicted with a dis-ease “which draws a woman to a man”. He also claimed the po-lice complaint filed against Asaram and age of the girl had been fabricated.

Reaction on social media was immedi-ate and angry. “Ram Jethmalani is a vicious combination of Thakral of Meri Jung and Chad-hdha of Damini,” tweeted @indi-antweeter, referring to much reviled lawyers of Bollywood cinema.

Jethmalani, 90, was called a law-

yer for Mogambos, another infa-mous Bollywood movie villain, and much worse. People made fun of his age and competence in court. “Mar-tians planted mind control chip in Asaram’s brain, argues defence law-

yer Ram Jethmalani,” tweeted jour-nalist Praveen Swami.

“Dear oh dear, Ram Jethmalani showing that even leading lawyers can be desperately out of form,” tweeted cricket writer and analyst

Harsha Bhogle. “Girl has ‘disease’ that draws her

to men.’ Then men raped her to cure the disease?” tweeted writer Tasli-ma Nasreen.

People compared Jethmalani to Delhi lawyer AP Singh, who had made a contro-versial state-ment about the December 16 Delhi gang-rape victim while de-fending convicts in the case. “If Delhi Bar Asso-ciation can con-template action on Singh post Dec 16 verdict, can’t imagine y they shouldn’t act on Jeth-malani,” said @Punditmusings.

A 16-year-old girl on August 20

had lodged a police complaint, ac-cusing Asaram of sexually assaulting her at his ashram near Jodhpur.

Asaram was arrested from his ashram in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, and brought to Jodhpur Sep 1.

Coal scam: government cites Manmohan Singh’s

1991 ‘crisis’ speech

CPI wishes ‘encounter specialist’ Narendra Modi on

64th birthdayNew Delhi:

Communist Party of In-dia (CPI) leader Atul Kumar Anjan on Tuesday labelled Bharatiya Janata Party’s Prime Ministerial candidate Narendra Modi as an ‘en-counter specialist’, and spite-fully congratulated the Gujarat Chief Minister on his birthday for be-ing a ‘political murderer.’

“Today is his birthday, it is the birthday of an encounter spe-cialist. In his own party he has done several killings and silent killings,” Anjan said.

“Like in Mumbai you have encounter specialists, from the soil of Gandhi ji who set out to unite the country, you have Modi who is trying to break the country.

“In the form of an en-counter specialist, he wants to make the yatra from Ahmedabad to New Delhi. On Narendra Modi’s birth-day, I congratulate him for the flood of political murders that he has committed,” he added. Meanwhile, Gujarat Chief Minister and Bharatiya Janata Party’s Prime Ministe-

rial candidate Narendra Modi, who turned 63 on Tuesday, met his mother Hiraben here to seek her blessings.“This is one of life’s great opportuni-ties, a mother’s blessings,” Modi told media after meet-ing his 94-year-old mother. He further thanked his sup-porters and followers across

the nation for their greetings.

“I have faith that people’s blessings won’t go waste, it will give me strength to go on with my work.” BJP

on Friday announced Modi as its prime ministerial can-didate for the 2014 general elections.

The announcement came after a meeting of the par-ty’s parliamentary board in Delhi, which unanimously decided to project Modi as the prime ministerial candi-date. Modi assured his party workers and supporters that he would leave no stone un-turned in ensuring that the BJP emerges victorious in the 2014 Lok Sabha polls. “With the blessings of the national leadership and love of the party workers, I am sure we will win,” he added.

Jats sore at PM, Sonia for visiting only Muslim relief camps

MUZAFFARNAGAR:

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi and party vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Monday came face to face with the communal divide in western Uttar Pradesh, and also saw their visit to the riot-hit areas itself becoming a point of discord.

Within hours of their leaving Malikpur, the inhabitants of the jat-dominated village lamented that they chose to meet Muslims in the relief camps in Muzaffar-nagar but ignored those from the majority community who have been equally affected by the communal clashes. Interestingly, jats did not seem impressed by Sonia and Rahul either even though the mother-son duo had, on the advice of a UP government officer, made brief unscheduled stops at jat-dominated Bawali and Khanjpura.

Alleging disparity, jats said they were ignored. “Haven’t we lost our dear ones? It seems that only they (Muslims) have been pained,” was the unanimous re-action in the village.

Malikpur is next to Kawal, the Muslim-dominated village where a clash between two groups of youths on August 27 resulted in the deaths of Shahnawaz, Gaurav and Sachin and provided the spark for the communal conflagration.

The PM and the Gandhis, accom-

panied by minister of state for home R P N Singh, must have had an under-standing of the gulf that separates jats from Muslims when they interacted

with Muslim victims at the Bassi Ka-lan relief camp. Those at the camp, like others in Tawli, detailed horror stories during the 45 minutes the leaders spent with them. And they were almost unanimous that they

were not going to go back to their vil-lages even if the jats came calling.

Several female Muslim riot survi-vors from different villages narrated

to the Congress chief how in a flash they were dispossessed of everything they owned. The survivors also apprised the leaders of the irresponsible at-titude of police and administra-tion when it came to their safety and alleged that they feared for their life every moment.

Forty two-year-old Jameel Bassi, who is from Kutubi, said, “We told the PM that we don’t want to go back to our village. There is threat to our lives.” Bassi was seen weeping dur-ing the interaction. “The PM said all help will be extended to us by the state and central governments.”The ire of the people here is directed against the political class as a whole. “So many people from our com-munity were brutally butchered over the past few weeks with our meetings being hijacked. There are so many villages in this whole belt where so many jats have also left their villages due to fear and they are hiding at residences of their relatives or in other cities. However, the

PM only comes and meets people in relief camps of Muslims. Hasn’t my son died in the same violence,” asked Ravinder Singh, father of Gaurav who along with his cousin Sachin was killed in a clash at Kawal.

Agencies

The teams of National Investigation Agency visited Goa along with IM co-founder Yasin Bhatkal to probe his links in the coastal state where he had earlier vis-ited, police sources said.

The teams, which were in the state for a day on Monday, took Bhatkal to places like Anjuna beach, Mapusa, Panaji and Vasco, which he had reportedly visited during the last decade.

The NIA teams were here but did not share their intelligence inputs with the state police, Goa police Deputy Inspector General O.P. Mishra said last night.

However, sources in the police de-partment said the NIA teams were trying to ascertain whether Bhatkal had been recruiting gullible youths from Goa into his terror network.

Goa was on alert during the last year end following inputs that the state, which attracts 25 lakh tourists annually, may be on the hit list of terrorists.

30-year-old Yasin, arrested along In-do-Nepal border on August 29, is alleged to be involved in a series of blasts from 2006 onwards across the country.

Bhatkal, who was on run since 2008, is wanted in cases of terror attacks in Ahmedabad, Surat, Bangalore, Pune, Del-hi and Hyderabad.

Bhatkal, who co-founded Indian Mu-jahideen (IM) in 2008 along with brother Riaz, is also wanted in the German Bak-ery bomb blast in Pune on February 13, 2010, that left 17 people dead.

The IM was designated a terrorist

group by the government under the Unlaw-ful Activities Prevention Act in June 2010.

NIA teams visit Goa with Bhatkal to ascertain terror links

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, talk with riot affected people at a relief

camp in Muzaffarnagar.

“Today is his birthday, it is the birthday of an

encounter specialist. In his own party he has done several killings and silent

killings,” Anjan said.

HIGH COURT OF JAMMU AND KASHMIR(OFFICE OF THE CENTRAL PROJECT COORDINATER, e-COURTS)

NOTIFICATIONApplications in the prescribed format (ANNEXURE-A) are invited from permanent resi-

dents of J&K State for the posts of System officers and System Assistants for implementation of e-Court Mission Mode Project in J&K State on consolidated salary and the application form may be personally delivered in the office of the undersigned at Jammu for the candidates belong to Jammu province, at Srinagar for candidates belong to the Kashmir Province and candidates belong to the Leh and Kargil Districts can submit their applications forms in the Court of their respective Principal District & Sessions Judge before or on 14,n of March 2014.

Position No. of posts

Educational Qualification Consolidated monthly salary.

S y s t e m Officer

07 B.E / BTech / MCA in Computer Science/ Engi-neering or Information Technology. Or

11,100/-

Master Degree in Physics/ Math/ Statistics/ Op-erations Research with Post Graduate Diploma in Computer Science or Master degree in Computer Science/ Information Technology. Or

B.sc (Computer Science or IT) or BCA or Bach-elor’s degree with Post Graduate Diploma in Com-puters Science/ Applications with two years of experience in relevant field.

S y s t e m Assistant

08 Government Recognized Diploma in computers after 10th Standard.

6800/-

(Number of posts may be increase or decrease depending upon the vacancy position at the time of final selection)Eligibility CriteriaThe age of the candidate should not be more than 37 years Certificates to be attached!. Date of Birth Certificate.2. Permanent Resident Certificate.3. Qualification Certificates.4. Work Experience, (if Any)Job Responsibilities for System Officers:a) To assist the High Court and District Court in ICT System Administration & Management and discharge the duties independently as and when required.b) To assist the High Court, District and Taluka/Muffasalat level Project Supervision Commit-tees in system administration and management.c) To manage ICT infrastructure such as servers, computers, laptops, scanners, printers, LAN, Internet Connectivity, communication equipment such as switches, routers, modems etc. d) Interaction with vendors for maintaining and supporting the equipment. e) Installation and maintenance of Operating System, office tools, customized application etc. f) Assistance in training of end-users.g) Such other technical support/ duties as assigned by the High Court/District Court from time to time.Job Responsibilities for System Assistants:a. To assist System Officer in maintenance / troubleshooting of ICT infrastructure such as serv-ers, computers, laptops, scanners, printers, LAN, Internet Connectivity, communication equip-ment such as switches, modems, etc in coordination with the concerned service providers.b. Such other technical support/ duties as assigned by the High Court/District Court from time to time.Terms & Conditions:-1. The posts carries a consolidated pay of Rs.11,100/- for System officers and Rs: 6800/- p.m. for System Assistants and is purely on contractual Basis.2. The consolidated salary subject to the availability of the funds from the Government.3. The person appointed may be transferred to any district across the State of J&K, depending upon administrative exigencies.4. All eligible candidates will be required to appear for the interview on a date which is notified separately. The date of the interview shall be notified through print media and separate call let-ters will not be mails to the candidates.5. No Travelling Allowance will be paid to the Candidates appearing for the interview.6. Incomplete applications, applications received after the due date will be summarily rejected. No further correspondence will be entertained, in this regard.

DIPK: 14516 Sd/ (Khalil Choudhary) Central Project Coordinator (e-Courts) High Court of J&K Jammu

ANNEXURE-AApplication for the posts of System Officers and System Assistants for implementa-

tion of e-Court Mission Mode Project in the State of J&KS. No:-.....................For office use only

1. Position for which applied (System officer/System Assistant)

2. Name of the applicant

3. Father/ Guardian’s name

4. Date of Birth

5. Sex Male/female

6. Marital Status

7. Permanent Address

8 Present Address

9 Hiqhest educational qualification

10 Details of other professional Qualification

11 Work experience in the relevant field (if any)

12 e-mail address for communication

13 Phone noV Mobile no. for communication

Dated Signature of the Candidate

Affix passport size photograph duly at-tested by Gazetted officer(do not pin or staple)

and the initiative would catapult the energy sector in Jam-mu and Kashmir besides bringing in economic revolution. He said Ladakh possesses the potential of 30,000 MWs of so-lar energy and today’s signing of MoU would be a vanguard step towards harnessing this potential.Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that his Ministry has initiated various projects in Jammu and Kashmir to help the State to generate power from non-conventional resources available here. He said Government of India has flagged generation of new and renewable energy as an important sector and a target of producing 1,00,000 MWs of power through non-con-ventional resources of energy in the Country by 2022.The Minister of State for Power expressed gratitude to Dr. Farooq Abdullah for the lot of help and assistance extended by his Ministry to Jammu and Kashmir for strengthening the energy sector and generating solar energy. He men-tioned the help provided by MNRE for installation of Solar Power Plants in hospitals, educational institutions, ITIs and other institutions besides providing solar lights to the peo-ple in rural and far-flung areas. (KNS)

at Rs. 3591150 / and penalty under the provisions of the J&K VAT Act, 2005 were imposed on the driver/owner of the ve-hicle and owner of goods. The total penalty of Rs. 2513805/ was imposed and recovered in full from the driver/owner of the vehicle and owner of the goods for excess quantity of goods found in vehicle after physical check and wrong dec-laration made at this Check post. Another vehicle bearing No: JK03B/7364 while carrying non-woven carry bags of M/s Carry Well, Srinagar supplied by M/s Bansal Traders, New Delhi carried through transporter M/s Lucky Inter-national Transport Company, Delhi was intercepted by the sleuths of the Commercial Taxes Department at the Check post Lowermunda and the vehicle was thoroughly checked. It was found that the dealer in nexus with the transporter and driver has kept 57 bags (weighing 25 Kg each bag) of polythene carry bags hidden among the non-woven carry bags. The vehicle along with goods was seized and action under the provisions of J&K VAT Act, 2005 were taken and penalty to the tune of Rs. 212301/ was imposed and recov-ered from the driver of the vehicle/owner of the goods and dealer.Gania further stated that every effort is being made to curb the menace of tax evasion. He said both the operations were conducted in a very professional manner and these two ve-hicles were kept under the strict surveillance & close moni-toring from last two months and successful operation to nab the culprits goes to the entire staff of the Commercial Taxes Check post Lowermunda and senior officers of the Commer-cial Taxes Department for their support and coordination. Ganai said this is the third major attempt of tax evasion during this year from January, 2014 which was foiled by the department and penalty amounting to Rs. 751120/ was imposed on vehicle bearing No: JK05A/6496 on 16-01-2014 which was coming from Jammu to Srinagar and on 24-01-2014 again penalty amounting to Rs. 351351/ was imposed and recovered on vehicle No: JK01K/7944 which was going to Delhi from Valley.He added that the Commercial Taxes Check post Lower-munda has handed over 155 quintals of polythene and poly-thene carry bags to the J&K State Pollution Control Board, Srinagar which was seized at this Check post from time to time during the current financial year 2013-14 and was hand-ed over to SPCB in compliance to the orders of the Hon’ble High Court, J&K. He said that every effort is being made to stop and check the illegal import of the polythene and poly-thene carry bags into the Valley at this Check post. (KNS)

from the ‘Chair’ in this regard and also pressed for constitu-tion of a House Committee for the purpose.Minister incharge Planning and Development Ajay Sadho-tra stood up and assured the members that Government would look into the matter. As the member strongly pressed and raised these serious allegations that this has happened in Kishtwar and NC members were showered favours, the MoS Home and Industry Sajjad Kishloo (NC), who hails from Kishtwar stood up and said that a committee headed by Deputy Commissioner was monitoring this all and noth-ing such has happened.The member got agitated and claimed that he would bring privileged motion. The Chairman said that Government has already responded into the matter and the member is free to move privileged motion. (KNS)

he said.“Around 5:45 pm, we were forced out of the varsity by the authorities. They are in no mood to listen to us. They have succumbed to the pressure of the fanatic students,” he added.He said that at least 25 Kashmir students are enrolled in the University, who are undergoing different courses.Rabia Baaji, coordinator, Kashmir consultancy, which sends Kashmir students to outside institutes, told GNS that she was not aware of the alleged thrashing of the Kashmiri students or their ouster from the University.“However, today evening, I received a mail from the chair-man, Atul Krishna, of the university about the incident. They have mentioned that this year varsity has decided not to entertain any Kashmiri student,” she said, adding “The Varsity chairman has also written the Kashmiri students should be sent to Pakistan for studies,”When contacted, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Meerut, Aukar Singh, told GNS that he will look into the matter.“You have brought the issue in my notice and there is no need to worry” he said.He denied that police has interfered in the issue so far. (GNS)

collected their forms can collect them at our Fair Price Shops, Store Rooms or from the concerned AD office. We ap-peal people to fill up these forms in their interest and avail benefit under this new Act,” he said. According to CNS, Kahn said that they have launched 'HP ANY TIME' which will enable HP and other Customers to book refills and obtain confirmation round the clock. “A consumer has to dial our customer care number 9086023456 and he will get home delivery after giving his consumer number. We are ensuring that a consumer gets his cylinder in his kitchen and our staff fits the cylinder as well,” he said. He said that CA&PD department is mulling to install and erect signboards at every nook and corner, which will de-

pict the actual rate list of all the food items, and in case of any complaint, people can call on 2455019 and 9419004033. “Just call me on this number and you will see a big change. Immediate action will be taken against the offenders,” he said adding that he will issue a circular directing Petrol Pump owners to keep their pumps open round the clock. (CNS)

with a sharp knife and injuring him seriously,” sources add-ed. Sources said as locals celebrated Pakistan’s victory; the troopers called Reshi in their room and beat him to pulp. Reshi is a resident of Beerwah, Budgam and has been work-ing as an instructor in the institute. He was immediately rushed to Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura.Official sources identified the arrested three army men as Havaldar Jitender Singh, Niak Sonam and Niak Hajari Lal. The arrested civilians were identified as Lakshman of Udhampur and Kuldip Singh of Baderwah.Meanwhile, police have registered a case under FIR No. 2/2014 under section 242 and 323 at Gulmarg police station. (GNS)

damaged. They said that out of 128 houses, 76 shelters were constructed by then government but till date the remaining 56 shelters have not been constructed. They appealed the government to look into the matter and reha-bilitate them at safer places. (CNS)

Srinagar, March 3, CNS: Sa-fai Karamchari working in Health Department and ISM Mondaystaged a protest at Pratap Park Srinagar. The protestors alleged that even after assurances given to them by the State Govern-ment their services have not been regularized and neither any enhancement in their pay-scale was made. The protestors told CNS that they have been work-ing in the Health Depart-ment from past 16 years on a meager salary of Rs 500 per month. “The Government had assured us that our ser-vices will be regularized. Leave aside the regulariza-tion of services, even our salary was not enhanced,” they said. They appealed to the gov-ernment to have a sympa-thetic look into the matter. (CNS)

Safai Karam-chari in Health

Department stage protest

Hide out busted, huge cache of war

like stores recovered

Srinagar, March 03: On receipt of intelligence input, a joint operation of Army and JKP was launched which resulted in busting of a hideout and recovery of the huge cache of arms and ammunition.There was intelligence input of an hideout with large quantity of war like stores. A Rashtriya Rifle unit located in Langate Baramulla, along with persons of JKP immediately launched an operation in general area Bodhnar. Despite bad weather, concerted search of the area was carried out during which a hideout was busted. In the hideout war like stores recovered are, 01 AK series Rifle along with 02 Magzines and 58 rounds of ammunition, 18 UBGL grenades and administrative stores like snow blankets, pherans, muf-flars, socks, balaclava, hand gloves, pathani suits, lighters and tarpaulin.This bursting of hideout and recovery of war like stores will further dent the morale of militants. Gen Gurmit Singh, Chinar Corps Commander has congratulated the troops of the Army and JKP who were involved in the operation.

ECI launches signature

campaign for electoral

participationREASI, MARCH 03- Elec-tion Department has launched door-to-door signature campaign for electoral participation in Reasi District where 943 volunteers will reach every household with pledge letters for participation in forthcoming elections. The campaign has been launched as an outreach programme of the Election Commission of India and as a part of ongoing district mission under SVEEP named “Jashn-e-Jamhu-riat”.District Election Officer (Deputy Commission-er) Reasi Shahid Iqbal inaugurated the workshop for launch of signature campaign at an Mini Secre-tariat here today. A 8-coulmn for-mat devised by district administration will be filled up by members of every household and the volunteers will complete this process on 20th March. The campaign will be initi-ated at hamlet level on 8th March to coincide with the Women’s Day for attracting them women and youth voters towards the booth. Specially designed dresses have been given to vol-unteers and Anganwadi workers for indentifying them as electoral mission-aries. Through this first mass contact programme launched by the Election Department volunteers will impart electoral lit-eracy at household level. More than 3 Lakh pam-phlets and information notes in various languages have been provided to the volunteers and workers for distributing among households. Women vot-ers are special focus of the signature campaign. The DC emphasised on reaching out to every voters in the district in multiple ways for which a series of awareness and education programmes have already been organ-ised in the district. Citing the example of ongoing plantation drive “Green Vote-one plant for one vote” launched in the district he called for greater public participation and emotional connect with the electorate.

TUESDAY, MARCH | 04 | 2014Daily ZABARWAN TIMES NEWS

Your internal fire may be feeling a bit smothered by a fierce reality check today, Libra. Give people the benefit of the doubt. They are more perceptive than you may think. In fact, it may behoove you to get some honest feedback today from some people you trust. It could be difficult for you to sort out the truth in your present situation, since you’re the one caught in the middle of the maelstrom.

Careful planning on your part is starting to pay off, Scorpio, but be careful that you don’t alienate others in your quest to be the best. You may not realize how your harsh words affect the people around you. Be more sensitive to the feelings of others. Focus and be brave in your actions. Hesitation may cause you to lose control of the situation. Know your boundaries, but push beyond them.

A little foreign culture could be the thing you need right now to spice things up a bit. It could be that you aren’t feeling a very strong connection with the environment around you. You could be anxious to spread your wings and explore your freedom. Start small but think big. Get out of your rut and do more exploring on your own. There’s a sobering, disciplined feeling to the day that could help you think realistically about your situation .

Some days it may be hard for you to get motivated, Capri-corn, but if ever there were a day in which it was easier than others, this would be the day. You’ll find that your mind is quite attuned to the situation around you and that your sense of grounding is helping you manifest that which you wish to bring to life. There’s a sense of time restriction and limitation to the day that is prodding you to act now.

You may feel a bit of restriction working to hold you back from your current plans today, Aquarius. It could be that your mind is feeling restless and that you’re anxious to go, but there’s a feel-ing of discipline and caution nagging you and urging you to slow down. This might not be a bad idea. Discipline and willpower may be exactly the things you need in order to get where you’re going.

You’ll find that a sensitive mind that’s open to every-thing and every possibility is exactly the thing you need at this time in order to be successful in reaching all the goals you’re working toward, Pisces. You’ll find that your sense of duty and need for plans and solid goals are key el-ements for getting to where you need to be. Gather infor-mation and create a plan of attack that is well thought out.

Things that require restriction and discipline on your part may be causing tension and opposition in your world today, Virgo. The good news is that your mind is clear and you should feel in tune with the people around you. Know your allies and take care of them. Remind others of how much they mean to you. The most important aspects of your life are your friends and family, so treat them with uncondi-tional love.

Today is a good day to be receptive to other people’s ener-gies, Aries. You’ll find that a sensitive attitude toward the people around you, combined with a bit of hard work and willingness to fulfill your responsibilities, will make for an unstoppable winning combination. Use this day to collect data and plan your goals. Take responsibility for your actions and don’t be afraid to admit your mistakes.

You’ll find that your mind is sharp and penetrating today, Taurus. Make sure you stay focused and organized. You have the power of discipline behind you that will help you mani-fest quite a bit on a day like today. Keep in mind that your openness to others and your incredible sensitivity are some of your greatest gifts. Use your power to create prosperity for yourself, but do it without hurting or manipulating others.

There is a rough stubbornness to the day that you may find hinders your progress, Gemini. There may be undercurrents of op-position that are slowly wearing away at your psyche. Make sure that you don’t fall into the trap of feeling guilt or regret. These are useless emotions that you simply can do without. If people are be-ing negative or unreasonable, simply walk away from the situation and find a better one.

There are forces working in your favor that you should be sure to latch onto and take advantage of, Cancer. You’ll find that your sense of duty and ability to plan are paying off in a very pos-itive way. You’ll find that you’re able to check quite a few things off your list today. Think before you act and take a time-out to rest and regroup if you need to.

Missed connections and unfortunate misunderstandings will happen less frequently if you slow down and focus. Re-member that you can do things yourself, Leo. Don’t feel like you absolutely need approval from others before tackling the projects that you wish to complete. Your mind is urging you to take the initiative today, so feel free to do so. Just make sure you aren’t too hasty in your actions.

JAMMU, FEBRUARY 03 – In it’s yet another significant stride towards achieving self-reliance in energy generation, the State Government today signed a Memorandum of Un-derstanding (MoU) with the Minis-try for New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Government of India for implementation of Solar Power Proj-ects of the capacity of 7500 MWs.

The signing of Memorandum was performed at a high level meet-ing of the senior officers of the State Government and MNRE, Govern-ment of India, chaired by the Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah here on Monday.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding Solar Projects of the capacity of 5000 MWs in Ladakh and 2500 MWs in Kargil possessing tremendous potential for new and renewable energy would be taken up for implementation.

The Union Joint Secretary,

MNRE, Tarun Kapoor and the Jammu and Kashmir State Commissioner Secretary, Science and Technology, Bipul Pathak signed the Memoran-dum of Understanding on behalf of the duo Governments.

Jammu and Kashmir Min-

isters, Nawang Rigzin Jora and Mo-hammad Akbar Lone, Advisor to the Chief Minister, Qamar Ali Akhoon, Ministers of State, Vikar Rasool, Na-zir Ahmad Gurazi and Feroz Ahmad Khan, Legislators, Syed Ahmad Rizvi, Tsetan Namgyal and Narboo Gyal-

san, Chairman, Ladakh Hill Development Council, Kargil, Asgar Karbalai and Executive Councilor, Ladakh Hill De-velopment Council, Leh, Mo-hammad Shafi Lassu, Union Secretary, MNRE, Dr. Satish B. Agnihotri, J&K Chief Secretary, Mohammad Iqbal Khandey, Principal Secretaries, Suresh Kumar, B. R. Sharma and B. B. Vyas and various Administra-tive Secretaries were present in the meeting.

The Union Minis-ter for New and Renewable Energy while highlighting the importance of the signing of MoU between the State and the Centre Government for

harnessing of green energy from the Ladakh area said that this area pos-sesses vast potential of solar energy. He said the signing of the MoU for its harnessing is an important landmark and the initiative would catapult the

energy sector in Jammu and Kash-mir besides bringing in economic revolution. He said Ladakh possesses the potential of 30,000 MWs of solar energy and today’s signing of MoU would be a vanguard step towards harnessing this potential.

Dr. Farooq Abdullah said that his Ministry has initiated vari-ous projects in Jammu and Kashmir to help the State to generate power from non-conventional resources available here. He said Government of India has flagged generation of new and renewable energy as an important sector and a target of producing 1,00,000 MWs of power through non-conventional resources of energy in the Country by 2022.

The Minister of State for Power expressed gratitude to Dr. Fa-rooq Abdullah for the lot of help and assistance extended by his Ministry to Jammu and Kashmir for strength-ening the energy sector and generat-ing solar energy.

JAMMU, MARCH 03: Minister for Tourism, Mr. G.A. Mir replying to a question raised by Sheikh Ghulam QadirPardesi in the Legislative Coun-cil said that New Type Primary Health Centre is functional at Pantha Chowk and efforts are underway to provide ambulance to the hospital during the next financial year subject to the availability of funds.

Replying to another question raised by Mr. Sham LalBhagat, the Minister said that 89 schemes were sanctioned during last three years in erstwhile Doda district under PMGSY Phase –VIII and IX. Out of these, 29 schemes have been taken up for ex-ecution and rest of the schemes is under tendering process. One scheme namely “road from National Highway to Digdol”has been Black topped un-der Phase-I with a length of 1.34 Km at a cost of Rs. 31.10 lakh.

He said that the department is making all-out effort to complete all the roads at the earliest. However,

the work on most of the schemes in the erstwhile district Doda has got delayed due to non-response for the stage-II schemes sanctioned under phase –VIII and IX, primarily due to low cost celling in the sanctioned cost at Schedule of Rates 2008. The matter stands taken up with the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India.In reply to another question by Rani GargiBlowria, the Minister in-formed that the Vijaypur- Ramgarh- SM Pur road is a Defence Road and is being maintained by Border Road Organization (BRO), adding that there is no proposal of improvement/ up-gradation of existing road with the Organization. Replying to another question by Mr. Showkat Hussain Ganai, Mr. Mir informed that the con-struction work of Health Sub- Centre, Turkawangam and Wachi has been proposed in the current years plan at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.76 crore each for which Rs. 10 lakh each has been earmarked for the purpose.

INFOJAMMU, MARCH 03: Several Members raised issues of

public importance during Zero Hour in the Legislative As-sembly today.

Mr. Ashok Kumar demanded steps for expeditious re-opening of Desa Road which has been closed due to snow fall.

Mr. Harshdev Singh demanded adequate compensation to victims of different incidents in Jammu division.

Mr. Abdul Gani Malik demanded filling up of vacant posts of teachers in his constituency.

Ch. Zulfkar Ali raised the issue of power crisis in Poonch-Rajouri and urged the Government to improve the scenario.

Prof. Gharu Ram Bhagat drew the attention of Govern-ment towards shortage of ration supply in R.S.Pura.

Mr. Jugal Kishore demanded widening of Jammu-Akhnoor road to avoid frequent road accidents.

Mr. Yashpaul Kundal demanded enhancement in the limit of creamy layer from Rs. 4 lakh to Rs. 6 lakh on the pattern of Central Government.

Mr. Balwant Singh Mankotia pleaded for addressing the issues of Daily Wagers of various Municipal Committees in Jammu division who are on strike for the past many days.

Mr. Krishan Chander Bhagat called for adequate funding for the development of bad pockets in his Constituency.

Mr. Jagdish Raj Sapolia demanded upgradation of Basohli-Mahanpur road.

Members highlight issues of public

importance

PHC Panthachowk functional: MirEfforts underway to

complete all roads in Doda

30,000 MW solar energy potential in J&K: Dr. Farooq

Degree Colleges Sunderbani, Nowshehra are functional:

Dr. Manohar

11 Private Members’ Bills moved in LA; four admitted, two withdrawn, five rejected

Orders passed for release of 3rd installment of 6th Pay Commission arrears to pensioners: Rather

Minister of State for Higher Education Dr. ManoharLal Sharma replying to a question by Mr. Ravinder Kumar Shar-ma informed that the Govern-ment Degree College, Sunder-bani was sanctioned during 2011-12 under State Sector and has been made functional in a makeshift accommoda-tion.The Minister further in-formed that at present, 270 students are enrolled in the College. He said as many as 21 posts of various categories stand created for the College. He said out of 10 created posts of Assistant Professors, 9 have been filled by way of academic arrangements.Dr. Manohar informed that land measuring

83 kanals-3 marlas has been identified at village Bhajwal- Sunderbani for construction of College complex for which an amount of Rs. 1.40 crore is kept available with the depart-ment for taking up construc-tion work on Degree College during 2013-14. The Minister informed that Government Degree College, Nowshera was sanctioned during 2007-08 under Phase 2nd of the Prime Minister’s Re-construction Plan (PMRP) and was made functional in 2008 in makeshift accommodation for which 14 posts of Assistant Professors in 29 posts of vari-ous categories stand created.Dr. Manohar informed that

land measuring 102 kanals-3 marlas including 46kanlas-5 marlas of private land at No-nial, Tehsil Nowshera has been transferred to the Higher Education Department for establishment of College. He said Rs. 1.19 crore as land com-pensation has been released to the Deputy Commissioner, Ra-jouri for disbursement among land owners.The Minister further informed that against the estimated cost of Rs. 11.50 crore, an amount of Rs. 7.73 crore stands released to the JK PCC. The work on the ground floor of the building stands completed while as, the con-struction work on first floor is apace, he maintained.

JAMMU, March 03- 11 Private Members’ Bills were moved in the Legislative As-sembly today, out of which 4 stand admitted, 2 with-drawn and 5 rejected.The Bills which were admitted by the House included the L.A Private Members’ Bill No. 15 of 2014, “A Bill to prohibit the manufacture, advertisement, sale, pur-chase, consumption, import and export of Alcohol in the State of Jammu and Kash-mir”. The Bill was moved by Mr. Abdul Haq Khan.The L.A Private Members’ Bill No. 16 of 2014 “regarding amend-ing the Jammu and Kashmir Requisitioning and Acquisi-tion of immovable Property Act, 1968” was moved by Mr. Charanjit Singh.The L.A Private Members’ Bill No. 3 of 2014 “regarding Con-stitution of Jammu and

Kashmir (Amendment) Bill 2014” moved by Mr. Abdul Rehman Veeri.The L.A Pri-vate Members’ Bill No. 16 of 2014 “regarding amend-ing the Jammu and Kashmir State Legislature Members’ Pension Act, 1984” was joint-ly moved by Mr. Nasir Aslam Wani and Mr. Abdul Rehman Veeri.The Bills which were withdrawn included L.A Pri-vate Members’ Bill No. 5 of 2014 “regarding repealing the Jammu and Kashmir (Resi-dential and Commercial) Tenancy Act, 2012 moved by Prof. Chaman Lal Gupta and the L.A Private Members’ Bill No. 8 of 2014 “regarding amending the Jammu and Kashmir transfer of Property Act, 2014 which was moved by Peerzada Mansoor Hus-sain. The Bills which were rejected by the House in-cluded L.A. Private Members’

Bill No. 14 of 2013 “A Bill for establishment of Autono-mous Development Coun-cil for the Kamraz region of Jammu and Kashmir moved by Mr. Nizam-ud-Din Bhat, L.A Private Members’ Bill No. 1 of 2014 “A Bill to amend the Jammu and Kashmir Pan-chayati Raj Act, 1989 moved by Mr. Harshdev Singh, L.A Private Members’ Bill No. 2 of 2014 “A Bill to provide for the better management, admin-istration and governance of Shri Pingla Devi Ji Shrine and Shri Chountra Mata Ji Shrine and its endowments includ-ing the lands and buildings attached, or appurtenant, to the shrines and for matters connected therewith or inci-dental thereto moved by Mr. Harsh Dev Singh, L.A Private Members’ Bill No. 4 of 2014 “A Bill to provide social se-curity to unemployed.

The Minister for Finance and Ladakh Af-fairs, Mr. Abdul Rahim Rather in reply to a question by Syed Mohammad Rafiq Shah informed the House that order has been issued to the concerned for release of 3rd installment of arrears of 6th Pay Commis-sion in favour of the pensioners.

He further said that the Pay Anomaly Committee has submitted its recom-mendations/ report to the cabinet regard-ing removal of pay anomalies of clerical cadre, Junior Engineers and Agriculture Extension Officer. Accordingly Finance Department pursuant to the cabinet De-cision No. 262/25/2010 dated 10.12.2010 issued a Government order no 296-F of 2010 dated 21.12.2010 for redressing the anomaly of these categories.Mr. Rather further informed the House that the State Government has revived the pay anomaly committee vide G.O. No. 67-GAD of 2012, dated 16.1.2012. The terms of reference of the said committee are to examine various anomalies and disparities amongst differ-ent categories of the employees. The re-vived pay anomalies committee discussed and submitted its report regarding the pay anomalies of Clerical cadre, Home Depart-ment and Revenue Department. The Pay Anomaly Committee is a standing Commit-

tee to examine the cases referred to it by various departments on case to case basis.

Replying to another question by Nar-booGailchan, Mr. Rather informed that a well devised mechanism for holding the meetings of the Departmental Pro-motion Committees (DPCs) is already in place to ensure that the proposals relating to promotion/ regularization of services,

against higher posts are considered in a time bound manner, requiring no further intervention in this regard.While replying to another question by Sheikh Ghulam Ra-sool, Mr. Rather informed the House that in terms of the second schedule of the Jammu and Kashmir Government Business Rules (Rule 8-entry 17), proposals for appoint-ment of the Chairman and the Members of the Public Service Commission have to be brought before the Cabinet and these rec-ommendations of the Cabinet are submit-ted to the Governor for appointment of the Chairman/ Members.He further informed that whereas for Accountability Commis-sion is concerned every appointment shall be made after obtaining the recommenda-tions of a Committee consisting of the Chief Minister, Chairman, Speaker of the Legis-lative Assembly, Chief Justice of the High Court of J&K, Law Minister of the State, Leader of Opposition in the Legislative As-sembly are its members.Whereas, with re-gard to the Backward Classes Commission the members are nominated by the Gov-ernment which include the Chairperson who has been a judge of Supreme Court or High Court, an eminent educationist, a person who has for at least two years held the post of Secretary to Government or any

other post under the Government carrying a scale of pay which is not less than that of a Secretary to Government and shall in either case have adequate administrative experi-ence, the minster maintained and added that two persons preferably belonging to backward classes who have special knowl-edge in matters relating to backward class-es are also involved in the process of nomi-nating. Mr. Rather further informed the House that Section -4 of J&K Board of Pro-fessional Entrance Examination (JKBOPEE) Act-2002 lays down the procedure for ap-pointment of Chairman which is followed. The Committee prescribed under the Act, after examining the CV and integrity of the officers recommends the name/ names for appointment to the post of the Chairman. The recommendations are place before the Cabinet and the orders of appointment are issued with its approval. The Minister said that as for as the procedure for appoint-ment of Chairman, J&K Board of School Education (JK BOSE) is concerned, the gov-ernment is adopting a fair selection process through a Search Committee constituted at the time of selection process comprising the eminent personalities/ administrators/ educationists of impeccable integrity for recommending panel of eligible officers.

KATRA, MARCH 3 – Mr. N.N. Vohra, Governor, inaugurated a new Hostel and Faculty Residence block at Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Gurukul, Charan Paduka, near Katra. These buildings have been constructed by the Shrine Board at a cost of over Rs. 2 crores.

At present 74 students are studying in this fully residential institution which was set up by the Shrine Board in 2010.The students are being imparted education in Vedas, Sanskrit, religious scrip-tures, “Karmakand” and Pooja rituals, apart from being taught all modern subjects including Science, Mathematics and Computers. Dr. M.K. Bhandari, Chief Executive Of-ficer informed that at present, there are students studying in the 6th to 9th classes.The Gurukul is a fully residential educational institution, which is affiliated to the Sampur-nanand Sanskrit Vishwavidayalaya, Varanasi. It provides free educa-tion, boarding, lodging, uniforms, books etc to the students. The Shrine Board has also made elaborate ar-rangements for indoor and outdoor games here, including basketball, badminton, cricket, table-tennis, car-

rom, chess etc. The Governor went around the newly constructed Hos-tel building and the Acharya Niwas and interacted with the students and enquired from them about curricu-lum, education, recreation facilities, quality of food etc. and their daily activities. He asked Dr. M.K. Bhan-dari, Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board, to take all measures necessary for securing the all round development of the students and en-sure provision of extra-curricular and recreational activities as a part of the student’s daily schedule, apart from enlarging their awareness on social and historical themes through audio-visual modes.

The Governor congratulated Master Gourav Sharma, student of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Gurukul for having secured first position in the entire University, in the annual ex-amination of class 8th conducted in April-May, 2013 by Sampurnanand Sanskrit Vishwavidyala, Varanasi. On his outstanding achievement, Master Gourav Sharma had been awarded a Gold medal by the Gover-nor of Uttar Pradesh, who is Chan-cellor of the University, at its convo-cation held in November.

Azad lays foundation stone of 100 mtr span bridge over AIK

nallah at Rehal

JAMMU, MARCH: 03: Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Mr Ghulam Nabi Azad to-day laid foundation stone of 100 mtr span bridge over AIK nallah at Re-hal area of tehsil Bishnah.

Estimated to cost Rs 3.85 crore, on its completion the Bridge would provide better connectivity to a large number of villages of the Bor-der Tehsil.Minister for PWD, Roads and Buildings, Mechanical Engi-

neering, Mr. Abdul Majid Wani, Member Parliament, Mr. Madan Lal Sharma, MLA, Bishnah Mr. Ashwani Kumar Sharma, Ex-Min-ister Mr Gulchain Singh Charak, besides Chief Engineer PWD, Mr. Abdul Hamid Sheikh and other senior officers of the department and district administration were also present at the foundation lay-ing ceremony.Examining the plan and design of the project, the Union

Minister advised the executing agency to build the bridge on the lines of latest Bridge Construction Techniques being used worldwide. He asked the engineers to take all necessary precautions to ensure longevity and sustainability of the bridge.Later, Mr Ashwani Kumar Sharma and Mr Gulchain Singh Charak also spoke on the occasion and congratulated the people for the construction of the bridge.

Governor visits SMVD Gurukul; interacts with

faculty and students

Daily Zabarwan TimesEDITORIAL/ OPINIONEDITORIAL/ OPINIONDaily Zabarwan TimesSrinagar, Tuesday 04 March 2014

Disclaimer : The contents and comments appearing in any article published in this paper are purely the personal opinion of the writer

Education-Magic wand to progress

and prosperity

The progress and prosperity of any nation can be measured only on one yard-stick, as to how many citizens

have excess to quality educational facilities. The off rule, Might is Right, Aristocrats rule the Nations, are now obsolete. The de-veloped countries paid heed to education in the initial stage and now they are har-vesting the fruits of those initiatives by way of dictating their terms on developing and under developed countries. The citizens are leading comfortable life with all the basic necessities fulfilled. They don’t have to live under open sky or stand in que for hours together to fetch one bucket of wa-ter or ration at concessional rates. Their children don’t have to lose eye sight while studying in dim lights. Talk of any comfort; they are bestowed with in comparison to the people of the third world who have to live from hand to mouth, where poverty is their destiny. It is all because of least priority given to education sector that these coun-tries could not harness their resources and compete with the developed nations. They miss the condition in India. We too woke late to the need of the hour in giving em-phasis on education. The words of Former President of India Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam keep on echoing when he one said “com-ing generation will not remember you as to how many temples, mosques or churches you built, but will remember you as to how many school you built”. His golden words speak of his vast experience and practical approach. But despite various schemes and initiatives launched by Central Govern-ment, country still lags behind in the field of education. Due to poverty most of our children go to government run school to seek education. Except Kerala almost in tall the states the literacy rate is below expec-tations. There could be various reasons for this. The way politics has plagued this sec-tor is beyond one’s imagination and almost killing the future of the country. The state of Jammu & Kashmir is no exception. Here the people are being duped with the slo-gans of freedom, justice, progress and what not for the last so many years. But it was ed-ucation sector which was made sacrificial lamb at the first instance. Schools, colleges, libraries were set ablaze. Day today calls of strike, civil curfew, and curfew made the life out of gear. The future of the students was darkened. With the establishment of pop-ular government some initiative with the financial assistance by central government were taken to build or repair school college buildings but the situation still is pitiable. Even now nearly 5000 government schools are without their own buildings. School buildings are in delipated condition. May schools are without roof top, without doors and with broken window panes. There is no proper sitting arrangement what to talk of other civic amenities like heating system during chilly days of harsh winter, drink-ing water or toilet facilities. Even teacher are not properly trained. There are certain schools were students are without teaching staff but some schools with more teachers but less students due to ineffective transfer policy and rampant corruption. The con-cept of Rehbar-e-Taleem may be ideal on paper but practically it has failed to deliver goods as it is a means for back door entries. What kind of quality education can be ex-pected from a teacher with nominal hono-rarium? Moreover when such teachers are regularised they get themselves transferred to towns or cities with political pressure or money power leaving students to their fate.Now time has come when Government and the people have to take education sector seriously. Government should take bold steps by adopting public private part-nership for spreading education to every nook and corner of the state to channelize the talent and intelligence of t he children of the state and also in calculate a sense of accountability in teaching community which is possible only when there is good governance.

Daily Zabarwan TimesEDITORIAL/ OPINIONEDITORIAL/ OPINIONDaily Zabarwan TimesSrinagar,Sunday 16 February 2014

Prevention of Drug Addiction

Disclaimer : The contents and comments appearing in any article published in this paper are purely the personal opinion of the writer

Kejriwal -Small man big designs

AThe resignation of Arvind Kejri-wal and his forty eight days stint consisting high drama in which he claimed to climb the sky with-out stairs has exposed the over ambitiousness of a middle rung former Govt. officer who wanted to erode even the constitution of India to fulfil his political expan-sionism. From the very begin-ning it looked crystal clear that Kejriwal without much political knowhow wanted to conquer the Mount Everest even without ven-turing out of his home. His day dreaming, his unfulfilled promis-es to the people of Delhi, his mis-calculations and aspirations with which he tried to befool the peo-ple suddenly vanished in air. His promise to supply the free water up to 900 litres to every home, electricity supply on half of the rate and Jan Lokpal bill were all flues. Above all his style of func-tioning like an anarchist and the way he approached to deal with different issues was nothing but immature senseless and direc-tionless. Infact he was trying to create a kind of anarchy and constitutional crisis which could destroy the very basis of the dem-ocratic set-up. His blunt lies, his allegations against everybody including the high dignitaries re-portedly without any basis clear-ly show that he has no priority and targets except to derive max-imum mileage out of minimum. As per constitution experts he thinks that he can overrule the constitution according to his will and whims and he thinks himself to be the only honest man in the county. His behaviour and the at-tempts he made to disrespect the constitution of India and also to erode the laid principles of law where simply unbearable as no society in the world can tolerate such attempts. As he could not fulfil his promises, he wanted a way eject, which he got through his Jan Lokpal Bill whose con-troversial introduction in Delhi Assembly was unconstitutional as any Bill in the central list can be introduced and passed but not before the permission of Ministry of Home Affairs is sort. As he was acting in an anchorist and dicta-torial style, he thought he is above law and can do anything he likes. The Indian democracy is the larg-est in the world hence deep root-ed. Arvind Kejriwal did not avail the opportunity he got to prove his metal. He thought by quitting he will gain the sympathies of the people of India but forgot that he has in the process exposed him-self before the masses and is in danger of losing whatever he had achieved so far. It is very easy to sit on ‘Dharnas’ and criticize oth-ers but it is not so easy to trans-late one’s whims unless one goes through the established system of norms and is honest in the ap-proach.

lcoholism and drug abuse is a pysco-social-medical problem re-quiring a holistic approach – from prevention and early detection to effective intervention, rehabilita-tion and social integration. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is the nodal Min-istry for drug demand reduction. It coordinates and monitors all aspects of drug abuse prevention which include assessment of the extent of the problem, preventive action, treatment and rehabilita-tion of addicts, dissemination of information and public education. The Ministry provides communi-ty-based services for the identifi-cation, treatment and rehabilita-tion of addicts through voluntary organizations. In order to recog-nize the efforts, and, encourage excellence in the Prevention of Al-coholism and Substance (Drugs) Abuse and rehabilitation of its victims, awards will be presented, every year, for the most effective or outstanding services as individ-uals as well as institutions in the prevention of abuse of:- (a) Alcohol;(b) Narcotic Drugs;(c) Psychotropic Substances;(d) Other Addictive Substances (Except tobacco and its products)e.g. cough syrups, correction fluid,

etc.The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has been imple-menting the Scheme of Preven-tion of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse since 1985-86. The Scheme, which was re-vised twice in 1994 and 1999, at present provides financial support to NGOs and employers mainly for creating Awareness and Pre-ventive Education, Drug Aware-ness and CounsellingCentres (CCs), Treatment- Cum- Rehabil-itation Centres (TC), Workplace Prevention Programme (WPP), De-addiction Camps (ACDC), NGO forum for Drug Abuse Pre-vention Innovative Interventions etc. Apart from this, the Ministry takes up awareness gen-eration programme every year dis-seminating information, education and communication (IEC) mate-rials, organizing programmes in schools and community, holding exhibitions and publishing news-letters and journals. At present there are about 41 CCs and 401 TCs are function-ing with the support of the minis-try in the country. Besides, a large number of NGO’s are involved in this endeavour, Ministry of social Justice and Em-

powerment notified in December last year a scheme of National Awards for Outstanding Services in the field of Prevention of Al-coholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse, in order to recognize the efforts and encourage excellence in the field of prevention of sub-stance abuse and rehabilitation of its victims. The Scheme is applicable to in-stitutions and individuals working in this field. Under the scheme, awards will be presented every year to the most effective or out-standing services rendered as in-dividuals as well as institutions in the prevention of abuse of alcohol; narcotic drugs; psychotropic sub-stances and other addictive sub-stances. The awards are presented ev-ery year, on the 26th June, which has been declared by the United Nations as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and are given in ten different categories to institutions and individuals. I. Institutional Category (i) Best Integrated Rehabilitation Centre for Addicts (IRCA) for providing rehabilitation services to alcoholics and drug users (ii) Best Regional Resource and Training Centre (RRTC) provid-

ing exemplary contribution in the field of prevention of addiction. (iii) Best Panchayati Raj or Mu-nicipal Body working for preven-tion of alcoholism and substance (drug) abuse. (iv) Best Educational Institution doing outstanding work in aware-ness generation and prevention of alcoholism and substance (drug) abuse. (v) Best Non-Profit Institution, other than Serial Number (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) above, with out-standing contribution in the field of Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse. (vi) Best Research or Innova-tion. (vii) Best Awareness Campaign. II. Individual Category(viii) Outstanding individual achievement by a professional. (ix) Outstanding individual achievement by a non- profes-sional. (x) Former Addict, who has done outstanding work in the field of awareness generation or de-addic-tion or rehabilitation.The institution of these National Awards is indeed a manifestation of Government’s commitment to address the issues and take effec-tive steps against alcohol and drug abuse.

Building not just Roads but Nation

ransport system is considered as the life line of any nation. Road Infrastructure, because of its easy accessibility, flexibility in oper-ation, door to door service and reliability occupies a dominant position in the transportation system. It is vital for unleashing economic growth and is a crit-ical component of all inclusive growth. In the last few decades, Road transport in India has regis-tered tremendous growth and has become the most preferred mode of transport. The share of road transport in carrying the passen-gers and goods is more than 80% and 60% of the total passenger and freight movement respec-tively. Road Network India has huge network of roads totalling about 46.90 lakh km. The road density in India at present is nearly 1.43 km per sq. km of area which compares favourably with many countries. Responsibility of development of this network rests with the Central Government, State Gov-ernments and local Government. National Highways (NH), having total length of 82,803 km, con-stitutes less than 2% of the total road network. However, these are the main arteries carrying more than 40% of the total road traffic. Development of NHs is the responsibility of the Central Government.Good and efficient transport infrastructure is an essential pre-requisite for the economic growth of a nation. It has been the endeavor of the Government to provide speedy, safe and effi-cient road transport network. It is recognized that modernisation of infrastructure is the key to at-tain higher GDP. India’s Trans-port sector as a whole contributes about 5.5% to the GDP, with road transport contributing the lion’s share. India has emerged as one of the fastest growing economy in the world. According to ex-perts, India could unleash its full potential, provided, it improves the infrastructure facilities, which are at present not sufficient to meet the growing demand of the economy. To address emerging demand by catching up with the economic and social growth of the country, a massive Road de-velopment programme has been

taken up in the country.NHDP The National Highways Devel-opment Project (NHDP) is the flagship programme, for devel-opment of less developed areas, dedicated regional programmes like the Special Accelerated Road Development Programme for the North-East (SARDP-NE) and the Special Programme for the Left Wing Extremism affected areas have also been taken up. Now, there are plans for building up Expressways in the Country. Three projects i.e. Eastern Pe-ripheral Expressway in National Capital Region, Delhi - Meerut Expressway and Mumbai – Va-dodra Expressway covering about 650 km are targeted during the current financial year. Plan-ning for Bengaluru – Chennai and Delhi – Jaipur Expressways are also in advance stages. All these Expressways will be fully access controlled roads on green field alignment. To meet with the mas-sive requirement of funds, inno-vative means of financing and financing strategies which inter alia include cess on fuel, private sector participation including for-eign investment, borrowing from the market as well as budgetary support have been adopted. A major step was to attract foreign as well as domestic investments through Public Private Partner-ship (PPP). Involving the private sector would lead to increasing efficiency with the help of using modern technology. The private sector has more flexible pro-curement and decision-making procedures and therefore, it can speed up implementation efforts. Allowing private sector to raise capital/funds has paved the way for the Government to use its scarce resources efficiently and effectively. Several new materi-als of road construction are also emerging that would need to be encouraged depending upon their cost effectiveness. For development of National Highways in the Country in the 12 five year plan targets to invest Rs 1,44,769 crores from bud-getary support, Rs 64,834 crores from IEBR and Rs 1,87,995 crores from private sector partic-ipation. Launched in 1998, the NHDP

program represents the largest road construction project ever undertaken to boost the develop-ment of the National Highways in the country. The program is aimed at the development of about 50,000 km of National Highways. Golden Quadrilateral which provides four-lane con-nectivity between four metros, is complete, while the North-South-East-West (NSEW) corridor is about to be completed. Four lan-ing and six laning is underway at many places and progressing at brisk pace, despite the hurdles in land acquisition, obtaining en-vironment and forest clearances, high cost debt etc,. So far work on more than 21,000 km have been completed and in about 12,350 km works are in progress. Other flagship regional programmes which includes SARDP-NE and roads in LWE affected areas cov-ers development of about 12,000 km of roads out of which work has already been completed in about 3800 kms.Mode of Projects The emphasis has been to take up progressively more and more infrastructure projects through private sector participa-tion on BOT (Toll) basis so that more public funds are available for social sectors such as Health, Education, etc. However, it would not be practically possible to take up development of the majority of the highway stretches on BOT (Toll) mode. This has re-flected in the recent trends of bid-ding when in majority of roads projects we could not get the fa-vourable response. Accordingly, recently, Ministry has decided to take up road projects as turnkey Engineering Procurement Con-struction (EPC) contracts basis which would help to reduce con-struction time and is expected to improve quality of work as well. Also, in this system the objective to garner private sector efficiency is retained and the private entre-preneurs are free to use new tech-nology to speed up their worksNew InitiativesE-Tolling The experience on present tolling system is associ-ated with congestion and delays at toll plazas. To overcome this, Government has decided adop-tion of Electronic Toll Collec-tion (ETC) system across Na-

tional Highways in India, which would enable toll to be collected electronically from vehicles at toll plazas while the vehicle is in motion. Pilot projects have already been taken up in this re-gard which will pave way for nation-wide interoperable ETC at all the toll plazas on National Highways by 2014.New Materials Besides financ-ing, such a mammoth develop-ment programme requires huge amount of natural resources. As such conservation of the material is area of concern for all. There is a need to save scarce physical resource like aggregates, sand, earth, cement, bitumen, etc. looking to huge programme of construction of highways in the country. On the other hand, the Nation is facing problem of the disposal & storage of industrial waste like fly-ash, copper slag, marble slurry, etc. Efforts are on in utilizing these waste materials in construction of roads through complete/partial replacement of conventional materials. Cashless Treatment of accident Victims (A Road Safety initiative) India has the dubious distinction of having maximum number of fatali-ties on roads. During the year 2011, there were around 5 lakh road acci-dents resulting in the deaths of over 1.42 lakh people. Each day, nearly 390 people die on our roads. In In-dia more than half of road accident victims are in the age group 20-65 years. The loss of the main bread earner and head of household due to death or disability can be cata-strophic, leading to lower living standards and poverty, in addition to the human cost of bereavement. This is an unacceptable price to pay for mobility. The Ministry has already taken up multi-pronged strategy in his regard. The latest milestone in this area is a Pilot Project for “implementation of cashless medical treatment to the accident victims” for the first 48 hours. Under this scheme accident victims will be provided free treat-ment during this period as a result immediate relief can be provided to the accident victim, which will go a long way in reducing fatalities on our road.Completion of programmes al-ready taken up is expected to go a long way in contributing towards building the Nation.

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Awareness Generation, Research and Rehabilitation