SRINAGAR : Heavy rains pounded several areas of Kashmir damaging many houses and led to closure of Srinagar-Jammu national highway because of landslides with water level in Jhelum river also rising fast.
Heavy rains since yesterday has resulted in damage to at least 44 structures, including 18 houses, due to landslides in Chrar-e-Sharief area of Kashmir, officials said.
The rainfall has forced closure of the Srinagar-Jammu national highway due to landslides at some places, an official of the Traffic department said.
He said the road was closed yesterday for repairs but fresh downpour has resulted in the arterial road remaining closed for the second day today.
Although the water level in Jhelum was still four feet below the danger mark of 18 feet at Ram Munshi Bagh in the city, the rise of two feet in the past five hours has resulted in panic among the residents, the officials said.
At Sangam in south Kashmir, Jhelum was flowing at 14.25 feet, nearly seven feet below the danger mark.
Many shopkeepers in commercial hub of Lal Chowk and surrounding areas were seen taking out their merchandise to safer places in view of rising water level.
Some shops in low lying areas of the city have been submerged due to waterlogging of roads due to congested drains.
Chief Minister Mufti Sayeed flew in here from the winter capital Jammu to take stock of the situation and monitor the steps taken to counter the situation.
“The chief minister reached Srinagar to personally monitor the situation arising due to incessant rains in the Valley,” an official spokesman said.
Three ministers – Altaf Bukhari, Imran Raza Ansari and Asiya Naqash – have been travelling through the city since this morning, asking people not to panic and assuring of all possible help.
A dedicated desk has been set up in the Police Control Room for the assistance of the people in waterlogged areas of the Valley.
Sayeed is expected to review the situation at a meeting of the officials concerned later in the day.
Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh informed the Assembly in Jammu that administration is on “full alert” in the wake of heavy rains in the Valley and the situation is being monitored continuously.
Singh assured that all precautionary measures have been put in place. (AGENCIES)

MELBOURNE : The Associate cricket nations might be fuming at the prospect of a 10-team World Cup in 2019, but ICC Chairman N Srinivasan today said they had no reason to feel left out as the format gives them a good chance at qualifying for the mega-event.
The ICC’s decision to reduce the number of teams from 14 to 10 in the next World in England has been lambasted by the associate nations.
The world body has also drawn criticism from some of the most prominent voices in international cricket, including Indian icon Sachin Tendulkar, who has gone to the extent of saying that the idea is detrimental to the goal of making cricket a global game.
But Srinivasan said there is not much to be concerned about.
“If you look at the next World Cup, the top eight will qualify while for the ninth and 10th team, there will be competition between six associates. So, the Associates will have a reasonably good chance at playing the World Cup. The success of the Associates is actually because of the ICC’s development program,” Srinivasan told ‘STAR Sports’ here.
As per the new qualifying system while hosts England and the top seven teams will be assured of a place in the World Cup, the Associates will have to fight it out against the sides outside the top-eight of ICC rankings in the qualifiers.
This could well mean that not a single associate nation would make the showpiece event.
The decision has expectedly not gone down well with well-performing Associates like Ireland, who enthralled one and all with some terrific performances in this World Cup, missing the quarterfinal berth by a whisker.
Irish captain William Porterfield has hardly minced words in expressing his displeasure towards the move.
“Everyone wants to know what their (ICC) vision for the game is, because if they cut the teams in world competitions, why not just have 10 teams playing cricket and every other country in the world doesn’t bother?” he had asked. (AGENCIES)

MELBOURNE : A ground record crowd of 93,013 watched the World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.
That shattered the venue’s previous record attendance for a cricket match of 91,112, according to officials.
The massive final turnout had already surpassed the biggest cricket crowd at the vast stadium, set on the opening day of the 2013 Boxing Day Ashes Test against England.
Sunday’s crowd has also topped the attendance of 87,182 for the 1992 World Cup final at the MCG between Pakistan and England. (AGENCIES)

MELBOURNE : New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum said he had no regrets after his team were beaten by Australia in the World Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground today.
Despite being bowled for a duck in the first over of the day then seeing his team beaten by seven wickets, a gracious McCullum said he was still proud of his team. ‘It’s been one hell of a ride for us, right the way through, we played some outstanding cricket,’ he said at the presentation.
‘We ran into an outstanding team in Australia, they continue to set the standard… they deserved to win.’ New Zealand’s hopes of pulling off an upset suffered a devastating blow when McCullum was clean bowled by Mitchell Starc in the first over of the day.
They recovered with a brilliant 83 from Grant Elliott and a dour 40 from Ross Taylor but lost their last seven wickets for 33 runs to be all out for 183 in 45 overs. ‘It probably didn’t unfold as planned, but we got ourselves back in the game at 3 for 150,’ McCullum said. ‘With 180, you still dare to dream and it could have ended up differently with a couple of things going our way.’ For New Zealand, the tournament was still a great success. They had never played in a World Cup final before, reaching the semi-finals six times but losing on each occasion, and were unbeaten going into the final. ‘This is what you ask for as a cricketer,’ McCullum said. ‘We’ve forged memories and friendships that will last forever. We didn’t lift the trophy but we have no regrets with the brand of cricket we’ve played . ‘We walk away with our heads held high. It’s the greatest time of our lives and that’s how we tried to play the game, with a free spirit and heart. I think we can be very proud of our achievements in this tournament.’ (agencies)

JAMMU : The Comptroller and Auditor General of India in its latest report has rapped Jammu and Kashmir government for poor infrastructure and lack of basic facilities for the police force in the state.
The government auditor came hard against the state’s ‘negligence’ towards police department as it revealed that 18 police stations and 103 police posts were operating without ‘own’ buildings.
“Under Modernisation of Police Force (MoPF) plan, assistance is provided for construction of buildings. As many as 18 police stations and 103 police posts in the state were without its own buildings. However, out of 192 only 89 police posts are functioning from own buildings”, Accountant General of J&K, Khalid Bin Jamal said.
The audit was conducted between January- April 2014 with an objective to find the annual plan provision of infrastructure for effective policing at police station level, funding for infrastructure facilities in accordance with BPR&D, Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
“Police Station is the first contact point of people in distress with the state government and hence the importance of efficient and effective police functioning at the police station level is important for building public confidence in the state. This seems to have been neglected”, CAG for the years ended 31st March 2014, said.
The report, which was tabled in the two houses of state Legislature here, said: “Out of Rs 394.30 crore incurred on construction works, only Rs 18.10 crore (three per cent) was incurred on construction, repair and renovation of police stations during the period 2004-14”.
The report further said the position of functional infrastructural facilities was found lacking in eight test- checked districts (105 police stations).
“The availability of interrogation room (17 per cent), rest room (28 percent), single lock-up room (49 per cent), separate toilets for women (12 per cent) was dismal. None of the PSs in six of the eight police districts had a separate toilet for the women”, it said.
In test-check of eight districts, out of 105 police stations, 25 have reception rooms, 18 have interrogation rooms, 81 have wireless rooms, 29 have rest rooms, 88 have boundary walls and only 13 have separate toilets, it said.
CAG pointed to a ‘dismal state of the police’ in terms of the family accommodation sector.
“The deficiency of family accommodation for upper and lower subordinate staff ranged between 84 and 91 per cent. Against requirement of 300 barracks only 207 barracks (69 per cent) were available in the state”, the report said.
CAG observed that National Police Commission in 1977 recommended 100 per cent family accommodation for police personnel, but in the state only 69 per cent lower staff has the facility.
It pulled the state government for violation of the J&K Police manual.
“As per J&K Police Manual, only serving police officers are entitled to the services of head constables and constables to work as their personal orderlies”, CAG report said.
“However, 198 police personnel were attached with retired police officers. Also, 180 police personnel had been deployed in the security of police officers and political leaders in excess of norms (‘Y’ category: 1-4 Guards at residence and 2 PSOs; ‘X’ category: 2 PSOs) fixed by the security wing of the department”, the report said.
CAG report also took a dig on the lack of desired level of mobility in the police force and the shortage of light motor vehicles (LMV) and motor cycles (MC), which are main source of making police movement fast.
“There was lack of desired level of mobility in the police force and the shortage of light motor vehicles (LMV) and motor cycles (MC) was to the extent of 53 per cent and 69 per cent respectively”, CAG report said.
“Against requirement of 432 vehicles (LMV: 248 and MC:184) as envisaged by the GoI, the 105 police stations in the eight districts were holding only 134 vehicles (LMV: 125 and MC: 9). Moreover, 26 PPs/PSs were without any vehicle and 28 PPs/PSs possessed condemned vehicles which continued to ply on road due to non-replacement”, it said.
CAG also revealed the government has been spending more funds at headquarter level police setup and depriving Police stations and Police posts of their share of funds.
“Allotment of fuel to vehicles at police stations was very meager as only 13 to 22 per cent of funds allotted for the purpose were utilized on these vehicles”, it said.
CAG report further revealed that one-third to one-fifth of fuel quota had been consumed in to and fro journeys by vehicles from PSs to petrol pumps located at respective district headquarters.
On the most important issue of the security to jawans, CAG pulled government for failure to provide them security vests to the policemen.
“In eight test-checked districts life saving equipment viz, Body Protectors and Bullet Proof Vests were not available with 64 police stations wherein 2865 police personnel remained posted”, it said.
CAG report further said: “Diet charges had never been provided to 16 police stations/police posts despite the fact that these police stations had detained persons. Stationery items were not provided to 80 police stations/police posts”.
The survey was conducted in eight districts of Jammu, Rajouri, Udhampur, Reasi, Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla and Budgam.
The CAG report mentions that Police post at Bhambla in Reasi with 22 police personnel (as per record) operates from a single rented room hired by Munshi from personal account. Police station Reasi and Ramble of Udhampur district are operating from the buildings declared unsafe.
Similarly police station Nowgam, Srinagar accommodated in a house gutted in fire and thereafter station is operated from a pre-fabricated room. (AGENCIES)

JAMMU : Jammu and Kashmir Minister of State for Road and Building Sunil Sharma today demanded the arrest of former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Kishtwar riots. Talking to reporters outside the Legislative Assembly Mr Sharma alleged that the riots took place during Omar led previous government and he also inducted former Minister Sajjad Kichloo as MLC despite his name surfaced in riots in interim report. “Mr Omar Abdullah should be arrested immediately along with Mr Sajjad Kichloo,” the Minister, who is also BJP MLA from Kishtwar said.
He said innocent people were killed and the peace was disturbed in the area,” adding that, “action should also be taken against Mr Abdullah in Haji Yousuf case.” He also sought arrest of then IGP Jammu, DIG Kishtwar and DC Kishtwar.
Meanwhile, PDP spokesperson and education Minister said that “government will study the report which will be discussed in the Cabinet for further action.”
Also, BJP-PDP today demanded action against former National Conference Minister Sajjad Kichloo for his alleged involvement in Kishtwar riots as per the Justice Gandhi Commission Report submitted to the Government.
(AGENCIES)

SINGAPORE : Tens of thousands of people today braved heavy rains to bid a teary adieu to Singapore’s founding leader Lee Kuan Yew in a grand funeral attended by many world leaders, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi who described him as one of the “tallest leaders of our times”.
91-year-old Lee, the city-state’s prime minister for 31 years and widely respected as the architect of Singapore’s prosperity, died of severe pneumonia on March 23.
Global dignitaries, including monarchs, presidents, prime ministers and former leaders, joined hundreds of thousands of Singaporeans in a state funeral service which was telecast live and streamed on various social media.
Prime Minister Modi arrived in Singapore this morning and attended the service.
Defence sirens were blown throughout Singapore’s housing estates for a minute of silence to pay respects as the last post was played on by a military bugler.
Earlier, Singaporeans lined up amid heavy downpour along a 15.4 km route on which Lee’s coffin, draped in red-and-white Singapore flag and protected from the downpour by a glass casing, made a journey from Parliament House to the University Cultural Center at the National University of Singapore, where the service was held.
Lee’s body had been lying in state at the Parliament for the public to pay respects to the leader. More than 450,000 people had paid their last respects to Lee during the week.
The Singapore Armed Forces, which was established by Lee, gave the highest honour to the leader with a 21-gun salute, a fly-past by the air force planes and sail-past by naval boats. A 21-gun salute is normally reserved for sitting heads of state but an exception was made for Lee.
Lee’s son Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong led the eulogies read out at the service, giving an emotional tribute to his father. Prime Minister Lee said his father had “lived and breathed Singapore all his life”.
“The light that has guided us all these years has been extinguished,” he said.
Soon after his arrival here, Prime Minister Modi lauded Lee as a “global thinker” and said India deeply valued his friendship and his support for its economic progress.
Modi, who had earlier visited Singapore as Gujarat Chief Minister in October 2006, said the former Singapore Prime Minister was “among the tallest leaders of our times”.
Apart from Modi, several world leaders attended Lee’s funeral, including former US President Bill Clinton, Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, Indonesian President Joko Widodo, South Korean President Park Geun-Hye, Malaysian King Abdul Halim Shah and Israeli President Reuven Rivlin.
Lee is widely credited with transforming Singapore from an impoverished third-world nation into an advanced first- world economy within just a generation.
Lee is credited with shaping the city-state’s present status as a global financial and commercial hub.
He became Singapore’s first prime minister in 1959, when the island gained self-rule from Britain, and ruled with an iron fist for 31 years. Singapore became a republic in 1965 after a brief and stormy union with Malaysia.
Lee stepped down in 1990 in favour of his deputy Goh Chok Tong, who in turn was succeeded by Lee’s son.
Noting that Singapore’s transformation in one generation is a tribute to Lee’s leadership, Modi said his death marks the end of an era. “He inspired not just Southeast Asia, but all of Asia, to believe in its own destiny,” he said.
“In the 50th anniversary year of Singapore’s independence, I am sure that he (Lee) left satisfied with Singapore’s achievements and confident about its future.”
Modi underlined India’s relations with Singapore, saying it “is one of our strongest relationships” in the world.
“India’s integration with Southeast Asia and beyond is growing. Singapore is a key pillar of India’s Act East Policy,” the prime minister said.
“Personally, he was a source of inspiration for me. His achievements and thoughts give me confidence in the possibility of India’s own transformation,” Modi said.
At the service, apart from Prime Minister Lee, eulogies were read by President Tony Tan, Emeritus Minister Goh Chok Tong and former ministers, community leaders as well as Lee’s youngest son Lee Hsien Yang. They paid rich tributes to the leader who transformed Singapore from a third world country to an economic powerhouse.
Recalling how his father had spent long-hours working for Singapore over the years, Prime Minister Lee said, “We have all lost a father. We have grieved as one people, one nation.”
“The grief we shared for Lee Kuan Yew brought us all closer together, made us stronger,” he said.
“Mr Lee’s principles and ideals continue to invigorate this Government, guide our people,” the Premier said, adding that the leader’s life will inspire Singaporeans and others for generations to come.
Highlighting the senior Lee’s numerous initiatives for the well-being of Singaporeans, including water conservation in the city-sate without much resources, the Prime Minister said, “It is perhaps appropriate that today the heavens opened and cried for Lee Kuan Yew.
“As a nation, we mourn a man who made a difference,” he said.
President Tan pointed out that Lee’s ideals were clear, he believed in and lived for these — “meritocracy, honesty and integrity”.
He worked his whole life to build a united people who respect and care for fellow citizens, Tan said. (AGENCIES)

MELBOURNE : He doesn’t enthrall with his willow anymore but Indian cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar got one of the loudest cheers at the presentation ceremony of the ICC World Cup final as he shared the stage with administrative bigwigs.
Tendulkar was the biggest name on dais during the presentations after Australia beat New Zealand by seven wickets to lift their fifth World Cup trophy, this time under the retiring Michael Clarke.
As the name of the on-stage dignitaries, including ICC Chairman N Srinivasan, were read out by presenter Mark Nicholas, MCG let out a thunderous cheer for Tendulkar as he waved at the capacity crowd with a smile on his face.
The 41-year-old former batsman, who was the brand ambassador of the event, handed out trophies to the Man of the Match James Faulkner and Man of the Tournament Mitchell Starc. (AGENCIES)

MELBOURNE : Australia won the ICC Cricket World Cup title beating New Zealand by 7 wickets in the final here today.
This was Australia’s fifth 50-over World Cup crown in 11 editions so far.
Brief Scores:
New Zealand: 183 all out in 45 overs (Grant Elliott 83; Mitchell Johnson 3-30)
Australia: 186/3 in 33.1 overs (Michael Clarke 74, Steven Smith 56 not out; Matt Henry 2-46). (AGENCIES)

SINGAPORE :  Prime Minister Narendra Modi today met Israeli President Reuven Rivlin and discussed the bilateral relations and the ways to take it forward.
Modi, who arrived here this morning to attend the State Funeral Services of Lee who died at the age of 91, had a short meeting with President Rivlin who reiterated an invitation to the Prime Minister to visit Israel.
There is an invitation from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for Modi to visit Israel.
But the exact dates and formality on this regard will be decided through diplomatic channels, said External Affairs Ministry Spokesman Syen Akbaruddin.
The two leaders discussed the healthy state of bilateral relation and how to take it forward, he told reporters.
They also discussed the situation in West Asia, official sources said.
Both Modi and Rivlin are in Singapore to attend the state funeral service of Singapore’s first Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew who died last Monday.
Prime Minister Modi had congratulated his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu on his re-election recently.
“Congratulations my friend Bibi @netanyahu! Recall our New York meeting last September warmly,” Modi had tweeted in Hebrew language.
Netanyahu secured a stunning win against all odds in Israel’s closely-fought general elections.
Modi also exchanged notes with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott, former US president Bill Clinton, Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Canadian Governor-General David Johnston.
Emir of Qatar last week visited India and held extensive talks with Prime Minister Modi covering entire gamut of bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues after which the two sides signed six agreements.
Modi’s interaction with Canadian Governor-General Johnston comes ahead of his visit to Canada next month. (AGENCIES)