Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Aug 4: The people from Bela Colony area of the town today held strong protest against PHE authorities and blocked road at Abdullah bridge for about two hours.
The residents of Bela Colony are without water for the last one week. They alleged that PHE staff has failed to ensure water supply. They gave dharna on the road near bridge and raised slogans against PHE authorities. Later , Tehsildar Anil Magotra and SHO Rajouri Yash Jamwal reached there and pacified the public. On their assurance, the people lifted dharna and allowed movement of traffic.
Protest against PHE staff
Sitwala, Joshi, Shandilya to feature in Billiards Premier League
MUMBAI, Aug 4:
Former World Professional runner-up Devendra Joshi and Dhruv Sitwala, along with Asian Games gold medallist Ashok Shandilya are some icon players who would represent different teams in the Videocon Billiards Premier League’s inaugural season scheduled here from August 16-24.
Ten teams, purchased at a cost of Rs 1.25 lakh each for two seasons, would take part in the league to be held in six gymkhanas/clubs here.
Except for Shivaji Park Gymkhana-owned SPG Billiards Punters, whose icon player would be Shandilya, the other nine teams are owned by former and current players, who feature on the domestic circuit.
The lone outstation player to be seen in action would be Dhvaj Haria, the junior India No 1 from Gujarat who has a home in the city and would play for SK’s Kannon Masters while another icon player, UK-based Nalin Patel, has his roots here and would play for Tigers.
The other seven team names are: SP Young Guns, RK’s 7, RRockets, Scorpions, MB’s Shooters, WJ Genii and Race for Gold, The Team.
“The six icon players would be paid Rs 15000 as appearance money by the Billiards and Snooker Association of Maharashtra, organisers of the league,” said tournament director Derek Sippy.
The other icon players are Siddharth Parekh (RRockets) and Arun Agrawal (SP Young Guns). (PTI)
“This cannot be compared to IPL or IBL or any other top league in other sports. It’s a trial run for bigger things like Snooker League to come in February next,” added Sippy, who will also be playing in the tournament. (UNI)
2011 aspirants may appear again in civil services exam in 2015
NEW DELHI, Aug 4:
English marks in CSAT-II will not be included for gradation or merit and 2011 candidates may get a second chance to appear for the test next year, Government announced in Lok Sabha today seeking to defuse the UPSC row that has seen the aspirants on warpath.
“Government is of the opinion that in the Civil Services Preliminary examination, Paper-II, the marks of the question section on ‘English Language comprehension skills’ should not be included for gradation or merit,” MoS Personnel Jitendra Singh said seeking to mollify the agitating candidates.
In a brief statement Singh said, “Candidates, who appeared in Civil Services Examination 2011, may be given one more attempt in 2015.”
Parliament has witnessed repeated uproar and several adjournments in the past few days over the issue.
Immediately after the statement, B Mahtab (BJD) and Dharmendra Yadav (SP) stood up demanding clarification whether Civil Services Aptitude Test (CSAT) has been done away with.
However, the Minister stood up to say that he has said whatever he wanted to.
Earlier, opposition had demanded in the Rajya Sabha a definite time-frame from Government to resolve the issue and served a privilege notice, forcing adjournment of the House.
Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Sharad Yadav (JD-U) accused the Government of “going back on its promise” of resolving the issue expeditiously. The students have been demanding that the pattern of CSAT be changed to give level-playing field to those coming from rural areas.
There are two compulsory papers of 200 marks each in the preliminary examination. These papers are also known as CSAT-I and CSAT-II.
The CSAT-II paper carries questions on comprehension, inter-personal skills including communication skills, logical reasoning and analytical ability, decision-making and problem- solving, general mental ability, basic numeracy, and English language comprehension skills (of Class X level).
Students have been objecting to the level of aptitude and English language questions being asked in the examination claiming they are much above the standard prescribed for the examination.
The civil services examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in three stages—preliminary, main, and interview—to choose candidates for Indian Administrative Service (IAS), Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and Indian Police Service (IPS), among others. (PTI)
Indian hockey team to tour B’desh from tomorrow
NEW DELHI, Aug 4:
Fresh from a Commonwealth Games silver medal in Glasgow, the Indian men’s hockey team is now eyeing the Asian Games and will tour Bangladesh for a three-match series starting August 6 to tune-up for the challenge in Incheon, South Korea.
The series is expected to provide international exposure to the young players just before the Asiad in South Korea from September 19 to October 4.
In this regard, the core probables for the Asian Games team will find the series an appropriate opportunity to test their skills against an international opponent. The performance of players during this series will help selectors and coaches to select the best team for the 2014 Asiad.
The team will be captained by the experienced defender Vickram Kanth while midfielder SK Uthappa will be the vice-captain.
The team will depart for Dhaka on August 5 for the scheduled matches on August 6, 8 and 9 and will return the next day of the final game.
Speaking on the upcoming series, Hockey India (HI) general secretary Narinder Batra said, “We feel that while one unit of the core probables for Asian Games has gained experience from the XX Commonwealth Games where they won the Silver medal, this set of players will also have an opportunity to familiarise themselves in an international environment. Bangladesh has some very competent players and it will be good to play against them to review our own capabilities.”
“The experience of playing under pressure on an international platform always adds to the skills of the players and even helps in identifying the areas where the player lacks and the training required thereafter. This three-match series will help the team to get in rhythm according to the international requirements of playing away from home and even working upon the concerned areas henceforth,” he added. (UNI)
Bhalla dedicates water supply scheme to people
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 4: Minister for Housing, Horticulture, Culture, Youth Services and Sports Raman Bhalla today dedicated Rs. 1.75 crore Water Supply Scheme (WSS) to the people of Bhagatpura in Channi Himmat and its adjoining areas.
The scheme has been developed under Jammu and Kashmir Urban Sector Development Investment Programme (JKUSDIP) by Economic Reconstruction Agency (ERA), financed by the Asian Development Fund (ADB) through Multi Tranche Financing Facility.
The scheme is aimed to benefit over 10000 souls of Bhagatpura and its adjoining localities.
Officers of ERA and PHE were present on the occasion.
Addressing public meeting at Bhagatpura in Channi Himmat after dedicating Rs. 1.75 crore WSS, the Minister said that Government has earmarked Rs. 30.77 crore under JKUSDIP for digging of 19 deep drill tube in the drinking water deficit areas of the Jammu city.
Mr. Bhalla said that Government is committed to ensure better basic facilities to the people, especially in periphery localities of urban pockets. He said drinking water, road connectivity, education, electricity are the key agenda, adding that for this purpose Government had given focused attention during the past over five and half years. He said the infrastructure in these sectors has been upgraded to overcome the difficulties of the people.
The Minister said that for creating durable assets in every corner of the State, Government has provided liberal funding under development sectors to meet the development related issues of the people.
Mr. Bhalla said the Government has launched several people friendly schemes which will benefit the people in the long run. He asked the people to come forward and avail the benefits of such schemes.
Two held with Tripatri
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 4: Two persons were arrested by police in Kupwara while smuggling Tripatri in Machil area, police said.
A police spokesman said on a tip off, a police in Machil intercepted a Sumo cab JK07-8603 at Choutwaree and during the search of the vehicle 30Kg of Tripatri was recovered.
The spokesman said the driver of the Sumo Nabeer Ahmad Mir son of Abdul Ahad Mir of Kalarooch and Ghulam Mohammad Khan of Chootwari were arrested.
Meanwhile, two charas peddlers have been arrested at Mattan in Anantnag district.
The spokesman said two persons, Bashir Ahmad Bhat son of Ali Mohammad Bhat of Ganiepora Mattan and Mohammad Yousuf Naik son of Mohammad Maqbool of Hangal Gund Kokernag were arrested. He said 2.8 Kgs of charas was recovered from their possession.
The spokesman said cases have been registered against them.
Div Com, KU VC call on Vohra
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 4: Rohit Kansal, Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, called on N.N. Vohra, Governor, here at the Raj Bhavan today.
Mr. Kansal briefed the Governor about the prevailing law and order situation in Kashmir and the to-date status of the more important developmental projects in the Valley.
Prof A.M. Shah, Acting Vice Chancellor, Kashmir University also called on Governor.
Prof Shah briefed the Governor about various important matters relating to the on-going academic and co-curricular activities in the University and about administrative issues.
The Governor urged Prof. Shah to work for continuous upgrading of academic and co-curricular standards in the University and maintenance of discipline on all fronts.
Lt Gen Campose takes over as Army Vice Chief
NEW DELHI, Aug 4: Lt Gen Philip Campose- a veteran mechanised infantry officer, has taken over as the new Vice Chief of Army Staff succeeding Gen Dalbir Singh Suhag, who is now heading the 1.3 million strong force.
59-year-old Lt Gen Campose, who was till now the Western Army Commander, took over as the Vice Chief on August 1, an Army release said here.
An alumnus of St Xavier’s School, Delhi, the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and the Indian Military Academy at Dehradun, he was commissioned into the Infantry in 1974 and later sidestepped into the newly constituted Mechanised Infantry Regiment in 1982.
Trained at the Vystral Academy, Russia and the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, the officer has also attended the Higher Command Course, Mhow and the National Defence College, New Delhi.
His command appointments include an Independent Armoured Brigade, an Infantry Division on the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir and a Corps in the Western Sector.
“He has participated in a UN Peacekeeping Mission in the former Yugoslavia and headed a UN security force in Northern Iraq,” the release said.
The officer had headed a General Court Martial in the Sukna land scam while he was commanding the Jodhpur-based 12 Desert Corps. (PTI)
SGPC row: Stand-off continues over control of Sikh shrines
CHANDIGARH, Aug 4:
Amid the stand-off over control of Sikh shrines, warring factions of Sikh Gurudwara Management Committees from Haryana and Punjab refused to budge from their positions at a Gurudwara in Kurukshetra for the third day today.
While workers owing allegiance to Amritsar-based Shiromani Gurudwara Parbhandhak Committee (SGPC) remained closeted in ‘Chhevin Patshahi’ Sikh shrine at Kurukshetra, several members of newly-formed Haryana Sikh Gurudwara Management Committee (HSGMC) led by its leaders Jagdish Singh Jhinda and Didar Singh Nalwi remained squatted on the road close to the Gurudwara.
However, police said that the situation is under control as both the factions have assured of not indulging in any kind of violence. HSGMC Vice President Didar Singh Nalwi said over phone that their sit-in will remain “peaceful” and at no cost they will resort to violence.
“We will continue to build religious pressure on Amritsar-based SGPC,” he said.
Nalwi said the Amritsar-based SGPC workers sitting inside the Gurudwara are “intruders”. “They are intruders…Now they have started feeling alienated and will vacate the Gurudwara themselves,” he said. Meanwhile, official sources here said that Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal has rushed to New Delhi today to discuss the SGPC row with the Centre.
Nalwi said that “the move of Amritsar-based SGPC will cost him (Badal) dear and damage him religiously and politically in near future.”
Asked whether HSGMC members will try to stop supply of essential materials to the Gurudwara, Nalwi said, “It is up to the Haryana Government what it decides on such issue.”
Meanwhile, a posse of police remained deployed in the area to prevent any untoward incident. The vehicular traffic near the shrine also remained diverted, police said. Yesterday, a delegation of SAD (Badal) comprising Amritsar-based SGPC President Avtar Singh Makkar, SAD Secretary General Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, SAD leaders Prem Singh Chandumajra and Daljit Singh Cheema had met Haryana Governor Kaptan Singh Solanki, demanding “immediate review of the unconstitutional Act passed by the Haryana Assembly against Sikh Gurdwara Act 1925.” (PTI)
Protest against PHE staff
Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Aug 4: The people from Bela Colony area of the town today held strong protest against PHE authorities and blocked road at Abdullah bridge for about two hours.
The residents of Bela Colony are without water for the last one week. They alleged that PHE staff has failed to ensure water supply. They gave dharna on the road near bridge and raised slogans against PHE authorities. Later , Tehsildar Anil Magotra and SHO Rajouri Yash Jamwal reached there and pacified the public. On their assurance, the people lifted dharna and allowed movement of traffic.