NEW DELHI, Aug 4: The government today said it is considering a proposal to amend the Indian Post Office Act, making postal authorities responsible for non-delivery or loss in transit of articles for consumers.
“The proposal to amend the Indian Post Office Act, 1898, is under consideration which includes the examination of the scope of making postal authorities responsible for non-delivery or loss in transit of the articles of consumers,” Minister of Communications and IT Ravi Shankar Prasad said in a written reply to Lok Sabha.
On a query if Indian Post is losing its share to the operations of private courier companies, the Minister said the share of both the traffic and revenue of Speed Post have been increasing over the years.
“Study on Speed Post conducted through the Indian Market Research Bureau International, reveals that the share of Department of Posts in the overall courier market has increased from the range of 15.1 per cent to 18.3 per cent in the year 2010-2011, 16.7 per cent to 19.8 per cent in year 2011-12 and 17.4 per cent to 20.2 per cent in year 2012-13,” he added. (PTI)
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Aug 4: Two residential houses were damaged in two different fire incidents on Sunday evening.
A police spokesman said fire broke out in the residential house of Ghulam Mohammad Mir son of Ghulam Ahmad Mir of Khumriyal in Kupwara resulting in partial damage to the house.
In another incident, fire broke out in the residential house of Jahangir Ahmed Dar son of Ghulam Mohammad Dar of Gandwani in D H Pora, Anantnag. In this incident Jahangir Ahmad got injured and the house was partially damaged. The injured was shifted to hospital for treatment.
The spokesman said cases have been registered in these cases.
Jury members sitting on the dais at JD Institute, Jammu during a pre-Annual Design Award function.
JAMMU, Aug 4: External Jury was held today at JD Institute, Jammu for the upcoming Annual Awards 2014 to be held at Bee Pee Greens on August 9 this year in Jammu.
The Theme for the show is ‘Responsibility towards Our Arts and Crafts’. Around 40 budding designers of JD Institute have picked up Arts, Crafts and Images related to J&K State and then developed them into designer collections.
In today’s proceedings the students faced the second round of Jury that was conducted by the prominent faces of Jammu. The jury panel included Anuradha Gupta, Deputy Excise Commissioner (Executive) Jammu, Sharat Jain and Neena Jain, Directors, Studio Jw’s Jw Homme, Sajida Nain, Designer- What The Fashion (WTF) and Raman Gupta, chairman, Krishna Creations.
The students today gave presentations on their theme interpretation and also had their garments and accessories evaluated by the Jury.
A variety of themes like Copper Kandkari, Kashmiri Carpets, Ladakh Masks, Basohli Paintings, Gota Work of Jammu, Tilla Work, etc have been worked upon by the students, on the basis of which they designed collections by the names- Jashna, Brown Belle, Precious, Pristine Princesses, etc.
After the assessment of the scoring, the results were sealed and will be announced on the day of the Award Show. The categories of awards are — Best Design Collection, Most Commercially Viable Collection, Most Innovative Design Idea and Most Contemporary Collection.
Speaking on the occasion, the judges said that they were amazed to see the innovations done by the students and applauded them on their in-depth and comprehensive research on the arts and crafts of J&K.
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 4: Members from Block Congress Committee (BCC) Marh led by former MLA Balwan Singh and senior Congress leader today urged upon the Government to pay heed towards the problems being faced by people of Marh block.
In a large meeting of the Congress workers of Marh block held today at Shamachak under the leadership of PCC general secretary Balwan Singh, issues pertaining to common masses were discussed. Congress workers lambasted Bharatiya Janata Party for hiking price of essential commodities besides petro products.
People also raised issued of power curtailment and said that they face lot of hardship due unscheduled power cuts and old transformers. They said in cloud burst, the bovines of Gujjars of Marh block killed but administration failed to compensate them till date. They also demanded upgradation of High School Burj Mandir to Higher Secondary School level as also Higher Secondary status to Girl High School at Marh Bagh. They demanded adequate funds for the upgradation of schools with adequate staff and proper infrastructure, functioning of Degree College, steps for proper rehabilitation of flood affected people, strengthening of road infrastructure. They also highlighted the issues of farmer community of the area.
They alleged that State Government adopted step motherly attitude with Marh block in development.
Balwan Singh stressed for launching special recruitment drive for the youth of the area and specially those residing along IB and LoC.
NEW DELHI, Aug 4:
The controversial Insurance Bill has been deferred for consideration in the Rajya Sabha for the time being after a meeting of the Government with opposition leaders failed to break the deadlock in the face of demand to send it to a Select Committee.
The meeting, convened by Parliamentary Affairs Minister M Venakaiah Naidu, could not iron out differences with the Opposition despite Finance Minister Arun Jaitley’s plea that the current bill has virtually the same language and content as the previous bill of the Congresss-led UPA.
With the BJP and its allies not having a majority in the Upper House, the Government sought to bring the Congress and other opposition parties on board expressing its readiness to incorporate their suggestions to ensure early passage of the first major economic reform initiative of the Narendra Modi Government.
With the possibility of convening a joint session not ruled out, Jaitley told the Congress and other parties that they should either cooperate in getting the Bill passed or reject it outright and not play politics on the issue of economic reforms.
While the Congress has 69 members, other parties demanding that the bill be referred to Select Committee have sizeable numbers in the 245-member Upper House. Those opposing the bill total up to 133 members, while those in support of the bill are only 68.
The strength of parties is TMC 12, JD-U 12, SP 10, BSP 14, CPI-M 9 and CPI 2, RJD 1 and DMK 4.
BJD and NCP, which have come out in support of the Government, have seven and six members respectively.
While BJP has only 42 members, its allies TDP has 6, Shiv Sena and SAD 3 each and RPI (Athawale) one member.
There are 11 AIADMK members, 10 nominated members, nine independents and other smaller parties together account for 12 members in the House.
After the meeting, Naidu said Government told Opposition leaders that whatever meaningful suggestions come, it is willing to consider them and asked them to debate and decide the measure in this session itself.
The bill seeks to raise the FDI cap in insurance sector from 26 per cent to 49 per cent.
Naidu said the Insurance Amendment Bill was introduced in Parliament during the UPA regime and was referred to Standing Committee on Finance which spent considerable time and then made certain recommendations. The Government has brought this bill after taking those recommendations into consideration.
“Some of the friends in Congress party, they say these amendments have serious implications. We told them identify what are those implications you are concerned and Government will address them.
“We asked them what are your specific objections and concerns. They said they will discuss among themselves and again discuss with us. We will discuss it and I am confident that we will be able to evolve a broad consensus,” he said.
The Minister said the Left has taken a principled stand that they are against FDI in any sector which Government understands, but the Congress wanted FDI and it was they who proposed it.
“They brought this Bill, then both the BJP and the Congress party are on a same wavelength on this issue. And if there are apprehensions, we are ready to address them. Let us see in a day or two, I think some solution will be found to this. In a democracy any number of consultations are useful only,” he said.
“The meeting remained inconclusive. We have agreed to meet again in the next two days to arrive at a consensus on the possible formulation of the legislation,” NCP leader Praful Patel said, making it clear that it will support the Bill as it was a party to the decision when UPA cleared it.
The meeting was convened in the backdrop of nine opposition parties giving a notice to Rajya Sabha Chairman Hamid Ansari for referring the bill to a Select Committee.
Though the Insurance Laws (Amendment) Bill had been listed in the Rajya Sabha for consideration and passage, it was not taken up today and Government has decided to defer it till the time some consensus emerges on the issue.
Naidu had said the bill seeks to provide for the much desired capital inflows into the insurance sector since the penetration of insurance coverage in the country is being adversely impacted on account of inadequate investments. (PTI)
Srinagar, Aug 4: Eight persons were injured in two separate road accidents across the Valley.
A police spokesman said seven passengers were injured after a Sumo MAT-4180236FO3624 turned turtle near Baba Reshi crossing resulting. All the injured were shifted to a hospital for treatment.
An Innova car JK01T/8016 hit and injured a pedestrian Mohammad Akbar Rather son-in-law of Abdul Ahad Bhat of Preng Kangan in Kangan. He was shifted to SKIMS Soura, Srinagar for treatment.
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Aug 4: Renowned educationist, Zahida Chaudhary, of Mendhar Poonch, today, joined the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the presence of the party president, Mehbooba Mufti.
Zahida, wife of veteran politician and Ex-Minister, Lal Mohammad Chaudhary, had recently taken volunteer retirement from the Government service. She was teacher in the Education Department.
Speaking on the occasion, Zahida said it is the PDP’s pro-people agenda and its performance both in the Government and opposition that influenced her to join the party. She PDP during its brief stint in the Government not only brought about a new change on the ground, but also restored the people’s faith in the democratic system.
Excelsior Correspondent
UDHAMPUR, Aug 4: Majalta police has arrested a Sarpanch and seven other persons in connection with the attack on Pardesh Youth Congress (PYC) general secretary R S Pathania and his driver in two separate incidents at Pardai and Battal Morh in Majalta area.
A senior police officer said that two separate FIRs ( No.46,47/ 2014) were registered against the accused persons for attack and resorting to violence. In first case, the accused persons including Sarpanch, Rakesh Kumar, also Block president of Youth wing of NPP were booked under the offence under sections 323/341/427/506 RPC while in case Fir No. 47, the four accused and others have been booked for the offence under sections 147/148/323/336 at Police Station Majalta.
Four accused arrested for attack on PYC leader R S Pathania are- Sarpanch and NPP leader Rajesh Kumar, son of Bansi Lal of Panara, Rajesh Koushal Police Constable (posted at Katra in Rly & Crime), son of Om Parkash resident of Thial, Kewal Kumar alias Sonu, son of Rattan Chand of Thial and Krishan Lal alias Labbu, resident of Manwal.
Four persons identified so far and arrested for the attack on Pathania’s driver Romesh Kumar and another youth at Battal Morh on the next day have been identified Parshotam Singh, son of Manish Singh of Battal, Pawan Singh, son of Guddi, resident of Battal, Rajinder Kumar of Morian and Shamsher Singh, son of Prem Singh of Bariyalta village in Majalta. The police was looking for some more accused involved in stone pelting on these persons.
The arrests were made under supervision of SSP Udhampur, Suleman Choudhary, in close coordination of DySP Headquarters Gaurav Mahajan by the SHO Majalta Sanjeev Kumar. Two- three police teams had been deputed to different locations to arrest the accused persons.
Meanwhile, on the complaint of Sarpanch Rajesh Kumar, who was also injured in clash the police has initiated action as Medico Legal Case stand forwarded by the doctors to the concerned Police Station. Sarpanch was also referred to GMC Jammu by BMO Majalta on the next day of incident.
Near Press Club in Jammu the young lawyers today held protest against the Police authorities for causing delay in the arrest of the accused. They alleged that police was trying to give twist to the case and shield the accused persons. They shouted slogans against Udhampur police and demanded immediate arrest of all the accused persons involved in attack on their colleague R S Pathania and his driver.
DUBAI, Aug 4:
India have retained their fourth position in the ICC Test rankings despite a loss in the third cricket Test England at Southampton with the five-match series currently locked at 1-1.
After drawing the first Test, India posted a victory in the second match at Lord’s but went down in the third. Despite the defeat, Mahendra Singh Dhoni and his men have maintained their fourth spot at 102 rating points.
The final rankings of both India and England (ranked 5th with 100 rating points) will heavily depend on the upcoming two-Test series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan, which will commence in Galle from August 6.
Pakistan are currently ranked third with 103 ratings points, just one point more than India, while Sri Lanka are at sixth position with 95 points.
The five-Test series between India and England will end a day after the series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan finishes, and all the teams would be looking to climb up the ladder.
If India manage to perform well in the remaining two Tests and Pakistan lose the Test series against Sri Lanka, the Indians would surely gain in the ranking table.
Pakistan would drop to sixth spot if they lose the series, while Sri Lanka could move up one place to fifth if they win the series 1-0, and a 2-0 victory will ensure a rise of two places to fourth.
Pakistan must win the series to maintain their hold on the third spot and thereby close the gap with South Africa and Australia in first and second place, respectively, while Sri Lanka could drop a place to seventh in such a scenario.
A 1-1 series deadlock will see both sides maintaining their pre-series rankings.
Meanwhile, South Africa will be aiming to keep their number one position intact when they take on Zimbabwe in a one-off Test in Harare from August 9.
In the Test batsmen’s table, Cheteshwar Pujara is the lone Indian to be feature in the top-10 list, placed at number 10th. (PTI)
NEW DELHI, Aug 4:
Several human rights groups today came togther and held a public hearing in the national capital around the issues that affect the poor and marginalised.
Representatives of the Pension Parishad, the Right to Food Campaign, the Rashtriya Mazdoor Adhikar Morcha for MNREGA, the Jan Swasthya Abhiyan and the National Alliance for People’s Movement focused on the changes being made in the labour laws in favour of the industry, changing land use and the merciless acquisition of land which is going to have a deep impact on people’s livelihoods, making them socially and economically more vulnerable.
Representatives of Pension Parishad highlighted the discrepancies in present pension scheme and demanded that a mechanism for grievance redressal should be put in place and that pension amount should be indexed as per inflation.
“There is no mechanism for grievance redressal. Pension should be universal. Pension should be Rs 2000 per month or 50 per cent of minimum wage (on retirement). Pension amount should be indexed as per inflation.
“Most of the states provide pension on quarterly basis. Pension should be given on 1st of every month. There is no effective selection mechanism. We urge that all citizens above 55 years of age should get pension. Further, social security like health care facilities and ration should also be provided to all elderly along with old age pension,” said Nikhil Dey, Activist, Pension Parishad.
The Right to Food Campaign urged the Government to stop all open releases of GM crops, including field trials.
“We demand that the Government make amends to NFSA 2013 by taking steps to immediately expand and implement the Act – in letter and spirit,” said Kavita Srivastava, Activist, Right to Food Campaign.
The Rashtriya Mazdoor Adhikar Morcha urged the Government that MGNAREGA should be revamped and made stronger and more effective. Provision needs to be made for inflation or the impending drought as rural workers across the country are facing a completely non-responsive employment guarantee regime.
The National Alliance for People’s Movement demanded urgent establishment of a National resettlement and Rehabilitation Commission to deal with the grievances of 10 crores of people who have sacrificed their land and livelihood in the process of development.
Activist, Dr Vandana Prasad from Jan Swasthya Abhiyan said, “We believe and reiterate that Health is a fundamental human right – that the Government is responsible for the provision of health care, as well as an enabling environment for the realization of the right to health, which includes the right to having control over the social determinants of health. (PTI)
