Excelsior Sports Correspondent
BARAMULLA, July 24: Bikram Club thrashed Jagjeet Club by four goals to one (4-1) to enter the semifinals of the ongoing Baramulla District Hockey Tournament, being organized by Hockey Baramulla, under the aegis of Hockey J&K at Government Degree College ground, here.
Earlier, Jatinder Singh scored two back to back goals for Bikram Club in 22nd and 26th minutes of the match to get an early lead. Then, Dharamvir Singh scored a superb goal for Jagjeet Club to decrease the lead. However, Rajinder Singh senior increased the lead to make it (3-1) in their favour and a splendid goal by Devinderpal Singh in 58th minute helped Bikram Club to clinch victory with the (4-1) margin.
Bikram Club got 7 penalty corners and failed to convert any of them, while Jagjeet Club received 2 penalty corners without any success.
The match was officiated by Manjeet Singh, Ranbir Singh, Pupinder Singh and Satinderjeet Singh. Badal Club will lock horns with Khalsa Club in the first semifinal at the same venue tomorrow.
Bikram Club drubs Jagjeet Club to enter semis of Baramulla Hockey
Development of backward areas main focus of Govt: Rather
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 24: The Minister for Finance and Ladakh Affairs, Abdul Rahim Rather today announced macadamization of Nowhar- Branwar road within two months, adding that the road stretch from Branwar to Neego- Sheikhpora-Jabad shall also be widened and upgraded to improve road connectivity in this backward kandi area of the Budgam district.
He said owing to the primary importance of road accessibility in mobilizing trade and economic activities, a comprehensive road connectivity plan has been taken in hand in nook and corner of the Chrar-i -Sharief constituency, which mostly comprises hilly and rugged terrain.
During his daylong extensive tour of the far flung kandi areas of Chrar-i- Sharief constituency, particularly Brenwar, Neego, Sheikhpora villages, Rather asked the concerned engineers of R & B to also prepare a detailed works estimate for construction of an approach road from Branwar to Chak Surisyar immediately so that hardships of people of that remote habitation are removed. He also directed the engineers of the Public Health Engineering department to further augment and streamline drinking water supply in Branwar and its adjacent areas on war footing basis. He said that all possible measures will be taken to revive Chowdhary Khoul for providing irrigation facilities to the farmers of this rain fed kandi area.
Responding to the demands of the people about ration, Mr Rather said that the consumers of the State will be provided ration on higher scale shortly as the Centre is expected to clear the case for re- validation of ration quota shortly in favour of the state.
The Minister was accompanied by a team of senior officers and engineers of PHE, R&B, RDD, PDD and CA&PD Departments.
Mr Rather also addressed series of public gatherings during his tour and reiterated Government’s resolve to ensure equitable development of all the regions and sub-regions of the state. He said that the State under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is passing through a golden era of progress in all the spheres of life. He said development of backward and remote areas has remained the main focus of Government’s policy frame work.
People protest as damaged bridges not repaired
Excelsior Correspondent
MENDHAR, July 24: The people from Harni and Galuta area today held protest as two vital bridges in the area which were washed away last year during rains and flood, were not repaired by the R&B.
Today due to rain and flood in the nallahs the movement of traffic on Harni-BG road and Harni-Nar road remained suspended for several hours in the morning. Many students, Government employees and other people remained held up on these two routes for hours together.
People of the area then held protest against the R&B authorities and alleged that despite request to concerned officials, the repair work was not initiated during last one year. They demanded that work be initiated at the earliest on these two bridges which got partially damaged during last rainy reason.
Omar directs for converting portion of HMT land into Textile Park
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 24: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today directed the Industries Department to work out the strategy of establishing proposed Textile Park at a portion of HMT Factory land as it has stopped its functioning here for a long time now. He said that the matter should be pursued on fast track so that action on setting up of a Textile Park for the local entrepreneurs is taken up as early as possible.
The Chief Minister said that the Government is keenly pursuing the policy of industrialization in the State with focus on nurturing local entrepreneurs and generating employment for the youth. He said every step will be taken in this direction to help existing industrial units and encourage launch of new ones by the local youth.
Discussing the issues relating to the development of industries and handicrafts in the State in two separate meetings with Chamber of Commerce and Industries from Kashmir and Jammu and Federation Chamber of Industries, Kashmir here this afternoon, the Chief Minister assured the representatives of industries, handicrafts, trade and commerce of the full support of his Government for the flourishing of these sectors and welfare of the people associated with industrial sector.
The Minister of State for Industries, Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, Financial Commissioner, Industries and Commerce, Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, Principal Secretary, Finance, B B Vyas, various heads of the departments and senior officers were present in the meeting.
The Financial Commissioner, Industries and Commerce gave overview of some new initiatives being undertaken for the growth and development of Industries besides revival of sick units.
The Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Jammu led by its President, Rakesh Gupta highlighted the issue of VAT refund, payment disbursement at treasuries, electricity concession, dedicated power supply lines to rice mills of R. S. Pura, procurement issue and industrial benefit to service industry. While the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industries led by its President, Sheikh Aashiq Ahmad discussed the issue of coverage of 3.30 lakh artisans under the Handicraft Micro Enterprise Scheme. It also discussed matters relating to cash credit, term loans, moratorium period, repayment period, release of interest subsidy on yearly basis, full implementation of Dastkar Project, release of loan to artisans, subsidy on the loan, clearance of trade delegation for visit to LoC, creation of food parks in all the districts and construction of KCCI House at Rajbagh.
The Federation Chamber of Industries in its separate meeting discussed the issues pertaining to rehabilitation of potentially viable sick units by way of soft loan and exit policy, waiver of interest on electricity dues of MSME sector, settlement of loans with State Financial Corporation under OTS Scheme, marketing support to local issues. It also discussed matters relating to issuance of licence to unit holders, dedicated power supply, negative list industries, payment of SSI sector and Pashmina raw material.
The Chief Minister directed the concerned departments to take detail account of all these issues and come up with the recommendations so that appropriate action is taken accordingly.
Advocate Malik bereaved
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 24: Sanaullah Malik, father of senior Advocate of Jammu and Kashmir High Court, Nazir Ahmad Malik, passed away after illness at SKIMS hospital Srinagar this afternoon.
Malik was buried at his ancestral grave yard at village Lawdara in district Bandipora this evening. Hundreds of people attended his last rites.
We have miles to go in improving rural India: Jaitley
NEW DELHI, July 24: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley today said the country has “miles to go” to improve investment flows into farm sector, rural infrastructure and housing in villages.
“I don’t want to say that nothing has been done but still we have miles to go. Capital formation in agriculture which is the key to the development of the rural infrastructure. That is the one area where we are still hugely lacking,” he said at a function organised by Nabard here.
“We have embarked upon rural roads programme, embarked upon several irrigation (projects). We talk about affordable housing in urban areas but rural housing is still not being mentioned as part of larger national agenda,” Jaitley said.
The Government therefore has decided to provide housing for all in the next few years.
Besides, it would be Government’s endeavour to provide power to all, toilet to all, clean water to all and reasonable access to rural roads in the next few years, he added.
“It’s difficult and challenging but absence of this can never give us satisfaction,” he said.
Praising the efforts of National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (Nabard), Jaitley said it has played key role in development of rural India which comprises of largest percentage of India’s population.
“Nabard has become pivotal organisation doing work for different fields of in the rural areas which are all included under the larger umbrella of rural development. It’s perhaps the most challenging field of the economic activity which has been assigned to Nabard,” he added. (PTI)
Measures introduced for revolutionizing RDD: Sagar
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 24: Maintaining that the Government has introduced several measures which have been responsible for revolutionizing the working of the Rural Development Department, the Minister for Rural Development and Panchayats, Ali Mohammad Sagar has said that emphasis was laid on the fact that the benefit of various scheme percolates to the targeted populace.
The Minister was speaking at a one-day convention of the Rural Development Department organized by Directorate of Rural Development, Kashmir division at Convocation Center of the Kashmir University.
Secretary Rural Development, Shafaq Noor Barlas, Director Rural Development, Kashmir, Mir Altaf Ahmed and officers/officials of the department of the Kashmir division were also present.
Mr Sagar said that the Panchayati elections were held in the State after a very long period of time and now the government has put in place a vibrant and dynamic Panchayati Raj System by which powers have been devolved to the grass root level and people at the ground level are actively involved in the implementation and formulation of various welfare schemes of the Rural Development Department.
“Various new administrative units were also created and we have ensured that they will start functioning soon which would also go a long way in ensuring the development of rural and far-flung areas of the State”, the Minister said.
The Minister also took a high level meeting to discuss the arrangements put in place for the smooth celebration of Jumat-ul-Vida, Shab-i-Qadr, Eid-ul-Fitr in the Valley.
Mr Sagar asked the Divisional Administration to ensure that the people get the basic amenities besides making available essentials including rice, sugar, atta, K-oil and LPG cylinders in the Valley.
The Minister directed the officers of PDD and PHE for ensuring uninterrupted electricity and water supply besides asked the authorities of SMC to maintain cleanliness in and around the mosques and shrines of the Valley including the Dargah Hazratbal, Chrar-i-Sharif, Jamia Masjid, Mehbobal Alam and Khan-ki-Mohula Dastgir Sahib. He also directed for installation of street lights and the repairs of non-functional street light in the Srinagar city.
Glitzy opening ceremony kicks off Glasgow Commonwealth Games
Glasgow, July 24:
Sachin Tendulkar and Bollywood music provided the Indian connect as Scotland ushered in the 20th Commonwealth Games with a dazzling and colourful opening ceremony which celebrated the country’s culture and heritage to set the ball rolling for the 11-day sporting extravaganza.
Welcoming over 4500 athletes from 71 Commonwealth nations, the ceremony had its share of sombre moments when silence was observed for the 298 victims of the Malaysian Airlines flight which was shot down over Ukraine last week.
A surprisingly subdued Glasgow suddenly sprang to life and exuberance with a three-hour mesmerising show of light and sound and colourful hues which the organisers claimed was watched by more than one billion people.
As per convention, the head of Commonwealth countries Queen Elizabeth II declared the Games Open.
“It is my greatest pleasure to declare the 20th Commonwealth Games open” Her Majesty said under a blue Glasgow sky to signal Scotland’s third CWG and first after 1986 when Duke of Edinburgh played host.
A host of dignitaries including British Prime Minister David Cameron, Scottish government’s first minister Alex Salmond and Commonwealth Games Federation President Prince Imran Tunku also added to the start of Scotland’s biggest sporting event which is estimated to have cost the host country around USD one billion.
Britain’s most successful Olympian cyclist and a Scot himself, Sir Chris Hoy was given the honour of presenting the Queens Baton to Her Majesty who read out her message to the Commonwealth before declaring open the Games to be competed for 11 days among 4929 athletes from 71 nations and territories of the erstwhile British Empire. (PTI)
Bird Automotive launches all-new BMW Active Hybrid7
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 24: The all-new BMW ActiveHybrid 7, the most efficient way to experience luxury and dynamics, was launched today at Bird Automotive, the BMW dealership in Gurgaon.
The all-new BMW ActiveHybrid 7 seamlessly integrates the highly efficient combustion engine and energy-saving electric motor to increase the efficiency while delivering the driving dynamics typical of BMW.
The vehicle is available at BMW dealerships in Delhi NCR (National Capital Region), Mumbai and Chennai as a CBU (Completely built-Up) unit from today onwards.
Philipp Von Sahr, President, BMW Group India said, “The all-new BMW ActiveHybrid 7 introduces a fundamentally new driving experience in the luxury segment that India has never seen before. It is the perfect choice to savour the agility and performance of a BMW 7 Series in a hybrid vehicle, without having to compromise in any way on comfort or spaciousness.”
The all-new BMW ActiveHybrid 7 proves that a car can become more efficient while, at the same time, delivering even greater dynamics. This full hybrid has the latest and most innovative BMW ActiveHybrid technology. Using intelligent energy management, it captures surplus energy, stores it and then converts it back into motion whenever required.
The all-new BMW ActiveHybrid 7 is available at an all India ex-showroom price of INR 1,35,00,000. It is available in Alpine White as non-metallic paintwork and in the following nine metallic paintworks: Glacier Silver, Havanna, Sapphire Black, Cashmere Silver, Milano Beige, Space Grey, Imperial Blue Brilliant Effect, Sophisto Grey II Brilliant Effect and Mineral White.
The exclusive Nappa leather upholstery is available in Black, Oyster, Ivory White/ Black, Saddle Brown light/ Black and Veneto Beige colour combinations. Interior trims offered are Fine-wood trim Burr Walnut with inlays, Fine-wood trim Ash Grain Anthracite, Fine-wood trim Fineline high-gloss and Fine-wood trim Polar Grain Light high-gloss.
Absconder held after 3 yrs
Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, July 24: Police arrested an absconder, who was evading his arrest for the past three years.
As per police sources, a team from Kalakote Police Station led by SHO Vikram Parihar under the supervision of SDPO Nowshera, Pardeep Singh Gauria arrested an absconder namely Mohammad Iqbal Chowdhary, son of Faqir Mohammad, a resident of Sasni Dangiot.
The accused was wanted in a case registered under FIR number 10/2011 with Kalakote police station.
Further investigation is going on.