Excelsior Correspondent
POONCH, July 18: An Army unit at Surankote organised an Iftar Party for the locals of the area this evening.
Dy Commissioner Poonch, Sajjad Ahmed Khan was the special invitee while GOC Romeo Force, Maj Gen P S Rajeshwar and Commander, 6 Rashtriya Rifles (RR) Brig R P Singh were also present. Many Sarpanchs, prominent political leaders including Hamid Manhas and Ajaz Kazmi from PDP, others from NC and Congress attended this party hosted by Army unit of the area. Ajaz is PDP candidate from Surankote constituency, as already declared by the party leadership.
Army hosts Iftar Party
Power shut down
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 18: In order to carry out shifting of load from 33 KV BB-II to 33 KV New Kartholi line, the power supply to the Industrial area Bari-Brahmana, EPIP Kartholi and adjoining areas fed from 33 KV BB-II and 33 KV New Kartholi line will remain affected on 20th of July 2014 (Sunday) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
In order to carry out branch cutting of trees under 33 KV GG-2 & GG-3 lines feeding R/stn Gangyal, Seora and Babliana, the power supply to the Trikuta Nagar, part of Industrial area Gangyal, Seora, Babliana and its adjoining areas fed from 33/11 KV R/Stn. Gangyal, Seora and Bablina, will remain affected on 20th of July 2014 (Sunday) from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
Protest against Israel in Rajouri, Poonch
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 18: Several protests were held at Rajouri, Poonch, Darhal and other parts of twin border districts against Israel for bombing civilian population at Gaza Patti.
A large number of people from one community, after Friday prayers at Jama Masjid took out a strong protest demonstration in the form of a protest rally and moved towards Gujjar Mandi Chowk shouting slogans against Israel. They asked Israel to stop atrocities on Palestinians and bombing on innocents at Gaza. After brief protest, then they dispersed.
Similar strong protest was held in Poonch city where nearly eight thousands people took out march on the roads raising slogans against Israel. The people offered Friday prayers and then took out strong protest march. They were seeking intervention of United Nations to stop atrocities against the people of Palestine.
Reports from Mandi, Surankote, Thannamandi, Darhal, Manjakote, Kotranka and Budhal said that similar protests were held against Israel after Friday prayers. The people were showing their great resentment against the attacks on Gaza Patti by Israeli Army.
Closely watching development on Swiss domestic laws: Jaitley
NEW DELHI, July 18:
The Government today said they are closely monitoring the developments, related to changes that are being discussed in Swiss domestic laws. India is keeping a ”close eye” on the further changes being discussed to the Swiss domestic laws in that country, Finance Minister Arun Jailey said during Question Hour in Lok Sabha.
He said whatever best information that could be secured in the country’s interest will be done. ”There is nothing to hide,” Mr Jaitley added. The Minister said this was an issue that had been there for sometime and the Government has taken it up with ”some element of intensity” after taken over the reign. (UNI)
Relief holders for early completion of work on Jagti Hospital
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 18: The relief holders of Jagti township in a meeting held under the chairmanship of Ajay Bhat have criticized the authorities for their failure in constructing the Jagti Hospital.
They said in a recent matador accident at Jagti it took a lot of time in shifting the injured to Jammu Hospital and had the Hospital been ready the injured people could have been admitted there for medicare treatment.
He criticized the authorities for not providing any compensation to the people who were injured in the accident and demanded that all the injured be provided compensation who are poor relief holders and unable to bear the expenses of medical treatment.
Girl dies mysteriously
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 18: A girl student was found dead in suspicious conditions at her home in Budgam on Thursday evening.
A police spokesman said the 18-year-old girl, identified as Maqsooda Akhter resident of Hardsursh, was found dead in suspicious circumstances at her home, Khag Budgam. She was a studying in class 12th.
“Police has started investigations under Section 174 CrPC to ascertain the cause of her death,” the spokesman said.
Govt urged to release funds for salary of FMPHWs
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 18: Jammu and Kashmir Medical Employees Federation (JKMEF), Jammu Province, has appealed the Government to release the funds for salary of FMPHWs before Eid Festival.
In this concern, a deputation of JKMEF led by its president, Sushil Sudan recently met Director, Family Welfare, MCH & Immunization, Dr Baldev Raj Sharma at Jammu and discussed the matter with him.
The Director was apprised that FMPHWS working under 2211 Family Welfare Head are without salary for last 16-18 months, who according to him took up the matter with Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, which advised the Government of J&K to meet the requirement of salary at their own.
Accordingly, the Director submitted the requirement to the Commissioner/Secretary to Government Health and Family Welfare, who in turn forwarded the same to Finance Department.
Therefore the Federation has urged the Finance Ministry to release the funds at the earliest so that these FMPHWs can receive the salary before Eid Festival.
GDP growth to improve this fiscal: Jaitley
NEW DELHI, July 18:
India’s economic growth is expected to improve during the current fiscal from 4.7 per cent in 2013-14, helped by a revival in industrial growth, improved fiscal health and external economic situation, Parliament was informed today.
The Economic Survey 2013-14 tabled in the Lok Sabha early this month had projected the country to grow between 5.4-5.9 per cent in the current fiscal.
“The growth rate of the country is expected to increase during 2014-15, compared to 2013-14,” Finance Minister Arun Jaitley said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.
He said factors such as revival of industrial growth, improved external economic situation characterised by a stable current account, benign outlook on oil prices, improved fiscal health and modest revival in global economy can be expected to contribute to the GDP growth in 2014-15.
The country has been clocking a sub-5 per cent growth for the past two financial years, mainly on account of slowdown in investments.
In a separate reply to another question, the Minister said slowdown in investment has happened due to a combination of factors such as weak business sentiment, global slowdown, lower export demand, infrastructure bottlenecks and rise in interest costs owing to elevated inflation.
“The Government continuously monitors macro-indicators including sectoral investment pattern in the economy,” he said, adding the investment rate declined from 35.5 per cent of GDP in 2011-12 to 34.8 per cent in 2012-13. (PTI)
Flower describes Pak assignment as a “big challenge”
Karachi, July 18:
Pakistan’s foreign batting coach Grant Flower has described his new assignment as a “big challenge” and said he was looking forward to convincing Umar Akmal and Shahid Afridi to do away with their habit of throwing away good starts.
A day after reaching Pakistan for his two-year assignment, the former Zimbabwe batsman told reporters in Lahore that there was pressure on him to deliver.
“There is pressure but I look at this job as a big challenge but there is also a feeling that if I succeed the rewards are great and Pakistan cricket will move forward a lot,” Flower said.
“My main focus right now is to ensure there is improvement in batting and fielding departments before the World Cup which is an important event for us,” he said.
“The good thing about Pakistan cricket is that it is always capable of winning anywhere and against anyone. There is natural talent but it has to be honed as well. I am looking forward to convincing talented batsmen like Umar Akmal and Afridi to leave their habit of playing in a hurry and ask them to use their batting skills more significantly for the team.
“I have seen them throw away good starts because of their hurried approach. I know they can be so much more dangerous if they curb their habit and remain at the crease,” he added. (PTI)
I am shattered, want to play again: Dutee Chand
Bhubaneswar, July 18:
The Odisha Government today said it will take up with the Centre the case of athlete Dutee Chand being dropped from the upcoming Commonwealth Games on the ground of high androgen level.
“I am completely shattered over the development. I am an athlete and wanted to bring glory to my country. All my efforts have gone astray,” the 18-year-old girl told reporters on her return to the state.
The sprinter appealed to the state government to take steps so that she could overcome the androgen level and resume her career. Dutee met state sports minister Sudam Marandi on her return.
Dutee was brought back to the state by the sports department after it came to a conclusion that she would not be able to participate in the Commonwealth Games.
“The state government will seek report from the Athletic Federation of India (AFI) and SAI in regards to Dutee and take required steps,” Marandi told reporters.
With Dutee’s career hitting hurdles, sports secretary Saswat Mishra said the state government would do its best to bring back the sprinter on track.
Dutee was born in a poor weaver family in 1996 and became a national champion in 2012 under-18 category when she clocked 11.8 seconds in the 100 metres event. (PTI)