Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 2: In order to carry out jumpering and stringing at Tower location No. 35 which will ensure the standby readiness of the 1st circuit which at present is out of circuit, 2 hours shut down between 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. any time subject to fair weather condition will be observed on July 3, 2014
During the shut down, the power supply to District Reasi shall remain affected on the issued date and time. However, power supply to Katra town shall be maintained from Jhajjar Kotli Grid Station.
Power shut down
LMD cracks down flour mills, paint manufacturers in Bandipora
Excelsior Correspondent
BANDIPORA, July 2: The Assistant Controller, Legal Metrology, Bandipora (LMD) during his routine inspection of the markets of Bandipora has imposed a penalty of Rs. 26,500 on the offenders of paint manufacturers for making mandatory declarations on Pre-Packaged Commodities by way of affixing individual stickers.
Some of the erring manufacturers whose cases are pending with the department have been served legal notices for compounding the cases being registered against them within stipulated time.
In addition, the Inspector Legal Metrology Bandipora booked some traders dealing in Wall Putty, Atta, Suji bags on sale for not confirming to the Packaged Commodity Rules.
The consumers have been advised to check the mandatory declarations on every Pre-Packaged Commodity so that they are not deceived. They are also advised not to pay Value Added Tax (VAT) which already stands mentioned on every packed bag.
Belgium beat USA 2-1 to set up a QF date with Argentina
Salvador (Brazil), July 2:
Belgium defeated United States of America 2-1 in a pulsating contest, while Angel Di Maria came to Argentina’s rescue in the dying minutes of extra-time to set up a quarterfinal clash against each other in the FIFA World Cup.
Kevin De Bruyne and substitute Romelu Lukaku’s scored two goals in the first half of extra-time before teenager Julian Green, who came in the second period of extra-time, reduced the deficit for USA with his first touch.
Belgium will now face two-time champions Argentina in the quarterfinals in Brasilia on Saturday after the La Albiceleste’s rode on a goal from Di Maria deep into additional time to beat Switzerland 1-0 in Sao Paulo in another last-16 match.
After both Belgium and and USA failed to break the stalemate in regulation time, it took a super effort from De Bruyne to open the scoring in the 92nd minute. The Wolfsburg midfielder leapt onto Lukaku’s assist to fire low into the corner.
Lukaku then doubled the lead in the 106th minute, this time with an assist from De Bruyne, to put the game beyound USA’s reach.
But USA did not give up without a fight and fired back when Bayern Munich teenager Green pulled one back with a first-time volley from a Michael Bradley pass.
Belgium had to go through some nervous moments in the final 10 minutes of the match but did enough to hold on to their slender lead.
Earlier Di Maria’s scored a late extra-time goal to help Argentina eke out a hard-fought 1-0 win over Switzerland and progress to the quarterfinals.
He didn’t score today but four-time world footballer of the year and skipper Lionel Messi set up Di Maria for the only goal of the match deep into extra-time after both the teams were tied 0-0 in regulation 90 minutes.
As expected Argentina controlled the lions share of possession in the match but their strikers failed breach the stubborn Swiss defence.
The game plan for the Swiss was to mark Messi closely and create chances in counter-attack. They managed to do that for most part of the game before the Argentine skipper came up with a brilliant run to set it up for Di Maria who made no mistake in finding the back of the net with a left-footer in the 118th minute.
A goalless draw seemed inevitable until Messi produced one of his patented dribbles to set up Di Maria.
After the change of ends it was all Argentina as they exerted relentless pressure on the Swiss defence with persistent attacks.
Marcos Rojo broke into the left of the Swiss penalty area but fired straight at Diego Benaglio before Gonzalo Higuain’s close-range header was acrobatically tipped over by the Swiss goalie.
Rodrigo Palacio, who came in for Ezequiel Lavezzi with just 16 minutes remaining, was straight in action as he within seconds headed a Messi cross wide from six yards out.
Swiftly, Messi gathered a poor clearance on the edge of the box, side-stepped his marker and fires a low drive, which Benaglio did well to first keep out and then jump on amid flying boots.
The game was heading for a penalty shoot-out, until Messi produced one of his mesmerising dribbles and teed up Di Maria, whose first-time strike curled around the arm of the diving Benaglio into the bottom corner.
A minute later, the Swiss almost equalised as Blerim Dzemali’s header struck the post and then the rebound rolled wide after hitting him.
Switzerland earned a free kick just outside the Argentine box in the last minute of additional time but Shaqiri’s shot was blocked by the wall.
Earlier, it took 15 minutes for Argentina to get a shot at Switzerland goal but Messi’s shot was comfortably gathered by the Swiss keeper.
Di Maria then won a free-kick for the Argentines in the 25th minute after being fouled by Admir Mehmedi but Messi’s ball into the area was headed well over by Higuain.
After sitting back for most part of the first half, Switzerland had the best chance to break the deadlock in the 29th minute when Granit Xhaka forced Argentina keeper Sergio Romero to make a fine save with a crisply-struck shot before Stephan Lichtsteiner’s effort is kept out.
Argentina responded quickly from a break but Higuain’s tame shot was easily gathered by in front of Swiss goal.
Ezequiel Garay then narrowly failed to connect a corner by Angel Di Maria to give Argentine the lead.
Just five minutes from half time Switzerland missed a great chance when Xherdan Shaqiri found Josip Drmic unmarked with a defence-splitting pass by the later’s effort to chip in to the goal was easily pounced by an advancing Argentine keeper Sergio Romero. (PTI)
Saroori chairs PUC meet
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 2: A meeting of the Committee on Public Undertakings (PUC) of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly was held under the Chairmanship of MLA G. M. Saroori.
Legislators Mustafa Kamaal, A R. Veeri, Mohammad Yasin Shah, Nizamu-Din Bhat, Charanjit Singh, Prof. Gharu Ram Bhagat and Rani Bloreia attended the meeting and stressed upon the officers of Power Development Department (PDD) to gear up their field functionaries and speed up the pace of work on all works taken under RGGVY and complete them in a stipulated time frame.
The Committee also stressed for early repairs and renovation of damaged transformers.
Earlier, Principal Secretary, PDD A. K. Mehta briefed the meeting about the achievements registered under different schemes by the PDD during the current year so far.
Director General Accounts and Treasuries, Managing Director, JKSPDC, Power Development Commissioner, Chief Engineers of different wings of the PDD, representatives from Accountant General Office, J&K and other officers attended the meeting.
BGM demands special employment package for Gujjar youth
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 2: A Gujjar organisation today demanded a special employment package for the youth of Gujjar and Bakkerwal communities besides a special recruitment drive for them in the security forces in the State.
“We demand employment package for the youth of Gujjar and Bakkerwal communities besides a special recruitment drive for them in the security forces in Jammu and Kashmir”, Bharatiya Gujjar Mahasabha (BGM) State president, Eshfaq-ur- Rehman Poswal said while addressing a meeting here today.
“The youth of these communities are not much educated as they reside along the borders and in far-flung and inaccessible areas”, Poswal said and demanded, “In view of this they need special attention and encouragement”.
“We express hope that the Prime Minister during his upcoming visit to the Jammu and Kashmir will announce some welfare measures and special package that could provide jobs to the youth of the Gujjar and Bakkerwal communities of Jammu and Kashmir”, Poswal said.
Board, authorities deliberately discouraging yatris: VHP
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 2: VHP today expressed grave concern over the failure of SASB and State administration to make the proper arrangements for Amarnath pilgrims and alleged that they have malafide intensions towards the yatra.
The VHP State general secretary, Dr Sham Lal Gupta told reporters here today that the VHP will not tolerate harassment to Amarnath pilgrims and alleged that deliberate attempts are being made to make the yatra a failure.
He took the Shrine Board to task the way the yatris are treated and said that there were no proper arrangements of registration, boarding and lodging for pilgrims.
Dr Gupta said that no proper facilities are available to the pilgrims at Yatri Niwas and lot of insanitation prevails there. Moreover the number of registration counters is far less and yatris are subjected to harassment and humiliation by the officers there. He said even after having medical checkup certificates, the yatris are not getting registration easily.
He demanded opening of 10 on spot registration counters in Jammu, besides free transport facilities for pilgrims from Rail head to Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas and registration counters.
Dr Gupta also demanded installation of hoardings in the City for information of Amarnath yatris. He said no map for yatris is available in the city.
He also alleged that the yatris are over charged and he received complaints from Pahalgam that gas cylinder is being sold for Rs 1100 and a K Oil bottle for Rs 70. Instead of providing the essential commodities to pilgrims on subsidized rates, the yatris are being overcharged which is cause of concern.
He warned that BD will lodge a strong protest in the city tomorrow against the Board and administration.
The VHP working president Hem Raj Khajuria and State secretary, Nishu Gupta were also present in the press conference.
Kathua police arrests 4 drug smugglers
Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, July 2: Continuing its drive against the drug smugglers, the Kathua police on tip off today seized 180 kgs of Nag Shatri at Lakhanpur which was being smuggled to Punjab from Kashmir Valley.
According to SSP Kathua Mohan Lal, Lakhanpur Police team led by SHO, K D Bhagat under the supervision of Additional SP Yogesh Sharma during a naka checking at Lakhanpur intercepted one truck bearing registration No JK03B/0110 which was driven by one Mohammed Ishaq Wani son of Mohammed Khalil Wani R/O Heribeth Kulgam and his associate Abdul Rashid son of Abdul Karim Rather Choongalpur, Kulgam. During the search of the truck police recovered 15 bags filled with forest produce of Nag Shatri weighing about 180 kgs, he added.
The SSP said a case FIR No 55/2014 U/S 6/15/39 Forest Act, 379 RPC stands registered at P S Lakhanpur against them and investigation started.
The SSP said in another incident police party of P/S Kathua received information through reliable sources that four bags of Poppy straw were being smuggled to Punjab from village Behd Blode.
He said on his instructions a police team led by SHO Kathua raided the village and arrested two persons namely Bajan Singh Son of Tulla Ram of Bhed Blode and Pritam Singh, son of Bajan Singh resident of the same village. The police also recovered four bags filled with Poppy straw weighing 36 kgs. A case FIR No 226/2014 U/S 8/15 NDPS Act stands registered at P/S Kathua against the duo and investigation started.
Charak demands separate Secretariat at Jammu to end ‘Drabar Move’ system
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 2: Former Minister and Former Member CWC-AICC and president of Dogra Sadar Sabha, J&K Gulchain Singh Charak demanded separate Secretariat permanently at Jammu to end the traditional system of “Darbar Move”.
Addressing a press conference, Charak asserted that besides the wastage of several crores of rupees of public money during ‘Darbar Move’, the official work also remains suspended for full one month during the process.
“People of Jammu province have to face lots of problems to get their work done in the Civil Secretariat at Srinagar”, he added.
He said that during the summer season when the people have to face many hardships due to shortage and non-availability of essential commodities, electricity, drinking water, irrigation supply water and crop fire incidences, the elected representatives, Ministers and officers enjoy the cool atmosphere of Kashmir and never bother to redress the plights of Jammuites.
Charak appealed to all the meaningful people of Jammu region in general and the elected representatives in particular, irrespective of their political affiliations, to raise this most important issue in their different forums to pressurize the Government to do away with this unwanted and wasteful exercise.
He demanded that a satellite “Duggar Channel” at Jammu at par with “Kashir Channel” at Srinagar should be started immediately The Duggar Channel should be started for 24 hours like Kashir Channel from DDK Jammu and DDK be immediately put on DTH, he added.
Regarding the dilapidated condition of Dogra Heritage sites, especially the Mubarak Mandi Complex, Charak asserted that the forthcoming monsoons will further worsen the condition of these buildings which, at present, are without proper conservation, restoration and care.
He added that the Government agencies have not been even able to spend the money allotted for preservation of Mubarak Mandi in the year 2013-14 which shows their lack of concern for this prestigious heritage site. Moreover, the State Government has failed to even post a full- fledged team of officers to restore the buildings as per Heritage Conservation norms, he said, adding that various posts in the departments concerned with the restoration work of Cultural Heritage monuments are lying vacant.
Charak expressed his resentment for not taking proper measures for the restoration and maintenance of Bahu Fort complex, Purmandal and Utterbehni heritage pilgrim places.
Bopanna, Hlavackova move to mixed doubles pre-quarters
London, July 2:
Rohan Bopanna and Andrea Hlavackova saved all three break chances they faced against British team of Colin Fleming and Jocelyn Rae to progress to the pre-quarterfinals of the mixed doubles event of the Wimbledon Championships, here Monday.
The seventh seeded Indo-Czech team brushed aside the spirited challenge of unseeded British pair 6-4 7-5 in one hour and nine minutes in the second round.
Bopanna and Hlavackova broke their rivals one time in each set to record the win.
They will now fight it out with Russia’s Mikhail Elgin and Australian Anastasia Rodionova for a place in the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, Sania Mirza and Horia Tecau, seeded sixth, were leading 4-3 in the opening set of their mixed doubles second round contest against Mate Pavic and Bojana Jovanovski when rain forced suspension of play.
The match will be completed today. (PTI)
Court to hear revision petition in Varun’s hate-speech case on July 3
PILIBHIT, July 2: A local court will hear the review petition in BJP MP Varun Gandhi’s hate-speech case during 2009 Lok Sabha polls here on July 31.
The session judge has again sent a notice to the BJP MP in hate-speech case as he had not received it earlier. A case of hate-speech was registered against Varun Gandhi during 2009 Lok Sabha elections at Barkheda police station and Sadar police station here. He was summoned but later acquitted by the court due to lack of evidence. However, acting against the court order, a petition has been filed by social-activist Mohammed Asad Hayat and two charges have been levelled by the state government in the hate-speech by Mr Gandhi here in the court of additional session Judge V K Mishra.
The court has served a notice to the MP, summoning him on July 31.
(UNI)