SRINAGAR, June 21:
Highlighting the need for youth to take active part in developing political and educational structure of Jammu and Kashmir, People’s Democratic Party (PDP) leader and Member of Parliament (MP) Tariq Hameed Karra alleged that successive Governments in State did a poor job of responding to the needs of its young citizens.    Addressing a ceremony at SKICC organised by Kashmir Youth Parliament, Mr Karra said, ‘We cannot always build the future for our youth, but we can build our youth for the  future.’
‘The focus on youth, in terms of their engagement in the political arena, is a relatively new priority in Jammu and Kashmir but extremely timely, particularly in light of the fact that the successive Governments in the State did a poor job of responding to the needs of its young citizens,’ he  said.
Mr Karra said the concept of youth engagement is increasingly apparent in international and national agendas, marking a shift in thinking about young people as resources that benefits society as well as a key partner in  development.
‘Civic engagement in particular is increasingly recognised as a powerful, positive tool for re-engaging disenfranchised youth in society and in education systems, allowing them to build their capacities, make a swift transition to productive work and public life, and contribute to the development of their communities,’ the MP from Srinagar said.
As we move forward with meaningful and penetrative democracy, we have found a growing disaffection with the political process among young people, he said, adding their participation in socio-economic development, state building and governance is completely missing in our State.
Expressing concern over the low turnover of youth in elections, he said if the future of our democracy is left to such apathy, it makes no sense to fight for the development of its present.
Expressing concern over lack of efforts by politicians to improve the lives and life prospects of our youth, the leader he said, ‘Caught in a myriad of daily survival issues and short-term political strategies, there has been a complete lack of concern, articulated in a systematic policy form, about what we can do to improve the lives and life prospects of our youth. As such, it is imperative that we systematically plan and assist the youth in becoming active citizens in a renewed democracy.’
Asserting that PDP is putting forth its Youth Development Policy that seeks to address issues affecting the State’s young people, Mr Karra said, ‘We have outlined strategies that will provide them with equal opportunities to maximize their potential. The State’s youth must be now at the forefront of the change and innovation. Empowered, they can be key agents for the State’s development and peace.”  (UNI)

NEW DELHI, June 21:
With stakeholders seeking changes in the new Companies Act, government today indicated its willingness to review the rules to address the difficulties in implementing them.
Government officials and stakeholders, including the representatives of industry associations, held discussions on various issues related to the new Companies Act, whose many provisions came into force from April 1.
A host of issues including those related to independent directors, financial reporting & auditing, related party transactions and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) were discussed.
Among others, industry representatives sought changes in rules pertaining to related party transactions and independent directors.
Industry groups – CII, Ficci, Assocham and PHDCCI – emphasised upon the need to ensure progression and development of business, and avoid unintended negative outcomes.
“The law fortunately delegates considerable power to the government to make rules, through which many of the issues highlighted by the industry can be addressed,” Corporate Affairs Secretary Naved Masood was quoted as saying in the statement issued by CII.
On the basis of suggestions received, Masood said the ministry would identify major areas of correction and review the rules, wherever required, in order to facilitate smooth implementation of the new law.
Besides, he also clarified that the legislation itself is open to amendments where the difficulties are serious enough to warrant such a course of action, according to the CII statement.
The views were expressed during an interactive session, organised by the the National Foundation for Corporate Governance (NFCG), here.
Meanwhile PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) suggested that implementation of the Companies Act 2013 should be deferred at least for one year to enable industry to fully understand and comprehend its provisions, sections and clauses in details.
CII President Ajay Shriram, Ficci President Sidharth Birla, Assocham President Rana Kapoor and PHDCCI President Sharad Jaipuria, among others, participated in the meeting. Besides, officials of Corporate Affairs Ministry, the Reserve Bank and other ministries were present. (PTI)