SRINAGAR, June 20: Minister for Urban Development and Urban Local Bodies, Nawang Rigzin Jora today said that the Government through its various schemes has made all efforts to improve the living conditions of the people across the State.
Jora, accompanied by MLA Zadibal, Peer Afaq was speaking at a function organized by the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) for handing over newly constructed flats to families at Leper Colony, Behrar here today.
Jora handed over 21 flats to the families and in order to ensure transparency in the allotment, the names of the allottees were drawn through draw of lots. This initiative was taken to ensure that no preferential treatment is given while handing over the flats.
The Minister reiterated the commitment of the Government to provide better facilities to the families of the Leper Colony and to cater to their needs and demands. He said that after taking over the charge of the Ministry all efforts were made to speed up the work on the flats. A total of 66 units are under construction and the remaining flats would be ready in the coming few months and handed over to the remaining families, the Minister added.
The flats at the Leper Colony Behrar are being constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 4.19 crores sanctioned by Union Government under the JnNURM Scheme.
Also present on the occasion were Secretary Housing & Development Department Satesh Nehru, Commission SMC Dr. G. N. Qasba and other senior officers.
Jakarta, June 20: Ace shuttler Saina Nehwal bowed out of the women’s singles event of the USD 750,000 Indonesia Open Super Series after going down to China’s World No. 1 Li Xuerui in the quarterfinals, here today.
Saina, seeded eighth, lost 20-22 15-21 to the Chinese shuttler in 44 minutes. With this victory, the top-seeded reigning Olympic champion has now extended her record against Saina to 7-2.
The Olympic bronze medallist Saina gave a tough fight to her opponent in the opening game but failed to keep up the momentum in the second and went down tamely.
The first game saw both players exchanging the lead a few times before they were tied at 5-5. Xuerui, the All England champion, then surged ahead to open up a 10-6 lead.
Saina, however, fought back, bagging four consecutive points to catch up her rival at 10-10.
From being tied at 12-12, the Chinese time and again took slight edge, but the shuttler from Hyderabad kept clawing back and made it 20-20.
But just when it mattered the most, Xuerui managed to bag two crucial points to grab the first game at 22-20.
Saina completely ran out of steam in the second game as she even failed to pose a challenge to her higher ranked opponent, even as the Chinese put up a dominating show.
Xuerui first opened up a 5-2 lead and thereafter just went on extending it to finally wrap up the match in her favour comfortably.
Xuerui will next take on the Nichaon Jindapon of Thailand in the semifinals. (PTI)
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, June 20: A painting competition was held at Zonal Police Telecommunication Hqrs Jammu in connection with Police Raising Day-2014.
Children between the age group of 3 to 10 years participated in the competition.
The programme was organized by the organizing committee headed by Darshan Singh, DySP Telecom Hqrs and assisted by Inspector T/C Kuldeep Raj, SI T/C Sham Singh and other officials.
SSP Tele Communication Jammu Zone, D P Singh was the chief guest on the occasion, who distributed prizes among the winners.
In his speech, chief guest advised the children to concentrate on their studies and also to take part in extra curriculum activities to keep themselves fit for the service of the Nation.
Consolation and participation prizes were also given to the participants.
Gursimran was the winner, while Adhitya Sudan and Mehak were the first and second runners-up respectively.
The consolation prizes were given to Ishita, Kumkum Sharma, Yuvraj Singh, Rhonit Dhar and Anshika.
The youngest participant prize was given to 3 years old Peehu Manhas.
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 20: J&K State AIDS Control Society has launched a month long campaign to celebrate the “World Blood Donors Day” across the State.
Every year this day is being celebrated across the World to thank Voluntary Blood Donors for their life saving gift. The theme for this year’s World Blood Donors Day is “Safe Blood for Saving Mothers’’.
In this month long activity all District Blood Banks are involved along with cooperation from all District Development Commissioners, District Red Cross Societies, security agencies like Police, CRPF, BSF and Principals of various colleges.
Two mega blood donation camps were held at Jammu and Srinagar. A mega camp was organised by JKSACS in Lal Ded Hospital, Srinagar where lot of enthusiasm and zeal was seen among the donors.
Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir inaugurated the blood donation camp and also donated blood on the occasion. A total of 205 donors donated their blood during the camp.
A similar camp was also held at GMC Jammu, wherein 191 donors donated blood.
Similar camps were held at District Hospital premises, Government Degree Colleges (boys and girls) and BEd Colleges.
Apart from this, symposiums, seminars and poster making competitions are being held in schools and colleges across the State.
Mementos, certificates, and prizes are being distributed among the donors, winners and participants.
A total number of 25 educational institutions shall be participating in this month long campaign. A total of 821 units of blood has already been collected and supplied to various blood banks.
Prizes being distributed among the winners of Science Gadget Programme at Leh.
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
LEH, June 20: Star Club Social Welfare Society distributed prizes among students who took part in recently organized Science Gadget programme at Leh.
Special prizes were given to students with innovative science models.
Sunil Gupta, SSP Leh, distributed prizes to students of different schools of Leh.
Recently, Star Club Social Welfare Society organized three day Science Gadget programme at Islamia Public High School, Leh. Students of far flung areas of Leh participated in this programme.
Dr ABVP Mishra, Scientist National Council for Science and Technology Communication (NCSTC), was special invitee for this programme.
Around 1000 students from 35 schools of Leh participated in this Science Gadget.
During three day Science gadget programme essay writing/debate/drawing/science quiz, science drama and Science toon competitions were the main events, while teachers orientation workshop on Science in day today life, Science theatre workshop, essay competition, film show and interaction with Scientists was also held.
To encourage students of far flung areas of Leh, prizes were distributed to students.
Sunil Gupta, SSP Leh, before distributing prizes interacted with participant students and asked about their innovative Science models. He asked science related questions to students to know about their knowledge.
Tariq Khan, Director, Star Club Social Welfare Society highlighted the objective of Science Gadget programme.
He disclosed that same Science Gadget programme would be organized at Surankote in few days for border students.
The programme was catalyzed and supported by Department of National Council for Science and Technology, Govt of India, New Delhi.
On this occasion Principal Islamia Public High School Leh, Abdul Wahid was also present.
Aries : Today people will actually drag you into altercations, so flash the peace sign if you must. You may face some sort of legal troubles from peace-loving groups. Therefore, Ganesha advises you to meditate, take a walk or just seek out the company of your near and dear ones.
Taurus : Ganesha sees you in a very romantic mood today. Your thoughts, tender and dreamy, will keep drifting towards someone special; someone of the opposite sex. Come evening and you will, in all likelihood, be sitting closely together, arm in arm, with your spouse or your sweetheart. The magic of love will raise your spirits and get you in a light and lively mood. You will be packed with energy and vitality all day long.
Gemini : You will think about the issues faced by other people as well as about increasing your social standing and elevating your social esteem. It is an extremely profitable day for those in the retail business and hence make the most of it, says Ganesha.
Cancer : Ganesha advises you to watch your back today. However, he wants to make it clear that you may be at the receiving end of others’ actions. Anyway, your cautious and watchful approach will save you from needless discomfiture. In short, life will teach you priceless and precious lessons today, predicts Ganesha.
Leo : You will get good co-operation from your colleagues and subordinates. In your personal life also you will gain the support of your spouse and your friends. Other people will be accomodating of your problems and will try to solve them for you. Your expenses may increase, leading to some financial worries, says Ganesha.
Virgo : You are quick-witted, sharp and artistic to the core, says Ganesha, so you may go ahead and enrapture people with your special abilities, perhaps at a social gathering. However, Ganesha says it would be better if you could conserve some of that enthusiasm in order to focus your attention on issues of greater importance.
Libra : Ganesha says that to gain future opportunities you may have to rely on past experience. You will tend to become possessive about things close to you. You will also have to deal with unpleasant situations where your integrity is questioned. All said and done your day will go good except for minor issues and your understanding attitude will be praise worth today.
Scorpio : You are in a mood of introspection and analysis, says Ganesha. This is likely to give you a clear vision in the days to come. Your systematic approach towards work will provide you room to think out of the box. Your innovative ideas may bag applause from superiors and bosses.
Sagittarius : Begin your day with a renewed zest. Consider a jump case of lucrative offer. Cracking a telephonic interview may prove to be a milestone in your career path. Your dedication and determination towards your work and goals makes you a deserving employee, says Ganesha.
Capricorn : Things may just fall in to your lap today. You will help those in need but will get extremely upset when the out come is not as per your expectations, feels Ganesha. It is not an encouraging sight and it will affect your confidence adversely. But, you are over-reacting, as these disappointments are not as big as they seem. Keep your chin up and get ready for a new tomorrow.
Aquarius : You will be on a spending spree today. But, make sure that your desire to enjoy life doesn’t burn a hole in your pocket. Watch your words and steps, as people are observing your every move. You have put all of your eggs in one basket, so make sure that you don’t mess up and lose everything that you have, advises Ganesha.
Pisces : Take one cautious step at a time today, says Ganesha. You will discuss intimate matters at home and official matters at work but be careful about whom you trust and deception from someone close might lead to worry and stress in the future. Even though you are an emotional person, lay onus on working with your head over your heart today as people might try to take advantage of your nature and step on your shoulder, feels Ganesha.
MUMBAI, June 20: Bollywood actress Preity Zinta, who has accused her former boyfriend and industrialist Ness Wadia of abuse and molestation, is likely to record her supplementary statement in connection with the case on Sunday, police said today.
The 39-year-old actress had filed a police complaint on June 12 night alleging she was molested by Wadia (44) at Wankhede stadium on May 30 when an IPL match was played between Kings XI Punjab and Chennai Super Kings, a charge the industrialist has denied as “false and baseless”.
Zinta, according to her lawyer, is away in Los Angeles.
Meanwhile, a personal secretary to industrialist Nusli Wadia, Ness’ father, who had claimed to have received threatening calls and a text message from fugitive gangster Ravi Pujari, asking the Wadias to ‘keep off’ Zinta “or their business will be in trouble”, has identified Pujari’s voice.
“The secretary was called to the anti-extortion cell last evening to see if she recognises voices from our voice bank. She recognised Pujari’s voice as very similar to that of the person who made the threat calls,” an officer privy to the investigation told.
Two personal secretaries to Nusli Wadia were said to have received five calls and a threatening text message from Pujari on Monday following which an FIR was registered and case handed over to the anti-extortion cell of the crime branch for probe.
The officer said two separate investigations are now in progress in connection with the matter involving Zinta and and the Wadias.
“While Marine Drive police is probing the case of alleged abuse and molestation filed by Zinta, the anti-extortion cell of crime branch is investigating the one related to the threat calls made by Pujari,” he said.
Police are trying to ascertain how the gangster, believed to be operating from Australia and south Asia, got hold of a phone whose number was traced to Iran, and how he got to know of the cell phone numbers of Wadia’s secretaries.
Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria had said on Wednesday the calls received by Wadia’s secretaries were “supposedly” made from Iran.
Following the threat calls and a text message from the underworld don, Mumbai police had on Wednesday deployed an armed contingent outside the Wadias’ corporate office Wadia International Centre at Lower Parel. (PTI)
ZURICH/NEW DELHI, June 20: It is just two big banks — UBS and Credit Suisse — which appear to be accounting for almost two-third of the total money held by Indians in Swiss banking system, known for their famed secrecy walls.
According to the latest official data disclosed by Switzerland’s central banking authority SNB (Swiss National Bank), Indians’ money in Swiss banks rose by 43 per cent last year to 2.03 billion Swiss francs (nearly Rs 14,000 crore), despite growing global pressure on Switzerland to share client details of their banks.
A further analysis of SNB data shows that the ‘big banks’ account for 68.2 per cent or about 1.4 billion Swiss francs (close to Rs 10,000 crore) of the total money belonging to the Indian clients of Swiss banks.
There are a total of 283 banks in Switzerland, out of which only two — UBS and Credit Suisse — have been classified as ‘big banks’ by Zurich-based SNB. There are also 93 foreign-controlled banks operating in the country.
However, the amount held by Indian clients in ‘savings and deposit accounts’ of Swiss banks is comparatively less at about 63 million Swiss francs (less than Rs 500 crore) and account for just about three per cent of the total exposure of Indians to the Swiss banking system.
Swiss banks classify a major portion of their clients’ money as “other amounts due to customers” and such funds due to their Indian clients stand at nearly 1.6 billion Swiss francs (over Rs 11,000 crore).
The ‘other’ avenues through which clients park their funds with Swiss banks include “trading portfolios, financial investments and participating interests”. Besides, banks are also said to be promoting ‘precious metals’ among their clients for parking their funds.
A small portion of clients’ money is also held by Swiss banks through other banks in the foreign countries. For Indian clients, such funds stood at about 94 million Swiss francs (about Rs 650 crore) at the end of 2013.
The total Indian money held in Swiss banks include 1.95 billion Swiss francs held directly by Indian individuals and entities, and another 77.3 million Swiss francs through ‘fiduciaries’ or wealth managers at the end of 2013.
The latest data from Zurich-based SNB comes at a time when Switzerland is facing growing pressure from India and many other countries to share foreign client details, while its own lawmakers are resisting such measures.
India has also constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe cases of alleged black money of Indians, including funds stashed abroad in places like Switzerland.
The funds, described by SNB as ‘liabilities’ of Swiss banks or ‘amounts due to’ their their clients, are the official figures disclosed by the Swiss authorities and do not indicate towards the quantum of the much-debated alleged black money held by Indians in the safe havens of Switzerland.
The two ‘big banks’ also account for close to 65 per cent or about 857 billion Swiss francs (over Rs 60 lakh crore) of their client money from across the world at the end of 2013. The corresponding amount for the previous year stood higher at over 900 billion Swiss francs and at more than one trillion Swiss francs in 2011.
With regard to Indian clients, the money owed by ‘big banks’ increased during 2013 from about 895 million Swiss francs at the end of 2012, while the same in the preceding year was at over 1.5 billion Swiss francs.
The quantum of Indian funds in Swiss banks stood at a record high level of 6.5 billion Swiss francs at the end of 2006, but it declined by more than 4 billion Swiss francs during four straight years of fall till 2010.
Amid allegations of Indians stashing huge illicit wealth abroad, including in Swiss banks, the Indian government has been making efforts to bring back the unaccounted money.
While a new treaty has been put in place for sharing of information on issues related to tax crimes on a prospective basis, Switzerland has also agreed to a limited retrospective clause for such information exchange in case of India.
Despite stepped up pressure, Switzerland has said it cannot positively respond to requests which are beyond the ambit of bilateral tax treaty.
The Swiss government’s latest response came against the backdrop of former Finance Minister P Chidambaram shooting off numerous letters to his Swiss counterpart raising concerns about the Alpine nation denying information on alleged unaccounted money held by Indians in banks in Switzerland.
In the letter, Chidambaram had strongly objected to Switzerland’s denial of information about account details of certain Indians at HSBC’s Swiss bank branches, in whose cases “incriminating evidence of tax evasion” have been found.
However, Switzerland is still moving closer to do away with banking secrecy practices. Last month, it started ground work for implementation of automatic exchange of information on tax matters with various countries including India. (PTI)_
NEW DELHI, June 20: In a pre-budget move, cash-strapped railways today effected a steep across-the-board hike of 14.2 per cent in passenger fares in all classes and a 6.5 per cent increase in freight rates to garner Rs 8000 crore a year.
The decision, which will come into effect from June 25, marks implementation of an announcement of May 16, the day Lok Sabha election results came, when the hike was announced but put on hold immediately.
In a flip-flop, the Ministry first announced that today’s hike will be implemented with immediate effect but later changed it to June (rpt) June 25, saying the officials needed time to execute it.
Announcing the decision, less than a month after the NDA Government took over, Railway Minister Sadanand Gowda said, “I was forced to implement the order that was done by my predecessor. I am only withdrawing the withholding order.”
He said the interim budget presented by the previous Government had assumed certain revenues on the basis of the proposed hike that was announced on May 16.
“Meeting the annual expenditure would not be possible unless the revised rates as finalised by previous Government is implemented, hence order of withdrawing implementation of revised fare and freight has been withdrawn,” said the Railway Ministry, which is incurring a loss of about Rs 900 crore per month in passenger segment.
“Accordingly, the revised passenger fare and freight rates and freight structure rationalization will come into effect from June 25, 2014,” it said in a statement.
The hike was announced nearly a week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the country should be ready for “tough decisions” required to improve the financial health.
The Railway Budget will be presented in Parliament in the first week of next month.
Two days back, Gowda had said he would meet the Prime Minister before announcing the hike.
While a flat 10 per cent has been announced in all classes, an additional 4.2 per cent increase under fuel adjustment component (FAC)-linked revision scheme will be effected on passenger fares, taking the upper revision of fares to 14.2 per cent, an official said.
The Railways had earlier issued a notification on May 16 effecting hike in passenger fare by 14.2 per cent across the board and freight charges by 6.5 per cent from May 20. This was followed up with an official press release.
The May 16 fare hike decision, which had raised eyebrows as it came in the midst of Lok Sabha election results, led to a scurry of activities in Rail Bhawan on that day and the Railway Board went into a huddle to discuss its fallout.
Soon after, the red-faced Railway Ministry had put the decision on hold, saying the matter related to the revision will be left to the next Government.
The then Railway Minister Mallikarjun Kharge came out with a statement directing the Board to leave the decision on the hike to the new Government.
“It is now informed that under the directions of the Minister of Railways Mallikarjun Kharge, the decision on the proposed hike in the freight charges and passenger fares have been kept pended till further advice for placing this proposal before the new Government,” the statement said.
A fresh notification was issued later, stating that the “revision of fares with effect from May 20 should be pended till further advice.”
The Railway Minister had on Wednesday met Finance Minister Arun Jaitley and said that he would discuss the fare issue with the Prime Minister.
Seeking a significant increase in gross budgetary support, Gowda, along with Minister of State for Railways Manoj Sinha and senior railway officials, had met Jaitley as part of the pre-budget discussion.
About the discussion with Jaitley, the Railway Minister had said “it was a fruitful meeting with the Finance Minister who suggested some measures which will be reflected in the rail budget.”
Gowda said “we have sought more budgetary support. There is a need for more funds for national projects.” (PTI)
NEW DELHI, June 20: Noted Hindi poet Kedarnath Singh has been chosen for the prestigious Jnanpith award for 2013.
Singh is the 10th Hindi writer to receive the honour and joins the likes of Sumitra Nandan Pant, Ramdhari Singh Dinkar among others. He will be the recipient of 49th Jnanpith award.
80-year-old Singh, who has also written essays and stories, was born in Balia, UP, and ‘Abhi bilkul abhi’ and ‘Yahan se dekho’ are among his prominent works.
The award includes Rs 11 lakh and a citation, a release from the Jnanpith award committee said. (PTI)
