AMETHI, Jan 23:
Amidst clamour among Congress workers that he should be named the Prime Ministerial candidate, Rahul Gandhi today said he would definitely consider it if the party comes to power and the elected representatives select him for the post.
“In Congress, elected MPs select the PM. After elections if our party comes to power and the MPs select me then I will definitely consider it,” Rahul told reporters on the second and last day of his two-day tour to his parliamentary constituency Amethi.
He was asked whether he would be ready to bear the responsibility of the top post.
Rahul said even Manmohan Singh was selected by the elected representatives as in Congress there is no system of selecting the PM candidate before polls.
“To select a PM is the right of the MPs and it should stay with them. Selecting a PM nominee before polls is not a democratic system, but part of personality cult,” he said.
At the CWC meeting held recently, party chief Sonia Gandhi rejected demands by leaders from various states to anoint Rahul the PM candidate before elections, saying there has been no such tradition in the party.
Rahul today told reporters in Amethi that “democracy is not strong enough” in Uttar Pradesh and there is too much of personality cult.
“There is too much of personality cult in Uttar Pradesh. In BSP Mayawati distributes the ticket and in SP only one family distributes it. In UP there are only MLAs and they do not have freedom to work properly,” Rahul alleged.
When told that even Congress is being run by Gandhi family, he said the party was not run by 10 Janpath and has maximum democracy.
“Democracy is not strong enough in UP. Without associating people, neither the democracy will get strong nor development will take place in the state. I am confident that I will bring Congress government in the state,” he added.
Evading direct reply to a question that the party was leveling allegations against the state government, but why it was not opposing it, Rahul said recently the party staged demonstrations against the SP regime and even the state president Nirmal Khatri faced lathis.
Rahul alleged that while the previous Mayawati government halted the entire development of Amethi, the current SP regime overlooked the area on power and road front.
“UP was deprived of development from the last 30 years and unless Congress government comes the situation will remains the same,” he said.
Dismissing allegations that development work has been neglected by him in his parliamentary constituency, Rahul said, “We constructed a number of national highways in Amethi due to which this area will be connected with prominent cities in the next five years and industries will be set up.”
The local MP said that he had worked for the development in the area, but constructing link roads and power supply are the responsibility of the state government.
He alleged that power situation in the state could not improve as the thinking of the political parties ruling from the last 21 years was not clear.
Lamenting that primary education system in the state is in poor condition, he said running schools is the responsibility of the state government and not that of the Centre.
He said that he had fixed three objectives for Amethi – first, to promote agriculture under which a scheme has been started to set up 40 units of food parks to export local produce, second for education under which several institutes would be established and the third one was for dairy promotion.
He said that seven years ago there was no market for dairy in Amethi and today more than one lakh litre milk was going out of the area.
“I also developed Fursatganj airport and started Indira Gandhi national aviation academy,” he claimed.
On being asked about renaming the district and its division, the Congress leader said he was not concerned about that as he connects with the people of Amethi.
“Amethi is our home, it’s a family and we have a long relationship with it,” he said.
“Papa (Rajiv Gandhi) had asked me to work with far sightedness and full commitment. I am doing so, here and in Delhi,” he said.
Attacking BJP he said, “We got some revolutionary bills passed in Parliament. Those bills were not passed by BJP. Lokpal bill was not passed by BJP, but by us. Whenever a bill comes in the House, BJP opposes it. They have only work to oppose.” (PTI)
Will consider PM post if party MPs select me after polls:Rahul
Sham inaugurates WSS, school building at Akhnoor
Excelsior Correspondent
AKHNOOR, Jan 23: Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Sham Lal Sharma today inaugurated Water Supply Scheme (WSS) at village Dwasa Danga and additional accommodation of Government Girls Middle School, Kotli Tanda in Akhnoor.
The construction of the WSS has been completed at a cost of Rs 66 lakh and provide potable water supply to 1000 souls of three villages of the area. The works on the second phase of this scheme have been also taken up at an estimated cost of Rs 89 lakh and after its completion would upgrade the drinking water supply facility in the area. While as the construction work of additional accommodation for Middle School Kotali Tanda has been completed with an expenditure of Rs 7.45 lakh under SSA.
Member Parliament, Madan Lal Sharma, Chief Engineer, PHE, K.K.Gupta, Chief Engineer, Irrigation & Flood Control, Sushil Aima, Superintending Engineer (Hydraulic), Jammu, Rajiv Malhotra, Congress Block President, Akhnoor, Baldev Raj Sharma, Sarpanchs, Panchs, sectoral officers of various department and a large number of local people were present on both the occasions.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that it is endeavour of the Coalition Government to ensure improved basic facilities to the people of the State, especially those living in rural and far-flung areas. He said Government, during the past over five years has given focused attention to strengthen the existing infrastructure of essential services, like drinking water, road connectivity, education, electricity, health and social sectors.
Saying that year 2014 is the last year of the present tenure of the Coalition Government, the Minister said that all out efforts would be made to complete the on-going projects. He said the concerned executing agencies have been directed to redouble their efforts for ensuring time bound completion of the projects for early benefits of the people.
Madan Lal Sharma while congratulating the people for completion of WSS said that Central and State Governments have formulated people friendly programmes and both the Governments are working with close coordination. He said without the financial support of the Centre the State Government cannot ensure all round development. He asked the people to strengthen the hands of both the Governments to maintain the tempo of development.
Maintaining that Parliamentary elections are round the corner, the MP asked the people to remain vigilant against the disrupting forces that just give hollow slogans and try to disintegrate the society in the name of religions and casteism to secure votes.
He appealed the people to maintain peace, communal harmony and strengthening the social fabric which are pre-requisite for all round development and prosperity of the state. He also asked the officers to attend people’s problems on priority.
Dogri students in NRLC Patiala visit JU
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 23: A group of students from Northern Regional Language Centre, Patiala, who are learning Dogri there, today visited Jammu University on educational tour.
These students called on Vice-Chancellor Prof. M P S Ishar who said that it was a matter of pride for every Jammuite that Dogri is being taught in other States of the country. He also appreciates the students who are learning Dogri language there.
These students came here on a 15-day education tour for Duggar Darshan.
Thereafter they also visited the Dogri Department and interacted with the students, scholars and faculty of the department. A colourful programme was also organized in the department wherein students from NRLC, Patiala and Dogri Department jointly presented their cultural activities.
While welcoming the students from NRLC, Patiala, Prof. Shiv Dev Singh Manhas, HoD Dogri said that India is a country comprising of different languages and culture. He appreciated the efforts of CIIL, Mysore for organizing such programmes because in these programmes people of different communities interact with each other and know the language, literature and culture of other community very easily.
Those who were present on the occasion include Dr Sushma Sharma, Dr Sunil Dutt Sharma, Dr Sandeep Dubey, Parduman Singh, Satish Kumar, Surveer Kour, Kamal Kishore, Usha Daliya, Ritu Kumar Sharma, Shiv Kumar Khajuria and Manoj Heer.
Bhullar drops to tied 16th, Kapur, Jeev also make cut
Doha, Jan 23: Gaganjeet Bhullar recovered from a poor front nine with an eagle and a birdie on the return journey to card two-under 70 and move to seven-under for 36 holes at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters here today.
Despite that Bhullar slipped from overnight tied eighth to tied 16th.
Also making the halfway cut were Shiv Kapur (68-71) at five-under in tied 28th place and Jeev Milkha Singh (71-71) at two-under in tied 57th place.
However, Spaniard Rafa Cabrera-Bello raced into the halfway lead after a fine second round of seven under par 65.
Rafa moved to a 13-under total and establish a two-stroke advantage over South Africa’s George Coetzee (69) at 11-under.
Bhullar bogeyed second and fifth but did have a birdie on third to turn in one-over. He eagled the 10th and then added a birdie on 17th to come to two-under 70.
Kapur also struggled with a bogey on par-five ninth and then with three more pars, he was one-over after 12. He birdied 13th, 16th and 17th but gave away a shot on the last at 18th for a round of 71 to go with his 68 on first day.
Jeev had three birdies and two bogeys in his 71 and he was now two-under for two days.
Cabrera-Bello, a native of the Canary Islands, felt very much at home on The European Tour’s desert swing and hoped to add the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters crown to the Dubai Desert Classic title he won in 2012.
“I’m really happy, really pleased, and everything’s going good so I’m enjoying myself,” said Cabrera-Bello.
“Playing in the desert at this time of year definitely feels like home. I like playing in short sleeves a lot, I like a little bit of breeze, I like seeing palm trees and I like seeing sun around the courses. It does remind me a lot of the Canaries, and it’s kind of like I haven’t left home, so that’s why I enjoy it so much.” (PTI)
All India Gujjar Mahasabha elects office bearers
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Jan 23: All India Gujjar Mahasabha held a meeting under the chairmanship of its provincial president, Kashmir Mohammad Yousuf and elected office bearers of Kashmir province.
Aijaz Ahmed Khatana has been elected as senior vice president, Shabir Ahmed as vice president, Mohammad Imran as secretary, Hafiz Abdul Rashid as joint secretary and Zubai Ahmed as cashier.
Noor-ud-Din Kohli, Basher Ahmed Tas, Mohammad Yousuf Kohli, Ali Mohammad, Mohammad Yousuf Khalifa, Abdul Razak, Abdul Qayoom, Nazir Ahmed Khatana, Mohammad Jameel Khatana, Manzoor Ahmed Monen and Mohammad Ismail were elected as members.
Thieves decamp with 10 tolas gold
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 23: Thieves decamped with 10 tolas gold from a car parked outside a banquet in Gadigarh.
As per police sources, some unidentified thieves broke open the boot of car bearing registration number JK02BA-8448 on Gadigarh-Chatha road and decamped with a trunk containing 10 tolas gold jewellery and other items.
Owner of the car Ashok Kumar of Barnai found the car’s boot broken and the trunk containing 10 tolas gold items missing and later informed the police.
On getting information, police team from Gadigarh police post rushed to the spot.
A case under relevant Sections has been registered at Satwari police station and investigation started.
Sania-Tecau pair sails into semis, Paes-Hantuchova ousted
Melbourne, Jan 23: The possibility of two Indians clashing for the mixed doubles title at the Australian Open ended today as Sania Mirza advanced to the semifinals but Leander Paes crashed out, here.
Sania Mirza and her Romanian partner Horia Tecau, seeded sixth, prevailed over the unseeded pair of Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi and Julia Georges 6-3 6-4 in their quarterfinal clash which lasted just 63 minutes.
The Indo-Romanian duo will now clash against Australia’s Jarmila Gajdosova and Matthew Ebden, who had stunned second seeds Katarina Srebotnik and Rohan Bopanna.
In another mixed doubles quarterfinals, Leander Paes and his Slovakian partner Daniela Hantuchova lost 3-6 3-6 to Kristina Mladenovic from France and Canada’s Daniel Nestor.
Sania and Tecau got three opportunities to break their opponents in the opening set, out of which they converted one, which was enough for the Indo-Romanian pair to pocket the set in 28 minutes.
In the next set, Sania and Tecau broke their opponents in the ninth game to serve out the set in 35 minutes and book a place in the last four stage.
India’s challenge has already ended in the men’s singles, women’s doubles and men’s doubles. (PTI)
Rs 2000 cr un-utilized by Govt: Dr Jitendra
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 23: In an alarming disclosure, BJP National Executive Member & J&K Chief Spokesperson, Dr Jitendra Singh today accused the National Conference (NC)-Congress Coalition Government of causing over Rs 2000 crore loss to the State by allowing the plan grants to remain unutilized during its current tenure in office since 2008.
For a Government which has always complained of lack of financial support from the Center, Dr Jitendra Singh said, there could be no worse evidence than this of administrative paralysis coupled with hypocrisy. The coalition ruling parties are accountable to the people of the State whom, on the eve of election, they are trying to distract by raking up emotive, divisive issues to cover up their record of misgovernance and corruption, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh alleged that around Rs 2150 crore plan grants have remained unutilized during the last five to six years even as the fate of another Rs 2064 Special Plan Assistance (SPA) earmarked for the current fiscal year hangs in balance. Quoting official figures, he said, plan funds to the tune of Rs 2150 crore have lapsed from 2007-08 to 2012-13. Of the Rs 34,750 crore approved by Planning Commission of India (PCI) for the State since 2007-08, Rs 32,591 crore have been utilized, leaving around Rs 2150 crore unspent, he added.
Elaborating further, Dr Jitendra Singh said, in 2007-08, the total expenditure was Rs 4403.31 crore against the plan outlay of Rs 4850 crore but in 2008-09, Rs 4773.34 crore were utilized against the approved Rs 4500 crore while in 2009-10, Rs 5280.99 crore were spent against the plan outlay of Rs 5500 crore. As for the next two financial years, he added, In 2010-11 and 2011-12, Rs 5768.05 and Rs 6357.40 crore were utilized respectively against the approvals of Rs 6000 and Rs 6600 crore. But the 2012-13 fiscal witnessed massive decline in expenditure due to slicing of the funds by the Government of India, he observed.
Dr Jitendra Singh further disclosed that against the approved Rs 7300 crore, the expenditure stood at Rs 6008.74 crore (82 percent) during the last financial year. Since the beginning of 2013-14, the Planning Commission of India has, for various reasons, withheld Rs 2064 crore plan funds, he added.
This is a case of wasted golden opportunity for the NC Chief Minister, who enjoyed unstinted support of Congress High Command at the Center to prove his worth, said Dr Jitendra Singh, but unfortunately, the six year term is ending up as a testimony of government’s inertia, inefficiency and ineptitude.
In a first, Ladakh civilians get bravery award from Army
LEH, Jan 23: For the first time, three civilians from Ladakh region, including a porter in Siachin who saved two soldiers buried in an avalanche, have been honoured by Army with special award for their exemplary courage and devotion to duty.
Lt Gen Sanjeev Chachra Army Commander of Northern Command, gave away the awards to Stanzin Padma, Jigmet Urgain and Nima Norboo on the eve of Army Day at Udhampur, Jammu last week.
The highlight of this annual feature this year was that departing from tradition, a number of civilians were included in the list of awardees, according to Army officials.
Lt Gen Chachra conferred awards on men, women, boys and girls not in uniform who had exhibited exemplary grit, human qualities, willpower and genuine concern for the less privileged, they said.
Padma was honoured for digging out alive two Army soldiers who were buried under snow due to an avalanche on May 28 last year while risking his own life.
Jigmet Urgain’s career in the Army was cut short by an unfortunate mine accident during training in which he lost his eyesight as well as both his hands but that did not stop him for helping others
He took up various social programmes for the uplift of the people. Being well conversant with the problems and requirement of his less privileged brethren, he was able to provide valuable advice to the Army in initiating welfare schemes which proved extremely beneficial to the locals.
Earlier, Padma also saved the life of fellow porter Nima Norboo. Both are employed at Siachin – an assignment which is challenging and fraught with danger.
On December 5, 2012, while operating a trolley, Norboo fell into a 200 feet deep crevasse. The only way to save him was for someone to lower himself down into the treacherous crevasse and physically extricate Norboo.
Undaunted by the grave danger, Padma volunteered for this task and after a grueling effort which extended for about 20 hours, was able to extricate Norboo from the jaws of certain death.
The exceptional tenacity and guts displayed by Norboo in remaining calm and composed for over 20 hours in a 200 feet deep crevasse in sub-arctic temperatures earned him the award. (PTI)
‘PDP vision document for increasing agricultural production’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 23: People’s Democratic Party (PDP) today promised to formulate a comprehensive vision document for the socio-economic growth of the people residing in rural areas. Party observed that inclusive development is possible only by bring all areas and every section of the society on the developmental map.
Addressing meeting of the district committees of Jammu rural and Samba, which was held under the chairmanship of former Rajya Sabha member Trilok Singh Bajwa, PDP leaders said that party’s development model was formulated by incorporating wishes and aspirations of sections of the society. “Agriculture is back-bone of our economy so our stress should be on growth of agriculture and allied sectors for over-all growth of the State because 73 percent of the population resides in rural areas directly or indirectly depend on agriculture”, PDP leaders observed and regretted despite importance of this sector in inclusive growth, successive National Conference regimes have never given importance to this vital sector.
Senior leader, Ved Mahajan, Shantio Devi, Ch Hussain Ali Waffa, Hamid Choudhary, Jitender Bhat, Th. Suram Singh, Chuni Lal, Vikram, Chatter Saini, Devinder Sharma, Suman Sharma, Bhushan Lal Dogra, Chaman Manyal, Yashpal Bhagat, Baldev Singh, Capt. Hazara Singh, Hussian, Vikram Singh, Pawan Dev Singh, Dr Harmesh Singh, DigVijay Singh, Shashi Pal, Bhanu Pratap Singh, Yashpal Sharma, Ch Saleem, Sunny Sangral, Ram Kumar Kalendria and others were present in the meeting.
In the meeting party promised to take some concerted steps to increase agricultural production in the State to meet the challenge of escalating demands of food grains in the State.
While promising to formulate a comprehensive policy for agricultural growth in the State, PDP leaders said that State of Jammu and Kashmir has huge potential in this sector. Party especially mentioned towards potential of producing organic Basmati rice in Jammu region which has huge demand in the country and abroad. “Effective steps would be taken in encouraging production organic Basmati because many parts of Jammu region have potential to product high quality organic Basmati which has demand all over the world”, party leaders said.
They said that it was result of the good governance of the previous PDP led coalition that there is realization among all sections of the society only PDP has the vision and commitment to address their aspirations.