NEW DELHI, Mar 6: More than six lakh cases of atrocities against women were registered between 2009 and 2011, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.
As per information provided by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), a total number of 2,03,804, 2,13,585 and 2,28,650 cases of atrocities against women were registered in 2009, 2010 and 2011 respectively, Minister of State for Home R P N Singh said in a written reply.
The criminal Law (Amendment) Ordinance, 2013 promulgated on February 4, 2013 provides for stringent punishment for crimes against women, the minister said. (PTI)
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 6: Sher-e-Kashmir, University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology of Jammu conducted one-day farmers’ awareness programme on climate change” in Barnoti block of Kathua.
The camp was organised by All India Coordinated Research Project on Agrometeorology under the project AICRPAM-NICRA in order to creates awareness among the farmers about climate change and its impact on agriculture and its allied field. The main objective was to identify ways for strengthening local capacity for the rural communities to adapt and deal with the impacts of climate change and variability.
Dr M K Khushu, Chief Scientist & Head, Agrometeorology explained the objectives of this awareness programme. He stressed upon to adapt various agricultural practices which could enable them to mitigate climate change as temperature rise and shifting of rainfall pattern in the region is concern of the days.
Various other scientists namely Dr Amrish Vaid, Programme Coordinator, KVK Kathua, Dr Meenakshi Gupta, Asstt Prof, Division of Agronomy, Dr Ranbir Singh Sodhi, Asstt Prof, Division of Plant Pathology, P K Rai, SMS Soil Science and Dr Charu Sharma, SRF delivered the valuable talk on the concerned subject.
Dr Sanjay Koushal briefed about the programme.
Darshan Singh, Sarpanch also participated in the programme.
Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Mar 6: Sehar Shakeel Raina, Flourance Chand and Fazia Anjum emerged winners in the symposium on “Communal Harmony and National Integration” organised by district police in collaboration with Government Degree College, Thannamandi in the college premises.
On the occasion, Prof AR Chowdhary, Retd Principal, was the chief guest, while SDPO Thannamandi Mujeeb-ur-Rehman was the guest of honour and Principal of the college Dr Mushtaq Ahmed Lone presided over.
Dr Shakeel Ahmed Raina, Vice Principal presented the welcome address.
In his presidential address, Dr Mushtaq Ahmed Lone advised the students to rise above the feelings of casteism, communalism, linguism and regionalism.
SDPO Mujeeb-ur-Rehman, Prof AR Chowdhary and Dr AR Qadri also spoke on the occasion.
Dr A R Chowdhary, Prof Sankait Gupta and Prof Sheraz Ahmed Mir were the jury members, who adjudged the performance of the students.
The whole programme was conducted by Prof Asif Ajaz Lone and Naseer Ahmed.
At the end, Prof Saleem Ayaz Rather presented vote of thanks.
NEW DELHI, Mar 6: Crude oil futures prices today rose by 0.34 per cent to Rs 4,993 per barrel as speculators engaged in enlargng their positions, taking positive cues from the Asian region.
At the Multi Commodity Exchange, crude oil for delivery in March gained Rs 16, or 0.34 per cent, to Rs 4,993 per barrel, with a business turnover of 5,011 lots.
The oil for April delivery also edged higher by Rs 15, or 0.30 per cent, to Rs 5,042 per barrel with a business turnover o 456 lots.
Marketmen said persistent rise in crude oil futures was largely attributed to a firming trend in the Asian region following the death of Hugo Chavez, the president of major Latin American crude producer Venezuela.
Globally, crude oil for April delivery up by 26 cents to USD 91.08 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. (PTI)
SINGAPORE, Mar 6: London copper inched up on Wednesday as risk appetites revived, with encouraging U.S. economic data and continued loose monetary policy from key central banks helping drive Wall Street to a record close.
But traders in Asia said that copper consumers, still ramping up after last month’s lunar new year, were not buying at higher prices and questioned the sustainability of copper’s bounce from three month lows hit last week.
Three-month copper on the London Metal Exchange had climbed 0.11 percent to $7,780.50 a tonne by 0331 GMT, adding to small gains in the previous session.
Prices have rebounded 1.7 percent from $7,652 a tonne, its lowest since 19 November, hit on Friday, but copper is still down nearly two percent for the year.
The most-traded June copper contract on the Shanghai Futures Exchange traded little changed at 56,800 yuan ($9,100).
‘Compared to the new year period, demand has improved a little, but we can’t say it’s stronger yet,’ said Chunlan Li, a Beijing-based analyst with metals consultancy CRU.
Prices might have to fall a little more before spot demand emerges and the market finds a bottom, she added.
Asian shares extended gains on Wednesday, following Wall Street’s record close after data showed the U.S. Services sector grew in February at its fastest pace in a year.
China’s pledge to boost government spending to achieve 7.5 percent growth this year also raised investors’ hopes the economy there may help support activity in Europe and the United States.
More policies aimed at promoting growth in the world’s top metals consumer were helping to support metals on Wednesday.
Urbanisation would be the biggest driver of domestic activity in the years ahead, a government official said, and guidelines for China’s planned expansion in this area would be launched during the first half of 2013.
‘Technically the market has found support just under $7650 and over-riding this is a sense that there is latent pent-up Chinese buying around which will probably prove supportive without being overly bullish until we see fresh stimuli,’ London-based broker Sucden said in a note.
In the U.S., Congress is also moving rapidly to pass legislation funding the federal government through Sept. 30, as Senate leaders on Tuesday expressed eagerness to avoid any threat of agency shutdowns when money runs out on March 27.
NEW DELHI, Mar 6: More than Rs 31,900 crore was received by over 68,000 NGOs operating in different parts of the country during 2008-11, Rajya Sabha was informed today.
Minister of State for Home Mullappally Ramachandra also said that registration of 4,138 NGOs was cancelled under Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010 for violating existing guidelines, while 24 cases were referred to CBI for investigation.
Ten cases have been given to states police, 35 NGOs were placed in prior permission category, accounts of 32 NGOs frozen and 72 NGOs were prohibited from receiving foreign contribution for violating FCRS rules, he said.
The Minister said Rs 11,087.54 crore was received by 23,172 NGOs during 2008-09, Rs 10,517.10 crore by 22,275 NGOs in 2009-10 and Rs 10,334.09 crore by 22,735 NGOs during 2010-11. (PTI)
NEW DELHI, Mar 6: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs is likely to consider tomorrow the proposal to allow export of additional 5 million tonnes wheat from the government godowns to clear surplus stock ahead of arrival of new crop, Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said today.
“The proposal on wheat export is on the agenda of tomorrow’s CCEA meeting. Let’s see what will happen,” Pawar told reporters on the sidelines of ‘Krishi Vighyan Mela’.
The move is aimed at creating enough space to accommodate new wheat crop, which will be harvested from this month-end.
The proposal is also to permit recognised private traders to export the government-held wheat stocks along with state- run trading agencies such as MMTC, STC, PEC Ltd, sources said.
So far, the government has allowed export of 4.5 million tonnes (MT) through public sector trading agencies. Of this, about 2 MT has already been shipped in a price range of USD 295-330 a tonne.
The floor price will be determined by the inter- ministerial panel, headed by Commerce Secretary S R Rao.
Sources said that additional exports would ease storage pressure in Punjab, Haryana and Madhya Pradesh.
As on February 1, the wheat stock in the central pool was 30.80 MT, as against the actual requirement of 11.2 MT. Much of it is lying in these three states.
The wheat stock has piled up in the government godowns due to record procurement following bumper crop in the last two years.
The government is aiming to procure a record 44 MT in the 2013-14 marketing year starting April.
Wheat production touched all-time high of 94.88 MT in 2011-12. Production is estimated to be 92.30 MT this year. (PTI)
Excelsior Correspondent
KALAKOTE, Mar 6: The Rashtriya Rifles Battalion located at Kalakote today organized ‘Awam Vikas Mela’ under the aegis of Headquarters Tain Sector, here at Kunalagala.
Mela was organized deliberately for the deprived people of remote areas of Dakkikot, Kot Chalwal, Bambal and Audan panchayats. The purpose of the event was to provide better employment avenues, on the spot account opening and medical assistance to the local populace.
To achieve the objective of employment and empowerment of women and youth, a well trained and skilled delegation from Jaipur Rugs under the leadership of Sanjay Singh delivered the lecture and screened movie on employment avenues, based on traditional embroidery, crochet and similar skill.
Lecture and demonstration on apiculture were also shown to the local populace by Aftar and Partap Singh from Apiculture Development Center, Rajouri.
A detailed talk covering all the major facets of establishing poultry farming was delivered by the Army Officer to the local populace attending the mela.
An account opening drive in the area was also carried out by the Army in collaboration with J&K Bank The bank staff gave a detailed lecture on various financial schemes so that people can extract maximum facilities being offered by the J&K Bank.
Army in collaboration with CHC, Kalakote also organised a medical assistance camp where free medical checkup and medicines were given to the needy people. Approx 253 people were benefitted by the medical camp.
Excelsior Correspondent UDHAMPUR, Mar 6: Aiming to encourage talented youth of the area, Udhampur-Reasi Range Police organized a Range level Talent Hunt competition “Chhoona Hai Aasman” Season-3 under its Civic Action Programme here today.
As many as 16 talented contestants from Udhampur and Reasi districts participated in the programme under senior and junior categories.
DIG Udhampur-Reasi Range, Jagjit Kumar, , Senior Superintendent of Police, Ashook Wani, Principal PG College Udhampur, Dr. Nutan Resutra SP, Reasi, M.S Chouhan, officers and officials of Police Department and large number of people were present on the occasion.
While speaking on the occasion, DIG said that the talent hunt programme is a major initiative of J&K Police to give the meaningful direction to youth to shine.
He said that such programmes would prove supportive for us to bring the people of the area more closer to the police helping to strengthen the bond of the police public relations.
Wishing all success to the winners of Range Level Talent Hunt competition, Jagjit called upon the winners to make more efforts to achieve the goal in the next Zonal round to be held at Jammu.
In Senior Category, Chaman Lehari of Reasi and Manju Bala of Garhi, Udhampur were selected to participate in Zone level competition while as Raghujeet Singh and Simran Kour both from Udhampur secured top positions under Junior catogary.
The prize winning contestants would participate in the Zone Level competition, “Choona Hai Aasman Talent Hunt Show Season 3”.
District Information Officer, Dr. Jagdish Mehra, Anjana Khajuria and Roshan Lal acted as jury members of the contest.
NEW DELHI, Mar 6:
AirAsia’s planned foray in India is not expected to face any big hurdle, Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said here today.
“I don’t see any big hurdles, whether they (AirAsia with Tata and Arun Bhatia) form joint venture before or after. The aviation ministry will check procedures of taking no objection certificate, having two-third of India directors and others were followed,” he said.
However, he said AirAsia’s proposed joint venture could face some procedural problems which have to be cleared by the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB).
The Minister was speaking before the FIPB headed by DEA Secretary Arvind Mayaram approved AirAsia’s proposal at its meeting here.
AirAsia, Tata Sons and Arun Bhatia of Telstra Trade Place Pvt. Ltd have proposed to set up a low-cost carrier in India.
Speaking on the sidelines of a seminar on “General Aviation: the next step organised by Indo American Chambers of Commerce,” the Minister said the decision to allow foreign direct investment in Indian carriers “will be a game changer for the Indian civil aviation sector in the long run.”
Singh said cooperation between India and the US had significantly strengthened over the years and the open sky policy has made India a fastest growing aviation market in the world, leading to growth in passenger traffic.
“This massive growth in air traffic would require huge investment for construction of new airports, expansion and modernisation of existing airports, improvement in connecting infrastructures like road, metro and sea link and also better flight management,” he said.
The government has approved 15 more airports under the Greenfield Airports policy with majority of them being developed under the public private partnership mode.
“Current estimates indicate that Indian airports would require an investment of about Rs 67,000 crore during the next five years alone of which 75 per cent is likely to be contributed by the private sector,” Singh said.
The Minister said India has the potential to become a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hub due to growing aircraft fleet, location advantage and availability of talent.
“To facilitate the growth of MRO business and to make it competitive, the Government has recently decided to to give several concessions which include extension of time period allowed for utilisation of aircraft parts and others,” he said. (PTI)
