NEW DELHI, Feb 16:
India’s efforts to access information on the helicopter scam received a setback today with an Italian court rejecting a request for documents related to the deal even as CBI and Defence Ministry teams prepared to travel to Rome to gather evidence.
AgustaWestland, which has been issued a show cause notice by the Defence Ministry for cancellation of the Rs 3,600 crore deal, today promised to address all the points raised by the Indian Government.
Meanwhile, Guissepe Orsi, CEO of Finmeccanica, the holding company of AgustaWestland, has denied knowing the family of former IAF chief Shashi Tyagi, who has been accused of taking bribes.
Orsi’s lawyer Ennio Amodio went a step further telling Indian TV channels that “there was nothing substantiated regarding the actual conduct of Mr Shashi Tyagi.”
There was bad news for the Government as the court in Milan hearing the case refused to share any details saying it was “not possible to give a positive reply” to the Indian request.
The Indian embassy in Rome had made the request for details and documents of the probe on February 13 after the arrest of Orsi in connection with allegations that kickbacks to the tune of Rs 360 crore were paid in the Rs 3,600 crore deal, sources said here today.
The communication was received by the Indian embassy in Rome from the Judge of Preliminary Investigations of the Tribunal Busto Arsizio Luca Labianca.
Meanwhile, the Italian court Tribunale de Busto Arsizio will begin the hearing of the helicopter scam on Monday in which Orsi and AgustaWestland CEO Spagnolini have been arrested.
Both were arrested in the early part of the week by the Italian police in connection with the Rs 362-crore kickbacks scam for supplying 12 AW-101 choppers to India.
The company has already supplied three choppers to India which are based at the Hindan air base near here. The Defence Ministry has put on hold the delivery of the remaining nine choppers expected to have been delivered by the middle of next years.
It has also stopped further payments to AgustaWestland for the remaining nine helicopters. The Defence Ministry has said that even at this stage, India can get back its money with interest. (PTI)
Italian court rejects Indian plea
India to host second trilateral dialogue with US, Afghanistan
WASHINGTON, Feb 16:
India will host the second tri- lateral dialogue with US and Afghanistan next week, which among other things will focus on co-operation between the three countries post-2014 when the US forces are scheduled to hand over control for security operations to Afghan forces.
The US delegation, led by Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Robert Blake, would include Deputy Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan Dan Feldman, the State Department said in a statement yesterday.
The day-long meeting would be held on February 19.
“The United States, India and Afghanistan all share a common vision for a strong, peaceful, and prosperous region and have pledged to work together on common challenges and opportunities including combating violent extremism, strengthening cultural exchanges and increasing regional trade and economic integration,” the statement said.
The trilateral reflects our mutual commitments to transparency and coordination as Afghanistan continues with it ongoing security, economic and political transitions,” it said.
The meeting follows the inaugural trilateral consultations held at the Afghan Mission in New York City on September 25, 2012.
After New Delhi, Blake will travel to Tajikistan on February 20 leading a US delegation for the mid-year review of the US-Tajikistan Annual Bilateral Consultations.
In Tajik capital Dushanbe, Blake will also meet senior government officials, local business representatives, and civil society leaders. (PTI)
Pakistan’s recent moves a preparatory ground for new aggression: PK
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 16: Panun Kashmir (PK) at a seminar here today linked the Pakistan’s recent moves as a preparatory ground for new aggression following the withdrawal of US Army from Afghanistan.
This was stated by PK chairman Dr Ajay Chrungoo while speaking at a one day seminar on the topic “New Dimensions of Pakistan’s Mischief in J&K’’.
Dr Chrungoo said that Pakistan believe that it has been reasonably successful in its diplomacy to tell the world that mass rebellion is the real issue in J&K and not the terrorism.
Dr Chrungoo said the brazen show casing of Hafez Sayed as the leader of Islamic crusade in J&K and also displaying his linkages even with those separatist leaders whom Government of India describes as moderate is a very decisive signal to the terrorist over ground as well as underground about Pakistan for new offensive not in distant future.
B S Slathia ex-president Bar Association Jammu while stressing on strengthening of nationalistic, secular and democratic forces in the country said the nationalism is our strength and not weakness. He said it is unfortunate that Government was not patronizing nationalist forces.
Speaking in the seminar PK vice chairman Shailender Aima said that dealing with Pakistan is no normal business as it is not just another State in neighbourhood but a mindscape which is antithetical, to Bharat and India. He accused the India state of playing a hide and seek with the public perception and the collective conscience of the Indian nation with regard to policy viz a viz Pakistan.
Prof Hari Om said that for the first time in last 65 years, Pakistan has been allowed to get away with brazen diplomatic affronts which border on national humiliation. Pakistan has chosen to unleash a diplomatic insult on India not only from its own territory but also from the soil of India in what is called the recently started peace process.
M M Khajuria former DGP while making very insightful assessment of the security developments in the State and the new thrusts of Pakistani policy in J&K said the contours of Pakistan response have been discernable in raking up the Kashmir issue in the UNO and the OIC. He said even though Pakistan’s response to the hanging of Afzal Guru has been cautious, her missions have been hyper active in USA and Europe with tangible results.
Daily rated workers stage protest demonstration
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 16: Daily rated workers from various departments including ITI and Non-ITI, held a strong protest demonstration outside the office of Divisional Commissioner at Rail Head complex here today.
A large number of daily rated workers from PHE, Irrigation, PDD, JDA, JKPCC, Agriculture and other departments, under the banner of J&K All Department ITI & Non-ITI Daily Rated Workers United Front (affiliated with NTUF), assembled near Panama Chowk and from there they moved towards Divisional Commissioner’s office in the shape of a grand rally.
Despite rain a large number of workers from Kathua, Samba, Jammu, R S Pura, Bishnah, Akhnoor, Udhampur, Reasi and parts of Rajouri participated in this protest programme. They were shouting slogans in support of their demands. They were demanding skilled rate of Rs 225 per day wages for ITI trained and Rs 175 per day for the non-ITI workers, regularization of policy for all ITI and non-ITI daily rated casual labourers /workers engaged after 1994 and release of pending wages of daily rated workers engaged in various divisions of Jammu province, especially in Doda, Rajouri and Jammu.
Several senior trade union leaders including Mohd Gafoor Dar, president NTUF (J&K) and chairman of United Front of DRWs, Tanveer Hussain, Subash Chander, Chandan Singh, Manish Abrol, Deepak Gupta and others addressed the gathering and strongly condemned the Government for not releasing their pending wages and taking a decision about their fate. They demanded that workers engaged after 1994 should also be regularized and a uniform policy be framed for it. Despite written agreement with JCC, the Government has failed to frame a policy, they maintained.
After staging protest demonstration for more than two hours, a delegation of protesting workers led by Mr Dar submitted a memorandum to the Divisional Commissioner, projecting workers’ demands. They resolved to intensify their protest programme at all the district headquarters if the Government failed to take a decision about their fate shortly.
Jammu Motors launches new Bajaj Discover 100T
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 16: The all new Discover 100T was today launched in an impressive function held at Jammu Motors, BC Road, here.
The bike was unveiled by Vineet Aggarwal, Director, Jammu Motors, in the presence of all the dealers of Bajaj.
Highlighting the features of the Bike, Aggarwal said that the stylish new Bajaj 100T is the most technically advanced and powerful 100cc bike yet in the Indian market. It is powered by a 100cc engine, which mated to a 5-speed transmission, produces 10.2PS @ 9000 rpm, which is 30 percent more than any bike in this segment and torque of 9.2 Nm @ 6500 rpm.
This is the first 100cc bike in the world to feature the 4-valve DTS-I technology patented by Bajaj Auto, he said, adding the bike will give an impressive mileage of 87kmpl with standard features like electric start, auto choke and DC headlamps.
The Bajaj 100cc bike not only gives good mileage but also has advanced features and styling of high end bikes.
The Discover 100T is equipped with gas-filled Nitrox shocks and will be available in four colours—Flame Red, Brilliant Blue, Black Red and Black Blue. Bajaj has priced the premium 100cc motorcycle at Rs 52060. The bike is available at Jammu Motors for test ride and purchase.
Amazon offers HM course to students free of cost
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 16: Amazon Institute of Hotel Management and Applied Nutrition is offering Hotel Management (HM) course to the students and beneficiaries free of cost.
This was stated by Ruchi Chouhan, Managing Director (MD), Amazon Institute of Hotel Management and Applied Nutrition during a press conference here today.
The institute sponsored by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and supported by Directorate of Tourism, Jammu has been recently established under capacity building programme to develop and promote skill among the youth of the State in the field of Hotel Management, Chouhan added.
She said that keeping in mind that the Tourism and Hotel Management industry has huge employment, rather self employment potential with in the State, and that with the enormous growth of private sector this sphere of activity in employment generation should also be thrown open to the private institutions.
The courses, which will be provided to students free of cost, are food production, food services, house keeping, beverage services and bakery, Chouhan said, adding that the institute will also provide stipend to the successful candidates.
Amazon is on the board with some private companies and multi nationals for the placement of the youth trainees and this experience may not only explore but even open the employment windows for the youth of the State countrywide, Ruchi Chouhan added.
Poonch boxers demand infra
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
POONCH, Feb 16: Despite the fact that the boxers of Poonch including gold medalist Jugvinder Singh and Rahul Sharma, have won over 10 medals at the national scene and participated in over 50 national level boxing events from the last decade, there is hardly any boxing infrastructure available here.
This was expressed by Poonch District boxers while appealing to the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, Sports Minister Taj Mohi-Ud-Din and Secretary J&K State Sports Council to provide proper equipment and infrastructure to the youth of the district and help them to hone their skill and represent at the higher levels.
Talking to media persons, the boxers stated that it is unfortunate that there isn’t any boxing equipment or infrastructure available in the district, adding that the work initiated way back in 2010 by DDC Poonch with regard to installation of boxing rink, has stopped due to lack of funds.
“Expecting miracles from the players without proper infrastructure is to flog a dead-horse,” said the boxers.
Prominent among those present during on the occasion were Nazam Mahiud Din, Tushar Khajuria, Satyajeet Sasan, Sahil Khan, Imran Ali and Ankit Sharma.
FIR against Kanda on Geetika’s mother suicide
NEW DELHI, Feb 16:
A case has been registered against former Haryana cabinet minister Gopal Kanda and his employee Aruna Chaddha in connection with former airhostess Geetika Sharma’s mother suicide case, Delhi Police said today.
Geetika Sharma’s mother Anuradha allegedly committed suicide yesterday by hanging herself from a ceiling fan at her residence in Ashok Vihar in north-west Delhi.
She also left a suicide note naming Kanda and Aruna responsible for her death, in the same manner her daughter Geetika did in August last year.
A Delhi Police officer has confirmed an FIR being registered against Kanda in connection with Anuradha’s death.
He said she was found hanging from a ceiling fan.
Investigation was on, he added. (UNI)
Taj inaugurates ICU at GMC
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 16: Minister for Medical Education, Youth Services and Sports, Taj Mohi-ud-Din today inaugurated the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Emergency Block of Government Medical College, Jammu. He also threw open two Critical Care Ambulances (CCA) at the hospital which would be used to ferry critically sick patients to the hospital.
With the inauguration of the ICU, the emergency block of the GMC, Jammu would hugely be decongested. The ICU is equipped with all life saving equipments and a highest degree of sanitation has been maintained. The unit is exclusively fitted with five ventilators and seven more are to be installed soon.
It may be recalled the Minister on his maiden visit to the hospital had expressed unhappiness over the congested nature of the emergency block and a poorly administered ICU there. He had directed carving out of a separate ICU at the emergency block fitted with all life saving equipments.
Later, the Minister visited the upcoming Super Specialty Hospital. He inaugurated two critical care ambulances fitted with all the life saving apparatus which would be used to ferry critically sick patients from GMC to Super Specialty Hospital.
During the visit to the hospital, Mr. Taj went round various blocks and inspected the pace of work. He impressed upon the administrators to ready the hospital for throwing open very soon.
The Minister held a detailed meeting with the Heads of Department and faculty members of the hospital and took a detailed briefing of readiness of their departments. Issues like staffing, security, sanitation, machinery, parking etc. were taken up for discussion.
Principal, GMC, Jammu, Dr. Aniece Choudhary, Medical Superintendents of Super Specialty Hospital, GMC and SMGS, Heads of Departments and other officers accompanied the Minister.
Youth killed, nine injured in road accidents
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 16: A youth was killed and nine others were injured in road accidents at different locations.
As per reports, a youth was crushed to death after being hit by a speedily driven mini bus near Jammu University.
Youth identified as Nikhil Singh, son of Rakesh Singh, resident of Bakshi Nagar was riding on a scooty, when a speedy mini-bus on its way to Jewel Chowk hit him near Jammu University.
Profusely bleeding Nikhil was shifted to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), but he succumbed to his injuries on the way to hospital, he added.
The mini bus has been seized and the driver has also been arrested, while a case has been registered and investigation started.
Meanwhile, eight passengers were injured, when the Tavera car they were traveling in rolled down into a gorge near Jakhani on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway.
The ill-fated vehicle bearing registration number JK17-1201 was on its way to Jammu from Doda, when the driver lost control over the vehicle and it plunged into gorge near Jakhani.
On getting information, police and locals rushed to the spot, started rescue operation and shifted the injured passengers to district hospital in police and other vehicles.
The condition of the injured passengers was stated to be out of danger, when last reports came in.
The injured have been identified as Om Parkash, son of Puran Chand of Doda, Suresh Kumar, son of Girdhari Lal of Badherwah, Mohd Amin, son of Din Mohd of Doda, Ansuya Devi, wife of Sanjay Bhan of Doda, Ayush, son of Sanjay Bhan of Doda, Shabir Ahmed, son of Gulam Rasool of Baramulla Srinagar, Zahida, wife of Shabir Ahmed of Baramulla Srinagar, Mateen, son of Shabir Ahmed of Baramulla, Srinagar.
Police has registered a case and started investigation.
In another accident, one person was injured in two cars collision near Rehambal in district Udhampur.
The Maruti car bearing registration number DL8CE-2889 was on its way to Jammu from Udhampur, when it collided with a Spark car bearing registration number JK14B-334 near Rehambal, causing injuries to one person.
The injured identified as Vipan Kumar, son of Girdhari Lal of Rehambal was shifted to district hospital Udhampur, where his condition was stated to be stable, when last reports poured in.
A case has been registered and investigation started.