NEW DELHI, Feb 16:
British Prime Minister David Cameron is likely to press for Eurofighter Typhoon deal and the entry of super-market giant Tesco into the Indian market during his three-day official visit here beginning from February 18.
Sources said the UK Prime Minister will make a bid for the deal on Eurofighter Typhoon as the agreement between India and France for 126 Rafale fighter jets could not be signed during the recent
visit of French President Francois Hollande.
The sources said Mr Cameron will also pitch for the entry of Tesco in multi-brand retail even though Tesco has has teamed up with the Tata Group in a wholesale business in India.
Mr Cameron who arrives in India on February 18 on a three-day official visit, will hold discussions with his Indian counterpart Manmohan Singh on several issues, mainly business and trade relations and cooperation in education between the two countries.
The discussions will also focus on counter-terrorism cooperation, cyber security and energy.
The Vodafone tax issue is also likely to be discussed.
The last meeting of the Joint Working Group (JWG) on counter-terrorism was held in India in November, 2012, while the first India-UK cyber security dialogue took place in UK on October 18-19, 2012.
Energy is an important area of cooperation between the two countries.
Mr Cameron will arrive in Mumbai on February 18 and hold discussions with representatives of Indian industry.
He will come to Delhi the next day and hold delegation-level talks with the Prime Minister on February 19.
He will also call on President Pranab Mukherjee.
New Chairman of the Tata Group, Cyrus Mistry, is likely to attend the meeting with the UK Prime Minister.
The visit by Mr Cameron, his second to India after his entry to the 10 Downing Street, could, however, be overshadowed by the row over alleged kickbacks in the the Rs 4,000 crore AgustaWestland VVIP Helicopter deal with India.
India had opted the French jet in a 14 bn US Dollar deal over the British-made Eurofighter.
External Affairs Ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said UK had sent “interim response” to India on the AgustaWestland bribery issue and would be waiting for Italy to complete their part
of the investigations.
“We would like to a have a full report,” the spokesman added.
External Affairs Ministry official Ms Ruchi Ghanshyam, said Mr Cameron would be accompanied by CEOs of top British companies including British Petroleum, Vice Chancellors of several top universities and officials.
Mr Cameron had said in London earlier this week that there were already 40,000 Indian students in the UK and he hoped numbers would increase.
“The fact is today, as we stand, and this is going to be the case going forward, there is no limit on the number of students who can come from India to study at British universities, no limit
at all…And what is more, after you have left a British university, if you can get a graduate-level job there is no limit to the amount of people who can stay and work or the time that they can stay at work,” Mr Cameron had said. (UNI)
UK PM to press for Eurofighter deal during visit
Protest against shortage of LPG, people block road
Excelsior Correspondent
RAJOURI, Feb 16: Residents of Rajouri town and adjoining areas held strong protest demonstration against the acute shortage of LPG cylinders and blocked Rajouri-Thanamandi road for over two hours today.
The people along with their cylinders came out on the road at Khebra in the town here during the day and raised barricades with empty cylinders and blocked road. They staged strong protest demonstration against the District Administration, CAPD Minister and Director and Management of HP Company at Jammu for their failure to address the major public issue of cooking gas supply.
The agitating people including women alleged that domestic cylinders are mostly sold in black by the two local agency holders of HP company and the general public is often left high and dry. They alleged that long queues of consumers are witnessed at the outlet and many of them after long wait are told to go back home empty handed. There was no check of the local administration and police and some people also seem to be hand in glove with them.
Administration as well as the concerned CAPD officials have turned blind eye towards this issue. No raids are conducted or checking made to discourage black-marketing of LPG cylinders. No official from police and administration moved at the site of protest and despite rain the consumers after holding protest for about two hours dispersed. The traffic remained disrupted on the road during protest on the road.
About a week back, the local LPG consumers had staged protest demonstration against shortage of cooking gas at the same place. The SHO Rajouri, Varinder Gupta had intervened and assured the agitating public that he will take up the issue with concerned agency holders and help addressing public issue. But today, the local police also maintained silence over the issue.
Kishtwar ultra faces charges of waging war in HC blast
NEW DELHI, Feb 16:
A Delhi court today fixed February 21 for framing additional charge of waging war against India against Wasim Akram Malik, a resident of Kishtwar town in Jammu and Kashmir, who is facing trial for his alleged role in the September 2011 Delhi High Court blast case.
The trial judge had earlier declined the NIA’s plea to prosecute Malik under the stringent charge which entails maximum punishment of death penalty, but the High Court had ruled otherwise.
During in-chamber proceedings today, District Judge I S Mehta also kept the plea of the National Investigation Agency(NIA) seeking handwriting sample of Malik for consideration on February 21.
According to court sources, the NIA told the judge that the Delhi High Court had passed an order on December 3 last year ordering the trial court to frame charges of waging war against the country against Malik who is presently in jail under judicial custody.
“Put up for consideration of application for taking hand writing sample of accused (Malik) on the next date of hearing and framing of additional charges, after passing of the order by the High Court of Delhi, on February 21,” the court said.
The trial court on October 1 last year had framed charges, including of murder, against Malik under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act and the Explosive Substance Act for his alleged role in the September 7, 2011 terror attack at the high court’s reception in which 15 people were killed and 79 were injured.
The trial judge, however, had declined the NIA’s plea to prosecute Malik under stringent charge of waging war against India saying that merely because an e-mail referring to the release of Parliament attack case convict Afzal Guru, who was subsequently hanged on February 9 this year, was sent by the accused after the blast, it does not mean that an offence against the State was committed.
The NIA had then approached the High Court on September 18 last year against the trial court’s order dropping the charge of waging war against India against the accused.
The high court had on December 3 last year ordered the trial court to frame charges of waging war against the country against Malik for his alleged role in the terror strike.
The high court had said that the facts as alleged and material evidence relied upon and mentioned justify framing of charges under the appropriate section of the IPC.
During the hearing today, the NIA also told the court that an accused in the case, who was absconding, has been killed in an encounter with security forces on December 20 last year in Kishtwar in Jammu and Kashmir, the sources said.
The sources said that the court allowed the plea of NIA for abating proceedings against accused Shakir Hussain Sheikh alias Chota Hafiz, saying “since accused Sheikh is stated and reported to be dead, the proceedings against him in the present case are abated.”
The court had earlier framed charges against Malik for offences punishable under Sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy) , 440 (mischief committed after preparation made for causing death or hurt), 436 (mischief by fire or explosive substance), 302 (murder), 307 (attempt to murder), 323 (causing hurt) and 325 (voluntarily causing grievous hurt) of the IPC.
While deciding to frame charges against Malik earlier, the trial court had referred to co-accused-turned-approver Amir Abbas Dev’s statement to the magistrate under Section 164 of the CrPC.
Dev was also arrested by the NIA for his alleged role in the case but had later turned approver and was granted pardon by the judge.
The NIA had filed its charge sheet against six, including Malik, Dev and a minor, besides three others — Amir Kamal, Junaid Akram Malik and Shakir Hussain Seikh, who are suspected members of the banned terror outfit Hizb-ul Mujahideen and are evading arrest. The minor’s case is being adjudicated separately.
The charge sheet against the six accused was filed under various Sections of the IPC dealing with murder, criminal conspiracy, waging war against the nation, attempt to murder, causing grievous hurt and others, besides various offences under the Explosive Act and the UAP Act. (PTI)
CCI resents slow pace of work on Jammu projects
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 16: The executive committee of Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), Jammu has expressed strong resentment over the slow pace of work on the Jammu development and beautification projects.
In a meeting of the Chamber held here today under the chairmanship of Y V Sharma, its president, the members expressed serious concern over the very slow pace of work on Mubarak Mandi Heritage complex, beautification of Tawi banks and Tawi artificial lake, Cable Car project from Mubarak Mandi to Mahamaya temple and modernization of Jammu Bus Stand at B C Road. CCI demanded that work on these projects should be expedited. They also expressed concern over the role of local legislators and sought their influence for the early completion of these projects.
The members further stressed that work on Bikram Chowk-Satwari flyover be taken up on priority. The BC Road-Rehari Chungi flyover project should also be cleared and work executed at the earliest. The work on 4th bridge over river Tawi near Bhagwati Nagar should also be expedited to facilitate the traffic to Akhnoor, Rajouri and Poonch.
The CCI members also criticized the Commercial Taxes Department for its high headedness especially at Lakhanpur where goods of dealers are being detained on the pretext of under valuation. The members were of the opinion that the dispute relating to under valuation should be decided by a committee comprising of officers of Commercial Tax Department and the representatives of business community. Members advocated that that in case a dealer makes the option to the department to purchase the goods declared under-valued, the department should purchase them by adding 10% profit to the value of goods. It was also demanded to establish new Warehouse/ Wholesale Market as present location is not able to cater to the needs of the traders. They also projected the demand of establishment of Rail Coach Factory at Jammu and direct rail connectivity to Chandigarh and Bangalore from Jammu station.
New Drug Policy from April,: Shabir
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 16: Minister of State for Health, Shabir Ahmad Khan has said that ‘New Drug Policy’ would be enforced in the State from April this year. He said that New Drug Policy has been already approved by the State Cabinet and passed by the Assembly during last session, adding that its enforcement will prove helpful to check growth of spurious drug combinations and adulteration of highly chosen brands.
The Health Minister disclosed this while reviewing the functioning of Drug and Food Control Organization at a meeting of the officers held here on Saturday.
Commissioner Secretary, Health and Medical Education, M K Dewidi, Controller Drug and Food Organization, Dr. Satash Gupta, Deputy Controllers, Assistant Controllers, designated food officers, besides other senior officers of the Organization attended the meeting.
The Minister expressed that single most vital component of health care is drugs as they account for substantial household expenditure on health. He said that the market for drugs has been growing rapidly in terms of production, trade, investment, employment and consumption and highly priced branded drugs wastes lot of patient’s money in purchase of drugs.
He instructed the concerned that after a detailed Drug policy, the law enforcement agencies should start the process to identify the pharma companies and illegal drug stores, which are violating the norms and are using the State as their dumping ground for products.
“Irrational use of drugs leads to serious problems through adverse drug reactions, drug resistance, increased morbidity and high cost”, he said.
The Health Minister said the monitoring and valuation is an essential component of the State Drug Policy, with provision that checking should take place at regular intervals and complete external evaluation of the drugs supplied will be conducted after every 2 years.
Controller, Drug and Food Organization, Dr. Satash Gupta presented a power point presentation on the physical and financial achievement registered by the organization in the implementation of the Drug and Food Safety Acts in the State so far during current financial year.
Gujjar Bakerwal Conference highlights demands
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 16: Gujjar Bakerwal Conference held a meeting under the chairmanship of its vice president Saif Ali Kasana and discussed various demands.
While speaking, Saif Ali Kasana demanded grant of political reservation, inclusion of Gojri language in 8th Schedule, rehabilitation of nomads and colonies, issuance of ration cards and voter lists after fresh survey, provision of electricity, drinking water, roads, anganwari centers, tailoring and cutting centers, seasonal and mobile schools, health and agriculture centers and raising of Gujjar Regiment.
Among others present were Shah Mohd, Amir-ud-Din Kasana, Mumtaz Khan, Abdul Khaliq, Ghulam Rasool, etc.
Prez concerned over Parl disruptions
NEW DELHI, Feb 16:
Voicing concern over frequent disruptions in Parliament and State legislatures, President Pranab Mukherjee today said these “aberrations” are over minor issues which can be resolved.
Noting that disruptions in Parliament were becoming a trend, Mukherjee said, “This is seen not only in the federal legislature but also in State legislatures.”
Delivering the first N K P Salve Memorial Lecture here, the President said he has even tried to look at the “remedy” for these disruptions and in the process realised that most of the time the point of contention is under which rule of Parliament the discussion on an issue should be held.
He said on most occasions the Leader of the Opposition in either House of Parliament objects on this ground.
Mukherjee’s comments today come against the background of frequent forcing of adjournments by the Opposition in Parliament in the last few months.
“To my mind it is not very difficult to find a solution to this problem,” he said.
Mukherjee, who was Leader of the Lok Sabha before becoming President, had often taken the lead in the past on behalf of the Government to resolve such deadlocks.
He pointed out that it was not contemplated by the makers of the Constitution that such frequent disruptions would become a “trend” in Parliament.
“This aberration should be corrected,” Mukherjee said, adding that due to disruptions even the powers of discussing the monetary and financial matters which are vested in the Lok Sabha are not utilised fully.
Recalling that the earlier Parliaments had discussed at length the Five Year Plans, Mukherjee said, “I do not remember that the Eighth, Ninth and Tenth Plans were discussed on the floor of the House.”
Emphasising on the need for having serious discussions in Parliament on financial issues, Mukherjee said the House need not wait for a CAG report on an issue to point out the faults and only then discuss the matter.
He said the CAG’s role arises only when there are aberrations in financial matters.
Mukherjee also underlined the need for more social justice in our society, particularly on issues of gender justice.
The President recalled N K P Salve’s contribution to Parliament both as a member of the Lok Sabha and later in the Rajya Sabha. He made a special mention of Salve’s initiative in 1978 in suggesting that the Commission of Inquiry Act, 1952 be amended or the matter referred to Committee of the House to sort out some contentious issues. (PTI)
IOC plans conference on WADA role amid strained ties
BERLIN, Feb 16:
The International Olympic Committee is planning a conference on the role of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) to improve the drugs in sport watchdog’s deteriorating ties with international federations and national Olympic committees.
WADA, created through an IOC initiative in 1999, has been highly critical of several federations, including the international cycling union (UCI), over what it claims is a poor doping record.
The row with the UCI has been especially bitter following the admission of doping by retired American rider Lance Armstrong, who had his seven Tour de France titles stripped.
The two sides have been locked in a war of words over the past few months, with WADA questioning the UCI’s commitment for transparency in an affair that sent shockwaves through the entire world of sport.
“The date has not yet been fixed and no agenda agreed,” an IOC official told Reuters of the conference plans today. “It is the idea that has been agreed.”
WADA chief John Fahey last week also urged other sports, including tennis and soccer, to do more to battle doping. (Agencies)
Students of PFPS win 9 medals in Karate C’ship
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 16: The students of Perfect Foundation Public School (PFPS) won 9 medals, with 3 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze in the Kufukan Shito-Ryu J&K State Karate Championship, organized by Kufukan Shito-Ryu School J&K at Channi Himmat, here.
The gold medal winners included Geetanjali, Aryan and Kanwal, while the silver medal was bagged by Tanvi, Nitika and Sunil and the bronze medal went to Lakshay, Goutam and Aryan.
The students were trained by the coach Ganesh Gupta, 4 Degree Black Belt.
School Principal, Sheetal Manhas felicitated the students and their coach for this achievement.
3 soldiers hurt in mine blast
Excelsior Correspondent
MENDHAR, Feb 16: Three soldiers were injured in a land mine blast near the Line of Control (LoC) in Mankote area of district Poonch this evening.
The mishap took place at around 5.30 pm when an Army patrol was moving along the LoC near Chapri and Gian Posts. Rifleman Alok Singh of Haryana over stepped a land mine which exploded causing serious injuries to his left leg. Two other jawans were also injured in the mishap. While Alok was rushed to Rajouri hospital the other two were undergoing treatment at Mendhar unit hospital.
This is the same area where Pak Army soldiers and crossed LoC and brutally murdered two Indian soldiers recently.