J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah along with his father and Union Minister Dr Farooq Abdullah at the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti in Ajmer on Thursday. (UNI)
Cabinet approves formation of SPV for TAPI project
NEW DELHI, Feb 7:
The Cabinet today approved the setting up of a special purpose vehicle to build the USD 9 billion Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan-India (TAPI) gas pipeline, as multinational firms have been unwilling to build the project.
The Dubai-based SPV, TAPI Ltd, will scout for consortium leader who will build and operate the project, arrange for finances and would be responsible for safe delivery of gas through the pipeline that will traverse militancy-infested areas in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
An official statement issued after the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said: “The Union Cabinet gave its approval for formation of the Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) for the TAPI pipeline project and to permit GAIL India Ltd to join the SPV (as India representative)”.
Oil Minister M Veerappa Moily did not attend the Cabinet meeting as he was in the US.
“TAPI Ltd is required to have an initial contribution of USD 20 million, that is USD 5 million from an identified entity from each of the four participating countries,” it said. “GAIL, being a Navratna Company, is empowered to make an investment of this level for India.”
The SPV is being formed for the project as no MNC is willing to participate in the project unless they get a share in Turkmenistan’s rich gas fields.
While Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan were of the view that the four promoters could build and operate the pipeline on their own, India has insisted that the project be taken up only if a multinational company leads it.
New Delhi does not want to be at the mercy of Afghanistan and Pakistan for its gas needs and also feels that none of the nominee companies of the four countries have the financial and managerial capability to execute the project.
“As a way forward, Turkmenistan suggested the formation of a SPV by the TAPI members. The SPV would take up the feasibility study and design work of the TAPI pipeline to meet the agreed timelines for the project, as well as search for a consortium lead,” the statement said.
Pakistan and Afghanistan too have agreed to the formation of TAPI Ltd, it said.
“GAIL has agreed to make an investment upto USD 5 million in the proposed SPV,” the statement said.
Based on an ‘in-principle’ approval of the Cabinet on May 18, 2006, India joined the Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan (TAP) Project in April, 2008 and thereafter, the name of the project stood amended to Turkmenistan-Afghanistan-Pakistan- India (TAPl) Gas Pipeline Project.
The 1,680 km pipeline will carry 90 million cubic metres a day (mmcmd) of gas and is scheduled to become operational in 2018. India and Pakistan will get 38 mmcmd each, while the remaining 14 mcmd will be supplied to Afghanistan.
TAPI will carry gas from Turkmenistan’s Galkynysh field, better known by its previous name South Yoiotan Osman that holds gas reserves of 16 trillion cubic feet.
From the field, the pipeline will run to Herat and Kandahar province of Afghanistan, before entering Pakistan. In Pakistan, it will reach Multan via Quetta before ending at Fazilka (Punjab) in India. In all, the pipeline would travel 735-km in Afghanistan and another 800-km in Pakistan. (PTI)
Army top brass briefs Guv
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 7: Top brass of Army today briefed Governor N N Vohra on overall security situation in the State.
Lt Gen Sanjiv Chachra, GOC-in-C, Western Command, Lt Gen Anil Bhalla, GOC, 9 Corps and Maj Gen Ashwani Kumar, GOC, 26 Infantry Div this afternoon called on Mr Vohra at Raj Bhawan here, official spokesman here said.
He said during the meeting, the senior Army officers briefed the Governor about the overall security situation in the respective areas of their responsibility, particularly along International Border in Jammu region and beyond.
The Governor discussed with Lt Gen Chachra several important issues relating to external security management in the region, he added.
The spokesman said the Governor also discussed with the Western Army Commander certain long pending land issues which required urgent resolution, particularly the relocation of the Army Transit Camp which is thwarting the infrastructure development of the University of Jammu.
General Chachra agreed that this matter would be urgently reviewed and, further, to ensure against matters of mutual interest remaining unduly pending, Western Army-Civil Liaison meetings would now be held at regular intervals.
All roads in Nyoma block closed due to snow
Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, Feb 7: The recent heavy snowfall has led to closure of all the roads in Nyoma block and civil administration has approached the Army and GREF authorities for snow clearance works.
The SDM, Nyoma Phuntosg Angchuk along with SHO Nyoma and Nambardar Nyoma called on Army and GREF authorities and requested for early clearance of snow from the roads of surrounding villages. They told the Army authorities that early opening of Leh-Nyoma road was imperative to transport necessary relief materials in terms of food and fodder for the starving animals in Changthang area.
The Army assured that all possible assistance would be provided in lifting the food and fodder in Changthang region.
12 new ministers inducted in UP Govt
LUCKNOW, Feb 7:
In the first expansion of his ministry after coming to power, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav today inducted 12 new ministers, including Vinod Kumar Singh who was dropped after he allegedly manhandled the Chief Medical Officer in Gonda.
Among those who were sworn-in were SP spokesman Rajendra Chowdhury, considered close to SP supremo Mulayam Singh Yadav, and Vinod Kumar Singh alias Pandit Singh, who was dropped from the UP government in October last year after his name cropped up in a case of manhandling of the Gonda CMO.
Tej Narain Pandey alias Pawan Pandey, a former Lucknow University Students Union office bearer, who won from BJP stronghold of Ayodhya, and was part of ‘Team Akhilesh’ in the run up to the 2012 Assembly polls, has been given a place in the government as a minister of state.
Gayatri Prasad Prajapati, who won from Amethi seat defeating Congress nominee Amita Singh, and Manoj Kumar Pandey, who was elected from Unchahar Raebareli, were also sworn-in at a function at the Raj Bhawan here.
Nitin Agarwal, son of SP national General Secretary Naresh Agarwal, Yogesh Pratap Singh, Ram Sakal Gurjar, Alok Kumar Shakya, Vijay Bahadur Pal and Ram Murti Verma have also found berths in the state government.
Among the ministers are three brahmins, five from the backward classes, two from the thakur community besides one each from the jat and vaish communities. Of new incumbents, five each belong to east and west UP and two from central UP.
While Rajendra Chowdhury has been given Cabinet rank, Vijay Kumar Mishra has been made minister of state with independent charge while the other 10 are ministers of state.
Before induction of these 12 ministers, including one cabinet, there were 46 members in the state’s Council of Ministers.
Now, besides the Chief Minister, there will be 19 cabinet ministers, five ministers of state (independent charge) and 33 ministers of state.
Of the 48 ministers inducted in Akhilesh’s cabinet in March of 2012, two berths fell vacant following the death of Sports Minister Kameshwar Upadhyay and removal of Revenue Minister Vinod Kumar Singh after his name figured in a case of thrashing of the Gonda CMO.
As per provisions, the strength of Council of Ministers can go up to 60 members. (PTI)
Posting of 265 Incharge Headmasters kept in abeyance
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 7: On the direction of Education Minister, the Administrative Department School Education today kept in abeyance the Director School Education’s order of posting of Incharge Headmasters and equivalent.
According to an official communiqué by Administrative Department, School Education, the order of posting of Incharge Headmasters and equivalent, issued by the Director School Education Jammu vide order number DSEJ/GAZ/2559-69, dated 6-2-2013 has been kept in abeyance till further orders.
The Director School Education had yesterday issued the order for placement of 265 Masters as Incharge Headmasters and equivalent on the basis of seniority and eligibility.
Sources said that posting of these Incharge Headmasters has been kept in abeyance on the direction of Deputy Chief Minister and Education Minister Tara Chand, who is learnt to have desired a reshuffle in placement of the promotees.
However, despite repeated attempts, the Minister could not be contacted for his comments.
Music concerts of brilliance on day 7 of SaMaPa Aalap
Excelsior Correspondent
He commenced his recital with Raga Ahir bhairav presenting Aalap, Bandishes in Madhyalaya and Drutlaya Teentaal. He also presented 3 Bhajans ‘Vaishno Janto’, Raghupati RaghavRaja Ram’ and ‘Payo Je Maine’. He was accompanied by Pt. Sarit Das on Tabla, Abid Hussain on Sarangi and Damodar Lal Ghose on Harmonium.
Abdul Majid Wani, Minister for R&B & Mechanical Engineering was the chief guest on the occasion. The function was also graced by Padmashri S. P. Varma, Abdul Majeed Bichoo, Kulwant Kour from France, Ab. Majeed Malik, Prof. Kali Dass, Pandit Vijay Shankar Mishra, eminent musicologist, writer and senior music critic of the country.
Mr Wani in his address said that the Gandhian thought is something which every student needs to realize and absorb.
Earlier, Abhay Rustum Sopori, the renowned Santoor Maestro & Music Composer asked the young students to adopt music in their daily curriculum. He said music is same to soul what food is to the body. He also stressed on the need of making music compulsory even in high degree courses and all professional and vocational courses.
On this occasion, S. P. Varma of the Gandhi Global Family, announced that the foundation is making Abhay Rustum Sopori its Global Ambassador.
On February 8, SaMaPa Aalap Festival 2013 will feature Violin recital by Santosh Nahar & Vocal recital by Ustad Iqbal Khan at the Gandhi College, Bantalab at 1:00 pm and Santoor recital by Abhay Rustum Sopori at the Police HQ’s Auditorium at 6:00 pm.
Sikh Community demands 2 MLC seats
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 7: In view of forthcoming MLC elections for eight seats, various Sikh organizations today demanded Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to allot two MLC seats to Sikh Community in Jammu province.
A meeting was held here in this regard under the chairmanship of, Chief Organiser, Bhai Kanahiya Jee Nishkam Seva Society, Mohinder Singh. The meeting was attended by members of various Sikh organizations including All India Sikh Student Federation, State Gurudwara Prabandhak Board, Sikh Welfare Society, Sikh Noujwan Sabha and Shiromani Youth Akali Dal.
During the meeting, the participants urged National Party president, Dr Farooq Abdullah, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah and UPA President, Sonia Gandhi, to allot two MLC seats from Jammu province to prominent Sikh members, so that the problems of Sikh Community in Jammu province could be mitigated properly.
Prominent among others who attended the meeting were Narbir Singh, Ramnik Singh Bijral, Paramjit Singh and Ranjit Singh.
Kathua college students protest, block road
Excelsior Correspondent
The students after boycotting their classes came out on the road at around 11 am and started protest demonstration. They blocked Kalibari-Kathua road and stalled the movement of vehicular traffic. They were protesting against over charging fare from them by the Bus operators. They alleged that students moving in Express/ Non-Stop buses are not being given student-concession and they are forcibly thrown down some times by the bus conductors. The female students are also harassed and made to pay full fare.
The students shouted slogans against Transport Minister, Regional Transport Officer, SP Traffic and District Administration. They warned the Administration to intervene and solve the issue otherwise they will block National Highway and stall the movement of vehicles and also start direct-action against the Kathua Union bus operators. A large number of buses and other vehicles remained caught in massive traffic jam for long.
Later, some senior police and civil officers reached the spot and pacified the agitating students to look into their grievances and resolve the issue. The students on assurance from Administration then lifted dharna from the road.
JU claims 2nd spot in All India Inter-University Fencing C’ship
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
Jammu University won silver in foil boys team event and bronze medal in epee boys team event and young and promising fencer Mohd Tariq of MAM College, Jammu won individual bronze medal.
The team comprised of 13 fencers with 12 boys and 1 girl.
It is pertinent to mention here that Jammu University claimed overall Champion in 2010, and 2011and stood third in 2012.
Foil team: Mohd Tariq, Dushyant Magotra and Satish Kumar.
Epee team: Sahib Gupta, Maheshwar Sharma, Veer Sangram and Anupam.
Sabre team: Sushant Magotra, Rajay Singh and Abhinav Pandotra.
Ajay Khatrol and Varun Slathia accompanied the team as coach and manager respectively