Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 1: A newly born female child was found abandoned in the premises of Shri Maharaja Gulab Singh (SMGS) Hospital.
Police spokesman said that, a newly born female baby was found lying on the stairs near Labour room of SMGS Hospital.
She was shifted to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH), where doctors pronounced her as brought dead, he added.
A case has been registered at police post SMGS Hospital and investigation started.
Newly born female found dead
Prajapati Sabha organises 4-day free medical camp
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 1: J&K Prajapati Sabha organized a four -day free medical camp of training and treatment through acupressure and acupuncture under the chairmanship of Ayodhya Kumar Manawa, State president of the Sabha from January 29 to February 1 at Sant Gora Ji Complex here.
Dr K K Verma a renowned doctor and senior consultant from Hissar examined and treated over 100 patients. He also gave them a practical training how to fight out the diseases with which they were suffering.
Ashwani Kumar Sharma, MLA Bishnah was the chief guest in the concluding function today and he appreciated the selfless service rendered by the doctor. Maintaining that such camps are useful he stressed of organizing such camps in remote areas and villages where the people most need attention. On the occasion Mr Sharma and Dr Verma were felicitated by Ayodhya Kumar Manawa.
F C Satiya, general secretary of the Sabha, Amar Chand its convener, Jeet Singh senior vice president, Madan Lal Finance secretary, G R Dafara publicity secretary and Ajay Kumar advocate also spoke on the occasion. The vote of thanks was proposed by Des Raj Tyagi, chief patron of the Sabha.
Contradictions in prosecution story leads to acquittal of rape accused
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 1: Principal Sessions Judge Samba Kartar Singh has acquitted an accused facing trial in a rape case due to material contradictions in the prosecution story.
According to the police case, on June 8, 2009 prosecutrix, who was grazing cattle in a forest area, was raped by the accused namely Fiaz Ali, son of Beeru. Accordingly, a case was registered and after completion of investigation challan was presented in the court of law.
After hearing Public Prosecutor for the State whereas Advocate Rajeev Sharma for the accused, Principal Sessions Judge observed, “the statement of the prosecutrix is not trustworthy because she remained silent for a pretty long time and did not disclose about the incident to anybody for long time. Had she narrated the incident immediately after the occurrence to her mother, this fact would have been admissible in evidence under Section 8 of the Evidence Act but she and her mother remained silent for a pretty long time and in such a situation the corroboration of her statement is necessary”.
“The corroboration of her statement becomes further necessary when the statement of her uncle is perused. He has deposed that when he saw the prosecutrix weeping, he enquired from her as to what had happened but she remained silent and when on June 8, 2009 he went to her house, her mother told him that she had been raped by the accused. The statement of this witness thus makes it clear that family members of the prosecutrix were well aware of the incident immediately after it happened but they did not lodge the report”, the Court said, adding “in such a situation the solitary statement of the prosecutrix cannot be believed”.
“In view of material contradictions in the prosecution story, the solitary statement of the prosecutrix cannot be believed without corroboration which is totally lacking in this case”, the Court observed and acquitted of the charges leveled against him.
Prez hopeful of early passage of Food Bill
NEW DELHI, Feb 1:
President Pranab Mukherjee today said food deprivation should not be allowed to continue in India and was hopeful of early passage of the proposed Food Bill.
Mukherjee expressed concern over declining growth in the farm sector but felt confident that agriculture will soon return to higher growth path.
He also emphasised on doubling food production to meet rising demand and called for ushering of second Green Revolution, which should be more widespread.
“Food deprivation cannot be allowed to continue. Steps are required to secure for the poor and the needy greater access to food,” Mukherjee said, addressing a conference on ‘Doubling foodgrains production in 12th Plan period’ organised by industry body Crop Care Federation of India (CCFI).
“We have relied on a rights-based method and empowered our citizens with legal entitlements. The landmark Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act of 2005 is one such example. I am hopeful of the proposed legislation for provision of food security to our people becoming a reality soon,” he said.
UPA government’s ambitious Food bill, introduced in Parliament in December 2011, aims to provide legal right on subsidised foodgrains to 67 per cent of the population. A Parliamentary panel has recommended drastic changes in it and the same is being studied by the Food Ministry for policy formulation.
Stating that farm sector deserves high priority in the policy making, Mukherjee said it would be a test to double foodgrains production in the next five years. He noted there would be several benefits if the country is able to achieve quantum jump in food output.
“In the context of the current production levels, doubling food production in next five years will be a test of our capacity to successfully employ all possible growth- inducing measures,” he said, but added that this task wan “imperative” and cannot be “ignored.”
With rising population, Mukherjee said the challenge before the government was not only to ensure that the “indicators of food security do not deteriorate but instead show improvement.”
Although the farm sector has lagged behind the other sectors of the economy, but the potential of agri-sector for rural rejuvenation cannot be undermined in a country with one-third of its rural population below poverty line, he said.
Some studies have indicated that a one percent growth in agriculture is 2-3 times more effective in reducing poverty than a one percentage growth in non-farm sectors, he added.
Noting that deceleration in farm sector is reflective of the challenging economic scenario, Mukherjee said, “But I am confident of this situation being reversed quickly”.
Farm sector growth has declined from 7 per cent in 2010-11 to 2.8 per cent in 2011-12 and further to 2.1 per cent in the first half of the current fiscal. The government has targeted achieving 4 per cent agriculture growth during the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17).
The rise in food production during the plan period has to be relied primarily on productivity gains, Mukherjee said.
For raising crop yields, the President suggested crop diversification, improvement in seed replacement rate, adoption of high yielding hybrid seeds and improvement in water management practises.
He also recommended greater use of satellite communication for weather forecasting, strengthening of farm insurance and propagation of balanced use of fertilisers.
On benefits of higher farm growth, Mukherjee said, “Quantum jump in food production will have several positive spin-offs. It will drive investment in infrastructure for storage, processing, transportation and packaging.”
It also will create jobs in rural sector and reduce migration, Mukherjee added. (PTI)
Juniors promoted as Range Officers, seniors left out
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 1: Jammu and Kashmir Forest Employees Federation (JKFEF) accused the Forest Department of elevating six junior Foresters as incharge Range Officers while seniors have been left out.
The Forest Department vide its order number 48 dated31-01-2013, elevated 18 Foresters as Incharge Range Officers.
The JKFEF alleged that the six junior Foresters have been elevated as incharge Range Officers by pick and choose policy in gross violations of the rules and regulations of the department.
“Despite assurance by Forest Minister, the department adopted pick and choose method,” Malik Feroz Bhat, President JKFEF said.
The JKFEF threatened state wide mass agitations against these irregularities, if Government failed to deliver justice to the deserving candidates.
Kichloo inaugurates facilitation centre
Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 1: In order to encourage entrepreneurship and curb levels of unemployment in the State, Minister of State for Industries & Commerce, Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo today inaugurated “Counselling-cum-Facilitation Centre” at Industrial Estate, Sanath Nagar.
Director Industries, Kashmir, Mehrajud-din Keenu, Director Handicrafts, Munshi Muzzafar Hussain, MD SIDCO, Muazzam Bakshi, MD JK Cements, RK Razdan, MD SICOP, AL Tickoo, MD JKI, Javed Iqbal and President FCIK, Zahoor Bhat were present on the occasion.
While addressing the gathering, the Minister emphazised the need for setting up similar facilitation centres across the State so that youth are made aware about taking up entrepreneurship as a potential career option.
Asking the unit holders to focus on bulk production in their respective lines of manufacturing, Kichloo assured them marketing support within and outside the State so that they remain rate competitive and position themselves as quality brands.
The Minister assured FCIK that he will examine its demands for making Valley industrially vibrant and competitive. He said that all important aspects of industrial development will be closely looked at and discussed in the upcoming Industrial Advisory Committee meeting which is chaired by the Chief Minister.
Earlier, Director Industries, Kashmir, gave a detailed presentation about industrial scenario in the Valley.
President, FCIK, Zahoor Bhat, in his address assured the Minister that his federation will work in tandem with the Government so that a new era of industrial growth dawns in the valley.
Mosque row: Excavation not yet started, ASI tells HC
NEW DELHI, Feb 1:
The Archaeological Survey of India today told the Delhi High Court that it has not yet started excavation on a site near Red Fort to ascertain whether remains of a Mughal-era mosque existed there in view of lack of clarity on an apex court order on status quo.
“The excavation of the site, as directed by the high court, has not been undertaken following the Supreme Court order to maintain status quo,” the counsel for ASI told a bench headed by Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul.
The ASI informed the court that it has moved an application in the apex court seeking clarification of the order asking authorities to maintain status quo at a place inside Subhash Park here where local MLA Shoaib Iqbal and his supporters allegedly trespassed and built a mosque claiming that remnants of Akbarabadi masjid were found there during Metro construction work.
The court, meanwhile, disposed of a plea seeking to initiate contempt proceedings against Delhi Police Commissioner for allegedly making contradictory statements in the Supreme Court and in the High Court on providing security to lawmaker Iqbal.
It also directed the Union Home Ministry to “assess” the alleged security threat to a petitioner in the case with 10 days.
North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC), which owns the park in the walled city area where DMRC was conducting the excavation relating to a metro project, also cited the apex court order on the issue.
Earlier, Iqbal had moved the Supreme Court against the High Court order asking MCD to demolish the illegal structure with the help of police to facilitate a probe by ASI of the ruins of a mosque allegedly found during the excavation work undertaken by DMRC. The court ordered staus quo at the site on his plea.
During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Siddharth Luthra, appearing for Delhi police, said that the matter be kept at abeyance as the Supreme Court is seized with it.
“We are also awaiting the Supreme Court order. We don’t believe in adjourning the matter sine die (adjourning the case without fixing a future date of hearing) as the matter goes out of sight. We will fix it after the date of hearing in the Supreme Court,” the bench, also comprising justices Rajiv Shakdher and M L Mehta, said. (PTI)
Shastri demands filling up of vacant posts in Finance Deptt
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 1: President of the National Mazdoor Conference Subash Shastri has demanded immediate filling up of vacant posts of Accountants lying with the Finance Department.
In a statement, the Shastri appealed the Chief Minister, Finance Minister & Principal Secretary Finance to direct the Director General Accounts & Treasuries to fulfill the vacant posts at the earliest. About 200 Accounts Assistants have already qualified SAC Part -I Examination in September 2012 who deserve promotions, he added.
The Shastri also urged the Government to mitigate the problems being faced by the Account Assistants of the Finance Department who have already cleared SAC Part-I Examination.
Shastri demanded issuance of early promotion orders of Accounts Assistant so that they do not suffer any more.
Sri Lanka defeat England with last-ball six
Mumbai, Feb 1:
Minnows Sri Lanka caused the biggest upset of the ICC Women’s World Cup as they defeated defending champions England by one wicket off a last-ball six in a thrilling Group A encounter at the Brabourne Stadium here today.
After drawing level with England off the penultimate ball, Sri Lanka’s Dulani Manodara pulled Georgia Elwiss over mid-wicket for a superb six to complete their first-ever win over their fancied rivals in any form of the game.
Chasing 239 for a win, the Lankans got off to a flying start with a record century partnership between Chamari Athapaththu and Yasoda Mendis, but slumped to 157 for 5 before Kaushalya Lokusooriya brought them on the doorsteps of victory with a whirlwind 56 off 41 balls with three sixes and 5 fours.
Kaushalya was run out off the penultimate ball at the non-striker’s end before Dulani slammed Elwiss for a six to complete a shock win over the three-time champions.
The left-right opening combination of Atapaththu (62 in 72 balls) and Yasoda (46 in 98 balls) laid the foundation of the Lankan run chase. But after Atapaththu’s exit at 103, the underdogs lost a clutch of wickets in a short span — including that of Yasoda.
They looked like slumping to their eighth defeat in nine contests (one no result) against England in ODIs, before Kaushalya played the match-winning innings to knock the wind out of the champions’ sails.
Kaushalya, lucky to be dropped on nine by Jennifer Gunn in the deep, took full advantage of her ‘life’ to hit her repriever for two fours in the 48th over in which the bowler gave away 16 runs.
Needing 13 from the last 12 balls, Kaushalya lost her eighth-wicket partner Deepika Rasangika, with seven balls remaining and her side needed nine off the last over.
The hard-hitting batter pulled Elwiss for a six to bring down the target, was dropped by the bowler in the next ball and then got run out in a dramatic final over before Dulani hit a six off the last ball to complete a famous win. (PTI)
Sculptor Ganesh Sharma invited in group show
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb1: Ganesh Kumar Sharma, well known sculptor of Jammu Kashmir, has been invited in group show of contemporary Indian artists titled, `Eternally Yours’ at Rabinder Bhawan, Lalit Kala Akademi, New Delhi, from January 29 to February 4.
Ten leading contemporary Indian artists have been invited in the show, which is being organized by `Desire Arts’ New Delhi. Five stone sculptures of Ganesh Sharma have been selected for display in the show.
Pertinent to mention here that Ganesh Kumar Sharma belongs to border village Sanoora in Samba. Recipient of various State and National awards, he is presently working in Government ITI Hiranagar.