NEW DELHI, Mar 6:
Crime against women has been on the rise in the country with 78,533 cases involving molestation, kidnapping and abduction of women and girls registered in 2011 against 70,408 recorded in the previous year.
The 2009 figure of 64,452 would further show the rising trend in recent times, as per data provided by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), Minister of State for Home R P N Singh informed the Rajya Sabha.
He said during Question Hour that out of 78,533 cases registered in 2011, 42,968 cases related to molestation charges and the rest to kidnapping and abduction of women and girls.
Singh said “police” and “public order” are state subjects and as such, the primary responsibility of prevention, detection, registration, investigation and prosecution of crime, was with the states.
He, however, said it was not correct to say that women are not at all safe anywhere.
“Crimes against women are committed on account of multiple factors. These are sought to be addressed through legislation, awareness generation and training programmes of law enforcement agencies,” he said. (PTI)
Crime against women rising
Hit-and-run case:Salman wants culpable homicide charge quashed
MUMBAI, Mar 6:
Terming as “bad in law” invoking of the charge of ‘culpable homicide not amounting to murder’ against him in the 2002 hit-and-run case, actor Salman Khan today sought its quashing by a sessions court which questioned whether it had the jurisdiction to hear his plea.
Salman has filed a revision application against the order of a Bandra magistrate, who invoked the serious charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder (Section 304 part II IPC), which is triable by the sessions court and attracts a maximum punishment of 10 years.
He was tried by a magistrate under lesser charge of causing death by negligence (section 304 A IPC), that provides for a maximum punishment of two years years in prison.
Hearing the Bollywood star’s plea today, sessions judge A N Patil asked his lawyer Ashok Mundargi to convince him whether he had the jurisdiction to hear the application.
The judge said since the magistrate had referred the case for trial by the sessions court, the Bombay High Court would have been the appropriate forum for filing the revision petition or appeal.
Salman’s lawyer argued that as the magistrate’s order was final and not interlocutory (interim), because he had invoked 304 part II after recording evidence of 17 witnesses, and found that a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder was made against the actor, he had a remedy in law to move the sessions court with a revision application.
He could not have moved the sessions court had the magisterial court’s order been interlocutory as that was barred by statute, Mundargi contended.
The sessions court deferred the arguments to March 8 to decide whether Salman’s application could be entertained.
If the actor’s application is admitted, the court will decide on merit whether the more stringent charge of culpable homicide not amounting to murder could be invoked. In case the court rejects his plea, the actor would either have to face trial under the same charge in the sessions court or move a superior court in appeal.
Earlier in the day, Salman’s counsel had sought the film star’s exemption from appearance before sessions court on March 11 as directed by the magistrate. However, he did not press the plea later. (PTI)
Lead futures down on profit-booking
NEW DELHI, Mar 6: Lead prices eased by 0.49 per cent to Rs 121.80 per kg in futures trade today after speculators locked-in gains even as metal strengthened overseas.
At the Multi Commodity Exchange, lead for delivery in March fell 60 paise, or 0.49 per cent, to Rs 121.80 per kg in business turnover of 1,068 lots.
Likewise, the metal for delivery in April shed 55 paise, or 0.45 per cent, to Rs 122.45 per kg in 183 lots.
Marketmen said the fall in lead futures prices was attributed to profit-booking by speculators and subdued demand from battery makers at the spot markets but a better trend in base metals in the global markets limited the losses. (PTI)
Mixed reaction to budget
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 6: Chamber of Commerce & Industry while expressing its reaction to the budget proposals presented in the Assembly today by the Finance Minister A R Rather pointed out that the efforts of the Government to reduce the fiscal deficit are praise worthy.
In a statement issued here today that Government has been able to accede to the requests made by Chamber in its pre-Budget Memorandum. Things like Havan Samigiri (packed or loose), google dhoop and idols have been exempted from VAT. durries, quilts, blanket covers, table cloths, Pillow cases and bed sheets etc. bringing under one slave of 5%, bringing CFL Lights under 5% VAT though demanded to exempt them totally from VAT, reduction of VAT on Saffron to 5 %, these are some of the items which have been given due consideration.
It said but at the same time Chamber bemoans that the items like Dry Fruits, Desi Ghee etc have not been given any consideration and their VAT rate remains 13.5% whereas in the adjoining States it is 5%. This difference diverts lot of trade of these items to the adjoining States. For developing Jammu and its surrounding areas more money needed to be earmarked, Rs. 333 crore is a very conservative some.
Chamber welcomed reduction of VAT from 13.5 % to 5% on food items served in Hotels etc as a gesture to boost this sector.
Chamber had made an appeal to exempt the vegetables and fresh fruits from the purview of Toll Tax but this has not been acceded. Exemption of Toll Tax in these items would definitely bring the rates of these essential items down and benefit the common man.
While reacting to the budget the Tax Bar Association said the Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather deserved to be congratulated on presenting consecutive fifth almost tax free budget in the State Legislature Assembly today.
In a statement issued here today he said State Government’s success in achieving targets fixed in the last budget also carries no less significance. Fiscal deficit has been restricted to 4.54% as against targeted ratio of 4.7%.
It said in his budget proposal FM has tried to consider the interest of almost all sections of society perhaps due to his extensive exercise conducted in his pre-budget meeting with them.
The unhappy aspect of the state’s financial status should be cause of concern for us all, it said. “For how long can we survive honorably while spending more on Salaries & Pensions; Purchase of Energy and other Capital Expenditures than our earnings”?
It said Mr. Rather has given lots of relief by extending for one more year the exemption on basic food items like atta, maida, suji, besan, pulses, peddy and rice etc. The exemption from VAT in respect of honey, tractors, power tillers and some other important agricultural items shall bring relief to the farmers. Further reducing tax rate on some of the important commodities like Saffron, CFLs; durries; quilts, blanket covers, table cloth & table covers, floor covering items etc shall not only relieve the consumers but also remove anomalies and confusions in the J&K VAT Act, 2005, it added.
Association of Industries (AOI) held a meeting under the Chairmanship of its president Balbir Kumar Gupta and discussed the budget proposed by Finance Minister AR Rather. AOI welcomed the extension of remission of VAT for Industry till March 2014. AOI also appreciated the constitution of Standing Task Force to address and resolve various issues being faced by the Industry.
Stone Crusher Association while criticizing the budget termed it a betrayal with them. Association president Vikram Randhawa said that budget has completely neglected them and the promise made with the Association that they will be relieved of 13.5 percent Entry Tax on spare parts in this budget has not been kept.
Javed Ahmed Tak, social activist said budget has neglected and discriminated persons with disability.
Pensioners demand release of CPC arrears in one installment
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 6: All J&K State Pensioners Association, Jammu has urged the Government to release 6th Pay Commission arrears in single installment and also demanded enhancement in the Medical Allowance.
“Since first and second installment have already been paid to the pensioners, the remaining arrear of 6th Pay Commission should be given in one go as done by the Central Government, said Madan Lal Abrol, general secretary of the Association, while talking to media persons, here today.
He also asked the Government to release arrear of 6 percent DA installment from January 2009 to June 2009, which was kept withheld till the settlement of 6th Pay Commission arrears.
Highlighted various other issues of the Association, the pensioners demanded enhancement of their monthly Medical Allowance from Rs 300 to Rs 1000 on the pattern adopted in respect of ex-Legislators and Ministers.
The Pensioners Association also extended its support to former Director School Education Jammu Dev Lata Sharma and appealed Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to order a probe for ascertaining the reason behind transfer of the officer within two months from the post.
Lauding achievements of Dev Lata as the Director School Education, the Association members said that the officer did a lot for streamlining the Education Department and welfare of teaching community during her brief tenure of two months.
Other members of the Association, including A K Langer, S D Verma and Prof Bhardwaj were also presented in the press conference.
Promotions in Law Deptt
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 6: The Government has ordered promotions of Public Law Officers (PLOs) and Legal Assistants as Senior Law Officers (SLOs) and Public Law Officers respectively.
The PLOs promoted as SLOs are Abdul Rashid Dar, Molvi Mushtaq, Sudesh Kumari, Shakeel Kachroo, P. L. Sharma, Rohani Kiran, Queshi Tariq Mehmood, Mohammad Arif Khan, Manoj Kumar Pandita, Ayaz Ahmed Khan and Yasmen Chodhary (ST).
Similarly, Legal Assistants promoted as PLOs are Riyaz Ahmad Riyza, Mahjabeen, Hamidullah Bhat, Pardeep Singh Thakur and Vibhati Sharma.
Mentha oil futures fall 0.83% on profit-booking
NEW DELHI, Mar 6: Mentha oil prices fell 0.83 per cent to Rs 1,236.80 per kg in futures trade today on profit-booking by speculators at existing higher levels amid increased arrivals in the physical markets from producing belts.
At the Multi Commodity Exchange, mentha oil for delivery in March fell Rs 10.40, or 0.83 per cent, to Rs 1,236.80 per kg, with a business volume of 291 lots
Similarly, mentha for delivery in april traded Rs 4.40, or 0.35 per cent lower at Rs 1,231.20 per kg, with a trading volume of 40 lots.
Traders said the fall in mentha prices at futures market was mostly due to profit-booking by speculators at higher levels amid increased arrivals from producing regions of Chandausi in Uttar Pradesh. (PTI)
Fire breaks out in AFCON plant
Excelsior Correspondent
Udhampur, Mar 6: A major fire broke out in a bitumen plant of AFCON construction company at Granai, here this morning.
Even as fire tenders were rushed to the site, it took more than three hours to control the blazes, which had engulfed a large area due to blast in a cylinder.
However, there was no loss of life in the incident.
Cause of the fire could not be ascertained while Police have registered a case in this connection for further investigations.
Conference of Jammu Lions held
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 6: A conference of Lions of Jammu region was held this evening at Jammu Club.
Lion Watawala, International Director, was the chief guest while Minister for Agriculture, J&K Government, Jenab Ghulam Hassan was the special guest. Other guests present on the occasion were Lion Prince Verma, District Governor, Lion JB Singh, Ambassador of Goodwill, Lion DS Kalra, 1st vice-district Governor, Lion PS Chawala , 2nd vice-district Governor.
Speaking on the occasion, Watawala appreciated the service projects being undertaken by the Lions of Jammu region
Special guest, Jenab Ghulam Hassan also echoed the same views and assured all help from the Government to Lions Club, Jammu Royal in their endeavour to set up a Blood Bank for the service of needy patients.
Dr TR Raina, HoD (Retd), Blood Transfusion Department, outlined the road map for setting up the Blood Bank.
Earlier in the day, members of Jammu Royal organized a service project at Swami Vivekanand Medical Mission Hospital, Amphalla, where various items required by the Hospital were donated.
Later in the afternoon, a mega service project was held by the members of Lions Club RS Pura at Suchetgarh and a truck of ration was distributed as relief for the border migrants.
3 officers shifted
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 6: Government today ordered transfers and postings of three officers with immediate effect.
According to the order issued by General Administration Department, Rakesh Kumar Sarangal, under orders of transfer as Deputy Director, District Employment and Counselling Centre, Kathua, has been posted as Deputy Secretary, Housing and Urban Development Department.
Ved Prakash, Deputy Director CAPD Samba-Kathua Range has been transferred and posted as Deputy Director, District Employment and Counseling Centre, Kathua vice Rakesh Kumar Sarangal.
Meanwhile, Hilal Ahmad Mir, Designated Officer, Food Safety, District Anantnag has been transferred and posted as Additional Private Secretary in the Personal Section of Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs with effect from January 16, 2013.