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Cultural Academy: An institution at cross-roads

After the Independence under the Naya Kashmir’s reconstruction program, our state was one of the first among its counterparts in the country to initiate series of people friendly progressive measures.

The formation of Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages in 1958 was one such pioneering act that reflected upon the importance to which State held the sphere of culture and seminal role it plays in the lives of citizens. Status & Mandate: One of the few constitutional bodies in the State like Universities and Public Service Commission, the Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages was set up by the Government in the year 1958 by proviso to Section 146 of the Constitution of Jammu and Kashmir for a specific purpose of to foster and co-ordinate activities in the spheres of letters and languages, visual and plastic arts, music, dance and drama and of culture generally. It was declared as an autonomous corporate body, vide SRO No-340 of 1963.
Having jurisdiction over the entire State, the Academy combines in itself the functions of: a) Sahitya Akademi (Akademi of Letters)b) Sangeet Natak Akademi (Akademi of Music, Dance & Drama)c) Lalit Kala Akademi (Akademi of Visual and Plastic Arts). Other than its headquarters at Srinagar, which moves to Jammu during winter in camp, it has also set up regional offices at Srinagar and Jammu and sub- offices at Leh, Kargil, Doda and Rajouri.

Woman IT officer to head crucial tax unit at OECD in Paris

NEW DELHI, Mar 4: In a maiden honor for India, a senior woman IRS officer has been appointed as the head of the crucial tax transparency unit of global financial body OECD that also formulates combat policies against black money.

Monica Bhatia, a 1990-batch Indian Revenue Service officer, will now head the Secretariat of the global forum on transparency and exchange of information for tax purposes under the Centre for Tax Policy and Administration (CTPA) in the Paris-based body.

The significance of this appointment can be gauged from the fact that India at present is just in an “enhanced engagement” and a peer reviewer at Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and not a full-member of the top world body.

Bhatia, currently working as a director in the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), will join her new office in Paris from April 1. Her appointment is seen as an acceptance to India’s efforts of tackling tax crimes and enhancing transparency in exchange of financial information.

“This is the first time that an Indian and also a woman is going to head this crucial body in the OECD. The fact that an Indian official will head the department at a time when India is only a partner and not a member of the global body speaks about the importance of the appointment,” a senior Finance Ministry official said.

“Bhatia will lead this major (transparency and exchange of information) OECD programme put in place in 2009 to advance the transparency agenda. She will have to ensure the quick and effective implementation of the peer review schedule which will soon start focusing on practical aspects of information exchange.”

Usha Vohra inaugurates Police-Public Mela

JAMMU, MARCH 4 – Mrs. Usha Vohra, First Lady, inaugurated the day-long Jammu and Kashmir Police-Public Mela in the presence of Mr. N. N. Vohra, Governor, who was Chief Guest at the inaugural ceremony, amidst enthusiasm and fanfare, at the Police Sports Stadium, Gulshan Ground, here this morning.  Dr. Indu Koul Khoda, Chairperson, Jammu and Kashmir Police Wives Welfare Association, lady members of the Association and Mr. Kuldeep Khoda, Director General of Police, were prominent among those present on the occasion.

The First Lady lit the ceremonial lamp to mark the commencement of the Mela. The students presented a welcome song on the occasion. Later, the Governor and the Lady Governor, along with the Director General of Police, the Chairperson, Jammu and Kashmir Police Wives Welfare Association, and senior Police officers went around 40 stalls put up in the Mela and evinced keen interest in the items on display, particularly the handicrafts products from Ladakh, Kashmir and Jammu regions which are on sale. The Governor and the First Lady interacted with the stall holders and enquired about the various items put up for sale. They also witnessed a composite cultural programme based on folk songs and dances of the three regions of the State.

The Governor and the First Lady also inspected the Raffle Draw prizes displayed on the occasion. The Governor and the Lady Governor were briefed by Mr. Khoda and Dr. Indu Koul Khoda about the aims and objects of the Mela and, besides, the activities of the organization aimed at securing the welfare of Police Parivar, with special emphasis on the next of kin of Police martyrs. Mr. Khoda gave details about the recent enhancements made by the Police organization in regard to various welfare measures. The Governor and Mrs. Vohra appreciated the Association’s initiatives, aimed at securing the larger welfare of Police personnel and their families. The Mela was attended by a large number of people from all walks of life. They showed great enthusiasm in purchasing goods kept for sale at the stalls, food of various kinds and witnessed varied cultural presentations.Among others, the Inaugural Function was attended by Mrs. Khem Lata Wakhloo, Chairperson, State Social Welfare Board, Mr. K. Rajendra Kumar, Dr. Ram Lubhaya, Dr. S. P. Vaid, Mrs. D. R. Doley and Mr. Naveen Agarwal, Additional Directors General of Police, Mr. Dilbag Singh, Mr. A. K. Choudhary, Dr. B. Srinivas, Mr. H. K. Lohia and Mr. Z. H. Chishti, Inspectors General of Police, and other senior serving and retired Police officers.

Blanket ban, contents’ monitoring against Constitution: Google

NEW DELHI, Mar 4: US-based search engine Google Inc, facing a civil lawsuit along with 21 other websites for allegedly hosting objectionable contents on its web posts, has told a Delhi court that the blanket ban and monitoring of material would be against the right to freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under the Indian Constitution.

In a reply, filed before Administrative Civil Judge Parveen Singh, Google Inc said, “Its mission is to organise the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful. Most services offered by it are premised on sharing of information and knowledge without the exercise of any editorial control or of monitoring by it.”

The US giant is being impleaded as a party in the civil suit filed by Mufti Aijaz Arshad Qasmi through his lawyer Santosh Pandey seeking to restrain it and 21 other websites from posting objectionable contents and removal of existing ones from their web posts.

Seeking to set aside the case against it, the company said that a blanket ban on certain contents from being carried by “platforms” would not be legal, given the fact that the Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of speech and expression.

PDP to create atmosphere for return of KPs to Valley: Mufti

Excelsior Correspondent

Jammu, Mar 4: Reiterating resolve of his party to restore sustainable peace in Jammu and Kashmir, patron of People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Mufti Mohammad Sayeed today said that PDP would create conducive atmosphere for the return of migrant Kashmir Pandits to their native places in Kashmir Valley.

“Policies and programmes of PDP are formulated by accommodating wishes and aspirations of all sections of the society”, he said and asserted that party would work assiduously to implement its policy of peace and reconciliation in the State.

Interacting with prominent citizens at Gole Gujaral area of Jammu city, PDP patron said that it was his desire to make Jammu and Kashmir as an island of peace. “I was comfortable in the Congress but we formed PDP with an aim of restoring lasting peace in this region”, he said and sought support of every section of the society to fulfill this dream.

He said that some vested interests have launched vicious campaign against PDP to create misunderstanding. “My political life is an open book. My political life is also crystal clear”, he said.

PNB holds builders meet

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Mar 3: To bridge the gap between the builders and the Bank, Punjab National Bank (PNB) organized a builders’ meet here this afternoon.

The meet was inaugurated by Ashok Gupta, Circle Head, J&K Operations.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Gupta informed that the main purpose of the meet was to bridge the gap between the builders and the bank so as to dispel various benefits of availing housing loan from banking sector.

He said that the broad structure of the Housing loan scheme needs to be understood by the builders as well which in turn will prove beneficiary to builders, public in general and the bank.

Mr Gupta also informed that the Housing loan sector will always remain a thrust area for Bank on account of the fact that many other industries like Hardware, cement, iron, paint and furniture thrive on this segment.

The sector is also labour intensive, he added.

Mr Gupta further informed that Housing loan is offered at confessional rate of interest with additional benefits like Income Tax rebate under various sections of IT Act.

The Circle Head of the Bank said that Housing loan are now given for purchase of plots, flats, out right purchase of residential house/flats and even for furnishings.

About 20 prominent builders participated in the meet, which was followed by interactive session. Manjit Singh representing Horizon Group, Upinder Maji representing Ansal Housing, Chetan Gupta of Florence Apartments, Chandresh Sharma and Sanjay Vaid of Royal Palm, Amit Mahajan and Sumit Mahajan of Kamdhenu Apartments, Nico Demes of Dream Homes, Omkar Nath Kaul of Royal Nest, Vinay Saraf of Heritage Apartments and Vinod Kalra of Kalra and Associates took active part in the meet.

They gave their suggestions during the interactive session and the Bank representatives assured them that these suggestions will be taken care of.

Mr Gupta informed the builders that in PNB work is done with transparency within days. While Dr M D Bali Chief Manager Retail Hub Jammu said that PNB is different from other banks and there is no prepayment pendency in PNB. He said in car loan PNB has lowest rate than other banks all over India and if all formalities are complete the customer is given the cheque on the same day.

He said in case of building loan the customer is given the cheque within three to four days after completion of formalities.

Suresh Gupta, chief Manager Circle Office Jammu and S S Chib, district co-ordinator Jammu and other staff were present at the function.

Sidelights – Governor Address

*All four BJP MLAs entered the Central Hall of Legislature wearing black half cut kurtas with slogans written on them against the Government.”Seven rebel BJP MLAs had entered the House well before the official group. Six of them were seated on second row on right side of the Hall while their leader Prof Chaman Lal Gupta was sitting on front row. ” “The leaders of BJP official and rebel factions were not seen speaking to each other at both Central Hall and Legislative Assembly, when it met for obituary reference.” “The BJP leaders, both official and rebel faction

PDP moves adjournment motion

Setting the stage for taking on the Government, the major opposition, PDP tonight moved adjournment motion in the Legislative Assembly seeking suspension of entire business tomorrow to discuss the “extra ordinary situation’’ that has arisen due to notices issued to Chief Minister, Advisors, various Chairpersons/Vice Chairpersons of Boards/ Corporation and two Cabinet Ministers by the State Accountability Commission.The adjournment motion was moved by PDP Legislature

Cabinet meeting today Govt to amend Property Transfer Act for fast-tracking HEP projects

By Mohinder Verma

JAMMU, Feb 23: State Cabinet, which is meeting under the chairmanship of Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah tomorrow evening, is likely to give its nod for carrying out amendment in the J&K Transfer of Property Act so that three power projects under Chenab Valley Project Private Limited are implemented on fast track basis. The Cabinet will also accord approval to the introduction of a bill in the State Legislature for setting up of first ever Nursing Council in the State. Authoritative sources told EXCELSIOR that following setting up of Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Limited, a Joint Venture Company of Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation, NHPC and Power Trading Corporation (PTC) for execution of Pakaldul, Kiru and Kawar hydro electric projects on river Chenab with an aggregate capacity of 2120 Mega Watt, the Power Development Department submitted a proposal to the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs for effecting an amendment in the Transfer of Prop

Life imprisonment awarded to ex-SSP, others in murder case

Excelsior Correspondent

JAMMU, Feb 23: Principal Sessions Judge, Jammu, Jang Bahadur Singh Jamwal today awarded life-imprisonment to eight accused including then SSP Karnail Singh and his wife Ratno Devi. According to the police case, Nitin Sharma, a driver by profession, had developed relations with the daughter of then SSP Karnail Singh and later they entered into wed-lock on March 31, 2005, against the wishes of Karnail Singh and his wife. Soon after the marriage, they fled to unknown location and stayed there for sometime before returning back to Jammu. On her return, Karnail Singh kept his daughter under strict vigil following which she jumped from the roof top to meet her husband. In the incident she s