Council confirms the legislations are dead
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Apr 21: In a significant development, the Legislative Council has formally confirmed that three major bills—one pertaining to setting up of three Universities in the State and two for charging Property Tax and establishment of a Property Board have lapsed in the Upper House but two of them have come back again from the Assembly and were sent to the Joint Select Committee.
Top official sources confirmed that a significant bill, which had triggered massive protests in the Assembly from both ruling National Conference and opposition, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), which sought to establish three Universities in the State, has lapsed.
“The bill has lapsed. It is dead. It is no more alive. It’s gone now’’, sources said, adding if the Government or the private members of the Assembly wanted to pass the bill, they would have to come up again with the legislation from the Lower House.
The bill, which has lapsed, proposed to set up three Universities in the State including Trans World Muslim University sponsored by Jamiat-e-Alia Hadees, Sheikh ul Alam University, sponsored by another sect of Muslims and Guru Nanak Dev Khalsa University.
The Legislative Assembly had passed the bill in its autumn session in Srinagar on October 9, 2010. National Conference MLA from Kupwara, Saifullah Mir was mover of the bills.
The Legislative Council had taken up the bills on October 12, 2010. The majority in the Upper House including Congress members, who were coalition partner in National Conference headed Government, didn’t endorse the bill and wanted them to be referred to the Joint Select Committee.
The House had by a majority view agreed to send the bills to the JSC.
According to sources, the then Presiding Officer of the Legislative Council (former Deputy Chairman Arvinder Singh Micky), had written to Legislative Assembly Speaker Mohammad Akbar Lone seeking names of MLAs for induction in the JSC. The Speaker had given two names.
However, the Joint Select Committee was not constituted on the bill.
Sources said new Legislative Council Chairman, Amrit Malhotra like Arvinder Singh Micky had refused to nominate the JSC. Under rules, the bills get lapsed if the Legislative Council didn’t pass it within a specified time frame after the approval of Lower House.
“The time period has lapsed and so was the fate of bills, which had generated a lot of heat in the Legislative Assembly during budget session especially on April 3 when ruling National Conference and opposition People’s Democratic Party (PDP) had unanimously created massive uproar over the bill’’, sources said.
Though the Speaker had on April 3 maintained that the bill was alive, the very next day he said he would take up the issue with the Legislative Council Chairman.
Highly placed sources in the Legislative Council Secretariat confirmed that the bill was dead and not alive. They said the Legislative Assembly had to pass the bill once again if the issue of the Universities was to be revived. However, the problem was that the Congress, the main coalition partner in the Government, was now opposed to the bill though it had supported it in October 2010.
Congress sources admitted that their Legislative Assembly members had passed the bill in 2010 as “out of sight’’. But it was in the Legislative Council that one of the MLC objected to it and got it blocked by proposing that the bill should be referred to the JSC. It was then allowed to die with the help of the Presiding Officers of the Upper House, who refused to nominate members to the JSC.
According to sources, two bills proposing levy of property tax on the people and setting up of Property Tax Board, which were part of reforms in Housing and Urban Development sector to secure Central grants under Jawahar Lal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), which were approved by the Assembly during 2011 budget session, have also lapsed.
These bills also lapsed as the Presiding Officers didn’t set up the JSC fearing that imposition of property tax on the people would mar electoral prospectus of the Congress in future.
However, as the grants under JNNURM were not being released by the Centre, the Housing and Urban Development Department realized that the bills passed by the Assembly have lapsed and they got it approved again from the Lower House on last day of budget session on April 4.
But the Upper House again stalled the bills the very same day when they came up in the Council for approval. The House had approved that the bills should be sent to the JSC.
This time, however, the Legislative Council has timely constituted the JSC making Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand, Incharge Housing and Urban Development Department to whose Ministry the bills pertained, as chairman of the JSC.
Worthwhile to mention here that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had said on floor of the Lower House just few days before the property tax and Property Board bills were passed for the second time that there was no other option but to pass these bills and take up other reforms in lieu of JNNURM grants running in to about Rs 700 crores, which have been stalled by the Centre in the absence of requisite reforms.
3 bills on Universities, Property Tax, Board lapse in LC
Sohi participates in ‘Chhote Miyan Chapter III’
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 21: Sohi Sharma, a class IV student of Delhi Public School, participated in the reality show “Chhote Miyan Chapter III”, a comedy show on Colors channel in which Mahima Choudhary and Sachin, actors of the bollywood are the judges.
Sohi Sharma, D/o Jai Bharat and Renu Sharma, was honoured by MK Ajatshatru, Member Legislative Council and SS Sodhi, Director, Delhi Public School. They appreciated her artistic qualities, besides being an intelligent student of the school having good behaviour with outstanding qualities.
Presentation Convent, JPS emerge winner in junior, senior categories
Inter School Debate competition
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 21: Banyan International School today organised an “Inter School Debate Competition” on “Energy Crisis is a Serious Threat or a Hyped Paranoia” in senior category and “Is Freedom of Expression Absolute”, in junior category.
In the competition, students from seventeen schools participated and expressed their views for and against the motion.
On the occasion, Posh Charak, HOD English, Jammu University and Arti Bakshi Professor Psychology, were the jury members, who evaluated the performance of the students.
The competition which was held under two categories, for juniors on the motion “Energy Crisis is a Serious Threat or a Hyped Paranoia” and seniors on the motion “Is Freedom of Expression Absolute”, witnessed some thought provoking oratory from participants. Students with their exceptional confidence and conviction made the task of the judges a challenge.
Presentation Convent School secured first position whereas KC Public School team was declared runners up in junior category “Energy Crisis is a Serious Threat or a Hyped Paranoia”.
Mayank Mahajan and Vidhushi Jamwal, who spoke for and against the motion “Freedom of Expression is Absolute”, stood first in the senior category whereas Banyan International School team were the runners up.
The individual prizes for the “Best Orator was awarded to Deepika Bhat of KC International School amongst the senior category and the “Best Orator” in junior category was awarded to Harsimar Kaur of Jodhamal Public School.
While speaking, Posh Charak and Arti Bakshi lauded the efforts of all the participants and appreciated Banyan International School for providing platform to the students to express their talent.
Posh Charak, Arti Bakshi along with other dignitaries distributed prizes among the winners of the Inter School Debate competition.
The event concluded with the vote of thanks proposed by Principal of the host school, Dr Rekha Bhushan.
National Millennium College organises Lecture
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 21: New Millennium National College of Education organised an extension lecture on “Challenges in the Field of Education”.
On the occasion, Prof B Labh from Department of Buddhist Studies, University of Jammu, was the resource persons, who while speaking, said that in the era of rising responsibilities, the future teachers have to work a lot they must gain as well as must know the value of education.
He said that the future teacher should make sincere efforts to meet all the challenges in the field of education. He stressed the need of moral and value education, which is one of the big challenge in the prevalent educational system.
After the lecture, an interaction session was also held where students and faculty clarify their doubts with the resource person.
At the end, Puja Gupta, Principal of the college, presented vote of thanks.
KV Lakhanpur celebrates Annual Day with fanfare
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 21: Kendriya Vidyalaya (KV) Lakhanpur celebrated Annual Day with zeal and fanfare at Army Auditorium, Basholi.
On the occasion, Brigadier HM Iyer, Commander, 401 (I) Brigade was the chief guest while Lieutenant Colonel J Almiya, was the guest of honour.
Speaking on the occasion, Principal of the School presented the welcome address followed by annual report highlighting the achievements of the students in various curricular and co-curricular activities.
During the celebrations, students presented various cultural items and lifted the mood of the event thus making everyone cheer.
While speaking, Brigadier HM Iyer congratulated the school management for organizing the function and also appreciated the students for their performance in curricular and co-curricular activities.
Lieutenant Colonel J Almiya, while speaking impressed upon the students to work hard with dedication to achieve their goals and also stressed upon the teaching fraternity to impart good and quality education to the students, as they are future of the developing nation.
Brigadier HM Iyer and Lieutenant Colonel J Almiya presented prizes to students who excelled in curricular activities and brought laurels to the school.
At the end, PK Sharma, PGT (Geography), presented vote of thanks.
Vishwa Bharti celebrates 62nd Foundation day
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 21: Vishwa Bharati Institution today celebrated 62nd Foundation day with fervour and gaiety.
The programme was witnessed by huge gathering besides the members of the managing committee including Prof AN Sadhu, secretary, J&K chapter and Dr OP Razdan, vice president of the institution and Swami Kumar ji from Geeta Satsang Ashram, Muthi.
Principal of the school, BMS Pathania, presented the welcome address and highlighted achievements of the students in curricular and co-curricular activities.
On the occasion, an interschool debate competition on “Can the Mother Language Hindi be also be the official language”, was held in which students drawn from various school participated and expressed their views. Prof Chander Kanta Zadoo and Prof Sarla Karihallo, were the judges.
In the competition, Tooba Khatoon and Divyanshi Maholia from Presentation Convent School, Gandhi Nagar bagged first and second positions respectively while the third rank was conferred to Surabhi Bhat from the host school.
Students of the host school also presented various cultural items, which were highly appreciated by the audience with thundering applause.
Dr OP Razdan, who was the chief guest on the occasion presented detailed information with regards to the historical background of the institution.
Dr AN Sadhu, in his speech, expressed satisfaction with the functioning and overall academic development of the school.
The whole programme was compered by Aneeta Sharma from Department of Sanskrit while Veer ji Mattoo, house master, Vishwa Bharti, presented vote of thanks.
Chib assures Sports Council employees for redressel of demands
Excelsior Sports Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 21: Minister for Youth Services and Sports RS Chib and Commissioner Secretary Sports Vinod Koul assured Sports Council Employees Union, that their demands will be redressed at the earliest.
This was disclosed by Vikramjeet Singh, president, Sports Council Employees Union, during a meeting here this afternoon, which was attended by sports council employees including manager, coaches. Gafoor Dar, president, Indian Trade Union Front was also present.
Singh said that, they met RS Chib, Minister for Youth Services and Sports and Commissioner Secretary Technical Education Vinod Koul and put forth their demands.
Singh stated that Minister and Commissioner Secretary assured that the genuine demands pertaining to release of pending 9 months arrears of sixth pay commission and 20 per cent arrears, already paid by the Government to other departments will be redressed at the earliest.
He further said that the union has urged the Minister to regularize the daily workers of the Sports Council, who have completed stipulated 7 years in service. Besides other demands including pension to the Council employees, conduct of DPC and proper implementation of the transfer policy were also taken up with the Minister, Singh said.
Among others present were Vijay Chowdhary, Gopal Dass, Anil Wadhera, Rajinder Singh, etc.
CSK beat Royals in last-ball thriller
CHENNAI, Apr 21:
Faf du Plessis stroked his way to a 52-ball 73 but Chennai Super Kings had to wait till the very last ball before eking out a seven-wicket win over Rajasthan Royals in a thrilling Indian Premier League match here today.
Needing two runs off the last ball of the match, skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni clipped Stuart Binny off his pads to help the Super Kings overhaul the target of 147 set by Rajasthan.
Du Plessis was the main scorer as he smashed six fours and two sixes to set the tone for the defending champions at the MA Chidambaram Stadium.
This was the Super Kings’ fourth win from seven matches while Rajasthan, who had four wins prior to this match, suffered their third defeat in this edition of the cash-rich Twenty20 league.
Chasing a rather modest total, the Super Kings were off to a sedate start, by IPL’s standards, as openers du Plessis and Subramaniam Badrinath (15) added 55 runs in eight overs.
Slow left-arm spinner Brad Hogg gave the visitors their first breakthrough when he had Badrinath stumped by Shreevats Goswami with a ball that had a bit of flight.
The dismissal, though, hardly had any effect on du Plessis as he continued with his attacking game and, along with Suresh Raina, added 61 runs for the second wicket, much to delight of the home crowd.
Raina scored 26 runs in 24 balls and hit three fours.
While he started hitting fours from the second over, du Plessis struck his first six in the seventh over, when Ashok Menaria’s delivery was lofted over the extra-cover region.
The South African struck his second six, against medium pacer Siddharth Trivedi, before Kevon Cooper brought to an end his stay by having the batsman caught by Goswami.
Cooper then sent back Raina, thanks to Ajinkya Rahane’s excellent catch in the deep, but skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Ravindra Jadeja denied the visitors any further success while taking Chennai home. (PTI)
Maheshwari achieves London Olympics ‘B’ standard
PATIALA, Apr 21:
National record holder triple jumper Renjith Maheshwari today achieved London Olympics qualification ‘B’ standard while winning gold on the opening day of 16th Federation Cup Senior National Athletics Championships here.
Maheshwari, representing Tamil Nadu, had a leapt of 16.85m in his fifth and penultimate attempt which was the exact distance for ‘B’ qualification standard for London Olympics.
Young Arpinder Singh of ONGC was a distant second in 16.20m while the bronze was won by Raja Sekar of Tamil Nadu with a leapt of 15.79m.
Maheshwari, a former Asian champion and bronze medallist at the Delhi Commonwealth Games, started with a moderate 15.84m and went on to improve it with 16.51 and 16.56 in his next two rounds before making a foul jump on the fourth. His fifth attempt saw him achieve London qualification ‘B’ standard and he had a no mark in his final round.
He also erased the old meet record of 16.72m which he himself created in 2007. It was Maheshwari’s third win in the Federation Cup. He had earlier won the titles in 2005 and 2007.
In other events, Maharashtra sprinter Krishna Kumar Rane (10.51 secs) pipped defending champion Shameer Mon (10.54) of Kerala to become the fastest man of the meet. Manikananad Raj of Andhra Pradesh with third in 10.55s.
Haryana’s Manisa, winner of the previous edition in 2010 in Ranchi, successfully defended her title in 11.93s. Srabani Nanda (12.06s) of Orissa and Shirke Bhagyashree (12.28s) of Maharashtra were second and third respectively.
Javelin thrower Suman Devi proved her mettle once again with her sixth win in this championships.
The Federation Cup is the first major competition for the Indian aspirants wishing to gain an Olympic berth. Athletes to take part in next month’s Asian Grand Prix series in Thailand will also be selected from the Federation Cup. (PTI)
I’ll start training in a week or two: Yuvraj
NEW DELHI, Apr 21:
Desperate to don his India jersey once again, cricketer Yuvraj Singh, who recently returned to the country after undergoing three cycles of chemotherapy in USA for a rare germ cell cancer, says he is set to start training in a “week or two”.
“I’ll start training in a week or two. I definitely want to get back on the field as soon as possible and wear my India cap again,” Yuvraj said.
As far as getting back to serious cricket is concerned, the left-hander said he would take a call depending on the way his body responds to training.
“I can’t really give a time right now, because I’ll have to see how my body responds to the training and the workouts,” he was quoted as saying in IPL’s official website.
Yuvraj, who was last year diagnosed with a malignant tumour between his lungs, returned to the country on April 9 after undergoing treatment in the US.
“The doctors haven’t given me any medicine. They said the effect of chemo is completely out of my system. It’s been about five weeks now and I feel stronger day by day,” Yuvraj added.
Yuvraj, who led Pune Warriors in the last IPL, said the team will pull through under former Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly’s leadership in the ongoing edition.
“He’s (Ganguly) had a lot of experience as a captain for Team India and he’d be the best guy to lead the team at the moment. I just hope that they get into last four, and with his experience the team can really pull through.
“My team (Pune Warriors) is doing really well and it’s great to watch them play. It is an exciting experience to watch the matches as a fan for the first time,” he said. (PTI)