Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 18: The historic Mubarak Mandi, especially the newly renovated Foreign and Military Office Complex, came alive with an assembly of the tribe of contemporary painters who will be giving shape to their creative works in the background of Dogra Heritage, here, for seven days.
The artists from different parts of the country are participating in the ‘All India Painters’ Heritage Camp’, which has been organized by Jammu and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, on the occasion of World Heritage Day.
Nasir Aslam Wani, Minister of State, Tourism and Culture who inaugurated 7 day long All India Heritage Painting camp, in his address listed some of the measures being taken by the tourism department for protection and preservation of Mubarak Mandi and other heritage sites in the State. He said this heritage site is being renovated to bring it to its pristine glory and making it a star attraction for the visiting pilgrims and tourist.
In his welcome address Atal Dulloo, Commissioner/ Secretary, Tourism and Culture, said that the aim of holding such a camp in the heritage site is to create awareness among the people about the importance of heritage sites, its preservation and protection so that the posterity knows the values of the society prevalent that time.
The artists who are participating in the camp are Manoon Nomani, Delhi, Raghu Naware, Maharahtra, Sankari Mitra, Delhi, Amit Harit, Rajasthan, Neraj Bakshi, Delhi, Him Chaterjee, Himchal Pradesh, Subhash Anand, K K Gandhi, Vijay Saraf, Rohit Verma-Jammu, Rajinder Patwari, UP, Rajan Fullari, Goa, Arshad Sualeh, Noushad Gayoor, Mohd Yusuf Bacha and Mohd Yousf Naqishbandi -Kashmir.
Talking to EXCELSIOR, Sankari Mitra from Delhi, said that it was unique experience for her to work in such a heritage environs.
All India Heritage Painters Camp at Mubarak Mandi
106th birth anniversary of Swami Lakshman Joo celebrated with fervour
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 18: The 106th birth anniversary of Shaivachariya Ishwar Swaroop Swami Lakshman Joo Maharaj, the last doyen of Kashmiri Shaivism, was celebrated with religious fervour and gaiety today.
The main function was held at Ishwar Ashram Bhawan, at Mahinder Nagar, Canal Road, here and a large number of devotees drawn from different parts of the State participated in the function.
The function started with flag hoisting in the morning, which was followed by the recitation of Gurustuti, Guru Vandna and presentation of Shrada Suman by the devotees. A CD containing Kashmiri explanation of the Abhinavgupta’s Tantraloka was released on this occasion by Dr Jagir Singh Ji, a well known scholar of Kashmiri Shaivism and Professor of Sanskrit in Jammu University.
Prashad was served to the devotees who had thronged to the Ashram to seek the blessings of Ishwar Swaroop considered to be the reincarnation of the greatest Shiva Scholar Abhinavgupta. Swami Lakshman Joo was instrumental in preaching the Kashmiri Shaivism not only in India but throughout the globe.
The function was also held at Ashram centers at Ishber Nishat, Srinagar Kashmir, Sarita Vihar, New Delhi, Navi Mumbai and California (USA).
The function culminated with Bhajan Sandhya in which Ravi Bhan, Rajat and Rajeev participated.
The birth anniversary of Swami Lakshman Joo was also celebrated with traditional fervour at Pushpati Mandir Sarwal here. The function started with recitation of Guru Stuti , Kalika Stotram and Mahimna Satotram. It culminated with chanting of Guru Aarti. A large number of devotees attended the function.
The Prashad was served in the afternoon and in the evening Sandhya Pooja was offered to Swami Ji. The auspicious occasion was marked by the divinity of Swami Ji Maharaj which had the flavour of celestial presence of gods.
HDFC earns Rs 6,724.3 cr in last quarter of FY11-12
Excelsior Correspondent
MUMBAI, Apr 18: The Board of Directors of HDFC Bank Limited approved the annual audited (Indian GAAP) accounts for the year ended March 31, 2012 at their meeting held here today.
The Bank’s total income for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 was Rs 8,880.0 crore, an increase of 32.1% over Rs 6,724.3 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. Net revenues (net interest income plus other income) was at Rs 4,880.3 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 as against Rs 4,095.2 crore for the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Net interest income (interest earned less interest expended) for the quarter ended March 31, 2012, grew by 19.3% to Rs 3,388.3 crore as against Rs 2,839.5 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. This was driven by loan growth of 22.2% and a core net interest margin for the quarter of 4.2%.
The HDFC handout added that other income (non interest revenue) for the quarter ended March 31, 2012 was Rs 1,492.0 crore up by 18.8% over that in the corresponding quarter ended March 31, 2011. The main contributor to other income for the quarter was fees and commissions of Rs 1,237.3 crore, up by 23.7% over Rs 1,000.6 crore in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The other two components of other income were foreign exchange and derivatives revenue of Rs 325.2 crore.
Operating expenses for the quarter wre Rs 1,247.1 crore, an increase of 23.5% over Rs 1,998.4 crore during the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The Bank’s branch distribution network expanded by 558 branches in 403 new cities during the year resulting in a core cost-to-income ratio for the quarter at 49.8% as against 48.9% for the corresponding quarter ended March 31, 2012.
For the year ended March 31, 2012, the Bank earned total income of Rs 32,530 crore. Net revenues for the year were Rs 17540.5 crore, up by 19.2% Rs 14,878.3 crore for the corresponding previous year. Bank’s net profit for the year ended March 31, 2012 was Rs 5,167.1 crore, up by 31.6% over the year ended March 31, 2011. Consolidated net profit for the Bank increased by 31.4% to Rs 5,247 crore for the year ended March 31, 2012.
KHC warns Govt against hidden agenda on return move
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 18: Kashmiri Hindu Conference (KHC) today warned the Government against its any hidden agenda on return move and said that it can’t hoodwink the community on the issue.
Addressing a meeting here today KHC chief, M L Thusoo, said mere enhancement of compensation for construction of house under PM’s package is not the only issue and the main issue is the political solution to the mass exodus problem.
Mr Thusoo said until and unless the primary issue is dealt with in a scientific approach the secondary issue is meaningless as the lasting stay of the community in the Valley with honour and dignity depends upon some remedial measures, which the Government is overlooking. The Government is diverting the attention from the main issue by liberal monitorial concessions, he added.
Convener, KPC, P L Koul Budgami, said the KPs may not choose to live in a geo-political set up which is woven in a particular theological matrix. Since the majority community of Valley does not prefer to live in co-existence with the minority hence only lip sympathy with the community will not work. The political solution to the KPs problems is the only option to the Pandits return to Valley, he added.
K L Ganjoo, A K Sadhu, M L Daftri and others also spoke on the occasion.
Governor reviews arrangements for Shri Amarnath Yatra
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 18 : Governor N. N. Vohra, chaired a series of meetings to review the status of arrangements related to the Shri Amarnathji Yatra-2012, at Raj Bhavan here today.
Among others, Nasir Aslam Wani, Minister of State for Home, Kuldeep Khoda, Director General of Police, K. B. Agarwal, Principal Secretary, PWD, B. B. Vyas, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Navin Kumar Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor and Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board and other concerned senior functionaries participated in the meetings.
In the meeting with the Minister of State for Home, the Governor had a detailed review of the security arrangements being made for Shri Amarnathji Yatra-2012. He also discussed with Mr. Wani and concerned officers up to-date status of the action taken to implement the recommendations of High Level Committee which was set up on the directions of the Governor and the Chief Minister after last year’s Yatra, particularly those relating to the opening and clearing of tracks along both the routes to the Shrine.
Among the decisions taken it was agreed that the PWD will immediately approach the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for taking up the project for improvement and upgradation of Baltal-Holy Cave route and the time bound execution of this project through the Border Roads Organization.
The Governor directed the CEO of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board to urgently visit Pahalgam and Baltal to assess the status of the snowmelt and preparatory work for undertaking various works related to the forthcoming Yatra. He also directed the CEO to discuss all Yatra 2012 issues with the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir; Deputy Commissioners of Anantnag and Ganderbal Districts, CEOs of the Pahalgam and Sonamarg Development Authorities, Director, Indian Meteorological Department, Srinagar, Chief Engineer, Project Beacon, Border Roads Organization and other related agencies.
FOI resents hike in power tariff
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 18: Federation of Industries Bari Brahmana has expressed strong resentment against the new power tariff hike announced by the J&K State Electricity Regulatory Commission.
In a meeting of the Federation held at BBIA Bhawan here today under the chairmanship of Annil Suri, the members expressed their strong resentment towards the new power tariff issued by JKSERC in which the Industrial sector of J&K has been penalized for being 100% metered and contributing full payment for the power supplied.
The Federation pointed out that the average increase in the tariff is 6% for LT and HT supply and 12% in case of HT -PIU. With further addition, of 22% electricity duty, the cost of production of the industrial units will increase and their products are unviable in the market. It has been observed that the SERC has ordered for a substantially higher tariff for the industrial category of consumers, namely , LT- industrial supply, HT industrial supply and HT-PIU Industrial supply.
They termed it as unjustified for the reason that the loss level in the industrial category are substantially lower and thus the tariff for such categories needed to be lowered. Again, the loss level in the feeders of the industrial category of consumers are around average 12% which is below the national average as against the total adjustment as proposed by PDD of about 52.82 % to be applied, which is patently unjust, arbitrary and irrational. It said the industrial units have been set up on the assurance of the State Government of lower industrial tariff to enable industries to be competitive and promote industrialization in the State. The Federation alleged that PDD has failed to comply with earlier, directives issued by SERC from time to time with regard to Metering, Energy audit, region/ district wise details for power supplied and recoveries, loss studies in various categories of consumers, upkeep and maintenance of transmission lines and grid stations and the power curtailment preventive maintenance plans. It sought the intervention of Chief Minister in this regard. Senior members T S Reen, S C Dutta, Vinod Rishi and Jatinder Aul also attended the meeting.
CS launches campaign for 100% coverage of farmers under KCC scheme
Excelsior Correspondent
SAMBA, Apr 18: Chief Secretary, Madhav Lal today stressed upon the officers of Agriculture, Horticulture, Floriculture, Sericulture, Fisheries, Animal and Sheep Husbandry, Revenue Departments, besides bank authorities and allied agencies to work in tandem to ensure 100 percent coverage of farmers under Kissan Credit Cards (KCCs) scheme in a time bound manner.
The Chief Secretary was speaking after distributing 255 KCCs among the beneficiaries at an awareness camp-cum-exhibition organised as part of campaign for 100% coverage of farmer families under the KCC scheme at village Gho Brahmana.
The camp was organised by the Agriculture and Revenue Departments in collaboration with Banking Institutions to make farmers aware about the benefits and opportunities for diversifying their agriculture and allied sector activities.
The Chief Secretary said that the Kissan Credit Scheme (KCS) was taken up as national priority but its implementation in the state did not take up well. He stressed the need to expedite the scheme so that the farmers are able to get the benefits of credit flow and are able to buy good quality seeds, fertilizes, machinery and equipments to get maximum returns from their land holdings and improve their economic condition. He further added that the 18 % lending was to be done in agriculture sector but in the state it is only 6% thus there was a great need to expedite the lending in agriculture for which KCC is the best source.
Commissioner Secretary, Agriculture Production Department, Shaleen Kabra highlighted the importance of KCCs in development of agriculture sector and improving the socio-economic status of the rural population.
Earlier, District Development Commissioner, Samba, Mubarak Singh, highlighted the achievements registered under agriculture and allied sectors in district.
Director Agriculture, Jammu, Ajay Khajuria, threw light on agriculture and allied sectors and highlighted the benefits of KCC scheme.
Director Command Area, Jammu, Dr. Nirmal, heads of various departments, bankers and a large number of farmers were present on the occasion.
Farmers in large numbers visited the stalls installed by different wings of the agriculture and allied departments for the demonstration and creating awareness about various schemes being implemented by them. The farmers also attended the awareness programme and the skill development programmes organized by various departments at the venue.
Power shut down
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 18: In order to carry out the work of laying of 11-KV XLPE HT cable circuit for 11 KV CB-2, R-2 & WZ-I feeders at Gujjar Nagar alongwith shifting of utilities of R-2 & WZ-I feeders in connection with widening of Gujjar Nagar, Circular road, the power supply to the Gujjar Nagar, alternate power supply to D. C. office, CM’s complex and Dalpatian Mohalla fed from 11 KV CB-2, R-2 & WZ-I feeders will remain affected on April 19, 2012 (Thursday) from 11 A.M. to 4 P.M.
Meanwhile, in order to complete the work of stringing of bus bar in 33 KV New 132/33 KV 50 MVA, Power transformer- III bay at Grid station Gladni, the shut down of 33 KV G-6 feeder of Gladni Grid Station on April 21, 2012 from 8 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. has been allowed.
During the shutdown period, the power supply to Channi Himmat, Bathandi, Sainik Colony, Sunjwan and MES Sunjwan will be affected.
Court denies pre-arrest bail to accused
CD against SIT
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 18: Principal Sessions Judge Jammu, Jang Bhadur Singh Jamwal, today rejected pre-arrest bail of Shahzad Feroz Butt, claiming to be reporter of Sahara News Network, who had allegedly impersonated himself as Mohan at the time of preparation of CD against Special Investigating Team (SIT) constituted for investigation into the land grabbing cases.
According to the police case, complainant Vikramjeet Singh along with one Gurvinder Singh purchased a piece of land at Chowadi from one Mohd Sharief and constructed boundary wall. After the purchase of land, mafia active in Jammu under the patronage of accused Ravinder Kumar Gupta alias Gola Shah started interfering into their peaceful possession.
The complainant approached the Revenue Department for demarcation of the land and after demarcation, it was certified that land belongs to the complainant and one Gurvinder Singh. Later, the accused accompanied by some goonda elements started threatening the complainant, who accordingly lodged a complaint with the Police Station Gangyal.
Later, scared by the threats extended by the accused, the complainant agreed in making false statement against the police official with regard to demanding of money and accordingly a false CD was prepared in order to save the accused from the Special Investigation Team.
On the basis of written report and direction of court, police registered a case for the commission of offences under various sections of RPC and 3/25 Arms Act. During the course of investigation, it came to fore that petitioner has impersonated himself as Mohan at the time preparing the CD.
After hearing Advocate Ankush Manhas appearing for the petitioner and Public Prosecutor for the State, Principal Sessions Judge observed, “if such types of cases are not dealt with heavy hands, there is every likelihood to have a chaos in the society. The crime is against the society and if the petitioner is admitted to bail, there is likelihood that he is going to tamper with the evidence and police will not be able to procure the best evidence available”.
“The petitioner is not entitled to pre-arrest bail as his custodial interrogation is required because the recoveries are pending. The police have yet to recover the laptop and CD of the forcible statement made by the complainant under threat of the petitioner along with other accused”, the Court said, adding “the act of the petitioner could not have been accomplished without the help of each other and all the accused were hand in globe with each other”.
“Though Court is conscious of the fact that prevention of crime is not the job of the court but still it cannot be over sighted that the functionaries those who are functioning in the administration of criminal justice system should not be made weaker also”, the Court said while denying pre-arrest bail to petitioner.
NC committed to fight communal forces: Kamal
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 18: Additional general secretary National Conference (NC) and former Minister, Dr Mustafa Kamal, has asserted that his Party is a secular organization and it has upheld the traditions of secularism and communal harmony in the State and sacrificed many party-men to uphold this tradition.
Addressing a public meeting of NC workers of Ward Number 4 and 10 today, Dr Kamal said that his Party is committed to fight the communal forces in future also. Some people are labeling NC as Party of Muslims only, which is not correct, he added.
The NC leader said has NC been the party of Muslims only the first Ministry of Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah would not have been represented by veteran leader Shiv Narayan Fotedar as Chairman Legislative Council and Kashyap Bandhu, Sham Lal Saraf, Jia Lal Kilm and Sardar Budh Singh as ministers.
He said Sheikh Abdullah took over in 1975 after a long spell of 22 years and his Cabinet consisted of four members in which Devi Dass Thakur represented Jammu region and Sonam Narbo was from Leh. After historic elections in 1977 due representation was given to Hindus in the Cabinet of Sheikh Abdullah. Same practice was repeated by Dr Farooq Abdullah after he took over as CM, he added.
Dr Kamal while lambasting the opposition said that they have done nothing for the welfare of the State except raising cheap slogans and emotive issues. The Opposition has no policy and programme for the people of the State and want to grab power at any cost, he added.
He said had the Opposition really done some thing for the people during its three year rule, it would have not lost elections in 2008.
Provincial president, Rattan Lal Gupta also addressed the meeting and highlighted the achievements of the coalition led by Omar Abdullah.
Later a delegation of Gujjars and Bakerwals led by Ch Haroon provincial vice president NC felicitated Dr Kamal at a function at Sher-e-Kashmir Bhawan here for his appointment as additional general secretary of the Party. The function was attended by provincial president, Rattan Lal Gupta and Party’s Women’s Wing provincial president Laxmi Dutta.