KASHMIR. 12 Jumada-Al-Awwal 1440 Hijri Vol:22 Issue: 17 Pages:12 Price: `3. Avalanche Buries Ten In Leh, 5 Bodies Recovered Observer News Service

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1 19 SATURDAY JANUARY-2019 SRINAGAR TODAY : SNOW 22 nd KASHMIR C M Y K Contact : FOR SUBSCRIPTIONS & YOUR COPY OF Maximum : 7 O Minmum : -3 O Humidity : 81% SUNSET Today 05:47 PM SUNRISE Tommrow 07:36 AM 12 Jumada-Al-Awwal 1440 Hijri Vol:22 Issue: 17 Pages:12 Price: `3 twitter.com / kashmirobserver facebook.com/kashmirobserver Postal Regn: L/159/KO/SK/ Kashmir Calling Tales from Kashmir MIRCHI Only on 98.3 Coming Soon! Thousands of geniuses live and die undiscovered - either by themselves or by others. ~Mark Twain News Digest India Protests Pak SC Gilgit-Baltistan Order NEW DELHI: India on Friday summoned Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan and registered protest on recent order by Supreme Court of Pakistan on the so Gilgit-Baltistan and called it an interference in India s internal affairs. An MEA statement here also asked Pakistan to immediately vacate all areas under its illegal occupation. The Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan was summoned today and a strong protest was lodged P10 JRL Calls For Strike On Massacre Anniversaries SRINAGAR: The Joint Resistance Leadership (JRL) on Friday called for shutdown in Gaw Kadal, Handwara and Kupwara to mark the anniversaries of three massacres that took place in January 1990 in these areas. The JRL comprising Syed Ali Shah Geelani, Mirwaiz Umer Farooq and Yasin Malik, in a joint statement asked people to observe complete shutdown in Gawkadal, Basant Bagh, Chota Bazar, Budshah Chowk and adjacent areas on P10 Bail Granted To Man Held Along With Shabir Shah NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court on Friday granted bail to alleged hawala dealer Mohammad Aslam Wani, arrested in a money laundering case involving Hurriyat Conference leader and chairman DFP Shabir Shah. Justice Najmi Waziri granted bail to Aslam Wani, who has been in jail since his arrest in The court directed him to furnish a personal bond of Rs. 3 lakh and two sureties of the like amount. P10 Why Did Govt Buy Only 36 Rafale Jets: Pc NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leader P Chidambaram on Friday accused the government of compromising national security and asked why did it buy only 36 Rafale fighter jets instead of the 126 required by the Air Force. His comments come in the wake of fresh revelations on the Rafale deal in a media report which claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi s decision to buy 36 aircraft P10 Avalanche Buries Ten In Leh, 5 Bodies Recovered SRINAGAR: Ten people travelling in two tippers were swept away by an avalanche in Khardungla Top area of the Ladakh s Leh district on Friday morning. Five bodies have been recovered while as many others are feared dead and rescue operation would be resumed on Saturday morning after it was suspended due to darkness on Friday evening. An official said that the incident occurred at around 7 a.m. when two tippers carrying 10 labourers came under the avalanche and were swept by the snow mass at Khardungla Top. Soon after the incident, a rescue operation was launched by the joint teams of Police, P10 Govt Wakes Up To Pesky Power Cuts Snow Falls As MeT Issues Red Weather Alert Srinagar: Snowfall started in Srinagar and most parts of Valley on Friday evening even as weatherman on issued alert issued a yellow weather warning for Sunday and Red for subsequent two days. There are four types colour codes signifying the level of caution: green (which means no action), yellow (situation to be watched), amber (government agencies be prepared for severe weather) and red (action needed by the agencies). Reports said that it started snowing in Srinagar and other central Kashmir district of Ganderbal around Friday evening. Reports of snowfall was received from Pulwama and Shopian district along with some other parts of the Valley. The weatherman has already issued an advisory for moderate to heavy snowfall Now DCs Asked To Ensure Employees Attend Jan 26 Functions SRINAGAR: The governor administration has asked all Deputy Commissioners all the officers, officials and employees of their respective districts attend the 26 January function as a part of their official duty. In an order issued here, the government has asked the deputy commissioners to make all the necessary arrangements in their respective districts and ensure that the 26th January was celebrated in a befitting manner. The seventieth republic day of our nation will be celebrated on the 26th January (Saturday) across the with traditional fervor and gaiety. It is impressed upon all the Deputy Commissioners to make all the necessary arrangements in their respective Districts/Divisions/tehsils to ensure that the Republic Day 2019 (26th January) as be P10 in the Valley from weekend. An active Western Disturbance is most likely affect the state of J&K and adjoining areas from January 19 to 25. There would be high moisture feeding from Arabian Sea over northwest India specifically over Western P10 JAMMU: On the directions of the Advisor to Governor, Kewal Kumar Sharma, the Power Development Department on Friday purchased an additional 100 MWs of electric power through exchange. The step has been taken to supplement the power supply in the valley and also address the interruptions in the supply, if any. By way of the initiative the electric supply in the valley which is witnessing a harsh weather conditions these days would improve to a large extent. The people of the Valley are annoyed by the pesky power cuts as PDD has failed to even stick to its curtailment schedule which only offers few hours of electricity. Grenade Attacks in Lal Chowk Srinagar, Gangran Shopian SRINAGAR: In a second grenade attack in 24 hours here and third in the Valley ahead of January 26, militants hurled a grenade on government forces in Srinagar on Friday afternoon. There was similar attack in Shopian district of Kashmir Valley as well and both attacks were claimed to have been carried out by militant outfit Jaish-e-Mohammad. Reports said that the militants lobbed a grenade on CRPF vehicle near Ghanat Ghar (Clock Tower) P10 WEATHER WARNING 19 th January : NIL 20 th January : Isol Heavy Rain/Snow 21 st January : Widespread Heavy Snow/Rain 22 nd January : Scatterred Heavy Police Issues Advisory SRINAGAR: In view of threat of attack during the forthcoming R-Day, Jammu and Kashmir Police Thursday issued advisory to officers, asking them to remain vigil round-the-clock as several new check-points have been set up for P10 Lolab Youth Was Asked To Lob Grenade For Entry In Militant Outfits: Police SRINAGAR: A youth from Lolab, arrested in Kupwara, was asked to carry grenade attack before being admitted into the militant ranks, police said on Friday. Addressing reporters, SSP P10 Inhuman, Unfortunate : Mirwaiz On Army's 2018 Remarkable Year Remarks SRINAGAR: Hurriyat Conference (M) chairman Mirwaiz Umar Farooq on Friday described army commander s statement statement of army that 2018 was a remarkable year for them in Kashmir as they killed over 250 militants as extremely unfortunate and inhuman. it is strange that a well trained armed force meant to fight another well trained Pak Raises Kashmir With UNGA President Expresses Grave Concern Over Gross Human Rights Violations Press Trust of India ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi Friday raised the Kashmir issue during his meeting with the visiting UN General Assembly President Maria Fernanda Espionosa. Espionosa arrived in Islamabad on her first official trip to the Asia-Pacific region since assuming office in September last P10 armed force is celebrating and patting its back on killing young men and boys, some as young as 14,while some budding intellectuals and academics, and calling it remarkable!, Mirwaiz said addressing the Friday congregation at historic Jamia Masjid here. They are boasting of killing are not some hard core armed gurellias and terror mongers, but P10 IT IS STRANGE THAT A WELL trained armed force meant to fight another well trained armed force is celebrating and patting its back on killing young men and boys, some as young as 14,while some budding intellectuals and academics." Govt Decides To Give Away Cattle To BPL families JAMMU: In a significant move, the state government has decided to give away the cattle got from Military Farms to the families living under Below Poverty Line (BPL). The decision was taken here at a meeting of defence representatives and officers of Animal Husbandry Department, chaired by Advisor to Governor Khurshid Ahmed Ganai, regarding the handing over of cattle to state government after the closure of Military Farms. Principal Secretary Animal and Sheep Husbandry Department Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon, Director Animal Husbandry were P10 HC Orders Compensations To JeA For Court Complex Land SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir High Court on Friday asked government to provide compensation to an Jamiate-Ahlehadees, a religious organization, whose land was taken for the construction of the state-of-art court complex at Moominabad Batamaloo here. The Jamiat-e- Ahlehadees had filed a petition, seeking inter-alia directions to the government to settle the claim of the petitioner organization finally for payment of compensation on account of expenditure incurred by the organization for development of land situated at Moominabad, Batamaloo, Srinagar, promised via Government order No.40-Rev/S of 2008 dated It also sought directions to pay the amount of compensation to the petitioner organization within the shortest period of time so that it could complete the pending projects which the organization has initiated for development of educational institution. It claimed that the land which has been utilized for construction of District Court Complex at Moominabad, was in possession of the petitioner organization and the same was taken over by the government by extending a promise to the petitioner organization that they would be adequately compensated. It was submitted Most Parties Demand LS, LA Polls Together But ECI To Take Call: CEO Says Team Of Election Commission Visiting Soon To Review Situation JAMMU: Almost all the political parties, recognized in Jammu and Kashmir, demanded simultaneous parliamentary and assembly elections, Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), J&K, Shailendra Kumar said on Friday. However he said the decision on the simultaneous polls lies with the Election Commission of India which will take a final call at an appropriate time after taking into consideration all the aspects. Kumar made the remarks while

2 To place an advertisement CALL Monday - Saturday (9am - 6pm) No 1- Dal Lake Boulevard Srinagar, , Kashmir bazar Observer Saturday Government of Jammu and Kashmir Office of the Executive Engineer, Irrigation & F.C. Division, Baramulla Short Term Tender Notice No: (21) OF (Box Tender) For and on behalf of Governor of Jammu and Kashmir sealed tenders, affixed with Revenue Stamps worth Rs.4/- are invited for works mentioned in enclosed Annexure to this N.I.T. from the registered PWD Contractors of all Engineering wings/ SHGs whose enlistment cards are valid and free for the capacity of work and to whom all the terms and conditions of detailed Master N.I.T. and PWD form 25 are acceptable. The tenders be addressed to The Executive Engineer Irrigation and Flood Control Division Baramullawhichshould reach to his office by or before 25/01/2019upto 2:00PM by hand which will be opened on the same day or any other date convenient to the tender receiving authority in presence of the intending tenderers who may like to be present. The tenderers shall have to cast their tenders on the tender documents which shall be issued to the intending tenderers from (23/01/2019) to (24/01/2019) during Office Hours, only on production of Valid Regd. Card by card holder himself /CDR /GST in & on remittance of the cost of tender document in the Divisional Chest against proper G.R. as shown against each work. In case the last date of the receipt of tenders be a holiday or off day, the tenders shall be received on next working day up to 2.00PM. No.:I&FCDB/ Dated: 16/01/2019. DIPK-15796/18 Sd/- Executive Engineer Irrigation & Flood Control Division Baramulla S No Name of work Adv. Cost (in Lacs) FP work by way of Masonry wall near the house of Parvaiz Ahmad Khan R/o Aaribal Colony on Kander Nar Nallah FP work by way of construction of kachapacca R/wall on OFC near the house of Mohd. Rajab Shagoo at Khawaja Bagh Baramulla. 3. Chain link fencing of existing R/wall on MalyarporaNallah L/s near Graveyard Chasti Colony Baramulla. 4. Clearance of Nallah Ibrahim Khan near the house of Tarya Singh and others near Culvert Fatehpora road. FP work by way of providing of crate work near the land 5. of Gh. Hassan Tokhar on VenmiNallah at Nardari Baramulla. 6. FP work by way of construction of RR Masonry, R/wall near the H/o Noor Mohd. Mir on HanknarNallah at Sheeri Baramulla. 7. FP work by way of Masonry near the H/o KhazirMohd. War on VenkurNallah. 8. Raising of protection bund by way of crate work at UshkuraNallah near H/o Ab. Khaliq Lone (Re-Adv.) FP Work by way of construction of R/wall for KanthbaghNallah near Dak-Bungalow near the land of Jagjit 9. Singh (Part B) 10. FP work by way of RR, masonry, R/wall near Hanfia / Gousia Model School at Azad Gunj Baramulla on Malyarpora road. Flood restoration work by way of crate work near the House of Manzoor Ahmad Naikoo R/o Fakirwani Baramulla on VeerinarNallah. (Re-Adv.) 13. FP work by way of providing of crate work on Kander- Nar Nallah near the house of Mushtaq Ahmad at Aribal Colony Baramulla. 14. FP work by way of crate work near the house of Mehrajud-Din Sheikh R/o Suhail Colony on KandernarNallah. (Re-Adv.) FP work by way of RR Masonry, R/wall at NaieBasti- 15. Kanlibagh Baramulla on SangriNallah near the house of Anoop Singh S/o Deva Singh. 16. FP work by way of crate work near the house of Gh. Hassan Lone on left bank of River Jhelum near Seer/ Gurseer Construction of inlet and outlet of steel flume incl. steel lining on KalazdarKhul. (Re-Adv.) Deepening & widening of SangriNallah near Culvert. (Re-Adv.) Earnest money (in Rs.) Reference to Works Programme /- DEE /- DEE No /- DEE No /- SHG Ibrahim Khan No /- DEE As per directions of DDC Baramulla /- DEE Heewan, /- DEE VenkuraNallah New No /- SHG Chairdari/ /- DEE Ibrahim Khan No /- DEE No /- SHG /- DEE No /- DEE /- DEE /- DEE /- SHG /- SHG KalazdarKhul D-Regularities S. No /- DEE 19. FP Work by way of construction of masonry wall near /- SHG KandernarNallah the H/o Ali Akbar Khan R/o AaribabFakirwani on KandernarNallah. 20. Improvements to Canal Daroga Office Baramulla /- DEE Colony No Construction of RR Masonry, R/wall near the H/o Mohd. Alam Khan at Aribal Colony Bagh-e-Islam Baramulla. (Re-Adv.) FP Work by way of construction of RR Masonry, R/wall on DumnarNallah near the H/o Farooq Ahmad Bhat at Delina. (Re-Adv.) /- DEE /- SHG DumnarNallah New Annexure to N.I.T. No.21of ABIP / / / / / /- 07 Position of funds Class of Contract Head of Cost of Account Tender Time of Completion Document (in Rs) /- 07 Demanded FP work by way of construction of RR masonry, R/wall near Graveyard Khawaja Bagh Baramulla on OFC [Part- C]. Public Notice I have lost the fitness of my vehicle (in- NOVA) bearing Regd No JK01U now I want to apply for the duplicate of the same if any body having any objection in this regard he/she may file his/her objection in the office of the ARTO Kashmir within a period of Seven days from the date of publication of this notice. After that no objection shall be entertained. Nasir Ali Khan S/o Mohammad Yousf Khan R/o Dalgate Sriangar FIR K Office of The Regional Transport Officer Kashmir Notice Where as an application for transfer of ownership has been received from Nazir Ahmad Shah S/o Ghulam Nabi Shah R/o Rajbagh Srinagar (Transferor) of Car bearing registration No. JK01F-6611 chasis No: Engine No: Model 2008 in favour of Ab Rashid Padder S/O Gh Qadir Padder R/O Verinag Anantnag (Transferee). Now, therefore, it is notified for the information of the general, public that representation/ Objection, if any in connection with proposed transfer will be received within 7 days from the date of publication of this notice in the daily newspaper Kashmir Observer to the address of undersigned. No, representation/ objection shall be considered unless it is made writing it is made in the aforesaid period. NOJK-RTOK 8142 Dated: 18/01/2019 FIR K x Sd/- Regional Transport Office, Kashmir x Office of The Regional Transport Officer Kashmir Notice Where as an application for transfer of ownership has been received from Mohammad Rafiq Bakshi S/o Haji Ghulam Bakshi R/o Rajbagh Srinagar (Transferor) of Elite I-20 bearing registration No. JK01X-5578 chasis No: Engine No: Model 2015 in favour of Shahnaz Nazir Bhat S/O Nazir Ahmad Bhat R/O Jetty Khojabagh Baramulla Kmr (Transferee). Now, therefore, it is notified for the information of the general, public that representation/ Objection, if any in connection with proposed transfer will be received within 7 days from the date of publication of this notice in the daily newspaper Kashmir Observer to the address of undersigned. No, representation/ objection shall be considered unless it is made writing it is made in the aforesaid period. NOJK-RTOK 8138 Dated: 18/01/2019 FIR K Sd/- Regional Transport Office, Kashmir Office Of The Assistant Regional Transport Officer Budgam NOTICE Whereas an application has been recieved from one. Shri : Ajaz Ahmad Bhat S/o: Ab Rehman Bhat R/o: Batpora Budgam owner of vehicle bearing Registration No: JK04D-2408 for cancellation of hire purchase agreement with M/S JK Bank Ltd B/U Ompora Now therefore it is notified for the information of the general public that objections if any to the proposed cancellation of hire purchase Agreement shall be filed in writing in the office of the Assistant Regional Transport office ARTO Budgam within a period of 12 days from the date of publication of this notice in the daily newspaper. No. ARTO/ BUDGAM Dated 18/01/2019 Assistant Regional Transport officer Budgam Kashmir Office Of The Assistant Regional Transport Officer Budgam NOTICE Whereas an application has been recieved from one. Shri : Yaqoob Ismail War S/o: Mohammad Ismail War R/o: Adina Magam owner of vehicle bearing Registration No: JK04E-0348 for cancellation of hire purchase agreement with M/S JK Bank Ltd B/U Beerwah. N o w therefore it is notified for the information of the general public that objections if any to the proposed cancellation of hire purchase Agreement shall be filed in writing in the office of the Assistant Regional Transport office ARTO Budgam within a period of 12 days from the date of publication of this notice in the daily newspaper. No. ARTO/ BUDGAM Dated 18/01/2019 mq bud mq bud Assistant Regional Transport officer Budgam Kashmir Office Of The Regional Transport Officer Kashmir Notice Whereas, an application has been received from one Shri : Mujeeb Ah Trambo S/o Zaffar Ahmad Trambo R/o Hyderpora Sgr owner of vehicle No: JK01U 9799 for cancellation of Hire Purchase agreement with M/S HDFC Bank B/O Karanagar. Now it is therefore, notified for general information that objections, if any to the proposed cancellation of Hire Purchase Agreement shall be filed in writing in the office of the Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir within a period of 12 days from the date of publication of this notice in the daily newspaper. No. JK/ RTOK/8116 Dated Sd/ Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir FIR K Office of The Regional Transport Officer Kashmir Notice Where as an application for transfer of ownership has been received from Nazir Ahmad Shah S/o Sajad Ahmad Ganie S/o Mohd Sultan Ganie R/o Umer Colony Lal Bazar Sriangar (Transferor) of Maruti Swift bearing registration No. JK01AB-4150 chasis No: Engine No: Model 2015 in favour of Abdul Majeed Khan S/o Ghulam Rasool Khan R/o Kukrusa Kupwara Sriangar (Transferee). As well as HPA cancellation with J&K Cooperative Bank B/o Kangan Now, therefore, it is notified for the information of the general, public that representation/ Objection, if any in connection with proposed transfer will be received within 12 days from the date of publication of this notice in the daily newspaper Kashmir Observer to the address of undersigned. No, representation/ objection shall be considered unless it is made writing it is made in the aforesaid period. NOJK-RTOK 8140 Dated: 18/01/2019 Sd/- Regional Transport Office, Kashmir Office of The Regional Transport Officer Kashmir Notice Whereas, a joint application has been received from Shri Syed Ansar Rizvi S/o Syed Qasim Rizvi R/o Khandi Chadoora Budgam A/P Parimpora ( Transferor) and Showket Ah Bhat S/o Abdul Rehman Bhat R/o Patlipora Chattabal (Transferee) for transfer of Maxi Cab carriage route Permit No 2223/MC Covering Vehicle No jjk01e-8550 Now, therefore, it is notified for general information that objections, if any to the proposed transfer of the said route permit / vehicle shall be filled in writing in the office of the Regional Transport Officer, Kashmir. Within a period of 7 days from the date of publication of this notice in the daily News Paper Kashmir Observer. Seller and purchaser identified by the authorized representatives of M/S JK Road Ways Namely Mr. Mohd Yaseen NO: JK/RTOK /8152 Dated: 18/01/2019 FIR K FIR K Sd/- Regional Transport Office, Kashmir DISCLAIMER: Kashmir Observer makes every effort to ensure that the information carried in display/ classified advertisements, appearing in the newspaper is correct. However the newspaper takes no mq bud responsibility nor does it necessarily endorse the contents of these adverts. The readers are therefore requested to verify the contents before acting thereupon. Management

3 Srinagar Observer Saturday DIAL-EMMA AIRPORTS TRAFFIC POLICE : , PCR: , PDD: FIRE AND EMERGENCY SERVICES : , , CAPD: SMC HEALTH OFFICER: SHIEK UL ALAM AIRPORT: RAILWAYS SRINAGAR: ANANTNAG: BARAMULLA: BIJBHERA: PAMPORE: PATTAN: QAZIGUND: HIGHWAY STATUS Srinagar-Jammu highway --- (Open) Mughal Road - (Closed) Srinagar- Leh- (Closed) SUSPECTED MILITANTS ON FRIDAY LOBBED A GRENADE at a CRPF party near Ghanta Ghar in Lal chowk area of Srinagar.Eyewitnesses said that the grenade exploded with a bang.however, there was no immediate report of any loss of life or injuries.pic Abid Bhat Four charge sheeted in Soura weapon Snatching conspiracy, murder case : Police Srinagar: Police on Friday claimed to have present a charge sheet in a weapon snatching conspiracy and murder case before the Court of Additional District and Session Judge Srinagar. The chargesheet was filed in case FIR No 26/2018 registered at Police Station Soura after obtaining requisite government sanction and completing all other departmental formalities, a police spokesman said. The spokesman said that charge sheet was presented against seven accused persons including the four accused Omar Noor Bhat, son of Noor Mohammad Bhat, a resident of Chatabal, Waseem Ahmad Sofi, son of Bashir Ahmad Sofi, a resident of Chatabal, Adil Majeed Bhat, son of Abdul Majeed Bhat, a resident of Chatabal and Obaid Altaf Zoji, son of Mohammad Altaf Zoji, a Protest Held Against Prolonged Detention of Hurriyat Leaders Srinagar: Hurriyat (g) leaders and activists on Friday held peaceful protests after congregational Friday prayers in Hyderpora about the prolonged detention and the ill-treatment meted out to Hurriyat leaders especially deteriorating health condition of Hurriyat leader Peer Saifullah in Tihar jail. In a statement, the spokesman said that Hurriyat Conference leaders and activists including Abdul Ahad Parra, Bilal Sidiqui, Molvi Bashir Ahmad Irfani, Syed Imtiyaz Hyder, Mohammad Yasin Ataie, Syed Mohammad Shafi, Khawaja Firdous, Mohammad Maqbool Magami, Arshid Aziz, Mubashir Iqbal, Showkat Ahmad Khan, Imtiyaz Ahmad Shah, Rameez Raja, Abdul Hameed Elahi and Abdul Rashid Lone organized a peaceful protest at Hyderpora Srinagar against the inhuman attitude meted out towards the political prisoners in and outside state especially in Tihar Jail. Hurriyat leaders while condemning the pro-long detention of political prisoners and called it as an extreme vandalism and coercion, which depicts a martial law like situation, said that suppressing even the pro-freedom voice and curbing their peaceful activities is no bravery but shameful, which government itself is responsible for the consequences. While demanding the immediate release of all political prisoners including leaders lodged in and outside state particularly in Tihar Jail include Shabir Ahmad Shah, Altaf Ahmad Shah, Ayaz Akbar, Peer Saifullah, Raja Mehraj-ud-din Kalwal, Dr. Ghulam Mohammad Bhat, Shahidul-Islam, Nayeem Ahmad Khan, Farooq Ahmad Dar, Syed Shahid Yousuf, Syed Shakeel Ahmad, Zahoor Ahmad Watali, Asia Indrabi, Nahida Nasreen, Fehmeeda Sofi. Hurriyat leaders said that by pushing people to wall Delhi will achieve nothing; they should face the political leaders and workers on political turf. Hurriyat Leaders appealed Amnesty International, Asia Watch, and other international organization for human rights to break the silence and take cognizance of the plight of people in the state of Jammu and Kashmir and urged to fulfil their obligations in accordance with human rights specified for the political prisoners. Tankipora family urges Govt to Keep Promise Srinagar: Two years after the Additional Deputy Commissioner Srinagar wrote to the Commissioner Secretary General Administrative Department (GAD) to provide job and compensation to the family members of deceased who was killed in militancy related activity in the year 2002, the family on Friday said that the authorities are yet to provide job to the grieving family. Mansoor Ahmad Hakim appealed the Governor Satya Pal Malik o look into the matter. Mansoor said that his brother Mudasir Ahmad Hakim was killed in the year 2002 following which the court ordered compensation of Rs one lakh and job to one of the family members on The court order as per Mansoor was implemented after four years on when ADC Srinagar had written to the GAD Commissioner Secretary and had asked him to provide compensation as well as the job to one of the family members. However, Mansoor said that they have received the compensation but the job is yet to be provided to them, saying that the authorities are seeking relaxation in qualification. The family from Tanki pora area of Habba Kadal Srinagar later appealed Governor to intervene and help them in getting the job. (KNS) resident of Naribal Soura who are currently lodged in Central Jail Srinagar. The spokesman added that the militant attack by the above mentioned accused was carried out on February 25, 2018, on the guard-post deployed at the residence of Fazal Haq Qureshi. In Srinagar: Deputy Mayor Srinagar Sheikh Mohammad Imran on Friday welcomed the governor Satya Pal Malik s offer to Hurriyat, saying that there should be genuine confidence-building measures to create a peaceful environment in the state. He said while visiting the family of jailed Hurriyat Conference (M) spokesman Shahid-ul- Islam and urged the governor to look into the issue and grant him bail on the humanitarian basis. Imran sought special intervention from the Governor to help release of Shahid-ul-Islam (Hurriyat leader) whose wife is fighting a battle for his release and family is facing many problems. He said being a Muslim; we have a responsibility to visit the ailing people. It was the part of religion to visit ailing wife of Shahid-ul- Islam, Nuzhat Shah who recently suffered a stroke. Two daughters are facing hardships in the absence of their father. They have no one to look after them in his absence. Even they are not able to focus on their studies as the attack Policeman, Ct Farooq Ahmad had was killed and his service rifle was also snatched. All the four accused persons were charged for their involvement in conspiring and executing a militant attack, murder of a cop on duty and weapon snatching, the spokesman added. Deputy Mayor Visits Ailing Wife of Hurriyat Leader his ailing wife remains busy in courts to seek bail for her husband, Deputy Mayor said. No charge sheet against him has not proved yet against him. These cases should be considered on the humanitarian grounds by the Governor administration, he said. On 21ist Jan there is hearing of Shahid-ul-Islam in honorable court and family has applied for bail, he said adding that Governor should consider his bail and it would be a good step in a peace process in the current situation. Imran appealed Governor that he should move forward to create a coordinator between Hurriyat and the Government. That coordination can play important role in dialogue process. After that Deputy also visited families of nine youth at Rajouri Kadal and urged authorities to release the youth as soon as possible. They are innocent who police have recommended for NIA investigation and no charge sheet against them has proved, he said adding that they are lone bread earners of their respective families. Air Aisa cancels flight operation from Srinagar Srinagar: Authorities at the Srinagar airport on Friday cancelled the flights to New Delhi following bad weather and low visibility in the Indian capital city. An official of the airport said that due to bad weather in Delhi Indigo 6E2187/2148; Spicejet SG 160/161; AirAsia I5 715/716; Vistara UK611 flights have been cancelled. One report said AirAsia has cancelled its all flights from Srinagar International Airport from 18th Jan to 26th Jan excepted 19th Jan and 25th January, an official tweeted. HIJRI CALENDAR 12 JUMADA AL-AWWAL 1440 PRAYERS FAJR---6: 08 ZUHR---12: 38 ASR---4:09 Magrib 5:52 ISHA---7:16 This Day in History Theodosius installed as co-emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire French city of Rouen surrenders to Henry V in Hundred Years War France cedes Roussillon & Cerdagne to Spain by treaty of Barcelona Italian city Mirandola surrenders to the French Democratic revolution in Amsterdam ends oligarchy United Kingdom re-occupies the Cape of Good Hope following victory in the Battle of Blaauwberg over French vassal, the Batavian Republic. Establishes British rule in South Africa Louis Napoleon signs 1st Dutch aviation law Peninsular War: After a ten day siege, Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington, orders British soldiers of the Light and third divisions to storm Ciudad Rodrigo The first electric lighting system employing overhead wires, built by Thomas Edison, begins service at Roselle, New Jersey Battle of Abu Klea, Sudan, between the British Desert Column and Mahdist forces: 76 British and 1,100 Mahdists killed Anglo-Egyptian Sudan forms st regular transatlantic radio broadcast between US & England Geological survey says US oil supply would be depleted in 20 years British government decides to send troops to China British offensive in Eritrea British troops occupies Kassalaf, Sudan Japanese forces invade Burma st Warsaw Ghetto Uprising begins USSR performs atmospheric nuclear test Indira Gandhi elected India s 4th Prime Minister World s largest crowd gathering - the Hindu Kumbh Mela in India attracts a then record 15 million people US & Iran sign agreement to release 52 American hostages Israel recognizes PLO as no longer criminal Michelle McGann wins LPGA Healthsouth Inaugural Event of interestevent of Interest Yasser Arafat returns to Hebron after more than 30 years and joins celebrations over the handover of the last Israeli-controlled West Bank city The New Horizons probe is launched by NASA on the first mission to Pluto Calcium deposits are discovered on Mars by NASA s Curiosity Rover Lance Armstrong admits to doping in all seven of his Tour de France victories China s economic growth revealed as lowest for 25 years - 6.9% in From KO Archives Police detect 150 fake finance companies in JK Rajinder Singh Jammu: The crime branch of Jammu and Kashmir police has detected 150 finance companies operat ing in the state allegedly without any registration from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). These have de frauded gullible depositors to the tune of Rs 80 crore. Cases have been registered against 40 such allegedly fake companies, mostly in Jammu involving over 200 accused. Disclosing this to Kash mir Observer, the inspector general of police, crime and railways, Masood Chaudhary, said over 99 per cent or the companies were fake and had defrauded people mostly from rural areas in the name of higher interest on their deposits. Most of these operators are be-lieved to have gone abroad along with their families while some of them have declared themselves bankrupt and closed down their companies. Chaudhary said the cases were registered on receipt of complaints from the affected people. A spe cial team of sen ior police offi cials, headed by the deputy inspector gen eral (DIG) of police, crime and railways, Prem Kumar, has been constituted to investigate the cases. He said some of the accused have been apprehended while some more were likely to be arrested shortly. In the absence of more stringent laws, Chaudhary said, police were finding it difficult to intervene in the matter. It can take action only after a formal com plaint is received. Some of the accused had defrauded the depositors to the tune of Rs 10 crore to Rs 15 crore. He said some special teams had been rushed to places like Mumbai and other major cities across the country to apprehend the culprits. (KASHMIR OBSERVER, 19 January, 2001)

4 NEWS 4 Making Sense Of The World Around Us Saturday Justices Dinesh, Sanjiv Khanna sworn-in as SC judges amid row Press TV s Hashemi due in US court on Friday Press Trust Of India New Delhi: Chief Justice of India (CJI) Ranjan Gogoi administered the oath of office to justices Maheshwari and Khanna during the swearing-in ceremony held in court number 1 of the apex court. The sanctioned strength of judges in the Supreme Court is 31. With the swearing-in of justices Maheshwari and Khanna, the strength has now gone up to 28. While Justice Maheshwari was the chief justice of the Karnataka High Court, Justice Khanna was a judge in the Delhi High Court. The government had on Wednesday notified the appointment of justices Maheshwari and Khanna as judges of the apex court. The five-member Supreme Court Collegium, comprising CJI Gogoi and justices A.K. Sikri, S.A. Bobde, N.V. Ramana and Arun Mishra, had on January 10 recommended the names of justices Maheshwari and Khanna for elevation as apex court judges. The names of the chief justices of the Rajasthan and Delhi high courts, justices Pradeep Nandrajog and Rajendra Menon respectively, were considered by the collegium on December 12, 2018 for elevation, but the deliberation remained inconclusive and one of the members of the collegium, Justice M.B. Lokur, retired on December 30, His place in the collegium was taken by Justice Arun Mishra. The new collegium had, on January 10, ignored the prospect of elevation of justices Nandrajog and Menon as apex court judges. The Bar Council of India (BCI) had, on Wednesday, protested the Supreme Court Collegium's recommendation to elevate Justice Khanna by superseding several other judges and termed the decision as "whimsical and arbitrary". Before the BCI made a statement protesting the collegium's decision, Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul of the Supreme Court also wrote a note to the CJI and other members of the collegium for ignoring the seniority of justices Nandrajog and Menon. Sources said Justice Kaul was of the view that a wrong signal would go out if the two chief justices, who were above Justice Khanna in the seniority list, were not elevated as apex court judges. Washington : Press TV news presenter Marzieh Hashemi, who has been imprisoned by the FBI on unspecified charges, is due to appear in a Washington, DC, court on Friday. The 59-year-old US citizen, who is based in Iran, was detained as a material witness to a criminal case and no charges were pressed against her, according to Hossein Hashemi, her elder son. The US law defines a material witness as a person who is presumed to have information about the subject matter of a lawsuit or criminal prosecution, which is critical to the outcome of the case or trial. Ms. Hashemi was taken into custody on Sunday in St. Louis, Missouri, where she had filmed a Black Lives Matter documentary. FBI agents apprehended the Press TV journalist upon arrival at St Louis Lambert International Airport, before she boarded a flight to Denver, her son said. Suzanne Nossel, CEO of the PEN America group promoting literature and free expression, says she is concerned Hashemi might have been targeted for her documentary work on the Black Lives Matter movement or for political reasons. If there are other grounds for Hashemi's detention they must be made clear, otherwise she should be released immediately," Nossel added. Hashemi's son had told Press TV that he and his siblings had also received subpoenas to appear before a grand jury in DC. A Muslim convert who has been living in Iran for years, Hashemi had traveled to the US to visit her ill brother and other family members. She told her daughter that she was handcuffed and shackled and was being treated like a criminal. The journalist also said that she had her hijab forcibly removed, and was photographed without her headscarf upon arrival at the prison. Rohingya Detainees Go On Hunger Strike To Fight Saudi Deportations To B desh Riyadh: Scores of Rohingya detainees inside a Saudi detention centre have begun a hunger strike to stop the Gulf kingdom from deporting them to Bangladesh. Inmates of the Shumaisi detention centre in Jeddah told Middle East Eye they had "no alternative" but to start their hunger strike after scores of Rohingya were deported last month to Bangladesh despite coming from Myanmar. Photos and videos smuggled out of Shumaisi showed detainees refusing to take their daily food rations, leaving them on the floor for the Saudi immigration officers to collect. Bags of bread and soup could be seen lying on the floor in crates as detainees retreated to their bunk beds in protest at possible deportations to Bangladesh. Names of Rohingya detainees who spoke to MEE from the Shumaisi detention centre have been changed to protect their identities. Zahid, a Rohingya detainee in Shumaisi, told MEE that detainees had organised the hunger strike via Whatsapp and other messaging apps. "When we started the hunger strike, there were three hundred of us, and then slowly more and more people began to join in," he told MEE via voice notes sent from WhatsApp. "One old man who took part in the hunger strike has already been taken to the hospital," Zahid said. "We don't know how many more days we can last. They are pressuring us to eat. Please do pray for us." Zahid added that their phones had been taken away from them after Rohingya who had been put on deportation flights to Bangladesh filmed their forced removal from Saudi Arabia. 'We can't go back to the killing there' This is the second hunger strike by Rohingya detainees in the last four months. Rafeed, another detainee, told MEE that Saudi authorities had promised their freedom if they stopped their last hunger strike - only for some Rohingya to be deported to Bangladesh instead. "At least 60 Rohingya were deported as if they were Bangladeshis. After seeing this, we can't go back to the killing there," said Rafeed. "They told us they would release us, but up to now, no one could leave from here. We are seeking your help. Please don't keep us here. Civil Rights Groups Condemn Trump's Anti-Muslim Appointment Al Jazeera. Washinton : American civil rights groups condemned President Donald Trump s recent appointment of Charles Kupperman because of the latter s prolonged involvement with an anti-muslim group, Al Jazeera reported. Kupperman, who has been appointed as a deputy national security advisor served on the board of directors for the Center for Security Policy (CSP) between 2001 and CSP peddles conspiracy theories including claims that Muslims have infiltrated the US government and plan on instituting Sharia law in the country. CSP is designated an anti-muslim hate group by hate monitor Southern Poverty Law Center (SLPC). Trump said in a press release, Kupperman brings to the role more than four decades of national security policy and programme experience. The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR) has called on the Trump administration to revoke the appointment. CAIR s director of government affairs department, Robert McCaw says Kupperman s appointment should absolutely be rescinded and that he has no place in the US government. Trump has a history of taking explicitly anti-muslim actions including executive orders seeking to ban travellers from several Muslim majority countries. According to Muslim rights groups, anti-muslim hate crimes have gone up since Trump came into power. Muslim Advocates group in October 2018 released a report documenting 80 instances of political candidates using clear anti-muslim rhetoric in 2017 and Trump has a history of taking explicitly anti- Muslim actions including executive orders seeking to ban travellers from several Muslim majority countries. No War, But Soldiers Are Dying On Borders: Bhagwat Nagpur: RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat said requisite steps need to combat killings on the border, as soldiers are being martyred sans a war-like situation in the country. "In our country, there is no war at the moment, still people (soldiers) are getting martyred...because we are not doing our jobs properly. We need to make efforts in this regard. If we want our country to reach the top, then we all should learn to sacrifice," he said at a gathering here on Thursday. Furthermore, Bhagwat said the responsibility of safeguarding the country should not be solely shouldered by the Forces. "Everybody has to make efforts in this regard. This is not something for which we can give a contract to somebody. We keep thinking that the government will do it or the army will do it, the police will do it, but it's not like that, the entire society has to make efforts," he opined. Citing the example of Israel, Bhagwat noted: "If one looks closely, after 70 long years, those countries in comparison with India have done better in terms of growth and development. Israel is a classic example. The natives were weed out before the 19 c. But citizens there gradually came back to their country and started their businesses, trade etc. Finally, in 1948 they got independence." Star-Struck Bahrain Sheikh Wins 'Bollywood' Case Amit Roy The Telegraph London : A wealthy sheikh from the Bahraini royal family has won a high court case in London against an Egyptian businessman who claimed he was owed $35.5m for arranging meetings with 26 Bollywood stars such as Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan and Ranveer Singh. Sheikh Hamad Isa Ali Al-Khalifa, a distant cousin of the king of Bahrain, agreed he was a huge fan of Bollywood, having been introduced to Indian films by his ayah, but insisted there was no legal contract between him and Ahmed Adel Abdallah Ahmed. The businessman claimed the sheikh had promised in a phone call to pay $1.5m per meeting with a $500,000 bonus for every third encounter with a Bollywood star but had stopped after handing over $3m for five encounters. On Friday the judge, Justice Jacobs, threw out the Egyptian s case after ruling there were simply too many inconsistencies... and improbabilities for the case advanced by Mr Ahmed to be accepted. The judge said he found Ahmed to be a very frustrating witness and referred to the general unreliability of his evidence. I reject Mr Ahmed s account of the phone conversation on 7 January 2016, and I reject his case that there was any agreement on the terms alleged, the judge concluded. Bollywood does often induce eccentric behaviour among its fans. In the West, for example, otherwise hardheaded tycoons are happy to pay millions of dollars for Bollywood stars to gyrate at family weddings and tell jokes of questionable taste. But the plot of this court case would be rejected for a Bollywood movie as being too bizarre. First of all, the case could be heard in London because of the Egyptian s close links with the city. During the hearing in November, Ahmed s lawyers said Sheikh Hamad had a lifelong passionate interest in Bollywood and an unbridled desire to meet its stars, especially Shah Rukh, Ranveer and Aishwarya Rai. His barrister Stephen Nathan QC said access to such stars was not easily achieved, but that Ahmed and his company, CBSC Events & Exhibition and Conference Organisers, were able to deliver it at a price. Nathan said photographs of the encounters showed the sheikh happy and relaxed with a star, giving out expensive presents he had bought from Harrods. But despite the superficial appearance of good-natured social interaction, these were artificial events that had to be stage-managed and paid for. Nathan went on: The claimant had the entrepreneurial ability and contacts to put together a service specially tailored to the defendant s requirements, both as to the stars of Bollywood whom he wanted to meet, and the kind of private encounters that he wanted to have. That service replicated a casual social gathering in the company of individual Bollywood stars, away from the crowds and in the intimacy of a private suite in a luxury hotel. But it was not the real thing and it was not the product of spontaneous friendship it was a service being provided to him by a businessman for money. It emerged during the hearing that Bollywood stars are willing to offer photo opportunities for a price. The Financial Times reported: The sheikh met four Bollywood stars in five meetings during 2016, including Shah Rukh Khan in Mumbai s St Regis hotel in January 2016 where the trial heard the sheikh gave the film star gifts of luxury watches he had bought at Harrods after paying Mr Ahmed US$400,000 to set up the encounter. The sheikh took along his childhood nanny, who had introduced him to Bollywood films as a child, to meet Salman Khan at the St Regis hotel Mumbai, where half the 15th floor was booked for the sheikh along with the presidential suite. In his witness statement the sheikh said Ahmed must have seen in me an opportunity to make a lot of quick money for himself and said he made payments to the Egyptian not because he was under legal obligations but because of his overriding desire to make people happy by bestowing money and gifts on them.

5 IS PUBG MOBILE SPOILING the future of Youth? PUBG Addiction More Dangerous than Drug Abuse, Say Doctors Srinagar: Doctors on Friday appealed parents, teachers, civil societies to restrain kids from playing Player's Unknown Battle Ground (PUBG) mobile game. Doctors Association Kashmir (DAK) President and Senior Pediatrician, Dr Suhail Naik said that addiction to PUBG is dangerous than drug addiction and students who are playing this game have developed behavioural, sleep and psychiatric disturbances. Describing the game as spoiler of future of young generation, the game can deteriorate academic career of addicted students Dr Naik added. Citing the conflict, turmoil and extreme harsh weather as tendency to stick to mobile phones, the addiction to this game is more concerning than addiction to drugs, Dr Naik further added. General secretary DAK, Dr Owais H Dar said that the game should be immediately banned in order to save the future of young generation. This is a cause of concern as the game is spoiling future of scores of children in Jammu and Kashmir. we get to see youngsters playing the game round the clock and doing nothing else. We request the governor led administration to immediately ban the said game in Jammu and Kashmir. As the kids are playing this game for longer Ajas: A Town Without Basic Aminities Bandipora: Ajas town in North Kashmir s Bandipora district is not only backward as for as development is concerned but it also lags behind on every other front. The successive district administrations according to locals neglected this historic town that is the home of over twenty thousand people. From past one year, the only Higher Secondary School located in the town is without Principal while Education Department made no efforts to appoint the one despite repeated pleas by the locals. Education Department has also failed to provide a separate zone to the people of Ajas that have been fighting for it from past decade. It is a known and old town and deserves a separate education zone, the locals say. Ironically, the previous Omar Abdullah Government made it an Administrative Unit, but till date that Unit has not become properly functional. A Tehsildar sits there in a rented room where due to lack of space people are unable to visit him. Degree Colleges were sanctioned for both Hajin and Ajas but ironically, the College at Hajin is scheduled to be made IN FOCUS functional but for the people of Ajas it is a far cry, said a social activist Haroon Nabi Lone. The locals said they fail to understand why district administration is callous towards their problems and needs. Recently District Administration issued 20 dust bins for the town which were to be installed at different points, but till date not a single dust bin was provided to the town. The order it seems was issued on papers only, said a respectable citizen from the town. There is a hospital in the town but without a proper road. The roads leading to this hospital are dilapidated. This hospital has neither been upgraded nor equipped with latest equipment. There is only one doctor for the whole town of twenty thousand people, they said and sought intervention of district administration Bandipora. (CNS) periods of time, it also leads to screen allergy in eyes and sleep deprivation apart from other behavioural changes. Dr Arshed H Trag, Joint Secy DAK said that as PUBG has confirmed addictive properties and is currently most popular mobile game, it is our collective responsibility to save current generation of students from ruining their lives and future. It is moral responsibility of preachers, teachers, Doctors and civil societies to educate common masses about the devastating outcomes of said game. Some kids have lost already mental balance because of unlimited time spent on playing. Several cases of PUBG addiction have been reported in J & K, with the most recent dating back to less than a week ago, in which a fitness trainer was admitted to critical care unit of a hospital in Jammu. Dr Mohd Yusuf Tak, Senior Exec Member DAK, said that it is Pertinent to mention that National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) have reported several cases of addiction to PUBG in Bengaluru. Developed by Tencent Holdings Limited, PUBG Mobile on Android and ios is one of the most popular games in India right now. With regular updates and new features, the player base for the game is constantly increasing. Fruit Growers, Dealers Call on Governor Jammu: A delegation of The Kashmir Fruit Growers and Dealers Association, from Sopore led by its President Sh. F.A. Malik, met Governor Satya Pal Malik at the Raj Bhavan here today. The members of the delegation requested that the KCC loans of farmers be waived off on account of damage to the horticulture crops due to unexpected hailstorm; unhindered movement of fresh fruits outside the be allowed; sanctioning of adequate funds for development of Fruit Mandi at Sopore; installation of High Mast Lights at Fruit Mandi Sopore and enroute from Sopore Bye-Pass to the Fruit Mandi; availability of quality pesticides and Tree Spray oils at genuine rates; construction of a fly over from Chakrodaykhan up to Hakim Sonaullah Hospital and Fruit Mandi; sanctioned railway track from Baramulla to Kupwara be routed from Amargarh Sopore station with a station in vicinity of Fruit Mandi; construction of a truck terminal at Tulball, Sopore and revival of juice plant at Doabgah. Governor assured due consideration of their demands. Bragging about death-count in Kashmir unfortunate: CPI (M) Srinagar: The army commander s purported bragging about death-count in Kashmir is unfortunate. Whether civilians, security personnel or militants are killed, death-count can never be a wonderful news. This conflict is consuming many young bright lives since decades and it can never be wonderful news. Killings are a tragic saga and ways and means need to be explored to end the bloodshed. There has to be a serious appraisal on why are the youth leaning towards militancy in the first place? The question that one needs to ask is how to achieve an end to the deep-rooted sense of alienation and frustration among the youth when the government is only defining its approach only through muscular policy and not going for dialogue and reconciliation. Another tragedy is the repressive ways of choking the voices of dissent and democratic space. BDS graduates hold protest, demand jobs Srinagar : Dozens of dentistry graduates on Friday held a protest at press colony demanding advertisement of jobs for their profession. The BDS graduates assembled at press colony amid slogans saying that no job was advertised in dental field from past 10 years. "We are jobless after doing BDS here in Kashmir and outside state", one protester said. "All other posts in medical department are advertised on regular intervals but when it comes to our jobs, government is silent" he said. The aggrieved said that they don't want to come on the streets but government has left them with no choice. "We will intensify our protest if government did not take measures to provide us with jobs which is our right", the protesting BDS graduates said. An objective analysis would certainly take these factors into account. Alienation and anger can only create a situation conducive for violence. Such a situation is bound to give rise to extremism as well. In order to end this existing political alienation and anger, a serious initiative to analyze the major causes of this anger Srinagar: Directorate of School Education, Kashmir, granted registration in favour of 114 Private Coaching/Tuition Centres to run in various districts. This was revealed in an official handout issued by the Directorate for the press today. "The registration in favour of the private coaching/tuition centres was pending for some requisite formalities which they completed yesterday and today we issued their approval vide order No DSEK of 2019", the statement revealed. The statement also reads has to be taken. What is required is a serious effort for in-depth study of the present crisis. Finally, all of us must realize that violence and counter violence can only add to the sufferings of our people. Of course, there is no readymade formula except a sustained credible process of dialogue with all the stake holders. That only can provide us a way forward JAMMU, JANUARY 18: The J&K Services Selection Board today cleared the release of withheld recommendations against various posts, in respect of 76 candidates, whose selections were earlier kept withheld on account of various deficiencies or certain clarifications. The recommendations were cleared after the candidates completed the deficiencies and various clarifications sought from the indenting Departments and other concerned authorities and were Saturday SSB clears 76 withheld selection recommendations Working knowledge of Urdu test for Naib Tehsildar posts to be conducted during 2nd week of March Anantnag: The villagers of Wuranhal area of South Kashmir s Anantnag district Friday staged a protest against harassment and vandalization during a nocturnal raid. The protesters said that combined forces including Army, SOG and CRPF raided the house of one Haji Abdul Razaq Dar during the dead of the night. The Forces were looking for received by the Board, spokesman of the Board, Mr. Malik Suhail said. The spokesman further added that the Board is contemplating to conduct a working knowledge of Urdu Test during the 2nd week of March, 2019 tentatively for the candidates provisionally shortlisted for the posts of Naib Tehsildars, Cadre, Item No. 007 of Advertisement Notification No. 01 of 2015, whose interviews and counseling cum document verification process concluded on 12th January The exact date of the test shall however, be Hurriyat activist s family accuses forces of harassment Bandipora: In view of the inclement weather forecast this weekend, Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Dr Shahid Iqbal Chaudhary on Friday convened a meeting to review the preparedness to deal with any kind of situation. The meeting discussed action plans prepared by the concerned departments to prevent interruption to services during snowfall. The DC, while hailing their efforts during the last snowfall in the district, asked the concerned departments to ensure even faster response to the inclement weather forecast for the coming days. The DC directed for ensuring that snow clearance machines are positioned at all critical spots and that these are pressed into service as soon as snow starts to accumulate. He stressed on prioritising snow-clearance from roads leading to all important installations across the district including Hospitals. Sabzar Ahmed Dar the son of Abdul Razaq who is associated with Geelani led Hurriyat Conference. In absence of Sabzar, the Forces abused and thrashed family members and picked up Ashiq Hussian Dar, the brother of Sabzar, the protesters told news agency CNS adding that Forces resorted to massive vandalization. While condemning the Forces action, the protesters appealed Governor Satya Pal Malik Snow forecast: DC Bandipora reviews preparedness DSEK issues registration in favour of 114 Private Coaching Centres Dr Choudhary said all the men and machinery have been put on high alert in the district since last week and the snow clearance operations will be started soon after the snow starts accumulating on roads to ensure all major roads are cleared on war footing. He said the Mechanical Engineer Department has put about 20 Snow Cutter machines on standby at different locations of the district so that they can be pressed into service at earliest besides machinery of various Muncipalities. He said the inner links where the machines cannot work, the snow will be cleared manually and an action plan has been framed for the same. he said the men machinery is on high alert in view of the snow prediction from 19th January to 25th January. He said the administration has set up a control room in the Mini Secretariat Bandipora and urged the people to contact on phone numbers , , , , Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Electoral Officer Shailendra Kumar on Friday discussed the cooperation from political parties in the deployment of Additional Electronic Voting Machines (EVM s) deployment at district headquarters and operationalization of voter helpline numbers from January 25. Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Shailendra Kumar said, The deployment of additional Electronic Voting Machines (EVM s) at district headquarters was discussed with political parties on Friday during a meeting with them. As per Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) political parties have to make available their booth level assistants in the strong rooms at district headquarters. As otherwise they raise objections later. Saying that voter helpline numbers will start operating in the districts, the CEO said, Voter helpline numbers will start effectively working on a common number 1950 at all district headquarters from January 25. KNS DAVP 38101/11/0085/1819 notified separately. Further, the board has informed the candidates that the general guidelines and criteria for qualifying the working knowledge of Urdu Test for the posts of Naib Tehsildars and Patwari have been notified by the Board vide Notice No. SSB/Sel/Secy/2017/ dated A copy of these guidelines is also available on the official website of the Board, candidates are advised to prepare for this examination, accordingly, the spokesman said. to look into the matter. My son is not a terrorist but associated with Hurriyat Conference. He doesn t come home and still we were harassed and thrashed in the middle of the night. I want to ask Governor how come he can address the grievances of Hurriyat leadership when he is not able to safeguard the families of Hurriyat activists, said Haji Abdul Razaq Dar who demand the release of his innocent son. (CNS) Lok Adalat at Handwara on January 19 HANDWARA, JANUARY 18: According to chairman Tehsil Legal Services Committee Handwara, a Lok Adalat is being held on January at local court premises during which cases of various natures will be settled on the spot. The interested litigants who want to get their cases / disputes settled through this Lok Adalat shall approach court authorities for settlement of their cases amicably. Voter helpline to be made operational from Jan 25: CEO that the registration was extended in favour of 38 Private Middle Schools and 16 primary level private schools were upgraded to the next level during the last one month. The handout further reveals that approval was also accorded in favour of 54 Private School Management Bodies. Meanwhile, IN-SITU promotions were granted in favour of 364 officials by the Directorate of School Education, Kashmir. The orders to this effect were issued today Vide Order No. 361 and 362 of DSEK of ( Tral locks down power receiving station Srinagar: Scores of residents of Dadasara village in south Kashmir s Tral Friday locked down the local power receiving station in protest against unscheduled power cuts. Reports said that residents including women assembled around the local power receiving station and locked it down in protest. The residents chanted slogans against the PDD department. The protesters alleged that they were getting just a few minutes of electricity during the day. They were also demanding & urging the concerned authorities to provide them a second lineman to their village keeping in view the area & population of the village. The protesters were seen highly agitated about the biased & foolish approach of the staff which is posted at the local grid station.

6 ... Think! Opinion, Analysis, Essays Send your write ups and feedback at Saturday kashmir No Holds Barred BAB In 'The Srinagar Times' All in a days work Editor-in-Chief : Sajjad Haider Legal Counsel: Tasaduq Khwaja Switchboard: (0194) Editorial: (0194) editorial: editor@kashmirobserver.net Printed & Published by Sajjad Haider on behalf of the Kashmir Observer LLP Published from: # 1- Boulevard, Srinagar Printed at: KT Press Pvt. Ltd, Rangreth Ind Area, Srinagar. RNI Registration No: 69503/98 Postal Registration No-L/159/KO/SK/ De-historicisation and misrepresentation have been at the heart of the Indian s project in Kashmir. New Delhi has deployed all its power military, media, economic and cultural for constructing and sustaining an ahistorical, obfuscatory narrative... Huma Dar In west People certainly live for paying bills and in return get high quality services, development follows spontaneously. Contrast is the situation of EAST, we live for Bill tampering, receive poor services, so development seems only a dream here... And not to talk of Kashmir which is a subjugated Place of the east. Faisal Shafi Many in Kashmir argue that even militancy in Kashmir is a deeply political act in the absence of political intervention to resolve an internationally recognized dispute. Hardly any young boy, including scholars, is battle hardened or trained in combat. Delhi disrespects dissent. Gowhar Geelani The Valley In Political Limbo Dr Nyla Ali Khan The so-called packages in prepartition India: a network of railways throughout prepartition India, development of international airports and deep sea harbors, establishment of medical and engineering institutions, the building of a new capital city including Lutyens Delhi, and the military GHQ in Rawalpindi by the British colonial power ;did not stop Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Mohammad Ali Jinnah from carrying their mission forward to its logical end as we see today. By quitting coveted Indian Administrative Service in the prime, Dr Shah Faesal has taken a hard step which is unprecedented. After burning midnight oil for years to qualify civil services examination, which majority of the aspirants fail, leaving it must not be an easy decision. After achieving top rank in the Indian Civil Services Examination in 2009 Dr Shah Faesal proved that nothing is impossible for him and obviously this spirit must have shaped his future plan to join politics. But would the voice of reason, which he wants to add to Kashmir politics, retain its relevance after the elections too is a question to ponder upon. Shah Faesal resigned from the elite post to jump into mainstream politics in order to articulate the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He termed his resignation as a protest against the unabated killings and lack of any sincere reach-out from union government. He also puts the marginalization of 200 million Muslims in India at the hands of Hindutva forces and reducing them to second class citizens as another reason for his resignation from civil service to join the politics. But the question is what next..? If he really wants to change the scenario of mainstream politics from deceptive end to honesty, would he be able to do it? He says he wants to represent Kashmiris With elections in mainland India as well as Jammu and Kashmir round the corner, it is important to reiterate that the conscription of a legitimate political space, attempts to decimate institutions of governance, and the inability of political organizations in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, mainstream as well as separatist, to uphold and voice regional political aspirations have caused a loss of faith in the populace. There is also, in my opinion, an unfortunate lack of knowledge about the evolution of a nationalist and political consciousness in Kashmir. A lot of people at this time do not have the courage to overtly espouse the putatively wilting political cause of struggling for the autonomous status of Kashmir and for the right of the people of Kashmir to determine their own political future. A state in which the rulers are handpicked by the Federal Government, governance and nongovernance are nearly synonymous, because the rulers of such a state are constantly at the beck and call of their Central Government, the strategy of which may well be to render the state administration dysfunctional. The so-called packages in prepartition India: a network of railways throughout pre-partition India, development of international airports and deep sea harbors, establishment of medical and engineering institutions, the building of a new capital city including Lutyens Delhi, and the military GHQ in Rawalpindi by the British colonial power ;did not stop Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and Mohammad Ali Jinnah from carrying their mission forward to its logical end as we see today. This brings me to reiterate that Kashmir is a political problem that can be solved only by a political process, which includes the prime and most important party to the problem, the people of Jammu & Kashmir. The conscription of a legitimate political space, attempts to decimate institutions of governance, and the inability of political organisations in the state of Jammu and Kashmir, mainstream as well as separatist, to uphold and voice regional political aspirations have caused a loss of faith in the populace A nation-state cannot continue to wield its military might to render the What Magic Wand Does Shah Faesal Have? while remaining within the ambit of Indian constitution but at the same time he claims that Hurryat Conference has the main representative character so far as the aspirations of the people of Kashmir are concerned. However Hurryat has a stand which goes against the elections which are held under the ambit of Indian constitution. Moreover If he wants to stop unabated killings, how sure he is that after entering into politics he would succeed in putting a stop to the killings of Kashmiris? He also speaks good about former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Mr Omar Azad Hussain political process in a conflict zone dysfunctional. Ideally, politics should be governed by conviction and the ability to sway public opinion in one s favor by one s moral, legal, and constitutional authority, but in this day and age, politics is the art of pragmatism. A strong and prosperous India is a guarantee to peace in our region, but a strong and prosperous Pakistan would strengthen that guarantee. So gloating over the instability in either one of these countries serves no purpose and proves detrimental to peace in our region. The goal should be to find a practical solution to the deadlock that would enable preservation of peace in the Indian subcontinent, while maintaining the honor of everyone concerned. The translation of a political and social vision into reality requires an efficacious administrative set-up and vibrant educational institutions, which produce dynamic citizens while remaining aware of the exigencies of the present. Stalwart politicians who were unable to understand that the changing nature of a struggle required a new vision and pioneering spirit ended up becoming marginalized. A political movement that pays insufficient attention to the welfare of the populace, good governance, and rebuilding democratic institutions ends up leaving irreparable destruction in its wake. An insurgency or militant nationalist movement that lacks such One may like to believe an apparently well meaning and well qualified person to help bring good governance to the bruised state as compared to those who have only time and again betrayed people to attain power. But as they say once bitten twice shy, much maligned and abused people no longer want to repose trust on anyone blindly as it s this blind faith on the leaders of the past which brought them where they are today. Abdullah and at the same time he is against all the past governments for pursuing deceptive politics. He accepts that Hurryat has a representative character but denies to join them for not being too strong to live a tough life like that of Hurryat leaders. He claimed that he knows miseries of Kashmiris well but people of India do not know the core cause of resentment of common people of Kashmir due to improper representation and betrayals by mainstream politicians at centre time and again. He says that he will convey the ground reality to India by talking with five hundred and fifty a vision is bound to falter. The electoral process and establishment of a government are not ultimate goals or ends in themselves but are means to nation-building and societal reconstruction. Even religious and political rhetoric remains simply rhetorical without a stable and representative government. We cannot underestimate the importance of standing up and being counted. It is important to understand powers vested in ministers are by the people who elect them to legislative assemblies, unlike the bureaucrat. It is ironic though that India is a country that is run by bureaucrats, because ministers get claustrophobic within the four walls of their offices. Sabre-rattling by the representatives of India and Pakistan is futile, and there will be no headway until the process of political negotiations and accommodation begins. Until the restoration of autonomy as a beginning, even the peopleoriented approach adopted by the then Vajpayee-led NDA government and Musharraf s four-point formula would remain merely notional. The writer is the author of Fiction of Nationality in an Era of Transnationalism; Islam Women, and Violence in Kashmir; and The Life of a Kashmiri Woman; and the editor of The Parchment of Kashmir Daily Times MPs after winning the election that what the real reason for resentment of people in Kashmir is. He claims that everyone is ready to listen the truth. But the question is that after listening the truth would they (Parliamentarians) take necessary measures to end the sufferings of Kashmiris. Shah Faesal may be having good intentions but it s difficult for the people not to nurse suspicions as he remains ambiguous about his future plans as a politician. One may like to believe an apparently well meaning and well qualified person to help bring good governance to the bruised state as compared to those who have only time and again betrayed people to attain power. But as they say once bitten twice shy, much maligned and abused people no longer want to repose trust on anyone blindly as it s this blind faith on the leaders of the past which brought them where they are today. Secondly competence of a bureaucrat does not necessarily make him a good politician not to talk of a leader. To wade through the murky waters of Kashmir politics one needs to possess a magic wand. Shah Faesal does have a huge fan following on social media and has an access to maximum number of people there. He may even have won the race in virtual media. But remember when it comes to actual delivery it would be an altogether different ball game. Taliban OK, Kashmiris Not OK Harinder Baweja My first visit to Afghanistan in 1996 was full of stark images. The country s Soviet-backed president, Mohammad Najibullah, was pulled out of the United Nations compound and strung to a pole. His body was left hanging for a few days. The Taliban had just marched into Kabul and seized power. Heady with success, the Talibs were decorating their Kalashnikovs with roses. Women were wrenched out of offices, assaulted and forced into burqas. Afghanistan changed overnight as the Taliban sought to rule through brute force, torturing women and literally stoning men to death in football fields. The same spectre looms, more than two decades on, despite America s global war against terror, initiated after its twin towers were downed in New York by pilots on a suicide mission. In 1996, the Indian diplomats had simply locked the embassy gates and run for dear life. Twenty-seven years later, India appears to be revising its policy vis a vis the Taliban, even though it has steadfastly maintained that there is no such thing as the good Taliban or bad Taliban. Apart from sending two retired diplomats to participate in the peace discussions hosted by Russia in November last year as unofficial members, the army chief, General Bipin Rawat, in a surprising statement, has advocated unconditional talks with the Taliban, whose ideology remains unaltered. General Rawat s logic is that India can t be left out of the bandwagon because India has interests in Afghanistan. He is right. Why should India not find a place at the table when major powers of the world, including the United s, China and Russia, are willing to talk to the Taliban? India has invested in war-torn Afghanistan long and hard and it is in its interest to not shun the militant group that looks set to play a role in the not too distant future. Doors for dialogue must always be kept open. The problem, however, is that General Rawat s largesse for the Taliban does not apply to his own people in Kashmir. Clarifying that the Taliban analogy cannot be applied in Jammu and Kashmir, General Rawat rejects unconditional talks with separatists and militants, asserting that any talks in the valley will be on our terms. That is plain hypocrisy. Shun the gun and stop taking directions from the western neighbour (Pakistan) are the conditions laid down by the army chief, who, not long ago, also threatened to kill jehadi supporters who tried to disrupt security operations in the state. The army has been a crucial part of the counter-insurgency grid in the nearly three decades that the state has been in the grip of violence. How much longer is the going to maim, blind and kill its own people? Where is the basic recognition of this plain, commonsensical fact: the women who rush to encounter sites or the young Kashmiris who are unafraid of dying are tired of living wretched lives in a militarised zone? Can the might of the bludgeon an entire community into weary acceptance of its prowess? The answer is there for those willing to listen. The General should be nudging the government towards a political resolution of the quagmire that is Kashmir, instead of seeking to draw a line in which he says talks will be on our own terms. If ever there was a need for an outreach, it is now when the local young people are finding militancy more attractive than the comfort of classrooms. The new age militant is more motivated than he is militarily-trained. And unlike in the 1990s, he is not seeking to cross over into Pakistan for weapons or training. General Rawat is missing a basic point. If several world capitals are today looking at ways of accommodating the Taliban, it is because Washington, Beijing and Moscow have understood that they need to work out a political framework to try and stop the strife in Afghanistan. Delhi needs to understand that as well. General Rawat, an important part of South Block, most certainly does. If he does, he would truly be serving the country s national interest. Hindustan Times

7 Think! Opinion, Analysis, Essays Saturday Please Spare Our Children! Niloofar Qureshi The time has come for a frank and free debate on the issue. However, there are bound to be some who despite the logical explanations given by some people still may not be convinced about negative legal and ethical consequences of using children in armed conflict. For such people perhaps the emotional words of 14 year old Mudasir s distraught father that I do not question his choice (of picking up the gun), but I feel he was too young for the responsibility, may make the difference as they convey an extremely profound message that ought to stir the conscience of even the mostcoldhearted! During a gunfight with security forces in Mujgund area on the outskirts of Srinagar that took place on December 9 last year, three militants associated with the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) were killed. While one of the deceased was identified as a Pakistani national, the other two were local Kashmiris. News of our youth who have joined militancy and are killed is always very distressing and extremely painful. However, two things made this particular incident even more heartrending; one, that these two deceased Kashmiris from Hajin had joined militant ranks barely three months ago, and two, both were minors-while Saqib Bilal Sheikh was merely 17 years old, Mudasir Ahmad was just 14! This isn t the first time that an incident of militant groups in Kashmir accepting minors as members has come to light. Hizbul Mujahideen (HM) commander Burhan Wani was 15 years old when he picked up the gun in Some other militants who were still minors when they were killed in encounters recently are: Faizan Ahmad Bhat of Tral who was 15 years old when he joined the Hizb and was killed two months later (May 27, 2017). Fardeen Khandey of Hyuna village of Jaish-e-Mohammad who was just 16 years old when he was killed during a fidayeen attack on a CRPF camp (December 31, 2017). Recruitment of minors as combatants (whether they are conscripts or volunteers) is strictly prohibited under international law and thus all those who want the world to recognise the ongoing armed struggle in Kashmir as a legitimate freedom struggle need to introspect. Readers would recollect that the annual report of the UN Secretary General on Children and Armed Conflict, covering the period January-December 2017, mentions that "one case (of child combatant) was attributed to Jaish-e-Mohammed and two to Hizbul Mujahideen." And though it also mentions security forces using children as informants and spies, but that s no consolation as the UN report has classified this observation as "unverified." Though the joint resistance leadership (JRL) of the Hurriyat paid rich tributes to the militants killed in the Mujgund encounter and the LeT chief Mahmood Shah boasted that Hundreds of youth are ready to pick up the fallen gun of Mudasir, both maintained a stoic silence on the legality and moral propriety of militant groups accepting minors for combat roles. This is particularly disturbing because Jammu and Kashmir Coalition of Civil Society (JKCCS) Convener Khurram Pervez did make an honest attempt to draw public attention to this important issue by saying, Under international law, no side can use minors during any military or militant operations, be it as informers or as militants. He went on to emphasise that Some Paramilitary soldiers force Kashmiri child to do situp introspection needs to take place at each and every level of society, but unfortunately none of the stakeholders have bothered to do so and resolve this issue that will certainly give the armed struggle in Kashmir a bad name. Unfortunately, while we seem to have all the time in the world to keep reminding the UN and international community about its moral responsibility towards Kashmir, we appear to have no time for soul searching to see whether we ourselves are fulfilling our responsibilities towards our young boys. When 15 year old Faizan was killed in 2017, Pervez sahib had made a very bold and significant remark putting the responsibility squarely on HM by saying, Faizan joined militant ranks and they (HM) owned him. Furthermore, by posing the crucial question How can a 15-year-old have his consent and adding that he is a minor and cannot take decisions on his own, the JKCCS convener put across the legal and ethical implications of militant groups using children in armed conflict in a very lucid manner. Unfortunately, his positive advice in 2017 went unheeded and the same has happened again in 2018! Besides Khurram Pervez, some others too aired their concerns on minors being recruited by militant groups. Journalist Shams Irfan expressed his anguish on the apathy exhibited by us as a community by saying A 14-year-old boy with an AK47 in hand depicts our collective failure to give these kids hope of life and future. Mudasir was too young to sacrifice his precious life for a cause he hardly understood. Dr Asima Hassan who is a member of Juvenile Justice Board (JJB) of Kashmir district has also expressed a similar view by stating stated that children are but innocent because they are young, immature and unable to decide the difference between right and wrong. And perhaps that s why Dr Hassan has gently reminded us that a society is known by how much it cares for its children, our future generation. If we do not care about them, we do not provide them right environment, we are going to be ruined. The time has come for a frank and free debate on the issue. However, there are bound to be some who despite the logical explanations given by people like Khurram Pervez, Dr Asima Hassan, Shams Irfan and others still may not be convinced about negative legal and ethical consequences of using children in armed conflict. For such people perhaps the emotional words of 14 year old Mudasir s distraught father that I do not question his choice (of picking up the gun), but I feel he was too young for the responsibility, may make the difference as they convey an extremely profound message that ought to stir the conscience of even the most coldhearted! Author is a New Delhi based commentator on Kashmir affairs. She can be reached at:niloofar.qureshi@yahoo.com Maneka Gandhi Poultries that are badly run and never inspected by competent health inspectors, who come for more than just collecting bribes, suffer from mites. The red mite, also known as poultry mite, infests chicken. Pesticide Menace: Are Eggs Safe To Eat? All over Europe eggs have been found to be contaminated by a dangerous pesticide called Fipronil. The eggs originated from poultry farms in Holland. Investigations into the illegal use of Fipronil on poultry farms have led to 180 big poultries being shut down. Millions of eggs and egg-based products like salads, sandwiches and mayonnaise have been pulled from supermarket shelves. So far Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Sweden, Britain, Austria, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Denmark, Switzerland and Hongkong have found Fipronil in their eggs. Fipronil is an insecticide not permitted for use around animals destined for consumption, or in any products destined for the human food chain. The effects of consuming it? Sweating, nausea, vomiting, headache, stomach pain, dizziness, weakness, and seizures. It can cause abnormalities of the thyroid, liver and kidneys, if consumed by humans. Since researchers found thyroid tumours in both male and female rats fed high doses, it has been classified as a "possible human carcinogen" by the United s Environmental Protection Agency. Scientists who fed Fipronil to rats found an increase in seizures. In another study, scientists found long-term exposure to fipronil affecting the reproductive ability of rats, less mating, reduced fertility, smaller litter size, and increased loss of pregnancy. Scientists also found decreased survival and delayed development in offspring. Early investigation has shown that a company called Poultry Vision in Belgium bought fipronil from Romania, mixed it with DEGA -16, an approved cleaning product, and sold it to Chickfriend in Holland, who sold it to poultries as a pest control services. The most disconcerting part has been the ease with which two men Martin van de Braak, and Mathijs IJzerman, owners of Chickfriend were able to avoid scrutiny after offering a miracle cure for lice infestation in chickens. The Maximum Residue Limit (MRL) of fipronil in eggs is set at 0,005 mg/kg within the European Union, as is outlined in Regulation (EC) No 396/2005 of the European Parliament. The Dutch food and product safety board (NVWA) reported that one batch of eggs, originating from one poultry farm in the Netherlands, exceeded 0.72 mg/kg. Poultries that are badly run and never inspected by competent health inspectors, who come for more than just collecting bribes, suffer from mites. The red mite, also known as poultry mite, infests chickens, and turkeys. Heavy infestations of mites decrease reproductive potential in males, egg production in females, and weight gain in young birds; they can also cause anaemia and death. Other mites, such as the depluming mite, burrows into the base of feather shafts, causing intense irritation, feather pulling and skin lesions. Different mites attack different areas of the chicken: feather mite, scaly leg mite, tropical fowl mite. Chiggers, harvest mites, red bugs feed on skin cells and lymph. Heavily parasitized birds become droopy, refuse to eat, and may die from starvation and exhaustion. Using good sanitation practices are important to prevent a build up of mite populations. But most poultries prefer to use strong chemicals. If eggs have fipronil in them, obviously the meat of the chickens will. If a pest infestation at a farm is treated with Fipronil, the animals' skin would absorb the insecticide. The Dutch food safety agency, the NVWA, officials are carrying out checks on chickens bred for meat. Is the use of fipronil in poultries new inspite of it being banned? No. Here is a blog from Greg O dated 11th May 2012: "I'm a professor in the Los Angeles area and want to do a study on Fipronil (Frontline) in eggs. Frontline is a common medication for cats/dogs for the control of fleas. Many people use Frontline to control fleas and mites in their chicken flock, but it turns out, there's no data on whether the active ingredient (Fipronil) actually makes it into the eggs. Although Frontline is effective in Chickens, there's no data on whether it enters the blood and then the eggs I'd like to study whether it gets into the eggs. Were you thinking of using Frontline on your flock this year? If so, please contact me at bodhiroc@gmail. com. I would ask to get some of your eggs before you give fipronil to your chickens and then for a period of weeks afterward (not every egg, just one every week or so). I'd promise to share my results with you and the entire LAUCE community." Why this fuss over eggs when Fipronil is being used in India on all our grains and vegetables? Heads & Tails Fipronil was developed by Rhone- Poulenc and placed on the market in 1993 under the US Patent No. US 5,232,940 B2. Since 2003, BASF holds the patent rights for fipronil-based products. It belongs to the phenylpyrazole chemical family. It is a white powder with a mouldy odour, used in a wide variety of pesticide products used to kill ants, beetles, cockroaches, fleas, ticks, termites, mole crickets, thrips, rootworms, weevils, stem borers, plant hoppers, leaf folders, gall midges, whorl maggots and moths. Come to India. We use Fipranol on everything we eat. Our insecticides, sold freely to illiterate farmers, contain fipranol to control stem borer insects and leaf folder insects in rice, early shoot borer pests in sugarcane and maize. We use it to control termites. We use it on golf courses, and commercial turf. We use it on chillies, fruit and cabbages. In the home you use it on dogs and cats to control ticks. You are supposed to cover your mouth and eyes, use plastic gloves and put one drop on the neck of the dog, or spray below the hair. It is not to be rubbed in. No one can stroke the dog. It cannot be used on ill or aged animals. It has to be wrapped very carefully in layers of paper before being discarded so that it doesn t make the other trash toxic. My hospital has been using it on the dogs that people bring. This is our last resort because so many animals have become ill after its use. Many animals have gone into organ failure. I would not recommend it except in extreme cases. Frontntline TopSpot, Fiproguard, Flevox, and PetArmor, Shwanfiproplus, Fiprospurt, Flip Spray, Fipronil S-Methospene Spot On, Fiprovet Spray, Protektor Spray, are some pet products. It is also used as Gel for cockroaches, called Care and Guard Cockroach Killer and Ranger. Agriculturally, under the trade name Regent, it is used on moths, butterflies, grasshoppers, locusts, beetles and thrips. Under the name Goliath and Nexa it is used for cockroach and ant control. Under the name Chipco Choice it is used for commercial lawn care, golf courses and cornfields. Under Adonis it is used for locust control. As Termidor, Ultrathor and Taurus, Combat Ant-Rid, Radiate it is used to control termites and ants. Its Indian names are Race, Fipgen for Weed Control, Fiprosik, CGent, Result, Prins, Fipscort, Officer, Fipro-C5, Getter, Replex, Prinol, Egent, V Guard, Himgent, Sharp, Glider, Recent, Quencher, Agent-5, Molgent, Farari, Agenda, Zoom, Balveer, Rider (which promotes itself as organic and natural), Agrican Fighter, Risent, Revolt, Bheem, Sultan, Rellington, Viper, Fipron, Aashirwaad, Fiprofort, Refree, Fiprofit. Fipronil is not allowed for use on cattle and especially dairy cows. But, in India some fipronil based products openly advertise it for dairies. According to studies, lactating animals secrete fipronil through milk, leading to a steady poisoning of the human body. According to the WHO, it can damage the liver, thyroid glands and kidneys if ingested in large amounts over time. Fipronil goes into the soil where it lasts for upto a year. It is highly toxic to fish, crustaceans and freshwater invertebrates, birds, honey bees, rabbits and chickens. Studies show that nontarget insects are also affected (naturally since it is a poison) in field trials for specific pests. Bees are the first to be affected. In May 2003, the French Directorate-General of Food at the Ministry of Agriculture determined that a case of mass bee mortality observed in southern France was related to acute fipronil toxicity and decided to suspend the sale of crop protection products containing fipronil in France. Fipronil is one of the chemicals blamed for the disappearance of bees. A 2013 report by the European Food Safety Authority identified fipronil as "a high acute risk to honeybees when used as a seed treatment for maize and on July 16, 2013 the EU voted to ban its use on corn and sunflowers within the EU. If Europe is having problems in supervising its food factories, can you imagine what is happening in India where FSSAI has no inspectors and no apparatus in which the law can be administered. How did Europe catch the culprits so soon? In the European Union, every egg is stamped with a number. Consumers can retrace the country of origin and which farm the egg is from. The media have published lists of the numbers of contaminated eggs. In India, you have no idea where your eggs, meat or milk come from. Animal rights and environment activist, Maneka Gandhi writes weekly column Heads & Tails for the Kashmir Observer. She can be reached at: gandhim@nic.in

8 B-group vitamins beneficial for psychotic patients ntake of B-group vitamin supplements may be beneficial for main- concentration skills Itaining among people experiencing a first episode of psychosis - a precursor to developing schizophrenia, finds a study. The findings showed that patients with psychosis who took vitamins B12, B6, and folic acid (vitamin B9) for over 12 weeks saw improvement in their cognitive functioning such as memory, attention, language and learning abilities. This indicates the B-vitamins could have a neuroprotective effect, said Kelly Allott from Orygen - an Australia-based research centre for youth mental health. They may also protect these skills from declining, Allott said. The study stems from previous studies in people with schizophrenia which revealed that increased intake of vitamins B12, B6, and folic acid (vitamin B9) could decrease patients levels of an amino acid called homocysteine and improve their symptoms. Allott said elevated levels of homocysteine in people living with schizophrenia had been associated with more severe symptoms. In the new study, reported in the journal Biological Psychiatry, 100 young people were randomly assigned to receive either B-vitamin supplements or a placebo tablet once per day over 12 weeks. During this period, patients homocysteine levels, symptoms and cognitive functioning were assessed. Participants who received the B- vitamin supplements performed better in completing concentration and attention tasks over the 12 weeks than the participants who received placebo. Interestingly, participants who had abnormally high homocysteine levels at baseline were most responsive to the B-vitamin supplements, in terms of improvement in attention. The results support a more personalised approach to vitamin supplementation in first episode of psychosis, suggesting those with elevated homocysteine are likely to benefit most, Allott said. () Life TIMES Saturday How long will you live? Genes will predict LONDON: Analysing the DNA may help predict whether a person will live longer or die sooner than average, according to a study. Researchers at the University of Edinburgh in the UK analysed the combined effect of genetic variations that influence lifespan to produce a scoring system. People who score in the top 10 per cent of the population might expect to live up to five years longer than those who score in the lowest 10 per cent, they said. The findings, published in the journal elife, also revealed fresh insights into diseases and the biological mechanisms involved in ageing. "If we take 100 people at birth, or later, and use our lifespan score to divide them into ten groups, the top group will live five years longer than the bottom on average," said Peter Joshi from the University of Edinburgh's Usher Institute. The researchers looked at genetic data from more than half a million people alongside records of their parents' lifespan. Some 12 areas of the human genome were pinpointed as having a significant impact on lifespan, including five sites that have not been reported before, according to the study. The DNA sites with the greatest impact on overall lifespan were those that have previously been linked to fatal illnesses, including heart disease and smoking-related conditions, researchers said. "We found genes that affect the brain and the heart are responsible for most of the variation in lifespan," said Paul Timmers, a PhD student at the Usher Institute. However, genes that have been linked to other cancers, not directly associated with smoking, did not show up in this study, the researchers said. This suggests that susceptibility to death caused by these cancers is either a result of rarer genetic differences in affected people, or social and environmental factors, they said. The researchers had hoped to discover genes that directly influence how quickly people age. They say that if such genes exist, their effects were too small to be detected in this study. (PTI) PARIS: The way humanity produces and eats food must radically change to avoid millions of deaths and catastrophic damage to the planet, according to a landmark study published on Thursday. The key to both goals is a dramatic shift in the global diet roughly half as much sugar and red meat, and twice as many vegetables, fruits and nuts, a consortium of three dozen researchers concluded in The Lancet, a medical journal. We are in a catastrophic situation, co-author Tim Lang, a professor at the University of London and policy lead for the EAT-Lancet Commission that compiled the 50-page study, told AFP. Currently, nearly a billion people are hungry and another two billion are eating too much of the wrong foods, causing epidemics of obesity, heart disease and diabetes. Unhealthy diets account for up to 11 million avoidable premature deaths every year, according to the most recent Global Disease Burden report. At the same time the global food system is the single largest emitter of greenhouse gases, the biggest driver of biodiversity loss, and the main cause of deadly algae blooms along coasts and inland waterways. Agriculture which has transformed nearly half the planet s land surface also uses up about 70 percent of the global fresh water supply. To have any chance of feeding 10 billion people in 2050 within planetary boundaries the limits on Earth s capacity to absorb human activity we must adopt a healthy diet, slash food waste, and invest in technologies that reduce environmental impacts, said co-author Johan Rockstrom, director of the Potsdam Institute for Climate Change Impact Research. It is doable but it will take nothing less than global agricultural revolution, he told AFP. The cornerstone of the great food transformation called for in the study is a template human diet of about HUMAN DIET 2500 calories per day. We are not saying everyone has to eat in the same way, Lang said by phone. But broadly especially in the rich world it means a reduction of meat and dairy, and a major increase in plant consumption. The diet allows for about seven grammes of red meat per day, and up to 14. A typical hamburger patty, by comparison, is 125 to 150 grammes. For most rich nations, and many emerging ones such as China and Brazil, this would represent a dras- tic five-to-ten-fold reduc- tion. A Catastrophe For The et Beef is the main culprit. Not only do cattle pass massive quantities of planet-warming methane, huge swathes of carbon-absorbing forests mostly in Brazil are cut down every year to make room for them. For climate, we know that coal is the low-hanging fruit, the dirtiest of fossil fuels, said Rockstrom. On the food side, the equivalent is grain-fed beef. It takes at least five kilos of grain to produce a kilo of meat. And once that steak or lamb chop hits the plate, about 30 pe rcent will wind up in the garbage bin. Dairy is also limited to about one cup (250 grammes) of whole milk or its equivalent in cheese or yoghurt per day, and only one or two eggs per week. At the same time, the diet calls for a more than 100 per cent increase in legumes such as peas and lentils, along with vegetables, fruits and nuts. Grains are considered to be less healthy sources of nutrients. We can no longer feed our population a healthy diet while balancing planetary resources, said The Lancet editor-in-chief Richard Horton. For the first time in 200,000 years of human history, we are severely out of sync with the planet and Nature. The report drew heavy fire from the livestock and dairy industry, and some experts. It goes to the extreme to create maximum attention, but we must be more responsible when making serious dietary recommendation, said Alexander Anton, secretary general of the European Dairy Association, noting that dairy products are packed with nutrients and vitamins. Christopher Snowdon of the Institute of Economic Affairs in London said the report reveals the full agenda of nanny-state campaigners. We expected these attacks, said Lang. But the same food companies pushing back against these findings realise that they may not have a future if they don t adapt, he said. The question is: does this come by crisis, or do we start planning for it now. Some multinationals responded positively, if cautiously, to the study. We need governments to help accelerate the change by aligning national dietary guidelines with healthy and sustainable requirements, and repurposing agricultural subsidies, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development said in a statement. () Colleagues' rudeness can affect your sleep: study I f you re unable to sleep properly, blame your co-worker who is rude, uses sarcastic comments and demeaning language. According to a study, workplace uncivilities can not only affect an employee s sleep but also their partner s. The study found that when a person experiences rude, discourteous, impolite colleagues at workplace, they tend to ruminate more about work at home. They also face trouble falling asleep or may wake up in the middle of the night. This also affects the spouse or partner, only when the couple works in the same company or occupation, the researchers said. It is because work-linked couples have a better idea of what s going on in each other s work, they can be better supporters, said Charlotte Fritz, Associate Professor from the Portland University in the US. They probably know more about the context of the uncivil act and might be more pulled into the venting or problem-solving process. While organisations do everything in their power to create a culture of civility by imposing zero-tolerance policies or offering civility training, uncivilities at workplace are not completely avoidable. However, mentally detaching from work during non-work hours by spending time with family and friends or enjoying hobbies and practising meditation at work and home are important. It can help both the employees and their spouses. They can talk about work, vent about it, discuss it, but then they should make an explicit attempt to unwind together and create good conditions for sleep, Fritz noted. For the study, the team involved 305 couples in a variety of jobs. () Artificial Intelligence helps find previously unknown human ancestor LONDON: In artificial intelligence system has identified a previously unknown human ancestor that roamed the planet tens of thousands of years ago and left a genomic footprint in Asian individuals, scientists say. By combining deep learning algorithms and statistical methods, researchers from the University of Tartu in Estonia, Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE), and the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) in Spain and found that the extinct species was a hybrid of Neanderthals and Denisovans and cross bred with modern humans in Asia. The finding, published in Nature Communications, would explain that the hybrid found last year in the caves of Denisova -- the offspring of a Neanderthal mother and a Denisovan father was not an isolated case, but rather was part of a more general introgression process. Researchers used deep learning for the first time ever to account for human evolution, paving the way for the application of this technology in other questions in biology, genomics and evolution. One of the ways of distinguishing between two species is that while both of them may cross breed, they do not generally produce fertile descendants. However, this concept is much more complex when extinct species are involved. In fact, the story told by current human DNA blurs the lines of these limits, preserving fragments of hominids from other species, such as the Neanderthals and the Denisovans, who coexisted with modern humans more than 40,000 years ago in Eurasia. "About 80,000 years ago, the so-called Out of Africa occurred, when part of the human population, which already consisted of modern humans, abandoned the African continent and migrated to other continents, giving rise to all the current populations," said Jaume Bertranpetit, principal investigator at the IBE. "We know that from that time onwards, modern humans cross bred with Neanderthals in all the continents, except Africa, and with the Denisovans in Oceania and probably in South-East Asia, although the evidence of cross-breeding with a third extinct species had not been confirmed with any certainty," said Bertranpetit. Hitherto, the existence of the third ancestor was only a theory that would explain the origin of some fragments of the current human genome (part of the team involved in this study had already posed the existence of the extinct hominid in a previous study). However, deep learning has made it possible to make the transition from DNA to the demographics of ancestral populations. It is the first time that deep learning has been used successfully to explain human history, paving the way for this technology to be applied in other questions in biology, genomics and evolution. The deep learning analysis has revealed that the extinct hominid is probably a descendant of the Neanderthal and Denisovan populations. "Our theory coincides with the hybrid specimen discovered recently in Denisova, although as yet we cannot rule out other possibilities," said Mayukh Mondal, an investigator of the University of Tartu. (PTI) Regular physical activity in old age may protect brain from dementia WASHINGTON: Exercising regularly, or even undertaking routine housework, may help preserve thinking and memory skills in older adults who have developed early symptoms of Alzheimer's disease. The research showed that exercise is an inexpensive way to improve health, create protective effect on the brain. "We measured levels of physical activity in study participants an average of two years prior to their deaths, and then examined their donated brain tissue after death, and found that a more active lifestyle may have a protective effect on the brain," said Aron S Buchman, from Rush University in the US. "People who moved more had better thinking and memory skills compared to those who were more sedentary and did not move much at all," said Buchman, lead author of the study published in the journal Neurology. The researchers found movement may provide cognitive reserve to help maintain thinking and memory skills when there are signs of Alzheimer's disease pathology present in the brain. The study assessed 454 older adults; 191 had dementia and 263 did not. All participants were given physical exams and thinking and memory tests every year for 20 years. The participants agreed to donate their brains for research upon their deaths. The average age at death was 91 years. At an average of two years before death, researchers gave each participant an activity monitor called an accelerometer. The wrist-worn device monitored physical activity around the clock, including everything from small movements such as walking around the house to more vigorous activity like exercise routines. Researchers collected and evaluated seven days of movement data for each participant and calculated an average daily activity score. The results were measured in counts per day, with an overall average of 160,000 counts per day. People without dementia had an average of 180,000 counts per day, and people with dementia had an average of 130,000 counts per day. Researchers found that higher levels of daily movement were linked to better thinking and memory skills. The study also found that people who had better motor skills -- skills that help with movement and coordination -- also had better thinking and memory skills. For every increase in physical activity by one standard deviation, participants were 31 per cent less likely to develop dementia. For every increase in motor ability by one standard deviation, participants were 55 per cent less likely to develop dementia. Buchman said analysis showed that physical activity and motor abilities accounted for eight percent of the difference among people's scores on the thinking and memory tests. After participants' death, researchers examined their donated brain tissue, looking for lesions and biomarkers of dementia and Alzheimer's disease. The relationship between activity and test scores was consistent even when researchers adjusted for the severity of participants' brain lesions. They also found that the relationship was consistent in both people who had dementia and people who did not have dementia. The link between a higher level of physical activity and better thinking and memory skills was unrelated to the presence of biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease and related disorders. (PTI) H

9 SENSEX NIFTY GOLD SILVER 36, , , J&K BANK HDFC BANK AXIS BANK ICICI BANK , (0.034%) (0.39%) (0.016%) ((99.9%) (-0.74%) 2.30 (0.11%) (1.83%) 2.60 (0.69%) Business Saturday DOLLAR EURO KUWAITI DINAR POUND YUAN SAUDI RIYAL JK Tourism s promotional campaign concludes at SATTE Tourism Deptt to organize travel show at Pune on Jan 21 Mukesh Ambani implores Modi to act against 'data colonisation' PRESS TRUST OF INDIA Gandhinagar - Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani on Friday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take steps against 'data colonisation', especially by global corporations, stating that Indian data must be owned by Indians. Invoking Mahatma Gandhi's movement against political colonisation, Ambani said India now needs a new movement against data colonisation. "Gandhiji led India's movement against political colonisation. Today, we have to collectively launch a new movement against data colonisation," Ambani said at the Vibrant Gujarat PRESS TRUST OF INDIA NEW DELHI: Streaming giants Netflix, Hotstar and a clutch of other platforms have signed a 'self-regulatory code' for not showing in India any content considered disrespectful to national symbols and religions, in a bid to avoid a potential censorship crackdown in the booming market. The platforms, including SonyLiv and Viacom's Voot, have agreed to follow a voluntary industry code of conduct that provides for not showing content that disrespects the national emblem or flag, promotes terrorism or outrages religious sentiments of any community. Amazon Prime, however, has not signed up for the pact that also covers sexual topics, among others, and sets a mechanism for consumer complaints. The move is being seen as a bid to thwart any action by the government in the form of potential censorship or regulations. The self-regulatory Code of Best Practices whose other signatories include Zee5, Arre, ALT Balaji, Jio Digital Life and Eros Now has been signed under the aegis of industry body Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI). "We provide customers with compelling content they love and creators a forum to create unique and passionate stories. While we are assessing the situation, we believe that the current laws are adequate to fulfill this mission," an Global Summit in Gandhinagar. Stressing that, in this new world, data is the new wealth, Ambani said, "India's data must be controlled and owned by Indian people and not by corporates, specially global corporations." Ambani further said, "For India to succeed in this data-driven revolution, we will have to migrate the control and ownership of Indian data back to India. In other words, give Indian wealth back to every Indian." Stating that the "entire world has come to recognise" Modi "as a man of action", Ambani said, "Honourable prime minister, am sure you will make this one of the principal goals of your Digital India mission." PRESS TRUST OF INDIA New Delhi, Jan 17 (PTI) Snapping the four-day rally, gold prices Friday witnessed a fall of Rs 80 to Rs 33,220 per 10 gram at the bullion market in the national capital on sluggish demand from jewellers, according to the All India Sarafa Association. Silver, however, advanced by Rs 180 to Rs 40,380 per kg on increased demand from industrial units and coin makers. Traders attributed the decline to subdued demand from local jewellers and weak trend overseas. Globally, gold traded lower at USD 1, an ounce Netflix, Hotstar, 7 other streaming platforms sign 'self-regulation code' NEW DELHI- Department of Tourism, J&K, concluded its promotional campaign at South Asian Travel and Tourism Exhibition (SATTE) here. During the campaign officials and stakeholders interacted with the leading travel and tourism industry leaders from across the globe. The Department also held interactions with representatives from regional and national media persons during the three-day exhibition. SATTE is one of the biggest travel shows in Asia providing platform for travel agents, tour operators, hoteliers, destination management companies, tourism boards to sell their products and network to their potential clients from across the globe. Besides, J&K Tourism Department, over hundred travel agents, hoteliers, other service providers and heads of the various travel and hotel associations from the state participated in the travel show to showcase the s tourism potential. Secretary Tourism, Rigzin Samphel, Director Tourism Kashmir Nisar Ahmad Wani and Director Tourism Jammu Om Prakash Bhagat along with other senior officers from the Department participated in the travel show. The Secretary Tourism said they had a fruitful interaction with the travel and tourism industry leaders who were keen to promote the J&K state among the travellers. SATTE provided a platform for the Department and for the travel companies, hoteliers and houseboat owners of our state to project state s tourism potential. During our interaction, the destination sellers showed keen interest to promote J&K which is a complete package for any traveller, said the Secretary Tourism at the concluding day of the exhibition. Over visitors, including domestic and international sellers and buyers, tourism officials, heads of international tourism boards, hoteliers, and aviation experts showcased their products and services to the global trade community at the three day event. During the convention, local travel and hospitality sector also conducted business sessions with the visitors and the principal agents. Tourism Department also screened short films on different destinations and on various themes for the visitors who were mesmerized to see the s stunning beauty and diverse tourism products. Meanwhile, Jammu and KashmirTourism Department has decided to organize a travel show at Pune on January 21, 2019, where the local travel and tour operators from Maharashtra have been invited. The Director Tourism Kashmir said the department has planned series of road shows and shall also participate in travel marts in the next two months. Gold snaps 4-day rally on subdued demand Amazon India spokesperson said. IAMAI said the code has been in the works for over a year. "The Code... establishes guiding principles for Online Curated Content (OCC) Providers to conduct themselves in a responsible and transparent manner and at the same time ensures that consumer interests are protected," IAMAI said in a statement. Under the code, the players will ensure that they do not deliberately and maliciously make available any content which disrespects the national emblem or national flag; or shows a child engaged in real or simulated sexual activities. Also prohibited is content which outrages religious sentiments of any class, section or community; which promotes or encourages terrorism; and content that has been banned for distribution by online video service under law or by any court. "This effort brings together the key pillars of protecting interests of consumers in viewing content of their choice and defending creative freedom. This shall ensure that all signatories to the code agree to adhere to uniform principles and guidelines contained in this code, in letter and spirit," said the code. The signatories, it said, will adopt the best practices to ensure a clear and transparent disclosure system informing viewers about the nature of content and advise viewer discretion so consumers are informed about the content that they are accessing. This would be done by classifying content into distinct categories like general/universal viewing, content requiring parental guidance and content which is solely meant for age-appropriate audiences. The nine players have also pledged to display a content descriptor or guidance message informing viewers about nature of the content, particularly around age-inappropriate content for minors. The code also involves a complaint redressal mechanism. "All signatories... agree to internally appoint/institute, as part of their operational systems, a dedicated person, team or department to receive and address any consumer related concerns and complaints in relation to content of the respective providers," reads the code. Such a department will "act as the single point of contact for receiving all complaints from users; and examine the complaints in accordance with the principles in this code and accordingly advise other departments/internal stakeholders within the relevant OCC Provider," it said, adding that complaints will have to be acknowledged within three working days of receipt. In case of violation of the code, the department concerned after holding discussions will have to communicate to the aggrieved person within 30 days the precautionary measures taken to address the complaint. and silver stood steady at USD an ounce in New York In the national capital, gold of 99.9 per cent and 99.5 per cent purities reduced by Rs 80 each to Rs 33,220 per 10 grams and Rs 33,070 per 10 gram, respectively. In the past four days, gold prices had gone up by Rs 425. Sovereign gold held steady at Rs 25,500 per piece of eight gram. Silver ready gained by Rs 180 to Rs 40,380 per kg, while weekly-based delivery dropped Rs 110 to Rs 39,580 per kg. Silver coins, however, held flat at Rs 77,000 for buying and Rs 78,000 for selling of 100 pieces. Vijay Sinha PM's pre-poll handouts to cost billions, breach fiscal targets: Report New Delhi: A series of votecatching measures planned by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he braces for a difficult general election may cost more than Rs 1 lakh crore, two sources with direct knowledge of the matter said. Much of the cost of the extra spending or revenue losses would have to be borne by the government that will take charge after the election due by May. The spending is also likely to delay plans to reduce the government's budget deficit, a key indicator of the nation's economic health. PM Modi's Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) lost three major state elections at the end of last year, largely due to anger in rural India in the face of low crop prices and rising costs. PM Modi remains the front-runner for the general election, according to opinion polls, but his once-invincible image has been dealt a heavy blow. The government is expected to unveil handouts mostly aimed at farmers in an interim budget to be presented on February 1, said the sources, both government officials. While no final decisions have been taken, the measures could include direct transfers of funds into farmers' bank accounts and interest-free loans for them. The giveaways will come on top of tax sops, job reservations and policies favouring local businesses that have already been made public. The new measures have to be announced before election dates are finalised by the Election Commission, possibly in March or April, after which there will be curbs on policies that could influence voting. A spokesman for the Ministry of Finance did not respond to an e- mail seeking comment. The BJP's economic affairs spokesman, Gopal Krishna Agarwal, told Reuters this week that the party favoured an expansionary economic policy that would give space to growth-boosting measures as inflation stays low. The BJP also does not consider the finance ministry's plan to keep the fiscal deficit to 3.3 per cent of gross domestic product in the current April-March fiscal year as "sacrosanct", he said, comments which pushed bond yields higher and hurt the rupee. "Addressing farmer distress is the most important thing," Agarwal told Reuters. "You need an expansionary policy. You chase growth in the economy, you do not chase these parameters like fiscal deficit." Since the state election losses, the Modi government has exempted many small businesses from paying taxes under the unified goods and services tax (GST), and is considering raising the income level at which people need to pay personal tax. The government also plans to spend millions of dollars to add new seats in colleges You have finally bought your dream vehicle, and now you need to take certain measures to protect it. The first step is purchasing a car insurance policy. As per Motor Vehicles Act, 1988, it is mandatory for car owners to have a third-party motor insurance policy. A comprehensive car insurance policy offers car owners much-needed financial protection against untoward incidents. It provides coverage against natural and manmade calamities such as riots, strikes, floods, earthquakes, theft, and vandalism. The owner may also gain protection against bodily injuries, death, as well as damage to property. With a plethora of car insurance policies with as many motor insurance providers in the market, choosing the one that fits your needs at the most competitive price may be a daunting task. Keep the following five tips in mind to buy a car insurance cover for your vehicle at competitive prices. 1) Choose Your Car Insurance Carefully Before you buy car insurance online, it is imperative to do your due diligence. Do a thorough research of the various car insurance policies by checking the features and benefits against the price charged by the car insurance provider. Once this box is ticked, you can check other aspects such as premium payment methods, claims settlement ratio of the car insurance company, the procedure for making motor insurance claims, and reputation of the car insurance provider. Online car insurance distribution channels might be cheaper than traditional offline methods due to elimination or reduction of paperwork. 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This lets you save a significant amount of money and universities to accommodate a 10 per cent quota announced recently for the less well-off among upper caste Hindus and people from other religions. The Congress called it the reaction of a "panic-stricken" administration. "Fearing an impending loss in the election, the government wants to bandage this crisis situation by giving interestfree loans and income-support schemes," said Gourav Vallabh, a Congress spokesman. "Like all other schemes, this is a hurriedly prepared scheme by a panic-stricken Modi government." He said the countryside was in the throes of the "worst agrarian crisis in 20 years", because of Modi's shock ban on then existing high-denomination bank notes in 2016 and a chaotic implementation of the GST in The interest-free loans for farmers, to be given by state banks who would be compensated by the government, could cost Rs 120 billion a year, the government sources told Reuters, declining to be identified as the discussions are not public. "But this alone will not be enough," said one of the sources. "We will need another 400 billion for various schemes that we need to top that with." They said the personal and commercial tax concessions could lead to a revenue loss of up to Rs 250 billion. This would include a proposed GST rate cut for cement to 18 per cent from 28 per cent that would lead to an annual revenue loss of Rs 130 billion. The sources also said giving Rs 2,000-4,000 per hectare to land-owning farmers was another option being considered, which would be "costly but effective". That alone could cost more than Rs 1 trillion, they said, but if implemented, the government may not go for other measures like interest-free loans. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to pay the government a dividend of up to Rs 400 billion by March, Reuters reported earlier this month citing sources, but that will far from make up the difference. Moody's Investors Service has already said India's federal fiscal deficit target could slip to about 3.4 per cent of GDP in the current fiscal year because of revenue shortfalls from GST collections, lower excise duty on your car insurance renewal. A tip on getting complete benefits of this feature is to avoid filing for small car insurance claims as you may seek a higher NCB in the long run. One thing that you must keep in mind is that NCB is transferable from one vehicle to another, therefore you are likely to enjoy lower car insurance premiums for your new vehicle too. 3) Opt for deductibles Opting for deductibles reduces your motor insurance premium amount significantly. A deductible is an out-of-pocket expense payable at the time of making a motor insurance claim. For example, if you opt for a deductible of INR 5,000, and the repair expenses are to the tune of INR 20,000, you are required to only pay the initial amount of INR 5,000, while the motor insurance provider pays the rest. Although it is true that deductibles lower your car insurance premium, do not opt for a deductible more than what you can comfortably afford. Otherwise, this may defeat the entire purpose of purchasing a car insurance policy. 4) Enjoy Discounts You may enjoy additional discounts on car insurance premiums by becoming members of certain automobile organisations such as the and below-target government asset sales. Many Indian states have also let their financial discipline slip, especially around the time of elections, economists say. Moody's said India's combined federal and state government fiscal deficit was about 6.6 per cent of GDP in the last fiscal year, significantly higher than the median of 2.6 per cent for countries that have India's Baa rating. "Increased expenditure on income transfers, farm loan waivers or other forms of subsidies would weigh further on government finances," said William Foster, a vice president at Moody's. The government's stated commitment is to bring down the fiscal deficit to 3.1 per cent of GDP by the end of March 2020, and to 3 per cent by March Those targets could now be delayed, the sources said. asince defeating the BJP in the heartland states of Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh late last year, Congress has announced farm loan waivers in those states and has promised to do something similar across the country if voted back to power in the general election. It has also announced free housing and free food allowances for the poor, among other measures, in these states. One of the government sources said the biggest financial impact of the federal government's planned extra spending would be seen in the next fiscal year, which could mean missing the short-term fiscal deficit target of 3 per cent of GDP by But he said the government was not unduly worried about such a slippage given that its financial discipline has been very good over the past five years. This person added that the government was also expecting a Reserve Bank of India panel, led by former Governor Bimal Jalan, to recommend a less-conservative contingency reserve for the central bank, which could free up trillions of rupees for government use in the next 2-3 years beginning next fiscal year. Jalan last week declined to comment on his panel's planned recommendations. "We can delay the mediumterm fiscal targets since we have credibility with the target by a year or two and I don't think markets should see this adversely," the source said. Tips on how to reduce your car insurance premium Western India Automobile Association (WIAA) and Automobile Association of India. As far as add-ons are concerned, you may consider choosing your car insurance riders decisively. Though riders offer more coverage over your basic car insurance policy, they come at an additional price. Some of the most common riders associated with car insurance include zero depreciation, daily cash allowance cover, roadside assistance and NCB protect. You may assess all of the options and purchase those that are applicable to you. 5) Renew Your Motor Insurance Policy Before It Lapses A failure to renew your car insurance policy on time might result in a policy lapse. Not only will you lose the benefits in case of an unfortunate event, but you will also be deprived of discounts and benefits that you would have otherwise been eligible for. For example, you may miss the NCB benefit accumulated over the years, and, as a result, pay higher motor insurance premiums. In order to continue enjoying benefits, renew your car insurance policy on a timely basis. You could update your contact details with the company so that you get car insurance renewal alerts on time. Some other ways of reducing your car insurance premium include choosing a higher policy tenure and maintaining a good driving record. If you have insurance policies in other categories, say health insurance, you may approach the same provider and request for a discount as a loyalty reward. These tips will go a long way in helping you buy the best car insurance in India. (Deccan Chronicle)

10 News Saturday Launch of Doordarashan s comedy series Chalo Saaf Karein Doordarshan and the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation, come together, to propagate the concept of swachhta through a situational comedy FROM FRONT PAGE NEW DELHI: Doordarshan along with the Ministry of Drinking Water and Sanitation launches Chalo Saaf Karen - a one of a kind show that revolves around cleanliness and sanitation with a comic twist. The objective of this show is to make people understand the concept and importance of cleanliness in an entertaining and engaging manner, and help them adopt it in their everyday lives. The curtain raiser episode, to introduce the show to our viewers, will be aired on 18th January, 2019 followed by the series from 19th January, The laughter riot will continue on the weekends, Saturday and Sunday at 10 P.M. on DD National. The series is based in a village named Albelaganj, its cleanliness and hygiene issues, and the protagonist of the show is Palak portrayed by Rashmi Desai, who is a strong follower of Gandhian ideology and Swachhta. Aruna Irani would be seen portraying the role of Dadi, Anita Raj as the Maharani and Raghubir Yadav as Vijay Jasoos to keep the laughter meter soaring high as they go about bringing a change in the approach of residents of the village. Apart from Anita Raj, Aruna Irani, Raghubir Yadav, the show features Bollywood actors like Rakesh Bedi, Gopi Bhalla, Upasana Singh, Shashi Kiran and Birbal Khosla, with a few new entries like Mukesh Tiwari, thus making it one of the biggest star cast in Doordarshan s shows since a long time. Doordarshan teased it s viewers for quite some time, to identify the program s lead, who was revealed to be Rashmi Desai of Uttaran fame, in the recently launched promos. Ashish Lal is paired opposite to her, as the male lead. The show looks like a refreshing and promising start to the New Year. Doordarshan with the Ministry of Sanitation and Drinking water will soon be launching another show- Safar Manzilo ka, wherein Manoj Bajpai, as our celebrity anchor, will bring to light the journey of unsung heroes of cleanliness. Avalanche Buries SDRF, Army and GREF. The rescue teams has so far recovered the five bodies and the searches operation to retrieve the remaining five was stopped in the evening in wake of darkness and will be resumed tomorrow morning, the official said. A defence ministry spokesman said two civilian trucks alongwith 10 civilians were buried under an avalanche of approximately 20 feet depth early on Friday. The message of this unfortunate incident was given to the Army detachment at Khardungla Top at approx 0745hrs by the two civilian drivers. Immediately on receipt of this information all resources of the Fire & Fury Corps were activated, the spokesman said. Army teams deployed near the incident site swiftly moved and commenced the search and rescue operations, he said. Troops deployed at South Pullu & North Pullu were also moved to the incident site, he said. Simultaneously, the Army Aviation helicopters were pressed into action to move the highly trained avalanche rescue teams of the Army called Avalanche Panthers Teams from Siachen Base camp and North Pullu. He said these teams are equipped with specialised avalanche rescue equipment, medical equipment and avalanche rescue dogs, which are being utilised in the search and rescue operations. Army Aviation helicopters were also used to move the Deep Search Radars which can detect human beings through snow. Medical teams alongwith doctors and nursing assistants, heating blankets, medical equipment and warm clothing were moved to the avalanche site from the Army Hospital at Hunder, he said. Lieutenant General YK Joshi, GOC Fire & Fury Corps personally carried out an aerial assessment of the incident and issued necessary directions for the smooth conduct of the rescue operations, the spokesman said. Out of the 10 civilians reported to be buried under the avalanche, four bodies have so far been recovered and mangled pieces of one of the tippers was found on the steep slopes below the road, he said, adding, The rescue operations are still in progress. Governor Satya Pal Malik has expressed grief over loss of precious lives due to snow avalanche at Khardung La in Leh district, this morning. In his message Governor has prayed for eternal peace to the departed souls and strength to the bereaved families in their hour of grief. Governor has announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 5 lakh for the Next of the Kin of those killed in the Avalanche. Snow Falls As Himalayan Region (WHR) from January 20 to 24, reads an advisory issued here by the meteorological department. Under the influence of this system, moderate to heavy snow/rain( in plains of Jammu region) is expected at widespread places of Jammu, Kashmir & Ladakh region. Light snowfall would commence at a few places of Kashmir on January 19th forenoon and increase in intensity and distribution thereafter, it says, adding, The main activity of this system (heavy to very heavy with isolated very heavy rain/snow) is most likely during January 20 to 23 and gradual decrease thereafter. As per the advisory, the weather system may lead to disruption of surface and air transportation like Srinagar-Jammu highway. It may lead to disruption of surface and air transportation like national highway (Srinagar- Jammu) and other major roads of the state, it says. The advisory says that heavy precipitation may cause avalanches in higher reaches, landslide, water logging in low lying areas. Farmers are advised to take all precautionary measures to avoid loses due to heavy snow and rain. The weatherman also forecast significant fall in day temperature and slight rise in night temperature during the day. Meanwhile, a meteorological department official said that Srinagar recorded a maximum of 3.7 degree Celsius, more than three degrees below normal for this time of the year, while low settle at minus 0.7 degree Celsius. The famous hill resort of Pahalgam recorded a maximum of 1.4 degree Celsius while Qazigund, the gateway town of Kashmir, recorded day temperature of 3.4 degrees Celsius while Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a maximum of 1.6 degrees Celsius. The MeT official said the famous ski-resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir saw a maximum of minus 1.0 degrees Celsius and minimum of minus 10.0 degrees Celsius. Kupwara town in north Kashmir registered a maximum of 4.8 degrees Celsius and a low of minus 2.8 degree Celsius, the official said. Reports said that light snowfall has started in Srinagar and Ganderbal district of central Kashmir and some other parts of the Valley. Mirwaiz On Army sentiment driven youth forced to take to arms as a consequence of severe repression due to forcible control and what they ( youth)feel, failure of political means to express what is essentially a political demand for self determination. He said it was simply the intensity of their passion that drives the young boys, who are poorly trained and starved of ammunition to be able to give a real fight, in the greatly unequal battle to an armed force of a country. And yet these boys do, and give up their precious lives for the cause they hold dear. The pain and loss that all of Kashmir feels at their martyrdom only adds to people s resolve and pushes more young to join in. Instead of admitting this, he said, the armed force of a country that prides itself in the history of its freedom struggle by honouring the likes of Subhas Chander Bose who raised Indian National Army to fight the British colonial rule, sells the killing of these armed youth as a great achievement to people of India. Mirwaiz said that many in Indian army have in their write ups and lectures admitted that J&K is a political problem that has to be resolved as such. Mirwaiz said the whole world reiterates that there can be no military solution to the dispute. He said those who are using Militirasation to prolong the status quo should understand that it comes with a cost and keeps increasing complexities. Mirwaiz said that while the incumbent governor has said that Government does not want to kill militants but militancy, if it is so and they are sincere then government should address the cause that is leading these educated and young boys to take to arms by starting a political process in earnest to address the sentiment behind it and resolve the dispute. It will not only save the lives of our youth but soldiers also, end militarisation and the resultant atrocities that governor sb wants leadership to convey to him, and end the uncertainty and hostility that the region is hostage to for past 71 years. Now DCs Asked celebrated in a befitting manner(sic), reads an order issued by the government. It shall also be ensured that the officers/officials/ employees of their respective Districts, attend the function as a part of their official duty. Besides, invitation may be extended to the local representatives and the general public to participate in the Republic Day function, it added. The main R-Day functions is scheduled to be held at the University of Jammu where the Governor will take the salute. At Srinagar, the main function will take place at Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium, Sonawar here. he government on Tuesday last ordered its employees to attend main R-Day function in Jammu and Srinagar on January 26 as part of their official duty and warned them for failure. Republic Day is an important national event celebrated on January 26 each year. It is the duty of every government servant to attend the function which commemorates an important turning point in the history of our Nation, reads a circular issued by government. All the officers and officials of the Government stationed at Jammu and Srinagar are, therefore, enjoined upon to attend the functions of the Republic Day Celebration, 2019, at the University of Jammu and Sher-i-Kashmir Cricket Stadium, Sonawar, Srinagar respectively, as a part of their official duty, it said. Failure to attend the function will be constructed as dereliction of duty and disobedience of Government instructions, it said. All the Administrative Secretaries, Heads of the Departments, Managing Directors/Chief Executives of the Public Sector Undertakings are requested to ensure that all officers/officials working under their administrative control, and stationed at Srinagar/Jammu, attend the function at their respective places, the circular added. Grenade Attacks in Lal Chowk Srinagar, the busiest market in the heart of city. In the blast there was no immediate report of any injury to person. However, reports of damage to some vehicles and glasses of some shops were reported. The government forces launched massive searches in the area and carried frisking of the pedestrian. At Gagran Shopian, militants hurled a grenade on SOG camp. However, there was no report of any injury in the explosion. Police had to attend two terror crime spots today following the reports of grenade attack by (militant) at Srinagar and Shopian, a police spokesman said. Officers from the local police units immediately reached to both the spots on Friday afternoon to initiate the investigation in the matter. While attending the spot, officers did not receive any report pertaining to the loss of life or property, the spokesman said. Police has registered cases for both the incidents, the spokesman said and added that the officers from the local police units are at work to establish the full circumstances which led to these incidents. On Thursday, an ASI of police and two traffic cops were injured in a grenade attack at Zero Bridge area of Rajbagh, Srinagar. Meanwhile, like yesterday s attack, Jaish-e- Mohammad (JeM) militant outfit claimed responsibly for the grenade attacks in which it said several paramilitary forces personnel were injured. A spokesperson of JeM Mohammad Hassan in a statement issued to a local news agency GNS claimed that three forces personnel were critically injured in the attack on a CRPF vehicle at Lal Chowk just few steps away from the Ghanta Ghar (Clock Tower). He also claimed that several forces personnel were critically injured in the attack at Gagran in south Kashmir's Shopian district. Police Issues Advisory frisking of people here. The present security situation in the state, some nakas and frisking points have been established in the city as well as rural areas for the security and safety of the people, advisory issued by the Inspector-General of Police office here. "People are requested to cooperate with police at naka and frisking points. Do not feel it as harassment by police," it said. The advisory said that from the security point of view, it is requested to all the school managements in the district to not allow any stranger and give necessary precautionary instructions to students. People are also requested to take preventive actions like not touching any abandoned object, informing police immediately on seeing any suspicious person and object or material. "If you have any information about any antinational and anti-social elements, please contact your nearest police station or dial 100 which is available round-the-clock," the advisory said. It asked passengers travelling in vehicles to be alert while tavelling and going at crowded places like - bus stand, railway station, shopping complex, malls, hospitals. The advisory said that all the station house officers and incharge police posts have been directed to remain present in their respective jurisdiction round-the-clock. The incharge border police posts have been directed to keep a vigil on infiltration routes used by anti-national elements in the past, it said. Village defence committee members, numberdars and chowkidars are directed to cooperate with police while performing their duties for safety and security, especially in view of the forthcoming Republic Day. Lolab Youth Was Kupwara Sri Ram said police received information that a suspicious person was roaming in the area to carryout grenade attack. A special team was constituted and this team identified the individual and arrested him, he said, adding, his personal search led to the recovery of a grenade. Based on the interrogation, the officer said, the youth revealed that he was tasked to carrying grenade lobbying in Kupwara. The youth was misguided by entities based in Pakistan via social media and he was asked to carry this kind incident (grenade lobbying) following which he will be recruited into (militant) outfits, the officer said and identified the youth as Mohammad Aslam Beigh son of Nazir Ahmad Beigh of Maidanpora Lolab in the district. A police spokesman in a statement issued later said that Beigh was arrested at a naka check point and upon his personal search, police seized one grenade besides other incriminating material. The individual has been taken into custody and preliminary investigation suggests that the individual was planning to join a (militant) outfit, and along with other (militants) was planning a (militant) attack in Kupwara area, the spokesman said, adding, Initial investigation revealed that he was motivated to turn to (militancy) through social media by entities based in Pakistan. The spokesman said a case FIR (No. 6/2019) under relevant sections has been registered in police station Kupwara in the matter. Pak Raises Kashmir year. She met Qureshi in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs where the two sides also held talks on different issues. Qureshi said that he discussed the regional and international issues. including Kashmir with the UNGA chief and "apprised her of Pakistan's grave concern over the gross human rights violations" in Kashmir. He called for implementing the UN Security Council's resolutions on Kashmir in letter and spirit to resolve this longstanding issue. Qureshi alleged that India was continuously violating the ceasefire agreement on the Line of Control (LoC) and urged the international community to help resolve the issue. He said Pakistan agreed with the UNGA president that a strong and vibrant UN was vital for lasting peace and stability in the world. The Foreign Office said in a statement that the two sides had useful discussions on the on-going process of UN Security Council reform and "the need for this process to be led by Member s and consensus-based way forward. Qureshi also briefed her about Pakistan hosting more than three million Afghan refugees for the last four decades. He said Pakistan is actively engaged with Afghanistan for a long and durable solution to the Afghan conflict as it believes peace in the neighbouring country is also in its own best interest. Espinosa appreciated Pakistan for hosting the Afghan refugees. Espionosa will be in Islamabad till January 22 and will call on President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan. Espionosa will also address members of academia, think tanks and students. This is the second visit by the president of the UN General Assembly since Govt Decides To present in the meeting. It was given out in the meeting that Military dairy farms at Nowshera, Udhampur and Jammu have 1917 cattle heads of different types. The Advisor directed officers of Animal Husbandry Department to chalk out the plan for distribution of these Cattle among the BPL farmer families with special preference to SC and ST through Panchayats through draw of lots. He further directed the concerned officers to identify the beneficiaries of district Jammu including R.S Pura, Nowshera in Rajouri and adjoining areas of Udhampur. The Advisor further directed Principal Secretary to constitute district level committees headed by Deputy Commissioners to monitor the distribution at the district level. HC Orders that the organization approached the the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, to fulfill the promise but nothing has been done. The counsel for the Jamiat-e-Ahlehadees submits that the organization would feel satisfied, if the petition is disposed of at this stage, by directing the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, to take a decision on the pending request of the petitioner organization. Keeping in view the submission of counsel for the Jamiat-e-Ahlehadees and the nature of relief prayed for, the petition was disposed of by a bench of Justice Sanjeev Kumar providing that if any request with regard to the subject matter of the petition is pending consideration before the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, for payment of compensation to the organization, the same shall be considered on its merits and disposed of at the earliest and in any case within two months from the date a copy of this order is made available in the office of the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir. Most Parties Demand stakeholders for holding the elections. The CEO said that he will regularly interact with the representatives of the political parties in his office to take their valuable suggestions on further improving the electoral process to ensure fair and transparent elections in the. He said cooperation of all political parties was mandatory for this essential exercise and his office will ensure close coordination to achieve better results. Almost all the political leaders were unanimous to hold simultaneous poll in the and expressed their readiness for the same. They suggested several measures to improve the electoral process to ensure smooth and transparent elections in the. They asked for setting up of polling stations as per the convenience of people in the central locations and creation of necessary facilities for the voters. They asked for special arrangements for physically challenged, senior citizens and women at the polling stations, he said. While seeking cooperation from the Political parties to ensure complete transparency in the electoral process, the CEO urged the leaders to make optimal use of the on-line facilities of various services being offered by the Election Commission of India through online portal NVSP / which can be accessed at a click of button for enrolment as well as verifying/ rectifying particulars of an already enrolled voter. He urged them to educate the people through their workers and Booth Level Agents (BLAs) to enroll new voters, delete the names of dead voters and rectification of wrong entries/particulars.sharing the progress on SSR-2019 for which the final publication date was Ist January 2019, Shailendra said that the exercise was launched on Ist of September, 2018, but the date was extended by the Election Commission of India for J&K along with some other s till 31st January, During this period, as many as additions, deletions, corrections and transpositions were made. The process of addition of any left out eligible electors shall continue as part of continuous updation process till 31st January so that no eligible voter is left out. He requested the political parties to use their good offices and help in facilitating the people in this important exercise. Briefing about the functioning of EVMs, the CEO informed that to ensure complete transparency in the electoral process, now the Election Commission has added another component called VVPATs which shall be available at each and every polling station to further enhance the confidence of voters. To familiarize the voters and BLAs about the functioning of EVM-VVPAT, a massive awareness programme is being launched soon whereby the election officials will be visiting every nook and corner of the to educate the masses. Necessary instructions in this behalf have been conveyed to the District Election Officers (Deputy Commissioners), said the CEO. He further informed that the Election Commission of India has allocated 17,000 additional EVMs with VVPAT facilities to the for being used in the ensuing elections. He said as and when the machines will reach in different district headquarters, the concerned District Election Officers (Deputy Commissioners) will inform the Political parties and in their presence the shifting/reallocation of machines would be done as per standard SOP. Such instructions have already been issued to the concerned DEOs. The CEO urged the political leaders to appoint their BLAs on priority who can help the BLOs in ensuring right particulars of new voters and alterations in the voter lists. He said the District Election authorities will organize training programmes for the political workers, BLAs on use of EVMs and other election related activities so that they can educate the voters about the same. He also informed that after publication, the new Electoral Rolls will be made available to all the parties for their information and further use. Prominent among those present on the occasion included, Raman Bhalla and Usman Majeed from Indian National Congress, Harshdev Singh from JKNPP, Nizam-ud-Din Bhat from JKPDP, Yudhveer Sethi and Rajinder Sharma from BJP and Sheikh Bashir Ahmed from National Conference. India Protests Pak SC on recent order by Supreme Court of Pakistan on the so-called Gilgit-Baltistan which is an interference in India s internal affairs, an MEA statement said here. The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday, while giving a written order regarding the constitutional status of Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and the grant of fundamental rights to its citizens, ruled that the powers of the top court also extend to the region. JRL Calls For Strike On January 21 (Monday). It also asked people to observe shutdown in Handwara and Kupwara areas on January 25 and 27 respectively on Handwara and Kupwara massacres anniversaries. Carnage at Gaw Kadal, Handwara and Kupwara remind us of Indian brutal occupation and oppression. Illegal Military occupation followed by such massacres symbolizes callousness under the garb of so-called democracy. The nation of Kashmir is indebted to martyrs who laid down their lives for freedom and resistance leadership pledges to continue this struggle till the achievement of the sacred goal, the statement said. JRL said the nation of Kashmir is indebted to martyrs who laid down their lives for freedom and resistance leadership pledges to continue this struggle till the achievement of the sacred goal. like 21st, 25th and 27th January 1990 remind us of the sacrifices rendered by our dear ones. These are the days for reiteration of our commitment towards the sacred mission and today while recalling these great sacrifices we reiterate our pledge to take forward the task of martyrs till the achievement of the desired goal, they said. Bail Granted To Man Held Aslam Wani was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), with the help of Jammu and Kashmir Police, from Srinagar on August 6, 2017 and is currently in judicial custody. Shabir Shah was arrested by the agency from Srinagar on July 26, The ED had opposed Aslam Wani's bail plea saying the investigation was still going on. It said there was an apprehension that if released, Aslam Wani may flee from justice. A trial court had earlier denied bail to Aslam Wani in the decade-old case. Aslam Wani was earlier arrested on August 26, 2005 with the ED claiming that Rs. 63 lakh had been recovered from him. Advocate MS Khan, appearing for Aslam Wani, had sought bail after the Supreme Court set aside all orders by which bail to an accused was denied due to a stringent condition in money laundering cases and directed that such cases be remanded back to the respective courts to be heard on merit. Khan had said a 2010 trial court judgement clearing Aslam Wani of terror funding charges in the 2005 case, based on which the current money laundering case was lodged in 2007, was later confirmed by the Delhi High Court. The ED had claimed that Aslam Wani had not cooperated in the probe and the money trail was yet to be found. In September 2017, the agency filed a charge sheet against Aslam Wani and Shabir Shah, whose bail application in the case was also dismissed on August 22 last year. The ED's action against the two was in pursuance of the August 2005 case in which the Delhi Police's Special Cell had arrested Aslam Wani, who is alleged to have claimed that he had passed on Rs crore to Shabir Shah. Why Did Govt Buy instead of the 126 asked for by the Indian Air Force pushed the price of each jet up by per cent. In the light of new facts and revelations in THE HINDU, the question gains greater urgency: why did the Government buy only 36 Rafale aircraft instead of 126 aircraft required by the Air Force?, Chidambaram asked in a tweet. The Government has compromised national security by denying to the Air Force the 7 squadrons (126 aircraft) that it desperately needs, he said. Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia also took to Twitter to demand answers from Modi on the increased cost of aircraft. The PM s unilateral decision to buy 36 Rafales resulted in a price escalation of 41.42% per jet. When will the prime minister answer? he asked.

11 RONALDO IS INVOLVED IN A SECOND legal case where police in the United s asked Italian authorities to obtain a DNA sample from him as part of their investigation into accusations he raped a woman a decade ago in Las Vegas.[nL1N1ZB00F] SPORTS11 Saturday DHONI HELPS INDIA CLINCH ODI SERIES AGAINST AUSTRALIA Wicketkeeper-batsman remained unbeaten on 87 runs Master finisher Mahendra Singh Dhoni eased India to a seven-wicket victory to clinch their one-day international series against Australia in Melbourne on Friday. The unflappable veteran wicketkeeper hit his third halfcentury of the three-game series to again prove the difference after his match-winning knock in the second game in Adelaide. The 37-year-old wicketkeeperbatsman kept his usual cool during an unbeaten 87 off 114 balls as India chased down Australia's 230 with four balls to spare at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. It consummated a hugely-successful tour of Australia where Virat Kohli's team also claimed an historic first-ever 2-1 Test series win down under. Dhoni was given tremendous support from Kedar Jadhav with a belligerent unbeaten 61 from 57 balls in a match-winning 121-run stand. India wrapped up the ODI series after losing the opening match in Sydney by 34 runs before levelling Real Kashmir Look to Continue Unbeaten Run AIFF Media Team Shillong, January 18, 2019: It has been an amazing unbeaten away run spread over a month from debutants Real Kashmir, and they would love to carry that on with a win when they come up against Shillong Lajong on Saturday, January 19, 2019, at the JLN stadium in Shillong. It is the second Hero I-League game of the day and it begins at 5 pm IST. In the five games that Kashmir have been on the road over the last month, they have won two and drawn three to make them real contenders for a title in their debut season. They would like to get the job done against a ragged home team that has copped 10 defeats in their 10 league games so far and the slide seems irreversible. To add to the hosts woes, after an initial slow start, the visitors have also found their scoring boots, netting 15, a trend which began with a 6-1 drubbing of their Saturday opponents in the first leg fixture at Srinagar about a month back. The memories of that game will weigh heavy on the hosts, as will the record of the weakest defence in the league having conceded 36 times. But Shillong can score and the fact that Phrangki Buam (4), a wonderful young talent among many in the young Shillong side, is the joint-second highest Indian goal scorer, along with Danmawia (4) in the league after Joby Justin (7). Players like Samuel Lalmuanpuia, Sheen and Kitboklang have shown enough promise and can be dangerous on their day. Shillong gaffer Allison Khasyntiew said in the pre-game chat, My job is to encourage the young team. They are the future of the National Team and the North East. The mentality is good. Dealing with young players, my main job is to guide them correctly. Kashmir is a difficult team to play with, but in a game, anything can happen. Our team will give our best. They will, however, be up against the stingiest defence of the league. Kashmir have so far let in only seven and coach David Robertson has certainly put up a wall ahead of a confident and sound Bilal in the Kashmir goal. Speaking on the matchday eve, the affable coach said, Shillong Lajong is a very difficult side to play against even though we are in a good spot and have won a few matches. Lajong plays in the same way but we have to give our best tomorrow. We are enjoying the occasion and the players we have. Our team is ready to play. We do not get carried away by the wins but we always try to put up a better match. The visitors, who need the win to keep their title hopes on track, are weary as evident in the game against Aizawl last week and Shillong can be dangerous on their day. with a six-wicket win in Adelaide to set up the decider in Melbourne. Dhoni, a much-loved sporting hero back home, captained India to a World Cup win in He quit Tests in 2014, and stepped down as the limited-overs skipper three years later. Kohli looked set for another big score before he was caught behind off Jhye Richardson for 46 off 62 balls in the 30th over leaving his side at 113 for three. Dhoni and Jadhav took up where Kohli left off guiding their team to a convincing victory. India legspinner Yuzvendra Chahal earlier captured the best figures by any bowler in one-day cricket in Australia to restrict the home side to just 230. Chahal, playing in his first match in the series after coming in for Test wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, mesmerised the Australians with his six for 42. Chahal shares the record with fellow Indian Ajit Agarkar, who claimed the same figures against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Only Peter Handscomb showed any appreciable fight for Australia with his 58 off 63 balls before he became one of Chahal's victims. It was an underwhelming batting performance by the Australians, who managed just 17 boundaries before they were bowled out with eight balls left. Australia's openers again failed to get a start and Alex Carey was out in the third over when he got a nick off Bhuvneshwar Kumar and was taken by Kohli at second slip for five. His partner Aaron Finch followed six overs later again to Kumar trapped leg before wicket for 14. Shaun Marsh and Usman Khawaja steadied the innings before Adelaide centurion Marsh was smartly stumped by Dhoni off a wide down the leg-side from Chahal for 39. Khawaja followed three balls later when he got a thick leading edge and offered Chahal a return catch for 34. Marcus Stoinis lasted 20 balls before he became Chahal's third victim, caught at slip by Rohit Sharma for 10, leaving Australia rocking at 123 for five in the 30th over. Glenn Maxwell hit a breezy 26 off 19 balls before Mohammed Shami enticed him to pull with a short-pitched delivery to Kumar sprinting in from the deep to take a diving catch. Richardson played against the spin and chipped the ball to short midwicket where Jadhav took the chance for 16 giving Chahal his fourth wicket. Handscomb was trapped plumb in front of his stumps by Chahal in the 46th over and Australia's innings rattled to a quick close. Adam Zampa charged down the wicket to Chahal and holed out to Vijay Shankar at long-on for eight and Billy Stanlake was bowled by Shami for a duck. Sarfraz upbeat ahead of first South Africa ODI Ronaldo expected in Madrid for tax fraud trial MADRID (Reuters) - Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo is expected back in Madrid on Tuesday to attend a trial for tax evasion where Spanish prosecutors are asking for a 23-month prison sentence and fine. Ronaldo s former Madrid teammate Xabi Alonso is also due in court next Tuesday for another case of tax fraud. Portuguese striker Ronaldo, who left Real Madrid for Juventus last July, is expected to plead guilty after he agreed a settlement worth 18.8 million euros ($21.43 million) with Spanish tax authorities last summer. However, he is unlikely to serve any time in prison as Spanish law states a sentence of under two years for a first offence can be served on probation. The prosecutor s office said it was seeking a fine of 5.7 million euros, which it said Ronaldo had already paid, as well as interest of about one million euros. That fine, expected to be confirmed on Tuesday in a Madrid court, is part of the total agreed in the earlier settlement, judicial sources said. Ronaldo, 33, who has helped take Juventus to the top of Italian football s Serie A, will have to travel to Madrid immediately after playing against Chievo on Monday. The trial was initially expected to take place on Monday but the prosecutor s office said the date was now set for Tuesday. It is expected to be concluded on the same day and be short, with officials saying the hearing will only require Ronaldo to confirm he accepts the deal. Ronaldo is involved in a second legal case where police in the United s asked Italian authorities to obtain a DNA sample from him as part of their investigation into accusations he raped a woman a decade ago in Las Vegas.[nL1N1ZB00F] Ronaldo says he is innocent and that the sexual encounter in question was consensual. In the case of Xabi Alonso, prosecutors are seeking a five-year prison sentence and four million euro fine. A World Cup winner with Spain who retired from football in 2017, Alonso is accused of defrauding the Spanish state of two million euros between 2010 and Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed is upbeat ahead of the first ODI against South Africa. While speaking in the pre-match press conference in Port Elizabeth which is the venue for the first ODI of the five-match series Sarfraz said that his side is hoping to make a good start to the series. First match is always important, said Sarfraz. Hopefully we will make a good start to the series despite the fact that defeating South Africa on their home soil is a challenging task. Bearing in mind the 2019 World Cup in England and Wales, Sarfraz said that the Men in Green would be looking to experiment with couple of different combinations in order to carve out a suitable method of play for the mega event. We are looking to try couple of different combinations in this series and the next one against Australia, he said. We want to gauge what combination suits us ahead of the World Cup. The Pakistan skipper was also keen to see young left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman stick to his natural game and take the attack to the opposition with his aggressive intent at the top of the order. We want Fakhar Zaman to play his natural game like David Warner and,in the past, Virender Sehwag and Shahid Afridi, he said. We understand that if he stays at the wicket, he can become a scary player for the opponents. I also think he is getting better day by day which is a good sign. Sarfraz also talked about the challenge of playing under lights considering the fact that the majority of the matches will be day and night. Four out of the five ODIs are under lights, which is why we prefer to bat first and put runs on the board, he said. Chasing under lights is not an easy task. The first ODI between Pakistan and South Africa will take place on January 19. England call up Wood to replace injured Stone England have called up fast bowler Mark Wood to replace the injured Olly Stone for their three-test series against West Indies that starts in Bridgetown on January 23. Stone was ruled out of the series after sustaining a bone stress injury to his lower back. Wood, 29, has 12 Test caps for his country, the last of which was earned in a nine-wicket defeat by Pakistan at Lord's last May, in which he picked up two wickets. He featured regularly for the England Lions during last year's tour of the United Arab Emirates where they played Pakistan A. "I'm really pleased to get the call and I do feel for Olly in these circumstances," the right-arm fast bowler said. "I've put a lot of work into my game when I was away with Lions in the UAE during November and December. My body is good to go. I left the tour of the UAE in a really good place physically."

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