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J-K HC orders reshuffle of judges, judicial officers
Jammu, Apr 28 (PTI) In a major reshuffle, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court today promoted eight senior sub-judges to the post of session judges and transferred 76 judicial officers in subordinate judiciary.
The decision was taken in a meeting presided over by acting Chief Justice Nisar Ahmed Kakru, a court spokesman said.
Duni Chand Sagotra, promoted as the adhoc district and sessions judge had been posted in Kishtwar as the additional district and sessions judge, while additional judge TADA/POTA court, Srinagar Rashid Ali Dar will be the new adhoc sessions judge.
Vinod Chaterji Koul, presently Deputy Registrar, judicial High Court Jammu wing, has been posted as additional district and sessions judge, Kathua.
Muhammad Yousuf Akhoon would be the second additional district and sessions judge, Srinagar, whereas Sanjay Dhar, presently Chief Judicial Magistrate, Jammu, has been promoted as secretary, legal aid authority state High Court.
Puneet Gupta has been posted as first additional and district judge Jammu on promotion, while Mohan Lal is now posted as principal district and sessions judge, Leh.
Mohammad Akram Choudhary who was additional district and sessions judge, Ramban has been promoted as adhoc district and sessions judge.
In another order, the Jammu and Kashmir High Court transferred and posted 76 judicial officers in the state. PTI
Safety measures initiated for Samjhauta, Thar Exp passengers
New Delhi, Apr 28 (PTI) India and Pakistan have initiated steps to insure safety and security to the passengers of Samjhauta and Thar Express trains following the February 19 Samjhauta Express blast.
The two countries are contemplating introducing an Advance Information Passenger Information System (APIS) wherein both sides exchange information about details of the passenger travelling on these trains, Railway Ministry sources said.
While Indian Railways have already started sharing the passenger manifest of both the trains with the security and immigrant agencies at Aattari and Munabao railway stations, they have asked their Pakistani counterpart to do the same within their territory.
The two sides have also decided to screen passports of passengers travelling on each side and keeping a complete record including their addresses, Phone numbers and other details to know who is travelling from where, they said.
In order to provide adequate security, Samjhauta Express and Thar Express trains have been made fully reserved trains following the blast on the Samjhauta Express.
"With no unreserved coaches, we now have complete passenger details from their ticket reservation data a few hours prior to their boarding and departure of the train," they said adding the idea was being shared with security agencies at both the border stations. PTI
I do not want a repeat of Nandigram in Bihar: Nitish
Bettiah (Bihar), Apr 28 (PTI) The Bihar government was committed to setting up agro-based industries in the state but would not acquire land for it by using force, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar said today.
"The government is dead against creating SEZs. I must make it very clear that there will be no use of force for acquisition of land as I do not want a repeat of Nandigram in Bihar," he said after laying the foundation of a sugar mill at Gurvalia in north Bihar's West Champaran district.
Industries would be set up in Bihar only when the people give land on their own, Kumar said adding altogether 351 farmers had given up their prime land for the sugar factory.
Thanking the farmers for giving up land, he called on others to follow suit and contribute in the industrialisation of the state.
"If industries are not set up in Bihar it will become the migration centre of labourers...Political parties opposed to government's initiatives to industrialise Bihar after its bifurcation should understand that the government's move to set up agro-based industries is in the interest of the state and the people," he said.
The factory is being set up by P M Infrastructure Limited, a company floated by noted film producer Prakash Jha, described by Kumar at the function as "a son of the soil".
Sugarcane Minister Nitish Mishra said the state had so far received investment proposals of Rs 20,000 crore in the field of sugar. The industrial houses have evinced interest not only in setting up sugar mills but also baggage-based power units to meet the power scarcity in the state. PTI
Players ready to accept a new coach: Shoaib Malik
Karachi, Apr 28 (PTI) Despertate to move on after a horrendous World Cup campaign, Pakistan's new cricket captain Shoaib Malik said the players are ready to adjust with a new coach although they would miss Bob Woolmer.
"Obviously, Bob was with us for more than three years and he has left a void. But we have to move on and the players can adjust with any new coach that the Pakistan board appoints for the team," Malik told reporters after Pakistan's week-long camp for the three-match series against Sri Lanka got underway in Lahore.
Woolmer died on March 18 in Kingston, Jamaica, a day after Pakistan were beaten by Ireland and bundled out of the World Cup in the first round.
Woolmer's death remains a mystery and police in Jamaica are still trying to unravel the causes and circumstances surrounding his murder.
The former England player and South African coach was attached with the Pakistan team from mid-2004 till his death.
The Pakistan board has advertised the post for a national team coach and set May 15 as the deadline for submission of applications.
Malik said the players would extend full cooperation with the new coach whenever he was appointed.
"We are also looking forward to working with the baseball coach the board is planning to appoint to work on our fielding," he said.
Malik also rubbished reports that senior batsman Younis Khan and fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar had declined to join the camp as a part of their non-cooperation with him. PTI
Sport should be made compulsory in curricula: PM
New Delhi, Apr 28 (PTI) Sports should be made compulsory part of school and college curricula, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh proposed today.
Calling for a "nationwide movement of youth in sports", Singh wanted a collective effort by "all stakeholders" in this direction.
"We should seriously think of making sports and games a compulsory part of the educational syllabus in schools and colleges. Countries that stand out in the world of sports are the ones that have in fact made them an integral part of their educational curricula," Singh said at the inaugural function of the 'Olympic Bhawan' here.
The Prime Minister stressed that greater attention was needed on athletics and gymnastics, apart from mass games like cricket, hockey and football.
"I would like the Indian Olympic Association to work closely with the government, at the Centre and in the states, and unleash a new wave of sports development.
"The advancement of the Olympic Movement should be seen as advancement of the cause of healthy living," Singh said.
Referring to India's lost glory in its national sport, the Prime Minister said the country was yet to fully harness the talent of its youth. PTI
India to bid for 2020 Olympic Games: Kalmadi
New Delhi, Apr 28 (PTI) Undeterred by their failure to win the 2014 Asian Games bid, the Indian Olympic Association today announced that New Delhi will bid for the rights to host the 2020 Olympic Games.
IOA President Suresh Kalmadi said India withdrew its proposal to bid for the 2016 Olympic Games following its failed 2014 Asian Games bid last week but would be in race for the 2020 edition.
"New Delhi will bid for the 2020 Olympic Games," he said during the inauguration of the 'Olympic Bhawan' here.
As the bid will open in 2011, Kalmadi said the IOA would begin its preparation for the bid immediately after the 2010 Commonwealth Games were over.
"We will start our preparations as soon as the 2010 Commonwealth Games are over," he said and added that there was no knowledge about who could be their probable competitors.
Kalmadi also said that India had little chance to get the bid for staging the 2016 as Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro was a favourite to win it.
"Brazil are the favorites to win the 2016 Olympics," he said. PTI
Indian girls bow out of semis in World Junior Tennis
New Delhi, Apr 28 (PTI) Indian girls' dream run at the World Junior Tennis competition in the Asia/Oceania Zone came to a screeching halt with a 0-3 loss to third seed Thailand in the semifinals here today.
Despite the defeat in the semifinals, second seed India has already qualified for the finals of the event to be held in Czech Republic in August.
The Indian girls will meet their Indonesian counterparts tomorrow for the third-fourth position.
Playing the first single of the day against a tough opponent, Rishika Sunkara put up a spirited fight before going down 4-6, 4-6 to Napatsakom Sankaew. Despite her defeat, Rishika showed tremendous resilience and made her opponent sweat for every point.
Rishika exchanged early breaks in both the sets to go neck-and-neck before losing the plot in the end.
The first set was at equal terms at 4-4 when Napatsakom broke Rishika for the third time and held her serve in the next game to take the set 6-4.
The second set followed the same script and again their exchange of breaks saw the players levelled after eight games.
Napatsakom raised her game when it mattered most and took the set 6-4 to put Thailand ahead.
Rishika struggled with her serve and her power-packed cross-court shots often went wide. PTI
Bank of Baroda Q4 net at Rs 245 cr
Mumbai, Apr 28 (PTI) Bank of Baroda today posted a net profit of Rs 245.66 crore for the quarter ended March 31, where as the same was at Rs 208.80 crore for the corresponding period last year.
The total income was Rs 2912.36 crore for the fourth quarter ended March 31, while the same was at Rs 2327.07 crore for the 2006 March quarter, the bank informed the Bombay Stock Exchange.
For the year ended March 31, the bank recorded a net profit of Rs 1026.47 crore, while it was at Rs 826.97 crore in March 31, 2006 and the total income was Rs 10385.88 crore, where as it was at Rs 8177.34 crore for the year ended March 31, 2006.
BOB Housing Finance Ltd, a subsidiary of the bank, was merged with it with effect from April 1, 2006. Hence, the figures of the year and quarter ended March 31, are not comparable with the figures of corresponding periods, the bank added. PTI
Cognizant to recruit 18,000 IT professionals
Tiruchirappalli, Apr 28 (PTI) Software firm Cognizant Technology Solutions will be recruiting about 18,000 IT professionals before the year end in addition to the present 38,000 workforce, a top company official said today.
The problem is not the quantity of human resources available but quality personnel across the country, Cognizant President and Managing Director R Chandrasekaran told reporters.
Chandrasekaran was speaking at a workshop jointly organised by Board of Apprenticeship Training, Southern Region and BHEL.
The company was taking multi-pronged approach to redress the constraint by running a training academy, organising job fairs and selecting people from institutions like Board of Apprenticeship Training, Ministry of HRD, he said.
Answering a query, Chandrasekaran said, Cognizant was evincing interest in tier II cities like Tiruchirappalli, Coimbatore and Kochi.
Although the company was hosting its offices on foreign soil, almost fifty percent of the firm's staff were from southern India.
The foreign locations included two units in the US, one in China, one in Toronto, Canada and another at Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Besides, the Indian company is also eyeing units in Eastern Europe. PTI
Essel to invest USD 14-mn in US plant
Mumbai, Apr 27 (PTI) The Subhash Chandra-promoted Essel Propack today said it would invest USD 14-million for expanding its manufacturing facility at Danville, USA.
The investment is being made to expand the capacity of Essel Propack's facility and to create a printing centre to support it as well as its subsidiary Arista Tubes, which is also located there, a company press release said.
The investment will include equipment and building upgrades at the Danville facility to accommodate the addition of two new tube production lines, state-of-the-art combination print presses, pre-graphic facilities, a new print production facility near its Arista factory, improved warehousing systems and enlarged office areas. PTI
Steel prices remain quiet at steel market
New Delhi, Apr 28 (PTI) Quiet conditions persisted in the wholesale steel and iron market today as prices continued to fluctuate in tight range on lack of buying support.
Arrivals and offtake too remained at a low ebb and volume of business stayed poor.
Traders said negligible enquiries from stockists and engineering units against adequate stock positions kept prices unaltered.
Following were today's quotations per tonne: CTD saria (kamdhenu) 8-mm, 32,450, 10-mm, 32,050, 12-mm 31,250, 16-25 mm 31,950.
Rathi tor steel : 8-mm 29,000, 10-mm 28,500, 12-mm 27,700, 16-20 mm 28,400 and 25-32 mm 29,200.
Saria Jai bharat (ISO 9002) 8-mm 32,400, 10 mm 31,800 12-mm 31,000, 16-25 mm 31,700.
Amba saria (iso-9002) 8-mm 32,000, 10-mm 31,400, 12-mm 30,600, 16-25-mm 31,300.
Amba shakti: (TMT) 8mm 32,500, 10 mm 32,800, 12 mm 30,100, 16 to 25 mm 31,700.
M S Angle: (50x5) (50x6) 28,500, (25x3) (32x3) (40x3) 29,500, (40x5) (40x60) 28,600. Angle capital (ISI) (50X5) (50X6) 29,000, (40X5) (40x6) 29,100, (35X5) (65X6) 29,400-29,500.
Garder (joist) (150x75) 30,000 (175x85) 30,200 (200x100) 31,000 (125x70) 30,000. T-IRON (40X5) (40X6)(50X6) 30,000.
Ingot and Scrap: Mill heavy 27,500-27,700 Turning boring 26,000-26,100, Cast Iron 27,200-27,400, Motor parts 23,300-23,400, Rail re-rolling 25,200-25,300 and ingot Bhivari 25,300. PTI
Pakistan seeks USD 17 billion for construction of dams
Islamabad, Apr 28 (PTI) Pakistan has sought USD 17 billion funding from international lenders for the construction of three dams by 2016 saying that they were needed to avert flood, drought and energy crisis.
The country has appealed to the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and other lending institutions to provide the 17 billion dollars funding to construct Diamer-Bhasha, Kalabagh and Akhori dams by 2016.
"By 2010, Pakistan will be among the most water-stressed countries, with less than 1000 cubic metre per capita water availability," Chairman of Pakistan's Water and Power Development Authority, (WAPDA) Tariq Hameed said.
Water and Power Minister Liaquat Ali Jatoi, who presided over a session in "Water, Power and Prosperity" of the Pakistan Development Forum, appealed to bilateral lenders and international financial institutions, including the World Bank and ADB to come forward and provide funding for big reservoirs so that people in the country could benefit from cheap electricity and food.
Electricity demand had swelled to 10 per cent in the country and to meet this challenge the country needed a lot of investment in the hydel sector, local daily 'Dawn' quoted him as saying.
He said the government this year had allocated Rs 48 billion for the water sector and planned Rs 60 billion allocation next year. PTI
From pilot to Santa, Kalam did all in no time
Sumir Kaul Athens, Apr 28 (PTI) From pilot to Santa, President A P J Abdul Kalam did it all within no time.
The 75-year-old Kalam, who is here on a three-day state visit, began his morning on Friday with a visit to the prestigious Hellenic Aerospace Industry, where Mirage aircraft were being assembled and modernised.
The visit to the Centre was kept out of bounds for media but later the President's Press Secretary S M Khan said that Kalam entered the cockpit of a Mirage aircraft which was being assembled using the modern techniques.
The institute, which was established in 1975, is one of the major defence aerospace industry establishments and deals in military aircraft repairs and modernisation, military engine aircraft manufacture.
Among the manufacturers is Lockheed Martin that has offered valuable assistance both in terms of workload and new technology through the F-16 co-production programme and has also invested on its aerostructures facility.
The President sat in the cockpit for over 20 minutes and understood the modernisation process and other details of the fighter aircraft.
Minutes later, Kalam, who was in the cockpit, was seen at the Hadzipaterion Rehabilitation Centre for Children with cerebral Palsy entertaining them with poems and gifts -- 10 computers which he had brought along with from India.
"We are Gods Children; When God is with us; Nobody can be against us; We will win, win and win," the President recited a poem for the children and made the staff and these children, whoever could speak, recite after him. PTI
Complex questions on arms management in Nepal remain: UN
United Nations, Apr 28(PTI) The peace process in Nepal has made "remarkable progress" since last year, but complex questions remain on how to monitor the arms and armed personnel in the Himalayan nation, a new United Nations report has said.
In the report released yesterday, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon stressed the need to ensure that upcoming elections to a Constituent Assembly reflect the "genuine will" of the people, including the communities that have traditionally been marginalised.
Few could have imagined at the beginning of 2006 that the armed conflict would end, the UN would start implementing an agreement on managing arms and armed personnel, and that the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist) would enter an interim legislature with the Government, Ban said in his progress report to the Security Council.
"These are historic achievements," the Secretary-General said, praising all parties for the willingness to strive towards consensus on some of the most divisive issues, but also noting that some of the underlying causes of the conflict are yet to be tackled.
Ban's report comes one year after a 19-day "people's movement" which saw hundreds of thousands of people take to the streets in cities and towns across the country culminating in the King relinquishing executive power and reinstating Parliament. PTI
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