Ludhiana, February 17, 2013: National CAs Convention 2013, organised by the Ludhiana Branch of NIRC of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India at ICAI Bhawan, Ludhiana concluded on sunday.

Speakers delivered lectures on various topics today. These included challenged in financial reporting in changing times (CV Sajan), issues on capital gain and real estate transactions (Dr. Girish Ahuja), Companies Bill 2012 - Issues Relating to Accounts and Audit (P T Giridharan) and Emerging Opportunities in Bank Audits/Sector (Ajay Jain).

The Convention concluded with giving the appreciation awards to those whose contributed for making the event successful.

C.V. Sajan gave a talk on the Topic “Challenges in Financial Reporting in Changing Times”. He explained its implications and answered the queries of audience. Stressing upon the need of updating of knowledge on continuous basis by the Chartered Accountants he said that business models are changing ranging from multi-crore infrastructure projects to cross-borders transactions.  Thus it is of utmost importance that as Auditors, they should learn and use technology and legal framework on continuous basis and said that Conventions on these important issue serve this objective.

Dr. Girish Ahuja gave a talk on the Topic “Issues on Capital Gain & Real Estate Transactions”.He discussed recent changes in Income Tax-act in the light of various judgments of Honorable High Courts and Honourable Supreme Court.

P.T. Giridharan gave a talk on the Topic “Companies Bill 2012–Issues Relating to Accounts & Audit ” highlighting the implications of amendments in the Companies bill on the Accounting and Auditing issues from the point of CAs as auditors.

Ajay Jain gave a talk on the Topic “Emerging Opportunities in Bank Audits/ Sector” like Concurrent Audit, Revenue Audits, Stock Audits, Statutory Audits, Information System Audits and the like.

Rajeev K. Sharma said that the Convention was for two days with seven technical sessions and a Cultural Programme, a Hasya Kavi Sammelan, Hasya Yoga and Pariwar Prastuti.

Amongst others, Vishal Garg, Rajeev K. Sharma, Hukminder Sahi, Vikas Giya, Rachit Bhandari, Pankaj Periwal and Gaurav Gupta were present.

Ludhiana, February 18, 2013: IAP Intensive Care Chapter Punjab state Branch in association with Society of Trauma and Emergency Pediatrics has organised 5th National Assembly on Pediatric Emergency Medicine (NAPEM 2013) in Ludhiana from February 15-17 at Guru Nanak Dev Bhawan Ludhiana.

It was an India- International event where international speakers from different countries like DR J Surpure, Dr Shiva Kalidindi from USA, Dr Mohit Singla from Canada and Dr Chong Shulin from Singapore delivered their talks on various aspects of pediatric emergencies.

Renowned Pediatric emergency experts from all over the country will also be delivering their talks.

This National Assembly on Pediatric Emergency Medicine started with a theme “Bringing Emergency Care Closer to Home”.

Main purpose of the conference was to strengthen the pediatric emergency services in the state.

This conference was designed specifically to address exclusively on the care of the child, who may present to the hospital, pediatric clinic, office or community centre with a number of different emergency conditions. It’s a well known fact that many emergencies can be handled at the peripheral levels if the pediatricians are trained in doing so. More so if a sick child is referred after initial management and with proper transport facilities, it can really improve the child survival.

Till date field of pediatric emergencies and transportation of sick child was very new and very few people are trained in it. Recognising this Dr Suneet Singhi Prof and Head Advanced Pediatric Centre along with Dr Suresh Gupta Pediatric Emergency Expert from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital New Delhi got associated with Society of Trauma and Emergency Pediatrics and started doing this national conference. It is done annually and cities like Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Guwahti had been already covered. But it happened in Ludhiana, Punjab for the first time.

For the training of the post graduate students and to bring advance diagnostic modalities at the bed side to manage emergencies in a better way, three preconference workshop were organised in all the major medical institutes of the city on February 15. Workshop on Airway and Vascular access was at DMC & Hospital, workshop on Trauma Triage and Transport of injured child was at CMC Hospital and workshop on Ultrasound Use in Emergency and Critical Care was conducted in SPS Apollo Hospitals. To train the Nurses in handling pediatric emergencies “Pediatric Advance life support course for nursing was held at GTB Hospital.

As children spend majority of their time in schools a workshop was kept for teachers “Emergency Preparedness Programme for School teachers” at BCM Arya School at Shastri Nagar where teachers from more than 20 schools participated. Teachers were trained in recognising basic emergencies which can happen with the child at school, their initial management so that the child can be taken to the nearby hospital with proper first aid which will help him decrease the morbidity and mortality of the illness.

All the institutes and senior pediatricians of the city have come together to organise this national conference. Dr Daljit Singh, Dr A S Chawla and Dr H S Bainswere the patrons. Dr Jugesh Chhatwal and Dr Rakesh Gupta were the organising chairpersons and Dr Vikas Bansal and Dr Gurmeet Kaur were the organising secretaries. Dr S S Gill, Vice Chancellor, Baba Farid University of Health Sciences, was the invited Chief Guest and Dr Karanjeet Singh, Director Health Service, Punjab was the Guest of honour for the conference.

More than 200 delegates from all over the country has already registered and number is expected to go beyond 400. Main conference started on February 16 at Guru Nanak Dev Bhawan and covered all the topics on pediatric emergencies including respiratory problems, shock scenarios, infectious emergencies, neuro-emergencies, pediatric surgical emergencies, trauma and pediatric urgent care. Conference also coverered topics on Pediatric poisoning along with disaster management in children.

New Delhi / Jalandhar, February 18, 2013 : AnAgriculture Delegation from California, US  called on Haryana Chief Minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda in New Delhi last evening and discussed with him about the possibility of cooperation in different fields of agriculture.

The 30 member delegation included four Deans of different Universities and 26 CEOs of Companies. The delegation was led by Karamdeep Singh Bains, Director of a District Agriculture Association.

The members of the delegation explained about the expertise they had and the technological know-how, which they could offer in the fields of agriculture farming, deep irrigation, education, power, horticulture, cold storage facilities etc.

Hooda said that Haryana is the second largest contributor of wheat to the central pool and is number one in wheat productivity. Efforts are going on to improve the  storage facilities  to reduce post-harvest losses. He also mentioned about the Working Group on Agriculture set up under his leadership by the Prime Minister and the recommendations made by the Group for improving the agriculture in the country.

Hooda said that Haryana is also known as rice bowl of the country and share of Haryana is 70 per cent in the export of Basmati rice. He also mentioned about the Gharaunda Agriculture Center, where the farmers are learning about the agricultural techniques of Israel. Main produces of Haryana are wheat, paddy, sugarcane and vegetables, besides BT Cotton, which the farmers have adopted, he said. On being asked about irrigation, Hooda said that mainly it is surface irrigation using canal water and under ground water through tube wells.

The Chief Minister suggested to the members that they could have detailed discussion with the Agriculture Minister of the State and the officers of the Agriculture Department. The delegation agreed to have a meeting in this regard on February 24 in Chandigarh.

Those present on this occasion included Chhatar Singh, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Anand Mohan Saran, Addl. Resident Commissioner, Haryana Bhawan New Delhi, Shiv Bhattia, Media Advisor to Chief Minister Haryana and Ranjit Singh.

Ludhiana, February 21, 2013: The ongoing agitation by activists of various trade unions (TUs) here on Thursday, have adversely affected rail traffic mainly on three sections by staging protest dharna on the railway tracks.

When contacted, the Ludhiana station superintendent SK Sharma told City air News at around 2 pm on Thursday that the protestors sat on the dharna mainly on three railway tracks namely Ludhiana-Ambala, Ludhiana-Ferozepur and Ludhiana-Dhuri at around 11 a.m.

As a result, the entire rail traffic on these three routes was totally interrupted till now (2 pm).

He told that a total ten trains were affected so far.

Further, Sharma told that four trains were awaiting for departure at Ludhiana railway station whereas six other trains were awaiting for clearance of the railway tracks at the outer points.

To a question, he told that heavy police force was already deployed near to the place of TU activists staging the protest.

Enquiries reveal that the protests were going on peacefully so far. However the police personnel are keeping strict vigil to avoid any untoward incident, if any.

Meanwhile, passengers are feeling a lot of harassment due to interruption of the rail traffic by the TU activists. A huge rush of passengers is visible at the local railway station.

Protestors staging protests the railway tracks are holding banners in support of their demands. They are also seen shouting slogans in support of their demands.

It may be mentioned here that on a call given by the 11 Central Trade Unions and various independent federations, unions and associations, the workers are observing two-day nation-wide strike from February 21.

New Delhi/Jalandhar, February 22, 2013: In order to press for setting up a new Rail Coach Factory in Haryana, the electrification of Delhi-Rewari rail line and various other pending demands of the state, the Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda called on the Union Railways Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal in New Delhi on Thursday and requested him to expedite the other pending rail projects of Haryana in the Railway Budget for the year 2013-14.

While taking the state issues with the Railway Minister, Hooda stressed the need for expediting the work on Rohtak-Meham-Hansi rail line and EMU train between Delhi to Rohtak. New Intercity train on Chandigarh-Jind-Rohtak-Jhajjar-Rewari-Jaipur route, more trains on Rohtak-Delhi and other rail routes should be given to Haryana as the transportation needs have increased many fold due to the fast paced economic growth, he further requested.

Hooda also urged the Union Railways Minister for providing rail link to Agroha-Fatehabad, Mewat region, Yamunanagar-Jagadhari-Chandigarh & other rail projects in this budget as they had been long pending demands of the state and issue had also been pursued by Haryana Chief Minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda on various forums with the Union Government. He also requested for inclusion of Loharu-Dadri-Jhajjar-Delhi railway line in the rail survey. He said that Delhi-Amritsar Shatabdi train should take a stoppage at Panipat and Delhi-Ludhiana Shatabdi train at Jind, both of which are important cities of the state. He said that Haryana Chief Minister has already offered land for the Rail Coach Factory in the state and the setting up that project would help in economic development and providing employment opportunities to youth.

Stressing for electrification of Delhi-Rewari-Jaipur route, which also pass through his Parliamentary segment, Hooda said that it is one of the most important railway lines in the country from passenger as well as freight carriage perspective and its electrification would not only serve the people of Haryana, but help other states also by providing one important alternative for Delhi-Mumbai rail traffic. This railway line also holds immense importance from tourism aspect also, he added.

Jalandhar, February 22, 2013: The Special Judicial Magistrate, CBI Cases, Indore (Madhya Pradesh) has on Thursday convicted  Manoj Gurjar( driver of the tractor), a resident of Banmore, District Morena (MP) in a case related to death of an IPS Officer in Morena (MP) and sentenced him to undergo ten years Rigorous Imprisonment with fine of Rs.10,000 U/s 304(2) of IPC and two years Rigorous Imprisonment with fine of Rs.1,000 U/s 353 of IPC. Both the sentences are to run separately.

CBI had registered a case on 14.03.2012 U/s 302 IPC relating to death of Narender Kumar, IPS, the then SDPO, Banmore District Morena (MP) on the request of Madhya Pradesh Government, and further Notification from Govt. of India. CBI took up the investigation of Crime No.49/2012 dated 08.03.2012 U/s 307 & 302 IPC, earlier registered at Police Station Banmore, Morena.

It was alleged in the FIR that Narendra Kumar, IPS, SDOP Banmore was on his official duties on the day of Holi, i.e. 08.03.2012 alongwith four constables/driver, taking stock of police arrangement on holi. At about 1300 hrs, Narendra Kumar was crushed over by a Tractor Trolley full of stones (Khanda) at Bhagatipura Kachha Road (Near AB road), Banmore, while he was trying to stop the said Tractor Trolley. Injured Narendra Kumar was immediately rushed to Sahara Hospital, Gwalior where he was declared brought dead by the Doctors.

Investigation conducted by CBI revealed that as the driver did not stop in spite of being signaled, Narendra Kumar rushed towards the tractor followed by his personal staff. He tried to get the tractor stopped and in the process he climbed on it by holding the canopy with one hand and steering wheel of the tractor with other hand. Accused driver of the tractor allegedly kicked Narendra Kumar and simultaneously also got released the steering wheel of the tractor from his hand to avoid seizure and confiscation of his tractor and trolley.

Due to the use of force by the accused, Narendra Kumar fell down on the ground and the accused allegedly ran the tractor over him instead of stopping the same. In the process, the left rear tyre of the tractor and also the left tyre of trolley passed over Narendra Kumar. The accompanying staff took Narendera Kumar to a hospital in Gwalior where the doctor declared him brought dead.

After thorough investigation, a charge sheet against accused Manoj Gurjar was filed on June 6, 2012 in the Court at Indore(MP) U/s 304 and 353 of IPC and U/s 181 r/w Section 3 of the Motor Vehicle Act.

 The Court found the accused guilty and convicted him.

Jalandhar, February 22, 2013 : The Designated Court, Chennai has convicted P. Jayapalan, the then Officer of Indian Bank in a fraud case U/s 120B, 420, 406, 467 of IPC and Sections 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of PC Act 1988 and sentenced him to undergo three years Rigorous Imprisonment with fine of Rs.4,000.

The investigation revealed that the accused entered into criminal conspiracy to cheat Indian Bank, South Usman Road, T.Nagar Branch, Chennai and fraudulently opened 14 trade finance accounts and one Annapoorna Arogya account in the name of different parties without the knowledge/consent of these parties. He diverted the money from these accounts to a common account and thus misappropriated the amount. A loss of about Rs. 1.12 crore was caused to the Indian Bank.

During trial, the Court found the accused guilty and convicted him.

Ludhiana: A major rail tragedy was averted near Baddowal railway station this afternoon.

As per the available information, Brij Lal- the vigilant driver of the train (4LF) en-route Ferozepur to Ludhiana this afternoon observed that the railway track was uneven. On arriving at Ludhiana railway station he informed the railway authorities in black and white.

On receiving the information, the Ludhiana deputy station superintendent Jaswant Singh deputed the engineering wing to visit the spot and do the needful.

The engineering wing staff went to the spot and observed that the track at the particular spot was “uneven” following which repairs were started for ensuring safer passage to the other trains.

The repair work led to delay of the train (No. 19771), Punjab Express, en-route Jaipur to Amritsar. This train was stopped at Baddowal railway station.

Even the Puja Express got delayed and it arrived at the local railway station by about 90 minutes. It was scheduled to arrive at 12-10 pm but it arrived at 13-21 pm.

The Deputy Station Superintendent, Ludhiana, Jaswant Singh said that Brij Lal has done a responsible job by informing about uneven track. He further informed that the driver of the Puja Express train and the engineering wing found the track right after the train passed from the repaired track at site.

Ludhiana, February 24, 2013: VishwaHindu Parishad(VHP) president Praveen Togadia has said BJP should not indulge into any kind of controversy on the issue of the party’s candidate for the post of prime minister.

Togadia added rather, the party should come into the power after getting united. He said the issue of the prime ministerial candidate was secondary one, getting power was the primary thing.

He was addressing `Dharm Raksha Nidhi Sammelan’ here on Sunday.

Adding, he said the Prime Minister should be a person who could build Ram Mandir, provide employment to the Hindus and eradicate terrorism across the country.

Further, Togadia said no political party should do politics on the name of terrorism. Rather, all the political parties should get united on the issue, so that terrorism could be wiped out, otherwise, people of the country would come on the roads.

He said Shree Ram Setu  was a religious heritage of India, which should not be dismantled at any cost.

On the issue of Pakistan, he said India should not keep any relation with Pakistan, adding even there was no need to continue relations as far as cricket and Sanjhauta Express were concerned.

He said Pakistan should be considered as an “enemy”.

Jalandhar, February 25, 2013: 103 Infantry Battalion of Territorial Army Sikh Light Infantry will be organising recruitment rally for the category of General Duty Soldier, Clerk and Tradesmen (Chef and Blacksmith) at 103 Territorial Army Battalion, GT Road, Millerganj, Ludhiana from March 12-15.

Recruitment for the candidates belonging to the state of Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir and Union Territory of Chandigarh will be carried out on March 12 and for the candidates belonging to the states of Haryana, Himachal Pradesh and NCT of Delhi will be carried out on March 13.

Documentation and Medical examination for screened candidates will be carried out on March 14 and 15.

The educational qualification required for Soldier General Duty should be 10th pass with 45% marks except District of Lahaul Spiti and Kinnaur of HP for which 8th standard is minimum.

The educational qualification required for Clerk should be 10+2 exam pass (Arts, Commerce, Science with English) with minimum 50% of marks in aggregate and should have secured minimum 40% marks in each subject.

The educational qualification required for Tradesman should be 10th class pass.

The age of the candidate should be between 18-42 years, 50 kgs weight, 160 cms height and the chest should be 77-82 cms.

 ITI qualified personnel, Drivers with experience having driving licence (Light and heavy vehicles) must be produced, computer qualified personnel, sportsmen and cooks with prior experience will be given preference.

Jalandhar, February 26, 2013: The Central Bureau of Investigation has registered a case against an Examiner   (IW), Ordnance Factory, Ambazari, Nagpur (who is incidentally also a trade union leader of the said institution) and his son (a private person) and unknown officials of Ordnance Factory, Ambazatri, Nagpur(Maharashtra) U/s 120-B, 420 of IPC and Section 8 and 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of PC Act, 1988 for allegedly obtaining illegal gratification to the tune of about Rs.3 lakh per candidate for the post of labour in Ordnance Factory.

It is alleged that based on advertisement for 250 post of labour, nearly 25,000 applicants had applied and appeared for the preliminary examination on February 1, 2013.  Out of these applicants, around 5,000 applicants appeared for the main examination, which was conducted on February 24, 02.2013 at Ordnance Factory, Ambazari, Nagpur.

Searches were conducted at the house of Examiner; his son and two officials of Ordnance Factory on February 24, 2013. Huge number of admit cards of willing candidates were recovered from the house of Examiner himself alongwith sample question papers from the shop of his son. Incriminating documents were also recovered from the house of the accused persons.

Further investigation is continuing.

Jalandhar, February 26, 2013: The Special Judge for CBI Cases, Patiala House Courts, New Delhi has convicted R. K. Jain, then Director (Anti Dumping), Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Kishore Jain, a private person U/s 8,9 & Sec. 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of PC Act 1988 in a bribery case.

R.K. Jain was sentenced to undergo three years Rigorous Imprisonment  with fine of Rs 1 lakh while Kishore Jain was sentenced to undergo two years Rigorous Imprisonment with fine of Rs 50,000. The court has also ordered that amount of Rs 7.25 lacs recovered from the house of R.K. Jain  to be confiscated.

A case was registered on 19.08.2010, u/s 120-B of IPC and  Sec.13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of PC Act 1988 on the allegation that R.K. Jain, ICAS, the then Director (Anti Dumping), Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, Udyog Bhawan, New Delhi entered into criminal conspiracy and connived with Kishore Jain (a private person) and one of the Directors of Giridih (Jharkhand) based private firm to serve the commercial interests of said firm.

CBI Investigation revealed that accused R. K Jain while functioning as Director (Cost), Directorate General of Anti Dumping and Allied Duties had abused his official position as public servant and in criminal conspiracy with Kishore Jain (private person) had demanded a bribe of Rs.10 lakh from the Director of Giridh (Jharkhand) based private firm through Kishore Jain for getting the work relating to transfer of coal Linkage done at Ministry of Coal.  In furtherance of the said conspiracy, an amount of Rs.9.5 lakh was paid by said Director of private firm to Kishore Jain.

After completion of investigation, chargesheet was filed on October 17, 2011 against R.K. Jain, then Director (Anti Dumping), New Delhi and Kishore Jain (a private person) in the Court of Special Judge for CBI Cases, Patiala House Courts, New Delhi u/s 120-B IPC and Sec.8, 9 & 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of PC Act 1988.

Charges in this case were framed by the Court on February 21, 2012. The Trial proceedings in this case were expeditiously concluded within one year of the framing of charge.

 The Trial Court found both the accused guilty and convicted them.

New Delhi, February 26, 2013: The Railway Budget 2013-14 presented by the Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal in the Parliament lays thrust on safety, consolidation, improving passenger amenities and fiscal discipline.

The budget has absorbed the increase in passenger tariff due to increase in diesel prices but has proposed minor increase in supplementary charges for super fast trains and Tatkal charges etc. It has proposed FAC-linked revision in freight tariff only.

The Budget has proposed working expenses of Rs. 96,500 crore against the Gross Traffic Receipts of Rs. 1,43,742 crore for the year. The Railway Minister has proposed that appropriation to the Pension Fund of Railway Employees to Rs. 22,000 crore while appropriation to Depreciation Reserve Fund to Rs. 7,500 crore. With these proposals Railways expected to close the year 2013-14 with a balance of Rs. 12,506 crore in the Railway Fund.

Pawan Kumar Bansal has proposed highest ever plan outlay of Rs. 63,363 crore for 2013-14 which will be financed through Gross Budgetary Support of Rs. 26,000 crore and internal resources of 14,260 crore. Market borrowing of Rs.15,103 crore, Railways share in Road Safety Fund of Rs.2000 and Rs.6000 crore will also be mobilized through PPP mode to finance operations of Railways during the year.

Due to the financial discipline railways has been able to fully repay its loan of Rs. 3,000 crore and its operating ratio during the 2013-14 is expected to increase to 87.8% as compared to 88.8% in 2011-12.

The budget has proposed number of measures to improve passenger amenities including IT enable services for reservations and new trains.

The Minister informed that the Indian Railways is set to achieve the milestone of entering the select club of railways with over 1 million ton freight loading. At present, only the Chinese, Russian and the US Railways have this distinction. The Indian Railways have joined another select club of railways which run freight trains of more than 10,000 tones load.

Speaking on fares Bansal said that Railways will absorb the impact of additional burden due to increase in the rates of HSD oil of about Rs. 850 crore but announced marginal increase in supplementary charge for superfast trains, reservation fees, cancellation charges and tatkal charges as the charges have not been revised for last several years. However, he proposed to abolish the concept of enhanced reservation fee with a view to simplify the fee structure. Regarding freight tariff, he proposed to implement FAC-linked revision. He also announced that a proposal regarding the setting up of an independent Rail Tariff Authority has been formulated.

Stating that safety is a necessary mandate for running trains, the Railway Minister said that recommendations of Kakodkar and Sam Pitroda Committee for improving safety are under active consideration of his Ministry. Railway will soon prepare a Corporate Safety Plan for ten years, 2014-2024, with a view to provide long term perspective and focused attention to safety. About 10797 level crossings will be eliminated during 12th Plan, Train Protection Warning System on Automatic Signal System will be introduced and provision of comprehensive fire and smoke detection systems will be introduced in trains. Regarding the safety of women passengers he said, four companies of women RPF have been set up and another eight will be set up soon, and in recruitment of RPF 10% vacancies will be reserved for women.

Reiterating Government’s commitment to bring about a marked change in the level of passenger amenities, the Minister said that 104 important stations will be identified for immediate attention to all aspects related to cleanliness. Progressive extension of bio-toilets on trains will be taken up and an ‘Anubhuti’ coach in select trains will be arranged to provide excellent ambience and latest facilities and services. In order to ensure quality food for passengers the Minister also proposed third party audit system for food testing and setting up of ISO certified state-of-art kitchens.

The Railway Minister proposed to introduce Wi-Fi facilities on several trains to cater to increasing aspirations and requirement of youth and other passengers. Another 60 stations will be upgraded as Adarsh Stations and voluntary organizations will be involved for providing first aid services at railway stations during the year.

To make railway services people-sensitive and more efficient, the Railway Minister said that several IT initiatives will be introduced in near future which include extension of internet ticketing from 0030 hours to 2330 hours, e-ticketing through mobile phones, SMS alerts to passengers providing updates on reservation status and Next-Generation e-ticketing system will be rolled out which will be capable of handling 7200 tickets per minute against 2000 now.

Announcing the new railway projects to be taken up during 2013-14 the Railway Minister announced introduction of 67 new express trains, 26 new passengers services and extension of 57 trains besides increase in frequency of 24 trains. For the first time an AC EMU rake will be introduced on Mumbai suburban network and rake length will be increased from 9 cars to 12 cars in 80 services in Kolkata and 30 services in Chennai. The Minister proposed a target to complete 500 km of new lines and to convert 450 km lines to broad gauge during 2013-14. He also proposed new lines from Rama Mandi to Maur Mandi via Talwandi Sabo and issuing ‘Yatra Parchis’ for Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine at the time of Railway ticket booking to facilitate pilgrims.

As a token of Railway’s contribution for promotion of sports in the country, the Railway Minister proposed that all the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna and Dhyan Chand Awardees will be provided Complimentary Passes for traveling by 1st Class/2nd AC. Complimentary Passes will be provided to Olympic Medalists and Dronacharya Awardees for travel in Rajdhani/Shatabadi Express. Passes for freedom fighters will now be renewed once in three years instead of every year.

Announcing staff welfare measures, the Railway Minister enhanced fund allocation for staff quarters to Rs. 300 crore and setting up of hostels for single women railway employees at all divisional headquarters. He said that this year 1.52 lakh vacancies will be filled up, out of which 47000 will be for weaker sections and the physically challenged. A multi-disciplinary training institute will set up at Nagpur for training in rail related electronics technologies.

PM's statement on the Railway Budget:

“The Minister for Railways has done a commendable job in meeting competing demands of improving and increasing services for commuters and controlling expenditure of his department. It is a reformist and forward looking Budget which presents a realistic picture of Railway finances. I compliment him for his innovations in critical areas of Railway infrastructure and paving the way for capacity expansion.”

New Delh/Jalandhar, February 28, 2013  : Delhi-Bahadurgarh-Rohtak commuters are all set to get a faster and economical EMU train option as Union Railways Minister Pawan Bansal and Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda will inaugurate the Rohtak-Delhi EMU Train services on March 3 at Rohtak.

Disclosing this at New Delhi today, Congress MP Deepender Singh Hooda said that EMU train would be a new landmark in the development of Railway network and facilities in Haryana.

He said that Rohtak-Delhi electrification project was approved in September, 2007 and would be first EMU service on this route. He said that the EMU train would provide a cheaper and faster travelling option and have 7,500 passengers capacity on one round trip.

The EMU train would start from Rohtak at 7 AM to reach Delhi Railway Station at 9.15 AM, which would start back at 3.50 PM from Delhi railway Station to reach Rohtak at 6.20 PM.

The bus fares are Rs 60 from Rohtak-Delhi, whereas EMU travel would only cost Rs 15 for the same route, he elaborated. EMU train would have stoppages at 15 Stations ie. Delhi, Kishanganj, Vivekanand Puri, Daya Basti, Shakur Basti, Mangolpuri, Nangloi, Mundka, Ghevra, Bahadurgarh, Asaudah, Rohand Nagar, Sampla, Ismaila, Kharawar, Asthal Bohar and Rohtak, so the whole area in particular and other adjoining areas in general would be benefitted, he further added.

Hooda said that Rail network and facilities in Haryana have increased many fold during the last eight years and respective Railway Budgets of UPS Government have brought rail projects, Railway Over Bridges (RoB), Trains etc. Whereas the Haryana used to get nothing during the NDA rule, he added. He recalled that the previous INLD-BJP rule coincided with NDA rule in the Centre but state got no Rail Project. Last Rail Line in Haryana was set up in 1980 and no new rail line was setup in next 32 years and on other side, the present Congress Government has already brought six railway line projects, one Rail Coach factory in last seven years. This would be one of the biggest Rail Coach Factory and many states were competing for this prestigious project, he added.

Rail Line has already been set up one new Rail line between Rewari-Jhajjar-Rohtak, one new Rail Line between Jind-Bhambhewa-Gohana-Sonipat will be completed this year, construction work on Hansi-Meham-Rohtak rail line will start in March this year and three new Rail Line benefitting three distant corners of Haryana have been approved, he further added. New approved rail lines of Delhi-Sohna-Nuh-Firozpur Jhirka-Alwar, Hisar-Agroha-Fatehabad-Sirsa and Chandigarh-Yamunanagar would revolutionize the rail connectivity of the state, he further added. He said that only 16 ROBs were setup in the previous 40 years from 1966 to 2005, whereas in last eight years, 31 ROBs/RUBs have been completed, 29 are in progress.

Ridiculing the double standards of Haryana opposition parties, Hooda said that in their press statements they described the Rail Budget as unsatisfactory and on other side they were part of unanimous resolution thanking Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Union Government.

Taking a dig on the Opposition, he said that in-fact, the Opposition is itself dissatisfied as they have lost an opportunity to criticise the Congress Government. Opposition should rather clarify whether the NDA Rail Budgets in which no new railway lines or any rail projects used to get sanctioned for the state was more satisfactory, he asked. 

Chandigarh, February 27, 2013: A Punjab Police party headed by Sukhdev Singh, DSP/CID/Tarn Taran and Inspetor Sanjeev Kumar, SHO/P.S. Civil Lines, Amritsar tracked and nabbed absconding militant Narain Singh Chaura in Village Jalalabad within jurisdiction of police station Verowal in Tarn Taran district in the late evening of February 26.

According to an official release issued by the office of ADGP, Intelligence, Punjab, Narain Singh Chaura was arrested in Case FIR. No. 201, dated May 8, 2010 u/s 4/5 Explosives Act and 3/4/5 Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, Police Station Civil Lines, Amritsar.

Upon his initial questioning, raids were conducted in the area of Village Kurali, District S.A.S. Nagar in the intervening night of February 26-27. One AK‑56 alongwith 20 rounds, one .30 Mauser alongwith 50 rounds and five hand grenades packed in a box were recovered.

An FIR under sections 3/4/5 Explosive Act, 25 Arms Act, 10, 13, 18, 20 Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act at police station Kurali in District S.A.S. Nagar has been registered in this regard.

On the basis of information given by Narain Singh Chaura, two of his accomplices namely Sukhwant Singh and Sukhdev Singh have also been arrested from Village Jalalabad, District Tarn Taran and Village Pandori, District Majitha, respectively and FIR dated February 27, 2013 under sections 212, 216 IPC P.S.Verowal, District Tarn Taran and FIR dated today under sections 212, 216 IPC and 19 of the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, P.S.Kambo, Distt. Amritsar Rural have been registered against them.

Narain Singh @ Chaura @ Shamsher Singh @ Shera @ Chamkaur Singh @ Kapoor Singh Jamraudh, a resident of Village Chaura, PS Dera Baba Nanak, District Gurdaspur has been actively associated with militant activities in the State since the early 1980s. In 1984 he had crossed over to Pakistan and was instrumental in smuggling in huge consignments of weapons and explosives into Punjab during the initial stages of militancy. While in Pakistan he authored a book on Guerrilla war fare and other seditious literature. He returned to India in 1986, went underground and later again crossed over to Pakistan. In 1989 he came back to operate in India under the assumed names of Chamkaur Singh and Kapoor Singh Jamraudh. He founded the Akal Federation and later the Khalistan Liberation Army outfits.

In the recent past Narain Singh Chaura had been actively attempting to revive militancy in Punjab by coordinating the efforts of remnant terrorist groups in Punjab and abroad.

He is involved in over 2 dozen terrorist activity cases.

He was instrumental in Burail Jail break case leading to the escape of Jagtar Singh Hawara, Jagtar Singh Tara and Paramjit Singh Bheora. In this case he remained lodged in Burail Jail from where he was released on bail on April 29, 2005.

In December, 2009 and January, 2010 he procured huge quantities of arms and explosives from Pakistan and distributed the same to terrorist modules in Punjab. Part of this consignment was recovered with the recovery of an explosive laden Maruti Car at Amritsar, in May 2010. An FIR dated May 8, 2010 u/s 4/5 Explosive Substantive Act, 1908 3/4/5 Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, Police Station Civil Lines, Amritsar was registered. Sukhdev Singh and Gurwinder Singh were arrested, whereas Narain Singh Chaura had absconded. Chaura has been arrested in this case yesterday.

Other parts of this consignment – AK-74/2, Sub Machine Gun/1, Pistol/3, .315 Bore Riffle/1, Revolver/1, AK-47/1, RDX/15 Kg – were recovered in June and July 2010 when the State Special Cell, Punjab busted 2 BKI modules. Other associates of Chaura had been arrested, whereas he had absconded.

Since then (June, 2010), Narain Singh Chaura had gone underground, and the government had announced a reward of Rs.10 lacs for his arrest.

The Police Department has promoted the officials who carried out this operation. One SI has been promoted to the rank of Inspector, 4 HCs to the rank of ASI and 5 Constables to the rank of Head Constable.

Further investigations are in progress.

Dharamsala, February 27, 2013: The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Wednesday directed the state government to maintain status quo on yoga guru Baba Ramdev's land, near Sadhupul. The new Congress government of Himachal  took it  back due to irregularities in its allotment by the previous BJP regime. Baba Ramdev's Patanjali Yogpeeth Trust has already constructed an Ayurveda hospital-cum-yoga 'shivir' hall on the land.
A week ago  state government took possession of the prime land in Solan district in wake of BJP government’s so said wrong allotment in 2010, which violated the laws .
On the petition of Patanjali Yogpeeth against the orders of Vir Bhadra Government, a division bench of Justice Deepak Gupta and Justice Kuldip Singh putting the status quo, restrained the government from demolishing the construction, or changing the nature or possession of the land until the case is disposed of, and directed the government to file a reply within four weeks and listed the matter for next hearing on April 24.
The government on February 22 took back the possession of the 96.5 bighas of land near Sadhupul, in Solan district.
Patanjali Yogpeeth moved the High Court on February 25, alleging that the state's decision to take back the possession of land was illegal, arbitrary and in violation of natural justice.
The land originally belonged to the erstwhile royal family of Patiala, to which Congress leader and former Punjab chief minister Amarinder Singh belongs. The land, donated by Amarinder Singh's family to the Himachal Pradesh government in 1956, was meant only for setting up the Indira Holiday Home for Children.
The Congress-led government in Himachal said the land, valued around Rs. 35-40 crore, was allotted to the yoga guru for a one-time lease payment of Rs. 17 lakh for 99 years at a token annual fee of Re1.

The Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Bill, 2012 was passed by the Rajya Sabha on 26th February 2013. Lok Sabha has passed it in September 2012.

Sexual Harassment at workplace is a violation of women’s right to gender equality, life and liberty. It creates an insecure and hostile work environment, which discourages women’s participation in work, thereby adversely affecting their economic empowerment and the goal of inclusive growth. However, there is no domestic law to address this issue except a few provisions of the Indian Penal Code and the Supreme Court Guidelines in the case of Vishaka vs. State of Rajasthan. The increasing work participation rate of women has made it imperative that a comprehensive legislation focusing on prevention of sexual harassment as well as providing a redressal mechanism be enacted.

The salient features of the Act are as follows:

(i)            It defines “sexual harassment at the workplace” in a comprehensive manner, in keeping with the definition laid down in the Vishaka judgment, and broadening it further to cover circumstances of implied or explicit promise or threat to a woman’s employment prospects or creation of hostile work environment or humiliating treatment, which can affect her health or safety.

(ii)           The definition of “aggrieved woman”, who will get protection under the Act is extremely wide to cover all women, irrespective of her age or employment status, whether in the organised or unorganised sectors, public or private and covers clients, customers and domestic workers as well.

(iii) While the “workplace” in the Vishaka guidelines is confined to the traditional office set-up where there is a clear employer-employee relationship, the Act goes much further to include organisations, department, office, branch unit etc in the public and private sector, organized and unorganized, hospitals, nursing homes, educational institutions, sports institutes, stadiums, sports complex and any place visited by the employee during the course of employment including the transportation.

(iv)         Definition of employee covers regular/temporary/ad hoc/daily wage employees, whether for remuneration or not and can also include volunteers. The definition of employer includes the head of the Government department/organisation/institution/office/branch/unit, the person responsible for management/supervisions/control of the workplace, the person discharging contractual obligations with respect to his/her employees and in relation to a domestic worker the person who benefits from that employment.

(v) The redressal mechanism provided in the Act is in the form of Internal Complaints Committee (ICC) and Local Complaints Committee (LCC). All workplaces employing 10 or more than 10 workers are mandated under the Act to constitute an ICC. The ICC will be a 4 member committee under the Chairpersonship of a senior woman employee and will include 2 members from amongst the employees preferably committed to the cause of women or has experience in social work/legal knowledge and includes a third party member (NGO etc) as well.

(vi)  Complaints from workplaces employing less than 10 workers or when the complaint is against the employer will be looked into by the LCC. A  District Officer notified under the Act will constitute the LCC at the district level. LCC will also look into complaints from domestic workers.

(vii) LCC will be a five member committee comprising of a chairperson to be nominated from amongst eminent women in the field of social work or committed to the cause of women, one member from amongst women working in block/taluka/tehsil/manicipality in the district, two members of whom at least one shall be a woman to be nominated from NGOs committed to the cause of women or a person familiar with the issues related to sexual harassment provided that at least one of the nominees should preferably have a background in law or legal knowledge. The concerned officer dealing with the social welfare or women and child development shall be an ex officio member.

(viii)  A complaint of sexual harassment can be filed within a time limit of 3 months. This may be extended to another 3 months if the woman can prove that grave circumstances prevented her from doing the same.

(ix) The Act has a provision for conciliation. The ICC/LCC can take steps to settle the matter between the aggrieved woman and the respondent, however this option will be used only at the request of the woman. The Act also provides that monetary settlement shall not be made a basis of conciliation. Further, if any of the conditions of the settlement is not complied with by the respondent, the complainant can go back to the Committee who will proceed to make an inquiry. 

(x)  The Committee is required to complete the inquiry within a time period of 90 days. On completion of the inquiry, the report will be sent to the employer or the District Officer, as the case may be, they are mandated to take action on the report within 60 days.

(xi) In case the complaint has been found proved, then the Committee can recommend action in accordance with the provision of service rules applicable to the respondent or as per the rules which will be prescribed, where such service rules do not exist. The committee can also recommend deduction of an appropriate sum from the salary of the respondent or ask respondent to pay the sum. In case the respondent fails to pay such sum, district officer may be asked to recover such sum as an arrear of land revenue.

(xii) In case the allegation against the respondent has not been proved then the Committee can write to the employer/district officer that no action needs to be taken in the matter.

(xiii) In case of malicious or false complaint then the Act provides for a penalty according to the Service Rules. However, this clause has a safeguard in the form of an enquiry prior to establishing the malicious intent. Also, mere inability to prove the case will not attract penalty under this provision.

(xiv) The Act has provisions for providing reliefs to the aggrieved woman in the interim period including leave and transfer during the pendency of the inquiry.

(xv) The Act prohibits disclosure of the identity and addresses of the aggrieved woman, respondent and witnesses. However, information regarding the justice secured to any victim of sexual harassment under this Act without disclosing the identity can be disseminated.

(xvi) The Act casts a responsibility on every employer to create an environment which is free from sexual harassment. Employers are required to organize workshops and awareness programmes at regular intervals for sensitizing the employees about the provision of this legislation and display notices regarding the constitution of Internal Committee, penal consequences of sexual harassment etc.

(xvii) An employer will be liable to a fine of Rs 50,000 in case of violation of his duties under the Act and in case of subsequent violations the amount of fine will be double together with penalty in the form of cancelation of his licence, withdrawal or non-withdrawal of the registration required for carrying out his activity.

(xviii) In case of domestic worker the procedure is different considering the nature of employment. A domestic worker can approach the LCC in case of any complaint. If the complainant wishes then conciliation may be carried out. However, in other cases if the complaint is proved prima facie then the LCC can forward the complaint to the police for registering the case and taking appropriate action under the relevant provision of IPC. 

(xix) Regarding monitoring, the Act provides that the State Governments will monitor implementation and maintain data for all State Government establishments as well as private establishments in their territory. For establishments of the Central Government this duty is cast on the Government of India.  All ICCs have to submit Annual reports to the employer who inturn will submit it to the district officer. All LCCs shall submit their annual report to the district officer. The district officers will submit the report annually to the State Governments.

(xx) The Central and State Governments are mandated to develop relevant IEC and training materials and organise awareness programmes to advance the understanding of the public on the provisions of this Bill.

(xxi) The Central Government will provide financial assistance to the States to meet the expenditure of fee and allowances payable to the members of the Local Complaints Committee. (PIB)

Ludhiana, February 28, 2013: The hosiery industry in Ludhiana is set for a major revival after the withdrawal of 12.5 central excise duty announced by the Finance Minister P Chidambaram in his budget speech today.

The Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari, who is the local MP also, expressed his gratitude to the Finance Minister for this massive relief and said that the hosiery industry in Ludhiana needed this breather.

Tewari, who had personally led a delegation of the hosiery manufacturers to meet Chidambaram in the month of January for getting their demand included in the budget, said, he  (Chidambaram) had understood and appreciated the concerns of the industry and this was reflected in his budget speech.

Thanking Chidambaram for understanding the concern, Tewari quoted him saying, “The readymade garment industry is in the throes of a crisis. The industry needs a lifeline. There is a demand to restore the zero excise duty route for cotton and manmade sector (spun yarn) at the yarn fabric and garment stages. I propose to accept the demand”.

Tewari pointed out, there were about 14,000 hosiery units in Ludhiana employing about 5 lakh people. He said, this will not only help the hosiery industry to overcome the deficits, but also ensure that there is no cut in the employment. He said, Ludhiana’s hosiery industry was set to boom once again.