14 epaper.GreaterKashmir.com Sensex 25516.35 Greater Kashmir SRINAGAR | July 02, 2014, Wednesday 102.57 facebook.com/DailyGreaterKashmir Nifty 7634.70 23.35 `27,850 `74 MCX 24kt/10gm J&K Bank BSE 1586.85 NSE 1583.35 Gold SBI 29.45 21.30 Silver `44,452 Crude `6,375 `338 /Kg 5.10 6.05 BSE 823.10 NSE 823.30 `38 /Brl HDFC Bank BSE 2680.80 NSE 2680.20 BUSINESS twitter.com/GreaterKashmir_ Dollar Euro PNB 1.75 1.75 BSE 994.75 NSE 996.50 Pound ` 82.28 `60.10 ` 102.97 Saudi Riyal ` 16.01 Axis Bank 2.45 4.30 BSE 1920.30 NSE 1920.05 Dirham ` 16.35 Yes Bank 1.10 1.20 BSE 556.40 NSE 556.25 BSE 1437.70 NSE 1438.05 ISRO’s EDUSAT not functioning for 2 years 100 educational centres suffer as government fails to pay annual maintenance contract MUKEET AKMALI Srinagar, July 1: Belying tall claims of utilizing Information Technology for imparting education, the State government has failed to pay maintenance charges for EDUSAT- a satellite installed by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) devoted exclusively to long distance learning in Jammu and Kashmir. Sources said that the failure of state government to pay maintenance charges has deprived thousands of students of learning through satellites in nearly 100 educational institutions across the State. The equipment worth crores of rupees installed by the ISRO have been lying unused for the past more than two years as the Government is not ready to pay merely Rs 70 lakh for Annual Maintenance Contract (AMC). Sources told Greater Kashmir that ISRO after making EDUSAT facility available in Jammu and Kashmir in 2008 had made it amply clear that after three years of its installation, the maintenance of infrastructure will have to be taken over by the State Government. When ISRO’s contract with M/s Huges, a Bangalore-based IT firm for maintenance of infrastructure of EDUSAT expired in March 2011, the State Government expressed its reluctance to Ist Floor, Mir Mall, Opp District Police Lines, MunicipalityRoad Srinagar Cell No: 0194-2480120, 9018585373 ` 9.68 BSE 575.80 NSE 575.45 5.20 3.75 The equipment worth crores of rupees installed by the ISRO have been lying unused for the past more than two years as the Government is not ready to pay merely Rs 70 lakh for AMC take over the infrastructure and subsequently ISRO extended its contract with M/s Huges by one year in order to provide sufficient time to the government to gear up for taking over the maintenance. Official sources said that in April 2012 the EDUSAT facility was completely halted following expiry of maintenance contract to M/S Huges. “Since then, the state government didn’t come forward to ensure annual maintenance of the equipment in two hubs-one each in Government College for Women, Gandhi Nagar, Jammu and Government College for Women, M A Road, Srinagar, besides Satellite Interactive Terminals (SITs) in 100 institutions of higher education-41 in Jammu region and 59 in Kashmir valley,” sources said. EDUSAT was considered to be the next big thing in education system. “As 100 centre’s technically Known as SITs connected to two EDUSAT hubs in Jammu and Srinagar would relay telecast lectures of renowned Professors and Teachers on the request of students residing in far- flung areas. Even SITs were established even in remotest areas such as Nubra Valley in Leh.” “Such lectures were even recorded so that on the request of the students could learn from experienced teachers. Moreover, a panel of subject lecturers and professors were framed at colleges having main hubs so that requirements of the connected colleges could be easily and timely met with”. “However, government’s indifference in allocating funds for the maintenances of these satellites have cost dearly to stu- dents mostly in far-flung areas where the students would have got benefited had the state government paid for the maintenance of these satellites,” sources said, adding that Government is not ready to pay Rs 70 lakh for the activity which otherwise is of immense benefit for thousands of students in nearly 100 institutions imparting higher education “Ironically, the state government in a power point presentation before the Planning Commission of India during the 201314 Annual Plan finalization, had boasted of increasing the outreach of higher education by establishing two EDUSAT hubs and providing connectivity to around 100 institutions”, they said adding however on ground the system is not functional. When contacted, Director Higher Education, Prof Tariq Kawoosa said that EDUSAT would be soon made operational. However, a senior official of Higher Education Department wishing anonymity said that department has invited tenders from interested parties for maintenance of EDUSAT and SITS across J&K. “So far we have received two tenders and hopefully within few days the EDUSAT will be made functional and delivery of lectures to students in far- flung areas would be restarted.” MUBASHIR KHAN/GK Baramulla, June 29: With Irrigation and Flood Control department issuing no objection certificate for 165 kanals of land to be utilized for the establishment of an industrial estate at Jahama, here, the industrialists could soon see their dream of having an IE coming true. According to reports, the district authorities had identified around 190 kanal of state land at Jahama here several years ago. The Chief Engineer I&FC division has issued the NoC for 165 kanals of land and the physical possession of the land was taken by the district authorities a few days back. "It was a long pending demand of the entrepreneurs of the district especially the young unemployed youths who are eager to establish their own units. With the establishment of the indus- It was a long pending demand of the entrepreneurs of the district especially the young unemployed youths who are eager to establish their own units. trial estate, hundreds of educated youths are likely to set up their ventures," Farooq Ahmad Shah, General Manager, DIC Baramulla said. "The existing entrepreneurs in the district are thankful to the district authorities especially the GM DIC Baramulla for their efforts in this behalf" Bilal Ahmad, a young entrepreneur of Baramulla district. The DIC Baramulla has already received hundreds of applications from the educated youths of the district for allotment of land for establishment of the industrial units. New Delhi, July 1: Price of non-subsidized cooking gas (LPG) was Tuesday hiked by Rs 16.50 per cylinder and that of jet fuel by over half-a-per cent after international oil prices surged due to the ongoing Iraq crisis. The increase in rates of nonsubsidized LPG and ATF accompanies the Rs 1.69 a litre hike in petrol and 50 paisa a litre in diesel announced yesterday. The price of non-subsidized LPG, which customers buy after using up their quota of 12 subsidized cylinders, was raised by Rs 16.50 per 14.2-kg cylinder, the first hike in six months. Each non-subsidized 14.2-kg cooking gas cylinder will now cost Rs 922.50 in Delhi, up from Rs 906, according to Indian Oil Corp (IOC), the nation's largest oil firm. Non-subsidized LPG rates were last month cut by Rs 23.50 per cylinder. A subsidized LPG cylinder in Delhi costs Rs 414. Today's hike breaks the declining trend that started in February with a Rs 107 cut in rates to Rs 1,134 per cylinder. It was followed by a Rs 53.5 per cylinder reduction in March to Rs 1,080.50, by Rs 100 to Rs 980.50 in April, by Rs 52 in May and by Rs 23.50 cut last month. IOC said losses on LPG have risen to Rs 449 per subsidized cylinder from Rs 432.71 in the previous month. The loss was Rs 762.50 in January. PTI The J&K Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Limited (SICOP) B O U L E VA R D S R I N A G A R - 1 9 0 0 0 1 NOTICE INVITING FRESH TENDERS Due to poor response to our earlier Tender Notice No.1032 of 16th May, 2014 issued by FA & CAO, J&K SICOP Srinagar, tenders are re-invited in respect of the following items. 1/3/5/7/9/11/13/15/17/19/21/- Agriculture Implements Cement Based Products Green House (P/F) PVC Cables Plastic molded furniture/Tanks Sheet Metal Items Wooden furniture items. Steel Furniture III Wooden/Steel fabricated Huts Tele-film Documentaries P/f Of Intercom/EPABX System 2/4/6/810/12/14/16/18/20/22/- ACSR/ACC Conductor Furnishing items Modular Furniture PVC Conduit Pipes Portable Transformers/Stabilizers Smart Classrooms/IT enabled class rooms Audio/Video Conferencing Steel Furniture II Hi-Tech Security Automation System Solar Application/equipments Linen Bedding All the SSI Units registered with SICOP under Marketing Assistance Scheme for the said activities are required to participate in the tendering process as per schedule given hereunder so that the process of fixation of rates for the financial year 2014-15 is completed without any further delay. 1/- Date of Issuance of Tender documents - 03-07-2014 to 16-07-2014 2/- Date of Receipt of Tender documents - 19-07-2014 (full working day) 3/- Date of Opening of Tenders - 21-07-2014 at 11:00 AM (in presence of SSI Unit holders who wish to be present) a/- (or the day convenient to Tender Opening Committee) Tender documents must accompany with a CDR of Rs.5000/- pledged to DFA & CAO(K), SICOP Srinagar or the amount can be deposited in the SICOP Chest by cash against proper office receipt. b/- Tender document be addressed to GM (M&A) SICOP Srinagar and submitted in a sealed envelope duly fixed with a revenue stamp of Rs.5/-. c/- Managing Director, J&K SICOP reserves the right to accept or reject any tender document without assigning any reason(s) thereof. Sd/- General Manager (M&A) DIPK-NB-620 J&K SICOP Srinagar 8TH NATIONAL STATISTICS DAY CELEBRATIONS J&K STATE HAJ COMMITTEE Bait-ul-Hujaj (Hajj House) Bemina, Srinagar www.jkshc.com. mail at:jkstatehaj@gmail.com Ph: 0194-2495367 2495365 Email: jkstatehaj@gmail.com PRESS RELEASE Reg: Deposition of Balance Hajj Amount The Hajj Committee of India have notified the balance Hajj amount to be deposited by the selected pilgrims of Hajj 1435 (H)/2014 (G). All such pilgrims are requested to remit the second installment of Hajj Dues in Hajj Committee of India’s Bank Account Number FEE TYPE 25 through Core Banking System in any branch of State Bank of India, as per category-wise details given below:Amount in Rs. S. No 1 2 002 ONE STOP SHOP FOR ALL TRAVEL SOLUTIONS Special AIRFARES, RAILWAY tickets and HOTEL booking; PAN/TAN, e-TDS, e-Tax returns PASSPORT form submission VISA of all countries Ch Yuan Non-subsidized LPG price hiked by Rs 16.5 per cylinder NK005-GK Srinagar, July 1: Vodafone, India’s leading telecommunications service provider, has announced Ramadhan offer under which it will give facilitate the education of underprivileged children in Kashmir. As part of its tie-up with the Sakhawat Centre run by Iqbal Memorial Trust, an NGO in Srinagar, Vodafone, for the second consecutive year, is raising funds for the education of underprivileged children, the company in a statement said. Giving details it said: Vodafone will donate 1 paisa out of every call or recharge and Rs 5 out of every new activation in the Kashmir province during the entire month of Ramadhan. Extending Ramadhan greetings to the residents of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), Asit Shekhar, Business Head, Punjab, HP and J&K, Vodafone India, said, “At Vodafone India, we strive hard to be a meaningful member of the society we operate in by contributing to its development and betterment in all possible ways”. He said, “We run different initiatives which are aimed at promoting greater good, be it helping the poor, protecting the environment or supporting women empowerment. Last year’s we had collected nearly Rs 5 lakh to support the education of underprivileged children.” A bunch of boats on the waterfront of the world famous Dal lake in Srinagar, Kashmir. The tourist rush to the Valley of Kashmir is currently on increase. Accommodation Category Green Azizya Foreign Exchange Expenditure (Including Airfare Airport charges like PSF/UDF/DF/S AT Accom. Trasnp.Moulim charges etc) & Misci dues of Rs.1000/1,53,467 35,000 4,515 1,22,752 35,000 4,515 Total Amount 1,92,982 1,62,267 Advance already paid 81,000 81,000 Balance Amount payable (rounded off to nearest Fifty) 1,12,000 81,250 However, the repeater pilgrim allowed as Companion/Mehram, who are not entitled for subsidized airfare, have to pay Full Airfare of Rs.1,63,350 instead of Rs. 35,000 shown in the table above. It may further be noted that: i. the pilgrims have to deposit the balance Hajj amount in accordance with the accommodation category opted by them. In case of change of category for any reason subsequently, the differential amount shall be refunded. ii. any increase in Hajj Amount due to foreign exchange fluctuation, change in transportation route, increase in taxes/charges, Airfare etc will be notified and collected separately. iii. the pilgrims shall use the pay-in-slips attached with the Hajj Guidelines, already provided, for remittance of money. The pay-in-slip can also be downloaded from the website of Hajj Committee of India - www.hajcommittee.com. The HCOI copy of the pay-in-slip shall be deposited in the office of the concerned Deputy Commissioners/State Hajj Committee. The pilgrims of the district Srinagar shall deposit the pay-in-slip in the office of State Hajj Committee directly. The pilgrim’s copy of the pay-in-slip shall be preserved for production at the time of collection of travel documents. iv. the last date for remittance of money, as detailed above shall be 19th July 2014 (19-07-2014). Non-deposition by the cutoff date shall lead to cancellation of Hajj Seat. v. the detailed information is available on the website of Hajj Committee of India (www.hajcommittee.com) Moreover, State Hajj Committee dues on account of transportation, boarding / lodging etc shall be notified separately. DIPK-2761 SD/- Executive Officer State Hajj Committee 002 GK NEWS NETWORK ` 0.59 IndusInd Bank 19.90 19.25 ALTAF BABA GK NEWS NETWORK Vodafone to facilitate education of needy Yen Decks cleared for IE Baramulla BSNL staff accords warm send off to Kaul RAMADAN SPECIAL ` 213.16 ICICI Bank 14.50 15.20 COLUMN ONE Srinagar, July 1: The officials of the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd (BSNL) Monday accorded warm send off to Chief General Manager Telecommunication, BSNL, J&K Circle, Ravi Kumar Kaul, who demitted his office today on attaining the age of superannuation. In a statement, BSNL PRO, Masood Bala said Kaul joined the Department of Telecom, government of India as an ITS Group-A officer in 1979 after graduating from the Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur in Electronics and Communication engineering. “During his more than 35 years service career in Central Government (Ministry of Communication and IT) in the Department of Telecom, Kaul has held important positions in different organization, including a foreign deputation to Saudi Arabia. He has visited many other countries including USA, Mexico, Singapore and Japan for advanced training and intergovernmental meetings. His contribution to the development of Telecom services in the State of Jammu and Kashmir has been immense,” the statement said. Kuwaiti Dinar 8th Annual Statistics day was organized under the patronage of Director General Economics & Statistics,J&K in the conference hall of Directorate General, E&S, J&K-Srinagar to celebrate the birth anniversary of Prof. P.C. Mahalanobis-the doyen of Indian Statistical System. The theme for this year’s statistics day was “Service Sector Statistics”. The officers of all ranks including Joint Directors, Deputy Directors, Assistant Directors, & other staff members from Statistics & Planning fraternity attended the function. The Joint Director Planning, Shri F. A. Yaswi, as the Chief Guest of the function deliberated on the importance of the day &highlighted the prominence of service Statistics for effective planning and economic development.Speaking on the occasion, Shri A. S. Magray, Dy. Director Planning, emphasized upon the need of qualitative statistics for effective planning. Shri Malik Suhail, Assistant Director Planning,while sharing the dais highlighted the importance & reliance of economy on service sector & consequent policy suggestions. Dr. M. Maqbool Bhat, Assistant Director Planning,also spoke on the occasion & underlined some data gaps in service sectors statistics with suggestions for technical stimulations to rectify the same. The speakers discussed the emerging challenges being posed by modern dynamism in tertiary and other service sectors. The new latest techniques of data mining & effective planning were also discussed thread bare. Special thanks were presented to Shri A. H. Qadri, Regional Joint Director, Kashmir for facilitating the successful accomplishment of the programme through efficient managerial & logistic support. At the conclusion, sincere gratitude was articulated for Shri R A Banday, worthy Director General Economics & Statistics, J&K for his dynamic leadership & interminable support to statistics & planning fraternity in the state. The function concluded with the vote of thanks presented by Shri Mir Javid Rasool.