$-0.67 -49.95 -153.17`69315 business

Srinagar | August 3, 2013, SaturdayGreater KashmirSTOCKS CurrenCy

SBIJ&K Bank HDFC Bank PnB Axis Bank ICICI BankBSE 887.00 q-26.00NSE 887.10 q-27.10

BSE 390.35 q-3.00NSE 390.45 q-2.50

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BSE 1104.05 19.25NSE 1103.20 17.40

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euro Pound Saudi riyal Kuwaiti DinarDirham yen Ch yuan`80.90 `93.01 `16.29 `214.14`16.63 ` 0.61 `9.96

Dollar Crude/Brl

` 61.10 $108.87Sensex nifty Gold24kt/10gm Silver /Kg

19164.02 5677.90 `28,425.00 `42,100.00

in Delhi

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BSE 1681.35 q-2.10 NSE 1680.60 q-2.60

205 `0.67

003

PeoPle’s social & cultural societyTalent Scholarship Test

result 2012 -13First three Positions From Class 5th to 12th

s. no. name roll no sChool name Class Position Prize/amount1 rizwana mehmood 1350 dPs ,Pantha Chowk ,srinagar 10th 1st 3000 +150 / month (sCholarshiP)

2 anas ashraF malik 1041 Caset exP. sChool, karanagar,srinagar 9th 2nd 2500 + 100 / month

(sCholarshiP)3 insha kawoosa 1060 Caset exP. sChool, karanagar,srinagar 9th 3rd 2000 + 50 / month (sCholarshiP)

Class wise Positions From Class 5th to 12th 1 rabia malik 1326 dPs PanthaChowk srinagar 5th 1st 10002 shaFaqat rasheed 1259 akmal institute tral 6th 1st 10003 arsalan rashid 1276 hajahad PubliC sChool awantiPora 7th 1st 10004 Faraz mushtaq wani 1062 Caset exP. sChool karanagar srinagar 8th 1st 10005 humaira zakir 1043 Caset exP. sChool karanagar srinagar 9th 1st 10006 sayed ahsaan razvi 1017 kashmir govt PolyteChniC srinagar 10th 1st 10007 saima malik 1329 dPs PanthaChowk srinagar 11th 1st 10008 junaid shaFi dar 1325 g.h.s.s. lethPora 12th 1st 1000

{drawing ComPetition} First Four Positions From Class 1st to 4th 1 toiba malik 1331 dPs PanthaChowk srinagar 3rd

1st 1000 + 400 lumP sumP (sCholarshiP)

2 Faizan hassan bhat 1246 akmal institute, tral 4th2nd 800 + 300 lumP sumP

(sCholarshiP)3 hakeem haFsa 1338 dolPhin international sChool Pulwama 2nd 3rd 5004 akash rashid bhat 1279 hajahad PubliC sChool awantiPora 4th 4th 500

NoTe:Any student interested for revaluation or photocopy of answer paper may submit the application on plain paper with a revaluation fee of Rs 50, within five days from the date of declaration of this result.All the participants are informed to collect their Prizes/participation certificates from the said office.Any corporative sector interested to sponsor our TST program for the year 2013-14 may contact to the office of the chairman or the below mentioned cell No’s. Our organization is exempted from Income Tax under (80-G).

office 243-A, BAlgArdeN, SriNAgAr-10, Ph# 9797289672, 9796121811, PoSTAl AddreSS: - 1428 (g.P.o) SriNAgAr – 190001

e- mAil: - PScSiNdiA@yAhoo.com

DDBs and Plan Resource Allocations-IV

State Finance Commission’s Formula

Professor Nisar ali

Given the mandate of J&K State Finance Commission (2007-10) there were expectations that its recommen-dations would be implemented during XI and XII plan period and many of the development controversies could have been set to rest and probably the Planning Com-mission would restrain on state’s underperformance. On the domestic front the controversy on district plan allocation for Jammu Rs 109.47 crore while the district Srinagar allocation of Rs 63 crore also would not get blown up in the public circles. The preamble of the mandate (J&KSFC Act 2006) starts with “to provide for ensuring equitable devel-opment of all regions in the State by equitable distri-bution of resources available for development and making good backlog of development and employment at regional and district levels in the State of Jammu

and Kashmir”. We suggested a few amendments in the Panchayati Raj Act 1989 and Panchayat Raj Rules 1996 and also District Development Boards to make the development admin-istration more responsive, people-friendly, responsible and efficient in decentralized development process. While the Commission realized that the sectoral development disparities to a certain degree exist in the state between regions, but the aggregate regional development disparities and plan resource allocation disparities between the regions are not established. In fact we set the so-called regional development disparity controversy finally to rest. Based on disaggregated 45 social and economic develop-ment indicators and using the UNDP methodology, we prepared development indices of principal sectors like education development index, access to safe drinking water index, road connectivity index, rural electrification index, agricultural development index, industrial development index, economic welfare index and so on and condensed these sub-indices into broad social development index, agricultural development index, economic welfare index and converted mean of the sub-indices in to Aggregate Development Index (ADI). From 1980-81 to the end of X plan we analysed the data and arrived at a finding confirming that there are no regional development disparities between Jammu region and Kashmir region. While the district Jammu ranks at number 1 with ADI value 0.4801 followed by district Srinagar with ADI value 0.4562, district Doda emerges at the tail end with index value 0.3213 in Jammu region, the district Kupwara also emerges at the tail end with index value 0.3346. In other words the districts Doda, Kupwara, Leh and Kargil are the least developed districts while district Jammu, Srinagar Pulwama and Kathua emerge on the top of the level of development. The other districts rank in the middle. The disaggregated analysis shows that the district Kargil with education development index value 0.2659, Kupwara with EDI 0.2434 and Budgam with EDI value 0.2489 are at the tail end in education development, while Jammu ranks number 1 followed by district Srinagar. Both the degree of development and the degree of back-wardness or deprivation in the two regions are evenly distributed.

Criteria for plan resourCe alloCation to the distriCts and regions in Jammu and Kashmir aCCording to state finanCe Commission (2007-10)

parameters of allocation Weightage (%) Jammu region Kashmir region ladakh regionarea (sq Kms) 20 26293 (34.34) 15948(20.84) 34313.4*(44.82)population 35 53.23 65.81 2.84degree of development/ 45 45.77 44.39 9.84Backwardness (% share)

(43.68) (54.00) (2.32)

aggregate development 0.4333 0.4349 0.3374index (adi value) (35.94) (36.07) (27.99)

Source: J&K SFC Report Vol I p 238. Figurs in brackets are % share due *economic use of land subject to reassessment

This analysis can better guide the government in fixing priorities while allocat-ing plan resources at district level. Unfortunately the SFC report was tabled in the Legislature but not put to debate nor the allocation formulae have been used while District Development Boards approve the district plan. I examined the approaches followed by other states and evolved a method that would entitle a district a particular quantum of annual plan fund. Based on 45 social and economic indicators of develop-ment in disaggregated form, we estimated index value of each sector that would entitle each district to annual plan funds based on criteria of ‘Population” with weightage 35 percent, “Area” with weightage 20 percent and the “ Degree of Development” or the “Degree of Backwardness” with weightage 45 percent. In terms of Aggregate Development Index (ADI) the Kashmir region ranks 1 with index value 0.4349, the Jammu region ranks second with ADI value 0.4333 and the Ladakh region third with ADI value 0.3374. The criteria to be used by District Devel-opment Boards for approval of the district plans “Population”, “area” which vary between regions but the degree of relative backwardness is evenly distributed between Jammu region and Kashmir region, that is, 45.77 percent and 44.39 percent respectively. Hence using SFC criteria we ensure equitable distribution of plan resources based on entitlement of the districts. The same method is followed for urban and rural local bodies. There is a scope to exercise value judgment in considering area of Kargil and Leh where the area having potential to be put to economic use can help in arriving at rational plan allocation on area basis. Thus it is the few sub-sectors in each region which require priority in plan allocation to bring about equitable development in all the regions. For example, irrigation capacity building, road connectivity, healthcare and potable water in Jammu region, while primary education, road quality, safe drink-ing water supply and animal husbandry in Kashmir region. ConClusion The State Finance Commission provides better insight into state’s economy and prescriptions for governance reforms. The constraints on growth performance have to be reckoned with positive mind. The districts present acute geographical and resource diversity which can be taken care of by delegation of powers and plan funds to decentralized governance institutions. The regional disparities are slogans without substance but intra-regional dispari-ties seem to be deep rooted and need plan priorities based on entitlements. Therefore, District Planning Boards need to examine the district levels of development or the deprivation levels to understand the requirements and allocate plan resources as per the entitlement of the district. This will go a long way in ensuring equitable distribu-tion of plan resources for equitable development in the state.

ConcludedThe views expressed are author’s own and not necessarily of the office he holds.

Poor irrigation: Farmlands drying up in Kupwara

sHaHiD rafiQ

Kupwara, Aug 2: Tens of hundreds of kanals of maize, potato and paddy fields are drying up in this north Kashmir district due to acute shortage of irrigation. The dry weather conditions pre-vailing in the district, accord-ing to farmers, have further compounded the problem. The sustained increase in temperatures, the farmers

said, has brought down the level in natural water source leaving little water for irriga-tion. Pertinently, the farmers several times during the past week offered special prayers and alms for rains. The farmers said that for almost 10 years they were incurring heavy farm losses. “The authorities have failed to provide for a reliable irri-gation system in the district,” they said. “Despite having rich water resources, Kupwara

has become a drought prone district as government has failed to lay a network of irri-gation canals,” they said.

Pertinently, a number of streams and springs are crisscrossing the district besides two mighty rivers—Kishangange and Nallah Pohruwhich— flow through Machil, Kamkadi, Jumagund and Keran and Kupwara and Handwara. “The water of these rivers, streams and springs could be utilized for irriga-tion had the authorities developed a chain of canals

in the district,” said Muham-mad Amin, a farmer. Curiously in many areas in the district the rain-fed

maize and paddy fields have developed cracks. Areas most affected by the drought like conditions are: Keegam, Kandi, Nut-noosa, Cheepora, Haihama, Halmatpora, Batpora, Kund-nard, Trumnard, Tikipora, Armbagh, Chalgund, Gun-disana and Gulgam. The farmers in these areas are moving from pillar to post to get the water for irrigation.

ConCern

aTM gives out fake notes in Chadoora

Chadoora (Budgam), Aug 2: Residents of Wathoora and adjoining areas here today alleged that an ATM of J&K Bank in the area was disburs-ing fake currency notes. “After withdrawing Rs 2000 from the ATM last month, I found a Rs 500 note which is still with me, fake” said Dr Fozia Kounser of Gopalpora. “After a gap of almost one month I again went to the ATM to withdraw some cash, but some people stand-ing there told me not to take out the cash as it was giving out fake currency notes of Rs 500 denomination.” The locals meanwhile appealed J&K Bank authori-ties to look into the issue. “The Chairman JK Bank should personally intervene in the matter and see to it as to how the fake currency notes are being put in the machine,” they said.

BsNl Wi-Max service draws flak

srinagar, Aug 2: The state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited is again in news for the poor service of Wi-Max broad-band in some parts of the city. The Wi-Max subscrib-ers from Soura, Buchpora, Zakura, Ellahi Bagh called Greater Kashmir saying the internet service has been extremely poor. “Initially the services of Wi-Max were good but for last three months most of the times I am unable to connect to the internet due to faulty connectivity,” said Tanveer Hussain Shah, a BSNL sub-scriber from Zakura. Shah said: “I have lodged so many complaints with the BSNL but its officials parrot the same line: Wi-Max is being controlled from Bangalore.” Meanwhile, Wi-Max sub-scribers of these areas urged BSNL authorities to rectify the faults to ensure smooth and uninterrupted connec-tivity. GKNN

Spice goes favourite with food lovers

JK Bank holds credit counselling programs

‘Customer First’ campaign launched at Srinagar

GK NeWs NeTWorK

srinagar, Aug 2: Spice – a multi-cuisine restaurant at Residency Road, here, is stimulating the taste buds of food lovers in Kashmir with its gourmet dishes. The newly opened restaurant, according to its owner, is getting huge customer response from different parts of the Valley. Despite being situated at Srinagar’s busy market, the restaurant has calm and peaceful ambience that adds to its charm with heritage-interior designs making one feel at ease. Started by a Kashmir-based exporter after he was

impressed by a Turkish restaurant, Tariq Tenga, the owner, is planning to take it to that level so that the place can match international standards. “I am an exporter as a result of which I travel a lot. During my visit to Turkey I was impressed by a restaurant Bukhara there. There and then I thought of opening a multi-cuisine food outlet where people can relish world class cuisines,” Tenga said. He said the restaurant has world class chefs who are masters in their work. “We have hired top chefs and thank God so far the response is very good. We lay special emphasis on the

hygiene. Our aim is to serve hygienic and good food to our clientele.” Pertinently, the restau-rant was inaugurated three-months ago by Minister for Rural Development, Ali Muhammad Sagar. “People like the atmo-sphere in the restaurant; they come here along with their family and spend time here as the place is fully air-conditioned and have all the latest facili-ties,” he said. “Besides full-fledged res-taurant, we have kept a hall for conducting ring ceremo-nies or corporate meetings for which we don’t demand any additional charges,” Tenga said.

GK NeWs NeTWorK

srinagar, Aug 2: J&K Bank conduct-ed a financial literacy and credit coun-selling programme at the Industrial Training Institute Sopore, in which more than 40 trainees and trainers participated. FLCC Centre Baramulla organised the event. Facilitator FLCC educated the participants about the role and objectives of FLCC centres, impor-tance of opening savings accounts with the Bank. He also informed them about the “benefits” of borrow-ing from the banks for income gener-ating units. Head Cluster-II North apprised the audience about the various services and products offered by the Bank besides customers’ rights. Head B/U T P Sopore and Assistant Project Officer DRDO spoke on the occa-sion.

Meanwhile, the bank held a number of camps at different places in the Valley.

KulgAm CAmps In collaboration with Lead Bank Office, FLCC Kulgam organized an awareness session at village Pambay in district Kulgam, which was attended

by a good number of people including growers, traders and senior citizens. Two sessions were conduct-ed at Government Degree College Kulgam and at Wal-tengoo, Kund, wherein more than 300 students besides principal, faculty members and a good number of people participated.

RsETi RAjouRi JKB RSETI Rajouri wrapped up its 8th entrepreneurship

development programme in ‘Dress Designing’ for its first non-sponsored batch. The batch of the trainees comprised of 25 women belonged to far flung villag-es of District Rajouri namely Nagrota, Surankote, Charran, Tralla, Rehan & Kotedhar. The training was for three weeks.

GK NeWs NeTWorK

srinagar, Aug 2: John Samuel, Chief Post Master General, J&K, launched ‘Customer First’ campaign in Srinagar today to bring the Post Office closer to the customers. The campaign aims to bring the post office closer to the people and to make them cus-tomer- friendly. There will also be training program to train the staff on Customer relationship, a PIB handout said. “The aim is to make the Post Office customer friend-ly so that the customers can enjoy the Post Office experi-ence,” Samuel said. He said: “Customer is the reason for the existence of any organisation.” Under this, each house-hold in Srinagar GPO area will get a letter from the Post Office giving the details of the postal services available and at the same time giving information about the name of the Postmaster and the Postmen serving the cus-tomers and the pin code of the post office. Postmaster will organize ‘customer meets’ to keep in touch with the customers. A detailed customer satisfac-tion survey will also be con-

ducted and this will give a feedback about the customer satisfaction level. Samuel said that all the staff members of Srinagar GPO will be trained on ‘Cus-tomer First’. More than 100 staff members are working at Srinagar GPO. As this is a major Post Office in J&K, customer orientation of the staff members will benefit the customers. Chief PMG added that people can write to him direct-ly sharing their experience of postal services for further improvement and a link will also be provided on the J&K Postal Circle’s websitewww.jkpost.gov.in for feedback during the campaign. J&K Postal Circle has been taking many steps to transform the postal ser-vices in J&K. In the recent past, as a part of improving the postal services, ‘Night post office services’ at Srina-gar GPO and Gandhi Nagar Head Post Office were provid-ed and now they function on Sundays and holidays also. In Srinagar, Floating Post Office at Dal Lake has been established and this has become a major tourist icon. Many post offices in J&K have been modernized and facilities upgraded.

Google, fB asked to inform about

complaints redressal system

New Delhi, aug 2: Google and Facebook were today asked by the Delhi High Court to spell out their mechanism to deal with complaints including misuse of social networking sites by chil-dren below 13 years of age. "You inform us about the procedure you follow to deal with such complaints," a bench of Acting Chief Justice B D Ahmed and Justice Vibhu Bakhru said while hearing a PIL alleging that the websites have no mechanism for protection of children from on line abuse. "Let us see how do they deal with the complaints," the bench said and asked the petitioner to hand over at least one complaint with regard to minors having accounts on such websites and posted the matter for hearing on August 23. Virag Gupta, the counsel former BJP leader K N Govin-dacharya who has filed the PIL, was asked by the court to give a complaint to the Ministry of Information Technology who will then forward it to Facebook and Google Inc, which also runs social networking site Orkut. The bench also expressed its displeasure after the social net-working sites said they cannot display on its home page a state-ment that "children below 13 are not allowed to open an account on these social networking sites." PTI