Ramkrishna Upadhyay

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 11

Thousands of property owners have been left in the lurch as the Chandigarh Housing Board has stopped the transfer of property on the basis of the general power of attorney (GPA) and the special power of attorney (SPA).The CHB action comes after the UT Finance Department issued directions to all departments that no transfer of title or mutation shall be carried out merely on the basis of the GPA and the SPA. The wills executed along with such GPA/SPA shall also not be considered for effecting the mutation.Interestingly, the Finance Department has issued the order in pursuance of the same judgment of the Supreme Court dated October 11, 2011, passed in the case of Suraj Lamp and Industries Pvt Ltd vs the State of Haryana under which the CHB had been allowing the transfer since 2015.The two different interpretations of the Supreme Court order has left the owners of CHB flats in a fix. The Finance Department, quoting the order, issued directions on December 19, 2017, to the Estate Office, the MC and the CHB that the UT GPA/SPA cannot be treated as an instrument of transfer of title as per the Transfer of Property Act. According to the directions, “No transfer of title or mutation will be carried out merely on the basis of GPA/ SPA. However, these instruments — GPA, SPA and will — can be used for getting the conveyance of the title deed registered.”Sources said acting on the directions, the CHB had stopped all transfers with immediate effect. More than 1,000 cases pending under the Tatkal scheme had also been put on hold. The CHB, in its policy approved in 2015, allowed transfers of dwelling units based on GPA transactions, where GPA/SPA and agreement to sell/will were executed on or before October 11, 2011. While Chairman of the CHB Maninder Singh could not be contacted, Finance Secretary Ajoy Kumar Sinha said the directions had been issued as per the order of the Supreme Court.JD Gupta, property consultant, said the Finance Department should allow the transfer of property on the basis of GPA prepared before October 2011 as per the order of the Supreme Court. He said the decision would result in a revenue loss to the government and would also increase litigation.

Military bands performing at Vijay Chowk during the Beating Retreat ceremony on Monday. — ANI

New Delhi, January 29

Amid soulful classical renditions and foot-tapping numbers rending the air, the Beating Retreat ceremony was held here today, which marks the culmination of Republic Day celebrations.The ceremony this year at Vijay Chowk saw several military bands, pipes and drums bands from regimental centres and battalions enthralling the crowd, with a clear sky and relatively warm weather adding to the cheerful atmosphere.The function began with President Ram Nath Kovind arriving at the venue, his first appearance as the Head of State during Beating Retreat ceremony.Several performances by Army, Air Force and Naval bands, among other troupes, thrilled the audience with patriotic fervour, as they cheered loudly against the backdrop of a delightful twilight.Vice President Venkaiah Naidu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and other dignitaries along with chiefs of the Army, Navy and the Air Force were present on the occasion. — PTI

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman flags off INSV Tarini, a ship that will circumnavigate the globe, in Goa on September 10, 2017. — PTI.

London, January 28

An Indian Navy sailing team out to make history as the first-ever voyage by an all-women crew to circumnavigate the globe is now docked at Port Stanley, the capital of Falkland Islands – a British Overseas Territory.The six crew of the Indian Naval Sailing Vessel (INSV) Tarini started their maiden voyage on September 10 from Goa and is expected to complete it in about eight months.INSV Tarini entered the port earlier this week after covering approximately 15,000 nautical miles since setting off from Goa, crossing the Equator, Cape Leeuwin and Cape Horn.The vessel is captained by Lieutenant Commander Vartika Joshi, with her crew comprising Lieutenant Commanders Pratibha Jamwal and P Swathi, and Lieutenants S Vijaya Devi, B Aishwarya and Payal Gupta.“It is always a surprise when nature catches you unaware just when you are lost into its mesmerising beauty, such as our awe when we witnessed the Auroras – the southern lights… only a lucky few get to witness this at sea,” said Lt.Aishwarya, who has been maintaining an online blog of the group’s experiences.The indigenously-built INSV Tarini is a 56-foot sailing vessel, which was inducted in the Indian Navy last year and the voyage is described as a showcase of the ‘Make in India’ initiative on an International forum.The vessel and the crew experienced rough weather and stormy winds during their passage across the Pacific Ocean, which spanned 41 days. This coupled with the extremely cold climatic conditions of the region, involved winds in excess of 60 knots and waves of up to 7 meters.The expedition, titled ‘Navika Sagar Parikrama’, was flagged off by Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman as part of the national initiative to empower women to attain their full potential. It also aims to showcase “Nari Shakti” on the world platform and help revolutionise societal attitudes and mindset towards women in India, by raising visibility of their participation in challenging environs.The vessel is scheduled to return to Goa in April, and will set off for Cape Town in South Africa on February 4. The first port halt was at Fremantle, Australia, in October 2017, the second at Lyttelton, New Zealand, in November and now Port Stanley, Falkland Islands.The crew has been collating and updating meteorological, ocean and wave data on a regular basis for accurate weather forecast by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), as also monitoring marine pollution on the high seas. They have been interacting extensively with the locals, especially children, during their port halts to promote ocean sailing and the spirit of adventure. — PTI.  

Former Afghan President Hamid Karzai speaks at a session during Jaipur Literature Festival 2018 at Diggi Palace in Jaipur on Friday. PTI

Jaipur, January 26

Supporting US President Donald Trump’s tough stance against Pakistan on dealing with terrorism, former Afghanistan President Hamid Karzai on Friday voiced hope that he will follow his words with action.Speaking at the ongoing Jaipur Literature Festival here, the Afghan leader even talked about his love for Bollywood films, music, and the Indian culture at large.Karzai said that actor Naseeruddin Shah would be the right person to play him if somebody plans to make a film about his life.Responding to a question regarding being termed “anti- American”, Karzai, who was made the interim leader of Afghanistan in 2001 and became the first popularly elected president in 2004 following the fall of the Taliban, said that he was in fact opposed to the US way of dealing with insurgency that left the country hurt and destroyed.Asked about Trump’s recent statements, he said, “It’s one of the few sensible decisions that Trump has taken. We do support President Trump’s statement on Pakistan’s use of extremism and we hope that they will take action, that they will walk the talk this time.”In a scathing attack on Pakistan, Trump had accused it of “lies and deceit” and of fooling US leaders while sheltering terrorists. He also suspended all security aid to the longtime US military ally.While speaking strongly against Pakistan’s support to extremist forces, Karzai today stressed that he had nothing against the Pakistani people.”Yes, the insurgents were getting support from Pakistan, but they not from Pakistani people. The Pakistani people treated us equally like themselves, like brothers and sisters when we were refugees.”My complaint is not to the Pakistani people. I love them just like I love Indian people. The complaint is with the military intelligence establishment there,” he said.The former Afghanistan president was speaking at a session titled “The Great Survivor”.He also spoke of factors that contributed to the rise of Al-Qaeda, saying it was a “very deliberate radicalisation for political gains” and that “Al-Qaeda wouldn’t have happened without the support of the CIA”.”Sometimes I am termed an anti-American. No, I am not. I am very pro-American, pro-western person. I am an eastern man without eastern attributes and qualities.”My opposition to America was because they were hurting Afghanistan by bombing our country, by hitting our villagers, by taking our people prisoners. We were getting hurt, we were getting destroyed, that made me against the American policy,” he said.He said there had been in the past “very deep cooperation” among the US, some western allies and Pakistan “when they tried to use religion to defeat the former Soviet Union”.”And the Pakistanis and the Americans and some Gulf countries joined hands to use Islam. And the more they used it the more radicalised it became.”Al Qaeda wouldn’t have happened without the support of the CIA. It was them who did it. It was a very deliberate radicalisation for political gains,” he alleged.He hoped Pakistan “would agree to peace” so that a dialogue could be initiated between the country and Taliban.On Bollywood and Indian culture, Karzai said, “I can possibly talk more about Dev Anand, Hema Malini, Zeenat Aman, Rafi, Mukesh than most people here.”I have read Kalidas, Rabindranath Tagore and bought books on Mirza Ghalib’s work during my visit to Khan Market in Delhi.” — PTI

Naik Jagadish

Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 24

A soldier, injured in Pakistani shelling last week, succumbed to his injuries today in a military hospital, taking the death toll due to recent ceasefire violations to 13.The soldier, identified as Naik Jagadish, sustained grievous splinter injuries on January 20 during unprovoked ceasefire violation by Pakistan in the Krishna Ghati sector in Poonch district. “The soldier was immediately evacuated and provided intensive medical care in military hospital. Despite all efforts, the gallant soldier succumbed to his injuries in the early hours today,” said defence spokesperson Col NN Joshi. Naik Jagadish (34), who belonged to Gandashu village in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, is survived by his wife Usha Devi and two young children. “Naik Jagadish was a brave and sincere soldier. The nation will always remain indebted to him for the supreme sacrifice and devotion to duty,” spokesperson added. With the death of Naik Jagadish, the number of casualties of security forces personnel has reached six. Seven civilians have also died in Pakistani shelling since January 17.Pakistan has violated the ceasefire agreement over 100 times this month

Lt Gen TS Shergill,PVSM,Chief Advisor to CM Punjab and Sr Vice Chairman GOG along with DC and ADC development were present at the closing day of the training at  Pathankot at Today’s  function with Khushali the Rakhen Distt Pathankot/

Gurdians of Goverance (GOG) Trg was carried out from 15 Jan to 19 Jan 2018 at DS Farm Sarna(Pathankot).

235 GG were appointed and trained.

There are 402 Panchyat with Pathankot Distt.

Present lots will looks after all the Panchyat.

Subsequently one GG will be appointed for each Panchyat beside few supervisors at Dist and Tehsil level.

Col Sunit Pathania,Col RK Salaria,Col Gumukh Singh from ASR and Col B.S. Bhangoo from Ludhiana attended  the function

Guardians of Governance to ensure transparency in execution of developmental works::Lt Gen TS Shergill

As we are aware that  GOG is a dream project of  Capt Amarainder Singh  CM Punjab Said  Lieutenant General TS Shergill and   exhorted the Guardians of Governance (GoG) to dedicate their services for strengthening the communal harmony and brotherhood in the state.  Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh has bestowed a great responsibility upon the shoulders of ex-servicemen to work as eyes and ears of the state government for ensuring complete transparency in the execution of the developmental works.

Ex-servicemen have been appointed as GoGs in five districts of Punjab now Pathankot included as 6th Distt and others will be added as per the training schedule

Lt Gen TS Shergill said that the GoG project launched in the state was foreseeing 18 departments connected with the people adding that GoGs were the real custodians of public exchequer.He said that one GoG would be appointed for each village. GoGs were here to ensure that each and every penny sanctioned by the state government was fully utilised for the well being of the general public.He said that besides enhancing transparency and accountability of the government, the biggest task before the GoGs was to put the state back on high growth trajectory. He said that unfortunately Punjab which was once number one state in the country was now 19th in the country. Lieutenant General Shergill asked the GoGs to work zealously for accomplishing the mission of the Chief Minister to carve out a progressive Punjab.

S.No.DescriptionAmount EntitledProcessed by1.Liberalised Family PensionLast pay drawnCDA (P)Allahabad2.

1. Rs 10.00 lacs
2. Rs 10.00 lacs
3. Rs 15.00 lacs
4. Rs 20.00 lacsRecords Office / MP-5 for cases CDA (P) Allahabad3.
5. Air Travel Concession: 75% concession in domestic flights by Indian Airlines to War Widows Zilla/Rajya Sainik Board4.

 Zilla/Rajya Sainik Board5.Reservation of seats in professional institutes Zilla/Rajya Sainik Board

6.Priority in Telephone Connection: No installation fees. 50% concession in Rental Charges Zilla/Rajya Sainik Board

7.Allotment of oil product agencies under the 8% defence quota Director General of Resettlement

8.Education Concession from MOD: Full re-imbursement of tuition fees, transportation charges and hostel charges less mess charges. Re-imbursement of the cost of books/stationery @ Rs 1000/-p.a, cost of uniform where compulsory upto Rs 1700/- during the first year and Rs 700/- for the subsequent years, and cost of clothing @ Rs 500/- for the first year and Rs 300/- for the subsequent years. The above educational concessions will be upto and inclusive of the first degree course (Revised rates wef 01 Sep 2008) AG’s Br (CW-3)

9.Final Settlement of Accounts-PAO/CDA(O)

10.AFPP/DSOP FundAs per contributionPAO/CDA(O)

11.Death cum Retirement GratuityBased on length of serviceCDA(P) Allahabad

12.Retention of Govt married accommodation for 2 yrs extendable upto 3 years & 6 months at Govt rates QMG BranchBENEFITS BY STATE GOVTS

13.Benefits from State GovtsAs per State RulesState GovtBENEFITS PROVIDED BY ARMYS.No.DescriptionAmount EntitledProcessed by

14.Army Group Insurance (Revised rate wef 01 Jan 2009)Rs 15.00 to 30.00 lacsAGIF

15.AGI MaturityAs per contributionAGIF

16.Leave EncashmentAs applicablePAO/CDA(O)

17.Army Wives Welfare Association (Revised rate wef 01 Apr 2009)Rs 6,000/-Welfare Complex

18.Army Officers Benevolent FundRs 50,000/- (Officers only)AG’s Br (Accts Sec)19.

1.Rs 1.00 lacs

2.Rs 30,000/-AG’s Br (R&W Sec)20.

1. Tuition Fee + Rs 5,000/-(for Books) subject to a maximum of Rs 25,000/-p.a
2. Rs 20,000/-
3. Rs 20,000/-
4. Rs 20,000/-
5. Rs 25,000/-AG’s Br (R&W Sec)21.Housing 3% reservation in AWHO projects AWHO