DAILY EXCELSIOR, JAMMU FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2014 (PAGE 11) Need to make drug addicts productive Ansari embarks on China visit NEW DELHI, June 26: Vice President Hamid Ansari today left on a five-day visit to members of society: Prez China where he will hold bilateral discussions with his counterpart Li Yuanchao and attend events to mark the 60th anniversary of NEW DELHI, June 26: were inherent in joint family "Alcoholism and drug abuse Panchsheel agreement. system were eroding. is a psycho-social-medical This is the first visit of an Indian leader to China after the President Pranab Mukherjee The fight against the menace problem requiring a holistic Narendra Modi Government took over last month. It is also today expressed concern over should not be confined to reduc- approach," he said. Ansari's first visit to China, and the first by an Indian Vice the growing alcoholism and ing the availability of drugs but In this connection, he said, President since 1994. Then Vice President K R Narayanan had vis- drug abuse and advocated a also deal with social condition the importance of skill building ited China in 1994. comprehensive programme with which create social conditions and vocational training of drug "We expect substantive outcome based on the discussions focus on making the addicts that cause demand for them. dependent persons for their between the two Vice Presidents....India and China have main- productive members of society It was necessary to encour- effective social and economic tained regular contacts at high level. This is part of our strategic after getting them off alcohol age individuals and families to reintegration cannot be over communication with each other," MEA spokesperson Syed External Affairs Minister of India Sushma Swaraj speaks and drugs. seek assistance for problems emphasised. with her Bangladeshi counterpart Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali at "The aim of the comprehen- related to alcoholism and drug The stress should be on Akbaruddin had told reporters here yesterday. the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dhaka on Thursday. (UNI) sive treatment programme abuse, he said. mobilisation of community A high-level delegation, which includes Commerce Minister should not merely be to get the Mukherjee noted that the resources and greater communi- Nirmala Sitharaman and Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh, is trav- addicted individual off alcohol in the field of alcoholism and elling with the Vice President. Swaraj holds talks with Bangladesh substance (drug) abuse to mark Constitution-makers were ty participation. Apart from this, or drugs... Making the addict aware of the dangers of alcohol law enforcement agencies Ansari is travelling to China to attend events to mark the 60th productive members of the soci- the 'International Day against anniversary of Panchsheel at Beijing on June 28 and 29. Drug Abuse and Illicit and drugs and that is why they should be sensitised to the needs counterpart; meets Hasina ety by making them drug free, Besides meeting his Chinese counterpart, the Vice President Trafficking', Mukherjee also said in directive principles that of victims of substance abuse to crime free and gainfully will also meet Chinese Premier Li Keqiang. He will also call on DHAKA, June 26: highlighted the vulnerability of state should work towards pro- enable them to be rehabilitated employed is what is required," President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People. the younger generation to the hibition. and reintegrated in the society, India and Bangladesh today made forward movement on key he said. Apart from the bilateral aspects of the Vice President's visit, he menace as he pitched for major On an event held to mark he said. issues like visa simplification for certain categories as well as Giving away national 'International Day against Drug Social Justice and will also participate in a trilateral summit on behalf of India where cooperation on supply of electricity from a Tripura-based power awards for outstanding service preventive programmes to deal with it. Abuse and Illicit Trafficking', Empowerment Minister Thawar besides the host China, the President of Myanmar will also be pres- plant. Mukherjee said there was an Chand Gehlot said the menace ent. The Vice President's first stop in China this evening will be These issues figured during External Affairs Minister Sushma Govt imposes USD 450/ton Drug menace continues to spread its tentacles across the urgent need to provide a whole of alcoholism and drug abuse Xian, the ancient capital in central China known for its terracotta Swaraj's meetings with her Bangladeshi counterpart Abul Hassan range of community based serv- will be taken on with utmost warriors and historical links with India through Buddhism. Mahmood Ali and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina here. MEP on potato exports to country acquiring ever-growing dimensions, he said, adding that ices for the identification, coun- urgency and seriousness. Ansari's visit was finalised after Chinese Foreign Minister Swaraj, who arrived here late last night, also discussed Land check price selling and de-addiction of "It harms societal productiv- Wang Yi visited New Delhi earlier this month as the special envoy Boundary Agreement (LBA), proposed Teesta river water sharing while the drub abuse was on a NEW DELHI, June 26: addicts along with their after ity and economic growth," he of President Xi to establish contacts with the new Indian leader- deal and the issue of illegal immigration. rise the social values like self- restraint and discipline which care and rehabilitation. said. (PTI) ship. (PTI) She was assisted by Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh and sen- After onion, the Government ior ministry officials during her talks with Ali at the Foreign Office today slapped a minimum export here. price (MEP) of USD 450 per Bengal to develop tourism Swaraj is here on a two-day official visit, her first stand alone tonne on potatoes to increase Centre agrees to proposal to set trip abroad since assuming office last month. domestic availability and cool The Indian side assured Bangladesh of its positive intention prices. The Directorate General infrastructure in a big way towards Dhaka's concerns on LBA and Teesta river issues, sources of Foreign Trade (DGFT) in a up exclusive ITIs for women KOLKATA, June 26: to foreign tourists. A Detailed said. notification said that "export of Project Report is almost ready Regarding the visa simplification, it was not immediately clear potatoes is permitted subject to NEW DELHI, June 26: The West Bengal for developing Henry Island in who would be covered under the relaxation regime. MEP of USD 450 per tonne". Government has laid stress on South 24-Parganas district, he The two sides also discussed the gas-based power project at The MEP comes into imme- The Centre today agreed to a proposal by Punjab govern- developing tourism infrastructure said. Palatana in Tripura and the supply of electricity to Bangladesh diate effect, it said. in a big way to attract visitors Apart from this, the minister from the plant. As part of Government's ment for setting up ITIs exclu- sively for women in the State, a from the country and abroad, also announced a list of eight Though there are no pacts to be signed and no big expectations, effort to rein in food prices, according to State tourism minis- major projects in the district the trip, which is termed as a "goodwill" visit, is aimed at taking Finance Minister Arun Jaitley measure aimed at ensuring their empowerment by helping them ter Bratya Basu. including development of forward the bilateral ties which are on a "positive trajectory" for had announced Government Basu said that 'massive' work Sagarika tourist lodge at past few years. gain employment. would impose export curbs in was under way to build infra- Diamond Harbour, renovation of Among other issues the meetings also discussed ways to Union Minister for Women form of higher MEP on onion structure and underlined the Gangasagar tourist lodge and enhance cooperation in important areas including economic and and potatoes. While the MEP on and Child Development importance of aggressive market- development of infrastructure at trade. onion of USD 300 per tonne was Maneka Gandhi agreed to a ing to promote the sector. Gangasagar and Kachuberia, Significantly, it was BJP's opposition, coupled with that of notified on June 17, the same on proposal mooted by Punjab He told the Assembly while developing Pathar Pratima and Trinamool Congress and Asom Gana Parishad which prevented the potatoes was announced today. Chief Minister Parkash Singh replying to a question that 12 lakh Gadkhali. previous Congress-led UPA Government from formalising the Prices of potatoes have risen Badal when she called on the LBA and signing the Teesta water sharing deal with Bangladesh. to about Rs 25-30 per kg in the latter at Kapurthala House here foreigners had visited the state There are 39 tourist lodges in The LBA, which is yet to be approved by Parliament, is aimed national capital. this morning, according to a Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal at a meeting last year and maintained that this the state of which 27 are run by at redrawing the international boundary between India and Rising prices of essential food statement of Punjab with Union Minister for Women and Child Development Maneka would show an upward trend the State Government and the 12 Bangladesh by exchanging areas of adverse possession and items like vegetables, fruits and Government. Gandhi in New Delhi on Thursday. (UNI ) once the tourism infrastructure others by private parties on lease. enclaves along with population on either side, thus making the cereals pushed up wholesale price During the meeting, the workers and helpers under Unions. like roads, power, water and Basu said that a coordinated highly incongruous and porous Indo-Bangla border more manage- index based inflation to five-month Minister also assured Badal that ICDS scheme from Rs 5000 He also sought liberal tourist lodges were in place. move by the GTA and the State able. (PTI) high of 6.01 per cent in May. (PTI) the Centre was ready to fund and Rs 2500 per month to Rs financial grant from the Centre Twelve mega tourism circuits Government would expedite the any scheme/program aimed at 8000 and Rs 4000 per month for construction of Anganwari would be developed by the State pace of development in the state overall development and wel- respectively. centers in a phased manner and Government among which are soon. PM for Centre-State coordination fare of women and children in Badal also pleaded for asked for a grant of Rs 4.50 Gajoldoba Mega-Tourism He supported the Chief the state and impressed upon introduction of Contributory lakh per building for the con- Project, Jharkhali Mega-Tourism Minister's dream of making him to submit a proposal for pension scheme with a mini- struction of 2000 centers dur- Project, Buxa-Jayanti circuit and Digha beach resort into one like to deal with inflation setting up "One Stop Crisis mum monthly contribution of ing 2014-15. Badal said more Jungal Mahal Circuit. Goa and Darjeeling hills into one NEW DELHI, June 26: meeting was told. ensuring adequate power and Centers" in each district across 10 pc honorarium to facilitate than 25000 Anganwari centers The eco-tourism destination like Switzerland, and advised Modi "stressed on the need seed availability for the agricul- the state to ensure assistance to retirement of workers and were running in rented/commu- of Lamahatta between Opposition members in the Amid weakening of mon- for both the centre and states to tural sector, and directed that women afflicted with gender helpers at the age of 60 years, nity/panchayat buildings across Darjeeling and Kalimpong Assembly to take the idea in its soon and rise in food prices, proactively mount a coordinated NREGA be used to generate crime. as demanded by Anganwari the State. (PTI) would be made more attractive spirit. (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi effort in implementing the rural employment, if necessary. She asked the Chief today pushed for close coordina- advance action plan for the mon- The meeting was attended by Minister to send a detailed pro- tion between the Centre and soon, with districts, rather than Ministers for Home, Finance, posal to her Ministry for the states on implementing contin- states, being the unit of plan- Agriculture, Food and establishment of a network of gency plans and asked states to ning," said a PMO statement ITIs across the state for impart- set up fast-track courts to deal Consumer Affairs and Water issued after over two-hour-long Resources besides Cabinet ing technical and vocational with hoarders and black-marke- meeting. training to women for enabling teers. Secretary, Principal Secretary to Taking stock of the steps Prime Minister and Additional them to be gainfully employed. Holding a meeting with being taken to contain inflation, Gandhi hoped the unique Cabinet colleagues to review the Principal Secretary to Prime he said states should set up spe- initiative would go a long way progress of monsoon and steps Minister. cial courts for speedy trial of in instilling a sense of confi- taken to contain inflation, the IMD officials were also pres- hoarders and black-marketeers. dence amongst women to live a Prime Minister directed that ent. The country has received 45 "It was observed that the life with self respect and digni- adequate water, power and seed per cent less rainfall in the first measures are having a positive ty besides enormously con- supply should be ensured to the spell till June 17. effect, with adequate rice stocks Met deparment has forecast tributing in the national growth. farmers so that the production is The Minister apprised Badal not affected due to scant rainfall. reaching markets," the statement monsoon to be below normal at said, adding there is now no 93 per cent of the long period of the scheme under which the The meeting was told that State was required to hand over the monsoon has been weak but shortage of onion stocks in average. Rising prices of essen- Delhi. With regard to situation tial food items like vegetables, 250-300 square yards land to it is likely to "improve substan- establish such centers by erect- of water reservoirs and fodder fruits and cereals pushed up tially" in the next two months ing pre-fabricated structures, stock, the Prime Minister direct- wholesale price index based and steps taken to contain infla- the entire cost of which would ed that maximum possible use inflation to five-month high of tion have shown "positive be borne by the Centre. be made of the existing water 6.01 per cent in May. effect". Badal also raised several resources, and best practices be Price of potatoes and onion The Agriculture Ministry has demands including revision in applied in rainwater harvesting. have risen to about Rs 25-30 per firmed up a contingency plan for honorarium of Anganwari more than 500 districts, the He also emphasized on kg in the national capital. (PTI) FM bars tax officials using political influence for postings NEW DELHI, June 26:

In a stern warning against use of political recommenda- tions for postings of choice, Finance Minister Arun Jaitley has asked tax officials to desist from such practices or else face disciplinary action. The revenue department told its officials that the Finance Minister has “observed that many representations are being received from VIPs and other political sources recommending transfers or postings” of tax officials. “He (Jaitley) has desired that this practice should be dis- couraged....,” the department’s communication to officials of Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) said. It asked tax officials to strictly adhere to Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964. The rule says that no gov- ernment servant should bring any political or outside influ- ence to “bear upon any superior authority to further his interest in respect of matters pertaining to his service”. In a similar communication, the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) said that “any violation there of will be viewed seriously and liable to disciplinary action”. (PTI)