Press Trust of India
PANAJI, 15 JULY: The BJP will begin door-to-door visit from tomorrow to reach to voters in all 40 state Assembly constituencies ahead of Lok Sabha polls, a senior leader said.
“BJP will have a ‘Ghar-Ghar Chalo Abhiyaan’ (door-to-door campaign) from 16 July onwards which will galvanise the party for the forthcoming Lok Sabha polls,” party’s Goa unit spokesman Dr Wilfred Mesquita said today.
The party is already in the election mode and ready to reach to the voters in the state highlighting the performance of Manohar Parrikar-led state government and failures of UPA government at the Centre, Dr Mesquita said.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar would be visiting 10 constituencies, covering over 300 booths during the campaign that will continue for the next fortnight, he said.
BJP Goa unit president Vinay Tendulkar is heading the campaign. Goa has two Lok Sabha constituencies and one Rajya Sabha seat.

Press Trust of India
ISLAMABAD, 15 JULY: Pakistan plans to form a “working group” this month to hold peace talks with the outlawed Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and other Islamist militant groups, in an effort to end continuous violence in the country, according to a media report.
The working group is expected to be announced after an all-party conference scheduled to be held later this month to build a consensus on the proposed national security policy, ‘The Express Tribune’ reported today.
The proposed working group would comprise politicians and other figures who could use ‘their influence and good offices’ to make peace talks successful, the report said.
According to the draft security policy, the government would devise a mechanism to reintegrate those who either shun the ‘so-called jihadi organisations’ or who got disengaged from such acts on any account.
Under the plan, the government is considering utilising former militants and those militants who are in custody to reach out to the TTP, a group which has united various militant factions operating in Pakistan’s restive northwestern tribal areas along the Afghan border.
The government led by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has already announced that it is willing to negotiate with the TTP and other ‘reconcilable groups’ for the sake of peace. However, the security establishment is wary of this approach as such tactics have failed to yield positive result in the past.
During his last week visit to the headquarters of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Mr Sharif was briefed on the ground situation and the ‘hard choices’ his government have to make for peace talks.
Analysts fear that when dealing with an umbrella group like TTP, there is no guarantee that its component groups would honour any peace deal the government might cut with its leadership. “The strategy must focus on isolating the hardcore militants who may never enter into negotiations,” said security analyst Brigadier (retd) Mehmood Shah.
He said that despite its peace efforts, the government will eventually have to take some decisive action against the hardened militants.
Mr Shah believes that before the coalition troops withdraw from Afghanistan, Pakistan will have to carry out a targeted operation in the tribal belt to eliminate ‘irreconcilable militants’.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister’s Adviser on National Security and Foreign Affairs Sartaj Aziz has refused to comment on the proposed working group, saying that the government would announce the new policy after completion of the consultation process.

Press Trust of India
BURDWAN (WB), 15 JULY: The husband of a CPI-M candidate was among two persons killed today and several others injured in violence during the second phase of panchayat elections in three West Bengal districts where 30 per cent polling was recorded till noon.
“Two persons were killed in Burdwan district. Mohammed Sheikh Hasmat was killed in a bomb attack and another was lynched by a mob after he threw a bomb,” State Election Commission secretary Tapas Ray said.
Hasmat was the husband of Monowara Bibi, a CPI-M candidate of Madhudanga gram panchayat in Burdwan district.
In another incident, CPI-M candidate Siddhartha Banerjee for Panuria gram panchayat in the same district was injured after being beaten up allegedly by ruling Trinamul Congress supporters, police sources said.
A report from East Midnapore district quoting police sources, said that a bomb was hurled at booth no 29/1 at Nandigram after a clash between ruling Trinamul Congress and Congress workers. A Congress worker was injured in the clash.
At booth nos 145 and 146 in Mahisadal, there was a scuffle between Trinamul Congress and CPI-M supporters. There were reports of booth jamming at booths 45,46,47,48 at Moyna after which the police intervened.
At Patashpur, the house of an agent of a CPI-M candidate of booth no 34 was ransacked last night.
Incidents of violence and clashes between Trinamul Congress and CPI-M supporters were also reported from Hooghly district.
An average 30 per cent polling was recorded till noon in the three districts ~ East Midnapore, in which Nandigram falls and Singur in Hooghly, besides Burdwan, State Election Commission sources said.

statesman news service
New Delhi, 14 July
Keeping up the attack on Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, who is a strong aspirant for the prime ministerial post having been made head of the BJP Central Election Committee, the Congress today hit out at him for praising China, saying that it seemed that he wanted to introduce the same laws in India as in the Communist country.
It questioned the veracity of the data cited byMr Modi on the neighbouring country’s expenditure on education and accused him of taking the Indian people for a ride.
Mr Modi in his address to students at Fergusson College in Pune said, “China spends 20 per cent of its GDP on education whereas we in India, having decided on spending 7 per cent of our GDP, are actually spending only 4 per cent on education.”
Senior Congress leader Rashid Alvi, however, said, “I am unaware from where he (Modi) got this data that China spends 20 per cent of its GDP on education. The common man does not collate data. That does not mean you will take people for a ride.” Mr Alvi said that China and India are poles apart. “I feel Narendra Modi wants to introduce in India the same laws operating in China. It is a democratic country. We have democracy. We are far ahead of many countries of the world in education and are further marching ahead,” he said.
 PTI adds: Two Chinese Army helicopters violated Indian airspace on 11 July in the Chumar sector in Ladakh, days after their soldiers intruded and took away an Indian surveillance camera.
The PLA choppers violated Indian airspace in the Chumar sector on July 11 at 8 a.m. and returned after flying for some time there, sources said. However, Army sources played down the incident, claiming the two Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) choppers were only flying close to the Indian airspace and had not entered inside our territory.
The two Chinese choppers were probably carrying out a reconnaissance of the area, sources said. The incident happened soon after Defence Minister A K Antony’s visit to China when the two sides discussed measures to enhance peace and tranquillity along the Line of Actual Control.
Chumar has seen a number of incursion incidents in the recent past including an incident on 17 June where Chinese troops took away an Army surveillance camera meant for keeping an eye on the PLA troops patrolling there. Chumar, 300 km from ladakh, is the same area where Chinese troops triggered tensions in April.

Rural Voice Phase II
uday basu
Kolkata,14 July
The focal point of the second phase panchayat poll tomorrow will be the battle at Singur, Nandigram and Burdwan. The verdict there is going to have significant impact on the political mood of Bengal in the coming days, especially when the electoral fortunes of the Trinamul Congress and the CPI-M-led Left Front will be decided at the 2014 Lok Sabha election. Over 96,000 voters will exercise their franchise in Hooghly, East Midnapore and Burdwan where 25,471 candidates are in the fray for 10,637 gram panchayat, 2,047,  panchayat samiti and 185 zilla parishad seats.
In all, 46,500 security personnel, including 17,000 from Central forces are being deployed in 12,529 booths of 9,079 polling stations. The administration has identified 3,396 booths as hyper-sensitive and sensitive.
If the huge turnout in the first phase poll, especially the long queues in the Maoist-hit Junglemahal areas, enthused the ruling party, the Supreme Court observation asking the Tata Motors whether there’s any point in its continuing to hold on to the land acquired for its aborted small car project at Singur has come as a big boost for the Trinamul. 
Nandigram is a cause for worry for the Trinamul. The agitation against the Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee-government since 2006-2007 brought the Trinamul to power in 2011. But, the TMC has let the people down.

Crusader Malala: The Pakistani teen activist has said she wants to be known as “the girl who struggled for her rights.”
Drug Bill: Licences for manufacturing drugs under 17 critical categories will be given only by the Centre, a new Bill has proposed.
Telangana: TRS president K Chandrasekhar Rao on Sunday said people should not believe Congress until it moves a Telangana Bill.
Dog attack: Excise officials were attacked by dogs let loose during searches at the home of a director of a UP steel company.
Headlines today: All India Radio (AIR) news will soon be available on mobile phones via SMS. News alerts will be sent thrice everyday.
Shot dead: KLA leader Marvin and his two-year-old daughter were allegedly shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Manipur on Saturday.
Mandela update: A former president of South Africa expects Mr Nelson Mandela to be soon discharged from hospital to recuperate at home.

statesman news service
Siliguri, 14 July
The Union minister of state for urban development and MP from Raiganj, Mrs Deepa Das Munshi, said at a rally in Hili on 12 July that political equations in the state would undergo a sea-change after the results of the rural polls are declared. “We are in the contest in South Dinajpur district as our support base has remained unscathed despite the ruling party desperately attempting to make inroads. We will fare well,” she said.
She said her party has fielded candidates in most of the seats in all the three rungs.
“This stands in contrast to the CPM having failed to put up candidates in many of the seats,”
she added.
She exuded confidence that her party would emerge as the viable alternative to the ruling party in post-rural election scenario.
“The people have found no perceptible differences between the present and the previous governments. They are veering round the Congress to provide the alternative,” Mrs Das Munshi said.
The Congress leader stepped up heat on the state government on the law and order front.
“This is the area where the state government&’s failure is most glaring. Atrocities on women are increasing. Police are dancing at the strings held by the ruling party&’s satraps,” she added.

Kolkata, 14 July: A day before the second phase of the panchayat poll, state Industry Minister on Sunday said both the CPI-M and the Congress were trying to stall the polls as they allegedly got scared by the huge turnout of voters in the first phase poll in Bankura, West Midnapore and Purulia, especially in the Junglemahal areas. 
On the other hand, CPI-M leader Rabin Deb said his party urged the voters to move the court if they were not allowed to vote by polling personnel, the CRPF or any other political party activist.
He said despite the High Court order and the state election commission’s instruction, motorbike rallyists were running amok in villages.
Mr Deb said: “We are apprehending that the poll may not be free and fair.”
Mr Chatterjee said: “The first phase poll shows that Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is successful in restoring the people’s faith in democracy.”
“ Obviously, the CPI-M is now alienated from the people, for which it is pinning its hopes only on the SEC to bail it out.” sns

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA
Mumbai, 14 July 
India’s new ODI opening combination of Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma might have clicked, but former chief selector Kiran More is wary of dismissing the comeback chances of senior batsmen Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir.
“Competition is a healthy sign for Indian cricket. There is a good healthy competition going on. Whoever performs will be in the team. If somebody is unfit then Gambhir or Sehwag, or (even) Zaheer Khan, can walk in. You need experience also when you go on tough tours. Overall it is looking good and you can fall back on some of the players,” More told PTI in an interview.
The left-right combination of Delhi’s Dhawan and Mumbai’s Sharma has done exceedingly well in the short time it has been in action with India riding on the duo’s consistency to clinch the ICC Champions Trophy in England and the triangular series in the West Indies.
Praising the performance of Dhawan and Sharma, More was of the opinion that one of the two experienced senior openers could return to the mix provided they do consistently well in the upcoming domestic season, as that would give the team more.  Looking ahead to the next World Cup due in two years’ time, More said India needs to iron out some problems in the pace department and should have a good back up.
“We need good fast bowlers. Most of the fast bowlers have major injuries. To come back and get into the team is not so easy. Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar are bowling very well. We need to look at a few more options in the fast bowling department. The Indian team is lacking a little bit in that area,” he said.
The Baroda man further said that some of the youngsters in the Indian team need to play gain experience and the team should have a core pool of 25 players ready to play in the mega-event to be jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand.
“I think it’s too early to talk about the 2015 World Cup. Definitely the players are young and some of the players need experience. Each player needs to have played about 80-100 matches because that experience always helps you.
“I feel a player like Bhuvneshwar Kumar needs to play more matches so that by the time the 2015 World Cup comes I think we will have more experience.
“All the players have played good cricket. Whether it is (Suresh) Raina or (Ravindra) Jadeja or (Ravichandran) Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, Dinesh Karthik, all of them have played good level of cricket in the last two to three years. That experience will really help.

PRESS TRUST OF INDIA
Karachi, 14 July 
The International Cricket Council (ICC) has dismissed media reports in Pakistan that banned left arm pacer, Muhammad Aamir had been allowed to resume playing domestic cricket by them. Reports were circulating in the Pakistan media since yesterday that the ICC four-member committee formed to look into his ban and case had allowed him to play domestic cricket.
But a ICC spokesman said first of all no permission had been given to Aamir to play domestic cricket or any cricket of any sort and secondly that any decision relating to his case could only be taken by the ICC Executive Board.  “Any decision    to give any sort of relaxation to Aamir will only be made by the ICC Board. The four-man committee comprising Giles Clarke, Wally Edwards, Imran Khawaja and Keith Oliver will present its recommendations to the ICC Board, which will review these before making any decision. Until such time, Aamir will remain suspended from all cricket activities,” the spokesman said.
According to media reports, ICC four-member committee headed by Clarke had recommended that Aamir be allowed to play domestic cricket after PCB Chairman, Najam Sethi pleaded Aamir’s case at the last ICC meetings in London.
But the spokesman said any reports about the ICC even allowing Aamir to use PCB facilities is incorrect.
The next ICC Board meeting is scheduled in October but it is not necessary any decision on Aamir will be made at the meeting.

FAKE TWITTER HANDLE USED TO CRITICISE STUART BROAD OVER REFUSAL TO WALK

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Nottingham, 14 July 
Adam Gilchrist said comments attributed to him regarding Stuart Broad’s controversial decision not to walk during the ongoing first Ashes Test were the work of a fake Twitter account.
“It has come to my attention that a fake Twitter account in my name has been making comments regarding the Stuart Broad catch in the first Test,” said Australia great Gilchrist in a statement issued  news organisations.
“I am concerned that some overseas media organisations have attributed these quotes to me,” added the former Test wicketkeeper, who retired from international duty in 2008.
“Some of these fake Twitter posts may have serious legal consequences,” Gilchrist said.
“While I understand the value of social media I am not on Twitter and have made no comments regarding the Stuart Broad incident.”
England’s Broad had made 37 on Friday when he edged teenage debutant spinner Ashton Agar to Australia captain Michael Clarke at first slip.
Australia appealed for the catch but Pakistani umpire Aleem Dar ruled in the batsman’s favour as Broad stood his ground.
As Australia had by that stage used up both their reviews, there was no way for them to overturn Dar’s decision even though replays showed a thick edge had deflected off wicketkeeper Brad Haddin’s gloves to Clarke.
Broad’s decision to stay put reopened the whole debate about ‘walking’, the practice where batsmen who know they’ve hit the ball give themselves out without waiting for the umpire’s verdict, with West Indies legend Michael Holding saying he should be banned for an act contrary to the spirit of the game.
Traditionally, Australians have always waited for the umpire’s decision but Gilchrist, bucking the trend, was a noted walker during his career.
The comments attributed to the 41-year-old on Friday slammed Broad’s conduct, with the Twitter post saying: “Some people saying, you rely on the umpire. No you don’t, you rely on honesty. Disappointed by the Poms today, if you’re out — you walk.”
However, in his statement Saturday, Gilchrist insisted walking was a choice for individual players and that he’d no issues with Broad’s conduct.
“Those who followed my career will be well aware of my personal views on the matter of walking and that’s what they are, my personal views,” Gilchrist said.
“I had my go and I am now content to sit back and watch the current generation play the game in whatever manner they are comfortable with.”
Broad eventually went on to make 65 on his Nottinghamshire home ground on Saturday and helped Ian Bell (109) add 138 for the seventh wicket as Ashes-holders England set Australia a daunting target of 311 to win the first of this five-Test series.

agence france-presse
Guyana, 14 July
Hugely contrasting half-centuries by Shahid Afridi and Misbah-ul-Haq rescued Pakistan from a perilous position as they reached 224 for nine against the West Indies in the first one-day international on Sunday.
Returning to the team after being omitted from the Champions Trophy in England in June, the mercurial Afridi smashed a top score of 76 off 55 deliveries. Giving him company was Misbah, who  redefined the role of the cautious captain, occupying 121 balls for his watchful innings of 52.
Brief Scores: Pakistan 224 for 9 (Afridi 76, Misbah 52, Holder 4-13)

Statesman News Service
Bolangir, 14 July
In a ghastly incident, five members of a single family were murdered by an opponent group at Thappapali village in Bolangir district today. The victims have been identified as Ramesh Thappa and his four sons~ Madrashi, Jagadish, Kunu  and Kapila.
Land dispute was initially suspected behind the animosity between the two neighbouring families~ the Thappas and the Majhis~ and today&’s brutal attack. However, it was later found out that the attack had a political angle as the families have  nurtured a grouse against each other following a murder on the eve of last panchayat elections, which  took an ugly turn today.
Police have arrested four members of the Majhi family, all of whom have  severely injured in the clash.
“We have arrested Mr Biswajit Majhi, Sadashib Majhi, Sankheswar Majhi and Kandha Majhi for their alleged involvement in the clash,” said IIC of Bolangir Sadar police station, Mr Deepak Jena. The four were first rushed to the district hospital, and two of them were  shifted to VSS medical college and hospital at Burla when their condition deteriorated.
A local villager, who did not wish to be named, informed that the Thappa family first attacked the Majhi family and injured its four members this morning.
“When the four Majhi family members were injured and screamed for help, some of their relatives rushed to the spot and launched a counter-attack on the Thappa family. The five Thappa family members were killed in the retaliatory attack,” he said.
Axe, spade and other sharp edged weapons were allegedly used in the attack.
When police reached the spot, the five members of the Thappa family had succumbed while the four members of the Majhi family were battling for their lives. At least eight relatives of the Majhi family, who were suspected to have launched the counter attack on Thappa family, had fled the crime spot by then. IIC Mr Jena said they were searching the accused members of the Majhi family. Police have sent the bodies for post mortem.
According to sources, Madrashi Thappa was accused of killing Ekadashi Majhi, the son of injured Sankheswar Majhi during the last panchayat elections. He had come out of the jail on bail bond only a week ago. “Incidentally, Madrashi Thappa led the attack on the Majhi family this morning. However, as the fate had it otherwise, Madrashi, his father and three brothers were killed,” said a source.     

STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE
Bhubaneswar, 14 July
More than 8,000 people in three blocks of Malkangiri have been affected due to the heavy rain and flash flood last week, according to a report prepared by the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC).
A total of 33 villages have been hit by the natural calamities. The worst-affected blocks are Mathili, Khairput and K Gumma.
“While three villages were severely affected by the flash flood, 33 villages of two gram panchayats of Mudulipada and Undrahal have been badly affected by the landslide,” a senior official said. He informed that about one km stretch of road on Bonda ghat was closed due to landslide, disrupting road communication to these two gram panchayats.
“About 60 per cent of the blocked stretch of road has since been cleared and the remaining portion is likely to be cleared very soon,” he said. Providing details of the relief operation, he pointed out that emergent food assistance in the form of flattened rice, molasses and biscuits have been distributed among the affected villagers of Gangrajgumma of Mathili gram panchayat.
“Free kitchen have been opened for the affected people of Atalguda of Dungiaput gram panchayat and also at Oringi,” he said, adding that the relief parties have also reached 33 villages which were cut off due to landslide in Bonda hills. Emergent food assistance and free kitchens have catered to the needs of 7484 people. Steps have also been taken to send kerosene, diesel and petrol to the areas which were cut off due to landslide. “Nine medical teams have been deployed in the affected areas,” he said. 
Damages to private houses and crop, loss of animals, sand cast and damage to public infrastructure are under assessment.
The state government has provided ex gratia compensation of Rs 1.50 lakh to each of the bereaved families of the  two people of Oringi village of Khairput block  who were washed away in the flash floods.

STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE
Bhubaneswar, 14 July
Low expenditure under the MGNREGA in Odisha during the first quarter of the current fiscal has prompted Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh to defer a review of labour expenditure scheduled for the end of this month to the end of August.
Mr Ramesh informed Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik about the decision through a letter.
The expenditure under the MGNREGA in Odisha during the first quarter is only fifty per cent of the available funds, he said. 
The state has Rs 715 crore but a review showed that it has spend only Rs 359 crore. This is far below expectations, said Mr Ramesh.
The expenditure under MGNREGA in 2012-13 in Odisha was Rs 1181 crore and the estimates for 2013-14 is Rs 1515.79 crore, he noted.
Mr Ramesh hoped that by the end of next month, the situation would improve both in terms of person days created and expenditure of available funds.
It is pertinent to note that earlier this month, Mr Ramesh had written to the CM pointing out at the poor performance on the PMGSY front. The Union Minister had said that the state does not have the capacity to spend the funds sanctioned by the Centre as far as the PMGSY is concerned and it needs to put the structural requirements in place.
Mr Ramesh had also stated that the quality of work under the rural road scheme left much to be desired and regular inspections by concerned authorities were not taking place.

Bhubaneswar, 14 July: Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi will be on a ‘personal and religious’ visit to Puri to seek the blessings of Lord Jagannath on 16 July. But the state unit of the BJP is buzzing with activity to ensure that the visit attracts public and media attention.
State BJP president Mr K V Singh Deo said Mr Modi will also meet Puri Sankaracharya Swami Nischilananda Saraswati and Gajapati Maharaja Dibya Singh Deb during his six hour visit to Puri. He will meet party leaders for a brief while, but there is no political programme as such, Mr Singh Deo said.     sns
 

STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE
Bhubaneswar, 14 July
BJP leader and former revenue, food and supplies minister, Mr Manmohan Samal today alleged that a ruling party leader was involved in a multi-crore fertiliser scam. He described the Naveen Patnaik government as anti-farmer and said spurious seeds and fertilizer were supplied to  farmers.
Mr Samal said farmers, particularly in western Odisha districts like Nuapada had complained of such spurious supplies. A police complaint was lodged but no action was taken because the entire business is handled by a relative of a BJD legislator, he alleged. 
Black-marketing of fertiliser and seeds is the order of the day in several districts, he said. Even procurement operations are rigged and distressed farmers are forced to sell their paddy at less than the minimum support price to traders from other states, he said.
Mr Samal claimed that Naba Durga, a farmer  in the Junagarh area in Kalahandi district had died after waiting for over a week to sell his paddy at the mandi. Less than half of the targeted 6.5 lakh quintal of seeds has been disbursed to farmers this year, he said. Mr Samal said that even water was being given to industrial houses at a time when it ought to have been released for agricultural operations. He demanded a White Paper on the procurement  and  supply of seeds and fertiliser.