Rajnath Singh calls for President's Rule in Jammu & Kashmir

Ranchi, Jun 29 (PTI) BJP President Rajnath Singh today
called for President's rule in Jammu and Kashmir following the
ongoing crisis triggered by the Amaranth shrine controversy in
the valley.
"The President's rule should be clamped in Jammu and
Kashmir called in as the law and order was beyond the control
of the state government," he said.
The senior BJP leader warned against any review on the
transfer of land to the Amaranth shrine board in the
background of the political crisis in Jammu and Kashmir after
the PDP (People's Democratic Party) pulled out of the Ghulam
Nabi Azad government.
Training his guns on the Manmohan Singh government, Singh
said the ruling UPA at the centre had "failed on all fronts,
including economic, nuclear issue, inflation and price rise."
"Inflation rate stands at 11.42 per cent and the central
government is in a confused state, it is only using
international oil market as a cover to hide its inability to
address the problems," he said.
Claiming that there was not any significant influence in
the supply and demand theory in the international crude oil
market, Singh wondered what were the three economists-prime
minister Manmohan Singh, Finance minster P Chidambaram and
Planning Commission vice chairman Montek Singh Alhuwalia-doing
to contain price rise and inflation which would have given
some relief to the cpmmon man.

Wadhawan Lifestyle plans to bring global brands into India

New Delhi, June 29 (PTI) Wadhawan Lifestyle Retail today
said it is in talks with about 20 global brands to bring them
into India as part of its plans to have 3 million sq ft retail
space in the next 3-4 years.
"We are looking at about four verticals, which includes
international and luxury brand, integrated departmental store
chain, specialty electronics chain and value segment,"
Wadhawan Lifestyle Retail CEO Vishal Mirchandani told
reporters on the sidelines of Pure&Play Retail Summit here.
He said for the international brands, the company is
looking at premium mass market brands as Tommy Hilfiger.
"Currently, we are talking to about 20 international
brands. There is a huge opportunity in this space," he said.
Wadhawan Lifestyle merchandise global brands like Ed
Hardy, Christian Audigier and Kitson.
"We may go for a joint venture or licensing, but in case
of joint venture we would look to be the majority partner,
Mirchandani said
The company, in the next 3-4 years, is looking at having
about 3 million sq ft retail space, which can translate into
120 stores.
Mirchandani, however, declined to reveal the investment
size but said it could run up to the tune of Rs 500 crore.
"Our first store is likly to be open within next 6-9
months," he said.
The company plans to have about 7-8 of private levels in
different verticals and also looks to have its own specialty
home electronics chain.
"Another segment at which we seriously looking at is the
value segment. There is a lot of untapped potential which we
would like to explore," he said.

Patil said that at present there is a need to provide

education based on new technology to the country's youth as
the world today needed trained hands.
"Universities, specially distance education institutions
can play a major role in this regard," she said.
Patil said the country needed another green revolution
for improving the agriculture production besides health and
education facilities.
Patil said employment-oriented professional courses
should be imparted to the youths, specially in rural areas
where courses based on dairy technology, agriculture, health
services, hygiene and mechanical work should be given to the
rural youths ensuring employment to them.
She expressed happiness over the Bhoj Open University's
B.Ed programme for the physically challenged persons.
Madhya Pradesh Governor Balram Jakahar, Chief Minister
Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Higher Education Minister Anoop Mishra
and Vice-Chancellor Kamlakar Singh were present on the
occasion.

PDP

In winter capital Jammu, several political and religious
organisations staged protests denouncing the PDP for objecting
transfer of land to the Amarnath Shrine Board.
They torched effigies of PDP patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed
and party leader Muzaffar Hussain Beig at several places.
Raising anti-government, anti-PDP and anti-Mufti slogans,
over 1,000 VHP activists blocked vehicular traffic on the
Jammu-Pathankot highway for over an hour.
Bajrang Dal activists also raised anti-PDP slogans and
demanded arrest of Beig alleging he was making anti-Amarnath
yatra statements.
They warned of serious repercussions if the land transfer
decision was revoked.
Activists of BJP and Shiv Sena and members of Jammu and
Kashmir Vichar Munch and Panun Kashmir also staged protests
blocking road traffic.
They raised slogans decrying the PDP and burnt effigies
of its leaders.

Azad claims he has requisite numbers

Srinagar, Jun 29 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister
Ghulam Nabi Azad, whose government was reduced to minority
after PDP pulled out, today claimed he had the requisite
numbers in the state assembly to complete his full term in
office.
"My government will complete its full term till November
2," Azad told reporters when asked about his future course of
action following PDP's pullout and withdrawal of support from
the coalition government yesterday.
Azad claimed he had the support of more than the required
number of MLAs in the state assembly and his government was
not in any danger.
"I have more than the numbers (required). Why are you
talking about 44, why not 60," he said.
However, the chief minister refused to divulge which
parties or MLAs were supporting his government although four
independents -- Raman Matoo, Usman Majid, Ghulam Mohiuddin
Sofi and Shoaib Lone -- were present at the chief minister's
residence at the time of the press conference.
Meanwhile, the resignations of all the PDP ministers have
been accepted by Governor N N Vohra.
The resignations were submitted to the governor who has
accepted them, Azad said.
PDP ministers stepped down after the party withdrew
support to the government in the wake the controversy over
transfer of forest land to the Amarnath shrine board.
The PDP move has apparently reduced the Azad-led
government to a minority in the 87-member state assembly.