DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karuanidhi today urged that controversy surrounding the death of state CPI(M) leader W R Varadarajan should end, saying "maligning" him in his death would not be "politics of culture".
Referring to CPI state secretary D Pandian's remarks that Varadarajan's death should kindle a debate in CPI(M) over its functioning, Karunanidhi said this should "not be ignored".
Friday, February 26, 2010
Naveen Patnaik disappointed by Union Budget
Terming the union budget as disappointing, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today said it would fuel inflationary trends even as poor and backward regions of the state were denied special development packages announced for some provinces.
"Against the backdrop of soaring food prices, there is no mention whatsoever about the much promised scheme of delivery of rice and wheat to the common people at Rs three per kg," Patnaik said in a statement.
Fearing that hike in the prices of diesel and petrol was expected to further fuel the inflationary trends in the country, Patnaik said, "This is likely to have a cascading effect on the prices of all other commodities as well.
"Against the backdrop of soaring food prices, there is no mention whatsoever about the much promised scheme of delivery of rice and wheat to the common people at Rs three per kg," Patnaik said in a statement.
Fearing that hike in the prices of diesel and petrol was expected to further fuel the inflationary trends in the country, Patnaik said, "This is likely to have a cascading effect on the prices of all other commodities as well.
ESMA in Manipur to end State govt Employees strike
The Manipur government is likely to invoke the Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) to break the indefinite strike of state government employees since Jan 16 demanding higher salaries, officials said here Friday.
'In view of the strike, the functioning of government hospitals is paralysed and the out-patient departments (OPD) are even closed since Wednesday,' a government official told reporters.
'The ESMA could be applied against those agitating leaders who were on strike as it has inconvenienced thousands of people,' he added.
'In view of the strike, the functioning of government hospitals is paralysed and the out-patient departments (OPD) are even closed since Wednesday,' a government official told reporters.
'The ESMA could be applied against those agitating leaders who were on strike as it has inconvenienced thousands of people,' he added.
Auto parts Cos relieved - expects more reforms than announced in union budget
Auto parts makers heaved a sigh of relief after the finance minister announced a lower-than- expected rollback of an excise duty cut and
did not raise service tax, industry officials and analysts said on Friday.
"It's a good budget. It was a tightrope walk for the finance minister. He has tried to continue the growth stimulus with a lot of prudence," said Vishnu Mathur, Executive Director at the Auto Components Manufacturers Association.
"The increase in excise duty was expected. He has not increased service tax, which was one of our main worries," he said.
did not raise service tax, industry officials and analysts said on Friday.
"It's a good budget. It was a tightrope walk for the finance minister. He has tried to continue the growth stimulus with a lot of prudence," said Vishnu Mathur, Executive Director at the Auto Components Manufacturers Association.
"The increase in excise duty was expected. He has not increased service tax, which was one of our main worries," he said.
UID project gets Rs 1900 Crore - Govt to set up a Tech Advisory
One of India’s most ambitious projects, Unique Identification (UID)–where every Indian will be given a unique number–has received a huge boost with Dr Pranab Mukherjee, Minister of Finance, allocating Rs 1900 crore to the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) for 2010-11.
The Finance minister said that the UIDAI is on track to issue the first set of UID numbers this year. The allocation of funds will help the UIDAI speed up execution, as it gets into the operational phase.
The Finance minister said that the UIDAI is on track to issue the first set of UID numbers this year. The allocation of funds will help the UIDAI speed up execution, as it gets into the operational phase.
6800 more rural hospitals necessary to cope with the rural population in India
This Thursday, the annual Economic Survey released a report stating that India is in need of over 6,800 additional hospitals especially in rural areas.
This will help to provide better basic health amenities as well as improve health infrastructure.
The survey further stated that “There is still a shortage of 4,477 primary healthcare centres and 2,337 community healthcare centres as per the 2001 population norms”.
This will help to provide better basic health amenities as well as improve health infrastructure.
The survey further stated that “There is still a shortage of 4,477 primary healthcare centres and 2,337 community healthcare centres as per the 2001 population norms”.
CAT results by the end of Feb
The wait would soon be over for candidates who are aspiring to get into the country's top business schools. The eagerly awaited result is expected to be out anytime now. Last week IIM official's announced through their official website that the results are to be further delayed and would only be out by end of the month.
This year's CAT was the first time that the examination was conducted as a computer-based online test. It was conducted in the paper-and-pencil format for 33 years. The original schedule for the test was between November 28 and December 7, which was extended by a day to December 8 to accommodate thousands of students who could not appear during the ten-day window because of technical glitches at several centers across the country.
This year's CAT was the first time that the examination was conducted as a computer-based online test. It was conducted in the paper-and-pencil format for 33 years. The original schedule for the test was between November 28 and December 7, which was extended by a day to December 8 to accommodate thousands of students who could not appear during the ten-day window because of technical glitches at several centers across the country.
opposition stages walk out as FM presents Budget in Parliment
The opposition on Friday walked out of the Lok Sabha during Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee's budget presentation to protest some tax proposals - a development many veteran MPs believe may be a first in the history of India's parliament.
Members of the BJP, the Janata Dal-United (JD-U), the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Left parties, the Samajwadi Party (SP), AIADMK and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) rose from their seats when Mukherjee spoke of the basic duty on crude oil being restored.
Members of the BJP, the Janata Dal-United (JD-U), the Telugu Desam Party (TDP), Left parties, the Samajwadi Party (SP), AIADMK and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) rose from their seats when Mukherjee spoke of the basic duty on crude oil being restored.
Excise hike on petro products catalyst for Price hike on Petro products from tonight
The government is set to announce a hike in the prices of auto fuels like petrol prices by Rs 2.71 per litre and diesel prices by Rs 2.55 per litre with effect from tonight, Oil Secretary S Sundareshan said today.
The development came hours after Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee announced an increase in excise and customs duty on petroleum products. During the Budget, opposition leaders staged a walk-out protesting the move would lead to an increase in fuel prices.
The development came hours after Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee announced an increase in excise and customs duty on petroleum products. During the Budget, opposition leaders staged a walk-out protesting the move would lead to an increase in fuel prices.
Govt to boost Farm sector by 4% this fiscal yr
The government will boost farm spending and lift agriculture sector growth to 4% in the medium term, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said on Friday, but analysts said the Budget failed to introduce measures to curb rising food prices.
The government, in its annual Budget for the fiscal year 2010/11 beginning from April, introduced a clutch of measures aimed at spurring rural economy, including withdrawal of service tax on testing and certification of seeds and on transportation of cereals and lentils by road.
Mukherjee said farm credit target for 2010/11 would be raised to Rs 3.75 trillion from Rs 3.25 trillion in the previous year.
The government, in its annual Budget for the fiscal year 2010/11 beginning from April, introduced a clutch of measures aimed at spurring rural economy, including withdrawal of service tax on testing and certification of seeds and on transportation of cereals and lentils by road.
Mukherjee said farm credit target for 2010/11 would be raised to Rs 3.75 trillion from Rs 3.25 trillion in the previous year.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
General Motors to shed Hummer bcoz of its loss of popularity
General Motors Co will wind down its iconic but tarnished Hummer brand after Chinese regulators rejected a $150 million bid by an obscure Chinese machinery maker to buy the money-losing SUV line.
GM had been trying to complete the deal by the end of February after reaching a definitive agreement in October to sell Hummer to Tengzhong, a little-known heavy machinery company based in Sichuan province.
The collapse of the deal represents another setback for GM, which had been working to shed unprofitable brands and focus on its four core brands -- Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC -- after emerging from bankruptcy in July.
GM had been trying to complete the deal by the end of February after reaching a definitive agreement in October to sell Hummer to Tengzhong, a little-known heavy machinery company based in Sichuan province.
The collapse of the deal represents another setback for GM, which had been working to shed unprofitable brands and focus on its four core brands -- Chevrolet, Cadillac, Buick and GMC -- after emerging from bankruptcy in July.
Sachin & dal price - a comic comparison by BJP
The government has "run out of ideas" on controlling the spiralling prices of essential commodities and is "only looking for alibis" to cover up for its failures, main opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said on Thursday.
"Has this government run out of ideas on how to control prices?" Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley asked while initiating a short duration discussion on the subject in the Rajya Sabha. "Obviously it has. The government is only looking for alibis."
"Could the government not anticipate the supply-side shortfall," he wondered. "Today, we are facing a situation where the government's inability to control inflation has become an indirect tax on the consumer."
"Has this government run out of ideas on how to control prices?" Leader of Opposition Arun Jaitley asked while initiating a short duration discussion on the subject in the Rajya Sabha. "Obviously it has. The government is only looking for alibis."
"Could the government not anticipate the supply-side shortfall," he wondered. "Today, we are facing a situation where the government's inability to control inflation has become an indirect tax on the consumer."
CPI - M suspends one of senior mem & Kollam mayor
A senior Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader in Kerala lost his job as Kollam Municipal Corporation mayor and was suspended from his party on Thursday for being present at a function of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
N Padmalochan inaugurated the organising committee office for state-level meetings of the RSS here early this month. Ever since he lit the lamp there, his rivals in the CPI-M were up in arms demanding that he be asked to quit the post of mayor.
N Padmalochan inaugurated the organising committee office for state-level meetings of the RSS here early this month. Ever since he lit the lamp there, his rivals in the CPI-M were up in arms demanding that he be asked to quit the post of mayor.
Post Master Gen. of Maha & Goa arrested on bribery charges
The Chief Post-Master General of Maharashtra and Goa was today arrested for allegedly taking a bribe of Rs 2 crore to transfer government land meant for post offices to private parties. The CBI has called it the biggest catch in the last 60 years.
Manjit Singh Bali was apprehended by the anti-corruption wing of the investigative agency, officials said.
Bali, a 1978 batch civil services officer, is among the top 10 senior officers of the country.
Manjit Singh Bali was apprehended by the anti-corruption wing of the investigative agency, officials said.
Bali, a 1978 batch civil services officer, is among the top 10 senior officers of the country.
ISRO to launch JUGNU - built by students os IIT-K
A satellite developed by IIT Kanpur 'Jugnu' that will provide information on natural calamities will be handed over to scientists of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on March six by President Pratibha Patil.
After testing it, ISRO will launch the satellite from Sriharikota, IIT-K Registrar Sanjeev Kasalkar told PTI.
The satellite will help in gathering prior information regarding flood, drought and disaster management.
After testing it, ISRO will launch the satellite from Sriharikota, IIT-K Registrar Sanjeev Kasalkar told PTI.
The satellite will help in gathering prior information regarding flood, drought and disaster management.
CCTV footage broadcast banned - ATS still clueless on the blast
Broadcast of CCTV footage of the bombed German Bakery here has been banned by a court to protect witnesses and ensure unhindered investigations in the case.
The court issued its directive on an application filed by the Maharashtra ATS, Pune Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh said.
The order also applies to the CCTV footage from the five star hotel adjacent to the site of the blast on February 13, he said. Sixteen people have died in the blast.
The court issued its directive on an application filed by the Maharashtra ATS, Pune Police Commissioner Satyapal Singh said.
The order also applies to the CCTV footage from the five star hotel adjacent to the site of the blast on February 13, he said. Sixteen people have died in the blast.
M F Husain - a Quatar citizen - no more an Indian.
Indeed a sad day for India as Qatar has welcomed MF Husain, one of India's greatest artist.
Since 2006, when the Hindutva hate campaign against him escalated, the artist has been living in Dubai, spending his summers in London.
Husain has been conferred Qatar nationality - something that is very rarely given. The artist told this to The Hindu from Dubai, early on Wednesday morning.
Since 2006, when the Hindutva hate campaign against him escalated, the artist has been living in Dubai, spending his summers in London.
Husain has been conferred Qatar nationality - something that is very rarely given. The artist told this to The Hindu from Dubai, early on Wednesday morning.
MCD discards ghost employee issue
Less than three months after Municipal Commissioner K S Mehra acknowledged that there are 22,853 employees on the civic body’s payroll who are neither registered for biometric attendance nor attend work, the MCD’s counsel told the Delhi High Court on Wednesday that no employee is being paid without work.
Ajay Arora, counsel for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), told the court that the issue of “ghost employees” was blown out of proportion, and that the inquiry initiated by the MCD last November might find there were no such employees.
Ajay Arora, counsel for the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), told the court that the issue of “ghost employees” was blown out of proportion, and that the inquiry initiated by the MCD last November might find there were no such employees.
FBI shares more info on Headley's India visit
Major defence establishments in and around Pune, including National Defence Academy (NDA) at Khadakwasla, were on the radar of US-based jihadi David Coleman Headley who had not only videographed these places in detail but also shared it with his Lashkar handlers in Pakistan in March last year.
This was revealed by the FBI to India during its recent exchanges over the ongoing probe, making it clear that Headley -- who is currently in American jail -- had specifically been asked by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) to scout for "defence installations", besides Jewish centres and places frequented by foreigners, after the 26/11 attacks.
This was revealed by the FBI to India during its recent exchanges over the ongoing probe, making it clear that Headley -- who is currently in American jail -- had specifically been asked by Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) to scout for "defence installations", besides Jewish centres and places frequented by foreigners, after the 26/11 attacks.
India needs GM crops to provide food security to its Increasing POPULATION
Pushed to a corner by Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh’s peremptory freeze on Bt brinjal, the UPA government took the first step of finding a way out. And it needed the authority of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to do that.
In a clear enunciation of the government’s policy on GM crops — a policy that got clouded by Ramesh’s rhetoric — the Prime Minister underlined the importance of biotechnology in productivity and food security, called for private investment in biotech, a time-frame for a decision on Bt brinjal and a national biotechnology regulatory authority.
In a clear enunciation of the government’s policy on GM crops — a policy that got clouded by Ramesh’s rhetoric — the Prime Minister underlined the importance of biotechnology in productivity and food security, called for private investment in biotech, a time-frame for a decision on Bt brinjal and a national biotechnology regulatory authority.
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