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Human Rights panel serves notice to govt on SEZs
New Delhi, Apr 16 (PTI) From a political hot potato, Special Economic Zones have now become a human rights issue, with the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) serving a notice to the Centre over displacement of farmers due to land acquisition.
"Yes, it is true that the government has received a notice from the NHRC on a petition filed by an Andhra Pradesh resident on the issue of displacement of farmers because of land acquisition for various purposes, including SEZs," a senior official told PTI.
Special references have been made to the Tata Motor's controversial project at Singur in West Bengal and Polavaram irrigation dam in Andhra Pradesh.
Though both these projects are not SEZs, the NHRC notice covers land acquisition for various purposes including the tax-free zones.
Sources said the NHRC's communication to the government was also brought to the notice of Empowered Group of Ministers on SEZs headed by External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee. The eGoM recently lifted the freeze on fresh approvals. SEZs proposed in Maharashtra would require maximum land area of over 65,000 hectares followed by West Bengal and Gujarat.
However, the land requirement for 234 SEZs formally approved would be 33,807 hectares of which 17,800 hectares are in the possession of various state industrial corporations. The rest of the land for these 234 proposals is in possession of promoters. The maximum number of formal approvals have been granted for SEZs in Maharashtra followed by Andhra Pradesh. PTI
SC issues notice to Centre and EC on foreign origin issue
New Delhi, Apr 16 (PTI) The Supreme Court today issued notice to the Centre and the Election Commission on a petition whether a person of foreign origin could be appointed to hold a public office.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan sought response from the Centre on a petition filed by Rashtriya Mukti Morcha (RMM), a socio-political organisation, challenging the Delhi High Court judgement dismissing a petition in this regard.
During the brief hearing, senior advocate P N Lekhi, raised the issue of Congress president Sonia Gandhi being invited in 1999 to form a Government by the then President.
The RMM contented that a political party cannot be headed by a person who has assumed citizenship by registration.
The Bench, which agreed that an important contitutional issue has been raised in the petition, said it will confine itself to the question whether a person who is not born in the country can be appointed to a public office. PTI
Deora to visit Pak to discuss transit fee for IPI pipeline
Islamabad, Apr 16 (PTI) Petroleum Minister Murli Deora would visit Pakistan early next month to sort out differences over transit fee for the seven billion dollar Iran-Pakistan-India (IPI) gas pipeline.
The transit fee remained a thorny issue between the two countries despite an agreement to share quantum of gas from the IPI pipeline, local daily 'Dawn' reported.
The two sides would discuss the issue at the ministerial-level meeting early next month, it quoted Pakistani officials as saying.
Deora has already discussed the transit fee issue at length during his meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on the sidelines of SAARC summit in New Delhi early this month during which he reportedly conveyed India's reservations over "high charges" being quoted by Islamabad.
According to officials, Iran wants to sell natural gas to India and Pakistan at 4.93 dollars per million British thermal unit (at 60 dollars per barrel crude oil price).
On top of this, Pakistan wants a transit fee of 0.49 dollars per mBtu (10 per cent of the gas price) and a transportation tariff of 1.57 dollars per mBtu, making the delivered price of gas at India-Pak border seven dollars per mBtu. PTI
Beni asks Mayawati to withdraw her candidate from Ayodhya
Lucknow, Apr 16 (PTI) Rebel Samajwadi Party leader and president of newly formed Samajwadi Kranti Dal (SKD) Beni Prasad Verma today asked BSP supremo Mayawati to withdraw her party candidate from Ayodhya assembly constituency against him to fulfil her promise of sending Mulayam Singh Yadav and Amar Singh behind bars.
"If she (Mayawati) really wants to put the two SP leaders behind bar, she should support me and withdraw her party candidate as our objective is the same," Verma told reporters here before leaving for Ayodhya to file his nomination papers.
Verma claimed that congress had assured him support.
He said that leaders of regional parties -- Mulayam in Uttar Pradesh, Jayalalita in Tamil Nadu and Prakash Singh Badal in Punjab - have feathered their own nest instead of working for the common man.
About his Lok Sabha membership from Bahraich, he said it automatically stood cancelled as soon as he would file nomination papers from SKD.
Verma also refuted reports that he had met Yadav yesterday night at his residence and said that it was a political conspiracy of SP. PTI
Murali threat no big deal for Aussies: Ponting
Melbourne, Apr 16 (PTI) Batsmen around the world may struggle to demystify Muttiah Muralitharan but Australian skipper Ricky Ponting says his World Champion side knows how to read the wily Sri Lankan off-spinner.
Ponting claims that Muralitharan has himself admitted that the Aussies handle him better than any other side in the world.
"I think we play him very well. He has actually said to Andrew Symonds in the past - he has played at Lancashire with Symmo [in 2005] -- that he thinks Australia play him better than anyone else in the world, which is a good rap," Ponting was quoted as saying in the 'Sydney Morning Herald'.
"You just have to be so wary of him and know what he is going to do. He is a wicket-taking machine and he keeps things really tight. If he gets one, he generally gets two or three pretty quickly. He is hard to face when a new batsman comes to the crease," he added.
Muralitharan has been his usual destructive self at the ongoing World Cup and has so far picked up 15 wickets at an average of 17.13.
Ponting said though his side considered Muralitharan a very threatening bowler, they had a plan in place to check him.
"He is a very, very good bowler. We've got a lot of respect for him. With a bowler of his pace, he's too quick to try to read it as it is coming down. He changes the seam angle just to confuse you if you try to watch the ball in the air. You can't pick him off the wicket, because he's too quick to do that as well," he explained. PTI
Ireland beat Bangladesh by 74 runs
Bridgetown (Barbados), Apr 16 (PTI) Ireland defeated Bangladesh by 74 runs in a cricket World Cup Super Eight match here.
Brief scores: Ireland 243 for 7 in 50 overs (William Porterfield 85, Kevin O'Brien 48, J Bray 31, T Johnston 30; M Mortaza 2/38) beat Bangladesh 169 all out in 41.2 overs (M Ashraful 35, H Bashar 32; D Langford-Smith 2/27, W McCallan 2/25, T Johnston 2/40, W Rankin 2/42). PTI
We played a perfect game, says Johnston
Bridgetown (Barbados), Apr 16 (PTI) Ireland skipper Trent Johnston said his team played a "perfect game" to romp to victory against Bangladesh in a Super Eight clash of the cricket World Cup.
Johnston, who played a cameo innings of 30 runs from 23 balls and captured two important Bangladeshi wickets, expressed satisfaction over his team's performance after their defeat to Australia.
"We more or less played a perfect game today and are happy to come out on top," the Irish skipper, who is known for his chicken dance on the field, said after their win.
Showering praise on William Porterfield, who was adjudged the man of the match, Johnston said the left-handed opener set the stage for their win.
"Porterfield set the foundation and we tried to put up a competitive score and did it," he said.
Looking forward to the next match against the powerful Sri Lankan side, Johnston said Ireland would give their best in the honour of their outgoing South African coach Adrian Birrell.
"That's a big game, the last game for our coach. Hopefully we can do it again. We will work hard against Sri Lanka," he said. PTI
Sensex, Nifty zoom on funds buying, RIL at new high
Mumbai, Apr 16 (PTI) Hopes of higher corporate earnings continued to support the upward momentum of the stock market that saw its key index Sensex gain over 311 points and the Nifty regain the 4,000-point level.
Sustained buying by funds in heavy-weight Reliance Industries and other blue-chip stocks was also influenced by the firmness in global stocks.
The market was expecting robust results from technology major Tata Consultancy Services to be announced later today, in line with Infosys, which had posted higher-than-expected results last week.
The Sensex, which had gained over 270 points on Friday after Infosys Technology announced a remarkable gain in net profits, shot up by another 311.50, or 2.33 per cent at 13,695.58.
In similar fashion, the second wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty rose by 96.00 points, or 2.45 per cent at 4,013.35 after hitting the day's high of 4,016.80.
Shares of Mukesh Ambani-led petrochemicals giant Reliance Industries today soared to a new life-time high of Rs 1,466, while taking the company's market value to over Rs 2,00,000 crore.
The gain in the shares of RIL, the country's most valued firm, followed a statement from the company chairman that it anticipates robust demand for petrochemicals over the next 12-18 months.
Shares ended Rs 49.35 higher at Rs 1,460 at the Bombay Stock Exchange, after paring some earlier gains. Nearly 63 lakh shares changed hands on the BSE and NSE.
Other contributors to the Sensex were, ONGC, Infosys Technologies, TCS, Wipro, BHEL, Larsen and Toubro, State Bank of India, ICICI Bank and Reliance Communication.
Cement stocks led by ACC, Grasim and Gujarat Ambuja Cement were back in demand and participated in the rally. PTI
Sri Lanka seeks removal of non-tariff barriers to trade
Kochi, Apr 16 (PTI) Making a strong plea for removal of stringent non-tariff barriers, Sri Lankan Minister of Export Development and International Trade G L Peiris today said restrictions can slow things down and undermine the confidence of the business community.
Such barriers were hurting trade between India and the Island nation. "NTB shakes the confidence and acts as a wet blanket," said the minister, here to participate in the Business2business meet and Awareness programme on Free Trade Agreement between India and Sri Lanka.
Admitting that restrictions cannot be removed immediately, he said it has to make a gradual exit.
Talks between India and Sri Lanka on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) was going on and the two sides expect to conclude the negotiation process by middle of this year, he said, adding that review of the Negative lists and Rules of Origin was underway.
Review of the Double Taxation Agreement has almost been finalised, he added.
The Indo Lankan Free Trade Agreement had contributed immensely to Sri Lankan economy. In 2000, while Indo-Sri Lanka trade was USD 670 million, in 2006 it touched USD two billion. Indian investments in the Island nation was USD 4 million in 1999, while it rose to USD 115 million in 2006.
India emerged as the third largest export market for Sri Lanka in 2006 accounting for about 7.2 per cent of Lanka's total exports. Overtaking Japan, India became the largest supplier of Sri Lankan imports in 2001 and continues to remain at the same position. In 2006, around 18.5 per cent of Lanka's total imports was from India. PTI
Jet Airways unveils new corporate identity, aircraft livery
Mumbai, Apr 16 (PTI) Positioning itself as a global airline, Jet Airways today unveiled a new corporate identity and aircraft's livery (outside look).
The corporate identity and brand mark has been refreshed to include a swirl of colour reminiscent of a typical Indian dupatta (scarf).
The new look retains the golden `flying sun' and dark blue as a primary colour, but introduces ribbons of yellow and gold that make the mark more modern and inclusive.
The airline has also introduced fresh airline uniform for the cabin crew designed by Italian designer Roberto Capucci.
"We are repositioning Jet Airways as a global airline with the highest international standards but with a touch of India," Jet Airways' V-P Marketing, Gaurang Shetty said.
Jet Airways worked with Landor and Associates of London in making its corporate identity and aircraft livery match with customers in international markets.
"We have retained many of the familiar elements of our corporate identity, and colours, but have contemporized them to make the brand more relevant to global markets," Shetty said.
The airline uniform reflects distinctive international look capturing spirit of new India and a meeting point between East and West, the company said.
This uniform is a sincere and humble tribute to the deep beauty of India, Capucci said in message. PTI
Decks cleared for BSNL to place orders for GSM expansion plans
New Delhi, Apr 16 (PTI) BSNL will now be able to place orders for its over Rs 20,000 crore mobile telephony expansion plan as Motorola, which had challenged its disqualification in the tendering process in the Delhi High Court, has withdrawn the case.
On October 9, Motorola filed a petition in Delhi High Court challenging its disqualification in the 45.5 million lines tender. Due to the court case, BSNL was unable to place any order during the pendency of the petition.
Motorola in a statement said "in view of the tremendous growth taking place in the telecom sector in the country and BSNL's petition of capacity constraints to have its share in this expansion, Motorola has decided to withdraw the case filed in the Delhi High Court".
The US-based company, however, clarified that withdrawal of petition didn't reflect any change in their original position saying "withdrawal of case by Motorola in no way reflects any change in the company's original position that its bid was in compliance with the tender condition".
The Delhi High Court today dismissed Motorola's application as withdrawn. The award, to add 45 million lines in its GSM network, which had gone to Ericsson and Nokia will now be implemented with the withdrawal of this petition.
Ericsson, which was the lowest bidder, would get 60 per cent of the 45.5 million lines, while the second lowest bidder, Nokia, would get the remaining share of the north east and west zone.
Motorola had earlier challenged the award of the contract to Ericsson saying it was the lowest bidder and BSNL had wrongfully disqualified it on the technical evaluation ground. PTI
Would return to Pakistan at the right time: Sharif
Dubai, Apr 16 (PTI) Exiled former Prime Minister of Pakistan Nawaz Sharif has said he would return to Pakistan at the "right time" and that President Pervez Musharraf cannot stop him from returning home.
Sharif said Musharraf would not be able to arrest him on his return like he had done in the case of his brother Shahbaz.
"Musharraf cannot do it again and again," he said adding the forthcoming elections in Pakistan will determine the direction for the country.
In an interview to The Khaleej Times in Dubai, he said that returning to power was a secondary issue for him.
"What is important is returning to democracy and changing the direction in which the party is headed. Our party has the capability of doing better than in the past in the coming elections.
"I am not taking part in the elections to gain power. We have to put the country back on track first. This is the responsibility of the people and all the political parties today," he said.
But the exiled leader said his party has not been in touch with the military rulers and the PML-N is strictly abiding by the Charter of Democracy.
On talks between the Musharraf regime and former Prime Minister and Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader Benazir Bhutto, the former prime minister said he could only speak for himself and his party. PTI
Indian contingent at UNIFIL launches Jaipur Foot project
Harinder Mishra
Jerusalem, Apr 16 (PTI) The Indian Contingent at the United Nations Interim Force for Lebanon (UNIFIL) has launched the 'Jaipur Foot' project to aid victims of landmines and cluster bombs in last year's war in southern Lebanon.
Over a hundred victims are likely to benefit from it free of cost.
"The project involves free medical examination and fitting of the indigenous artificial limb on over 100 Lebanese nationals who have been painstakingly identified by INDBATT-9 over a period of 2-3 months", Major Sumit Sharma, spokesman of the Indian contingent told PTI.
"The project is being funded by Arab Finance House as a result of which all victims are being provided this facility totally free of cost," Sharma added.
Last year, the 15 Punjab Infantry Battalion serving in the UNIFIL had provided 22 victims of war with the artificial limbs and it drew positive response due to its light weight and effectiveness.
A member of the Lebanese Parliament, Ali Oseiran, took keen interest in locating sponsors for funding the project for the benefit of those who lost their limbs in mines and custer bomb explosions.
Five technicians from the Jaipur Foot Foundation would be stationed in Lebanon to carry out the project, Col Mahavir Singh (Retd) of the foundation said during the inauguration of the project. PTI
Sindh HC judges defy threats of action, attend Chaudhry meet
Islamabad, Apr 16 (PTI) Defying threats of disciplinary action, around 15 judges of the Sindh High Court have attended a gathering addressed by suspended Pakistan Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikar M Chaudhry as a show of solidarity with him.
The judges attended a lawyers' meet addressed by Chaudhry at Hyderabad yesterday. This was the first time that sitting judges in such large numbers attended a meeting addressed by the suspended top judge.
Earlier, a lady judge of a sessions court in Punjab, who attended a Bar Council meeting addressed by Chaudhry at Rawalpindi a few weeks ago, was taken out of her post.
Also over a dozen judges and judicial officials, including a judge of the Lahore High Court, have resigned protesting against the suspension and subsequent manhandling of Chaudhry by police.
In a speech at the lawyers' meeting, Chaudhry, who has emerged as an icon for the middle classes in Pakistan cautioned lawyers about the presence of "Mir Jaffars" (traitors) among them.
He was apparently referring to a group of lawyers thrashing journalists in Karachi a few days ago.
Stressing the supremacy of constitution and law he said a civilised society was ruled by the constitution and a representative system of governance.
One of his defence lawyers and President of Supreme Court Bar Council Munir Mallk in his address demanded unconditional withdrawal of the presidential reference and release of lawyers and other people arrested while protesting against the filing of the reference. PTI
Musharraf, Karzai to meet in Turkey to resolve differences
Islamabad, Apr 16 (PTI) In an effort to resolve the differences between Afghanistan and Pakistan, both of whom have criticised each other publicly, Turkey has arranged a meeting between the two nations in Istanbul on April 29.
Pakistan President Gen Pervez Musharraf and his Afghan counterpart Hamid Karzai will meet in Istanbul in an attempt to resolve their differences, the Dawn today quoted Pakistan officials as saying.
Turkish initiative appears to have the backing of the United States, it said.
The meeting would take place amid the immediate backdrop of public spate between Karzai and Musharraf. While Karzai criticised Pakistan's inaction for the growing Taliban strikes in Afghanistan, Musharraf in his remarks at a military conference few days ago threatened to quit the international coalition against terrorism if its partners continued to accuse Islamabad of dragging its feet.
"If we are bluffing each other, if I am bluffing and if Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) is bluffing, then we must be out of the coalition," Musharraf said.
He warned that if the blame game continued, it would be impossible to defeat terrorism and extremism, particularly in Pakistan and Afghanistan.
"The first sign of defeat is to blame each other," he said.
"We have suffered the maximum and we have contributed the maximum. Therefore, we will not accept that Pakistan is not doing enough in the war against terror, the president said, adding "It pains me when people say that Pakistan is not doing enough." PTI
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