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Centre tells Punjab, Haryana to keep forces on alert
New Delhi, May 17 (PTI) Concerned at the stand-off in parts of Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan between Sikh groups and followers of the Dera Sacha Sauda, the Centre has issued advisories to the three states to keep security forces on alert to avert any violence.
The advisories were issued by the Union home ministry in the wake of clashes between Dera followers and Sikhs in the past few days, official sources said today.
The home ministry, which is closely monitoring the situation in these states, will give all possible assistance to them to tackle the situation, the sources said.
Home Minister Shivraj Patil had yesterday said in the Rajya Sabha that the Centre would assist Punjab in dealing with the situation arising from the alleged hurting of Sikh sentiments by Dera chief Sant Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
Parts of Punjab and Haryana continued to be tense for the fourth day today due to the stand-off between Sikhs and Dera followers even as Sikh high priests called for a social boycott of the controversial religious group.
The high priests also gave a 10-day ultimatum to the Punjab government to act against the Dera for its "anti-Sikh activities". After this period, Sikhs would be "forced to act against the Dera", they warned.
The Dera head sparked a controversy by purportedly appearing in the attire of 10th Sikh Guru Gobind Singh in an advertisement in some newspapers. Dera followers and Sikhs have clashed in Punjab, Rajasthan and New Delhi over the past three days. PTI
RIL at new high of Rs.1,688.15; leads rally
Mumbai, May 17 (PTI) Continuing its record-breaking performance, Reliance Industries stocks today zoomed to hit a new high of Rs 1,688.15 on the bourses due to sustained buying by funds.
The increased buying interest was said to be triggered by reports that the company has made two natural gas discoveries, lifting the segment index higher by 178 points.
The BSE Oil and Gas segment index was the best performer among key indices with a significant rise of 178.14 points, or 2.41 per cent at 7,579.70 points after hitting the day's high of 7,591.15, mostly on the back of strong rally in heavy-weight RIL's stocks.
The key benchmark Sensex also ended 172.40 points higher at 14,299.61.
Stock observers said trading sentiments were bullish largely after reports that Reliance Industries, the most valuable company has made two gas discoveries in the separate blocks off the East and West coasts of the country.
They said strengthening rupee against the dollar and reports that state-run refiners might raise their product prices also impacted the trading sentiments positively.
Shares of Reliance Industries stole the show during the session and traded at record high of Rs 1,688.15 before winding up Rs 50.45, or nearly 3 per cent higher at Rs 1684.85.
ONGC, the country's largest explorer's stocks, too were in good form in line with general mood and gained Rs 9.15, or one per cent at Rs 909.
Other firm spots were Indian Oil by Rs 27.35 at Rs 514.70, Bharat Petroleum by Rs 11.90 at Rs 379.60, Hindustan Petroleum by Rs 9.90 at Rs 305.650 and Reliance Petroleum by Rs 1.90 at Rs 52.15. PTI
Idea Cellular and Nokia Siemens sign USD 500 mn deal
Mumbai, May 17 (PTI) Idea Cellular and Nokia Siemens today signed a 500-million-dollar GSM network expansion contract.
As per the deal, Nokia Siemens will expand Idea Cellular's network in Delhi, Haryana, Eastern and Western Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Kerala, the company said in a statement. PTI
Centre committed to interlinking of rivers: Soz
New Delhi, May 17 (PTI) The Centre is fully committed to interlinking of rivers and work on it was already in progress, Union Minister for Water Resources Saifuddin Soz said today.
Addressing the consultative committee meeting of his Ministry to discuss the role and functions of the National Institute of Hydrology, he said work on five projects of interlinking of rivers was under progress.
He said in view of the highly uneven nature of availability of water resources, an accurate assessment of the available sources is needed for optimum planning, design and operation of the water projects.
The Minister also informed the committee members that in the 11th Five Year Plan, the Ministry of Water Resources would get funds for flood management.
Noting that terrorism and climate change were the two biggest threats the world was facing, Soz called upon NIH to include climate change in its studies. PTI
I am used to handling star players: Whatmore
Chittagong, May 17 (PTI) Dav Whatmore, widely tipped to become India's next cricket coach, today said he was used to handling star players and was ready for the challenge if given an opportunity to work in the hot seat.
"All I can say is I am ready for the challenge if the opportunity comes. I am as much ready to sink my teeth into the problems and find out a solution as the BCCI would want me to," Whatmore said on the eve of the first Test here.
Whatmore, whose contract with Bangladesh comes to an end after the current series, said he had a round of initial discussion with Indian team Cricket Manager Ravi Shastri and that he had replied in the affirmative.
"I had a short discussion with Ravi about taking up the job of coaching India and I have said in the affirmative. The discussion centred around how interested I am. I am satisfied with the initial discussion. We are both satisfied," Whatmore said.
He refused to divulge the details, saying "this is not for public consumption".
Meanwhile, six top members of the BCCI, including its President Sharad Pawar and Secretary Niranjan Shah are slated to arrive here on Saturday, and are expected to have discussions with Whatmore.
The 53-year-old Australian, who coached Sri Lanka to the World Cup triumph in 1996 and guided Bangladesh to a good performance in the recent edition of the mega event, said he would have no problem handling the Indian stars.
"It's a question of man-management and how far one wants to take ones career forward and I have to deal with them individually if and when the time comes," he said. PTI
India the superior side, could win 2-0: Bashar
Chittagong, May 17 (PTI) Bangladesh captain Habibul Bashar seemed a man resigned to his fate, conceding that India were the superior team and might even win the upcoming Test series 2-0.
Bashar, who is likely to quit international cricket after the series, said on the eve of the first Test that lack of experience in the ranks and not having played the longer version of the game for 13 months was a worry for his side.
"That we have not played a Test for 13 months is definitely a setback for us. It would have been good if we had played a couple of Test matches," Bashar said.
Bangladesh last played a Test in April, 2006, when they collapsed to an innings defeat against Australia.
The Bangladesh skipper said the arrival of senior pros Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar was bound to add to the strength of the visiting side who won the preceding ODI series 2-0.
"The Indians are a better side. They may even win the two-Test series 2-0. Sourav and Sachin are top performers. We will try to get them out quickly," he said.
"The Indians have adapted to the conditions well. They are tough opponents. But I would like to say here that all teams become equal when a match starts." Bashar felt the good performances over the last one year could serve as an inspiration for the team to do well in the Test series.
Bashar said Syed Rasel and Tushar Imran have been ruled out of the match, the latter yet to recover fully from a viral fever.
The captain himself was suffering from cold, but was hopeful of turning out on the morrow. PTI
Inzamam held responsible for World Cup fiasco
Karachi, May 17 (PTI) A three-member inquiry committee of the Pakistan Cricket Board today held former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq responsible for the team's World Cup debacle, which included a shock defeat to Ireland and an unceremonious first round exit.
The committee, headed by former Test player Ijaz Butt, was formed by the Board to find out the causes of the team's poor performances in the Caribbean.
"There was poor leadership from Inzamam, who was an introvert and autocratic captain, especially after the Oval fiasco when his refusal to go on to the field was overlooked by the PCB Chairman," the committee said in its report.
"Inzamam failed to lead from the front and the chairman of the selection committee was also a weak and a pliant person. As a consequence, the team was choosen at behest of Inzamam," it said.
"There was also serious doubts over Inzamam's fitness to play one-day cricket over the past year," it said.
Inzamam stepped down as captain and retired from one-day internationals after the World Cup during which Pakistan's coach Bob Woolmer also died in Kingston, Jamaica, a day after the team lost to Ireland.
The death is still being investigated by Jamaican police as a murder. PTI
No controversy any more over Greg: Aiyar
New Delhi, May 17 (PTI) There no longer exists any controversy over Indian cricket team's former coach Greg Chappell, Sports Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar said today.
"It has been reported by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) that there is no controversy any more regarding foreign coach Greg Chappell who has finished his term," he said in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.
Aiyar said Government has taken note of the dismal performance of the Indian cricket team at the World Cup.
"Government took up the matter with the BCCI which has informed that the team did not perform to its full potential and has held the team collectively responsible for its poor performance," he said.
"BCCI says they are taking necessary steps to improve the preparation of the Indian cricket team for participation in major events.
"These included intensive training inputs in different aspects of the game, norms in terms of minimum level of participation in domestic competitions and encouraging young potential players," Aiyar said.
The BCCI has reported that through its affiliated units it is ensuring that a major share of income generated is utilised for promotion and development of cricket from the grassroot level, he said.
State units units have been advised to upgrade infrastructure facilities in stadia, set up playing grounds with basic amenities, support cricket at grossroot level, start state cricket academies and prepare lively and sporting wickets, the Minister said. PTI
Injured Brett Lee hopes to bowl in July
Melbourne, May 17 (PTI) Australian paceman Brett Lee is pleased with the progress on his ankle injury which forced him out of the World Cup and hopes to start bowling in July.
"The ankle's good. It's been about three weeks since the operation now and it's full steam ahead," Lee said.
"I'm back doing cardio work, I'm not back running as yet, that will be early next month." The fast bowler hopes to be back in the team when the World champions take the field next.
"In July, I should be back bowling. There's no reason why I won't be playing the next match Australia does," Lee, who played a couple of overs with the children at a northern sydney Primary school, said.
Fellow Test cricketer Michael Clarke also took part in the event organised to promote healthy eating and exercise, 'The Australian' reported today.
Lee had injured his ankle in February at the start of the Chappell-Hadlee Trophy series against New Zealand and has been out of action since. PTI
ICL will not lead to split in cricket: Dean Jones
Melbourne, May 17 (PTI) Former Australian batsman Dean Jones, recently drafted into the Executive Board of the Indian Cricket League (ICL), has played down fears that the initiative will create a split in the game in India.
The cricketer-turned-commentator claimed that the new Twenty20 competition, of which he is the operations manager, will include a mixture of international stars and emerging Indians to help develop players for the Indian national team.
"We're not trying to be a competitor to the BCCI," Jones was qouted as saying in 'The Australian' today.
"Far from it. If India saw a couple of young lads playing really well in our tournament and they needed them for an Indian A tour or even the India team, we'd welcome the BCCI with open arms and say 'you can have him.' That's what it's all about," Jones said.
The ICL Executive Board also includes Kapil Dev, Tony Greig and Kiran More.
Jones said a "hit list" of active and former stars had been drawn up and did not rule out approaching players such as recently retired greats Glenn McGrath, Shane Warne and Brian Lara, but claimed "we haven't got as much money as some people think." He said the new competition will be particularly attractive to overseas players no longer able to get a county contract in England because of greater restrictions on non-English players in the domestic competition.
"It will fill a bit of a void for some of the international players around the world who will no longer be able to play county cricket," Jones said. PTI
Rcom to connect over 2.3 lakh villages under USO programme
Mumbai, May 17 (PTI) ADAG company Reliance Communications (Rcom) today said it will set up over 8,900 base terminal stations, which will provide telecom services to over two lakh villages, in the next one year under the Universal Service Obligation (USO) programme.
"The commencement of the project is a step forward in bridging the digital divide, that will provide telecom coverage to millions living in the remotest part of the country," Rcom Chairman Anil Ambani said.
The project comprises of commissioning 8982 base terminal stations, which will provide telecom services in 2,34,000 villages, which do not have any telecom connectivity at present.
The announcement of the 'World's Largest and Fastest Rural Infrastructure' project comes a day after signing of MoU for USO programme with the Department of Telecommunication (DoT).
The company aims to launch the telecom services within two months, after provisioning of passive infrastructure in these locations.
It has also formed a special task force for the National Rural Rollout. The National Rural Marketing Team would be responsible for the completing this task.
Last year, RCom had established its telecom network in over 40,000 villages under the USO fund and added close to 7.5 lakh new subscribers in these areas.
The company also plans to enhance its network coverage to 25,000 towns and 4.5 lakh villages by March 2008 and has earmarked a capex of 2.5 billion dollars (Rs 11,000 crore) for its expansion plans during this fiscal. PTI
Chidambaram hints at more steps to contain inflation
New Delhi May 17 (PTI) The government today indicated it could take more steps such as reducing customs duties to check rising prices and bring down inflation below five per cent.
"I am not happy with inflation... We are willing to take further fiscal steps (to contain inflation) if members so suggest," Finance Minister P Chidambaram told Lok Sabha while replying on a debate on price rise.
Referring to high prices of essential commodities, he said the government has already taken various steps including ban on export of pulses and milk products, besides reducing customs duty on edible oil.
The government would take further steps, if required, he said, adding it was aiming to moderate inflation, which touched an average of 5.4 per cent last fiscal.
Chidambaram said the government was aiming to bring down inflation below 5 per cent and later between 4-4.5 per cent, the tolerance level of the people and the Reserve Bank.
He was repeatedly interrupted by members of Left parties and Opposition benches, who later boycotted the House, saying he was defending price rise. Former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and leader of the opposition L K Advani, however, remained in their seats.
Chidambaram maintained that high global prices of crude oil and metals due to rising demand in India and China, besides stagnation in Indian agricultural production, were the main reasons behind high prices.
The increase in government spending for rural employment, education and health sectors, increase in minimum support price of most crops, rising remittances from NRIs and FDI have also contributed to high inflation, he said. PTI
Sensex climbs 172 points as RIL stocks lead rally
Mumbai, May 17 (PTI) The benchmark Sensex climbed over 172 points today on the Bombay Stock Exchange, following a strong rally in Reliance Industries, State Bank of India and other heavy-weight stocks on sustained buying by funds due to firmness in global markets.
The BSE-30 share index, Sensex, which had gained almost 198 points yesterday, flared up by another 172.40 points, or 1.22 per cent to close the session at 14,299.71. It had touched the day's high of 14,352.98 points earlier in the session.
Similarly, on the wide-based National Stock Exchange, Nifty regained 4,200 points to hit day's high of 4232.45 points before settling 48.60, or 1.17 per cent higher at 4,219.55.
Stock brokers said reports that Reliance Industries, the most valuable company in the private sector, has made two gas discoveries in separate blocks off the East and West coasts of the country, buoyed the trading sentiments.
RIL stocks, maintaining their upward journey, soared to another new high of Rs 1,688.15 before concluding at Rs 1684.85, still showing a rise of Rs 50.45, or nearly 3 per cent.
State-run refiners' stocks such as BPCL, HPCL and IOC also remained in buyers' fancy on expectations of a hike in their product prices.
Other stocks which also contributed to the rise in Sensex were State Bank of India, ICICI Bank, ONGC, Reliance Capital, Reliance Communication and Larsen and Toubro. PTI
Demerger not a split to accommodate sons: Rahul Bajaj
New Delhi, May 17 (PTI) Bajaj Group chief Rahul Bajaj today said he will continue to head the boards of Bajaj Auto as well as two new entities created from the demerger of flagship company, while rebuffing suggestions that the move was to spilt the group.
"I will be the chairman of all the three companies. It is not a split of Bajaj Auto," Bajaj told PTI from Mumbai over telephone.
He said his younger son Sanjiv will continue to be the Executive Director in Bajaj Auto, the manufacturing arm, virtually debunking reports that the demerger was to create separate entities for the next-generation Bajajs.
There have been reports that company was being divided to accommodate his two sons--Rajiv and Sanjiv.
He said the board structure of the existing entity Bajaj Auto Ltd would remain unaltered, while the boards of two new entities -- Bajaj Holdings and Investment Ltd and Bajaj Finserve Ltd -- would have Rajiv Bajaj, Sanjiv Bajaj and Madhur Bajaj as directors.
Besides, he himself, would serve as the Chairman of the two boards, Bajaj said.
Initially, the board members of the new entities would not get any salary for their roles as directors, Bajaj said. PTI
Asian countries among those projected to face food insecurity
New York, May 17 (PTI) Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Nepal and Afghanistan are among at least 33 countries worldwide which are projected to face food insecurity and severe shortages despite a record cereal production expected during the current year, a new United Nations report has said.
World cereal production is on track to reach a record level of 2095 million metric tons, a rise of 4.8 per cent over 2006 levels, FAO said in a tentative forecast issued yesterday.
But with stocks at their lowest level in over two decades, total supplies would still be barely adequate to meet increased demand, boosted by the fast-growing biofuels industry.
International prices for most cereals have risen significantly in 2006-07 so far and are likely to remain high in 2007-08, projects FAO in its latest Crop Prospects and Food Situation Report. As a result, the cereal import bill of the low-income food deficit countries (LIFDCs) is forecast to increase by about one-quarter in the current season.
The early forecast for coarse grains production in 2007 has been revised upward to around 1051 million metric tons, 7.1 per cent up from last year and a record high. The bulk of the increase is expected in maize, which accounts for about 70 percent of the total.
Fast growth in demand for maize-based ethanol production is expected to boost total industrial use of coarse grains in 2007-08 by 9 per cent, the report estimates. PTI
Radical clerics refuse to talk to govt after Karachi violence
Islamabad, May 17 (PTI) Radical clerics spearheading a campaign to impose Islamic law in Pakistan's capital have decided to discontinue their dialogue with the government to protest the recent violence in Karachi and the reported arrest of its activists here.
"The government supported the Muttahida Qaumi Movement in its bloody game in Karachi and humiliated Islamic norms by arranging dances and songs at a PML rally on the same day in Islamabad, addressed among others by President Pervez Musharraf," in-charge of the Lal Masjid Maulana Abdul Aziz said.
Speaking at a meeting of the girls and boys of the madrassas controlled by the mosque in the city, he accused the government of failing to take any action against the MQM for killing innocent people and charged that it celebrated the "massacre" by dancing and singing songs.
"We cannot continue talks with such brutal people," Dawn quoted him as saying.
The students of the seminaries demanded of the mosque's in-charge to wage a 'jihad' against the government as it was "reluctant to enforce Sharia in the country," the newspaper reported.
The clerics recently criticised MQM as the party has organised a massive rally in Karachi against terrorism and opposed the demand to impose shariah. PTI
UK asks Musharraf to "separate" offices of Prez, Army Chief
Islamabad May 17 (PTI) Seeking restoration of "full democracy" in Pakistan, Britain has asked General Pervez Musharraf to "separate" the offices of the President and the Army Chief this year as demanded by the Commonwealth.
British High Commissioner to Pakistan, Robert Brinkley, told reporters in Lahore yesterday it was important that Pakistan respected independent judiciary and rule of law.
Brinkley said Britain supported restoration of "full democracy" in Pakistan and wanted "free and fair elections." All political parties should be be provided with level- playing fields in the forthcoming general elections, the British envoy said.
Brinkley said the issue of Musharraf holding two offices of the President and Army Chief had been discussed in the Commonwealth and on its demand he would have to "separate them" this year.
He was quoted by media here a saying that Britain hoped Musharaf would hold free and fair polls, scheduled for later this year in the country.
Brinkley's comments drew ire from Pakistan Foreign Office spokesperson Tasnim Aslam, who in her reaction said Musharraf has already made it clear that he would take a decision on uniform in accordance with the Constitution and hold free and fair elections.
International community must refrain from remarks on Pakistan's internal issues, she said and also advised the Pakistani media not to pose questions that lead to such responses, 'The Nation' reported. PTI
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