The Mumbai Grapevine
Connecting Mumbaikars with Mumbai
(Published by Mumbai-Central.com)
Please feel free to forward this message to your friends and co-workers
who might be interested in it. The instructions to join the Mumbai
Grapevine are at the end of the message.
BJP suspends 2 MLAs in Gurjar agitation aftermath in Rajasthan
Jaipur, Jun 10 (PTI) The BJP today suspended two of its MLAs in Rajasthan for creating "caste hatred" and "posing a threat" to Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje by preventing her entry to her Jhalawar constituency in the aftermath of protests by Gurjars.
Suspending Attar Singh Bhadana and Prahalad Gunjal, state BJP president Mahesh Sharma asked the duo to file their reply to the show cause notice-cum-suspension order within seven days, a party spokesman said.
If they failed to reply, the state party unit will recommend their expulsion to the central leadership, Sharma said.
The BJP's action came a day after a Gurjar mahapanchayat in Kota adopted a resolution to bar Raje from entering her Jhalawar constituency and the community decided not to vote in favour of the party in the next polls. The resolution was proposed by the two MLAs.
Since Bhadana and Gunjal proposed the resolution by voice vote, it amounted to party indiscipline and caused an insult to BJP's legislature party leader Raje, Sharma said in his suspension letter to the duo. Copies of the letter were circulated to the media here. PTI
Nuclear safety system is foolproof: Kakodkar
Chennai, Jun 10 (PTI) The Indian nuclear safety system is foolproof and had been acclaimed globally, Atomic Energy Commission Chairman Anil Kakodkar said today.
"This is because of the strength of the Indian scientific community, which the world considers the best as regards nuclear technology," he said while inaugurating the advanced Seismic Testing and Research Laboratory at CSIR's structural enginerring research centre here.
The scientific community, he said, were responsibe to society as the institutes in which scientists worked were built with taxpayers' money.
"You have to pay dividends for the investments made through taxpayers' money and the best for this is cooperation and collaboration between various scientific bodies," he said.
Collaborative working with a defined objective will pay maximum dividends for investments made from taxpayers' money, he said.
The Atomic Energy Commission wanted close coordination between SERC and AEC as the former's services are needed for the civil structure of nuclear reactors, he said.
CSIR Director General T Ramasami said the new laboratory will develop quake-resistance buildings that would minimise the loss of lives. Earthquakes could not be prevented but at least the loss of lives could be prevented, he said. PTI
Pak to join global initiative to combat nuclear terrorism
Islamabad, June 10 (PTI) Pakistan is set to participate in a global initiative announced by the US and Russia to combat nuclear terrorism, but keeping its military nuclear programme outside its ambit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has said.
"While joining the initiative, Pakistan has declared that the Global Initiative does not cover Pakistan's military nuclear facilities or activities," Pakistan Foreign Ministry spokesperson Tasnim Aslam said in a statement yesterday.
The global initiative, which was jointly announced by the US and Russia at the July 2006 G-8 Summit in St Petersburg, aims at developing international cooperation to combat nuclear terrorism.
Pakistan has been invited to attend the next meeting of the Global Initiative, which will be held in Kazakhstan from 11-12 June 2007.
"It may be pointed out that as a responsible nuclear weapon state, Pakistan has put in place legislative, regulatory and administrative infrastructure to prevent and combat any possible acts of terrorism involving nuclear and radiological materials and facilities," the statement said.
"Pakistan's participation in the global initiative is a manifestation of the fact that nuclear security and export control measures in Pakistan are at par with latest international standards, and recognition of the important role being played by Pakistan as a partner in global efforts against nuclear proliferation and possible nuclear terrorism," it said.
Pakistan's disgraced nuclear scientist Abdul Qadeer Khan confessed in 2004 about his vast proliferation network that leaked nuclear technology to North Korea, Iran and Libya.
President Pervez Musharraf has pardoned Khan, calling him a national hero. PTI
Younis available for matches against India in Scotland
Karachi, June 10 (PTI) Senior Pakistan batsman Younis Khan has made himself available for the upcoming one-dayers against India and Scotland in the United Kingdom.
The national selectors contacted Younis, who relented after refusing initially, sources close to the batsman said.
The selectors, however, will make an official announcement after getting approval from Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Naseem Ashraf who is presently in India.
Younis, who is currently playing for Yorkshire in England, had also declined to play in the Abu Dhabi series against Sri Lanka as he was committed to the county until late September which ruled him out of the Twenty20 World Cup in South Africa as well.
Chief selector Salahuddin Ahmed had spoken to Younis and convinced him for giving priority to national team.
Ashraf had recently rejected calls to take disciplinary action against Younis for refusing the captaincy and skipping the Abu Dhabi series saying he had every right to take such a decision as an individual and it was not a violation of any code of conduct.
The Board had offered him the captaincy after Inzamam ul-Haq stepped down and retired from one-day cricket after the World Cup debacle.
Younis, who was vice-captain since early 2005, said he was not prepared mentally to lead the side. PTI
Chetan, Jwala and Shruti in for Thailand, Indonesia Open
New Delhi, June 10 (PTI) Badminton Association of India has included national champion Chetan Anand and top women's doubles combination of Jwala Gutta and Shruti Kurien for Thailand Open (July 3-8) and Philippines Open (July 18-22).
The trio was dropped from the Sudirman Cup championship after they did not join the camp, protesting BAI's move to stop their individual entries in Singapore Open and Indonesian Open. It led to a big furore with the federation and the players engaging in a war of words.
After almost a month of mud-slinging, the issue was sorted out after the Sports Ministry intervened and with BAI giving an assurance to the players that they will be picked for the future tournaments provided they attend the mandatory camps.
"The players, chosen for the two tournaments, will have to undergo a camp from June 19 to July 1 in Hyderabad, BAI secretary L C Gupta said.
The team for the Asian Junior Badminton Championship was also declared.
Team (Thailand Open and Philippines Open): Men: Chetan Anand, Anup Sridhar, Nikhil Kanetkar, P Kashyap, Anand Pawar, Ajay Jayaram, Rohan Castelino, Rupesh Kumar, Sanave Thomas, V Diju.
Women: Saina Nehwal, Trupti Murgunde, Aditi Mutatkar, Jwala Gutta, Shruti Kurien, Aparna Balan.
Team (Asian Junior Badminton Championship): Men: Guru Sai Dutta, Aditya Alango, Sumit Reddy, Saurabh Verma, K Tarun, Nandluri, Anil Kumar Raju, Ran C Vijal Women: Arundhati, Sikki Reddy, PC Tulasi, Parsa Naqvi, Ashwini Ponappa, Nitya Sosale, Ruth Misha, J Shruti. PTI
Fresh trials has vindicated my stand: Sonika
New Delhi, June 10 (PTI) Sonika Kaliraman failed to claim a berth for the Commonwealth Championship, but the woman grappler is atleast happy that a fresh trial, on a court instruction, has wiped out the allegation of indiscipline levelled against her.
Sonika had moved a lower court against Wrestling Federation of India's decision to keep her out of the earlier trials.
The court gave a verdict in Sonika's favour and ordered WFI to conduct fresh trials for the national games gold medallist (72kg).
"I lost by just one point in the trials, but I am happy that the allegation of indiscipline inflicted on me is wiped out," she told PTI-Bhasha.
"The cause for which, I had fought was accomplished. The federation failed to provide any evidence against me. I had informed the coach about my indisposition. This re-conduct of trials is my victory," she said.
WFI had alleged that Sonika had left midway from a training camp last month without prior information and therefore they kept her out of the trials.
Sonika blamed lack of practice for her defeat against Meenakshi.
"Most of the times, I was busy fighting the case in the court. I did my best. Had I practised more, the result could have been different," she said.
Sonika also criticised the poor facilities at training camps organised by the federation.
The young grappler said she would now concentrate on preparation for the World Championship. PTI
PCB under pressure to sue Jamaica Police
Karachi, Jun 10 (PTI) The Pakistan Cricket Board is coming under increasing pressure to file for damages against the Jamaican police, once it is confirmed that Bob Woolmer died of natural causes and was not murdered during the World Cup in the West Indies.
Former captain Inzamam-ul Haq was the first to advise the Board to think about taking legal action against the Jamaican police authorities and this demand has now been seconded by senior batsman Mohammad Yousuf and some other players.
The players, who are not supposed to speak to the media without clearance from the Board under a new gag policy, said they were treated like ordinary criminals by the Jamaican police after Woolmer died in a Kingston hospital on March 18, a day after Pakistan were eliminated from the World Cup following there loss at the hands of minnows Ireland.
"What the Board does is their decision but certainly the players want the Jamaican authorities to make a clear announcement on this issue soon and if it is confirmed our coach died of natural causes than the Board should consult its legal advisers," one player said on condition of anonymity.
Yousuf, who is in Chennai to play for the Asian XI against Africa, has already said he would like to see the Board file a claim for damages against the Jamaican police for tarnishing the image of Pakistani players and cricket.
Pervez Mir, who was a central figure in the Woolmer case and went to the World Cup as media manager of the team, also said that once it was confirmed that Woolmer died of natural causes, the Board should leave no stone unturned to give out a clear message to everyone they should be careful before pointing accusing fingers at Pakistan players. PTI
Israeli firm to invest USD 180 mn in Indian real estate
Jerusalem, June 10 (PTI) Israel's Elbit Medical Imaging Ltd has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with an Indian real estate developer to build luxury apartments and commercial centres in Bangalore.
The two companies will acquire the rights to develop approximately 190 acres of land situated in a luxury neighbourhood of Bangalore, business daily 'Globes' reported.
The unnamed Indian partner will transfer part of the development rights of 100 acre plot to the joint venture.
The Nasdaq listed company will invest USD 180 million for purchase of land for the venture and make an advance payment of USD 50 million for the land, a deposit that will be returned if the terms of the agreement are not met.
Elbit will offer 50 per cent of its shares in the venture to its subsidiary, Plaza Centres, With this, company's revenue is expected to exceed USD 3 billion, the daily said.
The companies will build villas and luxury apartments, a hotel and 300-400 room apartment hotel, a shopping center, golf course, and various amenities including country club, swimming pool, sports facilities, and recreation areas in two million sqm of space, it said.
The project will start within 12 months and will be executed in stages over a period of three to five years, the report said. PTI
Pak, China emerging as tourist sources for India: Ficci
New Delhi, June 10 (PTI) Pakistan and China are emerging as major east Asian tourist sources for India, as visitors inflow from both the countries registered a 31 per cent rise in 2005.
About 88,609 people from Pakistan visited India in 2005 as compared to just 10,364 in 2003, according to a study by industry body Ficci.
Tourist arrival from China was 44,897 in 2005 as against 34,100 in 2003.
There was, however, a modest decline in number of visitors from Bangladesh and Bhutan in 2005 as against an otherwise upward trend, the chamber added.
This surge in visitors from Pakistan and China is mainly due to confidence building measures (CBM) by business bodies since 2003-2004, Ficci said in a statement.
"Emergence of China as a fast-growing tourist source for India could be attributed to the intensive campaign launched by the government and the large number of business delegations coming from the provinces of China", it added.
India continued to attract the maximum number of visitors from the United Kingdom.
The top 10 tourism source markets for India in 2005 were the UK (6,51,083 tourists), the US (6,11,165), Bangladesh (4,56,371), Canada (1,57,643), France (1,52,258), Sri Lanka (1,36,400), Germany (1,20,243), Japan (1,03,082), Malaysia (96,276) and Australia (96,258). PTI
GDP growth fails to reach common man: Assocham
New Delhi, June 10 (PTI) Despite a 15 per cent rise in the per capita income and buoyant GDP growth of 9.4 per cent, the common man is reeling under the burden of rising prices of essential commodities, industry body Assocham said.
The rising national and per capita income has hardly had any positive reflection in prices of essential commodities, it added.
An analysis carried out by the chamber on rise in essential commodities prices in the period between January 2006 and May 2007 showed that prices of all essential commodities other than sugar such as wheat, pulses, spices, condiments and edible oil shot up by over 25 per cent.
"Although inflation has come down below five per cent in the last one year and supply-demand gap of essential commodities has narrowed down to some extent, but in totality the prices of essential commodities are refusing to settle down at justifiable level," Assocham President Venugopal N Dhoot said.
Inflation fell to an eight month low of 4.85 per cent for the week ended May 26 from 5.06 per cent in the previous week.
The first priority of the government should be to bring down the prices by maintaining balance between demand and supply, the chamber suggested. PTI
By elections results make Manipur Chief Minister stronger
Imphal, Jun 10 (PTI) The success of Congress candidates in the by elections to two assembly constituencies in Manipur this week has not only helped Chief Minister O.Ibobi Singh boost his image but also put a stop to grumbling in the party.
Congress nominees--Th.Lokeshore Singh, a staunch loyalist of Ibobi Singh and chief minister's wife O.Landhoni,--were elected from Khundrakpam in Imphal east district and Khangabok in Thoubal district respectively on June 5.
With their victory, Congress, the major partner of the ruling Secular Progressive Front (SPF) ministry has secured simple majority with 31 MLAs in the 60-member house.
"We will not leave CPI and coalition SPF ministry will continue," said Ibobi Singh when asked whether Congress would form the government of its own since it had secured a simple majority.
He said it would be "unfair and unethical" to alone after getting majority in the house and added that there was no question of abandoning CPI.
Political observers said the success of the two Congress candidates had also strengthened the hands of the chief minister who was facing some problems over the non-inclusion of some senior Congress leaders in the two-month old Congress-led SPF ministry.
But, Ibobi Singh, party sources pointed out, can not be complacent because of a 'powerful section of Congress MLAs' was unhappy over the allocation of portfolios to ministers.
They said resignation by Manipur medical minister Gaikhangm, a senior leader and President of the Manipur Pradesh Congress Committee, from the council of ministers on June four was an indication that all was not well. Resignation of Gaikhangam has not been accepted so far. PTI
Digest of domestic news: June 2-June 8
Digest of domestic news for the week June 2-June 8, 2007 Saturday Jaipur: Talks between agitating Gurjars and Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje end inconclusively even as an ex-gratia of Rs five lakh to the next of the kin of the deceased in the violence over the quota issue is announced.
Dausa/Jaipur: The stringent National Security Act (NSA) is imposed by the Rajasthan government in 11 districts hit by Gurjar-Meena clashes and Gurjar violence over ST status issue as the Army conducted an aerial survey of the affected regions.
New Delhi: Heavy to moderate polling reported for bypolls to one Lok Sabha and seven assembly constituencies spread over six states, which were by and large peaceful.
Mumbai: Maharashtra Revenue Minister Narayan Rane says the farmland purchased by megastar Amitabh Bachchan in Pune district would be "seized" by the government if it was found that he had used fraudulent means to purchase the property.
Sunday Chennai: The DMK government in Tamil Nadu served a notice on its arch rival AIADMK asking it to demolish its party headquarters here, after which party supremo Jayalalithaa termed the action as vendetta politics, a charge denied by Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.
Jaipur: The Rajasthan government extends the National Security Act, in force in 11 districts in the wake of Gurjars' stir, to three more trouble-torn areas.
New Delhi: Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva arrives here on a three-day visit during which bilateral relations are expected to receive a major push. Monday New Delhi: India and Brazil decide to step up bilateral trade four-fold to 10 billion dollars by 2010 even as the Latin American nation's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva asserted a new world economic order cannot be negotiated without taking on board the two nations.
New Delhi: Noted cardiologist Naresh Trehan, who recently quit Escorts Heart Institute on a bitter note, joins the rival Apollo Hospital along with his core group that includes around 40 doctors.
New Delhi: Normal life was thrown out of gear in several parts of the national as agitating Gurjars laid siege to all entry points to Delhi and vent their anger at city buses causing traffic chaos.
Tuesday Panaji: Congress and its pre-poll ally NCP set to retain power in Goa winning 19 seats, just two short of a majority, in the elections to the 40-member Assembly that threw up a fractured verdict.
Lucknow:In a major relief for Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati, Governor T V Rajeswar refuses to grant sanction to prosecute her in the Rs 175 crore Taj Corridor scam holding there was no prima facie case and that corruption and forgery charges against the BSP supremo does "not stand scrutiny."
New Delhi: The BJP retains Hamirpur Lok Sabha seat and romped home in two assembly constituencies while Congress bagged four assembly seats including two in Manipur giving it a majority on its own in the North-Eastern state where it heads a coalition government. Jaipur: Army deployed in several areas of Rajasthan was called back today and highways opened as violence ceased allowing life to limp back to normal in the state that saw large-scale arson and clashes during the week-long stir by Gurjars demanding ST status.
Wednesday Jaipur: Gujjar leader Col (Retd) Kirori Singh Bainsala, who spearheaded a week-long violent agitation in Rajasthan to press the community's demand for ST status, is charged with murder and criminal conspiracy.
Bhubaneswar: Amidst high drama, the Orissa government today stopped the much-hyped walkathon by wonderkid Budhia Singh from Bhubaneswar to Kolkata after which the child runner began an indefinite sit-in protest here.
New Delhi: Preparing the defences against those raiding its indigenous wealth, India will translate ancient Sanskrit hymns describing yoga postures in 5 foreign languages to stop countries from handing out patents for things already known for centuries.
Hyderabad: Two years ahead of the general elections, a group of eight regional parties launch a new national front as an alternative to the Congress and BJP. PTI
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________
______Market_______
To get regularly updated NIFTY (NSE) quotes by email, join the NSEData
mailing list by sending an email to NSEData-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
To get regularly updated BSE quotes by email, join the BSEData mailing
list by sending an email to BSEData-subscribe@yahoogroups.com
Sensex: 14063.81, -122.37
The sensex closed at 14063.81, down 122.37
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________
______Forex_______
1 U.S. $ = 40.825 INR
1 Japanese Yen = 0.3355 INR
1 British Pound = 80.441 INR
1 Canadian $ = 38.487 INR
1 Singapore $ = 26.514 INR
1 UAE Dirham = 11.116 INR
1 Saudi Arabian Riyal = 10.885 INR
1 Euro = 54.593 INR
1 Qatar Rial = 11.217 INR
___________________________________________________________
This is the Mumbai Grapevine
___________________________________________________________