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My nomination reflects respect women get in India: Pratibha
New Delhi, Jun 16 (PTI) Terming her nomination for the President's post as a "big step for women", Pratibha Patil today said the UPA's decision reflected how much respect the fair sex gets in the country and would help in empowerment of women.
Two days after being named as the ruling alliance's candidate for the top Constitutional post, the Rajasthan Governor arrived here and met UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
"My candidature for the top post is a big step for women...This shows that India has a lot of respect for women," 72-year-old Patil told reporters on her arrival at Indira Gandhi International Airport here from Jaipur this morning.
A senior Congress leader, Patil may face a contest from Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat who is tipped to be an independent candidate with NDA backing.
Expressing happiness at being selected as the UPA candidate, she said her candidature would "inspire" other women and help in their empowerment.
"(But) empowerment will not come automatically. They will have to work for it," Patil said as curious passengers jostled at the airport to catch of glimpse of a possible first woman president of the country. PTI
Dhoni, Yuvi promoted; Sehwag demoted in BCCI gradation system
New Delhi, Jun 16 (PTI) Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh were today promoted to grade 'A' while Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, VVS Laxman and Irfan Pathan were demoted to grade 'B' in the Cricket Board's graded payment system.
Skipper Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and Anil Kumble were the others in the elite group, which has been cut down by two to a group of six, and provides for an annual retainership of Rs. 50 lakh each.
The contracts, which were announced earlier this week after a long delay, is for the period October 1, 2006 to September 30, 2007.
Apart from the demoted players, the 'B' category, with a Rs 35 lakh retainership package, also has Ajit Agarkar, who maintains his position, as per the revised contracts list announced by Cricket Board Secretary Niranjan Shah in a statement.
"Gradation is based on the performance of the players in the previous season," Shah said.
Surprisingly, pace spearhead Zaheer Khan was retained in grade 'C' despite his impressive performance in recent months, along with Gautam Gambhir, S Sreesanth, Suresh Raina, and new faces Wasim Jaffer and Munaf Patel.
Mohammad Kaif, who was in grade B earlier, and Murali Kartik in grade 'C', had their contracts not renewed.
Besides the retainership, the players also get a uniform match fee and a share of the Board's profits.
The BCCI contracted players: Grade A: Rahul Dravid (captain), Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Anil Kumble, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Grade B: VVS Laxman, Harbhajan Singh, Virender Sehwag, Irfan Pathan, Ajit Agarkar.
Grade C: Gautam Gambhir, Wasim Jaffer, S Sreesanth, Zaheer Khan, Suresh Raina, Munaf Patel. PTI
EPFO Board meeting likely on July 2
New Delhi, Jun 16 (PTI) Under pressure from Left parties not to lower the interest for its four crore subscribers, the EPF Board is likely to meet on July two to have a fresh look at its coffers to take a final decision on the rate for 2006-07 and 2007-08.
While trade unions affiliated to Left parties have been demanding that the 8.5 per cent rate be retained, the Central Board of Trustess (CBT) of the EPF has expressed its inability to do so, saying it would be left with a deficit of Rs 450 crore.
The government finds itself in a tight spot as Left supporters insist that with banks raising their interest rates, the EPF interest rate should not be slashed further.
While the interest rate for 2005-06 was fixed at 8.5 per cent, the EPFO Board will be meeting amid rising deposit rates in the system. Commercial banks are already offering up to 10.5 per cent interest rate on fixed deposits.
"The meeting is most likely on July two. The decision I cannot foretell but the CBT would deliberate on all the relevant issues, including the interest rates," Union Labour Minister Oscar Fernandes said here today.
"The hitch is not about the current interest rates, it is about the interest rates of the earlier years," he added. PTI
Dravid knows what it takes to win matches: Ganguly
Bangalore, Jun 16 (PTI) Former captain Sourav Ganguly today said the absence of a coach during the forthcoming tour of the United Kingdom will not have an adverse effect on the team's performance as skipper Rahul Dravid knew what it took to win matches.
"Rahul has played enough cricket to know what's required to win cricket matches. He has played more than 400 games for India. It's quite a lot. I am sure he - Sachin (Tendulkar) being the vice-captain (for the Test series) - they know what's required for the team to win," Ganguly said.
South African Graham Ford who was offered the post of India's coach, refused following which BCCI appointed former skipper Chandu Borde as manager for the tour of Ireland and England.
Ganguly said that in the given situation, senior players would have to take added responsibility.
"Of course, there will be responsibility (on senior players)", the former captain said on the sidelines of a promotional event here.
"I always believed that in the team, captain is the main man. Of course, we (senior players) will be there to support him." Ganguly stressed the importance for India to do well during the tour.
"They (England) are a good side. We all need to play well. I need to play well personally. It's important for us to do well," he said.
"It's a good place to play cricket. Performances in England are noticed all over the world." PTI
We have got the players to do well in England: Dravid
Bangalore, Jun 16 (PTI) Skipper Rahul Dravid today said India's seasoned batsmen need to "fire" for the team to clinch its first series win in England in 20 years on the upcoming tour.
"The key is to get some of our batsmen firing. If our experienced batsmen we can put runs on the board then it gives our bowlers time and a chance to get 20 wickets. And in our bowlers remaining fit," Dravid said on the concluding day of the team's training camp at the National Cricket Academy here.
"We have got experience in batting, Sachin (Tendulkar), myself, Sourav (Ganguly), (VVS) Laxman. There are a lot of senior batsmen. If younger guys have doubts they have support to fall back on," he said.
The last time Indian won a series in England was in 1986 when Kapil Dev's side beat the hosts 2-0 in a three-Test rubber.
The 34-year-old middle order batsman believed that the squad had the wherewithal to succeed in England.
"Obviously England play well at home and the only team they have lost recently is Australia. But we have got the players to do well in England in the later part of the English summer," he said.
"We have got the experience in batting, boys who have gone and done well in England which is very important.
"We have got a good and young pace bowling attack which hopefully should fire. We also have an experienced spinner in Anil (Kumble)." India visit England for three Tests and seven ODIs between July 7 and September 8.
The series is preceded by a visit to Ireland, where they play three one-dayers against South Africa and another against the hosts (June 23-July 1) and Scotland, for a one-off ODI against Pakistan (July 3). PTI
Dhoni excited about getting vice captaincy
Bangalore, Jun 16 (PTI) Newly appointed one-day vice captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni is excited about getting the job and additional responsibility and has promised to give his best on the tours of Ireland and Scotland, prior to the England visit for a Test series.
"I have been playing for the last two and a half years. It's always a pleasure when you get extra responsibility. And when the responsibility rises you also become more responsible," Dhoni told reporters here today at the end of the team's four-day cricket-skill oriented camp.
"It will be tough for me as a vice captain as it's for the first time this has happened and I am a bit excited. But I will try my best," the swashbuckling wicket-keeper batsman said.
The Ranchi-born Dhoni said he and Dinesh Kaarthick, the additional 'keeper cum batsman on the tour, compliment each other well and share their mutual problems.
"We compliment each other. As you have seen when I bat in the nets he keeps wickets and vice versa. We share our mutual problems. It's known that it will be difficult for a wicket keeper in England because of the late swing of the ball. Having another 'keeper would always be a help," he said.
Dhoni was happy over the way the cricket camp was conducted especially because of the green wickets provided by the authorities keeping in mind the conditions that the team will face in England. PTI
Tendulkar is fine, assures Dravid
Bangalore, June 16 (PTI) Putting an end to the speculation surrounding Sachin Tendulkar's health, Team India skipper Rahul Dravid today said the ace batsman was fine and practised indoors at the National Cricket Academy.
"He's fine. Just a little bit of flu, normal cold and cough. He batted indoor today," Dravid told reporters at the end of the four-day cricket camp for the Ireland-bound 15-member one-day squad.
Tendulkar did not take part in the sessions yesterday and was confined to his hotel room.
He came later than his teammates today and practised indoor while other batsmen had outdoor exercises. The bowlers, meanwhile, were guided through their paces by bowling coach Venkatesh Prasad. PTI
Distorted Indian map on Champions Challenge website
New Delhi, June 16 (PTI) India got a shocker well before the start of the six-nation Champions Challenge tournament with the official website of the hockey meet featuring a distorted map of the country.
The map featured on the website shows India without the Pakistan occupied Kashmir (PoK). Moreover, this area is shown as part of Pakistan.
The organisers did not respond to e-mails seeking their reactions.
India is to take part in the hockey tournament to be held in Boom, Belgium from June 23 to July 1. Argentina, England, New Zealand, Japan and hosts Belgium are the other countries taking part in the event.
The map also has some other glaring distortions -- portions of Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh being shown differently than in the original sketches.
Besides, it also features a flawed outline of neighbouring Sri Lanka, with its southern portions shown as a straight line.
Factually too, the website has some wrong informations. Even as India is currently eighth in the world hockey ranking and Argentina is seventh, the portal puts both the countries' rankings in the reverse order.
India take on New Zealand in the lung opener of the event on June 23. PTI
Indians go down fighting in play-off against France
New Delhi, June 16 (PTI) Indian shuttlers fought hard but failed to surpass the Division 3 promotional hurdle against France as they went down 3-0 in the play-off match of the Sudirman Cup championship in Glasgow, Scotland.
Despite some of their key players missing the tournament, India did a commendable job by topping Group B which squared them up against Group A toppers France to qualify for Division 2 of the World Team Badminton Championship.
But India's bid to get a place in the higher Group for the first time since the inception of the tournament came unstuck as they lost all the three matches. But India pushed France hard and all the three matches were three-game affairs.
The mixed doubles pair of V Diju and Aparna Balan won the first game against world no 21 combination of Stoyanov Svetoslav and Elodie Eymard but finally went down 19-21 21-19 21-17 in the close encounter that lasted around 45 minutes.
Saina Nehwal, ranked 39, was up against World no 6 Pi Hongyan in the women's singles event. The Indian lost 16-21 21-15 9-21.
In men's singles, Anup Sridhar rekindled some hope when he took the first game against Erwin Kehlhoffner but lost the match 21-11 11-21 17-21 as India's challenge ended. PTI
India to import 50 lakh tons of wheat this yr: Pawar
Lucknow, Jun 16 (PTI) Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar today said the government would import 50 lakh tonnes of wheat this year to strengthen the buffer stock.
Pawar told reporters here state-run Food Corporation of India (FCI), the nodal agency for wheat procurement, had so far bought 108 lakh tonnes of wheat from farmers.
"We require about 40 lakh tonnes of wheat for the buffer stock," he said, adding the government would import 50 lakh tonnes of wheat during the next 12 months.
Wheat procurement was also likely to go up in western Uttar Pradesh, he added.
Pawar allayed fears of a threat to Public Distribution System (PDS) owing to low procurement. He said there would not be any change in the existing system and added there was no threat to food security in the country.
When asked about the demand of US to relax the stringent conditions for wheat import, he said an expert committee had been formed to finalise the modalities of import.
India, the world's second-biggest wheat producer, is importing the grain for the second year in a row to boost domestic stocks for meeting the requirements under various welfare schemes and any exigencies. Last year, the country imported 55 lakh tons of wheat. PTI
Birlas seek search warrant against Lodha
Kolkata, Jun 16 (PTI) The M P Birla group today prayed for a search warrant against R S Lodha, the claimant to the Rs 5,000 crore assets of the group, for recovering crucial documents related to the criminal case against him.
The Birlas prayed for the warrant when the hearing on the criminal case against Lodha and three others, pending before the Alipore chief judicial magistrate, resumed today.
Appearing before Chief Judicial Magistrate Apurba Sinha Roy, Birlas said a warrant was necessary for recovering papers relating to the alleged revocation of three charitable trusts.
Appearing on behalf of R P Pansari, who had filed the case for the Birla group, West Bengal Advocate General Balai Roy submitted that a search warrant against Lodha and the other accused persons was necessary for procuring documents related to the five trusts of M P Birla and Priyamvada Birla.
Roy said Lodha had not denied the existence of documents in reply to the show cause notice, but merely objected that most of them were available with Pansari or Birlas.
He claimed there were contradictions in the replies to the show cause notice filed by Lodha and the other accused.
While Lodha contended he had the right to deny that the impugned trusts ever existed, another accused S N Prasad had stated that except for documents of dissolution of the trusts, no other trust documents were in his possession, Roy claimed.
Pansari, a former employee of the M P Birla group, had filed a criminal case in October 2004 against Lodha, S N Prasad, S K Daga and V Gaurishankar, who has since died, alleging criminal breach of trust and cheating. PTI
FM confident of GDP grwoth touching 10 per cent this fiscal
Coimbatore,Jun16 (PTI) Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram today expressed confidence of the GDP growth touching 10 per cent during the current fiscal.
With efforts put in by entrepreneuers, industrialists and all sections of the society, the country achieved 7.5 per cent growth in the first year of the Dr Manmohan Singh-led UPA rule followed by nine per cent next year and 9.4 per cent in the just concluded financial year, Chidambaram said.
Speaking after inaugurating a plant, manufacturing defence-oriented products, on the city outskirts, Chidambaram said the Government's confidence in the reforms, was the main reason for the economic growth being achieved and taking the Nation economically forward.
Lauding the efforts of Saarc Tech Tool for taking up the manufacture of packaging system for defence and war equipment, Chidambaram said it was really regrettable that the Country had to import coffins at a cost of rs.1.10 lakh each to bring back the body of jawans who died in the Kargil war.
The rs.Nine crore plant would manufacture defence-oriented products like roto moulded transit cases (boxes) which could be used by defence forces for carrying sophisticated defence equipment. The plant has a capacity to manufacture 60,000 boxes annually, its Managing director, P Murugesh said.
The company was ambitious of achieving a turnover of rs.100 crore in the next five years, Murugesh said. PTI
China investigating alleged GM ingredients in food products
Beijing, June 16 (PTI) China is investigating allegations that food products of two foreign firms contain genetically-modified (GM) ingredients, the state media reported today.
"We will find out whether the two firms have used GM ingredients that are not approved by the ministry in their food products, and will deal with the issue based on the results," deputy director of the GM security office with the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), Zou Ping said.
Greenpeace alleged on Thursday that GM ingredients were detected in four snacks made by Japan's Ezaki Glico Co. and one by Germany's Metro Group, according to tests on 21 products sampled in supermarkets in Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou.
GM agricultural products must obtain a license from the MOA and have identification labels on their packages before they can be sold on the Chinese market, Zou said.
Yet, there are no laws to restrict GM ingredients in biscuits, cookies and other snacks at present in China, as noted by Greenpeace.
Greenpeace accused the Japanese confectioner and the German retail giant, Metro of "double standards" in supplying Chinese consumers with food containing genetically-modified ingredients, while both have promised to stop using GM ingredients in the products sold in their own countries. PTI
Market shows sign of consolidation at 14K-level
Mumbai, June 16 (PTI) Stocks: The stock market was in the process of consolidation above 14K psychological level and the key indices ended the week in black amid some positive factors, including strong global advices.
Generally, the markets were choppy throughout the week with the main driver Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) pulling out from secondary markets in the light of the mega Initial Public Offer (IPO) by the Real Estate major DLF Ltd.
The bourses underwent a sharp downward correction taking the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) 30-share sensitive index (Sensex) below the 14K mark twice during trading.
Investors seemed more interested in the IPO, if continued profit booking by them during the week is any indication.
Market players expect a volatile trade in the remaining part of the month as the country's largest private sector bank ICICI Bank will be raising about Rs 20,000 crore through a public issue in India and the US. DLF Ltd's issue oversubscribed by nearly 3.5 times.
The BSE barometer bounced from the week's low of 14,946.95 and ended the week at 14,162.71, a gain of 98.90 points or 0.70 per cent over last weekend's close of 14,063.81.
The broader S&P CNX Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also closed the week 26.45 points or 0.64 per cent higher at 4,171.45 from previous weekend's close of 4,145.00. It touched a low of 4,100.80 during trading.
FIIs pull out continuously for eight days from June 5 to 11 and 13. They were net buyers to the tune of over Rs 750 crore on June 12 and 14. PTI
Salman Rushdie awarded knighthood
H S Rao London, Jun 16 (PTI) India-born internationally acclaimed author Salman Rushdie was today awarded knighthood by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II, who also honoured 19 other NRIs in recognition of their contribution to various fields.
Rushdie has been awarded for his services to Literature in the Queen's Birthday Honours List, which recognises achievements of 19 other NRIs as well.
"I'm thrilled and humbled to receive this great honour, and I am very grateful that my work has been recognised in this way," Rushdie said.
The litterateur, who will celebrate his 60th birthday on Tuesday, spent almost a decade in hiding following a decree by Iran's spiritual leader for his assassination after publication of his controversial book, Satanic Verses.
The booker Prize winner, who was was knighted along with former English cricketer Ian Botham, now spends much of his time in the US.
Rushdie went to school in Mumbai and at Rugby in England, and read History at King's College, Cambridge where he joined the Cambridge Footlights Theatre company.
His second novel, Midnight's Children -- published in 1981, won the Booker Prize for Fiction, the James Tait Black Memorial Prize (for fiction), an Arts Council Writers' Award and the English-Speaking Union Award. In 1993, the novel was judged to have been the 'Booker of Bookers', the best novel to have won the Booker Prize for Fiction in the award's 25-year history. PTI
Thousands greet suspended Pak CJ on his way to attend rally
K J M Varma
Islamabad, Jun 16 (PTI) Thousands of slogan-shouting people greeted Pakistan's suspended Chief Justice Iftikar M Chaudhry today on his way to Faisalabad to address a lawyers' convention.
Slogans like "Musharraf shed uniform" and "Restore Chief Justice and Democracy" rendered the air and heavy crowds including members of lawyers' organisations and opposition political parties received him on the highway to Lahore.
His previous travels had drawn heavy crowds sparking off a major political crisis for President Pervez Musharraf.
Driven by his lawyer Atezaz Ahesan, who is also a senior parliamentarian of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), Chaudhry's convoy started with few dozen vehicles in Islamabad but as at neared Chakwal midway the convoy grew by about 800 vehicles.
Despite the restrictions, private TV channels showed glimpses of receptions being accorded to him while their reporters accompanying the judge's convoy provided regular updates.
The channels have stopped covering Chaudhry's meetings live ever since the government took severe objections to the coverage of a seminar in the supreme court last month during which Musharraf and military came under severe criticism by the speakers.
It sparked off a strong reaction from government which later issued an ordinance empowering officials to seal the premises of channels and confiscate equipment for any coverage of events against institutions like army and judiciary. PTI
Indian Americans take exception to Obama note on Hillary
Dharam Shourie
New York, Jun 16 (PTI) Indian-Americans in United States have taken strong exception to a document reportedly circulated by Democratic senator Barrack Obama deriding Hillary Clinton-- his party rival in the Presidential race-- for her Indian connections saying this was the "worst kind" of stereotyping of the community.
Seeking clarifications from the Obama, the US-India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) said, "We have been encouraged by your message of inclusion and your promise to bring a new kind of politics to our life to our country (the United States). This is why we are so concerned about the media reports".
In a letter to Obama, Puri asked him to respond directly to the reports. "We trust that you will take all appropriate action on his matter and look forward to your response on this issue of great importance to the Indian community." "We are very proud of the contributions Indian Americans have made, and continue to make, to our country. We are extremely proud to be Americans, and are working everyday for the brighter future you regularly speak about," he said.
"We are also proud of the strong relationship shared by the United States and India. This is a vital partnership between the two largest democracies who share common values. Our sincere hope is that you will seek to strengthen this relationship and celebrate the contributions Indian Americans make to our country and the world," Puri added.
He was apparently referring to a document reportedly circulated by the staff of Obama which denigrates his rival Clinton's links with India, mockingly referring to her as a Democrat from Punjab. PTI
Digest of domestic stories for week June 9- June 15
Saturday New Delhi: A fortnight after being embroiled in a drug abuse case, former cricketer Maninder Singh suspected to have attempted suicide and admitted to a hospital here with cuts on his wrists.
On Board PM's Special Aircraft: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh says some "tough negotiations" will be required between India and the US to hammer out an agreement on the nuclear deal and both the countries are determined to overcome "some difficulties".
Sunday New Delhi: At least 21 heat-related deaths were reported, the highest in a day this season, as people in North and central India continued to reel under scorching conditions with the toll this summer rising to 74.
New Delhi: Four more Indians have died in the devastating cyclone that hit Oman early this week, taking the toll of Indians to six even as six others remain missing.
Tuesday Thiruvananthapuram: Efforts to contain the outbreak of viral fever in Kerala intensifies with defence medical teams stepping in to help the state health authorities and medicines and preventive kits being flown in to the state from the Army Depot in Mumbai.
Chandigarh: Two persons killed and 13 injured when the roof of the city's biggest vegetable market collapses while at least 50 persons had a narrow escape.
Wednesday New Delhi: Ramchandra Gandhi, a grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, found dead in a room at the India International Centre (ICC) here. PTI
Call for autonomous council for minorites raises alarm
Enaxi Saikia Barua
Guwahati, Jun 15 (PTI) The controversial demand for an autonomous council exclusively for 'minorities' by an MLA of the religious minority community dominated Assam United Democratic Front (AUDF) has sent alarm bells ringing that communally harmonious Assam was being attempted to be pushed into another crisis.
The demand made by AUDF MLA from Dhubri in lower Assam, Rashul Haq, has provoked widespread protests from political parties -- both ruling and oppposition, students and social organisations decrying the demand as unconstitutional and not suitable for the social-religious fabric of the state.
Haq made the controversial demand talking to a local daily here this week. He said that an autonomous council was needed for the welfare of the "minorities", among whom he has included the religious minorities and linguistic ones such as Bengali Hindus, Hindi-speaking and Nepali people in lower Assam's Dhubri, Barpeta, Goalpara and five assembly constituencies of Darrang district.
Also talking to reporters in his constituency at the Circuit House after making the demand, the MLA said he would launch an "armed agitation" to press his demand.
Reacting to Rashul's demand, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) wanted him to be arrested under the National Security Act as the "demand for setting up an autonomous council on the basis of religion is not only against the secular fabric of the country, but violates the spirit of the Constitution". PTI
New dinosaur model at Gujarat park
Chandran Iyer
Gandhinagar, Jun 15 (PTI) A real life model of the 'Rajasoruas-narmdensis' similar to the T-Rex, is the latest to join the most ferocious dinasours that will attract visitors at the Indroda dinosaur park here.
The dinosaur park, set up with the help of Geological Survey of India is planning to develop a tertiary section which will display mammals that started evolving after dinosaurs became extinct, including ancestors of the cat family-Saber, according to C N Pande, Director of Gujarat Ecological Education and Research Foundation.
People who were awed by Micheal Crichton's novel Jurassic Park that dealt with the dangers of biological tinkering of DNA of extinct dinosaurs would find it interesting to note that all these creatures once roamed in the region of Gujarat about 65 million years ago.
A number of fossilized bones of these creature and eggs can be found in the Indroda Dinosaur and Fossil Park in Gandhinagar and at also in the museum hall of GSI.
Infact the paleontologists who study fossils to unravel the mystery of the past in terms of evolution consider this region to be the Jurassic Park of India.
The fossilised eggs of these creatures placed in the 'Indroda Dinosaur and Fossil Park' in Gandhinagar is a living testimony of the existence of these creatures. The park has been established in collaboration with the Geological Survey of India and is now rated to be the best in the country. PTI
Pali (Haryana), Jun 14 (PTI) Not far from the buzz of the capital, a group of men enjoy a game of cards on a hot afternoon under a tree. "This is one luxury we get when we wait for jobs," they say.
They operate massive crushers day in and day out for the glossy structures that will rise in the capital for its "Commonwealth makeover." The Crushers Zone, has caught the attention of NGOs working against bonded labour.
"Nearly three generations of labourers are trapped in Pali as per our information. The zone is a clear case of blatant violation of all the labour laws and manifests a worst form of human trafficking," says Kailash Satyarthi of Bachpan Bachao Aandolan (BBA).
Thousands of labourers operate nearly 200 crushers, producing raw material supplies for big construction projects in Delhi.
"Twelve hours is the minimum one works here for, when he/she is employed. When a machine goes down, then it may well stretch over 17 hours after it re-starts," says Harju, a worker who co-operates one of the crushers along with others.
"Besides, the work goes on all through the nights and in many cases, children and women are also employed. There is no holiday in a week" he adds.
Labour officials however deny the reports of labourers working for longer hours than what they get paid for.
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Sensex: 14162.71, -41.01
The sensex closed at 14162.71, down 41.01
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