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Shekhawat files nomination as cracks visible in NDA
New Delhi, Jun 25 (PTI) Cracks in the NDA were visible as Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat today filed his nomination as an independent candidate in the presidential election with Shiv Sena and Trinamool Congress remaining absent.
A solace for the 84-year old Shekhawat was the presence of suspended Congress leader K Natwar Singh as also Bhim Singh of Panthers Party, which has recently snapped ties with Congress-led coalition in Jammu and Kashmir.
Unfazed by the numbers heavily loaded against him, Shekhawat, a veteran of many a poll battle, filed two sets of nomination papers for the July 19 poll which probably will be a straight fight with UPA-Left nominee Pratibha Patil.
The Vice President and his backers are relying on support from his "friends" across the political spectrum.
NDA leader Sushma Swaraj likened the tussle to the historic battle in 1969 in which independent V V Giri trounced the official Congress nominee Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy -- a comparison dismissed by Congress.
The Shiv Sena, which has been swayed by the Marathi card since the announcement of Pratibha Patil's nomination by the ruling UPA-Left alliance, has said it would announce its stand later.
Trinamool Congress has been evasive so far on the issue of support to Shekhawat with its chief Mamata Banerjee still batting for a second term to incumbent A P J Abdul Kalam.
NDA leader Sushma Swaraj, however, told reporters that Trinamool Congress MP Dinesh Trivedi could not make it as his plane was late. She hoped Shiv Sena would support Shekhawat. PTI
SC cautions HCs from making sweeping observations
New Delhi, Jun 25 (PTI) The Supreme Court has cautioned the High Courts and subordinate courts from making "unnecessary" and "sweeping" observations without any foundation.
"This Court has repeatedly held that observations which are really unnecessary for disposal of a case should not be made," the apex court said while directing for deletion of certain observations and criticisms made by the Allahabad High Court against the Uttar Pradesh Government and its officials.
The state government was aggrieved by adverse observations of the High Court on the law and order situation in Uttar Pradesh which were passed during the adjudication of a bail application in a kidnapping case of a girl.
"A bare reading of the High Court's order shows that general and sweeping observations were made without indicating any basis thereof".
"When there was no allegation by anybody about any lapse in the investigation and the High Court's judgement did not indicate any infirmity in the investigation, there was no necessity for casting aspersions on the bona fides of the police officials," a Bench comprising Justices Arijit Pasayat and P P Naolekar said.
The State Government had contended that the general and sweeping observation by the Court was uncalled for and was without any foundation.
The High Court had observed that the state government had failed to check the crime situation and it was warned to take serious action against criminals and to control crime situation expeditiously.
The apex court found that there was no allegation of improper investigation but the High Court started monitoring it and criticised the police administration. PTI
TCS in 10 most profitable cos list; among top global IT firms
New Delhi, June 25 (PTI) Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has been ranked among the leading global IT companies by global magazine BusinessWeek, besides being the only Indian entity to be listed among the world's top 10 profitable firms.
BusinessWeek in its '2007 Information Technology 100 listing' has placed TCS on 23rd position among world's leading IT companies. TCS was the only Indian company ranked among the top 10 most profitable companies with a return on equity of 46 per cent, a TCS release said here.
According to BusinessWeek, ever since TCS went public in 2004, the Mumbai-based company has been on a tear. It's growing rapidly with 41 per cent rise in revenues to USD 4.3 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31.
Of all of the Indian tech-services outfits, TCS has the largest network of delivery centres outside of India. In Latin America alone it employs more than 5,000 people, most of them locals, and it just announced a new service delivery centre in Mexico.
TCS CEO and MD S Ramadorai said: "TCS is focused on delivering the best results for our global customers. This recognition from BusinessWeek is testament that our dedication to customers is helping to fuel our global growth and success. PTI
Cricket needs to be developed from grassroots: Tendulkar
Belfast, Jun 25 (PTI) On the historic occasion of 75 years of India's Test cricket, batting ace Sachin Tendulkar has advocated the need to develop the game from the grassroots.
Saluting all the great cricketers, past and present, who have made the game what it is, Tendulkar shared his vision for Indian cricket.
"It's extremely important to take the game to the grassroots level. Cricket needs to be taken to remote places in India and, I'm sure, that's one of the major points on the BCCI agenda. That's how this game will get bigger and better," Tendulkar told PTI.
"Players from remote areas simply do not have access to play cricket. They need to be given opportunities to prove themselves by introducing cricket in every nook and corner of the country." Tendulkar stressed that "if the infrastructure is good, the next generation of cricketers will definitely be more talented and more knowledgeable.
"Cricket is changing very fast and we need to keep pace with time. And when you will have more players playing the game, you will have more players to choose from. That will ensure a good supply of quality players in the long run." Echoing similar sentiments was the team's Cricket Manager, Chandu Borde. PTI
Deepening ties with India top on agenda: Hillary Clinton
Dharam Shourie
New York, Jun 25 (PTI) Democratic Presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton has said that deepening of relations with India would be top on her agenda, if elected to the top post in the United States.
"Together, we have a lot of work to do," Clinton said amidst cheers at an Indian-American fund-raiser dinner with slogans like "American Ready For Change" and "Hillary Ready to Lead" forming the backdrop. An estimated USD 2.5 million was collected during the dinner.
"Deepening and strengthening" of US relations with India, the one of the world's oldest and largest democracies in the world, would be top of the agenda if she is elected US President, she said in her 15-minute speech.
Without directly referring to the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal now being negotiated between the two countries, she promised to ensure that neither the United States nor its friends remain dependent on the vagaries of foreign oil.
All in praise for the Indian-Americans contribution to the US, Clinton made a special reference to the contribution being made by Indian-American medical professionals in the country's medical system, a remark which attracted cheers from the audience in which a number of doctors were present.
Clinton, who did not mention about rival Barack Obama's campaign criticising her ties with the Indian-Americans, also said she valued the contribution made by the community to her campaign not only in financial terms but also in voluntary work they were doing for her campaign.
She also nostalgically spoke of her visit to India, referring especially to the beauty of Taj Mahal and praised the micro-credit scheme which, she said, is empowering poor women and helping to uplift them. PTI
India completes 75 years of playing Tests cricket
New Delhi, Jun 25 (PTI) India today completed 75 years of playing Test cricket, coming a long way from the confines of its elite class image to be the common man's game and attaining the status of a religion in the country.
India played its historic first Test from June 25 in 1932 against England at the hallowed turf of the Lord's, where Colonel C K Nayudu led a bunch of amateurs, not only marking a landmark day in Test history but also carrying the hopes of un undivided country.
The team comprising Mohammed Nissar, Amar Singh, Janardhan Navle, Naoomal Jaoomal, Syed Wazir Ali, Sorabji Colah, Nazir Ali, Phiroze Palia, Lall Singh and Jahangir Khan lost the game but won many a hearts for their fighting spirits.
The team, without a coach, tried its best to shine in each of the three departments on the field.
Strangely, Nayudu was not officially entrusted the giant task of leading the team, and was the third choice for the job after first official captain Maharaja of Patiala pulled out due to health reasons and the captaincy went to Maharaja of Porbander.
But with the country's reputation at stake, Maharaja of Porbander, and vice-captain, Yuvraj of Limbdi, put the responsibility on the 37-year-old Colonel just on the eve of the Test. PTI
Infrastructure, broad base need to keep pace with time: Sachin
Belfast (Ireland), Jun 25 (PTI) Putting the right infrastructure in place and widening the player base to ensure a steady supply of quality players should be India's priority to keep pace with international cricket, according to Sachin Tendulkar.
Talking to PTI on the occasion of 75 years of India's Test cricket, Tendulkar saluted all the great cricketers, past and present, and said, "If the infrastructure is good, the next generation of cricketers will definitely be more talented and more knowledgeable.
"Cricket is changing very fast and we need to keep pace with time. And when you will have more players playing the game, you will have more players to choose from. That will ensure a good supply of quality players in the long run." Tendulkar also stressed on the need to tap talent in remote areas.
"It's extremely important to take the game to the grassroot level and, I'm sure, that's one of the major points on the BCCI agenda. That's how this game will get bigger and better," Tendulkar said.
"Players from remote areas simply do not have access to play cricket. They need to be given opportunities to prove themselves by introducing cricket in every nook and corner of the country." PTI
India look for revenge against South Africa
Belfast, Jun 25 (PTI) India might struggle to put 11 players on the park even as they look for revenge when they take on South Africa in the first one-day international of the three-match Future Cup series here tomorrow.
After Mahendra Dhoni pulled out of India's opening game due to high fever, players like Sachin Tendulkar, Rudra Pratap Singh, Piyush Chawla, Robin Uthappa, Ajit Agarkar and Ramesh Powar are also a bit under the weather.
The players, hit hard with the sudden change in climatic conditions, were suffering from cold and viral fever.
But India, who were outclassed 4-0 in the five-match one-day series on their tour of South Africa in December last, would be keen to erase the bitter memories by turning the tables on the rivals.
Their ambitions may be helped by the fact that the South Africans are without their captain Graeme Smith and all-rounder Shaun Pollock. But the Jacques Kallis-led side still seem to have enough firepower to give the Indians a hard time.
It would not be a surprise if Rahul Dravid's men were still haunted by the nightmare of six months ago. Not only did they struggle to put runs on the board but they could manage to bat the full 50 overs only in the final game at Centurion.
The team, however, has a few problems of their own to sort out since several players have caught cold and viral fever.
Given the fact that the weather here has been dicey, the first two matches had to be curtailed. Likewise another stop-and-start game on Tuesday could not be ruled out. PTI
Atwal sizzles with six-under 64 in final round
Cromwell (USA), June 25 (PTI) Arjun Atwal shot his best round of the season - a stunning six-under 64 - as he jumped to a tied 29th place finish at the Travelers Championship in the United States.
Atwal, who made his first cut in six starts, picked up USD 39,900 which will boost his confidence after a struggle last season and for most part of this year.
Meanwhile, Hunter Mahan (65) birdied the 18th hole twice in 20 minutes to win the first PGA Tour title. He beat Jay Williamson with a birdie on the first play-off hole after both players hit great approach shots.
Atwal was on fire as he birdied the first and second holes before dropping a shot on third. He then added a birdie on sixth and turned in two-under.
On the back nine, he birdied 10th, 11th, 13th and 15th before parring the remaining three holes for a superb 64, the best round of the day.
In the only other cut Atwal made on PGA Tour this season, he was tied 36th at the AT & T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am.
He has also played six events on the Nationwide Tour and made cut in all of them, including a top-10 and two other top-20 finishes. PTI
Indian hockey team looking to iron out weaknesses
Anand Philar
Boom (Belgium), June 25 (PTI) Back in the reckoning after the hard-fought win over England, the Indian hockey team will be looking to plug the loopholes before they take on hosts Belgium in the six-nation Champions Challenge men's tournament here tomorrow.
After losing their first match to New Zealand 0-2, coach Joaquim Carvalho would be relieved after India prevailed 3-2 over England after squandering the lead twice.
As things stand now, India, Argentina, Japan and Belgium are tied with three points apiece behind New Zealand, the only unbeaten side in the fray after two rounds of the league.
England, considered the pre-tournament favourites, lost both their matches and languish at the bottom of the table.
India's win against England after their reversal against New Zealand was a huge relief as it kept them in the hunt for a berth in the final.
"I am glad that two of the toughest games, against New Zealand and England, are out of the way. We have not been able to play to our potential mainly due to the extremely wet weather with rain soaking the pitch.
"We conceded two goals in the last 10 minutes to the Kiwis but bounced back well to beat England, and it was a relief," Carvalho summed up.
In fact, the incessant rain had a bearing on the performance of all the teams. "The sodden pitch affected ball rotation and pace of our moves. But I guess, it has been the same for other teams too," said England coach Jason Lee. PTI
Seiko to set up flagship stores across India
Kolkata, June 25 (PTI) Japanese watch manufacturer, Seiko Watch Corporation (SWC), which announced its foray into the premium and luxury market in Kolkata today, plans to set up flagship stores in India.
Eyeing a significant share of the fast growing watch market in India, SWC would like to set up flagship stores in each major city by this year-end, according to Seiko India's Marketing Head Niladri Majumdar.
Majumdar said, "SWC intends to command a substantial part of the premium and luxury watch segment in India's totalling around Rs 600 crore. "We have 10 operational service centres in India and this is likely to expand," he added.
He ruled out setting up any manufacturing facility in India.
The 126-year-old SWC, he said, has been present in the Indian market for more than 20 years, but it would officially launch the latest range of wrist-watches in India this time.
Majumdar said India was the 12th country where Seiko has opened its subsidiary.
He said a total of 110 watches would be launched across India in the price range of Rs 6,700 and Rs 1.70 lakh. PTI
Israeli investments in India touch USD 1 bn mark
Kolkata, Jun 25 (PTI) Israeli investment in India has touched one billion dollar mark in the last four years and it was likely to grow further, Israeli Ambassador in India David Danieli said here today said.
"Israeli investment in India has grown to one billion dollars. Four years back it was almost nil," Danieli who was on a visit here told reporters.
Israeli investments, he said, were made in real estate, software, agro business, defence technology, precision tools etc.
Over 1,000 Israeli companies have established their presence in India through joint venture and research and development centres, he said.
The investment also included Rs 1,000 crore for three medical centres to be set up in West Bengal in joint venture with Ambuja Realty. The three centres, included one in Kolkata and another in Siliguri.
The ambassador said that bilateral trade between India and Israel has touched 2.7 billion dollars last year.
He said that to survive in the global business one could not avoid the fast growing Indian economy. "The business relation between the two countries is steadily moving." Danieli said that his country wanted to have preferential trade agreement with India and it was already discussed at the official level. PTI
SC extends stay on opening bids of Mumbai sea link project
New Delhi, June 25 (PTI) In a relief to Anil Ambani-led Reliance Energy Ltd, the Supreme Court today extended the stay on the bidding process for the country's longest sea link expressway at an investment of over Rs 2,600 crore.
Hearing a petition filed by REL, a Bench headed by Justice Tarun Chatterjee extended the stay granted by Bombay High Court restraining Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation Ltd from opening the bids for the project.
Incidentally, Mukesh Ambani-led Sea King Infrastructure is the frontrunner for the project. PTI
Emirates Bank-Infosys Tech enter into strategic agreement
Bangalore, June 25 (PTI) Infosys today announced that it has entered into a strategic deal to implement its Finacle Universal Banking Solution as the new core-banking platform for Emirates Bank.
The new system will be implemented across Emirates Bank International, its branches in Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and Emirates Islamic Bank, the Bangalore-based Infosys said in a statement.
Emirates Bank General Manager Group Information Technology and Operations Abdulla Qassem, and Financle Vice President and Business Head Merwin Fernandes signed the contract in a special ceremony attended by Emirates Bank Chairman Ahmed Humaid Al Tayer and Infosys Technologies Ltd Co-Chairman Nandan Nilekani.
Finacle was selected after a comprehensive assessment of leading global solutions by a senior management team from different business functions at Emirates Bank.
Nilekani said, "Finacle is an area of strategic focus for Infosys. We have made continuous investments in the business towards attaining market leadership. Finacle, combined with the comprehensive services offered by Infosys, provides a truly differentiating proposition for banks to win in the flat world." Finacle roll out will enable the bank to consolidate its technology and operations across various platforms. The implementation programme for the new system is expected to start immediately with United Arab Emirates and rolling out to other countries in a phased manner.
The new solution will also be deployed in Emirates Islamic Bank using the Finacle Islamic Banking offering, the statement added. PTI
PMO refers gas pricing issue to CoS
New Delhi, June 25 (PTI) The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has referred to a Committee of Secretaries the issue of pricing natural gas found off the east coast, for which petroleum ministry wants market-determined prices.
The move is significant in the wake of differences the petroleum ministry has with power and fertiliser ministries over the methodology adopted for arriving at the gas price, government sources said.
While petroleum ministry favours market-determined price for the gas to commensurate the risk taken by the explorer, the other two ministries want prices should be affordable to power and fertiliser plants.
Meanwhile, the Energy Coordination Committee headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to meet here tomorrow to review natural gas scenario in the country. Earlier, there were reports that ECC would discuss the issue of gas pricing, but the meeting would consider the entire scenario, including demand and supply of the fuel.
Sources said the CoS would comprise secretaries in the ministries of petroleum, power, fertiliser, law and finance among others.
State-run Oil and Natural Gas Corp, Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries and Gujarat government-owned GSPC have found huge gas reserves off the Andhra Pradesh and Orissa coast in Krishna-Godavari and Mahanadi basin.
RIL, which planned to start production from its KG D6 block from next year, is also involved in a legal tussle with Anil Ambani group firm Reliance Natural Resources Ltd and state-owned power generating firm NTPC Ltd over gas pricing. PTI
Pak minorities demand termination of blasphemy laws
Islamabad, June 25 (PTI) A Pakistani minorities' body has sought legislative reforms to strike off the blasphemy laws that "discriminate against minorities" in the country.
Demanding a ban on the radical clerics and students of Jamia Hafsa madrassa involved here in a stand-off with the government over the enforcement of Sharia laws, the All Pakistan Minorities Alliance (APMA) said it would challenge laws discriminating against minorities, particularly the blasphemy laws and the Hudood Ordinance and seek legislative reforms through the parliament.
"Minorities and our daughters are worried as terrorist elements are frightening them," APMA Chairman Shahbaz Bhatti said, adding minorities in Pakistan were considered untouchables.
He said extremist elements had challenged the governments writ and the government seemed to be helpless.
Addressing a minorities convention, Bhatti said the country was in the grip of religious extremism and Talibanisation was being thrust upon the nation.
He urged the government to celebrate minority festivals at the national level.
Over 1,500 Christian, Sikh, Hindu, Balmik, Kalash and Bihai minorities, including women and children, attended the convention, the Daily Times said.
The APMA said over 20 million voters were missing from the voter lists, out of which 25 percent were minorities.
APMA's North West Frontier Province president Javed, Hindu delegate Om Parkash, Sikh delegate Ram Singh, lawmakers from Punjab including Chaudhry Naveed Ahmed Jeewa, Parvez Rafiq, Khalid Gill and former Sindh Assembly member Michael Javed also spoke on the occasion, the daily said. PTI
States introduce own immigration bills to counter federal law
Washington, June 25 (PTI) Even as the US Senate gears for a critical vote on the much-debated immigration bill later this week, lawmakers are concerned that a raft of legislations at the State level, with many recommending strict measures against illegal immigrants, might torpedo reform efforts.
At least 1,100 immigration bills were submitted by lawmakers by May end in the various states, more than double the last year's record total, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
It is largely out of a frustration over Congress' inability to deal with illegal immigration that several states are either considering or enacting a record number of "strongly worded proposals" targeting illegal immigrants, according to The Washington Post daily.
The final tally for the bills is expected to rise as the issue continues to dominate debate in statehouses still in session, it said today.
The ways in which state legislatures and law makers have come to terms with illegal immigration are varied and these include passing laws that limit illegal immigrants' ability to obtain jobs, find housing, get driver's licenses and receive many government services.
"They also empower state law enforcement agencies to inquire into an immigrant's legal status and hold for deportation those deemed to be here illegally. The idea is to make life so difficult for illegal immigrants that they will leave the state -- if not the country," The Post has said.
"Illegal immigrants will not come to Oklahoma if there are no jobs waiting for them," said state lawmaker Randy Terrill (Republican), who wrote his state's law, one of the most sweeping in the country. PTI
IFJ expresses concern over press freedom in Nepal
Kathmandu, Jun 25 (PTI) Expressing concern over press freedom in Nepal following the abduction of a scribe, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has urged the government to intervene into the matter.
"With constant kidnappings and evident repression of the media in Nepal, we urge the government to step forward and resolve these dilemmas," IFJ Asia Pacific Director Jacqueline Park said.
The federation's statement came days after a Nepalese journalist, Hridayaraj Gautam, was kidnapped by unknown persons on June 20 and his whereabout still remains unknown.
According to IFJ, Gautam, the editor of Khulamanch weekly, was taken away forcibly from his home by two armed assailants.
"We strongly oppose these violent and illegal measures taken to disrupt a free media in Nepal," Park said.
"It is disturbing that despite political concessions to protect press freedom, other groups are still interfering, often violently, with independent media and compromising journalists' safety," she said and demanded a swift and thorough probe into the disappearance of Gautam.
Meanwhile, a leading publication in the country which had last week halted printing of two dailies -- Nepal Samacharpatra and Mahanagar -- resumed publication today.
The Kamana publication had suspended work after newspaper hawkers were asked to join the Maoist-affiliated workers union, affecting distribution of the leading dailies. PTI
Indian workers in Qatar seek embassy help in repatriation
Dubai, Jun 25 (PTI) Nearly 80 Indian workers of an Oman-based construction company with operations in Doha have staged a demonstration in the Qatarian capital, seeking Indian embassy's help in repatriating them.
In a representation made to the embassy yesterday, the workers, who staged a sit-in in front of the mission, said that they were hired from Mumbai and Kerala for a Qatar construction firm which transferred them to the Omani company on their arrival.
They said they were promised a minimum salary of Rs 10,000 (about QR900) at the time of recruitment. "However, on reaching Doha, we were offered only QR300 to 350," the 'Gulf Times' quoted one of the workers as saying.
Those willing to return home were prevented by company officials from doing so. "Eighteen workers have already purchased return tickets with the money they had brought from home," said one of the workers.
The Omani company has camps in Al Shahaniya and Al Khor in Qatar, said an Indian embassy official.
The Indian Community Benevolent Fund provided food to the workers and would supply provisions at their camps, a spokesman at the forum said. PTI
Pak security forces arrest five suspected Tajik militants
Karachi, Jun 25 (PTI) Five suspected Tajik militants were arrested soon after they crossed the border from Iran in Pakistan's southwestern province of Balochistan, security officials said today.
The militants, said to have links with a radical group in Tajikistan, were caught yesterday by the Pakistan's border security forces, officials said.
The officials recovered fake Afghani identity cards, some documents and offensive literature from them during the interrogation, they said.
Pakistan's security forces, in recent days, have also arrested three Germans, two Kyrghyzstanis and two Turks all suspected militants involved in terrorist activities.
Pakistan also scored a major victory in March when it managed to arrest the high profile Taliban defense minister, Mlah Obaidullah Akhund from a hotel in Quetta, the capital city of Balchistan.
Akhund had a one million dollar reward money on his head and was functioning as a commander in southern Afghanistan. Shortly after his arrest the hotel from where he was picked was bombed. PTI
Resentment in ruling BJP cadre ahead of 2008 Assembly polls
Sidhartha Kanungo
Bhopal, Jun 25 (PTI) With the assembly elections due in 2008, it seems unlikely to be smooth-sailing for the ruling BJP at the hustings with growing signs of resentment in its cadre and anti-incumbency mood slowly setting in.
Notwithstanding claims being made by the party leadership about unity and discipline, fissures appear to have surfaced among workers, who are complaining that they are feeling alienated and ignored by the 'influential' section in BJP.
What came as a jolt to the saffron party was its defeat in the recent by-election in Shivpuri assembly constituency despite a high-pitch campaign by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, state BJP president Narendra Singh Tomar and several ministers.
Differences in BJP cadre came to the fore in the run up to the bypoll as party workers were up in arms against the candidature of Ganesh Gautam, a former Congress MLA, who was humbled by Congress nominee Virendra Singh Raghuvanshi by a margin of 7,781 votes.
Apparently unhappy over the selection of candidate, former state minister Yashodhara Raje Scindia, who vacated the seat after being elected to the Lok Sabha from Gwalior, virtually kept herself away along with her supporters from electioneering.
Scindia's annoyance again came to open when she lodged a strong protest to the Chief Minister and police chief against alleged "spying" by CID personnel during a meeting she had convened at her residence in Gwalior. PTI
Bastar blackout: a shock treatment to Chhattisgarh govt?
Prakash Chandra Hota
Raipur, Jun 24 (PTI) By pushing 27 lakh people of Bastar region in Chhattisgarh into darkness for over 12 days the Maoists have succeeded in sending across a message to the BJP government.
Maoists had blasted off three high tension towers on June 1, disrupting power supply to the Bastar region, incurring a loss of over Rs 2000 crore to the state in 12 days, as mining, industrial and commercial activities were brought to a stand still due to the black out and that had dried up the raw material line of many steel plants from the Bailadila iron ore mines of Dantewada district, officials here said.
The vulnerability due to the Maoist menace was also evident during the black out period as hardly any action of the administration and governance was visible in parts of the undivided Bastar region, which is geographically bigger then Kerala.
People were forced to purchase a wax candle for Rs 15, where as patrol was costing Rs 75 per litre during that 12 days as the naxalites had detonated three high tension electricity tower in Jharghati jungle of Narayanpur district, about 230 km from the state capital on June 1, last disrupting power supply to Bastar, Dantewada, Bijapur, Narayanpur and Kanker districts for over 12 days.
People lived in fear and over 60,000 people of 644 villages took shelter in state government run camps in Dantewada district. PTI
Digest of domestic news for the week June 16-June 22, 2007
Saturday New Delhi: The UPA and NDA puts on fast gear efforts to mop up support outside their formation for their presidential candidate with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh holding a significant meeting with Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh talking to Shiv Sena, which appeared to give some anxious moments to ally BJP.
Shillong: Rejecting China's persisting claims on Arunachal Pradesh, India makes it clear that it cannot "give up" any part of the country that regularly sends its elected representatives to the "sovereign Parliament".
Amritsar: Four persons are injured, one of them seriously, in a blast at an army dumping ground.
Sunday Raisen (MP): Twelve people are arrested for allegedly asking people to support international terror mastermind Osama Bin Laden.
Nandigram: Journalists were allegedly fired at as violence continued here for the third consecutive day with more than 25 rounds fired and bombs hurled from a brick kiln at neighbouring Kejuri.
Mumbai: Senior nuclear scientists say unless the US makes substantial changes in its civil nuclear deal with India, back and forth negotiations on the bilateral 123 agreement to implement the deal are meaningless.
Monday Chennai: Inducting a surprise new element in the Presidential race, the newly-formed front of parties back incumbent A P J Abdul Kalam for a second term, refusing support to Vice President Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.
New Delhi: The UPA-Left Presidential candidate Pratibha Patil finds herself at the centre of controversy over her remarks on the veil, with historians and Muslim groups terming them historically inaccurate.
Tuesday Mumbai: In a new turn in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts trial, 16 convicts, who are yet to be sentenced, moves an application before the special court, challenging the Constitutional validity the lapsed TADA law.
New Delhi: With differences over prices delaying the delivery of upgraded Sukhoi multi-role fighters and Gorshkov aircraft carrier, India rushes a high-level defence team to Russia with fresh proposals to break the logjam.
Kolkata: The West Bengal government announces a rehabilitation package for farmers displaced by the Tata Motors project at Singur even as Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee termed it as "rotten" and threatened of intensified stir.
Wednesday Kolkata: The West Bengal government announces a rehabilitation package for farmers displaced by the Tata Motors project at Singur even as Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee termed it as "rotten" and threatened of intensified stir.
Jaipur/Bhubanewshwar: A Rajasthan court issues a non-bailable arrest warrant against beleaguered top Orissa police official B B Mohanti for allegedly helping his rape convict son jump parole but the Orissa government said it cannot execute the NBW as it was "defective". Mumbai: NDA ally Shiv Sena indicates its willingness to back UPA-Left candidate Pratibha Patil for the President's post as it ruled out support for re-election of incumbent A P J Abdul Kalam, striking a discordant note with BJP.
Thursday New Delhi: India welcomes the inclusion of the 3,000 year-old manuscripts of the Rig Veda by UNESCO in its cultural list for posterity.
Chandigarh: In a move apparently aimed at ending the stand-off with Sikhs, Dera Sacha Sauda chief Baba Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh is believed to have given a fresh letter of apology on a day a court issued a conditional arrest warrant against him for allegedly hurting the Sikh community's sentiments.
Chennai/New Delhi: AIADMK chief J Jayalalithaa stays away from scheduled meeting of third front leaders with President A P J Abdul Kalam in their bid to persuade him to seek a second term in the top post.
Friday Hyderabad: A total of 28 persons are killed as heavy rains lashed several parts of Andhra Pradesh causing extensive damage and disrupting rail and road traffic.
New Delhi: Ending the suspense, President A P J Abdul Kalam decides not to seek a second term in office in the "current scenario", a development that forces the Third Front and the NDA part ways after a limited engagement on backing the incumbent.
New Delhi: The resignation of Pratibha Patil as Rajasthan Governor is accepted by President A P J Abdul Kalam. PTI
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Sensex: 14487.72, +20.36
The sensex closed at 14487.72, up 20.36
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This is the Mumbai Grapevine
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______Forex_______
1 U.S. $ = 40.770 INR
1 Japanese Yen = 0.3305 INR
1 British Pound = 81.503 INR
1 Canadian $ = 38.048 INR
1 Singapore $ = 26.507 INR
1 UAE Dirham = 11.100 INR
1 Saudi Arabian Riyal = 10.871 INR
1 Euro = 54.893 INR
1 Qatar Rial = 11.201 INR
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This is the Mumbai Grapevine
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