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BJP MP disqualified for holding office of profit
New Delhi, Jul 12 (PTI) BJP MP Krishan Murari Moghe has been disqualified from the Lok Sabha on the ground that he held an office of profit by holding a post with the status of cabinet minister in Madhya Pradesh.
President A P J Abdul Kalam has endorsed the opinion of the Election Commission in this regard, sources said.
The Commission had sent its opinion to the President last month, recommending the disqualification of Moghe.
Under the provisions of the Constitution, Kalam had earlier referred to the poll panel a petition seeking the disqualification of Moghe, the MP representing Khargone constituency in Madhya Pradesh.
Congress MLA Jamuna Devi, who had petitioned the President, alleged that Moghe was holding an office of profit in his capacity as head of the state parliamentary group with cabinet minister's status.
With his disqualification, Moghe will not be eligible to exercise his franchise in the ensuing presidential poll. PTI
Govt empowers ministers to raise retirement age to 60 yrs
New Delhi, Jul 12 (PTI) The Government today empowered ministers to raise retirement age in profitable public sector companies under their administrative control from 58 to 60 years, a move that may benefit a few lakh employees.
"The Union Cabinet gave its approval to empower minister-in-charge to approve the proposals of Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) to enhance the age of retirement of their employees from 58 to 60 years, provided the concerned public sector made profits for the past three consecutive years," Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi told reporters.
The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) officials, when contacted, said the decision would rest with the administrative ministries and the step was in direction to harmonise the retirement age among the PSUs.
As in most of the profit making PSUs the retirement age is already 60 years, they said adding it (DPE) has not calculated the number of beneficiaries from this move.
Dasmunsi said the PSUs demanding enhanced retirement age should have had declared net profits for the past three consecutive years and have positive net worth.
The benefit would be available to only those CPSEs which have not availed budgetary support for the past three years and that no such support would be availed by the CPSEs in future, the minister said.
According to figures available, out of 225 CPSEs in operation, 157 are making profits while 58 are loss making.
"This move will benefit employees of various profit earning CPSEs which have not availed budgetary support for the past three years for their non-plan expenditure and where the retirement age is presently 58 years," Dasmunsi pointed out. PTI
UP govt writes to Centre to defer 10 of 27 SEZs
Lucknow, Jul 12 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh government today said it has written to the Centre to defer clearance for 10 of the 27 Special Economic Zones proposed in the state as they did not fulfil the criteria laid down in the up SEZ policy 2006.
In a written reply to a question by Samajwadi Party member Naresh Agarwal, Chief Minister Mayawati said the government has written to the Centre only to defer the proposals and not cancel them.
She said that in all 27 proposals for SEZs had been sent to the Centre for approval by the previous SP regime.
She also said that at present only two SEZs were operative in the state while one high-tech city was partially operative. PTI
Assam Police confirm death of FCI official Ram
Guwahati, Jul 12 (PTI) Kidnapped FCI official P C Ram died today after being caught in crossfire between a police team and a group of ULFA cadres in Assam's Kamrup district, a senior police official said.
Two ULFA militants were also killed in the gunbattle at Borkapanitenga village that began last night and continued till early this morning, IGP (Special Branch) Khagen Sarmah told PTI.
"We are sure this time that it is Ram as we had prior information about his whereabouts in that particular village for the last 24 hours. We are confirmed about the identity, but we want Ram's family members to ascertain it," he said.
Ram was kidnapped by the ULFA in the Ulubari area of Guwahati on April 17. A body believed to be his was subsequently dug out of a field in Baksa district and even identified by his son Prabin Gautam.
Shortly after the body was cremated in New Delhi on July 2, the ULFA told the media that Ram, FCI's senior-most official in the northeast, was still alive. This prompted security forces to launch fresh operations to trace Ram.
A man claiming to be Ram also called his family in Ghaziabad to say that he was alive.
Acting on specific information that some ULFA militants had taken shelter in the house of one Gobind Deka in Borkapanitenga, police launched an operation in the area last night, DIG G P Singh said.
At about 9 pm, police surrounded the house and asked the militants to surrender. The ULFA cadres, however, fired at the policemen who retaliated. PTI
Govt gives nod to draft MoU among IBSA nations
New Delhi, July 12 (PTI) The government today approved the draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) on mutual cooperation in public administration and governance.
"The Union Cabinet today gave its approval to the draft MoU among IBSA on cooperation in the field of public administration and governance," Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi told reporters.
This will provide a legal framework to the cooperation among the three countries in these fields, he said after the Cabinet meeting chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh here.
"The activities among the three sides will start after signing of the MoU by the countries, which is to be done in the second half of the current year," Dasmunsi added. PTI
Govt hikes rates on duty drawback as relief to exporters
New Delhi, July 12 (PTI) To provide relief to exporters hit by Rupee appreciation, the government today announced a Rs 1,400 crore package that includes increased rates of duty drawback with effect from April 1, 2007.
The increased rate of duty drawback on nearly all products would cost the exchequer Rs 800 crore while the government would bear another Rs 600 crore to provide two percentage point subvention to banks for providing concessional credit to exporters in certain sectors.
"The drawback rates have undergone significant changes in line with changes in the prices of inputs and duties. The rates have been revised upward on nearly all products," Finance Secretary D Subbarao told reporters here.
Giving an example, Finance Ministry officials said, the new drawback rate for knitted shirts will now be 10 per cent with the cap of Rs 48 per piece as against the existing 7 per cent with a cap of Rs 31 per piece.
The Finance Ministry officials also announced measures for exporters in textile, ready made garment, leather exports, handicraft, engineering products, processed agriculture products, marine products, sports goods, toys and all SME sector.
Now bank will charge interest rate not exceeding BPLR minus 4.5 per cent on pre-shipment credit up to 180 days and post-shipment credit up to 90 days on the outstanding amount for period between April 1 to December 31 this year, Financial Sector Secretary Vinod Rai. PTI
India Inc loan volume soars to 8.3 bn dlr: Dealogic
New Delhi, July 12 (PTI) Corporate India has raised over 8 billion dollar through syndicated loans by way of 33 deals in the first half of this year led by Reliance Industries, which alone mopped up a whopping 2.7 billion dollars.
"Syndicated loans volume of India Inc was at 8.3 billion dollar for the first half of this calendar year, witnessing a steady growth over previous year figure of 8.1 billion dollar through 41 deals," global consulting firm Dealogic said.
Corporate behemoth RIL single handedly raised 2.7 billion dollar by syndicated loans through three deals with a consortium of 26 banks in the first six months of this year.
Homegrown major Tata Group raised 400 million dollar, British mobile giant Vodafone and largest lender State Bank of India both mopped up 300 million dollar each while HDFC gathered 285 million dollar through syndicated loans.
Syndicated loan refers to a large sum of funds provided by a group of banks collectively to a borrower. There is usually one lead bank that takes a percentage of the loan and syndicates the rest to other banks.
Other firms among top ten borrowers from India were -- realty player Emmar MGF Land, Horizon India BV, Cheung Kong Holdings, Havell's Netherland NV and Jaiprakash Associates.
Besides, textile sector generated 2.2 billion dollar accounting for 26.9 per cent of total Indian loan volume in first half of 2007, followed by the construction or building sector with total proceeds of 1.6 billion.
Global financing major Citigroup topped the chart of book runners with volume of 974 million dollar through four deals amounting to a market share of 11.7 per cent.
Standard Chartered followed suit with a volume of 667 million dollar by way of eight deals representing 8 per cent share of the market. PTI
Goyal given clean chit over alleged underworld links: HC told
Mumbai, Jul 12 (PTI) Union Home Ministry and intelligence agencies, including RAW, have given clean chit to Jet Airways Chairman Naresh Goyal regarding his alleged connection with the underworld, the Bombay High Court was informed today.
The court was hearing a PIL filed by Delhi-based journalist M Furqan, alleging Goyal had underworld links.
Asked by the court what was the Centre's stand on the issue, the government counsel said the Union Home Ministry and the intelligence agencies, RAW and IB, have cleared Goyal's name.
The court directed the Centre to file an affidavit in this regard by tomorrow. PTI
India look to iron out flaws ahead of England Test series
Chelmsford (England), July 12 (PTI) Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly return to bolster the batting as India look forward to a morale-boosting performance against England Lions in the three-day final warm up game starting here tomorrow.
Both Ganguly and Tendulkar were rested from the tour opener against English County Champions Sussex that saw the Indians fail to break the county team's last wicket partnership and clinch victory.
While India did finish the match on a bright note, their inability to clean up the lower order in either innings should be a cause for worry. The same can be said about the batsmen as well as they struggled against some impressive pace bowling on the final day.
Thus the return of old guards in Tendulkar and Ganguly gives a much solid look to the Indian batting.
The Indians are keen to play their top six batsmen here and hope that they have a good workout ahead of the first Test, beginning at Lord's from July 19.
In the bowling department, Zaheer Khan is set to come back to the playing eleven while young Ishant Sharma will be given an opportunity to showcase his skills.
After a good opening day against Sussex, where the Indian batsmen flexed their muscles, the home team bowlers bounced back splendidly on the final day as they made life difficult for the batsmen. PTI
IWF unsure if weightlifter Satheesha Rai will get life ban
New Delhi, Jul 12 (PTI) Indian Weightlifting Federation once again found itself in the doping net with weightlifter Satheesha Rai facing life ban for using a banned drug during the National Games and his fate would be decided in two months' time.
Rai became a second time dope offender at the 33rd National Games at Guwahati early this year after his 'B' sample test was confirmed to be positive for banned substances Stanzolol Met 1 and Stanzolol Met 3 by a WADA-accredited laboratory at Bangkok.
As per the rules, second time doping offense invites life ban for an athlete.
Rai had earlier failed a dope test at the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002 and was stripped of his two gold medals.
The 85kg category lifter, who won a gold medal in Guwahati with a record lift, faces a life ban after being found guilty by the Indian Olympic Association panel headed by the Anti-Doping Commission chairman Manmohan Singh.
IWF Secretary Balbir Singh Bhatia said a decision on Rai would be taken after consultation with the International Federation.
"Life ban is a debatable point. We will discuss the matter with the International Federation and will not do anything without seeking their advice. We do not want to take any action that may take us to court," Bhatia told PTI.
"We will also put the matter in front of our executive committee meeting, which would be held in a couple of months' time. Until then he would not be allowed to compete. Our president is not in India and should be back in about 15 days time. Only then can we call for the meeting." PTI
No place for Sohail, Waseem, Saqlain in national hockey team: PHF
Karachi, Jul 12 (PTI) Accusing the trio of Sohail Abbas, Mohammad Saqlain and Waseem Ahmed of "deserting the team", the Pakistan Hockey Federation has said it would not consider them for selection despite the side struggling in their absence.
The Federation is still unwilling to forgive the three stalwarts for preferring to play in professional leagues in Europe instead of their national team.
Chief selector Khawaja Zakauddin said although Pakistan was struggling to achieve good results at the moment, recalling the three seniors was not an option.
However Zakauddin, himself a former Pakistan captain, said any decision on recalling them could only be taken by the PHF president.
"The president can pardon them for their indiscipline and insensitive behavour. He has the authority to take a decision. Until he gives an all clear, we can't consider them despite our problems," he said.
Sources within the Federation say a lobby has been pushing PHF chief Mir Zafarullah Khan Jamali to pardon Abbas and company and give them another chance to play for the country.
But Jamali remains adamant and has still not forgiven them.
Sohail, the game's highest goalscorer, and one of the best penalty corner specialists in history, and midfielders Waseem and Saqlain were shunned last year after they chose to play league hockey instead of representing Pakistan at the Doha Asian Games. PTI
China brokers rare bilateral meeting between US and Myanmar
Beijing, July 12 (PTI) China today confirmed brokering a rare bilateral meeting between the United States and the military junta in Myanmar, and hoped that 'frank' direct talks between the two sides would be constructive and helpful in reducing their differences.
China helped to arrange the meeting between the delegations of Myanmar and the US here following a recent request from both the countries, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Qin Gang said here.
"We believe that the direct dialogue between the two countries and the discussions between them and frank exchange of views on issues of their common interest are constructive and helpful," he said.
Though the spokesperson did not provide details of the officials who attended the in-camera meeting, reports said the US side was led by Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Eric John while the military junta of Myanmar was represented by Foreign Minister Nyan Win, Information Minister Kyaw Hsan and Culture Minister Khin Aung Nyint.
The talks were apparently aimed at pressing Myanmar for the early release of Aung San Suu Kyi and other political prisoners.
Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy (NLD) won elections in 1990, but the military did not recognise the result and has kept her under house arrest.
But on Tuesday, China opposed US move to further tighten sanctions on Myanmar.
"China believes that the situation in Myanmar does not pose a threat to regional and international peace and stability. What happens in Myanmar should be solved independently by the people in Myanmar itself," Qin Gang had said. PTI
Top Democrat blames Iraq strategy for failure against al-Qaeda
Sridhar Krishnaswami
Washington, July 12 (PTI) A top opposition leader in the US Congress has slammed President George W Bush for persisting with a "flawed" strategy in Iraq and blamed it for the resurgence of al Qaeda which has found a sanctuary on the Pakistan-Afghanistan border.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said "given President (George W) Bush's stubborn dedication to keeping our overextended military mired in an Iraqi civil war, it is not surprising that al Qaeda has been able to reorganize and rebuild." "It is a travesty that Osama bin Laden remains at large nearly six years after the 9/11 attacks and appears to have found new sanctuary to operate freely in the Afghanistan- Pakistan border regions," he said.
The Democrat said that the Bush Administration and most Congressional Republicans "would rather stubbornly stick with a flawed strategy and fight a war that senior military leaders say cannot be won militarily, than adapt to fighting the enemy who attacked us nearly six years ago.
"It is essential that we dedicate our resources and attention to al Qaeda and the real threat it poses," he said, adding Democrats "are continuing to fight to change course in Iraw so that we can refocus the nation's effort to more effectively fight terrorism".
Reid was responding to an intelligence report that the White House is set to discuss today. Prepared by the National Counterterrorism Centre, it is titled "Al Qaeda Better Positioned to Strike the West". PTI
Lal Masjid operation necessary to contain militants: Bhutto
Islamabad, July 12 (PTI) Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf has got support from an unexpected quarter, with opposition leader Benazir Bhutto backing the operation against militants in the Lal Masjid as a step that was necessary to contain extremist elements.
In an interview to a private TV channel, the Pakistan People's Party (PPP) leader said a huge majority of the public has supported the action against the extremist seminary, which was fanning terrorism. She also expressed her sympathies for those who were killed in the operation.
She said the operation conducted by the security forces conveyed Pakistan's keen desire to maintain peace and harmony, which is being threatened by extremist elements who openly engaged in lawlessness and terrorism.
The former premier expressed her deep consensus with Musharraf over endeavours to make Pakistan a liberal and moderate state, the Pakistan Tribune website said.
Speaking on the coming together of opposition parties, Bhutto strongly refuted the formation of a new alliance and firmly rejected any such possibility without the consensus of the ARD.
While talking to a TV channel, PPP president Makhdoom Amin Fahim said his party would not support any new opposition alliance because it was not included in the APC agenda. PTI
Britain poised to expel Russian diplomats
H S Rao
London, July 12 (PTI) In a tit-for-tat action, Britain is poised to expel Russian diplomats for the first time in a decade after Moscow refused to extradite the chief suspect in the sensational murder of KGB defector and Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko here.
The Foreign Office and Downing Street are preparing to send a strong signal to the Kremlin following its refusal to hand over Andrei Lugovoi, a former KGB agent suspected of murdering Litvinenko last November.
With bilateral ties plunging to a new low in the post Cold war era, Russian prosecutors on Monday formally announced that Lugovoi would not be extradited to the UK on the grounds that Russia's Constitution does not allow it.
The British government is now considering counter measures to show its extreme displease at the Kremlin's decision, and the seriousness with which it takes the "terrible" murder of Litvinenko - a British citizen and fierce critic of the Russian president, Vladimir Putin.
The options include the possible expulsion of Russian diplomats from the London embassy, and the withdrawal of cooperation in several areas, including education, trade, social affairs and counter-terrorism.
According to the Daily Telegraph, the expulsions would be reminiscent of former Cold War rows between Moscow and London and almost certainly prompt a similar retaliation by the Kremlin.
A spokesman for Gordon Brown said Britain was reviewing its "range of cooperation" with Russia, and the Foreign Office will move officially to cool relations in the next few days. PTI
Pak to take stern action agst madrassas involved in militancy
Islamabad, July 12 (PTI) Taking a stern view of involvement of madrassas in illegal activities, Pakistan Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has warned that attempts to use them to promote militancy and extremism would not be tolerated.
Briefing reporters on the Lal Masjid operation, he said seminaries functioning according to law need not worry but those found involved in activities incompatible with law or promoting militancy would be dealt with according to the law of the land.
Giving the example of the action taken against militants of Lal Masjid and Jamia Hafsa, the prime minister said yesterday that law will take course if the government finds any other madrassa involved in the projection of such militancy.
He said that the issue of militancy in Lal Masjid had been brewing for quite some time and the government had credible information about the presence of a "certain category of people" inside the mosque-madressah complex who were not students.
Pakistani troops had on Tuesday stormed the mosque complex to flush out holed up militants.
Blaming the people inside Jamia Hafsa for triggering the action, he said they were interfering in normal civic life and challenging the writ of the government.
The Prime Minister said extremism in Jamia Hafsa damaged the country and brought a bad name for the religion Islam. PTI
Gossip at funeral makes family decide to donate bodies
Ashish Mehta
Jaipur, Jul 12 (PTI) It was cheap gossip at a funeral that made retired IAS officer Pukhraj Salecha make a decision he would rather donate his body for medical research.
Three members of the Salecha family too shared the view and after death their bodies would be donated to the medical college.
Most people do not maintain a dignified silence that is expected under such circumstances or share the family's grief but indulge in gossip. "I have seen people discussing Mallika Sherawat and her vital statistics at the cremation ground," says Salecha.
He made up his mind after he returned from the cremation of a close friend. "I was shattered the way people were gossiping at the funeral ceremony. Thus, I discussed the idea of donating our bodies rather than cremating them with my wife late Rameshwari Salecha," he recalls.
"I believe that everyone of us should make some valuable contribution to the society and that's what we have done," he says.
"My wife too believed that it would be good idea to donate one's body as it would be useful for the medical students and service of the mankind," he adds her wish was fulfilled and her body was donated to the SMS Medical College here on June 13.
When asked Salecha's 92-year-old mother Pyaari says "Jal ke to raakh ho jaungi, par aise shareer doctaron ke kya kaam aayege (if my dead body is burnt it will become ashes, this way it would at least be useful for doctors.)" PTI
Emraan Hashmi now wants to explore horror, fantasy
New Delhi, Jul 11 (PTI) With the release of 'Awaarapan,' Emraan Hashmi has apparently broken out of his typecast playboy, lover image and is now looking out for roles that are somewhat different ranging from horror, to fantasy and the realm of magic.
"I love horror and apparently it is a genre that has not been explored much in India. Maybe it is a risky thing to do, perhaps, that is why, I do not know," says the actor.
The 27-year-old, who began his career with the film 'Footpath', had become known in the industry for his roles involving kissing scenes, particularly in the movie 'Murder' with co-star Mallika Sherawat.
One of the upcoming movies of this Mumbai-based actor is a thriller the sequel to the Bhatt movie 'Raaz,' starring Dino Morea and Bipasha Basu.
"People want to see something new and something more," says Hashmi. Typecast as a serial kisser and a playboy the actor seems to have finally come of age with his latest Mahesh Bhatt flick "Awarapan," where he plays a gangster who helps free a Pakistani girl from the clutches of human trafficking.
Sporting straggly hair and an unshaven look the film also sees the actor depart from his earlier clean shaven and a chocolate boy image.
Hashmi plays the role of a bookie in the upcoming movie 'Jannat,' whose script revolves around the sudden and mystery-filled death of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer during the World Cup. Another film that Emraan is working on is a yet to be untitiled comedy by Feroz Nadiawala. PTI
New Arunachal CM actively pursuing central schemes
Parasar Ghosh Dastitar
Itanagar, Jul 10 (PTI) After many years things appear to be moving in Arunachal Pradesh with the new Chief Minister Dorjee Khandu vigorously pursuing implementation of different central schemes.
Within just three months of his taking the reins of the state from Gegong Apang in a silent coup on April 9 last, Khandu forced the central leaders to fix the transportation charge for carrying PDS items in the state.
Khandu felt without a reasonable rate of transportation charge, it is not possible to streamline PDS which had almost collapsed in the state and thousands of people in remote inaccessible border areas had to go without rice and other essential items for the past several years.
The Chief Minister disclosed at a recent function that when he threatened to stage a dharna at the India Gate, the central leaders relented and agreed to fix the rate at Rs.2.25 per quintal per km.
Buoyed at the success Khandu placed his second demand to the centre to give him Rs.500 crore as advance against power projects being developed in the state.
On June 24 the National Hydro Power Corporation Chairman-cum managing director S K Garge came down to Itanagar and handed over a cheque for Rs.225 crore as advance and signed a revised MoU for three of their mega projects in the state.
Garge told a gathering on the occasion that this is the first advance being paid by any organisation to a state government in the country and the amount will be used for revival of state owned apex cooperative bank lying non functional for the past two years. PTI
Business of coaching
Anurag Sharma
New Delhi, Jul 9 (PTI) Charmed by the power of being driven around in a beacon ambassador car or attracted to fat paycheques drawn by engineers and doctors, the growing demand by students for professional courses like engineering, medicine and civil service has led to private coaching industry flourishing like never before.
Educationists however, consider this as a grim reflection of the country's education system.
"We have yet not done any survey about how big the coaching industry is but definitely it is mushrooming across the country because of the lack of proper education system", says a senior official in the Education Department, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI).
The public perception now is that private tuition is a necessity to succeed in entrance tests and board exams, she adds. "The main problems that plague our education system today are lack of infrastructure and the environment to prepare students for competitive exams," she says.
Coaching centres all over the country thrive on the ever-growing demand of students who are keen on getting a professional education. Some of these centres have grown to become big business houses by providing their services all around the country, and reaping profits.
The average private institute that trains students for IIT-JEE demands anything between Rs 40,000 and 50,000. And this doesn't include the cost of study material. The fees maybe higher for 'crash' course. PTI
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