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No GoM on natural gas pricing yet: Murli Deora
New Delhi, July 13 (PTI) Government has not yet decided to refer the vexed issue of natural gas pricing to a Group of Ministers (GoM) and consultations were still on, Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said today.
"No, I don't think it (the gas pricing row) has been referred to a GoM," he said.
Power and fertilizer ministries are demanding government regulate the price of gas to be produced by Reliance Industries so as to keep electricity cost and fertilizer subsidy down. They wanted a GoM to look into the issue.
Petroleum Ministry, on the other hand, is in agreement with the pricing approach adopted by RIL and wants all contractual obligations like marketing freedom given to firms investing in hydrocarbon hunt, be honoured.
"There have been demands from certain quarters but I am not aware if the authorities have decided to form a GoM," Deora said but was non-committal when asked if the issue would be resolved at the level of a secretaries panel and never be referred to GoM.
Deora had yesterday said the pricing row would be resolved within a month.
"We are very seriously ingrained in the whole issue of pricing of gas to be produced from newer areas particularly in the deepsea. Consultations are on and I hope the issue will be resolved in next 15 days... May be one month at the best," he had told reporters Thursday.
A Committee of Secretaries, headed by Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar, is looking into the issue. "Presentations by gas producers and consuming side have all been completed. Now, they are in the process of going internal consultations and will present a view of us shortly," Deora had stated. PTI
Sensex on record making spree, closes at 15,272.72 pts
Mumbai, July 13 (PTI) The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex surged nearly 181 points to end at a new high of 15,272.72 points today as the metal segment recorded the largest ever gain on heavy buying.
The BSE-30 share Sensex, which crossed the 15,000 points level this week, added another 180.68 points, or 1.20 per cent at 15,272.72 and also set an intra-day peak at 15,330.73.
The major support to the market came in from the metal stocks as metal index sky-rocketed by 525.64 points, an all-time high in a single session.
The second wide-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty also crossed the 4,500 points level to close at 4,504.55 points, up by 58.40 points. It witnessed the day's high of 4,513.90 and a low of 4,446.05 points.
The second prominent segment which supported the market was Oil and Gas index by rising 137.48 points at 7,819.67 followed by PSU sector by 103.94 points at 7,098.97. PTI
Kerala resents move to test GM seeds
Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 13 (PTI) Kerala has expressed serious concern over the move to test Genetically Modified seeds in the state, especially its 'rice cellar' Palakkad.
Taking note of reports that a Maharashtra-based firm is trying to enter the state for experimental cultivation of GM seeds, state Agriculture Minister Mullakkara Ratnakaran has written to the Centre seeking steps to declare the state as "GM-free zone." The farmers outfits in Palakkad have come out against the move arguning that turning the fast-dwindling paddy base of the area a testing field for GM seeds would ultimately push the paddy growers into a "serious trap" besides causing harming the ecology.
"We are opposing it as allowing GM seeds is fraught with a set of grim consequences for farmers, especially paddy cultivators," said Muthalamthode Mani, General Secretary of Palakkad-based Desiya Karshaka Samajam.
"The ultimate result of such a scenario would be that the farmers would be driven to depend on the multinationals for seeds, fertilisers, pesticides and even to sell their produce, Mani told PTI.
In his letter to Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, Ratnakaran wanted the Centre to stop any move to allow an agency said to be under the control of the Monsanto Corporation to test its seeds in the state.
This would endanger the biodiversity of the state, half of whose geographical area is part of the Western Ghats, which is a biodiversity hotspot, he said. PTI
13 injured in grenade explosion in Bandipora
Srinagar, Jul 13 (PTI) At least 13 people were injured when militants exploded a grenade in Bandipora district, police said today.
Militants exploded the hand grenade in the Hajan chowk in Bandipora, 35 kms from here, around 9.30 pm last night injuring 13 persons, they said.
Six of the 13 injured were shifted to Srinagar for specialized treatment.
No militant outfit has owned responsibility for the act so far. PTI
Forex reserves up USD 1.349 bn to USD 214.835 bn
Mumbai, Jul 13 (PTI) India's foreign exchange reserves increased by USD 1.349 billion for the week ended July 6 to USD 214.835 billion as against USD 213.486 billion in the previous week.
Foreign Currency Assets (FCAs) increased by USD 1.471 billion to USD 207.585 billion during the week ended June 29, as per figures released by the Reserve Bank today.
FCAs in dollars include the effect of revaluation of non-US currencies such as Euro, Sterling and Yen held in reserves.
The country's forex reserves had increased by USD 937 million during the week ended June 29.
Gold reserves, however, came down by USD 124 million to stand at USD 6.787 billion for the week ended July 6. Special Drawing Rights remained static at USD one million. Reserve position in the IMF increased by USD two million to stand at USD 462 million. PTI
Gold prices fall on decline in buying, weak global trend
New Delhi, July 13 (PTI) Gold prices fell on the bullion market today on reduced offtake by stockists influenced by weakening trend in global markets.
Trading activity declined due to off-marriage and festival seasons besides weak international markets, which normally set price band in domestic market.
Standard gold and ornaments lost Rs 30 each at Rs 8,800 and Rs 8,650 per ten gram respectively. Sovereign held unchanged at Rs 7,800 per piece of eight gram.
Gold was little changed in Asia after rising to the highest in more than a month as the dollar's decline boosted demand for the metal as an alternative investment. Silver was also little changed.
Gold generally moves in the opposite direction of the US currency. It gained 4.7 per cent this year, while the euro climbed 4.4 per cent against the dollar. The dollar index, a gauge of its value against six other currencies, fell to a 2 six-month-low of 80.545 yesterday.
Bullion merchants said the market, which has been facing tough time due to off marriage season, received another jolt after the metal declined in global markets.
They said some of the funds were seen shifting toward surging equity markets.
Silver, on the other hand, gained on emergence of buying by stockists and industrial units. Silver ready gained Rs 250 at Rs 17,850 per kilo and weekly-based delivery by Rs 200 at Rs 17,900 per kilo. However, silver coins fell by Rs 100 at Rs 23,500 for buying and Rs 23,600 for selling of 100 pieces. PTI
Corporates should not have role in politics: Narayanamurthy
Chennai, Jul 13 (PTI) Infosys Technologies Chief Mentor N R Narayanamurthy today said he was not aware of his name doing the rounds for the post of vice-president.
"I am not aware of it. I have no idea about it," he said replying to a question by reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
He parried a question on the charges being levelled against both the UPA and NDA supported candidates for the Presidential elections, saying "I am not the right person to comment on it." Earlier, speaking at the function, he said Corporates should not have a role in politics. "Corporates should make themselves more relevant to their customers," he added. PTI
India doing little to promote tourism among Chinese: officials
Pradeep Rana
Beijing, Jul 13 (PTI) Citing expensive accommodation and poor management of destinations as major deterrents for the Chinese traveller, Beijing today said India was "not doing enough" to promote tourism.
"I think India has great destinations, including Buddhism sites, but it is not doing enough in terms of accommodation and infrastructure for the Chinese tourists," Shao Qiwei, Chairman, National Tourism Administration, China, told PTI.
Expressing satisfaction at India starting Chinese version of 'Incredible India' website, Shao said tourism promotion is "only a part" of the whole exercise.
He said the accommodation in India was bit too expensive for the Chinese traveller to afford a trip to the Indian destinations.
On an average, room tariff for five-star hotel in China is about 780 Yuans (Rs 5,850)-- down from India where it goes Rs 8,500 and up.
Total numbers of available rooms in India are 105,000. But Shanghai alone boasts of 135,000 rooms and China has overall ten times more rooms for tourists than India.
Shortage of rooms has sent the tariffs skyrocketing in India. In terms of capacity, China has about 316 hotel projects and 107,725 guestrooms in the pipeline, in contrast with India having 161 hotel projects and just 16,734 guestrooms in the offing. PTI
Dubai firm buys 2.87 pc stake in ICICI Bank
Dubai, July 13 (PTI) Dubai International Capital (DIC), the investment arm of Dubai Holding, has bought 2.87 per cent stake in ICICI, India's second largest bank.
Dubai International Capital's investment in the Indian bank follows its recent purchase of 3.12 per cent stake in the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company EADS, the parent company of aircraft manufacturer Airbus.
ICICI Bank had assets of USD79 billion at the end of March 31.
It raised USD4.9 billion in India's biggest share sale open to domestic and foreign investors in June.
"The investment allows DIC to become one of the leading shareholders in the company," DIC said in a statement. However, it did not disclose the value of its investment.
The Dubai firm may have paid USD717 million for the stake acquired from the American Depository Receipts (ADR) issue open to foreign investors.
However, at today's closing share price DIC's stake would be worth USD741.5 million.
"The strategic investment in ICICI supports the global diversification and growth mandate for DIC and its parent company, Dubai Holding," DIC chief executive officer Sameer Al Ansari said.
The Singapore government investors held about 9.7 per cent stake in ICICI before the latest share offering and had the approval to raise their stakes substantially.
DIC aims to have assets worth USD25 billion in the next two years. PTI
Kumble all praise for Panesar
London, Jul 13 (PTI) Veteran spinner Anil Kumble has lavished praise on Monty Panesar, saying the England left-arm bowler had quickly picked up nuances of spin bowling since his debut 18 months ago.
"From the start, I liked him - he was steady, bowled with good control and he maintained attacking lines. And in the 18 months since then, you can see he has picked up the nuances of spin bowling very quickly," Kumble was quoted as saying by the 'Daily Mirror' today.
Kumble, who has achieved the feat of claiming all 10 wickets in an innings, said it was no surpise that Panesar was already a match-winner for his team.
"It is no surprise to me that he has already been a match-winner for England more than once, and I'm 100 per cent sure he has a long and successful Test career ahead of him. How many wickets could he take? If he remains a part of the team for 10 years, you are going to be talking hundreds, not dozens." Kumble said what was more creditable was that Panesar performed after being selected on the basis of an indoor practice session.
"For Monty to come through an audition and perform like that was very creditable. I like to see spinners do well because we are a rare breed and we have an important part to play in winning matches.
"I had never even heard of Monty before he came to Nagpur last year, but he certainly made a big impression both through the way he bowled and his celebration.
"You can only imagine the kind of joy he must have tasted when he dismissed an exceptional player like Sachin (Tendulkar) to claim his first Test wicket," he said. PTI
England Lions elect to bat against Indians
Chelmsford (England), Jul 13 (PTI) England Lions' skipper Andrew Strauss won the toss and elected to bat against Indians in their final three-day warm up cricket match beginning here today.
Indians are being led by Sachin Tendulkar after skipper Rahul Dravid pulled out yesterday due to calf muscle injury.
The visitors have left out Ranadeb Bose while naming Gautam Gambhir as the 12th man.
The teams: Indians: Sachin Tendulkar (captain), Wasim Jaffer, Dinesh Kaarthick, Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman, Yuvraj Singh, Mahendra Singh Dhoni (wk), Zaheer Khan, S Sreesanth, Ishant Sharma and Ramesh Powar. 12th man: Gautam Gambhir.
England Lions XI: Andrew Strauss (captain), Joe Denly, Owais Shah, Jonathan Trott, Ravi Bopara, Tim Ambrose (wk), Adil Rashid, Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Chris Tremlett and Graham Onions. PTI
Friendlies against third division sides fixed in Portugal
New Delhi, July 13 (PTI) All India Football Federation has managed to fix two friendly matches against Portuguese third division sides for the national team probables on their tour of the country.
The side, coached by Englishman Bob Houghton, will face Recreio Desportivo de Agueda at Marinha ground on July 22 and AC Marinhense on July 26.
The 25-strong Indian squad, will train for a week before their first competitive fixture in Portugal.
They will again have three days of training before they take on AC Marinhense.
A third friendly is scheduled for July 29, but details will be finalised after discussions between tour promoters "Football and Friends" and Houghton.
The squad left for Portugal early this morning and returns to India on July 31.
Efforts are on to stage a match against a select team from Vila Nova de Gaia and also a club from the Portuguese Primiera Liga. The details are expected to be finalised in a day or two. PTI
Golf: Atwal starts with one-under in first round
Silvis (USA), July 13 (PTI) Arjun Atwal fired two birdies in his last four holes, to card a solid one-under 70 in the opening round of the John Deere Classic, the last event before the Open Championship.
Atwal, who is coming off a third place finish in a Nationwide Tour event last week, shot five birdies but also had four bogeys in his round of 70 that placed him 56th.
Daniel Chopra carded an even par 71 and was tied 76th. He has two birdies and a double bogey on third in his round.
Chopra, currently 95th on the USPGA Money List, started the season well, but has slackened over the past few weeks.
American Neal Lancaster (64) was leading the field with a seven-under card and was one clear of Duffy Waldorf, Paul Stankowski, Kenny Perry, Scott Gutschewski and Jason Dufner.
Atwal is 195th on the Money List and is hoping a few good results would give him a shot at a top-125 spot for full playing rights next season. A birdie on the final hole enabled him to finish the round under par.
He is also 34th on the Nationwide List, from where top-25 go to PGA Tour next year.
Masters champion Zach Johnson shot a 1-under 70 and trailed by six strokes.
Ranked 15th in the world and the only top-45 player in the field, Johnson started on the 10th hole and birdied the par-4 15th and par-5 17th.
Defending champion John Senden was in trouble after shooting a 7-over 78.
The top 10 finishers at the John Deere Classic, not otherwise exempt, will gain a spot in the 136th Open Championship to be held at Carnoustie, Scotland, from July 19-22. PTI
Sania to begin hardcourt season in Cincinnati
New Delhi, July 13 (PTI) After reaching the second round at Wimbledon, Sania Mirza will open her North American hardcourt season campaign at the Western & Southern Financial Group Women's Open in Cincinnati.
The 38-ranked Mirza will be part of a field, which includes rising Russian star Anna Chakvetadze and Swiss girl Patty Schnyder, who won the singles title in 2005.
The Tier III tournament with a prize money of USD 175,000, starts on July 16, but the qualifying matches begin two days earlier. Four spots will be determined by the qualifying tournament.
The matches in the main draw will be held at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio.
Ranked eight, Chakvetadze is the highst ranked player to have committed to the tournament so far. Schnyder, ranked 16th is the other top-20 player featuring in the tournament.
Sania defeated Russian Yroslava Shvedova in the first round at the All England Club before going down to 11th seed Nadia Petrova in the next round. PTI
My greatest blunder was to trust the King: US envoy
Kathmandu, July 13 (PTI) The outgoing US Ambassador to Nepal today advised the embattled King to abdicate before the Constituent Assembly polls, while saying that his "greatest blunder" was to believe that the monarch would restore democracy within months of assuming absolute power.
"My greatest blunder during the three years tenure in Nepal was to believe that King Gyanendra would restore democracy within 3-4 months after he assumed absolute power in February 2005," James F Moriarty said addressing his last press conference here before going back to the US.
"It was my big mistake to trust the King that he would come back to the democratic politics after holding power for some time." The seasoned US diplomat said if the King would seek his advice, he would ask him to abdicate before waiting for the Constituent Assembly polls, as it would help save the institution of monarchy, but it is "too late now".
He, however, made it clear that this is not the policy of the US government, but his personal opinion. "The US government's official policy is to let the people of Nepal decide whatever they want." Praising the role played by media in Nepal's democracy, he said "you (journalists) are playing a critical role in your country today.
"I encourage you to continue to be aggressive in your pursuit of the truth, better journalism standards and your own independence." Nepal needs objective, high-quality media if it is to achieve peace and democracy, he said. PTI
An artist who creates art with dried flowers
New Delhi, Jul 13 (PTI) While the general practice is to trash away the flowers once they dry some use them dry them to create wonderful pieces of art.
From trying his luck in Delhi and Nepal, doing a number of businesses, Krishna Kumar Paruthi has come a long way doing what he says is his passion- making paintings to artefacts and visiting cards embossed with dried flowers.
Paruthi dries them after treating the flowers with herbal preservatives by placing them between 500 to 800 sheets of paper for a period of nearly two months with heavy pressure added onto them.
"It takes around 40-60 days for the flowers to dry. After recomposing them, they are then used to design and make various products," says Paruthi, showing off his products including scented candles, wall hanging on glass and acrylic along with wedding cards among others with either roses, cosmos, marigold, pensy jipsy and foliage of plants among others pasted on them.
"This is something that I was really interested in from the very beginning. Sixteen years ago, when my flourishing business in Nepal fell through, I came back here and started pursuing my art," he adds.
Paruthy who now supplies his products to various star hotels in the capital among other stores says, "When I had started off initially, it was never meant to be a business. Slowly, people took notice of the art and asked me to make products for them," he adds. 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
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Sensex: 15272.72, +180.68
The sensex closed at 15272.72, up 180.68
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1 U.S. $ = 40.270 INR
1 Japanese Yen = 0.3290 INR
1 British Pound = 81.847 INR
1 Canadian $ = 38.486 INR
1 Singapore $ = 26.588 INR
1 UAE Dirham = 10.964 INR
1 Saudi Arabian Riyal = 10.737 INR
1 Euro = 55.494 INR
1 Qatar Rial = 11.063 INR
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