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Centre considering second states re-organisation panel
Hyderabad, Jan 9 (PTI) Amidst renewed churning within the ruling Congress over Telangana statehood issue, a senior party leader today said the UPA government was seriously considering constitution of a fresh States Re-Organisation Commission (SRC) to examine demands for such smaller states.
"The matter is under serious consideration of the government. Last week, I had discussions with Pranab Mukherjee (who heads the UPA sub-committee on the issue) and there was indication that a decision will be taken soon," Congress Working Committee (CWC) member and in-charge of Andhra Pradesh Veerappa Moily told reporters here.
He, however, declined to indicate any time-frame for setting up the second SRC, saying "it was for the government to decide".
The Congress leader's remarks came in the backdrop of a fresh bout of differences within the party over Telangana.
There is a vertical division in the state Congress over the issue. A section of partymen from the region is opposed to the constitution of SRC at this stage, on the ground that it would further delay the process of carving out a new state.
The members of Telangana Regional Coordination Committee (TRCC), a pressure group within the ruling party, have been persuading the high command to take a favourable decision on formation of separate state keeping in view the strong sentiments of the people.
The party has been maintaining that only a new SRC could examine the demands for smaller states and take an appropriate decision. PTI
India, Russia yet to reach breakthrough on Gorshkov: Minister
New Delhi, Jan 9 (PTI) India and Russia are yet to achieve a breakthrough on resolving the Gorshkov deal, which has been in a deadlock over pricing.
"There has been no major breakthrough, though discussions are on," Defence Minister A K Antony told PTI on the sidelines of a function to launch the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
India is supposed to get the delivery of the aircraft carrier next year, but the Russians told New Delhi that they cannot stick to the time schedule due to heavy cost overruns on the warship's upgrading.
In the new terms, Moscow is demanding USD 1.5 billion more for carrying out complex cabling work on the warship to integrate its command and control stations. Under the original deal concluded in 2004, India was to pay USD 1.2 billion for complete retrofitting of the carrier.
Antony said negotiation teams from both countries had held a number of round of talks, but no breakthrough had been achieved yet. His remarks assume significance in the backdrop of an expected visit by a Russian delegation later this month here on the issue.
Though uncertainty over the delivery of the carrier continues, Russia is expected to stick to schedule on supplying the first batch of Mig-29K, the warship's main fighters by June next year.
The Defence Minister said that Malaysia had evinced interest in acquiring the surface to air Akash missiles.
"Malaysians got to hear about the 100 per cent successful trials and broached the subject of its acquisition during the talks," he said. PTI
Time to move on, says Kumble
Ashish Shukla
Canberra, Jan 9 (PTI) "I think it's important to move on," skipper Anil Kumble said today as his team proceeded ahead with the rest of their Australian tour after a storm over umpiring blunders and three-Test ban on Harbhajan Singh.
The team, which had stayed put in Sydney following the storm, travelled here today for a three-day game ahead of the third Test beginning in Perth from January 16.
"It's nice to be playing cricket again. I look forward to this game (three-day Canberra game). It's important to move on", Kumble told reporters.
"I think it's important to move on, cricket is larger than individuals and I respect that and it's important that we move on," he said.
"The focus for us is to ensure that we get the best possible out of this game," he said.
Looking back at the two days spent in Sydney, Kumble admitted it tested his side's patience.
"It's been tough, very difficult, because it's a very serious issue. The entire team is together in this. Board is backing us fully, we are all with Bhajji, it's not easy but he seems to be in a good mood," he said.
Kumble also revealed that he had requested Ricky Ponting to withdraw the "racist abuse" charge against Harbhajan Singh but his plea was not taken too seriously by the Australian skipper, who was perhaps unmindful of its implications.
"I did make a request to Ponting, if it can be sorted out before it went up to the match referee. But he said a report has already been made," the Indian skipper disclosed. PTI
Dhoni to captain India in warm-up match
Canberra, Jan 9 (PTI) With Anil Kumble opting out, Mahendra Singh Dhoni will lead India against the Australian Capital Territory XI in a warm-up match starting at the Manuka Oval here tomorrow.
Apart from Kumble, veterans Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly are also set to skip the match to pave way for the likes of Virender Sehwag.
After all the controversies and the bad blood in the wake of the tumultuous Sydney Test, Kumble said his team was now eager to get a taste of the real action.
"It's important we get the best out of this game," he said.
Their focus back on cricket again, the visitors sweated for about a couple of hours in the nets on the eve of the three-day game.
Apart from Sehwag, Dinesh Kaarthick, Irfan Pathan, Pankaj Singh and VRV Singh would get a chance to impress the think-tank in the match to bolster their case for a berth in Perth, venue of the third Test.
Kumble gave enough hints that he was taking the game seriously, for he wanted to get a measure of the bench strength.
"We have been in Australia for the last three weeks and some guys haven't still had a hit in the middle," he said.
Two other players who are least likely to take the game casually are Yuvraj Singh and Wasim Jaffer. PTI
I requested Ponting not to charge Bhajji, reveals Kumble
Ashish Shukla
Canberra, Jan 9 (PTI) Indian skipper Anil Kumble today revealed that he had requested Ricky Ponting to withdraw the "racist abuse" charge against Harbhajan Singh but his plea was not taken too seriously by the Australian skipper, who was perhaps unmindful of its implications.
Kumble said he made the request before the hearing began in Sydney last week but the Australian captain let it go.
"I did make a request to Ponting, if it can be sorted out before it went up to the match referee. But he said a report has already been made," the Indian skipper disclosed.
"Having played cricket for this long, I knew such allegations could spiral into something bigger, I envisaged it could become a larger issue," Kumble said, reflecting on the issue which still has the potential to disrupt the tour.
Harbhajan was slapped with a three-Test ban for allegedly racially abusing Andrew Symonds, outraging the Indian Board and fans. An appeal against the ban will come up for hearing soon.
Kumble said the Indians, who arrived here for a three-day practice match against ACT XI, are trying to move on from the controversy, which cast a threat on the tour itself.
"I think it's important to move on, cricket is larger than individuals and I respect that and it's important that we move on," he told reporters on being asked whether the two captains will sit down for a chat to sort out thorny issues. PTI
Ponting draws flak from Australian sporting legends
Sydney, Jan 9 ((PTI) Some of Australia's legendary athletes have joined the chorus of criticism against the unsportsmanlike behaviour of Ricky Ponting's team in the Sydney cricket Test with India.
Sport Australia Hall of Fame members, John Bertrand, Herb Elliott and Rob de Castella, now plan to take the matter to Cricket Australia (CA), which they feel is damaging Australia's international reputation.
Hall of Fame chairman, Bertrand, who led an Australian yatch team to America's Cup win 25 years ago, said the group would seek an urgent meeting with CA because Australia's Test team was damaging international relations with its "win at all costs" attitude.
"Sport is only sport. It's not war. Their desire to win at all costs is beginning to blur their moral compass," Bertrand was quoted saying by 'Sydney Morning Herald'.
"We will be seeking a meeting with Cricket Australia to seek to get the Australian team to readjust their behaviour so that they do show respect for their opponents," he said.
Bertrand's views were echoed by world champion marathon runner Castella and Olympic gold medallist Herb Elliott, regarded as one of the world's greatest middle distance runners ever.
"We don't like what we are seeing and hearing at the moment," Elliot said.
Australian Football League hero Ron Barassi agreed with the Hall of Famers and said, "It concerns me that the Australians are regularly being referred to as being arrogant and because it is mentioned so often, you begin to wonder." PTI
Pak says its nuclear arsenal "fully secure"
Rezaul H Laskar Islamabad, Jan 9 (PTI) Pakistan today rejected IAEA chief Mohamed ElBaradei's comments about the possibility of its nuclear weapons falling into extremist hands, saying its atomic arsenal is "fully secure and under multi-layered safeguards".
"As head of the IAEA, which is a UN body, he has to be careful about his statements which ought to remain within the parameters of his mandate," Pakistan Foreign Office spokesman Mohammad Sadiq told reporters here.
ElBaradei's remarks "ignored the fact that the strategic assets of Pakistan are fully secure and under multi-layered safeguards and controls exercised by the National Command Authority", he said.
Pakistan had been in touch with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on the issue and officials had spoken to ElBaradei's chief of staff. Sadiq, however, said ElBaradei's remarks would not have implications for Pakistan's relationship with the nuclear watchdog.
Pakistan has extended cooperation and assistance to the IAEA on "many important issues" and its civil nuclear programme is under the watchdog's safeguards, he said.
The IAEA, Sadiq pointed out, was only concerned with safeguarded civilian nuclear facilities and ElBaradei's comments should remain with this mandate. PTI
No ban on recruitment of workers from India: Malaysia
Jaishree Balasubramanian
Kuala Lumpur, Jan 9 (PTI) Dismissing reports of a freeze on recruitment of workers from India, Malaysia today insisted that it never made a ruling to this effect.
"Let me state categorically that the Home Ministry has never come out with any ruling that we have stopped the intake of foreign workers from India," Home Minister Radzi Sheikh Ahmad told reporters.
He said he was not aware where these reports came from. "This has disturbed us a lot," he said.
The news reports about the ban came during a visit by Defence Minister A K Antony to Malaysia, triggering a furor in India. Malaysian Works Minister Samy Vellu, who is in New Delhi to attend the conference of overseas Indians, had denied the reports yesterday itself.
Vellu, also the President of the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) -- a component of the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition, said that he had contacted Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi and Home Ministry Secretary-General to get a clearer picture on the issue.
"It is not true. There is no such thing," Vellu told reporters when asked about the reports of freeze on employment of Indian workers.
The Malaysian Home Minister, however, felt that the confusion could have been caused following a ruling that the country was going to temporarily ban workers from Bangladesh. PTI
SC clears way for Reliance Power IPO, for now
New Delhi, Jan 9 (PTI) The Supreme Court today stayed proceedings in Gujarat High Court against Reliance Power Ltd's initial public offer that is slated to open on January 15.
In an interim order, a bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan put a stay on the hearing of a PIL filed by a Rajkot-based NGO 'Grahak Suraksha Mandal', which had sought to prevent the company from going public.
The court also issued notice to the NGO after Reliance Power Ltd alleged that the PIL was motivated.
Senior Advocate Harish Salve, who mentioned the petition before the Bench, accused the NGO of waging corporate war at various fora and said that the Grahak Mandal had earlier taken the issue before the Bombay High Court and SEBI.
He contended that the High Court was to take up the PIL filed against the company today and if the apex court did not interfere then similar petitions would be filed all over the country to "blackmail" the company, which was coming out with an IPO.
"The PIL by Grahak Mandal in Gujarat High Court is motivated and it is just a blackmail strategy on its part as we are coming with our IPO on January 15," Salve said.
He said the IPO cannot be reversed as it would affect the capital market.
"We are into an international project and the world is looking at us," the senior advocate said, adding that "the PIL was not genuine and it is used as a surrogate weapon of corporate war games." He said the PIL was filed with an ulterior motive and this Grahak Mandal was not an organisation of poor farmers as claimed by the NGO. PTI
ICICI Bank to unlock value in four subsidiaries
New Delhi, Jan 9 (PTI) The country's biggest private sector lender ICICI Bank today said it will "unlock value" in four of its subsidiaries and the process could begin in six months with its brokerage arm ICICI Securities.
In an interview to PTI, ICICI Bank Managing Director and CEO K V Kamath said, "I would think that six-month period is a fair expectation... We have not yet taken the Board approval." He was replying to a query on whether the first of the subsidiaries would hit the market in next 3-6 months.
Noting that ICICI Securities could be the first of the lot to hit the market, he said it could be soon followed by two insurance arms -- life insurance unit ICICI Prudential and general insurance arm ICICI Lombard, and the bank's housing finance arm.
Kamath said that listing of insurance subsidiaries would be subject to the previously proposed holding company for these businesses not coming through. The proposal for this is awaiting RBI clearance.
When asked whether the bank would look at listing other subsidiaries as well, Kamath said there could be two more cases for unlocking value -- that of mutual fund arm and private equity business ICICI Ventures, but they could take some time.
ICICI Bank is currently valued at about Rs 1,50,000 crore based on its current market capitalisation.
"At current levels, we are undervalued... If you look at embedded value, clearly there is scope for valuation to look different... Value is visible in insurance and asset management company, while there is value embedded in securities and home loan subsidiaries," Kamath said. PTI
Sensex ends flat after setting another intra-day peak
Mumbai, Jan 9 (PTI) In volatile trade today, the Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex ended flat after setting yet another intra-day high, indicating a strong resistance at higher levels.
The 30-share BSE barometer ended the day at 20,869.78, down 3.55 points from yesterday's close.
The National Stock Exchange index Nifty was also down 15.85 points at 6,272.00 from its previous close of 6,287.85. It touched the day's high of 6,338.30.
Analysts said the market set a new record on expectations of robust earnings season beginning January 11 when IT bellwether Infosys will announce its third quarter results. However, continued volatility only indicates a downward correction in the short-term, they added.
One cause of concern is the mid-cap and small-cap indices underperforming the BSE barometer.
Market players said small-cap and mid-cap shares remained under pressure and registered widespread losses on sustained selling by investors, who are showing greater interest in the mega IPO of Reliance Power, scheduled to open for subscription next week, Meanwhile, Asian indices ended marginally higher while European markets opened weak this afternoon.
The Sensex is shying away from the 21,200 resistance and any fall will be an opportunity for investors to buy as the support level is placed at 20,240, analysts added.
In today's trading HDFC gained 3.59 per cent on hectic buying by domestic institutional investors. PTI
Kingfisher to fly abroad this year: Patel
New Delhi, Jan 9 (PTI) Kingfisher Airlines would be permitted to fly abroad this year as it would enjoy the rights of low-cost carrier Air Deccan, which it has taken over.
"All three airlines -- Air India, Jet Airways and Kingfisher -- are going to fly abroad this year," Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel said when asked about the fate of a request by the airline owned by liquor-baron Vijay Mallya to operate on international sectors.
When asked if there would be a change in the prevailing norms to permit Indian carriers to become eligible for international operations, he said "they (Kingfisher and Air Deccan) are one company now".
Air Deccan completes five years of domestic operations this August, thereby meeting the eligibility criteria required by the government to permit them to operate abroad. The low-cost carrier also satisfies the other criteria of having a 20 aircraft fleet.
The Minister's reply indicates the current norms are unlikely to be changed and that Kingfisher would be allowed to fly abroad only because it has acquired Air Deccan, and therefore its rights.
The Kingfisher-Air Deccan combine has been a front-runner for being permitted to fly abroad as the low-cost carrier will be completing five years of domestic operations this August.
Jet Airways is the only private airline that has so far been allowed to go global as it matched both the eligibility criteria. State-run Air India also flies on international routes.
A Group of Ministers, which is studying the proposed Civil Aviation Policy, including these norms as well, is likely to meet soon to take a final call on the matter. It is understood that the continuation of the prevailing norms enjoys the majority view. PTI
Reality shows losing charm and audience
Anurag Sharma
New Delhi, Jan 9 (PTI) With the falling number of SMSs and audience interest, reality shows no more rule the idiot box, say experts.
"The viewers have now become more discerning and choosy as the number of reality shows is increasing by the day. With exception to some programmes, the viewer's interest has declined. Number of SMSs is falling and TRPs (Television Rating Programme) are stagnant. But people still like to see programmes which is real and different, says Ashish Paul, V-P, Communication, Essel Group.
Actor Ronit Roy of 'Kasauti Zindagi Ki' and 'Jhalak Dikh La Ja' fame, says that number of SMSs of all the reality shows are falling as every other channel is launching the programme with the same pattern and concept.
"Every channel wants to tap the market and make profits because of the current boom in the television industry. Currently the television business is around Rs 19,500 crore and is expected to reach Rs 36,000 crore by 2010. The reality show business is 30 per cent and rest 70 per cent is still fiction," Ronit says.
"SMS interactivity is a major source of revenue for the channel and it helps with a definite database and viewership. SMS market for these shows has definitely gone up in last 2-3 years but now it is slowly falling with the abundance of same kind of shows," says Paul. PTI
Fighting HIV, Andhra takes up the challenge
Rajeev Ranjan Dwivedi
Hyderabad, Jan 8 (PTI) Many call them 'homosexuals', some term them as 'Gay', but they euphemistically express themselves as MSM, or plainly men who have sex with men.
An official figure from Andhra Pradesh AIDS Control Society (APSACS) put their number in the state at 45,000, while community members claim their numbers to be around 1.4 lakhs.
"The increasing number of MSMs has put a challenge for Andhra Government in fighting AIDS as Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) and HIV prevalence remains high among this community," says G Ashok Kumar, the Project Director of APSACS.
According to reports, MSMs face the highest possible risk of contracting HIV as most of them try to hide their sex life, which is considered to be responsible for high prevalence rate of HIV among the group.
"As far as MSM is concerned, I must admit that this is a very weak area for us and we need to work on this more," adds Kumar.
An estimate puts the HIV prevalence rate in MSM community at around five per cent.
"But still there is a ray of hope, as examples of people braving up ridicule and ostracization keep propping up from within the community," he adds.
"In fact, there is an elected Councilor in Narsaraopet Municipality (Guntur District), who is a self confessed MSM and during elections his status was disclosed. His opponents ridiculed him during the campaigns but he had the last laugh!" reveals the project director. PTI
After vibrating condoms, cheaper female condoms are the next
Snehesh Alex Philip
New Delhi, Jan 7 (PTI) With newer studies revealing that Indian youngsters are experimenting with their sex life more than ever before, condom manufacturers too are now experimenting with their products to give 'absolute pleasure' and safety.
So, if it was the vibrating condoms that created controversy last year, 2008 promises to be even more exciting with the introduction of new female condoms which though were available in India before, stayed out of reach for common woman due to its high price and lack of publicity.
Hindustan Latex Ltd (HLL), a state-run condom manufacturer which markets the popular 'Moods condom' has just launched, Velvet female condoms.
"Female condom is the only power that a women has in her hands to protect herself from both pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases at the same time. Till now, this power rested with men. It is only now that women are getting to know about such a condom being available in the market," Rajeev Kumar, Product Manager, Consumer Business Division, HLL told PTI.
While HLL is optimistic about the potential growth of this particular segment, its rival firm TTK-LIG Ltd which markets the international brand, Durex condoms in India is keenly watching Velvet's performance before it takes any decision.
Velvet, a more cost effective product than its predecessor Confidom, which is for the premium segment is priced at Rs 100 for a pack of three whereas Confidom is priced at Rs 250 for a pack of two pieces. PTI
Bikramganj bypolls a trust vote for Nitish
Ajay Kumar
Patna, Jan 7 (PTI) The result of bypoll to Bikramganj Lok Sabha Constituency has proved to be a trust vote in favour of Bihar's NDA Government led by Nitish Kumar and signalled "a warning" to the Opposition RJD led by Railway Minister Lalu Prasad, political analysts say.
The JD(U) continued its winning streak in Bihar with its candidate Meena Singh retaining the Bikramganj seat by a comfortable margin of 31,258 votes, humbling her nearest RJD rival Ashok Kumar Kushwaha on January two.
The JD(U) victory demolished the opposition claim that the JD(U)-BJP coalition was tottering under the weight of its own alleged non-performance that had caused a dip in its popularity.
"This is a mandate for good governance and politics of development. The JD (U) victory is a reply to those who had been claiming that Nitish Kumar's hold on the electorate has weakened. It also shows Lalu Yadav has to worry about his grip over his traditional support base," political observers say.
The opposition, particularly RJD, had projected the by-poll as a referendum on the Nitish government.
Not given to accept his defeat the RJD boss and Railway Minister Lalu Prasad had said that the poor margin of victory of Meena Singh in the bypoll reflected that Nitish Kumar was losing people's support.
Prasad said "We knew we will be losing the seat because of the sympathy vote Meena Singh, widow of Ajit Kumar who lost his life in a road accident six months ago in Bihar, was getting." PTI
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