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Sensex shining, masses suffering: CPI-M
New Delhi, Jan 10 (PTI) CPI-M, an ally of the UPA government at the Centre, today said that the masses are suffering in the country even as India Inc celebrates stock market benchmark Sensex crossing the 21,000 points mark.
CPI-M warned the government that if urgent 'pro-people' measures are not taken, communal forces cannot be prevented from exploiting the "popular discontent" over issues like price rise and unemployment.
The rich-poor divide would continue to rise if the government does not take urgent steps to improve the living condition of the masses, CPI-M Politburo member Sitaram Yechury said in an editorial in the forthcoming issue of 'People's Democracy' titled 'Growth for Whom?'.
On the stock market boom, he said "not a single paisa of tax is paid by those who are earning huge unprecedented profits due to this boom." "While this may increase the number of Indian billionaires, the billions required to improve the lot of the common Indian are being denied through such tax concessions," he said, reiterating the CPI-M demand that the coming Budget must consider introduction of a long-term capital gains tax.
Regarding the "growing divide" between rich and the poor, he said this was "not only because of the inefficiency of the distributive aspects in our economy that prevent an inclusive growth. It is also not because the government of the day is insensitive to this growing divide". PTI
Tata unveils Rs one-lakh Nano, allays safety concerns
Rajkumar Leishemba & Nikhil Gulati
New Delhi, Jan 10 (PTI) Tata Motors today unveiled the eagerly awaited people's car - Nano - at the country's biggest auto show here, assuring that the four-wheeler will cost Rs one lakh as promised and meet all safety and emission norms.
"Since we started the project four years back, there has been a steep increase in input cost, but a promise is a promise," Tata Group chief Ratan Tata said after displaying his dream project at the ninth Auto Expo here.
The car will cost Rs 100,000 (one lakh) at the dealer end but attract Value-Added Tax and transportation cost. Tata's pet project seeks to lure two-wheeler riders into buying the car that costs half as much as those currently in the market.
While critics had been sceptical about the car meeting safety and emission norms, Tata said Nano would meet Bharat Stage-III emission norms and can also meet the stringent Euro 4 norms. The car has also gone through a full frontal crash test as per standard norms, he said.
The Nano is eight per cent shorter than Maruti 800, the cheapest car on offer currently in India, on bumper to bumper length, but is 21 per cent more spacious, Tata claimed. The 624 cc Nano comes with a 33 HP petrol engine, but a diesel variant would also be launched.
The Nano will come in three variants -- standard and two deluxe models with air conditioning. The standard version will cost Rs one lakh, excluding VAT and transportation.
Tata also allayed fears expressed by environmentalist R K Pachauri and green activist Sunita Narain that the car at that price would add more vehicles, leading to higher pollution.
"Pachauri will not have a nightmare and Sunita Narain can also sleep," he quipped. PTI
Prez, VP Govs get a big pay hike
New Delhi, Jan 10 (PTI) The President has got a big raise with the monthly pay packet doubled from Rs 50,000 to Rs one lakh, under a proposal cleared by the Union Cabinet today. And Pratibha Patil is not alone to get such a hike.
The Vice President would get Rs 85,000 per month against the present Rs 40,000, Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi said after a meeting of the Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.
Likewise, Dasmunsi said, the salary of Governors has been raised from Rs 36,000 a month to Rs 75,000.
The increase in emoluments would come into effect from January 1 last year.
The hike was necessitated as Members of Parliament have a Rs 68,000 pay packet while the presiding officer of the Rajya Sabha drew less than them, Dasmunsi said.
Former Presidents' emoluments have also been doubled to Rs six lakh a year, while more facilities have been sanctioned for the spouses of late Presidents and Vice Presidents.
Dasmunsi said the decision to increase the salary had been taken last year itself, but since the then President and Vice President were retiring, it was deferred. PTI
India to continue witnessing dynamic growth in 2008: UN
Dharam Shourie
United Nations, Jan 10 (PTI) India will continue to witness dynamic growth in 2008, driven by investment in the manufacturing and service sectors, and will be "largely insulated from weakness in the global economy," a new United Nations report has said.
The Asia-Pacific region as a whole is also likely to continue to see strong economic growth this year, despite uncertainties posed by a slowing United States economy, it predicted.
"Key Economic Developments and Prospects in the Asia-Pacific Region 2008" -- published by the UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) -- stated that the region's resilience will be underpinned by strong growth in India and China and high commodity prices.
"Asia-Pacific economies are well prepared to manage continued uncertainty in the external environment over the coming months," Chief ESCAP economist Ravi Ratnayake said today at the launch of the report in Bangkok.
"The region's main strength lies in healthy macroeconomic fundamentals -- countries have the room to adopt supportive fiscal and monetary policies if faced with significantly declining export growth, financial market volatility or inflationary pressures," he added.
Developing economies in Asia posted a growth rate of 8.2 per cent in 2007 and is expected to grow at a "slightly lower but still robust" rate of 7.8 per cent this year.
Despite the upbeat forecast, the report warned that an unravelling of the United States sub-prime mortgage problem and a slowing of the US economy could pose risks for Asian economies. PTI
I am pretty relaxed, says Dravid
Canberra, Jan 10 (PTI) Rahul Dravid may be struggling to recover his peak form but the former Indian captain today insisted that he was "pretty relaxed" and would look to find the gaps more frequently to overcome the lean patch.
Dravid, who scored 62 in the first innings of the three-day match against ACT XI, said he opted to play the game not because he was too perturbed by his poor form but just to get some more practice in the middle.
Skipper Anil Kumble, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly and VVS Laxman opted out of the three-day game at the Manuka Oval, leaving Dravid as the most experienced player in the side.
"Despite whatever the impression is being conveyed, I am in a pretty relaxed frame of mind and keen to play," said Dravid, who gave signs of return to form in Sydney but would still like to feel better at the crease.
His impressive knock of 62 today came on a pitch where the ball came on to the bat.
"I looked to play the ball on merit. It also came to the bat a lot better and once I was set, I played a few more shots," Dravid said.
Dravid looked back at the Sydney Test as a happy experience, especially the one in the first innings, and suggested his struggle early in the series was a mixture of poor form and inability to find gaps. PTI
Ponting says parents received abusive phone calls
Melbourne, Jan 10 (PTI) Australian captain Ricky Ponting today claimed his parents received abusive phone calls in the wake of the controversy-marred Sydney cricket Test against India.
Ponting said his parents were forced to change their phone number following the anonymous calls criticising the captain.
"There were a few people who rang in the past few days, having a dig," Ponting was quoted as saying by the 'Sydney Morning Herald'.
He said it was disappointing for his parents to have to go through the ordeal.
Ponting and his side have come under fire in recent days after Indian captain Anil Kumble accused them of not playing in the "spirit of the game" in the Sydney match, where the home side took a 2-0 lead in the four-match series.
The Australian captain rejected claims he and his world champion team were arrogant but said there were elements of his side's performance in the second Test that "in hindsight, you might do a little differently." "I don't think anyone wants the way Australia plays cricket to change," Ponting said.
"Everyone likes to see a tough, uncompromising brand of cricket. But if there are areas in our game to improve on, then obviously we need to address that." PTI
Rigged polls in Pak to have "serious consequences": American lawmaker
Islamabad, Jan 10 (PTI) The US Congress may take "some action" against Pakistan if the February 18 general elections are rigged leading to "serious consequences" for both countries, a top American lawmaker has warned.
Rigged elections would increase political polarisation and divisions and increase the threat from al-Qaeda and other terrorist organisations, senior US Senator Joseph Lieberman, who yesterday met President Pervez Musharraf and top opposition leaders, said.
"While there will be further division in Pakistan, there will be certain action against Pakistan by Congress if polls are not held in a transparent and fair manner," said Lieberman, the Chairman of the US Senate's Committee on Homeland Security.
"In fact there will be serious consequences for both countries if elections are rigged as is being alleged by some political parties.
"The US Congress may take some action (if the February 18 parliamentary polls are rigged). That would be awful, as relations between the US and Pakistan are very important (for both countries)," Lieberman told a news conference late last night.
Musharraf assured Lieberman that his government was committed to holding free, fair and peaceful polls.
Lieberman also received a "detailed and explicit" briefing by Army Chief Gen Ashfaq Pervez Kiyani and Strategic Plans Division Director General Lt Gen Khalid Kidwai on the command and control system for Pakistan's nuclear arsenal. PTI
At least 20 killed, 50 injured in suicide bombing in Lahore
Lahore, Jan 10 (PTI) At least 20 people, most of them policemen, were killed and over 50 injured today when a suicide bomber blew himself up at a busy thoroughfare near the high court in this eastern Pakistani city.
The explosion ripped through the GPO Chowk near the Lahore High Court at 11.45 am (local time) while a large number of policemen were taking up position in the area ahead of a protest march by lawyers against the regime of President Pervez Musharraf.
"It was a suicide blast," said Malik Iqbal, the police chief of the city in eastern Punjab province. At least 15 policemen died in the explosion, he said.
Malik said it is believed that the bomber was walking and blew himself up near a security barrier put up by the police.
A Geo News reporter who was at the site to cover the protest by the lawyers reported witnessing a massive blast and huge ball of flame. He also said he had seen the severed head and legs of the suspected suicide bomber. The head was found almost 200 metres from the site of the blast.
A meeting of the Lahore High Court Bar Association was underway before the protest march at the time of the blast.
The suicide bomber's explosive device was packed with metal pellets, which damaged numerous vehicles in the area of about 200 metres.
Policemen immediately cordoned off the area and ambulances rushed to GPO Chowk to ferry the bodies and injured to nearby hospitals. PTI
Pak plans to move Intl Court against WB decision on Baghliar
Islamabad, Jan 10 (PTI) Pakistan plans to move the International Court of Arbitration to challenge a World Bank neutral expert's decision in favour of India in the dispute over the Baghliar hydropower project in Jammu and Kashmir.
Raymond Lafitte, the neutral expert who arbitrated on the project, had in his final determination issued on February 12, 2007 subscribed to Pakistan's three points of difference but upheld India's stand on the design of the dam's spillway gates.
Pakistani authorities, however, believe Lafitte's ruling will allow India to regulate the waters of the Chenab river and inflict "huge damage" to the irrigation system in Punjab province, which meets 85 per cent of the food requirements of the country.
Water and Power Secretary Ismail Qureshi yesterday held a meeting with legal experts to draw up a case to challenge Lafitte's ruling in the ICA, The News reported today. The case will seek changes in the design of the project's spillway gates, the newspaper quoted an unnamed senior government official as saying.
"The final decision to move the ICA against the determination of the neutral expert is likely by next week," the official said.
Attorney General Malik Qayyum, who attended yesterday's meeting, said legal experts and government officials were examining "different possibilities on challenging the neutral expert's decision" on the spillway gates. A decision on this was likely by next week, he said.
Qayyum said "it seemed that Pakistan would move the ICA as it is a very sensitive issue". PTI
New players get nod, existing mobile cos more spectrum
New Delhi, Jan 10 (PTI) Government today put to rest the fierce controversy in the telecom arena by starting the licensing process for new players and giving more spectrum to existing operators, a move that will not only help improve the quality of service but also give more choices to mobile users.
In a sequential action, the Department of Telecom started giving letters of intent to 'eligible' aspirants. These firms, after paying the necessary fees, will qualify for receiving spectrum but after the existing GSM players and CDMA operator Reliance Communications which has already paid licence fees for entering the other technology segment.
But Mahendra Nahta-led HFCL and realty firm Parsvnath Developers were among the four applicants who have been rejected by DoT, while B K Modi's Spice Telecom got a limited go-ahead, leaving many dissatisfied and in a hush hush manner accusing manipulation at the ministerial level.
By and large, the action of Communication Minister A Raja was generally dubbed acceptable and transparent by many new players as also the CDMA lobby which has been fighting a pitched battle with GSM operators including Sunil Mittal's Bharti Airtel, A V Birla group's Idea and Vodafone-Essar.
Cellular Operators Association of India, the lobby of GSM firms which has challenged the dual technology clause and also opposed entry of new players without guarantee of spectrum, declined to comment but said it would continue with the case in tribunal TDSAT and Delhi High Court. PTI
RRBs nationwide two-day strike begins
Kolkata, Jan 10 (PTI) Employees of Regional Rural Banks (RRBs) across the country struck work today demanding higher wages and better service conditions.
A statement issued by Joint Forum of Gramin Bank Unions (JFGBU) today said 69,000 officers and employees of 92 RRBs working in about 14,500 branches in 525 districts are participating in the strike.
The average daily transaction of the RRBs is valued at Rs 100 crore.
The strike was to press for implementation of Banking Pension Settlement, 1993 and 1994 in RRBs, parity with sponsor banks in payment of all allowances and benfits and service conditions, among others.
JFGBU convenor Dilip Kumar Mukherjee said since the government did not take any positive measure on the long pending demands, the union was forced to take this step. PTI
RCom to get GSM spectrum along with Vodafone, Idea and Aircel
New Delhi, Jan 10 (PTI) In a development that could bring peace to the turbulent telecom sector, the government today decided to allocate spectrum to existing GSM players such as Idea Cellular and also to rival CDMA player Reliance Communications for launching mobile services.
The new entrants, on the basis of eligibility and the priority of application, would be considered thereafter, according to a direction given by Communications Minister A Raja to his ministry officials.
Among existing GSM players, Aircel, Idea Cellular and Vodafone-Essar would be getting the start-up frequency of 4.4 MHz for some circles at the existing price based on Rs 1,651 crore for nationwide spectrum. These companies have been waiting for spectrum to start GSM mobile services in some of the circles to cover the remaining areas in the country.
Besides them, Anil Ambani-led RCom that currently offers CDMA-based services, would also get GSM spectrum under the government's decision of October 19 last year to allow companies to launch operations with both the technologies.
The GSM operators have challenged the dual technology decision in telecom tribunal TDSAT and also in Delhi High Court but haven't been able to get a reprieve. PTI
Caparo Group to invest Rs 1,000 cr in India
New Delhi, Jan 10 (PTI) NRI industrialist Swraj Paul-led Caparo India today said it plans to invest Rs 1,000 crore in the Indian market over the next three years to become the largest automotive technology company in the country.
"The company will invest Rs 1,000 crore over the next two to three years time. We plan to rake in USD 500 million sales from the country by then," Caparo India CEO Angad Paul told reporters at the 9th Auto Expo here.
The company has already invested Rs 1,000 crore in the country toward setting up 22 manufacturing facilities, including in Pune, Chennai and Singur in West Bengal.
Paul said the company would review the investment figures as and when required. The investment would be made in setting up manufacturing units near the existing ones in Chennai and Singur as also in expanding capacity at the Pune unit.
A major portion of the USD 1.5 billion revenues of Caparo Group comes from the UK and US. India accounts for about USD 150 million. "In future, we would like that all the three regions contribute equally to our revenues," Paul said.
Asked about its planned compact car concept, he said the group is open to bringing it to the Indian market. The group is in the process of introducing a "city car" concept in Europe by this year-end, where Caparo would provide the design and assembling services to carmakers.
"We have a city car concept with us and are working toward it. We would provide the basic design services for the car, which would target the mid-segment." PTI
Take your pick: Rs one lakh car or Rs one lakh cocktail
New Delhi, Jan 10 (PTI) With valentines season just round the corner, youngsters are saving up to woo their better halves this winter. But for all those with extra cash, the season offers an alternative. Either one can now go in for newly launched 'People's car' costing just Rs one lakh or buy a drink for your lady for the same amount.
Yes, a drink worth Rs one lakh. Called the "Cupid's Love Punch", it is probably the most exclusive and expensive wine cocktail available for the Delhiites launched by a leading Indian wine maker.
The speciality of this drink apart from its key ingredient, Sauvignon Blanc and Peach Schnapps(Italian sweet liquor) along with orange juice and aerated drink is a diamond ring at the bottom of the drink served in an Italian crystal glass.
According to ND Wines who have launched the cocktail, it is solely made for the people who are deeply in love and wants to propose to their better half in a unique way.
Eyeing the Valentines season, the wine maker has also come out with cheaper alternatives like 'Soothing swig" for the 'flirtatious types' costing a handsome Rs. 20,000. If you think that was enough, there is 'Love in your prime" cocktail which cost Rs 15, 000. PTI
A look into the minds of Bollywood directors on small screen
Annie Samson
New Delhi, Jan 10 (PTI) Former adman and one of the first actors from the country to make it big in cinema and theatres in the West, Kabir Bedi, now makes a return to the Indian small screen as a chat show host.
Bedi, who plays a role in James Bond movie 'Octupussy' and has also acted in popular TV serials 'The Bold and the Beautiful,' now plays the role of an interviewer who explores the minds of famous directors such as Shekhar Kapoor and David Dhawan.
The 60 plus actor whose most recent appearance was in the Sharukh-Khan-starrer 'Main Hoon Na' initially came to Mumbai with an ambition to become a director.
"The idea behind the show is to get to know the director's mind. My aim is not to confront or expose but delve into the experiences of the directors and have a conversation with them," he says.
So far Bedi has interviewed 13 directors, including Shekhar Kapoor, Aamir Khan, Rajkumar Santoshi, Anurag Kashyap and Prakash Jha and there are plans to do another 13 more. "I have tried to include directors from all age groups. Personally as an actor I have worked with a range of directors all my life and have always wanted to have a peep into what goes in their minds." "What prompts the directors to choose their subjects, how do they find inspiration and how to they conceive a role and get precise performances from actors is what fascinates me," says the actor has just tied up a major project in Italy. 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
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Sensex: 20582.08, -287.70
The sensex closed at 20582.08, down 287.70
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1 U.S. $ = 39.275 INR
1 Japanese Yen = 0.3573 INR
1 British Pound = 76.818 INR
1 Canadian $ = 38.902 INR
1 Singapore $ = 27.425 INR
1 UAE Dirham = 10.694 INR
1 Saudi Arabian Riyal = 10.473 INR
1 Euro = 57.548 INR
1 Qatar Rial = 10.805 INR
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