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BJP seeks revamp of Employment Guarantee Scheme
New Delhi, Jan 16 (PTI) BJP today sought revamp of the UPA Government's flagship National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme in the wake of reports of irregularities in its implementation.
The main Opposition party said the first performance audit of the scheme by the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) was not only alarming but a real eye-opener for the government.
Party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said it has become clear that only 3 per cent of the eligible people got benefit and employment was provided for only 18 days as against 100 days promised by the Government.
Also, eligible households received only Rs 1,500 per annum instead of Rs 8,000 average income envisaged by the scheme while labourers did not even get money on time and at stipulated rates, he said.
"It is a testimony of the overall failure of implementation of an ambitious scheme like NREGS," he told reporters here.
He sought a total revamp of the rural job guarantee scheme, formulation of clear guidelines and putting in place a comprehensive monitoring mechanism.
The Comptroller and Auditor General had recently pulled up the Rural Development ministry for slipshod execution of the Rs 12,000 crore programme in its draft report.
On the other hand, the Ministry claims that the scheme was a grand success in most of the 330 districts selected for implementation. PTI
Goa govt faces crisis, revolt by some ministers, ruling MLAs
Panaji, Jan 16 (PTI) The seven-month Congress-led Government in Goa today was in the midst of a crisis facing revolt from a few ministers and a few ruling legislators who are reportedly unhappy over its functioning, especially targeting Finance minister Dayanand Narvekar.
Sources said the Goa Appropriation Bill, 2008 could be under threat when it is taken up in the Assembly which is now in session if the mood of some of the ruling coalition's legislators including the NCP's ministers is any indication.
In a House of 40, the ruling coalition has 23 members-- Congress(16), NCP(3), Save Goa Front(2) and Independents(2). United Goans Democratic party's unattached legislator Atanasio Monserratte gives issue based support to the government. The opposition has 16 members with BJP(14) and MGP(2).
The revolt apparently stemmed from growing opposition to Narvekar's policies.
With the numbers game in the Assembly becoming crucial, a group of ministers including Health minister Vishwajeet Rane, Atanasio Monserratte and Save Goa Front legislator Aleixo Reginaldo Lourenco are understood to have come together to test the Digambar Kamat government on the floor of the House.
The state government, which has cancelled special economic zones in the state, is facing heat over the proposed Rajiv Gandhi IT habitat.
Narvekar, who is also IT minister, is supporting the park, which is opposed by Monserratte.
Senior Congress leader and Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister P R Dasmunshi is currently in Goa for a football event and is reportedly working on steps to defuse the crisis.
Sources said BJP may support the breakaway group to form an alternative government, if the Chief Minister is defeated on the floor of the house. PTI
Strict enforcement of anti-conversion law needed: BJP
Bhubaneswar, Jan 16 (PTI) Alleging that the recent riots in Kandhamal district were caused by conversion and conspiracy by foreign funded NGOs, BJP today demanded strict enforcement of anti-conversion law in Orissa, where the party shares power with BJD.
"As a political party, we are not fully satisfied with the manner in which the anti-conversion law has been implemented in Orissa. The Freedom of Religion Act must be enforced strictly and action taken against its violators," BJP vice-president Jual Oram told reporters here.
Oram, who led a party team to some of the riot hit areas of tribal dominated Kandhamal, alleged that due to constant violation of the state's Freedom of Religion Act, Hindus had become a minority in Kandhamal, at least in Daringbadi block of the district.
People of Daringbadi gave a memorandum to the BJP team seeking minority status to Hindus in the district, Oram said.
There were allegations about siphoning of foreign funds received by NGOs to naxalite elements, the BJP leader said, adding the matter should be probed and activities of these organisations monitored.
He demanded police deployment in some places of Kandhamal to give people a sense of security and confidence.
Alleging that largescale land grabbing and issuance of forged caste certificates have caused tension in Kandhamal, he sought quick steps for return of land to real owners.
Those who secured government jobs using false caste certificates should be detected and suspended, he said.
In 1995, the district collector had suggested various steps to deal with issues relating to tribals and ethnic groups, he said adding those should be considered. PTI
No export ban on poultry products after bird flu: Pawar
New Delhi, Jan 16 (PTI) India, which reported an outbreak of bird flu yesterday, has not received any advisory from the World Organisation of Animal Health to ban poultry exports, Agriculture and Food Minister Sharad Pawar said today.
"So far, we have not received any (advisory for) export ban on our poultry products," the minister told PTI.
He said the government had notified France-based World Organisation of Animal Health about the outbreak yesterday and "we are waiting for the response." As a precautionary measure, the union government has already restricted trade and movement of poultry from West Bengal. Localised occurrence of the highly contagious disease was reported from Birbhum and South Dinajpur districts yesterday.
Following this, about four lakh birds have been culled in the state. The places in and around these districts have also been alerted about the incident, Pawar said.
According to government data for 2005-06, India exported poultry products worth Rs 167 crore.
Asked about any impact on human beings, he said: "There are no reports of humans being infected with bird flu and the situation is under control." PTI
SC gives 2 weeks to Centre to file affidavit on Setu project
New Delhi, Jan 16 (PTI) Four months after ordering a review of the Sethusamudram project in the wake of the controversy over Rama Setu, the Supreme Court today gave the Centre two more weeks to complete the exercise.
At the outset, Attorney General Milon K Banerji told the Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan that the Centre needed two weeks to file the affidavit as the committee appointed by it was re-examining the feasibility of the project.
While the Attorney General was making his submission, those opposing the project objected to the Centre seeking more time to file a comprehensive affidavit.
Janata Party President Subramanian Swamy, on whose petition the Court had passed its direction, said the Centre has not yet responded to the order passed by Madras High Court asking it to conduct an archaeological investigation whether Rama Setu could be declared as protected ancient monument.
He said before his petition was transferred to the apex court, the High Court had specifically directed the Centre to investigate whether Rama Setu qualifies to be categorised as a historical monument.
Instead, the Centre came out with two controversial affidavits questioning the existence of Lord Rama and man-made bridge Rama Setu which was withdrawn after largescale protest, Swamy said.
He criticised the Tamil Nadu government which has favoured the project by ignoring the religious sentiments of the people and referred to yesterday's proceedings on the issue of 'Jallikattu' (a bull fight held as part of Pongal festivities in the state).
"Yesterday the same Tamil Nadu Government which ignored the religious sentiments of people on Rama Setu took the plea of (respecting) religious sentiments for holding Jallikattu ," he said. PTI
India looking at 400 mark: Dravid
Perth, Jan 16 (PTI) Rahul Dravid was visibly disappointed at his crass shot which cost India it's advantage on the first day of the third cricket Test against Australia but felt 400 was still a possible total at WACA.
"I am particularly disappointed that it (dismissal) came towards the end of the days play, also with the new ball around the corner," said Dravid who scored a gritty 93.
"But I had played a similar shot previously, when you connect it, it looks okay and when you don't it's looks really stupid," he said.
Dravid might have tried sounding philosophical but the hard fact is a score of nearly 300 for 4 has now been made into 297 for 6 with all the advantage resting with the hosts.
"Still, we can look at the positives, there were some fighting performances during the day. We still have some batting left and hopefully the lower order can contribute a bit and push us towards 400 which probably we would have liked at the start of the innings." Dravid, who now shares a dubious record with Steve Waugh for having been dismissed 10 times in the nervous 90s in Tests, said he preferred wickets where the ball came on to the bat, like in WACA, than those where the ball kept low and slow.
"On such wickets, there are a lot more scoring opportunities. Personally, I favour it because you can play all round the wicket, not the slow and low types where a lot of backfoot play is ruled out." PTI
PIL in SC for recalling Indian cricket team from Australia
New Delhi, Jan 16 (PTI) The racial controversy involving Harbhjab Singh came up before the Supreme Court today with a cricket buff seeking direction to the BCCI to call its team back from Australia as it allegedly failed to protect the dignity of the country in recent controversy on playground.
The PIL in this regard was mentioned before a bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan which refused to give it urgent hearing and decided to hear it as scheduled on January 28.
Prince Lenin, a Lucknow-based advocate, who filed the PIL, submitted "BCCI should discontinue the ongoing Indian Cricket team's tour to Australian Continent, as they have failed to defend and protect the dignity, prestige and respect of the nation from being humiliated in front of entire world." The advocate also contended that BCCI should be restrained from using the name 'INDIA' for its team as it did not represent the nation in any tournament.
Further, it said that non-sporting persons should be debarred from holding posts in Sports Organisation like BCCI.
Referring to the incident of involving Harbhajan Singh and Australian player Andrew Symonds, the PIL said BCCI failed to take immediate measures so as to prevent persons from causing damages to the respect and dignity attached with each and every player representing India. PTI
Dravid rues losing his wicket at crucial stage
Perth, Jan 16 (PTI) More than missing a century, it is the timing of his dismissal which rankles Rahul Dravid who wanted to carry on batting to tackle the second new ball on the opening day of the third cricket Test between India and Australia here today.
Dravid, who struck form after struggling in the first two Tests, negotiated the Australian pace attack well to notch up a well-knit 93 before succumbing to a big hit off Andrew Symonds.
"It's disappointing to get out at that stage, especially the timing was not good. In the last half hour me and Laxman were trying to be there when the new ball was taken," Dravid said.
The former captain, however, drew some satisfaction from the fact that he played a good knock after a lot of hard work.
"I am happy with my effort. I had worked hard and fought my way back to score the runs. But it's not about me (missing out on a hundred), but the team situation," he said.
Dravid said the team think-tank was never in any confusion about what to do if India won the toss.
"We were very clear about batting first on this wicket. Yesterday, we saw the wicket and knew the first couple of hours would be crucial. But it is a good wicket, a flat and firm one. We had no real second thought. PTI
India 297 for 6 at close
Perth, Jan 16 (PTI) Electing to bat, India were 297 for 6 at stumps on the first day of the third cricket Test against Australia here today.
Brief scores: India 297 for 6 in 84 overs (R Dravid 93, S Tendulkar 71, M Dhoni batting 8, I Pathan batting 8; B Lee 3-64, M Johnson 2-62). PTI
Anand held by Adams; Harikrishna, Negi win
From our Chess Correspondent
Wijk Aan Zee (Netherlands), Jan 16 (PTI) Searching for an elusive win, world champion Viswanathan Anand played his third draw on the trot while P Harikrishna and Parimarjan Negi scored victories in the fourth round of the Corus International Chess tournaments here today.
Anand signed peace with English Grandmaster Michael Adams in a premier Group A clash while Harikrishna coasted to a win over Wouter Spoelman of Holland to join the Group B leaders.
GM Negi excelled for the second day running and defeated Chinese GM Li Shilong in a one-sided affair in the Group C.
After a first round loss at the hands of Radjabov, Anand's hunt for an elusive victory in his favourite hunting ground did not end as Adams was resolute in his defensive bid as black and did not give many chances to the wily Indian.
Adams was seen pressing for a victory in the end. It was a queen pawn opening by Anand as white, which lasted 56 moves before the peace was signed.
Ahead of the first rest day of the category-16 round robin event, Magnus Carlsen of Norway and Levon Aronian of Armenia remained in joint following a draw between themselves in a game of fluctuating fortunes.
Capitalising on an opening error, Aronian got a nearly winning position in the middle game as black but underestimated white's counter play and landed in a lost position immediately.
Carlsen returned the favour in a little later after which the draw was a just result. PTI
Al-Qaeda threat to Gordon Brown
London, Jan 16 (PTI) An alleged al-Qaeda threat to the life of British Premier Gordon Brown is being investigated by authorities here on the eve of his tour to China and India.
The investigation follows claims that an Islamist website is setting up a branch of al-Qaeda in Britain. The site, www.Alekhlaas.Net, speaks of "the creation of the al-Qaeda organisation in Britain." The site, put up on January 2, urges young Muslims to rise up against "infidels" such as "Brown and (former prime minister Tony) Blair', BBC reported.
Although the threat was described as "aspirational", Pauline Neville-Jones, former head of the British joint intelligence committee, said: "You don't ignore this sort of thing." "It may not be a threat from an existing cell... But it does represent a move in the propaganda game and the propaganda game is not something we should ignore. This is after all a struggle over ideology," she told BBC.
The site reportedly hosts a catalogue of Islamist messages, musings and writings, and has been visited by more than 17 million people.
The threat was reported just days before Brown leaves on his trip to China and India - his first to the two Asian giants as Britain's prime minister.
Talks about global security cooperation and the fight against terrorism figure prominently in his agenda in both countries. PTI
Russia says "nothing prevented" Kudankulam atomic power deal
Vinay Shukla
Moscow, Jan 16 (PTI) Russia has said that "nothing prevented" it from going ahead with the sale of four reactors to India for Kudankulam atomic power plant within the framework of their current international obligations and was ready to sign the deal whenever it suited New Delhi.
"Nothing prevented Russia and India from signing a four-reactor accord within the framework of their international obligations," Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said avoiding a question whether it could be signed during Russian Prime Minister Viktor Zubkov's New Delhi visit next month.
The crucial nuclear deal on the construction of four more additional reactors for the nuclear power plant in Tamil Nadu was due to be signed here in November during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's Moscow visit.
However, at the last minute it was cancelled apparently due to New Delhi's reluctance to enter a bilateral deal before it got a waiver from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) and signed an India-specific safeguards agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
"We are ready to sign the nuclear agreement any time which suites India," Lavrov told PTI at a New Year reception hosted by him for the foreign press here last night.
Lavrov underscored that Moscow is willing to "go as far as India was willing and ready for" civilian nuclear cooperation and added that it could be done within the framework of its internatioal obligations.
Although starting from the previous Vajpayee government, New Delhi has been pressing Moscow to support India's quest for lifting civilian nuclear technology denial regime by providing additional reactors, the apparent U-turn by the UPA government was seen by Russia as pro-US drift. PTI
30 Pak troops killed as militants capture fort in Waziristan
Islamabad, Jan 16 (PTI) Around 30 Pakistani troops were feared killed early this morning when Taliban militants captured a fort manned by security forces in the restive South Waziristan tribal region bordering Afghanistan.
The Taliban militants captured the Sararogha fort manned by about 40 personnel of the Frontier Corps in the early hours today, sources close to local authorities said. The militants launched an attack on the fort, located about 80 km from South Waziristan's main town of Wana, at about 9 pm yesterday.
The sources and TV channels reported that 20 to 30 troops were either killed or missing following the attack. There were also reports that some of the troops were captured by the militants and some others had managed to reach the nearby Ladha fort.
The Pakistan Army confirmed the attack but denied that the Taliban had taken control of the fort.
Journalists in Wana also confirmed the attack and said that around 1,000 armed Taliban were involved in the attack on Sararogha fort. They also claimed the militants had taken 10 troops hostage.
Local authorities in Wana said that they lost contact with the fort after 9 PM.
Reports said the Taliban fighters first opened fire on the fort with rockets and automatic weapons from nearby mountains. The security forces launched a counter-attack and used artillery and mortars.
Locals said the exchange of fire lasted around four hours. But later the forces stopped firing and Taliban entered the fort and also shifted weapons from the fort.
The shifting of the arms continued till this morning. The Taliban also took away the soldiers who survived the attack, the locals said. PTI
26 killed in bomb blast in Sri Lanka
T V Sriram
Colombo, Jan 16 (PTI) At least 26 people were killed and 64 injured today when suspected LTTE militants blew up a bus in Buttala in south-eastern Sri Lanka just as the government formally ended the tattered 2002 ceasefire with the rebels.
"The roadside bomb targeting the bus exploded at 7.40 AM," military spokesman Udaya Nanayakkara said, adding it was followed by another explosion.
An armoured military vehicle was damaged in the second blast in the same area in which three soldiers were injured, he said.
The bus, ferrying a large number of school children, ran over the claymore mine on a lonely stretch along the Niyadella-Buttala road, 240 km from here, senior police official Daya Samaraweera said.
At least three children were among 26 killed in the bombing, the latest in the string of attacks by the rebels amid spiralling fighting in the north which has claimed 300 lives in the two weeks since the government announced its decision to scrap the ceasefire.
At least 64 people were injured and were rushed to the Buttala and Moneragala hospitals, sources said, adding the toll was likely to rise.
Chief Minister Vijithamun Soysa has announced indefinite closure of schools in Uva Province.
There were rumours yesterday that schools in the country could be closed for two or three months due to the increased hostilities between the government forces and the LTTE.
However, the government has denied any such move.
Army chief Sarath Fonseka had told foreign journalists last week that the year may witness escalated fighting with the LTTE as it could be a "decisive" phase. PTI
Republican race wide open as Romney bags Michigan
Sridhar Krishnaswami
Washington, Jan 16 (PTI) The Republican race for the Presidential nomination remained wide open with former Governor of Massachusetts Mitt Romney getting the better of Arizona Senator John McCain in the Michigan primary.
With about 80 percent of the precincts reporting, Romney, who earlier lost the Iowa and New Hampshire votes, had 39 per cent of ballots in his his native state, McCain 30 per cent and Mike Huckabee 16 per cent.
The Democratic part is not recognising the result of the primary, swept by Hillary Clinton, after a dispute over scheduling of the vote with the state party.
With her main rivals Illinois Senator Barack Obama and former Senator John Edwards pulling out of the race after the state broke party rules by moving up the primary date, the new York senator gathered at least 62 per cent of the vote followed by the "uncommitted" and Ohio Congressman Dennis Kuchinich at 4 per cent.
Clinton's rival campaigns had urged supporters to vote "uncommitted" to prevent Clinton from making a clean sweep.
With three winners in as many primaries, there appeared to be no clear favorites among republicans. Iowa winner Huckabee made it clear that he was still looking to wrest the race with the upcoming South Carolina primary. And with New Hampshire in his kitty, McCain admitted that he had thought the campaign "might be getting easier" but added that he did not mind "a fight".
Former Mayor of New York Rudy Giuliani came at a poor fifth place, behind Texas Congressman Ron Paul and former Senator Fred Thompson. PTI
Patel asks FM to rationalise taxes on jet fuel
New Delhi, Jan 16 (PTI) Civil Aviation Minister Praful Patel today asked the Finance Ministry to rationalise tax structure for the aviation industry, which has been hit hard by rising jet fuel prices, in the Budget for 2008-09.
In a pre-budget meeting with Finance Minister P Chidambaram, Patel also pitched for tax rebate on mergers given to newly-merged Air India for the entire sector, and withdrawal of service tax on high passenger fare.
"I feel the impact of ATF price hike is something which needs to be addressed by the government. This, coupled with higher taxes at the central and state level, is having serious impact on the viability and financial health of the aviation sector," he told reporters after the meeting.
According to Federation of Indian Airlines statistics, Aviation Turbine Fuel is the largest component affecting airfares. It makes up 40-45 per cent of the operating costs of Indian carriers against 20-25 per cent for overseas carriers.
Patel said the recent tax rebate given to the newly- merged Air India should be extended to the entire aviation industry as M&A activities will increase in the future.
"Tax rebate was given to the merged entity of Indian Airlines and Air India under Section 72 (A) of the Income Tax Act. This should be extended to the entire industry as mergers are going to take place in the industry in future," he said.
Patel also sought withdrawal of service tax on First Class and Business Class air tickets, saying this was putting domestic airlines in a disadvantageous position vis-a-vis foreign airlines on whom this tax was not levied.
"IATA (International Air Transport Association) has been telling us that India is the only country where this tax exists," Patel said. PTI
Nifty dips another 138.50 pts to close below 6K
Mumbai, Jan 16 (PTI) The S&P CNX Nifty today dipped by another 138.50 points to close below 6K-level at 5,935.75 on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) following weak global cues, despite some recovery at the fag end.
Sharp downslide in Asian indices due to steep fall on Wall Street yesterday weighed heavily on the local bourses.
US stocks plunged yesterday as Citigroup posted a USD 9.8 billion fourth-quarter loss, writing down about USD 18.1 billion in losses on mortgage securities and cut its dividend.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Nasdaq Composite Index fell by 277.04 points and 60.71 points last night, while most of the Asian indices ended lower by an average of 3.4 to The 50-issue Nifty touched a low of 5,825.75 before recovering some lost ground to end at 5,935.75, a fall of 2.28 per cent over the previous close of 6,074.25.
The S&P CNX Defty dropped by 121.20 points to 5,237.75, the S&P CNX 500 by 117.15 points to 5,164.95, the CNX Nifty Junior by 231.05 points to 12,308.55, the Nifty Midcap 50 by 79.15 points to 3,645.20, the CNX Midcap by 146.25 points to 8,826.75, CNX 100 by 132.65 points to 5,865.80, the CNX IT by 22.10 points to 4,173.30 and Bank Nifty by 118.75 points to 10,34.95.
Top five S&P CNX Nifty losers were HDFC Bank, Sterlite Ind, Unitech, Reliance Com and Tata Power while gainers were SAIL, ICICI Bank, Bharti Airtel, Zee Enter and BPCL.
Total turnover on the NSE rose further to Rs 21,423.72 crore from Rs 19,204.07 on Tuesday. A total of 6,223.61 lakh shares changed hands in 53,72,060 trades. PTI
Markets dip another 2 pc on worries about recession in US
Mumbai, Jan 16 (PTI) Extending their losses to the third day in a row due to an onslaught of selling, the key market indices--benchmark Sensex of the BSE and the wider Nifty of the NSE -- ended nearly two per cent lower today, reflecting the meltdown worldwide.
Today's sell-off was sparked off by a sharp fall in the Asian and European markets after the Down Jones Industrial Average marked the lowest close in nine months yesterday.
Selling was so aggressive in the afternoon trade that the 30-share BSE barometer plunged by 737.84 points to the intra-day low of 19,513.25 points. The index however bounced later on fairly heavy buying support at the lower levels.
Finally, the Sensex ended the day at 19,868.11, a loss of 382.98 points, or 1.89 per cent, from previous close.
Similarly, the broad-based Nifty of the National Stock Exchange dived declined another 138.50 points, or 2.28 per cent, to close at 5,935.75 points from its last close.
However, investors, according to market players, showed strong appetite for the Reliance Power IPO and pulled out a large chunk of funds from the secondary market for investments in the issue, reacting negatively to growing worries about the US recession.
The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 2.17 per cent and Nasdaq Composite Index by 2.45 per cent yesterday due to weak US retail sales figures and disappointing quarterly results by Citigroup Inc.
Asian indices ended down in a range of 2.4 to 5.4 per cent and European indices were down by about 1.0 per cent in early trade. PTI
MTNL for massive expansion; lines up Rs 1,500 cr inv in 2008
New Delhi, Jan 16 (PTI) Buoyed by the success of its broadband services both in Delhi and Mumbai, state-run MTNL today said the company has lined up Rs 1,500 crore investments to expand GSM and broadband operations.
"We will expand broadband capacity by 10 lakh connection both in Delhi and Mumbai together. The capacity will be scalable to 20 lakh. Besides, we are also planning a major expansion of our GSM mobile network especially in Mumbai," MTNL chairman and managing director R S P Sinha told PTI in an interview.
MTNL currently has 5.5 lakh connections both in Delhi and Mumbai, beating private competitors.
The telecom operator would be investing Rs 1,500 crore in 2008, Sinha said, adding that amount could go up by another Rs 200 crore depending upon the capacity requirement.
MTNL, however, is facing problems in the GSM mobile services in the Mumbai circles as the capacity could not be added in time by ITI, a PSU which got the contract under reservation quota.
Sinha said that the telecom operator has planned to add 10 lakh GSM subscriber capacity in Mumbai and till the networks were put in place, MTNL has decided to divert some of the Base Terminal Stations (BTS) from Delhi to Mumbai.
With this, MTNL would have a capacity to serve at least two lakh GSM connections immediately to meet demand in the financial hub of the country, he said. PTI
Market faces selling pressure at noon, loses 513 points
Mumbai, Jan 15 (PTI) The Bombay Stock Exchange experienced all-round selling pressure at noon today, with the benchmark index tumbling below the 20,000-point level as almost all the blue-chip stocks experienced a slide.
The stock market bellwether Sensex plunged by 513.43 points to 19,737.66 at 1230 hrs as market participants liquidated their position in secondary market to invest in the mega issue of Anil Ambani Group's Reliance Power Ltd, besides due to reports about the world's leading bank Citigroup Inc. reporting heavy losses following the US subprime mortgage crisis.
Weakness in global stock markets remained another dampening factor for the bourses and triggered selling by general investors, even in fundamentally strong stocks.
Selling activity was spread over a wide front, taking its toll on heavy-weight Reliance pack of shares that includes Reliance Industries run by Mukesh Ambani and Reliance Energy, Reliance Natural Resources Ltd, Reliance Capital administered by Anil Ambani, brokers said. PTI
Newsletter: Indigenous faith movement picks up in Arunachal
P Ghosh Dastidar
Itanagar, Jan 16 (PTI) The indigenous faith and culture protection movement is gaining momentum in Arunachal Pradesh and spreading to other north eastern states.
The Arunachal Government declared December 31 as a holiday for the first time conceding the long standing demand of the Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society for Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) which celebrates the day as 'indigenous faith day' every year.
The movement was started by eminent social activist and writer Talom Rukbo by opening the first 'donyi-polo dere' (sun and moon worshiping centre) at Pasighat way back in 1989 which was seen by many observers as a movement against rampant conversions in the state.
Like previous years IFCSAP organised procesions and rallies in different parts of the state on December 31, the day when the first donyi-polo dere was inaugurated.
Addressing a rally here IFCSAP President Nabam Atum claimed that the indigenous faith and culture protection movement has become so popular that more than 400 'deres' (centres) are functioning all over the state.
Hundreds of people belonging to different tribes dressed in traditional attires took out the procession carrying placards which read "loss of culture is loss of identity". PTI
Not only Nano but vintage too attract crowd
New Delhi, Jan 16 (PTI) While 'People's car' Nano from the stable of Tatas is attracting visitors at the Auto Expo being held in the capital, a stall exhibiting vintage vehicles too have become a crowd puller.
"The response has been overwhelming this time. This is our fourth exhibition at the auto expo and the visitors have just been increasing right from the word go," says S B Jatti, Vice-President, Heritage Motoring Club of India (HMCI).
What seems to attract the maximum crowd is the 1902, 'Swift Bike' which looks more like a bicycle than a motor bike. But as one of the attendants at the stall says, "Don't go by her meek looks. It has a 550 cc engine which is much faster than most of the present bikes on the Indian roads." Also on display is the 1970 Classic Volkswagen Variant 1500 Estate, a left hand driven car. Its popularity can be gauged from the sales of lucky draw coupons costing Rs 100 which has been selling like hot cakes since the lucky winner would get to drive back home the 1970 classic.
Ironically, Volkswagen, a German car maker is participating in the Indian Auto Expo for the first time and has brought in a wide range of its models including the original 'Poople's car' Beetle which is all set to hit the Indian roads in middle of this year. MORE
After Indian artists, Indian auction houses go global
New Delhi, Jan 16 (PTI) With growing popularity of Indian art in the global market, Indian auction houses are now taking Indian art to foreign shores.
"The art market in India is widely untapped and has a huge potential. There will be a 5-7 per cent hike in art market in the next year. More and more people from all sections of society are buying art not only for investment but also for aesthetic purposes," Mr Maher Dadha Chairman and MD, Bid & Hammer said.
The company is going to auction art and artifacts of 10 crores on its inaugural auction in Bangalore on January 24. With plans to increase it with a turn-over of Rs 60 crores for the year 2008-09. The prices will be starting from 30,000 to up to Rs 50 lakhs. With plans afoot of branches in New York, Hong Kong and London to start with it will also tap the yet virgin Africa art mart.
" We plan to go global, with auctions in New York, Hong Kong and London. We will also tap new markets like Tanzania and Nigeria. Along with Indian art and artifacts we will also focus on local and international artists," Dadha said.
The Indian art market is estimated to be about USD 400 million and increasing but it is very minuscule compared to world art market says the auctioneer. PTI
Ahmedabad youth take to streets to teach people cleanliness
Parag Dave
Ahmedabad, Jan 15 (PTI) It is an unusual scene for passerby on the some of the city's busy streets these days when they see a group of youth, their motor bikes parked nearby, busy themselves sweeping the roads clean and urging people not to throw trash.
On a Sunday evening, one can find a group of 12 to 15 youth from well-to-do families sweeping some of the most happening public places in the city, instead of freaking out to malls or hotels.
They come on their swanky bikes, sporting latest designer wear, with brooms and dustbins, no 'photo ops' these, nor any preaching. They straight way start working on clearing the roads.
After sweeping the entire public place and collecting the garbage, the college students wait patiently with dustbins in their hands.
When a member of public is about to throw a paper plate or a chai cuppa on the road, they rush to the person and request to put it in the dustbin which they hold.
"We keep our homes clean but throw waste all over the place when we are out. Then we complain that municipal sweepers are not doing their job. The fault lies in our habits," says 19-year-old Hardik Korat, one of member of the group.
This group of friends who call themselves 'Ahmedabad Volunteers' has done this job of 'educating the people on cleanliness' on places like Vastrapur Lake and C G road. PTI
Hope for peace talks in Assam
Durba Ghosh
Guwahati, Jan 14 (PTI) The dawn of the new year brought hope in Assam that peace talks with the banned outfit ULFA was likely to resume with the centre considering the release of five jailed ULFA leaders but the road to peace appears to be still a long way to go.
Jnanpith award-winning litterateur Dr Indira Raisom Goswami had announced that AICC general secretary and party's in-charge for Assam Veerapa Moily had assured her that the centre was likely to take a decision on the demand of the ULFA for release of its top five leaders which could facilitate the much-awaited talks between the ULFA and the government.
Moily had expressed interest in breaking the stalemate and to bring back the peace process with the ULFA back on rails.
"Moily being a senior leader understands the problems of the state and expressed a positive interest in taking the peace process forward", she said.
The five leaders are political advisor Bhimkanta Buragohain, vice president Pradip Gogoi, publicity secretary Mithinga Daimary, cultural secretary Pranati Deka and senior cadre Ramu Mech.
Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has also said that he was not averse to the demand for the release of top ULFA leaders from jail and both his government and the centre were open to the prospect of talks with the outfit. PTI
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