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Mulayam blasts Mayawati, hints warming up with Cong
Lucknow, May 13 (PTI) Hinting that the Samajwadi party could be warming up to Congress, its chief Mulayam Singh today said BSP leader Mayawati came to power in Uttar Pradesh only due to "charity" of the UPA government and called her "ungrateful" for turning her back on the Centre.
"Mayawati has not come to power through the people but through the charity of the UPA Government. And now, she is biting the hand that fed her. I have never seen a more ungrateful person," the former UP Chief Minister said while lashing out at the BSP leader ironically on a day when she completed one year as Chief Minister in her new term.
Apparently making overtures to Congress, Yadav said Mayawati should have no illusions about her stature in politics and she was nothing in comparision to Indira Gandhi.
"After having amassed wealth through corruption Mayawati in her arrogance is now going after this or that person hell bent on revenge. She does not realise who Mulayam Singh is, and that she is no match for Indiraji. She is not even worth the dust at her feet," Yadav said.
Yadav's remarks significantly came close on the heels of his close associate and Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan expressing a rare, indulgent view of Rahul Gandhi wishing him best in all the best in his ventures while in the context of his prime ministerial potential.
The star's comments were seen as signalling a thaw in SP-Congress relations. Reacting to the star's remarks on Rahul, Yadav appeared to indicate that he had no problem in Rahul being projected as a prime ministerial candidate. "If Amitabh said something about Rahul then it should be true," Yadav added.
Accusing Mayawati of trying to "frame" Samajwadi MP Amar Singh in fake cases, Yadav said he would meet the President and the state Governor in next few days to expose her "wheeling dealings" with evidence. PTI
Woman to head missile project for the first time
New Delhi, May 13 (PTI) After rising to the ranks of Lt Generals in the army and Air Marshals in the IAF, a woman is now set to head the country's key missile project.
45-year-old Dr Tessy Thomas, one of the around 200 women scientists and technicians working for the DRDO, has been cleared to be appointed to the post of Project Director of the upgraded version of the 2000 km-long nuclear capable Agni-II missile.
Thomas is presently the Associate Project Director of the 3,000 km range Agni-III missile project.
Asked about the new version of Agni-II being planned, Thomas, who was yesterday honoured along with the entire team of Agni-III by the Prime Minister, told PTI that "It is still a confidential project. It will be called Agni-II A (2)." "I like my job. I feel I am contributing to my nation's security," Thomas, who has named her son after the country's light combat fighter Tejas, said.
A B.Tech from Thrissur Engineering College, Calicut, and M.Tech from Pune, Thomas is an expert on all solid system propellant.
Thomas, who did the post analysis of the failure of the first Agni-III missile, said there were some shortcomings in the test of the missile which were overcome for a smooth flawless test flight on May seven. PTI
Nanavati submits report, Pawar to decide meeting date tomorrow
Mumbai, May 13 (PTI) The Board-appointed Commissioner Sudhir Nanavati today submitted a 14-page report on the slapping row involving Harbhajan Singh and his India teammate S Sreesanth to the BCCI which will decide the fate of the temparamental spinner in the next few days.
BCCI President Sharad Pawar will decide tomorrow the date of the Disciplinary Committee meeting which will go through Nanavati's report and decide the quantum of punishment for the player who has already been banned from the ongoing IPL.
"The 15 days' deadline given to Mr Nanavati to submit his report is over and he has given the report. It will now be given to the Disciplinary Committee. They will take a decision," BCCI's Chief Administrative Officer Ratnakar Shetty said after accepting the sealed envelope containing the report from Nanavati at the Board office.
"We may decide tomorrow when the committee is to meet as Mr Pawar is in town," he added.
Pawar heads the committee which has President-elect Shashank Manohar and Vice-President Chirayu Amin as the two other members.
Shetty, however, refused to comment on the possible action that can be taken against Harbhajan by the three-member Disciplinary Committee based on the Nanavati probe report.
"It's not proper for me to comment on it. It's up to the Disciplinary Committee to decide (on the issue)," he said.
Nanavati arrived from Ahmedabad to hand over the 14-page report to Shetty and said that his task was over and it was up to the Disciplinary Committee to act. PTI
Fit-again Tendulkar gives Mumbai Indians the edge
S S Ramaswamy
Mumbai, May 13 (PTI) Boosted by the availability of their icon and captain Sachin Tendulkar who has recovered from his groin injury, hosts Mumbai Indians go into their IPl clash against the high-flying Chennai Super Kings eager to make it four wins in-a-row at the Wankhede Stadium tomorrow.
After being forced to sit out of the first seven matches of the Twenty20 league, the fit-again master batsman would be eager to stamp his authority on the proceedings immediately in what is for his team, lying sixth, a very critical match.
The Mumbai outfit started the IPL on a poor note, without Tendulkar in the playing XI, and slid to four straight defeats before arresting the downward-going graph.
The Harbhajan Singh slapping episode of April 25 leading to the booting out of the off spinner by the IPL authorities only added to their woes.
But victories in their last three matches, including against top performers Delhi Daredevils and Rajasthan Royals, have boosted the sagging morale of the team and Tendulkar's return should only add to their confidence in what is the ace batsman's home ground.
The Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings, on the other hand, started in spectacular fashion before stumbling a bit only to regain poise with a fine 18-run victory over Punjab on May 10.
Both the teams seem to have settled down after an uncertain period, initially for Mumbai and after the departure of Australians Matthew Hayden and Mike Hussey for Chennai, and tomorrow's clash under lights promises plenty of fire-works for the crowd. PTI
Sensex falls 108 points; refinery stocks lose most
Mumbai, May 13 (PTI) The stock market benchmark Sensex today surrendered its initial gain and moved downward by 108 points after a brief overnight recovery, led by the fall in refinery stocks.
Market participants said concerns over industrial slowdown and rising inflation due to high global crude oil prices led to the fall.
Global rating agency Moody's has said: "With the US recording two successive quarters of weak growth, we anticipate Asia will soon begin to feel the pinch of slower demand across the Pacific." The Bombay Stock Exchange Sensex initially touched a high of 17,085.63 on the back of smart rally in Asian markets. But concern over the slowdown in the Indian economy led to the 30-share index falling to 16,752.86, a fall of 108.04 points or 0.64 per cent over yesterday's close of 16,860.90.
The 50-share Nifty of the National Stock Exchange (NSE) also dropped by 54.85 points or 1.09 per cent to 4,957.80 from last close of 5,012.65.
Besides China, most of the other Asian markets ended in positive terrain while European markets resumed lower, mainly affecting the local bourses at close today.
Oil and gas index suffered the most by losing 286.32 points at 10,907.35 followed by information technology index by 32.70 points at 4,265.14. Capital goods index lost 60.85 points at 13,060.97.
Foreign Institutional Investors, the main driving force, remained net sellers for the last couple of days.
Meanwhile, global crude prices retreated from all-time peak of above USD 126 a barrel and was quoted at USD 123.50 a barrel in New York yesterday. PTI
Govt considering plea of steel makers to remove export duty
New Delhi, May 13 (PTI) The government will soon decide on the demand of steel makers to do away with export duty after they lowered prices to help contain inflation.
"The demand of the steel producers on rolling back the export duty is under consideration and a decision is expected soon," Steel Secretary Raghav Sharan Pandey told PTI.
Inter-Ministerial consultations are on in this connection and a decision is likely to emerge soon. During their meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh last week, steel producers pledged to lower prices of flat products by Rs 4,000 a tonne and prices of reinforcement bars and structural steel by Rs 2,000 and hold the price line for the next 2-3 months.
During their meeting with Singh, the steel makers had reportedly sought withholding of the notification on export duty, which finally was issued and made effective from Sunday last.
Tata Steel yesterday renewed its commitment to freeze prices for up to three months, despite the duty notification.
However, much to the respite of the government, iron and steel prices declined by 0.1 per cent, according to official inflation data released last week.
The move by steel makers is expected soften the prices of steel which might be reflected in the data in the coming weeks.
The producers have said that rising input costs was the main reason behind the recent spate of price rise and sought the government's intervention in ensuring assured raw material linkage at mutually-agreed rates. PTI
Honda Siel Cars India launches 8th Generation Accord
New Delhi, May 13 (PTI) Honda Siel Cars India today announced the launch of its 8th Generation Honda Accord in India.
The new Honda Accord will be available in three types - Accord 2.4, Accord 2.4 Elegance and Accord 2.4 Inspire.
The price of the vehicles start from Rs 16.49 lakh (ex-showroom Delhi) and go up to Rs 18.14 lakh. PTI
Earthquake toll in China crosses 12,000
Raghavendra
Beijing, May 13 (PTI) The toll from the deadliest quake to hit China in three decades crossed 12,000 today and may go up further with thousands remaining buried under rubble or missing and army and rescuers racing against time to reach remote towns and villages devastated by the disaster.
Thousands of Chinese troops and medical teams have been dispatched to the worst-affected Sichuan province.
The Sichuan provincial seismological bureau said more than 1,180 aftershocks up to magnitude six on the Richter scale have been recorded as of 5 am (local time) today.
Chinese state media reported that the toll now exceeds 12,000 in Sichuan province alone.
At least 10,000 people remained buried in Mianzhu city in the province while 3,629 people had been confirmed dead and 18,645 were still buried under debris in Mianyang city.
The official Xinhua News Agency said there was serious damage to the buildings and roads in Mianyang and that water and gas supplies had been cut off.
Premier Wen Jiabao, who flew to Sichuan last evening, said the situation in the quake-hit area was worse than previously feared.
"The situation is worse than we previously estimated and we need more people here to help," Wen said at the disaster relief headquarters in Dujiangyan, 100 kilometres from the quake's epicentre.
"Judging from the current situation, we cannot just rely on medical teams inside Sichuan province, we need teams to come in from outside," Wen was quoted as saying on state-run China Central Television. PTI
NC, CPN-UML set new conditions to join Maoist-led government
Shirish B Pradhan
Kathmandu, May 13 (PTI) Efforts to form a new government in Nepal suffered a jolt today with two leading mainstream political parties setting fresh conditions to join a Maoist-led dispensation in the Himalayan nation.
Nepali Congress and CPN-UML, which emerged as the second and third largest parties respectively in last month's Constituent Assembly polls, said they have decided not to join a Maoist-led government immediately and their first priority was to declare the country a republic.
Setting pre-conditions for supporting a Maoist-led government, Nepali Congress central committee has called for disbanding of the Maoists' People's Army, people's court and parallel government as per their earlier agreement with the Maoists.
The party has also called for dissolution of the para-military structure of the Young Communist League (YCL), rehabilitation of the Maoist combatants and rehabilitation of the conflict displaced persons. They also demanded halting of intimidation, extortion and threats by the Maoists.
CPN-Maoist, which secured 220 seats in the 601 member Constituent Assembly, is eager to head the new government under the leadership of Prachanda and has also claimed the post of President in the new government.
The priority at present is to declare the country a republic through the Constituent Assembly and to draft a constitution that would institutionalise the achievements of the peoples' movement rather than joining the government immediately, Nepali Congress leader Prakash Mahat said.
However, CPN-UML stresses on separation of power by distributing the three major posts of President, Prime Minister and chair of the Constituent Assembly to three major parties. PTI
PML-N ministers quit Pak cabinet, efforts for rapprochement on
Rezaul H Laskar
Islamabad, May 13 (PTI) All the nine PML-N ministers today quit the six-week-old PPP-led Pakistan government over the issue of restoration of judges, but there were signs of efforts by the two parties to end the political crisis with the Prime Minister refusing to accept the resignations.
PPP decided to keep the ministerial portfolios, except for Finance, vacant hoping to bring around former premier Nawaz Sharif's party which pulled out its ministers after the deadline for reinstating the judges sacked by President Pervez Musharraf expired yesterday.
The ministers submitted their resignation letters to Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani this afternoon. Most of them had given up their official security and other protocol arrangements yesterday.
However, officials said Gilani refused to accept their resignations and said a decision on the issue would be taken only after Pakistan People's Party co-chairman Asif Ali Zardari returned to the country later in the day.
"A final decision about the resignations will be taken in consultation with the PPP co-chairman when he returns home," an official said.
Shortly after the ministers met Gilani, PML-N spokesman Siddique-ul-Farooq said his party could reconsider its decision to withdraw from the coalition if the PPP-led government took "practical steps" to reinstate the deposed judges in accordance with an agreement signed by the two parties in March.
"The situation may change and we may again join the federal cabinet but the first and foremost (thing) is that the PPP should take practical and concrete steps which are acceptable to the nation, legal fraternity and to the PML-N's central working committee and parliamentary party," he said. PTI
Indo-Lanka ties strong and candid: Foreign Minister
Dharam Shourie
New York, May 13 (PTI) India and Sri Lanka enjoy a "very candid and strong" relationship, the Foreign Minister of the island nation said, asserting that a maritime defence arrangement between the two countries to prevent arms smuggling by Tamil Tigers was "working well".
Relations between New Delhi and Colombo are at a "very high point" both politically and economically, Rohitha Bogollagama said complementing the Indian leadership for responding to his country's needs.
"Today, we have a very candid and strong relationship. We are quite close to each other and the relation translates into substantive economic and political development," he said in an interview with the PTI.
The coordinated defence mechanism between India and Sri Lanka in Palk Straits and seas surrounding the island nation to prevent arms smuggling by separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) is "working well", he said.
Conceding that LTTE is still able to get arms, he said, "What we have to see is in the absence of an Indo-Lanka arrangement, how the LTTE would have fared." But he asserted that the government has been able to contain and restrict violence "unleashed" by LTTE.
The government is responding to the political needs of the country as it is clear from recent elections in the Eastern Province which would devolve power at the grassroots level, he said.
Bogollagama said the government was determined to resolve the ethnic issue politically and pointed to the elections in Eastern province.
Devolution of power is taking place in the province and the government would like to do the same in areas now controlled by the LTTE, he said. PTI
Madhuri Dixit has no plans to act in movies
Mumbai, May 13 (PTI) Bollywood actor Madhuri Dixit, who has recently won the Padma award for her contribution to Indian cinema, has no plans to act in movies as of now.
A section of the media reported that filmmaker Yash Chopra will himself direct Madhuri in his next film as "Aaja Nachle", his production company's last release with her was a dismal flop.
A Yash Raj films spokesperson termed the reports as baseless. "There is not an iota of truth of these reports", he said.
Madhuri's business manager Rakeshnath alias Rikku said that the actress is set to leave for her home in the US in a week's time and is not planning to work on any project.
She attended the premiere of 'Jimmy', Mithun Chakraborty's son Mimoh's debut film and had gone to Delhi to receive the award. She is spending her time visiting family and friends, Rikku said.
The actress, who married a US-based doctor Sriram Nene in 1999 after a successful career in films, is a mother of two. She made a comeback after six years in Yashraj's 'Aaja Nachle' in November last year. PTI
India, UK sign annex to film co-production agreement
New Delhi, May 12 (PTI) India and United Kingdom today signed the Annex to the Indo-UK Film Co-production Agreement to facilitate co-production of films in both countries.
As a result of this development, the agreement which was signed between the two countries in December 2005 would soon come into force. It is expected that 10 Indo-UK co-productions would be made within the next two years.
The Annex elaborates the various requirements for film co-production under the agreement. Under this, co-produced films would enjoy national status in both the countries, while they would gain better market access in some other countries also.
The Annex was signed between Joint Secretary (Films) in the ministry of information and broadcasting V B Pyarelal and British Deputy High Commissioner Creon Butler here.
The Indian community in the UK represents perhaps the single largest ethnic segment of that country's population. Films produced under this agreement therefore would find a ready audience, said a ministry release issued on the occasion.
"The UK is seen as the world's number one market for Bollywood productions outside India. With this agreement, the opportunities for Indo-British partnerships in the film industry are sure to increase," Butler was quoted as saying in a release issued by the High Commission.
India has similar agreements with countries like Italy, Brazil and Germany. PTI
Infrastructure problems hinder tourist inflow at Tawang
Sukhendu Bhattacharya
Sella (Arunachal Pradesh), May 13 (PTI) At first sight the snow-covered place could be mistaken to somewhere in the Kashmir Valley.
The Sella Pass, perched at 18,000 ft above sea level, in the Himalayan ranges is as majestic as any tourist destination. The pass, however, has not been able to attract tourists thanks to lack of infrastructure.
The pass is about eight hours drive from Assam's town of Tezpur and falls on way to Tawang, where the second oldest Buddhist monastery after Lhasa, is situated.
Politically Tawang has become sensitive of late with the Chinese claim on territory, which has been vehemently contested by the Arunachal Pradesh people.
Admitting that lack of infrastructure had robbed the government of valuable revenue, Arunachal Tourism Secretary Bandana Deuri says roadside amenities have to be improved to attract tourists to even the lesser known areas of the state.
The road to Tawang and Sella is maintained by the Border Roads Task Force and a tourist has to depend on amenities provided basically by the army which is guarding the sector.
"This year there was seven feet snow in the Sella pass and our family and friends had fun," says the wife of a army colonel who is posted in the area.
"Thrilling" has been the overwhelming word of praise for the few tourists who came this year as a part of a conducted tour to Tawang and Sella. PTI
Indian film chosen for UN fight against Global Warming
New Delhi, May 12 (PTI) A magical fable about a young boy who discovers the solution to global warming from a monk in the Himalayas has been adopted by the UN as part of its initiative to green the planet and stop Global Warming.
The fable, a documentary by Mumbai-based filmmaker Nitin Das, has become part of the international body's worldwide campaign to plant trees.
The 7-minute film finds itself part of the 'Plant for the Planet: Billion Tree Campaign' that encourages people, communities, civil society organisations and governments to plant trees aiming for a total of one billion trees worldwide each year.
"The video advocates for tree planting. We explored whether there was any hidden political or other message and when we were assured we uploaded it on our website," Meryem C. Amar, Information Officer United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) told PTI.
The initiative has been well received by countries with nine NGOs and several government organisations including the state government of Uttar Pradesh participating.
"India is doing very well. We have employees of several public service organisations giving up a full day's salay to buy seedlings to plant trees," says Meryem Amar.
Since the launch of the Billion Tree Campaign in January last year, close to two billion trees have been planted around the globe.
Along with a focus on tree planting, the campaign also highlights the importance of voluntary action by all sectors of society to address issues such as climate change, air quality and water, among others. PTI
An actor should not come into politics: Dharmendra
Anurag Sharma
New Delhi, May 11 (PTI) Even though he himself has taken a plunge into politics Dharmendra's piece of advice to filmstars is to keep away from politics.
For the versatile actor, an actor should always remain an actor and should not join politics.
"I won't say that coming into politics was a mistake but yes an actor should not come into politics as it divides audience and general acceptance among fans. An actor should always remain an actor. For me the love and support I got all these years from my fans is the greatest achievement," says the actor turned politician, who completes 50 years in the film industry this year.
On criticism of his absence from Parliament and his constituency Bikaner, he clarifies, "Who says that? I am always in touch with the problem of my constituency. From cleaning up Sur Sagar, a dumping ground in Bikaner, to minimise school fees for children, renovation of the theatre Rangmanch, and building bridges, I am trying to solve each and every problem."
"My office in Bikaner apprises me of the demands of the people on a regular basis. I am from a farmer's family so I understand their problems. And this no politics. I am an emotional but a tough person, these criticism can't break my intention. I never did anything to grab attention, either in acting or politics," the Member of Parliament told PTI.
Coming to his favourite topic, films, he suddenly changes gear and breathes a sigh of relief. "It is bollywood films, where my heart is. Last year was perhaps the best year for me after a long long time. Three hits 'Apne', 'MetroLife in a Metro' and 'Johnny Gaddar' with a Lifetime Achievement Award came my way," says 'Veeru' of Sholay. PTI
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Sensex: 16752.86, -108.04
The sensex closed at 16752.86, down 108.04
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