Parliament will discuss the Indo-US nuclear deal on August 14 and 16 even as the Left, the BJP-NDA and the Third Front continue to stiffly oppose the agreement which, they allege, compromises the country’s foreign policy options.
But the Congress is confident that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s statement on August 13 on the subject will address the concerns of the Left parties.
Congress sources claim that the PM is upset that Communists are making an issue of the deal when he has at every step kept the Left —and Parliament — informed. “At that time, the Left did not raise the hue and cry that they are now doing,’’ said a minister. He indicated that an UPA-Left coordination committee meeting may be held before the debate takes place.
The BJP has given notice for a debate under Rule 184, which entails voting. The Left has so far only given notice for a general discussion under Rule 193.
On Friday, though, the Left demanded a ‘sense of Parliament’ (a unanimous opinion expressed by all parties on an issue of importance) on the nuclear deal.
The Congress core committee met on Friday and discussed the issue.
NDA pledges stormy start to this session
Top NDA leaders have decided to seek suspension of the question hour in Parliament on Monday to discuss the Goa Speaker’s act of suspending three MLAs to save the Kamat government, pledging a stormy start to the monsoon session.
The NDA leaderships decision to stand by their move to seek a vote on the nuclear deal, despite the Left's stand that the pact could be discussed without going through the motion of voting, also promises to add fuel to the expectedly fiery session.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Calling from BSNL basic? You are insured
NEW DELHI: An insurance cover for as low as Re 1 per month? That is how state-owned telco BSNL plans to hold onto existing landline subscribers and attract new ones.
“The telco has tied up with SBI to provide a non-life insurance cover to its 40 million landline customers who will have to pay Re 1 extra every month (along with their monthly bill) to avail the scheme, a top communication ministry official told ET.
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In the second phase, the PSU plans to extend the offer to all its mobile customers (except those who have corporate accounts), the official added.
The PSU is confident that this Re 1 per month insurance cover (where BSNL will bear the rest of the premium), will stop customers from surrendering their landlines, and also expand its cellular subscriber base in the future. The PSU’s landline subscriber base has fallen by about two million in the last two years.
However, BSNL officials also added that the PSU had not taken a final decision on a tie-up with SBI. “We can tie up with more than one player — some other companies such as Oriental Insurance, Bajaj Allianz and ICICI Lombard are also in the running,” an executive from the PSU said.
When contacted over the issue, BSNL’s director finance S D Saxena said, “This scheme was conceptualised by telecom minister A Raja. It highlights both the minister’s and the company’s commitment to its customers, especially the poor.” He also added that the scheme would be particularly useful to BSNL’s rural subscribers.
While industry analysts estimate that BSNL will have to shell about Rs 200 per subscriber annually to offer them an insurance cover of Rs 50,000, a top BSNL executive explained that ‘this would be a unique case where the premium would be low on account of the large subscriber base’.
For instance, BSNL’s total subscriber is close to 80 million mark. BSNL executives also estimate that the company would have to shell out about Rs 15 per month towards this scheme. The PSU’s net profit in 2006-07 was a little over Rs 10,000 crore.
BSNL executives also did not rule out the possibility of the PSU venturing into a full-fledged insurance foray, in partnership with an insurance player in future.
“If this plan goes well, then we would look at providing a life insurance policy to our subscribers. The revenues from pure telecom services are declining and voice services won’t be very prof
“The telco has tied up with SBI to provide a non-life insurance cover to its 40 million landline customers who will have to pay Re 1 extra every month (along with their monthly bill) to avail the scheme, a top communication ministry official told ET.
/photo.cms?msid=2272994
In the second phase, the PSU plans to extend the offer to all its mobile customers (except those who have corporate accounts), the official added.
The PSU is confident that this Re 1 per month insurance cover (where BSNL will bear the rest of the premium), will stop customers from surrendering their landlines, and also expand its cellular subscriber base in the future. The PSU’s landline subscriber base has fallen by about two million in the last two years.
However, BSNL officials also added that the PSU had not taken a final decision on a tie-up with SBI. “We can tie up with more than one player — some other companies such as Oriental Insurance, Bajaj Allianz and ICICI Lombard are also in the running,” an executive from the PSU said.
When contacted over the issue, BSNL’s director finance S D Saxena said, “This scheme was conceptualised by telecom minister A Raja. It highlights both the minister’s and the company’s commitment to its customers, especially the poor.” He also added that the scheme would be particularly useful to BSNL’s rural subscribers.
While industry analysts estimate that BSNL will have to shell about Rs 200 per subscriber annually to offer them an insurance cover of Rs 50,000, a top BSNL executive explained that ‘this would be a unique case where the premium would be low on account of the large subscriber base’.
For instance, BSNL’s total subscriber is close to 80 million mark. BSNL executives also estimate that the company would have to shell out about Rs 15 per month towards this scheme. The PSU’s net profit in 2006-07 was a little over Rs 10,000 crore.
BSNL executives also did not rule out the possibility of the PSU venturing into a full-fledged insurance foray, in partnership with an insurance player in future.
“If this plan goes well, then we would look at providing a life insurance policy to our subscribers. The revenues from pure telecom services are declining and voice services won’t be very prof
JP set to be ICL’s Indian No 1
Friday saw a major first — JP Yadav became the first current Indian cricketer to publicly admit that he was set to join the Indian Cricket League, banned by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for all practical purposes.
Railways allrounder Yadav, who has also turned out for India in 12 one-day internationals, told the Hindustan Times that he was in the midst of “negotiations” with officials of the controversial “rebel” league. “It is a good initiative and I am keen on joining it,” said Yadav, adding, “In fact, negotiations are on and it’s only a matter of days before I join them. I am glad it has happened. It will only help the players.”
His comments follow Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad’s statement supporting the ICL. The minister on Thursday had termed it a “good initiative” and offered various Railways controlled stadia in the country to the ICL for hosting matches.
And that’s not all. It is well known that a host of top Ranji players are in talks with the ICL and Yadav confirmed this, adding that several players from the Railways Ranji team were among that number. “I won’t name them now but there are about four-five others in our team who are keen on joining the ICL.”
Asked what would happen to the team if its top players joined the league, he said: “They are really going to suffer this season.” Former champions Railways are currently in the Plate division.
However, the team’s assistant coach, Abhay Sharma, was guarded. “See, we play for our department and I think it is only a statement. There is a lot of difference between a statement and a decision. But having said that, I would also add that our minister would have thought of something before coming out with such a statement. He must have had something in mind.”
Asked what action he thought the BCCI would take if the Railways officially supported the ICL, he said, “That is for the top bosses to decide. But at the moment we are affiliated to the BCCI and so also the ministry.”
Railways allrounder Yadav, who has also turned out for India in 12 one-day internationals, told the Hindustan Times that he was in the midst of “negotiations” with officials of the controversial “rebel” league. “It is a good initiative and I am keen on joining it,” said Yadav, adding, “In fact, negotiations are on and it’s only a matter of days before I join them. I am glad it has happened. It will only help the players.”
His comments follow Union Railway Minister Lalu Prasad’s statement supporting the ICL. The minister on Thursday had termed it a “good initiative” and offered various Railways controlled stadia in the country to the ICL for hosting matches.
And that’s not all. It is well known that a host of top Ranji players are in talks with the ICL and Yadav confirmed this, adding that several players from the Railways Ranji team were among that number. “I won’t name them now but there are about four-five others in our team who are keen on joining the ICL.”
Asked what would happen to the team if its top players joined the league, he said: “They are really going to suffer this season.” Former champions Railways are currently in the Plate division.
However, the team’s assistant coach, Abhay Sharma, was guarded. “See, we play for our department and I think it is only a statement. There is a lot of difference between a statement and a decision. But having said that, I would also add that our minister would have thought of something before coming out with such a statement. He must have had something in mind.”
Asked what action he thought the BCCI would take if the Railways officially supported the ICL, he said, “That is for the top bosses to decide. But at the moment we are affiliated to the BCCI and so also the ministry.”
Kumble's century buries England Test hopes
Anil Kumble scored a maiden Test century on Friday to spur India to 664 all out on the second day of the third and final Test and put his side within sight of their first series victory in England for 21 years.
England, trailing 1-0, were 24 for one at the close and now look certain to end an unbeaten home record stretching back to 2002. Andrew Strauss was the man to fall, caught at fine leg after top-edging a pull shot off Zaheer Khan for six.
Number eight batsman Kumble cracked an unbeaten 110 after wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni had flayed the England bowlers for 92 from 81 balls. Sachin Tendulkar chipped in with 82 until he departed 10 minutes before lunch.
Kumble came in at the fall of Tendulkar's wicket and batted throughout the afternoon session and for most of the third session. His previous Test best was 88.
The leg-spinner from Bangalore, India's most successful Test bowler, put on 91 with Dhoni, 62 with Zaheer Khan (11) and a record 10th-wicket stand of 73 from 80 balls with last man Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, who joined in the fun with a Test best 35.
India's previous highest score against England was their 628 for eight at Headingley in 2002. The total at one stage was the highest in Test history without a century.
Kumble's innings, which took 193 balls and included 11 fours and a straight six, upstaged his more illustrious batting teammates Tendulkar and skipper Rahul Dravid.
Dhoni, whose stubborn 76 not out helped India save the Lord's Test, went to 92 in just 16 balls after reaching his half-century. He ended with nine boundaries and four sixes.
Last man Sreesanth rubbed salt into England's wounds by plundering three consecutive boundaries off James Anderson and ensured India became the first Test side in three years where all 11 batsman reached double figures.
It was India's fourth-highest total in Tests, short of their record 705 for seven against Australia three years ago.
England's problems deepened when their reliable left-arm swing bowler R
England, trailing 1-0, were 24 for one at the close and now look certain to end an unbeaten home record stretching back to 2002. Andrew Strauss was the man to fall, caught at fine leg after top-edging a pull shot off Zaheer Khan for six.
Number eight batsman Kumble cracked an unbeaten 110 after wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni had flayed the England bowlers for 92 from 81 balls. Sachin Tendulkar chipped in with 82 until he departed 10 minutes before lunch.
Kumble came in at the fall of Tendulkar's wicket and batted throughout the afternoon session and for most of the third session. His previous Test best was 88.
The leg-spinner from Bangalore, India's most successful Test bowler, put on 91 with Dhoni, 62 with Zaheer Khan (11) and a record 10th-wicket stand of 73 from 80 balls with last man Shanthakumaran Sreesanth, who joined in the fun with a Test best 35.
India's previous highest score against England was their 628 for eight at Headingley in 2002. The total at one stage was the highest in Test history without a century.
Kumble's innings, which took 193 balls and included 11 fours and a straight six, upstaged his more illustrious batting teammates Tendulkar and skipper Rahul Dravid.
Dhoni, whose stubborn 76 not out helped India save the Lord's Test, went to 92 in just 16 balls after reaching his half-century. He ended with nine boundaries and four sixes.
Last man Sreesanth rubbed salt into England's wounds by plundering three consecutive boundaries off James Anderson and ensured India became the first Test side in three years where all 11 batsman reached double figures.
It was India's fourth-highest total in Tests, short of their record 705 for seven against Australia three years ago.
England's problems deepened when their reliable left-arm swing bowler R
Markets on red alert across the globe
MUMBAI: Volatility has often been seen as a via media to generate better returns by traders. But the gyrations in the past few sessions have left even the more seasoned players in this game, slightly uncomfortable.
The uneasiness has resulted in the smarter traders changing their trading strategies as well as returns expectations for the time being to adjust to the ongoing volatility.
Brokers and technical analysts said several short-term traders, who have been unable to catch the sharp movement in the market in the past few days, have lost money. The smarter ones have played it safe. Instead of sticking to the stop-loss strategy, which is usually employed in a less volatile market, they have chosen to hedge their risks, despite the prospect of lower returns.
“Expert traders are hedging effectively, like they buy futures and buy put options at the same time. At the moment, this is a much better strategy than using stop-losses,” said Almondz Global Securities’ technical analyst and derivatives strategist Gurudatta Dhanokar.
Analysts said many smart investors have reduced the period between which they buy and sell a stock in view of the current volatility. For instance, in a more stable market, a trader buys a stock with an intention of holding it for 3-4 sessions and expects a return of 5-6%. Now, he would hold the stock for just a day or two and lower his expectations of returns.
The current volatility, with a negative bias, in domestic equities has been in line with the trend overseas. In the past many sessions, shares have changed directions intra-day in matter of minutes, as investors have been quick to utilise upsides to sell and downsides to cover their short positions.
“The spike in intra-day realised volatility has been sharper than usual. With intra-day volatility doubling from the preceding rally, this spike matches the one that the markets underwent in May 2006 (when realised volatility tripled from the preceding period of rise),” investment bank Morgan Stanley said in its latest strategy note.
Experts expect the current volatility in domestic equities to continue till the global market stabilises, which seems to be the big question mark at the moment. A section of the market believes that the downside could be limited from current levels, given the large creation of short positions in the futures segment. They believe a sharp fall could trigger covering of these shorts and pushing up the market.
The uneasiness has resulted in the smarter traders changing their trading strategies as well as returns expectations for the time being to adjust to the ongoing volatility.
Brokers and technical analysts said several short-term traders, who have been unable to catch the sharp movement in the market in the past few days, have lost money. The smarter ones have played it safe. Instead of sticking to the stop-loss strategy, which is usually employed in a less volatile market, they have chosen to hedge their risks, despite the prospect of lower returns.
“Expert traders are hedging effectively, like they buy futures and buy put options at the same time. At the moment, this is a much better strategy than using stop-losses,” said Almondz Global Securities’ technical analyst and derivatives strategist Gurudatta Dhanokar.
Analysts said many smart investors have reduced the period between which they buy and sell a stock in view of the current volatility. For instance, in a more stable market, a trader buys a stock with an intention of holding it for 3-4 sessions and expects a return of 5-6%. Now, he would hold the stock for just a day or two and lower his expectations of returns.
The current volatility, with a negative bias, in domestic equities has been in line with the trend overseas. In the past many sessions, shares have changed directions intra-day in matter of minutes, as investors have been quick to utilise upsides to sell and downsides to cover their short positions.
“The spike in intra-day realised volatility has been sharper than usual. With intra-day volatility doubling from the preceding rally, this spike matches the one that the markets underwent in May 2006 (when realised volatility tripled from the preceding period of rise),” investment bank Morgan Stanley said in its latest strategy note.
Experts expect the current volatility in domestic equities to continue till the global market stabilises, which seems to be the big question mark at the moment. A section of the market believes that the downside could be limited from current levels, given the large creation of short positions in the futures segment. They believe a sharp fall could trigger covering of these shorts and pushing up the market.
No takers in Left for PM's challenge
The Left parties on Saturday downplayed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's challenge to withdraw their support on the Indo-US civil nuclear deal, maintaining that "we are going to oppose it" and "everything should not be linked with pulling down the government".
While senior CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury and CPI's D Raja went roundabout reacting to Singh's statement, their junior allies, RSP and Forward Bloc, were forthright saying the Left support cannot be taken for granted.
Asked whether the Left will withdraw support, Yechury, leader of the CPI(M) in Parliament, said "everything should not be linked with pulling down the government. Our concern is with the nuclear deal. Governments will come and go but the agreement will remain."
Yechury, while taking to reporters in Hyderabad, noted that the Prime Minister's statement was "not in consonance with our viewpoint", while Raja said here in New Delhi that the Left was "not in agreement" with it and "that is why we have asked the government not to operationalise the deal."
All the four parties wanted a debate in Parliament but none of them said that they wanted it under a rule which entails voting. Opposition BJP and the UNPA constituents want the debate to be held under such a rule.
The Left leaders were reacting to Singh's statement bluntly telling them that "it is not possible to renegotiate the deal. It is an honourable deal, the Cabinet has approved it, we cannot go back on it. I told them to do whatever they want to do, if they want to withdraw support, so be it...."
While senior CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury and CPI's D Raja went roundabout reacting to Singh's statement, their junior allies, RSP and Forward Bloc, were forthright saying the Left support cannot be taken for granted.
Asked whether the Left will withdraw support, Yechury, leader of the CPI(M) in Parliament, said "everything should not be linked with pulling down the government. Our concern is with the nuclear deal. Governments will come and go but the agreement will remain."
Yechury, while taking to reporters in Hyderabad, noted that the Prime Minister's statement was "not in consonance with our viewpoint", while Raja said here in New Delhi that the Left was "not in agreement" with it and "that is why we have asked the government not to operationalise the deal."
All the four parties wanted a debate in Parliament but none of them said that they wanted it under a rule which entails voting. Opposition BJP and the UNPA constituents want the debate to be held under such a rule.
The Left leaders were reacting to Singh's statement bluntly telling them that "it is not possible to renegotiate the deal. It is an honourable deal, the Cabinet has approved it, we cannot go back on it. I told them to do whatever they want to do, if they want to withdraw support, so be it...."
Blueline claims Delhi's 71st victim
NEW DELHI: Delhi's Blueline fleet claimed its 71st victim on Friday and, in another incident, almost caused a major tragedy when a bus hit a shrine outside Bhairon Mandir in Kalkaji, south Delhi, narrowly missing a group of sleeping kanwarias in the early hours of the day.
Kishan Pal, 45, was crossing the road at Lodhi Colony near Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in the afternoon when he was mowed down by a Blueline plying on route number 522. Pal, a labourer working on a CPWD project, was taken to the Safdarjung Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. He is survived by his wife and five young children. Elsewhere, a Delhi Police sub-inspector was hit by a Blueline in north-east Delhi.
In a potentially disastrous incident, a Blueline bus rammed a shrine head-on outside the Bhairon temple in Kalkaji at 1.30 am. The bus, plying on route number M-13, narrowly missed people who were sleeping in a kanwaria camp outside the temple.
The shrine was severely damaged though no one was seriously hurt since the place was deserted at the time. Police said the driver of the bus is absconding.
The front of the shrine was totally crushed by the force of the impact, indicating that the driver had been speeding at the time of the crash. The metal railing and iron pillars outside the shrine were in a mangled state and pieces of shattered glass were strewn all over the place.
The bus, its front smashed, was removed with the help of cranes. The idol inside the shrine, however, reportedly remains intact.
Kunal Raheja, a student who helped organise the kanvaria camp, eyewitnessed the accident. "We were all sleeping inside the camp tent when the accident happened. The bus missed hitting people who were sleeping in the tent by inches. It bus then went and hit the temple. Luckily no one was injured," he said.
Kishan Pal, 45, was crossing the road at Lodhi Colony near Jawaharlal Nehru stadium in the afternoon when he was mowed down by a Blueline plying on route number 522. Pal, a labourer working on a CPWD project, was taken to the Safdarjung Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries. He is survived by his wife and five young children. Elsewhere, a Delhi Police sub-inspector was hit by a Blueline in north-east Delhi.
In a potentially disastrous incident, a Blueline bus rammed a shrine head-on outside the Bhairon temple in Kalkaji at 1.30 am. The bus, plying on route number M-13, narrowly missed people who were sleeping in a kanwaria camp outside the temple.
The shrine was severely damaged though no one was seriously hurt since the place was deserted at the time. Police said the driver of the bus is absconding.
The front of the shrine was totally crushed by the force of the impact, indicating that the driver had been speeding at the time of the crash. The metal railing and iron pillars outside the shrine were in a mangled state and pieces of shattered glass were strewn all over the place.
The bus, its front smashed, was removed with the help of cranes. The idol inside the shrine, however, reportedly remains intact.
Kunal Raheja, a student who helped organise the kanvaria camp, eyewitnessed the accident. "We were all sleeping inside the camp tent when the accident happened. The bus missed hitting people who were sleeping in the tent by inches. It bus then went and hit the temple. Luckily no one was injured," he said.
Microsoft releasing nine patches
NEW DELHI: Microsoft has said that it will be releasing nine security updates coming Tuesday. The patches will fix remote code execution attack vulnerabilities in Windows, Office, Internet Explorer and Virtual PC.
Of the nine bulletins expected, six will be labeled "critical," with the remaining three ranked "important." Vulnerabilities slated to be fixed by eight of the nine updates, however, have been pegged as remote code executable, a sign that the bugs are dangerous, and if exploited, could easily allow a PC to be hijacked by hackers.
Remote code execution attacks, where hackers take advantage of vulnerabilities to attack a computer system over the Internet, have grown exponentially in the last couple of years.
All of the company's critical security updates released this year, including next week's updates, have patched vulnerabilities that allow remote execution attacks.
Microsoft Windows, including Vista, will be the focus of the updates, with one of those Vista fixes pegged critical. Other critical patches will be provided for Microsoft Office in general, Excel in particular, Visual Basic 6.0 and IE.
One of the update will prevent users from being able to elevate their access privilege level in Virtual PC or Virtual Server.
Also planned for release next week are four non-security, high-priority updates on Microsoft Update (MU) and Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).
Of the nine bulletins expected, six will be labeled "critical," with the remaining three ranked "important." Vulnerabilities slated to be fixed by eight of the nine updates, however, have been pegged as remote code executable, a sign that the bugs are dangerous, and if exploited, could easily allow a PC to be hijacked by hackers.
Remote code execution attacks, where hackers take advantage of vulnerabilities to attack a computer system over the Internet, have grown exponentially in the last couple of years.
All of the company's critical security updates released this year, including next week's updates, have patched vulnerabilities that allow remote execution attacks.
Microsoft Windows, including Vista, will be the focus of the updates, with one of those Vista fixes pegged critical. Other critical patches will be provided for Microsoft Office in general, Excel in particular, Visual Basic 6.0 and IE.
One of the update will prevent users from being able to elevate their access privilege level in Virtual PC or Virtual Server.
Also planned for release next week are four non-security, high-priority updates on Microsoft Update (MU) and Windows Server Update Services (WSUS).
Govt tightens noose on TDS
NEW DELHI: Models, artists, authors, players, coaches and doctors are set to face additional scrutiny from the tax department with an internal document circulated by the Central Board of Direct Taxes asking its field offices to ensure that tax is deducted at source (TDS) on all payments made to them.
An eye on these professionals comes along with instructions on routine suspects, the companies. "It is important that TDS is paid on payments to these categories since it may be difficult to trade the funds later given the unorganised nature in some of the segments," said an official.
TDS has helped the government generate substantial resources, which was estimated at Rs 70,000 crore last year, accounting for 27% of the Centre's gross tax revenue.
Travel agents, those leasing property and payment of fees by hospitals to consultant doctors are among a host of transactions that are under the lens.
In addition to the checks, the government is also going to use surveys as one of the most crucial tools to maximise its revenue collections. The exercise would also be applicable to advance tax payments.
The focus on surveys, which are a step short of searches or raids, enables the tax department to check books of accounts and inventories. Last year, surveys are estimated to have generated an additional Rs 1,500 crore revenue for the government compared to only Rs 211 crore in 2005-06.
Sources said that the tax department's action plan, which was discussed with income tax chief commissioners, last month, has for the first time laid so much emphasis on surveys in these two areas.
Officials said the idea was to enhance advance tax collections so that government had better liquidity and officials could also brace for a better mop-up through other means towards the end of the year.
CBDT has asked chief commissioners to pay special attention to companies enjoying benefits under section 10A and 10B since this fiscal onwards they have to pay MAT.
Government wants the taxman to stick to basics. So, top 100 companies of India Inc would be monitored by chief commissioners for advance tax payment.
For TDS, CBDT wants a check on loss making companies, to ensure that there is timely deposit of tax, and industry and trade are sensitised about the need to deduct tax on salaries and perks.
An eye on these professionals comes along with instructions on routine suspects, the companies. "It is important that TDS is paid on payments to these categories since it may be difficult to trade the funds later given the unorganised nature in some of the segments," said an official.
TDS has helped the government generate substantial resources, which was estimated at Rs 70,000 crore last year, accounting for 27% of the Centre's gross tax revenue.
Travel agents, those leasing property and payment of fees by hospitals to consultant doctors are among a host of transactions that are under the lens.
In addition to the checks, the government is also going to use surveys as one of the most crucial tools to maximise its revenue collections. The exercise would also be applicable to advance tax payments.
The focus on surveys, which are a step short of searches or raids, enables the tax department to check books of accounts and inventories. Last year, surveys are estimated to have generated an additional Rs 1,500 crore revenue for the government compared to only Rs 211 crore in 2005-06.
Sources said that the tax department's action plan, which was discussed with income tax chief commissioners, last month, has for the first time laid so much emphasis on surveys in these two areas.
Officials said the idea was to enhance advance tax collections so that government had better liquidity and officials could also brace for a better mop-up through other means towards the end of the year.
CBDT has asked chief commissioners to pay special attention to companies enjoying benefits under section 10A and 10B since this fiscal onwards they have to pay MAT.
Government wants the taxman to stick to basics. So, top 100 companies of India Inc would be monitored by chief commissioners for advance tax payment.
For TDS, CBDT wants a check on loss making companies, to ensure that there is timely deposit of tax, and industry and trade are sensitised about the need to deduct tax on salaries and perks.
25 injured in J&K arms depot fire
SRINAGAR: At least 25 army jawans and fire services personnel were injured in a major fire which broke out in an military ammunition depot in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, defence officials said.
The fire broke out in the 21 Field Ordinance Depot at Khandroo at around 9.15 AM and resulted in a series of explosions.
Two helicopter loads of injured army personnel have landed inside the Badamibagh cantonment, the headquarter of the Army's 15 Corps, defence spokesman Lt Col A K Mathur said.
He refused to give the exact number of injured in the incident saying evacuation was the top priority.
There are several security forces camps around the depot, defence sources said. A fire services official was injured when he was hit by a shell as he was trying to douse the flames, the sources said.
A portion of the blaze has been brought under control but the situation would be declared normal only after all the shells have stopped exploding, they added.
Although the exact cause of the blaze is not known yet, the sources said a few shots were heard in the area before the fire broke out. Hence, the possibility of a militant attack cannot be ruled out, they added.
The army and police have evacuated at least 2,000 villagers living inside one kilometre radius from the ordinance depot to safer areas, the sources added.
Senior army, police and civil officials have rushed to the spot. Army is likely to order a court of inquiry into the incident, they added.
The fire broke out in the 21 Field Ordinance Depot at Khandroo at around 9.15 AM and resulted in a series of explosions.
Two helicopter loads of injured army personnel have landed inside the Badamibagh cantonment, the headquarter of the Army's 15 Corps, defence spokesman Lt Col A K Mathur said.
He refused to give the exact number of injured in the incident saying evacuation was the top priority.
There are several security forces camps around the depot, defence sources said. A fire services official was injured when he was hit by a shell as he was trying to douse the flames, the sources said.
A portion of the blaze has been brought under control but the situation would be declared normal only after all the shells have stopped exploding, they added.
Although the exact cause of the blaze is not known yet, the sources said a few shots were heard in the area before the fire broke out. Hence, the possibility of a militant attack cannot be ruled out, they added.
The army and police have evacuated at least 2,000 villagers living inside one kilometre radius from the ordinance depot to safer areas, the sources added.
Senior army, police and civil officials have rushed to the spot. Army is likely to order a court of inquiry into the incident, they added.
Two days, three rapes in capital
NEW DELHI: Three cases of rape of minor girls, two of them below the age of four, have come to light in the national capital in the past two days, police said on Saturday.
In all the three cases, the accused were known to the victims and their families.
A two-and-half-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her teenaged neighbour in Nangloi locality of west Delhi on Friday, police said.
The accused Rajendra (18) was arrested following a complaint filed by the girl's parents in Nangloi police station, police said, adding a medical examination has confirmed rape.
In the second incident, a four-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a labourer in Sultanpuri area of north-west Delhi on Friday.
Keema was arrested following a complaint by the girl's parents on Friday.
A ten-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her mother's cousin on Thursday who is staying near her house in Shastri Nagar in north Delhi.
The accused Mahender allegedly assaulted her at his home and the incident came to light on Friday when she told her parents about it.
A medical examination has confirmed the rape and Mahender was arrested, police said.
In all the three cases, the accused were known to the victims and their families.
A two-and-half-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her teenaged neighbour in Nangloi locality of west Delhi on Friday, police said.
The accused Rajendra (18) was arrested following a complaint filed by the girl's parents in Nangloi police station, police said, adding a medical examination has confirmed rape.
In the second incident, a four-year-old girl was allegedly raped by a labourer in Sultanpuri area of north-west Delhi on Friday.
Keema was arrested following a complaint by the girl's parents on Friday.
A ten-year-old girl was allegedly raped by her mother's cousin on Thursday who is staying near her house in Shastri Nagar in north Delhi.
The accused Mahender allegedly assaulted her at his home and the incident came to light on Friday when she told her parents about it.
A medical examination has confirmed the rape and Mahender was arrested, police said.
12 Hindi-speaking people killed in Assam
DIPHU (ASSAM): In continuing attacks on Hindi-speaking people in Assam, United Liberation Front of Assam (ULFA) and Karbi Longri National Liberation Front (KLNLF) militants exterminated two families, comprising 11 persons and killed a child in a grenade attack on a grocery shop in two separate incidents in Karbi Anglong district.
Police said both the incidents took place late Friday night. ULFA and KLNLF extremists jointly raided Dehori village under Howraghat police station at around 9.45 pm, called out the family members, including the heads of the families and gunned them down, police said.
In another incident at Sukanjan under Bokajan, the KLNLF ultras hurled two grenades inside the grocery shop of one Ganesh Prasad, a Hindi-speaking shopkeeper and killed a two-and-half year old girl, Chitra Mech, at 8.30 pm, police said.
The injured have been hospitalised. Police said the situation was tense in the district and army operations were on.
Security forces have been put on maximum alert in the troubled district particularly in view of the Independence Day celebrations for which militants in the North East have called a boycott.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi will visit the district on Saturday particulary Bokolia area where eight Hindi-speaking people were gunned down on August 8.
One person was killed and 19 others injured in militant fire and bomb explosion at Bokajan and Diphu town in the district on Friday.
Police said both the incidents took place late Friday night. ULFA and KLNLF extremists jointly raided Dehori village under Howraghat police station at around 9.45 pm, called out the family members, including the heads of the families and gunned them down, police said.
In another incident at Sukanjan under Bokajan, the KLNLF ultras hurled two grenades inside the grocery shop of one Ganesh Prasad, a Hindi-speaking shopkeeper and killed a two-and-half year old girl, Chitra Mech, at 8.30 pm, police said.
The injured have been hospitalised. Police said the situation was tense in the district and army operations were on.
Security forces have been put on maximum alert in the troubled district particularly in view of the Independence Day celebrations for which militants in the North East have called a boycott.
Meanwhile, Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi will visit the district on Saturday particulary Bokolia area where eight Hindi-speaking people were gunned down on August 8.
One person was killed and 19 others injured in militant fire and bomb explosion at Bokajan and Diphu town in the district on Friday.
No takers in Left for PM's challenge
NEW DELHI: The Left parties on Saturday downplayed Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's challenge to withdraw their support on the Indo-US civil nuclear deal, maintaining that "we are going to oppose it" and "everything should not be linked with pulling down the government".
While senior CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury and CPI's D Raja went roundabout reacting to Singh's statement, their junior allies, RSP and Forward Bloc, were forthright saying the Left support cannot be taken for granted.
Asked whether the Left will withdraw support, Yechury, leader of the CPI (M) in Parliament, said "everything should not be linked with pulling down the government. Our concern is with the nuclear deal. Governments will come and go but the agreement will remain."
Yechury, while talking to reporters in Hyderabad, noted that the Prime Minister's statement was "not in consonance with our viewpoint", while Raja said here that the Left was "not in agreement" with it and "that is why we have asked the government not to operationalise the deal."
All the four parties wanted a debate in Parliament but none of them said that they wanted it under a rule which entails voting. Opposition BJP and the UNPA constituents want the debate to be held under such a rule.
The Left leaders were reacting to Singh's statement bluntly telling them that "it is not possible to renegotiate the deal. It is an honourable deal, the Cabinet has approved it, we cannot go back on it. I told them to do whatever they want to do, if they want to withdraw support, so be it...."
Yechury said the Left is going to oppose the nuclear deal "because of the reasons which we have given. Now, the Prime Minister and everybody else may think that those reasons are not valid, that is their opinion."
He said there was "difference of opinion" and "difference of perception" between Left and government on the deal.
There was no immediate comments from CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat, who had warned the government that it will have to pay a "heavy political price" if it went ahead with the nuclear deal.
"We will oppose the deal in Parliament. The UPA is a minority in Parliament. If the government pursues the deal, we will also go to the people and it will have to pay a heavy political price," Karat, who is in Kerala, had said earlier.
Maintaining that the Left has always been "positive and constructive in its criticism" of the government, Raja said they opposed the deal as it was bound to impact the country's foreign, security and economic policies.
"Our views are based on our assessment of the international situation, Indo-US strategic relationship and in particular the nuclear deal. The Left is not in agreement with the government's position," he said, adding "that is why the Left has asked that the government should not operationalise the deal."
Referring to the Prime Minister's statement that the Left should learn to work with the government, RSP leader Abani Roy said "these are just threats" and "that does not mean that we have to surrender everywhere."
Forward Bloc leader G Devarajan said the Left had not promised the government of its support for the entire term of five years and "our support cannot be taken for granted."
"The Prime Minister's comments is unwarranted," he added.
While senior CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury and CPI's D Raja went roundabout reacting to Singh's statement, their junior allies, RSP and Forward Bloc, were forthright saying the Left support cannot be taken for granted.
Asked whether the Left will withdraw support, Yechury, leader of the CPI (M) in Parliament, said "everything should not be linked with pulling down the government. Our concern is with the nuclear deal. Governments will come and go but the agreement will remain."
Yechury, while talking to reporters in Hyderabad, noted that the Prime Minister's statement was "not in consonance with our viewpoint", while Raja said here that the Left was "not in agreement" with it and "that is why we have asked the government not to operationalise the deal."
All the four parties wanted a debate in Parliament but none of them said that they wanted it under a rule which entails voting. Opposition BJP and the UNPA constituents want the debate to be held under such a rule.
The Left leaders were reacting to Singh's statement bluntly telling them that "it is not possible to renegotiate the deal. It is an honourable deal, the Cabinet has approved it, we cannot go back on it. I told them to do whatever they want to do, if they want to withdraw support, so be it...."
Yechury said the Left is going to oppose the nuclear deal "because of the reasons which we have given. Now, the Prime Minister and everybody else may think that those reasons are not valid, that is their opinion."
He said there was "difference of opinion" and "difference of perception" between Left and government on the deal.
There was no immediate comments from CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat, who had warned the government that it will have to pay a "heavy political price" if it went ahead with the nuclear deal.
"We will oppose the deal in Parliament. The UPA is a minority in Parliament. If the government pursues the deal, we will also go to the people and it will have to pay a heavy political price," Karat, who is in Kerala, had said earlier.
Maintaining that the Left has always been "positive and constructive in its criticism" of the government, Raja said they opposed the deal as it was bound to impact the country's foreign, security and economic policies.
"Our views are based on our assessment of the international situation, Indo-US strategic relationship and in particular the nuclear deal. The Left is not in agreement with the government's position," he said, adding "that is why the Left has asked that the government should not operationalise the deal."
Referring to the Prime Minister's statement that the Left should learn to work with the government, RSP leader Abani Roy said "these are just threats" and "that does not mean that we have to surrender everywhere."
Forward Bloc leader G Devarajan said the Left had not promised the government of its support for the entire term of five years and "our support cannot be taken for granted."
"The Prime Minister's comments is unwarranted," he added.
Friday, August 10, 2007
PM dares Left to withdraw support
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has dared the crucial allies Left to withdraw the support to his government on the Indo-US civil nuclear deal.
"I told them (Left parties) that it is not possible to renegotiate the deal. It is an honourable deal, the Cabinet has approved it, we cannot go back on it. I told them to do whatever they want to do, if they want to withdraw support, so be it...," he told a Calcutta based daily in an interview.
The Prime Minister's virtual challenge to the Left parties, whose 64 members in Lok Sabha provide a crucial make or break support to the UPA government, comes in the context of strong statements made by CPI-M leader Prakash Karat and CPI A B Bardhan. The Left leaders had warned that the government may have to pay a "heavy price" if it went ahead with the nuclear deal with the US.
The paper quoted the Prime Minister as saying he was "not angry but anguished" at the harsh tone and tenor Left's reaction and made it clear that the UPA-Left relationship could not be a one-sided affair.
"I don't get angry; I don't want to use harsh words. They are our colleagues and we have to work with them. But they also have to learn to work with us."
Singh, who had spoken to the Left leaders on Tuesday night after their rejection of the nuclear deal, said there was no immediate response by the Left leaders to what he had told them.
"They haven't thought it through." The Prime Minister felt that the Left had a flawed understanding not just of the 123 agreement but also of India's intrinsic strength and its enhanced status in the world.
Singh said the deal was an honourable one which enlarged India's development options particularly in regard to energy security and environmental protection and doesn't in any way affect our ability to pursue our nuclear weapons programme.
"I told them (Left parties) that it is not possible to renegotiate the deal. It is an honourable deal, the Cabinet has approved it, we cannot go back on it. I told them to do whatever they want to do, if they want to withdraw support, so be it...," he told a Calcutta based daily in an interview.
The Prime Minister's virtual challenge to the Left parties, whose 64 members in Lok Sabha provide a crucial make or break support to the UPA government, comes in the context of strong statements made by CPI-M leader Prakash Karat and CPI A B Bardhan. The Left leaders had warned that the government may have to pay a "heavy price" if it went ahead with the nuclear deal with the US.
The paper quoted the Prime Minister as saying he was "not angry but anguished" at the harsh tone and tenor Left's reaction and made it clear that the UPA-Left relationship could not be a one-sided affair.
"I don't get angry; I don't want to use harsh words. They are our colleagues and we have to work with them. But they also have to learn to work with us."
Singh, who had spoken to the Left leaders on Tuesday night after their rejection of the nuclear deal, said there was no immediate response by the Left leaders to what he had told them.
"They haven't thought it through." The Prime Minister felt that the Left had a flawed understanding not just of the 123 agreement but also of India's intrinsic strength and its enhanced status in the world.
Singh said the deal was an honourable one which enlarged India's development options particularly in regard to energy security and environmental protection and doesn't in any way affect our ability to pursue our nuclear weapons programme.
अब शिल्पा की बारी
लंदन का नाम सुनते ही आजकल सबसे पहले शिल्पा शेट्टी का चेहरा दिमाग में आ जाता है, क्योंकि कभी यूपी बिहार लूटने वाली शिल्पा अब लंदन गर्ल बन चुकी हैं। शो 'बिग ब्रदर' की मेहरबानी से अब उनकी चर्चा भारत से ज्यादा लंदन में होती है। इस बार भी उनके बारे में एक ऐसी खबर सुनने को मिली है, जिसका संबंध लंदन से ही है। सुनने में यह आया है कि शिल्पा भी अब उस 'तुषाद' संग्रहालय का हिस्सा बन सकती हैं, जिसमें अमिताभ बचचन, शाहरुख खान और ऐश्वर्या राय के मोम के पुतले रखे गए हैं। चर्चा यह भी है कि अब शिल्पा का भी मोम का पुतला वहां लगाया जा सकता है।
चर्चा के अनुसार, लंदन में शिल्पा के दोस्त इस मामले में एक मुहिम छेड़ने वाले हैं, जिसमें उनका पुतला लगाने पर जोर दिया जाएगा। हालांकि यहां शिल्पा के दोस्त यह नहीं मानते कि इस मुहिम को उनका समर्थन है, लेकिन यह भी कहा जाता है कि अगर शिल्पा के पास ऐसा कोई प्रस्ताव आता है, तो वे इस बारे में विचार जरूर करेंगी। अगर यह मुहिम हकीकत में बदलती है, तो शिल्पा इस बात पर गर्व कर सकती हैं कि वे इस संग्रहालय में अमिताभ बच्चन, शाहरुख खान और ऐश्वर्या राय के साथ खड़ी होंगी।
चर्चा के अनुसार, लंदन में शिल्पा के दोस्त इस मामले में एक मुहिम छेड़ने वाले हैं, जिसमें उनका पुतला लगाने पर जोर दिया जाएगा। हालांकि यहां शिल्पा के दोस्त यह नहीं मानते कि इस मुहिम को उनका समर्थन है, लेकिन यह भी कहा जाता है कि अगर शिल्पा के पास ऐसा कोई प्रस्ताव आता है, तो वे इस बारे में विचार जरूर करेंगी। अगर यह मुहिम हकीकत में बदलती है, तो शिल्पा इस बात पर गर्व कर सकती हैं कि वे इस संग्रहालय में अमिताभ बच्चन, शाहरुख खान और ऐश्वर्या राय के साथ खड़ी होंगी।
बाढ़ पीड़ितों की मदद करेगा संयुक्त राष्ट्र
संयुक्त राष्ट्र। संयुक्त राष्ट्र दक्षिण एशिया में बाढ़ पीड़ितों की सहायता करेगा। संयुक्त राष्ट्र के विश्व खाद्य कार्यक्रम (डब्ल्यूएफपी) ने कहा है कि दक्षिण एशिया में भीषण बाढ़ के कारण प्रभावित हुए लाखों लोगों के लिए दीर्घकालिक राहत कार्यक्रम चलाने की जरूरत पड़ेगी।
इस वर्ष मानसून में पिछले कुछ हफ्तों में भारी वर्षा के कारण भारत, नेपाल व बांग्लादेश के दो करोड़ से ज्यादा तथा पाकिस्तान में 20 लाख से अधिक लोग प्रभावित हुए हैं।
डब्ल्यूएफपी के कार्यकारी निदेशक जोसेट शीरान ने बृहस्पतिवार को कहा कि इन इलाकों में बाढ़ उतरने के बाद भी लोगों के फसलों, मवेशियों और कहीं-कहीं परिजनों की भी हानि के मद्देनजर लंबे समय तक राहत देने की जरूरत होगी।
उन्होंने कहा कि डब्ल्यूएफपी ने नेपाल, पाकिस्तान और भारत की सरकारों के अनुरोध मिलने पर इन देशों में आपातकालीन खाद्य सहायता उपलब्ध कराने की पूरी तैयारी कर ली है।
इस वर्ष मानसून में पिछले कुछ हफ्तों में भारी वर्षा के कारण भारत, नेपाल व बांग्लादेश के दो करोड़ से ज्यादा तथा पाकिस्तान में 20 लाख से अधिक लोग प्रभावित हुए हैं।
डब्ल्यूएफपी के कार्यकारी निदेशक जोसेट शीरान ने बृहस्पतिवार को कहा कि इन इलाकों में बाढ़ उतरने के बाद भी लोगों के फसलों, मवेशियों और कहीं-कहीं परिजनों की भी हानि के मद्देनजर लंबे समय तक राहत देने की जरूरत होगी।
उन्होंने कहा कि डब्ल्यूएफपी ने नेपाल, पाकिस्तान और भारत की सरकारों के अनुरोध मिलने पर इन देशों में आपातकालीन खाद्य सहायता उपलब्ध कराने की पूरी तैयारी कर ली है।
गुआंतानामो जेल बंद करना आसान नहीं: बुश
वाशिंगटन। क्यूबा के गुआंतानामो बे में स्थित अमेरिकी हिरासतगाह की विश्वव्यापी आलोचना के बीच अमेरिकी राष्ट्रपति जार्ज डब्ल्यू बुश ने कहा है कि उसे बंद करना उतना आसान काम नहीं है जितना लोग समझते हैं।
बुश ने एक संवाददाता सम्मेलन में कहा कि यह इतना आसान विषय नहीं है जितना कुछ लोग समझते हैं। बहरहाल अमेरिकी राष्ट्रपति ने कहा कि मैं भी कहता हूं कि गुआंतानामो बंद करना राष्ट्र का लक्ष्य होना चाहिए। मैंने यह भी साफ कर दिया है कि इस विलंब का एक कारण यह है कि कुछ राष्ट्र वहां के लोगों को वापस लेने में हिचकिचा रहे हैं।
बुश ने एक संवाददाता सम्मेलन में कहा कि यह इतना आसान विषय नहीं है जितना कुछ लोग समझते हैं। बहरहाल अमेरिकी राष्ट्रपति ने कहा कि मैं भी कहता हूं कि गुआंतानामो बंद करना राष्ट्र का लक्ष्य होना चाहिए। मैंने यह भी साफ कर दिया है कि इस विलंब का एक कारण यह है कि कुछ राष्ट्र वहां के लोगों को वापस लेने में हिचकिचा रहे हैं।
Sanjay Dutt's petition not to get precedence
NEW DELHI: Faced with protests from other Mumbai blasts convicts, Supreme Court on Thursday stressed that jailed actor Sanjay Dutt's plea against the Tada court judgment will not get precedence over similar petitions from others.
The assertion came in the wake of complaints by another blast convict, Aziz Shaikh. Counsel for Shaikh, who got five years' rigorous imprisonment under Tada for possessing a US-made carbine, told a Bench headed by Justice B N Agrawal that though his client was the first to appeal before the apex court, others' petitions got precedence. He made a specific reference to Dutt's petition to buttress the argument, leading Justice Agrawal to assure that there would be no discrimination.
The Bench told Shaikh's counsel Mustaq Ahmed that no one gets priority in the Supreme Court, stressing that everyone has to come through proper channel. The petitioner could not complain about the delay just because someone else's petition had been mentioned for an early hearing, the Bench explained.
"You could also have mentioned your matter for an early hearing," the Bench said while permitting Shaikh's petition to be included in the mentioning list on Friday.
Significantly, the court, which had made a departure from the practice on Wednesday to allow Dutt's counsel to mention his plea for interim bail before a constitution Bench for an early hearing, did not list his petition for a regular hearing on Friday.
This was enough cause for consternation among Dutt's lawyers, leading them to seek and get a clarification from Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan that the petition would indeed be included in Friday's mentioning list. As per the court procedure, the cases of those seeking urgent relief ought to feature at least on the mentioning list in order to be heard by the court.
This means that in Dutt's case, as in the one concerning Zaibunnisa Kazi, the court is most likely to issue notice to the prosecuting agency, CBI, seeking its response to Dutt's interim bail plea. In Kazi's case, the court had given CBI three weeks to file its response. However, the appeal filed by another convict Ibrahim Musa, aka Baba Chauhan, is listed on Friday for regular hearing before a Bench headed by CJI. Chauhan was among the accused who went to the actor's house to deliver the weapons.
He was convicted under Tada and sentenced to 10 years' RI. He too is seeking bail on the twin grounds that his conduct has been good throughout and that the Tada judge had not yet furnished him the reasoned judgment copy in the case.
The case of Shaikh, who protested against discrimination, is somewhat similar to that of Dutt's. He too was found guilty of possessing a single weapon. His weapon was recovered from a graveyard in Mazagon. Shaikh's defence is that the cemetry is a public place and during the riots many people would frequent it.
The assertion came in the wake of complaints by another blast convict, Aziz Shaikh. Counsel for Shaikh, who got five years' rigorous imprisonment under Tada for possessing a US-made carbine, told a Bench headed by Justice B N Agrawal that though his client was the first to appeal before the apex court, others' petitions got precedence. He made a specific reference to Dutt's petition to buttress the argument, leading Justice Agrawal to assure that there would be no discrimination.
The Bench told Shaikh's counsel Mustaq Ahmed that no one gets priority in the Supreme Court, stressing that everyone has to come through proper channel. The petitioner could not complain about the delay just because someone else's petition had been mentioned for an early hearing, the Bench explained.
"You could also have mentioned your matter for an early hearing," the Bench said while permitting Shaikh's petition to be included in the mentioning list on Friday.
Significantly, the court, which had made a departure from the practice on Wednesday to allow Dutt's counsel to mention his plea for interim bail before a constitution Bench for an early hearing, did not list his petition for a regular hearing on Friday.
This was enough cause for consternation among Dutt's lawyers, leading them to seek and get a clarification from Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan that the petition would indeed be included in Friday's mentioning list. As per the court procedure, the cases of those seeking urgent relief ought to feature at least on the mentioning list in order to be heard by the court.
This means that in Dutt's case, as in the one concerning Zaibunnisa Kazi, the court is most likely to issue notice to the prosecuting agency, CBI, seeking its response to Dutt's interim bail plea. In Kazi's case, the court had given CBI three weeks to file its response. However, the appeal filed by another convict Ibrahim Musa, aka Baba Chauhan, is listed on Friday for regular hearing before a Bench headed by CJI. Chauhan was among the accused who went to the actor's house to deliver the weapons.
He was convicted under Tada and sentenced to 10 years' RI. He too is seeking bail on the twin grounds that his conduct has been good throughout and that the Tada judge had not yet furnished him the reasoned judgment copy in the case.
The case of Shaikh, who protested against discrimination, is somewhat similar to that of Dutt's. He too was found guilty of possessing a single weapon. His weapon was recovered from a graveyard in Mazagon. Shaikh's defence is that the cemetry is a public place and during the riots many people would frequent it.
Sanjay Dutt's petition not to get precedence
NEW DELHI: Faced with protests from other Mumbai blasts convicts, Supreme Court on Thursday stressed that jailed actor Sanjay Dutt's plea against the Tada court judgment will not get precedence over similar petitions from others.
The assertion came in the wake of complaints by another blast convict, Aziz Shaikh. Counsel for Shaikh, who got five years' rigorous imprisonment under Tada for possessing a US-made carbine, told a Bench headed by Justice B N Agrawal that though his client was the first to appeal before the apex court, others' petitions got precedence. He made a specific reference to Dutt's petition to buttress the argument, leading Justice Agrawal to assure that there would be no discrimination.
The Bench told Shaikh's counsel Mustaq Ahmed that no one gets priority in the Supreme Court, stressing that everyone has to come through proper channel. The petitioner could not complain about the delay just because someone else's petition had been mentioned for an early hearing, the Bench explained.
"You could also have mentioned your matter for an early hearing," the Bench said while permitting Shaikh's petition to be included in the mentioning list on Friday.
Significantly, the court, which had made a departure from the practice on Wednesday to allow Dutt's counsel to mention his plea for interim bail before a constitution Bench for an early hearing, did not list his petition for a regular hearing on Friday.
This was enough cause for consternation among Dutt's lawyers, leading them to seek and get a clarification from Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan that the petition would indeed be included in Friday's mentioning list. As per the court procedure, the cases of those seeking urgent relief ought to feature at least on the mentioning list in order to be heard by the court.
This means that in Dutt's case, as in the one concerning Zaibunnisa Kazi, the court is most likely to issue notice to the prosecuting agency, CBI, seeking its response to Dutt's interim bail plea. In Kazi's case, the court had given CBI three weeks to file its response. However, the appeal filed by another convict Ibrahim Musa, aka Baba Chauhan, is listed on Friday for regular hearing before a Bench headed by CJI. Chauhan was among the accused who went to the actor's house to deliver the weapons.
He was convicted under Tada and sentenced to 10 years' RI. He too is seeking bail on the twin grounds that his conduct has been good throughout and that the Tada judge had not yet furnished him the reasoned judgment copy in the case.
The case of Shaikh, who protested against discrimination, is somewhat similar to that of Dutt's. He too was found guilty of possessing a single weapon. His weapon was recovered from a graveyard in Mazagon. Shaikh's defence is that the cemetry is a public place and during the riots many people would frequent it.
The assertion came in the wake of complaints by another blast convict, Aziz Shaikh. Counsel for Shaikh, who got five years' rigorous imprisonment under Tada for possessing a US-made carbine, told a Bench headed by Justice B N Agrawal that though his client was the first to appeal before the apex court, others' petitions got precedence. He made a specific reference to Dutt's petition to buttress the argument, leading Justice Agrawal to assure that there would be no discrimination.
The Bench told Shaikh's counsel Mustaq Ahmed that no one gets priority in the Supreme Court, stressing that everyone has to come through proper channel. The petitioner could not complain about the delay just because someone else's petition had been mentioned for an early hearing, the Bench explained.
"You could also have mentioned your matter for an early hearing," the Bench said while permitting Shaikh's petition to be included in the mentioning list on Friday.
Significantly, the court, which had made a departure from the practice on Wednesday to allow Dutt's counsel to mention his plea for interim bail before a constitution Bench for an early hearing, did not list his petition for a regular hearing on Friday.
This was enough cause for consternation among Dutt's lawyers, leading them to seek and get a clarification from Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan that the petition would indeed be included in Friday's mentioning list. As per the court procedure, the cases of those seeking urgent relief ought to feature at least on the mentioning list in order to be heard by the court.
This means that in Dutt's case, as in the one concerning Zaibunnisa Kazi, the court is most likely to issue notice to the prosecuting agency, CBI, seeking its response to Dutt's interim bail plea. In Kazi's case, the court had given CBI three weeks to file its response. However, the appeal filed by another convict Ibrahim Musa, aka Baba Chauhan, is listed on Friday for regular hearing before a Bench headed by CJI. Chauhan was among the accused who went to the actor's house to deliver the weapons.
He was convicted under Tada and sentenced to 10 years' RI. He too is seeking bail on the twin grounds that his conduct has been good throughout and that the Tada judge had not yet furnished him the reasoned judgment copy in the case.
The case of Shaikh, who protested against discrimination, is somewhat similar to that of Dutt's. He too was found guilty of possessing a single weapon. His weapon was recovered from a graveyard in Mazagon. Shaikh's defence is that the cemetry is a public place and during the riots many people would frequent it.
Razzano ends Sania's impressive run
LOS ANGELES, August 9: Fourth seed Nadia Petrova of Russia overwhelmed Katarina Srebotnik 6-1, 6-2 and will play France's Virginie Razzano, who ended Sania Mirza's impressive run 6-1, 7-6.
Mirza lost her temper after the chair umpire overruled an apparent winner in the second point of the tiebreaker that she finally lost 7-6.
"I have short temper, but we are all human," said Mirza, who pulled out of next week's tournament in Toronto to rest after playing four weeks in a row.
Maria Sharapova overcame a stern challenge from Michaella Krajicek to reach the Los Angeles Classic quarter-finals with a 7-6, 6-7, 6-4 victory on Thursday.
The top seed needed nearly three hours to see off the 18-year-old Dutchwoman, losing her serve nine times in the match.
Krajicek also had trouble serving into the wind and sun and Sharapova broke her 10 times.
"It felt like a break fest," Sharapova said. "Back and forth. I felt like I was going to the Death Eaters and they were going to eat me up."
Krajicek, who reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals, got up a break at 4-3 in the third set, but was immediately broken back to 4-4.
"I might have missed a few opportunities, but against a player like Maria, it's tough because she gives you just a few," Krajicek said.
Sharapova held off two break points with forehand winners and clinched the match on her third match point with a crosscourt backhand service return winner.
"It's good to be in different situations where you have to pull it out and didn't play your best," said Sharapova, who next faces holder and fellow Russian Elena Dementieva. She advanced when fifth seed Daniela Hantuchova retired with a respiratory infection trailing 6-3, 4-1.
Hantuchova became the third player to be struck by illness at the tournament, second seed Jelena Jankovic and Greece's Eleni Daniilidou suffering similar ailments.
"I didn't think I could play this morning but it's not nice for the fans when the players don't even try," Hantuchova said.
Third seed Ana Ivanovic advanced easily with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Czech Lucie Safarova and will face Russia's Maria Kirilenko, who crushed Argentina's Gisela Dulko 6-3, 6-4.
Mirza lost her temper after the chair umpire overruled an apparent winner in the second point of the tiebreaker that she finally lost 7-6.
"I have short temper, but we are all human," said Mirza, who pulled out of next week's tournament in Toronto to rest after playing four weeks in a row.
Maria Sharapova overcame a stern challenge from Michaella Krajicek to reach the Los Angeles Classic quarter-finals with a 7-6, 6-7, 6-4 victory on Thursday.
The top seed needed nearly three hours to see off the 18-year-old Dutchwoman, losing her serve nine times in the match.
Krajicek also had trouble serving into the wind and sun and Sharapova broke her 10 times.
"It felt like a break fest," Sharapova said. "Back and forth. I felt like I was going to the Death Eaters and they were going to eat me up."
Krajicek, who reached the Wimbledon quarter-finals, got up a break at 4-3 in the third set, but was immediately broken back to 4-4.
"I might have missed a few opportunities, but against a player like Maria, it's tough because she gives you just a few," Krajicek said.
Sharapova held off two break points with forehand winners and clinched the match on her third match point with a crosscourt backhand service return winner.
"It's good to be in different situations where you have to pull it out and didn't play your best," said Sharapova, who next faces holder and fellow Russian Elena Dementieva. She advanced when fifth seed Daniela Hantuchova retired with a respiratory infection trailing 6-3, 4-1.
Hantuchova became the third player to be struck by illness at the tournament, second seed Jelena Jankovic and Greece's Eleni Daniilidou suffering similar ailments.
"I didn't think I could play this morning but it's not nice for the fans when the players don't even try," Hantuchova said.
Third seed Ana Ivanovic advanced easily with a 6-2, 6-2 victory over Czech Lucie Safarova and will face Russia's Maria Kirilenko, who crushed Argentina's Gisela Dulko 6-3, 6-4.
UAE to deport top Dawood henchman
MUMBAI: Tahir Merchant alias Tahir Taklya, one of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim's closest associates who is also an accused in the 1993 serial blasts, is likely to be extradited to India from the UAE within two months, a senior police officer said. Six other Dawood men will be sent along with him.
The news comes hot on the heels of the alleged arrest of Dawood henchman Javed Chikna in Pakistan and reports about the don himself being in trouble with the Pakistani authorities.
Tahir's extradition is seen as the result of mounting pressure from the US to hand over Dawood and his associates to India. "Most of Dawood's associates are hiding in the UAE, which doesn't want to be named as a hub for those designated terrorists by the US," the officer said. The UAE has already deported 17 Dawood associates, including his brother Iqbal Kaskar, over the last four years.
Tahir (51) is one of the 29 absconding accused wanted in the 1993 serial bomb blasts against whom Interpol has issued a red corner notice. According to the CBI, he was present at the Dubai meeting where the serial blasts conspiracy was hatched. A resident of Kambekar Street in central Mumbai, Tahir grew up with Dawood and his brothers, and is the don's trusted aide.
Tahir was arrested by the Abu Dhabi police on March 27, 2004, on charges of carrying firearms. The extradition request for him has been pending with the UAE authorities ever since.
Police sources said that it was Tahir who arranged shelter in Dubai and a passage to Islamabad for the 19 blast accused who underwent weapons training in Pakistan prior to the blasts. He is also accused of smuggling weapons and collecting funds. The CBI had issued a red corner notice (A-288/5) for him in 1994. Untraceable for 12 years, the CBI finally got news about him in March 2004. A reward of Rs 5 lakh was announced for information about him. Tahir, the police say, was handling the entire finances of the Dawood gang before the serial blasts. Even before the blasts, he visited Dubai several times and received recruits sent from Mumbai to Dubai for training. After the blasts, he fled to the UAE and started printing and circulation of fake currency in India via Nepal.
The news comes hot on the heels of the alleged arrest of Dawood henchman Javed Chikna in Pakistan and reports about the don himself being in trouble with the Pakistani authorities.
Tahir's extradition is seen as the result of mounting pressure from the US to hand over Dawood and his associates to India. "Most of Dawood's associates are hiding in the UAE, which doesn't want to be named as a hub for those designated terrorists by the US," the officer said. The UAE has already deported 17 Dawood associates, including his brother Iqbal Kaskar, over the last four years.
Tahir (51) is one of the 29 absconding accused wanted in the 1993 serial bomb blasts against whom Interpol has issued a red corner notice. According to the CBI, he was present at the Dubai meeting where the serial blasts conspiracy was hatched. A resident of Kambekar Street in central Mumbai, Tahir grew up with Dawood and his brothers, and is the don's trusted aide.
Tahir was arrested by the Abu Dhabi police on March 27, 2004, on charges of carrying firearms. The extradition request for him has been pending with the UAE authorities ever since.
Police sources said that it was Tahir who arranged shelter in Dubai and a passage to Islamabad for the 19 blast accused who underwent weapons training in Pakistan prior to the blasts. He is also accused of smuggling weapons and collecting funds. The CBI had issued a red corner notice (A-288/5) for him in 1994. Untraceable for 12 years, the CBI finally got news about him in March 2004. A reward of Rs 5 lakh was announced for information about him. Tahir, the police say, was handling the entire finances of the Dawood gang before the serial blasts. Even before the blasts, he visited Dubai several times and received recruits sent from Mumbai to Dubai for training. After the blasts, he fled to the UAE and started printing and circulation of fake currency in India via Nepal.
Another school student kidnapped in Patna
PATNA: A boy was on Friday kidnapped by unidentified persons travelling in a car in Patna when he was on way to school, police said.
Akash, a seventh standard student was on way to the DAV school at Shastri Nagar from his house at Chanakya Puri in Raja Bazaar locality on his bicycle when three persons in a green car intercepted him, bundled him into the vehicle and sped away, police and eyewitnesses said.
The incident occurred near J D Women's college. According to eyewitness accounts, the green coloured car bore registration number BR 1M 9612.
Police, however, suspect that the number might be fake. Akash is the son of Yogendra Pandey, an employee of the Bihar Public Health Engineering Department.
Raids are being launched to apprehend the kidnappers and recover the boy, sources said, adding ransom might be the reason behind the incident.
Akash's kidnapping came barely five days after the body of Roshan, an eight standard student of Patna Central School, was found in Kankarbagh locality of the state capital on August six, three days after he was allegedly abducted by his friends.
Akash, a seventh standard student was on way to the DAV school at Shastri Nagar from his house at Chanakya Puri in Raja Bazaar locality on his bicycle when three persons in a green car intercepted him, bundled him into the vehicle and sped away, police and eyewitnesses said.
The incident occurred near J D Women's college. According to eyewitness accounts, the green coloured car bore registration number BR 1M 9612.
Police, however, suspect that the number might be fake. Akash is the son of Yogendra Pandey, an employee of the Bihar Public Health Engineering Department.
Raids are being launched to apprehend the kidnappers and recover the boy, sources said, adding ransom might be the reason behind the incident.
Akash's kidnapping came barely five days after the body of Roshan, an eight standard student of Patna Central School, was found in Kankarbagh locality of the state capital on August six, three days after he was allegedly abducted by his friends.
Market depressed; metals, banks, realty take beating
MUMBAI: Indices remained subdued on across the board selling pressure. Metals were the worth hit, followed by banks, realty and oil & gas.
The trouble began Thursday when French bank BNP Paribas froze three asset-backed securities funds saying it was no longer possible to 'fairly' value their holdings.
All European and US indices ended deep in the red, spreading the contagion to Asia and India today.
At 11:45 AM, Bombay Stock Exchange's Sensex was down 440 points or 2.91% at 14,660.06 and National Stock Exchange's Nifty 135 points or 3.07% lower at 4267.85.
Biggest Sensex losers were Reliance Communications (down 3.68%), HDFC (3.65%), Tata Steel (3.63%), Tata Consultancy Services (3.62%) and NTPC (3.57%).
There were no gainers on the 30-share Sensex. Market breadth showed 985 declines and 118 advances on NSE, and 1,756 and 521 respectively on BSE.
The trouble began Thursday when French bank BNP Paribas froze three asset-backed securities funds saying it was no longer possible to 'fairly' value their holdings.
All European and US indices ended deep in the red, spreading the contagion to Asia and India today.
At 11:45 AM, Bombay Stock Exchange's Sensex was down 440 points or 2.91% at 14,660.06 and National Stock Exchange's Nifty 135 points or 3.07% lower at 4267.85.
Biggest Sensex losers were Reliance Communications (down 3.68%), HDFC (3.65%), Tata Steel (3.63%), Tata Consultancy Services (3.62%) and NTPC (3.57%).
There were no gainers on the 30-share Sensex. Market breadth showed 985 declines and 118 advances on NSE, and 1,756 and 521 respectively on BSE.
Voting begins to elect new Vice-President
NEW DELHI: Voting for the Vice-Presidential poll began at 1000 hours on Friday to elect a successor to Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, who quit the post after losing the race for Raisina Hill last month.
The exercise, in which members of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha would exercise their franchise, appeared to be a mere formality with UPA-Left nominee Hamid Ansari far ahead of his two rivals in the numbers game.
While Najma Heptullah of the NDA and Rasheed Masood of the UNPA are in the fray, the number game is heavily loaded in favour of Ansari in the all-Muslim race.
The UPA-Left along with the BSP commands the support of 425 MPs of the total of 788 members in the two Houses. The NDA has the backing of 240 MPs. The Third Front, formally known as the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA), has 81 MPs.
A successful candidate needs to secure 393 votes. The Janata Dal (Secular) will abstain from voting. The party, which maintains equidistance from both Congress and BJP at the national level, has also decided not to support the Third Front candidate.
JD(S), which is sharing power with BJP in Karnataka, has four members in Parliament -- two each in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
The exercise, in which members of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha would exercise their franchise, appeared to be a mere formality with UPA-Left nominee Hamid Ansari far ahead of his two rivals in the numbers game.
While Najma Heptullah of the NDA and Rasheed Masood of the UNPA are in the fray, the number game is heavily loaded in favour of Ansari in the all-Muslim race.
The UPA-Left along with the BSP commands the support of 425 MPs of the total of 788 members in the two Houses. The NDA has the backing of 240 MPs. The Third Front, formally known as the United National Progressive Alliance (UNPA), has 81 MPs.
A successful candidate needs to secure 393 votes. The Janata Dal (Secular) will abstain from voting. The party, which maintains equidistance from both Congress and BJP at the national level, has also decided not to support the Third Front candidate.
JD(S), which is sharing power with BJP in Karnataka, has four members in Parliament -- two each in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha.
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
Govt clears two Infosys SEZs
NEW DELHI: The government today gave go ahead to six SEZ proposals, including two proposal from the IT major Infosys to set up special economic zones (SEZs).
Of the six SEZ proposals, four were given in-principle approvals while two received formal clearances.
Infosys has received initial go-ahead for two IT zones to be set up near Hyderabad, while Genpact has received formal approval for an IT SEZ in Jaipur and Enfield Infrastructure was given a green signal for an IT zone at South 24 Parganas in West Bengal.
The government has so far given 364 formal approvals and 180 in-principle nods. These take the total number of clearances to approximately 550.
The proposals were cleared by the Board of Approval, which took up eight cases in its meeting here. It, however, deferred two proposals from Adarsh Prime Projects and Blue Vision Construction.
In a separate development, Commerce Ministry extended the validity of the Reliance Industries' Maha Mumbai SEZ.
"The extension to in-principle clearance to Maha SEZ was done by the ministry itself" without referring it to BoA, Commerce Secretary and BoA Chairman GK Pillai told reporters.
Another nine proposals would be taken up for clearance at the BoA' next meeting on August 30.
Of the six SEZ proposals, four were given in-principle approvals while two received formal clearances.
Infosys has received initial go-ahead for two IT zones to be set up near Hyderabad, while Genpact has received formal approval for an IT SEZ in Jaipur and Enfield Infrastructure was given a green signal for an IT zone at South 24 Parganas in West Bengal.
The government has so far given 364 formal approvals and 180 in-principle nods. These take the total number of clearances to approximately 550.
The proposals were cleared by the Board of Approval, which took up eight cases in its meeting here. It, however, deferred two proposals from Adarsh Prime Projects and Blue Vision Construction.
In a separate development, Commerce Ministry extended the validity of the Reliance Industries' Maha Mumbai SEZ.
"The extension to in-principle clearance to Maha SEZ was done by the ministry itself" without referring it to BoA, Commerce Secretary and BoA Chairman GK Pillai told reporters.
Another nine proposals would be taken up for clearance at the BoA' next meeting on August 30.
US dollar ends sharply dearer against rupee
MUMBAI: The rupee suffered a sharp setback against the US currency on Wednesday and ended at 40.52/53, reacting negatively to restrictions on external commercial borrowings (ECBs) imposed by the government.
In a knee jerk reaction to new ECB norms aimed at curbing excessive foreign capital inflows, the rupee opened sharply lower at 40.75/77 a dollar and touched the 40.84 level in late morning deals.
The local currency later recovered losses in highly volatile trade at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market on dollar sales by exporters and a strong rally in equity markets. The rupee moved in a wide range of 40.46 and 40.84.
The rupee, which hit a nine-year peak of 40.20 in July, suffered a setback due to the government's announcement of fresh restrictions on ECBs.
Dollar selling by exporters and a sharp rally in equity markets helped the rupee to bounce from the day's low, forex dealers said.
As per the changes, a company raising $20 million of External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs) would have to seek prior permission of RBI to remit such funds into India.
Accordingly, companies raising ECBs of more than $20 million would have to park the proceeds overseas for use as foreign currency expenditure. This modification is applicable under both automatic and approval routes.
The BSE benchmark Sensex soared by 375 points. Asian markets also ended up by one to 3.5 per cent today.
In a knee jerk reaction to new ECB norms aimed at curbing excessive foreign capital inflows, the rupee opened sharply lower at 40.75/77 a dollar and touched the 40.84 level in late morning deals.
The local currency later recovered losses in highly volatile trade at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market on dollar sales by exporters and a strong rally in equity markets. The rupee moved in a wide range of 40.46 and 40.84.
The rupee, which hit a nine-year peak of 40.20 in July, suffered a setback due to the government's announcement of fresh restrictions on ECBs.
Dollar selling by exporters and a sharp rally in equity markets helped the rupee to bounce from the day's low, forex dealers said.
As per the changes, a company raising $20 million of External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs) would have to seek prior permission of RBI to remit such funds into India.
Accordingly, companies raising ECBs of more than $20 million would have to park the proceeds overseas for use as foreign currency expenditure. This modification is applicable under both automatic and approval routes.
The BSE benchmark Sensex soared by 375 points. Asian markets also ended up by one to 3.5 per cent today.
Sensex regains 15K as IT back in reckoning
MUMBAI: Renewed buying interest in IT shares, following a fall in rupee with tightening in ECB norms, saw equity indices end sharply higher Wednesday. A surge in index heavyweight Reliance Industries also aided the indices.
Bombay Stock Exchange's Sensex ended 2.51% or 375 points higher at 15,308. National Stock Exchange's Nifty rose 2.43% or 106 points to 4462.10.
Top Sensex gainers comprised Infosys Technologies (up 4.73%), Tata Consultancy Services (4.13%), ACC (3.98%), Reliance Industries (3.87%), HDFC ( 4.72%) and Wipro ( 3.69%).
Cipla (down 0.82%) and Dr Reddy's Laboratories (0.4%) were the only laggards in the index.
Market breadth on BSE showed 1,976 advances as against 696 declines.
Bombay Stock Exchange's Sensex ended 2.51% or 375 points higher at 15,308. National Stock Exchange's Nifty rose 2.43% or 106 points to 4462.10.
Top Sensex gainers comprised Infosys Technologies (up 4.73%), Tata Consultancy Services (4.13%), ACC (3.98%), Reliance Industries (3.87%), HDFC ( 4.72%) and Wipro ( 3.69%).
Cipla (down 0.82%) and Dr Reddy's Laboratories (0.4%) were the only laggards in the index.
Market breadth on BSE showed 1,976 advances as against 696 declines.
Trains on Delhi-Howrah line delayed
KANPUR: Nearly 18 trains especially on the Delhi-Howrah line were delayed as the tracks near Juhi yard, some eight kms from here, have not been cleared after the derailment of Jodhpur-Howrah Express.
The tracks are expected to be cleared by tonight, railway officials said.
The officials said work is on to remove the derailed engines and bogies.
The delayed trains include Purshottam Express, Pushpak Express, Tufan Express, Sangam Express, Barauni Express, Gwalior Express and Shramshakti Express.
on Tuesday, 32 passengers were injured when two engines and four bogies of Express train derailed near Juhi yard.
The injured have been admitted in the Halet, Ursala and Loko railway hospitals, they said adding that while three passengers lost their limbs, the condition of seven injured remains critical.
The district administration has arranged for meals and treatment for all the passengers, they said.
The tracks are expected to be cleared by tonight, railway officials said.
The officials said work is on to remove the derailed engines and bogies.
The delayed trains include Purshottam Express, Pushpak Express, Tufan Express, Sangam Express, Barauni Express, Gwalior Express and Shramshakti Express.
on Tuesday, 32 passengers were injured when two engines and four bogies of Express train derailed near Juhi yard.
The injured have been admitted in the Halet, Ursala and Loko railway hospitals, they said adding that while three passengers lost their limbs, the condition of seven injured remains critical.
The district administration has arranged for meals and treatment for all the passengers, they said.
No going back on N-deal, PM tells Left
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has made it clear to Left leaders that the Indo-US civil nuclear deal will not be renegotiated, shortly after the allies rejected the agreement.
Singh, however, conveyed the government's willingness to address the concerns of the Left parties when he spoke to CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat and CPI leaders A B Bardhan and D Raja last night, highly placed sources said here on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister noted that the 123 Agreement, that will operationalise the nuclear deal, has been approved by the Cabinet and that there was no question of renegotiating it, the sources said.
Singh will make a statement on the issue in Parliament on Monday.
The Prime Minister's phone call to Left leaders came hours after the four Left parties rejected the agreement, saying that there were many concerns regarding it in context of the Hyde Act.
The Left parties insisted that the agreement fell short of the assurances given by the Prime Minister to Parliament.
Singh, however, conveyed the government's willingness to address the concerns of the Left parties when he spoke to CPI(M) General Secretary Prakash Karat and CPI leaders A B Bardhan and D Raja last night, highly placed sources said here on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister noted that the 123 Agreement, that will operationalise the nuclear deal, has been approved by the Cabinet and that there was no question of renegotiating it, the sources said.
Singh will make a statement on the issue in Parliament on Monday.
The Prime Minister's phone call to Left leaders came hours after the four Left parties rejected the agreement, saying that there were many concerns regarding it in context of the Hyde Act.
The Left parties insisted that the agreement fell short of the assurances given by the Prime Minister to Parliament.
Emergency likely to be declared in Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: All arrangements are being made to impose Emergency in Pakistan, private Geo television channel said.
According to the channel, Musharraf has decided to impose one month's Emergency.
A high level meeting reviewed the political situation, the channel added. The Emergency can be extended to three months according to Geo TV. However, there has been no official confirmation regarding imposition of Emergency.
According to the channel, Musharraf has decided to impose one month's Emergency.
A high level meeting reviewed the political situation, the channel added. The Emergency can be extended to three months according to Geo TV. However, there has been no official confirmation regarding imposition of Emergency.
Bikers try to throw man off flyover
New Delhi: Delhi's roads continue to seethe with rage. In an incident that brought back memories of the killing of a property dealer by motorcycle-borne men at Saket last month, angry bikers attempted to throw a Chandigarh lawyer off the Lodhi Colony flyover on Monday night after his car had hit one of them.
Vivek Bhandari (42) was beaten up by seven-eight bikers and was forced to flee, abandoning his car. The assailants made off with his two mobile phones and car stereo. The senior lawyer had come to Delhi on Friday for work and was staying at his relative's place in Alaknanda, south Delhi.
Vivek Bhandari (42) was beaten up by seven-eight bikers and was forced to flee, abandoning his car. The assailants made off with his two mobile phones and car stereo. The senior lawyer had come to Delhi on Friday for work and was staying at his relative's place in Alaknanda, south Delhi.
Apple unveils new iMacs
CUPERTINO: Apple Inc unveiled a line of slimmer desktop computers in a long-expected update of its iMac brand, positioning it for the back-to-school and holiday shopping seasons.
The new iMacs, which will sport thinner aluminum casings, have displays measuring 20 inches and 24 inches and will cost $1,199 to $1,799, depending on their configurations, said Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs at a media event at Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, California.
The cost of the 24-inch iMac has been dropped by $200, and Apple has eliminated the 17-inch iMac computer, Jobs said.
The last update to the iMac line was in September 2006, when Apple introduced a model with a 24-inch screen -- its largest -- and said the entire model line would be powered by Intel chips instead of ones from International Business Machines Corp.
"Apple has grown two to three times the market for the past several quarters," said analyst Shannon Cross of Cross Research. "This product launch should position them well for the back-to-school and holiday seasons."
Apple recently launched the iPhone mobile device in a bid to build a third major product line alongside its Macintosh computers and iPod media players, but desktop and laptop sales still account for the bulk of its revenue.
In its third quarter, Apple sold 634,000 desktops for revenue of $956 million, accounting for about 18 per cent of total revenue.
"The iMac has been really successful for us and we'd like to make it even better," Jobs said. "We've managed to make it even thinner than before."
Apple laptop sales totaled $1.58 billion in its most recently reported quarter. The MacBook laptop line was not affected by Tuesday's announcement.
Sales of Macintosh computers have grown faster than the overall PC market, but Apple's share of the market by unit sales is estimated to be less than 5 per cent.
Apple has also used the iPod and, now, the iPhone as "halo" products to draw customers into stores and get them interested in its computers.
Jobs also said that the company was adding a software "button" to the iPhone that allows users to upload photos taken with the built-in camera on the iPhone to Apple's .Mac online data and Web-hosting service.
Apple shares rose $1.30 to $136.55 in afternoon trading on Nasdaq. The stock has risen 59 per cent so far this year, largely on anticipation of strong demand for the iPhone and that enthusiasm for the device will translate into stronger sales of other Apple products.
The new iMacs, which will sport thinner aluminum casings, have displays measuring 20 inches and 24 inches and will cost $1,199 to $1,799, depending on their configurations, said Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs at a media event at Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, California.
The cost of the 24-inch iMac has been dropped by $200, and Apple has eliminated the 17-inch iMac computer, Jobs said.
The last update to the iMac line was in September 2006, when Apple introduced a model with a 24-inch screen -- its largest -- and said the entire model line would be powered by Intel chips instead of ones from International Business Machines Corp.
"Apple has grown two to three times the market for the past several quarters," said analyst Shannon Cross of Cross Research. "This product launch should position them well for the back-to-school and holiday seasons."
Apple recently launched the iPhone mobile device in a bid to build a third major product line alongside its Macintosh computers and iPod media players, but desktop and laptop sales still account for the bulk of its revenue.
In its third quarter, Apple sold 634,000 desktops for revenue of $956 million, accounting for about 18 per cent of total revenue.
"The iMac has been really successful for us and we'd like to make it even better," Jobs said. "We've managed to make it even thinner than before."
Apple laptop sales totaled $1.58 billion in its most recently reported quarter. The MacBook laptop line was not affected by Tuesday's announcement.
Sales of Macintosh computers have grown faster than the overall PC market, but Apple's share of the market by unit sales is estimated to be less than 5 per cent.
Apple has also used the iPod and, now, the iPhone as "halo" products to draw customers into stores and get them interested in its computers.
Jobs also said that the company was adding a software "button" to the iPhone that allows users to upload photos taken with the built-in camera on the iPhone to Apple's .Mac online data and Web-hosting service.
Apple shares rose $1.30 to $136.55 in afternoon trading on Nasdaq. The stock has risen 59 per cent so far this year, largely on anticipation of strong demand for the iPhone and that enthusiasm for the device will translate into stronger sales of other Apple products.
भारत जिसके साथ चाहे रिश्ते रखे: अमेरिका
वाशिंगटन। अमेरिका ने कहा है कि भारत को अन्य देशों की तरह इस बात की पूरी आजादी है कि वह दुनिया के किसी भी देश के साथ जैसे चाहे वैसे रिश्ते रखे।
अमेरिकी विदेश विभाग में उप प्रवक्ता टाम केसी ने मंगलवार को ब्रीफिंग के दौरान भारत के राजदूत रोनिन सेन के उस कथित बयान पर टिप्पणी करते हुए यह स्पष्टीकरण दिया, जिसमें सेन ने कहा था कि भारत-अमेरिका असैन्य परमाणु सहयोग समझौते को ईरान या किसी अन्य मुद्दे के साथ जोड़कर देखने के परिणाम प्रतिक्रियावादी होंगे।
केसी ने कहा कि अमेरिका की स्थिति एकदम साफ है कि हम दूसरों से इस तरह के वादे नहीं करवाने जा रहे हैं। सेन को उद्धृत करते हुए कहा गया था कि भारत जैसे विशाल और जीवंत लोकतंत्र से अपने निर्णय लेने और काम करने की आजादी छोड़ देने की उम्मीद करना एकदम बेमानी है। बहुत जल्द ही इसकी हकीकत का अंदाजा हो जाएगा।
केसी ने कहा कि ईरान के मामले में हमारे कुछ विशेष मुद्दे हैं, लेकिन हम उम्मीद करेंगे कि भारत पूर्व की तरह ही ईरान को परमाणु शस्त्र कार्यक्रम रोकने और क्षेत्र में अस्थिरता फैलाने से रोकने के लिए अंतरराष्ट्रीय प्रयासों में सहयोग देता रहेगा।
अमेरिकी विदेश विभाग में उप प्रवक्ता टाम केसी ने मंगलवार को ब्रीफिंग के दौरान भारत के राजदूत रोनिन सेन के उस कथित बयान पर टिप्पणी करते हुए यह स्पष्टीकरण दिया, जिसमें सेन ने कहा था कि भारत-अमेरिका असैन्य परमाणु सहयोग समझौते को ईरान या किसी अन्य मुद्दे के साथ जोड़कर देखने के परिणाम प्रतिक्रियावादी होंगे।
केसी ने कहा कि अमेरिका की स्थिति एकदम साफ है कि हम दूसरों से इस तरह के वादे नहीं करवाने जा रहे हैं। सेन को उद्धृत करते हुए कहा गया था कि भारत जैसे विशाल और जीवंत लोकतंत्र से अपने निर्णय लेने और काम करने की आजादी छोड़ देने की उम्मीद करना एकदम बेमानी है। बहुत जल्द ही इसकी हकीकत का अंदाजा हो जाएगा।
केसी ने कहा कि ईरान के मामले में हमारे कुछ विशेष मुद्दे हैं, लेकिन हम उम्मीद करेंगे कि भारत पूर्व की तरह ही ईरान को परमाणु शस्त्र कार्यक्रम रोकने और क्षेत्र में अस्थिरता फैलाने से रोकने के लिए अंतरराष्ट्रीय प्रयासों में सहयोग देता रहेगा।
संजय दत्त की याचिका पर सुनवाई शुक्रवार को
नई दिल्ली। फिल्म अभिनेता संजय दत्त की जमानत याचिका पर सुप्रीम कोर्ट में शुक्रवार को सुनवाई होगी। संजय ने खुद को दोषी ठहराए जाने के फैसले को सुप्रीम कोर्ट में चुनौती दी है।
वरिष्ठ अधिवक्ता फली एस नरीमन ने प्रधान न्यायाधीश केजी बालकृष्ण की अध्यक्षता वाली खंडपीठ के समक्ष मामला प्रस्तुत किया जिसने संजय की जमानत याचिका पर 10 अगस्त को सुनवाई करने पर सहमति जताई।
नरीमन ने कहा कि अभिनेता को फैसले की प्रति दिए बिना ही जेल भेज दिया गया। संजय को 1993 के श्रृंखलाबद्ध बम विस्फोट कांड के संबंध में हथियार अधिनियम के तहत दोषी पाया गया है और छह साल की कैद की सजा सुनाई गई है।
संजय ने मंगलवार को सुप्रीम कोर्ट में एक याचिका दायर की जिसमें उन्होंने टाडा अदालत में अपनी दोषसिद्धि को यह कहते हुए चुनौती दी है कि उसे एक कमजोर साक्ष्य के आधार पर दोषी करार दिया गया है।
वरिष्ठ अधिवक्ता फली एस नरीमन ने प्रधान न्यायाधीश केजी बालकृष्ण की अध्यक्षता वाली खंडपीठ के समक्ष मामला प्रस्तुत किया जिसने संजय की जमानत याचिका पर 10 अगस्त को सुनवाई करने पर सहमति जताई।
नरीमन ने कहा कि अभिनेता को फैसले की प्रति दिए बिना ही जेल भेज दिया गया। संजय को 1993 के श्रृंखलाबद्ध बम विस्फोट कांड के संबंध में हथियार अधिनियम के तहत दोषी पाया गया है और छह साल की कैद की सजा सुनाई गई है।
संजय ने मंगलवार को सुप्रीम कोर्ट में एक याचिका दायर की जिसमें उन्होंने टाडा अदालत में अपनी दोषसिद्धि को यह कहते हुए चुनौती दी है कि उसे एक कमजोर साक्ष्य के आधार पर दोषी करार दिया गया है।
मुशर्रफ को चुनौती दे सकते हैं अहसान
इसलामाबाद। पाकिस्तान के जाने-माने वकील चौधरी एतजाज अहसान आगामी राष्ट्रपति चुनाव में जनरल मुशर्रफ के लिए सबसे बड़ी चुनौती बन सकते है। उनकी उम्मीदवारी प्रबल होती जा रही है।
अहसान मुशर्रफ के सर्वाधिक प्रबल प्रतिद्वंद्वी के रूप में उभर रहे है। मीडिया के मुताबिक उनके रास्ते में एकमात्र रुकावट यह है कि पाकिस्तान पीपुल्स पार्टी मुशर्रफ के साथ राजनीतिक सौदेबाजी में लगी हुई है। अगर इस पार्टी का मुशर्रफ के साथ गठजोड़ हुआ तो वह मुशर्रफ के पक्ष में मतदान कर सकती है। ऐसे में अहसान की चुनौती कमजोर पड़ जाएगी।
अहसान सुप्रीम कोर्ट के मुख्य न्यायाधीश इफ्तिखार मोहम्मद चौधरी को निंलबित किए जाने के फैसले के खिलाफ चले आंदोलन में अग्रिम पंक्ति के नेता रह चुके है। देश के वकीलों और जनता को इस मुद्दे पर गोलबंद करने में अहम रोल अदा किया। वे पाकिस्तान के सर्वाधिक सफल वकीलों में से एक माने जाते है।
अहसान खुद भी पीपीपी के नेता है। लेकिन उनकी पार्टी की नेता बेनजीर भुट्टो मुशर्रफ के साथ राजनीतिक सौदेबाजी में लगी हुई है। विपक्षी पार्टियों ने अहसान की उम्मीदवारी पर मंथन शुरू कर दिया है। पाकिस्तान ऑनलाइन ने अज्ञात सूत्रों के हवाले से बताया है कि पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री नवाज शरीफ के नेतृत्व वाली पार्टी पीएमएल-एन, दक्षिणपंथी सियासी गठबंधन मुत्ताहिदा मजलिस ए अमल और पाकिस्तान अप्रेस्ड नेशंस मूवमेंट (पोनम) के नेता अहसान की उम्मीदवारी का समर्थन करने को तैयार है।
अहसान ने मुशर्रफ के खिलाफ चुनाव लड़ने का संकेत दिया है। देश में 15 सितंबर को राष्ट्रपति चुनाव होने की संभावना जताई जा रही है। अहसान ने अंतिम फैसला लेने की जिम्मेदारी विपक्षी दलों पर छोड़ दी है। अहसान फिलहाल पीपीपी के सांसद भी है। वे बेनजीर सरकार में विधि मंत्री रह चुके है
अहसान मुशर्रफ के सर्वाधिक प्रबल प्रतिद्वंद्वी के रूप में उभर रहे है। मीडिया के मुताबिक उनके रास्ते में एकमात्र रुकावट यह है कि पाकिस्तान पीपुल्स पार्टी मुशर्रफ के साथ राजनीतिक सौदेबाजी में लगी हुई है। अगर इस पार्टी का मुशर्रफ के साथ गठजोड़ हुआ तो वह मुशर्रफ के पक्ष में मतदान कर सकती है। ऐसे में अहसान की चुनौती कमजोर पड़ जाएगी।
अहसान सुप्रीम कोर्ट के मुख्य न्यायाधीश इफ्तिखार मोहम्मद चौधरी को निंलबित किए जाने के फैसले के खिलाफ चले आंदोलन में अग्रिम पंक्ति के नेता रह चुके है। देश के वकीलों और जनता को इस मुद्दे पर गोलबंद करने में अहम रोल अदा किया। वे पाकिस्तान के सर्वाधिक सफल वकीलों में से एक माने जाते है।
अहसान खुद भी पीपीपी के नेता है। लेकिन उनकी पार्टी की नेता बेनजीर भुट्टो मुशर्रफ के साथ राजनीतिक सौदेबाजी में लगी हुई है। विपक्षी पार्टियों ने अहसान की उम्मीदवारी पर मंथन शुरू कर दिया है। पाकिस्तान ऑनलाइन ने अज्ञात सूत्रों के हवाले से बताया है कि पूर्व प्रधानमंत्री नवाज शरीफ के नेतृत्व वाली पार्टी पीएमएल-एन, दक्षिणपंथी सियासी गठबंधन मुत्ताहिदा मजलिस ए अमल और पाकिस्तान अप्रेस्ड नेशंस मूवमेंट (पोनम) के नेता अहसान की उम्मीदवारी का समर्थन करने को तैयार है।
अहसान ने मुशर्रफ के खिलाफ चुनाव लड़ने का संकेत दिया है। देश में 15 सितंबर को राष्ट्रपति चुनाव होने की संभावना जताई जा रही है। अहसान ने अंतिम फैसला लेने की जिम्मेदारी विपक्षी दलों पर छोड़ दी है। अहसान फिलहाल पीपीपी के सांसद भी है। वे बेनजीर सरकार में विधि मंत्री रह चुके है
Market rallies on tech rebound
MUMBAI: Equities rose on Wednesday backed by positive global cues, driving the benchmark indices almost 2% higher. The market also got support from technology, cement and capital goods stocks.
“The government’s move on external commercial borrowings and US Fed's stance on interest rates has led to this uprise, but am still not convinced about this rally. Till volumes increase and there’s more stability, we are not yet out of the woods,” said Shankar Char, head dealer at Centrum Capital.
At 11:55 pm, the National Stock Exchange's Nifty was at 4442.90, higher by 86 points or 2%. Bombay Stock Exchange's Sensex was up 317 points or 2.12% at 15,249.
Biggest Sensex gainers were Satyam Computer Services (up 5.59%), Infosys (5.28%), Tata Consultancy Services (4.28%), Wipro (4.11%), and NTPC (2.76%). Cipla, down 0.83%, was the only laggard.
On the BSE, 1214 shares advanced and 217 declined.
The government has clamped down on ECBs to check excess inflows and liquidity. Companies will now be able to raise only up to $20 million abroad for rupee expenditure and only after RBI approval.
The rupee fell on the government’s move, and was down 24 paise at 40.65 to the dollar.
In reaction, technology shares were in the limelight. BSE IT Index climbed nearly 5% and was the biggest sectoral gainer.
Indices across the world rose on US gains. As expected, the US Federal Open Market Committee left the overnight Federal funds rate at 5.25%, while repeating the risk that inflation control remains their top priority.
In the derivatives segment, Nifty August futures traded at 38-point discount to the spot, while open interest stood at 4.43 crore.
“The government’s move on external commercial borrowings and US Fed's stance on interest rates has led to this uprise, but am still not convinced about this rally. Till volumes increase and there’s more stability, we are not yet out of the woods,” said Shankar Char, head dealer at Centrum Capital.
At 11:55 pm, the National Stock Exchange's Nifty was at 4442.90, higher by 86 points or 2%. Bombay Stock Exchange's Sensex was up 317 points or 2.12% at 15,249.
Biggest Sensex gainers were Satyam Computer Services (up 5.59%), Infosys (5.28%), Tata Consultancy Services (4.28%), Wipro (4.11%), and NTPC (2.76%). Cipla, down 0.83%, was the only laggard.
On the BSE, 1214 shares advanced and 217 declined.
The government has clamped down on ECBs to check excess inflows and liquidity. Companies will now be able to raise only up to $20 million abroad for rupee expenditure and only after RBI approval.
The rupee fell on the government’s move, and was down 24 paise at 40.65 to the dollar.
In reaction, technology shares were in the limelight. BSE IT Index climbed nearly 5% and was the biggest sectoral gainer.
Indices across the world rose on US gains. As expected, the US Federal Open Market Committee left the overnight Federal funds rate at 5.25%, while repeating the risk that inflation control remains their top priority.
In the derivatives segment, Nifty August futures traded at 38-point discount to the spot, while open interest stood at 4.43 crore.
HCU wakes up to ragging
HYDERABAD: Huge posters carrying anti-ragging messages put up by 'concerned students' welcome visitors to the University of Hyderabad (HCU), but on the sylvan campus ragging has become rampant. On August 3, at MH-H —men's hostel— students of the chemistry department were reportedly ragged by their seniors in the presence of students' union president and vice-president, according to the poster. However, HCU authorities dismissed the incident with a mild warning to the 'perpetrators'.
Jolted by the incident, HCU authorities have decided to crack the whip on erring pranksters. Ironically, the university has no functional anti-ragging cell. When asked to comment on the cell, HCU vice-chancellor Seyed E Hasnain said: "Thankfully, there were no cases of ragging reported, so we did not feel that there is a need for it (anti-ragging cell). But ragging is considered indiscipline and hence any such cases would come under the purview of the disciplinary cell."
The university, however, claims that in spite of not having any exclusive anti-ragging cell, they were capable of handling ragging issues which crop up every academic year. "Ragging is a serious offence. If we get to know of any instances of such behaviour, we will take strict measures against the misbehaving students," HCU chief warden B Ananthakrishnan told 'TOI' on Tuesday. On the basis of a recent incident —reported misbehaviour of second year M Sc students in one of the men's hostels— the chief warden and deputy chief warden had conducted raids on August 3.
Subsequently, a group of four students from the department of chemistry were warned. "We have also deputed security guards at the hostels to ensure that ragging does not happen," deputy chief warden Vasuki Belavadi said.
Though the authorities were not willing to disclose the names of students who were involved in the act, posters on the campus have alleged that students' union president B Venkataramaiah and vice-president Kamakhya Singh were present at the place of ragging. When asked about the incident, Vekataramaiah claimed the allegations were aimed at demoralising him before the elections. He refused to comment further.
Many second year students hold interactive sessions with juniors. Such sessions, which are aimed at building a rapport between consecutive batches, do not end up in ragging, the authorities said. "We do not mind our seniors interacting with us or even throwing a little attitude. What we do mind is an insult or humiliation. Ragging at this level becomes some kind of sadism," said Narayana Swami, a first year student of M A (communication).
HCU dean (students welfare) G Umamaheshwara Rao said any complaint which reaches the notice of the authorities would be sent to the disciplinary committee and would be dealt seriously. A few ragging cases have been reported in the past few years. In 2005, freshers of the chemistry department were forced to stand in the rain by their seniors, while first year MCA students were left on the bank of Peacock lake on the campus.
However, HCU authorities maintained that they have not received any complaints from the 'victims'. "The victims might not be ready to complain because they are scared of the consequences. Hence, there should be some kind of anti-ragging cell," M Phil economics student, Nandita suggested.
Jolted by the incident, HCU authorities have decided to crack the whip on erring pranksters. Ironically, the university has no functional anti-ragging cell. When asked to comment on the cell, HCU vice-chancellor Seyed E Hasnain said: "Thankfully, there were no cases of ragging reported, so we did not feel that there is a need for it (anti-ragging cell). But ragging is considered indiscipline and hence any such cases would come under the purview of the disciplinary cell."
The university, however, claims that in spite of not having any exclusive anti-ragging cell, they were capable of handling ragging issues which crop up every academic year. "Ragging is a serious offence. If we get to know of any instances of such behaviour, we will take strict measures against the misbehaving students," HCU chief warden B Ananthakrishnan told 'TOI' on Tuesday. On the basis of a recent incident —reported misbehaviour of second year M Sc students in one of the men's hostels— the chief warden and deputy chief warden had conducted raids on August 3.
Subsequently, a group of four students from the department of chemistry were warned. "We have also deputed security guards at the hostels to ensure that ragging does not happen," deputy chief warden Vasuki Belavadi said.
Though the authorities were not willing to disclose the names of students who were involved in the act, posters on the campus have alleged that students' union president B Venkataramaiah and vice-president Kamakhya Singh were present at the place of ragging. When asked about the incident, Vekataramaiah claimed the allegations were aimed at demoralising him before the elections. He refused to comment further.
Many second year students hold interactive sessions with juniors. Such sessions, which are aimed at building a rapport between consecutive batches, do not end up in ragging, the authorities said. "We do not mind our seniors interacting with us or even throwing a little attitude. What we do mind is an insult or humiliation. Ragging at this level becomes some kind of sadism," said Narayana Swami, a first year student of M A (communication).
HCU dean (students welfare) G Umamaheshwara Rao said any complaint which reaches the notice of the authorities would be sent to the disciplinary committee and would be dealt seriously. A few ragging cases have been reported in the past few years. In 2005, freshers of the chemistry department were forced to stand in the rain by their seniors, while first year MCA students were left on the bank of Peacock lake on the campus.
However, HCU authorities maintained that they have not received any complaints from the 'victims'. "The victims might not be ready to complain because they are scared of the consequences. Hence, there should be some kind of anti-ragging cell," M Phil economics student, Nandita suggested.
Sania upset Hingis, enters QF at East West Bank Classic
LOS ANGELES, August 8: Sania Mirza's sensational form continued unabated as she upset seventh seed Marina Hingis to storm into the quarter-finals of the $600,000 East West Bank Classic tournament.
Sania beat the World number 12 Swiss 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 to enter the last eight at the Tier II hard court tournament.
Sania will play the winner of French Virginie Razzano and her good friend Shahar Peer of Israel in the quarter-finals.
The Hyderabadi achieved a career-best WTA ranking of 30 riding on the back of her sterling form at the US hardcourt for the past three weeks.
Sania's impressive build up to the US Open started with the Cincinnati Open where she reached the quarter-finals and followed it up with a final berth at Stanford and a semi-final appearance at Acura Classic last week.
Three top-20 players in Tatiana Golovin, Patty Schnyder, Dinara Safina bore the burnt of Sania's fury in last three weeks.
On Wednesday, it was the turn of former Wimbledon Champion Hingis.
With this win, Sania's record against Hingis stands 2-2, the last two having gone in the favour of the Indian.
Sania got off the blocks in a flash and broke Hingis twice to take the opener with ease.
A resurgent Hingis fought her way back and broke Sania twice and saved two break points to equalise.
However, Sania got her act together in the decider and held serve besides breaking Hingis once to seal the issue in the thrilling match that lasted a little over one and a half hour.
The Indian had earlier beaten the former world number in straight sets at a hard court event in Seoul last year.
In doubles, Sania has teamed up with American Bethanie Mattek and the duo will open its campaign against the Slovakian-Dutch pair of Janette Husarova and Michaella Krajicek.
Sania beat the World number 12 Swiss 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 to enter the last eight at the Tier II hard court tournament.
Sania will play the winner of French Virginie Razzano and her good friend Shahar Peer of Israel in the quarter-finals.
The Hyderabadi achieved a career-best WTA ranking of 30 riding on the back of her sterling form at the US hardcourt for the past three weeks.
Sania's impressive build up to the US Open started with the Cincinnati Open where she reached the quarter-finals and followed it up with a final berth at Stanford and a semi-final appearance at Acura Classic last week.
Three top-20 players in Tatiana Golovin, Patty Schnyder, Dinara Safina bore the burnt of Sania's fury in last three weeks.
On Wednesday, it was the turn of former Wimbledon Champion Hingis.
With this win, Sania's record against Hingis stands 2-2, the last two having gone in the favour of the Indian.
Sania got off the blocks in a flash and broke Hingis twice to take the opener with ease.
A resurgent Hingis fought her way back and broke Sania twice and saved two break points to equalise.
However, Sania got her act together in the decider and held serve besides breaking Hingis once to seal the issue in the thrilling match that lasted a little over one and a half hour.
The Indian had earlier beaten the former world number in straight sets at a hard court event in Seoul last year.
In doubles, Sania has teamed up with American Bethanie Mattek and the duo will open its campaign against the Slovakian-Dutch pair of Janette Husarova and Michaella Krajicek.
India writes to Pak on Dawood: Reports
NEW DELHI: The Indian High Commission in Pakistan has reportedly written to the Interpol in Islamabad seeking information on the whereabouts of underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.
According to Times Now , the latest development has come in the wake of stunning reports that one of India's most-wanted terrorists had been detained in Quetta by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, along with his aides Tiger Memon and Chhota Shakeel.
TV reports also stated that the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) are monitoring the numbers used by members of the Dawood gang.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) also wants the Pakistani government to verify reports of Dawood's alleged detention, reports added.
India is seeking the deportation of the dreaded gangster and some of his gang members on the ground that they are still Indian citizens.
Meanwhile, confusion still prevails over the whereabouts of the D-gang amid conflicting media reports. There were reports that the ISI had provided shelter to the man who has been eluding the Indian government for long, a contention vehemently denied by Islamabad.
The US has already asked Pakistan to hand over Dawood and his aides for their alleged links to Al-Qaida.
Dawood's brother Anees is already on the run. The first indications of the detention of Dawood and his cronies came when people working for them in Mumbai, Dubai and other places found their phones being answered by strange voices.
According to Times Now , the latest development has come in the wake of stunning reports that one of India's most-wanted terrorists had been detained in Quetta by the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) agency, along with his aides Tiger Memon and Chhota Shakeel.
TV reports also stated that the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) are monitoring the numbers used by members of the Dawood gang.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) also wants the Pakistani government to verify reports of Dawood's alleged detention, reports added.
India is seeking the deportation of the dreaded gangster and some of his gang members on the ground that they are still Indian citizens.
Meanwhile, confusion still prevails over the whereabouts of the D-gang amid conflicting media reports. There were reports that the ISI had provided shelter to the man who has been eluding the Indian government for long, a contention vehemently denied by Islamabad.
The US has already asked Pakistan to hand over Dawood and his aides for their alleged links to Al-Qaida.
Dawood's brother Anees is already on the run. The first indications of the detention of Dawood and his cronies came when people working for them in Mumbai, Dubai and other places found their phones being answered by strange voices.
SC refuses to vacate stay on OBC quota
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court's five-judge Constitution Bench on Wednesday refused to lift stay on the implementation of 27 per cent quota for OBCs in elite educational institutions.
"We are not going to pass any interim order," a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan said.
The Bench said it will hear the main petition to examine the Constitutional validity of the Centre Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act 2006.
Last week, a three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan had said that it would be proper to place the Centre's application seeking vacation of stay on OBC quota before the Constitution Bench, which would hear the PILs challenging the validity of laws permitting 27% OBC quota.
The main argument of the Centre in seeking vacation of stay after its first unsuccessful attempt was the apex court's order allowing Tamil Nadu to increase the seats in institutions to accommodate 69% reservation for backward classes. It had said CEIs (Reservation in Admissions) Act, 2006, envisaged the same situation - increase in the number of seats so that seats meant for general category were not reduced.
However, the government did not point out that the apex court allowed the 69% reservation to continue with increase in seats as the Tamil Nadu reservation law had been put in the ninth schedule, barring the apex court from scrutinising the legality of the legislation.
"We are not going to pass any interim order," a five-judge Constitution Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan said.
The Bench said it will hear the main petition to examine the Constitutional validity of the Centre Educational Institutions (Reservation in Admission) Act 2006.
Last week, a three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan had said that it would be proper to place the Centre's application seeking vacation of stay on OBC quota before the Constitution Bench, which would hear the PILs challenging the validity of laws permitting 27% OBC quota.
The main argument of the Centre in seeking vacation of stay after its first unsuccessful attempt was the apex court's order allowing Tamil Nadu to increase the seats in institutions to accommodate 69% reservation for backward classes. It had said CEIs (Reservation in Admissions) Act, 2006, envisaged the same situation - increase in the number of seats so that seats meant for general category were not reduced.
However, the government did not point out that the apex court allowed the 69% reservation to continue with increase in seats as the Tamil Nadu reservation law had been put in the ninth schedule, barring the apex court from scrutinising the legality of the legislation.
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Despite hype, Sania still a role model
Sania Mirza beat Monday blues to break into the top-30 in the world rankings. And ended a 20-year drought to become the first Indian, man or woman, to be in that slot after Ramesh Krishnan, who was ranked 23 in 1987.
As the 20-year-old climbed the rankings, she raised the hopes of a billion Indians who consider her India’s answer to Maria Sharapova – high on style, high on content. A deserving youth icon. But the youngster, much like Sachin Tendulkar and other sporting genius in the country, has inevitably found herself the topic of intense debate. Her yo-yoing on the world rankings, choking at big matches and her many endorsements have provided the fodder. The camera loves her, but does that make for good tennis?
On a TimesofIndia.com debate we asked whether the Hyderabad lass was all hype, little substance. The result was close. There is no place for complacency for India’s most high-profile tennis star as of the hundreds of readers that participated in the debate, a sobering 57% felt Sania was more hype, created by the media and endorsers.
But, 43 per cent is not an insignificant number. Sania has her loyalists and they are vociferous in their support. RG Natarajan from Kuwait , wrote in to say that whatever may be her shortcomings in her game Sania is one of the very few role models we have today in India for millions of young Indian girls and boys on whose shoulders the destiny of our country rests.
Shamsheer Ali, from San Francisco , in concurrence with Natarajan, feels that “Sania Mirza, undoubtedly, is a true icon of Indian tennis and sports. There is nothing wrong with her being famous. Certainly, she is a rare mix of talent and beauty. Her records and rankings say it all.
For Bangalore-based Rajaram , criticism against Sania is a clear no-no. “I want to ask the people who are critical of Sania: What are you people good at? Talking? Criticising? What else? These critics are all members of NATO - No Action Talk Only. Sania is where she is today by her own efforts as well as the efforts of her parents. The advertisers like her. So what? There are advertisers and sponsors for Maria Sharapova, Venus Williams etc. Sania is not yet world no.1 or 2 or 10 or 20 because she has her own restrictions - maybe physical, mental, cultural, racial, whatever. Don't criticise anyone if you cannot do better,” is what he strongly feels.
Rajaram is not alone in the Sania fan club. Harshal from Daman rubbishes the hype halo surrounding her. “No, she is not hyped. Hyped players cannot beat the world's best players 4-5 times, which she did in last month,” s/he goes on to emphasise.
R Venkat, from Santa Clara has this take on the budding tennis sensation: “Sania competing in the top 30-itself is a great achievement. Agreed she is not consistent, but at least she has the talent to be one of the 30 best women in world of Tennis. Media might have hyped her, but she doesn't deserve - "little substance". Shame on those who voted "Yes"” is his strong reaction.
Palani, from USA , gives her a thumbs-up over Team India and feels that she is doing million times better than the Indian cricket players. Agrees Savio Pinto from New Zealand Sania has put in a lot of hard work over the years to reach where she is today. We must give her all the encouragement she needs and not discouragement every time she doesn't produce results. At least she has reached somewhere where the Indian cricket hasn't reached with all the funding, huge salaries and sponsors they receive.
Pooja, from UK, is also on the same wavelength. Sania Mirza is the only female tennis player representing India on international platform. She is certainly an inspiration for the coming generation. Sania may not be among the top female tennis player but her every achievement is taken as a matter of pride by many Indians. I think it is absolutely wrong to criticise someone's hard work and talent. She is inspiring many young females in India and perhaps if she does not win any grand slam, I am sure the new players will one day.
However, there are many who aren’t too kicked about her stamina and perseverance and feel that she still has a long way to go before she comes of age. Arjun, from the USA , feels she needs to lose weight and add some muscle. She is too weak compared to Russian and American tennis players.
Suresh Babu from NYC, is appalled at the celebrity status accorded to her and feels that only “the crowd has made her a winner in her hometown and meagre luck brought her to the Australian open, and which increased her WTA rankings. Commenting on her serves, he terms her first and second serves as pathetic and feels that she still has not learnt how to run across the tennis court. WTA top ten ranking players always demolish her without any mercy. The latest one we had seen in Acura last week. She is no good for glad slam tournaments, may be useful in Tier 3. She should give up singles and focus on doubles” is his advice to her.
Akkaiah Choudhary from Assam, compares her to Team India and highlights the fact that like the Men In Blue, our girl is also a choker, ultimately. “She is inconsistent. She is exactly like the Indian cricket team. No predictable at all even against weaker opponents like India against Bangladesh. However, she is predictable when she plays tougher opponents as she goes down without a fight like India against Australia. Now the question is whether she has it in her to break into to the top ten and stay there for about say 3 months. Debadutta Singh from Bhubaneswar agrees and calls her the Tendulkar of tennis --absolutely useless when needed to perform.
Sania’s off-court don’t-give-a-damn attitude also doesn’t augur well with many. ”Flaunting your attitude on your tee shirts is different and carrying your attitude to your game and converting a losing game into a winning one is different,” Sachin from Bangalore has to say.
Kaadambari, from Tokyo agrees that “Sania is all hype and can in now way be compared to Maria Sharapova as the latter works hard unlike her. I wish Sania concentrates more on the game than being updated with latest fashion tips”.
Conservatives also seem to have a problem with her trendy fashion statement, including her much-talked about nose ring. Naushad from Dubai is of the view her pierced nose doesn’t really add to her game.
Although Ritesh from Delhi doesn’t have any problem with her nose rings or T-shirts, he feels that “she is an OHC (over-hyped creature). She has only one WTA title to her credit. She falters completely against Sharapovas, Williams, Hengis. She doesn’t have even a win to compare with upcoming stars like Ana Ivanovic and Anna Chakvetadze.
Ritesh further says that Sania always has an alibi to cover her defeats. Sometimes she says that her favourite is grass after she is defeated on clay and she shifts to hard court after tasting defeat on grass. She has a very poor record in grand slams as slams are a true test of a champion.
Ravi from Abu Dhabi , however feels that the media has a lot to blame for her choking status. Had the media not made her a demi-goddess, she might be doing a lot better and would have shown more consistency.
As the 20-year-old climbed the rankings, she raised the hopes of a billion Indians who consider her India’s answer to Maria Sharapova – high on style, high on content. A deserving youth icon. But the youngster, much like Sachin Tendulkar and other sporting genius in the country, has inevitably found herself the topic of intense debate. Her yo-yoing on the world rankings, choking at big matches and her many endorsements have provided the fodder. The camera loves her, but does that make for good tennis?
On a TimesofIndia.com debate we asked whether the Hyderabad lass was all hype, little substance. The result was close. There is no place for complacency for India’s most high-profile tennis star as of the hundreds of readers that participated in the debate, a sobering 57% felt Sania was more hype, created by the media and endorsers.
But, 43 per cent is not an insignificant number. Sania has her loyalists and they are vociferous in their support. RG Natarajan from Kuwait , wrote in to say that whatever may be her shortcomings in her game Sania is one of the very few role models we have today in India for millions of young Indian girls and boys on whose shoulders the destiny of our country rests.
Shamsheer Ali, from San Francisco , in concurrence with Natarajan, feels that “Sania Mirza, undoubtedly, is a true icon of Indian tennis and sports. There is nothing wrong with her being famous. Certainly, she is a rare mix of talent and beauty. Her records and rankings say it all.
For Bangalore-based Rajaram , criticism against Sania is a clear no-no. “I want to ask the people who are critical of Sania: What are you people good at? Talking? Criticising? What else? These critics are all members of NATO - No Action Talk Only. Sania is where she is today by her own efforts as well as the efforts of her parents. The advertisers like her. So what? There are advertisers and sponsors for Maria Sharapova, Venus Williams etc. Sania is not yet world no.1 or 2 or 10 or 20 because she has her own restrictions - maybe physical, mental, cultural, racial, whatever. Don't criticise anyone if you cannot do better,” is what he strongly feels.
Rajaram is not alone in the Sania fan club. Harshal from Daman rubbishes the hype halo surrounding her. “No, she is not hyped. Hyped players cannot beat the world's best players 4-5 times, which she did in last month,” s/he goes on to emphasise.
R Venkat, from Santa Clara has this take on the budding tennis sensation: “Sania competing in the top 30-itself is a great achievement. Agreed she is not consistent, but at least she has the talent to be one of the 30 best women in world of Tennis. Media might have hyped her, but she doesn't deserve - "little substance". Shame on those who voted "Yes"” is his strong reaction.
Palani, from USA , gives her a thumbs-up over Team India and feels that she is doing million times better than the Indian cricket players. Agrees Savio Pinto from New Zealand Sania has put in a lot of hard work over the years to reach where she is today. We must give her all the encouragement she needs and not discouragement every time she doesn't produce results. At least she has reached somewhere where the Indian cricket hasn't reached with all the funding, huge salaries and sponsors they receive.
Pooja, from UK, is also on the same wavelength. Sania Mirza is the only female tennis player representing India on international platform. She is certainly an inspiration for the coming generation. Sania may not be among the top female tennis player but her every achievement is taken as a matter of pride by many Indians. I think it is absolutely wrong to criticise someone's hard work and talent. She is inspiring many young females in India and perhaps if she does not win any grand slam, I am sure the new players will one day.
However, there are many who aren’t too kicked about her stamina and perseverance and feel that she still has a long way to go before she comes of age. Arjun, from the USA , feels she needs to lose weight and add some muscle. She is too weak compared to Russian and American tennis players.
Suresh Babu from NYC, is appalled at the celebrity status accorded to her and feels that only “the crowd has made her a winner in her hometown and meagre luck brought her to the Australian open, and which increased her WTA rankings. Commenting on her serves, he terms her first and second serves as pathetic and feels that she still has not learnt how to run across the tennis court. WTA top ten ranking players always demolish her without any mercy. The latest one we had seen in Acura last week. She is no good for glad slam tournaments, may be useful in Tier 3. She should give up singles and focus on doubles” is his advice to her.
Akkaiah Choudhary from Assam, compares her to Team India and highlights the fact that like the Men In Blue, our girl is also a choker, ultimately. “She is inconsistent. She is exactly like the Indian cricket team. No predictable at all even against weaker opponents like India against Bangladesh. However, she is predictable when she plays tougher opponents as she goes down without a fight like India against Australia. Now the question is whether she has it in her to break into to the top ten and stay there for about say 3 months. Debadutta Singh from Bhubaneswar agrees and calls her the Tendulkar of tennis --absolutely useless when needed to perform.
Sania’s off-court don’t-give-a-damn attitude also doesn’t augur well with many. ”Flaunting your attitude on your tee shirts is different and carrying your attitude to your game and converting a losing game into a winning one is different,” Sachin from Bangalore has to say.
Kaadambari, from Tokyo agrees that “Sania is all hype and can in now way be compared to Maria Sharapova as the latter works hard unlike her. I wish Sania concentrates more on the game than being updated with latest fashion tips”.
Conservatives also seem to have a problem with her trendy fashion statement, including her much-talked about nose ring. Naushad from Dubai is of the view her pierced nose doesn’t really add to her game.
Although Ritesh from Delhi doesn’t have any problem with her nose rings or T-shirts, he feels that “she is an OHC (over-hyped creature). She has only one WTA title to her credit. She falters completely against Sharapovas, Williams, Hengis. She doesn’t have even a win to compare with upcoming stars like Ana Ivanovic and Anna Chakvetadze.
Ritesh further says that Sania always has an alibi to cover her defeats. Sometimes she says that her favourite is grass after she is defeated on clay and she shifts to hard court after tasting defeat on grass. She has a very poor record in grand slams as slams are a true test of a champion.
Ravi from Abu Dhabi , however feels that the media has a lot to blame for her choking status. Had the media not made her a demi-goddess, she might be doing a lot better and would have shown more consistency.
BCCI is scared of ICL, says Bedi
NEW DELHI, August 7: The BCCI's opposition to the rebel Indian Cricket League (ICL) is grounded in its fear of being exposed as an inefficient organisation, feels legendary spinner Bishan Singh Bedi.
"The BCCI cannot ban players for playing in the league. Suppose you are working for a company and join another after some time, your former employers cannot stop you from earning your livelihood. That's illegal," Bedi said on the sidelines of a book release function here last night.
"Cricket is not their personal property and they have no right to stop anybody from joining this league. Actually the board is scared that if the ICL turns out to be a well organised event, then their own failures would be exposed," he added.
The rebel series, scheduled in October, has invited the ire of the BCCI which has threatened to ban players who align with the ICL from representing the country.
Bedi felt though the ICL organisers are only trying to mint money out of the country's obsession with cricket, players cannot be barred from being a part of the league.
"I don't think it is something on the lines of Kerry Packer series, so there should not be any objection in the first place. I don't know whether this league would be good for the game in the long run but there is no harm in allowing it to take place," he said.
Bedi also came out in support of National Cricket Academy chairman Kapil Dev, who has been threatened with a sack for joining the league.
"I don't think it would be appropriate to take away his job on this ground," he said.
The former captain, however, made it clear that he would not become a part of ICL in any capacity as the league was a money-making exercise.
"I will not join ICL for the simple reason that I don't think I would be able to fit into this bunch of vultures," he remarked.
Speaking on recent incidents like the jelly bean controversy and pacer S Sreesanth's antics in the second Test against England, Bedi said the menace had become rampant and Indians were "no lambs" when it came to having a go at the opponents.
"Cricketers may be perceived as demi-gods but let me assure you, most of them are pretty daft at sledging. The Indians are no lambs," he said.
Drawing comparisons with the on-field behaviour of cricketers during his playing days, Bedi said wit instead of obscenities was used to unsettle the opposition.
"We were never sledged by obscenities," he said.
A part of the legendary Indian spin quartet, Bedi attacked the BCCI for looking for a foreigner to coach the national team.
"The BCCI is telling us that no Indian is fit to become our team's coach and that is why it is looking for a foreigner. Such a statement from the board shows lack of self esteem. I wonder where their self respect is," he said.
"They would once again bring in a foreigner and that fellow would also show us the finger like (former coach) Greg Chappell did. We'll soon complete 60 years of our independence but let me tell you, we are still slaves of the white skin," he quipped.
He criticised Indian skipper Rahul Dravid for trying to cover up for Chappell after the Australian's obscene finger gesture to Kolkata fans last year.
"Chappell was being booed rightly on that occasion. When I asked Rahul about the entire episode, he said Chappell was only showing an injured finger. I told him 'don't defend an act which was an insult to the entire nation'," Bedi recalled.
"The BCCI cannot ban players for playing in the league. Suppose you are working for a company and join another after some time, your former employers cannot stop you from earning your livelihood. That's illegal," Bedi said on the sidelines of a book release function here last night.
"Cricket is not their personal property and they have no right to stop anybody from joining this league. Actually the board is scared that if the ICL turns out to be a well organised event, then their own failures would be exposed," he added.
The rebel series, scheduled in October, has invited the ire of the BCCI which has threatened to ban players who align with the ICL from representing the country.
Bedi felt though the ICL organisers are only trying to mint money out of the country's obsession with cricket, players cannot be barred from being a part of the league.
"I don't think it is something on the lines of Kerry Packer series, so there should not be any objection in the first place. I don't know whether this league would be good for the game in the long run but there is no harm in allowing it to take place," he said.
Bedi also came out in support of National Cricket Academy chairman Kapil Dev, who has been threatened with a sack for joining the league.
"I don't think it would be appropriate to take away his job on this ground," he said.
The former captain, however, made it clear that he would not become a part of ICL in any capacity as the league was a money-making exercise.
"I will not join ICL for the simple reason that I don't think I would be able to fit into this bunch of vultures," he remarked.
Speaking on recent incidents like the jelly bean controversy and pacer S Sreesanth's antics in the second Test against England, Bedi said the menace had become rampant and Indians were "no lambs" when it came to having a go at the opponents.
"Cricketers may be perceived as demi-gods but let me assure you, most of them are pretty daft at sledging. The Indians are no lambs," he said.
Drawing comparisons with the on-field behaviour of cricketers during his playing days, Bedi said wit instead of obscenities was used to unsettle the opposition.
"We were never sledged by obscenities," he said.
A part of the legendary Indian spin quartet, Bedi attacked the BCCI for looking for a foreigner to coach the national team.
"The BCCI is telling us that no Indian is fit to become our team's coach and that is why it is looking for a foreigner. Such a statement from the board shows lack of self esteem. I wonder where their self respect is," he said.
"They would once again bring in a foreigner and that fellow would also show us the finger like (former coach) Greg Chappell did. We'll soon complete 60 years of our independence but let me tell you, we are still slaves of the white skin," he quipped.
He criticised Indian skipper Rahul Dravid for trying to cover up for Chappell after the Australian's obscene finger gesture to Kolkata fans last year.
"Chappell was being booed rightly on that occasion. When I asked Rahul about the entire episode, he said Chappell was only showing an injured finger. I told him 'don't defend an act which was an insult to the entire nation'," Bedi recalled.
Twenty20: Dhoni to lead, Sehwag included
NEW DELHI, August 7: Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been named captain of the Indian squad for next month's inaugural Twenty20 World Championships in South Africa after the selectors meeting in Mumbai on Tuesday.
Aggressive opener Virender Sehwag, left-arm seamer Irfan Pathan and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who were axed for the ongoing tour of England, have also been included in the squad.
India, who initially opposed the game's new format that has proved popular with audiences worldwide, have played just one Twenty20 international so far against South Africa in Johannesburg last December.
The Indians won that game by a flattering six-wicket margin, chasing down South Africa's 126-9 with one delivery to spare.
The 12-nation world championships will be played in three South African cities, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, from September 11-24.
India are drawn with Pakistan and Scotland in Group D of the preliminary league, with the top two advancing to the Super Eights round.
The tournament features nine nations currently playing Test cricket along with Zimbabwe, Kenya and Scotland.
The selectors also announced a 15-member squad for the seven-match ODI series in England.
Squads
Twenty20: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Ajit Agarkar, Dinesh Karthik, Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa, Joginder Sharma, Yusuf Pathan, Piyush Chawla, Sreesanth, Irfan Pathan, RP Singh, Rohit Sharma.
One-day: Rahul Dravid (capt), Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Yuvraj Singh, Ramesh Powar, Dinesh Karthik, Zaheer Khan, RP Singh, Munaf Patel, Robin Uthappa, Rohit Sharma, Piyush Chawla, Gautam Gambhir, Ajit Agarkar.
Aggressive opener Virender Sehwag, left-arm seamer Irfan Pathan and off-spinner Harbhajan Singh, who were axed for the ongoing tour of England, have also been included in the squad.
India, who initially opposed the game's new format that has proved popular with audiences worldwide, have played just one Twenty20 international so far against South Africa in Johannesburg last December.
The Indians won that game by a flattering six-wicket margin, chasing down South Africa's 126-9 with one delivery to spare.
The 12-nation world championships will be played in three South African cities, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban, from September 11-24.
India are drawn with Pakistan and Scotland in Group D of the preliminary league, with the top two advancing to the Super Eights round.
The tournament features nine nations currently playing Test cricket along with Zimbabwe, Kenya and Scotland.
The selectors also announced a 15-member squad for the seven-match ODI series in England.
Squads
Twenty20: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (capt), Yuvraj Singh, Virender Sehwag, Harbhajan Singh, Ajit Agarkar, Dinesh Karthik, Gautam Gambhir, Robin Uthappa, Joginder Sharma, Yusuf Pathan, Piyush Chawla, Sreesanth, Irfan Pathan, RP Singh, Rohit Sharma.
One-day: Rahul Dravid (capt), Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, Yuvraj Singh, Ramesh Powar, Dinesh Karthik, Zaheer Khan, RP Singh, Munaf Patel, Robin Uthappa, Rohit Sharma, Piyush Chawla, Gautam Gambhir, Ajit Agarkar.
Conflicting reports on Dawood Ibrahim
NEW DELHI/KARACHI: Conflicting reports on the detention of global terrorist Dawood Ibrahim in Pakistan kept rumour mills busy on Tuesday but security agencies in both India and across the border expressed surprise over the claims.
Some reports claimed that Dawood, wanted in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case, had been wounded in a shootout in Karachi while others said that the underworld don had been detained in Quetta along with his aides Tiger Memon and Chhota Shakeel.
No security official or hospital in Karachi had any inkling of any shootout involving Dawood, who was designated as a global terrorist by the US recently.
"Is he in Karachi," asked a top security official in Karachi, who dismissed the reports as "rumours".
No official was willing to say anything on record. Another official in Karachi pointed out that with President Pervez Musharraf being in town, it was hard to believe that a shootout had taken place at a four-star hotel in the port city's busiest areas.
Pakistan's former Test cricket captain Javed Miandad, whose son is married to Dawood's daughter, refused to comment on the reports.
India has been claiming that Pakistan's ISI has provided shelter to don, a contention vehemently denied by Islamabad.
Unlike Indian television channels, no Pakistani channel had any story about Dawood being detained or wounded.
Indian security agencies said they were verifying the reports regarding Dawood and there was no credible information with them to suggest that he has been taken into custody.
The US has already asked Pakistan to hand over Dawood and his aides for their alleged links to Al-Qaida.
Some reports claimed that Dawood, wanted in the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts case, had been wounded in a shootout in Karachi while others said that the underworld don had been detained in Quetta along with his aides Tiger Memon and Chhota Shakeel.
No security official or hospital in Karachi had any inkling of any shootout involving Dawood, who was designated as a global terrorist by the US recently.
"Is he in Karachi," asked a top security official in Karachi, who dismissed the reports as "rumours".
No official was willing to say anything on record. Another official in Karachi pointed out that with President Pervez Musharraf being in town, it was hard to believe that a shootout had taken place at a four-star hotel in the port city's busiest areas.
Pakistan's former Test cricket captain Javed Miandad, whose son is married to Dawood's daughter, refused to comment on the reports.
India has been claiming that Pakistan's ISI has provided shelter to don, a contention vehemently denied by Islamabad.
Unlike Indian television channels, no Pakistani channel had any story about Dawood being detained or wounded.
Indian security agencies said they were verifying the reports regarding Dawood and there was no credible information with them to suggest that he has been taken into custody.
The US has already asked Pakistan to hand over Dawood and his aides for their alleged links to Al-Qaida.
Monday, August 6, 2007
Sanjay's Tada acquittal under lens
MUMBAI: Sanjay Dutt's friends, family and fans might be terming his six-year jail sentence as too harsh, but some legal experts have started questioning his acquittal under Tada in the first place.
The criticism, this time, is not based solely on the disparity that while other accused in a similar case were convicted under Tada, Dutt was let off. Criminal lawyer KTS Tulsi, who opposed Dutt's bail plea in the Supreme Court in 1994, said the very reasons given by judge P D Kode to deny the probation plea filed by the actor were enough to find him guilty under Tada. According to Tulsi, the judge had himself said Dutt was found in possession of an AK-56 rifle, an assault weapon capable of mass destruction. Moreover, he had also noted Dutt's past association with underworld characters such as Dawood Ibrahim and Anees Ibrahim. These should have been considered sufficient to nail Dutt under Tada, Tulsi added.
Former IPS officer and lawyer Y P Singh voiced similar views. "In 1994, a five-judge SC bench had said if a person was found in possession of a deadly weapon like AK-56 in a notified area, then the presumption was that it was meant for a terrorist act," said Singh.
In that year, Dutt filed several bail applications in the apex court which were all repeatedly turned down. Finally, the case went to a bench of five judges presided over by Justice A M Ahmadi. All the judges concurred with the judgment of Justice J S Verma, which upheld the charge under Section 5 of Tada against Dutt. The SC noted that Dutt himself had confessed in his then unretracted confession that he had obtained three AK-56 rifles and returned two of them after a few days, while keeping one for self-defence.
The SC also noted the charge against Dutt of procuring, in addition to three AK-56 rifles, 25 hand grenades and one 9 mm pistol from Anees Ibrahim Kaskar through Sameer Ahmad Hingora, Hanif Kadawala, Baba Ibrahim Musa Chauhan and Abu Salem. The apex court held that the mere act of conscious possession of an unauthorised weapon in a notified area was sufficient for a conviction under Tada. The prosecution was not required to prove that the weapon was meant to be used for a terrorist purpose. "From that order it seems that the SC may not take such a lenient view of Dutt and may even enhance his punishment, holding him guilty under Tada," said Singh. "The apex court will have to appreciate the evidence again and decide whether acquittal under Tada was justified or not," said special public prosecutor Rohini Salian. Criminal lawyer Majeed Memon, however, differed. He said any order passed by a judge was according to his subjective satisfaction and that in Dutt's case Judge Kode said while his offence was serious enough to deny probation, it was not an act fit for the terrorist tag.
The criticism, this time, is not based solely on the disparity that while other accused in a similar case were convicted under Tada, Dutt was let off. Criminal lawyer KTS Tulsi, who opposed Dutt's bail plea in the Supreme Court in 1994, said the very reasons given by judge P D Kode to deny the probation plea filed by the actor were enough to find him guilty under Tada. According to Tulsi, the judge had himself said Dutt was found in possession of an AK-56 rifle, an assault weapon capable of mass destruction. Moreover, he had also noted Dutt's past association with underworld characters such as Dawood Ibrahim and Anees Ibrahim. These should have been considered sufficient to nail Dutt under Tada, Tulsi added.
Former IPS officer and lawyer Y P Singh voiced similar views. "In 1994, a five-judge SC bench had said if a person was found in possession of a deadly weapon like AK-56 in a notified area, then the presumption was that it was meant for a terrorist act," said Singh.
In that year, Dutt filed several bail applications in the apex court which were all repeatedly turned down. Finally, the case went to a bench of five judges presided over by Justice A M Ahmadi. All the judges concurred with the judgment of Justice J S Verma, which upheld the charge under Section 5 of Tada against Dutt. The SC noted that Dutt himself had confessed in his then unretracted confession that he had obtained three AK-56 rifles and returned two of them after a few days, while keeping one for self-defence.
The SC also noted the charge against Dutt of procuring, in addition to three AK-56 rifles, 25 hand grenades and one 9 mm pistol from Anees Ibrahim Kaskar through Sameer Ahmad Hingora, Hanif Kadawala, Baba Ibrahim Musa Chauhan and Abu Salem. The apex court held that the mere act of conscious possession of an unauthorised weapon in a notified area was sufficient for a conviction under Tada. The prosecution was not required to prove that the weapon was meant to be used for a terrorist purpose. "From that order it seems that the SC may not take such a lenient view of Dutt and may even enhance his punishment, holding him guilty under Tada," said Singh. "The apex court will have to appreciate the evidence again and decide whether acquittal under Tada was justified or not," said special public prosecutor Rohini Salian. Criminal lawyer Majeed Memon, however, differed. He said any order passed by a judge was according to his subjective satisfaction and that in Dutt's case Judge Kode said while his offence was serious enough to deny probation, it was not an act fit for the terrorist tag.
अलकायदा के वीडियो में भारत को धमकी
दुबई। अलकायदा ने अपने ताजा वीडियो में रविवार को चेतावनी दी कि भारत और अमेरिका के राजनयिक मिशन उसके निशाने पर हैं।
अल कायदा की इकाई अस सहाब की ओर से जारी टेप में कहा गया कि तेल अवीव, मास्को और दिल्ली हमारे उचित लक्ष्य हैं। वीडियो में भारत पर आरोप लगाया गया है कि उसने अमेरिका की मदद से जम्मू-कश्मीर में एक लाख मुसलमानों को मार डाला। वीडियो में तेल से मालामाल अरब देशों में स्थित अमेरिकी दूतावासों को भी निशाना बनाए जाने का संकेत दिया गया है।
वीडियो में अमेरिका से कहा गया है कि अगर तुम हमारी मांगों के आगे नहीं झुकते हो तो उन जासूसी अड्डों और सैनिक ठिकानों को निशाना बनाना जारी रखा जाएगा जिनके जरिए तुमने अफगानिस्तान व इराक पर हमला किया। जिनके जरिए तुम सैनिक साजोसामान और अन्य तरह की मदद पाते हो व बहादुर मुसलमानों को निशाना बनाते हो। वीडियो में कहा गया है कि अपना अभियान बंद करो और मुसलमानों को अकेला छोड़ दो।
अल कायदा की इकाई अस सहाब की ओर से जारी टेप में कहा गया कि तेल अवीव, मास्को और दिल्ली हमारे उचित लक्ष्य हैं। वीडियो में भारत पर आरोप लगाया गया है कि उसने अमेरिका की मदद से जम्मू-कश्मीर में एक लाख मुसलमानों को मार डाला। वीडियो में तेल से मालामाल अरब देशों में स्थित अमेरिकी दूतावासों को भी निशाना बनाए जाने का संकेत दिया गया है।
वीडियो में अमेरिका से कहा गया है कि अगर तुम हमारी मांगों के आगे नहीं झुकते हो तो उन जासूसी अड्डों और सैनिक ठिकानों को निशाना बनाना जारी रखा जाएगा जिनके जरिए तुमने अफगानिस्तान व इराक पर हमला किया। जिनके जरिए तुम सैनिक साजोसामान और अन्य तरह की मदद पाते हो व बहादुर मुसलमानों को निशाना बनाते हो। वीडियो में कहा गया है कि अपना अभियान बंद करो और मुसलमानों को अकेला छोड़ दो।
चिंकारा मामला: सलमान कोर्ट में पेश
जोधपुर। चिंकारा शिकार मामले में सजा के विरुद्ध की गई अपील पर सुनवाई के लिए बालीवुड कलाकार सलमान खान जोधपुर जिला एवं सत्र न्यायालय में पेश हुए।
सिने अभिनेता कई बार अदालत में उपस्थित होने में असफल रहे हैं। अदालत ने इस पर संज्ञान लेते हुए सलमान को आदेश दिया था कि वह आज अदालत में उपस्थित हों।
चिंकारा शिकार के एक अन्य मामले में शस्त्र अधिनियम के तहत वह मुख्य न्यायिक दंडाधिकारी की अदालत में उपस्थित होंगे। मुख्य न्यायिक दंडाधिकारी ब्रिजेंद्र कुमार जैन ने पिछले साल दस अप्रैल को इस मामले में दोषी ठहराते हुए सलमान को पांच साल कैद की सजा सुनाई थी। अदालत ने इसके अलावा उन पर 25 हजार रुपये का जुर्माना भी लगाया था। इस फैसले के खिलाफ अभिनेता ने अपील की थी। चिंकारा जंगली जानवर सुरक्षा अधिनियम के तहत संरक्षित प्राणी है।
सिने अभिनेता कई बार अदालत में उपस्थित होने में असफल रहे हैं। अदालत ने इस पर संज्ञान लेते हुए सलमान को आदेश दिया था कि वह आज अदालत में उपस्थित हों।
चिंकारा शिकार के एक अन्य मामले में शस्त्र अधिनियम के तहत वह मुख्य न्यायिक दंडाधिकारी की अदालत में उपस्थित होंगे। मुख्य न्यायिक दंडाधिकारी ब्रिजेंद्र कुमार जैन ने पिछले साल दस अप्रैल को इस मामले में दोषी ठहराते हुए सलमान को पांच साल कैद की सजा सुनाई थी। अदालत ने इसके अलावा उन पर 25 हजार रुपये का जुर्माना भी लगाया था। इस फैसले के खिलाफ अभिनेता ने अपील की थी। चिंकारा जंगली जानवर सुरक्षा अधिनियम के तहत संरक्षित प्राणी है।
Gandhi items a hit on Internet
NEW DELHI: Having realised the commercial value of Gandhi memorabilia after the recent storm raised by a London auction house putting Mahatma's letter under hammer, a number of Gandhi items have found their way on Internet auction sites.
eBay, an Internet auction site has hordes of Mahatma Gandhi memorabilia up on sale. Be it the postcard with Gandhi's pictures on it selling for minimum Rs 10 to leather watch with Gandhi's face embossed on the dial selling for a whooping Rs 2 lakh, a buyer can choose anything depending on his interest and his purchasing power.
Soon after Gandhi's assassination, Gandhi topi (cap) had become a craze for many Indians but lately, T shirts with Gandhi's picture printed on them to even coffee mugs with Gandhi's slogan has become popular.
So you have people selling everything from stamps to some really funny pictures of Gandhi's like him grinning while being escorted by two detectives in Folkestone are now receiving a number of queries from potential buyers. Even Rs two note bearing Gandhi's pictures are now being sold for 100 times and more than its original value.
"Gandhi memorabilia have now become popular. I had bought 3000 sets of 1969 Gandhi stamps which are no longer available in India. I have now sold most of them online," says Amit Chowdhury, Stampex, a Kolkata based group selling old stamps on Internet.
"The demand for Gandhi stamps come from a number of other countries too and not just India," he adds. Chowdhury says that it is not just the stamps which are in demand online but also folders and articles related to Gandhi.
Up on sale is also a postcard with former US President, Abraham Lincoln and Mahatma Gandhi sourced from a philately exhibition in US Hyderabad which the seller claims is original. Even the ordinary sheet of postal stamps with Gandhi's picture on them is selling for much higher than the market price.
Besides, them one also has rare stamps with Gandhi's picture on sale.
eBay, an Internet auction site has hordes of Mahatma Gandhi memorabilia up on sale. Be it the postcard with Gandhi's pictures on it selling for minimum Rs 10 to leather watch with Gandhi's face embossed on the dial selling for a whooping Rs 2 lakh, a buyer can choose anything depending on his interest and his purchasing power.
Soon after Gandhi's assassination, Gandhi topi (cap) had become a craze for many Indians but lately, T shirts with Gandhi's picture printed on them to even coffee mugs with Gandhi's slogan has become popular.
So you have people selling everything from stamps to some really funny pictures of Gandhi's like him grinning while being escorted by two detectives in Folkestone are now receiving a number of queries from potential buyers. Even Rs two note bearing Gandhi's pictures are now being sold for 100 times and more than its original value.
"Gandhi memorabilia have now become popular. I had bought 3000 sets of 1969 Gandhi stamps which are no longer available in India. I have now sold most of them online," says Amit Chowdhury, Stampex, a Kolkata based group selling old stamps on Internet.
"The demand for Gandhi stamps come from a number of other countries too and not just India," he adds. Chowdhury says that it is not just the stamps which are in demand online but also folders and articles related to Gandhi.
Up on sale is also a postcard with former US President, Abraham Lincoln and Mahatma Gandhi sourced from a philately exhibition in US Hyderabad which the seller claims is original. Even the ordinary sheet of postal stamps with Gandhi's picture on them is selling for much higher than the market price.
Besides, them one also has rare stamps with Gandhi's picture on sale.
Sania breaks into top-30
NEW DELHI, August 6: Sania Mirza added another milestone to her growing list of records by breaking into top-30 in world rankings on Monday, thanks to her amazing run in recent weeks on the US hard courts.
The 20-year-old Indian made it to the quarter-finals at the $1.3-million Acura Classic women's tennis event in San Diego last week, which enabled her to move up one place to 30th on the latest WTA Tour ranking list.
The Hyderabadi girl lost in straight sets to eventual winner and world no. 2 Maria Sharapova, but the performance fetched her 110 points, which improved on her career-best ranking.
Also making a splash was Rohan Bopanna who became the first Indian male player since Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi to break into the top-100 in doubles rankings.
Sania becomes the first Indian, man or woman, to be in the top-30 after Ramesh Krishnan who was ranked 23 in 1987.
Sania, whose career earnings now stand at $827,476, also retained her doubles ranking of 26 despite a first round loss at San Diego.
Live it up like Sania
"It will be more of a personal achievement if I break into the top-30," Sania had said last week.
"As long as I keep improving and play good tennis, I feel that in the long run, the rankings will take care of themselves."
She was entered in the main draw of the $600,000 East West Bank Classic at Los Angeles this week, and faces a qualifier in the first round.
Sania, placed in the second quarter of the 64-size draw, has the prospects of clashing with former world no. 1 Martina Hingis, seeded seventh for the week.
Sharapova, top seed, was also in the same half of the draw that also featured number 9, Nadia Petrova.
Bopanna, who won a third successive title in Spain with Pakistan's Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi on Sunday, jumped nine places to be ranked 92 in ATP doubles individual rankings.
Bopanna and Qureshi added the title at $125,000 ATP Challenger event in Segovia, Spain, to their triumphs at Manchester and Nottingham on grass on the previous weeks.
"We are combining well and are definitely planning to play much more together, especially ATP Tour events," Bopanna said.
For the 27-year-old Indian, it was his fourth title of the season, having won in Dublin, Ireland, with Austrian Adam Feeney on indoor carpet early last month.
Bopanna, however, dropped seven places in singles to be 222 but was still the highest ranked Indian.
Prakash Amritraj at 268, a slip of six rungs, and Karan Rastogi at 340 were the next best Indians.
American-Indian Sunitha Rao leaped 25 places to 218 while Shikha Uberoi (33), Rushmi Chakravarthi (384), Tara Iyer (410), Isha Lakhani (442) and Ankita Bhambri (496) were the other Indian women in the top-500.
The 20-year-old Indian made it to the quarter-finals at the $1.3-million Acura Classic women's tennis event in San Diego last week, which enabled her to move up one place to 30th on the latest WTA Tour ranking list.
The Hyderabadi girl lost in straight sets to eventual winner and world no. 2 Maria Sharapova, but the performance fetched her 110 points, which improved on her career-best ranking.
Also making a splash was Rohan Bopanna who became the first Indian male player since Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi to break into the top-100 in doubles rankings.
Sania becomes the first Indian, man or woman, to be in the top-30 after Ramesh Krishnan who was ranked 23 in 1987.
Sania, whose career earnings now stand at $827,476, also retained her doubles ranking of 26 despite a first round loss at San Diego.
Live it up like Sania
"It will be more of a personal achievement if I break into the top-30," Sania had said last week.
"As long as I keep improving and play good tennis, I feel that in the long run, the rankings will take care of themselves."
She was entered in the main draw of the $600,000 East West Bank Classic at Los Angeles this week, and faces a qualifier in the first round.
Sania, placed in the second quarter of the 64-size draw, has the prospects of clashing with former world no. 1 Martina Hingis, seeded seventh for the week.
Sharapova, top seed, was also in the same half of the draw that also featured number 9, Nadia Petrova.
Bopanna, who won a third successive title in Spain with Pakistan's Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshi on Sunday, jumped nine places to be ranked 92 in ATP doubles individual rankings.
Bopanna and Qureshi added the title at $125,000 ATP Challenger event in Segovia, Spain, to their triumphs at Manchester and Nottingham on grass on the previous weeks.
"We are combining well and are definitely planning to play much more together, especially ATP Tour events," Bopanna said.
For the 27-year-old Indian, it was his fourth title of the season, having won in Dublin, Ireland, with Austrian Adam Feeney on indoor carpet early last month.
Bopanna, however, dropped seven places in singles to be 222 but was still the highest ranked Indian.
Prakash Amritraj at 268, a slip of six rungs, and Karan Rastogi at 340 were the next best Indians.
American-Indian Sunitha Rao leaped 25 places to 218 while Shikha Uberoi (33), Rushmi Chakravarthi (384), Tara Iyer (410), Isha Lakhani (442) and Ankita Bhambri (496) were the other Indian women in the top-500.
Poaching case: Salman appears before Jodhpur court
ODHPUR: Bollywood actor Salman Khan on Monday appeared before a court, which is hearing his appeal against conviction in the black buck poaching case.
Salman, who arrived in the city on Sunday evening, presented himself before the District and Sessions Judge of Jodhpur for the hearing of the case.
The actor had failed to appear before the court several times in the past. Taking serious note of it, the court had directed him to make a personal appearance before it on Monday.
He will also present himself before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate for the hearing in another poaching case and a case under the Arms Act.
Chief Judicial Magistrate Brijendra Kumar Jain had on April 10 last year convicted Khan in the poaching case and sentenced him to five years imprisonment.
The court had also imposed a fine of Rs. 25,000 on him. The actor has filed the appeal against the verdict.
The case relates to the poaching of blackbucks at Ujiyala Bhakhar near Ghoda Farm on September 28, 1998. Chinkara is a protected animal under the Wild Life Protection Act.
Salman has also been sentenced to one-year imprisonment in another poaching case of Bhawad and has filed an appeal against that decision also.
The Rajasthan government has also filed an appeal for the enhancement of the sentence and that appeal is pending before the Rajasthan High Court.
Actors Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam are co-accused in the poaching case in Kankani.
Salman, who arrived in the city on Sunday evening, presented himself before the District and Sessions Judge of Jodhpur for the hearing of the case.
The actor had failed to appear before the court several times in the past. Taking serious note of it, the court had directed him to make a personal appearance before it on Monday.
He will also present himself before the court of Chief Judicial Magistrate for the hearing in another poaching case and a case under the Arms Act.
Chief Judicial Magistrate Brijendra Kumar Jain had on April 10 last year convicted Khan in the poaching case and sentenced him to five years imprisonment.
The court had also imposed a fine of Rs. 25,000 on him. The actor has filed the appeal against the verdict.
The case relates to the poaching of blackbucks at Ujiyala Bhakhar near Ghoda Farm on September 28, 1998. Chinkara is a protected animal under the Wild Life Protection Act.
Salman has also been sentenced to one-year imprisonment in another poaching case of Bhawad and has filed an appeal against that decision also.
The Rajasthan government has also filed an appeal for the enhancement of the sentence and that appeal is pending before the Rajasthan High Court.
Actors Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam are co-accused in the poaching case in Kankani.
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