2100 HRS.                                

13-02-2013

THE HEADLINES:

• Government extends time line for sale of FCI wheat to bulk consumers till March end to ease storage crunch; Also approves amendment bill on implementation of Indo Bangla land boundary agreement.
• India in touch with Maldives Government to resolve the crisis over the issuance of arrest warrant against former President Mohammed Nasheed.
• All arrangements complete in Tripura for the Assembly polls tomorrow.
• Indian Coast Guard arrests 7 Pakistani Fishermen from the Arabian Seaoff the Gujarat Coast.
• Australia to meet the West Indies in the final of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup.

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The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs-CCEA today approved a proposal to extend timeline for sale of wheat under open market sale scheme by Food Corporation of India to bulk consumers till March-end. The decision was taken at the CCEA meeting chaired by the Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh in New Delhithis evening. Highly placed sources said, the decision will help ease the storage crunch, the FCI is facing.

The Cabinet also approved a Constitutional Amendment Bill to facilitate the implementation of the India-Bangladesh boundary agreement signed in 2011. Official sources said that the Cabinet gave its nod to the draft of the Constitutional Bill to amend the India-Bangladesh Land Boundary Agreement, 1974. Additional protocols for 1974 Land Boundary Agreement, signed during Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's visit to Dhaka in September 2011, require a constitutional amendment for ratification. The protocols involve exchange of land in 111 Indian enclaves inBangladesh and 51 Bangladeshi enclaves on Indian soil. The Bill is expected to be tabled in the coming Budget session of Parliament for its approval. The Cabinet approved the draft of Presidential address to joint session of Parliament beginning from 21st of this month.

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Former Maldives President Mohammed Nasheed today sought refuge in the Indian High Commission in Male to evade arrest by the local police. Issuing a statement,India has said that it was in touch with Maldivian authorities to resolve the issue. Nasheed sought shelter after an arrest warrant was issued against him for not attending a court hearing in connection with a case regarding detention of a judge during his tenure as the president. Earlier in the day the court rejected Nasheed’s appeal to stay the arrest warrant. A report:

On a day of intense drama in Male, former President Mohammed Nasheed arrived at the Indian High Commission around noon. Amidst speculation, Nasheed tweeted that he was in the complex to seek refuge from India to avoid being arrested by the police on a court warrant. Policemen in full combat gear soon surrounded the high commission while hundreds of Nasheed’s supporters assembled outside the gates to extend him support. Late in the evening India issued a statement saying that its officials were in touch with Maldivian authorities to resolve the situation. India expressed concern over the ongoing political instability and appealed to government and all political parties to adhere strictly to democratic principles so that free and fair elections can be held in the country later this year. Nasheed has been nominated by his party as Presidential candidate for the elections slated for 7th of September. He has however expressed apprehension that he may be convicted by a local court to debar him from running for presidency. Abhishek Dayal, AIR News,Colombo

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Defence Minister A K Antony today said that nobody found guilty of bribery, will be spared, in the chopper deal with Italian firm Finmeccanica. Speaking to reporters inNew Delhi, the Defence Minister said, serious action that would be taken also include cancellation of the deal.

The moment we get a report from CBI, we will take as said earlier strongest action provided in the integrity pact that includes cancellation of contract, blacklisting of the company and criminal action. But before CBI's report, I don't want to jump into a conclusion .

Mr. Antony said, a CBI inquiry was ordered yesterday to investigate the helicopter deal, adding that corruption in defence deals will not be tolerated. Meanwhile Italian media reports said, the CEO of the Italian defence firm, has been arrested for allegedly offering bribes in India to procure the deal.

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The Suryanelli rape case took yet another twist today with former Investigating Officer in the Suryanelli case, Retired SP K Ittoop refuting the allegations about the involvement of Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P J Kurien in the case. Addressing a press conference in Kochi today, Ittoop, said thorough investigations have shown that Mr Kurien was in no way involved in the case and was not present at the Panchayat Rest House at Kumily, at the time, as claimed by the girl. He claimed that he was removed from the probe by the Nayanar government for refusing to implicate P J Kurien in the case. Ittoop also said that the first accused in the case,Raju, the conductor of a private bus, was also innocent.

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In Tripura,all arrangements are complete for the Assembly polls tomorrow. The fate of 249 candidates will be decided in the polls. More from our correspondent:

All preparations have been put in place for smooth polling in Tripura. All polling officials have already gone to their respective polling station in the state. The Polling booths have been put under the tight security cover of the Central paramilitary Forces. Security has also been tightened all around the state. The State has a total voters of 23 lakh 55 thousand out of which the male voters are 11 lakh 98 thousand while the female voters are 11 lakh 56 thousand. This Is the first time that 4 Polling booths will have all Women polling staffs. With Sudipta Kar,this is Manas Pratim Sarma/AIR News/Agartala.

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In Manipur, three militant outfits today signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the state capital Imphal to start tripartite peace talks with State Government and the Centre. The insurgent groups that entered into the MoU, are the United Revolutionary Front , Kangleipak Communist Party Lamphel and Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup-Military Defence Force. Our Imphal Correspondent reports that a total of 197 militants from these outfits have come out to join the national mainstream after the the signing of the MoU.

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The special CBI court in Hyderabad today dismissed the bail application of B V Srinivasa Reddy, one of the prime accused in Obulapuram Mining Company (OMC) illegal mining case involving mining baron and former Karnataka minister Gali Janardhan Reddy.The court had refused bail to him earlier also. Janardhan Reddy and his brother-in-law and Managing Director of OMC Srinivasa Reddy had moved the court for bail last month. However, Janardhan Reddy later withdrew his plea. Both are currently in judicial custody at Chanchalguda Central Prison in Hyderabad.

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In Kashmir, curfew was today relaxed in all the major towns of the valley since the morning today. The day passed off peacefully and no untoward incident was reported from anywhere. Only some areas of downtown in Srinagar city remained under curfew. The curfew was clamped on the 9th of February in the valley after hanging of Parliament attack convict Afzal Guru. During the relaxation period, the people thronged the markets to purchase essential commodities. <><><>

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Country's exports grew by 0.8 per cent in January 2013 to 25.58 billion US dollars. Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Commerce Secretary S R Rao said, exports had stood at 25.37 billion dollars in January, 2012. He said, imports rose by 6.12 per cent to 45.5 billion dollars. Mr Rao said, widening trade deficit is a cause of concern,adding that crude oil imports are growing at a higher rate.

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NOW NEWS FROM THE WORLD OF BUSINESS

Rising for the second straight session, the Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange gained 47 points, or 0.2 percent, to close at a one-week high of 19,608, today. The Nifty rose 10 points, to 5,933. Stock markets in China andHong Kong were shut, but Japan's stock market fell 0.2 percent, while the South Korean market rose 1.6 percent, and Singapore’s market gained 0.9 percent. The rupee strengthened 3 paise, to close at 53.82 against the dollar. Gold rose 10 rupees, to 30,800 rupees per ten grams in Delhi. Silver gained 150 rupees, to 58,000 rupees per kilo. And Brent crude oil futures climbed towards 119 dollars a barrel, while US crude added 11 cents, to 97.62 dollars a barrel. Pradeep Kumar, AIR News

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Kumbh Mela administration today said that a foolproof comprehensive planning is in place for fifth bathing festival of Maha Kumbh of Basant Panchmi. Allahabad Divisional Commissioner and Nodal Officer of the Mela Devesh Chaturvedi today held a marathon meeting with all the stake holders including railways, UP State Road Transport Corporation, Allahabad district administration, police and security forces to ensure safe and successful bathing. Railways assured that above 70 special trains will be running from different stations of Allahabad city to ferry the pilgrims for three days.

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The Centre today informed the Delhi High Court that the Right to Education, RTE Act is not applicable to nursery admissions. The centre said that the Delhigovernment can make its own policies for nursery admissions.

Appearing for the central government, Additional Solicitor General Rajeeve Mehra told the court that as per section 13 of the RTE Act, children aged between 6 and 14 years come under free and compulsory elementary education. He said children below 6 years do not come under the act.

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Indian Coast Guard have arrested 7 Pakistani Fishermen with one fishing boat from the Arabian Sea off the Gujarat Coast. Quoting official sources, our Ahmedabad correspondent reports that Coast Guard patrolling vessel- ‘Mirabai’ has intercepted Pakistani fishing boat -‘Al Ramzan’ with 7 fishermen on-board in the Indian waterterritory of Arabian Sea near Okha port. Arrested Pakistani Fishermen would be handed over to the Okha Police for further interrogation.

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French President Francois Hollande arrives on a two-day state visit to India from tomorrow. Mr Hollande, who is accompanied by a high-level delegation of several key cabinet ministers, will hold delegation-level talks with the Prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh which will be followed by signing of agreements between the two sides. During his stay in Delhi, the visiting dignitary will call on President Pranab Mukherjee and meet top leadership of the country. He will honour Professor Amartya Sen with Commandeur de la legion d' Honneur. Mr Hollande will also visit Mumbai on Friday to attend an economic conference and hold business meetings with captains of Indian industry.

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Australia and the West Indies today stormed into the finals of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup. In a super-six match at Mumbai, opting to bat first, the West Indies were bundled out for 164 in 47 overs. Chasing 165 for victory, Australia were all out for 156, with 10 balls to spare. Even though the Windies defeated Australiaby 8 runs, both the teams finished with 8 points at the top of the points table, booking the final two berths.

In another super-six match today, South Africa defeated Sri Lanka by 110 runs atCuttack.