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23.03.2013
23.03.2013
THE HEADLINES
- Finance Minister says, government is steadily working towards new economic reforms; emphasizes the need for incentivising small firms to grow and create more jobs.
- Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya get their own High Courts.
- India offers to extend assistance in relief efforts in the violence-hit areas of Myanmar.
- Nation pays homage to Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev on their martyrdom day.
- 25 people killed in a road accident in Punjab province of Pakistan.
- Earth day being observed across the globe.
- India were 126 for 2 in their first innings against Australia a short while ago; Visitors all out for 262 in their first innings.
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Finance Minister P Chidambaram has said that the government is steadily working towards new economic reforms. Addressing the inaugural session of the national editor’s conference in New Delhi today, Mr Chidambaram said there is a need to create more high productivity jobs and enhance skills of the labour force. Stating that creating good jobs is the best form of inclusion, he emphasized incentivising small firms to grow and create more jobs. He said, the government has launched several measures to improve the investment climate in the country.
The Finance minister mentioned that the budget proposals have several incentives for investment. He said the country has travelled a considerable distance on the road to fiscal consolidation and reforms with liberalization of FDI and other measures. He said more reforms are being contemplated. He expressed confidence that Food Security Bill will be passed soon by Parliament, perhaps in the Budget session itself. Mr Chidambaram urged the media to play a leading and inspiring role in orientation of the youth.
Regarding the situation in Jammu and Kashmir, the Finance minister said the security situation will improve in the valley soon which is important for economic development. He said, violence that erupted post execution of Afzal Guru in Kashmir will subside. Responding to a question on tourism in the state, the minister said restoration of peace is essential for the development of tourism, power and agriculture sectors, which will definitely generate employment.
"I sincerely hope that the violence will subside. Unless there is a sense of peace and security, J&K cannot develop because J&K prime developers are tourism and I am confident that present phase of uncertainty will come to an end".
Rejecting the allegation that his ministry was discriminating against West Bengal, Mr Chidambarm said the ministry has given the same emphasis on every state of the country. Addressing the conference, Secretary of Information and Broadcasting ministry Uday Verma said, vernacular media has done a commendable job for the development of the country.
"The regional and vernacular is set to play a very very significant and increasingly vital role in dissemination of information in the interiors of the country. This confidence provides a very useful and valuable forum platform for the editors to get the opportunity of interaction at the highest level in the government and also offer their own insight and feedback on the implementation of government policies and programmes."
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Tripura, Manipur and Meghalaya have got their own High Courts. Mr. Justice Abhay Manohar Sapre, Judge of Chhattisgarh High Court, has been sworn-in as the first Chief Justice of Manipur High Court. The State Governor Gurbachan Jagat administered the oath of office to Mr. Justice Sapre in Imphal today. Justice T Meena Kumari was sworn in as the first Chief Justice of Meghalaya High Court by Governor Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary in Shillong.
Kumari was earlier a judge of the Patna High Court. Talking to reporters after her swearing-in ceremony, Justice Kumari said that her first priority area would be to see that fast-track courts are being set up in the state. The first Chief Justice of the new Tripura High Court Dr. D Y Patil will be sworn later today. The centre has constituted three new High Courts for North Eastern states. With these, the number of High Courts in India has now gone up from 21 to 24.
Kumari was earlier a judge of the Patna High Court. Talking to reporters after her swearing-in ceremony, Justice Kumari said that her first priority area would be to see that fast-track courts are being set up in the state. The first Chief Justice of the new Tripura High Court Dr. D Y Patil will be sworn later today. The centre has constituted three new High Courts for North Eastern states. With these, the number of High Courts in India has now gone up from 21 to 24.
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Mr. Nikhil Kumar has been sworn in as the Governor of Kerala. Kerala High Court Chief Justice Manjula Chelloor administered the oath of office and secrecy to Mr. Nikhil Kumar. Kerala Governor's post fell vacant following the demise of the incumbent Governor M O H Farooq. Karnataka Governor H R Bharadwaj was given the additional charge of Kerala.
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A Jodhpur court today framed revised and diluted charges against Bollywood actors Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam under Wildlife Protection Act, for aiding film star Salman Khan in a 14-year-old blackbuck poaching case in Rajasthan. The four actors have denied the charges and will file a review petition in the court. The court, however, did not read out the charges against Salman Khan as the actor was not present for the hearing. The court has now set the next hearing of the case on April 27. Charges of rioting and Arms Act have been dropped against the four actors. If other charges against Saif Ali Khan, Tabu, Sonali Bendre and Neelam are proven right, the actors could face six years in jail.The actors are accused of killing two blackbucks during the shooting of the film 'Hum Saath Saath Hain' in 1998.
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In Assam, poachers killed a rhino and chopped off its horn last night in Kaziranga national park. Official sources said that the incident occurred near Burapahar range. Forest officials today recovered the carcass. Axe and cartridges have also been recovered near the spot. This is the second such incident during the last 48 hours in Kaziranga. Poachers killed 15 rhinos in and around the park this year. The Park authority has decided to conduct a rhino census from tomorrow.
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President Pranab Mukherjee today presented Gallantry awards and distinguished service decorations at a Defence Investiture Ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan. 18 awardees were conferred with Param Vishisht Seva Medals, two with Uttam Yuddh Seva Medals, and two with BAR to Ati Vishisht Seva Medals. 17 awardees were also given Ati Vishisht Seva Medals, while as 14 were awarded with Shaurya Chakra, including posthumously to three. Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Defence Minister A K Antony and three Service Chiefs were among the dignitaries present at the ceremony.
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Aishwarya oil field has been dedicated to the nation at Barmer in Rajasthan. Petroleum Minister Veerappa Moily and Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Ashok Gehlot also inaugurated commercial production of natural gas from Rageshwari well of this area.
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Nation pays homage to Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev on their martyrdom day today. They were hanged on March 23rd in 1931 by the British rulers in Lahore for participating in freedom movement.
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India today said, it is ready to extend assistance in relief efforts by the Myanmar authorities for those affected in the recent violence in the country. The External Affairs Ministry spokesman said, New Delhi is in contact with the concerned authorities in Nay Pyi Taw and Mandalay about the recent violent incidents in Meiktila. He said New Delhi has been informed of the steps taken to restore normalcy there and it is hopeful that communal peace and harmony would prevail. The spokesman said, India also expressed profound sorrow at the tragic loss of lives and damage to property reported during the violence.
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Meanwhile, Troops patrolled the streets of the central Myanmar town after Buddhist-Muslim unrest tore through the area leaving at least 20 dead and the government declaring emergency rule. Around 50 military trucks were deployed in Meiktila, where homes and mosques have been torched by mobs armed with knives and sticks in three days of communal rioting.
Violence in Meiktila, located 130 kilometres north of the capital Naypyidaw, began on Wednesday after an apparent argument in a gold shop spiralled into pitched battles. Mosques have been reduced to ashes, while gangs of young men, including monks, have roamed the streets. Meiktila remained tense today, although no new clashes were reported overnight. The United Nations, the US, Britain and the rights groups have called for calm and dialogue between communities amid fears that the violence could spread.
Violence in Meiktila, located 130 kilometres north of the capital Naypyidaw, began on Wednesday after an apparent argument in a gold shop spiralled into pitched battles. Mosques have been reduced to ashes, while gangs of young men, including monks, have roamed the streets. Meiktila remained tense today, although no new clashes were reported overnight. The United Nations, the US, Britain and the rights groups have called for calm and dialogue between communities amid fears that the violence could spread.
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In Pakistan, at least 25 people were killed and over 20 others injured when a passenger bus collided with an electricity pylon in Sheikhupura in Punjab province today. Rescue sources said the ill-fated bus was heading towards Faisalabad from Lahore when it collided with a power pylon and overturned on Faisalabad road in the early hours. Rescue workers and police rushed to the spot and started retrieving the trapped bodies. The injured were taken to hospital. Identities of the dead and the injured were yet to be ascertained.
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The Election Commission of Pakistan is meeting in Islamabad today to decide the name of the caretaker Prime Minister. Earlier‚ the 8-member bipartisan committee continued its deliberations for 3 days but failed to break the deadlock on the caretaker Prime Minister. The Election Commission will have to choose the caretaker prime minister from among the four names including Justice retired Nasir Aslam Zahid‚ Rasool Bakhsh Palejo‚ Dr. Ishrat Hussain and Justice retired Mir Hazar Khan Khoso. Under the law‚ the Commission is required to decide the name within two days. In case of a difference of opinion‚ the majority view will prevail.
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Pakistan's former President Pervez Musharraf says he will return home tomorrow after 4 years in exile in London and Dubai. He has announced his desire to participate in May 11 general elections. Meanwhile, Sindh High Court yesterday granted Gen Musharraf protective bail in several cases pending against him including the murder of Benazir Bhutto and Baloch tribal leader Akbar Bugti. The bail order ensures that he will not face immediate arrest upon his return.
Meanwhile, Pakistani Taliban have threatened to use suicide bombers and snipers to kill former president Pervez Musharraf when he returns home from exile. In a video released today and obtained by the media, Adnan Rasheed, who took part in a previous attempt to assassinate Musharraf, said the mujahideen have prepared a special squad to send Musharraf to hell. There are suicide bombers, snipers, a special assault unit and a close combat team. Rasheed was among 400 prisoners who were broken out of a jail by militants in 2012.
Meanwhile, Pakistani Taliban have threatened to use suicide bombers and snipers to kill former president Pervez Musharraf when he returns home from exile. In a video released today and obtained by the media, Adnan Rasheed, who took part in a previous attempt to assassinate Musharraf, said the mujahideen have prepared a special squad to send Musharraf to hell. There are suicide bombers, snipers, a special assault unit and a close combat team. Rasheed was among 400 prisoners who were broken out of a jail by militants in 2012.
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Sri Lanka’s main Tamil party, Tamil National Alliance, has asked the government to ensure that there is a credible international enquiry into the alleged human rights violations committed by the security forces during the final stages of the war. Speaking to All India Radio in Colombo today, senior party MP, M.A. Sumanthiran said that the resolution calls for a credible enquiry, and since Sri Lankan government and LTTE are the accused in this case, the enquiry must have an independent and international flavor if it is to be credible.
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India were 135 for 2 in their first innings on the second day of the fourth and final Cricket Test against Australia in Delhi when reports last came in. Vijay Murali on 54 and Sachin Tendulkar 12 were at the crease. Pujara scored 52 runs. Nathan Lyon took the wicket of Pujara. Virat Kohli was out for one. Partnership between Pujara and Vijay Morali was 108 runs. Earlier, resuming with an overnight score of 231 for 8, Australia were all out for 262. For India, Ravichandran Ashwin has claimed five wickets. Ravindra Jadeja and Ishant Sharma took two wickets each and Pragyan Ojha, one.
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Iconic landmarks around the world will cut their lights today for the "Earth Hour" campaign against climate change. Organisers expect hundreds of millions of people across the globe to turn off their lights for 60 minutes tonight at 8:30pm local time, in a symbolic show of support for the planet. Many of the world's most iconic attractions, including Sydney Opera House, the Empire State Building and the Eiffel Tower will take part.
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A new study in Washington has found that Roosters crow at the break of dawn, not in response to the morning light, but because they are genetically programmed to do so. Until now, it has not been known that when roosters crow with the dawn, are they simply reacting to the environment, or do they really know what time of day it is.
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