1400HRS
3rd March, 2013

THE HEADLINES: 

• Finance Minister P. Chidambaram rules out any amnesty scheme for tax defaulters; Warns a huge amount of data is being mined to go after them.

• BJP in a political resolution at the National Council, alleges that scams are taking place due to collusion at higher level.

• President Pranab Mukherjee reaches Dhaka on a three-day state visit to Bangladesh.

• Sri Lankan Navy arrests 16 Indian fishermen off Kalpitiya coast, for alleged violation of maritime boundary.

• On Day 2 of the Hyderabad Cricket Test, India were 148 for one in the first innings against Australia when the reports last came in.

• And, Services to meet Kerala in the final of the Santosh Trophy Football tournament in Kochi today.

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Finance Minister P. Chidambaram has ruled out any amnesty scheme for tax defaulters and warned that a huge amount of data is being mined to go after them. In an interview to PTI today, Mr. Chidambaram said that in income tax, there is no case for amnesty. He pointed out that no tax burden had been imposed in the budget on any category of people other than a small burden of 10 per cent surcharge on relatively affluent 42,800 people with annual incomes of over one crore rupees.

Dispelling apprehensions that the tax could continue beyond one year, the Minister said, surcharges have been imposed in the past and they have been removed. He gave the instances of removal of banking cash transaction tax and fringe benefit tax which were removed in subsequent budgets a few years ago.

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The BJP today adopted a political resolution at its National Council meeting in New Delhi. In the resolution Party accused the UPA government of being the most corrupt since independence. It alleged scams and corruption are taking place as a result of collusion at the higher level.

Earlier, addressing the meeting, senior party leader and the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Sushma Swaraj called for strengthening of basic cadre of the party. She said that people are fed up with inflation and corruption.

Addressing the meeting Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi also asked his party cadres to work hard to present an alternative to the UPA government.

He said that BJP governments are working for the development of the states while accusing Congress of having no intention to develop the country. Mr Modi also attacked Congress on the issue of corruption.

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The President Mr. Pranab Mukherjee arrived in Dhaka a short while ago, on a three-day state visit to Bangladesh. He was received at the airport by Bangladesh President Mohammed Zillur Rehman and was accorded a ceremonial reception. Our Correspondent reports, this is his first visit abroad since his assumption of office seven months ago.

"President Pranab Mukherjee was given a red carpet welcome in Dhaka with complete state honour which included a 21 gun salute and a guard of honour by three contingents of army navy and air force. The special plane of the President was also escorted by Bangladesh air force planes from the time it entered the country’s airspace. The discussions between President and the Bangladesh leaders is expected to provide both sides an opportunity to review the progress made on various initiatives taken by the Prime ministers of the two countries to strengthen bilateral relations. The government has put in place adequate security measures during the President's visit. SENTHIL RAJAN, AIR NEWS, DHAKA."

The President, accompanied by Minister of State for Railways, Adhir Ranjan Choudhury and four MPs besides senior officials, will have talks with his Bangladesh counterpart, Mohammed Zillur Rahman, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Leader of Opposition, Khaleda Zia.

In an interview to state run news agency, Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, published on the eve of his state visit to Bangladesh, the President said that India is willing to be a catalyst for development in the South Asian region based on the principles of equality, partnership and mutual benefit.

President Mukherjee will receive the Bangladesh Liberation War Honour Award for his contribution to the independence struggle of that country in 1971.

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Overseas investors pumped in over 24,000 crore rupees amounting to 4.6 billion US Dollars in Indian stock market during February. With this, the Foreign Institutional Investors, FIIs' total investment has touched 8.4 billion Dollars so far this year. According to SEBI data, FIIs were gross buyers of shares worth 78,888 crore rupees, while they sold equities amounting to 54,449 crore rupees, a net inflow of 24,439 crore rupees. This was the eighth straight month of net investment by FIIs, starting July, 2012.

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In Kolkata, a huge portion of a flyover on the eastern side of the metropolis, collapsed early this morning, leaving three persons injured. Police said that the incident took place at 4:30 am when there was hardly any traffic. The Ultadanga flyover connects VIP Road and the airport with E M Bypass and the eastern and southern suburbs.

Disaster Management personnel and police were searching for victims, if any, in the rubble and canal running below the flyover.

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In Uttar Pradesh, the government has announced an ex- gratia of twenty lakhs rupees to the kin of the deceased Dy SP Ziaul Haq who was killed when villagers clashed with police yesterday following the murder of a village panchayat head in Kunda, Pratapgarh.

AIR Lucknow correspondent quoting official sources, reports that additional police and PAC re-enforcements have reached the trouble hit area from Lucknow, Faizabad and Barabanki. Besides, senior officials including the ADG Law & Order Arun Kumar and Inspector General of police, Allahabad have also reached Kunda Pratapgarh. Intense searches by police are on to nab the culprits.

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The Centre has convened a meeting of top police and civil officials of Maoist-hit States in New Delhi tomorrow to review the anti-Naxal operations and discuss steps to improve the efficacy of strategies. The high-level meeting, to be chaired by Union Home Secretary R K Singh, will be attended by Chief Secretaries and DGPs of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, Odisha, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

Agencies report that the meeting will review the development programmes being carried out in Naxal-hit districts and ways to speed them up to reach the maximum number of people. It is also likely to deliberate on the issue of coordination among States' and Central Police Forces and decide on a strategy to tackle Naxals who are known to flee from one State to another after carrying out offensives.

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Madhya Pradesh’s contribution in the country’s development has been significant. Apart from big industries, a network of small and cottage industries will also be spread with a view to further boosting state’s economy. A report on developing scenario of Madhya Pradesh from our correspondent:

"The UPA-led Union Government will release 500 crore rupees to Madhya Pradesh under the first phase of Jawhar Lal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission, JNNURM. For this, the State Government will send DPRs of 25 projects to the Union Government. Detailed Project Reports of about 60 JNNURM projects are to be sent to the Union Government. These include, mainly, the 121 crore rupees BRTS project of Bhopal, Upper Lake Development Scheme, Kolar drinking water scheme, Rewa’s sewer scheme, and grant for Simhastha 2016. A widespread skill development programme is being run in the state. Under it, 113 Skill Development Centres have been set up and 200 are being established. SUNIL TIWARI, AIR NEWS, INDORE."

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In Andhra Pradesh, at least five people were charred to death and eight others injured when the lorry in which they were travelling, caught fire in Hydrabad. The police said that the accident occurred when the lorry carrying labourers from Odisha, fell from a flyover at Kothwalguda in Shamshabad area. After falling, the lorry's diesel tank burst and the vehicle was up in flames resulting in the death of five persons on the spot while eight others suffered burn injuries. The injured persons were admitted to a city hospital.

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Sri Lankan Navy today arrested 16 Indian fishermen, off the coast of Kalpitiya in the island country on charges of violating international maritime boundary. Sri Lanka Navy spokesman Commander Kosala Warnakulasooriya told All India Radio that the fishermen would be handed over to Kalpitiya police for further legal action later today after initial investigations are completed.

Commander Kosala added that in view of a number of incidents of violation of maritime boundary and clashes between Sri Lankan and Indian fishermen reported in the last few days, the Navy has deployed two additional patrol boats.

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In Israel, President Shimon Perez has granted two more weeks to the Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to form a new Government in the country. The four weeks deadline to form a new Government after the elections on January 22nd expired on Saturday. After his meeting with the President, Mr. Netanyahu urged the heads of all political parties to sink their differences and join together for national unity.

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Portugal's Foreign Affairs Minister, Paulo de Sacadura Cabral Portas has arrived in New Delhi on a five-day official visit to India. He is accompanied by Minister of State for Culture of Portugal, Jorge Barreto Xavier and a high-level business delegation. Mr Portas will meet his counterpart Salman Khurshid tomorrow at Hydrabad House. The visiting Ministers will visit Mumbai and Goa also.

Kazakhstan Foreign Affairs Minister, Yerlan Idrissov has also arrived in the national capital on a three-day official visit to India. During his stay he will hold talks with External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid on Tuesday. Both sides will discuss bilateral, regional and International issues of mutual interest.

Our Correspondent reports that bilateral relationship between both the countries covers a number of strategic sectors including defence, counter terrorism, civil nuclear cooperation, hydrocarbons, Information Technology and education.

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Union Minister of State for Defence, Jitender Singh has said that stringent action will be taken against those found responsible of taking alleged kickbacks in the 3600 crore rupees Augsta Westland helicopter deal.

Speaking to AIR Correspondent in Amritsar, today, the Minister said that the CBI is investigating the matter and would submit its report soon.

Refering to the beheading incidence of two Indian soldiers by Pakistan in J&K, he said deployment has been increased at the border and forces are ready to deal with any situation.

Talking about the intelligence failure in Hyderabad where twin blasts had taken place, he said there is need to strengthen state intelligence agencies and in this context states should do their duties responsibly.

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The General Secretary of Football's world governing body, FIFA, has said the 2022 World Cup in Qatar could be held in the winter if medical evidence shows that playing in the extreme summer heat of the Gulf would be dangerous. Speaking at a meeting of global football officials in Scotland, Jerome Valcke said a decision would need to be made by 2015. But, it was still up to Qatar to officially ask for the tournament to be moved.

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Hosts Kerala will take on defending champion Services in the final of the 67th edition of Santosh Trophy Football tournament to be played at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Kochi this evening. More from our Correspondent:

"Kochi is all set for an engrossing final between Kerala and Services this evening. Both teams are exuding confidence about their chances of winning the coveted trophy. Playing before the home crowd, Kerala has a slight edge over its opponent, but much will depend on whether it will be able to play some of its key players like Kannan and Naseeruddin, who are down with injury. In the previous clash between the Kerala and Services in the semi final held last year at Cuttack, Services defeated Kerala 2-1. Kerala has won Santosh Trophy five times in the past, whereas Services have won the title twice. Raj Mohan, AIR News, Kochi."

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Hosts India were 160 for one in the first innings against Australia, when reports last came in on Day 2 of the second cricket test at Hyderabad. Murali Vijay on 73 and Cheteshwar Pujara on 73 were at the crease a short while ago. India still trail by 77 runs in the first innings.

Earlier today, India resumed their first innings play at the overnight score of 5 for no loss, with Virender Sehwag and Murali Vijay at the crease. However, they lost Sehwag in the fifth over of the day, when he was caught behind for just 6 off Peter Siddle.

Yesterday, the Aussies declared their first innings for 237 for 9.