0815 HRS
24th April, 2013
THE HEADLINES:
- Centre files affidavit in Supreme Court explaining the procedure adopted for allocation of coal blocks.
- Comptroller and Auditor General suggests proper monitoring and evaluation of MGNREGA.
- Election Commission reprimands Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister KS Eshwarappa, for violating model code of conduct.
- Market Regulator, SEBI orders Kolkata-based Saradha Realty India to refund the money to investors within three months; Company Chief arrested.
- Mahavir Jayanti being celebrated today with religious fervour and gaiety.
- Main draw of India Open Badminton tournament begins in New Delhi.
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The Centre filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court yesterday, explaining the procedure adopted for allocation of coal blocks for various sectors. The 59-page affidavit was filed by the Ministry of Coal in response to the March 12 hearing in the apex court, in which the CBI had alleged that arbitrary policy without any rationale was followed to select the applicants.
The coal blocks allocation, along with other issues, forced the adjournment of both the Houses of Parliament for the day yesterday.
The coal blocks allocation, along with other issues, forced the adjournment of both the Houses of Parliament for the day yesterday.
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The Comptroller and Auditor General, CAG has asked the Centre to ensure the proper implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, MGNREGA and put in place effective monitoring and evaluation system. The CAG pointed out shortcomings in the implementation of the Centrally funded flagship scheme. The CAG performance audit of MGNREGA, tabled in Parliament yesterday, stated that only 30 per cent of works approved in 14 states were completed. Reacting to the report, Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh said that this is a performance report and not a financial audit.
"CAG audit, which is mostly done at district and State level, should be carried out at Panchayat Gram level also. We will get the audit done at the Gram Panchayat level this year also. The major funding of the Gram Panchayat Audit, which was done this year, shows that there is no record keeping system there."
"CAG audit, which is mostly done at district and State level, should be carried out at Panchayat Gram level also. We will get the audit done at the Gram Panchayat level this year also. The major funding of the Gram Panchayat Audit, which was done this year, shows that there is no record keeping system there."
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The Ministry of Panchayati Raj will be holding a day long National conference, on the occasion of the 3rd National Panchayati Raj Day at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhitoday. Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will inaugurate the conference. On the occasion, best performing Gram Panchayats will be conferred with Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Purskar 2012, while another 170 Panchayati Raj Institutions will be felicitated with Panchayat Sashaktikaran Puraskar for their exemplary work under the Panchayat Empowerment Accountability Incentive Scheme. Approximately 1,500 delegates will attend the National Conference.
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Market regulator, SEBI has ordered Kolkata-based Saradha Realty India to close all its collective schemes and refund the money collected from investors within three months. In a late night order yesterday, the capital market regulator also barred Saradha Realty India and its Managing Director Sudipto Sen from the securities markets till the time it winds up all its Collective Investment Schemes, and refunds the entire money to investors. Sen was arrested yesterday from Jammu & Kashmir. More from our correspondent:
"The Saradha Group Chairman and his two associates will be produced in a court at Gandarbal district of Jammu and Kashmir, following which they will be brought back to Kolkata. Depositors, agents and political parties continued to demonstrate and staged dharnas outside different Saradha Group's offices all over the state yesterday. The State Cabinet at its meeting yesterday approved setting up of a high level inquiry commission to investigate the Saradha Group's activities which left thousands of investors high and dry. Arijit Chakraborty, AIR News, Kolkata."
The SEBI order against Saradha Realty follows an investigation launched about three years ago by it, after a reference was received from the Director Economic Offences Investigation Cell, Government of West Bengal in April 2010.
"The Saradha Group Chairman and his two associates will be produced in a court at Gandarbal district of Jammu and Kashmir, following which they will be brought back to Kolkata. Depositors, agents and political parties continued to demonstrate and staged dharnas outside different Saradha Group's offices all over the state yesterday. The State Cabinet at its meeting yesterday approved setting up of a high level inquiry commission to investigate the Saradha Group's activities which left thousands of investors high and dry. Arijit Chakraborty, AIR News, Kolkata."
The SEBI order against Saradha Realty follows an investigation launched about three years ago by it, after a reference was received from the Director Economic Offences Investigation Cell, Government of West Bengal in April 2010.
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The Supreme Court has agreed to constitute a committee, headed by an eminent jurist, to finalise the draft rules for dealing with sexual harassment complaints of women, including lady lawyers, working in the apex court. A bench, headed by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir, said the name of the Chairman of the Committee, which will also go into various other issues raised in the report prepared on its order, will be decided tomorrow. A report placed before the bench said that sexual harassment complaint committees in various high courts and district courts across the country existed only on paper, without much power or proper guidelines.
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The Election Commission has reprimanded the Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister KS Eshwarappa for his provocative remarks, leading to the violation of model code of conduct in the poll bound state. In its order, the Commission has also cautioned him to be careful in future. The commission observed that the speech of Mr. Eshwarappa was inciting communal feelings and promoting hatred and ill-will between citizens of the country in a surcharged election atmosphere.
Meanwhile, the election campaign has gained momentum in Karnataka that is bound for the Assembly Elections on May 5th. Senior Congress Leader AK Anthony will be releasing the party manifesto in Bangalore today. Senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu will canvass for his party candidates in Bangalore and Nitin Gadkari will campaign inBelgaum.
Meanwhile, the election campaign has gained momentum in Karnataka that is bound for the Assembly Elections on May 5th. Senior Congress Leader AK Anthony will be releasing the party manifesto in Bangalore today. Senior BJP leader Venkaiah Naidu will canvass for his party candidates in Bangalore and Nitin Gadkari will campaign inBelgaum.
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India has asked China to maintain earlier status quo in Ladakh, as it was before the intrusion. It expressed the hope that differences on the perceptions of the line of actual control, LAC would be resolved peacefully under the existing agreements. Replying to questions by newsmen in New Delhi, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said, the ongoing incident was a localised one and has to face to face situations due to differing perceptions on the LAC which have been resolved peacefully in the past.
"The India China border areas continue to remain peaceful. We believe that this ongoing incident can be handled on the basis of agreements between the two countries and through mechanism establish under these agreements to resolve such situations peacefully."
Our correspondent reports that Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai had expressedIndia's concern to the Chinese Ambassador Wei Wei, stressing the need to resolve the issue. A Senior External Affairs official, heading the India-China joint working mechanism to deal with issues on the boundary, also spoke to his counterpart inBeijing last week on the need to resolve the issue.
"The India China border areas continue to remain peaceful. We believe that this ongoing incident can be handled on the basis of agreements between the two countries and through mechanism establish under these agreements to resolve such situations peacefully."
Our correspondent reports that Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai had expressedIndia's concern to the Chinese Ambassador Wei Wei, stressing the need to resolve the issue. A Senior External Affairs official, heading the India-China joint working mechanism to deal with issues on the boundary, also spoke to his counterpart inBeijing last week on the need to resolve the issue.
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In Pakistan, seven persons were killed and over 60 others injured in five bomb attacks in Quetta and Karachi yesterday. The suicide attacker detonated his explosives-laden truck at a check post near Alamdar Road in Quetta. Five persons, including a Frontier Corps personnel, was killed and over 40 injured by the powerful explosion.
In Karachi, two persons were killed and 20 others injured when an improvised explosive device went-off near an election office of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement at People's Chowrangi area. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks in both the cities.
In Karachi, two persons were killed and 20 others injured when an improvised explosive device went-off near an election office of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement at People's Chowrangi area. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks in both the cities.
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In Iraq, the death toll has gone up to 56 in violent clashes across the country yesterday. No one has claimed responsibility for these attacks. More from our West Asia correspondent:
"The deadliest incident took place in near Hawijah in Kirkuk when 23 people were killed as the security forces stormed a sit in by Sunni protesters to disperse them. It was followed by violent clashes and 13 gunmen were killed as they tried to storm army posts in the nearby towns of Rashad and Riyadh. Iraqi Defence Ministry said, those killed include militants linked to Al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein’s outlawed Baath party who were using the protest grounds as a safe haven. Bomb blasts took place near three Sunni mosques and 20 more casualties were reported including those from Baghdad’s Dora neighbourhood, Muqdadiya, Fallujah and Diyala. Atul Tiwary, AIR News."
"The deadliest incident took place in near Hawijah in Kirkuk when 23 people were killed as the security forces stormed a sit in by Sunni protesters to disperse them. It was followed by violent clashes and 13 gunmen were killed as they tried to storm army posts in the nearby towns of Rashad and Riyadh. Iraqi Defence Ministry said, those killed include militants linked to Al Qaeda and Saddam Hussein’s outlawed Baath party who were using the protest grounds as a safe haven. Bomb blasts took place near three Sunni mosques and 20 more casualties were reported including those from Baghdad’s Dora neighbourhood, Muqdadiya, Fallujah and Diyala. Atul Tiwary, AIR News."
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Mahavir Jayanti is being celebrated across the country with religious fervour and gaiety today. The President Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, the Vice President Mr. M. Hamid Ansari and the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, have greeted the people on this auspicious occasion. In some parts of the country, Mahavir Jayanti was celebrated yesterday.
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In Tripura, potable packaged drinking water under the Border Area Development Programme has been implemented. Our correspondent reports that this is a unique experiment of providing drinking water to the people in border areas where there is water scarcity.
"It is started as Pilot Project covering two villages in Kanchanpur sub-division. It will soon be started as a full scale project for which the approval is sought, said the District Magistrate of North Tripura District Dr Parshant Kumar. He said, the Bordering areas in the North Tripura are the first in the state to be benefited under this Project. Each family will be given one Jar for consumption, which will have 20 liters of water as per requirement. He added that at later stage after the approval of the final project the Anganwadi centers will be brought under this packaged drinking water project. SUDIPTA KAR, AIR NEWS, AGARTALA."
"It is started as Pilot Project covering two villages in Kanchanpur sub-division. It will soon be started as a full scale project for which the approval is sought, said the District Magistrate of North Tripura District Dr Parshant Kumar. He said, the Bordering areas in the North Tripura are the first in the state to be benefited under this Project. Each family will be given one Jar for consumption, which will have 20 liters of water as per requirement. He added that at later stage after the approval of the final project the Anganwadi centers will be brought under this packaged drinking water project. SUDIPTA KAR, AIR NEWS, AGARTALA."
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The main draw of the India Open Super Series Badminton tournament began in New Delhi today. Amongst today's prominent matches, Olympian and top seed Saina Nehwal will take on Belaetrix Manuputi of Indonesia, while eighth seeded PV Sindhu will meet China's Xue Yao in the Women's Singles opening round match. In the Men's Singles first round, P. Kashyap will clash with Indonesia's Taufiq Hidayat, while Ajay Jayaram will play Vladimir Malkov of Russia. Jwala Gutta and Ashwini Ponnappa, with their respective partners, will shuttle it out in the Mixed Doubles category.
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Kings XI Punjab defeated Delhi Daredevils by five wickets in the IPL Cricket match played in Delhi last night. After restricting the Delhi Daredevils to 120 for seven, Kings XI Punjab chased down the target by making 121 for 5 in 17 overs.
In the other IPL encounter played in Bangalore last evening, Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Pune Warriors by 130 runs. The highlight of the match was Chris Gayle's unbeaten 175 off 66 balls for the winners.
In the IPL today, Kolkata Knight Riders will meet Mumbai Indians in Kolkata at 8 P.M.
In the other IPL encounter played in Bangalore last evening, Royal Challengers Bangalore defeated Pune Warriors by 130 runs. The highlight of the match was Chris Gayle's unbeaten 175 off 66 balls for the winners.
In the IPL today, Kolkata Knight Riders will meet Mumbai Indians in Kolkata at 8 P.M.
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NEWSPAPERS HEADLINES
Most papers, this morning, report the incursion by China into India territory on the 15th of April. The Tribune writes that this is the first such incursion in Ladakh since 1962. 'Chinese tent 18 kms inside India Area', says the Asian Age. 'Tension builds up as Chinese troops stay put', writes the Pioneer.
Chris Gayle is on the front page of the Hindu, Times of India, Mail Today, Statesman and other papers for smashing the fastest ever T-20 century off 30 balls. He made 175 runs, with 17 sixes and 13 fours to seal the victory for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in yesterday's match against the Pune Warriors in the IPL tournament. India's GDP is set to grow at 6.4 per cent in 2013-14, says the PM's Economic Advisory Council. 'Bounce back time, says PM's Council', writes the Hindustan Times. Releasing the Economic review 2012-13, the Chairman of the PM's Economic Advisory Council, Mr. C. Rangarajan said that policy paralysis hit growth and strongly urged the government to expedite clearances for infrastructure and other project, write the Financial Express and Business Standard.
Mail Today, The Pioneer, The Tribune, Business Standard, The Hindu, Financial Express and most other papers write about the Parliamentary Standing Committee terming the coal block allocations between 1993 and 2010 as unauthorized and illegal. The papers also write about the UPA's flagship programme MGNREGA. The CAG report, tabled in Parliament, slams the implementations of MGNREGA, saying there has been diversion of funds, tampering of muster rolls and a significant decline in the rural household employment generation in the last two years.
And finally, in a breakthrough, researchers claim to have discovered a method to make bacteria produce diesel on demand. The Hindu has also noticed this finding
Chris Gayle is on the front page of the Hindu, Times of India, Mail Today, Statesman and other papers for smashing the fastest ever T-20 century off 30 balls. He made 175 runs, with 17 sixes and 13 fours to seal the victory for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in yesterday's match against the Pune Warriors in the IPL tournament. India's GDP is set to grow at 6.4 per cent in 2013-14, says the PM's Economic Advisory Council. 'Bounce back time, says PM's Council', writes the Hindustan Times. Releasing the Economic review 2012-13, the Chairman of the PM's Economic Advisory Council, Mr. C. Rangarajan said that policy paralysis hit growth and strongly urged the government to expedite clearances for infrastructure and other project, write the Financial Express and Business Standard.
Mail Today, The Pioneer, The Tribune, Business Standard, The Hindu, Financial Express and most other papers write about the Parliamentary Standing Committee terming the coal block allocations between 1993 and 2010 as unauthorized and illegal. The papers also write about the UPA's flagship programme MGNREGA. The CAG report, tabled in Parliament, slams the implementations of MGNREGA, saying there has been diversion of funds, tampering of muster rolls and a significant decline in the rural household employment generation in the last two years.
And finally, in a breakthrough, researchers claim to have discovered a method to make bacteria produce diesel on demand. The Hindu has also noticed this finding
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