2100 HRS.

6^th November, 2013

THE HEADLINES:

• New Delhi says that any forward movement in relations with Islamabad will depend on peace at LoC.
• Telecom Commission recommends 15 percent hike in reserve price suggested by TRAI for Pan India spectrum auction; 25 percent hike recommended for Delhi and Mumbai.
• BJP releases first list of 62 candidates for assembly polls in Delhi.
• Sensex declines 80 points ; Rupee plunges 77 paise, to close at one-month low of 62.39 against the dollar.
• IN CRICKET:India restrict West Indies to 234 on the first day of first test match at Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

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New Delhi today made it clear that any moving ahead in a bilateral engagement with Islamabad will depend on peace and tranquillity on the Line of Control. The MEA spokesperson Akbaruddin said that similar views were expressed in the meeting of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with his Pakistani counterpart Nawaz Sharif in New York. He said, the issue will figure in the meeting between External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid and his Pakistani counterpart Sartaj Aziz in New Delhi next week.

There was one outcome of that meeting there and that outcome was a pre-condition for moving ahead in terms of our bilateral engagement depends on peace and tranquility on the Line of Control. So they will assess where they have moved on since then. Does it require anything further and that will basically be the basis of further discussions.

Mr. Aziz is travelling to India to attend the ASEM (Asia- Europe) Foreign Ministers meet in Gurgaon and will hold a bilateral meeting with Khurshid on the sidelines of the event. Mr. Akbaruddin also confirmed that Aziz has sought an appointment with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. However, he added no decision has been taken so far on such a call-on.

India is expected to convey its concerns over the series of cease fire violations by Pakistan army during the meeting with Aziz.

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The Telecom Commission, TC, today recommended raising reserve price for auction of pan-India mobile phone spectrum which is 15 per cent more than suggested by Trai, and 25 per cent higher in case of key circles like Delhi and Mumbai. Telecom Commission at its meeting in New Delhi recommended to an Empowered Group of Ministers, EGoM that reserve price for pan-India 1800 MHz spectrum be fixed 15 per cent higher than Trai suggested rates. The same for 900 MHz be fixed 25 per cent higher than what the Trai had recommended.

The rates recommended by TC will still be lower than the previous auction price.

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Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry has requested the Finance Ministry to review the duties levied on branded fuels to bring down the price differential so that consumers can opt for branded fuel. The Ministry in a statement said, this will help improve the fuel efficiency by about 2 per cent and reduce the overall demand for petroleum products. New duties were introduced on branded fuels in 2009 , which raised the differential between unbranded and branded fuel which in turn led to decrease in the sale of branded fuels.

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BJP today released the first list of its 62 candidates for the forthcoming Assembly polls in Delhi. Party Chief Ministerial candidate Dr Harsh Vardhan will contest from Krishna Nagar and former State President Vijendra Gupta will contest from New Delhi constituency which is represented by Delhi Chief Minister Shiela Dikshit . The names of candidates were finalized in the party's central election committee meeting this evening in New Delhi. The elections to the 70 member Assembly will be held on 4th of next month.

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With just three days left for campaigning in the first phase of assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, political parties are making all out of efforts to woo the voters. The polls for the 18 assembly segments will be held on the 11th of this month. The constituencies going to polls are Maoist affected Bastar region and Rajnandgaon.

In Madhya Pradesh, the electioneering is yet to pick up. The ruling BJP has released its second list of 64 candidates and denied tickets to 14 sitting MLA's. The main contest in the state is between the opposition Congress and the ruling BJP. Apart from the candidates of the two main parties, Independents and candidates from smaller parties are filing their nominations in the poll. The last date of withdrawal of nomination is 11th of this month and polling will be held on the 25th.

"The process of filing of nomination papers has gained momentum in the state as the nomination closes on Friday. More than 390 nominations have been filed today. Due to strict compliance of model code of conduct, candidates are going to file their nomination papers in simple manner. Meanwhile dissidence regarding ticket distribution has come to fore in BJP and Congress at several places. Congress is yet to declare its 33 candidates while BJP has to announce 20 candidates. BSP, SP, NCP and other smaller parties are also expected to declare their remaining candidates soon. Shariq Noor, AIR News, Bhopal".

In Rajasthan, notification for holding polls was issued yesterday and votes are scheduled to be cast on first of December.

In Mizoram, the votes will be cast on 25th of November. The Election Commission today reviewed the poll arrangements in the state and hailed Mizoram for ensuring free, fair and participatory election in the past. Our correspondent reports that the the Chief Election Commissioner V.S. Sampath addressed concerns that have come in from some sections about polling for refugees in the refugee camps in Tripura.

"The CEC said that the Commission will ensure safe and sanitized conditions for polls to ensure that no mal-practices are allowed in the polling stations. In this regard he said that CEO of Tripura and the election machineries there, have been adequately briefed and also added that CEO, Mizoram has been asked to re-verify entries made during the Special Drive for enrollment of Bru voters who turned eighteen during the last one year. The CEC mentioned that for the first time in an Assembly election for a state, Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail would be used in 10 Assembly constituencies within Aizawl city. Nando Singh, AIR News, Aizawl".

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Pitching strongly for empowerment of Panchayati Raj institutions in Jammu and Kashmir, Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi today promised sarpanches that his party will fight for their rights and build pressure on the Jammu and Kashmir government for it. Gandhi's two-day visit to the state which began today is seen as a move by Congress to build pressure on coalition partner National Conference to incorporate certain provisions of the 73rd and the 74th amendments of the Constitution on Panchayati Raj.

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The center today ruled out SPG protection to BJP prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi saying his security has already been tightened. Minister of State for Home RPN Singh told reporters in New Delhi that government has given NSG cover to Mr Modi, which is very high level of security. Mr Singh said that SPG security can not be extended to Modi as under the law SPG protection is given only to the Prime Minister, former Prime Ministers and their immediate family members.

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In Rajasthan, Jodhpur police today filed charge sheet against Asaram in Jodhpur court. Asaram is in Jodhpur Jail since last 2 months for alleged rape charges with a minor girl. Jodhpur police filed 1300 pages charge sheet which includes names of 140 witnesses and evidences. According to charge sheet Asaram was the main accused and Shilpi, Sharad, Shiva and Prakash were co accused. Today Jodhpur police presented Asaram and the co accused in the court. The court has extended the judicial custody of Asaram till the 16th of this month.

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Assam and Meghalaya has decided to launch all out operations against militants. It was decided in the DGP level meeting held in Guwahati today. Official sources said, the army and police from both the states will carry out operations in vulnerable areas in a bid to flush out militant groups like ULFA and Garo National Liberation Army. The meeting also decided to set up a Joint Control Room in Goalpara to successfully carry out operations.

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India today reiterated its commitment to support comprehensive development and growth of Bangladesh. Addressing a function on the occasion of launching the Joint Retreat ceremony at Zero Point in Petrapole - Benapole border in North 24 Parganas district of West Bengal this afternoon, the Home Minister, Mr. Sushil Kumar Shinde said that India and Bangladesh share close geographical, historical, cultural and ethnic ties and it has to be carried forward in coming days. He termed the joint retreat ceremony of border security force and Bangladesh border guards as a landmark event in the history of cooperation and coordination between the two countries.

"Within our resources, India remains committed to support the comprehensive development of Bangladesh and the aspirations of its people. We believe that India and Bangladesh must develop and grow together ensuring that our growth provides more opportunities to both our people. We both face common challenges. India and Bangladesh can work together and lead the way towards greater integration within our region and beyond South East Asia".

Speaking on the occasion, the Bangladesh Home Minister, Muhiuddin Khan Alamgir said that the joint retreat will create a new history of friendship between the two nations.

"India and Bangladesh witnessed a glittering and historic retreat ceremony at Petrapole - Benapole border by the border security force and the border guard Bangladesh with a commitment to promote peace, harmony and mutual understanding between the two nations. Contingents of 20 jawans each from both the forces participated in the ceremony at the zero line. A cultural programme based on shared Bangla culture with songs of Ravindra Nath Tagore and Kazi Nazrul Islam was also organised to mark the day. Arijit Chakraborty, Petrapole border, West Bengal".

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India is engaged in diplomatic dialogue with Nigeria since yesterday on the issue of a death of Nigerian person in Panaji, Goa. Replying to a media query, the External Affairs Ministry spokesperson, Syed Akbaruddin said, New Delhi has assured Nigeria that it will act promptly on the request of the Nigerian Government for a thorough investigation in the case. He said, the Chief Secretary of Goa has been asked to submit a report on the issue within 48 hours.

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In Tamil Nadu, fishermen from Rameswaram began an indefinite strike from today urging the government to ensure release of Tamil fishermen lodged in Sri Lankan jails. Our correspondent reports that more than 750 fishing boats are docked in Rameswaram as thousands of fishermen did not venture into sea today for fishing.

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NEWS FROM BUSINESS WORLD

"Falling for the second straight session, the Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange declined 80 points to close at 20,895, on profit-booking by investors, today. The Nifty fell 38 points, to 6,215. Stock markets in China, Hong Kong, South Korea and Singapore all ended lower. The rupee plunged 77 paise, to close at an over one-month low of 62.39 against the dollar. Snapping a seven-day losing streak, gold rose 60 rupees, to 31,160 rupees per ten grams in Delhi. Silver gained 360 rupees, to 48,860 rupees per kilo. And Brent crude oil futures climbed above 106 dollars a barrel, while US crude rose 70 cents, to 94.07 dollars a barrel. AIR News".

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ISRO will raise the orbit of Mangalyaan from 23,500 kms to 28,785 kms. The orbiter was placed in the first elliptical orbit yesterday 45 minutes after launch.

The task of raising the orbit is scheduled in the early hours tomorrow and officials will be able to confirm placing of the orbit.

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Chasing 234 runs scored by West Indies , India were 37 without loss at stumps on the first day of first test match against the visitors at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata today. Paceman Mohammed Shami bagged the maximum of 4 wickets for 71 runs. Ravichandran Ashwin took two. Marlon Samuels top scored for the visitors with 65.

Earlier, West Indies won the toss and opted to bat first. This is the first test of the 2-match series.