0815 HRS
16th February, 2013

THE HEADLINES:

• Government not averse to JPC probe in the Italian VVIP helicopter deal, says Parliamentary Affairs Minister ; CBI team to visit Italy to investigate the deal.
• Petrol costlier by one rupee 50 paise and diesel by 45 paise a litre.
• In Assam, curfew continues in Dhubri district after mob clashed with security forces.
• President exudes confidence that Indian economy can bounce back to 8 per cent growth level.
• Serena Williams crowned as the new World number one women’s tennis player; Takes on Maria Sharapova in Semifinals of the Qatar Open.

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The government has said it was not averse to a Joint Parliamentary Committee, probe into the Italian VVIP helicopter deal. The Government eventually initiated action to scrap the deal for purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters from Italian firm Agusta Westland following allegations that kickbacks to the tune of 362 crore rupees were paid to bag it.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath told a private TV channel that there should be consensus in Parliament on what further steps need to be taken.

Asserting that there is nothing to hide, he said there should be a healthy discussion over the issue in Parliament .

It's something which everybody, we also in government, and Congress party, we want the reality and the truth to come out. So we should have a very useful and healthy discussion in Parliament and in Parliament, there should be consensus on what further steps have to be taken.

Earlier in the day, Law Minister Ashwani Kumar said suitable action would be taken after obtaining evidence from Italy on the alleged kickbacks in 3600 crore rupees defence deal.

The Defence Ministry has issued a show cause notice to Agusta Westland asking it to explain within seven days the bribery allegations. The notice also asked the company why the deal should not be scrapped.

Meanwhile the CBI has begun its probe in to the VVIP helicopter deal and it's team is meeting officials in the Defence ministry. The Investigating agency is also rushing a team of its officials to Italy in a bid to make some headway in the probe.

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Petrol became costlier by one rupee 50 paise a litre and diesel by 45 paise from last night. The rates have been revised in tune with the rise in international rates. The increase does not include VAT or local sales tax. The new rates for petrol sold at Indian Oil Corporation pumps will now be 69 rupees 6 paise a litre in Delhi, 75 rupees 91 paise in Mumbai, 76 rupees 62 paise in Kolkata and 72 rupees 16 paise in Chennai. Diesel will now cost 48 rupees 15 paise a litre in Delhi, 54 rupees 28 paise in Mumbai, 52 rupees 4 paise in Kolkata and 51 rupees 23 paise in Chennai.

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In Assam, curfew continues at South Salmara sub-division area in Dhubri district after a mob clashed with security forces. Three persons were killed and several including BSF personnel injured when local people attacked security forces during counting of panchayat vote at Hatsingimari yesterday. Our correspondent has filed this report.

Two columns of army are staging flag march. District administration is closely monitoring the situation. The incident occurred when mob attacked security forces by pelting stones. Security personnel first resorted to lathi charge and blank fire. But when the situation went violent security forces retaliated with firing leading to death of 3 persons. Mob torched down vehicles and houses. 15 BSF personnel and 3 policemen also sustained injury. Manas Pratim Sarma, AIR News, Guwahati.

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Temperatures took a dip in North India as most parts of the region were lashed by rain while the higher reaches of Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh witnessed a fresh bout of snowfall. Our correspondent reports that the snowfall in the upper reaches of Kashmir brought down temperature across the Valley by couple of notches.

Continuous snowfall and rain have brought down the normal temperature in the entire Kashmir valley. For the last two days, the high reaches are experiencing snowfall whereas its raining in the lower areas of the valley. According to the Meteorological department, the rain and snowfall will continue during the next two days. Meanwhile, Jammu-Srinagar National Highway has been closed today due to snowfall in Jawahar Tunnel area and landslides in Seeri area of Ramban district. Sanjeet Khajuria, AIR News,Srinagar.

Biting cold wave conditions revived in Himachal Pradesh as the higher reaches received moderate to heavy snowfall while the lower hills were lashed by rain, bringing down the temperature considerably across the hill state. A report.

After fresh snowfall in the higher reaches and rain in other parts in Himachal Pradesh is in the grip of severe cold wave. This weather has again affected normal life specially in tribal districts of Lahol and Spity, Kinnor and Pani in Chamb. Kinnor administration has advised people to remain alert and contact to Village Disaster Management Committees in wake of any emergency. While in Pangi and Bharmour, the vacation in schools have been extended till February 22. Shishu Sharma, AIR News, Shimla.

Rain also lashed Punjab and Haryana, bringing down the day temperature even as the minimum in certain areas continued the upward trend.

A few places in the desert state of Rajasthan also received light rainfall accompanied by heavy winds. National Capital Delhi experienced an overnight downpour and a cold breeze blowing across the city has brought the temperature down. We talked to senior scientist Dr. Naresh Kumar from IMD on the recent change in the weather.

Today, there is a western disturbances along 17 degree east and north of 18 degree which is influencing western Himalaya region and it will affect western Himalayan region next 24 hours and give light to moderate snowfall over this region and this will also give the rainfall and thundershower over the plains of north-west India and after that it will decrease.

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President Pranab Mukherjee has exuded confidence that in Indian economy will bounce back to 8 per cent growth level as it has ability to halt deceleration. Inaugurating the 20th International Engineering and Technology Fair in New Delhiyesterday, he said the underlying growth impetus remains strong due to the continued rise in per capita income, expanding middle-class consumers and a young and energetic workforce.

India too has felt the repercussions of global slowdown. Though our economic growth has recently declined somewhat, I am confident that we will be able to bring the deceleration to a halt and revert to the 8 percent growth level that we attained many times in the past.

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The Second Meeting of the India-Bangladesh Joint Consultative Commission is set to take place in Dhaka this afternoon. External Affairs Minister, Salman Khurshid will arrive in Dhaka this morning to lead the Indian delegation at the meeting while the Bangladesh Delegation will be led by the country's Foreign Minister Dr. Dipu Moni. Our correspondent reports that the two sides will also review the preparations for the proposed upcoming visit of the President of India Pranab Mukherjee toBangladesh in the first week of March.

The Joint Consultative Commission will review progress in various sectors of the bilateral relationship, identify thrust areas and give directions for further growth of the bilateral partnership. The two sides are also likely to exchange strip maps as part of the agreement signed to resolve land boundary issues and some MOU's which relate to setting up of a think tank and an amendment to the agreement on avoidance of double taxation, following the meeting of the Joint Consultative Commission. Senthil Rajan, AIR News,Dhaka.

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France bestowed its highest decoration on the Nobel Prize-winning celebrated economist Amartya Sen for his contributions to economics and philosophy.

Conferring the 'Commandeur de la Legion d'Honneur', Legion of Honour after delivering the Madhavrao Scindia Memorial Lecture in New Delhi, French President Francois termed Amartya Sen the greatest humanist and a great thinker.

Later in the evening President Hollande said India’s economic growth rate can and should reach 10 percent as India has many needs to satisfy for its population. Speaking at the ‘India - France - Strengthening Long term economic partnership summit’ organized by CII, FICCI and ASSOCHAM in Mumbai, he said that there is an ample scope to amplify trade and commercial exchanges between India and France.

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The fourth important bathing festival of the Maha Kumbh, Basant Panchami and the last Shahi Snan of the Akharas passed of peacefully yesterday. Lakhs of pilgrims took a holy dip at Sangam on this occasion. A report:

Rain plays spoilsport during the bathing and scores of devotees were stuck midway while going towards Sangam and coming back to railway stations and bus stands. With the last Shahi Snan of Kumbh the saints and sears from Akharas will start leaving Mela area from today but several religious organisations and saints from different sects will continue for next bathing festival of Maghi Purnima. It is for the first time that special covers and cancellations have been issued by the postal departments on all major bathing festivals to make this Kumbh memorable. With Shariq Noor this is Sunil Shukla, AIR News, Kumbh Mela Allahabad.

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A meteor that crashed into Russia's Ural mountains has injured at least 950 people, as shockwave blew out windows and rocked buildings. Most of those hurt, in theChelyabinsk region where the meteor fell, suffered cuts and bruises but at least 46 remain in hospital.

A fireball streaked through the clear morning sky, followed by loud bangs. Russia's emergency, ministry says a 20,000-strong team has been sent to the Ural mountains as part of a rescue and clean-up operation after yesterday's meteor strike.

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Serena Williams has been crowned the new World number one women’s tennis player . The 31 year old American beat Czech Republic’s Petra Kevitova 6-3,3-6,7-5 to reach the Semifinals of the Qatar Open Tennis Championship in Doha on Friday to regain the WTA number one spot after a gap of two and a half years. Serena has won 59 of her last 62 matches. She takes on defending champion Maria Sharapova in the Semifinals today.

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Newspaper Headlines

With allegations of kickbacks, the controversial Agusta Westland VVIP helicopter deal dominates the front pages of all the newspapers. "Government set to scrap deal, sends notice to chopper firm" reports the Indian Express. Highlighting the opposition BJP's position on the issue, the Tribune writes "BJP demands court-monitored CBI probe into copter mess". The Times of India writes that the Comptroller and Auditor General or CAG is also examining the deal.

The suicide of Anuradha Sharma, the mother of airhostess Geetika Sharma who had committed suicide earlier alleging harassment by former Haryana Minister Gopal Kanda is splashed across the front pages of all the papers. "Geetika's mother kills self: blames Gopal Kanda, Aruna Chaddha in suicide note" reports the Pioneer.

The Tribune, in a special story, reports "Govt. steps in to curb clinical trial deaths : forms four expert panels to draft permission guidelines".

In the backdrop of the ongoing debate over capital punishment, the Hindustan Times cites a study by the Asain Centre for Human Rights to report "One death penalty every third day in India". The paper adds that the Indian judiciary has sent 1455 convicts to the gallows between 2001 and 2011.

The situation in Maldives is widely noticed with former President Mohammed Nausheed staying in the Indian embassy in Male for the third consecutive day. The Indian Express reports " Wont take adverse action, Maldives assures India". The Hindu writes "Global call for calm in Maldives, ensuring free and fair elections".

And finally, in some good news for the visually challenged, the Times of India writes "Artificial retina offers hope of partial vision to the blind: device allows them people to detect crosswalks, people or cars, sometimes large numbers or letters".