1400 HRS

15th February, 2013

THE HEADLINES

• Supreme Court rules that telecom companies whose licences were cancelled and did not participate in fresh 2G auction, will cease to operate forthwith.
• Pakistani soldier who crossed LoC to attack the Indian Post in Nowshera sector of Jammu & Kashmir, killed in an encounter.
• One person killed and two injured in a fire at Maha Kumbh Mela in Allahabad.
• 14th Meeting of the Environment Ministers of BASIC countries begins in Chennai.
• Sensex drops over 50 points in afternoon trade; Rupee gains 3 paise to 53.89 against dollar in late morning deals.
• ICC Women's Cricket World Cup tournament Chasing a victory target of 221 set by New Zealand for the third place, England were 69 for 1 in 15.3 overs at Mumbai, a shortwhile ago.

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The Supreme Court today ruled that unsuccessful bidders and telecom companies whose licences were cancelled and did not participate in fresh auction for 2G spectrum, will cease to operate forthwith. It said, telecom firms who continued operations after cancellation of licences, will pay the fees as per the reserved price fixed for the fresh auction in November 2012. A Bench comprising Justices G S Singhvi and K S Radhakrishnan further clarified that it was only concerned with the 1800 MHz and the 800 MHz band and not with the 900 MHz. The apex court had on February 2nd last year cancelled 122 licences for the 2G spectrum and directed the DoT to hold fresh auction for them within four months which was the extended by interim orders from time to time.

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The army today said that the Indian troops killed a Pakistani soldier who had crossed LoC in Nowshera sector to attack Indian post in Jammu and Kashmir. Talking to All India Radio in New Delhi, army spokesperson Colonel Jagdip Dahiya said that the army tried to stop some intruders, but the intruders opened fire at the troops. The Pakistani soldier was killed in retaliatory firing by the troops. Colonel Dahiya said that the Indian Army has acceded to the Pakistan Army DGMO's request to return the body of the Pakistani soldier.

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Italian Prime Minister Mario Monti has said that his government will guarantee the correct governance of state-controlled defence firm, Finmeccanica, following arrest of its chief executive on corruption charges in the 3,600 crore rupee VVIP helicopter deal with India. Monti had earlier promised to do whatever necessary to clean up Finmeccanica. He also gave an assurance that the prosecution would do its duty in the cases of Finmeccanica's jailed ex-chief executive officer Giuseppe Orsi. Meanwhile, Finmeccanica, Italy's biggest defence contractor, appointed Alessandro Pansa as the new CEO to succeed Orsi.

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President Pranab Mukherjee today expressed confidence that the country will be able to halt the economic deceleration and revert to 8 per cent plus economic growth. Inaugurating the 20^{th international engineering and technology fair in New Delhi, 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. The President stated that stronger efforts from all stake holders collectively could build on this trend to secure a faster growth rate as the global economy revives. Mr. Mukherjee stressed the need for enhancing capabilities on many fronts especially human skills, hardware technology and knowledge base to make the Indian industry productive and competitive. Stating that innovation was a key managerial strategy for growth, he said emphasis must be laid on its various dimensions such as process innovation, product innovation, business model innovation and new technology innovation.}

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One person has been reported dead and two others injured in a fire that broke out at the Maha Kumbh Mela today. The fire mishap took place on a day when lakhs of devotees have gathered for the 'Shahi Snan' on the occasion of Basant Panchami. SSP (Kumbh), R K S Rathore said, an unidentified person was killed in the fire that broke out in Sector 4 of the Kumbh Mela area early this morning. He said, prima facie, the fire was caused by a short circuit and the person who was killed, was probably fast asleep and could not run out of his tent before he was engulfed in flames.

In another incident, 10 tents were gutted in a fire late last night when some pilgrims were having their dinner inside the camp of a religious organization. However, nobody was injured in this incident.

Meanwhile, the Shahi Snan on the occasion of Basant Panchami, is going on peacefully as the Akharas had taken a decision earlier to take out their processions without the usual fanfare in view of the February 10th stampede at the Allahabad Junction Railway Station, which had claimed 36 lives. Our correspondent has filed this report....

"Moderate rain in and around the Mela area has increased the inconvenience of the devotees. Third and last Shahi Snan of Akharas is in its last leg. Saints and seers from all seven Sanyasi, three Bairagi and one from three Udasin Akharas have completed their Shahi Snan. With today`s Shahi Snan saints and sears from Akharas will start leaving the Mela for their respective ashrams and certainly it will affect the colour of the Mela. Massive security arrangements are in place and large numbers of security personnel including Para military forces are deployed. The state government today announced a financial relief of 2 lakhs rupees to the next kin of a saint killed last night in an incident of fire in sector 4 of the Mela. With Shariq Noor this is Sunil Shukla, AIR News Kumbh Mela Allahabad.

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A special team of the Kerala Police have arrested Dharmarajan, the third accused in the Suryanelli Rape case.

The Kottayam Superintendent of Police C Rajagopal told media persons that the special team arrested Dharmarajan from Sagar in Karnataka. He is being brought back to Kottayam where he will be produced before the Special Court set up for the trial of the Suryanelli case.

The Special Court had recently issued a warrant against Dharmarajan, who was absconding after being released on bail.

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The 14 th Meeting of the Environment Ministers of Brazil, Argentina, South Africa, India and China, began at Chennai today. The two day closed door meeting will review the decisions taken at Doha and plan the future steps for taking the global process for an ambitious and equitable agreement under the Durban Platform. The meeting will also set an agenda for the ministers deliberations to be held tomorrow. Our correspondent reports that representatives from important members of the G-77 countries like Bhutan,Fiji, Nauru and Qatar have also been invited for the meet.

"Experts and negotiators of the BASIC countries are holding deliberations on taking forward the resolutions held at the Doha Conference. This would formulate the approach to the future issues in the negotiation process which includes the implementation of the Kyoto Protocol since January first this year as it is the basis and remains a key component of the international climate regime . The conference is also expected to ensure that the developed countries should take the lead not just in mitigation but also in adaptation,finance, technology transfer and capacity building. Joy/Chennai/ AIR NEWS."

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Financial ministers from the G20 Countries are meeting today in the Russian capital Moscow at the start of two days of meetings. Reports say talks will likely focus on so-called currency wars, and, in particular, recent moves by Japan to spur economic growth. Analysts say, that Japan's actions have caused the currency, the yen, to lose about 20 percent of its value since November. The value of a country's currency has a big impact on its trade and there are fears that nations may try to influence markets to help boost their economies.

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The United Nations Secretary-General has urged restraint from all parties in Maldives in wake of former President Nasheed seeking refuge in the Indian High Commission in Male. Nasheed is still in the Indian High Commission, and his party says he will not leave the complex until a caretaker government is set up in the country. A report:

Issuing a statement today, UN Secretary General urged all political actors to exercise restraint to create conditions condusive for fair, peaceful and inclusive elections. All parties contesting the 7 September presidential elections should be able to field the candidates of their choice, the statement added. Indian Foreign Minister Mr Salman Khursheed seeking a resolution to the issue, had a long telephonic conversation with his Maldivian counterpart Abdul Samad Abdullah yesterday.Abhishek Dayal/Colombo/AIR NEWS."

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The historical Mughal Gardens of the Rashtrapati Bhavan was thrown open to the public today. The month-long annual Udyanotsav was opened by President Pranab Mukherjee. Talking to All India Radio, Press Secretary to the President, Venu Rajamony said, the main attraction this year are the 2,500 multi-coloured varieties of Dahlias.

In particular, in the portion known as the circular garden, there is an 8 foot tall dahlia which is going all around the walls which is a key attraction. A large number of seasonal flowers were planted in the last season and they have flowered providing a lot of variety and colour to the overall garden along with the roses.

Mr. Rajamony said, visitors are not allowed to carry water bottles, briefcases, handbags or ladies purses, camera, transistors, cell phones, umbrellas and eatables due to security reasons. The gardens will remain open between 10 am and 4 pm except on Mondays.

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The 27th edition of the Surajkund International Crafts Mela which covered fifteen days of fun, frolic and a kaleidoscopic view of India's rich cultural heritage is concluding today. A report-

Karnataka, the theme state of the 27th Surajkund International Crafts Mela has been chosen after a gap of 18 years. Also, for the first time in the history of the mela, all the SAARC Nations are participating under one roof. Anand Sharan, Member Administration, Surajkund Meal Authority said that the fair has evolved over the years since it was started in the year 1987.

The festival has come to occupy a place of pride on the International tourist calendar. Lola Jutta for AIR News.

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Manipur has decided to ban tobacco products in the state with immediate effect. The decision to ban the sale and consumption of tobacco products like cigarette, gutka, khaini, zarda etc., was taken in the State Cabinet meeting at Imphal chaired by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh, last evening.

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A former News Editor in News Services Division of All India Radio, S R Ojha died on the 9th of this month in Hyderabad after prolonged illness. He was 68. Ojha joined the India Information Service in 1971 and served in different media units of the Information and Broadcasting Ministry.

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The Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange fell 39 points, or 0.2 per cent, to 19,458 in early trade, today, on continued selling by funds and retail investors, amid subdued global markets. Later, the Sensex continued weak, and stood 58 points, or 0.3 per cent in the red, at 19,439 in afternoon trade, a short while ago.

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The rupee continued to rule firm in late morning deals today by gaining 3 paise to 53.89 rupees against the dollar on selling of the US currency from banks and exporters amid persistent capital inflows. A forex dealer said, a weak dollar in the overseas market also boosted the rupee value.

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In ICC Women's World Cup cricket, chasing New Zealand's target of 221, England were83 for 1 in 19 overs in the third position play-off match at Mumbai when reports last came in. Earlier, England won the toss and elected to field. In another match today, chasing Sri Lanka's victory target of 244 runs, South Africa were_58_ for__4__ in __20__ overs in the 5th position play-off match at Cuttack. Earlier, Sri Lanka won the toss and opted to bat.