1400 HRS

  5th February, 2013

THE HEADLINES

• Delhi fast track court begins trial in December gang rape case; Police files a supplementary chargesheet.
• Finance Minister P Chidambaram asks revenue officials to step up tax collection efforts to achieve budget target.
• Supreme Court directs Centre and several State Governments to file their affidavits on the issue of missing children immediately.
• Information & Broadcasting Minister Manish Tiwari backs all girls' music band in Jammu & Kashmir.
• Heavy rain lashes national capital region and parts of north India; Jammu-Srinagar national highway remains closed for the third day.
• India take on Sri Lanka in the must win third Group-A match of the ICC Women's World Cup at Mumbai.

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As the trial in the Delhi gang rape case began today, police filed a supplementary chargesheet and added an autopsy report from the Singapore hospital where the 23-year-old victim died on the 29th of December last year.

A fast-track court in Delhi, on Saturday, framed charges against five accused in the December 16 gangrape case and put them on trial on various counts including conspiracy to abduct the 23-year-old girl and sexually assault and murder her.

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Finance Minister P Chidambaram today asked revenue officials to beef up their tax collection efforts to achieve the budgeted target. Mr Chidambaram said that it was a difficult year for the economy because there were less imports and manufacturing activity was also slackening. He was addressing the officials of Central Board of Excise and Customs in New Delhi. The Finance Minister said the tax officials should make their best efforts to achieve the budgeted target in the remaining weeks of the current fiscal ending March.

The government has budgeted to collect over 5.05 lakh

crore rupees in the current fiscal from indirect taxes that comprise excise, customs and service tax. Indirect tax collection grew at a moderate rate of 16.8 per cent to 2.92 lakh crore rupees in the April-November period as against the annual growth target of 27 per cent.

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Supreme Court today sharply criticised the Centre and several state governments for their failure to file status report on the issue of missing children. The bench headed by Chief Justice Altamas Kabir said nobody seems to be concerned about them. The apex court also came down heavily on the Chief Secretaries of Arunachal Pradesh, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu for their failure to comply with its order to be present before it later in the day on the issue. The court threatened to issue non-bailable warrants against them. The bench gave last opportunity to the Centre and the states which have not filed their affidavits on the matter and posted it for further hearing on February the 19th.

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Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh today called for putting in place an educational system to help build India into a modern, prosperous, progressive economy and society in the 21st century. Addressing the conference of Vice Chancellors of Central Universities at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi today, Dr. Singh also urged for introducing flexibility in Higher educational institutions to attract good faculty, raise teaching standards and encourage cutting edge research to nurture talent. The Prime minister asked the Central Universities to evolve new ways to benefit the people by disseminating knowledge, encouraging innovation, environmental conservation and developing skills.

Dr. Singh said, the rapid transformation in the past decade touched across all levels and types of education in the country. The UPA Government established 51 Higher educational institutions including IITs, IIMs and IISERs during the 11th Plan period, which is the highest for any Plan period.

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Information & Broadcasting Minister Manish Tiwari today backed the all girls music band "Pragaash", saying it is the will of all the political spectrum in Jammu & Kashmir that freedom of speech should be allowed to flourish without any curbs.

"CM of Jammu and Kashmir and all political spectrum has spoken out in favour of the freedom of expression and we do hope that on this issue across the political spectrum in Jammu & Kashmir there would be a degree of unanimity which would ensure that the freedom of speech and expression can be allowed to flourish without any curbs on it."

The all-girls music band had decided to stop performing following online threats and abuses. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had directed the police to investigate the matter and take action against all those who were issuing such threats to the band.

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Union Defence Minister A K Antony has urged the private sector to invest more in Research and Development, R&D. Speaking at the inauguration of international Seminar on the challenges in Design Development in Defence production in Bangalore today, the Minister asked the private sector to join hands with the Government in improving R&D in the country. Appreciating the R&D efforts of DRDO, the Minister however said that delay in delivery of strategic technology poses additional challenges compelling the user agencies to acquire them from abroad at additional cost.

Speaking about trainer aircraft for the Air Force, the Minister said, delay in Intermediate Jet Trainer aircraft programme is a cause for concern. He disclosed that private sector will be invited to take part in the development of transport aircrafts, to replace the old AVRO transport aircraft fleet.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief of Air Staff, NAK Browne welcomed the indegenisation efforts and noted that the number of contracts given to Indian defence companies have gone up to 66 percent recently.

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Challenges in the power sector is the focus of the meeting between Power Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and the State Energy Ministers in New Delhi today. The day-long meeting will also discuss issues impacting growth in the power sector. They will also discuss the issue of tariff revision, financial health of the electricity distribution companies, and challenges in power transmission among other things. The other dignitaries attending the meeting include heads of the PSUs and state Energy Secretaries.

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Heavy rainfall due to western disturbances today lashed various parts of the national capital region throwing traffic out of gear due to waterlogging and poor visibility. Our correspondent has filed this report.

"The continued rainfall dampened the spirit of office goers in the morning as they had to wait for long due to the traffic jam. Vehicular movement was affected in several areas of Delhi . The rain also added to chill in the air due to which Delhites are experiencing cold weather condition. The city has received 46 milimeters rains for a period of 24 hours till 8.30 A.M. With Anand, Zakir Malik, AIR News, Delhi."

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Vehicular movement remained suspended on the 300-km-long Jammu-Srinagar National Highway for the third consecutive day today, as over 400 vehicles and passengers are stranded at various places. More from our Correspondent:

Despite efforts by the Border Roads Organization (BRO) to clear the snow, highway could not be opened for traffic as it is snowing heavily in South of Jawahar Tunnel. The heavy rains are triggering landslides at a few places on the National Highway that is creating major hurdle in the re-opening of the highway. Meanwhile, the vehicular traffic on Bani-Basohli in district Kathua of Jammu region also remained suspended due to landslide. With R K Raina,this is Yogesh Sharma/AIR NEWS./JAMMU."

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Entire Himachal Pradesh is reeling under severe cold wave as a fresh spell of snowfall, at the higher reaches and wide spread rain with high velocity wind in other areas continue for the last 36 hours. Most parts of Kinnaur and Lahaul Spiti districts and upper areas of Shimla, Kullu , Chamba district are experiecing heavy snowfall . Rohtang pass, the gateway of Lahaul Spiti is covered under ten feet snow. Incessant snowfall and rain has affected normal life at various places.

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Moderate to heavy rains lashed various parts of Punjab and Haryana, with water logging affecting normal life at many areas in both the states. Continuous rain accompanied with strong winds also hit the road traffic.

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In Uttarakhand, effects of a western disturbance caused snowfall in the upper reaches of hilly areas, while rains lashed the lower parts, plunging down the temperature across the state. The Chardams in the state- Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri experienced heavy snowfall.

"Heavy Snowfall witnessed at higher Himalayan peaks in Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Uttarkashi and Pithoragarh districts among others and cold winds are sweeping the state, whereas medium to heavy rains has been witnessed in lower areas. The skiing resort of Aulie once again covered with the white blanket of snow and snowfall is likely at Nainital, Mussoorie and other hill resorts by tomorrow. Meanwhile Gangotri-Yamunotri national highway has been blocked due to landslide near Nalupani at Uttarkashi. Sanjeev Sundriyal/AIR NEWS/Dehradun."

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In Jammu and Kashmir, five Vaishno Devi pilgrims, including four of a family, were killed and eight others seriously injured in a tragic road accident at Gurha Morh, Vijaypur on Jammu-Pathankote National Highway in Samba district, late last night. The accident occurred when the vehicle carrying the pilgrims was on its way from Katra to Patiala after paying obeisance at the Cave Shrine.

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In Jharkhand, a policeman was killed in an encounter with the Maoists near Matrukha village of Gridhi district. Here is a report:

Encounter between the police force and the naxals lasted for few hours last night at Matrukha under Peertand police station of Gridhi district left one police man Ajit Kumar Singh dead. But the police succeeded in arresting notorious naxal-Chotu Marandi alongwith his three associates who are believed to be the mastermind behind the infamous escape of naxals from a jail vehicle at the Gridhi court premises few days ago when the vehicle was attacked. Rajesh Sinha//AIR NEWS/Ranchi".

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In Tripura, the battle lines are drawn for the final campaigning trail to woo the voters as the poll date is drawing nearer. Political parties are making extra effort to seek the support of voters. The Star Campaigners from different political parties have also started addressing election rallies. The state goes to poll on the 14th of this month. More from our Correspondent:

In Tripura the assembly election this time will have no remotest Polling stations. Tripura CEO Asutosh Jindal said that 5 constituencies are identified in state where the polling officials will have to walk in foot for a maximum of 10 kilometers. He said all the polling officials will reach their designated polling station 24 hours before poll this time, where as earlier polling officials in remotest areas were moved 48 hours before poll. SUDIPTA KAR/AGARTALA/AIR NEWS.

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In Business News,

The Sensex at the Bombay Stock Exchange declined 88 points, or 0.4 per cent, to 19,663 in opening trade, this morning, as funds and retail investors booked profits, amid weak global markets. Later, the Sensex remained subdued, and stood 99 points, or 0.5 percent in the red, at 19,652 in afternoon trade, a short while ago. The Sensex has lost over 250 points in the past three trading sessions.

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The rupee recovered after initial losses in late morning trade and was steady at 53 rupees 28 paise against the US Dollar on mild selling of dollars from banks and exporters on the back of persistent capital inflows from foreign funds. Earlier, the rupee had resumed lower at 53 rupees 40 paise per dollar.

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In Sports News,

Hosts India will lock horns with Sri Lanka in their must-win third and final Group-A match of the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai today. The match will begin at 2:30 PM. With 2 points from 2 games, Mithali Raj-led-India is currently second in Group-A and a victory today will take them through to the Super Six stage. Earlier, India won its opening match by beating the West Indies by a massive 105 runs, while in the second match, defending champions England beat the hosts by 32 runs. In the other Group-A match today, England will take on the West Indies at the Bandra Kurla Complex in Mumbai.