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16th March, 2013

THE HEADLINES 

• Enhancing technical resources and industrial infrastructure in North Eastern states and West Bengal are the prime concerns of the centre, says the Prime Minister. 

• The Chief Justice of India calls for setting up legal aid centres in the Central Administrative Tribunal benches. 

• In Jammu and Kashmir, third accused arrested in Wednesday's Bemina attack case. 

• Government institutes national awards to recognise the efforts in the field of prevention of Drug abuse and rehabilitation of its victims. 

• India were 137 for no loss against Australia's first innings total of 408 runs in the third cricket test at Mohali. 

• Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal storms into the semifinals of the Swiss Grand Prix Gold tournament after thrashing Tzu Ying Tai of Chinese Taipei at Basel.

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The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh has said that the government has set a target to skill 5 crore people in the 12th Plan under National Skilled Development Scheme. Laying the foundation stone of the Ghani Khan Chowdhury Institute of Engineering & Technology at Malda district of West Bengal this afternoon, Dr. Singh said that for the development of the economy the youth of the country have to be skilled and educated. He said, enhancing technical resources and industrial infrastructure in North Eastern States and West Bengal are the prime concern of the centre.

I belive that this Institute will promote industry in Malda West Bengal and North-East and fulfill the requirements of technical manpower. we have begun national skill development and the aim is to impart world class education to skill five crore people.

The Prime Minister said that the government has increased allocation in education sector from 3.3 percent of the GDP to 4 percent to meet these challenges. The Prime Minister also stressed the need for quality education so that the education system can be made world class.

Speaking on the occasion the UPA Chairperson Mrs. Sonia Gandhi highlighted her government's various performances for the welfare of minorities, women and backward classes.

One thousand crore rupees has been allocated in the Budget to establish Banks run exclusively by women to provide credit facility to the enterprising women, to set up Nirbhaya Fund to uphold the respect and honour of women. A law will be passed soon to curb crimes against them.

Both the leaders recalled contributions of late Congress leader and Union Minister A.B.A Ghani Khan Chowdhury for the socio-economic development of Malda.

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Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram has said that six all women banks will be opened soon. He was inaugurating a branch of Canara Bank at Siravayal Sivaganga in Tamil Nadu today. The Minister said that later the all women banks will be expanded all over India. He said that these banks will help women entrepreneurs to get 100 per cent loan assistance. Earlier, Mr. Chidambaram inaugurated community halls at Sundaranadappu and Ilayathungudi.

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In West bengal, around 700 shanties were gutted in a fire in Santoshpur-Maheshtala area on the outskirts of Kolkata city today, leaving more than a thousand people homeless. Police said no injuries or casualties were reported but four persons were caught by locals from the spot and handed over to police for allegedly indulging in arson. Locals allege that it is a case of arson to evict them forcefully.

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Chief Justice of India Altamas Kabir has called for setting up legal aid centres at the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT)Benches across the coutry. Addressing the annual CAT conference in New Delhi today, Justice Kabir said no person should be denied access to justice. He said certain people are eligible for free legal aid which include children, women, the disabled SC/ST and those below certain income level. The Chief Justice also called for simplify and minimizing procedures for speedy and efficient delivery of justice to the people . He also urged the CAT for speedy disposal of pending cases. Law Minister Ashwini Kumar said the Central Administrative Tribunal has contributed immensely to lessen the pendency of higher courts. Mr. Kumar said Indian judiciary has set superior model within the country and abroad. The Minister for Personnel & Publice Grievances V.Narayanaswamy said the government is committed to provide all financial and infrastructural support to strengthen CAT.

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The 34 Tamil fishermen hailing from Rameswaram apprehended by Sri Lankan Navy last Thursday will be returning to Rameswaram tonight after they were released as per orders by a Sri Lankan court. The fishermen will be handed over to Indian Naval authorities at the international Maritime border.

Meanwhile the fishermen of Rameswaram continued their indefinite strike urging the release of 19 fishermen who are still lodged in Sri Lankan jail. The fishermen were arrested by Lankan Navy when they were fishing near Kachatheevu on Wednesday.

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Jammu and Kashmir Police has today arrested a third suspect in connection with Wednesday's suicide attack in Bemina area of Srinagar city. The person has been taken into custody from Baramullah after his name reportedly surfaced during the interrogation of two persons already arrested in this regard. State Director General Police has expressed optimism that the case will be cracked soon as police has got some important lead and investigation is under way.

Meanwhile, the Police have claimed that the two Pakistani nationals arrested in connection with the suicide attack on a CRPF camp have revealed the role of Pakistan-based terrorists. The police said that Bashir, a surrendered ultra who was arrested last night, led to Zubeer alias Talha Zarar, a resident of Multan in Pakistan. Police sources said, Bashir helped Zubeer with logistics in the Kashmir valley. Both were arrested from Chhattabal in Srinagar on Thursday. They have also revealed the role of Pakistan-based terrorist organization Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT).

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A Delhi court today granted National Invetigation Agency, NIA four-day custody of two alleged Indian Mujahideen operatives to further interrogate them in connection with the Hyderabad twin blasts that left 16 dead. During an in-chamber hearing, District Judge I S Mehta allowed the NIA plea seeking custody of Syed Maqbool and Imran Khan to confront them with another alleged IM operative Obaid-Ur-Rehman, who has been brought from Bangalore Central Jail and is in NIA's custody till March 20th in connection with the case.

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External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid has said that India has not downgraded its diplomatic mission in Italy over Rome's refusal to send back two marines for a murder trial in India. Speaking to a TV channel, he said action against Italy would have to be considered keeping the implications, such as economic ties, in mind. Amid the diplomatic tension, airports across the country have been alerted to prevent Italian Ambassador Daniele Mancini from leaving India. The decision was taken by the Home Ministry a day after the Supreme Court ordered that the envoy must stay in India at least till Monday, when he has been asked to explain Rome's refusal to return two marines to face trial for shooting dead two Kerala fishermen in February last year. The Supreme Court had allowed the two marines to go home to vote in Italy's national elections after Mr Mancini gave a written assurance that they would return for the trial. On Monday, Italy informed India that the men would not be sent back.

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In order to recognise the efforts and encourage excellence in the field of prevention of Alcoholism and Drug abuse and rehabilitation of its victims, the Centre has for the first time instituted national awards. The Awards are open to all Indian Institutions, Organisations including Gram Panchayats and Individuals without any distinction or discrimination on grounds of religion, race, sex, caste or creed . Talking to our correspondent Manikant Thakur, the Joint Secretary in the Ministry of social Justice and Empowerment, Mr.T.R.Meena said that even a former addict, who has done outstanding work in the field of awareness generation or de-addiction or rehabilitation will be recognized and awarded.

In the country the problem of drug abuse and the substance abuse is on the increase and it has been felt that the victims who are falling pray to this problem are youth in the country. We have realise that in some of the states the problem has become very serious like Punjab Manipur and some of the other states. Therefore we realise that apart from the schemes and programmes which the Ministeries right now implementing there are lot of NGOs lot of institutions we thought that we should reward such people who are doing outstanding services for the prevention of drug abuse.

The last date for receiving of duly endorsed applications at the Ministry of social Justice and Empowerment ,Shastri Bhawan,New Delhi is 28th of March. The awards shall be conferred on the awardees in a function to be held in New Delhi on the 26th June every year, which has been declared as the "International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking".

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Telecom Finance Corporation is likely to be created as a vehicle to access funds at competitive rates to facilitate the funding needs to the Telecom sector during the 12th five year plan. Official sources said that the Corporation proposes to facilitate investments in the sector. It would be a financing agency to provide funds including long and short term loans to Telecom companies such as telecom infrastructure providers, service providers, equipment manufacturers and internet service providers. The National Telecom Policy-2012 has also envisaged the creation of the Corporation to mobilize and channelize financing for telecom projects.

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Army General Bikram Singh has said that the Indian Army which is professionally competent and diligent is known for its formidable image at home and abroad. Addressing the cadets at the Officers Training Academy, Chennai today, he said that the Army has been reflecting unity in diversity and it also had a responsibility to strengthen the unshakeable belief in secularism, political outlook and professionalism. Underlining the need to tackle terrorism and insurgency, General Bikram Singh said that speed, promptness and the confidence of shouldering great responsibility are the highest accolades of soldiering. The Army General said integrity, loyalty,duty,respect,selfless courage and honor should be the qualities to be displayed by the officers who are joining the prestigious service of defending the Nation from today. Army General Bikram Singh reviewed the parade of the 273 cadets who passed out from the Academy. They include 57 lady cadets and one foreigner.

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The Union Minister for Commerce, Industries and Textiles Mr.Anand Sharma has accepted Karnataka’s proposal to extend Chennai-Bangalore industrial corridor upto Chitradurga district in the state. He was speaking to media persons after meeting Chief Minister Jagadish Shetter in Bangalore today. The Chennai-Bangalore corridor is being modeled along the 100 billion dollars, Delhi-Mumbai industrial corridor. The projects are taken up with assistance from the Japan International Cooperation Agency and will be developed in collaboration with the respective state governments. Speaking about FDI in retail, the minister informed that 63 proposal from global retail majors is likely to fetch an investment of 42 billion dollars in the coming days. He assured that the projects will help create jobs and and help MSMEs by augmenting demand for their products. He said global retail outlets will source their goods mostly from the small scale enterprises within the country. During the meeting, Mr.Sharma discussed issues pertaining to state projects, industrial infrastructure requirements, and status of textile parks with Chief Minister Jagadish Shetter.

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India were 154 for no loss in their first innings against Australia on Day Three of the third cricket test in Mohali, when reports last came in. Shikhar Dhawan scored his debut Test century off 85 balls to give India a strong start. Dhawan and Murali Vijay were at the crease.

Earlier, Australia were all out for 408 runs shortly before lunch. Ravindra Jadeja and Ishant Sharma claimed three wickets each. For Australia, Mitchell Starc scored 99 runs while Steven Smith made 92 runs. The hosts are currently leading the 4-match series, 2-0.

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Ace Indian shuttler Saina Nehwal was on course for her third consecutive Swiss Open title as she stormed into the semifinals of the Grand Prix Gold tournament after thrashing Tzu Ying Tai of Chinese Taipei at Basel.The top seeded Indian outplayed her sixth seeded opponent 21-11 21-12 in the quarterfinal match that lasted just 29 minutes. Barring Saina, all other Indian shuttlers have already out of the tournament