1400 HRS
24th April, 2013
THE HEADLINES
- Prime Minister says, participation of local people has increased in panchayats, assures all possible Central assistance to the states to make development process more inclusive and sustainable.
- Finance Minister seeks cooperation of the main opposition and other political parties to push through important bills in Parliament.
- Negotiations going on at various levels with China to resolve its intrusion in Ladakh, says Defence Minister.
- Legendary Hindi Cinema singer Shamshad Begum passes away.
- Over 70 killed in a 8-storey building collapse near Dhaka.
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The Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has said that participation of local people has increased in panchayats and expressed satisfaction that people have become more aware about politics by strengthening panchyat. Addressing a function to mark National Panchayati Raj Divas 2013 in New Delhi this morning, Dr Singh said that 15 States have reserved 50 per cent seats for women in Panchayats which have helped more than a million women to get elected to the local bodies. He called for further strengthening of the panchayati raj institutions across the country.
In order to strengthen Panchayat's the centre has allocated more funds to help the State Governments. For this Budgetary allocation has been enhanced from 668 crore rupees in a the 11th for year Plan to 6,437 crore rupees in a 12th the for year Plan which is about ten time higher.
The Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has said that participation of local people has increased in panchayats and expressed satisfaction that people have become more aware about politics by strengthening panchyat. Addressing a function to mark National Panchayati Raj Divas 2013 in New Delhi this morning, Dr Singh said that 15 States have reserved 50 per cent seats for women in Panchayats which have helped more than a million women to get elected to the local bodies. He called for further strengthening of the panchayati raj institutions across the country.
In order to strengthen Panchayat's the centre has allocated more funds to help the State Governments. For this Budgetary allocation has been enhanced from 668 crore rupees in a the 11th for year Plan to 6,437 crore rupees in a 12th the for year Plan which is about ten time higher.
He hoped that states will make full utilization of the allocated money for strengthening local self government institutions.
Dr Singh assured all possible Central assistance to the states to make the development process more inclusive and sustainable. The Prime Minister asked states to ensure that decentralization of power under the panchayati raj system becomes a reality.
The aim of Panchayat Raj is decentralisation, so that people get the right to run the administration themselves. We must try that Panchayati Raj does not remain a slogan and it becomes a reality in our life time.
The aim of Panchayat Raj is decentralisation, so that people get the right to run the administration themselves. We must try that Panchayati Raj does not remain a slogan and it becomes a reality in our life time.
On complaints about unwillingness of the bureaucracy at the Central and state levels to share their powers with local bodies, the Prime Minister stressed on changing the attitude.Our correspondent reports that the National Panchayati Raj Divas marks a defining moment in the decentralization of political power to grassroots :
The Constitution 73rd Amendment Act, 1992 came into force on this day in 1993, vesting constitutional status on Panchayati Raj institutions. The day marks a defining moment in the history of decentralization of political power to the grassroots level. Its impact in rural India is very much visible with irreversible power equations in the society. The year 2013 also marks completion of 20 years of Panchayati Raj in the country. Panchayats have given a new direction to rural development with women, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other marginalised sections of society becoming actors in the socio-economic development of their communities through representation in the local bodies. Panchayats also play a significant role in the implementation of several Centrally sponsored schemes including Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme, Saakshar Bharat Mission, Indira Awas Yojna and National Rural Drinking Water Programme. With Sant Bahadur, Zakir Malik, Air News, Delhi.
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The Government will take more executive actions in the next two to four months to carry forward the economic reforms programme of the UPA-II. Addressing a function in New Delhi today, Finance Minister P Chidambaram sought the cooperation of the main opposition and other political parties to push through important bills in Parliament. Chidambaram said all should ensure the passage of the land, insurance and Goods and Services Tax bills in Parliament. He ruled out possibility of early elections and said the government would continue to take significant steps to ensure that the country achieves its potential growth rate of 8 per cent. The Finance Minister said inflation is going downward and hoped the trend would continue. He added Current Account Deficit is more worrying than Fiscal Deficit and it is likely to remain below 5 per cent.
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Defence Minister A K Antony has said that every step is being taken to safeguard the country’s interest to resolve the Indo-China stand-off in Ladakh. Speaking to media persons in Bangalore today on the sidelines of a programme, Antony said negotiations are going on at various levels to resolve the issue of intrusion at Ladakh. India and China had held a second flag meeting yesterday to discuss a stand-off over nearly a dozen Chinese soldiers setting up a remote camp some 10 km inside Indian territory in Ladakh.
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The arrested Saradha Group Chairman-cum-Managing Director Sudipto Sen along with two associates was handed over to West Bengal police by a court in Gandarbal in Kashmir valley today on transit remand. The three were produced before the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate after they were arrested by the police from a hotel at Sonamarg yesterday. A police team from Kolkata had reached Srinagar after the arrests were made by the J&K police.
Meanwhile, in Assam, protests continue at several places against the Saradha Group of Companies for duping thousands of investors. Angry mob ransacked the group's offices in Guwahati and other places. Assam police has registered 5 cases against the company and its head Sudipto Sen. Assam police is also mulling the option to seek his custody in these cases. Meanwhile, one senior official of the company yesterday alleged that Assam Health and Education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, former DGP Sankar Baruah and Secretary of Assam Publication Board had links with the Saradha group.Opposition Asom Gana Parishad has demanded an enquiry into the matter.
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Shamshad Begum, a pioneer of Bollywood's music fraternity, passed away after prolonged illness in Mumbai. She was the voice behind some of the industry’s most memorable hits between the 1940s and 1950s.
One of the first and versatile singers of Bollywood's music fraternity Shamshad Begum is still remembered by music lovers for her unforgettable songs. Her crystal-clear voice caught the attention of sarangi maestro Ustad Hussain Bakshwale Saheb, who took her as his disciple. Renowned composer O.P. Nayyar, for whom she sang the famous song Leke pehla pehla pyar for the film CID described her voice as that of a "temple bell" for its clarity of tone. Another of her famous song with the legendary composer which became a big hit is Kabhi aar kabhi paar from the film Aar Paar. She also sang many memorable duets with other famous singers like Asha Bhosale Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar. Even today, her songs are popular and continue to be remixed by music directors. SUDHA RAMASUBRAMANIAN, AIR NEWS, MUMBAI
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Condoling the demise of Shamshad Begum, Information and Broadcasting minister Manish Tewari said the film industry has lost one of its most versatile singers. He said Shamshad Begum's style of singing had set new benchmarks. The Minister described her passing away as an irreparable loss to the world of music which will be difficult to fill.
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In Bangladesh, more than 70 people have been killed and several hundreds are reported to be injured following the collapse of a eight storey commercial building in Savar on the outskirts of Dhaka. Bangladesh Health Minister A.F.M Ruhal Haque who is monitoring the rescue and relief operations told reporters that the death toll exceeded seventy. According to officials engaged in the rescue operations on the spot at least 700 people were injured and have been sent to different hospitals for treatment. The eight-storey commercial building was used to house three garment units, a bank and around three hundred shops.
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In Pakistan, eight persons including two children sustained injuries in a blast near a private hospital in a Satellite Town in Quetta early today. Security forces have cordoned off the area and started collecting evidence. The nature of the blast is yet to be ascertained.
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A United States Court has dropped charges against a man accused of sending letters containing the deadly poison, ricin, to President Obama and others.
The Constitution 73rd Amendment Act, 1992 came into force on this day in 1993, vesting constitutional status on Panchayati Raj institutions. The day marks a defining moment in the history of decentralization of political power to the grassroots level. Its impact in rural India is very much visible with irreversible power equations in the society. The year 2013 also marks completion of 20 years of Panchayati Raj in the country. Panchayats have given a new direction to rural development with women, scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other marginalised sections of society becoming actors in the socio-economic development of their communities through representation in the local bodies. Panchayats also play a significant role in the implementation of several Centrally sponsored schemes including Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme, Saakshar Bharat Mission, Indira Awas Yojna and National Rural Drinking Water Programme. With Sant Bahadur, Zakir Malik, Air News, Delhi.
<><><>
The Government will take more executive actions in the next two to four months to carry forward the economic reforms programme of the UPA-II. Addressing a function in New Delhi today, Finance Minister P Chidambaram sought the cooperation of the main opposition and other political parties to push through important bills in Parliament. Chidambaram said all should ensure the passage of the land, insurance and Goods and Services Tax bills in Parliament. He ruled out possibility of early elections and said the government would continue to take significant steps to ensure that the country achieves its potential growth rate of 8 per cent. The Finance Minister said inflation is going downward and hoped the trend would continue. He added Current Account Deficit is more worrying than Fiscal Deficit and it is likely to remain below 5 per cent.
<><><>
Defence Minister A K Antony has said that every step is being taken to safeguard the country’s interest to resolve the Indo-China stand-off in Ladakh. Speaking to media persons in Bangalore today on the sidelines of a programme, Antony said negotiations are going on at various levels to resolve the issue of intrusion at Ladakh. India and China had held a second flag meeting yesterday to discuss a stand-off over nearly a dozen Chinese soldiers setting up a remote camp some 10 km inside Indian territory in Ladakh.
<><><>
The arrested Saradha Group Chairman-cum-Managing Director Sudipto Sen along with two associates was handed over to West Bengal police by a court in Gandarbal in Kashmir valley today on transit remand. The three were produced before the court of the Chief Judicial Magistrate after they were arrested by the police from a hotel at Sonamarg yesterday. A police team from Kolkata had reached Srinagar after the arrests were made by the J&K police.
Meanwhile, in Assam, protests continue at several places against the Saradha Group of Companies for duping thousands of investors. Angry mob ransacked the group's offices in Guwahati and other places. Assam police has registered 5 cases against the company and its head Sudipto Sen. Assam police is also mulling the option to seek his custody in these cases. Meanwhile, one senior official of the company yesterday alleged that Assam Health and Education minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, former DGP Sankar Baruah and Secretary of Assam Publication Board had links with the Saradha group.Opposition Asom Gana Parishad has demanded an enquiry into the matter.
<><><>
Shamshad Begum, a pioneer of Bollywood's music fraternity, passed away after prolonged illness in Mumbai. She was the voice behind some of the industry’s most memorable hits between the 1940s and 1950s.
One of the first and versatile singers of Bollywood's music fraternity Shamshad Begum is still remembered by music lovers for her unforgettable songs. Her crystal-clear voice caught the attention of sarangi maestro Ustad Hussain Bakshwale Saheb, who took her as his disciple. Renowned composer O.P. Nayyar, for whom she sang the famous song Leke pehla pehla pyar for the film CID described her voice as that of a "temple bell" for its clarity of tone. Another of her famous song with the legendary composer which became a big hit is Kabhi aar kabhi paar from the film Aar Paar. She also sang many memorable duets with other famous singers like Asha Bhosale Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar. Even today, her songs are popular and continue to be remixed by music directors. SUDHA RAMASUBRAMANIAN, AIR NEWS, MUMBAI
<><><>
Condoling the demise of Shamshad Begum, Information and Broadcasting minister Manish Tewari said the film industry has lost one of its most versatile singers. He said Shamshad Begum's style of singing had set new benchmarks. The Minister described her passing away as an irreparable loss to the world of music which will be difficult to fill.
<><><>
In Bangladesh, more than 70 people have been killed and several hundreds are reported to be injured following the collapse of a eight storey commercial building in Savar on the outskirts of Dhaka. Bangladesh Health Minister A.F.M Ruhal Haque who is monitoring the rescue and relief operations told reporters that the death toll exceeded seventy. According to officials engaged in the rescue operations on the spot at least 700 people were injured and have been sent to different hospitals for treatment. The eight-storey commercial building was used to house three garment units, a bank and around three hundred shops.
<><><>
In Pakistan, eight persons including two children sustained injuries in a blast near a private hospital in a Satellite Town in Quetta early today. Security forces have cordoned off the area and started collecting evidence. The nature of the blast is yet to be ascertained.
<><><>
A United States Court has dropped charges against a man accused of sending letters containing the deadly poison, ricin, to President Obama and others.
Just hours after the suspect, Kavin Kurtis was released on bail, charges against him were dropped. Mr. Kurtis had been held since last week when letters addressed to the White House, a US Senator and a Mississippi Judge tested positive for ricin. In a court order calling for the charges to be dismissed, prosecutors said, the ongoing investigation had revealed new information, but did not provide any details.
The development came on the day the defence intelligence agency said that routine screening of its incoming mail detected a possible biological toxin.
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The European Union's anti-terror chief says hundreds of Europeans have joined the rebels fighting government forces in Syria. Gilles de Kerchove told the BBC that some will be radicalised and may be a threat when they return home. UK, Ireland and France are among the EU countries estimated to have the highest numbers of fighters in Syria. In Britain and Belgium, intelligence agencies have increased efforts to track how people are recruited. Meanwhile, Dutch officials have raised the terror threat level there to substantial, partly over concerns about radicalised citizens returning from Syria.
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Australian police say they have arrested a self-proclaimed leader of the hacking group LulzSec. The 24-year-old from New South Wales is accused of attacking and defacing a government website earlier this month. Lulzsec has claimed responsibility for several high profile cyber-attacks, including against Sony Pictures and the CIA. He faces a maximum of 12 years in jail.
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In Bhutan the Election Commission has declared the results of the twenty seats of the National Council for which polling was held yesterday. Six former Councilors have won a second term to the non political Upper House of Parliament while no woman has been elected. Over 45 per cent eligible voters participated in the poll.
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Mahavir Jayanti is being celebrated across the country with religious fervour and gaiety today. The President Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, the Vice President Mr. M. Hamid Ansari and the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, have greeted the people on this auspicious occasion. In some parts of the country, Mahavir Jayanti was celebrated yesterday.
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Oil prices rose slightly in Asia today on cautious hopes of a rise in energy demand in the United States. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in June, added 21 cents to 89.39 dollar a barrel and Brent North Sea crude for June delivery gained 17 cents to 100.48 dollar in mid-morning trade.
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The technology giant, Apple, has reported its first drop in profits for decades. Apple made 9.5 billion dollars in profits in the first three months this year, 2.1 billion less than during the same period last year. But, there was an overall rise in revenue.
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In the IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders will meet Mumbai Indians in Kolkata at 8 P.M today. Both the team have played 6 matches in the sixth IPL season . Mumbai indians are sixth in point tables while Kolkata Knight Riders are at the seventh position.
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Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar turned 40 today with cricket administrators and his fans lining up a series of events to celebrate the occasion. The Cricket Association of Bengal celebrated Tendulkar's birthday a day in advance by cutting a 10-pound cake in the presence of 100 blind students.
<><><>
The European Union's anti-terror chief says hundreds of Europeans have joined the rebels fighting government forces in Syria. Gilles de Kerchove told the BBC that some will be radicalised and may be a threat when they return home. UK, Ireland and France are among the EU countries estimated to have the highest numbers of fighters in Syria. In Britain and Belgium, intelligence agencies have increased efforts to track how people are recruited. Meanwhile, Dutch officials have raised the terror threat level there to substantial, partly over concerns about radicalised citizens returning from Syria.
<><><>
Australian police say they have arrested a self-proclaimed leader of the hacking group LulzSec. The 24-year-old from New South Wales is accused of attacking and defacing a government website earlier this month. Lulzsec has claimed responsibility for several high profile cyber-attacks, including against Sony Pictures and the CIA. He faces a maximum of 12 years in jail.
<><><>
In Bhutan the Election Commission has declared the results of the twenty seats of the National Council for which polling was held yesterday. Six former Councilors have won a second term to the non political Upper House of Parliament while no woman has been elected. Over 45 per cent eligible voters participated in the poll.
<><><>
Mahavir Jayanti is being celebrated across the country with religious fervour and gaiety today. The President Mr. Pranab Mukherjee, the Vice President Mr. M. Hamid Ansari and the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh, have greeted the people on this auspicious occasion. In some parts of the country, Mahavir Jayanti was celebrated yesterday.
<><><>
Oil prices rose slightly in Asia today on cautious hopes of a rise in energy demand in the United States. New York's main contract, light sweet crude for delivery in June, added 21 cents to 89.39 dollar a barrel and Brent North Sea crude for June delivery gained 17 cents to 100.48 dollar in mid-morning trade.
<><><>
The technology giant, Apple, has reported its first drop in profits for decades. Apple made 9.5 billion dollars in profits in the first three months this year, 2.1 billion less than during the same period last year. But, there was an overall rise in revenue.
<><><>
In the IPL, Kolkata Knight Riders will meet Mumbai Indians in Kolkata at 8 P.M today. Both the team have played 6 matches in the sixth IPL season . Mumbai indians are sixth in point tables while Kolkata Knight Riders are at the seventh position.
<><><>
Master blaster Sachin Tendulkar turned 40 today with cricket administrators and his fans lining up a series of events to celebrate the occasion. The Cricket Association of Bengal celebrated Tendulkar's birthday a day in advance by cutting a 10-pound cake in the presence of 100 blind students.
Tendulkar, who is in Kolkata, will play as Mumbai Indians batsman in an IPL match against Knight Riders this evening.
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The government has decided to provide group permits to encourage foreign tourists to visit India. As per the revised procedure, foreign tourists in groups of four or more sponsored by approved Indian travel agencies with a pre-drawn itinerary would be granted collective landing permits for a period not exceeding 60 days
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The government has decided to provide group permits to encourage foreign tourists to visit India. As per the revised procedure, foreign tourists in groups of four or more sponsored by approved Indian travel agencies with a pre-drawn itinerary would be granted collective landing permits for a period not exceeding 60 days
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