0815 HRS              

01/05/2013 

THE HEADLINES:

• Petrol Price slashed by three rupees per litre; non-subsidised cooking gas price cut by 54 rupees per cylinder. 
• Advance booking period for train tickets reduced from four months to two months from today.
• Census 2011 puts India's population at 1.21 billion; growth rate of females higher than that of males.
• Haren Raval resigns as Additional Solicitor General in wake of controversy over CBI's report on coal allocation.
• Atleast ten people killed in a road accident in Hamirpur district of Himachal Pradesh.
• And, International Labour Day being celebrated today.

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The price of Petrol has been slashed by three rupees per litre including value added tax. Now, petrol will cost 63 rupees 9 paise per litre in Delhi, 69 rupees 73 paise per litre in Mumbai, 65 rupees 90 paise  per litre in Chennai and 70 rupees 35 paise per litre in Kolkata. In a statement, the Indian Oil Corporation said that the decision has been taken in view of the decrease in International petrol prices. The new prices came into effect from midnight last night.
The price of non-subsidised cooking gas was also cut by 54 rupees per cylinder with effect from last night. The price of a 14.2 kilogram LPG cylinder that consumers buy  beyond their quota of 9 subsidised cylinders has been reduced to 847 rupees from 901 rupees. Rates will vary in different cities, depending upon local sales tax or VAT.    

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 The advance booking period for train tickets has been reduced from four months to two months  from today as part of the Railways' efforts to prevent touts to corner bulk tickets. However, all the bookings done up to April the 30th under the earlier advance reservation period of 120 days will remain intact. Stepping up its action on touts, the Railways have also modified the Tatkal booking system to ensure that genuine passengers get train tickets. No agents are allowed to book tatkal tickets from 10 AM to 12 PM over the internet. The Railways also conduct regular raids at railway stations to keep a check on the menace of touts. 

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India's total population stands at one hundred twenty one crores, which is 17.7 per cent more than the last decade and growth of females was higher than that of males. According to the Primary Census Abstract-Data Highlights of Census 2011, released by Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde yesterday, India's total population as on 1st March, 2011 is 121 crore 7 lakh 26 thousand and 932 -- an increase of 18 crore 19 lac 60 thousand persons in absolute number of population during the period 2001-11. There was an increase of 9 crore 9 lakh 70 thousand males and an increase of 9 crore 9 lakh 90 thousand females. The growth rate of females was 18.3 per cent which is higher than that of males at 17.1 per cent.
Addressing a function organised by the Registrar General & Census Commissioner of India in New Delhi, Mr. Shinde  said the data will cater to the  comprehensive demographic details of the population of the country. The Minister said, the Census Abstract-Data highlights will also provide important inputs in the next five year plan. 

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 Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram yesterday said that it is not correct to say that with the passage of the Finance Bill in the Lok Sabha, the government's job is over. Speaking to media persons outside Parliament, Mr. Chidambaram said that the passage of other bills in Parliament is equally important for the government.
  
I don't think, it is correct to say that with the passage of the finance Bill, the Government's interest were over. All other bills in my view, are equally important and I think an effort must be made to pass those Bills.

The Lok Sabha passed Finance Bill 2013 by a voice vote in the absence of the opposition parties. Speaker Meira Kumar guillotined the financial proposals of various central ministries for financial year 2013-14. Moving the Bill, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said there is no proposal to introduce wealth tax on agricultural land.
Earlier, the House passed the Appropriation (Railways) Bill 2013 authorising certain sums out of the Consolidated Fund of India for the services of financial year 2013-14, without discussion. The bill was moved by Railway Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal.

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 Finance Minister P Chidambaram has removed a clause from the act on Personal Income Tax. The clause stated that tax residency certificates, TRCs were necessary, but not sufficient to obtain benefits under the double-taxation avoidance agreements (DTAAs) that India has with other nations, including Mauritius. TRCs may now be sufficient to get treaty benefits.
  
Sub- clause five that was introduced has been substituted by another clause, is quite clear. The tax residency certificate issued by a Foreign government will be accepted as a certificate of residence, but additional information can also be asked by the government.

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Additional Solicitor General Harin Rawal has resigned from his post. The resignation came after he blamed Attorney General G E Vahanvati of  influencing the CBI probe into the allotment of coal blocks. Raval, who was replaced as the CBI counsel in the crucial hearing yesterday, handed over his resignation to Law Minister Ashwani Kumar last evening. 

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The Supreme Court yesterday termed as very disturbing the CBI's Affidavit on sharing its report with the Law Minister and others on the coalgate scam. The Apex Court slammed the investigating agency for keeping the court in the dark on the issue. A Division Bench of the Court called for restoring the independence of the CBI. 
The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has said that he is studying the Supreme Court's observations and will take whatever action is called for after studying the same.
Meanwhile, the CBI has clarified that it does not exist in isolation and that the agency is a part of the system. The CBI Director, Ranjit Sinha said that the probe agency needs to consult and take opinion on certain occasions. Mr. Sinha statement came when he was asked about the observations of the apex court that sharing of information with the government about the probe into the coal allocations scam has shaken the entire process and that the CBI need not take instructions from political masters on their probe.

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In Himachal Pradesh, atleast ten people were killed and five injured in a road accident near Parnali Village in Hamirpur district last evening. The accident occurred when the vehicle in which they were travelling rolled down into a 500 metre deep gorge in Baker Khudd. Our correspondent has filed this report:
 
This black night proved fatal for these people, most of them labourer, who were coming back to home after completing their work. Among dead five are female and two children. All of them have been identified and belong to Rajasthan. All the injured have been admitted in Hamirpur Hospital. Shishu Sharma Shantal, AIR News, Shimla

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In Assam, curfew will be relaxed in Goalpara town from 10 am to 5 pm today. Goalpara Deputy Commissioner Preetam Saikia said that a magisterial enquiry has been ordered and an Additional District Magistrate will look into the matter. The District administration had imposed an indefinite curfew on Monday evening. Our correspondent has filed this report:

The situation is returned to normalcy as no untoward incident has been reported during last 24 hours. Twenty additional companies of para-military forces are maintaining strict vigil. Additional DGP Law and Order A.P. Rout who has arrived in Goalpara said that the situation is absolutely under control. Army has also staged a flag march. District Administration has already given ex-gratia of 20,000 rupees primarily next to the kin of the deceased family. Two persons were killed in police firing and miscreants killed another three persons. 18 persons including senior police personnel were injured in the violence. Manas Pratim Sarma, AIR NEWS, Guwahati.

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The condition of Indian national Sarbajit Singh, who is comatose in a Lahore hospital after a brutal assault on him last week, has further deteriorated. Official sources told a news agency that his blood pressure was being maintained with support. The doctors treating Sarabjit had brought the deterioration in his condition to the notice of Pakistani authorities and his family . 
Earlier,  Mahmood Shaukat, head of a four-member medical board  that is supervising Sarabjit's treatment, also confirmed that his condition has deteriorated.

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India and China have held their third flag meeting in Chushul in Ladakh to resolve the issue of incursion by Chinese troops 19 km inside at Daulat Beg Oldi. Defence sources said that the third meeting also remained inconclusive.
In the meeting, India made its stand clear that there should be an unconditional withdrawal of Chinese troops from the Indian territory as per the agreements signed between the two sides on earlier occasions.
At the Unified Commanders' Conference, Defence Minister A K Antony took a tough stand on the issue saying that India was not to be blamed for the incursions as this was "not one of  it's  creations".

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 US President Barack Obama has said that his country will not be rushed into  a response to Syria's apparent use of  chemical weapons against rebels and civilians. At a news conference in Washington, Mr. Obama said, he still did not know how chemical weapons  were used in Syria or when and by whom.  He did not rule out military action or otherwise - and said he had  asked the  Pentagon for a range of options.  
Syria's ambassador to the United Nations  has defended President Assad  saying he would never use chemical weapons against his own people. 

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Chennai Super King beat Pune  Warriors by 37 runs  in IPL cricket at  Pune last night. CSK opting to bat first hammered 164 for 3 in the allotted 20 overs while Pune Warriors lying at the bottom of the table could manage 127 for 9 in their allotted 20 overs.
In today's fixtures Sunrisers Hyderabad will clash with Mumbai Indians at 4pm while Delhi Daredevils will take on Kolkata Knight Riders at 8pm. 

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 International Labour Day is being celebrated today across the world to honour the contribution and sacrifices made by the working class. Also known as May Day, the day celebrates the social and economic achievements of the international labour movement, and promotes social justice and internationally recognised human and labour rights. 
On the occasion, Labour and Employment Minister Mallikarjun Kharge has extended warm greetings and best wishes to the labour fraternity all over the country. In his message, Mr Kharge said the day is a reminder of mutual cooperation of workers, employers, governments and the civil society in laying a solid foundation for nation building. 

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NEWSPAPER HEADLINES

The Supreme Court coming down heavily on the Central Bureau of Investigation, for sharing its probe report on coal block allocation with the Law Minister and other officials is prominently written about in the newspapers. "Compromised Bureau of Investigation" is the Times of India headline. "Supreme Court hauls CBI over the coals" is the Indian Express headline.
"Haren Rawal resigns as Additional Solicitor General" highlights the Hindu. He claimed in a letter to the attorney general that he had been made a scape goat in the coalgate controversy.
The Statesman reports that a 3rd meeting of local military commandos of India and China held in Daulat Beg Oldi in Ladakh to end the border incursion impasse between the two countries. The Tribune writes, "China says - can go a few steps back, India wants total retraction" - writes the Tribune.
Congress leader Sajjan Kumar acquitted by a Delhi court in a 1984 anti-sikh pogrom case - is also widely covered. "Sikhs outraged by Sajjans acquittal", states the Pioneer. The Hindu says that a shoe was hurled at the judge by the President of the All India Sikh Federation which however, missed its mark.
Musharraf banned for life from polls - reports Hindustan Times. The Peshawar High Court, headed by the Chief Justice has taken the decision. Meanwhile, the Pioneer reports that against the backdrop of attacks on election meeting, the Taliban has vowed to end democracy in Pakistan.
Hindustan Times reports of a recycling heaven in the home of radiologist - 73 year old Indra De who has not thrown away anything as trash, putting it to innovative use instead. Paint and milk containers have plants growing in them and polythene bags stuffed comfortably into cushion covers