1400 HRS

1st may, 2013

THE HEADLINES:

• Market regulator, SEBI says it is working hard to ensure that small investors' savings are not put to risk.

• Supreme Court commutes death penalty of murder convict M.N.Das to life imprisonment.

• Indian prisoner Sarabjit's condition critical; Family returns from Pakistan.

• Finance Minister says, Enforcement Directorate needs more trained staff and latest information technology to deal with sophisticated money laundering.

• A 5.8 earthquake hits parts of North India; Tremors felt in Kashmir, Punjab and Delhi region.

• International Labour Day being celebrated today to honour the contribution of working class.

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The Market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India, SEBI, has said that it is working hard to ensure that small investors' savings are not put to risk. Amid lakhs of investors believed to have been defrauded by Ponzi schemes in West Bengal, SEBI Chairman U K sinha today said in New Delhi that the government is seriously considering strengthening of laws to regulate all kind of collective investment schemes (CIS). He was replying to queries about an alleged fraud by the Kolkata-based Saradha group through its investment schemes.

Sebi has already passed an order against Saradha Realty India to close all its collective schemes and refund the money collected from investors within three months.

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The Supreme Court today commuted to life imprisonment the death sentence awarded to murder convict M N Das. The mercy petition of Das was rejected by the then President Pratibha Devisingh Patil. Das had approached the apex court for commutation of his death sentence. A bench headed by Justice G S Singhvi allowed the plea of Das on the ground that the President had taken eleven years to decide his mercy plea. Das, while out on bail in another case, had beheaded a person at Fancy Bazaar in Assam and surrendered with the victim's head on April 24th, 1996. In 1997, the sessions court had sentenced him to death.

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The distraught family of Indian death row prisoner Sarabjit Singh, who was brutally assaulted in a Lahore jail last week, returned home via Wagah Border today after doctors in Pakistan reportedly indicated that he was brain dead. The Vice Chairman of the National Commission for the Scheduled Castes, Raj Kumar Verka said in Amritsar that he spoke to Sarabjit's sister Dalbir Kaur who said that doctors have told her that Sarabjit was brain dead.

Sarabjit's lawyer Awais Sheikh told a news channel from Lahore that he will file a new petition in the Lahore High Court today seeking permission for Indian doctors to examine him. Sarabjit's sister Dalbir Kaur is also seeking an appointment with the UPA chairperson and Congress chief Sonia Gandhi to brief her about Sarabjit Singh’s condition and to request her to press the Centre to ask Pakistan to handle the case more sensitively.

Meanwhile, Dalbeer Kaur said that she does not trust the medical system in Pakistan. Talking to reporters at Waghah border after her return from Pakistan, she reitrated that her brother be taken either to India or any other country for proper treatment:

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Finance Minister P. Chidambaram today said, there is a need to equip the Enforcement Directorate, ED, with more trained human resources and the latest information technology to deal with sophisticated crimes of money laundering. Addressing a function to mark the Enforcement Day Celebrations this morning, he suggested the officers of the ED to be extremely careful while dealing with cases of money laundering. The Finance Minister asked the officers and staff of the ED improve their quality of work as it plays a significant role in dealing with the emerging economic crimes.

Referring to the shortage of manpower in the ED, he also asked the Central Vigilance Commission, UPSC and Department of Personnel and Training to understand the gravity of the situation and fill the vacancies. The Finance Minister also suggested taking officers from the state police and after suitable training attaching them with the ED for prosecution of money laundering cases.

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The Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia has expressed confidence that the current account deficit will come down from the current level of 5 per cent to 2.5 per cent of the GDP in the next two to three years. Addressing a meeting of the Asia Pacific Regional Committee in New Delhi today, Mr Ahluwalia stressed the need to manage the high current account deficit while bringing in investments into the country.

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Third flag meeting between Brigadier-level officers from India and China held yesterday in Chushul in Ladakh to resolve the issue of incursion by Chinese troops 19 km inside in Daulat Beg Oldi, remained inconclusive. However, diplomatic and defence sources said, efforts are on in the right direction to resolve the issue. According to defence sources in New Delhi, the Chinese side remained firm on its demand that India should dismantle its infrastructure developed in Eastern Ladakh which includes some newly-constructed bunkers at key vantage points and roads constructed close to the Indian perception of the Line of Actual Control (LAC). In the meeting, India also 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 also, Defence Minister A K Antony took a tough stand on the issue, saying that India was not to be blamed for the incursions as it was not one of its creation. He emphasised that India would take every possible step to safeguard its interest in the area. The situation was also discussed at length during a security review meeting that Mr. Antony had with National Security Advisor Shivshankar Menon and the three Services chiefs.

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Another three days are left for election campaigning for Assembly elections in Karnataka. Our Correspondent reports that the flying squads of Election Commission are enforcing election code of conduct without sparing anyone.

"The northern part of Karnataka is burning in heat, due to peak summer and in the south of the state, a few areas are relieved of heat due to sporadic rainfall. Day by day star campaigners from political parties, including cine stars and others have laid siege to the electoral battleground in Karnataka. Bike rallies, road shows and pada yatras by candidates have uplifted the spirits of party workers. Street plays, torch parade and folk art troupes are engaged in voters’ awareness. Meanwhile the flying squads of election commission are enforcing election code of conduct in letter and spirit. The helicopters and cars, are being checked thoroughly. Around 14 crore rupees of cash, 4.36 crores rupees worth liquor and around five crore rupees worth of other items related to election are seized till now. In this regard 580 FIRs are booked. Devendra/Sudhindra/Bangalore/AIR NEWS."

Our Correspondent profiles Constituencies in the Dakshin Kannada district:

"After the withdrawals of nominations by 15 candidates on April 20 deadline a total of 71 candidates remained in the fray for the ensuing election on Sunday in Dakshina Kannada district. The 8 Assembly Constituencies are Belthangady, Moodabidri, Mangalore City (North), Mangalore City (South), Mangalore, Bantwal, Puttur, and Sullia (SC) reserved. Belthangady has been announced as a sensitive one being a naxalite affected area and security has been increased by deploying additional forces. The Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation programme in Dakshina Kannada district has resulted in an addition of 62,000 new voters to the electoral list. Even as the state is gearing up for the Assembly polls, the district of Dakshina Kannada also known as South Kanara is keen on exploring all new possibilities to ensure greater voter participation. Henry/Mangalore/AIR NEWS."

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Tremors of moderate intensity were felt in parts of North India including Delhi-NCR this afternoon. The earth quake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale, originated north east of Jammu and Kashmir. The quake struck at 12.27 pm and lasted about ten seconds. Reports said, apart from Jammu Kashmir, the quake was also felt across Punjab, Himachal Pradesh as well as in parts of Pakistan.

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In Assam, curfew has been relaxed for 7 hours from 10 am to 5 pm in the Goalpara town area. Curfew was imposed in parts of Goalpara town on Monday evening. The Goalpara Deputy Commissioner said that the district administration has recommended an ex-gratia payment of 3 lakh rupees to the family of the five deceased persons. More from our Correspondent:

The overall situation in violence-hit Goalpara town is under control as security forces are maintaining a strict vigil. Vehicles are plying on roads and local residents throng markets to purchase necessary goods after two days of curfew. A magisterial inquiry has been ordered and Additional District Magistrate will submit a report on it. District administration will hold a peace meeting today involving people from several organisations and communities. Senior government officials are in Goalpara to take stock of the situation. MANAS PRATIM SARMA/GOALPARA/AIR NEWS."

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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. We have a report from our Kolkata Correspondent:

"Various programmes have been organized through out West Bengal to observe the May Day. The main programme will be held at Sarat Sadan in Howrah district this afternoon where the State Labour Minister Mr. Purnendu Basu and other eminent persons will be present. Left trade union have called a rally at Shahid Meenar in Kolkata on the occasion. Other trade union bodies are also observing the day. Special camps have been organized at different parts of the State to apprise the labour communities particularly labourer of un-organized sector on various social security schemes launched by the Central and State government. Arijit Chakrabaroty for AIR News from Kolkata. "

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The Union Minister of Civil Aviaton, Ajit Singh has said that the recent initiative and measures taken by the government will give a boost to the growth of civil aviation in India. He was addressing the global convention on business excellence in Dubai Today. More from our Correspondent:-

India is poised to become the third largest aviation market by 2020. IATA studies have predicted that India will be handling 336 million domestic and 85 million international passengers from 121 million domestic and 41 million international passengers at present. The Civil Aviation Minister Ajit Singh said that the government decision to allow 49 percent FDI by foreign carriers is a step in that direction. The result for already showing like the entry of Air Asia in Indian market and the Jet Ethihad deal. He said that Aircraft acquisition capacity has been liberalised. Four major Airport have been privatised under PPP modal and Green field Airports are being developed. The Minister said that these step will give the much needed Philip to the Aviation Sector in India. Atul Tiwari/AIR NEWS/Dubai.

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In Andhra Pradesh, a unique scheme, Golden Girl, has come into effect from today to protect the girl child and ensure her education. The scheme will be applicable to all those girl children who are born today and after. More from our Correspondent:

"Only two girls in each family can avail the scheme. The state will pay thousand rupees per month to the mother from the time she conceives till child’s birth and if a girl child is born, mother will be given 2,500 rupees at the delivery time. Till the girl attains five years age, the family will be given 1500 rupees every year. When she is admitted in school she will be paid thousand rupees and two thousand every year till she completes fifth standard. The amount will be 2,500 rupees per year till she completes 8th class and 3000 rupees till 10th class. It will be 3,500 rupees till plus two and 4000 per year till she completes graduation. If the girl stops her education at plus two, 50 thousand rupees will be paid towards her marriage expenses and it will be one lakh rupees if she opts marriage after graduation. Lakshmi/Hyderabad/AIR NEWS."

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In the ongoing Indian Premier League T-20 tournament, Sunrisers Hyderabad will clash with Mumbai Indians today. The match will be played in Hyderabad at 4 PM. In another fixture, Delhi Daredevils will take on Kolkata Knight Riders at 8 PM in Raipur. Yesterday, Chennai Super Kings beat Pune Warriors by 37 runs