0815HRS 

20th July, 2013

THE HEADLINES:

• Prime Minister hints at more FDI reforms; Promises several initiatives to boost growth.
• BJP forms 20 committees to focus on 2014 General Elections.
• Environment Ministry gives clearance for international airport in Kannur district in Kerela.
• In Andhra Pradesh, flood alert sounded in over one hundred villages, as Godavari river continues to be in spate.
• China lifts control on banks, allowing them to set their own lending rates to arrest slowdown.
•  Australia bundled out for 128 in first innings by England on day two of the second Ashes Test at Lords.

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The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh has hinted at more FDI reforms and promised to take several infrastructure initiatives to boost growth. Addressing the annual general body meeting of ASSOCHAM in New Delhi, Dr. Singh said while FDI has been liberalised in single brand retail, civil aviation and power exchanges, more FDI reforms are on the anvil. He made it clear that the government needs to take steps to revive the momentum of investment to spur growth. He said, infrastructure was absolutely critical for medium term growth prospects and progress on this was being monitored on a quarterly basis. He said, a new banking licensing policy has been announced and new licenses are being awarded soon. Dr Singh called for pushing exports to reduce the impact of rupee depreciation. Taking a dig at his critics, Dr. Singh said the annual average growth during the eight years of UPA rule from 2004-05 to 2012-13 was 8.2 percent, while it was 5.7 percent under the NDA. He said, the percentage of population below poverty line declined by more than two per cent per year.

"The percentage of population below the poverty line declined at 0.75 percentage points per year before our government came to office in 2004-05. It has fallen more than two percentage points per year between 2004-05 and 2011-12."

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The BJP has formed 20 committees to focus on various aspects of electioneering for the next General Elections in 2014. Announcing the decision of the Parliamentary Board, senior party leader Ananth Kumar told reporters in New Delhi that the committees will function under the overall guidance of eleven members Central Election Campaign Committee, which will be headed by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi. He said, the Central Committee will work under the guidance of former Prime Minister and veteran leader Atal Bihari Vajpayee, senior leader LK Advani and party President Rajnath Singh.

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The Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh and Congress President Sonia Gandhi have discussed the strategy to be adopted in the Monsoon Session of Parliament, on issues like Telangana and the proposed amendments in the RTI Act. Party Sources said in New Delhi that the hour-long Congress Core Group meeting focussed on getting support for the smooth passage of the crucial food security and land acquisition bills.

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In West Bengal, at least four persons were killed and several others injured in poll related incidents during the third phase of Panchayat elections in North and South-24 Pargana and Howrah district yesterday. Over 75 per cent polling was recorded in three districts. Polling continued till late evening in many booths after completion of scheduled time of voting. Incidents of booth capturing, tampering of ballot boxes were also reported. Our correspondent has filed this report:

"Sporadic violence marred the third phase of Panchayat election in West Bengal. One CPI-M supporter was killed at Amdanga and one Congress activist was beaten to death at Deganga in North 24-Pargana, while one Trinamool Congress and one SUCI supporters were shot dead at Usthi and Joynagar in South 24 Pargana district. Series of clashes between ruling Trinamool Congress and Opposition CPI-M supporters were reported from different areas of the two districts and also from Panchala and Bagnan in Howrah. Arijit Chakraborty, AIR News, KolkatA."

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The Election Commission has announced that by-polls for Mandya and Bangalore Rural Lok Sabha constituencies in Karnataka and Avanigadda assembly constituency in Andhra Pradesh will be held on the 21st of next month. An Election Commission statement said in New Delhi that the notification for holding of by-elections will be issued on July 27 and the last date of filing nominations will be August 3. The counting of votes is scheduled for 24th August.

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In Kashmir, curfew continues in Srinagar city and other major towns. Curfew was clamped yesterday morning in the wake of prevailing tension, following killing of 4 civilians in BSF firing in Ramban district. Our correspondent reports that barring sporadic clashes of protestors with police at a few places, the situation in the valley is under control. The separatist groups have called for a three-day bandh against the Ramban killings. Amarnath yatra from Jammu will remain suspended today as tension prevailed in the area. A government spokesman said in Jammu that due to the prevailing situation, and the restrictions imposed in parts of the state, no fresh batch of pilgrims will be allowed to proceed to the Kashmir Valley.

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Anil Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Anil Dhirubhai Ambani Group and his wife Tina Ambani, have been directed by a Delhi court to appear as prosecution witnesses in the 2G spectrum case. The court allowed CBI's plea that their testimony may throw light on alleged investment of over 990 crore rupees by his group of companies in Swan Telecom. The court said CBI's plea to summon Anil Ambani, Tina and 11 others as prosecution witnesses was essential for arriving at a just decision in the case.

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The Environment Ministry has granted green clearance for an international airport in North Kerala's Kannur district. Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told reporters in New Delhi yesterday that a global tender for construction of the runway would be invited soon Kannur airport would be the fourth international airport in the state after Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode.

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The Bihar government has dismissed a block resource person in the Mid-day meal incident, in which 23 children have died and about 20 are still undergoing treatment in hospital. The Saran Commissioner and DIG of Saran range have submitted their investigation report to the State government on the Dharmasati Primary School tragedy on Tuesday. According to official sources, the inquiry report pointed out criminal negligence by in-charge headmistress of the school, who is still absconding. Forensic report on the mid-day meal tragedy, which could establish the real cause of death of children, is awaited.

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In Andhra Pradesh, flood alert has been sounded in over hundred villages as Godavari River is in spate due to incessant rain which continued to lash several parts. Danger signal there has been hoisted at Bhadrachalam in Khammam district as the flood water crossed 51 meters height in Godavari late last evening. Our correspondent reports that people from low lying areas are being evacuated.

"Several villages have been cut off due to overflowing rivulets and tanks as continuous rains wrecked havoc in eight districts under the influence of low pressure area. Two teams of the National Disaster Response Force have been put in Khammam district to tackle any eventuality and help sought from Army and Air Force for rescue operations. The Collectors of the rain-hit districts especially in the North Telangana and Coastal regions have been asked to be alert to tackle any situation as the met officials forecast heavy rains for next two days. Special Officers have been appointed to coordinate relief measures in the most affected Adilabad, Nizamabad, Kahmmam, Warangal and Karimnagar districts. Lakshmi, AIR News, Hyderabad."

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In a big liberalisation move, China has lifted control on banks allowing them to set their own lending rates, a move to arrest slowdown and spur growth. The People's Bank of China said in Beijing that it will further ease lending interest rates for financial institutions so they can decide the rates themselves from today. The removal of control on lending rates is the first major economic reform launched under the government of President Xi Jinping, who assumed office this year. The move to liberalise the interest rates came as the second quarter GDP declined, amid speculation that Chinese economy for the first time will miss the official target of 7.5 per cent growth rate, set for this year.

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In Egypt, at least two people have been killed in fresh clashes between opponents and supporters of the ousted president Mohammed Morsi. The clashes took place yesterday in the Nile Delta city of Mansura. Tens of thousands of Egyptians took to the streets in Cairo calling for reinstatement of Morsi, the elected Islamist president, who was removed from power by the army at the beginning of the month.

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Israel and Palestine are set to resume stalled peace talks soon. US Secretary of State John Kerry said at a press conference in Amman that an agreement is in the process of being formalized for the resumption of Israeli-Palestinian talks. Arab League Ministerial committee has also endorsed Kerry’s peace initiative to revive the peace process. However, Gaza based Hamas leadership has rejected the move. More from our West Asia correspondent:

"After a string of shuttle diplomacy between Amman and Ramallah and a series of teleconferencing with Israeli leaders, the visiting US Secretary of State John Kerry was able to make both the sides agree on the basis for resumption of talks. However, he clarified that the agreement is yet to be formalized. Israel’s Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat will travel to Washington next week to hold preliminary talks and discuss further details on the negotiations. Palestinians want a freeze on Israeli settlements, ask Israel to go back to 1967 borders and release all the political detainees before the dialogue takes place. Israel says, the dialogue can’t be held with any preconditions. Atul Tiwary, AIR News."

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Australia collapsed for 128 against aggressive off-spin bowling from England's Graeme Swann to concede a first-innings lead of 233 on day two of the second Ashes test at Lord's. After reaching 42 without loss just before lunch in reply to England's 361, the Australians were bundled out shortly after tea. At the close of the play, England were 31 for three with an overall lead of 264.

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The South Asian Junior Table Tennis Championship kicks off at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi today. Indian paddlers will start as favourites, as they will be eyeing a clean sweep of all the 10 Gold medals for the second successive year. In the last edition held at Shillong, the hosts not only won the Gold in team and individual events of all the four sections - Cadet Boys, Junior Boys, Cadet Girls and Junior Girls - but also claimed four Silver medals in the Singles events.

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NEWSPAPER HEADLINES

Newspapers have reported on their front pages, PM Manmohan Singh's address at the inauguration of the annual meeting of ASSOCHAM. The Hindu Business Line writes that Dr. Singh while promising more FDI reforms said that the RBI may consider relaxing its monetary tightening measures once the pressure on the rupee eases.

'United Colours of Divided BJP', under the headline, Mail Today writes that the BJP's 2014 Rath had been unveiled and though it has Narendra Modi written all over, it comes with Advani, Joshi and Naidu riders. The Tribune headline reads, 'Modi stamp evident as BJP unveils poll teams', while the Asian Age caption reads, 'Team Modi, Guide Advani'.

The Centre intends to explore all legal and legislative options to reverse the controversial Supreme Court judgment, scrapping the common entrance test for admission to medical and dental colleges, reports Hindustan Times.

The Times of India writes that BJP Chief Rajnath Singh has stirred up a controversy with his comment that English has caused a great loss to India by eroding its cultural values. The comment was greeted with derision by intellectuals and political leaders.

The Statesman reports that Al Qaeda leader Osama Bin LAden was in Pakistan for at least the last 9 years of his life, moving from place to place with his wives and children. All this while he was listed as the most wanted man by the United States, with Pakistan as its front ally in the war against terror.

Archaeologists claim to have found a 3,000-year old palace and royal storehouse in Jerusalem belonging to the biblical king David, says the Asian Age.

Want to lose weight without having a workout regime? Two newly published studies investigate the enticing possibility that we might one day be able to gain the benefits of exercise by downing a pill, rather than by actually sweating, reports the Indian Express.