0815 HRS

  25th October, 2013

THE HEADLINES:

• Prime Minister expresses  satisfaction with his Russia and China visits; says he is disappointed with Pakistan over ceasefire violations.
• Pakistani troops once again violate ceasefire along the border in Kanachak and Akhnoor sectors.
• US President questions Pakistan Prime Minister over delay in trials in 2008 Mumbai attacks.
• Centre sanctions  1,260 crore rupees to upgrade jawans' facilities in far-flung ITBP posts.
• Nine Maoists arrested with arms and ammunition from Maoist hit East Champaran district of Bihar.
• French Super Series Badminton tournament; Indian shuttlers Saina Nehwal and three others crash out in the second round.

[]><><><[]

Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh has expressed great satisfaction over his Russia and China visits and said that it has served the purpose. Talking to media persons on board the special Air India Flight while coming back home yesterday, he said that his visits have been able to secure significant results both in Russia as well as in China.

These visit have served their purpose and he was satisfied with the result that India have been able to secure both in Russia and China.

Dr Singh said that all three countries of India, Russia and China have recognised that terrorism and extremism are threat to all the countries and are enemies of progress.

Replying to another question, Dr. Singh expressed his disappointment over happening at the Indo-Pakistan border. He he said that in the recently held New York meeting with Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, there was a general agreement on both sides that peace and tranquillity should be maintained on the border including on the Line of Control as well as the International Border but that has not happened. 

This something which really is a matter of disappointment. I sincerely hope that at this late hour Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif will recognise that this is a development which is not good for either of the two countries.

Replying to a question on CBI`s probe into coal allocations, the Prime Minister said that he is not above the law of the land.               

I am not above the law of the land if there anything the CBI or for that matter anybody wants to ask me, have nothing to hide.

Replying to a question on 2014 Lok Sabha elections the Prime Minister said when the results of 2014 come out, the country will once again be surprised.   He said he is doing his duty and will continue to do so. He said it is for historians to judge the legacy of his 10 years at the helm.

<><><> 

In Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistani troops once again violated ceasefire along the International Border late last evening when they heavily pounded forward villages of Kanachak and Akhnoor sectors with mortar shells and automatic weapons causing injuries to 10 civilians including five women and two children. Our correspondent reports that the shells fired from across the border fell inside the houses of several people causing damage to them and triggering panic among the people. 

A total of one fatal and 28 non-fatal casualties have been suffered by BSF and civilians during about 10 days long ceasefire violations by Pakistan on the International Border. Pakistan has also suffered heavy casualties and damages in retaliatory firing by the BSF. Meanwhile, J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand is visiting extreme forward posts of the International border at four places-Pargwal, Arnia, RS Pura and Samba today. The visit of the Chief Minister is aimed at restoration of confidence among the border villagers, who have been feeling brunt of Pakistan shelling and firing for past about 10 days. R.K.Raina/AIR News/Jammu

<><><> 

 Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who is currently on a US tour, has had a two-hour long meeting with President Barrack Obama.  Agency reports from Washington say,  Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif faced uncomfortable questions from the US President  who did some plain speaking by asking him as to why the trial of those involved in the 2008 Mumbai attack had not yet begun.     Besides, President Obama also raised  the issue of cross-border terrorism, particularly the activities of terror outfit JuD led by Hafiz Saeed.  The Pakistan Prime Minister also appears to have made no headway on his  objective of stopping US drone attacks and American intervention on Kashmir.  

<><><> 

Vice President Mohammed Hamid Ansari leaves on the tri-nation visit this morning to strengthen India's relations with Latin American countries of Peru and Cuba.  He will also visit the United Kingdom to deliver a lecture at the Oxford Centre for Islamic studies. Our correspondent reports, the Vice President will hold high level talks with leaders of Peru and Cuba to further enhance bilateral, trade and cultural exchanges and cooperation in diverse areas.         

Vice President Hamid Ansari’s highlevel visit after an interval of 15 years will further enhance bilateral relations between India and Peru.  Discussions on strengthening engagements in  areas of trade, Information technology, economic and cultural exchanges are high on the agenda. India seeks to enhance trade and investment in Peru, the sixth largest and fastest growing economy in Latin America. Mr. Ansari's visit also marks the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between India and Peru. In Cuba, Vice President will hold talks with Cuban President Raul Castro. India and Cuba are among the founding members of the Non Aligned movement.MADAN KUMAR, AIRNEWS NEW DELHI

<><><> 

In Bangladesh, the countdown has begun today for general elections.  As per the constitution, elections are to be held between October 25th and January 24th, 2014. Our correspondent reports that tension has gripped the nation as both Opposition BNP and ruling Awami League has set the ground for parallel rallies in Dhaka and other parts of the country.         

As election count down begins today, Border Security Guards have been deployed all over capital Dhaka as well as other parts of the country like Chittagong, Khulna, and  Barisal.  Police have detained a host of activists all over the country to avoid violence.  A ban on rallies and processions has been in place since October 21st.  At Chittagong both ruling and opposition parties have been given conditional  permission to hold rallies at separate places but the Opposition  is insisting  to have it at Laldighi which police consider as sensitive area. Opposition BNP is demanding a non-partisan polls-time government while Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has proposed an all-party interim government. Melinda dias for AIR News Dhaka  

<><><> 

Finance Minister P Chidambaram has asked regulatory bodies including SEBI and RBI to take all possible concrete measures to avoid any adverse impact on the Indian Economy. Tapering off of the Quantitative Easing (QE) in the United States is likely to have a major impact on the economy in the coming times. Mr Chidambaram was speaking at the 8th meeting of Financial Stability and Development Council in New Delhi yesterday. During the meeting it was decided that all financial regulators will finalize an action plan for implementation of Financial Sector Legislative Reforms commission principles relating to regulatory governance, transparency and improved operational efficiency.

                                                <><><>

Seventh Joint Indo -Russian military exercise INDRA 2013 is underway at Mahajan Field Firing Range in  Rajasthan. Our Correspondent from Mahajan Field Firing Range reports that aim of this exercise is to improve bilateral defence cooperation between both the armies and enhance their ability to operate as an integrated force within the framework of UN Peace Keeping operations.         

The Indo-Russian joint counter-terrorism training Exercise INDRA is a great step for the armies of the two countries to train together and gain from each other’s rich operational experiences. 500 soldiers of both the armies are participating in this exercise and this is for the first time that a joint exercise is pitched at the Combat Group level.T-72 tanks, BMP-2K infantry fighting vehicles and ammunition of different calibre will be used in this exercise. Commander of South Western Command of the Indian Army LT.Gen.Gyan Bhushan said that the purpose of the exercise is to improve troops’ capabilities to search, block and neutralise illegal armed formations to support peacekeeping operations.

                                                <><><>

In Andhra Pradesh, torrential rain continued to lash several parts of the state throwing normal life out of gear. Swollen rivulets and streams cut off road links to hundreds of villages in coastal districts. Road and rail transport has been hit badly between Andhra Pradesh and Odisha states.

About 10 teams of the National Disaster Response Force have been pressed into relief operations in costal districts where heavy rain is wreaking havoc.

Chief Minister Kiran Kumar Reddy has issued directions to send medical teams to the rain hit areas. 12 persons have so far died and one more is missing. Over 1800 houses and crops like paddy, cotton and maize in over 3 lakh hectares were damaged.

Meanwhile, East Coast Railways has cancelled almost all trains with water flowing over tracks near Ichchapuram and South Central Railways has rescheduled and diverted several long distance trains on Howrah-Chennai route. Met officials have warned of heavy to very heavy rain for the next 24 hours.

<><><> 

The Supreme Court has agreed to have a relook at its judgement scrapping the single common entrance test for admissions to MBBS, BDS and post-graduate courses in all medical colleges which was delivered three months back.The apex court decided to grant oral hearing to the Centre and various other petitioners who had sought a review of its July 18 majority 2-1 verdict that had quashed the notification for National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) on the ground that it violated the rights of private institutions to administer such institutions.

A bench headed by Justice H L Dattu issued a notice to all private and minority medical colleges on whose plea the apex court had scrapped NEET.

<><><> 

Gujarat High Court has issued a notice to the state Agriculture Minister Babu Bokhiria on a Public Interest Litigation seeking investigation into his alleged illegally amassed wealth. Division bench of Chief Justice Bhaskar Bhattacharya and Justice J B Pardiwala yesterday also issued a notice to the state government, seeking a reply. Petitioner alleged that Bokhiria has amassed immense wealth through illegal activities, including land-grabbing in Porbandar district and illegal mining.

The PIL will come up for further hearing after the Diwali vacations.

<><><> 

Nine Maoists were arrested yesterday with arms and ammunition from Maoist hit East Champaran district of Bihar. East Champaran Superintendent of Police, Vinay Kumar said that among nine of them one of the Maoist Jahir Madari was wanted by police and a case reward of 25 thousand rupees was declared against him. Mr Kumar said that acting upon specific information, a joint team of police nabbed the cadres from Gorgama village of Kurwachaunpur police station in East Champaran district.

<><><> 

A dreaded gangster, who carried a cash reward of  one lakh rupees and wanted in over 50 cases of murder, extortion and kidnapping, was last night killed along with two of his accomplices in an encounter with the Delhi Police near a posh hotel in the national capital. Acting on a tip-off, Delhi Police Special Cell laid a

trap near Hotel Grand Hyatt in Vasant Kunj at around 10:30 pm when Surendra Malik, alias Neetu Dabodia, along with two of his associates came in a car there. Special Commissioner of the Special Cell, S N Srivasatava said, when police intercepted them and asked them to surrender, they allegedly rammed their car into the police vehicle and opened fire at them.  In retaliation, police fired at them injuring all the three who were taken to AIIMS Trauma Care Centre where they were declared brought dead.

While one of Malik's associate was identified as Alok Gupta, the identity of the third one is yet to established.

<><><> 

The Election Commission has asked  Delhi government to stall process for identifying beneficiaries under Food Security scheme till 5th December.  Official sources yesterday said the decision has been taken in the  wake of the Model Code of Conduct which is in force in the national capital. The poll for  the 70 member  Delhi Assembly will  be held on 4th December.

<><><> 

The notification for the second and last phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly elections will be issued today, setting the stage for nomination process in 72 constituencies. Our correspondent reports that for the second phase, nomination papers can be filed till 1st of next month. Scrutiny of nomination papers will take place on November 2 and the last date for withdrawal of nomination papers is November four and polling is scheduled for November 19.

Meanwhile, today is the last date for filing of nominations for the first phase of elections in 18 constituencies. Scrutiny will take place on October 26 while nomination papers can be withdrawn till October 28. In the first phase, total eighteen constituencies in the most Maoist affected region of Chhattisgarh will go to polls on 11th November.

<><><> 

The Election Commission of India has expressed deep displeasure over the violation of the Model Code of Conduct and disregard regarding its provisions by Madhya Pradesh’s Industry Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya. The Commission has asked Mr. Vijayvargiya to remain alert about it in future.

The Commission had issued a notice to Mr. Vijayvargiya after receiving a report about violation of the Model Code of Conduct by him from Indore District Election Officer. Mr. Vijayvargiya had denied allegations mentioned in the notice in his reply.

<><><> 

Indian shuttlers Saina Nehwal and three others have crashed out in the second round of the French Super Series Badminton tournament in Paris. Saina, seeded fourth, was shocked 22-10, 15-21, 20-22 by Yeon Ju Bae of Korea last evening. The other Indian female shuttler in the fray, P V Sindhu too failed to clear the second hurdle.

The Indian male shuttlers were no better as K Srikanth and Ajay Jayram also bowed out in the second round. 

<><><> 

Delhi postal Circle has made special arrangements for acceptance of Diwali greetings mail at 34 post offices and and 2 Railways Mail Service Offices in the National Capital. Special reception counters are being set up for this purpose. The services will be available from 28th October to 6th November in designated Post offices .

<><><> 

NEWSPAPER HEADLINES 

• The Prime Minister's remarks about the Indo Pak relations and coal blocks allocations have been widely covered by most newspapers on their front pages. The Indian Express reports that unfazed by the clamour of allegations against him, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said he has nothing to hide in the coal blocks allotments case and is willing to be questioned by the CBI as he is not above the law of the land.
• Setting a precedent for medical negligence cases, the Supreme Court has directed Kolkata's AMRI Hospital to pay compensation of over 11 crore rupees to a US based doctor of Indian origin for the death of his wife due to faulty treatment, writes The Asian Age.
• Jammu and Kashmir Speaker Mubarak Gul has issued a notice to former Army Chief General V K Singh (retd) to explain in 20 days, his position regarding certain revelations made by him during an interview, about the use of secret funds to make payments to ministers in the state since 1947, reports The Tribune.
• Unabated buying of foreign funds lifted Sensex above the 21,000 mark after three years in early trade yesterday, says The Times of India.
• Most newspapers have reported on their front pages the passing away of Manna Dey, the proverbial last Mohican among the singers who lighted up the Bollywood musical scene in the sixties and seventies. The Pioneer says that it would be commonplace to describe Manna Dey as a legend, as he was the singer who enriched our lives for decades, spanning at least 3 generations, and he was the bridge between the past and present, and between classical and pop.
• And finally, for all the spendthrifts out there, a Japanese company has developed a crafty wallet named "The Living Wallet", to keep your spending in check - if you are short on cash, it rolls away when you reach for it, writes The Times of  India.