SIAM: Car sales surge 8.2% in June 2012

The Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM)  released figures of the domestic car sales for the month of June.There is a surge  in total sales by up to 8.2 per cent with total sales of 1,55,763 units. As per SIAM reports last year June 2011, total sales of 1,43,851 units.

"June car sales grew because of the low base in last year due to industrial problems at some manufacturers' plants. So this has been reflected in this year's figure,"SIAM Senior Director Sugato Sen briefed  reporters.

A major chunk of sales goes to the market leader, Maruti Suzuki India, who brought in total sales of 70,977 units, which translates into a growth of 23.11 per cent in the previous month. MSI had sold 57,653 units in the same month last year.

 Total  two-wheeler sales during June month surged to 9.2% to 11,69,733 units as compared to 10,71,161 units in the month June last year.
In category  commercial vehicles sales  rose 4.71% to 64,926 units during June 2012  as against 62,007 units in the month of June last year.

Rejuvenate in the Czech Republic spa

Posted on July 10, 2012 by sagarmedia

Prague, 2012 A long history of spa, 37 spa towns, hundreds of healing springs and numerous locations rich in mineral mud – all of this places the Czech Republic among the favourite spa destinations. Enjoy a relaxations, wellness in the midst of greenery and architectural delights together with exclusive experiences.  

Not just a spa town but also a home to Becherovka liqueur and exclusive Czech Glass
When you think of Czech Spa, Karlovy Vary is definitely the first places which will come to your mind. The beautiful settings of the city, its royal atmosphere and abundance of wellness hotels and centres would be already enough to make Karlovy Vary a favourite spa destination. But Karlovy Vary is much more than colonnades with hot spring fountains. The most famous of its 79 springs is the Hot Spring (Vridlo) which rises from 2000 meters below the surface and spurts to the height of 12 metres. Karlovy Vary is also a symbol of a glass making tradition of luxury Czech glass brand Moser. It is also a city where famous herbal liqueur Becherovka is produced for more than 100 years. The city has also become a representation for famous International Film Festival drawing international film stars there every July. And indeed has become famous in the film Casino Royal, which fabulously pictured Grandhotel Pupp and its casino in the last Bond story.

But Karlovy Vary is just one of the most famous from the West Bohemian spa triangle
The colonnades of Marianske Lazne have been as well trod on by many famous personalities from all over the world. English King Edward VII spent here his summer holidays nine times. Among other personalities who stayed there were the poet Johann Wolfgang Goethe, the composer Fryderyk Chopin, the inventor Thomas Alva Edison and the philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche. Today Marianske Lazne still ranges among the most sought-after spa towns in the Czech Republic. Hotel Centralni Lazne (Central Spa) which is placed in the centre of the town near the colonnade was opened 120 years ago and still belongs among the most popular ones today. The most famous attraction is the Singing Fountain  is an unique wonder. Its round pool of 18 metres in diameter uses a 250 jets for  spectacular musical shows.

Teplice, the oldest spa town in the Czech Republic
Knowledge of healing springs in the Teplice valley dates back approximately 2000 years, which is documented by archaeological findings of Roman coins in the Pravřídlo (Primary Hot Spring) and 2000 year old Celtic coins and jewellery in the Giant Spring near Duchov. The Antique tradition of giving thanks to the healing power of mineral springs by throwing coins or other gifts into the spring has proven that the Teplice springs are among the longest known and intensively utilised springs in Central Europe. During 18^th century Teplice has gained its international fame among the european aristocracy, kings and cultural icons. The presence of world leaders and their delegations contributed immensely to the spa’s popularity, which hosted 5 to 6 thousand annual visitors already 200 years back, and the accommodation of foreign guests brought significant economic advantages. Today´s Teplice boasts ornate spa residences and stunning architecture. The spas specialise mostly in the treatment of the musculoskeletal system, vascular diseases and nervous and mental disorders. The town of Teplice is located in a picturesque landscape on the foothills of the Krusne Hory Mountains.

Net Direct Tax Collections During April-June 2012 up by 47.16%

Net Direct Tax Collections During April-June 2012 up by 47.16%.Gross Direct Tax collections during April-June of the Financial Year 2012-13 was up by 6.77 percent at Rs. 1,11,182 crore as against Rs. 1,04,135 crore in the same period during the last year.

 Gross collection of Corporate Taxes showed an increase of 3.48 percent and stood at Rs. 70,594 crore as against Rs. 68,223 crore in the same period during last year. Gross collection of Personal Income Tax was up by 13 percent and stood at Rs.40,520 crore as against Rs.35,858 crore in the same period during last year. Net Direct Tax collections was up by 47.16 percent and stood at Rs.84,273 crore, as compared to Rs.57,267 crore in the same period in the last fiscal.

Growth in Wealth Tax was (-) 3.03 percent and stood at Rs.32 crore as against Rs.33 crore in the same period during the last fiscal, while growth in Securities Transaction Tax (STT) was (-) 0.52 percent and stood at Rs.952 crore as against Rs.957 crore in the same period during the last year.

Egypt's Morsi, judiciary struggle for parliamentary power

CAIRO: Egypt's Morsi, judiciary struggle for  parliamentary power as the two sides put up their stands.The parliamentary power embedded in military and those of Morsi  inherited from the power of the people are locked in debate.Coalition of two powers need to continue to share powers in the parliament for some time till the new constitution is drafted and adopted in the parliament.Embattled senators appointed from the military and the General election are in for long and contentious debate to follow.

Egypt's top court on Monday rejected a decree by President Mohamed Morsi to reinstate the parliament it ruled invalid, setting him on a collision course with the military which says the rule of law must be respected.

"All the rulings and decisions of the Supreme Constitutional Court are final and not subject to appeal... and are binding for all state institutions," the court said in a statement.
The powerful Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), which handed the rules of power back to Morsi last month after he was elected, echoed the court in a statement saying the constitution and rule of law must be upheld.The SCAF, which ruled Egypt after former president Hosni Mubarak was ousted last year, underlined the "importance of the constitution in light of the latest developments," the official MENA news agency reported.
Islamists scored a crushing victory in three-stage parliamentary elections held from November last year, with the Muslim Brotherhood, Morsi's former organisation, heading the lower house.
But the military dissolved parliament last month after the top court made its controversial ruling a day before the second round of the presidential poll that saw Morsi become Egypt's first democratically elected head of state.
The Supreme Constitutional Court had said certain articles in the law governing the parliamentary elections were invalid, annulling the Islamist-led house.

But Morsi on Sunday ordered the lower house to reconvene, and parliament speaker Saad al-Katatni has invited members to meet at 2:00 pm (1200 GMT) on Tuesday, in line with the presidential decree.
The Muslim Brotherhood said it "will participate (Tuesday) in a million-man march in support of the president's decision and reinstating parliament."
The court's move could spark a confrontation between Morsi, who stepped down from the Brotherhood when he was sworn in last month, and the SCAF as well as the judiciary.But the presidency insisted the decree "neither contradicts nor contravenes the ruling by the constitutional court."

The ruling does not need to be implemented immediately, said presidential spokesman Yasser Ali, arguing that Morsi's decision "takes into account the higher interest of the state and the people."
His decree also stipulates the organisation of new parliamentary elections two months after the approval by referendum of Egypt's new constitution and the adoption of a new law regulating parliament.
The latest confrontation prompted the United States on Monday to urge Egypt to respect "democratic principles."

"Developments are unfolding quickly and we are monitoring them and in touch with Egypt's leaders," said National Security Council spokesman Tommy Vietor."Ultimately, though, these issues are for Egyptians to decide in a manner that respects democratic principles, is transparent, and protects the rights of all Egyptians."The constitutional court stressed that it was "not a part of any political conflict... but the limit of its sacred duty is the protection of the texts of the constitution."The SCAF also insisted that the texts of the constitution must be upheld.It was not clear how the court's ruling would be enforced.Morsi's decision caused a "political earthquake," some media reported on Monday, and it also angered some secular parties which had slammed the Muslim Brotherhood's monopolisation of power since the start of the uprising."In any decent and democratic country, a president cannot disrespect the judiciary," said Rifaat al-Said, head of the leftist Al-Tagammu party."Whether Morsi likes it or not, he must respect the judiciary's decisions," he told state television.After parliament was annulled last month, the SCAF issued a constitutional declaration granting the military sweeping powers, and in the absence of a parliament -- in which nearly half of seats were won by the Brotherhood and another quarter by hardline Salafists -- it assumed legislative power.SCAF's document, which rendered the presidency toothless, caused outrage among those calling for the military to return to barracks.

Hungary to introduce financial transactions tax

Hungary's parliament will introduce a new tax on financial transactions to raise revenue for the debt-stricken country.The levy is aimed at reducing deficits in line with conditions for a bailout set by the European Union and other institutions.Transactions at both Hungary's central and commercial banks will now be taxed starting from next year. The rate of 0.1 percent of each transaction, to a maximum of about 25 dollars, is expected to boost tax revenues by about 1.6 billion dollars next fiscal year.

The move is the latest in a series of new levies, including the so-called "potato chip tax" targeting food products with high salt or sugar content.Hungarians also pay a telecom tax for phone conversations and SMS messages.

Many other EU members are also eyeing a financial transactions tax to bolster their defenses against future crises. In France, a similar tax takes effect in August to control speculative tradin

Eurozone finance ministers meet to aid Spain

EU ailing economy to contemplate the fiscal crisis and put in place proper reforest and cut many checks.
.Eurozone finance ministers meeting in Brussels on Monday are under pressure to execute measures agreed at a summit last month to tame the debt crisis.The finance chiefs from the seventeen -nation eurozone are looking at how to use a bailout fund to directly inject money into struggling banks.They're also discussing how to use the fund to stabilize bond markets for debt-strapped countries facing high borrowing costs.

Another key issue of business is to address the scale and conditions of financial support for Spain.
They're also weighing the Greek government's request to relax the conditions for austerity measures. The EU imposed the tough terms in return for financial support.

But discussions with Spain are already behind schedule, and talks with the Greek government have yet to begin in earnest.Eurozone finance ministers to meet again July 20,2012 to finalize Spanish lending 30 Million Euro by the end of this month.

Syrian government & opposition need comprehensive dialogue

Jul 10

Posted by sagarmedia

Delegates from the Democratic Forum met Lavrov in Moscow on Monday.The  representatives of Syria’s opposition and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov have contemplated  various options and ways of resolving the crisis in Syria. Two  sides failed to come up with a breakthrough but arrived at conclusions that Syrian government and opposition must start a comprehensive dialogue at an early date.

Leader of the opposition group, Michel Kilo, said after the meeting that they had very good talks. But he said the two sides agreed it would be difficult for the Syrian government and opposition to work out their differences anytime soon.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it’s important for Syrian opposition groups to have a unified platform.The ministry stressed the Syrian government and opposition must start a comprehensive dialogue at an early date.The ministry reiterated its stance that it is up to Syrians themselves to resolve the crisis without foreign intervention.

China to take action to protest Senkaku purchase

Jul 10

Posted by sagarmedia

Chinese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda on Saturday disclosed the government’s negotiations to purchase 4 of the 5 islets that make up the disputed Senkaku Islands. The islands are presently owned by a Japanese family.
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Liu Weimin on Monday said no one will ever be permitted to buy and sell China’s sacred territory.
He said the Chinese government conveyed to Japan that the islands have been part of Chinese territory since ancient times. He added that sovereignty has been based on indisputable historical and legal evidence.
China has placed priority on internal and external stability. The move comes ahead of the reshuffle of Chinese Communist Party leadership slated for this fall.
Chinese leaders are also wary of anti-Japanese sentiment rising among the public.

ASEAN members search modes on territorial issues

July 10, 2012

 Political news emanating in line through diplomatic sources say foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations could not  release a joint communique on Monday as planned. Asean countries  members disagreed on the wording and still holding the diction.

  ASEAN member countries ministers agreed at a meeting in Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh on Monday to create legally-binding rules on how to peacefully resolve territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
But they decided to continue negotiations on what should be included in the statement.The officials from the Philippines wanted to state their concern about recent confrontations in the South China Sea. Ships from the Philippines and China were locked in a stand-off near the area for more than 2 months.
But the sources said Cambodia strongly opposed the idea. Cambodia, which is chairing the current ASEAN meeting, has close economic ties with China.Some ASEAN members are engaged in sovereignty disputes with China.Many others countries are trying to avoid antagonizing the country.
A spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry has reacted cautiously to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ decision to draft new maritime rules.ASEAN foreign ministers agreed Monday to negotiate with China for new maritime rules. Spokesperson Liu Weimin said China will consider a legally-binding code of conduct when the timing is appropriate.He said any new rules should contribute not only to resolving territorial disputes in the South China Sea but also promoting mutual trust and strengthening cooperation among ASEAN members. Some ASEAN nations are involved in territorial disputes with China.

Greek deputy minister Nikos Nikolopoulos resigns

Greek deputy minister Nikos Nikolopoulos resigns

Greek deputy minister Nikos Nikolopoulos resigns over bailout stance.Greece's deputy minister in charge of labor, social security and welfare resigned on Monday hours after the new coalition government won a confidence vote in parliament.Nikos Nikolopoulos, who is also in charge of the pension issue, said in his resignation letter that the government should have pressed harder to renegotiate the terms of the country's bailout agreement.

The Greek government led by Prime Minister Antonis Samaras has begun talks with EU representatives on the relaxation of the conditions of austerity measures the EU has imposed in return for financial support.
Nikolopoulos is the first member of the new cabinet, since it was formed in June, to resign in opposition to government policy.

Monsoon advances to food bowl states

Posted on July 10, 2012 by sagarmedia

India’s crucial monsoon rains on Monday advanced to the food bowl states of Punjab and Haryana with a promise to bring showers over the next four days, reducing the shortfall for the season.

 

“Monsoon has progressed into Haryana, Punjab and some parts of Rajasthan,” Laxman Singh Rathore, Director General India Meteorological Department (IMD), told in New Delhi.

The deficiency in rainfall for the season, which was as high as 31 per cent a couple of weeks back, was reduced to 25 per cent of the 50-year average of 89 cm on the back of the active monsoon.

In terms of percentage of the area of the country, 63 per cent parts of the country had received deficient or scanty rainfall, according to data released by IMD.

36 per cent area of the country received normal rainfall while one per cent region experienced excess rains.

Rathore said the monsoon currents would remain active for the next four to five days and the entire country was expected to be covered Wednesday.

Quantitatively, the country had received 173.9 mm rainfall as against the normal 233.3 mm between June 1st and July 8th a deficiency of 25 per cent.

On the El Nino phenomenon, one of the parameters known to affect the monsoon, Rathore said the conditions were still neutral and he did not see a significant increase this month.

Some reports had it that the El Nino conditions would develop by the end of this month which could have an adverse effect on the monsoon.

Monsoon was 14 per cent below normal in the east and north east of the country, 43 per cent below average in the north west, 31 per cent lower in the south peninsula and 26 per cent below normal in central India, the IMD said.

Urban Governance Reforms must to reap full benefits:Kamal Nath

Urban Governance Reforms must to reap full benefits of investments in urban infrastructure says Kamal Nath
Kamal Nath, the Minister for Urban Development has said that investments in urban infrastructure need to be supported by urban governance reforms in order to transform the urban sector and improve delivery of urban services. He was speaking at the National Workshop on “Improving Services in Urban Water Supply and Sanitation” in New Delhi today. Minister Nath said that even where investments have been made, adequate provisions have not been made for maintenance of these assets and the quality of services needs substantial improvement.

The Minister stated that Water and Sanitation will be a significant element of the next phase of JNNURM. It is envisaged that private sector will play an important role in providing services to the consumers. Steps are also planned for accessing capital markets (through municipal bonds, commercial debt) for investment in urban infrastructure. Innovative financing, including leveraging of idle assets will be emphasized.

Mr. Nath said that capacity building, creation of municipal cadres in states and of course active involvement of the Citizens in the entire process is essential. Citizens’ involvement in all stages will aid in improving accountability of service provision.

The Minister released ‘A comprehensive Advisory Note for the urban water and sanitation sector’ on the occasion that identifies five key areas for improving urban water supply and sanitation in India:

1. Clarifying the Mandates of Water Supply and Sanitation Service Providers
2. Improving the Governance of Water Supply and Sanitation Service Providers
3. Financing Water Supply and Sanitation Operations and Infrastructure Development
4. Regulating the Urban Water Supply and Sanitation Service
5. Building Capacity, Developing Procedures and Professionalizing Actors of the Water Supply and Sanitation Sector.

Participants at the 2 day workshop include officials from State/UTs Governments, Water Supply and Sanitation institutions, International and National Organizations, Industry, Water Associations and Sector Experts. The workshop also has international representation for sharing good practices from Australia, Brazil, Algiers and Scotland.