Friday, July 25, 2014


One Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) of the Indian Air Force crashed near Sitapur of Lucknow area at about 1657 hrs on 25 Jul 2014. The Helicopter was airborne from Bareilly at 1553 hrs and was on a mission to Allahabad. The Pilot gave a ‘may-day’ (emergency) call and soon after that there was a loss of contact on radar and on radio. A total of seven air warriors including two pilots were on board. It is feared that there are no survivors. There is no reported damage on ground. 

 



After onion, it';s tomato and potato to follow: Where is government?

# Tomato prices touch 100 rupees per kg
# Potato prices also skyrocket
#Government steps wholly inadequate

Two months after assuming office, the Modi Government still seems to be groping in dark on how to tackle the rising prices of essential commodities. 
The way prices of essential commodities have gone up in recent past, it shows the government has completely lost control over the state apparatus and is still looking for a policy direction vis-a-vis price rise and inflation.

While tomato prices are touching Rs 100 per kg, particularly in and around the National Capital Region, potato prices are also skyrocketing. Potato prices have touched 45 rupees per kg in Bangalore 
On the one hand, the government cannot figure out why tomato supplies have suddenly dwindled and how to clear supply bottlenecks, on the other hand it has completely failed to notice the mindless export of potatoes to Pakistan and announce measures to strike a price balance by announcing import duty on potato. 
Pakistan has announced duty free import of potatoes till November 15 and has set an import target of one lakh metric tonne. It is bound to create an acute scarcity of potatoes in the country, which will further shoot up the already skyrocketing prices.

After tall promises and rhetorical speeches of Mr. Narendra Modi in run up to elections had given hope to the common man that if brought to power, the BJP would get them rid of inflation and price rise. Sensing the public mood, the BJP had mentioned price rise and inflation as the first focus point of its election manifesto. The BJP had said in its manifesto,"Our immediate task will be to rein in inflation by several steps."

Finance minister Arun Jaitley had spoken of many steps in the meeting with state governments on how the Centre proposes to rein in the rising prices of eatebles, earlier this month.

All these tall claims appear to be confined to government files, the Aam Aadmi Party demands that the central government should immediately take urgent action to translate its words into action and provide relief to the common man. 




Thanks.
Regards,

 

Indirect Tax Revenue rises 4.5% during Apr-June 2014

 

The overall growth in indirect tax revenue collections during April-June 2014 have increased from Rs. 1,08,639 crore in Apr-June 2013-14 to Rs.1,13,570 crore in April –June 2014-15 registering an increase of 4.5%. Service Tax collections have increased from Rs.32,617 crore in April –June 2013-14 to Rs 38,862 crore during April-June  2014-15 with a growth rate of 19% .However, tax revenue from customs and central excise have declined and recorded negative growth of (-) 3.1% and (-) 0.2% respectively during Apr-June 2014-15.

Indirect Tax Revenue Collections                                                                                                     (Rs. in crores)
Tax Head

June 2014
% Growth
April – June
% growth
% of BE achieved
    B.E.2014-15
2013-14
2014-15
2013-14
2014-15
Customs
201819
13494
14308
6.0
40796
39549
(-) 3.1
19.6
Central Excise*
205452
13566
14666
8.1
35226
35159
(-) 0.2
17.1
Service Tax
215973
12025
15382
27.9
32617
38862
19.1
18.0
Total
623244
39085
44356
13.5
108639
113570
4.5
18.2
Source: Ministry of Finance, Government of India

GAIL signs MOU with Sumitomo Corporation of Japan

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New Delhi, July 25, 2014: GAIL (India) Limited today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Sumitomo Corporation, Japan (Sumitomo). Under the MOU, GAIL and Sumitomo will pursue business opportunities in natural gas and LNG value chain business globally, specifically covering cooperation in petrochemicals, natural gas procurement, pipelines and LNG. GAIL and Sumitomo hold half of the capacity in the Cove Point LNG Liquefaction Terminal in the US respectively, and have also agreed to coordinate for ensuring smooth operation of the terminal. Both parties view US market as a growth area for their line of businesses and would cooperate on businesses ranging from upstream to downstream.
Mr. B.C. Tripathi, Chairman and Managing Director of GAIL (India) Limited, stated “This is an important occasion for GAIL and we are happy to enter into this strategic relationship with Sumitomo with whom we are long term partners in Cove Point project. There are significant opportunities in the North American gas markets and we are pleased to be partnering with Sumitomo in jointly developing this business.”
GAIL is India’s leading natural gas company with a presence along the entire hydrocarbon value chain spanning E&P, LNG, pipelines, LPG, petrochemicals, city gas distribution, etc. In USA, GAIL has a wholly owned subsidiary, GAIL Global (USA) Inc, which has acquired stake in Eagle Ford shale acreage. Further GAIL has long term LNG contracts with Sabine Pass and Cove Point terminal for import of 5.8 MMTPA of LNG .
Sumitomo is one of the world’s leading fully integrated trading and investing enterprises headquartered in Tokyo, Japan. Besides its role as an international trader, Sumitomo is an active investor in a diverse range of businesses such as metal, mineral resources, energy, chemical, etc. Sumitomo’s subsidiary, Pacific Summit Energy LLC, is a significant player in natural gas trading and marketing (physical and financial) in USA. Sumitomo has also invested in shale gas/tight oil assets in USA.


India ranks 135th on Human Development Index: UNDP


The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in its recent publication ‘The 2014 Human Development Report’ ranked India at 135th position for the year 2013 and categorizing the country amongst the medium human development category. India ’s HDI value is reported at 0.586 which is a marginal increase from 0.583 registered in 2012, leaving India ’s rank unchanged from the previous year. While, between 2000-2013 HDI value for India increased from 0.483 to 0.586 posted an annual average growth rate of 1.49%.

The sub-index called Multidimensional Poverty Index, which considers health, education and living standards reported an index value of 0.282 down from 0.283 in 2010. The poverty index further enumerated that 32.86% of people in India lived on US$ 1.25 a day. On Gender inequality index, India is ranked at 127th position with an index value of 0.563.  In education, India registered a literacy rate of 62.8% in adults and 81.1% in youth. While the percentage of GDP as expenditure on education was 3.3%. The report also highlighted the social competencies wherein it posted 9.3% for unemployment rate, 10.7% for youth unemployment and 11.8% for child labour.

At global level, top five countries on HDI were Norway at HDI 0.944, Australia at 0.933, Switzerland at 0.917, Netherlands at0.915 and US at 0.914.  While the lowest ranked nations on HDI were Sierra Leone at 0.374, Chad at 0.372, Africa at 0.341, Congo DR at 0.338 and Niger at 0.337. Amongst BRICS nations China was ranked at the top at 15th rank with HDI value of 0.891 followed by Russian Federation at 57th for HDI value of 0.778, Brazil at 79th rank for HDI value of 0.744 and South Africa at 118th rank for HDI value of 0.658.

Overall, the report said that despite recent progress in poverty reduction, more than 2.2 billion people are either near or living in multidimensional poverty. That means more than 15% of the world’s people remain vulnerable to multidimensional poverty. At the same time, nearly 80% of the global population lack comprehensive social protection. About 12% (842 million) suffer from chronic hunger, and nearly half of all workers more than 1.5 billion are in informal or precarious employment. In addition, the 2013 HDR revealed that more than 40 developing countries with the majority of the world’s population had greater gains on the Human Development Index than would have been predicted given their situation in 1990.


Warm regards,

Dr. S P Sharma
Chief Economist

AAP National Executive meet

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Three-dayAam Aadmi Party National Executive meeting will be held at Sunam (Sangrur district), Punjab, between July 25-27.
The agenda for the meeting includes discussion on the current political situation of the country, organisational planning and ways of implementing Mission Vistaar.
AAP condemns BJP statement on Sania Mirza :
The Aam Aadmi Party strongly condemns the remarks made by a BJP leader from Telangana about Tennis player Sania Mirza. The BJP should apologise to the country for such an unacceptable utterance of its leader.
Such statements are not expected from a ruling party of the country, but the reluctance of the BJP to rein in its leaders and discourage them from making such reprehensible statements, shows that this party is returning to its core divisive agenda.
The remarks clearly smack of parochialism with clear communal overtones.
The AAP is of the clear view that a player who was born and brought up in India and still continues to represent the country, cannot be hurt merely on grounds of her marriage.
Statements from some Congress leaders, echoing the sentiments of BJP also deserve to be condemned.
The Telangana Chief Minister is right in calling Sania “a true Hyderabadi” and any attempts to spread misinformation in this regard, need to be strongly curbed.
Regards
AAP Media Cell

Monday 28th - Launch of “Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight”

 Monday 28th - Launch of “Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight” by Hon’ble Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan on Monday, July 28, 2014
From: Sonia Sarkar  Fri, 25 Jul '14 10:17a
To: 
Show full Headers

Dear Editor,

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India cordially invites you to the launch of “Intensified Diarrhoea Control Fortnight” by Hon’ble Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Dr. Harsh Vardhan on Monday, July 28, 2014 at 8:30 AM at Jacaranda, India Habitat Center, New Delhi.

Please refer to the attached Invitation.

Look forward.

Kind regards

Sonia Sarkar
Communication Officer (Media) , UNICEF India
Tel (+91) 9810170289,9891861445;

United Nations Children’s Fund
UNICEF House, 73 Lodi Estate, New Delhi,
Follow us on  Facebook   Twitter  and at  www.unicef.in   

Puneri Paltan Gears Up for this Season’s Pro Kabaddi Campaign

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Over 20 Arjuna and Shiv Chhatrapati Awardees from Pune bless the team
Pune, July 24, 2014: Puneri Paltan, the Pune franchise of the Pro Kabaddi League, hosted an ‘Aashirwad’ ceremony for its players today. Inspired by the rich Indian tradition of seeking blessings from elders, the ceremony marks the initiation of the team’s campaign. Over 20 veterans, who are also Arjuna and Shiv ChhatrapatiAwardees, graced the event to bless the team.
Sumanlal Shah, Director, Insurekot Sports Pvt. Ltd., said, “We are delighted to have legendary Arjuna and Shiv Chhatrapati Awardees bless the team today. We acknowledge these veterans for supporting our team and players as they gear up for our very first year in the league.”
Karthi Marshan, Director, Insurekot Sports Pvt. Ltd., said, “Kabaddi  being a traditional heritage sport, an ‘Aashirwad’ceremony befits the occasion as we kick off this season. We look forward to an action-packed season and putting up a good show.”
Wazir Singh, Captain, Puneri Paltan, said, “Our preparations are in full swing for the first season. Our interaction with legendary Kabaddi players today has boosted our confidence level and charged up the entire team.”
Shantaram Jadhav, an Arjuna Awardee from Pune, said, “I thank Puneri Paltanon behalf of all Arjuna and Shiv Chhatrapati Awardees present here today. It is a nostalgic moment for us as the event has brought back several memories from our younger days. We are honoured to be associated with the team and Pro KabaddiLeague, which have taken steps to reignite the fire for the sport in the country.”
Legendary Kabaddi players and Arjuna Awardees Ashok Shinde, Shantaram Jadhav and Shakuntala Khatawkar blessed the team. Shiv Chhatrapati Awardees Ashok Kondhare, Asha Gaikwad, Anita Parawe, Deepika Joseph, Manik Bhogade, Manisha Kondhalkar, Manjushri Date-Bhave, Mohini Chapekar, Neeta Pawar, Nitin Ghule, Raju Ghule, Sadhana Dharia, Sangeeta Deshmukh, Sangeeta Sonawane, Shankar Kate, Sheetal Marne, Shobha Bhagat, Sumati Poojari and Suryakant Patil were also present on the occasion.
Puneri Paltan will be playing its first Pro Kabaddi League match against Bengaluru Bulls n Mumbai on 27 July, 2014.
About Puneri Paltan
Puneri Paltan is the Pune franchise of Pro Kabaddi League 2014, owned and managed by Insurekot Sports Pvt. Ltd. It combines the magnificence of Maharashtra’s cultural capital with true flavours of this indigenous sport. Recreating the glory of the game’s rich history in India, Puneri Paltan unleashes the energy and fortitude of Kabaddi in its modern day version. The team plays its home matches at Shree Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex, Balewadi in Pune, and is currently led by Wazir Singh and coached by Ramphal Kaushik.
About Insurekot Sports Pvt. Ltd.
Insurekot Sports Pvt. Ltd., a Mumbai-based firm, has recently ventured into theKabaddi arena with the purchase of the ProKabaddi League’s Pune franchise – Puneri Paltan.
Insurekot Sports Pvt. Ltd. is passionate about Kabaddi and committed to promoting the sport. The firm looks forward to creating awareness around Kabaddi’s rich heritage in the country.
Kabaddi, being the national sport of India, deserves illustrious reverence and respect. Its long history in India can be traced from the times of Gautama Buddha, and is a testimony to the game’s core values of strength, valour and spirit. The discipline of the game is inspirational and offers lessons not only in the field of sports but also in other walks of life.

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