Fundamental Differences between Capitalism & Baniaism Are

Bania-Tout’s Loot is Not Capitalism

Indians are being misled about the American Capitalism and Covering the Loot & Plunder of Bania touts & thugs by RSS and BJP – admittedly their agents. Since I lived in USA for six months I assure you stories picked up by RSS or Communists for circulation are largely false. From the very beginning RSS was known as Bania Traders party.

- California twice in area and half in population than your state has about 29 petroleum refineries. Big and small all conform to Environment Laws and competitive.

- There is real competition, real innovation and real development.

- In spite of recession American appetite for New Products has not diminished.

The Fundamental Differences between Capitalism & Baniaism Are –

1. American Companies invented production technologies and relentlessly introduced Competitive Products that were most economically sold to consumers – Bania companies are TOUTS either Import goods cheaply and sold it through multi level traders at 100% to 500% cost price or hoarded the essential commodities to realize exorbitant profits realizing illegal profits.

2. American Companies produced all goods to world’s highest quality standards – Goods bought by me or gifted to me for over 25 years are still functional. There are no quality control and service guarantee observed in India.

3. Every contract and promise is honored – Banias are least trust worthy in dealing with consumers never honoring promise. 99.99% of retailers would accept sold goods for 100% refund – not more than 5% retailers accept sold goods for replacement.

4. Every product is labeled & marked for content and price.

5. Prices are maintained for minimum a week and quality is never lowered.

6.  Every plumber in USA has better tools and skills than Chairman of Delhi Jal Board or Mumbai Jal Board.

7.  We in India know just Coke & Pepsi but there are over 100 big brands retailing drinks, fruit juices, tonics etc.

8. Everything is cheaper than India – some time back I reported a Samsung mobile retailed at Walmart cost Rs.2000/- was retailed for Rs.6000/- in India of same specifications.

9. Every corporate pay taxes not getting State Concessions. Concessions are reserved for farmers, unemployed, inventors, In India concessions and tax breaks are reserved for Traders, Hoarders and Touts.

10. If you are good students – you will get Scholarships or Sponsorships. You are not required to donate to get your child admitted to a nursery school.

USA has real capitalism, India has Bania-Tout rule.

Ravinder Singh

Geo Headlines-19 Nov 2011- 1200

Congress :Smooth functioning can bring Lokpal bill in houses

The Congress on Friday appealed to the opposition parties to allow smooth functioning of Parliament to pass key bills including Lokpal.

"I urge all parties to allow smooth functioning of Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha during the winter session so that these crucial bills can be passed," party spokesperson Rashid Alvi told reporters in New Delhi.
"Parliament is for debate and discussion. We are ready to discuss all issues. Many legislations important for people of the country including Lokpal Bill and Judicial Accountability Bill are being brought in this session".
Maintaining that ensuring smooth functioning of Parliament is "responsibility of all parties", Alvi urged the Opposition to take a decision "rising above politics" in the interest of the nation and the people.
Government plans to take up 34 bills, while Opposition wants discussion on around 45 issues during the session.
They include government's move to introduce FDI in pension, caste census, Telangana and recent developments in Indo-Pak ties after Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's SAARC visit.
The Monsoon session had failed to transact much business despite heavy official agenda as opposition parties disrupted proceeding over a range of issues, including Lokpal and 2G scam.
The Winter Session last year was a total washout as a determined opposition did not allow Parliament to run demanding setting up of a Joint Parliamentary Committee to probe the 2G scam.Media agencies

Halifax Explosion Summary:December 6, 1917

Halifax Explosion Summary:December 6, 1917_About the Halifax Explosion:

The Halifax Explosion occurred when a Belgian relief vessel and a French munitions carrier collided in Halifax Harbour during World War I. Crowds gathered around to watch the fire from the initial collision. The munitions ship drifted towards the pier and after twenty minutes blew sky high. More fires started and spread, and a tsunami wave was created. Thousands were killed and injured and much of Halifax was destroyed. To add to the disaster, a snowstorm started the next day, and lasted for nearly a week.

Date:December 6, 1917

• The Belgian relief vessel Imo was leaving Halifax Harbour on its way to New York and the French munitions ship Mont Blanc was on its way to wait for a convoy when the two ships collided at 8:45 am.
• The munitions ship was carrying picric acid, gun cotton and TNT. Her top deck carried benzol which spilled and burned.
• For 20 minutes crowds collected around Halifax Harbour to watch the billowing smoke filled with sparks and fire as the Mont Blanc drifted towards Pier 6. While crews from nearby ships raced to put out the blaze, the captain and crew of the Mont Blanc rowed in lifeboats for the Dartmouth shore. When the crew landed they tried to warn people to run.
• The Mont Blanc rammed Pier 6, setting its wood pilings on fire.
• The Mont Blanc exploded, flattening everything within 800 metres (2600 feet), and causing damage for 1.6 km (1 mile). The explosion was said to have been heard as far away as Prince Edward Island.
• Fires spread quickly after the explosion.
• Water around the ship vaporized, a huge tsunami wave flooded the streets of Halifax and Dartmouth and swept many people back into the harbour where they drowned.
• The next day, one of the worst blizzards ever recorded in Halifax began, and lasted for six days.
• Relief came immediately from the troops in the area. Assistance also poured in from the Maritimes, central Canada and the northeastern United States in the form of medical supplies and workers, food, clothing, building supplies and labourers, and money. Emergency teams from Massachusetts arrived, and many stayed for months.

Mario Monti next Premier of Italy

Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi has resigned after parliament's lower chamber passed European-demanded reforms, ending a 17-year political era and setting in motion a transition aimed at bringing the country back from the brink of economic crisis.

A chorus of Handel's "Alleluia," performed by a few dozen singers and classical musicians, rang out in front of the president's palace as thousands of Italians poured into downtown Rome to rejoice at the end of Berlusconi's scandal-marred reign.

Hecklers shouted "Buffoon, Buffoon!" as Berlusconi's motorcade entered and exited the presidential palace, where he tendered his resignation to President Giorgio Napolitano on Saturday, the palace said in a statement.

Respected former European commissioner Mario Monti remained the top choice to try to steer the country out of its debt woes as the head of a transitional government, but Berlusconi's allies remained split over whether to support him.

Their opposition wasn't expected to scuttle Napolitano's plans to ask Monti to try to form an interim government as early as on Sunday, but it could make Monti's job more difficult.Napolitano will hold consultations Sunday morning with all Italy's political forces. Berlusconi's party said it would support Monti, albeit with conditions.

The back-to-back, 10-minute meetings he has scheduled indicated the talks wouldn't drag on and that Monti would be nominated by the end of the day.

Late Saturday, Berlusconi's party said it would support Monti, albeit with conditions.

Berlusconi's resignation was set in motion after the Chamber of Deputies, with a vote on Saturday of 380-26 with two abstentions, approved economic reforms which include increasing the retirement age starting in 2026 but do nothing to open up Italy's inflexible labour market.

Draft Real Estate Bill, 2011, Draft Model Property Rights to Slum Dwellers Act, 2011& Central Legislation for Street Vendors

Kumari Selja unveils Draft Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Bill, 2011, Draft Model Property Rights to Slum Dwellers Act, 2011 and Central Legislation for Street Vendors

Kumari Selja, Minister of Housing & Urban Poverty Alleviation and Minister of Culture today unveiled the `Draft Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Bill, 2011`, The Draft Model Property Rights to Slum Dwellers Act, 2011` and Central Legislation for Street Vendors at a Press Conference in New Delhi. Following are the details of the announcements made by Kumari Selja. 

       I.            Draft Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Bill, 2011

The Draft Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Bill, 2011 seeks to establish a regulatory oversight mechanism to enforce disclosure, fair practice and accountability norms in the real estate sector, and to provide adjudication machinery for speedy dispute redressal.

This Act is in pursuance of the powers of Parliament to make laws on matters enumerated in the Concurrent List namely, transfer of property other than agricultural land; registration of deeds and documents, and contracts including partnerships, agency, contracts of carriage, and other special forms of contracts, but not including contracts relating to agricultural land.

The Bill aims at restoring confidence of the general public in the real estate sector; by instituting transparency and accountability in real estate and housing transactions.  Currently, the real estate and housing sector is largely unregulated and opaque, with consumers often unable to procure complete information, or enforce accountability against builders and developers in the absence of effective regulation.  The sector, in recent years, has also emerged as a source of black money and corruptions in the economy. The Bill is expected to ensure greater accountability towards consumers, bring transparency and fairness in transactions and reduce frauds and delays significantly. All of these factors would make sizable dent in the corruption in this sector.

The Bill is also expected to promote regulated and orderly growth through efficiency, professionalism and standardization. It seeks to ensure consumer protection, without adding another stage in the procedure for sanctions.

The salient features of the Draft Real Estate (Regulation & Development) Bill are:

¨         Establishment of a ‘Real Estate Regulatory Authority’ in each State by the Appropriate Government (Centre for the UTs and State Governments in the case of the States), with specified functions, powers, and responsibilities to facilitate the orderly and planned  growth of the sector;

¨         Mandatory registration of developers / builders, who intend to sell any immovable property, with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority as a system of accreditation;

¨         Mandatory public disclosure norms for all registered developers, including details of developer, project, land status , statutory approvals and contractual obligations;

¨         Obligations of promoters to adhere to approved plans and project specifications, and to refund moneys in cases of default;

¨         Obligation of allottee to make necessary payments and other charges agreed to under the agreement and payment of interest in case of any delay;

¨         Provision to compulsorily deposit a portion of funds received from the allottees in a separate bank account, to be used for that real estate project only;

¨         The Authority to act as the nodal agency to co-ordinate efforts regarding development of the real estate sector and render necessary advice to the appropriate Government to ensure the growth and promotion of a transparent, efficient and competitive real estate sector; as also establish dispute resolution mechanisms for settling disputes between promoters and allottees/ buyers;

¨         Authorities to comprise of one Chairperson and not less than two members having adequate knowledge and experience of the sector;

¨         Establishment of a ‘Real Estate Appellate Tribunal’ by the Central Government to hear appeals from the orders of the Authority and to adjudicate on disputes.  Tribunal  to be headed by a sitting or retired Judge of Supreme Court or Chief Justice of High Court with 4 judicial and at-least 4 administrative/technical members;

¨         Chairperson of the Tribunal to have powers to constitute Benches, for exercising powers of the Tribunal;

¨         Establishment of a Central Advisory Council to advise the Central Government on matters concerning implementation of the Act.

¨         Council to make recommendations on major questions of policy, protection of consumer interest and to foster growth and development of the real estate sector;

¨         Penal provisions to ensure compliance with orders of the Authority and Tribunal;

¨         Jurisdiction of Civil Courts barred on matters which the Authority or the Tribunal is empowered to determine;

¨         Both Centre and States to have  powers to make rules over subjects specified in the Bill, and the Regulatory Authority to have powers to make regulations;

¨         Powers to Central Government to issue directions to States on matters specified in the Act have also been specified.

    II.            Draft Model Property Rights to Slum Dwellers Act, 2011

The Ministry of HUPA proposed the strengthening of its Slum redevelopment strategy by working towards a slum free India, and assigning property rights to Slum Dwellers, under the Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY). RAY proposes decisive action for inclusive urban development that acknowledges the presence of the poor in cities, recognizes their contribution as essential to the city`s functioning, and redresses the fundamental reasons for inequity that ties them down to poverty.

The conferment of property title is a new direction for national policy that aligns national approach to the global practice. It sees ownership of property as the best investment in democracy, by creating for the household due space within the formal system, and thereby a vested interest in peace and legal order.

The Model law is aimed at bringing within the formal system, those who are forced to live in extra-formal spaces and in denial of right to services and amenities available to those with legal title to city spaces, and at correcting the deficiencies of the formal system of urban development and town planning that have failed to create conditions of inclusiveness and equity, so that, henceforth, new urban families, whether by way of migration or natural growth of population, have recourse to housing with civic amenities, and are not forced from lack of options to create encroachments and slums and live extralegal lives in conditions of deprivation of rights and amenities.

The Model law intends to enable the household to access the formal channels of credit; it draws the entire extralegal economy of slums out of the informal market; it enriches the slum dweller by giving him access to mortgageable rights for housing construction, and the formal economy by enabling a quarter of its population to participate in its growth. The importance that Central Government gives to this measure for inclusion and equity may be gauged from the decision to link central support for slum redevelopment with the empowering of the slum household with property rights.

The salient features of the Draft Model Property Rights to Slum Dwellers Act, 2011 are:

¨         Facilitation of inclusive growth and slum-free cities, to provide assured security of tenure, basic amenities and affordable housing to the slum-dwellers.

¨         Every landless person living in a slum area in any city or urban area on 4th June, 2009 shall be entitled to a dwelling space at an affordable cost.

¨         Every Slum dweller or the Collective of the Slum Dwellers shall be given a legal entitlement, which shall be in the name of the female head of the household or in the joint name of the male head of the household and his wife.

¨         Every slum dweller eligible shall be provided with basic civic services until the site for the dwelling space has been developed.

¨         The dwelling space so provided shall not be transferable but allowed to be mortgageable for raising housing loan, or in need to sell- but only to the Government or the Collective as the case may be.

¨         The dwelling space may be provided in-situ as far as possible, provided in cases on public interest they shall be resettled elsewhere.

¨         Constitution of a Grievance Redressal Committee for the purposes of resolving disputes in relation to matters about identification of slum dwellers.

¨         State Government shall prescribe and notify participative and transparent procedures for identification and periodic survey of slum dwellers for purpose of granting legal entitlement to slum dwellers.

¨         Establishment of City / Urban Area Slum Redevelopment Committee for implementing the provisions of the Act namely- to survey and make a list of slum dwellers, make an inventory of existing position regarding slum areas, formulate schemes for slum redevelopment/up-gradation/resettlement and for rental housing (including dormitories and night shelters) for the urban poor and slum-dwellers in-eligible etc.

¨         Establishment of a State Slum Redevelopment Authority (to be headed by the Chief Minister) to continuously monitor implementation of the Act and to recommend corrective measures wherever necessary.

¨         Emphasis on Community Participation by providing for establishment of Slum Development Committee for each slum area comprising of members for plan preparation, implementation, monitoring & evaluation, and post project maintenance.

¨         Power to acquire land for redevelopment/up-gradation and for resettlement under the Land Acquisition Act, 1894 as amended from time to time.

¨         Responsibility of the Government to prevent encroachment or of construction of illegal structures towards which necessary amendment to the Municipal and other Acts need to be undertaken.

¨         Civil courts not to have jurisdiction on matters for which the City/Urban Area Slum Redevelopment Committee, State Slum Redevelopment Committee, Grievance Redressal Committee, or the Tribunal is empowered.

¨         Power of the State Government to make rules on matters specified in the Act.

 III.            Credit Risk Guarantee Fund

To address the issue of credit enablement of EWS and LIG households, the Ministry proposes to create a Credit Risk Guarantee Fund Scheme (CGFS) under Rajiv Awas Yojana. The salient features of the proposed fund are as follows:

1.      Under the Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme (CGFS) the Government of India will provide credit guarantee support to collateral-free / third-party-guarantee-free housing loans up to Rs. 5 lakh extended by lending institutions for Low Income Housing.

2.      The CGFS will cover the housing loans to EWS/ LIG borrowers for the purposes of repairs, home improvement, construction, acquisition, and purchase of new or second hand dwelling units, involving an amount not exceeding Rs. 5 lakh per loan.

3.      The guarantee cover available under the scheme is proposed to be to the extent of 90% of the sanctioned housing loan amount for a loan amount of upto Rs.2 lakh. And 85% for loan amounts above Rs.2 lakh and upto Rs. 5 lakh.

4.      To administer and oversee the operations of the Scheme, provision has been made for establishment of a Credit Risk Guarantee Fund Trust for low income housing (CGFT).

5.      Rs.1000 crores has been earmarked as an initial Corpus for CGFS.

 IV.            Central Legislation for Street Vendors

The Ministry of Housing & urban Poverty Alleviation had come up with a new National Policy on Urban Street Vendors in 2009 after a comprehensive review of the previous policy.

The Policy underscores the need for a legislative framework to enable street vendors to pursue an honest living without harassment from any quarter. We had drafted a Model Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Bill, 2009 and circulated to all States/UTs, requesting them to take a cue while legislating on the subject.

The progress on state legislation has not been encouraging.  We are receiving continuous representations from the individual street vendors and their organisations to bring a central legislation which would be uniformly and mandatorily applicable to all the states and UTs. We are working to evolve and effective and practical central legislation for protection of livelihood rights and social security of street vendors in consultation with all concerned stakeholders including State Government.

The bill would be based on the following basic principles:

·         Legitimate street vendors are protected from harassment by police and civic authorities.

·         Vending zones/spaces are demarcated for the street vendors. While demarcating the concept of traditional natural markets to be kept in mind.

·         Adequate representation to street vendors and women in particular, is provided in the institutional structures created for ensuring proper implementation of the proposed law.

·         A robust, effective and quick grievance redressal and dispute resolution mechanism is established.

Sagar31News _Press Briefing Icons on National Sports development Bill 2011

Celebration on 150th anniversary unification of Italy : Embassy of Italy in India

Young musicians and artistes from India are collaborating with Italian musicians for the opera that is part of celebrations of the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy organissed by the Embassy of Italy along with the Indian Council of Cultural Relations."It is a big opportunity for Italy and India to allow their artistes to get acquainted with both the cultures and this will bring people together through art," Ambassador of Italy to India, Giacomo Sanfelice di Monteforte told official media .

A forceful libretto and enhralling musical score ,make Cavalleria Rusticana an unforgettable operatic experience for the Indian audience, as one of the classis of ''verismo'' (realism) in opera style, the story Cavalleria Rusticano by Pietro when first performed in Rome in 1890, was an immediate success.

This show is based on a play by Giovanni Verga, the opera potrays love and jealousy in Sicily at the end of the 19th century and is  grand Italian opera with participation from Indian artistes is set to regale audiences here..

The orchestra conducted by Indian Maestro Vijay Upadhyaya includes 70 musicians and a choir of 50 artistes from the Neemrana Music Foundation.

Opera is scheduled to be performed on November 15 at Siri Fort Auditorium here as part of the closing gala for the fifth Delhi International Arts Festival (DIAF).

Carnegie Endowment for International Peace S Asia Centre in New Delhi

The delegation led by Sir Richard Giordano, Chairman, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace included Shri Sunil Bharti Mittal, Chairman & Group CEO, Bharti Enterprises and Member of the Board of Trustees, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace among others.

Ms. Jessica Mathews, President, Carnegie Endowment for International Peace said, " Given India`s vital geo-political importance, Carnegie is eager to explore creating a South Asia centre here. We are greatly encouraged by the interest shown by senior Indian officials and leaders in this regard."

Carnegie Endowment is exploring to set-up its South Asia Centre in New Delhi, India. The Carnegie Endowment, founded in 1910, is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to advancing cooperation between nations and promoting active international engagement by the United States.

Independent audit mechanism to be set up in states.

Rural Development Ministry plans to set up an independent audit mechanism in the states for better coordination and implementation of Central programmes. Talking to reporters in New Delhi, Rural Development Minister, Jairam Ramesh said that the proposed audit mechanism will streamline the implementation of Mahatama Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, MNREGS and Pradhanmantri Gram Sadak Yojana in many states.

Mr. Ramesh said that the government will also set up special MNREGS courts at panchayat level to combat corruption. These courts, he said that will expedite action against embezzlement of funds meant for the jobs in the scheme. The Minister said that the government will consult the Supreme Court in this matter.

The Andhra Pradesh government has already initiated process to adopt the unique mechanism proposed by the union Rural development Ministry.

HC grants bail to Yeddyurappa

Former Karnataka CM B S Yeddyurappa was granted conditional bail by the High Court in a land scam case on Tuesday, paving the way for his release from jail.

Justice B V Pinto allowed the bail application of Yeddyurappa, who was arrested on 15^th October on the condition that he furnishes a bond for Rs five lakh and does not attempt to tamper with evidence.

The bail granted to Yeddyurappa in the third private complaint for alleged irregularities in denotifying government lands favouring his family members, comes five days after he secured similar relief on the second complaint relating to similar charges.

The judge also enlarged on bail former Minister S N Krishnaiah Setty, one of the accused along with Yeddyurappa in the third private complaint filed in the Lokayukta court by advocates Sirajin Basha and K N Balaraj.

The Lokayukta Special Court had rejected the bail applications of Yeddyurappa and Setty on 15^th October and sent them to judicial custody.

Pronouncing the orders on the pleas of Yeddyurappa and Setty, Justice Pinto observed that the lower court has not taken into consideration whether the documents submitted by the complainants were verified and subjected to scrutiny.

The complainant in his seven-page sworn statement recorded before the lower court has not averred that the documents furnished by him are "true".

Under these circumstances, the documents should not have been taken into consideration, the judge observed.

"Therefore, there is no impediment in granting bail to the accused", Justice Pinto said while allowing the bail applications.

Justice Pinto said since some more complaints were pending before the lower court, "I do not want to express my opinion at this stage."

Three more private complaints filed by Basha are still pending before the Lokayukta court.

While sworn statements have been recorded in the fourth and fifth, the process is yet to begin on the first complaint.

Justice Pinto observed that nowhere has the complainant stated that the contents of documents furnished by him were "true" or produced any witnesses.

"Under these circumstances, mere reading of the sworn statement does not disclose guilt of offences. The counsel for the petitioner has stated that denotification of government lands are permissible under Section 48 of the Land Acquisition Act. For this no fault can be made against the accused. And the offences under this act are not punishable", the judge said on Tuesday.

The Karnataka Land Use Restriction Act, under which an offence was sought to be made against Setty, for securing conversion of agricultural land into non-agricultural use was not also punishable offence under the law, Justice Pinto said while rejecting the contention of the complainants that offences have been committed by the accused.

Both the accused have no antecedents of crime nor any case was pending against them or booked in any other case, the judge said.

The judge also observed that the sworn statements by complainants do not disclose any offence made out under various provisions of IPC and sections of the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Soon after landing in jail, Yeddyurappa had complained of illness and was moved to two hospitals.

Yeddyurappa, credited with installing the BJP's first ever government in the South, had stepped down as Chief Minister after being directed by the central leadership following his indictment in a Lokayukta report on illegal mining.

Besides Yeddyurappa, his two sons, B Y Raghavendra, a Lok Sabha member and B Y Vijendra and son-in-law R N Sohan Kumar are among the other accused in cases relating to denotification of land.

Gold record rise to Rupees, 28,540 per ten Grams

Gold, silver surge at bullion market

Gold record rise to 225 rupees, to 28,540 rupees per ten grams at Delhi's bullion market, today, with a firm overseas trend. Silver rose 200 rupees, to 56,700 rupees per kilo, on pick-up in demand from industrial units and coin-makers. Silver coins shot up 3,000 rupees, to 65,000 rupees for buying 100 pieces.
 London, gold rallied 18.70 dollars, or 1.1 percent, to a six-week high of 1,773 dollars an ounce, as concerns about Europe's debt crisis spurred demand for the precious metal. Silver fell 0.3 per cent, to 34.05 dollars an ounce

India, US join to fight tax evaders

India and  US  joined hands to crack down tax evaders and bring to book those who have stashed black money in tax havens abroad. Two nations, a team of investigators drawn form investigation units in the Union Finance Ministry and the recently set up Income Tax's Directorate of Criminal Investigation(DCI) will visit to Savannh, Georgia this month to chart out plans for effective co-operation in unearthing black money.

Offiicial media correspondent quoting sources reports, the Indian team will meet officials at Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in Georgia. At FLETC, officers will be involved in the Criminal Investigator Training Programme to be provided by special agents of the US' Internal Revenue Service.

This will be followed by the DCI teams one-on-one with officials of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the International Law Enforcement Academies, ILEA and some other federal intelligence agencies for exchange of information and future co-operation.

Exchange of information could lead to bringing to book Indians, who have stashed unaccounted money in tax havens abroad and made huge investments in the US and some European countries.

They will also learn street survival tactics that will come in handy to hone skills of officers back home while developing airborne and marine units as part of DCI's efforts to tackle white-collar mafia.

ILEAs are police academies under the US Department of State that have tie-ups with member countries.Media agencies

Pakistan's tainted trio in spot-fixing sent to Jail

 

Butt, 27, was sentenced to two and a half years, Asif, 28, was handed a one-year term, while the 19-year-old Amir was sentenced to six months in the young offenders' detention center instead of jail.

Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt and two of his teammates -pacers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were on Thursday sentenced to jail for their role in the spot-fixing scandal, making them the first cricketers ever to be imprisoned for corruption.

Players' agent Mazhar Majeed got the strongest punishment as he was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison by Judge Jeremy Cooke after a trial that ran for close to three weeks at the Southwark Crown Court here.

The convicted four can appeal against their sentences which came into force with immediate effect. Butt has made it clear that he will appeal against the 30-month jail term.

"On behalf of Salman Butt I simply want to confirm that he will be appealing the sentence and launching grounds of appeal against it in the next 24 hours," his lawyer Paul Harris said.

Amir's barrister Henry Blaxland QC said he intended to apply for bail later pending an appeal against his sentence.

"'It's not cricket' was an adage. It is the insidious effect of your actions on professional cricket and the followers of it which make the offenses so serious," said Justice Cooke in his sentencing remarks.

"The image and integrity of what was once a game, but is now a business is damaged in the eyes of all, including the many youngsters who regarded three of you as heroes and would have given their eye teeth to play at the levels and with the skill that you had", he said

Sagar31News _Samsung Olympic Ratna_London Olympics 2012

Scheme to offer subsidised education loans to Scheduled Tribe

Today Tribal Affairs Ministry launched a scheme to offer subsidized education loans to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students at concessional rate for higher, professional and technical education in government-approved institutions.Speaking to reporters in Delhi after launching Adivasi Shiksha Rinn Yojana (ASRY) on Thursday, Tribal Affairs Minister Kishore Chandra Deo said that the scheme by the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) would provide concessional loan at six per cent interest which is payable only after completion of the course or after getting a job.The Minister said it is a scheme which has been started for the ST students for the first time.

This will enable them not only to gain seats in institutions and universities but also to sustain their courses which will last for four or five years. The Minister lauded the efforts of NSTFDC for starting such a unique scheme.

In order to encourage self employment, provision has also been made in Rinn Yojana for extending concessional financial assistance for undertaking income generating activities after completion of studies.

He also asked for creation of special cells in Raj Bhavans to handle the rights of tribes in scheduled areas.

Sagar31News __Samsung Olympic Ratna_London Olympics 2012

SAGAR31NEWS_Press Brief_Steel Minister BP Verma _RINL-VSP Performance

UNESCO nods Palestinians full membership

UNESCO  voted  in favour of membership for the Palestinians, a move opposed by Israel and the United States. Out of 173 countries voting, 107 were in favour, with 14 opposed and more than 40 abstentions.

 United States said it would stop its funding to UNESCO if the Palestinians' bid was accepted. The move comes a month after Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas asked for Palestine to become a full UN member state.  UN Security Council will vote next month on whether Palestine should become a full UN member state.

A tribute to the architect of Modern United India - Sardar Vallabhbhai P...

Qantas ground all its aircraft

Australian airlines Qantas has grounded all its aircraft because of the long running dispute with trade unions. QANTAS said there will no more domestic and international departures anywhere in the world. This drastic action would lead to cancellation of hundreds of flights and disrupt the travel plans of thousands of passengers.

 QANTAS says a series of strikes is costing nearly seventy million dollars. It said the move to ground the flights would cost it twenty million dollars a day. Flight crews, baggage handlers and maintenance crews and others have all been involved in a series of rolling strikes over pay and conditions. 

Eid-ul-Azha to be celebrated on Nov 7

Eid - ul - Azha will be celebrated across the country on 7th of November.
A press release of the Central Hilal Committee of Jama Masjid said
that the moon of Zil - Hijjah was seen in New Delhi on Friday.

Vodafone-McLaren-Mercedes-Team-Sagar 31News

CCEA approved the scheme of Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project

CCEA approved the proposal for scheme of Dam Rehabilitation and Improvement Project (DRIP) with the World Bank assistance. The total cost of the scheme 21,00 crore rupees of which 1680 crore rupees will be funded by World Bank while over 393 crore will be the share of the states.

The scheme will help provide rehabilitation of 223 Dams in the States of Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Tamil Nadu along with Strengthening of the Dam Safety Organizations at national level in Central Water Commission.

Sagar31news_GIST Advisory-UNEP

India to invite Chinese investment in USD 70-bn infra

India to invite Chinese investment in USD 70-bn infra

In a bid to attract foreign investment in the road building prog, Highways Min C P Joshi is likely to invite Chinese investors to participate in the country's mega road projects, each entailing an investment of about Rs 4,900 crore.

Joshi is in China and would address the second Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) of Transport Ministers at Chengdu, China, on Tuesday.

"The government is serious on attracting foreign investment particularly in mega projects of about USD 1 billion (about Rs 4,900 crore) each and the Highways Minister Joshi would hold meetings with Chinese investors," a Road Ministry official said.

The Transport Ministry's flagship road building programme - National Highways Development Project (NHDP) envisages investment to the tune of USD 70 billion (about Rs 3 lakh crore) in the next five years. About 60 percent of that is likely to come from the private sector.

Joshi is also likely to urge investors for making green highways, roads that are build using the techniques with minimum harm to environment.

Besides, transport security, safety and modernisation of toll collection system are also likely to be discussed during the ASEM meeting.

ASEM Transport Ministers' meeting is a high-level dialogue between the transport sector partners in the two continents. ASEM consists of 46 members countries.

India has indicated its interest in ASEM by increasing its annual contribution to Asia Europe Foundation (ASEF) from USD 1 million to USD 1.20 million.Media agencies

Rohan Bopanna-A Qureshi win Stockholm Open

India's Rohan Bopanna and Pakistan's Aisam-ul-Haq Qureshiwon the Stockholm Open men's doubles title with a comprehensive 6-1, 6-3 victory over Brazilians Marcelo Melo and Bruno Soares in Stockholm on Sunday.

It was top-seeded India-Pakistan pair's second ATP World Tour title of the season, following victory on grass at the Gerry Weber Open in Halle in June and overall, their third title as a team.

Bopanna and Qureshi, ranked seventh in the ATP doubles team rankings, added 250 points after their win and boosted their chances to qualify for the Barclays ATP World Tour. Three places remain in the eight-team field at the prestigious season finale in London next month.

"It has been a great week for us here," said Qureshi. "I always enjoy coming back to Stockholm. A few years ago I lost against Jonas Björkman in the first round and learnt something from that defeat (laughs)."

"It's also very special for me here thanks to the Pakistani fans who come to the stadium to support us. Of course, I also want to thank Rohan. We have been playing together for two years now and it's going great."

Bopanna said: "It feels great to have won our second title of the year and this is the best way to keep ourselves in contention for a berth in London."

Bopanna and Qureshi swiftly took the first set, breaking Melo and Soares' serve twice.

They then broke in the seventh and ninth game of the second set to seal the victory in 57 minutes.

The "Indo-Pak Express" next play in the Valencia Open 500 in Austria.

Un Calls for investigation into the death of Muammar Gaddafi

United Nations, the Red Cross, and US have called Amnesty International, International Committee of Red Cross for a full investigation into the death of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi amid concerns that he may have been executed, which is a war crime under international law.

Images filmed on mobile phones before and after Gaddafi's death showed him wounded and bloodied but clearly alive after his capture in his hometown of Sirte, and then dead amidst a jostling crowd of anti-Gaddafi fighters.

U.N. Human Rights spokesman Rupert Colville told Reuters Television that if you take these two videos together, they are rather disturbing because you see someone who has been captured alive and then you see the same person dead. So that's something that an investigation needs to look into.

With suggestions, including from Russia that the deposed dictator may have been summarily executed after his capture on Thursday, Moscow and Amnesty International called for an investigation.Meanwhile, the authorities in Libya are due to carry out a post mortem on the former leader Col. Gaddafi today to determine exactly how he died.

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National Women Boxing Championships

National Women Boxing Championships conclude in Bhopal; Mary Kom adjudged Best Boxer

The 12th Senior National Women Boxing Championships concluded in Bhopal on Sunday. AIR Bhopal correspondent reports that five time World Champion M C Mary Kom of Manipur was adjudged as the Best Boxer.

 Mary Kom defeated Pinky Jangra of Haryana 13-9 in her final bout of Fly 51 kilogram category. She dominated in all her bouts played during the Championship and clinched title of the best boxer.

World Youth Champion Sarjubala Devi of Manipur defeated Krishna Thapa of host Madhya Pradesh 36-34 in Fly 48 kilogram category. A total of ten final bouts were played in different weight categories. Suman, Kavita Chahal and Neetu Chahal of Haryana and Mandkini Chann of All India Police also won gold in their respective categories.

Other women boxers who clinched gold included Meena Rani and Aswathi Mol CV of Railways Sports Promotion Board, Kavita Goyat of Delhi and Jenny RL of Mizoram.

Civic polls in Tamil Nadu rest Protest against koodankulam Nuclear Plant

The week-long protest against Koodankulam Nuclear Power Plant was suspended for two days on Sunday in view of the civic polls in Tamil Nadu. Addressing the protesters in Idinthakarai, their leaders announced that the suspension of the second phase of the stir with immediate effect. They said the suspension was to enable residents of Idinthakarai and nearby villages to exercise their franchise in the two-phase local body elections being held on Monday.

Earlier, officials said around 100 employees of the Emergency services wing were stranded since Saturday as their relievers could not enter the complex due to the blockade by the protestors.

Mary Kom, Sarita Devi in semis

 Mary Kom, Sarita Devi  in semis-Five time World Champion M C Mary Kom and former World Champion L Sarita Devi stormed into the semifinal round of the 12th Senior National Women Boxing Championships being played in Bhopal. M C Mary Kom thrashed her opponent P Nirosha of Andhra Pradesh 17-0. L Sarita Devi defeated Vanlal Duati of Mizoram 26-12 in her quarter final bout. Dolly Singh, Pinky Jangra, Pwilao Basumatari, Pavitra, Mandakini Chann, Aruna Mishra, Heena Tokas, Arensangla and Leishangthem Jamuna Devi have also entered in the semifinal round registering victories over their respective opponents. Semi final bouts will be played tomorrow.

Maruti Workers sit-in strike enters 8th day

Defying the high court's orders, workers continued their sit-in strike on the premises of Maruti Suzuki India's Manesar plant for the eighth consecutive day on Friday, with production activities at a complete standstill.

The strike by workers at Suzuki Powertrain India Ltd (SPIL) in support of their colleagues at the Manesar plant has made the situation even more precarious for the Maruti Suzuki India management.

The company has decided to stop production at its main factory in Gurgaon on Friday and Saturday on account of a severe shortage of engines and transmissions due to the strike at SPIL.

Workers at Suzuki Motorcycle India Pvt Ltd (SMIPL) have also resorted to a strike to press their colleagues' demands.

Surjit Hockey Tournament's semi-final begins

Surjit Hockey Tournament's semi-final begins

In Hockey, defending champion Indian Oil takes on Bharat Petroleum while Air India plays Namdhari-XI, today in the semifinals of the Indian Oil SERVO Surjit Hockey Tournament in Jalandhar.

Namdhari-XI had defeated ONGC 4-1 yesterday, while Air India beat Punjab & Sind Bank 2-1 to enter into the semis.

Earlier, Indian Oil had defeated Punjab Police while Bharat Petroleum beat RCF Kapurthala to enter the semifinals.

The tournament is being played at Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium.

All India Radio Delhi live commentary of tomorrow’s Surjit Hockey final can be heard from 1910 hrs to 2035 hrs or till the end of the match on Rajdhani channel and additional frequencies.

Egypt opens registration for parliamentary election

Egypt's first parliamentary elections since the ouster of Hosni Mubarak begun submitting their applications today, the official news agency reported.
The submissions came as Egypt's deputy prime minister resigned after deadly clashes sparked a wave of anger at the ruling military and calls for the premier to quit.
The Supreme Council of the Armed Forces which took power when Mubarak was forced out by a popular uprising in February had promised a six-month transition period before handing power to civilian rule.
Egyptians will start voting for their representatives in the People's Assembly starting November 28 and in the Shura Council on January 29 next year, in a multi-round process expected to last four months.
The People's Assembly is scheduled to hold its first session on March 17 and the Shura Council on March 24.
Following the parliamentary and senate election, a committee is scheduled to draft a new constitution and then presidential elections are to be held.
The committee has up to six months to finish its work, meaning the presidential election might not be held until the end of August.(

India, Vietnam to deepen defence, strategic ties

India and Vietnam will seek to deepen strategic and defence ties apart from inking a couple of pacts, including an extradition treaty, during the visit of Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang who arrived in the country on Tuesday for a three-day tour.

Sang will hold comprehensive talks with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday during which both leaders will discuss all international, regional and bilateral issues of "mutual interest", including the ways to strengthen ties in the area of oil and natural gas exploration.

Asserting that the relationship with Vietnam was not directed against China, official spokesperson in the Ministry of External Affairs said the two leaders will discuss entire gamut of relationship which will include cooperation in hydercarbon sector also.

He was asked if India will talk about strengthening of ties in energy sector in the wake of recent objections by China.

Irked by the Indian exploration projects on Vietnamese blocks in South China Sea, Chinese authorities have raised objections claiming that it was in their area.

The Chinese claim on the South China Sea has been rejected by both India and Vietnam, saying as per the UN the blocks belong to Vietnam.

India has also made it clear that its state-owned firm would continue to explore in the resource-rich South China Sea.

Jagjit Singh no more

Ghazal king Jagjit Singh no more

Ghazal king Jagjit Singh, the soul-stirring voice behind 'Hazaron khwaishe aisi', 'Ye kaghaz ki kashti and 'Jhuki jhuki si nazar', died Monday morning over a fortnight after he suffered brain haemorrhage.

The 70-year-old singer, who alongwith his wife Chitra almost rediscovered the ghazal genre for common Indian in 70s and 80s, was admitted to the Lilavati hospital on 23^rd September and was in coma since then.

"Jagjit Singh passed away at 8.10 AM after having a terrible hemorrhage," said Dr Sudhir Nandgaonkar, hospital spokesperson.

The day he was admitted, he was supposed to perform at a concert at Shanmukhananda Hall, Matunga, in Mumbai but the programme was cancelled after he was taken ill. Despite a surgery, his condition did not improve and he remained on life support.

Singh, a Padma Bhushan recipient, was born in Sri Ganganagar, Rajasthan, on 8^th February, 1941.

After graduation, he shifted base to Mumbai, to explore career in the world of music. In the next decade and half, he earned nationwide fame as ghazal singer and music composer. He sang in several languages, including Hindi, Punjabi, Bengali, Gujarati, Nepali, Bhojpuri.

His personal life, though, was marked by a tragedy: His only son, Vivek, died in a car accident in 1990 when he was just 18.

The music world expressed grief on hearing the news of Jagjit Singh's death. Fellow ghazal singer, Pankaj Udhas, described Jagjit as an "extremely versatile singer".

"I am devas

Press conference Sagar31News_BJP leader LK Advani

Press conference Sagar31News_101_2365_x264.mp4

Rural Development works to come under ambit of CAG: Ramesh

Rural Development works to come under ambit of CAG: Ramesh

Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh on Sunday said expenditure on Rural Development works would soon come under the ambit of Comptroller and Auditor General.
"Very soon we are meeting with the CAG to make an 'understanding' to bring expenditure of all rural works across the country under CAGs (domain)," Ramesh told reporters in Ranchi.
There would be a special Accountant General for every state which would audit the expenditure being incurred on rural development works.
"This will put pressure on us and the state governments as well (to implement the projects properly and transparently)," he said replying to alleged leakage of funds meant for MG-NREGA and rural road works.
Stating that his departments concern was to put in place a foolproof mechanism like audit and enforcing guidelines in the rural development works, Ramesh, however, said it was the state government which had to implement programmes through transparency, accountability and quality control.
The Centre has earmarked Rs one lakh crore for rural development works this fiscal under its flagship programmes

Sagar31NewsMedia101_2344_x264.mp4

Nobel Prize for Medicine

Three scientists  shared the Nobel Prize for Medicine for their ground-breaking work on the immune system which the jury said opened up new prospects for curing cancer and other diseases. Laureates are Bruce Beutler of the United States, Jules Hoffmann of Luxembourg and Ralph Steinman of Canada.
The jury said in a statement, that this year's Nobel laureates have revolutionised our understanding of the immune system by discovering key principles for its activation.
The three lauded for their work on immunology the body's complex defence system in which signalling molecules unleash antibodies and killer cells in response to invading germs and viruses.
Beutler and Hoffmann, who shared one half of the 10 million Swedish kronor (USD 1.48 million) prize, discovered receptor proteins that activate the first step in the body's immune response system.
Steinman, who won the other half, discovered the dendritic cells, allowing the immune system to identify and attack the harmful micro-organisms while staying clear of the body's own endogenous molecules.
They will receive their prize at a formal ceremony in Stockholm on December 10, the anniversary of prize founder Alfred Nobel's death in 1896.

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Three dead as twin blasts hit Kandhar city

Two suicide bombers struck Afghanistan's biggest southern city Kandahar on Monday, killing three people, officials said. First blast, Assadullah Khalid, minister of border and tribal affairs and chief security coordinator for the south, claimed he was the target as two civilians were killed. Insurgents have recently stepped up a campaign of political assassinations, killing President Hamid Karzai's younger brother Ahmed Wali Karzai in Kandahar in July and his peace envoy Barhanuddin Rabbani in Kabul last month. But the interior ministry said there was no evidence the blast was aimed at Khalid and he himself admitted he was five kilometres (three miles) away when it happened. "There was an explosion - a suicide bomber wearing explosives on his body detonated in an area where there was not an obvious target," interior ministry spokesman Siddiq Siddiqui told the news agency. The Kandahar provincial media office said one person was killed and 19 injured, including six children. >But Siddiqui and local police chief Abdul Raziq put the death toll at two.Shortly afterwards in a different part of the city, a suicide bomber wearing army uniform struck inside an army garrison."It was a suicide attack that killed one guard and the attacker, two army soldiers were wounded," said General Abdul Hamid, commander of the army unit whose garrison was struck. It is relatively easy to buy army uniforms from Afghan markets and there have been a string of attacks this year committed by attackers wearing them.Kandahar is seen as the birthplace of the Taliban. Karzai's brother, a key figure in the south and head of Kandahar's provincial council, was killed at his home in the city on July 12

Light and Sound Programme at Udaigiri Caves

Light and Sound Programme at Udaigiri Caves Government of India has sanctioned `125.00 lakh to India Tourism Development Corporation Ltd (ITDC) to organize sound & light show programme at Udaigiri caves in Orissa. ITDC implemented the project and the trial run was held in April, 2008. However, due to conservation issues raised by Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), the show was not commissioned. ITDC has now submitted a concept paper for an alternative sound & light show at Udaigiri.

Development and promotion of tourism is undertaken primarily by the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. The Ministry of Tourism extends Central Financial Assistance to the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations for tourism related projects, which are identified in consultation with them, under various tourism schemes of the Ministry, in accordance with the scheme guidelines, inter-se-priority and availability of funds.

2G Scam: CPI demands CBI probe role of Chidambaram

CPI has demanded a CBI probe into the role of P Chidambaram in the 2-G spectrum issue. A party release issued in New Delhi today said that 2-G is a national issue and not an internal affair of the Congress party or the UPA. The CPI also pointed out that the CBI cannot decide or argue that it will not investigate Chidambaram's role as the then Finance Minister in the 2-G issue saying that the latest revelations warrant a probe.

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Lack of co-operation among anti-corruption agencies: FM

Admitting "slackness" in implementing laws and lack of coordination between various probe agencies, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Friday asked private players and civil society to shoulder some responsibility in achieving "zero tolerance" on corruption.
"We are committed to making progress in our fight against corruption. It is also important that other stakeholders, including the private actors and the civil society, come forward in shouldering some responsibilities and contribute to the efforts of public agencies in this endeavor", he said.
"At the same time, we are one with the global community in sharing the responsibilities in our collective efforts to address this issue in its international dimension," Mukherjee said while addressing the concluding session of three-day conference of Seventh Regional Conference of the ADB-OECD Anti-Corruption Initiative for Asia and the Pacific Region.
He listed out various departments of the government which were engaged in controlling corruption but said, "this does not mean that we are free of corruption. Indeed, corruption is widespread and deep-rooted in our society".
"There are issues of slackness in implementation of existing laws, ineffectiveness of some laws, lack of coordination between different agencies that have overlapping mandates, policy gaps such as in the area of election funding and governance failure in several areas of public services delivery, that have contributed to the pervasiveness of this phenomenon."

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