The Prime Ministers Office has defended coal block allocation made to Hindalco terming it as entirely appropriate. Rejecting any wrong doing, the PMO in a statement said that the decision was based on the merits of the case placed before Dr, Manmohan Singh by the coal ministry with a strong recommendation of the Odisha Government for allocation of Talbira-II coal block to Hindalco to generate employment. As the concurrence of both the state and central government is needed for allocation under the Act, the recommendation of the Odisha Government could not be ignored. The statement asserted that the allocation to a joint venture, including Hindalco, was not done at the cost of PSU Neyveli Lignite Corporation. The PMO acknowledged that the final decision on the allocation differed from the earlier recommendation of the Screening Committee. This was done after a representation was received in the Prime Ministers Office from one of the parties. Releasing the sequence of details leading to his approval on October 1,2005 the statement said, the Coal Ministrys recommendation was also supported by the screening committee. Tracing the procedures followed before the allocation was made, it said the Prime Minister was satisfied over the final decision taken in the case. The statement said the allocation is subjected to an on going investigation and no impediment is placed before the CBI to continue the investigation and seek fresh information, which may have a bearing in the case. [][] Odisha Government has justified Chief Minister Navin Patnaik writing to Prime Minster for allocationg a coal block to Hindalco. Agriculture minister Debi Prasad Mishra said Patnaik has done nothing wrong by urging Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to examine Hindalcos plea for a coal block. [][] Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh will be leaving for Moscow tomorrow on the first leg of his two nation five day official visit of Russia and China. AIR correspondent reports that during the two nation tour of the Prime Minister a number of agreements and MoUs are expected to be inked in key areas of trade, business, science and Technology and energy between India and visiting countries. The main engagement on Monday in Moscow will be his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. On the same day, he will be conferred with an Honorary Doctorate by the Moscow State Institute of International Relations. A Joint Statement will be issued at the conclusion of the talks, focussing on bilateral and global issues. A few agreements will be signed in diverse areas like science and technology, energy efficiency and standards between both the countries. During his stay in Moscow the Prime Minister will be attending the 14th India-Russia Annual Summit. It will be his 10th annual summit in a row and the fifth at Moscow. On the margins of the Summit, he will have a meeting of the newly re-constituted CEO’s Council. Our Correspondent reports that both India and Russia are working out a techno-commercial agreement for the third and fourth reactors of the Kudankulam nuclear power plant and India will also be seeking to tap Russias vast reserves of hydrocarbons for its energy requirements. [][] New Delhi has termed the ceasefire violations by Pakistani troops along the Line of control in Jammu and Kashmir as matter of serious concern. External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said, it is not just an issue of diplomacy but also of concerns about military relations. Talking to reporters in New Delhi today he maintained that this issue is one of high-priority for the government and a meeting of the DGMOs of both the countries should be held soon. This is not just an issue of diplomacy and this is an issue of military relations. The actual situation on the ground is known to the military on both sides. We have full confidence in our forces. We have tremendous gratitude for them for showing restraint, firmness and determination and total preparedness to face any onslaught. Mr. Khurshids comments follow Pakistani troops resorting to heavy cease fire violations over night opening fire on 14 forward Indian posts and civilian areas in Jammu and Kashmir. 2 BSF jawans sustained minor splinter injuries in Nikowal border belt. Border Security Force jawans have also foiled an infiltration bid in Samba district, killing an intruder. In another incident a Pak national was arrested by alert BSF jawans near the International Border in the forward post of Molu Chak in Ramgarh sub-sector of Samba when he was moving in suspicious manner. The Border Security Forces today lodged the strong protest with Pakistan rangers over the incidents.The protest was lodged by BSF through a communication after the Pakistani side earlier failed to respond to a call for a flag meeting at the Kulian-Suchetpur forward post. Pakistani troops, however, denied having a hand in the infiltration attempt. Against the backdrop of increased ceasefire violations by Pakistan, Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde is to visit the forward areas along International Border on October 22 to review the situation. R.K.RAINA, AIR NEWS, JAMMU. [][] The Group of Ministers - GoM constituted to look into the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh today discussed in detail issues concerning sharing of river water, power, distribution of assets and demarcating of boundaries at its second meeting in New Delhi. Talking to reporters after the meeting, Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde said, the GoM discussed its terms of reference in detail. He said, Secretaries of concerned departments have been asked to sit together with officials of the Andhra Pradesh government and make detailed reports on bifurcation. Shinde said, about 2,000 e-mails have been received on bifurcation of the State and all these are being scrutinised. The GoM fixed 5th November as the last day for receiving suggestions on bifurcation issue. [][] Chief Election Commissioner V S Sampath has said unprecedented security arrangements are being made in Naxalite affected areas of Chhattisgarh to ensure peaceful polling in assembly elections. Addressing a press conference in Raipur today after reviewing poll preparedness, he said more than 1000 cameras will be used to carryout videography. Security arrangements are made in very elaborate manner Perhaps never before_Baster_area, would have seen this kind of security arrangement. The election will be conducted in a very free and fair manner. Replying to a question, he asserted that the commission will ensure total impartiality during poll and will not tolerate any official acting in a biased manner. [][] Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari today said a single window service for promoting cinema tourism is all set to become operational shortly. He was speaking at the Cinemascape 2013 conclave in Mumbai. He said, India has great potential as a destination for film shooting, but the current system of multiple clearances at various levels make it an unattractive destination for filming. Hence, most of the Indian filmmakers have gravitated towards foreign destinations for outdoor shoots and it is a revenue loss for the country. He said a Committee on Promotion and Facilitation of Film Production in India has been set up. We would like with the help of Industry to put in place a Committee of Experts, which can look at the road map of taxation incentives, which this industry requires over the 10 years. And if we can have that road map available with us, so before the next vote on account, we would like to present the Finance Minister, that this is the vision of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. [][] The Supreme Court has asked the CBI to probe corporates and tax officials figuring in Niira Radias tapped conversations to find out any corrupt practices. The apex court held that the tapped conversations suggest that unscrupulous elements have used corrupt means to secure favours from Government officers. A division bench of the court directed the probe on various issues including favours shown by the then Director General of Directorate General of Hydrocarbon V K Sibal to Reliance Industries Limited for a quid-pro-quo. The court ordered probe into 14 issues out of 23 framed by the apex court - appointed probe team on the analysis of the tapped conversations of Radia with bureaucrats, politicians, corporate tycoons and scribes. [][] New Delhi has expressed deep disappointment over not holding of re-vote of the Presidential elections in Maldives scheduled for today. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin said, India and the international community have been closely watching the developments in Maldives and are seriously concerned at the attempts to stall the democratic process. He said, keeping in mind the wishes and aspirations of the people of that country, it is important that the electoral process is put back on track immediately with a definite timeline. Thousands of people are on the streets of Male this evening to express their shock and disgust over the police action that forced an indefinite postponement of the Presidential elections minutes before it was to start this morning. Maldivian Democratic Party has called for the intervention of international community to see the country through this crisis. India, along with numerous other countries, has called upon all political parties to honor the wishes of the people and complete the process before the constitutionally mandated date of 11th November. President Waheed has asked the election commission to talk to all candidates and try to schedule the elections next Saturday. Meanwhile Police Integrity Commission has started an investigation into the police obstruction of polls. It is not yet clear who directed the forces to obstruct the polls that the Supreme Court had refused to postpone last night)ABHISHEK DAYAL, AIR NEWS,COLOMBO. Maldives President Mohamed Waheed today asked the Election Commission to explore the possibility of holding the twice stalled presidential elections next Saturday. In a statement issued by the President’s Office, Waheed hoped that a free and peaceful election with the participation of all candidates will be possible soon. Earlier in the afternoon, Police Integrity Commission started an investigation into police obstruction of polls this morning. [][] Renowned musician Ms Madhuri Chattopadhyay is dead. She breathed her last at her Kolkata residence after suffering for a prolonged period. She was 73. Apart from film songs she had innumerable records. [][] Chasing the victory target of 304 runs, Australia were 290 for six in 48 overs against India in the third one-dayer at Mohali a shortwhile ago. Earlier, put into bat, India made 303 runs for the loss of nine wickets. Skipper M.S.Dhoni made a superb 139 in 121 balls. There is no change in both the teams that played in Jaipur. The 7-match series is currently tied at 1-1. [][] India has retained third position in the latest ICC Test rankings after South Africa and England. The Proteas have 135 points followed by England and India with 116 points each. But England has a decimal rating point advantage bringing it at number two. Pakistan has moved to fourth place after its win against South Africa in the first cricket test at Abu Dhabi. [][] OM Roy Memorial School, Shillong has won the Under-17 Boys title of the 54th Subroto Cup football tournament. In the final in New Delhi today they outplayed Magurmari High School, Kokrajhar, Assam 4 goals to nil. [][] In the World Boxing Championship in Almaty, Kazakhstan, Indias Shiva Thapa and Thakchom Nanao have reached the pre-quarterfinals. However, Olympian Vijender Singh lost to fifth seeded Jesson Kiglay of Ireland in the 75 Kg. category. Shiva Thapa defeated Mario Fernandes of Phillipines in the 56 kg. category. He will clash with Alberto Mellian of Argentina in the pre-quarterfinals.
Posted on: Sun, 20 Oct 2013 10:48:58 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015