he UN Conference on Climate Change in Doha has come to an end with around 200 countries agreeing to extend the Kyoto Protocol till 2020. The treaty seeks to limit the emission of greenhouse gases by around 35 nations until the end of this year. The conference also agreed on promises of financing to help poor countries tackle the climate change, and reaffirmed the previous decision to adopt a new global climate treaty by 2015. Our West Asia Correspondent reports that the extension of Kyoto Protocol means it will stay alive as a legally binding instrument on climate change since its term expires on December 31. It will cover the period till 2020 after which a new climate treaty will come into force which is supposed to cover both rich and the poor countries. The current treaty will be applicable only to 15 percent of global emissions mainly from EU, Australia and a group of smaller nations. US has rejected the agreement saying it didn’t impose any binding commitment on China and other emerging economies. Russia, Japan, Canada and New Zealand have refused to join for a second commitment. On the climate financing, the rich nations have been encouraged to enhance the climate aid by $10 billion per year from 2010-12 to help reduce carbon emissions and adapt to a changing climate. No mid term targets have been set as the nations agreed to identify pathways for mobilizing the scaling up of climate finance. A new concept of loss and damage has been incorporated in the text at the request of small island nations to take into account the damages from climate-related disasters. The new treaty is likely to be adopted in 2015 and will come into effect from 2020. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the climate deal in Doha but said far more still needs to be done. The European Union Climate Commissioner Connie Hedgegaard has expressed hope that the deal would pave the way to talks on a new global UN treaty by 2020. The new treaty will have emission goals for all countries including China and India.

he authorities in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Sunday beheaded a Pakistani in holy city of Mecca for stabbing to death a compatriot. Saudi Interior Ministry said, Pakistani national Altaf Hussein Hati was found guilty of stabbing a man in the throat and leaving him to bleed to death. His beheading brings to 74, the number of people executed so far this year in the kingdom. According to Amnesty International, 79 people were put to death in 2011. Rape, murder, apostasy, armed robbery and drug trafficking are all punishable by death under the Sharia or Islamic law.

outh African President Jacob Zuma has visited Nelson Mandela in hospital and says he looks well after a restful night. Mr Zuma's spokesperson said, the President has been reassured that Mr Mandela is in the hands of a competent medical team at the hospital in Pretoria. The 94-year-old was admitted to a hospital on Satyrday to undergo some medical tests.

Around 600 foreign troops are expected to accompany six Patriot missile systems to be deployed in Turkey to reinforce the NATO member country's air defence and calm its fears of coming under a possible missile attack from neighboring Syria. Local newspaper Today's Zaman reported that the surface-to-air batteries, able to intercept ballistic missiles, are expected to be transported to Turkey by sea within four or five weeks. A team of NATO experts recently visited Turkey to survey the possible sites for the deployment, and have submitted their report to Ankara and NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe. The United States, Germany and the Netherlands, the only three NATO nations with the most modern type of Patriots, have all agreed to send missiles to protect their ally. Each battery to be sent to Turkey reportedly has four to six missile launchers and each launcher has the capacity of launching 16 missiles.

he Human Rights Day will be observed across the globe on Monday. This year the objective of this day is to highlight the rights of all people, including women, minorities, persons with disabilities and marginalised people as well as to make their voices heard in decision making processes. The General Assembly of the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights on 10th December in 1948. The Declaration is the recognition of dignity and the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human community as the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world.

To mark the occasion, the National Human Rights Commission is organizing a programme in New Delhi for spreading more awareness on human rights.

 US drone strike in Pakistan's North Waziristan on Sunday killed a senior Al-Qaeda commander. According to a news agency, the attack killed Mohammad Ahmed Almansoor and three others in Tabi area close to Miranshah. The drone fired four missiles at a house destroying two rooms and a car. Another, senior Al-Qaeda commander was killed in a drone attack on Thursday in North Waziristan.

The security control in Afghanistan’s Kapisa province has been handed over to local forces as French troops continue withdrawal. Kapisa Governor Mehrabuddin Safi said the foreign troops have vacated the area, adding that the Afghan National Army is responsible for security in the area. According to NATO plans, drawdown of foreign forces will be completed by 2014. With the latest pullout, France now has only 530 troops deployed in the war stricken country

he Presidents of Afghanistan and Pakistan will hold talks in Turkey on Tuesday and Wednesday in a bid to resolve a row after Kabul claimed an attack against its spy chief was planned in Pakistan. The assassination attempt on National Directorate of Security chief Asadullah Khalid was carried out on Thursday by an attacker who claimed to be a Taliban peace envoy but had a bomb hidden in his underwear. Afghan President Hamid Karzai did not directly blame Pakistan for the attack but said the Taliban alone would not have been able to carry out the bombing and that bigger hands were involved. The Pakistani Foreign Ministry rejected the claim and said it is ready to help investigate what it called a criminal act.

n Uttar Pradesh, the security of the Taj Mahal would be increased further under state tourism department's project to develop the slums of Agra's nearby Tajganj area. Separate set of CCTV cameras will be installed and a buffer zone created to ensure the safety of the monument.

Addressing senior officials Chief Secretary Javed Usmani said that the project is extremely important not only for the state, but also for the country. He directed the officials to finalise the project's blueprint within 10 days.

The slums of Tajganj are often seen as an eyesore on the canvas of Taj. The project comprises all-round development of the Tajganj area.

It also involves construction of a world class approach road besides landscaping the nearby parks and riverfront.The UP government had floated tenders inviting companies to present a blueprint for the development of Tajganj in October.

The directorate of tourism has also prepared a detailed project report of an approach road and infrastructure in Tajganj. A team from National

Concerned over the spate of eve teasing cases in the Maharashtra, the state government is considering a proposal to make it a non-bailable offence. Minister for Women and Child Welfare Varsha Gaikwad on Saturday said she will discuss the issue with Chief Minister Prithviraj Chavan.

She also said that a committee comprising social workers and women legislators will be formed to examine a draft bill to enact the Maharashtra Prohibition of Eve-teasing and Harassment of Women Act, prepared by an NGO.

According to the NGO, 80 per cent of women do not register a complaint due to family pressure and fear of being targeted or stigmatised. In the proposed bill it has been demanded that offenders should be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend upto three years and a fine of not less than Rs 20,000.

In case of death or suicide of a woman due to harassment, the convict should be penalised with imprisonment of a term which may extend to ten years and a fine of not less than Rs. 50,000.

In Gujarat, the Election Commission has deputed an Inspector General rank police officer as police observer in the Dangs district in South Gujarat region.

The district returning officer P.K. Solanki told our correspondent that the new incumbent is a Maharashtra cadre IPS officer and said that he was not aware about the recall of already working police observer against whom the BJP had lodged complaint.

The Deputy Election Commissioner Vinod Zutshi along with Chief Electoral Officer of the state Ms. Anita Karwal will today review poll preparedness in 7 districts of south region including Narmada, Bharuch, Surat, Dangs, Navasari, Valsad and Tapi.

Senior civil and police officers from concerned districts and the state and all observers from the election commission will be present in the review meetings.

Our correspondent reports that only three days are left for canvassing for first phase of Assembly Elections in the state and all major political parties have put their maximum strength to woo the voters.

Senior Congress leader and Prime Minister Dr. Man Mohan Singh will address an election rally at tribal dominating Navasari district today. It will be his first rally for the assembly election.

Several Union Ministers including Shankar Singh Vaghela, Bharat Singh Solanki, Ajay Maken, Jyotiraditya Scindhia and Sachin Pilot and senior party leader Ahmed Patel have addressed public meetings across the Saurashtra and South regions.

They have targeted the Modi government for alleged poor law and order situation, making alleged false assurances and putting wrong picture of development of the state.

Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Leaders of opposition in the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Sushma Swaraj and Arun Jaitely have attended public meetings for BJP candidates.

They sharply criticised the Congress led UPA government for its alleged failure in checking price rise and indulging in corrupt practices.

Leaders from JDU, Nationalist Congress Party, NCP and Keshu Bhai Patel led Gujarat Parivartan Party have also hectic schedule for their party candidates in different constituencies.

n Uttar Pradesh, the decks are cleared to construct or upgrade more than 7000 kms of all weather rural roads at a cost of 3148 crore rupees provided by centre under Pradhan Mantri Gram sadak Yojna PMGSY. State Rural Development minister Arvind Sigh Gope said in Lucknow that it is the biggest ever release in a single year under PMGSY. AIR Lucknow correspondent quoting official sources reports, more than 1200 Kms new all weather roads will be constructed in unserved areas of 21 districts connecting 755 villages with a population of 500 or above. The rest of the dwelling which has less than 500 population will shortly be covered under the scheme, said a senior officer in Lucknow.

The country's seed industry is expected to grow by 53 per cent to 10,700 crore rupees by 2015 on increased demand for high-yielding varieties to ensure food security. According to industry body Assocham, awareness about high-yielding varieties among farmers and public private partnership with a strong regulatory framework and collaborative research would be key measures to ensure smooth growth of the seed industry. In a statement, it said, presently, size of the domestic seed industry is about 7,000 crore with a production of 40 million quintals of various kinds of seeds. Assocham Secretary D S Rawat said, better quality seeds with vitality to raise crop yields from limited area is the need of the hour to ensure the country's food security.

A

Union Bank of India today opened its 180th branch at new Motibagh area in the national capital. The branch has been opened under the Bank’s Nav Nirman transformation initiative, which aims at delivering superior customer services. It is fully equipped and backed by technology driven value added services including Sampurna ATM, locker, 24-hour lobby banking and call center facilities. Inaugurating the branch, the Chairman and Managing Director of the bank, D. Sarkar said that it is committed to provide better facilities to customers and has also started several special initiatives for the physically handicapped. The Secretary Department of Personnel and Training, P.K Mishra, Urban Development Secretary, Dr. Sudhir Krishna and other officials were also present on the occasion.

A new report from the Asian Development Bank says lagging Asian economies should pick up steam in the coming year. The latest Asian Development Outlook Supplement predicts that developing Asia will post a growth of 6 percent in 2012 and 6.6 percent in 2013, about a tenth of a percentage point lower than anticipated in October. 

The report said vigorous private consumption in Southeast Asia and a mild economic recovery in China nearly balance out the weaknesses in India's economy. 

The report also said economic weakness in Europe and the looming fiscal cliff in the U.S. remain very real threats to developing Asia next year.

In what is likely to widen the rift between the ruling parties and the opposition, the Federal Democratic Republican Alliance has decided to expand the cabinet if there is no package deal between the parties on key issues including formation of the unity government within the next five days.

A meeting of the FDRA held at Prime Minister Baburam Bhattarai's residence took this decision. A spokesman said after the meeting that the ruling alliance also decided to take initiative for consensus by showing maximum flexibility.

Earlier today, a meeting of the ruling parties held at UCPN (Maoist) chairman Pushpa Kamal Dahal's residence gave the responsibility to hold talks with the opposition parties to Dahal. The FDRA decision comes a day after the President issued a six-day deadline to the parties to choose consensus PM.

A two-day national conference of Dalit writers, organised by the Bharatiya Dalit Sahitya Akademi has begun in New Delhi on Sunday. Several delegates from India and abroad are participating in the event, which was, inaugurated by the spiritual head of the Karma Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, Karmapa Trinley Thaye Dorje. The delegates will also discuss various issues relating to depressed and downtrodden people.

Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said that evasion of service tax by insurance companies has been detected and show cause notices issued to some of them. Replying to a question in the Lok Sabha, Mr. Chidambaram said, investigation in some cases is on while recovery has been made in other cases.

inance Minister P. Chidambaram has said that subsidies being given are within borrowing limits. Speaking to media-persons outside Parliament, Mr. Chidambaram said that the amount of subsidy for petroleum, Air-India and other sectors is small and the government can accommodate it in present borrowing limits.

The Patna High Court today scrapped the appointment of six vice-chancellors and four pro--vice-chancellors appointed by Governor of Bihar, in his capacity as the Chancellor of the Universities.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Rekha M Doshit and Justice A Amanullah passed the order scrapping the appointment .The court further directed the Chancellor to make a fresh list of candidates for appointment of the six VCs and four Pro-VCs within a week and asked the state government to make appointment against these posts within 30 days.

 strong earthquake today struck the Japanese coast devastated by last year's massive quake and tsunami, generated small waves . No immediate reports of heavy damage. Several people along the northeastern coast were reportedly injured and buildings in Tokyo and elsewhere swayed for several minutes.

The earthquake had a preliminary magnitude of 7.3 and struck in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Miyagi prefecture at 5:18pm, the Japan meteorological agency said. The epicenter was 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) beneath the seabed and 240 kilometers (150 miles) offshore.

The area was shaken by repeated, smaller aftershocks, the agency said.
Ishinomaki, a city in Miyagi, reported a tsunami of one meter height high . About two hours after the quake struck, the tsunami warning was cancelled. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center earlier said there was no risk of a widespread tsunami.

The UN Conference on Climate Change comes to a close today. The decision making plenary session has begun with hectic parleys still going on among the various groups and blocks of nations to reach a deal at Doha. The rich and the poor nations have stuck to their position on second commitment for Kyoto Protocol and climate funding. 

The G-77 group of developing nations are holding final round of consultations to firm up their position today. BASIC countries have said that they are hopeful of a deal despite the differences. The developed nations are expected to announce their position today. European Union, US and UK will come out with separate statements.

On a second commitment for Kyoto Protocol, the talks are still on with both rich and poor nations sticking to their stand. Only European Union and a handful of countries which comprise around 15 percent of total greenhouses gases emission have agreed for a second term. Climate funding issue has made some progress with Maldives and Switzerland firming up the nitty gritty. 

European Union and United States have refused to make pledges for more funds to tackle the climate change issues due to a fragile economy. However Germany and Britain have announced funds worth $4 billion for climate change mitigation and adaptation. The developing countries are expecting last minute deal on the second commitment of the Kyoto Ptotocol and the climate financing.

India has expressed hope that a collective effort of all parties will lead to a positive outcome of the Climate Change talks in Doha. Addressing the High level meeting in Doha yesterday, India’s Chief negotiator, Mira Meharishi said rich nations should show clear commitments for emission reduction targets upto 2020 and release funds for climate financing and technology to tackle the challenges of climate change.

However the NGOs and civil society movements have warned that the talks are on the brink. They have urged the Chairman of the conference of parties, COP-18 to save the deal else they would name and shame the countries which have created roadblocks towards successful completion of Doha talks.

A private company based in Colorado in the United States, and backed by former NASA engineers, has said it intends to fly a manned space mission by the year 2020. The company said it could send lunar missions at a fraction of the cost of government-run operations. It intends to send two people to the Moon for 1.4 billion dollars. Golden Spike Company said it will use existing rocket and capsule technology, and will aim for a first launch before the end of the decade.

Ghana goes to the polls today to elect a new President and Parliament. Observers are expecting a tight race between the two main candidates - the incumbent President John Mahama and Nana Akufo-Addo. John Mahama has promised to improve the living standard of the people. His main challenger Mr Akufo Addo, a keen supporter of the free market economy, has pledged to use the oil wealth for education.

Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi has refused to call off a disputed Constitutional referendum or curb the sweeping powers he granted himself in a decree last month, leaving opposition protesters even more infuriated with a President who they say is acting like a dictator.

Speaking on national television amid anti-government protests gripping Cairo, Mr. Morsi insisted that dialogue is the only solution to the country's constitutional crisis. He said he will not tolerate killings or sabotage. He said seven people were killed outside the presidential palace, with more than 700 others injured during demonstrations this week. The president said 80 people have been arrested for crimes, including the use of firearms.

U.S. President Barack Obama spoke with Mr. Morsi by telephone today to voice deep concern about the protest deaths and injuries. A White House statement said Mr. Obama also urged all Egyptian political leaders to make clear to their supporters that violence is unacceptable.

Mr. Morsi said he will form a new advisory panel to write a new draft constitution if voters on December 15 reject the one passed by his Islamist followers last week.

Typhoon Bopha ploughed across Mindanao Island on Tuesday, flattening whole towns in its path as hurricane-force winds brought torrential rain that triggered a deadly combination of floods and landslides.

Rescuers said they are looking for 380 missing persons while seeking help for more than 250,000 others who have taken shelter in schools, gyms and other buildings after losing everything.

Of the dead, 258 were found on the east coast of Mindanao while 191 were recovered in and around New Bataan and Monkayo, said the head of an army division involved in the search.

President Benigno Aquino has sent food and other supplies by ship to 150,000 people on Mindanao's east coast where three towns remain cut off by landslides and wrecked bridges.

Nationalist Congress Party leader Ajit Pawar took oath as the deputy chief minister of Maharashtra at Raj Bhavan in Mumbai this morning.
Pawar had resigned from the council of ministers on September 25th following allegations that he was involved in a multi-crore irrigation scam. According to the allegations, he had arbitrarily given irrigation contracts worth over 20,000 crore rupees when he was the state irrigation minister during 1999-2009.

Pawar had said that he would remain the NCP Legislature Party leader, but would not join the government as a minister until his name was cleared of the allegations.

The decks for re-induction of Ajit Pawar were cleared following presentation of a White Paper on the irrigation sector released by the state government last week which gave him a clean chit.

However, Pawar’s re-induction has been protested by the opposition BJP. According to BJP, Pawar should face the special investigation team probing the irrigation scam and join the cabinet only if cleared of the charges.
Meanwhile, speaking to media after the swearing-in ceremony, Pawar said that the White Paper has brought out the truth and it has been proved that there was no scam.

nion Minister of Health and Family Welfare Ghulam Nabi Azad today said , 83 prosecution cases were initiated and 39 people arrested till July this year for dealing in spurious drugs. Replying to supplementaries in the Lok Sabha, he said, out of 49 thousand drug samples tested by the Central Drugs Standard Organisation last year, only 0.19 per cent were found to be spurious. Mr. Azad said, the government has asked for a detailed proposal on a request by Interpol Secretary General to develop a data base of pharmaceutical companies.
Adding that India is the third largest drug manufacturing country in the world, Mr. Azad said, the government has taken several steps and introduced various schemes to control spurious drugs including strengthening of drug test laboratories and promoting good manufacturing practices.

The government proposes to set up a National Food Science and Risk Assessment Centre to conduct regulatory research and risk assessment.

It will function under the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India. Giving this information in the Lok Sabha today, Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Abu Hasem Khan Choudhury said the proposed centre will also oversea surveillance on the lines of the American Centre for Disease Control and Centre for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition. The minister said that the project is awaiting approval by the National Development Council (NDC) for implementation.

President Pranab Mukherjee today called on industry to work hand in hand with the government to provide affordable and sustainable houses to the poor and economically weaker sections of society. Inaugurating the two day 11th National Convention on Sustainable Housing for the Masses in New Delhi, Mr. Mukherjee stressed for housing projects to have options for low income groups to ensure inclusive growth. Reminding, the housing and real estate sector holds the key to prosperity, Mukherjee asked the private sector to supplement government efforts to provide food, clothing and shelter to all.

Mr. Mukherjee urged for developing secondary cities to ease the pressure of urbanisation due to unavoidable migration. The President pointed out that there is a shortage of 80.78 million houses in 2012 and 95 per cent of it is among the economically weaker sections. He asked, the private sector to achieve synergy in partnership with the government in executing projects for the poor and economically weaker sections under Public Private Partnership model to address the challenges in housing sector. The President also asked banks to come up with innovative solutions to lend to the poor and low income group so that they too could afford a home.
Speaking on the ocassion, Urban development and poverty alleviation minister Ajay Maken said, the government is working on a Real Estate and Development Bill to ensure transparency and accountability in the sector. Mr. Maken said, the 26.3 million dwelling units were added in the last decade due to consistent efforts of the government to provide affordable housing to the common man.

The Armed Forces Flag Day is being observed today. The day reinforces solidarity with the Armed forces for all that they do for the nation in the performance of their onerous duties. It is also marked by contribution to the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund to honour the brave and martyrs for their supreme sacrifice. Our correspondent reports that it is an occasion for the people of the entire country to show their respect and admiration to existing and ex servicemen of Armed Forces and recognize those who lost their lives battling for the nation.
On the occasion of Armed Forces Flag Day, a wreath was laid by General Officer commanding Vajra Corps, Lieutenant General Sanjeev Madhok at Punjab State War Memorial in Jalandhar.

inance Minister P. Chidambaram today said government will not need additional borrowings in this current fiscal. He told reporters outside Parliament that government had budgeted market borrowing at 5.7 lack crore rupees in the current financial year to bridge the expenditure- revenue gap. Earlier, Mr. Chidambaram had said that the fiscal deficit may go upto 5.3 percent of the GDP as against budget estimate of 5.1 percent for the current financial year.

West Bengal Governor Mr. M.K. Narayanan said today that food security and employment generation are matters of concern to India. Mr. Narayanan said this while addressing a session at the Pan IIT Alumni Global Conference that began in Kolkata today. He said Food security is a crucial issue and Employment generation is a matter of concern.  He said several steps have been taken to overcome the hurdle. However, he said, that we need perhaps to step up the pace and to give greater impetus to technological and other innovation to give our economy the necessary boost. Mr. Narayanan said, despite adverse external environment, the fundamental part of our economy has remained strong. Mr. Narayanan said, two decade of steady economic reforms have contributed to the material improvement all around in average income and consumption levels. All these have been achieved under a functioning secular democracy. The Pan IIT Alumni Global conference 2012 started in Kolkata today and will continue till the 9th of this month.

President Pranab Mukherjee will give away National Cooperative Development Corporation, NCDC, awards at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi tomorrow. An official release said, Assam-based Dakhin Rampur Goan Panchayat Samabay Samity Limited has been selected for the award under cooperatives in least developed state category. 

Andhra Pradesh-based Mulukanoor Women's Cooperative Dairy Vishwandapuri and Maharashtra-based Samarth Sahakari Sakhar Karkhana Limited will receive awards in the category of underdeveloped and developed states respectively. Besides these, 24 other cooperatives from different states of the country have been selected for State level awards.

AIR correspondent reports, the national award consists of one lakh rupees cash prize, trophy and a certificate of citation. The state level award has 50 thouand rupees cash prize, trophy and a citation.

The Cauvery Monitoring Committee today asked Karnataka to provide Tamil Nadu with 12 TMC of Cauvery water during December even as it asked both the states to be more efficient in using available water.

The meeting of the Cauvery Monitoring Committee (CMC) came after the Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the

multi-state panel to meet within the next two days to decide water requirement of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. Kerala and Pudducherry are the other two member states of CMC which is headed by Union Secretary, Water Resources.

Sports minister Jitendra Singh today emphasised the need for instilling values of volunteerism among youth through various organisations including National Yuva Kendra Sanghathan and National Service Scheme.

Noting that thousands of youth are engaged in the nation building through these organisations, the Minister said values of volunteerism is needed to enhance social well being of both urban and rural masses. Addressing a programme on volunteering in India, in New Delhi, Mr Singh said, his ministry has several programmes and schemes to propagate the values of volunteerism among both urban and rural youth.

Stressing the important role volunteers could play in national development, the minister sought suggestion of the UN for drafting of the National Youth Policy.

On the occasion, the book titled- Volunteering in India:Context, Perspectives and Discourses , was also released by the Sports minister.

After poor response to last month's 2G spectrum sale, a ministerial panel on telecom today decided to lower the base price by 30 per cent for radiowaves in 1800 Mhz band in four circles, which attracted no bidders, for fresh auction this fiscal.These four circles Delhi, Mumbai, Karnataka and Rajasthan were some of the most expensive circles in last month's 2G spectrum auction.

Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal told reporters after the meeting that the reserve price for last month's sale per block in Delhi was 693.06 crore Rs, while the same for Mumbai, Karnataka and Rajasthan was fixed at 678.45 crore rupees,330.12 crore Rs and 67.08 crore Rs.The EGoM also decided to auction spectrum in 900 MHz band in Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata simultaneously with sale of radiowaves in 1800 Mhz.

Indian Air Force, IAF, today signed an MoU with Confederation of Indian Industry, CII, to set up a vocational training centre for placement of retiring Airmen in the civil sector. The centre named as Happy Landings is intended to equip the Airmen with requisite skills enabling them to seek sustainable and befitting career prospects post retirement. The project is one of the HR initiatives by the IAF to ensure the well being of Air warriors and address their professional and personal aspirations. The MoU was signed between Air Vice Marshal Amit Aneja and Deputy Director General of CII Ms Supriya Banerji at Air Headquaters in New Delhi.

The Delhi government issued a legal notice to India Against Corruption (IAC) activist Arvind Kejriwal on Monday for civil and criminal defamation. The notice was sent by the political secretary to Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit ,Pawan Khera, through his lawyer .The notice asks Kejriwal to tender an unconditional public apology to his satisfaction through print and electronic media with regard to the said baseless allegations and aspersions and using foul and filthy language. Kejriwal had allegedly used a deragatory word for the chief minister on TV talk shows recently. Kejriwal , however, remained defiant, saying he would continue to defame the government till it indulged in corrupt activities.

The former King of Cambodia Norodom Sihanouk has died in China, where he had been receiving medical treatment. He was 89. Norodom Sihanouk played a crucial role in the life of Cambodia for more than 60 years.

Eight years ago he abdicated in favour of his son Norodom Sihamoni due to health reasons.

Norodom Sihanouk came to the throne in 1941 at the age of 19. Sihanouk was heralded for bringing his ancient kingdom through independence from France, war and genocide to form a fragile democracy.

For the people of Cambodia he was a much loved father figure through decades of instability and bloodshed.

Scientists have discovered that the most likely source of water on Moon is the constant stream of charged particles from the Sun known as the solar wind. 

The findings by researchers from the University of Michigan imply that ice inside permanently shadowed polar craters on the Moon, sometimes called cold traps, could contain hydrogen atoms ultimately derived from the solar wind.

Theoretical models of lunar water stability dating to the late 1970s suggest that hydrogen ions (protons) from the solar wind can combine with oxygen on the Moon's surface to form water and related compounds called hydroxyls.

n Tunisia, the ruling coalition has decide to hold Presidential and parliamentary elections on June 23 next year. The new President will be chosen directly by voters.

The move comes in the wake of growing criticism from the opposition that the ruling Ennahada coalition wants to control the government and avoid elections.

The Islamist Ennahda Movement won the country's first free elections last October after the uprising which set in motion the “Arab Spring”. Ennahda leads a government comprising of two secular parties, the Congress for the Republic and the Ettakatol.

The agreement has to be approved by the Constituent Assembly, where the ruling coalition has a majority of the 217 seats.

The Constituent Assembly elected Moncef Marzouki as the President in December 2011 to follow Zine el Abidine, who was ousted as President in January 2011 after weeks of protests.

Those protests inspired the wave of “Arab Spring” uprisings that spread across the Middle East and North Africa.

nternational Day of Rural Women is being observed today across the globe. The day recognizes the role of rural women, including indigenous women, in enhancing agricultural and rural development, improving food security and eradicating rural poverty.

International recognition of the vital role of rural women was first recognised during the 4th United Nations World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995, when several international organisations launched World Rural Women's Day.

In December 2007 the UN General Assembly decided that the particular role of rural women should be highlighted by making 15th October 2008 the first International Day of Rural Women.

Rural women play a critical role in the rural economies of both developed and developing countries. In most parts of the developing world they participate in crop production and livestock care, provide food, water and fuel for their families.

In addition, they carry out vital functions in caring for children, older persons and the sick. Empowering rural women is crucial for ending hunger and poverty. By depriving women of their rights and opportunities, a better future for their children and societies is denied.

This is why in India, the Centre has also initiated several schemes for the empowerment of rural women. It include Sanchar Shakti scheme for rural women. The scheme is an attempt to bridge the digital divide, it provides useful information to women about health, social issues and government schemes over their mobile phones.

he Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has made a surprise visit to Afghanistan, seeking assurances from President Hamid Karzai that he is doing all he can to halt insider attacks.  She met the Afghan President in Kabul while also visiting Australian troops for a barbecue at their base at Tarin Kowt. Her office said the Australian leader raised concerns about the so-called green-on-blue attacks in which uniformed Afghans turn their weapons against their international allies. NATO has struggled to counter them and assaults have spiked this year.

Himachal Pradesh  Gujarat

Five NRIs have been honoured in London for promoting Hindi in the UK on the occasion of 'Hindi Diwas' organised by the International Hindi Society.

Lord Gulam Noon, Chairman of the Noon Products and Chief Guest on the occasion, presented the award to Deepak Dogra, Managing Editor of Maya newspaper, and four others last night.

Others are C B Patel, Editor/Publisher of the bi-lingual English and Gujarati weekly Asian Voice, Dhruv Gadvi of Zee TV, Editor/Publisher of Pardes Weekly Jaskaran Singh and Patron of the International Hindi Society Rajendra Joshi.

Afghan President Hamid Karzai left for Azerbaijan Monday afternoon to attend the 12th Summit of the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) in Baku.

A press release issued by President’s Office in Kabul said President Karzai is accompanied with a high level Afghan delegation comprising of Foreign Minister Zalmai Rasoul, National Security Advisor Dr. Rangin Dadfar Spanta, Commerce Minister Anwarulhaq Ahadi and Minister of Economy Abdul Hadi Arghandiwal.

Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) is an intergovernmental regional organization established in 1985 by Iran, Pakistan and Turkey for the purpose of promoting economic, technical and cultural cooperation among the Member States.

Later on Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan also joined the organization.On the second leg of his foreign tour, President Karzai will visit Kuwait on Tuesday where he will attend the first summit of the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD).

elhi Electoral Office has launched a fresh drive for comprehensive revision of electoral rolls from today in all the 70 Assembly Constituencies in the national capital with January 1st, 2013 as qualifying date. The drive has been initiated following an Election Commission's directive.

The objective of this exercise is to update the electoral roll by including the names of the eligible citizens who will attain the age of 18 years or more on January 1st, next year and to delete the names of non-existent electors due to death, shifting and other reasons.

According to the Delhi Chief Electoral Ofiicer, Vijay Dev, during this exercise people will be able to file claims and objections till 14 th of next month and the revised electoral roll will be published on January 10, 2013.

The disposal of claims and objections will be completed by 15th of December this year while updating of database and printing of supplementary lists will take place between 15th to 28th December.

AIR correspondent reports that currently the number of voters in Delhi is around 1.18 crore.A helpline will be available for the general public in the election office for electoral roll related enquiry.

The Number is - 23918888. People can also have full information about the electoral roll at the website www.ceodelhi. nic.in .

Mahalaya Amavasi is being observed all over Tamil Nadu today. Thousands of people took holy dip in Agni Theertham in Rameswaram Sea and performed tarpanam rituals for their ancestors.

Special rituals for ancestors were conducted in Srirangam Amman Mandapam in Trichy, Bhavani sangamam in Erode, Kodiakkarai, Poom Puhar, Mayiladuturai in Nagapattinam, districts.

oday is Mahalaya, the beginning of Devi Paksha, the greatest festival of Bengalees, Durga Pooja.

Mahalaya marks the end of Pitra Paksha and beginning of Devi Paksha. It is believed that Maa Durga begins her journey to the earth on Devi Paksha. On this day, people offer prayers betterly known as Tarpan to their ancestors.

In Kolkata, large number of people have gathered on the banks of river Ganga to perform Tarpan in the memory of their departed parents since early morning.

AIR Kolkata broadcast special traditional morning programme Mahishasur Mardini on the occasion of Mahalaya.

Most of the big community pooja organisers are now engaged for last minute preparation to make their presentation as an unique.

Russia has invited Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) to consider buying a stake in the Magadan 2 field operated by Rosnett in the northern part of the Sea of Okhotsk. 

The Deputy Energy Minister of Ryussia Yury Sentyurin extended the invitation while speaking to reporters in New Delhi. Mr. Sennyurin said that the size of any possible stake was up for negotiation.

India which imports about 80 per cent of its oil needs is on the hunt for supplies to power its near two trillion dollar economy while Russia is keen to tap its vast offshore reserves.

Bulgaria has invited Indian companies to invest in its various sectors such as pharmaceuticals, tourism, agriculture and food processing.

Speaking at a function in New Delhi on Monday, Bulgarian Minister of Economy, Energy and Tourism Delian Dobrev said there is a huge potential for Indian investors in sectors like auto components, pharmaceuticals, agriculture and food processing, electronics and tourism.

Talking about the bilateral trade between India and Bulgaria, he said, there is a lot of potential which needs to be tapped.

ood Minister K V Thomas on Monday said the government will take a time-bound decision on the Rangarajan committee's recommendations on freeing sugar industry.

Talking to the media on the the sideline of a function in New Delhi, Mr Thomas said the panel's report will not be put on backburner and the decision will be taken after receiving views on it from the Prime Minister's Office.

AIR correspondent reports, the panel, which was set up in January this year under the chairmanship of Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council Chairman C Rangarajan, released a report last week recommending scrapping of government control on the sugar sector to push the reform process further.

Asked if the government plans to impose minimum export price, MEP, on onions to augment domestic supply, Mr Thomas said let it continue without MEP.

Onion exports have presently slowed down due to sluggish supply following drop in the kharif output. This has also put pressure on domestic prices

Costlier diesel lifted inflation to a 10-month high of 7.81 per cent in September, this year. Inflation, as measured by the Wholesale Price Index, had stood at 7.55 per cent in August this year, and at 10 per cent in September last year.

For the fuel and power category, inflation increased to 11.88 per cent, from 8.32 per cent in August.

Inflation in diesel rose 8.94 per cent in September, from 0.36 per cent, after the government raised its price on September 13.

But food inflation declined to 7.86 per cent in September, from 9.14 per cent in August.

Inflation in eggs, meat and fish was 12.44 per cent, in milk 6.25 per cent, and in fruits 6.96 per cent. But inflation in vegetables was minus 6.78 per cent in September, on a year-on-year basis.

The rate of price rise in manufactured products was 6.26 per cent in September, against 6.14 per cent in August.

Inflation for July was revised upwards to 7.52 per cent, from 6.87 per cent as per the provisional estimates.

The Home secretary R K Singh said the relations between India and Bangladesh has improved immensely.

Speaking to reporters in Agartala on Monday, Mr Singh said tomorrow at the Home secretary level meeting at Dhaka many issues will be discussed.

Mr Singh also visited Agartala-Akhaura Land Custom stations on the Indo-Bangladesh borde

The need to encourage millets' cultivation and consumption by people has been stressed at a side-event at the ongoing bio-diversity conference in Hyderabad on Monday.

Various speakers from Tamil Nadu, Nagaland, Karnataka and also from Nepal and African countries outlined the state of millets' cultivation in their areas.

They affirmed that millets' cultivation helps to achieve food sovereignty and also bio-diversity conservation.

Speaking on the occasion, PV Satheesh, National Convener, Millets Network of India said millets are included in National Food Security Bill which will come up before Parliament shortly.

He said the Government of India has recently issued a circular asking the state governments to include millets in Mid-day meal scheme.

He further said millets should be promoted in the food culture of people in the country by taking into consideration India's stand at 85th position on Hunger Index and 127th position in respect of malnutrition.

A grandfather clause is a situation in which an old rule continues to apply to some existing situations, while a new rule will apply to all future situations. Frequently, the exemption is limited; it may extend for a set period of time, or it may be lost under certain circumstances. For example, a "grandfathered power plant" might be exempt from new, more restrictive pollution laws, but those rules would apply if the plant were expanded. Often, such a provision is used as acompromise or out of practicality, to effect new rules without upsetting a well-established logistical or political situation. 

India and Russia have decided to accelerate their economic ties and agreed to factor in New Delhi's liability concerns in their techno-commercial negotiations for units III and IV of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant.

After talks with the visiting Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin in New Delhi on Monday, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna told reporters at a joint press conference that both the sides discussed the preparatory work for units III and IV.cost of electricty has risne because of delay...at the end societ as whole and people invidualy have tp pay for it.

Saying that a techno-commercial agreement is being negotiated, he expressed hope that a mutually satisfactory result will be arrived at.

Mr. Krishna was responding to a question on the progress on units III and IV of the Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant, which is embroiled in differences over perceptions over India's civil nuclear liability.

Both Krishna and Rogozin agreed to step up trade and investment and shared the perception that the economic ties between the two countries are much below potential. External Affairs Minister S M Krishna and Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin co chaired the Indo-Russian Inter-Governmental Commission meeting on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation (IRIGC TEC) during which they also deliberated on these issues.The two leaders agreed that efforts have to be made to achieve the desired bilateral trade target of 20 billion US Dollars by 2015.

Ahead of his meeting, Rogozin had on Sunday said the cost of the third and fourth units of the Kudankulam atomic power plant would escalate if it is brought under the purview of India's civil nuclear liability law over which differences remained.

Differences in perception over the nuclear liability law have become a bone of contention between India and Russia in negotiations on units III and IV. The law makes foreign suppliers liable for compensation in the event of accident.

Russia argues that the civil nuclear liability law should not apply to these units as the agreement on them predates the 2010 civil liability law, and could be seen as grandfathered by the original 1988 agreement while India has clearly stated that making an exception for Russia will amount to diluting its law which will encourage the US and France to seek similar exemptions, which it cannot afford.

The estimated cost of units III and IV is 6.4 billion Dollars , of which 3.4 billion will be taken care of by Russian state credits.Rogozin has given an assurance that the reactors were safest in the world.

The visiting dignitary also asserted that it was important to understand the liability and responsibility of Indian and Russian governments in creating a favourable and stable investment climate as far mutual business was concerned.

Close on the heels of steep increase in diesel price and cap on supply of subsidised LPG, President Pranab Mukherjee on Monday said greater alignment of domestic rates with global prices was in the interest of both the consumers and the investors.

Inaugurating the 10th edition of Petrotech Oil and Gas Conference in New Delhi, Mr Mukherjee said that government is committed to adopt a time-bound programme to achieve this.

In an apparent reference to India's dependence on world markets to meet its energy needs, the President said that just like financial markets, the world energy markets are inherently global and interdependent, and no single country can isolate itself from the market.

AIR correspondent reports that the government had in June 2010 decontrolled petrol price and agreed to free diesel rates in a calibrated manner.

A steep 5.62 rupees per litre hike notwithstanding, diesel continues to be sold at a discount of 11.05 rupees per litre to its actual cost as international rates continue to rule high.

The consultations among member countries on issues related to bio-diversity picked up momentum at the ongoing bio-diversity conference in Hyderabad.

As the Conference entered the third week, the working groups at the conference paced up the consultations to achieve consensus on various issues including resource mobilizations to achieve bio-diversity targets.

UN spokesperson David Ainsworth told media this morning that the member countries adopted documents on bio-fuels, global strategy on plant conservation, incentive measures and global taxonomy issues on last Friday.

He said the contact groups also met over the last weekend and discussed resource mobilisation, geo-engineering among other issues.

He said the two working groups will review the progress on deliberations held among countries last week from today. UN spokesperson added that the first working group will discuss bio-diversity in islands and the second working on Nagoya Protocol today.

Meanwhile, heads and ministers of countries have started to arrive in Hyderabad to take part in the main plenary session which will be addressed by Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh tomorrow.

Over 15,000 participants including 9,000 delegates from185 countries are taking part in the prestigious bio-diversity conference which will conclude on 19th of this month.

A Naval Chetak helicopter crashed today while landing at Naval Air station Goa at about 1000 hrs.

The helicopter on transit from Mumbai to Bangalore was to make a scheduled re-fuelling halt at Goa. All three personnel onboard have died in the crash.

Naval spokesperson said in New Delhi that a Board of Inquiry to ascertain the cause has been ordered.

To enhance transparency in Stock market tradings, the Bombay Stock Exchange will provide SMS of transaction details to mobile phones and Email accounts of investors from today.

The move, a first of its kind in the country, is aimed at checking unauthorised stock market trades through investor accounts. The National Stock Exchange, Nifty's SMS service is also slated to begin from the 15th of this month.

The move follows complaints against brokers and other market entities conducting transactions through accounts of their clients without the knowledge of the investor concerned.

Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal has said that the UPA Government has given high priority to the development of North Eastern Region and during its tenure since 2004, 10 National Institutes of Technology (NITs) were established in the region. Speaking at the foundation stone laying function of NIT Meghalaya at Cherrapunjee (Sohra) in East Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya today, Mr. Sibal said that the setting up of high quality institutions in the region would help the youth to materialize their potential and achieve higher levels of excellence. Mr. Sibal urged the NITs to address state specific problems, where they are located.

he European Union has been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for 2012. The award has been given to the European Union (EU) for six decades of work in advancing peace in Europe. The Norwegian Nobel Committee said, the EU has helped to transform Europe from a continent of war to a continent of peace. 

Announcing the award, Nobel Committee President Thorbjoern Jagland acknowledged the EU's current financial problems and social unrest. But he said, the committee wanted to concentrate on the EU's work over six decades of advancing peace and reconciliation, democracy and human rights. 

The President of the European Parliament Martin Schulz, said he was deeply touched and honoured with the award. The award comes as the European Union faces the biggest financial crisis of its 54-year history, with many of its member states mired in recession. The last organisation to be given the award outright was Medecins Sans Frontieres, which won in 1999.

Afghanistan government has launched its first major climate change adaptation initiative with the help of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). Six million dollar project aims at protecting vulnerable sections of society from the effects of climate change and to help institutions in capacity building for addressing climate change risks.

Launching the programme in central Bamiyan province yesterday Michael Keating, Resident Coordinator of UN in Afghanistan appreciated Afghan Government for showing its commitment to work with communities in dealing with climate change in the country. The head of Afghanistan’s National Environment Protection Agency Mostapha Zaher hoped that with the people’s cooperation development plans could be made environment friendly.

The UNEP programme envisages improved water management, community-based watershed management; improved agroforestry and pasture development, climate-related research and early warning systems and improved food security. The scheme will be implemented in Badakhshan, Balkh, Bamyan and Daikundi provinces of Afghanistan.

The importance of the UN supported climate change initiative in Afghanistan can be estimated from the fact that 80 per cent of Afghans are directly dependent on natural resources. Agriculture is the mainstay of more than 60 per cent of the country’s population.

Since 1998, more than 6.7 million Afghans have been affected by natural disasters and extreme weather conditions such as drought, avalanches, earthquakes, sandstorms and harsh winters. Although six million dollar UN project for a country of Afghanistan’s size is not sufficient, even then it is a good beginning for mitigating the adverse effects of climate change.

According to French officials, the resolution will ask the West African bloc ECOWAS to present a plan within 30 days for deploying forces to Mali. The Council would then have to approve the plan in a second resolution. The west African nation plunged into crisis in March when soldiers overthrew the government, allowing Islamist militant groups to take control of the north.

Char Adhyaya or four chapters, a cultural festival based on the works of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore will start in Colombo on 15th of October. The festival will cover the four aspects of Gurudev’s works - music, dance, painting and drama. The festival will have performances by Sri Lankan and Indian alumni of Shantiniketan and other famous artists. The festival is being supported by the India-Sri Lanka Foundation.

Famous Sri Lankan dancer and choreographer Channa Wickramasinghe, who is the President of the ‘Santiniketan Friends’, and his troupe would be performing Kanya - a fusion of Sri Lankan dance style on the tunes of Sougata Roy Chowdhury, the renowned Sarod player from India.

‘Santiniketan Friends’ is an organization formed by the Sri Lankan alumni of Shantiniketan to promote Sri Lanka as a cultural hub in South Asia. It aims to promote Gurudev Tagore’s vision of unity through culture and fusion of expression through the medium of fine arts and culture.

President Pranab Mukherjee said present ratio of six doctors for a population of 10,000 in India is a big challenge for growing patient care demand. This must be enhanced by training and preparing more doctors and paramedics in order to serve the needy specially in rural areas. President was addressing 8th convocation of King Gorge Medical University in Lucknow today.

President emphasised the need of integration of AYUSH (Ayurveda Yoga Unani Siddh and Homeopathy) and capacity development of the traditional healthcare system. He said positive healthcare practices and local remedies need to be encouraged.

he Union Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Prof K V Thomas inaugurated a Cruise Passenger Facilitation Centre at the Cochin Port today.

The Facilitation Centre, covering an area of 1500 square meter has dedicated Customs and Immigration Counters, X-ray scanning machines, metal detectors, rest rooms and prayer rooms for the convenience of cruise passengers.

The Centre has been set up at a cost of nearly six crore rupees, of which the union Ministry of Tourism has contributed about five crore rupees.

The Cochin Port has emerged as a major hub of cruise tourism in recent years, hosting 44 luxury cruise vefssels and nearly 58,000 tourists last year alone.

The Rangarajan Committee has recommended deregulation of the sugar sector, by giving freedom to mills to sell sugar in the open market. It also suggested revising the existing arrangement for providing better Fair and Renumerative Price (FRP) to sugar cane farmers at the time of cane purchase and payment of cane arrears accumulated over the years. The Panel headed by C. Rangarajan in its report released in New Delhi today recommended that farmers would be entitled to a 70 per cent share in the value of sugar and sugarcane by-products while the Sugar Mills would be entitled for 30 per cent. Mr. Rangarajan said, the FRP can be revised on a half-yearly basis and the revenue sharing mechanism should be based on that.

The Panel has suggested the scrapping of State Advised Price (SAP) for sugarcane. Mr. C. Rangarajan also said, the existing subsidies will continue and the 30,000 crore rupees of Sugar subsidy will be given to the State Governments.

The Panel also recommended that the cane area reservation be phased out and contracts between farmers and mills be allowed for competition in the market and for assured supply of cane in the interest of farmers and economic efficiency.

The Commitee also suggested for doing away with the system of levy sugar, under which the mills are required to sell 10 per cent of their production to the government at below market price for ration shops. The report was submitted to the Prime Minister today. Dr. Singh had set up an expert committee to examine issues related to decontrol of sugar sector in January this year. India is the world's top sugar consumer and biggest producer after Brazil.

he Centre has sanctioned 4200 crore rupees to Uttar Pradesh under National Rural Health Mission, NRHM, for the current financial year 2012-13.

A proposal for sanctioning 350 crore has also been sent to the Centre for Action Plan-2 under NRHM. This was informed by Mr. Amit Kumar Ghosh, Mission Director NRHM at a state level meeting convened and chaired by Mr. Alok Ranjan, the acting Chief Secretary, in Lucknow yesterday.

Quoting official sources, AIR Correspondent from Lucknow reports that 1000 Basic Ambulances will be pressed into service for ferrying expecting mothers and newborn babies to hospitals. Besides, Queen Mary Hospital of Lucknow will be equipped with a 100-bed maternity ward.

The State government has decided to begin a drive from next month for health check up of approximately two crore students of one lakh schools of the state between class one to ten, under the 'Child Health Guarantee Scheme'. It has also decided sudden checking of projects run under NRHM besides routine monitoring.

ndia is determined to strengthen friendly and cross border trade relations with its all neighbouring countries especially with Pakistan. Various steps are on the anvil to enhance immigration of passengers and cross border trade between both parts of Jammu an Kashmir through Chakan-Da-Bagh crossing point. This was stated by Union Home Minister, Mr. Susheel Kumar Shinde during his visit to Chakan-Da-Bagh crossing point in Poonch today while addressing traders. Responding to demands of traders , Home Minister assured full help from the Centre and promised to remove all hurdles in the path of strengthening of cross-LoC trade with Pakistan. Shinde also reviewed the security situation in the twin border districts of Poonch and Rajouri at Poonch. The Home Minister also visited Suchetgarh and interacted with several delegations before flying to Srinagar. During his visit to Suchetgarh the Union Home Minister took stock of overall security scenario in the Octroi Post on International Border. He also inspected various units of the post and interacted with the BSF commanders and jawans. Shinde expressed satisfaction over a notable decline in infiltration graph of the state and lauded the security forces for foiling the attempts of infiltration with a firm determination and added vigour. Later, the Union Minister interacted with top brass of Border Security Force (BSF) and got a detailed description about the security set-up in the region.

Indian Sugar Mills Association, ISMA has hailed the recommendation of Rangarajan Committee to decontrol the sugar industry. ISMA Director General Abinash Verma said, the decontrol of the sector will be in the interest of all stakeholders, including farmers, millers and consumers. He said, the sugar decontrol will lead to a stable and predictable environment.

AIR correspondent reports that the current annual output of Indian sugar industry which is worth about 80,000 crore rupees can grow at double digits and double its worth to one lakh 60 thousand crore rupees over the next five to ten years. De-regulation is likely to reduce the cyclical trend of cane production too.

With consolidation and contracts between mills and farmers, there will be more sustained cultivation of cane across years. Also mills will be able to manage their cash flows better and reduce inventory costs, which in the past have led to delay in payment to farmers. Guaranteed payments to farmers and a fair return for their produce are more likely to reduce the volatility in cane acreage and consequently sugar production and prices.

Union Environment Minister Jayanti Natarajan has announced a one crore rupee package for world-famed Kaziranga National Park to tackle the situation arising there out of waves of flood and consequent death of animals.

The money has been sanctioned from the Tiger Reserve Fund for the world famous Park where a total 39 rhinos have been killed in and around it in less than 10 months.

Mrs. Natarajan, who reviewed the situation in the Park following the devastating floods and recent incidents of rhino poaching, also announced that five country boats and four speed boats would be immediately sanctioned to the Park to help in the rescue and protection of animals.

The union minister, who was accompanied by Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi, also stressed the need to strengthen the network between different agencies engaged in wildlife protection.

Referring to recent incidents of poaching in the Park, she said the Wildlife Crime Control Board was conducting an inquiry into the killings and necessary action would be taken after the submission of the report.

The involvement of militants in poaching has been established and the concerned department was taking steps accordingly.

Measures were also being taken to increase the number of forest guards to ensure increased vigil and patrolling in the Park.

There were plans to construct flyovers from Bokakhat to Jakhalabandha on NH 37 which runs through the Park to prevent killing of animals when they cross to the highlands in adjacent Karbi Anglong district during the floods.