Latest News India

21 Indians detained in China, India seeks consular access

BEIJING/NEW DELHI: 21 Indians have been detained in the Shenzhen region of China for alleged diamond smuggling.

The detentions were made on Friday last and the Chinese authorities are moving to press charges of diamond smuggling against them, sources said.

Indian embassy in Beijing immediately took up the matter with the Chinese government and sought consular access to them, they said.

The consular access has been granted for Thursday. In New Delhi, foreign secretary Nirupama Rao said a report has been sought from the embassy in Beijing.

"I am aware that some Indians have been taken into custody by the Chinese authorities in Shenzhen. I have asked our ambassador in Beijing for factual report on this matter," she said.

Rao said Ambassador S Jaishankar "is in touch with the Indian consular general in Guangzhou, which covers Shenzhen and we are awaiting the full facts from the Ambassador."

Chinese media claim that the diamond smuggling racket was busted by Shenzhen Custom's officials. The ring is said to have sourced diamonds in Hong Kong and hired Indians and local carriers to smuggle them into Shenzhen before distributing them to factories, which, in turn, sold them on the open market.

The incident comes at a time when Chinese nationals working on various infrastructure projects in India have complained of a host of problems, including issues relating to their visas.

Three Chinese engineers were arrested in Korba town in Chhattisgarh on Monday for chimney crash in the Balco plant in which 41 workers were killed in September last year. The Chinese were on Tuesday shifted to a district hospital in Korba town after they complained of health problems.

A day after assurance, another Indian beaten in Australia

MELBOURNE: A 28-year-old Indian man living in Australia for more than a decade on Tuesday claimed that he was beaten up by a group of locals on a beach in Sydney.

The man, who refused to be named apparently due to safety reasons, said that he was kicked and punched by the group near Coogee beach on Monday.

He said he had been living in Australia for the past 11 years and had never experienced such a thing before.

Police arrived 40 minutes after the incident and caught one person, he told PTI.

While the man did not receive any external wounds, he said he was having severe pain in his neck, back and head. He did not give any other detail.

However, police have not issued any statement on the attack.

Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Stephen Smith said that India and Australia shared an "excellent relationship" and did not want the issue of attacks on Indians, mostly students, here to disturb the ties.

Smith said he rang up his Indian counterpart S M Krishna yesterday after returning from holidays to brief him about the investigations.

"We both agreed this was an issue we did not want to disturb or get in the way of what the External Affairs Minister (Krishna) described as an excellent relationship," he was quoted as saying by AAP today.

"I undertook to keep him (Krishna) informed of any developments in the investigation. I relayed to him personal condolences on the death of the Indian student (Nitin) Garg and ... to Garg's family," Smith said.

He said he told Krishna that the Victorian police continued to treat the case as one of "its highest priorities" and outlined the steps that had been taken by authorities in terms of community policing.

Garg, a 21-year-old student, was stabbed to death by unidentified assailants earlier this month while he was walking towards a restaurant, where he worked part-time.

"Minister Krishna and I agreed India and Australia have an excellent relationship following on the Prime Minister's (Kevin Rudd's) visit last year to India, when we increased the level of our relationship to a strategic partnership. We agreed we have an excellent relationship," Smith said.

Crisis deepens, HI issues fresh ultimatum to players

PUNE: The crisis in Indian hockey on Tuesday deepened with the striking players walking out of an inconclusive meeting with Hockey India officials, prompting the establishment to serve a fresh 48-hour ultimatum to the players to resume training or get axed from the World Cup squad.



While HI said it did not have the required money to pay the players, who are demanding Rs 4.5 lakh each apart from a graded contract system, the campers were in no mood to relent at the meeting which ended with no immediate signs of an early settlement to the payment dispute.

HI president AK Mattoo said it was a sad development that the players chose money over national colours at a time when the February 28 - March 13 mega-event is knocking at the door.

"Any player who is in the complex has to train but it seems for them (players) money is more important than playing for the country," Mattoo said.

"No one has been thrown out of the camp. The players have been given 48 hours time to resume training. If they decide not to attend the camp within 48 hours then the camp will be shut," he said.

Mattoo said a new set of players will represent India in the forthcoming World Cup if the revolting players did not report to the camp within the stipulated deadline.

"We are not saying that we are sacking or suspending them but they will not be able to take part in the World Cup," the HI chief said.

"I am not suspending the camp, I am closing the camp for the time being and restart it after some days.

"India will participate in the World Cup irrespective of the fact that whether they play or not. We will look for fresh players from across the country and train them under Jose Brasa and Harender Singh to make them fit for the World Cup. The technical people will look into this matter," he added.

He said that the players refused to budge from their stand despite the assurance that their grievances would be looked into after the HI elections scheduled for February 7.

"I told the players that I have 'X' amount of money in my hand. If I give it to you, I have to give it to the women's as well as junior team. I told them their all demands we will take it forward to new body and see what we can do best for them," Mattoo said.

"We pleaded with them. Tony (FIH vice president Antonio von Ondarza) even told them nowhere in the world a player plays for money but unfortunately our pleads were not heard," Mattoo said.

"They said unless their demands were met they will not train. Its not done anywhere. I told them you get into the field and we will see what we can do for them now and for their future as well.

"There is no question of salary. They are not paid employees of HI. We offered them Rs 25,000 each which we can afford right now but they refused. I have invested so much time and effort on these boys, so I would like to see them play in the World Cup," he added.

Mattoo also said that as per promise HI would be giving away Rs 25,000 each to players of women's team and Rs 15,000 to the junior side.

International Hockey Federation (FIH) vice president Antonio von Ondarza expressed shock over the development and said with just six weeks left for the World Cup, the players should concentrate on training instead of indulging in pressure tactics.

"I came to India to finalise the alleged discrepancies in Hockey India's election process and I'm happy to say that we were able to solve that yesterday. The news of players' strike shocked me. HI officials asked if I would be interested to talk to the players and I said 'why not?".

"I heard allegation from both sides. It's really a very sad story. If you come to a negotiation and refuse to move, it's not going to succeed," Ondarza said.

"Hockey India has just come into being and it's an interim body. How can it commit for future? That would be a fraud thing to do. With just 10 weeks to go before the World Cup, players should not put pressure on HI. They should concentrate on their training," he added.

Ondarza, who is also the FIH-appointed observer for HI polls, said it was sad to learn that the present set of Indian players prefer money over the nation.

"They went out of the meeting and when they returned, I asked what is more important for them, the national shirt or the money. They said money was more important to them. It's very sad. I myself have played the game and representing the country was above everything else for us," he said.

The FIH vice president said that hockey is not a cash-rich sport like cricket or football and with time it will grow in stature.

"The players have to remember that hockey is not like cricket, basketball or soccer where dollars roll in. I explained them that situation is improving and we have a new product," Ondarza said.

"This is an unfortunate scenario but I'm hopeful that India would field a strong team in the World Cup. It was not right on the players' part to come out all guns blazing against HI. HI can't do any thing more than it has promised", he said.

"India must be having more than 22 players. Even if some of the best players are not ready to play and don't feel obliged to don the national shirt, you have to find youngsters who would be keen for the honour. They may not win medals but at least they can be competitive. Whatever team represents India, has to play their heart out, he said.

The players are indefinitely boycotting the World Cup preparatory camp demanding their match dues, incentives, a graded payment structure among other things.

The standoff is likely to have a bearing on the preparation for the World Cup to be held in Delhi from February 28 to March 13.

Ruchika case: High court denies Rathore interim bail

CHANDIGARH: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday did not allow interim bail to disgraced former Haryana state police chief SPS Rathore and slated the hearing of his anticipatory bail for Jan 18.

While taking up Rathore plea for anticipatory bail and his petition to quash fresh cases registered against him, the high court asked the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to file its reply in this case on Jan 18.

Justice Sabina, in whose court the petition was heard on Tuesday, did not allow Rathore interim bail against arrest till the next hearing. Rathore was convicted last month by a CBI court here for molesting teenaged tennis player Ruchika Girhotra Aug 12, 1990, in Panchkula town.

This means that the CBI, which has taken over the case involving Rathore and re-registered three fresh first information reports (FIRs) against him on Monday evening, can any time arrest the former Haryana director general of police (DGP).

CBI counsel told the high court that the investigation agency had taken over the case only on Monday evening and needed to study the material before it states its opposition to Rathore's plea for anticipatory bail and quashing of the new FIRs.

Appearing on Rathore's behalf, his counsel and wife Abha Rathore sought anticipatory bail for him and the quashing of the three fresh FIRs, saying that these had been registered due to media pressure.

Meanwhile, the district and sessions court in Chandigarh on Tuesday also admitted Rathore's appeal against his conviction by a CBI special court here on Dec 21 in the Ruchika Girhotra molestation case.

The case will now be heard on Wednesday as Rathore did not appear before the court Tuesday, saying he was not well.

Major fire breaks out in Kolkata slum

KOLKATA: A major fire broke out in a northeast Kolkata slum on Tuesday, police said.

All the shanties and huts in the slum were on fire, with the leaping flames reaching up to about 15 feet from the ground.

A television channel said the sound of gas cylinders exploding could be heard from the area, close to the Bidhannagar station.

Three fire tenders have reached the spot after much delay, as the approachway was blocked by auto-rickshaw drivers, who have been agitating against insufficient LPG centres in the city.

There are no reports of any casualty.

Two Telangana ministers withdraw resignations

Hyderabad: The two Telangana ministers Komatireddy Venkat Reddy and D Sridhar Babu withdrew their resignations from the Andhra Pradesh Council of Ministers.

The two had remained adamant on their resignations even after 18 of their colleagues withdrew their resignations after the Centre called an all-party meeting on the contentious Telangana issue on January 5.

However, following a fresh directive from the Congress high command, Venkat Reddy and Sridhar Babu relented.

Andhra Pradesh Congress Committee President D Srinivas prevailed upon them to withdraw their resignation in line with the high command's directive.

Accordingly, the two announced their decision to take back the resignations and fight for achieving statehood to Telangana while "staying in power".

"We have confidence in the Centre and hope it will go ahead with the process of formation of Telangana in tune with its December 9 announcement," they said.

Indian Business News

‘Indian stocks becoming less interesting’

New Delhi: Indian stocks are becoming "less interesting" as their valuation vis-a-vis other markets in the Asian region have declined considerably, Swiss banking major Credit Suisse said in a report.

"We believe India is becoming less interesting from valuation perspective," Credit Suisse Research Analysts Sakthi Siva and Kin Nang Chik said.

In March 2009, India traded at a 40 per cent discount to the region (Asia), while currently that discount is just 2 per cent. The consensus EPS (earnings per share) revisions in India are also lagging in the region, the report added.

Though India is currently trading at a 2 per cent discount, it still looks favourable for the stocks compared to the 20 per cent premium the country traded at during the strong growth years from 2005-07, the report said.

Credit Suisse has, however, maintained an "overweight" status on the Indian market.

The benchmark index Sensex, which opened at 9,647 points in 2009 closed the year almost double at 17,464, up 7,817.50 points (81 per cent) from the year ago level.

The Sensex witnessed a historic 81 per cent rally last year, boosted by the UPA victory in May 2009 on expectations that the new government would introduce measures to boost economic growth. Another reason for the rally was the sooner-than-expected economic recovery of the country.

The year 2009 also saw Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) flocking in and buying Indian equities worth a whopping over Rs 80,000 crore after their flight away from the market previous year (2008).

Credit Suisse further said," in March 2009, India was the third most undervalued market in the region after Indonesia and Thailand. Currently, it is the sixth most undervalued." Elaborating further, the report said the EPS estimates for Indian companies were raised 1 per cent, 0.8 per cent and 0.1 per cent in the last three months of 2009, while for other markets in the Asian region it was 3.4 per cent, 4.2 per cent and 0.9 per cent over the same period.

SBI to hire 20,000 clerical staff in FY11

Mumbai: State Bank of India will hire 20,000 clerical staff in 2010/11 and another 5,000-5,500 probationary officers in 2010, a top official said.

"We will need these people to drive our growth. We are looking at an average growth of 25 per cent both on credit and liability side," Anup Banerji, deputy managing director, head of national banking, said on the sidelines of a banking event organised by Indian Banks' Association and SBI.

The country's largest state-run bank had hired 28,000-30,000 clerical staff in FY10.

Banerji added that out of 5,000-5,500 probationary officers, 2,000 will be recruited for rural business.

SBI also intends to add 1,000 branches in 2010/11, Banerji said.

"Till now in FY10 we have added 550 branches, and we will take it to 800 by end of February".

The bank is also planning to launch a wealth management division to take care of high net worth individuals' needs, he said.

IIP to be much better in 2009-10: Montek

New Delhi: The Planning Commission said it expected industrial production to beat last year's growth and attributed the revival to various stimulus measures.

His comments came after latest government data showed that factory production grew 11.7 per cent in November last year.

"Industrial growth this year is going to be much better than last year....whether it will be 11.3 per cent for the next six months that is difficult to say", Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said.

The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) growth during November was robust compared to the dismal 2.5 per cent in the year-ago period. IIP grew by 2.6 per cent in 2008-09.

Attributing high industrial growth rate to stimulus provided by the government to combat the impact of the global financial meltdown, Ahluwalia said, "We have been saying that concerted action taken by the government will lead to revival".

Following the global crisis triggered by the collapse of America's iconic investment banker Lehman Brothers in September 2008, the government has provided stimulus packages that entailed a burden of Rs 1.86 lakh crore for the exchequer.

The overall economic growth during the second quarter of the fiscal (July-September 2009-10) recorded a growth of 7.9 per cent, much more than anticipated by any analyst or think tank.

Indian Sports News

Strange that my first big test will be against SA: Simons

Johannesburg:India's newly-appointed bowling consultant Eric Simons said it was strange that his first big assignment with the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led side was against his own country South Africa.

"It will be a bit strange that my big test will be against my own country," Simons told the Afrikaans daily Beeld.

"But that's how it goes in professional sport these days. (Fellow South African) Gary Kirsten is already with (the Indian team) for a while now and even Andy Flower of Zimbabwe coaches England," said the former South African coach, who was yesterday named as India's new bowling consultant for the two Tests against Bangladesh and the subsequent home series against South Africa. Simons said everything happened very quickly last week before the BCCI signed him up yesterday, adding that he would first see how things panned out before considering a more permanent appointment.

Present South African coach Mickey Arthur said Simons' appointment would "add a very interesting dimension" to his side's tour of India next month.

"Although we can share a couple of beers in India, we certainly can't use Afrikaans calls now too much," Arthur jested.

Sehwag resumes practice after break

Mirpur (Bangladesh): Vice-captain Virender Sehwag is back in action after skipping team training for the last few days as he turned up for practice today ahead of the cricket tri-series final against Sri Lanka here tomorrow.

Sehwag, who was rested for India’s last two matches, did not join practice on Saturday and was not seen with the team on Sunday and Monday but turned up today for an optional net session along with four other team-mates.

On his absence, he said he had got permission from the team management to rest but will play tomorrow’s final.

“I was given rest by the team management and I enjoyed my it (at team hotel),” he said after having around two-hour net session at the Sher-e-Bangla Stadium indoor facilities along with Yuvraj Singh, Suresh Raina, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

“I will play in the final and I hope I will do well to win the series,” said the dashing opener who has scored 47 and 9 in the two matches he had played so far.

Sehwag did not agree that India’s bowling woes would affect their chances in the summit clash.

“We have been playing against Sri Lanka with these bowlers in the past two-three months and they have done well.

I think they will do well tomorrow with Zaheer Khan returning and he was brilliant in that match against Sri Lanka (on Sunday).” On Virat Kohli’s fine run in form, Sehwag said the youngster should not be put under pressure.

“He is in fine form. A century and a 71 and 91, but we should allow him to enjoy his game. He is young and we should not put him under pressure,” said Sehwag.

Karnataka-Mumbai Ranji final hangs in balance

Mysore: Tooth for a tooth, Nail for a nail. That is how the fast bowlers in the Karnataka and Mumbai ranks fought fire with fire on a lively deck in the Ranji Trophy finals at the Gangotri Glades here on Tuesday.

Bowled out for a modest 233 in the first innings, Mumbai came out blazing their canons to skittle Karnataka for a paltry 130 in the first innings.

Having conceded a decisive 103-run lead, Karnataka hit back to have the Mumbaikars in a tizzy at 51 for five.

But, as in the first essay, Abhishek Nayyar (batting 32) and Daval Kulkarni (batting 35) pulled Mumbai out of the woods, posting 57 runs for unbroken sixth-wicket. At draw of stumps on Day Two, Mumbai had made 108 for five. In effect, Mumbai are 211 runs ahead with five wickets in hand.

Given the life in the hard and bouncy wicket and the determination of a pack of exciting fast bowlers, the five-day final is unlikely to last its course.

As many as 14 wickets tumbled in the absorbing contest between bat and ball today, with Avishkar Salvi, who produced his season's best figures of 5 for 31, and Abhimanyu Mithun producing outstanding spells with the cherry.

Mithun's second innings burst (4 for 30) saw him share the honour of being the season's highest wicket-taker with R Vinay Kumar. Both have bagged 44 wickets each.

Indian Latest News

Gowda accuses Yeddyurappa of cheating

Stepping up his offensive against Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, former Prime Minister H D Deve Gowda accused him and his associates of "colluding, cheating and grabbing" over 4,800 acres of land for the Bangalore-Mysore Expressway and hurting farmers' interests.

Gowda admitted using provocative words ‘bloody bastard’ against the Chief Minister yesterday but said he had withdrawn it soon thereafter.

He said the ‘agony’ of the farmers who were being pushed into ‘misery’ had forced him to use such harsh words.

"The company personnel, the Advocate General of the state and the Chief Minister have colluded, cheated and grabbed 4,884 acres of land," he said.

Gowda was referring to the Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprises Limited (NICE) project for the Bangalore-Mysore Expressway.

The JD(S) leader alleged that a senior lawyer has ‘misled’ the Supreme Court to get favourable orders despite a 2004 order passed against the company.

He said NICE wants to "build a mahal (palace) by burying the farmers."

Stop provoking me: Yeddyurappa to Gowda

Bangalore: Hitting back at former Prime Minister H D Devegowda for using unparliamentary language against him, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Monday said the JD-S chief had not only insulted him but the entire people of the state and asked him to stop "provoking" him.

"Gowda has not only insulted me, but also six crore people of Karnataka. I am hurt by the remarks made against me yesterday," Yeddyurappa told reporters here a day after the former prime minister's outburst replete with expletives created a political furore in the state.

Yeddyurappa said Gowda was hurling abuses at others "taking advantage of the former prime minister status.He talks lightly about the Chief Minister, the Advocate General."

In a warning, he said, "I can also make similar caustic remarks. But I won't do that. Let him stop provoking me." Yeddyurappa, however, ruled out any legal action against the JDS chief, remarking sarcastically: "Gowda himself is a legal expert. What legal action can I take".

"Gowda has capacity to project a falsehood as truth. He is trying to mislead farmers. But he will not succeed", Yeddyurappa said taking a swipe at the former prime minister's charge that excess land was being granted to Nandi Infrastructure Corridor Enterprise (NICE).

Gowda made the remarks over the controversial Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Project, promoted by NICE, during a farmers' stir against NICE at Hemmigepura village near here.

"Who is this Yeddyurappa? Bas...d. Who the hell does Yeddyurappa think he is? Does he have any shame," Gowda had said in the controversial remarks. Accusing the JD-S of trying to create trouble in the state and provoking farmers to bring a bad name to BJP Government, Yeddyurappa charged Gowda with "shedding crocodile tears" for farmers all of sudden and ridiculed him for joining the stir.

Rosaiah asks Centre to find lasting solution for Telangana

Hyderabad: Unlike his predecessor Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, who took a tough line against separate Telangana, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah has no personal view on the bifurcation of his state and would like the Centre to find a lasting solution not not a "temporary truce".

He says he will accept whatever the Central government decides and that it is the responsibility of the Central government to find a lasting solution to the current political turmoil in the state.

77-year-old Konijeti Rosaiah has been moving from crisis to crisis ever since he assumed chief ministership of Andhra Pradesh after Reddy was killed in a helicopter crash on September two last year.

First it was the campaign launched by the late chief minister's son Jagan Mohan Reddy for becoming Chief Minister, then the handling of one of the worst floods and now now the Telangana crisis.

"I have no no personal view on the bifurcation issue. I have no no personal opinion. As long as I am holding the post of Chief Ministyer in the state, I do not not have any personal views. My personal view is not not at all an issue in this matter," the low-profile vetaran Congress said in an interview today.

Rosaiah, who was Finance Minister in Reddy's Cabinet, incidentially headed a Committee to seek views on separate Telangana and the late Chief Minister was dead set against splitting the state. Reddy, who had emerged as a powerful regional chieftain in the Congress party, had seen to it that virtually there was no no forward movement on the campaign by TRS for separate Telangana that its chief K Chandrasekhara Rao quit the UPA in 2006 and intensified his campaign.

CBI takes over Ruchika molestation probe

NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Monday took over the probe against former Haryana police chief S P S Rathore, convicted of molesting teenager Ruchika Girhotra in 1990, for abetting her suicide and harassing her family members, including her brother who was framed for theft.

The agency has re-registered the cases against Rathore in the Special Crime Zone of the agency here.

"We have re-registered three cases relating to Ruchika Girhotra today (Monday) after the central government gave its consent under section 5 of Delhi Special Police Establishment Act (DSPE) on the request from Haryana government," a CBI spokesman said here.

According to CBI, cases were registered against Rathore, the then Panchkula superintendent of police K.P. Singh, the then sub inspector Prem Dutt and two then assistant sub-inspectors Jai Narayan and Sewa Singh under various sections of Indian Penal Code including abetment to suicide, attempt to murder and wrongful confinement.

These three cases were earlier registered at the Sector 5 police station in Haryana's Panchkula.

The Superintendent of police, special crime unit-1 of CBI has been appointed as the chief investigating officer in all the three cases.

"He will be assisted by a team of legal experts and investigating officers. We appeal to all persons in the know of the facts and circumstances of these cases and to those who are willing to give evidence in the court that they should contact the chief investigating officer," the spokesman added.

Rathore was booked by the Panchkula police Dec 29 in two different cases, charging him with attempt to murder, forging and tampering with evidence, criminal conspiracy and wrongful confinement. Most of the charges slapped against him in both First Information Reports (FIRs) are non-bailable ones.

The complaints for the two FIRs were made by Ruchika's father S.C. Girhotra and brother Ashu. In the third case Jan 5, Rathore was booked for abetment to suicide.

Ruchika, a budding tennis player, was molested by Rathore, then an inspector general of police, in Panchkula Aug 12, 1990 and committed suicide three years later. The molestation case was then handed over to CBI.

Nineteen years after the molestation incident, Rathore was convicted by a CBI special court in Chandigarh Dec 21 and sentenced to six months' rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs.1,000.

The light conviction led to uproar in different sections of society, forcing authorities to re-visit the case and seek justice for the molestation victim. This is the second time the CBI would be probing the matter.

Safety of Indians Australia's prime responsibility: India

NEW DELHI: In a strong message, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi on Monday asked Australia to take "all possible steps" to contain assaults on Indians there, saying it was their "primary responsibility".

Ravi said Australia will have to convince the Indian government and the people of this country about steps taken to protect Indian citizens.

"Australia needs to take all possible steps to ensure security of our citizens. They need to convince not only the government but also the people of the country about steps taken to ensure safety of our citizens," Ravi told PTI.

Expressing serious concern about the recent attacks, including killing of 21-year-old student Nitin Garg a week ago, Ravi said "for India, every life of its citizen is precious".

"We need preventive steps. Why cannot they identify the anti-social elements responsible for the assaults and arrest them. Police know these elements," he said.

"We want them to take certain strong action. I am not saying they are not taking action. But they need to take strong action," Ravi added.

Wondering why the Australian government has not been able to contain the attacks, the Minister said "it is their primary obligation to ensure safety of the foreigners. We take all the care to protect foreign nationals here".

"This is not the first time these incidents are taking place. These attacks are taking place for the last one year. What they are doing to contain them," he asked.

Ravi said some of the attacks have had "racial overtones", adding, the government was putting pressure on Australia to ensure safety of Indians.

"In spite of all the assurances by Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and his ministerial colleagues, attacks are taking place. We are really concerned," he added.

Abdullah wants Govt to take up Ladakh land issue with China

New Delhi: Expressing concern over reports of China taking substantial portion of land in Ladakh, Union Minister Farooq Abdullah on Monday said the Centre should take up the matter with Beijing at the earliest and sort out the boundary dispute.

“This seems to be happening for the last 25 years. One cannot be absolved of the responsibility by just merely saying that the Line of Actual Control (LAC) has not been demarcated,” he said.

The former Chief Minister said the Government of India should hold talks with China at the earliest and solve the boundary dispute.

“Now this boundary dispute cannot hang in balance for eternity. Earliest, the best,” Abdullah said.

Asked whether he had come to know about the Chinese incursions during his tenure as Chief Minister, he said “this has started coming out in the public domain only in the later part of last year.

The remarks of the Union Minister came in the wake of a news report that area along Line of Actual Control with China has “shrunk” over a period of time and India has lost “substantial” amount of land in the last two decades.

Indian Business News

Consumer firms mull price hikes

Mumbai : A surge in commodity prices may force consumer firms, particularly makers of eatables, to push up product prices in a calibrated manner in the next fiscal, industry officials said.

Costs of essential commodities including sugar and milk have soared in the recent past with sugar prices scaling new peaks in January as a rally, which more than doubled prices in 2009, still shows no signs of losing momentum.

Prices of other raw materials such as edible oils have also begun to rise as the larger food price index rose 18.22 per cent in the 12 months to Dec. 26.

"It will be a common trend particularly in food companies such as Britannia, Nestle (India) and ITC, as prices of sugar, milk is going up," said Anand Shah, an analyst at Angel Broking.

But, rather than hiking prices directly, the companies may prefer to reduce the grammage per pack, he said, adding that further increases in input costs may lead to price hikes as well.

Firms such as Godrej Consumer, Marico Ltd and Nestle India have indicated that a decision will be taken in the next few weeks.

"We have not taken a call as yet (on raising prices). It is only over the next few weeks or so that we will take a call. I don't think anything is warranted immediately," said Chaitanya Deshpande, Head of Mergers & Acquisitions and Investor Relations at Marico makers of the edible oil 'Saffola'.

Some like Dabur India have already raised prices earlier in the fiscal and do not have plans to raise prices, at least in the near term, others such as Nestle India are guarded, when asked about their plans.

Rupee spikes to over 15-month high

Mumbai: The Indian rupee rose to its highest level in more than 15 months early on Monday boosted by the dollar's fall against major currencies and tracking gains in local shares which raised hopes for capital inflows.

At 9:08 a.m. the partially convertible rupee was at 45.35/36 per dollar, off an early high of 45.30, its strongest since Sept. 22, 2008 and above its Friday's close of 45.75/76.

The US dollar fell on Monday, after posting its biggest loss in six weeks after US jobs data disappointed, while the Australian dollar soared on the back of strong export numbers from China.

Most Asian currencies were stronger against the dollar.

Equities rose 0.6 per cent in early trade on Monday, with Infosys Technologies and Housing Development Finance Corp leading the gains, on the back of firm Asian markets.

Indian Sports News

Kohli fashions India's win against Bangladesh

Mirpur (Bangladesh): In-form Virat Kohli hammered his second ODI ton to script India's facile six-wicket victory over Bangladesh in a dead rubber of the ongoing tri-series.

With India and Sri Lanka having already booked their place in Wednesday's final, today's match was of merely academic interest.

India first restricted the hosts to 247 for six and then chased down the target with seven overs to spare.

Dinesh Karthik (34) and Gautam Gambhir (41) gave India another brisk 64-run start before Kohli took over to complete the formality in Suresh Raina's (18) company.

Kohli's unbeaten 95-ball 102 included 11 hits to the fence.

Batting on 94, Kohli hit back-to-back fours off Shakib Al Hasan to reach his century and score the winning runs.

Chasing a modest 248, India got just the kind of start they needed with Karthik and Gambhir finding boundaries at regular intervals.

Karthik sent the first ball of the second powerplay -- Abdur Razzak was the bowler -- out of the park before perishing caught behind in the next over.

As if to take revenge, Gambhir hit Shafiul for three fours on the trot in his next over before Naeem Islam breached his gate.

Suspending players is last resort: HI president

New Delhi/Pune: He does not want to crack the whip as of now but Hockey India President A K Mattoo on Monday said the option of suspending the revolting players remains open if the payment row is not resolved.

A meeting between the agitating players, who have pulled out of the World Cup preparatory camp, is on in Pune where Ikram Khan has been rushed to talk to the players. Mattoo is miffed with the players' for not keeping their promise of resuming training after the patch up in New Delhi on Saturday.

"If you ask me it is an option. I can use it today, tomorrow or any other day but I don't want this to happen," Mattoo told reporters when asked if suspending the players is an option for Hockey India.

Earlier, HI representative Ikram Khan reached Pune to negotiate with the players, who are protesting the non-payment of their dues and incentives for their 2009 performances. HI had last night accused the players of blackmailing the federation and holding the nation to ransom but Khan hoped a compromise would be reached.

"I think there will be a compromise soon. They will listen to us and I am 100 per cent sure that the matter will be sorted out. I am going to meet the players right now," he told media in Pune.

"I interacted with them yesterday. They are not satisfied with the incentives and the grade system that we are planning and all this will be worked out soon. The players are very clear about what they want and that is fair enough. The only thing is the timing and how they have gone about it," Khan added.

Somdev slides to 161 in ATP rankings

New Delhi: The early exit from Chennai Open cost Somdev Devvarman 35 places as the wiry Indian dropped to 161 in the latest ATP singles ranking issued on Monday.

Somdev had entered the event as a runner-up and had to defend a lot of points but lost tamely to Serb Janko Tipsarevic in the second round to crash out of India’s only ATP event.

Fast rising Yuki Bhambri though gained five positions to reach career best 330.

Indian Davis Cupper Rohan Bopanna also dropped out of top 400 after his first round exit from Chennai Open. His singles ranking slid to 424, a loss of 33 places.

However, doubles specialists Mahesh Bhupathi (7) and Leander Paes (8) had their rankings unchanged.

Meanwhile, in the WTA singles rankings, Sania Mirza rose a rung to 56 despite a second round exit from the Auckland event.

The Indian, however, dropped a rung to 38 in the doubles Rankings.

Indian Latest News

Accused in fake car theft case against Ruchika's brother arrested

PUNE: Haryana Police have arrested an absconding accused in a 1993 auto theft case in which Ashu, brother of molestation victim Ruchika Girhotra,was falsely implicated allegedly at the behest of former top cop S P S Rathore, police said on Sunday.

A team of Haryana Police assisted by their Pune counterparts yesterday morning nabbed Gajinder Singh from Baner Road area, where he used to run a dhaba, they said.

Singh, a proclaimed offender who had been absconding since 1997, was taken to Haryana by the investigating team after obtaining his transit remand.

Former Haryana DGP Rathore was awarded a six-month jail term by a CBI court on December 21 for molesting Ruchika, a budding tennis player, in 1990 when he was an IGP. She committed suicide three years later.

Several cases related to car theft and other offences were slapped on Ashu at that time but he was later acquitted of the charges by the courts. The family alleges that false cases were brought at Rathore's behest and that Ashu was harassed and tortured in custody.

Ruchika's father Subhash Chander Girhotra and Ashu had recently filed two complaints against Rathore accusing him of attempt to murder and wrongful confinement of Ashu and forging the post-mortem report of Ruchika, after which two fresh FIRs were lodged against the former IPS officer.

Rathore's anticipatory bail pleas in connection with the two FIRs have also been rejected by a Panchkula sessions court.

India has lost 'substantial' land to China: Official report

NEW DELHI: The area along Line of Actual Control with China has "shrunk" over a period of time and India has lost "substantial" amount of land in the last two decades, says an official report.

At a recent meeting held in Leh which was attended by officials from the Jammu and Kashmir government, Ministry of Home Affairs and Army, it was agreed that there was difference in the maps of various agencies and that there was lack of proper mapping of the area.

The meeting was chaired by Commissioner (Leh) A K Sahu and attended among others by Brigadier General Staff of 14 Corps Brig Sarat Chand and Colonel Inderjit Singh.

While the absence of proper map was agreed upon, the meeting all the same felt, "however, it is clear and be accepted that we are withdrawing from LAC and our area has shrunk over a period of time."

"Though this process if very slow but we have lost substantial amount of land in 20-25 years," it was said at the meeting held last month.

According to the minutes of the meeting, it was also identified that "there is a lack of institutional memory in various agencies as well as clear policy on this issue which in long run has resulted in loss of territory by the India in favour of China."

The meeting was called to ensure proper protection to nomads who move with their cattle to Dokbug area of Nyoma sector during the winter months every year. In December 2008, Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) had damaged their tents and threatened them to vacate the land.

"They (Chinese) have threatened the nomadic people who had been using Dokbug area (in Ladakh sector) area for grazing since decades long, in a way to snatch our land in inches. A Chinese proverb is famous in the world - better do in inches than in yards," a report filed by former Sub Divisional Magistrate (Nyoma) Tsering Norboo had said.

Norboo was deputed by the state government to probe complaints of incursion of the Chinese Army in Dokbug area and threats to the local shepherds to leave the land as it belonged to them. The area has been used by the shepherds to graze their livestock as the area is warmer compared to other parts of Ladakh.

The SDM contended that it was another attempt by the Chinese to claim the territory as disputed in the same fashion as they had taken Nag Tsang area opposite to Phuktse airfield in 1984, Nakung in 1991 and Lungma-Serding in 1992.

The area of Dokbug and Doley Tango was frequented by shepherds and nomads from December to March every year during which their young lambs were capable to walk.

The SDM has also highlighted the fact that Army stopped these nomads from vacating the land. The nomads were terrified by the Chinese threats.

Last year, Chinese troops had entered nearly 1.5 km into the Indian territory on July 31 near Mount Gya, recognised as International border by India and China, and painted boulders and rocks with "China" and "Chin9" in red spray paint.

The 22,420 ft Mount Gya, also known as "fair princess of snow" by Army, is located at the tri-junction of Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir, Spiti in Himachal Pradesh, and Tibet. Its boundary was marked during the British era and regarded as International border by the two countries.

Before this, Chinese helicopters had violated Indian air space on June 21 along the Line of Actual Control in Chumar region and also helli-dropped some expired food.

Arms sale to Pak justified as India buys from US: Chinese official

BEIJING: A senior Chinese defense official has justified Beijing's sale of warships and submarines to Pakistan on the ground that India was buying similar systems from Russia and the United States. He indicated that China was conscious India might be worried about the sales.

"The initiative may invite concerns from its neighboring countries. But the doubts are unnecessary," Zhai Dequan, deputy director of China Arms Control and Disarmament Association, was quoted as saying in the official media.

The statement came in the midst of efforts by Norman Bashir, chief of Pakistan's naval staff, to persuade Beijing to sell higher capacity ships as compared to the F22P frigates that China begun delivering last June.

Zhai said Pakistan’s desire for high capacity systems is normal for an independent nation seeking to bolster its security. India has also entered into large deals for military hardware from the US and Russia, he said.

"India's aircraft carrier has already cost it billions of US dollars," Zhai said.

Bashir, who met Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie on Friday, said Pakistan was keen on buying bigger ships and more JF-17 fighter planes from China apart from the submarines. Pakistan will buy more weapons including missiles from China in future, he said.

"The F22P frigate is about 3,000 tons, and now we are talking about 4,000-ton ships. These are very big projects and we think the cooperation is important for both countries, especially Pakistan," he said.

Pakistan booked four F22P frigates from China in 2005 and the first one began sea trials last year. Islamabad followed it up with another order of four more ships of same kind in 2007, the Chinese media said.

Bashir showered fulsome praise on Chinese warships saying they use the latest technology, and have the all-round capability to target surface ships, aircraft and submarine.

"The F22P frigate can be deployed to complete multitasks. The ship is balanced for offense and defense, and can be used in both peace and war time, if there is a war," he said. This is his third visit to China this year.

Headley's golf class comes under lens; NIA quizzes socialites

Mumbai: Investigators have found out about US terror suspect David Headley's frequent visits to a golf course here which is often visited by western diplomats and socialites, with whom he had struck a rapport.

According to sources privy to the investigations, the 49-year-old American national, arrested from Chicago airport and currently in FBI custody, spent considerable time at the Golf course and the National Investigation Agency is now recording the statement of witnesses.

Some of the witnesses told investigators that Headley had long chats in the club with western diplomats and the "friendship" started with learning basics of golf. He had purchased a golf kit ostensibly to pick up the elite sport but authorities now believe this was perhaps a cover to get to know diplomats and business personalities who frequented the club, the sources said.

A well known socialite of the city was also undergoing questioning for several hours by the NIA to find out more about how Headley, known as Daood Gilani till he changed name in 2006 to avoid any suspicion, was successful in getting friendly with some diplomats, the sources said.

The probe agency is working on filing the chargesheet against Headley and his close associate Tawahhur Rana by the month end.

Tharoor says media misreported his remarks on Nehru

An angry Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor on Sunday hit out at the media claiming that they had misreported his remarks on Jawaharlal Nehru and demanded that they issue a correction.

A day after his reported remarks at an academic seminar on international relations created a flutter in the Congress, Tharoor called a press conference in his office and said he was dismayed at the "inaccurate and tendentious reporting".

He said that as chairman of the seminar organised by the Indian Council of World Affairs, he had only made an honest summary of London School of Economics professor Lord Bhikhu Parekh's hour-long speech on "India's Place in the World".

He also noted that Parkeh had suggested that India export its values and systems to the world. Tharoor said that in his intervention, he had "very gently and politely disagreed with Lord Parekh".

Asked whether Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had spoken to him following the media reports, he refused to divulge as to who had talked to him.

"Yes, I have spoken to a number of people who are disturbed about this type of press reporting. There are some press reports that are less tendentious. But as far as I am concerned this is my view of the matter and I have shared this view with those I have spoken to," Tharoor said.

He said that it was against his principle to divulge any privileged communication. On whether External Affairs Minister S M Krishna had ticked him off on his comments on changes in visa rules, Tharoor said, "I know what the minister told me and do not go by news reports of what he was supposed to have told me."

Indian Business News

Google apologises to Chinese writers over book flap

Beijing: Internet giant Google has issued a public apology to Chinese writers and admitted that it scanned books under Chinese copyright for its Google Books digital library project.

A copy of the January 9 statement by the Asia-Pacific head of Google Books, Erik Hartmann, was posted on the website of the Chinese Writers Association, one of the groups leading accusations against Google, today.

Hartmann also appeared on Chinese state-run television today acknowledging the practice of scanning books had angered Chinese writers.

"Through the discussions and communications of recent months, it is our understanding that our communications with Chinese writers have not been good enough," Hartmann's written statement said.

"Google is willing to apologise to Chinese authors."

According to the China Written Works Copyright Society, tens of thousands of books by hundreds of Chinese authors have been added to Google Books, the US giant's project to digitize books and post them online.

The project has also raised objections from authors and publishers in the United States, France, Germany and elsewhere.

The China Written Works Copyright Society is in talks with Google to try to resolve outstanding copyright issues and agree terms for compensation, but Chinese writers have so far refused Google's offers.

IBM to scale up India ops; to hire 5,000

Mumbai: Betting big on the India story, global IT giant IBM plans to scale up its BPO operations in the country and would hire 5,000 staff this year.

"We plan to focus more in the services sector by opening more BPO centres in India. We would recruit at least 5,000 people to support this expansion," IBM Poland's Senior Advisory Consultant Selby Mascarenhas said.

IBM is bullish on the growth prospect of the services sector in the domestic economy, which ranges from software- related services to looking after the HR aspects of some core manufacturing companies, Mascarenhas said.

The IT major has decided to scale up its outsourcing operations in India at a time when many global companies, hit by the financial turmoil, have downsized their outsourcing contracts.

At present, IBM has BPO facilities in major cities like Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, Gurgaon and Kolkata. Rather than moving to smaller cities, IBM would prefer to expand its existing centres by opening new units, he said.

Owing to the challenging market conditions, IBM did not hire in India last year. But despite the adverse scenario, there were no lay offs either in India, Mascarenhas said.

"The hiring process has already started, but on a slow note. Last year we didn't recruit or lay off anybody. In certain cases, some probationers were not confirmed," Mascarenhas said.

Yamaha to launch scooters in India

New Delhi: Japanese two-wheeler maker Yamaha said it will introduce scooters in the Indian market in order to tap the potential in segment.

The company is currently conducting a feasibility study on the scooter market, which is expected to be complete by the middle of this year.

"We are studying the market to enter the scooter segment, but we have not finalised the product line yet. However, one thing is sure that we will launch scooters in India," India Yamaha Motor National Business Head Pankaj Dubey said at the 10th Auto Expo here.

The feasibility study is focusing on areas such as the model to be introduced and possible timeframe of launching the product in the country, he added.

"We are evaluating whether a model from our existing global scooter portfolio will be launched here or a completely new product will be developed for the Indian market," he said, adding that the company is also evaluating whether Yamaha would focus on premium or mass market product.

The Indian two-wheeler market comprises about 80 lakh units per annum, of which over 75 per cent is constituted by motorcycles.

Indian Sports News

Lanka bundled out for 213

Mirpur: Zaheer Khan and Amit Mishra shared six wickets between them as India skittled out Sri Lanka for 213 in the ongoing cricket tri-series match here on Sunday.

Zaheer and Mishra, who replaced Harbhajan Singh in the playing XI, took three wickets each, conceding 38 and 40 runs from their 10 and 9.1 overs respectively, as Sri Lanka were bowled out in 46.1 overs. Part-timer Yuvraj Singh and pacers Sudeep Tyagi and S Sreesanth took a wicket apiece though the last two were a bit expensive.

Earlier, his side already through to the final, Sri Lanka captain Kumar Sangakkara elected to bat as he wanted his side to bowl with the wet ball in the evening dew to prepare for any such eventuality in the summit clash.

But most of the Sri Lankan top-order batsmen, except for Sangakkara, were unwilling to stay put at the wicket and decided to slog early on. The rash shots and poor communication between their batsmen meant Sri Lanka were in trouble with five batsmen back at the hut by the 14th over at 66 in front of a handful of spectators at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

Sangakkara top-scored with a 78-ball 68 while rookie Suraj Randiv, who made his debut in the ODI series against India last month, contributed with a valuable 76-ball 56, his maiden half century.

The seventh wicket partnership of 59 runs off 70 balls between Sangakkara and Randiv and the 69-run stand between Thilan Thushara and Randiv for the eighth wicket from 83 balls were mainly responsible for the Sri Lankan score.

Togo wants to play in Cup to honor dead

Cbinda, Angola: The Togo soccer team will take part in the African Cup of Nations to honor those killed in a shooting attack on the team bus, an African soccer official said on Sunday.

Confederation of African Football spokesman Kodzo Samlan told The Associated Press that he spoke to the players and "they confirmed they want to play."

"The players understood that they had to play - to honor the dead," he said.

Some members of the Togo team, as well as the Togo government, had given earlier indications that the squad would withdraw from the tournament after three people were killed and eight injured in an ambush on Friday.

However Samlan - who is from Togo - said by telephone from Benguela, Angola, that the team was awaiting approval from the Togo government to remain.

Friday's ambush killed an assistant coach, a team spokesperson and the bus driver, according to the team and the Togo government. Eight others were wounded.

Togo's goalkeeper Kodjovi "Dodji" Obilale was shot in the lower back in the attack, flown to South Africa and taken into surgery almost immediately at Johannesburg's Netcare Milpark Hospital.

On Sunday, doctors said it was too soon to discuss the prospects for Obilale who remains in intensive care after surgery. Ken Boffard, a trauma specialist caring for Obilale, said the 25-year-old Obilale, who also plays for French club Pontivy, was "extremely fit and has very good resistance. So, it's very much in his favor that he is an athlete." Milpark doctors said they had sent a team to transport another injured person to South Africa, but that that person had died by the time the South Africans landed.

Valentino Rossi wants Moto GP in India

New Delhi: Considered the fastest man on two wheels, nine-time MotoGP world champion biker Valentino Rossi wants to strut his stuff in India too if the country hosts a Grand Prix in future.

The Italian, who has an astonishing 103 race wins under his belt, is on his maiden trip to India and is game for racing in the country if MotoGP comes here.

"Racing in a Grand Prix in India, well I hope to, if there is one in India," Rossi, one of the highest earning sportspersons in the world, told reporters at a promotional event for his Moto GP team Yamaha here.

"This is my first trip to India and I am very surprised that people recognise me. It feels great and the experience has been wonderful," the 30-year-old added.

Just two days into his trip and Rossi said he has been left quite amazed by the traffic in the capital.

"There is lot of traffic and confusion. Actually, it's interesting. With this kind of traffic, I think people should use more bikes because it will be easier to negotiate the routes," he quipped.

Rossi also had a few tips on road safety for bikers in India.

"I always use the bike to go around in Italy and I always wear a helmet. I say, concentrate hard when you are driving a bike, don't think of other things and be attentive to what is happening around you. Care for fellow bikers and others on the road, it's very important," he said.

Indian Latest News

CBI agrees to take up Ruchika molestation probe: Sources

NEW DELHI: The CBI has accepted Haryana government's recommendation to take over the investigation in the Ruchika molestation case. Sources say that the CBI would probe ex-Haryana DGP Rathore under section 306.

Haryana Police has been pulled up for delaying action in the Ruchika Girhotra molestation case but police officials say they did not want to arrest former top cop S P S Rathore "hastily" despite a Panchkula court having dismissed his anticipatory bail pleas.

"Our investigation is still under process and we are looking into all aspects of the case before arresting anybody. We cannot do things hastily in this matter and we are busy collecting evidence pertaining to these FIRs," Superintendent of Police (Panchkula) Maneesh Chaudhary said on Saturday.

Senior police officials had said they have recommended the fresh First Information Reports (FIRs) against Rathore be sent to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), so there was no point seeking his interrogation in custody.

"The CBI can take over this case in the next few days and we do not want to do anything that might sabotage their investigation process," Chaudhary said earlier.

Declining anticipatory bail to Rathore in fresh cases registered against him, additional district and sessions judge Sanjeev Jindal had on Friday observed his crime had a "spine-chilling" impact.

Rathore was Dec 21 convicted of molesting teenager Ruchika 19 years back and sentenced to six months' rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1,000.

Jindal had also pulled up the state government, specifically the police, for their lackadaisical attitude.

Rathore had moved the bail pleas against two fresh FIRs in the Ruchika Girhotra molestation case, which were registered on Dec 29.

Rathore was booked under non-bailable charges like attempt to murder, criminal intimidation, forging evidence, wrongful confinement, fabricating false evidence and criminal conspiracy.

The court also pulled up the police for registering the FIRs under Section 467 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)

Ruchika's friend Aradhana, whose family fought the case against Rathore for over 19 years, said: "State officials were supporting Rathore in the past and I still doubt their intentions. But we are hopeful of a fair probe by CBI and we all want to see Rathore behind bars at the earliest."

Ruchika, a teenaged budding tennis player, was molested by Rathore, then an inspector general of police, in Panchkula Aug 12, 1990. She committed suicide three years later.

Ruchika case: No hasty arrest of Rathore, say Haryana cops

PANCHKULA (HARYANA): Haryana Police has been pulled up for delaying action in the Ruchika Girhotra molestation case but police officials say they did not want to arrest former top cop S P S Rathore "hastily" despite a Panchkula court having dismissed his anticipatory bail pleas.

"Our investigation is still under process and we are looking into all aspects of the case before arresting anybody. We cannot do things hastily in this matter and we are busy collecting evidence pertaining to these FIRs," Superintendent of Police (Panchkula) Maneesh Chaudhary said on Saturday.

Senior police officials said they have recommended the fresh First Information Reports (FIRs) against Rathore be sent to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), so there was no point seeking his interrogation in custody.

"The CBI can take over this case in the next few days and we do not want to do anything that might sabotage their investigation process," Chaudhary said.

Declining anticipatory bail to Rathore in fresh cases registered against him, additional district and sessions judge Sanjeev Jindal had Friday observed his crime had a "spine-chilling" impact.

Rathore was Dec 21 convicted of molesting teenager Ruchika 19 years back and sentenced to six months' rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1,000.

Jindal had also pulled up the state government, specifically the police, for their lackadaisical attitude.

"Conduct of the state of Haryana in not filing the reply to the present bail applications and seeking adjournment even after availing six-day time cannot be held anything else except baffling and disgusting," the judge said Friday.

"It gives a clear cut impression that either the law officers and police officers of the state are incompetent or they are intentionally dilly-dallying the matter under the buckling pressure of the applicant-accused, who had been stated to be mighty police officer having political clout," he observed.

The public prosecutor had on Thursday demanded adjournment of the case, seeking sufficient time for collection of evidence.

The court said that in view of the allegations levelled in both the FIRs, it was the state's duty to oppose both the bail applications and to seek custodial interrogation of the accused.

"The criminal conspiracies were not hatched sitting in the drawing rooms in the presence of the witnesses so the same can be unearthed only through the custodial interrogation of the accused," the judge wrote.

Rathore had moved the bail pleas against two fresh FIRs in the Ruchika Girhotra molestation case, which were registered Dec 29.

Rathore was booked under non-bailable charges like attempt to murder, criminal intimidation, forging evidence, wrongful confinement, fabricating false evidence and criminal conspiracy.

The court also pulled up the police for registering the FIRs under Section 467 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)

"They went ahead in registering both the FIRs under the provision of section 467 of IPC, which primarily relates to forgery of a document relating to monetary transaction, valuable security and wills. Thus the conduct in this respect becomes deplorable and as such, is hereby condemned by the court in the strongest possible terms."

Pankaj Bhardwaj, the lawyer who has been fighting Ruchika's case, also criticised the delay in Rathore's arrest.

"Custodial interrogation of the accused is very necessary to find out the involvement of other officials who shielded Rathore for the last 19 years in this case," Bhardwaj told IANS on Saturday.

"By seeking three weeks' time for collecting evidence, the state is adopting delaying tactics and they are working in connivance with the accused," he added.

Ruchika's friend Aradhana, whose family fought the case against Rathore for over 19 years, said: "State officials were supporting Rathore in the past and I still doubt their intentions. But we are hopeful of a fair probe by CBI and we all want to see Rathore behind bars at the earliest."

Ruchika, a teenaged budding tennis player, was molested by Rathore, then an inspector general of police, in Panchkula Aug 12, 1990. She committed suicide three years later.

Mamata slams Centre, but says she won't walk out of UPA

KOLKATA: Firing a salvo at the UPA government of which her party is a major ally, Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee on Saturday alleged that the Centre had "surrendered" to the CPM and failed to do enough to check Marxist violence in West Bengal.

However, the railway minister said she would not walk out of the alliance. "We are committed to the people who want the alliance to continue," Banerjee told a press conference here.

"The Centre has surrendered to the CPM and has failed to check Marxist violence on our partymen in the state," she said.

Banerjee alleged that the Centre was 'providing oxygen' to the CPM by launching the anti-Maoist operations by Central forces and the state police in West Midnapore.

Reiterating her opposition to the operations in the troubled district, she said, "Union home minister P Chidambaram owes an explanation to the people for the failure of the joint operations.

"The joint operations did not yield any result. Has the violence abated or killings or terrorism ended there?"

"Our party was not consulted despite the Trinamool Congress being the second largest ally of the UPA."

Renewing her demand for deploying the army in West Midnapore to deal with the situation, she said "Had the Centre been serious about fighting Maoists, it would have reacted."

Indian-origin man set on fire in Melbourne

Melbourne: A 29-year-old Indian-origin man was set ablaze by a group of four attackers in Melbourne on Saturday, a week after a student from the country was stabbed to death amid a slew of assaults on the community in Australia.

The man, who suffered 15 per cent burns including on his arms, chest and face, was admitted to 'The Alfred' hospital after he was attacked shortly before 2 am local time (0730 HRS IST) in Melbourne's Essendon area.

The man, who was not identified, and his wife left a dinner party in Essendon, in the city's northwest, between 1.30 am and 2 am and drove to their nearby home in Grice Crescent. He dropped his wife at home and had gone to park his car when he was attacked, local media reported.

Police said that as he was getting out of the car, four men attacked him, pushing him back against the vehicle and pouring an unknown fluid on him. One of the men then ignited the fluid with a lighter before all the attackers fled.

The victim, who is now in a stable condition in the hospital, ran from the car while peeling off his clothes, 'The Age' reported.

The attack comes a week after the stabbing death of 21-year-old Indian graduate Nitin Garg in a Yarraville park while he was on his way to his part-time job in a restaurant.

The body of another Indian youth, 25-year-old Ranjodh Singh, was found beside Wilga Road in Willbriggie in the neighbouring state of New South Wales on December 29. The incident was reported earlier this week.

Pakistan strikes four rockets near Wagah border in Punjab

Attari: At least four rockets were lobbed from Pakistani side in the fields near Attari, situated close to India-Pakistan border in Punjab at 12.40 am on Saturday.

No casualty has been reported so far.

According to eyewitnesses, two of the rocket shells landed at the Border Security Force (BSF) post situated at Khangarh, nearly two kilometres from the international India-Pakistan Border, while other two landed in a field.

"The rockets fell just in our fields. Our houses are also here. So it is grave danger for us. Earlier also such incidents have taken place in our village," said Gurdeep Singh, a resident.

The BSF retaliated with machine-gun fire but due to dense fog, border guards were hindered in their search operation.

However the Pakistani authorities have denied having anything to do with the rocket attacks.

Indian Business News

India likely to grow 9% in FY12: Montek

New Delhi: The economy is likely to return to an annual growth rate of 9 per cent by the fiscal year ending in March 2012, a top policy adviser said on Saturday.

Asia's third-largest economy expanded 6.7 per cent in 2008/09 (April-March), slower than the 9 per cent or more recorded in the previous three years.

"By the end of the 11th five-year plan we hope to back to 9 per cent growth rate. In the 12th plan the aim of the government is to bring the economy to 10 per cent growth rate," said Montek Singh Ahluwalia, deputy chairman of the Planning Commission.

India's 11th five-year plan began in April 2007.

Ahluwalia said: "This may not be easy but not unrealistic. One critical objective for the government is massive expenditure in education."

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday said he was optimistic that India, which along with China is leading the drive out of a global recession, could return to annual growth of 9-10 per cent in a few years time.

He said the economy was expected to grow by around 7 per cent in the 2009/2010 fiscal year, slightly below previous forecasts by his policymakers.

The economy grew an annual 7.9 per cent in the quarter through September, its fastest in 18 months, prompting policymakers, including the finance minister, to revise the growth forecast for the current fiscal year to around 8 per cent from 7 per cent.

Next Bill Gates could be from India!

Washington: A sizeable number of Americans believe that the next Bill Gates would come from India or China as the two Asian giants are fast marching ahead on the global platform, a new US survey has revealed.

"When asked where the 'next Bill Gates will come from,' 40 per cent of Americans predicted either India or China," said a national survey released by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) on the sidelines of the world's largest consumer technology tradeshow at Las Vegas.

The vast majority of them, about 96 per cent, believe that innovation was critical to the future success of the US as a world economic leader but they were concerned that the rising federal deficit would jeopardize prosperity of future generations, the survey said.

The economic survey, conducted by Zogby International, found that 68 per cent of Americans think innovation was key to the future success of their place of employment, with 50 per cent maintaining that innovation was important for their job remaining in the US.

After the World Economic Forum reported that the US has lost its global competitiveness ranking while India, China and Brazil have gained, 74 per cent of Americans said it was unlikely the US would regain its status next year.

India should have an aim to overtake China: PC

Karaikudi (TN): India should nourish a ‘burning ambition’ to overtake China and emerge as the world's largest economy as the country was poised to become the most populous by 2030, Home Minister P Chidambaram said.

"China wants to become the world's largest economy. If India's population exceeds China's in or about the year 2030, why do we not have the burning ambition to become the world's largest economy?" he said in his convocation address at the Alagappa University here in his native Sivaganga District.

Recent history was replete with examples of countries at cross roads making the correct choices and forging ahead on the path of development, he said adding India grabbed the chance in 2004 with both hands.

India clocked an unprecedented GDP growth of 8.5 per cent between 2004-09 and achieved several feats including landing a spacecraft on moon, the Home Minister pointed out.

"We have another chance. What we do with that chance depends on you and thousands of other young men and women who will graduate every year from college and universities. Will you be content with average ambition, average integrity...?

"Or will you be determined to take India to great heights just as every Chinese youth seems to be? China has accumulated the largest foreign reserves by any country. Why do we not have the ambition to produce more, to export more, to acquire more reserves and convert these reserves into precious assets and resources all over the world?" he said.

Chidambaram told the students to look for answers to these questions by looking inward. If more and more people ask these questions and find right answers, "you would be able to make India a great country," he said.

Indian Sports News

One dead, 9 hurt in gun attack on Togo soccer team

Luanda: Gunmen opened fire on a bus carrying Togo's national soccer squad to the top African tournament in Angola on Friday, killing the driver and wounding nine others, including two players, a Togo team official said.

Togo captain Emmanuel Adebayor, who was on the bus but escaped unharmed, said his team might quit the African Nations Cup, where some of soccer's most valuable stars are due to play.

A shaken Adebayor, who joined Manchester City for a reported 25 million pounds ($40 million) last year, also decried the blow to Africa's image in the year when South Africa hosts the World Cup.

The bus had just entered the Angolan enclave of Cabinda, where separatists have waged a three-decade long war, when it came under heavy gunfire for several minutes, the team official said. An Angolan minister called the attack in Cabinda, which produces most of Angola's oil, an "act of terrorism".

Many of the players at the tournament are with clubs at the top level of European football including Adebayor, Cameroon forward Samuel Eto'o of Inter Milan and Chelsea's Ivory Coast striker Dider Drogba.

A separatist group, the Front for the Liberation of Enclave of Cabinda (FLEC) claimed responsibility for the attack, which happened two days before the start of the 2010 African Nations Cup, Africa's most-followed sporting event.

"This operation is just the start of a series of planned actions that will continue to take place in the whole territory of Cabinda," said the statement seen by Reuters and signed by FLEC's secretary general Rodrigues Mingas.

Lanka canter to nine-wicket win, book final match berth

Mirpur (Bangladesh): Mahela Jayawardene (108) and Upul Tharanga (118 not out) cracked sparkling centuries as Sri Lanka crushed Bangladesh by nine wickets to storm into the final of the cricket tri-series here on Friday.

Chasing a modest 250 for a win, Jayawardene and Tharanga tore apart the Bangladesh bowlers to canter to the target with 7.1 overs to spare at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium.

Earlier, Bangladesh put up a shoddy batting display coming up with a modest score of 249 for nine with captain Shakib Al hasan top-scoring with 47 after being put into bat in front of 10,000-odd spectators.

Sri Lanka's win not only booked them a berth in the January 13 final they have also almost shut the final match door on the hosts.

If Bangladesh, who have a negative net run rate (-0.626) after losing all three games, are to qualify for the final, they will have to beat India by a huge margin and pray that Mahendra Singh Dhoni's men lose heavily against the islanders on Sunday.

Jayawardene, who hit his 12th ODI hundred, was dismissed in the 38th over when the match was all over in his side's favour at 215 for one. He smashed 13 fours in his 117-ball innings.

Tharanga, who hit his eighth ODI hundred in his 90th match, struck 18 fours in his 126-ball innings.

The left-handed batsman reserved his special treatment for Syed Rasel hitting the pacer for six fours including three from the 23rd over while Jayawardene picked right-arm paceman Rubel Hossain for seven fours.

Latest News India

Rathore's bail plea rejected, arrest possible any time

PANCHKULA (HARYANA): A Panchkula court on Friday dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of former state police chief S P S Rathore, who molested teenager Ruchika Girhotra 19 years ago, leaving it open for the Haryana police to arrest him any time.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Sanjeev Jindal dismissed the bail plea filed by Rathore after two fresh First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered against him Dec 29.

Rathore was booked under non-bailable charges like attempt to murder, criminal intimidation, forging evidence, wrongful confinement, fabricating false evidence and criminal conspiracy.

Neither Rathore nor his wife Abha Rathore, who is his counsel, were present in the court when the bail plea was dismissed.

Rathore had got interim relief Jan 1 from the court till Friday on his bail plea in the matter pertaining to the two fresh FIRs registered against him.

The court also rejected the anticipatory bail plea of another Haryana police official, Sewa Singh, a sub-inspector posted at Pinjore near Panchkula, who also has been accused of implicating Ruchika's brother Ashu in false cases of car theft, allegedly at Rathore's behest.

Sources in the Haryana police said after the court order that the state director general of police (DGP) and senior home department officials could now consult chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda before arresting Rathore.

The Haryana police, through the state government, have already recommended to the Central government that the fresh cases, including a third FIR charging Rathore of abetment to suicide of Ruchika, be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for investigation.

"I am happy and I have hope that justice will be done. We want him arrested immediately," Ruchika's friend Aradhana, whose family fought the case against Rathore for over 19 years, said after the bail plea was rejected.

Aradhana alleged that state officials had already been supporting Rathore in the past and that she did not have much faith in the state machinery to take action against him.

"The CBI is a more independent agency and I hope they will be able to investigate the matter properly," Aradhana added.

Rathore's counsel said after the dismissal of the bail plea that they would move the high court to seek relief.

Ruchika, a teenaged budding tennis player, was molested by Rathore, then an inspector general of police, in Panchkula August 12, 1990. Three years later, Ruchika committed suicide.

Nineteen years after the molestation incident, Rathore was convicted by a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special court here Dec 21 and sentenced to six months' rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1,000.

The light conviction led to uproar in different sections of society, forcing authorities to re-visit the case and seek justice for the molestation victim.

A magisterial inquiry by the Chandigarh administration had Thursday indicted Ruchika's school, Sacred Heart school, and its principal for her expulsion on the flimsy grounds of non-payment of fee in 1990, just after her molestation incident. A Panchkula court on Friday dismissed the anticipatory bail plea of former state police chief S P S Rathore, who molested teenager Ruchika Girhotra 19 years ago, leaving it open for the Haryana police to arrest him any time.

Additional District and Sessions Judge Sanjeev Jindal dismissed the bail plea filed by Rathore after two fresh First Information Reports (FIRs) were registered against him Dec 29.

Rathore was booked under non-bailable charges like attempt to murder, criminal intimidation, forging evidence, wrongful confinement, fabricating false evidence and criminal conspiracy.

Neither Rathore nor his wife Abha Rathore, who is his counsel, were present in the court when the bail plea was dismissed.

Rathore had got interim relief Jan 1 from the court till Friday on his bail plea in the matter pertaining to the two fresh FIRs registered against him.

The court also rejected the anticipatory bail plea of another Haryana police official, Sewa Singh, a sub-inspector posted at Pinjore near Panchkula, who also has been accused of implicating Ruchika's brother Ashu in false cases of car theft, allegedly at Rathore's behest.

Sources in the Haryana police said after the court order that the state director general of police (DGP) and senior home department officials could now consult chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda before arresting Rathore.

The Haryana police, through the state government, have already recommended to the Central government that the fresh cases, including a third FIR charging Rathore of abetment to suicide of Ruchika, be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for investigation.

"I am happy and I have hope that justice will be done. We want him arrested immediately," Ruchika's friend Aradhana, whose family fought the case against Rathore for over 19 years, said after the bail plea was rejected.

Aradhana alleged that state officials had already been supporting Rathore in the past and that she did not have much faith in the state machinery to take action against him.

"The CBI is a more independent agency and I hope they will be able to investigate the matter properly," Aradhana added.

Rathore's counsel said after the dismissal of the bail plea that they would move the high court to seek relief.

Ruchika, a teenaged budding tennis player, was molested by Rathore, then an inspector general of police, in Panchkula August 12, 1990. Three years later, Ruchika committed suicide.

Nineteen years after the molestation incident, Rathore was convicted by a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) special court here Dec 21 and sentenced to six months' rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1,000.

The light conviction led to uproar in different sections of society, forcing authorities to re-visit the case and seek justice for the molestation victim.

A magisterial inquiry by the Chandigarh administration had Thursday indicted Ruchika's school, Sacred Heart school, and its principal for her expulsion on the flimsy grounds of non-payment of fee in 1990, just after her molestation incident.

Open revolt in Indian hockey, players refuse to turn up for practice

NEW DELHI: Indian hockey plunged into a fresh crisis on Friday with revolting hockey players deciding to boycott the ongoing World Cup preparatory camp here for an indefinite period in protest against non-payment of their dues.

The players took the unprecedented step to stay away from the camp after Hockey India, the interim body which is governing the game in the country, failed to respond to two of their letters asking the authorities to make the payments.

"We have decided to boycott the camp indefinitely till we are paid our money. We took such a decision in a meeting of players last night", captain Rajpal Singh said.

"Earlier we used to be paid after every tournament but it is not the case now. We had reminded the HI officials a few times, but nothing has been done. We will now report to the camp only after we are paid", Rajpal said.

The players' revolt comes barely a month before the hockey World Cup in New Delhi and is bound to have a bearing on the preparations for the high-profile event scheduled from February 28 to March 13.

The senior players were annoyed by the delay in payment and had written a letter to Hockey India President A K Mattoo demanding that money be paid within seven days.

The letter had no mention about the pullout but sources said that the players had actually made up their mind to withdraw from the camp if the payment was not made in a week's time.

Hockey India (HI) is, however, confident of sorting out the issue and has called some of the senior players for a meeting in New Delhi on Saturday.

Six of the senior players --captain Rajpal Singh, Sardara Singh, Prabhjot Singh, Sandeep Singh, Tushar Khandekar and Arjun Halappa --will be in Delhi on Saturday for a promotional shoot and are expected to meet the HI officals to sort out the payment issue.

"I had received their letter two days back. I have mailed my response to them yesterday. I have called them for a meeting when the players come to Delhi tomorrow", HI President A K Mattoo said.

"I will talk to them and look into the matter to understand what exactly their grievances are. I am confident that we will sort out the problem soon," he said.

Although the players claimed that they had given HI time till January 8 to resolve the issue, Mattoo said no such deadline was given to them.

"There was no mention of the deadline in the letter. Above all, they are the national hockey players. They should not have threatened us. They can't keep the dagger on my head to make me work. But we are confident about working out a solution when we talk to them", Mattoo said.

The players said that on the previous occasions they were paid money in advance but this time the fee has not been paid even after the conclusion of the tournament.

"We would like to be paid our money for Champions Challenge in Argentina. In the previous three years we were paid Rs. 25,000 each for every tournaments before we left India. We would like to be paid this time too and as for the future tournaments, please make arrangements to pay well in advance," the players had said in the letter.

India had won bronze medal in the tournament, held in Salta, Argentina last month.

Rajpal said the players were forced to take such a step because Hockey India "did not care for them".

"Hockey India does not care for the players, it is very sad. The sponsors are paying the money, but the players don't get anything," he said.

Apart from their dues, the players are also demanding an increase in their pay packages and some incentives.

China edges past Germany to become world's biggest exporter

BEIJING: China has edged past Germany to become the world’s biggest exporter. Though Chinese exports have also suffered a downturn during the financial crisis, it has done better than Germany owing to Beijing’s ability to prevent any gains in the local currency and the economic stimulus package.

Germany indirectly conceded defeat in the race when its national statistics office reported export figures below the levels achieved by China in the January-November period this year. Berlin reported exports of $1.05 trillion while Chinese exports were $1.07 trillion (734.6 billion euros) in the 11-month period.

Chinese exports fell 20 percent in the first 10 months of 2009 due to the global financial crisis. But there are signs of strong recovery and arrest the slide in exports in the first quarter of 2010 besides making some possible gains.

Analyst said Beijing’s refusal to buckle under western pressure to revise the rate of exchange for the Yuan helped Chinese exporters to stay afloat during the bad time. Premier Wen Jiabao said in an interview with the State media in late December that China will “absolutely not yield” to calls for currency gains from trading partners.

It is Beijing’s political will to resist western pressure as well as develop new markets by enhancing diplomatic exchanges with Asia and African countries that has helped China to both diversify and retain its export strengths.

Another reason is the generous export subsidy offered to exporters, who often earn a lot more from government support than they do by selling goods in foreign markets. Low cost loans and grants also helped a vast number of exporting companies to survive, analysts say.

The Global Trade Information Services Inc. earlier said that China shipped products worth $957.7 billion as compared to Germany’s exports of $917.7 billion in the first 10 months of 2009. But it is only now that Germany has confirmed China’s clear victory over it in the field of exports.

Attacks on Indians in Australia tragic: Rao

New Delhi: Describing the recent attacks on Indian students in Australia as "tragic", Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao has said the environment of fear and suspicion prevailing in that nation is not good for bilateral relations.

The violent incidents are of grave concern to us and also for parents who are mostly from the middle-class and send their children there at great cost and difficulty, she said.

"These incidents have shaken the confidence of Indian students and their parents about Australia," Rao said in an interview to 'Outlook' magazine.

"It is very very important to restore that confidence. A climate of fear and suspicion is not good for the relationship between the two countries," she said.

Commenting on Sino-Indian relations, the foreign secretary said, the cooperation between India and China at Copenhagen has helped establish a very positive paradigm.

Arguing that Copenhagen ought not to have surprised people, Rao said, "Setting aside what one many have seen in the media, we have to acknowledge that the relationship has grown tremendously in the last few years."

On Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Wajed's visit to India next week, she said it will be a "landmark" event Indo-Bangladesh bilateral relations.

"Considering the spirit of mutual trust and confidence, I think both governments are on the same page," she said.

J-K remains vulnerable to cross border militancy: Chidambaram

New Delhi:The Government on Friday said the country, especially Jammu and Kashmir, remains vulnerable to militant attacks sponsored by forces from across the border.

Complimenting the state police and CRPF for successfully eliminating two militants in Lal Chowk area of Srinagar on Wednesday, Home Minister P Chidambaram said the militants were in communication with their handlers outside the country.

"The incident highlights the fact that the country, especially Jammu and Kashmir, remains vulnerable to militant attacks sponsored by forces from across the border," he said in a statement.

The Home Minister said at the same time the country's capacity to neutralise a militant attack has also increased considerably.

"I would emphasise once again that the country, especially the security forces, must remain in high level of vigilance but there is no cause for panic. We must remain calm and confident that our security forces can face any challenge," he said.

Top cop arrested in Mumbai, charged with murder

Mumbai: Encounter specialist Pradeep Sharma has been arrested along with two constables in connection with an alleged fake encounter case in 2006.

Sharma, who was involved in over 100 encounters, was arrested on Thursday night and would be shortly produced in court. The arrest comes in the wake of investigations made by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) appointed by the Bombay

High Court into the alleged encounter of gangster Ram Narayan alias Lakhan Bhaiya on November 11, 2006 near Nana-Nani park in suburban Versova, officials said.

Lakhan's brother, advocate Ram Prasad Gupta, had filed a petition in the high court alleging that the victim had been shot dead in cold blood by a police team headed by Sharma.

According to the petitioner, Lakhan was picked up from his house by police seven hours prior to his death. His family members had then filed a complaint with police fearing that he may be killed in an encounter. They had also sent telegrams to police commissioners of Mumbai, Navi Mumbai and Thane in this connection.

According to the police, Lakhan was close to Chhota Rajan henchman D K Rao.

Acting on a tip off that Lakhan would come in the park, they led a trap for him and in the subsequent encounter between the two sides, Lakhan was killed.

Following the petition, the court had ordered the probe by the SIT team headed by DCP M M Prasanna.

Indian Business News

18 pct loan growth possible in FY10: SBI

Mumbai: Loan growth at State Bank of India, the country's largest lender, could reach 18 per cent in the current financial year to end-March, its chairman said on Friday.

"We will definitely cross 16 per cent as per our estimate. It is also possible to touch 18 per cent," O.P. Bhatt said at a news conference ahead of a banking conclave organised by the bank from Monday.

State Bank, which along with its associates controls almost a quarter of Indian bank loans and deposits, expects to maintain interest margins in the December quarter, Bhatt said.

He added that treasury gains are wearing off.

RIL revises Lyondell offer to $13.5 bn

New Delhi: Reliance Industries has offered USD 13.5 billion to buy LyondellBasell Industries, 12.5 per cent more than its previous offer, and may sweeten it further to get control of the bankrupt petrochemicals firm.

Mukesh Ambani-led RIL had in November offered about USD 12 billion in cash for a controlling stake in Lyondell and a couple of weeks ago sent a letter increasing its offer to USD 13.5 billion, sources familiar with the development said.

RIL has offered to buy about USD 2.2 billion in new stock and support a separate USD 2.8 billion rights offering by Lyondell to take the company out of bankruptcy. Most of the remaining would be in cash, they said.

The revised offer has not found much support from the US firm and RIL may sweeten the offer further, the sources said adding the company had time till February to make another offer.

An RIL spokesperson, however, declined to comment.

The Wall Street Journal, meanwhile, reported that Lyondell's board had rejected RIL's revised offer. It saw Lyondell valuation at about USD 15.5 billion, USD 2 billion more than RIL's revised offer.

Lyondell had a year ago filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection under the US law after being unable to meet its debt obligations when global economic downturn saw demand dropping.

Economy may grow at 7% this year: PM

New Delhi: The Indian economy is expected to grow at 7 per cent this year and may soon return to sustained high growth path of 9-10 per cent, Prime Minister said on Friday at a conference of non-resident Indians.

Manmohan Singh said the government would like to address key constraints in the infrastructure and the agriculture sectors.

Indian Sports News

Cairns is welcome to sue me: Lalit Modi

Sydney: Indian Premier League boss Lalit Modi defended the IPL’s decision not to include Chris Cairns in the auction over alleged match fixing allegations, and said that the former New Zealand all rounder is free to sue him.

Hitting back at the Kiwi all rounder, Modi said: “Cairns is welcome to sue me if he wants.”

Modi rejected Cairns application to feature in the auction for IPL-3 because of his dismissal from the rival Indian Cricket League in 2008 over alleged match fixing charges.

Cairns said: “The allegation made by Lalit Modi that I have been involved in match fixing is scandalous and wholly untrue. For him to circulate such a falsehood around the world is outrageous. Modi’s allegation has caused me huge personal distress and professional damage.”

“I cannot allow these slurs to ruin my future and I have instructed my solicitors, Collyer Bristow LLP, to bring proceedings for defamation against Modi,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted him, as saying.

Earlier Modi had said on Cairns: “Legally you may be correct. But he has a stigma around him for the same and as such the governing council has decided to withdraw his name from the auction.”

“Our tournament is by invitation only and as such we take issues at anything to do with match-fixing very seriously. Similarly Dinesh Mongia will not be allowed. We have zero tolerance for anything to do with the subject and as such will not like to take any chances if we don’t have to.”

Cairns and Mongia were sacked from the ICL for disciplinary reasons.

Hockey players revolt against non-payment of dues

Pune: Indian hockey plunged into a fresh crisis with revolting hockey players deciding to boycott the ongoing World Cup preparatory camp in Pune for an indefinite period in protest against non-payment of their dues.

The players took the unprecedented step to stay away from the camp after Hockey India, the interim body which is governing the game in the country, failed to respond to two of their letters asking the authorities to make the payments.

"We have decided to boycott the camp indefinitely till we are paid our money. We took such a decision in a meeting of players last night", said captain Rajpal Singh.

"Earlier we used to be paid after every tournament but it is not the case now. We had reminded the HI officials a few times, but nothing has been done. We will now report to the camp only after we are paid", Rajpal said.

The players' revolt comes barely a month before the hockey World Cup in New Delhi and is bound to have a bearing on the preparations for the high-profile event scheduled from February 28 to March 13.

The senior players were annoyed by the delay in payment and had written a letter to Hockey India President A K Mattoo demanding that money be paid within seven days.

The letter had no mention about the pullout but sources said that the players had actually made up their mind to withdraw from the camp if the payment was not made in a week's time.

Hockey India (HI) is, however, confident of sorting out the issue and has called some of the senior players for a meeting in New Delhi on Saturday.

Dhoni, Kohli win it for India

Mirpur (Bangladesh): Mohammad Ashraful and Aftab Ahmed left the cricketing world shell-shocked when they led Bangladesh to victory against world champions Australia in 2005. In the last decade, the side has fashioned one-day wins against Pakistan, New Zealand, West Indies, South Africa and Sri Lanka. But ask anybody on the streets in Dhaka, and they will say that there is an extra edge that comes with humbling India — as their team had done one dramatic day at Port-of-Spain in 2007.

The Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur — which has been half-full and docile for the first couple of days — turned into an intimidating cauldron on Thursday night as India slipped to 51 for three within the ninth over of their chase. The visitors had lost Virender Sehwag, Gautam Gambhir and Yuvraj Singh already, and the Bangladesh faithfuls in the stands sensed another historic night.

But the noise which had reached a crescendo soon got mellow, as Mahendra Singh Dhoni played kill-joy in a cool and collected manner to lead India to a comfortable six-wicket win. Coming in to bat with 246 runs still required, the Indian skipper scored his seventh ODI ton — remaining unbeaten on 101 off 107 balls — and shared a 152-run stand with Virat Kohli, who scored a defiant 102-ball 91. Kohli fell nine runs short of a century, but Suresh Raina joined his captain and crushed the partisan crowd’s hopes of a dramatic turnaround, finishing with a 43-ball 51.

Earlier in the day, though, Shakib Al Hasan won the toss and bravely elected to bat — a decision which took even Dhoni by surprise, as he later pointed out — and his batsmen didn’t let him down. Led by Tamim Iqbal, Imrul Kayes and later Mahmudullah, the Bangladesh batsmen not only embarrassed India’s much vaunted bowling attack, they also piled on a number of batting records, as they reached 296 for six.