Today's Hot Stories - April 25, 2014
10 Headlines for Today(1) Karunanidhi's wife, Kanimozhi, A Raja charged in 2G scam
(2) Rajiv's assassins to stay in jail for now: SC
(3) South Korea ferry tragedy: Divers get glimpse of students' final moments
(4) Mangalore international airport registers record passenger traffic
(5) Tata-SIA JV applies for schedule licence
(6) Gasoline prices surge in Iran as subsidies cut
(7) No Narang in 10m air rifle for CWG
(8) Tennis: Radwanska eases into Stuttgart quarters
(9) Golf: Ben Martin opens Zurich Classic with 62
(10) Snow leopards are in 'real danger': WWF
5 Stories for Today
(1) Quota for Muslims triggers storm
(2) Hassan Rouhani suffers first major political defeat, people give thumbs down to economic policy
(3) Indian-born Google+ chief Vivek Gundotra quits
(4) Tough decisions needed to take bilateral trade to $500 billion: US
(5) Wheat procurement may slip below last year’s 25 mn ton level: Food Secretary
(1) Quota for Muslims triggers storm
A Congress promise of reservation for backward Muslims on Friday kicked up a row with BJP calling it a "last desperate" act on its part to get some votes, a charge rejected outright by Congress which said it has not come out with any supplementary manifesto.
"Congress has not come out with any sub-manifesto," party spokesperson and law minister Kapil Sibal said on Friday maintaining that the issue of sub-quota for backward Muslims is pending in the Supreme Court and as long as the matter is not resolved there the party cannot do anything.
"These are only suggestions made in the process of public consultation. We have put it before people. When Congress comes to power, we will take it forward. These are suggested policies and programmes, which have come up at the open manifesto consultation process.
"These are suggestions for consideration, when the government comes to power. When we are open to it, we have a right to consider it as and when the Supreme court decides it. This is the best possible way. There is nothing wrong with that...There is no appeasement ...We must respect the sentiments of the public," Sibal said.
He was asked about reports that the Congress has put on its website a sub-manifesto in a fresh minority pitch promising quota reservation in jobs for backward Muslims.
When told that that these are not mere suggestions as Congress had announced a minority sub-quota before the Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh as well, the Union minister said, "Yes, we had announced it even in UP but the matter is pending in the Supreme Court. How can we do it unless the Supreme Court decides it"
He added that in some states like Andhra Pradesh reservation has been made for backward minorities. The matter is now pending with the Supreme Court.
Source: The Times of India
(2) Hassan Rouhani suffers first major political defeat, people give thumbs down to economic policy
Eight months after taking office, Iranian President Hassan Rouhani has suffered his first major political defeat, with the public overwhelmingly brushing aside appeals to forgo direct government aid.
The 455,000-rial (USD 14, 10-euro) monthly handout scheme, initiated in December 2010 by Rouhani’s predecessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, is part of broader economic reforms aimed at overhauling the country’s massive subsidy system.
The reform — which phases out parts of remaining subsidies on energy, utility bills and basic food costs — is forecast in this year’s budget to save the cash-starved government USD 18 billion.
Encouraged by economists as a way of regulating Iran’s economy, which is stretched thin with debilitating sanctions and mismanagement, the plan’s second phase is expected to begin this week.
But the Rouhani administration for weeks ran an aggressive media campaign seeking to persuade the most affluent of Iran’s 77-million population, and some of the middle class, to waive the cash payments.
Enlisting celebrities, sportsmen, politicians and even religious figures, it argued that the money should instead be spent on infrastructure, manufacturing, public transport and health care.
But on Wednesday it was announced that 73 million people – 95 percent — had asked to receive the money, amounting to a near USD 1-billion monthly bill.
The low rate of dropouts was mocked in conservative circles, and even moderates and reformists expressed criticism.
Self-declared moderate Rouhani was elected last summer, beating conservative rivals after vowing to fix the economy, seek improved relations with the West and promote greater freedoms.
Much of his election campaign was waged across reformist platforms as well as social media — which thrive despite state efforts to curtail Internet access — where he retains strong support from the upper and middle classes.
Source: The Indian Express
(3) Indian-born Google+ chief Vivek Gundotra quits
Vivek Gundotra, chief of Google’s social networking venture Google+, is leaving the Internet company after nearly eight years.
Mr. Gundotra, who was serving as the Senior Vice President (Social) at Google, announced his departure in a post on Google+, a social network that was created about three years ago.
“Today I’m announcing my departure from Google after almost 8 years. I have been incredibly fortunate to work with the amazing people of Google,” he said.
He, however, did not offer any reasons for his departure nor did he reveal what he plans to do next.
“I am excited about what’s next. But this isn’t the day to talk about that. This is a day to celebrate the past eight years. To cry. And smile. And to look forward to the journey yet to come,” he added.
Google CEO Larry Page also praised Mr. Gundotra in his own Plus post. “Vic — thank you for a tremendous almost eight years at Google. You cut your teeth on our mobile apps and developer relations, turning our disparate efforts into something great ... You built Google+ from nothing. There are few people with the courage and ability to start something like that and I am very grateful for all your hard work and passion,” Mr. Page said.
Google describes Google+ as a “social layer” for enhancing many of its online properties and is not simply a social networking website.
Although it boasts of over 500 million users, Google is still struggling to catch up with Facebook, its biggest rival, which has close to 1.3 billion users.
Before the Plus project, Mr. Gundotra has helped Google build some of the early apps for its Android operating system and has also led the drive to persuade outside programmers to create services suited for Android.
An Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Madras graduate, Mr. Gundotra has also worked with Microsoft for 15 years. His duties there included promoting Microsoft’s APIs and platforms to independent developers and helping to develop a strategy for Windows Live online services.
Source: The Hindu
(4) Tough decisions needed to take bilateral trade to $500 billion: US
The US on Friday said its bilateral trade with India can grow five-fold to $500 billion provided both the governments take "tough" and "vital" decisions in that direction.
Addressing an event here, Nancy Powell, who resigned from the post of US Ambassador to India earlier this month, said: "This will require both governments to make some tough, but vital, decisions...Yes, achieving $500 billion in bilateral goods and services trade will be challenging, but that should not hold us back from setting an ambitious goal".
Currently the bilateral stood at about $100 billion. The US-India Business Council (USIBC) had said bilateral trade between the countries could touch $500-billion mark over the next one decade.
Suggesting if the borders of both nations are open to the free flow of capital, goods, services, technology, ideas, and innovation, Powell said there is no reason why trade will not flourish.
"On Friday, I challenge all of us, our governments, and leaders across politics, business, academia, and society to work together to realise the full potential of the US-India trading relationship.
"One possibility might be the convening of a Track 1.5 event during the first 100 days of the new Indian government to begin a conversation on how we can best accomplish this task," she said adding robust engagement is a cornerstone of a healthy bilateral relationship.
She also said: "While we are strongly opposed to forced local content requirements, we are sympathetic to the desire to develop a stronger manufacturing sector, and are ready to discuss how India might develop that capacity in a way that does not constrain trade".
"By the same token, we ask that India engage with the United States, at senior and working levels, to have those difficult discussions on issues such as intellectual property rights and taxation," she added.
In February, the US has dragged India to WTO on the country's solar mission plan that allows only local equipment.
She said that to take the trade to $500 billion, both the sides can focus on sectors including civil aviation; defence; infrastructure; energy; healthcare; IT services and agriculture.
About defence sector, Powell said the segment continues to be an area of increased cooperation and great potential.
"We want to help India in its efforts to modernise its military by co-producing and co-manufacturing the next generation of defence technology.
"When we make the same equipment, we operate the same equipment, and we also build connections that reinforce our overall defence relationship. Here is where prosperity blends into security as our defence collaboration contributes to our common interest to promote regional and global stability," she added.
Powell said that taking the bilateral trade to $500 billion would have significant impact on economies and citizens of both the countries.
"To achieve this goal, however, we need to do much, much more to unlock the full economic potential of our bilateral relationship. Both countries need to implement policies that stimulate investment and trade.
"Some people point to the press headlines in both our countries describing challenges and frictions in our current trade relationship and are incredulous to hear us talk about the US and India reaching $500 billion in bilateral goods and services trade. Certainly achieving this goal will be no easy feat and could take many years to accomplish," she said.
She said that while the goal will have to be attained through the actions of private companies and individuals, there is much that governments can do to facilitate its accomplishment.
For example, it is important to first nurture an environment that attracts growth, she said adding all investors evaluate transparency, predictability, infrastructure, and the labour force when making business decisions.
"As I prepare to retire from the Foreign Service, I am truly awed at the progress India has made over the past 20 years as well as by the depth and strength of the overall US-India relationship.
"I look forward to the day, not too far in the future, when a successor of mine will be able to announce that the US-India bilateral trade in goods and services topped $500 billion," she added.
In civil aviation, she said current government-to-government activity reflects US commitments to support aviation safety, security, training, and best practices.
She "India already manufactures significant volumes of aircraft components, and the joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems and United Technologies to manufacture aerospace components showcases the possibilities of Indo-US business ties. And with India expected to become the third largest aviation market in the world by 2020, there is ample room to grow," she said.
About infrastructure sector, Powell said this area is critical to India's future and it requires more than $1 trillion of investments in roads, rail, ports and information and communications technology infrastructure.
"The World Bank plans to loan $1 billion to India's rail sector. The US has valuable experience and technology in rail freight, with the largest railway network in the world. Let's work together to enhance India's railways".
Source: The Economic Times
(5) Wheat procurement may slip below last year’s 25 mn ton level: Food Secretary
The government’s wheat procurement target for the ongoing 2014-15 marketing year is likely to be missed and slip below the last year’s level of 25 million tonnes, Food Secretary Sudhir Kumar said on Tuesday.
State-run Food Corporation of India (FCI) undertakes grain procurement on behalf of the government to ensure that farmers get the minimum support price (MSP).
According to Food Ministry data, FCI and State government-owned agencies have procured 7.5 million tonnes of wheat so far this year, significantly lower than 11.96 million tonnes purchased in the year-ago period.
The wheat marketing year runs from April to March but FCI’s procurement operation gets completed in three months.
“Last year, FCI had procured 25 million tonnes of wheat. As per my own assessment, this year’s overall wheat procurement would be lower than last year,” Mr. Kumar said while addressing a seminar on flour milling industry issues.
However, wheat procurement would be sufficient to meet the demand under the Public Distribution System (PDS) and other government welfare schemes like Midday Meal, he added.
The overall wheat purchase is expected to be much lower than the target of 31 million tonnes set for the current year.
According to Food Ministry officials, the pace of wheat procurement in Punjab is very slow due to delayed harvesting in the state, following recent unseasonal rains.
FCI has been able to procure 9,40,581 tonnes in Punjab as on today in the current marketing year, as against 4.3 million tonnes in the same period last year, says official data.
Wheat growers at several areas in Punjab have even complained of non-procurement of crop by procurement agencies, citing higher moisture content.
In Haryana, wheat procurement is down marginally at 3.2 million tonnes as against 3.7 million tonnes, while procurement in Madhya Pradesh is also lower at 3.17 million tonnes as against 3.6 million tonnes in the review period.
Procurement in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh and other growing states is trailing behind last year’s level.
Wheat production in India, the world’s second biggest grower, is pegged at 95.6 million tonnes for this year as against 93.51 million tonnes in the year-ago period.
Highlighting the importance of fortified wheat flour (enriched flour) to address malnutrition in the country, Food Secretary Sudhir Kumar said the flour milling industry should take proactive steps to promote the product in the country.
“About 30 per cent of world flour is fortified. It is very less in our country. There is nutrition deficiency not only in poor section but also among affluent class. There is a need to create awareness about this product.
“Fortification does not cost much. Instead of depending on government to support such products, the industry should come forward and take proactive steps to create a market for fortified products,” Mr. Kumar said.
On flour milling industry’s suggestion for setting up a National Development Council to promote and address the concerns regarding wheat and its products in the country, Mr. Kumar said, “A separate council is required and this could be set up under the Food Processing Ministry. I will discuss this proposal with the concerned Secretary.”
Speaking at the seminar, Food Processing Ministry Additional Secretary, Jagdish Prasad Meena, said processing of products from wheat is very less in the country, though the grain is available in abundance.
Many multinational companies are launching new products in India to meet the changing food preference of consumers.
Local players can also tap this market by integrating their milling industry with downstream processing units, he said.
The seminar was organised by the National Productivity Council to address productivity issues and future needs of flour milling industry in India.
Source: Hindustan Times
Disclaimer: All news stories and content sourced from freely available material on the internet. All sources are acknowledged.
