Gas pricing: Kejriwal dares Modi, Rahul
Transcription
Gas pricing: Kejriwal dares Modi, Rahul
3 ‘Talks on fishermen issue will continue’ 6 Kiwis pick Williamson for World T20 7 Sheila Dikshit accuses Kejriwal of witch hunt Chennai’s No 1 English evening daily since 1982 8 Dancer’s travails D www.newstodaynet.com NATIONAL DAILY FOUNDER EDITOR: T.R.R VOL. XXXII NO. 83 H CHENNAI H SUNDAY 16.2.2014 (EVENING) H OTHER STATIONS MONDAY 17.2.2014 (MORNING) H 8 PAGES Rs. 4.00 H Regd. No., TN/CC(S) Dn. / 223 / 12-14, RNI No: 33810 / 82 ‘Threat to Mumbai’s coastal security’ Mumbai, Feb 16 (PTI) : A random security check on fishing vessels by Coast Guards has found that several fishing vessels were operating under a single name and licence, a fishermen’s organisation has said raising concerns over Mumbai’s coastal security. The random security check by Coast Guards had revealed that several fishing vessels were operating under a single name and licence, said the Akhil Maharashtra Machhimar Kriti Samiti. The finding proves that Mumbai’s coastal security can be easily breached by terrorists, Samiti president Damodar Tandel said here. The fishermen’s body also claimed that Indian security establishment has yet to learn any lesson from the 26/11 episode, where terrorists had taken a sea-route to reach the shores of Mumbai to launch the attacks. At a meeting at the Coast Guard office here last month, the Coast Guard confirmed conducting random check of coastal security and finding that four to five fishing vessels were operating under a single name, with same license number and even with same colour of the boat, Tandel said. Representatives of fishing societies and officers of the Navy, Customs, Mumbai police and ONGC attended the meet, he said. ‘This means, of the 159 licensed purse-seines net fishing vessels, there are 700-800 vessels operating illegally by using the same name, number and colour of the boat,’ Tandel said. ‘Mumbai’s coastal security can easily be breached as terror outfits can gain easy access to any of these 700-800 illegal boats which are off the radar and nowhere reflected in government and police records,’ Tandel said. He said the purse-seine net fishing vessels were banned by the Centre. ‘Union Ministry of Agriculture had instructed State governments not to allow this type of fishing activity which poses danger to marine ecology,’ Tandel said. India to support Afghan forces Kandahar, Feb 16: With Afghanistan set for Presidential elections ahead of the US troop drawdown, India extended its full support for a reconciliation process involving people of the war-torn country. India will continue to assist the Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF), which will play an important role in ‘this year of political and security transition’, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid said here. He was speaking after jointly inaugurating with President Hamid Karzai Afghanistan’s first national agriculture university here that was built with Indian aid. India has pledged to invest up to USD 8 million in the Afghan National Agricultural Sciences and Technology University (ANASTU), portions of which are ready while others are being built. Amid a standoff between the US and the embattled Afghan President, Khurshid praised Karzai’s ‘extraordinary and brave’ leadership in nurturing democracy and peace. Back on track ropped catches by the Indians enabled New Zealand to stage a remarkable recovery, built on skipper Brendon McCullum’s unbeaten century, on the third day of the second Test although the visitors still hold the upperhand. Facing a massive first innings deficit of 248, the home side was tottering at 94 for five but McCullum (not out 114) was dropped by Virat Kohli on 9 and by Ishant Sharma off his own bowling when he was 36. McCullum and B J Watling (52 not out) could not be separated thereafter and had put on an unbeaten 158-run sixth-wicket partnership to give their side a slender lead of six runs with five wickets standing. McCullum pulled the team out of early trouble and made full use of two reprieves to battle his way to 114 off 237 balls and together with Watling, who scored an equally important 52 off 208 balls, led a brilliant fightback to keep New Zealand afloat. McCullum and Watling guided New Zealand to 252 for five in 99 overs at stumps on the third day at Wellington. Meanwhile, Finance Minister P Chidambaram may dole out some sops while doing a tightrope walk to keep the fiscal deficit under check when he presents the interim budget for 2014-15 in Parliament tomorrow ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Along with the budget, he will present a vote-on-account to seek Parliament’s sanction for spending till July. Gas pricing: Kejriwal dares Modi, Rahul q ‘AAP will make it big in Lok Sabha polls’ New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI): Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal today took a swipe at both the BJP and Congress, questioning their stand on gas pricing issue and their relationship with industrialists Mukesh Ambani and Adani. In a series of messages on microblogging website Twitter, Kejriwal hit out at BJP’s prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi and Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi this morning. Modi should break his silence on gas pricing. Also, what is his relation and his party’s relation with Mukesh Ambani and Adani?, he asked in one of the tweets. Kejriwal said Modi should speak on the issue in his rally today. Modi ji should speak on Mukesh Ambani and gas pricing in today’s rally, he added in another tweet. The AAP leader also questioned Gandhi’s support to higher gas price allegedly favouring the Ambani’s. Arvind Kejriwal Why Rahul supporting higher gas price for Mukesh Ambani? Is Congress Ambani’s dukaan(shop), as claimed by him? Rahul should explain in today’s rally’ he tweeted. The party has been attacking the two leaders over this issue ever since an FIR was registered by AAP led Delhi government against Mukesh Ambani and Union Petroleum Minister Veerappa Moily. His party has been making the gas pricing as an issue ahead of 2014 General elections. GET, SET, GO A fishermen weaves his net and gets ready for his daily routine - that is to go deep in the sea for fishing. A scene at Marina. Photo: E K SANJAY The AAP chief asked Rahul Gandhi him to explain his decision to support Mukesh Ambani over the issue of pricing of gas ‘Would 2014 elections be fought between AAP and Mukesh Ambani, with Rahul and Modi being agents of Mukesh Ambani?,’ he tweeted. Meanwhile, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) senior leader Prashant Bhushan is positive that the resignation of Kejriwal will work in the party’s favour and even increase the chances of him contesting Lok Sabha elections. Defending his party, which is often accused of shirking away from the responsibility of governance, Bhushan says good governance is not possible without ridding the system of corruption and staying in power was pointless without being able to realize AAP’s key promise - the Jan Lokpal Bill. ‘Aam Aadmi Party will contest general elections under Kejriwal’s leadership across the country,’ senior AAP leader Yogendra Yadav told reporters. Meanwhile, dubbing the Kejriwal government in Delhi as the worst ever, BJP leader Arun Jaitley said its decision to step down over the issue Jan Lokpal was like a nightmare finally getting over. The nightmare is finally over. The worst ever state government that Delhi has ever witnessed has resigned...Thank God, the nightmare is over,’ Jaitley wrote on his website. Claiming that clever politics and no governance appeared to be the motto of the AAP government in Delhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha said the past few days witnessed an unconventional government. BSF to upgrade firing systems New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI): The Border Security Force, the first responder against any attack along the Pakistan border, has decided to upgrade its war stores including artillery guns and firing systems for which it has sought a whopping Rs 100 crore budget sanction. The border guarding force, which has over 20 artillery regiments, exclusive with any paramilitary in the country, has decided to modernise its weapons and armoury on the lines of the Army which has integrated its firing systems with the help of computer-based synchronised technology. As part of the modernisation drive in the force, we have decided to upgrade the artillery unit of the force.The proposal has been prepared and will be sent to the Home Ministry soon. This will require a separate budgetary allocation of Rs 100 crore,’ BSF Director General (DG) Subhash Joshi told PTI. The DG said the medium-range guns and other mortar shelling weapons possessed by the force need to be put on a digital and electronic platform, on the lines of the Army, so that in any exigency or emergency the force could respond effectively. This decision, officials said, has been taken after many decades and was prompted by the new doctrine of modern warfare and challenges of securing sensitive borders. The force, which forms the first line of defence along India’s sensitive border with Pakistan is tasked with guarding the International border under the operational command of the Army. The battalions of the paramilitary are spread across order posts in the states of Gujarat, Punjab, Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir. McCullum & Watling keep India at bay S S Wellington, Feb 16 (PTI): platform for New Zealand to wipe out the Shami (1 for 72) did much of the tight line and length throughout the day. R PO T work while Ravindra Jadeja (1 for India continued to enjoy the upperhand huge deficit after India made 438 in their first Shortly into the final session, in the 49) bowled a whopping 26 overs, in the second and final cricket Test against innings in reply to the hosts’ 192. 68th over, McCullum reached his the most of all the four Indian New Zealand despite a fighting unbeaten But the start of the day was far from half-century off 146 balls, with five bowlers. century from home team captain Brendon rosy for the Black Caps as veteran pacer fours. It was a grinding innings but McCullum, who led a spirited fightback on Zaheer Khan infl icted early damage by If the first session belonged to India, in the process he became only the P LUS an absorbing third day, here today. removing two wickets in the opening sesthe next two sessions, especially the fourth New Zealand batsman to reach post-tea period, was all New Zealand’s the 5000-run mark Test cricket. McCullum pulled the team out of early sion to reduce New Zealand to 87 for four as McCullum and Watling batted with utmost trouble and made full use of two reprieves at lunch. India had couple of good shouts against caution to frustrate the Indians. to battle his way to 114 not out off 237 balls The post-lunch session too started on a the two batsmen now and then, but they and together with BJ Watling, who scored an precarious note for New Zealand as they McCullum decorated his ninth Test hundred were nothing close to the two chances they equally important 52 off 208 balls, led a bril- lost Corey Anderson (2) cheaply before with the help of 14 fours and one six, while offered McCullum earlier in the day. liant fightback to keep New Zealand afloat. McCullum and Watling joined hands to bail Watling struck just four boundaries en route India needed to break the sixth-wicket to his seventh Test fifty. McCullum, who was dropped twice early on them out and ensured that India will have partnership and expectedly did not waste in his knock, and Watling stitched unbroken to come out to bat again in their second Starting at 146 for five after tea, New Zea- any time to take the second new ball in the 158 runs for the sixth wicket to guide New innings. land were staring down the barrel and were 80th over of the innings. Zealand to 252 for five in 99 overs at stumps But with two full days play remaining and on recovery path after McCullum and Watling But McCullum and Watling continued their Brendon McCullum on the third day after they lost their five New Zealand leading India by just six runs scored at a snails’ pace in the post-lunch ses- resistance and raised their 100-run stand Zaheer (3 for 60) was the pick of the bowlwickets for just 94 runs. with five wickets in hand, the visitors will sion, managing only 59 runs off 29.5 overs. off 254 balls. The pitch on offer today at the Basin still fancy their chances to level the series ers for India, charging his way throughout the The duo carried on in the same fashion, pickIndia captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni exReserve was a far cry from the juicy green after the hosts won the first Test by 40 day, albeit losing steam in the final session. ing and choosing the deliveries to score off, pected the new ball to do the trick but the Published on behalf News Today Media (P) Ltd., from 85, Mount Road (GST Road), Guindy, 032 and printed bythe him at Frontline Printers Private Ltd., M-7,didn’t Thiru-Vi-Ka Ishant Sharma (0 forChennai 63) and 600 Mohammad runs at Auckland. surfacebyofK. theBalakumar first day and was a of perfect even as Indian bowlers were maintaining move work. Industrial Estate, Guindy, Chennai 600 032. Ph: 4202 1111. Editor: K. Balakumar. 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Love you like a mother, Protect & pamper like a father, Tease you like your bestie :-)” Man guilty of lesser counts in music shooting A 47-year-old software developer was convicted of attempted murder for shooting into a carful of teenagers after an argument over what he called their thug music, but jurors couldn’t agree on the most serious charge of first-degree murder. After more than 30 hours of jury deliberations over four days, a mistrial was declared on the murder charge that Michael Dunn faced in the fatal shooting of one of the black teens. The 12 jurors found Dunn, who is white, guilty of three counts of attempted second-degree murder and a count of firing into an occupied car. The trial was the latest Florida case to raise questions about self-defense and race, coming six months after George Zimmerman was acquitted in the shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, about 201 kilometres south of Jacksonville. The Dunn trial was prosecuted by the same State Attorney’s Office that handled the Zimmerman case. Dunn was charged with fatally shooting 17-yearold Jordan Davis of Georgia in 2012 after the argument over loud music coming from the parked SUV occupied by Davis and three friends outside a Jacksonville convenience store. Dunn had described the music to his fiancee as thug music. Dunn showed no emotion as the verdicts were read. A sentencing date will be set at a hearing next month. Each attempted second-degree murder charge carries a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, while the fourth charge carries a maximum of 15. Davis’ parents each left the courtroom in tears, and afterward his mother, Lucia McBath, expressed gratitude for the verdict. Today would have been the teen’s 19th birthday. We are so grateful for the charges that have been brought against him, said McBath of Dunn. We are so grateful for the truth. We are so grateful that the jurors were able to understand the common sense of it all. On Dunn’s potentially lengthy sentence, Davis’ father, Ron Davis, said: “He’s going to learn that he must be remorseful for the killing of my son, that it was not just another day at the office. BEECH MEIN Stray cattle and herd of goat having a gala time at the shores of Palavakkam and Neelangarai beach in Chennai. Photos: A R JAYAKUMAR Common infections may cause memory decline SHOMA ANAND S BEECH E homa Anand is an to present she has played xposure to common infections is linked to memory and brain The study conducted brain function tests and took blood samples Indian television and minor and supporting roles function - even if the infections never made you ill, a new research from 588 people who participated in the Northern Manhattan Study. film actress. Although in films like Jaise Karani has warned. Researchers found an index of antibody levels Half of the participants then took cognitive tests again in five she has played frequently Waisi Bharani, Coolie, caused by exposure to Chlamydia pneumoniae, Helicobacter years. Researchers believe exposure to these infections may supporting roles or made Hungama, Kyaa Kool Hai pylori, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex viruses 1 and be associated with an increase in stroke risk, as well as an c a m e o a p p e a r a n c e s Hum and Kal Ho Naa Ho. 2 was associated with worse cognitive performance, increase in atherosclerosis and inflammation, said Wright. throughout the 1980s She also was a star on the including memory, speed of mental processing, abstract The study doesn’t explain why the infections are related and 1990s, she started Indian TV soap Bhabhi thinking, planning and reasoning ability. to worsening cognitive function. It could be caused by an her career opposite Rishi and the hugely successful We were very interested in what were the risk factors for immune system response to the infections or the infection Kapoor as lead actress s i t c o m H u m P a a n c h . cognitive performance and decline, said Clinton Wright, the itself could result in clinical damage that we’re not aware in Pramod Chakraborty’s She also played a role in study’s lead researcher and scientific director of the Evelyn of, Wright said. There is no evidence yet that treating these superhit romantic-crime Shararat. She has also F McKnight Brain Institute at the University of Miami. infections is beneficial, Wright said, because the initial movie Barood, then played worked in Punjabi movies Earlier studies have already linked certain infections to exposure to the viruses may have happened decades a g o o d r o l e i n P a t i t a over the years. an increased risk of stroke and Alzheimer’s disease. earlier and the damage may be the result of a gradual produced and directed by She is married to actor Researchers investigated if evidence of past exposure process. the same person. She had Tariq Shah and they have a to these infections contributed to performance on It would be great if treatment prevented these bad a few other films in which daughter, Sarah. She stars tests of memory, thinking speed and other brain outcomes, but we’re very far away from having that she was the lead, such in a TV drama Maayka as functions. type of evidence, he said. as Jagir and Coolie in the Jeet’s mother and Soni’s Published 80s. by K.From Balakumar on behalf of News Today Media (P) Ltd., from 85, Mount Road (GST Road), Guindy, Chennai 600 032 and printed by him at Frontline Printers Private Ltd., M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka Industrial Estate, Guindy, the late 1990s mother-in-law. Chennai 600 032. Ph: 4202 1111. Editor: K. Balakumar. Phone: Editorial/Admn /Advt: 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800 (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 0101 (Advt/Admn). e-mail: [email protected], Circulation: 4202 1111. Fax: 4212 0000. Region CHENNAI SUNDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2014 3 LS polls: All eyes on parties, alliances Final decision on tie-ups soon, says TN BJP chief Anna University professor Subramania Natesan at the inaugural of the one-day hands-on training programme on pharmaceutical and cosmetics formulations organised by VIT University’s Pharmaceutical Chemistry Division in Vellore yesterday. VIT vice-president Sankar Viswanathan is among those present. Poojas performed for Jaya’s well-being Nagapattinam, Feb 16 (PTI): Special homams and poojas were performed on Saturday at the Lord Amirthakadeswara temple at Thirikkadaiyur in the district as part of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s 66th birthday celebrations. The poojas were performed to mark Jayalalithaa’s birth star (Magam) yesterday. Jayalalithaa’s birth date is on 24 February as per the English calendar. The Saivaite temple is noted for performing special poojas and homams on the 60th and 80th birthdays. It is the staunch belief of devotees that performing ‘Aayush Homam’ (ritual for longevity) at this temple would bestow a disease-free, long life. Mayiladuthurai AIADMK MP O S Manian presided over the conduct of poojas. Priests performed 21 different homams such as ‘Gho Pooja’ and ‘Gaja Pooja’ seeking blessings for the Chief Minister’s well-being. Poor feeding on a mass scale and distribution of free saris and dhotis marked the Chief Minister’s birth star celebrations. NT Bureau Chennai, Feb 16: Political parties in Tamilnadu are slipping into poll mode and are going all out to firm up alliances before turning the attention to wooing voters. While the ruling AIADMK has already finalised tie-ups with CPI and CPI(M), the other major parties haven’t taken a decision in that regard. The DMK, which is holding its 10th State conference in Tiruchi presently is expected to make an announcement while the BJP, which roped in the MDMK as a partner, is looking to give shape to a coalition to fight the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. The BJP will soon take a final decision about the alliance in Tamilnadu, the party’s State unit president Pon Radhakrishnan said in Erode on Saturday. ‘Talks are already on with Pattali Makkal Katchi while talks have been concluded with MDMK,’ he told reporters. Referring to the DMDK led by actor- ‘Talks on fishermen issue will continue’ NT Bureau Chennai, Feb 16: Union Shipping Minister G K Vasan has said the talks between Indian and Sri Lankan fishermen would continue to find a solution to the existing problem. ‘...The talks will continue. The Centre will put a fullstop to the fishermen issue through talks,’ he told reporters on the sidelines of a function to unveil the statue of M Singaravelar at the Chennai Port Trust complex yesterday. To a query on his party’s alliance for upcoming Lok Sabha polls in the state, the senior Congress leader said, ‘there were direct and indirect talks with many parties in Tamilnadu, but decision of All India Congress Committee (AICC) on alliance will be final.’ On Arvind Kejriwal’s resignation as Delhi Chief Minister, he said the Union Minister G K Vasan at a function to unveil the statue of freedom fighter M Singaravelar at the Chennai Port Trust complex on Saturday. CPT Chairman Atulya Misra is also present. AAP leader and his Cabinet Ministers have ‘missed a good chance’ to run the government which his party has given them. ‘We gave a chance to AAP in Delhi. But the Chief Minister and Ministers EC mulls steps to check money power Chennai, Feb 16 (PTI): The Election Commission (EC) will implement a series of measures, including forming village vigilance committees, to check misuse of money during polls in Tamilnadu, which has been identified as one of the ‘sensitive’ States on the issue. ‘Based on past experience Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Puduchery, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Haryana have been identified as sensitive, where expenditure will be more,’ Director General (Election Expenditure) P K Dash told a media workshop here. In Tamilnadu especially, he said, plans were afoot to assess the impact of the village vigilance committee concept, which would be a voluntary exercises before expanding it to other States. Elaborating about other measures Dash said, ‘we are thinking of sending the Central paramilitary force in advance to these States besides employing more observers and deployment of flying squads. However, timely information is very important.’ EC will also accept video and photos sent by citizens regarding misuse of money power besides treating media reports in this regard as formal complaint, he said. Dash said that while use of muscle power had been controlled by steps taken by the EC, ‘use of money power was the issue with money in all colour - black, white, tainted and grey - getting into the fray.’ He further said that the demands for increasing the ceiling of candidate’s expenditure was also under EC’s consideration. ‘At present, the ceiling was Rs 40 lakh for Parliamentary polls and Rs 16 lakh for assembly elections,’ he said. ‘Public awareness was also required against accepting money for vote as both offering and accepting bribe was an offence,’ he said, adding the EC would embark on an awareness campaign against money power in elections. FOR ALL SEASONS of AAP have proved that they were not fi t for running a government. People have lost faith in them and will not support them again. They have missed a good chance,’ Vasan said. While the ruling AIADMK has already finalised partnership with CPI and CPI(M), the other major parties haven’t taken a decision in that regard politician Vijayakanth, he said BJP has already held talks with DMDK functionaries about alliance issue. ‘But still no final decision has been taken and the ball is now in the DMDK’s court,’ he said. BJP will emerge victorious in the coming Lok Sabha election and form a stable government with good majority, he claimed. Focus on Tiruchi meet The DMK’s State that began in Tiruchi yesterday with party chief M Karunanidhi hoisting the party flag, is likely to see an announcement with Woman injured in acid attack Chennai, Feb 16 (PTI): A 32-year-old woman suffered a serious injury to her right eye after her mother-in-law, who is now absconding, allegedly threw acid abetted by her daughter who has been arrested, police said yesterday. The woman, S Selvi was injured after her mother-in-law Ulagathammal (60) allegedly threw acid at her following a domestic property squabble. Although the incident happened at suburban Madhavaram on 10 February, the victim lodged a complaint only four days later, sources said. On the delay, the victim told police that she tried to ‘avoid police’ as she feared for the lives of her two children. The victim was treated at the Regional Institute of Ophthmalogy and Government Ophthalmic Hospital at Egmore here for her eye injury. Meena (28), the victim’s sister-inlaw has been arrested and police are on the look out for Ulagathammal. regard to poll alliances. It is said that the 90-year-old Karunanidhi is likely to put his supporters in poll-battle mode for the Parliamentary elections during the meet. The conference comes days after a power tussle in Karunanidhi’s family between his son elder son M K Alagiri and M K Stalin, which subsequently led to the suspension of the former, who is the party’s strongman in Madurai district. Some speakers took a dig at media reports which stated that the DMK had been isolated for the Lok Sabha polls and said the party was ready to face the elections alone, and was confident that the people would support it at the hustings. Cong in talks In Chennai, Union Minister and senior Congress leader G K Vasan speaking about his party’s alliance for the general elections said, ‘there were direct and indirect talks with many parties in Tamilnadu, but decision of All India Congress Committee (AICC) on alliance will be final.’ Meanwhile, the DMDK led by actor Vijayakanth has kept people guessing about which way it would go. The party chief met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh in the capital a few days ago and all eyes are on the DMDK’s stand. The coming days would see some clarity on how the alliances stack up and what the DMK, BJP and Congress do would be watched with interest. ‘Democracy in political parties, a far cry’ NT Bureau Chennai, Feb 16: While the nation takes pride in being the largest democracy, very little seems to be happening here in a democratic manner, Chancellor of VIT University G Viswanathan has said. He was speaking at a conference-cum-panel discussion on electoral integrity at Queen Mary’s College here yesterday. The programme was organised by Forum for Electoral Integrity (FEI) in collaboration with NSS unit of Queen Mary’s College, Foundation for Advanced Management of Elections (FAME), Youth Exnora and Election Commission of India (ECI). He said that the concept of democracy seems to be deficient even in most of the political parties that form the process of democracy, in our nation. Concept of democracy is followed only in a few parties and it appears to be functioning on falsehood in others, he added. It is based on the same falsehood and lies that laws and legislations are being passed, he pointed out. Stressing the need for a change in such a situation, he added the nation was in need of mature political parties. It is upto us all to come forward and take part in the democratic process and ensure good candidates make it to power. Former Chief Election Commissioner T S Krishnamurthy said if nation’s affairs had to be managed effectively, the right candidates had to be elected. However, that is not happening currently. Most political parties don’t appear to be interested in changing this, he added. Former Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalasami and former Vice- Chancellor of Manonmanian Sundaranar University Vasanthi Devi were among those who spoke. ‘Neurological diseases, very difficult to treat’ NT Bureau Chennai, Feb 16: Neurological diseases and disorders are very difficult to treat or incurable like Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease, said Angela Vincent, Emeritus Professor of Neuroimmunology in Oxford and an Honorary Consultant in Immunology. Delivering the 34th T S Srinivasan Oration here yesterday on the topic: ‘Antibodies behaving badly, What lies beneath the appearing and disappearing neurological syndrome,’ she said, ‘When most people think of neurological diseases, it is diseases that persist and are very difficult to treat or incurable like Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. When it comes to ailments like myasthenia gravis, a muscle disease, it can be treated successfully but often requires long-term treatment. However, there is now a family of auto-immune brain diseases that are reversible with treatment. The most recent discoveries are of antibodies in various forms of ‘Box bomb’ found near AIADMK man’s office Venu Srinivasan, Chairman, TVS Motor Company, presenting the T S Srinivasan Medal and Scroll to Prof. Angela Vincent at the 34th T S Srinivasan Endowment Oration in Chennai yesterday. Prof K Srinivas, Chairman Emeritus, TS Srinivasan Institute of Neurosciences, Dr E S Krishnamoorthy, founder-chairman, Neurokrish and Timothy A Pedley, president, American Academy of Neurology, are present. encephalitis, where the brain becomes inflammed due to antibodies that attack the brain or spinal cord cells. The causes for autoimmune diseases are not completely known yet. Sometimes it can be a tumour in the body or a brain damage resulting from an infection that stimulates the immune system to make the antibodies, but in most cases we don’t yet know, said Angela Vincent. ‘It is also possible that a small propor- tion of patients with common diseases such as epilepsy or patients with acute dementia or psychosis, have antibodies as the cause, and this is becoming an area of major research interest by several groups around the world. If antibodies can be identified in these patients, they might benefit with immune treatments as well as the usual drugs,’ she observed. ‘In India, probably 10 patients per million per year, including children and older adults, could be diagnosed with diseases caused by antibodies. Though this might not seem like an enormous number, it would represent around 10,000 patients for such a big country. They could be treated differently and have better prospects, particularly the younger cases.’ she added. Angela Vincent urged the medical fraternity not to be afraid to use the immune treatments saying that they should consult their colleagues who are myasthenia gravis or rheumatoid arthritis experts if they need advice. Tusker tramples man to death Madurai, Feb 16 (PTI): A ‘box bomb’ was found planted near the office of an AIADMK functionary here yesterday, police said. According to police, an auto-rickHosur, Feb 16 (PTI): ficials said. Even as the jumbos a 25-year-old man to death, ofshaw driver noticed the bomb near A tusker trampled a man to death were frolicking in the Chappadi ficials said. the office of the functionary at Onion yesterday at Pannapalli village lake in the village, a team of forest The victim had earlier jumped Market here and informed the police. about 15 km from here, while a herd officials arrived at the spot after i n t o t h e l a k e t o e s c a p e f r o m A team of bomb disposal experts, of three elephants were being driven being alerted by the villagers. the elephant. However, when along with police, rushed to spot and into the forest area. Curious onlookers thronged the he swam back to the lake bund, took bomb away for diffusing it, they The three male elephants had spot while the officials were en- he was trampled by the waiting said. On 11 February, a powerful strayed from the Sanamavu Re- gaged in driving the pachyderms jumbo. ‘pipe bomb’ was found near a com- serve Forest into Pannapalli near into the wild by bursting crackers. The victim’s family was given an pound wall of a private wholesale the Chennai-Bangalore Highway However, one ofPrivate the elephants initial solatium of Estate, Rs 25,000 by Watermelons startedon to behalf flood the market signalling of 85, Mount Road (GST Road), Guindy, Chennai Published by K.have Balakumar of News Today Mediathe (P)arrival Ltd., from 600 032 and printed by him at Frontline Printers Ltd., M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka Industrial Guindy, market at nearby Uthangudi. It was early on1200/2250 Saturday0101 morning, of- e-mail: came back charging and trampled Circulation: government officials, sources said. hot days. scene Nungambakkam. Chennai 600A032. Ph: at 4202 1111. Editor: K. Balakumar. Phone: Editorial/Admn /Advt: 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800 (Editorial)/2250 (Advt/Admn). [email protected], 4202 1111. Fax: 4212 0000. defused later. 4 SUNDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2014 UN aid chief urges action on Syria Blend DOWN THE WEEKLY LANE UN aid chief Valerie Amos urged the United Nations Security Council to act to increase humanitarian access in Syria as the United States, France and Britain tried to find common ground with Russia and China on a draft resolution on the situation. ‘We need action and implementation on the ground, so if a resolution is going to enable that it would be helpful. But a resolution that does not actually lead to a change on the ground ... takes us no further,’ Amos told reporters. The United States, France, Britain, Russia and China, the council’s five veto-wielding powers, began negotiations with Australia, Luxembourg and Jordan. The United Nations has said that some 9.3 million Syrians, or nearly half the country’s population, need help. Amos has repeatedly expressed frustration that violence and red tape have slowed humanitarian aid deliveries to a trickle. Great Lakes nearly covered with ice It’s been so bitterly cold for so long that the Great Lakes are almost completely covered with ice for the first time in 20 years. The last time they came this close was in 1994, when 94 percent of the lakes’ surface was frozen. As of Wednesday, ice cover extended across 87 percent. That’s according to the federal government’s Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory in Ann Arbor. Sections of the lakes harden almost every winter. But scientists say that over the past four decades, the average ice cover has receded 70 percent, probably in part because of climate change. Italian PM resigns Italian Prime Minister Enrico Letta submitted his resignation Friday after 10 months as the head of two bickering Left-right coalitions. Before tendering his resignation to President Giorgio Napolitano, Letta thanked those who had helped me amid constant sniping where every day seemed my last. Napolitano is expected to give the mandate for the formation of a new government to the leader of Letta’s Democratic Party, Mayor of Florence Matteo Renzi. Kejriwal vows to keep ‘battling’ After Arvind Kejriwal resigned as Delhi Chief Minister, some of his supporters gathered outside his residence to meet him. As he came out to greet them, the Aam Aadmi Party chief smiled and said, ‘I am not the Chief Minister anymore, but I will try and do what I can.’ Kejriwal has said the Jan Lokpal bill is the heart of his party’s agenda and is essential to cleanse the polity of deep-rooted graft. After much chaos at Delhi assembly, Kejriwal headed to his party’s office where he addressed supporters and announced his resignation. ‘They know that if this law is brought in, their leaders will end up in jail,’ he said. Earlier, in the Delhi Assembly, he had declared, ‘I will give up the Chief Minister’s office not once but 1000 times to fight against corruption.’ US ends Modi’s boycott Ending a nine-year boycott, US Ambassador Nancy Powell met Narendra Modi and said her country looks forward to working closely with the government India chooses after the Lok Sabha elections, an indication that it has no reservations of doing CHENNAI HEALTH OF WEALTH Tamilnadu Finance Minister O Panneerselvam presenting Budget 2014-15 in the Assembly on Thursday last, in the presence of Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. Photo: K Vijay Anand business with him if he becomes Prime Minister. USIndia partnership is important and strategic, and that the United States looks forward to working closely with the government that the Indian people choose in the upcoming elections, a statement quoting the envoy said after the nearly one-hour meeting. Official sources said Powell praised the good model of governance in Gujarat which she felt could be taken to other parts of the world. Chaos in LS, pepper spray used by MP Parliament erupted in chaos on Thursday over a bill to create Telangana, with angry MPs coming to blows, pulling out a microphone and pepper spraying the chamber. Waving banners and shouting slogans, lawmakers disrupted the lower house of Parliament as the Congressled government introduced the contentious bill to create the new state called Telangana from an area in the existing state of Andhra Pradesh. TN Budget: Its tax-free The Tamilnadu Budget for 2014-15, presented by Finance Minister O Panneerselvam, also laid considerable emphasis on development of agriculture, MSMEs and infrastructure sectors. The economic slowdown that marred the State’s Own Tax Revenues notwithstanding, the Tamilnadu Budget for 2014-15 has set aside a major share for the social sector. The Budget, presented by Finance Minister O.Panneerselvam, on Thursday also laid considerable emphasis on development of agriculture, MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) and infrastructure sectors. As much as 37 per cent of the allocation is towards the social sector, Finance Secretary K Shanmugham said in his post-budget press briefing. The budget was without fresh taxes and Panneerselvam squarely blamed the Centre for its failure to stimulate growth and economic stagnation. Fishermen row: CM writes to PM again Continuing to express her concerns over the attacks on fishermen, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa once again urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to safeguard Tamilnadu fishermen from Sri Lankan Navy. In a letter to Manmohan Singh, a copy of which was released to the media here, she said, ‘I am constrained to bring to your notice yet another incident in which 29 of our fishermen were apprehended by the Sri Lankan Navy in the early hours of 13 February. The Sri Lankan Navy is now acting with greater impunity and effectively thwarting Indian fishermen coming from the coastal districts of Tamilnadu from peacefully pursuing their livelihood in their traditional fishing waters in the Palk Bay.’ Stating that every fishing voyage of our fishermen is now laden with danger and the anxiety of possible attack, harassment, apprehension and custodial detention by the Sri Lankan authorities, the Chief Minister said: ‘It is extremely disheartening that hostile actions have been intensified by the Sri Lankan Navy after the recent fishermen level talks hosted in Chennai, which represented a positive step forward to resolve the livelihood issues through mutual agreement, between the fishermen of Tamilnadu and Sri Lanka with the support of their governments.’ Metro Rail flies over Chennai roads Balu Mahendra passes away Renowned filmmaker Balu Mahendra died at a private hospital following a cardiac arrest, sources close to his family said. Balu Mahendra, 75, who suffered heart attack, was rushed to the hospital where he breathed his last, sources said. He is survived by his wife and son. Born on May 20 1939, he started his career in the tinsel world as a cinematographer and later went onto direct some of the most memorable movies including the award winning Moondram Pirai and Veedu. A Metro Rail rake was driven for around 6 km from the Koyambedu depot to Ashok Nagar on the elevated main line as part of a trial run on Friday. Three trips were conducted as part of the tests. At noon, the train departed from the depot in Koyambedu, travelled at a speed of about 10 kmph and reached Ashok Nagar in about an hour. Jaya launches new projects Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa launched irrigation infrastructure-related projects in various parts of the State at an estimated cost of Rs 49.99 crore. According to an official release, Jayalalithaa launched various initiatives at Tiruvarur, Tiruchirappalli, Virudhunagar, Coimbatore and Erode districts among others. The projects she inaugurated include a weir across Kosasthalai river in Thiruvallur district and a lake created across Mathalapallam river. Royal Philips extends pact with Infosys Infosys BPO, the business process outsourcing subsidiary of Infosys, has announced that Royal Philips of the Netherlands has extended its existing seven-year outsourcing agreement with Infosys for an additional five years. Infosys BPO had originally entered into a seven-year contract with Royal Philips in July 2007 to provide finance and accounting (F&A) and transactional procurement services. It has now been extended till June 2019. DBS sets up $50 mn foundation DBS Bank announced that it has established a S$50 million foundation to strengthen its corporate social responsibility efforts in Singapore and across Asia. The initiative is being launched in conjunction with Singapore50 (SG50), to mark Singapore’s 50th year of independence next year. With the launch of DBS Foundation, the bank will scale up its support for communities in Asia, and make an even greater impact in addressing the region’s evolving social needs. IPL auction: Yuvraj, Karthik big winners Flamboyant allrounder Yuvraj Singh was the surprise recipient of a windfall at the IPL players’ auction, fetching a record bid of Rs 14 crore from the Royal Challengers Bangalore while Dinesh Karthik also clinched a mind-boggling Rs 12.5 crore purse from Delhi Daredevils on Wednesday. Both Yuvraj and Karthik, who are not even regular members of the Indian team, triggered stunning bidding wars among the franchises to set a new record in earnings in the cash-rich league. They surpassed the Rs 11.04 crore that was bid on Gautam Gambhir in 2011, the highest till now. Controversial batsman Kevin Pietersen, whose England career came to an abrupt end after a disastrous Ashes campaign earlier this month, fetched a huge Rs 9 crore purse, bought by Delhi Daredevils, the franchise he played for last season. Johnson at it again Australian fast bowler Mitchell Johnson claimed his career-best match figures as he bowled his team to a crushing 281-run win over South Africa on the fourth day of the first Test at Centurion on Saturday. Johnson followed up his seven for 68 in the first innings with five for 59 as South Africa were bundled out for 200. As he did in the first innings, Johnson took a wicket in his first over and dismissed both South African opening batsmen cheaply to leave the hosts struggling. AB de Villiers, who made 91 in the first innings, again provided the only significant resistance to the Johnson-inspired bowling attack, hitting 48 before driving Johnson to short cover where Australian captain Michael Clarke held a stinging catch. Johnson’s match figures of 12 for 127 bettered his previous match best of 11 for 159 against South Africa in Perth in 2008/09. Two-thirds of Americans New study may impact own smartphones: Study design of running shoes S cientists have found how foot As you compress the arch it activate and the more weight we muscles support the arch stretches the bottom of the arch bout two-thirds of Americans in accessing the mobile web. in emerging markets will shift applied, the more these muscles of the foot, a finding that could and that causes some tension own smartphones, a new Meanwhile reports say that the product mix to lower-end turned on, Lichtwark said. In a spark a change in the design of in the ligaments that store study has revealed. growth in global smartphone devices, said Anshul Gupta, second experiment researchers running shoes. The findings elastic energy, which can be In a Nielsen’s Digital revenue is expected to slow this analyst at Gartner. ‘This will electrically stimulated the foot of the study led by released when you push Consumer Report, it was found year as cheaper devices hit the lead to a decline in average muscles under different loads. The University of off. Anatomical research that smartphone popularity in market and weigh on average selling price and a slowdown in We found that as the muscles Queensland can also suggests that muscles the US is so high that it is more selling prices. revenue growth.’ were stimulated, they caused the impact the treatment in the feet may also be common than gaming consoles, With demand in mature markets Global smartphone sales for arch of the foot to rise, actively of foot conditions, important in supporting owned by about 46 such as North America and the first time outpaced sales supporting the arch, Lichtwark the design of efficient the arch of the foot as percent and digital Europe easing, of normal handsets last year, said. The muscles were basically prosthetic and robot well and we were really cable by 54 percent top smartphone accounting for 53.6 per cent of acting as a parallel support to the limbs and improve interested in whether or of people. makers Samsung overall sales in 2013 and 57.6 ligaments effectively stiffening the understanding of not these muscles have According to Electronics and per cent in the fourth quarter. foot, Lichtwark said. how humans came to any capacity to assist Mashable, the report, Apple Inc are Samsung’s market share The researchers believe the walk and run efficiently on this function of the boot, highlighting tech introducing cheaper dropped to 29.5 per cent from findings may have implications two feet. h e said. adoption in the nation, revealed models to new markets, such as 31.1 per cent a year earlier, for the design of running Dr Glen Lichtwark at UQ’s School Researchers conducted two that the average Apple saw its market shoes. Running shoes should of Human Movement Studies said experiments to investigate the role person owns about share drop to 17.8 per be designed to complement the importance of muscles in moving of muscles in the foot. The first four mobile devices cent from 20.9 per cent the function of the muscles a person’s legs was experiment r e q u i r e d and spends 60 hours and Huawei’s share rather than work against them, already well-known, but seated participants a week consuming grew to 5.7 per cent in Lichtwark said. muscles in the foot to have a weight content on them. the fourth quarter from Because we think these muscles had been deemed applied to It was found that 4.2 per cent, according respond to how much load you put less important. their knee half of smartphone to Gartner. on them, if you put in some kind Ligaments while the users access social Industry analysts of cushioning effect on one side in the researchers networks each day expect that this trend of the foot for instance, then that foot have s t u d i e d and 84 percent use will be more of a might slow the response of these generally activation of foot a mobile device problem for Samsung muscles in being able to adjust b e e n muscles, using while watching TV, while Apple’s iPhone 5C. than for Apple, which has not to different surfaces or uneven regarded as needle electrodes. smartphone owners spent 86 Sales of high-end smartphones really played on the mass market terrain, he said. The findings the main support for the foot arch, We found that after percent of their time using will slow as increasing sales of andMount is not Road expected to Road), do so. Guindy, Chennai Published by K. Balakumar behalf oflowNews Media (P) Ltd., from 85, (GST 600 032 by him Ltd.,was M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka Industrial Estate, Guindy, were published in the Journal of which helps us and walk printed and run by ataFrontline certain Printers amountPrivate of force apps, compared to 14 on percent andToday mid-price smartphones Chennai 600 032. Ph: 4202 1111. Editor: K. Balakumar. Phone: Editorial/Admn /Advt: 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800 (Editorial)/2250 0101 (Advt/Admn). e-mail: [email protected], 4202 1111.Interface. Fax: 4212 0000. the Royal Society acting as 1200/2250 a spring, Lichtwark said. applied, these muscles started to Circulation: A Enterprise CHENNAI q Parliamentary panel makes recommendation New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI): A Parliamentary panel has recommended withdrawal of a bill from Parliament which seeks to revamp employment exchanges, describing it haphazardly prepared and failing to offer any direction to make recruitment policies transparent. It has strongly suggested that the Labour and Employment Ministry should bring a comprehensive bill instead to fulfil the role of such exchanges as only four lakh candidates get placement every year out of four crore registered through 956 employment exchanges. The Employment Exchanges (Compulsory Notification of Vacancies) Amendment Bill 2013 was introduced in Rajya Sabha on 22 April last year and was thereafter referred to the Standing Committee on Labour. In its report tabled recently, the panel suggested that the revamped bill should also contain provisions for regulating placement agencies as New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI): State Bank of India, the country’s largest lender, has cut deposit rates by up to 0.50 per cent starting 18 February. While deposit rates for maturities of three to five years have been lowered by 0.25 per cent, those for five years and above have been cut by 0.50 per cent, SBI said in a filing to the BSE today. The bank currently offers an interest rate of 8.75 per cent for three to five year deposits and 8.5 per cent per annum for deposits exceeding five years. For bulk deposits of Rs 1 crore and above with a maturity period of 61 days to less than a year, SBI lowered rates by 0.75 per cent to 7 per cent. Earlier this week, United Bank of India (UBI) and Canara Bank had revised interest rates. While UBI increased lending rates and cut interest on deposits, Canara Bank raised fixed deposit rates across maturities. UBI increased the base rate, or minimum lending rate, to 10.50 per cent from 10.25 per cent, becoming the first PSU bank to do so after the Reserve Bank of India raised policy rates in January. Besides, UBI reduced its deposit rate to 8.5 per cent from 8.75 per cent previously for tenures of one year and above. Term deposits with Canara Bank with a maturity of 91 to 120 days would attract interest of 9.15 per cent from 8.5 per cent earlier. For periods ranging from 180 days to less than one year, the new rate would be 9.20 per cent from the existing 8.75 per cent. In its Third Quarter Review of Monetary of Policy, the RBI raised the key repo rate to 8 per cent in a bid to curb inflation. The central bank’s move is expected to translate into higher EMIs and push up borrowing costs for corporates. Private lender Kotak Mahindra Bank increased deposit rates in four different baskets earlier this month. FACTS DLF cuts net debt by Rs 2,500 cr New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI): India’s largest realty firm DLF said it has reduced net debt by over Rs 2,500 crore to Rs 17,400 crore following proceeds from sale of luxury hotel chain Amanresorts, and a refund from DDA. The net debt had increased to Rs 19,926 crore at the end of December quarter, from Rs 1,9508 crore as on 30 September. ‘Current net debt is at Rs 17,400 crore (approx). We maintain the FY14 guidance of net debt of Rs 17,50018,000 crore,’ DLF said in an analyst presentation. The debt level would continue in this range in short term. In a conference call with analysts, DLF Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Ashok Tyagi said: With closure of Amanresorts and settlement of Dwarka project with DDA, we have achieved our net debt guidance. Recovery on sales side will take couple of quarters. Rental business is growing well. Since January this year, DLF said it has sold Amanresorts (barring Lodhi property) for USD 358 million (over Rs 2,200 crore) and also settled the dispute with the Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on the Dwarka Convention Centre project with refund of Rs 676 crore. Tyagi also said that the company has booked a pretax loss of Rs 400 crore in the settlement with DDA for Dwarka project, which it bagged in 2007 but was later scrapped. DLF had capitalised Rs 1,075 crore in this project while it got a refund of only Rs 675 crore from the DDA. Heinz ropes in Suriya 5 ‘Need overhaul of bill on employment exchanges’ SBI lowers retail deposit rates FINANCE SUNDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2014 Tyagi said the company’s large mall in Noida comprising 1.8 million sq ft would be launched by October this year. The leasing has been finalised. DLF said the first phase of divestment of non-core assets, has been completed, but company would continue to sell some smaller assets to fill any gap in cash flow. When asked about plans to launch Commercial Mortgage Backed Security (CMBS) to replace costlier debt, DLF Executive Director (Finance) Saurabh Chawla said the company would soon get the provisional rating for CMBS from rating agencies and the issue for one retail asset could come in this quarter. In October, the company had announced plans to raise about Rs 1,000 crore through issue of securities backed by mortgage of two retail assets. Worsening economic conditions during last 2 quarters and continued high interest rates has led to muted sales and profits. Current forecast is that these adverse economic conditions shall continue through Q2FY15, DLD said. Given the current economic outlook, the general demand including that for real estate product would continue to be soft in the near term. ‘In the best case scenario, we can expect slow tapering of interest rates’. DLF reported a 49 per cent drop in consolidated net profit to Rs 145.29 crore for the OctoberDecember quarter of this fiscal due to one-time provision of loss related to the settlement with DDA. it maintained that they mislead the unemployed youth, collect money and then vanish. Suggesting that the ministry should bring fresh proposals for the benefit of large number of job seekers, it said the employment exchanges should be completely revamped to provide one-stop placement solutions to the unemployed. The committee recommends that the bill should be returned to the ministry with a request to bring a comprehensive amendment bill so that employment exchanges are able to fulfil their role in the present times, the panel said. It was also of the opinion that the act should aim at making the establishments both in public and private sector transparent in their recruitment policies by displaying online the status of vacant posts as and when they arise. The present amendment bill fails to offer anything in this direction, it said. The bill seeks to transform the exchanges into employment guidance and promotion centres to give emphasis on guidance and counselling aspects rather than mere registration for jobs. Indian exporters set sights on Myanmar New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI): Faced with challenges in markets like the US and Europe that have been in the grip of a slowdown, Indian engineering exporters have set sights on Myanmar, a mineral-rich nation which also has abundant natural gas reserves. “While the Westerners are flocking to Myanmar in search of next big thing and investors are scouting for new business potential, Indian businessmen would not like to miss the opportunities in a country which is of strategic interest to us in terms of its location, engineering exporters body EEPC India Executive Director Bharat Sarkar said. Myanmar is India’s only land bridge to Southeast Asia and the Indo-Burmese border stretches over 1,600 km. An EEPC India delegation recently visited Yangon to prepare the engineering exporters to establish their presence in Myanmar and showcase the country’s engineering prowess. To tap the opportunities in that market, EEPC is organising engineering exporters’ exhibition, ‘Indee’, in Myanmar next month. At present, India-Myanmar trade is woefully low at just about USD 2 billion against India’s total global trade of over USD 800 billion. Exports to Myanmar are even lower than imports at about USD 500 million, EEPC India said. While there are historical reasons, mostly political, for the low bilateral engagement, the improvement in political climate offers a sound base for us to exploit the growing economy in our neighbouring country, Sarkar said. India-Myanmar-Thailand Tripartite Highway project which would be extended to Laos and Cambodia with the assistance of the Indian government is likely to enhance the regional connectivity and trade. Indian engineering exporters are presently shipping items like tractors, rice milling machines, dal polishing equipment, oil mills, auto power transmission and electrical switch-gears to Myanmar. Mutual fund accounts drop by over 29 lakh ‘The Labour and Employment Ministry should bring a comprehensive bill instead to fulfil the role of such exchanges as only four lakh candidates get placement every year out of four crore registered through 956 employment exchanges’ Among other key provisions, establishments in the private sector employing between 10-24 people are also being brought under the purview of the Act. Nichrome eyes Rs 150-cr turnover New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI): Nichrome India, a packaging machinery provider, is targeting a turnover of Rs 150 crore by 2015-16 on the back of increase in domestic demand and opening up of new markets. Nichrome, which manufactures fully automated fill seal machines, currently exports 30 per cent of its products and is trying to expand its share further. ‘We would have a revenue of about Rs 150 crore by the end of financial year 201516. It would based on industry growth and technological advancement. The industry is growing and it would need more packaging solutions,’ Nichrome India General Manager Sales Vikas Pathak told PTI. Nichrome had a turnover of Rs 65 crore in the financial year 2012-13 and expects it to be around Rs 78 crore by the end of this fiscal. The company is focusing on industry segments such as rice and other grain products, milk industry, pharma, oil, spice, retail, etc, said Pathak. ‘We have introduced high speed milk servo driven packaging machine and high speed oil packaging machines for growing demand of production,’ he said, adding that the company is providing variety of packaging solutions ranging from 1 gram to 15 kg to the industry. The company exports its products to more than 40 countries, including Australia, New Zealand, Iran, Kenya, South Africa, Russia, Ukraine and SAARC countries. ‘We would be focusing more on Middle East and African countries for new markets,’ said Pathak. Nichrome has a plant in Pune with an installed capacity to roll out 550 packaging machine annually. At present, it is rolling out around 340 machines. ‘Worst is over for steel sector’ NUMBERS SPEAK NT Bureau, Chennai, Feb 16. ‘Apart from regular food, supplementary New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI): health drinks and other items are needed Reeling under subdued defor overall growth of the body’, said actor mand for over two years, the New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI): Suriya, here yesterday. steel sector’s worst phase is Mutual fund industry has lost Addressing media persons here, over and green shoots are organised by Heinz India to unveil the an estimated over 29 lakh invisible in areas like prices new packaged product of Complan, vestors, measured in terms of and inventories, SAIL ChairSuriya said, ‘Complan has been a individual accounts or folios, in man C S Verma said today. household name for millions since the first 10 months of the curThe worst phase of steel many decades. Professional swim- rent fiscal, mainly due to profitsector is already over. Things mers, persons who work out in gym booking and various merger are looking up. Demand has need additional protein, as they burn schemes. gone up. There is liquidation out lot of calories. They don’t get Of more than 29 lakh invesof inventories. Steel prices required amount of protein through tors lost during April 2013 to have also slightly gone up regular food. It is very difficult for veg- January 2014, most of the folio in last 2-3 months. Things etarians to supplement the daily protein closures were seen in the eqare going to be better from limit through normal diet. Further, poor uity portfolio despite the efforts of folio closures is expected to cent during the period. As per here, he said in an interview decline in the coming months Sebi, the total number of folios eaters needs to be provided with value of the mutual fund industry to to PTI. as investors are getting confi- in debt funds rose about 5.8 added nutrients. In such cases, the educate investors about staying dent about the economy and The domestic steel induslakh to 67.18 lakh at the end of health drinks will be of great use’. invested for the long-term. try, which has around 96 the market in general. January this year. Besides, balSuriya was announced as the brand According to Sebi data on million tonnes (MT) of manuDuring April-January, the anced schemes, which invest ambassador of the health drink for total investor accounts with 45 number of investor folios in facturing capacity, has been Southern region. in equity and debt category, fund houses, the number of equity schemes fell by over 35 hurt due to a host of reasons Vice president (Business Developgained 37,614 folios to 26.40 including poor demand and ment), Heinz India Private Limited, V folios fell to around 3.99 crore lakh. The total number of folios lakh. at the end of January 2014 spike in input costs. Margins were 2.96 crore at the end of Mohan said, ‘Complan (short form of In contrast, exchange traded have consistently contracted Complete Plan) was introduced as from 4.28 crore in the last fiscal January 2014 against 3.32 funds (ETFs) lost over 59,000 since FY’11. nutitional supplement for World War II (2012-13), indicating a decline crore at March 2013. folios to 6.80 lakh. of 29.41 lakh. Verma’s comments come The mutual fund industry has soldiers in 1940’s. As on January 31, 2014, the Folios are numbers desig- been facing consistent equity amid India Ratings and ReGeneral manager (Marketing), Heinz sector offered 1,469 schemes search, a Fitch Group firm, India Private Limited, Abhishek Prasad nated to individual investor ac- folio closures for the past few to investors, of which 1,022 were maintaining negative outlook said, ‘In India, Complan was launched counts, although one investor months. Sebi Chairman U K Sinha had also raised concerns debt-linked schemes and 353 for the sector due to its weak in 1964 and it was marketed through can have multiple folios. Market participants attributed over the continuous decline in were equity schemes. credit profile for next fisdoctors. Heinz International acquired The mutual fund industry lost the brand in 1994. Today’s children the sharp fall in the number folios. cal. The decline in equity folios more than 36 lakh investor have to perform so many tasks which of folios to profit-booking and SAIL put up a good show requires more physical sterngth. various merger schemes in the during the first 10 months of the accounts in 2012-13. The last in the third quarter as the Hence, such health drinks plays an mutual fund industry, among current fiscal (April-January) financial year also marked the country’s largest steel profourth consecutive year lossprinted coincides withRoad BSE’s(GST barometer Published by K. Balakumar on behalf News Today Media (P) Ltd., from 85, Mount Road), Guindy, Chennai 600 032ofand by clocked him at Frontline Ltd., M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka Industrial Estate, Guindy, important role in the enhancement of of other reasons. ducer seven perPrinters cent Private Published by K. Balakumar on behalf of News Today Media (P) Ltd., from 85, Mount Road (GST Road), Guindy, Chennai 600 032 and printed by him at Frontline Printers Private Ltd., M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka Industrial Estate, Guindy, of (Editorial)/2250 folios by mutual1200/2250 funds. index Sensex climbing 8.9 per1800 their overall Chennai 600strength’. 032. Ph: 4202 1111. Editor: K. Balakumar. Phone: Editorial/Admn /Advt: 22504000, Fax: 2250 0101 (Advt/Admn). e-mail: [email protected], Circulation: 4202 1111. Fax: 4212 0000. They further said that the trend growth in sales. Chennai 600 032. Ph: 4202 1111. Editor: K. Balakumar. Phone: Editorial/Admn /Advt: 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800 (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 0101 (Advt/Admn). e-mail: [email protected], Circulation: 4202 1111. Fax: 4212 0000. ‘Of more than 29 lakh investors lost during April 2013 to January 2014, most of the folio closures were seen in the equity portfolio despite the efforts of the mutual fund industry to educate investors about staying invested for the long-term’ 6 SUNDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2014 Sports CHENNAI Kiwis pick Williamson for World T20 q Ryder’s booze-up costs him spot in Bangladesh-bound team Jesse Ryder Wellington, Feb 16 (AFP): Jesse Ryder’s fall from grace continued today when the big-hitting left-hander was left out of the New Zealand squad for the World Twenty20 starting next month in Bangladesh. Ryder’s omission comes less than a week after he was dropped from the New Zealand Test squad following a late-night drinking session that ended just hours before the start of the first Test against India. New Zealand selection boss Bruce Edgar confirmed that Ryder had been almost assured of making the World Twenty20 squad, but was ruled out because of his behaviour. ‘We’ve had to exclude him from the tour. Character is really important as part of our selection process,’ Edgar said. The prolific scorer Ryder has been involved in several alcohol-related incidents throughout his career, and only recently returned to the New Zealand squad after a self-imposed 22-month exile to sort out ‘personal issues.’ Edgar said Ryder’s future selection, particularly for New Zealand’s tour of West Indies in May, would depend on the player himself. ‘It’s really up to Jesse to work through the process with New Zealand Cricket, the players’ association and Otago Cricket,’ he added. ‘Until that time I can’t really answer that. It’s up to Jesse.’ New Zealand named a spin-friendly Twenty20 squad to take advantage of the conditions expected in Bangladesh, earning a recall for Roneel Hira and Anton Devcich as well as part-time spinner Kane Williamson, who did not feature in the Twenty20 matches against the West Indies last month. Edgar said Williamson and Devcich were both among batting options to open with Martin Guptill in Ryder’s absence at the World Twenty20, to be played in Bangladesh between 16 March and 6 April. ‘Trent (Boult) is a high quality player. We tried to get him into the ODIs but he had a quad strain and we weren’t able to expose him for the series against India,’ Edgar said. ‘We now feel confident that we can get him into the side and give him that opportunity.’ Young fast bowlers Adam Milne and Matt Henry were unavailable due to injury. New Zealand: Brendon McCullum (captain), Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, Anton Devcich, Martin Guptill, Roneel Hira, Mitchell McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, Kyle Mills, Colin Munro, James Neesham, Luke Ronchi, Tim Southee, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson. Messi, Neymar on target as Barca hits Rayo for six Defending champions India start with win Dubai, Feb 16 (PTI): Defending champions India kicked off their campaign on a positive note as they comfortably defeated arch-rivals Pakistan by 40 runs in their first marquee clash of this edition’s Under-19 World Cup here yesterday. The holders posted 262 for seven after opting to bat at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium and then bowled out their opponents for 222 in 48.4 overs, with off-spinner Deepak Hooda registering figures of five for 41. Sarfaraz Khan (74) and Sanju Samson (68) were the major contributors with the bat for the India U-19 side before Baroda player Hooda did the trick with the ball. Pakistan were off to a solid start with the two openers, Sami Aslam (64) and Imam-ul-Haq (39) putting 109 runs together for the opening wicket. But their batting fell apart in the face of some spirited bowling from the Indians, managing to add only 113 runs for the loss of nine wickets. Earlier, opting to take first strike, India rode on Akhil Herwadkar and Ankush Bains to put on 65 runs for the first wicket in just a little under nine overs, before Irfanullah Shah struck for Pakistan. India U-19 skipper Vijay Zol did not last long as he was trapped in front by Zia-ul-Haq, just fours runs after Bains’ dismissal. After racing to 41 off 46 balls, Herwadkar was bowled by legspinner Karamat Ali. Ricky Bhui followed suit, caught off Ali’s own bowling to leaving India in a spot of bother at 94 for four in the 20th over. Madrid, Feb 16 (AFP): Barcelona warmed up for their highly anticipated Champions League clash with Manchester City in midweek with a 6-0 thrashing of Rayo Vallecano to remain on top of La Liga on goal difference. Atletico Madrid remain level on points with the Catalans as they too were 3-0 winners over Valladolid yesterday. Adriano got Barcelona off to a flying start when he curled home the opener inside two minutes. Lionel Messi doubled Barca’s lead before half-time with a delightful lob over Ruben Martinez. The Argentine then teed up Alexis Sanchez to make it three before Pedro rounded off a wonderful team move involving Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas. Messi got his second of the evening midway through the second-half to overtake Real Madrid legend Alfredo di Stefano as the third-highest scorer of all-time in La Liga on 228 goals. And Neymar rounded off a perfect evening for the hosts on his return from a sprained ankle when he blasted home the sixth from long-range two minutes from time. ‘Today was probably the best (game of the season) because we had intensity, we pressed well, our passing was good and we knew when and when not to play out from the back,’ said Barca boss Gerardo Martino. ‘Results always change the opinion of the game, but for me the first half against Valencia or second-half against Sevilla were as good as today. ‘Obviously the most difficult thing is sustaining that for 90 minutes and if we can continue that like we did today, it would be almost perfection.’ Martino had handed a rest to Xavi Hernandez, Javier Mascherano and Jordi Alba with the City clash in mind, whilst Neymar was named on the bench after a month out. Adriano was one of those handed a start by the changes and he took just 90 seconds to make his mark with a fine strike from 25 yards. Messi and Pedro were then unfortunate to both strike the woodwork as Barca laid seige upon the Rayo goal in the early stages. However, Victor Valdes had to be alive to prevent the visitors levelling when he bravely parried the ball away from the feet of Alberto Bueno before blocking Iago Falque’s follow-up effort. Clarke praises Oz team after crushing win Pretoria, Feb 16: Capturing the Ashes was a big boost for Australia but being able to win a series away would be proper affirmation of their ability, captain Michael Clarke said after the first Test victory over South Africa on Saturday. ‘The greatest test for us right now is being able to consistently win away from home,’ he told reporters after his team romped to a 281-run triumph in the first game of the three-match series. ‘We’ve been very comfortable back in Australia and had a good win in the Ashes against England last month but we’ve found it tough away,’ said Clarke after South Africa were bowled out for 200 on the fourth day. ‘We were beaten 4-0 in India and lost in England last year and that’s why this series is such a challenge for us. We are playing the best Test team in the world, certainly the best attack I’ve ever faced, and we have to be at our best all day every day.’ Clarke was effusive in his praise of the Australian players. ‘I see in my team mates’ eyes at the moment that they are so hungry for success. Our attitude now is unbelievable,’ he said. ‘We played in this game as good a brand of cricket as we had over the last couple of months. Earlier, Mitchell Johnson bowled Australia to a comprehensive after taking his match haul to 12 wickets. The fiery paceman added five wickets to the seven he snapped up in the first innings as Australia went 1-0 up in the three-test series by bowling out the hosts for 200. Johnson’s figures of 12 for 127 beat his previous best Test return of 11 for 159 against South Africa in Perth in 2008. ‘You never play a perfect game but it felt really good out there today,’ he told reporters. Mitchell Johnson Bozoljac not happy with ATP schedule Kolkata, Feb 16 (PTI): Ilija Bozoljac, winner of the Kolkata leg of the ATP Challenger Tour events in India, rued lack of enough number of tournments in one region, saying it becomes too costly for the players to travel country after country to play. The Serbian blasted the scheduling of the Challenger events for the 2014 season. ‘They have messed up the schedule of the tournament. There’s nothing to play. There is one in Asia next month, there’s nothing in Europe and in US we cannot get in because of the ranking. Then a week after, there’s one in Russia and nothing else. It’s like we have to travel all over. It costs money. ‘It’s not like 1-2-3 as in India. Last year by this time there were about four tournaments so the guys could spread. It’s really really hard,’ Bozoljac said. With world No 2 in Novak Djokovic, Serbia is a force to reckon with in world tennis but Bozoljac said they were not a tennis nation not very long ago as it’s a poor country and they did not have any facility. ‘Now you’re looking at Serbia as a tennis nation. We were not a tennis nation. It was really hard for us especially myself. I did not have any support to make a team, to pay for fitness coach and coach... ‘India’s current poor form won’t hurt WC prospects’ Wellington, Feb 16 (PTI): India’s poor form in the ongoing tour of New Zealand will count for nothing when the team comes here to defend the World Cup title as the current exposure to conditions would work to its advantage during the mega-event next year, feels former captain Sunil Gavaskar. India were thrashed 0-4 in the ODI series here but Gavaskar feels it should not be taken as a final statement on how the team would cope with conditions when the World Cup is jointly hosted by New Zealand and Australia next year. ‘This tour and one to Australia next summer pre-World Cup would be crucial to India’s development,’ Gavaskar was quoted as saying by ‘Fairfax News’. The former captain, who is commentating in the ongoing tour, said India have adapted well after the retirement of legends such as Sachin Tendulkar. Kane Williamson Easy win for Wipro NT Bureau Chennai, Feb 16: Wipro defeated HCL by eight wickets in the Chennai Super Kings Super Cup 2014 - Cricket tournament being held here. Scores: HCL 120 all out in 19.1 overs (Balaji 26, Kalairasan 31, Thukli Raj 3 for 25, Ganesh 2 for 9) lost to Wipro 121 for 2 in 15 overs (T Anand 82 n.o, Sathish 25). MoM: Anand. TCS 151 for 5 in 20 overs (Arun 38, Prabhu 40, Paavin Srinivasan 34) beat Samsung 84 all out in 18.5 overs (Gajendran Pandian 2 for 21, Meenakshi Ponu Sankaran 3 for 12). MoM: Prabhu. ITC 123 for 8 in overs (Nithyanandan 2 for 21) lost to Infosys 127 for 5 in 19 overs (B Sathish Kumar 56, Johnny Wilson 30 n.o, Sankar 2 for 15). MoM: Sathish Kumar. Table tennis: Men’s singles (QF): Raja Saverian (CTS) bt Inder Singh (Verizon) 6-11, 11-8, 11-2, 12-10; Raja Kumar (Infosys) bt Tarun Kumar Goyal (HCL) 11-5, 11-6, 11-5; Pushkar Raghavender (HDFC) bt Sharath (AllSec) 8-11, 13-11, 11-8, 11-8; Navin Kumar (Infosys) bt Sam (CTS) 9-11, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6, 11-6. Doubles (QF): Raja Saverian & Deepak (CTS) bt Maheshwaran & Madhav (Verizon) 11-6, 8-11, 11-3, 7-11, 11-4; Navin Kumar & Raja Kumar (Infosys) bt Arshad & Gautham (Accenture) 11-7, 5-11, 11-9, 13-11; Manikandan & Pushkar (HDFC) bt Inder Singh & Adil Ashraf (Verizon) 9-11, 11-7, 7-11, 11-7, 11-9; Dinesh & Sam (CTS) bt Ashish Jain & Sharran Sundar (HCL) 11-5, 11-9, 11-6. Swimming meet KESPA on Saturday announced the change in venues and dates of interschool and inter-college swimming meet for boys and girls. It will be held at the SDAT-Dolphin Academy pool, Mugappair West on 1 and 2 March. Hindustan University is supporting the event, said a press note. The competitions will be in the following age categories for school children: Group I (born between 1.01.1997 and 31.12.1999), Gr. II (1.1.2000 21.12.2001), Gr. III (1.1.2002 -31.12.2003), Gr. IV (1.01.2004 - 31.12.2005), Gr. V (1.1.2006 - 31.12.2006) Gr VI (1.1.2007 - 31.12.2007), Gr VII (1.1.2008 - 31.12.2008) and Gr VIII (1.1.2009 and above). The overall championship winners will be presented with the Rajiv Gabriel Memorial Trophy. For details, call 9444906878 / 9444955878. US edges Russia in ice hockey; skaters flop ‘Powerhouse nation’ India deserves a little say: Ponting Wellington, Feb 16 (PTI): Sochi, Feb 16: key games ahead. We wish them success.’ Australian legend Ricky PonThe United States edged out host nation But there was double joy for the host nation ting says India deserves a ‘little Russia in a thrilling men’s ice hockey game at after Viktor Ahn led Russia to a one-two in the say’ in international cricket bethe Winter Olympics on Saturday, but a lastmen’s 1,000 metres short track speed skating, ing the ‘powerhouse nation’ of minute switch of high-tech suits failed to propel and ‘Russian Rocket’ Alexander Tretiakov the game but also hopes that American speed skaters to their first medal of sealed Russia’s first Olympic gold in skeleton. the concerned stakeholders the Sochi Games. Ice hockey mania gripped the Contrasting fortunes would strike a balance in the Sochi Games on another warm, sunny day on The excitement on the eighth day of competinear future. the Black Sea coast, as two of the sport’s heavytion in Sochi typified the atmosphere that has The ICC recently announced weights met in a match redolent of rivalries past. taken hold, banishing memories of a buildup wide-ranging changes to how Russian President Vladimir Putin watched to the Games overshadowed by threats of the sport will be run, including the game, and later visited compatriot and Islamist militant attacks and concerns over handing bulk of the power to the skicross racer Maria Komissarova, who unRussia’s human rights record. game’s ‘big three’ India, Ausderwent 6-1/2 hours of surgery after breaking US President Barack Obama decided not tralia and England. her back in a training crash in the mountains. to come to Sochi and, following criticism of ‘That’s probably right, but that’s The president spoke to the 23-year-old, Putin’s stance on gay rights, sent a delegation the lay of the land. They’re the who is conscious, after her operation, and including gay officials. powerhouse nation of the game and telephoned her father to reassure him that she There have been accusations of widespread USA’s T J Oshie scores past Russia’s goalie Sergei Bobrovski during their men’s being as powerful as they are, they was getting the best care possible. corruption and profligacy surrounding the Olympreliminary round ice hockey game at the Winter Olympics in Sochi on Saturday. probably to a certain degree deserve Komissarova suffered the injury during trainpics, which some estimates say cost $51 billion, a say in what happens. It’s a bit of a ing at the PSX Olympic skicross venue at Rosa making them the most expensive ever held. touchy subject to handle,’ Ponting Khutor Extreme Park. She was taken to Kra- in the eighth round of the shootout to end an great goaltending, some controversy and plenty Putin has dismissed those charges, and some was quoted as saying by Sunday of edge-of-your seat drama. Everything, in fact, Russian officials put the price tag much lower. snaya Polyana Hospital Number 8, specially electrifying clash. Star-Times. built for the Olympics, where doctors decided Evoking memories of the 1980 Lake Placid except a win for the hosts. Putin, whose legacy Despite frustration at what Putin recently ‘It seems like Australia have a seto operate. ‘During one of her training runs, Olympics ‘Miracle on Ice’, when a group of will rest in part on the 7-23 February Games called the West’s Cold War mentality towards ries against India every year. That’s Maria injured her spine,’ team head of press American college players upset the then Soviet going smoothly, was philosophical in defeat. Russia, he has appeared at ease as he ema great source of revenue, and why Mikhail Verzhba said. ‘It is a serious injury.’ Union’s ‘Big Red Machine’, the game delivered ‘Sport is sport,’ he said during a meeting with barked on rounds of ‘wine diplomacy’ in Sochi everyone wants Tests against India, Afghan war veterans. ‘I think the team put in a that included sharing a glass, and a chat, with At the futuristic Bolshoy Ice Dome back in on everything it had promised. because ofIndustrial the TV revenue. Those Published by hosts K. Balakumar on Tbehalf of scored News Today Media Ltd., from pace, 85, Mount Road (GSTvery Road), Guindy, Chennai 600see. 032There and printed by team him at Printers Private Ltd., M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka Estate, Guindy, decent performance. We’ll are US Sochi, the lost 3-2 after J Oshie There was(P) breathtaking skill, intensity, offiFrontline cials. tours are4202 pretty1111. important.’ Chennai 600 032. Ph: 4202 1111. Editor: K. Balakumar. Phone: Editorial/Admn /Advt: 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800 (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 0101 (Advt/Admn). e-mail: [email protected], Circulation: Fax: 4212 0000. SUNDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2014 Mixed bag CHENNAI 7 Major announcements unlikely in interim budget q Finance Minister likely to highlight UPA govt’s achievements BJP’s national secretary Thamizhisai Soundararajan, national Council member Sembakkam Veda Subramaniam among others greeting senior BJP leader L Ganesan on the occasion of his 69th birthday in Chennai today. Governor calls for ‘scientific revolution’ NT Bureau Chennai, Feb 16: Tamilnadu Governor K Rosaiah has said that there is a gap between education institutions, research institutions, industries and common people and opined it is high time that we bring them together. ‘We need a scientific revolution in India. We can make it possible by concerted efforts and it is not far off. Sharing of ideas, igniting creativity and a flair for innovation in the youth is imperative.’ he said while speaking at a function here on Saturday during which young CEOs and budding scientists were felicitated. He quoted a report published by IRIS Foundations and UN-HABITAT which said that the youth population, which is nearly 430 million and was expected to rise to 464 million by 2021 and pointed out that by 2020 India will be the world’s youngest country with more than 64 per cent of its population in the working age group. Planning well ahead and exploring this demographic transition will make India lead in all spheres. Rosaiah said and added ‘this is the biggest advantage we have. The nation needs no more job seekers. It needs more and more researchers, scientists, innovators and job creators.’ ‘Making the nation’s youth force into dynamic productive men and women of tomorrow is necessary. History reveals that innovations are not new to us. ‘It is heartening to note that as ambassadors to the Nasa Space Camps, Space Kidz India has motivated about 850 students all over India to have hands on experience at NASA.’ New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI): Finance Minister P Chidambaram may dole out some sops while doing a tightrope walk to keep the fiscal deficit under check when he presents the interim budget for 2014-15 in Parliament tomorrow ahead of the Lok Sabha elections. Along with the budget, he will present a vote-on-account to seek Parliament’s sanction for spending till July. By tradition, the interim budget does not contain proposals seeking to tinker with direct taxes, nor are there any policy announcements, although there may be some sops for the common man and sectors that need help. Earlier, Chidambaram had indicated he may tweak excise duties and service tax rates in the interim budget in an apparent bid to boost the economy, but he may not pursue key reform legislation due to lack of political consensus. ‘In 2004, Jaswant Singh made a 12-page speech. In 2009, Mukherjee made an 18-page speech. So I have two numbers to choose from between 12 to 18. We can make any proposal short of amending any law. ‘We cannot propose amendments to the Income Tax Act, Customs Act or the Excise Act. But any proposal short of amending a law can be made. We can also outline a vision for the future,’ he had said. It would be interesting to see if Chidambaram continues with the super-rich tax in 2014-15 as well, but indications are he may choose not to since it would need amendment of the law. In the last Budget, the government imposed a 10 per cent surcharge for a year (2013-14 fiscal) on people earning income above Rs 1 crore. It covered 42,800 individuals and entities. The Minister is expected to use the opportunity to highlight the achievements of the UPA-II government and focus on how the government has been able to contain the fiscal deficit and the current account deficit (CAD), notwithstanding the difficult global situation. The full Budget for 2014-15 will be presented by the new government in June-July. Chidambaram may explain why economic growth slowed to a decade’s low of 4.5 per cent in 2012-13 and outline steps taken by the government to put India back on a high-growth trajectory. Although the Central Statistics Office (CSO) has estimated a growth rate at 4.9 per cent in this financial year, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had said it would exceed 5 per cent once the figures were revised. Key reform measures such as the insurance bill, the goods and services tax (GST) and the direct tax code (DTC) are not likely to be taken up by the outgoing UPA government for want of political consensus. In an election year, governments have traditionally presented an interim budget or vote-on-account, a shorter version of the budget. The government, sources said, will come out with revised estimates for tax collection in 2013-14 and projections for the next financial year. As per current indications, the fiscal deficit this financial year is expected to be less than 4.8 per cent of GDP estimated in the budget, mainly on account of expenditure compression and higher realisation from the 2G spectrum auction. The fiscal consolidation road map requires the government to contain the fiscal deficit at 4.2 per cent of GDP in 2014-15. Chidambaram had on several occasions said he had drawn a red line for the fiscal deficit and it would not be breached. The gap could be 4.6-4.7 per cent of GDP. The CAD, which was a major concern last year, is likely to narrow to below $50 billion, or 2.5 per cent of GDP. It had touched a record high of $88.2 billion, or 4.8 per cent of GDP, in 2012-13. FM to attend G20 meet in Australia New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI): Finance Minister P Chidambaram will visit Australia later this week to attend the G20 meeting of finance ministers and central bank governors and hold roadshows to attract investment. Chidambaram will be accompanied by Ministry officials, including Economic Affairs Secretary Arvind Mayaram, on his visit to Sydney. Reserve Bank of India Governor Raghuram Rajan will also attend the meeting. Sources said the Minister will highlight the huge potential of India’s infrastructure sector to investors. Woman raped, thrown into well Governor, State of Malacca, Malaysia Tun Datuk Utama Mohd Khalil Bin Yaakob paying floral tributes at the memorial of former Tamilnadu Chief Minister M G Ramachandran in Chennai today. Sitapur, Feb 16 (PTI): A woman was raped allegedly by two persons and later thrown in a dry well in Leharpur area, police said today. Circle Officer, Leharpur, Inayatullah said the 30-year-old woman was allegedly raped by Buddha and Taukeej on the night of 14 February. She was recovered from the well in a critical condition yesterday. The woman has been admitted to a hospital and a case registered in this regard. Buddha had been arrested. Participants at a marathon organised in Chennai today by the AIADMK’s North Chennai unit to mark the birthday celebrations of party supremo and Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa. (Inset) Mayor Saidai Duraisamy and T Nagar MLA V P Kalairajan with the prize winners. ‘TV is most popular medium for counselling’ Sheila Dikshit accuses Kejriwal of witch hunt New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI): ‘My dream of Delhi has gone for a toss,’ Sheila Dikshit said today, two months after the three-term Chief Minister of Delhi was ousted from power by AAP’s Arvind Kejriwal whom she accused of indulging in a ‘witch hunt’ against her. The 75-year-old Congress leader has just moved to a modest private apartment she has rented in the heart of the capital in sharp contrast to the sprawling government bungalow that was her home for about a decade. She now gets time to watch movies and is planning to work on interiors of the apartment herself. Sheila Dikshit is careful with her words but her bitterness at the rout of her party and her own defeat comes through clearly. She recalls her achievements in terms of power, education, roads and hospitals, pointing out that the pass percentage in the government school was about 97 per cent, highest in the country. ‘My dream of Delhi has gone for a toss already,’ she says after accusing Kejriwal of promising the impossible to win votes. Aam Aadmi Party had made promises of free water, cheap electricity, housing, jobs only to ‘backtrack from them.’ Sheila Dikshit accused the AAP government, which was in power for just 49 days, of ‘witch hunting’ by filing cases against her. Kejriwal had ordered AntiCorruption Bureau of Delhi government to file FIR into the alleged corruption in the street light project of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in which CAG had indicted Sheila Dikshit. ‘I have done nothing wrong. It is witch hunting,’ she said. On another case pertaining to allegations of her misusing the public funds ahead of 2008 Assembly polls, she said, ‘The FIR was filed following BJP leader Vijender Gupta’s complaint which has already been decided by the President of India, who said there is no case’ since she was a Chief Minister. ‘Now, they (AAP) have brought it from chief minister to an individual’ thereby forcing her to defend herself, Sheila Dikshit said, expressing her anger over AAP’s move. The AAP government on Friday had moved the Delhi High Court to withdraw the appeal of previous Congress dispensation against a lower court order to register an FIR against Sheila Dikshit in the case. Dr T Kamaraj, founder of Aakash Ferility and Research Centre, at the International Conference on Sexology in Chennai. NT Bureau Chennai, Feb 16: Television is the most popular medium for getting counselling on sexualrelated problems, both for men and women, an expert on sexual and reproductive medicine has said. Disclosing the findings of a survey, Dr T Kamaraj, chairman of Indian Association for Sexology and founder of Aakash Ferility and Research Centre, said, counselling through television was more convenient and easy as it could reach millions of people. ‘Besides, it also creates trust among the patients and even uneducated people can get counselling at A major advantage is that no cost is involved,’ he said. ‘Next to TV is the Internet, which has worldwide reach. It also helps in sharing secret messages’’, he said and added that the disadvantage is that it can be accessed only by educated people. Also, the two-day seventh International Conference on Sexology was held here. AI to use proceeds from Boeing sale to clear loan New Delhi, Feb 16 (PTI): Air India, which is in the process of selling five Boeing 777 aircraft to Etihad and carrying out sale-leaseback of its Dreamliners, would use the proceeds to pay off aircraft loans and meet working capital needs. The sale of five Boeing 777-200 Long Range aircraft to Abu Dhabibased Etihad Airways is estimated to fetch $336.5 million for the ailing national carrier. The title of these planes would be transferred to Etihad by April, official sources said today. The decision to sell these planes was taken after exploring other options like leasing, re-configuring them or deploying them on short-haul routes. However, all these options were found economically unviable, they said. The airline also projected that it could raise about $840 million by way of sale of its seven Boeing 7878 Dreamliner planes and lease them back. It intends to pay off the bridge loans taken against these aircraft by using the funds, the sources said. For the first seven of the Dreamliners it received, Air India has mandated the leaseback arrangement with Investec Bank for four of them and Deutsche Bank for three. This year, the airline, which has 11 Boeing 787s, would get six more. Pujara defends fielding lapses Wellington, Feb 16 (PTI): trip, but in South Africa also, the Indian fielding sixth wicket between McCullum (114 not out) and New Zealand’s spectacular fightback in the has been fantastic. We have effected many run- Watling (52 not out). ongoing third Test was helped to an extent by outs and held many good catches. So you are ‘We have to give credit to their batsmen. The way dropped catches but Indian batsman Cheteshwar bound to drop a few catches here and there,’ they batted was really good. Brendon batted well Pujara today defended his teammates, saying said Pujara, defending his mates, after the third and that partnership was very crucial for them. their fielding has been ‘fantastic’ for most part of day’s play here. We tried our best but they were the winners in the trip. ‘It has been a fantastic game so far with many that last session. Like I said earlier, if we can get After two days of domination at the Basin Re- turns. But we are still in a very good position. If we a couple early wickets then we can go through the serve, the visitors had a tough day in the field as can get a couple of quick wickets early on tomor- tail-enders,’ he said. the pitch flattened out and the hosts rallied to 252 row, a lot of time is available. We are happy with ‘The pitch is getting better day by day. Our bowlfor 5 in their second innings to wipe off the first the way things have shaped up. ers did a very good job and bowled in the right innings deficit. ‘We could have been happier with a couple of areas. They didn’t allow them to score many runs, While wickets didn’t come in the last session more wickets but we are in a good position and which is a good sign for us. Overall looking at the today, a couple of close chances went down in the in with a good chance to win this Test match,’ he wicket, they bowled really well,’ Pujara added. Vice-Chancellor of the Tamilnadu Dr MGR Medical University D field, particularly off centurion Brendon McCullum added. When asked, what sort of target the Indians will Shantharam giving away a certificate to a student during the 12th who benefitted on both occasions. It was, in fact, India bowled out New Zealand for 192 runs in like to chase now that the Kiwis have taken a tiny graduation day of Sri Kanyaka Parameswari Arts and Science the difference between the match finishing today their first innings and then went on to score 438 lead, Pujara replied, ‘We don’t want to chase a College for Women in Chennai yesterday. Principal of the college and going into a fourth day. runs in their second essay. big target obviously, the lesser the better. But you Mohanasri, president of Sri Kanyaka Parameswari Devasthanam, Collah Venkata and correspondent of the college, G V Chalapathi ‘If you look at both the Test matches we have The Kiwis almost lost their way before recover- cannot keep any targets in mind while bowling. We Published K. Balakumar on behalf of News Today (P)a Ltd., from 85, Mount Chennai 600 032asand printed by him at Frontline Printers Private Ltd., M-7, Thiru-Vi-Ka Industrial Estate, Guindy, wantGuindy, to get them out as early possible.’ are present. taken so by many good catches. Not only on this ingMedia through fine partnership of 158Road runs (GST for theRoad), Chennai 600 032. Ph: 4202 1111. Editor: K. Balakumar. Phone: Editorial/Admn /Advt: 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800 (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 0101 (Advt/Admn). e-mail: [email protected], Circulation: 4202 1111. Fax: 4212 0000. , CHENNAI 8 SUNDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2014 Licensed to post without prepayment under WPP. No. TN / PMG / (CCR) / 470 / 12-14 s ’ r e c Dan s l i a v a tr hiyum) z i v r a l a M um (Madhavan a fun-loving youth. Heisfafellselifongr sa. c a te h w in ) is hi h a v a n (A s s n ’t re c ip ro d e a o d M e h w M a la rv iz S , . o u n g w id o N e e ra ja aravanan n y l S a ir a v S g a m y h g b o d n a fr u d o ves of M s dance , produce asil. y li rn m M e u a y iy th b le h s n n iz e a io g rv v ct ha dire Mala chan and M a d logue and n in c id e n t adhavanum en enplay, dia . S ija R o ss nt (S ij a R o s s ). A re le sc ro , d ry a is his maid o le st a has rv iz h i. ering this n import ija in th e d na la S o si a P ys n M in . la co le p d sw n b ro A m a a rs a meaty decent jo s nnambala usic is a o a m h P s e e r e s. h T h e fi lm st th o d fo S d a . d d le e n Aswin s opte ressiv dran a y female director ha Ross is imp d by Ravin e e h Neeraja pla n ija T n S . e . p in re lla re tu ven rics a mic vi plays a co aks about i. role. The ly . f the day, ey that spe nambalam santhaman of the cast a rn u V r st jo y u l re b o a e d m n the order o u o th re h ti r re o d a fo sco n m s s a e lm n ce fi ce a fa n new roma amateurish based is more . But some w. There is en humouro h ry The movie w o id w e st l g m a n ti n u a o t ti A emo . of a yo n s u in g pted for an the travails rs the show R a n d th e e Masil has o editing ma s r te o RAT KUMA o s A ra p e H a v d p B n e e i a l M s e s b — le too. ce p n o u a h o w rm c erfo ncer oman a b o u t. p How a da s faced by the w e s to ry is th t a h w is problem v e ry th in g d a ik a n a l. d a n c e is e e n s in K o p a h ie v o The m M p i l c t s a f At a thara flick, bhu-Nayan im S e ace. th , n at brisk p speculatio roceeding ara p th ontrary to n is a j, y a a ir N y Pand bu and ted le directed b r their breakup, Sim p tly com rs afte hich recen w t, c je ro p Seven yea d up for this have teame e profesedule. rked as tru g emoh o c s w t ra rs a fi th s n it a in u and Nay nd not lett ‘Both Simb g behind their past a l to each ia rd o c re e in v w a y le e , l h T ls . a n rk sio wo rofessiona in between tained a p in a m d tions come n . a j said e working ll,’ Pandira e other whil sets as we e between th th y ff tr o is ip m e h s h c n t o h ti g la ri re e r wanted th The directo right . ry to s e v ant for the lo the ery import v was ’s I actors for it y d ll n ia a tors. Init ve story c lo a a e is th is y h b r, ‘T uced gethe my to be prod em work to chedule th g in e e s chemistry fter rst s itant but a leted the fi a little hes have comp e W . d e id s b r worries su dded. ed togethe ea iously work e v th re p r e d ft a on time,’ h a h s and Simbu riller Vallavan. It wa Nayantara tic-th n a m ro . il s m ay ct in 2006 Ta ey parted w Tamil proje this film th oting for a o e h s s a y le tl n re e release of e rr awaiting th u is also cu While Simb Vasudev Menon and looking forward to is am with Gauth ner Vaalu, Nayanthara haani. a o K ti f c o a au make of Tamil — NT Bure Southern re f o e s a le the re C s r u o y y l l a Music r Padum Babu-starre d n a ld n A d e back to wie who direct des ago, is i, ca a e a d ayakumar, f m o Ja le d p di, a cou movie title a . ith d w a Vaanampa le is . It in the hone again and Udhay n e ve a the megap N newcomers re the heroines. by M which stars aa d camera nd Niveesh a i Dheena an y says, Vyjayanth b r a c m si u ku m ya has film, Ja e th t u hapThe movie o t b a a h r. Speaking art in everyone’s life. W is the D Sukuma n p a l ci ra si g a mu an inte in love with ‘Music plays ng girl falls u yo a n e h and pens w film has An the movie.’ Circuit, the e highlight of in C s. ic le ss y ro y Cla jendran in ke au Produced b and T P Ga — NT Bure vi ra a h d a R Babu, J A film that speaks about films of five namozhi, speaks about the travails hiraipadanagaram, directed by Gna rshini ada Dev in cinema. Thambi Ramiah and youngsters who want to make it big Pro. lead the ing play ers has several newcom ngplay prominent roles inthe film that you four ut abo aks spe it ns, atio Cre sa Thai y atel duced by Udhayam Screen and Paa rtun Unfo ie. ortunity to come up with a mov . sters who manage to get an opp rest the s form then s pen hap s spoilsport. What an ego clash between them play by Nith ya. yan Kar thik and cine mat ogra phy Nith by ic mus The mov ie has Thir aiase rele to com plet e and plan s are on A maj or port ion of the mov ie is pad ana gara m soo n. — NT Bureau T o t m a h t Gau e s i u r c n o shoot hoot on a n a n d w ill s A a a i, y ri P d V a i R a ja V rt h ik a n , g v e n tu re lm a u th a m K a in fi m e o c h p T u . th e ir Dhanush R a i ry th c ru is e fo r a a w lp A is h d by Ka ir e c te d b y g p ro d u c e n a in v e u b Y w h ic h is d is y , b a ro m -c o m rt a in m e n t. M u s ic is to u te d a s E n te S G A ’s m d S A g h o ra r cr u is e , a n a ja . a se ve n -s ta , ik in h g rt n Shankar R a ti K o o G a u th a m w ill b e sh h a it ry w a s w re h rt o o is p ‘A ,’ re p S in g a k e n o ff to s t a n d c re w s h e h a s ta s t o f th e c a nnu and a re P e e th e d s n da kh, Taap e iv V ta k in g P ri y a A n a n , is th n h r Vasa ie , w h ic to v c o e ir m D e . th id sa rt o f la ji a re p a au D a n ie l B a — NT Bure s h a p e fa s t. G A still from Jamaai A still from Thiraipadanagaram e c n a m o r All about O R Vivek and Megha Burman in Oru Modhal Oru Kadhal ru Modhal Oru Kadhal is a comedy based on a real-life incident. The story is about a man who sets out in search of love from Chennai to Bangalore and then to Delhi, giving all sorts of troubles to his family and friends. Written and directed by Keerthi Kumar, it has R Vivek as the hero and Megha Burman as the heroine with Pyramid Natarajan, Balaji, Ammu and Lollu Sabha Swaminathan playing important roles. The camera is handled by Yugga H, music is composed by K R Kawin, and the editing is by N Sathyaraj. ‘When I got the opportunity to direct a feature film, I wanted the storyline to have love, sentiment and other ingredients that would make a wholesome entertainer. I didn’t have to look too far for a story idea. I loved a beautiful girl, who has now become my wife. With a little bit of imagination, it could be turned into an interesting script. That’s how Oru Mothal Oru Kadhal came to be,’ says Keerthi Kumar. — NT Bureau Yaan team on a roll W ork on Jiiva’s upcoming film Yaan directed by Ravi K Chandran is said to be on at a brisk pace. It is said that director of the film, has posted few updates on his micro-blogging site. According to reports, the Morocco schedule of the film that stars Jiiva and Thulasi Nair in the lead has been wrapped up and the director said that team has been helpful and creative and that shooting was fun. He also thanked the unit for its support. Music for Yaan is by Harris Jayaraj, whose recent Endrendrum Punnagai was received well by the audience. — NT Bureau Jiiva, Thulasi Nair in Yaan Published Balakumar on behalf behalf of News News Today Today Media Media (P) (P) Ltd., Ltd., from from85, 85,Mount MountRoad Road(GST (GSTRoad), Road),Guindy, Guindy,Chennai Chennai600 600032 032and andprinted printedbybyhim himatat FrontlinePrinters PrintersPrivate PrivateLtd., Ltd.,M-7, M-7,Thiru-Vi-Ka Thiru-Vi-KaIndustrial Industrial Estate, Estate, Guindy, Guindy, Published by by K. Balakumar Frontline Chennai 032. Ph:Ph: 4202 1111. Editor: K. Balakumar. Phone: Editorial/Admn /Advt: 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800 (Editorial)/2250 1200/2250 Chennai600 600 032. 4202 1111. Editor: K. Balakumar. Phone: Editorial/Admn /Advt: 22504000, Fax: 2250 1800 (Editorial)/2250 1200/22500101 0101(Advt/Admn). (Advt/Admn).e-mail: e-mail:[email protected], [email protected], Circulation: Circulation: 4202 1111. Fax: 4212 0000.
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