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Mickky is out, finally HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JULY 26

Personal liberty is the paramount essential to human dignity and human happiness – Bulwer-Lytton

‘Aunt admits kidnapping Utkarsha’ HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 26

Snehal Gaonkar has confessed to kidnapping her niece Utkarsha Parab but denied of poisoning the minor, Valpoi police said.

“Snehal called her husband informing him about the kidnap and said that she committed the act ‘for him,” Inspector Shivram Vaigankar said while speaking to Herald.

The investigating team is told that the couple was going through a bitter marital relationship for quite sometime.

Even as the couple is undergoing counselling at the Goa State C o m m i s s i o n f o r Wo m e n (GSCW), the wife reportedly filed a complaint against her husband at the Women’s Cell.

Booked for murder, Goa Children’s Court today remanded the alleged accused to sevenday police custody.

ON PAGE 3 l l l

CM assures probe Parrikar demands suspension of cops Snehal complained of discord with husband

Since his arrest on July 8, former tourism minister Mickky Pacheco was finally released from the Sada Sub Jail after the South Goa Sessions Court granted him bail on Monday.

Pacheco walked out of the Sada Jail this evening after Additional Sessions Judge, B P Deshpande earlier in the day ordered his release from custody upon furnishing a bail of Rs 25,000 with one surety in the like amount.

The court directed Pacheco to attend the police station as and when called and cooperate with the investigating officer.

He was further directed not to indulge himself directly or through any one in tampering with the prosecution witnesses.

Directing the former Minister not to leave the country without prior permission of the court, the Judge directed Pacheco to inform the investigating officer the date whenever he wants to leave the state of Goa with the details as to where he is going and the date of his return back in Goa. He was further directed to deposit his passport with the investigating officer.

Saying there is no need for Pacheco’s further detention in judicial lock-up, Judge Deshpande said the contention of the prosecution with regard to Pacheco’s involvement in connection of Section 304 of the IPC has not been brought on record by any substantial material except grave suspicions, even though interrogation continued for a full term of 14 days by way of police custody.

The judge said the aspect of

Supporters accord rousing welcome

JUDGE’S

OBSERVATIONS No need for Mickky’s further detention as involvement in connection with Section 304 of IPC is not on record by any substantial material except grave suspicions Aspects of ante mortem injuries, having marital relationship with Nadia and the whereabouts of the maid servant, are not grounds collectively or individually, to detain the ex-minister

Ex-tourism minister Mickky Pacheco is joined by his partner Viola and supporters outside the Sada Sub-Jail. Photo by M Prabhav HERALD REPORTER VASCO, JULY 26

After spending the worst days of his life in police lockup and judicial custody, former tourism minister Mickky Pacheco walked out of Sada Sub-Jail on Monday evening.

Pacheco was accorded a rousing welcome by relatives and supporters who garlanded him amid shouting of slogans of his innocence.

Holding the flower garland, a banner of No 12, Mickky’s supporters shouted slogan saying: “Mickkycho birthday 12, vorsak mhoine 12, aata ami datantemortem injuries, having marital relationship with the deceased, the whereabouts of the maid servant, are not grounds collectively or individually, to detain Pacheco in judicial lockup, saying these aspects of the

toleanv soglleank ghara.”

Thanking his supporters, he said: “My supporters are my family members and I would like to thank all my supporters, who stood behind me during this critical time.”

However, Pacheco avoided questions from media persons, but added: “I don’t want to comment right now. I will soon address the media. I have full faith in judiciary.”

When asked whether he would attend the Assembly session on Tuesday, he said he has not yet decided on it, as he is not feeling well. investigation could be carried out without Pacheco’s presence in custody.

“The objections raised by the prosecution that Pacheco is an influential person cannot be the ground for keeping him inside

No material to show that any influence has been put on any witness till date Pacheco was knocking the doors of courts to protect his liberty During pendency of the bail applications, no interim bail was granted to the applicant.

He could have been arrested, but no serious efforts were made Sufficient time was granted to the prosecution to interrogate and to recover the ‘so called items’ and despite this, failure to do so cannot be considered as ground for rejection of bail since not a single witness has come forward to show a slightest influence from the former minister. The investigating officer also failed to collect any material to show that any pressure (Continued on page 10)

NEAA quashes clearance of Careamol iron mine

24-yr-old nun found dead in well at Raia

ing out the minutes to the audience of the public hearing,” the order issued on July 12 said.

Rejecting the clearance, the Authority said in the order that it came to the conclusion that the EAC has failed to appreciate the vital impact of mining on the livelihood of the people of the area and the long term impacts on the ecology and environment.

The NEAA also observed that the mitigative steps and the safeguards proposed can hardly take care or compensate the damage mining would cause to the area in the short and long term, said Supreme Court lawyer, Ritwick Dutta on behalf of the petitioners.

The Authority was also of the opinion “that the contribution of this inferior iron ore to the State’s exchequer does not call for striking a balance between development and environment protection of the area,” said Dutta.

In his petition he had also alleged the mining company had concealed several crucial information concerning the rich biodiversity including two hectares of natural forests and cashew and coconut plantations in the core and buffer area of the mine lease area.

HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JULY 26

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 26

In a tragic incident, a 24-yearold nun, Dipti Brahmane was found dead in a well behind the convent at Raia on Monday afternoon.

The Maina Curtorim police have ruled out any foul play in the death of the young nun and have registered a case of unnatural death.

The incident is believed to have occurred around noon and came to light when the deceased nun went missing during lunch time. PI Sidhant Shirodkar said a search conducted of the premises later revealed that her slippers were found floating in the well. Personnel of the fire services later fished out the body from the well.

Firmly ruling out foul play in the death of the nun, PI Shirodkar said the deceased had joined the convent at Raia only 15 days ago following her transfer from Calangute. Saying that the deceased was reportedly in a disturbed frame of mind, PI Shirodkar said the police have contacted the doctor who was treating the deceased in the last few days.

Chief Minister Digambar Kamat today said that the government was contemplating having a uniform regulation for construction of houses in the rural and urban areas.

Replying to cut motions tabled by the Opposition on the Town and Country Planning, Kamat stated that building a house for the common man has become a headache, if he wants to build legally.

“Under the uniform regulation there would be a committee set up which will have lawyers, town planners, engineers and architects as its members,” he said.

Kamat further said that the person who wants to build a house within 500 sq mts of land can get a single window clearance.

“Once the person applies the committee, it will grant all approvals after surveying the site and fulfilling the requirements,” he said adding “the person will not have to go to different offices to get permissions.”

Kamat was quick to add though the construction proposed should be a single dwelling unit and for residential purpose purely.

Further, the chief minister

PTI NEW DELHI, JULY 26

Pointing out the adverse impact of mining on livelihood of locals and the ecology, the National Environment Appellate Authority (NEAA) has quashed the clearance given to the Careamol iron mine in South Goa. The project was granted environment clearance in 2007, but it was stayed by the NEAA after a local group, ‘Gomantak Shetakari Sanghatan’ contested that the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Environment Ministry had given its approval by overlooking rules and regulations.

The allegations were, however, rejected by the project proponent, which claimed that it followed all requisite norms.

In June, the Authority member J C Kala visited the site in Pirla village and after speaking to locals concluded that the ministry had failed to take into account the adverse impact due to mining on livelihood, the rivers and streams which adjoin the mining lease area and longterm impact on the ecology.

Based on his observation, the Authority also noted that the ministry, by not taking a prior clearance under the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, had gone

OVER & OUT Expert Appraisal Committee of the Environment Ministry failed to take into account the adverse impact of the mine on livelihood, the rivers and streams which adjoin the mining lease area and longterm impact on the ecology. against the order of the Supreme Court.

“The correct procedure was not followed during the public hearing as the panel framed the minutes of the meeting almost six weeks later instead of read-

(Continued on page 10)

Govt to waive off RAY loans HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 26

The government has decided to waive off the loans under the Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY).

The government has announced a scheme Rajiv Awas Yojana (RAY) for the slum dwellers and the urban poor in an effort to promote a slum-free India in five years.

“The State government has decided to waive off all loans taken by the Goans,” this was announced in the Assembly today by the Panchayat Minister Babu Azgaonkar.

He said the State had given loans of Rs 20,000 to the poor and it will be a great relief to them.

The scheme focuses on according property rights to slum dwellers and the urban poor by the States and union territories.

It provides basic amenities such as water supply, sewerage, drainage, internal and approach roads, street lighting and social infrastructure facilities in slums and low income settlements adopting a ‘whole city’ approach.

Govt admits scams in CCP, assures probe HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 26

The Urban Development Minister Joaquim Alemao today announced that all the scams into the Corporation of the City of Panjim (CCP) will be investigated by the government.

“I admit there are scams in the corporation but let me tell you it is not in my hand, CCP is a self governing body,” Alemao said while replying to the cut motions in the House.

He pointed out that no proper procedure was followed by the CCP while allotting the shops in the new market complex at Panjim.

“Till now no rent or maintenance charge has been collected from the government. Electricity and water bills of the new complex amounting to Rs 75 lakh are yet to be paid,” he said adding that the allotment of shops was supervised directly by the corporators.

“I assure the House that a fullfledged independent inquiry will be carried out by the government into all the scams,” he said, In the past four years the CCP has been rocked by several scams including the parking, market, house tax scams etc.

“The independent inquiry will look into all scams and bring the guilty to book,” he stated.

Earlier, Opposition leader Manohar Parrikar today criticized the Municipal administration for appointing a tainted person as the co-opted member of the Corporation of the City of Panaji.

‘Single window’ for housing on cards

said that the government is making sincere effort to bring out the Regional Plan as soon as possible.

On the ban proposed by Opposition on development in Eco Sensitive Zone, he said, the government is already working in this direction.

“The circular in this regard has already been issued in May,” he stated.

“Even though if the Eco Sensitive Zone land is shown as developable land no development would be allowed,” he said.

Kamat said that the Flying Squads constituted by the government, to look into illegal hill cutting and land filling on holidays, is doing a good job.

“There are several complaints received and the squads have reached the spot and stopped work,” he said.

SLAMMING THE SCAMS I admit there are scams in the CCP. I assure the House that a full-fledged independent inquiry will be carried out by the government into all the scams — Urban Development Minister Joaquim Alemao “The Corporator Daya Karapurkar is involved in most of the corruption scandals in the CCP,” he said adding “, and he is appointed none other than by the minister.”

“The person is of a questionable background and is involved in most of market scams - including the new market complex shop allotment scam,” he stated.

Karapurkar was recently arrested for damaging the CCP property in new market, he said.

Shah files bail plea PTI AHMEDABAD, JULY 26

Former Gujarat minister Amit Shah, arrested by the CBI in Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case, today filed a bail application in the court of special CBI judge who will hear it on August 2.

“We have filed bail application (of Amit Shah) in the special court,” his lawyer Nirupam Nanavati said.

“In the application we have stated that he is innocent,” he said. The bail application has been filed in the court of special CBI Judge G K Upadhaya here for which final hearing will be held on August 2, said Nanavati.

This is what they should have done long back instead of wasting money on subway & footbridge...

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GOA

OHERALDO

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GOA, TUESDAY, 27 JULY, 2010

PWD gets khatta meetha tag HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 24

Public Works Department Minister Churchill Alemao and his brother, Urban Development Minister Joaquim Alemao came in for performance appraisal from some of the MLAs who expressed unhappiness over pending files of various works in their constituencies.

The House was in for some light moment when Fatorda MLA Damu Naik drew comparison of the PWD’s functioning to what was being shown in the Hindi comedy flick ‘Khatta Meetha’ in which Bollywood star Akshay Kumar dons the role of a road contractor.

Both Damu and Aldona MLA Dayanand Narvekar, while supporting and opposing demands in the afternoon session, suggested Churchill should watch the movie. While Damu said what was shown in the movie was happening with the PWD, Narvekar stated in the flick the contractor, minister and engineer are seen sitting together for drinks.

Bitterly complaining about the PWD Minister’s functioning, the Fatorda MLA said works for which he had done all the running around to get approvals,

Kawathankar assailants still at large

HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, JULY 26

Mapusa Police is yet to nab the culprits who had attacked National Students Union of India (NSUI) President Sunil Kawathankar on July 23.

I t m a y b e re c a l l e d t h a t Kawathankar was attacked by two persons at Assonora, when Kawathankar and his friends were proceeding in his car from Panjim towards Bicholim.

Two persons, riding a motorcycle, blocked the car and pelted stones at Kawathankar and fled away. Kawathankar sustained face injuries and was admitted to Vrundavan Hospital. He was discharged from the hospital on Sunday.

Meanwhile, on the basis of the information provided by Kawathankar’s friends, who were in the car when the incident occurred, Mapusa Police has prepared a sketch of one of the suspects, who attacked Kawathankar.

Mapusa Police have requested the public to contact them immediately if they notice a person resembling the sketch.

the latter had given the privilege to bureaucrats to inaugurate the same leaving him completely out. “I do the running around for getting approvals and somebody else comes and breaks the coconut. This is not fair,” he stated.

Taking a dig at several departments, including those handled by the Alemao brothers, he asserted there was no coordination between the PWD, Town and Country Planning, Transport and Municipal Administration.

Giving an example, he said the Pasricha report on traffic could not be implemented because these departments were not working in tandem.

He said Joaquim has been assuring of a common cadre for municipalities at an interval of every six months but there was no sign of the same.

Narvekar said, “The PWD has ensured that my performance remains dismal by not carrying out many works. Other constituencies have got more money sanctioned than mine.

In one constituency a single tender was of Rs 12 crore.”

Narvekar said the current requirement of water in Porvorim plateau was for 15 MLD, but there is no improvement in the

supply. “Only assurances are being made. You can fool some people some time, not all the time,” he chided.

Calangute MLA Agnelo Fernandes too said like Aldona even in Calangute very less works were tendered. Files are stuck in the Finance Department, he mentioned. My request for a bypass road from Sinquerim to Baga is still hanging in the air, he added.

Cumbharjua MLA Pandurang Madkaikar said contractors are not ready to take up works because of past unpaid bills. “Work order for 60 works is ready in my constituency but there are no tenders. The PWD minister should look into this,” he stated.

He called upon the urban development minister to give due attention to reservation of OBC and ST communities during the forthcoming municipal elections.

Speaking on Municipal Administration Mapusa MLA Francis D’Souza also ridiculed Joaquim for not implementing the much-promised common cadre for municipal employees and called for making municipal councils financially independent.

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 26

The Minister for Forest Filipe Neri Rodrigues on Monday assured the House to constitute two cells, one each for the two districts within a period of one month -- to monitor cases of dispute about forest land pending in different courts.

The Forest Minister made the Statement during “Question Hour” on Monday , when the Opposition Leader, Manohar Parrikar along with Shiroda MLA, Mahadev Naik sounded alarm saying if the government is not

watchful , it would lose large tracks of forest land which is currently under dispute due to claims by private parties.

According to the Forest Minister, about 99 cases with respect to forest land claimed by private parties as their own at various levels in the State are pending before different courts.

The department has already lost seven cases.

About 19-20 per cent (11000 hectors) of the forest land valued at 1500 crore is under dispute.

Parrikar sought to know what the government is doing to en-

The Ad Hoc Committee on Law has directed the State Government to take up the issue to provide suitable location for housing Administrative Tribunal in South Goa on top priority basis and complete it expeditiously so that people do not suffer.

Expressing its displeasure over delay caused in coming out with concrete plan regarding affairs of Administrative Tribunal, in its report which was tabled in the House today, it has directed the government to act fast.

The Ad Committee in its report has also pulled up the government for not providing adequate staff for the administrative tribunal and demanded that staff needs

The Dona Paula-Vasco sea link project would be a white elephant for the state of Goa, a legislative panel has said in its report.

The Adhoc Committee on Finance, which is chaired by Calangute legislator Agnelo Fernandes, in its report submitted to the Assembly today, has asked the government to rethink on the project.

“The committee is of the opinion that the project would be a white elephant on the economy of the state,” the report stated urging the state to rethink on project.

The committee felt that such mindless project having provision of Rs 100 crores in the year 200910, has resulted in blocking of funds for no reasons which could have been put to use for other developmental activities.

“The committee is also of the opinion that the sea link project may not benefit for small state like Goa. The committee therefore recommends the government to avoid such huge unnecessary provisions in budget estimates in future,” the report says.

sure that it will not lose disputed land and officers are not manipulating to help the other side.

He suggested “the department should enroll good lawyers to handle these cases otherwise we will go on losing cases.“ The Speaker Pratapsing Rane said the help of people having good knowledge of Portuguese law should be sought.

Rodrigues said, they have been faced with problems with cases pending however as suggested two cells would be in place in a month’s time to monitor them.

Parrikar flays notification replacing 800 CC taxis HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 26

The Opposition leader Manohar Parrikar today criticized the Transport department notification for replacing old 800 cc taxis with new ones of over 1000 cc.

“The taxi business and the two wheeler rent services were started to provide employment to the unemployed youth,” Parrikar said while opposing demands on Transport in the House today.

He further stated that the government notification will leave the common man out of business.

“The taxi drivers do not have the large sum of amount to buy the vehicles above 1000 cc which cost over Rs 5 to 6 lakh,” he stated.

“This notification will help the rich to invest in business leaving the poor Goan families dependent on the business out,” Parrikar said.

RP 2021: Parrikar stated that the government should immediately freeze development in the Eco Sensitive Zones until the Regional Plan 2021 is finalized.

“The government should freeze development in the Eco Sensitive Zones and so also the huge buildings in the villages,” he said.

Parrikar said that due to non implementation of the RS 20201 the situation in the urban areas is gone from bad to worse.

“Permissions to hotels and buildings without proper parking space and it is because the they are following old plan

of administrative tribunal are immediately met.

The presiding officers are constrained because of inadequate staff and judges have to write judgements personally in long hand.

Currently, North Goa administrative tribunal has pendency of around 3000 cases whereas the South Goa Tribunal has 500 cases awaiting to disposed off.

In the view of huge pendency of cases, the Ad Hoc Committee has recommended that an additional presiding officer be appointed.

It has further suggested that Administrative Tribunal which is currently located on the third floor of Vaidya Hospital Building in Panjim market area, be shif ted to a

more convenient location which would be more easily accessible to public.

The State Government in its reply maintained that there is proposal to have branch of administrative tribunal in South Goa for which initiative Microfilming of marriage records -- Microfilming of marriage records is active consideration of the government.

A proposal for degitilisation of marriage records has been submitted to administrative department after an lysing tenders to obtain government approval and work orders will be issued on approval, told government in its reply to queries of Ad Hoc Committee on Law. The Ad Hoc Committee report was placed on the table of the House on Monday.

which was notified when the vehicles were very less,” he said adding “if the situation continues Cities will be out of control.”

Parrikar also charged that the Section 16 (A) of the TCP is being misused by the government authorities for converting lands.

NH17: Parrikar today stated that the work on the new Zuari Bridge should be started immediately.

“There is no need for completing full alignment for starting work on Zuari,” he stated.

Parrikar also ciriticised the government for bowing to the wishes of NHAI. “We must tell them where the road should be and not NHAI,” he stated adding “if they do not agree let us widen the road on our own.”

Ad hoc Panel calls for appointment of PPs APPs HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 26

The Ad Hoc Committee on Law has asked the government to enact a framework for quick and efficient filling of posts of Public Prosecutors (PPs) and Assistant Public Prosecutors (APPs) as shortfall immediately impacts functioning of judiciary.

There are fourteen sessions courts out of which eight are in North Goa and six in South Goa and services of at least, one PP has to be provided in all the courts however there are only eight sanctioned posts of PPs of which one is lying vacant.

The govt admitted that the strength of PPs was on the lower side as compared to the number of courts existing in the North Goa and South Goa. It has decided to create at least five posts of PPs.

Rail traffic continues to remain affected HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JULY 26

Rail traffic on the Goa-Mumbai route of the Konkan Railway continues to remain suspended for the third day today.

And, if authorities of the Konkan Railway are to be believed, it would take more than 48 hours to completely restore rail traffic on the Goa-Mumbai sector.

KRC Sr Public Relations Manager, Baban Ghatge told Herald

from Ratnagiri that the situation is bad as the Konkan region is witnessing heavy rains over the last two days. He said work has begun to restore the rail link, but the heavy rains has hampered the ongoing work.

Ghatge said that rail services between Goa and Mumbai will continue to remain suspended for two more days till the route is restored for traffic.. “Heavy rains have hampered work to restore the rail services between

Goa and Mumbai. Atleast during the next 48 hours, there’s no possibility of the rail services resuming between the two points”, he added.

Most of the Mumbai bound trains originating from Margao, including the Konkan Kanya express and the Mandovi Express have been cancelled during the last two days.

The railway authorities have either diverted or rescheduled all long distance trains running

Mickky supporters upbeat over his release

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 26

two cells to monitor forest land cases: Filipe Neri

Provide accommodation for tribunal in South Goa: Panel HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 26

Rethink on sea link project: panel

on the Konkan railway route following the heavy damage caused to the rail tracks at the Ratnagiri sector.

Replying to a question, Ghatge said all passengers stranded at the Ratnagiri railway station have been transhipped by the Jhodpur Express, adding that KRC authorities are presently concentrating on the restoration of the rail services at Ratnagiri.

Mickky’s lawyer garlanded after court granted bail to the Benaulim MLA. Photo by Santosh Mirajkar (Right) Mickky walking out of the GMC after getting discharged from the hospital.

Photo by Rozario Estibeiro HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JULY 26

Sessions Court order granting bail to Mickky Pacheco finally brought smiles on the faces his supporters, but the supporters made it amply clear to the government that they will not rest till the false charges registered against their leader are dropped.

Pacheco’s sister Nifa praised God and thanked the lawyer for doing justice to her brother.

No sooner Judge Desphande

House Panel concerned over rise in State debts HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 26

A legislative panel has expressed serious concern over the increasing debts of the state.

The Adhoc committee on Finance, headed by Calangute Legislator Agnelo Fernandes has suggested that the State needs to implement new measures to increase the State’s revenue.

“The committee is of the opinion that though the government is succeeded in implementing the recommendations of the 6th Pay Commission to the employees, it has come at a high price,” the report tabled in the House has said.

The committee is of further opinion that most of the government departments have not followed any austerity measures which resulted in reckless expenditure by the departments, which increase the liabilities for which there are no other alternatives before the government than to borrow money from open market.

“The committee feels that the government should implement new measures to increase its revenue in order to reduce the debt burden of the state,” it says adding “…however the government has failed completely in implementing the various revenue earning schemes like professional tax etc which have been declared in the budget, but have only remained on paper.”

The committee has urged the government that they should be serious about the high rate of debt which is increasing day by day failing which it may lead Goa to debt trap state.

pronounced his orders in the open court room on Monday morning, Pacheco’s supporters sitting in the open court room heaved a sigh of relief as many of them came out to convey the message to the supporters waiting outside.

His supporters profusely thanked and congratulated Adv Anacleto Viegas for successfully arguing Pacheco’s case in the court.

Armed with a placard that Mickky is a messiah of the poor,

a supporter Kalekar thanked the Judiciary, Adv Viegas and others for granting bail.

Another strong supporter of the former tourism minister from Nuvem, Joe, expressed his satisfaction over the granting of bail by the court.

He, however, said the next course of action will be chalked out till the government drops all false charges against the former Minister.

The supporters garlanded Adv Anacleto Viegas after he came

Jose Philip assures action on black-marketing of kerosene HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 26

The Minister for Civil Supply and Consumer Affairs Jose Philip D’Souza told the House black-marketing of kerosene will be investigated into and, necessary action will be taken as Opposition members cornered him on the issue.

The question came to fore during “Question Hour” on Monday when Mandren MLA, Laxmikant Parsekar questioned why there is high concentration of kerosene vendors in Mormugao taluka. Of the total 715 vendors operating in the State, 315

alone are in Salcete, he said.

Other talukas such as Pernem , Canacona and even Bardez has a fewer vendors but 45 per cent of the vendors are in Salcete.

The Civil Supplies Minister said, vendors cater to floating population but Mandrekar countered whether 45 per cent of the floating population reside in Salcete?

Supported by the Leader of Opposition Manohar Parrokar he said, kerosene supplied to vendors by the department is either sold in the open market at Rs 30 per litre or it is diverted for adulteration.

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 26

Water Resources Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues on Monday informed the House that the Supreme Court has set a time of six weeks for the formation of the Water Dispute Tribunal to solve the water-diversion issue between Goa and Karnataka.

Replying to a calling attention motion by Fatorda MLA Damu Naik on the sixth day of the Monsoon Session of the Goa Legislative Assembly, Neri said the apex court will recommend three persons – President and two members –for the tribunal and these names will have to be approved by the Government of India.

Neri further informed that the Government of India has already

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 26

approved the formation of the tribunal for Mhadei and it was waiting for the names to be recommended by the SC. These names will be chosen from among persons having integrity, he stated.

He informed that the next hearing on the issue was slated to be held today (July 26). The State Government is committed to protecting the interests of Goa and will oppose and stall any moves

by Karnataka to divert the waters of Mhadei to Malaprabha or any other basin, he mentioned in reply to the calling attention motion.

Neri further stated efforts are being made and will be made to place the grievances arising here before appropriate authorities like the apex court, the tri-

ders for the project.

Commenting further, Dhavalikar said in the new contract there would be a clause by which the vehicles over 10 years would be given some sort of subsidy.

“It would be harsh if the ve-

hicles above 10 years are charged the same amount,” he said.

Meanwhile, Transport Minister Sudin Dhavalikar today said that the Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd will incur a loss of rs 42 crore in the current financial year 2010-11.

Dhavalikar said that the implementation of the sixth pay commission to the employees has shot the KTCL expenditure rs 65 cr to Rs 105 cr.

“Last year the expenditure was 63 cr but this year it will increase to 105 cr on account of 6th pay commission implementation,” he said.

He said that out of the 105 cr, 47 cr itself will be spent on salaries.

‘create special posts for those bringing laurels to State’ HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 26

The Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar said the Government should make efforts to create around 20 to 30 posts for people who bring laurels to the State.

These selective posts should be created in such a way that they allow the personalities bringing accolades to pay more attention to their respective fields because this will help them to excel further, he stated.

Parrikar was talking while supporting the congratulatory mo-

Parrikar asked the minister to explain how a vendor earning 60 paise per litre on his quota of 180 liters a month, will able to survive? Furthermore, he said, hawkers do not have weights certified from legal metrology.

D’Souza said the department had conducted a survey and twentyseven licences were cancelled whereas thirty are under investigation. And, if the Opposition wants, re-survey will be conducted however Parrikar reiterated that they want to know what action he would take to stop black marketing of kerosene in the State.

SC has set 6 weeks time for tribunal on Mhadei: Neri

Govt to terminate high security number plates contract: Sudin Transport Minister Sudin DHvaalikar today said that the government was in the process of terminating the contract of the High Security Number Plates.

Based on the Sanjay Srivastava Committee report, the State cabinet recently decided to re-tender the job.

“We need to remove the financial implications and the file has been moved to the Law Department,” he said adding “the process of terminating the contract of Shmnit Utsch has already begun.

He further said that as soon as the process is completed the government will float new ten-

out of the court building.

Adv Viegas thanked the Judiciar y for doing justice for Pacheco, saying that the people would have been at the mercy of the powers that be if there was no independent Judiciary in the country.

Questioning the logic of the police for custodial interrogations, Adv Viegas said custodial interrogations was used only in archaic society and asked the administration to move with the changing times.

tion moved by Transport Minister Ramkrishna Dhavalikar applauding Fatorda MLA Damu Naik for his film ‘Zagor’ that was received well at the international film festival.

Another personality from Goa who came in for much praise for her stellar role in making the State proud was singer Aarti Naik. Parrikar was joined by Speaker Pratapsing Rane in praising Naik with the latter commending Ramrao Naik, the singer’s father, for training many good

artistes.

The congratulator y mo tion moved by Dhavalikar was supported by Parrikar, Vijay Pai Khot, Shyam Sat a rd e ka r, M a h a d e v N a i k , Chandrakant Kavalekar, Francis D’Souza, Dilip Parulekar, Pandurang Dhavalikar and Jose Philip D’Souza.

The MLAs called upon the State Government to give financial assistance to Damu for making the film which had placed most of the issues like mining plaguing Goa.

bunal or Central Government to protect the interests, resources and environment of Goa. In his calling attention motion, Damu Naik cited newspaper reports of the completion of the Kalsa Bhandura dam indicating Karnataka’s refusal to toe SC orders. He called for keeping personal differences aside because the issue was directly affecting the State.

The MLA said for the last four to five years the issue has been cropping up in the Assembly and the same will come up again. Nothing is happening here, he mentioned and asked Neri to go and make a noise in Delhi and if possible get arrested. We are all ready to come and support you, he stated.

Man ends life in Vasco HERALD REPORTER VASCO, JULY 26

A 29-year-old mentally disturbed man from New Vaddem-Vasco committed suicide by jumping from the railway overhead bridge at Shantinagar-Vasco on Monday morning.

Amin Sayed jumped from about a 30-mtr high bridge and fell on the railway tracks, sustained serious injuries to his legs and head.

Police informed that the deceased succumbed to injuries at GMC Hospital in Bambolim immediately after his admission.

Eye witness and people known to the deceased informed that prior to committing suicide, Sayed had waved his hands to the people and said he would end his life and would meet them in the next birth.

However, none, who were walking along the bridge, took him seriously.

“Sayed was working as a conductor on the Vasco-New Vaddem passenger bus and was mentally disturbed for some time,” informed his relatives.

The people who noticed Sayed while jumping from the bridge immediately lifted him from the railway tracks to avoid any train running over him.

They immediately called ambulance and shifted him to the Goa Medical College Hospital, Bambolim, where he breathed his last.

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CM assures probe into Valpoi girl’s death Parrikar demands suspension of cops

HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 26

Yielding to the pressure of Opposition Leader, the Chief Minister, Digambar Kamat on Monday assured the House to order an independent inquiry and to take decision within two days about two cops attached to Valpoi police Station who allegedly did not investigate rightly into kidnapping of 16year-old, Utkarsha Parab, who died of poising, in GMC, on Sunday morning.

Leader of the Opposition, Manohar Parrikar raised the subject during “Zero Hour” and demanded that Police Inspector (PI) Shivram Vaigankar and Police Sub-Inspector (PSI) Terence Vaz should be immediately placed under suspension for prima facie negligence of duty.

Utkasha, a resident of Brahma Karmali in Valpoi was abducted from her school, Bhumika

Fiona to depose in Court HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 26

Fiona Mackeown, mother of the deceased daughter Scarlett Keeling Eden is certain to depose before the Children’s Court on July 30, her lawyer said.

Fiona who launched campaign seeking justice to her teenage daughter will arrive in Goa on Tuesday evening.

Children’s Court, earlier this month had issued her summons to testify in this case wherein 18 of the total 72 witnesses are already examined.

“Fiona will arrive in India to assist the court in prosecution. She will give all the information she has,” her legal representative Vikram Varma said.

PI, PSI told to report at headquarters HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 22

In a late night development, the Home Department issued an order directing Bicholim PSI Terrance Vaz and Valpoi PI S Vaigankar to report at police headquarters in connection with the Valpoi girl’s death.

Bicholim PI Harish Madkaikar has been given additional charge of Valpoi.

Higher Secondar y School, Poriem on July 16 by her aunt Sneha Gaonkar. She alleged to have forcibly fed the girl with sweets laced with poison.

Questioning the credibility of two policemen in-charge of investigating, Parrikar questioned why the accused was not arrested earlier. He also pointed

out that minor girl was not medically examined reflects casual approach of the police.

Responding to the demand of the Opposition’ that two cops be placed under suspension, the Chief Minister said he has asked DIG to look into the issue and ask for proper report.

However Parrikar said it is futile exercise as it means officer who is accused of negligence of duty is asked to give report about himself with a full scope to suppress information that might go against him.

A least, the government can do it is to transfer two cops to reserve force and reinstate them if found non-guilty, said aghast Parrikar as Kamat did not respond to his demand with equal seriousness.

The Speaker Pratapsing Rane also said there has to be enquiry.

Agitated Leader further said

during last session of the Assembly he had complained against Vaigankar’s involvement in illegal mining.

A written complaint was filed against the PI for threatening a councilor of Bicholim municipal council but no action was taken, he said indicating nonchalant approach of the government.

Investigation is on -- The Chief Minister Digambar Kamat told the House that investigation into assault on National Students Union of India (NUSI) President Sunil Kauthankar is underway and police has released sketch of assailant had been issued by the police.

Fatorda MLA Damu Naik had raised the issue during Zero Hour on Monday saying police has been totally ineffective in controlling incidence of crime in the State.

pose on July 23. This was incidentally a week later when Snehal allegedly kidnapped Utkarsha on July 16.

Employed with the Electricity Department, the husband showed up at GSCW but rushed back immediately to attend his niece at the hospital.

“He (Balchandra) told us that his wife had kidnapped his niece some days ago but the police located her (Utkarsha). We however could not record his complete statement, as he rushed to the hospital to attend Utkarsha who was critically ill,” Sapeco further said.

Nevertheless, in his brief deposition, Balkrishna countered his wife’s allegations stating that Snehal constantly harassed him and that she drove him out of the house.

Utkarsha, 16, was allegedly kidnapped from Bhoomika Secondary School in Poriem on July 16. She was held hostage till the police rescued her and handed over to her parents in Valpoi.

Prior to her rescue, the juvenile while enroute to Bicholim via bus had phone called her father informing that she was going to her aunt’s place at Bicholim. A complaint was filed and few hours later, she was located.

However, after the release, the girl’s health condition dropped and doctors initially suspected food poisoning case. Utkarsha in her statement to the police revealed that her aunt (Snehal) forcibly fed her sweets laced with rat poison. She died on Sunday morning.

Snehal complained of marital discord with husband HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 26

Even before Utkarsha Parab was kidnapped, the state’s women commission was counseling Snehal Gaonkar and her husband Balchandra Gaonkar on their marital discord issue.

Snehal, arrested for allegedly kidnapping and poisoning her niece to death, on July 9 complained to Goa State Commission for Women (GSCW) against her husband of harassment.

“She approached us with complains that that her husband not only harassed her but left her unaided with their five months old son in the rented house. While he stayed with his parents,” GSCW chairperson Ezilda Sapeco said.

On basis of the written complaint, the Commission issued summons on Balchandra to de-

Car crashes against tree at Karaswada, couple killed

One dies, another injured at Cortalim HERALD REPORTER VASCO, JULY 26

The mangled remains of the car at Karaswada.

HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, JULY 26

In a tragic accident, a couple died on the spot, when the car in which they were travelling rammed against a tree near Ambyani-Karaswada on Sunday at about 11.10 pm.

According to Mapusa Police, Harishchandra Gaad (33) had closed his bar and restaurant near Tivim panchayat, and along

MLA says no to hotel project in Agassaim HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 26

St Andre constituency MLA Francisco Silveira on Monday called upon the Panchayat Minister not to give approval to a river-side hotel project in his constituency because the same was opposed by the gram sabha and the panchayat.

The said hotel, proposed at Moita-Dandi, was opposed by villagers of Agassaim at the gram sabha on Sunday. Silveira while speaking during the demand session in the Assembly conveyed the sentiments of the panchayat and the gram sabha to the House.

He also called for throwing light on houses that would come under the axe for the highway work.

“We have suggested some alternative route; hope this will be taken into consideration,” he mentioned.

He also made a case for rehabilitation of four houses that had been demolished during construction of Agassaim-Goa Velha by-pass.

with his wife Prajakta (28), were proceeding towards Anjuna in their Swift car (GA-03-C-7541) to pick up their two-year-old daughter.

It was raining heavily and a lot of rainwater had accumulated on the road. Police suspect that Gaad must have lost control of the vehicle and the car rammed against the tree.

The impact was so severe that

Photo by Anil Shankhwalker

the car engine flew off about 10 ft away from the accident site. Both husband and wife died on the spot and the car was destroyed.

Police rushed to the spot and shifted the bodies to GMC Hospital at Bambolim. The bodies have been handed over to their relatives after conducting the post mortem. Police Sub-Inspector T J Dhavasker is investigating the case.

A 20-year-old man from Ponda died, while the pillion rider was seriously injured in a collision between two vehicles at Titan Junction, Cortalim, on Monday morning.

According to Verna Police PI Jivba Dalvi, the accident occurred when deceased Sachin Sutar along with Duttaraj Gajanan Pednekar from Fatorda were proceeding towards Verna Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) on their mot o r c y c l e ( K A - 4 4 -X- 4 7 7 0 ) towards Margao.

While the motorcycle was crossing the junction to enter Verna IDC, a Maruti Wagon-R car (GA-06-T-1465) rammed against them.

Sutar succumbed to injuries on his admission in a hospital, while Pednekar was admitted with serious injuries.

PI Dalvi further informed that car driver Ramesh Bhandari from Bogda has been arrested under Sections 279, 337, 304 (a) of IPC and was later released on bail.

NH alignments after consulting House panel: Churchill HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 26

Public Works Department Minister Churchill Alemao today ass u re d t h a t t h e v i e w s a n d suggestions of the House Committee members would be taken into consideration before finalizing the alignments for the NH4A and NH17.

The House Committee is headed by the Chief Minister Digambar Kamat. PWD Minister Alemao, Opposition Leader Manohar Parrikar, Dy Speaker Mauvin Godinho, Home Minister Ravi Naik, Panchayat Minister Babu Azgaonkar, Urban Development Minister Joaquim Alemao, Water Resources Minister Filipe Neri Rodrigues, Power Minister Aleixo Sequeira, MLAs -- Dayanand Narvekar, Victoria Fernandes, Francis D’Souza, Pandurang Madkaikar, Francis Silveira, Vijay Pai Khot, Deepak Dhavlikar, Anil Salgaocar and Dayanand

Sopte are the other members of the committee. “ We h a v e g i v e n t w o weeks to all members of the House Committee to put forth their suggestions upon which we can call the National Highway Authority of India and discuss the issue,” he stated.

He also stated that the work on the signature bridge at Zuari could not be started until the total land acquisition process is carried out.

“It is easy to talk but starting work needs lot of money,” he said adding the bridge is part of the NH17 project and cannot be taken up alone.

“If there is urgency we will have to ask the Centre for a separate project on Zuari,” he said.

BRIDGES: The State Government will take up four new bridges, PWD Minister Churchill Alemao announced in the assembly today.

Alemao while replying to the cut motions tabled by the Opposition stated that the department was seized of the matter that new bridges were required at some places.

“We have decided to take up new bridges for QuepemKushawati, a parallel bridge at Arpora, Sanvordem and Savoiverem-Kothambi,” he said.

Despite the people of North Goa facing water shortage, Alemao said that the supply was best considering the situation in the neighboring State.

“Water supply in Goa is the best considering the situation in neighboring States,” he said.

However, he said, we are aware of shortage at Mapusa, Porvorim and Calangute.

He said the department is constructing a 50 MLD water treatment plant at Assonora which would solve the problem of these areas.

Vasco flat burgled, gold stolen

HERALD REPORTER VASCO, JULY 26

Gold ornaments worth about Rs 4 lakh were stolen from a flat at Diwan Vastu building, Vaddem, Vasco, on Monday afternoon.

The burglars broke open the

flat situated on the fourth floor of ‘Diwan Vastu’ building within one-and-half hour’s time, when all family members went out of the flat.

The complainant, former Navy employee and social worker Narayan Naik, who had contested council election to Ward 12, had gone out for some work with his wife in the morning, while his two daughters had gone to college and younger son was present in the flat till 11.30 am.

Sometime after Naik’s son left for school, the burglars broke open the main door and entered the flat sometimes between 11.30 am and 1 pm.

The incident came to light when Naik came to the flat for lunch at about 1 pm. He was surprised to see his flat ransacked with the gold ornaments missing. Vasco Police informed that two gold rings, three earrings, two bangles and other gold valuables have been found missing from the flat.

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S H O RT TA K E S Dr Sapna completes training

VASCO(HR): Dr Sapna R Parab from New Vaddem, Vasco, successfully completed her training period in Rhinoplasty and Facial Plastic surgery in Germany.

Dr Parab pursued her training under the guidance of renowned plastic surgeon from Germany Prof Wolfgang Gubisch.

During her training period, she had experience of Septorhinoplasty and Blepharoplasty, brow lifts, nasal reconstruction by Paramedian forehead flaps and other reconstructive procedures with different types of facial flaps.

Dr Parab has done her MBBS and MS ENT from Goa Medical College, Bambolim. She is the daughter of Sudhdra and Ramkrishna V Parab.

She is presently associated as an assistant professor with a medical college in Pune. Dr Parab has co-authored a book ‘Endoscopic Colour Atlas of Ear Diseases’ along with her senior colleagues and Associate Prof Dr Mubarak Khan.

Landslide at Chorle Ghat keeps fire services busy

Arth productions releases CD Valpoi fire personnel clear the debris of the partially collapsed house at Nagargao-Sattari.

Photo by Ashraf Khan HERALD CORRESPONDENT VALPOI, JULY 26

A house collapsed in Nagargao and a landslide was reported at Chorle Ghat in Sattari taluka.

“Huge trees were uprooted at many places in Sattari including Charvane, Massorde and Khadki. Many trees were also uprooted at Chorle Ghat due to landslides at about 4 pm on The CD on Shri Mallikarjun God released by Arth Production at Canacona. Photo by Kathy Pereira

CANACONA(HC): Arth Production released a CD on Shri Mallikarjun Dev at a function at Shri Mallikarjun Temple Subhagraha, Shristhal-Canacona, recently.

The music for the CD produced by Arth Productions and lyrics is composed by Konkani artiste Gourish Vernekar.

In the absence of originally planned chief guest Chief Minister Digambar Kamat, the CD was released by both Canacona MLAs Vijay Poikhot (Canacona) and Ramesh Tawadkar (Poinguinim) and Canacona Mayor Shyamsunder Dessai. Deputy Director of Education Anil Powar, singer Purnanand Chari along with the production team led by lyricist Gourish Vernekar were also present. Almost all the speakers lauded the young artiste and CD Producer in bringing out an invaluable piece of works on Shri Lord Mallikarjun God. Purnanand Chari, Pankaj Namshekar, Yatin Talulikar, Samiksha Bhobe, Akshadha Puranik Talaulikar and Laxman Naik were felicitated on the occasion for their contributions in the world of music. A souvenir was also brought out on the occasion.

Vinod Dessai and Mahendra Faldessai from Shri Mallikarjun Devasthan Committee were present, while Anant Agni assisted

by Yogita Vernekar compered the function.

About 250 people, who were present on the occasion, were provided with the copies of CD free of cost.

KBM workshop organised

Sunday,” informed Valpoi Fire Station In-charge Laxman Majeek. “ The fire personnel also cleared the debris of the partially collapsed house at NagargaoSattari on Sunday,” added Majeek.

Majeek was assisted by leading fire fighters S D Gaonkar, S K Gaonkar, driver Arvind Dessai

and M R Pokle and fire fighters Namdeo Tari, Sheikh Hanif, V V Parob, Dilip Gawas, P Shrikant Gaonkar, P Shankar Gaonkar, J P Gaonkar, Sunil Gawas and S K Naik.

Meanwhile, cyclonic winds accompanied by heavy rains continue to lash Valpoi since the last two days, mostly during night.

Ambaulim SSC toppers feted HERALD CORRESPONDENT QUEPEM, JULY 26

United Boys of Ambaulim recently felicitated SSC top rankers from Ambaulim village.

The SSC top rankers were felicitated by Goa Konkani Academy ‘Lokved Researcher’ and noted Konkni writer Dr Jayanti in the presence of Goa Konkni Vice President Vincy Quadros, Our Lady of Lourdes Church Parish Priest Fr Ubaldo Fernandes and Government High School, Ambaulim, Headmistress Cynthia Coelho at a function organized in Our Lady of Lourdes Church Hall, Ambaulim.

Speaking on the occasion and delivering a speech on ‘Importance of Preserving Culture’, chief guest Dr Jayanti Naik stated that there is a need to preserve our culture.

“Culture helps us to know what type of life human beings are living and from what stage we have traveled/developed. Culture has nothing to do with any

Discussion on ‘Folk Plays of Salcete’ at Porvorim

religion, but every culture has its rooms with nature like trees, mountain, stone, etc,” she said.

She raised a concern over the destruction of Mand, which is the center stage for performing/preserving culture.

Speaking on the occasion, Quadros highlighted the different schemes available to the schools and locals. Handing over a set of Konkani books on behalf of Goa Konkni Academy to the library of United Boys which they are running, he appealed to the local youth to inculcate the habit of reading.

Fr Ubaldo Fernandes appreciated the work of felicitating

the students. He appealed to the village youth to continue with the good work and not to bother about the criticism made.

On the occasion, Government High School headmistress was felicitated by the Club for securing 100% SSC result. In Reply to the felicitation, Coelho said it is her and her teachers hard efforts the school been able to get 100% result and that too inspite of not having proper infrastructure.

On the occasion, five SSC top rankers from the village Melvin Simoes, Joylon Fernandes, Freda D’Costa, Mayuri Chari and Joiton D’Costa were felicitated for their outstanding performance.

‘Healthy Living’ on In Goa Channel HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, JULY 26

Vrundavan Hospital and Research Centre will be presenting a new programme on health known as ‘Healthy Living’ in association with ‘In Goa Channel’ a 24 hours Goan channel. The programme will be telecast on every Saturday 9.30 pm onwards.

Dr Digambar Naik will be seen explaining diabetes and its prevention, says a press release.

Sapeco installed Mala Lions chief

HERALD NEWS BUREAU PANJIM, JULY 26

Higher Education Director Bhaskar Nayak inaugurates the workshop at Sneha Mandir, Nageshi-Ponda. Photo by Amresh Parab

MARCEL(HC): Konkani Bhasha Mandal in association with Antruz Ghuduyo organized a two-day workshop for college students on ‘Personality Development through Drama’ at Sneha Mandir, Nageshi-Ponda.

The workshop was inaugurated by Higher Education Director Bhaskar Nayak on Saturday. About 100 students from 15 colleges participated in the workshop. Well-known personality from the field Shridar Kamat Bambolkar guided the students during the two-day workshop.

In his speech, Nayak said drama has a unique importance which one cannot be achieved through curriculum. “Personality development and drama are co-related. Drama has a unique importance. At one time, it is ok if you score less marks, because marks obtained in examination though decides on certain things but also do not decide on many other things,” said Nayak.

“Drama according to me plays a significant role in our life.

It teaches you so many things,” added Nayak.

Konkani Bhasha Mandal President Prashant Naik spoke on the importance of the workshop.

Baby crocodile rescued

A youth from Calangute displays the baby crocodile.

Photo by Thomas Fernandes

CALANGUTE(HC): A resident of Calangute rescued a baby crocodile at Sinquerim early Thursday morning.

Francis Fernandes of Gaura Vaddo, Calangute netted the baby crocodile while casting his net for fish. The crocodile was later handed over to the members of Green Cross Foundation, looking after the welfare of animals.

Xavier Centre of Historical Research will conduct a talk and discussion on ‘Folk Plays of Salcete’ by Dr José Pereira at Xavier Centre of Historical Research, Alto Porvorim, on July 28 at 5.30 pm.

Dr José Pereira was born in Bombay in January 1931. He studied painting at the Sir JJ School of Art, and Sanskrit at Siddharth and St Xavier’s College, where he was awarded PhD degree in Ancient Indian History and Culture.

Dr Pereira then did research and taught at the Instituto Superior de Estudos Ultramarinos in Lisbon, the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, the Institute of Archaeology, also in London, The American Academy of Benares in Varanasi, and Fordham University in New York, where he was professor of Theology and lectured on History of religions.

Known in Konkani as Fell, these folk dramas can be traced at least to the 17th century. They are performed by wandering actors who for the most part are anonymous.

Some names have survived, like ‘Dongutt’ Niclau, Mest Filip, but especially the outstanding Joaquim Santana (‘Jak Santan’) Menezes (1898-1939), also a Mando composer. The talk will focus on his life and plays, especially one play, ‘Konk Mauxi.’

Fo r d e t a i l s , c o n t a c t o n 2417772 or 2414971 or e-mail deliom@dataone.in.

KR watchman feted for averting major derailment HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, JULY 26

Anil Ganpat Ghatkar, Cutting Watchman, was felicitated and suitably awarded by the Managing 'Director of KRCL, Bhanu Prakash Tayal for averting a major possible derailment of Train No 2978.

According to a press release, Anil Ganpat Ghatkar, Cutting Watchman, while patrolling between Kms.222/223 between Nivsar and Adavali Section noticed heavy muck falling into the tracks causing extensive damage to them at about 20:45 Hours on July 23 and he immediately informed the Control Staff accordingly. As a result the Train No. 2978 - Jaipur - Ernakulam Marusagar Express (Dn) which left Ratnagiri at 20:24 Hours was immediately stopped at Nivsar Station at 20:55 Hours and a major possible derailment was averted with his presence of mind and immediate action by the Konkan Railway Officials, for Safety and Security of Passengers.

Due to continuous unprecedented rainfall the situation remained as grim as before and all the passengers of Marusagar Express (Up) were transshipped from early morning by engaging about 40 Buses from Nivsar to the nearest Station Adavali. The transshipment was completed by 10:30 Hours and all the passengers were provided with breakfast and Bisleri Water Bottles at Adavali Station and were further shifted into Rake of Train No.6338 Ernakulam - Hapa Express (Up), which was converted into Train No.2978 - Jaipur - Ernakulam Marusagar Express (Dn) and left Adavali Station at 12:50 Hours.

'Director of KRCL, Bhanu Prakash Tayal, who is at the site along with other officials for the restoration work on war-footing, adds the press release.

Forgery case against Chapora resident HERALD CORRESPONDENT PORVORIM, JULY 26

Mapusa Police have registered a case against a resident of Chapora in connection with cheating and forgery.

According to Mapusa Police, one Ravindra Kulkarni had hypothecated his Tata Tipper truck with a bank. The accused forged the documents and got the vehicles transferred in his name and sold it to a person from Karnataka.

Mapusa Police have registered an offence of cheating and forgery against a resident of Chapora. Police Sub Inspector Bhuimbar is investigating the case.

Birthday celebrations of Poinguinim MLA cancelled HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, JULY 26

Director of Tourism Swapnil Naik along with the Board of Directors of Lions Club of Mala Fontainhas Panjim HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, JULY 26

The Board of Directors of Lions Club of Mala Fontainhas Panjim was installed recently for the Lionistic year 2010-2011 at Miramar Residency hall, Miramar by the installation officer MJF Lion Kumar Pillai.

Lion Barnabe Sapeco was re-elected as President for the second term.

The Director of Tourism Swapnil Naik was the chief guest. Mr Naik expressed his happiness and praised the Mala Lions for the outstanding service activities done for the community under the leadership of Mala Lions President, Barnabe Sapeco and his team of dedicated Lions.

Swapnil urged Lions Club to take up the issue of garbage management and to create awareness amongst the people of the locality and assured all help from his department.

Three new prominent members were inducted by the induction officer MJF Lion Agnelo D'Silva, included Vipin Makwana, Sujata Kerkar and Sushant Naik.

The new BoD consisted of Lions, Anand Jadhav as secretary, Shyamsunder Kerkar treasurer, Anthony Braganza 1st, vice president, Ezilda Sapeco 2nd vice president, James Vas as tamer, Monica Braganza as tail twister, Jovito Lopes as Club PRO, Adriano Godinho as quest chairman, Shailesh Joshi as project chairman, Ramesh Kunder a project co -chairman, Vinaykumar Usgaonkar as membership chairman, Shradha Kunder as membership co- chairperson, Dr N M Pal as bulletin editor, Manuel Daniel as jt secretary, Falguni Joshi as jt treasurer, Maruti Kamu, Nandkumar Acharya, Suhas Nirlicar, Ravindra Sulakhe, Suwarna Verlecar, Jotsna Patel, Gaurish M Naik and Rajendraprasad Patel all as Directors.

Mala Lions President Barnabe Sapeco speaking on the occasion highlighted the various activities undertaken by the club in doing need based community service all year round and assured to continue doing social activities with the help and support from all the club members.

Barnabe Sapeco welcomed the gathering and treasurer Shyamsunder Kerkar proposed the vote of thanks. The function was compered by Lion Jovito Lopes.

Birthday celebrations of Poinguinim MLA Ramesh Tawadkar on Tuesday have been cancelled, following the death of his 72-year-old uncle on Monday.

According to sources, Zaklu Tawadkar, MLA Tawadkar’s father’s younger brother expired on Monday morning and was cremated on the same day.

As part of birthday celebrations, various activities were planned commencing Tuesday morning including launching of Gram Vikas Saunstha and the reported plan to donate 1 lakh square metre of Tawadkar’s clan land for this society, which is to be used for building a school building and for eco-tourism at Mustifond, Amone-Poinguinim.

A felicitation programme for distinction students from the taluka, besides felicitation of five teachers was also planned on Tuesday.

Fernandes to hold charge as Loliem Sarpanch HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, JULY 26

In the absence of Loliem-Polem sarpanch, the Canacona Block Congress committee president and Deputy Sarpanch Elvis Fernandes will hold charge till July 30.

According to sources, since Sarpanch Pranali Prabhugaonkar has been deputed to attend a training programme at PuneMaharashtra from July 26 to 30, the village panchayat charge is handed over to Deputy Sarpanch Elvis Fernandes.

Fernandes said he will be available to attend to public grievances on all working hours of these days.

UPcOmiNg EvENTS Musical show at Panjim

PANJIM(HND): A musical show ‘Bharat amcho Des’ of patriotic songs by Socorro de St Cruz will be staged on July 27 at Kala Academy A/C hall, Panjim at 7 pm.

Earlier, two shows were already staged at GVN, Margao and at Rajiv Gandhi hall, Ponda, which were well accepted by the audience. The show consists of 17 songs and a skit ‘Ekvottan Ravumia’ on communal harmony.

The cast includes Anthony San, Aniceto, Sheik Amir, Andrea, Clarissa, Bab Andrew, Albert Cabral, Newton, Cyril Almeida, Francis de Mungul, Jasmine Cosma, Jose de Agacaim, Sonia, Priyanka and Socorro de St Cruz.

The band includes Luis Cota (Saxaphone), Agnelo Dias (Trumpet), Nobert Cotta (second trumpet), Benny (Brass guitar), Norman Cardozo (Keyboard) and Xavier de Moira (Drums).

Lights and sound are provided by Praveen. On this occasion an audio CD of ‘Bharat Amcho Des’ will be released.

The show is being organized in collaboration with Tiatr Academy, Goa and is open to the public, says a press release.

Pranic Healing workshop

PANJIM(HC): Dr Anjali Shackleton will conduct a Pranic Healing workshop on July 31 and August 1 at Clube Gaspar Dias, Miramar-Panjim from 10 am to 5 pm.

“Pranic healing is a No Drug, No Touch form of healing that stimulates the body's own self-recovery mechanism to work at optimum efficiency level and the most beautiful part of it is that it is self-administrable with no side effects,” stated Dr Shackleton.

For registration and further details, Dr Anjali Shackleton may be contacted at 2451080 or 9987062209.

Sanya Cotta’s music DVD released

HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, JULY 26

Opus Gala has released a DVD titled ‘Sanya Myla Cotta - Live in Concert’ which showcases Sanya Cotta’s concert in Goa held at Kala Academy in August 2009, featuring her on violin accompanied

by Delia Varga on the piano. They play works by Mozart, Bach, Kreisler and Sibelius as well as an arrangement of ‘Adieus Korcho Vellu’ an old Goan mando. This production is dedicated to the memory of late Burjor Shroff, musician and husband of Myra Shroff.

The DVD was released at the hands of Myra, who was long time violin teacher of Sanya.

The DVD will be available through Furtados Music network.

Sanya will be giving her next concert in Goa with her colleagues from the Nuremberg Music University, Germany on August 7 at Kala Academy at 6.45 pm, organized by Opus Gala. This concert will be titled T-N-T (Tri Nation Trio) featuring an all-girl trio comprising of Sabine Ehlsheidt from Germany on the viola, Lin Lin Fan from China on the piano and led by Sanya from Goa, on the violin.

St Christopher, patron of travellers

F

By Dr Jose de Sousa

rom times immemorial, St Christopher, the patron of travellers, is invoked by the motorists all over the world, as their protector to guide and save them from accidents. The traditional blessing of vehicles is carried out on St. Christopher’s Feast day, held on last Sunday of July.

Originally in Goa, the blessing of vehicles was done at Tivim Church, where the Patron is St. Christopher. Earlier, it was done at Old Goa at Se Cathedral Church where a huge picture of St. Christopher is framed on the wall. From 1976, due to the initiative and zeal of the then Parish Priest, late Fr. Roberto Vaz, the blessing of vehicles was done at Our Lady of Rosary Church, Navelim.

This year will be the 35th feast, completing 34 years of its establishment. Some years back, late Yeshwant R.N. Kurade, who recently passed away, celebrated the feast with much pomp.

Thousands of vehicles gather in the Church compound, invoking blessings from St. Christopher, with prayers to save them from accidents.

Subsequently, the blessing of vehicles is being observed at St. Joseph Chapel, Banda, Assolna and at Our Lady of Rosary Church, Fatorda, Margao. Since 1995, the blessing of vehicles is being held also at Holy Cross Church (Ireja de Santa Cruz), Cavelossim, which lately has become a tourist paradise, with increasing number of vehicles pouring.

According to a myth, there was a tall and well-built man in Asia Minor in the third centenary, living in a hut on the bank of the river. He helped the people to cross the river with the help of a big stick, for several years. He had grown old and his hands were not as strong as before and his feet were swollen.

Yet, when the people were calling him, he would help them happily.

One stormy night, with heavy

snow and river roaring, Christopher was sleeping on his foliage bed when he was awaken by a mild voice calling out his name twice. Though extremely tired, he at once awoke and got out to find a small child in a bright white gown at the door, asking him to take him to his father’s house. As the child was freezing, Christopher took off his leather cover and put it on the child. To his surprise, Christopher could see the child’s white gown shining through the leather cover.

Christopher put the child on his shoulders and started to cross the river. The river was swelling and the waters were reaching till his child and the child was becoming heavier and heavier. He then asked the child how he was so heavy and the child replied, ‘You are carrying the weight of the whole world on your shoulders’. After a lot of struggle, Christopher managed to reach to the other bank and set down exhausted. But the child told him to take him further to the hills to his father’s house.

At this, Christopher had to make an extraordinary effort and continued the journey exhausted till he reached the top of the hill where the sun was rising. Here, he kept the child on the ground and he laid down at the child’s side, sweating and the feet bleeding. As he neared his death, his hands were locked in the child’s small hands. He opened his eyes to see that the child’s face had turned into the image of Jesus.

POWER SHUTDOWN JULY 28 MAPUSA: Between 9 am to 5 pm. Areas affected are Hotel Preeti International, Kamarkazan and nearby surrounding areas.

JULY 31 MAPUSA: Between 9 am to 5 pm. Areas affected are Mapusa Industrial Estate, Alto Duler and nearby surrounding areas.

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HC reserves order on Princess salvage work HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 26

Bombay High Court today reserved judgement over the Gujarat-based salvagers challenging state government’s decision to hand over salvage work of River Princess to another firm.

The division bench comprising of Justice A S Oka and Justice F M Reis today heard the final argument on Jaisu Shipping application filed under the Arbitration and Concillation Act. When the matter came up for hearing today morning, Advocate General Subodh Kantak pointed out the various clauses of the agreement between Jaisu Shipping and the state government over towing away of vessel.

Kantak said that the government had entered into a contract with Jaisu Shipping for the removal of the vessel with a provision that work would begin

by October 23, 2006 and will be completed within a time period of 180 days.

However, the company failed

to complete the awarded work within the said deadline and government en-cashed the bank guarantee of Rs 5 crore.

“As per one of the clause, if the company fails to complete the work in a given period of time, the contractor shall pay Rs one lakh per day as a compensation to the state government,” AG pointed out.

AG said that the government has already appointed an arbitrator and the decision will be taken accordingly.

Putting more light on why the contract with Jaisu stands terminated, AG said, “Just a day before expire of the deadline (April 20, 2007), the company wrote a letter to the state government seeking for extension till October 1, 2007. The extension was granted till March 2008.”

Accordingly, he added, in June 2008 the notice was issued to the contractor.

Senior counsel Saresh Lotlikar appearing on behalf of Jaisu Shipping told the court that

Aires files review petition in Vishwajit case HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 26

Advocate Aires Rodrigues today moved a review petition before the High Court against its last week’s order which had quashed the charge sheet against Health Minister Vishwajit Rane in the threat to kill case.

The review petition will be heard on Tuesday July 27 by the Division bench comprising of Justice A S Oka and Justice F M Reis.

Rodrigues in his review petition has submitted that the High Court in its judgment had omitted to consider a very material judgment of the Supreme Court (2001 (2) SCC 245).

In that judgment, the Supreme Court has held that proceedings before the Magistrate could not be viewed merely because proceedings were instituted by the police officer after investigation, when he had no power to investigate a case involving a non-cognizable offence.

Rodrigues has said that in view of this judgment of the Supreme Court the High Court could not have quashed the charge sheet against Rane.

He has also stated that the High Court proceeded on the assumption that there was no order of the Magistrate to the police to investigate into the offence under section 506 (ii) IPC against the Health Minister.

Rodrigues has drawn the Court’s attention that the records of the court file shows that the direction issued by the Magistrate to the police to investigate the case against Rane was very much there and that the charge sheet was filed thereafter.

“As the investigation was carried out upon orders of the Magistrate. Neither the investigation nor the chargesheet could be said to be illegal and that the same could not have been quashed,” he said in his review petition.

High Court on July 21 held that an offence under Section 506 (threat to kill) of Indian Penal Code (IPC) was non-cognisable and had directed the Old Goa Police to proceed in the matter under Section 155 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

Corlim meet resolves to oppose NH4A lane HERALD CORRESPONDENT OLD GOA, JULY 26

The Corlim gram sabha on Sunday resolved to oppose the NH4A lane passing through Corlim village.

The gram sabha has also decided to send responding letter of the panchayat gram sabha to the concerned government departments opposing their move.

Since Corlim Sarpanch Sisto Fernandes was not present for the gram sabha due to health condition, the meeting was chaired by Deputy Sarpanch Fidelis Pereira along with Secretary Basilio Pires and panchas.

After reading the minutes of last gram sabha, Secretary Pires read the letter of a local Selsia D’Souza opposing the NH4A lane passing through Corlim village, which was supported by gram sabha members.

The gram sabha members informed Pires to write a letter to all the concerned departments informing their views over the issue.

The gram sabha members sought to know the views of the panchas, who were present for the meeting, to which Panchas including Naresh Naik, Joao B Lobo, Fidelis Pereira, Usha Kuttikar and Vinayak Dhulapkar said they all are opposing the NH4 lane passing through Corlim and would stand by the locals in their cause.

Corlim Citizen Civil and Consumer Forum (CCCCF) Secretary Baptist Pereira said: “Our Forum has tried its level best to bring in front of the locals the bad effects of NH4 road, if it passes through Corlim.”

“Though the State govern-

ment has assured to form House Committee, our Forum will still continue to agitate with the people of Corlim against the NH4A passing through Corlim,” added Pereira.

It may be recalled that Corlim Citizen Civil and Consumer Forum (CCCCF) members had already decided not to allow the widening process of NH4A road to pass through Corlim.

The CCCCF had made various representations to the State government authorities and concerned ministers and ML As asking for their intervention to stop the NH4 lane passing through Corlim, after which PWD Minister Churchill Alemao assured in the House to form a house committee to discuss the issue.

while 70 percent of the work has been completed, the remaining 30 percent work could not be completed due to interference by the Government.

“As such, the court must allow me to continue and restrain the state government from giving the contract to the third party,” he said.

“How can third party be allowed to break up the vessel into two pieces and taken away,” he added.

Lotlikar pointed out before the court that the government has failed in giving specific reason for the termination of the contract.

The court in its last order had directed the government to go ahead with the tendering process but restrain from awarding the tender till further directives.

Students of Agonda institute celebrate feast HERALD CORRESPONDENT CANACONA, JULY 26

Students of St Anne’s Institute, Agonda, and village parishioners celebrated the feast of St Anne and St Joaquim on Monday with religious fervour.

Earlier in the day, a feast mass was held for all the parishioners of St Anne’s Church, Agonda, who incidentally holds grand celebration of its patron saint on first Saturday of May. Preaching in the feast mass, Parish Priest Fr Mathew Fernandes asked the faithful to have faith in God, in believing the conceiving of St Anna, the grandmother of Jesus Christ, who with the grace of almighty had conceived and given birth at a ripe age of 80 years to the child of Mother Mary.

Fr Fernandes said with a divine faith, all things are possible only to God, and St Anna, who passed her prime age without a child, had not left hope until God, graced her to be the grandmother of His only Son Jesus Christ.

Musician and maestro Fr Peter Cardozo, who is assistant parish priest of Agonda Church, was behind a keyboard providing music and guiding the choir during the feast masses.

Later, a special feast mass was held for the students of St Anne’s institute, in which all the students took part.

It was a festive mood for the students, as the students then engaged to present a special cultural programme in the school hall which parents, teachers and others attended.

Careers in paramedical field HERALD NEWS DESK PANJIM, JULY 26

Employment opportunity for Paramedical Professionals is increasing day by day not only in India rather in the western countries.

Recognizing the limitation of the training courses offered at present, Vrundavan hospital has opened International Institute of Medical Technology [IIMT] since 11 years which offers courses in Physiotherapy, Nursing, Dialysis Technology, Cardiac Catheterization Technology, Medical Laboratory Technology, X-Ray/CT Scan/Ultrasound and Echocardiography Technology, ICU & ECG Technology, Operation Theatre Assistant, Optometry and Ophthalmic assistant, Hospital Management Technology and other miscellaneous job oriented courses.

Official assures action against hotels discharging sewage into Colva creek HERALD REPORTER MARGAO, JULY 26

Tourism department officials inspected Colva village on Monday after local activists complained that some hotels were still discharging sewage from underground drains into the Colva creek.

After inspecting a couple of hotels, besides the Sulabh Sauchalaya toilet, the tourism official Yasmeen assured the secretary of Colva Civic and Consumer Forum Judith Almeida that she would compile a report and

Potholes causing hindrance to motorists near ferry point at Panjim.

Photo by Rozario Estibiero

PWD to submit detailed report on water supplied to Porvorim HERALD REPORTER PANJIM, JULY 26

n The Court, after The Public Work Department taking cognizance of (PWD) on Thursday will submit the protest by the a detail report of water received at all the sumps meant for sup- residents of ply to Porvorim and Socorro Porvorim as reported areas to the High Court. in various When the matter came up for hearing today morning, newspapers, that the Advocate M Salkar, appearing residents were not on behalf of the government told court that the report is supplied with water ready and will submit by for five to six days, Thursday. had said that the The division bench was hearing Public Interest Litigation (PIL) issue involved is of filed by one Soter D’Souza. public interest, and The court in their last order of utmost importance dated June 3, 2010 had asked PWD Executive Engineer to give and gravity as it detail record of water received involves supply of at each of the sumps at Porvorim, O’Coqueiro, PDA Colony, water, which a basic Pundalik Nagar and at JMJ Hos- necessity. pital.

The Court, after taking cognizance of the protest by the residents of Porvorim as re-

ported in various newspapers, that the residents were not

supplied with water for five to six days, had said that the issue involved is of public interest, and of utmost importance and gravity as it involves supply of water, which a basic necessity.

The Executive Engineer had assured the court that he will ensure that whatever water is received would be distributed as far as possible.

The court in its last order had also directed PWD to maintain a separate record, which will be kept for perusal of the public of how much water is received on daily basis at each of the four sumps.

Justice N A Britto in his order had also said that until it is fairly known over a period of time, how much water can be made available at the tail end, the Executive Engineer shall ensure that connections to more then ten dwelling units are not given without the permission of the court.

submit the same to the Director of Tourism for action.

When newsmen asked the Tourism official on the future course of action after her visit to Colva, she said action would be definitely initiated against the erring hotels and establishments.

Monday’s inspection was carried out following complaint from the Colva Civic and Consumer Forum alleging that some hotels were still discharging sewage into the creek through underground lines.

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HC declares election of AICC secretary void PTI KOCHI, JULY 26

In a setback to the Congress, Kerala High Court today set aside the election of AICC Secretary, Kodukunnil Suresh from the Mavelikara (Reserved) parliamentary constituency and declared his election void after holding that he was not entitled to claim the benefits and privileges available to the members of the Scheduled Caste.

Justice M Shasdhidharan Nambiar allowing he election petition of defeated candidate A S Anil Kumar (CPI) and two others found that Suresh was not a member of 'Cheramar' community and thereby a Scheduled Caste.

Justice Nambiar held that he is 'disqualified' to contest from Mavelikara constituency as it is reserved for Schedule Castes.

The court found that Suresh had produced contradictory

caste certificate issuing by Thasildars of Kottarakara and Nedumangad.

In the 194 page judgement, the court condemned that action of the Returning officer and observed that he should not have accepted the nomination without a finding that Suresh is a member of Scheduled caste.

Holding that acceptance of Suresh's nomination was 'Improper', Justice Nambiar directed the registry to communciate the decision to Election Commission and speaker of Lok sabha immediately.

Suresh was declared elected from Mavelikkara with a majority of 48,046 votes.

Challenging the election, the petitioners approached the court complaining that suresh was not entitled for the benefit of Reservation as he does not belong to the Scheduled Caste community.

The court evaluating the evidence of various witnesses said that the evidence do not suggest that suresh belongs to Scheduled Caste community.

‘Even if various certificate produced by Kodukunnil are accepted, it would not proove that Suresh belongs to Scheduled Caste’.

Referring to a certificate dated October 25, 1979 that Suresh had embraced Hinduism as per Sudhi certificate by Kerala Hindu Mission and his name in the SSLC book is Manianna J and he was a 'Cheramar Christian", the court said it cannot be accepted.

It said evidence has been established that the mission president had been issuing certificates after receiving donations and fees.

The certificate was issued when he was minor and a minor could not not have exercised his

discretion, it held adding the certificate would also not not establish that Suresh has been accepted by the Cheramar community in their fold.

Hence, from the evidence it can be held that even though Suresh has been professing Hinduism there was no noacceptable evidence to prove that he has been as a member either of 'Cheramar' or 'Pulaya' communities of the Scheduled Caste, the court said.

Suresh tried to establish his case by claiming that he was invited for the function of Kerala Pulaya Mahasabha in Kochi, which showed that he was accepted by them in their community.

However, the court said the same function was addressed

by Congress President Sonia Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in Kerala Assembly, KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala.

By their participation they do not not become members of Pulaya community, the court held.

“By attending the meeting, it cannot be said Suresh was accepted as member by the Pulaya community," the court said.

Suresh had produced two certificates issued by two Tahsildars. While Nedumangad tahsildar certificate shows his caste as 'Hindu Cheramar', Kottarakara Tahsildar's certificates show him as 'Hindu Pulaya'.

The court held that the two certificates were not not reliable.

The petitioner, Anil, contended that two certificates were issued within one hour and without conducting any enquiry. The marriage certificate of Suresh was not not in accordance with rites of Pulaya or Cheramar communities, he had contended.

Govt, oppn to lock horns on price rise PTI NEW DELHI, JULY 26

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh arriving at Parliament House to attend the Monsoon session of Parliament which starts on Monday.

Even cameos help, feels Bobby Deol

PTI MUMBAI, JULY 26

Actor Bobby Deol, who has a special appearance in upcoming movie Help, says even cameos get etched in audiences' memory.

“Once a while, I like doing cameos...though these roles are short, they are definitely intense.

Such roles have the power of leaving a mark in the minds of audiences," the 43- -year-old actor told PTI. Bobby, who was last seen in as Dr Duke Chawla in Vaada Raha in 2009, said though he had a brief role in Dostaana which had John Abrabham and Abhishek Bachchan in the lead, it was appreciated as it was stylish.

Bobby, who has done over 40 movies since his debut in 1995, feels 'Help' would take horror genre in India to a new level.

“Help will take the horror

genre in India to another level.

It is one of the finest horror films that the audience will see.

It is chilling, gruesome and the kind of horror which gives you goosebumps," Bobby said.

Help, starring Bobby and Mudha in lead roles, would be released on August 13.

“I play the role of Vic, a horror film director who does not believe in ghosts. However, he has a different experience when he goes to Mauritius where unusual things happen with him,” Bobby said.

When asked if he was skeptical of movie's commercial success as recently none of the horror flicks has done well at box office, Bobby said, "Even romantic and action films haven't done well. It is not only about horror films that did not do well.

However, you never know this film might do well.”

Confrontation between the government and the opposition appears imminent in parliament tomorrow with the demand for an adjournment motion on the issue of price rise being rejected.

"We will not accept an adjournment motion. The government is ready for a short duration discussion on price rise," Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs Prithviraj Chavan told reporters.

“We are ready to discuss any issue raised by the opposition or the UPA allies,” he said.

Government sources said the Speaker had earlier ruled against an adjournment motion on price rise maintaining that it was an ongoing thing.

They also said the government expected the report of the Standing Committee examining

the Nuclear Liability Bill to be made available to it before August 10.

The Standing Committee, headed by senior Congress MP Subbirami Reddy is expected to meet tomorrow, on August 2 and August 4.

Senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu, meanwhile, said the opposition was determined to raise the price rise issue in parliament tomorrow.

We are moving an adjournment motion,” he told reporters.

He said people wanted to know what the government has done to control price rise in the country.

Describing increase in prices of essential commodities as a major issue, NDA convenor Sharad Yadav said the battle against price rise would continue. "We are determined to fight on the issue."

Move on to increase retirement age of judges PTI NEW DELHI, JULY 26

A proposal on increasing the retirement age of High Court judges from 62 to 65 years is likely to taken up soon by the Union Cabinet.

A senior Law Ministry official today said a note on this has been sent to the Cabinet Secretariat. "It is likely to be listed (for cabinet approval) shortly,” he said.

Sources in the Ministry said that the proposal is limited to increasing the retirement age of High Court judges and ruled

out a similar move for Supreme Court judges.

There has been speculation on increasing the retirement age of SC judges from 65 to 68 years.

But the Law Ministry has not mooted any proposal in this regard so far.

“Raising the retirement age of High Court Judges from 62 to 65 years will also aid in elimination of vacancies," a Law Ministry document on legal and judicial reforms approved in principle by the Union Cabinet in November last year had said.

“If the retirement age of HC

judges is increased, most HC judges would not like to get elevated to the SC...they want to come to the apex court as the retirement age in SC is 65 years,” the official said.

There is a consensus among political parties on increasing the retirement age of HC judges.

Over 40 lakh cases were pending in the 21 High Courts of the country, which were facing a shortfall of 265 judges, according to latest official data.

While the sanctioned strength was 895, the 21 HCs were working with 630 judges.

Farmers plough rice field ahead of planting paddy saplings on the outskirts of Ranchi, Jharkhand on Monday

Khurshid allays fears of Muslim outfits on education bill l PTI NEW DELHI, JULY 26

Dismissing the apprehensions of some Muslim organisations that the Right to Education Bill was against the community, Minority Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid today described it as “the fear of the unknown”.

“I don't think it is against Muslims. That can never be the intention of our government. I think, there is the fear of the unknown. It is being speculated that there could be consequences that are detrimental,” Khurshid told PTI. The minister maintained that “There was no question at all of undermining Madarsa' education or undermining Article 29 and Article 30” and added that “If there were certain concerns, we we will address them.”

Both the articles relate to protection of minority rights with the latter entitling a religious or linguistic minority to establish and administer educational

institution of its choice.

The Jamiat-Ulema-i-Hind had recently threatened to oppose RTE with full vigour, describing the Act as “against fundamental rights" and demanded exemption of schools run by religious and linguistic minorities from its provisions.

Some other Muslim organisations have also voiced similar concerns.

The All India Muslim Majlise-Mushawarat also underlined threats of "closure and penalties” under the RTE Act to minority institutions and urged them to organize themselves at district and state levels.

Khurshid, however, appeared confident that the government will be able to address these concerns and the HRD Ministry headed by Kapil Sibal will take necessary steps.

“I don't think anyone has questioned our motive. Sibal is cognisant of the concerns that have been expressed. I am sure he will do whatever is necessary

and take the required steps. He is already in touch with those groups,” he said.

Khurshid said his ministry has also forwarded some such representations to the HRD ministry. He said he along with Sibal will be attending some of the meetings called by these groups over the next few days, which will enable them to get a “complete picture”.

Khurshid also dismissed the contention of All India Muslim Personal Law Board that the amendment in Wakf act making registration of wakf properties mandatory can affect Muslims's claims on Babri Masjid, saying such apprehension was “misplaced and misinformed.”

The minister, who had a meeting with representatives of the AIMPLB a few days back on the issue, wondered that no one pushed for the issue in the meeting and instead came out with a "wish-list" seeking more features in the amended Wakf Act. "I met them (AIMPLB repre-

sentatives). The so-called apprehension was misplaced, misinformed and was not even pushed by anyone. But they expressed their desire and request to have more features (in the Wakf Act)," Khurshid said, adding “Whatever can be accommodated will be accommodated”.

“They had a wish list. We will have to see whether it can be accommodated now or at the later stages. After all, there is cost benefit analysis in everything. We will tell them that if we can't do it now we will do it later,” he said.

Khurshid, however, felt that these issues should have been raised earlier when the joint parliamentary committee was looking into the issue of wakf reforms.

“If the JPC report was found inadequate by the stakeholders, they should have come a little more aggressively at that point of time instead of coming after the bill is passed by one house

of the parliament," he said.

Asked about the AIMPLB's contention that the amendment will affect Muslims' claim on Babri mosque as it was not registered, Khurshid said, "There is no such issue. There is no point into it. This is not a problem at all. They were misinformed and were not even raising it.”

He said the Masjid property is already registered and hence “Whoever was raising it were doing it for extraneous reasons or were doing it for lack of information.”

When pointed that some Muslim MPs have met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the issue, Khurshid said they met him as well.

"They met prime minister and said something to him. I met them and showed them what they were saying was wrong. If they had taken me there, I would have told them in front of the PM that they were wrong,” Khurshid said.

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OPINION

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O HERALD O

Are Goans against development?

Vol No CX No: 191 Goa, Tuesday 27 July, 2010

Murder most foul

W

hat kind of perverse mentality could lead anyone to take ‘revenge’ on someone by murdering their daughter? But that is exactly what happened to 16year-old Utkarsha Parab from Valpoi. The young schoolgirl died on Sunday morning at Goa Medical College and Hospital (GMC), as a result of allegedly being forcibly fed ‘prasad’ laced with Ratol by her aunt, Sneha Gaonkar. That a woman who has a five-month-old baby of her own could cynically poison another’s child shows that human nature can have very dark aspects to it. Gaonkar allegedly chose to mix the poison in a religious offering; further evidence of a deeply twisted psyche.

But equally strange are the ways of the police. When he received a call from his daughter that she was at the Bicholim Bus Stand, her father Uday Parab rushed there. Unable to find Utkarsha, he went to file a complaint at the Bicholim Police Station, but was told he should first bring the girl’s birth certificate and photograph. The Police Sub- Inspector also ‘advised’ him to first check at the aunt’s house instead of registering a complaint. When he insisted on making the complaint, instead of immediately searching for the girl, the Bicholim police took her father to Valpoi Police Station, apparently because the school Utkarsha was kidnapped from is in the jurisdiction of the Valpoi Police Station. Had the cops swung into action, Utkarsha could have been found before she was made to swallow the poison.

But the lackadaisical approach of the police did not end there. While the main accused was taken into police custody, others allegedly involved in the murder were still scot-free.

It was only after villagers marched to the Valpoi Police Station on Sunday and created a law-and-order situation that things began to move. The district’s top officials had to rush to the spot to calm things down. Villagers were demanding the arrest of Sneha Gaonkar’s parents, Santosh and Sumedha Raut, at whose house Utkarsha had been confined when she was poisoned, for helping kidnap the girl and confine her. A neighbour had seen the minor girl being forcibly taken into the house. It was she who telephoned the victim’s father to inform him that his daughter was at Sneha’s house in Bicholim.

Police are simply too slow and reticent in reacting to complaints about missing children. A look at pending cases of missing children all over India is horrifying. We must not forget that the macabre Nithari killings in Noida were made possible because the local police simply refused to take action on complaints made by distraught parents. Even in Goa, the cases of missing children are many. Police can act fast, as they did in the case of the kidnapped son of the owner of a Vagator Hotel renowned for hosting rave parties, but that is mostly in cases where the parents are highly influential or wealthy. Otherwise, neglect, regrettably, is the norm. It is for the police top brass to take this issue seriously and train the station house officers to recognise complaints that are urgent and swiftly follow up on them.

I

opposing huge projects that siphon public money for private gain isn’t anti-development, says aRavInD BHatIKaR

A

ll ‘development’ must ultimately result in a better quality of life. The United Nations Human Development Report (HDR), brought out annually, compares countries on the basis of the Human Development Index. The Concept of Human Development is explained by United Nations thus: “Human Development is a development paradigm that is about much more than the rise or fall of national incomes. It is about creating an environment in which people can develop their full potential and lead productive, creative lives in accord with their needs and interest. People are the real wealth of nations. Development is thus about expanding the choices people have to lead lives that they value… Fundamental to enlarging these choices is building human capabilities… The most basic capabilities for Human Development are to lead long and healthy lives, to be knowledgeable, to have access to the resources needed for a decent standard of living and to be able to participate in the lives of the community.”

The Concept of Human Development explained above includes provision of adequate educational and employment opportunities, sufficient facilities for protection and improvement of citizens’ health and the required physical infrastructure to facilitate and sustain continuous economic growth.

When the media discusses Development, it generally refers to physical infrastructure like electricity generation and distribution facilities, water treatment and sewerage plants, railways, roads, airports, government buildings, etc. The quantum, type and quality of education, health and social security are seldom discussed as part of development.

When Ministers and other politicians talk of development, they invariably refer to capital works of physical infrastructure requiring considerable government funding, which throw open welcome opportunities to siphon off public funds for private gain. It is this last variety of development that is increasingly being opposed, and rightly so, in the last few years by Goans.

Goa is by size the smallest state in the country.

But its per capita income is higher and socioeconomic indicators better than most states in

Referee Maria

ndia’s first woman football referee Maria Rebello has made Goa proud. This 38-year-old former football captain officiated in her first top-level men’s match when she blew the whistle to kick-off the prestigious Santosh Trophy tie between Delhi and Madhya Pradesh at Kolkata’s Howrah stadium.

Maria may even qualify for a berth in the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) and Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) elite panel of referees. AFC assessor Maniam Murugiah was observing her performance at the match. If Maria qualifies, she will be only the second Indian – including both men and women – on the elite panel of referees.

Life Lines

Development DeBate India. Successive Chief Ministers of Goa have been flying to Delhi almost every year to receive the ‘Best State’ award, whatever it may mean.

The above achievements would not have been possible if Goans had objected to building of railway lines, roads, bridges, school and college buildings, hospitals, community halls, government offices, etc. Goans have never objected to any ‘development’ perceived to be environmentfriendly and supportive of a better quality of life.

Unfortunately, the economic boom in the country, though a boon elsewhere, has proved to be a bane for those residing in the coastal talukas of Goa. The stampede of the rich, famous and ‘nouveau-riche’ from Delhi and Mumbai to acquire holiday homes in this land of sun, sand and surf, coupled with a new genre of fly-by-night and mercenary real estate operators in unholy alliance with greedy and unscrupulous politicians, has set off loud and clear alarm bells like never before.

Goa’s shoddily maintained and hopelessly managed infrastructure is but a part of the nonexistent governance in the state. Elusive power supply (should we be happy that it is worse in some other states?), shortage of drinking water

(Did you say Goa receives 110 inches of rainfall every year?), and the garbage woes of the smallest sized state in the country (How do they manage in Kolkata and Mumbai?) are not the only reasons why Goans are opposing unbridled and senseless expansion in private housing in coastal talukas.

More than 50 per cent of the flats in housing complexes and luxurious gated communities are believed to be unused for most part of the year, giving rise to a rudderless misallocation of scarce land resources. Are our self-serving politicians and servile town planners trying to solve the problem of houseless people by allowing the construction of people-less houses?

Goans are objecting to mega-housing projects, not only due to insufficient and badly managed infrastructure, but also to the resultant misallocation of our limited land resources. Unprecedented corruption and total non-governance is leading to environmental degradation like never before. Whether it is the boom in mining or the spurt in housing, it is the environment that suffers.

It is this destruction of tomorrow that concerned Goans are agitating against.

Whenever vested interests are attacked, it is

but natural for them to counter-attack. The agitation against mega-projects, large-scale industry which does not do any good to Goans, huge capital works whose utility to Goans can only be marginal, illegal hill cutting and land filling, illegal and reckless mining, are all dubbed by politicians, builders and other vested interests as manifestations of a negative and anti-development mentality. The opposition is not born out of unfounded phobias but is a result of the real life experiences of Goans.

The opposition to so-called ‘development’ seems to have started with the mega-auction of Goa, planned and initiated by the Town & Country Planning Department in 2006. We are talking here of the Regional Plan 2011. What politicians failed to achieve through RP-2011 is sought to be subtly, or not-so-subtly, achieved through individual acts of greed, illegality or legal chicanery.

We have the example of the Rs137-crore housing project of more than 500 flats connived at, on the hill slopes of Chichalim Panchayat, by the Mormugao PDA and the Town & Country Planning Department. The PDA as well as the TCP Department mysteriously failed to take any action within 90 days of the application from the builders, and the project was eventually permitted due to a ‘deeming provision’ in the Act. Can anyone cite any other instance in any part of the country, of a use of a deeming provision in law to allow a Rs137-crore project?

The Outline Development Plan (ODP) in Taleigao (the only village in Goa that has a separate ODP, for obvious reasons), the land-grabbing Sport City, the proposed 1300-flat private housing project on the Taleigao plateau on land that was earlier acquired by the government for police housing but later ‘returned’ to the land-owner, the proposed merciless killing of a forest at Tivim for a cricket stadium, and countless other examples all over Goa, point to anti-environment and hence anti-Goa machinations of vested interests.

Isn’t it high time we stopped dubbing Goans as negative? Isn’t it high time they are congratulated for supporting and enforcing the Human Development efforts of the United Nations?

(The writer is a former IAS officer, and former Chairman of the Mormugao Port Trust)

the Institution of marriage

T

raditionally, a woman takes her husband’s surname once she is married. This means that she now will completely bond and be a part of her husband’s family, learning and adhering to the customs, traditions, ethos and general way of life of her new family. But is THISalways so? As a member of this long suffering species called husbands, I humbly beg to differ on this count. Here’s why: After marriage there is a gestation period , the honeymoon that last for about six months. This the time the new bride tries to learn everything about her husband’s family and then slowly implements the changes that she feels are right for her beloved husband.

The first casualty is the culinary habits. Having enjoyed the staple diet of fish curry rice from times immemorial, some vague nutritional excuse is given by the beloved wife, who makes a rather strong case about not having too much coconut on the palate everyday.

Thus our tryst with Dal and green vegetables(which according to her is good for health) begins with the wife contemptuously brushing aside our feeble protests over this grave injustice. The second most revered thing for a Goan after God; fried fish, becomes

another major casualty too, the ostensible reason being high cholesterol in the frying oil. Well this just the beginning!

As a bachelor, Saturday night out with the friends is almost sacrosanct. After a hard week, it is time to catch up and unwind.

The scenario changes post marriage; the husband is told that the wife’s second cousin’s third daughter’s fourth birthday party on a Saturday, somewhere in north Goa. Attending the event is of paramount importance to the dear wife.

Again, wiser sense and logic against going to the faraway place, is brushed aside. So there on that Saturday night the hapless husband is forced to drive for more than an hour to reach the destination and pretend to enjoy the party. The frequency of these parties especially on a Saturday somehow increases as months pass by. Is there anything more lamentable than this?

Just when the husband thinks that he has seen the worst of the lot, the wife gives birth to a small bundle of joy. Suddenly the husband’s number in the pecking order of wife’s attention goes down rather steeply.

Thus begins the Act Two of the saga. The child is looked after so reverentially, that most of the things that husband used to do as a child again become taboo. The simple joys of playing in the

By S. Kashyap

mud, climbing the trees, getting soaked in the rain are unheard of, for the growing child. And God help the husband if the child even catches something as mundane as a cold. This somehow happens again on a Saturday evening. Taking the child to the doctor becomes an emergency for the wife despite strong protests from the husband.

Well, by now some of my co-suffering brethren, reading this article might have shed a tear or two.

However, just as the coin has two sides, so does the institution of marriage. As a bachelor, mundane things like finding a kerchief, a freshly pressed shirt or a pant becomes a big ordeal with the dear mother trying help out. But after marriage all these things become a part of fading memory. The husband is treated like royalty. Despite questionable gastronomic practices, the wife also compensates by making exotic dishes to savour the taste buds of her husband. The joy of watching one’s children grow cannot be expressed in words. Generally, life after marriage is content, peaceful and without much worries.

I have to say with great humility, that despite all the hiccups, the pros far outweigh the cons, and all the husbands of this world will vouch that marriage has brought positive transformation in their lives. “Aall is well”!

Letters to the Editor Why public to pay?

Rajendra Kakodkar, Curchorem The Chief Minister has sought Rs125 crore from the Centre to remove the MV River Princess. Why should people bear the liability of a private vessel, especially when it belonged to a billionaire miner?

Salgaocar Mining profits are not known because it is a family-owned firm. But the latest quarter net profit of Sesa Goa was Rs1,300 crore. This is actually just two months profit, since there are almost no exports in June, being the monsoon. On this basis, Sesa’s profit would be Rs5,000 crore for the full year. The profits of the entire Goan mining sector could be up to Rs15,000 crore.

Considering this, Rs125 crore is just three days’ profit of all miners collectively. Can’t the CM force Mr Anil Salgaocar or his co-

100 Years Ago

miners to bear this? Why should the public exchequer bear it?

Catholics and jobs Arwin Mesquita, Abu Dhabi In his letter ‘Catholics want jobs’ (Herald, 24 July), Roy N D’Silva rightly points out that there are Catholic ministers who have done nothing to provide jobs to Catholics.

These very ministers liberally give donations to Priests. While there are many good Catholic priests, some actually market these corrupt politicians from the pulpit.

I know of Catholics who were denied jobs in the government sector or were pressurised to quit because they could not come up with the kickback amount being asked for by the Catholic minister in charge.

So may I ask who our real enemies are?

Perhaps we should ask ourselves this question before pointing fingers at others.

Catholics & Christianity Glestone Fernandes, Cuncolim

PRIMEIRO DIARIO NAS COLONIAS PORTUGEZAS

27 July 1910 Colonial Administration

It is reported that the Minister of Navy will table many questions in regards to the administrative procedures in the Colonies to the persons well-versed on the subject.

Charge Handed

On the 25th and the 26th of the last month the Charges pertinent to the Ports Authority and the Maritime Supervision were handed to the new Captain of Ports.

Goa’s Cause

Our esteemed colleague from Bardez, “Conviccâo“, who is independently and pugnaciously fighting the causes of Goa has has entered into its 3rd year

Pledges Approved

The Pledges of the Temple “Deuqui Krishna Ravalnath Panddavaddo of Organv in Ponda, were approved by the concerned authorities.

The letter ‘Religion & country’ by Joseph Lawrence (Herald, 24 July) says that the Catholic religion was created by God himself.

To say ‘Jesus set up the Roman Catholic Church’ is blasphemous. In 313 AD, the Roman Emperor Constantine legalised Christianity. In 391 AD, it became the official religion of the Roman Empire.

The word ‘Catholic’ means ‘universal’.

Apart from the Roman Catholic Church, there are about 22 other Catholic Churches, Eastern Orthodox Churches and other Christian denominations that worship the same God as Mr Lawrence does!

Jesus never preached religion, nor did he create one. It is easy to be a Catholic, but not a Christian. Some Catholics may not even be Christians. To be one you have to practice it, and to practice it you need not be a Catholic, just a good human being like Mahatma Gandhi.

Whither Konkani?

S Kashyap, Fatorda It was intensely painful to watch Dr Francisco Colaco, eminent cardiologist, social activist and a staunch, loyal and proactive Konkani protagonist, struggle to complete even one

Letter of the Day

Misuse of sports merit marks

Agostinho Antao, Guirdolim

The Goa Board has misused the sports merit marks, allotting 48 marks to three students – one in Carmel Higher Secondary School, Nuvem, and the other two in Pilar college – who represented Goa at the Lusofonia Games. As per corrigendum No: DSYA/State Sports Policy/517 Goa/2009/3452, dated 09-04-2010 Para (a) states that for international participation representing the country, 40 marks for participation and 8 marks for winning the bronze medal.

The Lusofonia Games is only for Portuguese-ruled places like Goa, which is a state of India. Representing Goa does not entitle a student for international participation sports merit marks. At the most the student could have been awarded national sports merit marks.

Regarding the bronze medal given to the students, it is a violation of Aim 4 (i) of the Sports Policy 2009 (no. DSYA/State Sports Policy/Goa/2009/3432 dated 30-09-2009 / 01-10-2009.) Recognised International Sports Events: At the Lusofonia Games, there were only three teams in the Volleyball event. Goa lost both the matches and yet the students got the bronze medal sports merit marks, where the required number of teams should have been 10.

The Goa board must declare which are the recognised Zonal, National and International tournaments and not just give marks to satisfy a few students. Proper procedures must be followed and certificates verified before issuing these marks. single sentence in his mother tongue, Konkani, during a discussion on a local TV channel. Unfortunately, this is the grim reality of Konkani in Goa. Any wonder that the language is steadily but surely heading into oblivion?

Puri Bhaji please!

Robert Castellino, Calangute The Railway Ministry’s decision to take away the catering business from the Indian Railways Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) will hopefully lead to an improvement in the quality of food served to passengers on the Konkan Railway. The food is tasteless. Even omelettes, perhaps the most fast moving item, taste like blubber.

The Railways need to cater to the taste of the poor as well. Puri Bhaji, promised by successive Railway Ministers for Rs10, is rarely seen, as if this item is available, the more expensive (but tasteless) biryanis will not sell. Puri Bhaji must be cross-subsidised by high-end items like burgers and Chicken Lollipop.

Meaningless talk Er Jayesh Shrikant Rane, Mumbai The India-Pakistan foreign ministers’ meeting has attracted the attention of the world.

But such meetings have no meaning or outcome; it’s just a formality. The hidden king of all this talk is the USA. Why is Pakistan allowed to dictate the agenda for talks? On one side, Pakistan is beating India with the help of terrorists.

On the other side, it shows its hold during every India-Pak meeting.

Till today, Pakistan has attacked us so many times by proxy. The entire world knows that Pakistan was behind 26/11. But with US support, nothing moves forward. Till today, we have spent crores of rupees on Kasab’s security. Pakistan understands only the language of weapons. Until we talk their language, we will not get peace.

FIFA vs Tech Michael Vaz, Merces The FIFA World Cup 2010 will be remembered for many glorious moments, and for

monumental blunders by referees, especially in two matches – Germany vs England and Argentina vs Mexico.

FIFA, which was only defending its policy of relying fully on referees, made a U-turn within two days. Not only did FIFA boss Sepp Blatter apologise, but assured that goal-line technology would be discussed at the business meeting of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) in July.

But it is sad to note that this point is not included in the agenda of the IFAB meeting in Britain this month. Instead, FIFA is thinking of experimenting with two additional assistant referees.

Even with additional referees, human error can never be eliminated. When technology is at our fingertips and so many other sports have inducted it, why can’t football fall in line?

Bridge for Divar Joaquim Pacheco, Divar Divar is a beautiful island, with plenty of trees, fruits, hot bread in the mornings and lovely river fish. But the residents of Divar face untold miseries. At times we wonder whether it is our fault that we were born and brought up on this island.

Each time we go out, we have to think of ferry timings and, for those who have no vehicle, bus timings as well. But that’s if the ferry boat is working. It’s like the Original Sin; if you are born or live in Divar, the ferryboat is a curse you inherit.

During every election campaign, the born again politician with his paid admirers begs for votes and doles out a bag of promises.

But in the end, there is no bridge.

I know that the plan for a bridge has been shelved owing to some petty, cheap, socalled local leaders, who are opposing it tooth and nail. Let us have an opinion poll.

I bet my last buck that an overwhelming majority will opt for a bridge.

Letters should be 150 words or less in length, and should have the writer’s name, address and telephone number. The editor reserves the right to edit letters for size and readability, and to delete any personal attacks or libellous /objectionable matter.

Paths of Wisdom God and the Spider During World War II, a US marine was separated from his unit on a Pacific island. The fighting had been intense, and in the smoke and the crossfire, he had lost touch with his comrades.

Alone in the jungle, he could hear enemy soldiers coming in his direction.

Scrambling for cover, he found his way up a high ridge to several small caves in the rock. Quickly he crawled inside one of the caves. Although safe for the moment, he realized that once the enemy soldiers looking for him swept up the ridge, they would quickly search all the caves and he would be killed.

As he waited, he prayed, “Lord, if it be your will, please protect me. Whatever your will though, I love you and trust you. Amen.”

After praying, he lay quietly listening to the enemy begin to draw close. He thought, “Well, I guess the Lord isn’t going to help me out of this one.”

Then he saw a spider begin to build a web over the front of his cave.

As he watched, listening to the enemy searching for him all the while, the spider layered strand after strand of web across the opening of the cave.

“Hah,” he thought. “What I need is a brick wall and what the Lord has sent me is a spider web. God does have a sense of humor.”

As the enemy drew closer he watched from the darkness of his hideout. He could see them searching one cave after another. As they came to his, he got ready to make his last stand.

To his amazement, however, after glancing in the direction of his cave, they moved on. Suddenly, he realized that with the spider web over the entrance, his cave looked as if no one had entered for quite a while.

“Lord, forgive me,” prayed the young man. “I had forgotten that in you a spider’s web is stronger than a brick wall.”

(Source : Spiritual-Short-Stories.com)

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OHERALDO

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GOA,•TUESDAY, 27 JULY, 2010

opinionated Kidney disease: types, causes and symptoms

By Dr. Amol Mahaldar

K

18.

idneys are a pair of vital organs responsible for purifying the blood, maintaining internal balance and a host of other functions as we saw in the last article dated July

Types

There can be two types of affliction of the kidney based on the time frame. The first is Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) or Acute Renal Failure (ARF) occurring in a matter of days to weeks. The cause of such insults can be infections like malaria, leptospirosis; post operative especially following cardiac surgery and in high risk individuals; blood loss due to trauma, delivery; toxins (snake bites) and certain drugs. Patients suffering of AKI will have rapid shutdown of kidney function resulting in reduced urine output, swelling, and breathlessness, derangement of internal environment of body and electrolyte disturbances. Most AKI patients will be diagnosed at first medical contact and admitted and treated in hospital. Severe grades of AKI may require renal replacement therapy (RRT) in the form of dialysis. Half of these patients will recover their renal function and return to normal life while some may have permanent kidney damage requiring medications. Few may lose all renal function and require continuing dialysis for their remaining life.

The more common and disturbing type of kidney disease occurring over months to years is the Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). The most severe grade of CKD patient will require some form of RRT: dialysis or transplantation, for the sustenance of life and is labeled End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).Extrapolating data from Indian studies to Goa population we should have 11778 patients with CKD and 228 new ESRD every year.

The survival of CKD patients is reduced when compared with the general population. The CKD patients have higher rates of hospitalization and more cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction (heart attack) and stroke. ESRD patients have even less survival rates with only 30% alive at five years.

Renal Transplantation offers the best outcome for the patients requiring dialysis.

Causes

We have already seen the various causes of Acute Kidney Injury above. Two particular events leading to AKI are worth mentioning here. First is sudden obstruction of the entire urinary system by a stone or other such pathology. Prompt treatment with removal of obstruction will result in complete recovery of kidney function. The other not so uncommon event is following some antibiotics and pain killer drugs resulting in Acute Interstitial Nephritis, an allergic reaction to these drugs.

Early recognition and treatment will help recover completely from this ailment.

The more devastating form of kidney ailment CKD is a result of a number of causes. The two main causes of chronic kidney disease are diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure), which are responsible for up to two-thirds of the cases. Diabetes happens when your blood sugar is too high, causing damage to many organs in your body, including the kidneys and heart, as well as blood vessels, nerves and eyes. Diabetes alone is responsible for up to 45% of all patients requiring dialysis in most centers. High blood pressure, or hypertension, occurs when the pressure of your blood against the walls of your blood vessels increases. If uncontrolled, or poorly controlled, high blood pressure can be a leading cause of heart attacks, strokes and chronic kidney disease. Besides, chronic kidney disease can itself cause high blood pressure and all its deleterious effects.

Other conditions that affect the kidneys include glomerulonephritis, a group of diseases that cause inflammation and damage to the kidney's filtering units. These disorders are the third most common type of kidney disease. Inherited diseases, such as polycystic kidney disease, cause large cysts to form in the kidneys and damage the surrounding tissue. Early identification and screening of other family members is of paramount importance. Malformations that occur as a baby develops in its mother's womb may sometimes cause CKD. For example, a narrowing may occur that prevents normal outflow of urine and causes urine to flow back up to the kidney. This causes infections and may damage the kidneys. Lupus and other diseases that affect the body's immune system may also affect the kidneys and result in CKD. Obstructions caused by problems like kidney stones, tumors or an enlarged prostate gland in men and cervical cancer in women may go unnoticed for a long time and cause CKD.

Symptoms

Most AKI patients have dramatic symptoms like absolutely no urine, blood in urine, disorientation and even coma and are hence recognized early. Some patients may develop AKI without many symptoms especially when related to certain drugs.

The symptoms of CKD are not apparent till advanced stages of the disease by which time the condition is irreversible. Early symptoms include High blood pressure, Fatigue, Poor appetite, Weight loss and frequent urination especially during nights.

These symptoms are vague and can be the result of condition other than CKD, thus delaying the recognition of the disease.

When advanced CKD is present patients complain of late symptoms such as Swelling of the face and legs, Pale and sallow complexion, Shortness of Breath, Nausea/ vomiting, Body itch, Decrease in urine volume and finally disorientation and coma.

If CKD is detected early then measures can be taken to preserve kidney function and avoid rapid deterioration to dialysis requiring stage. Thus it is very important that we subject to screening all those at risk - anyone with high blood pressure, diabetes or a family history of kidney disease. Steps can then be taken to delay the progression of kidney disease.

More about stages of kidney disease, treatment options and screening for kidney disease in future articles.

The author is consultant nephrologist and transplant physician at Manipal Hospital Goa and can be contacted on 09404756959 E mail: dramolmahaldar@gmail.com Do you have a strong opinion about something? Then write it down in around 1,100 words and send it to ‘editor@heraldgoa.com’ with the word ‘OPinionatED’ in the subject line. Or send it to: OPinonatED, Herald, Rua San Tome, Panjim, Goa403001. If we find it suitable, it will appear in this column.

Please note all contributions will be edited to correct the English and improve readability. Personal attacks or any matter that is potentially libellous may also be edited out.

Polish sleuths warned of attack on Indian embassy in Kabul PTI NEW YORK, JULY 26

A week before the July 2008 bombing of the Indian embassy in Kabul, Polish intelligence had tipped off of a possible Taliban strike on the Indian mission, according to leaked US military documents, which also say that American ally Pakistan's ISI maintains direct links with the outlawed Afghan group.

The leaked documents title “The War Logs”, also say that ISI has set up a semi-autonomous 'S-wing' to run operations against India and Afghanistan and an official of the powerful spy agency is in charge of running suicide attacks in Kabul.

“Taliban are planning to carry out an attack on the Indian embassy in Kabul. TB (Taliban) designated an engineer to take this action," WikiLeaks, the online whistleblower, quoted the Polish intelligence warning of possible strike on June 30, 2008, almost seven days before the attack took place.

The documents, the biggest leak in intelligence history, said the attack on the Indian embassy led the CIA's then deputy director Stephen R Kappes to immediately go to Islamabad to confront the ISI with evidence that it had helped organise the attack. But the leaks gave no clue whether the Indi-

ans were tipped off about the impending attack.

A suicide bomber rammed an explosives-laden car into the heavily fortified Indian embassy gates in Kabul on July 7, 2008, killing 58 people and wounding more than 140.

Defence Attache Brigadier R D Mehta and Counsellor Venkateswara Rao were among those killed as the suicide bomber targeted the embassy during the morning rush hour.

"INS (Insurgents) are planning to divide into two groups: first will attack Indian embassy building, whilst the second group will engage security posts in front of the MoI (Ministry of Interior), IOT (In Order to) give possibility to escape attackers from the first group," said the warning, part of a massive leak of 92,000 documents, posted by WikiLeaks on Sunday.

“Budget for this action is about USD 1,20,000. The main goal of this operation is to show TB's (Taliban) abilities to carry out attack on every object in Kabul.”

Suggesting that the war in Afghanistan is going badly for the US, the leaks said Pakistan's ISI was allowing its representatives to meet directly with the Taliban and fuelling insurgency against the US-led forces.

Giving details of the Polish intelligence tip-off, the leak said

that attacker intended to use stolen ANA/ANP (Afghan National Army/ Afghan National Police) car, and may wear stolen uniform.

“He (the attacker) speaks Dari with distinct Iranian accent. Allegedly, he is the owner of a ___ company," it added.

Advance copies of the leak were made available to three publications - The New York Times, British daily newspaper Guardian, and German weekly Der Spiegel, which made some excerpts available.

The document dealing with the Indian Embassy is titled ‘Threat Report... Threat to Indian Embassy.’

The date of information is June 30, 2008, while the date of report is July 1, 2008. The organisation involved is “Taliban Center” and the report number is 75010708.

Other documents strongly indicate that Pakistan's ISI is supporting the insurgency in Afghanistan, as well as plotting with Taliban leaders to assassinate Afghan leaders.

A member of the ISI, the documents indicate, is in charge of organising suicide bombing operations in Kabul.

It suggests that the man studied at Haqqania madrasa near Peshawar and revealed the general preparations to carry out these attacks including training of the suicide attackers in the

‘Ghalani camp Mohmand Ghar and Maulana Jalaluddin Haqqani's camp located in northern Waziristan.’

The report also suggests that the militants are getting help from the Afghan police.

The New York Times pointed out that it has been difficult for the US to pin Pakistan's spy agency directly to an attack orchestrated by the Taliban but the intelligence warning provided evidence of ISI's involvement.

The reports, while written by soldiers and intelligence officers mainly describing lethal military actions involving the US military, also include intelligence information, reports of meetings with political figures, and related detail, Wikileaks said in its posting on the website.

“Taken together, the reports indicate that American soldiers on the ground are inundated with accounts of a network of Pakistani assets and collaborators that runs from the Pakistani tribal belt along the Afghan border, through southern Afghanistan, and all the way to the capital, Kabul,” The New York Times said in its report.

“Many of the documents posted by Wikileaks suggest that Pakistan's spy service may be helping Afghan insurgents plan and carry out attacks on

PTI

CPI(M) politburo member Biman Bose today rubbished Somnath Chatterjee's scathing comments on party general secretary Prakash Karat and criticised the former Lok Sabha Speaker for dragging Jyoti Basu's name into the controversy.

“I feel that these are rubbish.

If somebody wants to malign the party, that is in bad taste and is sad," Bose, the State party secretary, told reporters to a query on Chatterjee's accusations.

Chatterjee, who was expelled from CPI(M) for refusing to resign from the post of Lok Sabha Speaker before confidence vote in Parliament in 2008, has made

reports the Pakistani military has played a double game -"appeasing certain American demands for cooperation while angling to exert influence in Afghanistan through many of the same insurgent networks that the Americans are fighting to eliminate".

Notably, the man the US has depended on for cooperation in fighting militants, Pakistan Army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani, ran the ISI from 2004 to 2007, the period from which many of the reports are drawn.

The National Security Advisor, Gen (rtd) James Jones, in a statement, strongly condemned the disclosure of classified information by individuals and organisations which, he said, “could put the lives of Americans and our partners at risk, and threaten America's national security.”.

He said Wikileaks made no effort to contact the administration and the government learned about the leak from the media.

Senator John Kerry, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed strong concern over the information revealed by the leaked documents.

“However illegally these documents came to light, they raise serious questions about the reality of America's policy toward Pakistan and Afghanistan,” Kerry said in a statement.

BJP charge on CBI misuse false: PM PTI NEW DELHI, JULY 26

Rejecting BJP charge of government misuing CBI in the Sohrabuddin case, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today expressed the hope that parliament will function smoothly and discuss important national issues.

"Well, there is no truth in that (BJP charge). The opposition knows it jolly well. This Sohrabuddin case is a Supreme Court-directed investigation.

The Central government has no hand in it.

“It has not tried to influence the investigation process in any way, I repeat categorically, in any way," Singh told reporters in Parliament House on the first day of the monsoon session.

The prime minister expressed hope that this session of parliament will be peaceful and productive.

After the arrest of former Gujarat Minister Amit Shah yester-

day in the Soharabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case, BJP had accused the CBI of working in a partisan manner by targeting Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh ruled by it, and ignoring the Andhra Pradesh angle in the case as the Congress is in power in that State.

“Amit Shah has already resigned and will go through the process of law. But BJP's allegation of gross misuse of CBI by the government is too wellknown,” BJP chief spokesperson Ravi Shankar Prasad had said.

Singh said, "We sincerely hope that this session of parliament will be peaceful and productive.

That parliament will have the opportunity to debate many important issues of national importance. Government is ready for every piece of discussion that the opposition may want.”

“We want parliament to function smoothly. That is what the people of India expect,” he said.

Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee President J P Agarwal alongwith Major T C Rao President D P C C (Ex Servicemen Cell) going to lay wreath at Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate, on the occasion of Kargil Vijay Diwas, in New Delhi on Monday.

Ex- police officer turns approver in Sohrabuddin case PTI AHMEDABAD, JUL 26

In a shot in the arm for CBI, N K Amin, a former police officer and an accused in the Sohrabuddin fake encounter case, today decided to turn approver that could spell more trouble for Gujarat's jailed former minister Amit Shah, a key accused.

“We are going to file an application in the CBI court on behalf of Amin to turn him into an approver in the (Sohrabuddin) case,” Amin's lawyer Jadgish Ramani said while emerging out of the CBI office in Gandhinagar.

The decision of Amin, a former deputy superintendent of police, came a day after an elusive Shah, who was the minister of State for home, was arrested and sent to jail. All the 15 accused faced charges of criminal conspiracy, murder, kidnapping and extortion.

Gujarat government spokesman Jaynarayan Vyas declined to discuss the fallout of Amin's decision, saying the judicial process will take its own course.

Amin, who is in jail, was assistant commissioner of police (ACP) city crime branch before being arrested in 2007 based on the statement of a witness involved in the operation of abducting alleged gangster Sohrabuddin and his wife Kausar

Two retired heads of State CID summoned CBI has summoned two retired IPS officers, who had at one point of time headed the probe into the Sohrabuddin Sheikh fake encounter case as chiefs of State CID, and questioned one of them.

G C Raigar and O P Mathur, who have already been questioned earlier by the CBI in connection with the fake encounter of Sohrabuddin and killing of his wife Kausarbi in November 2005, have been called for further questioning, sources in the CBI said today. Raigar is being questioned at Gandhinagar, they said.

Mathur is presently head of Raksha Shakti University recently set up by the State gov-

ernment.

The two retired IPS officers were heading the State CID which had earlier investigated the Sohrabuddin fake encounter case before the probe was transfered to the CBI bythe Supreme Court in January this year.

Both the former cops were questioned by the CBI in May this year.

CBI yesterday arrested former Gujarat Minister of State for Home Amit Shah on the charges of criminal conspiracy, murder, kidnapping and extortion.

The central agency, after taking over the investigation in the case, has also arrested IPS officer Abhay Chudasama, a key conspirator in the case.

CBI had alleged that Chudasama used to run an extortion

racket along with Sohrabuddin.

Senior police officers of the Gujarat police have also been questioned by the CBI since it registered a fresh FIR in the encounter of Sohrabuddin and killing of his wife Kausar Bi. Those questioned by CBI include Geetha Johri who was the investigating officer when the case was being probed by the State CID. The CBI has also recorded statements of the then DIGCrime Rajneesh Rai, who had arrested three IPS officers D G Vanzara, Rajkumar Pandian and Dinesh M N, considered to be main conspirators.

They have also questioned IPS officer G L Singhal, presently with the state's Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS). Singhal was Gand-

Bi. Another lawyer Rajesh Modi, who is representing Amin, said there was threat to his client's life from the other accused in the case.

“There is a threat to Amin's life from the other accused as all are lodged together in the Sabarmati Central jail here. So we have decided to move an application for jail transfer for Amin,” Modi said.

Sohrabuddin was killed in an

alleged encounter on November 26, 2005. Three days later his wife was also killed.

Two retired IPS officers, who had at one point of time headed the probe into the fake encounter case while they were chiefs of the State CID, have been meanwhile summoned by the CBI. G C Raigar and O P Mathur, who have already been questioned earlier by the CBI in connection with the case, have been

called for further questioning, sources in the CBI said .

Raigar has reached the CBI office in block 11 of old secretariat in Gandhinagar, where his questioning with regard to the case has begun, they said.

Mathur is presently head of Raksha Shakti University recently set up by the state government.

The two retired IPS officers were heading the State CID which had earlier investigated

PTI AHMEDABAD, JULY 26

Biman Bose pooh-poohs former Lok Sabha speaker’s accusations KOLKATA, JULY 26

US forces in Afghanistan and their Afghan government allies," The Washington Post said.

Behind the scenes, both Obama and Bush administration officials, and top American commanders have confronted top Pakistani military officers with accusations of ISI complicity in attacks in Afghanistan, as well as with names of military officials working with militants, said the NYT. Pakistani Ambassador in the US, Hussain Haqqani, however, denied ISI's role.

“These reports reflect nothing more than single-source comments and rumours, which abound on both sides of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border and are often proved wrong afterdeeper examination,” Husain was quoted as saying.

The documents also detail multiple reports of cooperation between retired Lt Gen Hamid Gul, who ran Pakistan's secretive spy agency in the late 1980s, and Afghan insurgents battling US forces in the mountainous eastern region of the country.

Experts, however, cautioned that although Pakistan's militant groups and Al Qaeda work together, directly linking the ISI, the Directorate for Inter Services Intelligence, or ISI with al Qaeda is difficult, The NYT said.

It added that according to

several comments on Karat and the present party leadership in his book 'Keeping the faith: Memoirs of a parliamentarian'.

Chatterjee has said the “disastrous” policies and “misguided” actions of the “current” leadership had resulted in the major debacle in the 2009 general elections and that Karat's “ignorance and intolerance” was

demonstrated when he was summarily shown the door without a showcause notice.

Criticising Chatterjee for dragging late CPI(M) leader Jyoti Basu's name into the controversy, Bose said, “Anybody can present a dead man's comments anyway he wants. Whether he has really said that cannot be confirmed or denied.”

He said Basu's was a handwritten note, which Chatterjee had quoted in the book and questioned how the former Speaker could have access to it when he was not a member of the politburo.

Bose denied media reports that he had said the party whip did not apply to the Speaker.

"Party discipline applies to all

members.”

“How does one who was not present at the CPI(M) politburo meeting know what was in Basu's note?” Bose asked.

“I have not heard Jyoti Basu saying anything like this,” Bose said referring to Chatterjee reportedly suggesting in his memoirs that late CPI(M) patriarch had advised him not to resign as Speaker.

inagar SP when the encounter took place.

The earlier probe by CID had led to the arrest of 14 policemen including three IPS officers - Vanzara, Pandian of Gujarat cadre and Dinesh M N of Rajasthan cadre for staging a fake encounter of Sohrabuddin.

While handing over the probe of the case to CBI the Supreme Court had minced no words in expressing displeasure at the failure of the Gujarat police's special investigation team headed by Inspector General of Police Geetha Johri to identify the seven Andhra Pradesh police personnel who assisted the local police in the encounter.

the Sohrabuddin fake encounter case before the probe was transfered to the CBI by the Supreme Court in January this year.

The probe agency also filed an application before a CBI court for interrogating Shah in jail.

Shah was sent to judicial custody till August 7 by Special CBI Magistrate A Y Dave.

According to the application filed in the CBI court, the central agency wants to interrogate Shah inside the jail premises itself.

The chargesheet has named Shah as a key-accused along with IPS officers-D G Vanzara, Rajkumar Pandian, M N Dinesh and Abhay Chudasama.

According to the chargesheet, it was Shah who had entrusted the task of eliminating Sheikh.

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FROM PAGE 1

Mickky is out, finally

or influence has been put on any witness till date. Only making a statement will not suffice to accept such submission”, he added.

Judge Deshpande did not agree with the prosecution that the former minister was absconding before his surrender, saying “Pacheco was knocking the doors of various courts in order to protect his liberty. During the pendency of the bail applications, no interim bail was granted to the applicant. Therefore, the investigating officer was free to arrest him at any point of time. However, no serious efforts were made during that time”, the judge added.

“No doubt, there are some cases pending against Pacheco. However, these cases are old matters and basically filed with regard to his family disputes. Sufficient time was granted to the prosecution to interrogate and to recover the so called items and in spite of this, failure on the part of the investigating officer to do so cannot be considered as a ground for rejection of bail”, judge said., Judge Deshpande said the investigating officer has failed to make any progress in the recovery of items from the day Pacheco was remanded to police custody till the day he was sent to judicial lock-up.

The judge said the contention of the Crime Branch that the accused was not cooperative is not a ground to be given for the failure of the investigating officers to make progress in the matter.

He said the investigating officer also failed to collect any material to show that any pressure or influence has been put on any witnesses till date.

Judge Deshpande said Pacheco is an elected member of the Legislative Assembly and therefore has to perform many duties towards his constituency, adding that the Assembly session is in progress and Pacheco’s presence in the Assembly is required to look after the interests of his constituency.

Meanwhile, hearings of the anticipatory bail applications filed by Pacheco fearing arrest by the Margao, Quepem and Colva police in criminal cases will come up before the Sessions court on Tuesday

24-yr-old nun found dead...

It is learnt that the deceased had spoken to her parents back home in Nasik on phone last night. Sources said the deceased nun taught KG students in the convent school this morning.

PI Shirodkar is conducting further investigations.

4 killed in attack on Al Arabiya TV REUTERS BAGHDAD, JULY 26

A suicide bomber killed four people on Monday in an attack targeting the Saudi-owned Al Arabiya news channel in Baghdad, Iraqi security officials said.

The bomber blew up a minivan he was driving close to the entrance of Arabiya’s office in Baghdad’s Harithiya district, killing a cleaner and three guards, city security spokesman Major General Qassim al-Moussawi said. Ten people were wounded.

The Arabiya premises, nearby buildings and several cars were seriously damaged by the blast.

The Dubai-based Arabiya TV also reported four people were killed and said none of them were reporters. The blast wounded at least 16 people, an Interior Ministry source said.

Lawmaker Salam al-Zobai of the cross-sectarian Iraqiya bloc was among the wounded along with five of his security guards, his spokesman said. Zobai’s

house was near the blast.

The attack occurred a few weeks after Iraqi security forces warned that a number of media including foreign outlets such as Arabiya could be targeted by the Sunni al-Qaeda insurgency.

“Yes, there were threats from al-Qaeda against the media two months ago. That’s why we allocated a police patrol in each media location...The threats still exist,” Maj. Moussawi told Reuters.

“Al-Qaeda’s fingerprints are clear in this suicide explosion.”

Major General Jihad al-Jabiri, head of the ministry’s ordnance department, told Arabiya TV the car was packed with 128 kilograms of ammonium nitrate.

The blast left a crater in the ground 3.5 metres wide and 1.2 metres deep, he said.

Iraq has been on high alert for insurgent attacks since a March 7 national election produced no clear winner and left the country adrift in political uncertainty.

Afghan war will get worse: US REUTERS KABUL, JULY 26

More NATO troops will die fighting in Afghanistan this summer,

a top US military officer has said.

Violence in Afghanistan is at its highest of the 9-year-old war as thousands of extra US troops, dispatched by President Barack Obama in December, step up their campaign to drive insurgents out of their traditional heartland in the south.

US Admiral Mike Mullen, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he expected fighting to intensify over the next few months, but Washington's goal of turning the tide against the insurgency by year's end was within reach. ''No one is declaring victory but there is progress,'' he told reporters in Kabul. ''I believe that goal is still achievable and certainly the proof of that will be what happens over these next many months in what is a very challenging period.''

Mullen's remarks yesterday came as the Taliban said they were holding captive one of two US servicemen who strayed into insurgent territory, and that the other had been killed. ''We have the body of the dead soldier and the other one who is alive. We have taken them to a safe place,'' said Zabihullah Mujahid by telephone from an undisclosed location.

A NATO spokesman declined to comment on the Taliban's announcement it was holding one of the men, who were both from the US Navy. The two had failed to return on Friday in a vehicle they had taken from their compound in Kabul.

Rumours circulated in local and international media about the fate of the missing men and how they had managed to stray into an insurgent-controlled area. in Logar province, a short but dangerous 100 km (60 miles) drive south of the capital. One provincial offical said alcohol was found in their vehicle.

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ISI continues to support Taliban: leaked papers PTI NEW YORK, JULY 26

Pakistan's powerful ISI continues to support Taliban insurgency in Afghanistan, even as the US pumped-in billions as aid to its key ally in the war against terror, according to damning leaked intelligence documents.

The leaked documents, titled 'The War Logs', suggest that ISI representatives meet directly with the Taliban to support militant groups that fight against American soldiers in Afghanistan and scheme to assassinate Afghan leaders, the New York Times reported.

It also revealed that hundreds of unreported civilian killings by coalition forces in the wartorn country. These are part of a massive 92,000 documents leaked by web whistle-blower site WikiLeaks.

On June 19, 2006, one document revealed that ISI operatives allegedly met Taliban leaders in Quetta.

At the meeting, the ISI pushed the Taliban to attack Maruf, a district of Kandahar close to the Pakistani border. The planned

offensive, according to the report, would be carried out by Arabs and Pakistanis.

"While the specifics about the foreign fighters and the ISI are difficult to verify, the Taliban did indeed mount an offensive to seize control in Maruf in 2006," it noted.

Some of the reports among the leaked documents also described Pakistani intelligence working alongside al-Qaeda to plan attacks but experts warned that directly linking the ISI with al-Qaeda was tenuous.

"American intelligence learned that the Haqqani network sent bombers at the ISI's behest to strike Indian officials, development workers and engineers in Afghanistan," it said.

The leaked documents also indicated that ISI officers had made efforts to run the networks of suicide bombers starting from 2006 — the threat however does not appear to have materialised.

One document described current and former ISI operatives visiting madrassas near Pe-

shawar to recruit new fodder for suicide bombings.

From July to October 2009, nine threat reports detailed movements by Taliban suicide bombers from Pakistan into populated areas of Afghanistan, including Kandahar, Kunduz and Kabul.

Advance copies were made available to three publications - The New York Times, British daily newspaper Guardian and German weekly Der Spiegel by WikiLeaks.

Overall, the documents also underline the frustration that exists in the US when it comes to dealing with Pakistan's double motives in the Afghanistan-Pakistan conflict.

American officials, although, have noted that the leaked documents painted a picture that was broadly consistent with other classified intelligence.

Americans have long suspected ISI's behind the scenes tactics and officials in the Obama and Bush Administration have confronted the spy agency with accusations and proof of complicity.

NY bomber met Pak Taliban chief PTI PESHAWAR JULY 26

Pakistani-American Faisal Shahzad, who pleaded guilty to a botched car bomb attack in New York, visited Pakistan seven times and met local Taliban chief Hakimullah Mehsud, the interior minister said today.

"He (Shahzad) visited Pakistan seven times in the last few years and he met Hakimullah Mehsud and also met other people, (including) leaders of the Taliban," Rahman Malik told reporters in Pabbi town in the country's northwest.

The acknowledgement came just days after the emergence of a video that showed 30-yearold Shahzad, son of a retired air vice marshal, shaking hands with and hugging Mehsud, the chief of the banned Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan.

Mehsud had claimed responsibility for the failed car bombing in New York on behalf of the Taliban and warned that his group would carry out more such attacks.

Shahzad pleaded guilty to the bomb plot in a New York court last month and warned of more attacks on the US.

Warnings unheeded on Love Parade REUTERS DUISBURG, JULY 26

Warnings by police about the dangers of holding the Love Parade in the small city of Duisburg were not heeded, the head of Germany's police union was quoted as saying Monday.

Germany was shocked by the deaths of 19 people when panic broke out at the Love Parade techno music festival in Duisburg Saturday. Many were baffled that such a tragedy could occur in their highly organised and closely regulated country.

Chancellor Angela Merkel expects a "scrupulously thorough" investigation into the tragedy in which 342 people were injured, her spokesman Ulrich Wilhelm said in Berlin Monday.

"I warned them a year ago that Duisburg is not a suitable location for the Love Parade. It's too small and too cramped," said Rainer Wendt, a senior police officer and head of the national police union.

Duisburg Mayor Adolf Sauerland, who had to be protected from angry bystanders at the scene of the stampede Sunday, said the city was cooperating with prosecutors.

"We'll give answers as soon as we've given answers to the state prosecutor," Sauerland told

Gillard’s poll lead plunges REUTERS CANBERRA, JULY 26

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard suffered twin setbacks today after a poll showed her lead slashed ahead of an August 21 election and smaller miners resumed an advertising campaign against her new mining tax.

The Newspoll published in the Australian newspaper pointed to a revival in support for opposition leader Tony Abbott, who on Sunday was deemed a narrow winner of a televised election debate.

Abbott, who has promised to scrap the proposed mining tax if he wins office, was buoyed by the latest poll and his performance in the leaders' debate as he campaigned in the northern Queensland state. ''I do feel pretty good. It's quite a challenge going before a national audience, some critical journalists and your principal political opponent for a full hour. But I thought it went well,'' Abbott told Australian radio.

Gillard replaced Kevin Rudd as prime minister on June 24 and immediately sought to neutralise a tax fight with the booming mining sector by forging a deal with global miners BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Xstrata, and agreeing to cut the tax from 40 per cent to 30 per cent.

But small and mid-range mining companies are upset they were not included in negotiations, and their lobby group.

The Association of Mining and Exploration Companies (AMEC), promised to resume an advertising campaign against the tax. ''We still have an enormous amount of uncertainty out in the industry,'' AMEC chief executive Simon Bennison told reporters in the western city of Perth. ''Investment levels are at their lowest ... especially the exploration sector.''

Treasurer Wayne Swan defended the government's compromise on the mining tax, which is due to start in July 2012, saying it was good for small miners because it set a A$50 million (44.8 million dollars) threshold before the tax kicks in. ''We have put in place in the final design, measures that the small miners asked for,'' Swan said in Perth.

The latest Newspoll found support for the ruling Labor Party fell to 52 per cent from 55 per cent a week ago, while support for the conservative opposition rose to 48 per cent.

Gillard's rating as preferred prime minister tumbled seven points to 50 per cent, while Abbott's rating climbed seven points to 34 per cent.

Mourners stand in front of a sea of candles and flowers at a tunnel in Duisburg.

WDR radio. "The whole city is in mourning. We'll help clarify what happened. We did everything we could to make it a safe venue."

The Love Parade originated in Berlin, with a population of 3.4 million, and was held in a giant park in Germany's largest city until 2006. Duisburg has a population of 500,000.

Six foreigners, from Spain, Bosnia, the Netherlands, Australia, Italy and China, were among those killed when

China to cut crimes that carry death REUTERS BEIJING, JULY 26

A gold miner scoops mud while digging an open pit at the Chudja mine in the Kilomoto concession near the village of Kobu, in north-eastern Congo.

UK sued over Congo minerals REUTERS GOMA, JULY 26

Lobby group Global Witness said on Monday it is taking the UK government to court for failing to refer companies trading in Congo ‘conflict minerals’ for UN sanctions.

The move comes amid global efforts to halt the lucrative trade in rebel-controlled minerals like tin, gold, and coltan in the central African state where some 5 million people have died since the start of a 1998-2003 civil

war.

"British companies have supported armed groups by purchasing minerals from areas under their control in the DRC. Despite this, the UK government has never put any of them forward for sanctions," Global Witness said in a release.

The British embassy in Kinshasa told Reuters the UK government had no immediate response.

The lawsuit would bring to bear United Nations resolutions

calling for travel bans and asset freezes on those supporting illegal armed groups in Congo and encouraging member states to put individuals and entities forward for the sanctions.

The United States adopted legislation last week requiring US companies involved in Congo to certify they are not buying conflict minerals and a UN panel of experts is also developing new guidelines to ensure minerals can be traced.

China aims to cut back the number of crimes that carry the death penalty, and may also end executions of convicted criminals over 70 years old, the official China Daily reported.

A draft revision of the country's Criminal Law, which would limit use of capital punishment, will be submitted to the standing committee of China's rubber-stamp parliament in late August, the paper reported at the weekend, citing a source from the legislature.

The change would be the first reduction in the number of crimes carr ying the death penalty since the law was enacted in 1979, the Southern Weekend paper said in an earlier report on the potential change.

Rights groups regularly criticise China for its high execution rate, secrecy about its use of the punishment, and range of crimes which carry the death penalty.

Amnesty International said in a report issued in March that it estimates China executed thousands of people last year, more than the rest of the world combined.

Capital punishment currently applies to 68 offences, of which 44 are not violent, the China Daily said.

Japan to OK sale of missile interceptors

Khmer Rouge cadre guilty of torture REUTERS PHNOM PENH, JULY 26

REUTERS TOKYO, JULY 26

A UN backed tribunal sentenced a senior Khmer Rouge commander to 35 years in prison today in its first verdict on the ''Killing Fields'' revolution blamed for 1.7 million deaths in Cambodia three decades ago.

But 67-year-old Kaing Guek Eav, known as Duch, will only serve 19 years after the court subtracted 16 years for time already served -- short of the maximum 40 years sought by the prosecution and the life behind bars many Cambodians demanded.

The former schoolteacher admitted during the eight-month trial to overseeing the torture and the killing of more than 14,000 people but said he was only following orders. ''We hoped this tribunal would strike hard at impunity but if you can kill 14,000 people and serve only 19 years – 11 hours per life taken -- what is that? It's a joke,'' said Theary Seng, a Cambodian who is now a US-national and lost his father at the Tuol Sleng prison run by Duch. ''My gut feeling is this has made the situation far worse for Cambodia,'' he said.

Duch betrayed no emotion as the verdict was read. Some Cambodians wept loudly.

He was found guilty of murder, torture, rape, inhumane acts, crimes against humanity and other charges for running Tuol Sleng, a converted school also known as S-21.

An estimated fifth of the population died during the Khmer Rouge's 1975-79 rule over the already war-scarred country.

Japan is set to allow exports of missile interceptors it is developing jointly with the United States, Kyodo news agency said, relaxing its ban on arms exports.

Europe is considered a likely destination for the ship-based Standard Missile-3 Block IIA, Kyodo said on Sunday, citing unnamed sources close to JapanUS relations.

The advanced missile defence system is key to US plans to be able to defend all of NATO's Eu-

Afghan militants attend a ceremony as they surrender under a US-backed amnesty programme, in Herat on Monday. Some 12 militants laid down their arms and joined the government in Heart.

ropean territory from a perceived Iranian ballistic-missile threat.

Separately, the Yomiuri newspaper said today an advisory panel to Prime Minister Naoto Kan will call for relaxation of Japan's weapons export ban in a report next month.

Japan has banned arms sales since 1967 to countries with communist governments or that are involved in international conflicts or subject to United Nations sanctions.

The rules have meant virtually a blanket ban on arms exports.

crowds of young people pushed through a tunnel into the techno festival grounds at a former freight rail yard.

Wendt, a Duisburg native who as head of the 170,000-member union has significant clout, said his warnings were ignored even though authorities in a comparably sized city nearby, Bochum, heeded police warnings in 2009 -- and cancelled the Love Parade planned there.

"The mayor was under immense pressure -- he didn't want

EU tightens Iran sanctions AGENCIES BRUSSELS, JULY 26

EU foreign ministers have adopted tougher sanctions targeting Iran's energy sector, in an effort to block its controversial nuclear programme.

There are new restrictions on foreign trade, financial services and the oil and gas sectors - the backbone of Iran's economy.

Officials said the package was "by some way the most farreaching sanctions adopted by the EU against any country".

The move comes a month after the US strengthened its own sanctions on Iran.

The US and its allies accuse Tehran of seeking to develop nuclear weapons. Iran insists its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes.

Last month the UN Security Council approved a fourth round of sanctions against Iran over its nuclear programme, which directly target the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The Revolutionary Guards are involved in many industries, including car manufacturing and clothing, and control one-third or more of the economy.

The EU is banning the export to Iran of key equipment and technology for refining and for the exploration and production of natural gas.

New European investment in major sectors of the Iranian economy will also be banned.

There will be restrictions on sales to Iran of any goods which could potentially have military applications.

Ships will be inspected if they are suspected of carrying illegal material.

There is expected to be tight scrutiny of Iranian banks operating in the EU. Any money transfers of more than 10,000 euros (£8,340) will have to be notified to national authorities, and amounts above 40,000 euros will require prior authorisation.

More than 40 individuals and more than 50 companies will be blacklisted.

On Sunday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad warned the European Union against im-

Al Qaeda kills hostage, France vows punishment AGENCIES PARIS, JULY 26

The French president has confirmed the death of a hostage held by Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Mahgreb (AQIM) and vowed that the killers will be punished.

Nicolas Sarkozy said on Monday that the group, which has claimed responsibility for the death of Michel Germaneau, a French engineer, has "no respect for human life".

"I condemn this barbarous act, this odious act, which has just left an innocent victim," he said in a televised appearance.

In an audio statement broadcast by Al Jazeera earlier on Monday, a man identified as Abu Musab Abdul-Wadud, the AQIM leader, said his group had killed the Frenchman on Saturday in response to a raid by France and Mauritania against the group.

"Sarkozy was unable to free

his compatriot through this failed operation but he definitely opened one of the gates of hell on himself, his people and his nation," he said.

"As a quick response to the despicable French act, we confirm that we have killed hostage Germaneau in revenge for our six brothers who were killed in the treacherous operation," the voice in the tape, which resembled that of other recordings attributed to Abdul-Wadud, said.

Germaneau was kidnapped in northern Niger on April 20.

French commandos, acting with Mauritian troops, had tried to free him but did not find him when they raided a desert alQaeda camp in Mali, Sarkozy said.

He said France had received no sign since May that Germaneau was alive, and had in-

French hostage Michel Germaneau

tervened after AQIM threatened on July 11 to kill him within two weeks unless Paris arranged a prisoner exchange.

French Special Forces and

Mauritian troops launched the cross-border raid against an AQIM base in Mali on Thursday and continued the assault for several days.

Mauritanian officials said six fighters were initially killed and a seventh later died of wounds.

The military operation appeared to anger Mali, which was not involved, and Spain, which also has hostages held by another al-Qaeda faction in the region.

Paris has indicated that both those countries were informed in advance.

A month after his kidnap, Germaneau's abductors issued a photograph of him as well as a taped message in which he appealed to Sarkozy to work for his release.

He said he suffered from a serious heart illness and had no more medication and that he was struggling with the heat.

Germaneau's Algerian driver, who was also abducted, was later released. He said the

to be the party pooper," Wendt told Bild newspaper. In Bochum, there was no Love Parade in 2009 because "the city listened to our concerns about safety. In Duisburg they wouldn't hear it."

Investigators are looking at possible charges of negligent homicide and the state prosecutor in Duisburg, Rolf Haferkamp, said he would examine the security plans -- and why an event set up for 250,000 ended up with an estimated 500,000 to 1 million.

Frenchman was being held in a desert zone in Mali.

Current and former security officials in Algeria, which has the most experience with AQIM because it grew from a group that originated there, had warned that the raid could put the French hostage in danger and criticised French involvement.

One Algerian security official said the operation would help the fighters recruit more followers by allowing them to cast their campaign as a battle against Western "infidels" and not just fellow Muslims.

"The failure will be used by the extremists to spread their anti-Western propaganda," the security official, who did not want to be identified because he was not authorised to speak to the media, told the Reuters news agency.

European Union President Jose Manuel Barroso announces tightening of sanctions against Iran, in Brussels on Monday.

posing sanctions, saying his country would cause it to "regret" the move.

Ahmadinejad said that anyone who adopted hostile measures "should know that Iran will react swiftly".

But there are also signs the Iranians may agree to talk as early as September, says the BBC's Europe editor Gavin Hewitt in Brussels.

Meanwhile a senior US official has told the BBC that sanctions against Iran are having a dramatic effect as private companies around the world refuse to do business with Tehran.

"We're seeing a lot of companies decline to invest in Iran's infrastructure and that is, when you think about it, one of the most important variables. Because, if they're unable to attract this investment, then long term their economy is in a very difficult situation," he said.

Speaking in Brussels on Monday, Sweden's Foreign Minister Carl Bildt said the EU was pursuing "a double-track policy" towards Iran.

"I have yet to meet anyone who thinks that this issue is going to be sorted out by sanctions... alone. So I think that we'll have to look at the different ways in which we can strengthen and emphasise the diplomatic track and there are, I hope, some possibilities along that road."

Briton held for nurse murder REUTERS LONDON, JULY 26

Detectives were questioning a man on suspicion of murder today af ter a woman was stabbed to death in a hospital car park in Lancashire.

The 26-year-old victim was attacked as she approached her car in the staff car park of the Blackpool Victoria Hospital on Sunday evening. She was taken to the hospital's emergency unit but died.

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RBI hints at policy rate hike to curb inflation PTI MUMBAI, JULY 26

Hinting at a hike in its key rates tomorrow, the Reserve Bank today said it would continue exiting from its easy money regime to check double-digit inflation, while ensuring stable economic growth.

"Given the risk to inclusive growth from high inflation, the monetary unwinding that started in October, 2009 should continue till inflation expectations are firmly anchored and inflation is brought down," RBI said in its macroeconomic report.

The Reserve Bank is set to unveil its quarterly review of the annual monetary policy tomorrow. It is widely expected to hike its short-term lending and borrowing rates (repo and reverse repo) by at least 0.25 per cent each to tame inflation, which was 10.55 per cent in June.

"The major policy concern... would be to contain inflationary pressures and anchor inflationary expectations," the central bank said.

The wholesale inflation is in double digits for the past five months due to high food and fuel prices against RBI forecast of 5.5 per cent by end-March.

According to economists,

the headline inflation is no longer confined to food items but has spread to manufactured products.

Citing a continuing growth momentum, the Reserve Bank professional forecasters upped their 2010-11 GDP growth projection to 8.4 per cent against 8.2 per cent reported in the previous survey.

However, the apex bank cautioned that uncertain external environment is a major risk to growth in the near-term.

Referring to the prevailing tight cash conditions in the system, RBI said the liquidity situation will ease but "the calibrated normalisation of monetary policy may not lead to return of the persistent easy liquidity conditions that prevailed last year".

The banking system faced an unprecedented tight cash conditions since early June on account of nearly Rs 1.36 lakh crore flowing out of the system due to payments for 3G and broadband wireless auctions and advance tax outgo.

Noting that credit growth in banking system has been picking up, led by state-owned banks, RBI said that there is a need for banks to step up deposit mobilization to meet credit demand.

TALK BUSINESS

Andrew Telecom Goa facility bags ISO 14000 Certification PANIM (HBD) -- Andrew Solutions, the CommScope, Inc division that is a global leader in wireless communications systems and products has been certified to the ISO 14001 standard.

Earning certification shows that Andrew Goa s environmental management system meets the requirements of ISO 14001, a global standard for environmental performance.

“Andrew is extremely delighted to receive ISO 14001 certification and it demonstrated our commitment for environmental protection,” said Antonio de Rego, MD and director of site operations, Andrew Telecommunications India.

Deccan Charters, Sikorsky Aerospace partner PANJIM (HBD) -- Deccan Charters Ltd announced the signing of an agreement with Sikorsky Aerospace Services to appoint Deccan’s Mumbai facility as an authorised Customer Service Center (CSC) to support the Sikorsky S-76 helicopter platform.

Deccan Charter’s Ltd is India’s leading General Aviation Services Company offering Aircraft Maintenance, Charter Services and Management. Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) is the aftermarket division of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp.

The Mumbai Customer Service Centre will offer Sikorsky S-76 helicopter operators complete aftermarket support – including Sikorsky trained maintenance personnel for on-site comprehensive maintenance management, inspections and spare-parts procurement. This CSC in Mumbai will be a key support facility for the future expansion of Sikorsky’s S-76 commercial aircraft fleet in India.

The agreement with Sikorsky - offering comprehensive maintenance services to the Sikorsky 76C++ range of helicopters reemphasizes Deccan’s technical leadership in aircraft services in the country. Deccan’s engineering services include: Line maintenance; Major inspection and airframe modification; Avionics repair and installation services; Component overhaul and repair; Spare parts services; Interior refurbishing and Pre-purchase technical audits.

Sensex falls 111 pts PTI MUMBAI, JULY 26

A steep fall in auto and rate-sensitive stocks cut short the BSE benchmark Sensex’s three-day gaining streak today, with the 30-share index shedding 111 points amid fears of an RBI rate hike tomorrow.

Nevertheless, the Bombay Stock Exchange barometer managed to end above the psychological 18,000-level at 18,020.05, down 110.93 points, or 0.61 per cent.

The wide-based 50-share Nifty index of the National Stock Exchange, too, finished 0.64 per cent down at 5,414.30.

Analysts said the disappointing results from Maruti and Jaiprakash Associates offset an upgrade of the country’s sovereign currency rating by ratings agency Moody’s in light of India’s commitment to economic and fiscal reforms.

Further, the apex bank said that a sustained and a rapid rise in housing prices over successive quarters was an area of concern from the standpoint of their possible spill over to demand pressures, general price level as well as financial stability.

SAIL looks to revive Malvika Steel

Union Bank sees hike in lending rates PTI MUMBAI, JULY 26

The possibility of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) hiking interest rate, will lead to hike in lending rates, a top banker said here.

"There is a strong possibility of the Reserve Bank hiking interest rates at its policy review, as inflation is still very high. If liquidity doesn't improve and policy rates move

India's monsoon shortfall narrows ReuTeRs NEW DELHI, JULY 26

Heavy showers, particularly in soybean regions, have narrowed the shortfall in India's monsoon rains to 9 percent, raising hopes of strong harvests in the world's leading consumer of rice, vegetable oils and sugar.

Farmers have already planted rice, oilseeds, cane and cotton in a larger area than last year, and are expected to further expand cultivation as the vital June-September monsoon

progresses.

Total rainfall since June 1 was only 9 percent short of normal, improving rapidly from a deficit of 16 percent on July 19 as the rain-bearing monsoon winds ended a weak phase in the middle of the month.

In the soybean-growing central regions, the shortfall in monsoon rains since June 1 has narrowed to 6 percent on Sunday from 18 percent on July 19.

The weather office has fore-

cast widespread rainfall along India's west coast and soybeangrowing central regions this week.

In the first week of August, rainfall is likely to decrease in the central regions but areas near the foothills of the Himalayas may receive more rain, the weather office said in its two-week forecast.

The weather office expects total June-September rainfall to be normal, which would help the government control rising inflation that has trig-

BoB ties with UIDAI for data

PTI NEW DELHI, JULY 26

SAIL said it will invest Rs 100 crore to revive its UP unit, formerly known as Malvika Steel, which the steelmaker acquired last year. "The total cost of JSU''s phase-1 revival has been estimated to be Rs 100 crore," the company said.

SAIL acquired the defunct Malvika Steel for Rs 209 crore last year and rechristened it as the Jagdishpur SAIL Unit (JSU).

As part of the revival plan, SAIL will set up a steel mill at a cost of Rs 46 crore to produce items required by infrastructure and construction companies.

"The entire team of JSU has to work with exemplary dedication, zeal and commitment to fulfill the objectives of acquiring the unit," said Steel Secretary Atul Chaturvedi, who along with SAIL chairman C S Verma laid the foundation stone for the mill. The TMT bar mill has an annual production capacity of 1.5 lakh tonnes per annum (TPA).

"The proposed facilities and product-mix envisaged in phase-1 also include a 10,000 TPA cold forming line and a 13,000 TPA corrugation line," the statement added.

PTI NEW DELHI, JULY 26

State-owned Bank of Baroda today signed an agreement with the Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) to act as a registrar for the project.

The bank will join the UIDAI, an ambitious plan to provide unique identification number to all residents of the country, in collecting biometric and demographic details of its customers as well as others.

The details will be collected as per the UIDAI norms.

"Through this MOU the bank will leverage the UID to deepen the reach and ease the process of financial inclusion," BoB executive director Srinath said.

The Bank of Baroda has more than 3.6 crore customers and is rolling out its financial inclusion plan on a large scale to include 4 million new customers in 20,000 villages across the country, he said.

British vodka targets US market ReuTeRs LONDON, JULY 26

William Chase, owner of the only premium potato-based vodka distillery in Britain, plans to take on much larger, mass-produced luxury brands in the US market, Chase said.

Unlike all large-scale vodka producers, Chase Distillery grows, mashes and distils its own potatoes on the founder's 400 acre family farm in the heart of the English countryside before bottling the spirit on site.

“There's a great market for high-quality spirits with provenance and pedigree...people are caring more and more where their products come from,” said the 50-year-old potato farmer turned entrepreneur.

Chase also had some encouraging words for British enAban Offshor, 844, 849.9, 828.35, 831.6 Abb Ltd., 832, 848.7, 808.1, 827.3 Abg Shipyard, 254.6, 256.4, 248, 249.25 Acc Limited, 800, 832.75, 800, 824.05 Adani Enterp, 561.9, 572, 557, 568.95 Aditya Birla, 828, 828, 802.15, 805.5 Allahabad Ba, 186, 186.95, 182.4, 184.55 Alstom Proje, 709, 709, 679.05, 682.4 Ambuja Cemen, 115.95, 117.1, 114.5, 116.35 Andhra Bank, 146.9, 146.9, 141.35, 141.6 Ashok Leylan, 73.95, 73.95, 71.25, 71.7 Asian Paints, 2517, 2544, 2516, 2524.2 Axis Bank Li, 1390, 1396.75, 1375, 1385.85 Bajaj Hindus, 116, 116.85, 113.5, 113.95 Bank Of Baro, 723.3, 727.4, 711.5, 721.4 Bank Of Indi, 405, 405.8, 391.2, 393.85 Beml Limited, 1021, 1030, 1013, 1017.5 Bharat Elect, 1875, 1875, 1819.1, 1827.35 Bharat Forge, 335.3, 340, 326.25, 327.55 Bharat Petro, 625, 634.1, 621.4, 624.3 Bharti Airte, 314, 321.85, 309.65, 320.4 Bhel, 2468, 2478.9, 2390, 2471.35 Bhushan Stee, 1579.45, 1582, 1546.8, 1551

trepreneurs seeking to boost exports.

“I thought it would be the fact that the vodka is made from potatoes in an old-fashioned way, but across the world it is the fact that it's English. English is becoming trendy again,” Chase said.

Although Chase Distillery prizes its vodka's exclusivity, producing only 1000 bottles per week, long-term turnover could multiply to hit 100 million pounds, if the unique British vodka holds its own in the highly competitive premium vodka market, the company's US management firm, Pelican Brands estimates.

Chase moved into vodka production after making a fortune in the potato crisps market with handmade snack company Tyrrell's Crisps, the majority holding of which he

Biocon Limit, 324.7, 324.7, 315, 320.35 Bombay Dyein, 541.35, 541.5, 522, 525.6 Bosch Limite, 5798, 5798, 5687, 5702.6 Brigade Ente, 136.45, 143, 136.45, 137.85 Cairn India, 328.5, 333.85, 328.05, 331.25 Canara Bank, 485, 485, 467.1, 469.15 Central Bank, 158.8, 159.5, 153.1, 153.65 Century Text, 466.9, 466.9, 447.7, 454.85 Cesc Ltd, 403, 403, 387, 387.85 Chambal Fert, 68.3, 68.65, 67.6, 68 Chennai Petr, 257.85, 261, 255.6, 257.45 Cipla Ltd, 327, 329.2, 324.8, 325.5 Colgate Palm, 836.1, 854.8, 835.7, 852.8 Container Co, 1391.9, 1410, 1375.1, 1393.5 Crompton Gre, 290, 292.5, 282, 283.75 Cummins Indi, 599.8, 599.8, 581.15, 589.7 Dabur India, 214.5, 217.9, 202.6, 203.55 Deccan Chron, 137.1, 137.5, 131.85, 133.45 Dish Tv Indi, 45.45, 45.65, 44.55, 44.8 Divi’s Labor, 760, 780.55, 760, 767.95 Dlf Limited, 324.95, 325.4, 312.5, 313.1 Dr. reddy’s, 1371, 1371, 1333.6, 1343.45 Edelweiss Ca, 511, 521, 505.1, 507.1 Educomp Solu, 613.55, 624.85, 609, 616.6

sold to private equity firm, Langholm Capital, for 40 million pounds in 2008.

The potato farmer's ambitions to break into the lucrative US market were fired when Chase Vodka won the title of ‘World's Best Vodka’ at the prestigious San Francisco World Spirits Competition in July, beating a host of heavyweight Russian and Polish contenders to the top prize.

“America accounts for over 60 percent of global premium white spirits sales and it is a saturated market, however the San Francisco win helps endorse the brand,” the potato farmer turned entrepreneur said.

According to Chase, the company's traditional 'artisan' distilling process is the secret to the spirit's prize-winning flavour and will help differenti-

Eih Limited, 129.55, 130.9, 125.75, 126.2 Engineers In, 324.75, 324.75, 291.3, 318.15 Essar Oil Lt, 133.4, 134.35, 130.05, 130.5 Essar Shippi, 84.2, 84.25, 82.8, 83.2 Exide Indust, 134.65, 139.95, 134.65, 137.65 Federal Bank, 355.05, 357.8, 341.25, 342.85 Financial Te, 1300, 1302.9, 1262.7, 1266.65 Gail (india), 465, 470, 455, 456.7 Gammon India, 217, 222.5, 213.25, 215.7 Glaxosmithkl, 2081, 2108.9, 2052.15, 2065.05 Glenmark Pha, 282.85, 286.4, 280, 284.8 Gmr Infrastr, 60.2, 60.2, 58.4, 58.65 Godrej Indus, 181.6, 181.85, 176.2, 178.2 Grasim Indus, 1830, 1849, 1816, 1820.35 Great Offsho, 431.75, 431.75, 418.4, 421.7 Gtl Infra.Lt, 45.5, 46.45, 45.25, 46.2 Gujarat Mine, 123.45, 123.45, 120, 120.3 Gujarat N R, 64.5, 64.6, 63.1, 63.55 Gujarat Stat, 104.05, 104.3, 102.15, 102.5 Gvk Pow. & I, 45.2, 45.3, 44, 44.15 Hcl Technolo, 373.15, 375.45, 370, 373.95 Hdfc Bank Lt, 2045, 2059.8, 2034.15, 2051.9

Hdfc Ltd, 3016.8, 3021.75, 2952.1, 2958.55 Hero Honda M, 1965, 1965, 1794, 1804.3 Hindalco in, 158.5, 159.1, 155.1, 155.55 Hindustan Co, 134.5, 135.4, 131.75, 133.25 Hindustan Ma, 73.4, 73.4, 70.9, 71.15 Hindustan Pe, 435.2, 439.85, 425.5, 430.8 Hindustan Un, 262.95, 263.9, 260.6, 261.95 Hindustan Zi, 989.8, 1004, 984.9, 999.3 Housing Dev, 270.25, 271, 254.65, 256 Icici Bank L, 918.8, 926.4, 911.2, 916.7 Idea Cellula, 68.9, 69.1, 67.05, 67.55 Ifci Ltd, 59.9, 62.15, 59.5, 61.7 India Cement, 106.05, 106.05, 104.2, 104.75 India Infoli, 99, 99.5, 96.1, 96.45 Indiabulls F, 164.1, 166.4, 158.6, 160.1 Indiabulls R, 164.5, 164.9, 158.85, 159.6 Indian Bank, 248, 248, 209.55, 221.75 Indian Hotel, 103, 103.1, 101.85, 102.5 Indian Oil C, 373, 375, 363.55, 364.65 Indian Overs, 112, 116.3, 112, 113.05 Indus Dev Ba, 122, 122.4, 118.5, 119.1 Indusind Ban, 214.6, 214.8, 208, 208.75 Infosys Tech, 2790, 2810, 2790, 2804.45

ate Chase Vodka from its big name competitors, almost all of whom use wheat or rye rather than potatoes.

Demand for the premium British product has tripled since the high profile win, with orders coming in from all over the world, including Russia, vodka's spiritual home.

Alongside Chase Vodka, Chase Distillery now produces gin, a range of fruit liqueurs and a vodka made from organic cider apples. Not content with distilling alone, Chase is now considering making natural skincare products out of the by-products of the vodka distilling process.

“Creating something new is far more fun than running an established business... I would love to go into cosmetics manufacture using potatoes,” the entrepreneur said.

Infra. dev., 192.25, 195.5, 190.75, 191.95 Ispat Indust, 18.2, 18.25, 17.95, 17.95 Itc Ltd, 302, 303.2, 299.95, 302.7 Ivrcl Infras, 185.55, 186.3, 177, 179.55 Jai Corp Lim, 251, 252.6, 235.05, 243.65 Jaiprakash A, 129.15, 129.8, 120.85, 121.2 Jet Airways, 627.1, 631.9, 616.1, 618.35 Jindal Saw L, 205, 206, 201, 202.05 Jindal Steel, 642.65, 643.95, 635.3, 640.65 Jsw Steel Li, 1205, 1206.35, 1162.05, 1171 Kotak Mahind, 774.9, 774.9, 761.2, 763.7 Lakshmi Mach, 2050, 2111.1, 2026.25, 2092 Lanco Infrat, 67.15, 67.3, 65.9, 66.15 Larsen & Tou, 1940, 1950.7, 1915, 1919.95 Lic Housing, 1040, 1067.4, 1033.3, 1061.45 Lupin Limite, 1899, 1977.5, 1892.75, 1965.65 Mahanagar Te, 67.4, 68, 66.3, 66.6 Mahindra & M, 620, 637.95, 618.5, 620.5 Maruti Suzuk, 1302.3, 1317.5, 1126.85, 1191.45 Max India Lt, 157.35, 160, 153, 153.9 Maytas Infr., 208.25, 208.5, 200.1, 202.7

gered a series of protests.

India's farm output, which suffered last year because of the drought, is expected to rise if rainfall is close to normal as forecast by the weather office.

Increase in rainfall is expected to boost water level in India's main reservoirs, which are important for irrigation and power generation.

Official data showed on Friday that the reservoirs were filled to 19 percent of their capacity, crawling up from 17 percent a week ago, but well below the normal level of 29 percent at this time of the year.

BOARD MEETINGS 3I Infotech OIL India FDC Orbit Corp Firstsource sol Ashok Leyland Asian Paints Glenmark Pharma Prism Cement Radico Khaitan Godrej Inds Axis IT&T RIL GTL Hindustan Foods scooters India Binani Cement Hindustan unilever Binani Inds Birla ericsson ION exchange Blue Dart IRB Infra spicejet BOC India BPL Cadila Health JsW steel Cairn India Jubilant Org Ceat Jyothy Lab swaraj Mazda Titan Inds usha Martin Kirloskar Bros L&T elder Health elder Pharma emkay Glob Fin Source: Indiainfoline.com

MF FUNDA IDFC MuTuAL FuND has launched two new funds named as IDFC Fixed Maturity Plan - Quarterly series 59 and IDFC Fixed Maturity Plan Yearly series 32, close ended income schemes.

The NFO price for the schemes is Rs 10 per unit. The new issue opens and closes subscription on 26 July 2010.

The schemes offer two options namely growth and dividend option. The minimum application amount is Rs 10,000 and in multiples of Rs 10.

The fund seeks to collect a minimum subscription (minimum target) amount of Rs 10 million under each scheme during the NFO period.

Entry load and exit load charge will be nil for the schemes.

Benchmark Index for the schemes is CRISIL Composite Bond Fund Index. The schemes will be managed by Anupam Joshi.

KOTAK MuTuAL FuND has approved July 30, 2010 as the record date for declaration of dividend under dividend option of Kotak Contra Fund. The face value of per unit is Rs 10.

The quantum of dividend will be Rs 1.50 per unit, subject to the availability and adequacy of distributable surplus as on the record date.

Moser-baer (, 67, 67.9, 66.5, 66.85 Mrpl, 81, 81.2, 79.85, 80.15 Nagarjuna Co, 184, 184, 178.55, 179.9 Nagarjuna Fe, 31.7, 31.85, 31.3, 31.4 National Alu, 434, 436.9, 432.65, 435.1 Neyveli Lign, 156.7, 157.8, 154.05, 155.15 Ntpc Ltd, 202.4, 202.9, 200.1, 201.75 Oil And Natu, 1265, 1266, 1248.8, 1255.25 Omaxe Limite, 109.05, 110.4, 105.3, 107.4 Oriental Ban, 364.05, 366, 355.05, 358.15 Pantaloon Re, 464.4, 464.4, 448.25, 449.9 Parsvnath De, 131.4, 132.3, 127.6, 128.55 Petronet Lng, 83.25, 85.3, 80.55, 81 Power Fin Co, 319, 320.9, 314, 317.65 Power Grid C, 101, 101.45, 100, 101 Praj Industr, 78.9, 79.9, 76.15, 76.6 Punj Lloyd L, 135, 136, 131.25, 132.2 Punjab Natio, 1055, 1055, 1030.3, 1038.85 Rajesh Expor, 89.15, 90.25, 86, 88.65 Ranbaxy Labs, 449, 451.5, 443.7, 445.45 Rashtriya Ch, 88.4, 88.4, 86.25, 86.5 Rel. nat. re, 44.1, 44.5, 43.4, 43.55 Reliance Cap, 799.9, 805, 779.25, 781.75

Reliance Com, 189, 190.45, 186.5, 188.55 Reliance Ene, 940, 980, 940, 967.6 Reliance Ind, 914.4, 914.4, 885, 888.6 Reliance Ind, 1063.5, 1067.4, 1050.25, 1053.1 Reliance Pow, 174.4, 174.4, 171.25, 172.5 Rolta India, 177, 178.9, 174.1, 175.25 Satyam Compu, 91.1, 93.1, 90.2, 91.2 Sesa Goa Ltd, 364.25, 368.9, 360.15, 366.1 Shipping Cor, 159.2, 159.45, 155.15, 155.95 Siemens Ltd, 730.1, 734.5, 717, 720.15 Sintex Indus, 367.75, 367.95, 359, 360.55 Sobha Develo, 348, 349.7, 328.55, 332.15 State Bank O, 2498, 2502.35, 2402.1, 2410.15 Steel Author, 206, 210.8, 206, 207.8 Sterlite Ind, 176, 177, 171.1, 173.85 Sun Pharmace, 1757, 1764, 1740, 1759.85 Sun Tv Netwo, 435, 448, 433.5, 437.7 Suzlon Energ, 59.95, 60.35, 58.95, 59.25 Tata Communi, 285.35, 288, 282.35, 284.05 Tata Consult, 842.4, 851.6, 840.4, 849.25 Tata Motors, 841, 841.2, 818.1, 821.2 Tata Power C, 1326, 1331.8, 1316.3,

1325.65 Tata Steel L, 536.2, 540.95, 460, 532.4 Tata Teleser, 21.7, 21.9, 21.45, 21.55 Tech Mahindr, 751, 752.5, 732.5, 737.55 The Ge Shpg., 283.8, 285.25, 281.95, 282.95 The Phoenix, 229.8, 231.95, 225.6, 226.25 Thermax Ltd, 782, 785, 765, 770.6 Titan Indust, 2798.45, 2813, 2771.5, 2797.2 Torrent Powe, 346, 347.9, 340.1, 342.1 Triveni Engg, 104, 104, 100.2, 101.2 Tv18 India L, 81.7, 82.3, 79.5, 80 Uco Bank, 92, 93.6, 90.55, 91.75 Ultratech Ce, 829.35, 836, 821, 829.15 Union Bank O, 328, 331.5, 318, 320.05 Unitech Ltd, 84.8, 85.6, 83.35, 84.35 United Phosp, 181.8, 181.95, 176.15, 179.35 Videocon Ind, 216, 216.65, 213.2, 214.2 Vijaya Bank, 70, 70.75, 69.25, 69.8 Voltas Ltd, 202, 208.4, 202, 203.85 Wipro Ltd, 415.1, 418.1, 411.65, 413.45 Yes Bank Lim, 302, 303.65, 296.05, 298.75 Zee Entertai, 298.25, 301.6, 297.05, 299.4

OHERALDO

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BIZ

GOA, TUESDAY, 27 JULY, 2010

‘Kharif output could push growth higher than 8%’ PTI MUMBAI, JULY 26

With agricultural output expected to be better than last year on the back of a good monsoon so far, the Reserve Bank today said that India's GDP growth this fiscal could be higher than the 8 per cent projected in its monetary policy statement in April.

"Going by the progress of the monsoon so far, agricultural output is expected to be better than last year....lead indicators for services activities suggest continuation of the growth momentum," the Reserve Bank said in its Macroeconomic and Monetary Developments-First Quarter Review 2010-11, released here today.

Industrial production continues to exhibit double-digit growth in the current year, notwithstanding some moderation in May, it added.

The Professional Forecasters' Survey conducted by the RBI in June, however, placed the GDP growth for this fiscal higher at 8.4 per cent as against the 8.2

DLF to buy out Dubai World in JV REUTERS MUMBAI, JULY 26

DLF is buying out the stake held by Dubai World's property arm in an equal joint venture in India for about 2 billion rupees ($43 million), the Economic Times reported on Monday.

A unit of DLF will buy the stake owned by Limitless Group, which is a part of Dubai World, in Bidadi Knowledge City in southern Karnataka state, the newspaper said, citing a person with direct knowledge of the transaction.

Officials at DLF and Dubai World could not immediately be reached by Reuters for comment.

per cent reported in the previous round of the survey.

On the growth projections of different agencies, the RBI said that "all available projections of real GDP growth for 2010-11 are higher than 8 per cent."

"The leading indicators point to the prospect of robust growth in the coming quarters and fast closing of the output gap," it said.

It cited the prospect of a better kharif output than last year, buoyancy in the industrial sector notwithstanding the moderation in May and a significant pick-ip in investment demand as major factors giving a positive growth outlook.

Stronger growth in corporate sales with higher profitability, strong growh in exports, an improving business environment as per optimism expressed in different surveys, pick-up in private consumption demand and a potentially lower fiscal deficit due to the favourable outcome of the 3G/BWA spectrum auctions,

were cited as other positive factors by the bank.

Besides, there has been a "significant acceleration in credit demand from the private sector," it said.

The apex bank, however, warned that an uncertain external environment presented a major risk to growth in the near-term.

Enumerating some challenges, the RBI said that sustaining high export growth would be challenging while the real appreciation of the exchange rate could also weaken external price competitiveness of Indian exports.

It also said that sustaining investment and private consumption demand (both of which have picked-up) would be crucial for growth "given the gradual phasing out of the fiscal stimulus and monetary exit."

Inflationary pressures, besides affecting the cost structure through demands for higher wages and increase in input costs, could also depress demand, it said.

Star flays TRAI’s DTH tariff

Maruti tanks over 12% on poor result

PTI NEW DELHI, JULY 26

PTI MUMBAI, JULY 26

Leading broadcaster Star India today hit out at regulator TRAI for ''shocking'' recommendations for DTH tariff, saying that this would wreak havoc in the industry, and it would seek rejection of the same legally. "The way they (recommendations) are at the moment, it should be outrightly rejected.

We will ask the apex body IBF (Indian Broadcasting Foundation) for challenging it in court," Star India head Uday Shankar told PTI. He charged that the recommendations not only deprived the consumer of choosing a channel but also failed to address the revenue leakage through underdeclaration by cable operators and theft. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India had last week fixed the wholesale tariff to be paid to broadcasters for TV channels by DTH and IPTV service providers and cable operators in conditional access system areas at 35 per cent of the corresponding rates for normal cable operators.

The country's largest carmaker Maruti Suzuki India today plummeted over 12 per cent after touching a month''s low after it reported a disappointing June quarter numbers on Saturday. The Maruti counter plunged 12.31 per cent to settle at Rs 1,191.05 on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

During the day, the scrip touched a month''s low of Rs 1,185.25, down 12.73 per cent.

The market capitalisation of the company fell by Rs 4,831.20 crore to Rs 34,410 crore.

The company's m-cap stood at Rs 39,241.20 crore on Friday.

CEOs upbeat on growth, inflation a worry REUTERS MUMBAI, JULY 26

Robust domestic demand should boost India's economic growth but inflation and its impact on profitability of companies is a concern, a survey of chief executives by a top industry body showed.

Most CEOs expect higher capacity utilisation and expansion in the second quarter of the fiscal year that started on April 1, versus the first quarter, though a majority also said input costs would rise without any change in pricing power.

India's industrial output rose at its slowest pace in seven months in May, with some analysts saying the slowdown reflected capacity constraints rather than cooling of demand.

"Businesses are upbeat on the domestic economy despite the global uncertainties and are maintaining their investment momentum," said Hari Bhartia, president of the CII. In a poll of about 90 CEOs, 56.4 percent expected 2010/11 GDP growth of 8.5-9 percent, in line with official projections, while 38.5 percent saw an 8-8.5 percent expansion while 5.1 percent predicted a 9-9.5 percent rise.

However, all the chief executives polled expect headline inflation to be higher than the Reserve Bank of India's forecast of 5.5 percent at the end next March.

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will revisit the forecast when it reviews policy on Tues-

day.

Of the respondents, 64.1 percent expect the wholesale price index-based (WPI) inflation to stay above 6.5 percent in March 2011, while 28.2 percent see it moderating to 6-6.5 percent and 7.7 percent forecast a lower range of 5.5-6 percent.

India's annual WPI inflation remained above 10 percent for the fifth straight month in June, and the figure for April was revised sharply higher.

The RBI is widely expected to raise key rates by 25 basis points on Tuesday and 92.3 percent of CEOs polled said banks would increase lending rates if the RBI hikes again, putting pressure on company margins.

EI FPO to hit markets today PTI MUMBAI, JULY 26

State-run Engineers India has set a price band of Rs 270-290 per share for its Follow-on Public Offering (FPO) which will hit the market tomorrow, the company said today.

The company's shares closed today at Rs 316.75. The price band of Rs 270-290 works out to be at a discount of 14.75 to 8.44 per cent over today' closing.

The government will sell 10 per cent stake through the FPO which comprises a net offer to the public of 3.29 crore shares of Rs 5 each. Presently, the government holds little over 90 per cent equity in the company.

The offer will close on July 29 for institutional buyers and July 30 for retail investors. Retail investors will be given a discount of 5 per cent on the offer price, the company said.

The government will mop up about Rs 909-crore at the lower end of the FPO and Rs 977-core on the higher end.

It will be the second divestment this fiscal after Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam through which the government raised Rs 1,000- crore. The government has set a target to collect Rs 40,000 crore through disinvestment during the current year.

"We took the existing market price, a fundamental analysis of

the company and feedback we received during roadshows while fixing the price," ICICI Securities' managing director, Madhabi Puri Buch, lead managers for the offer said.

Secretary of the Department of Disinvestment, Sumeet Bose, said that the government is always committed to fair valuation and the pricing is an effort towards the same.

The company, a leader in engineering consultancy in India, had an order book of Rs 6,236crore as on March 31, 2010 and operates majorly in the hydrocarbon sector, offering end-toend solutions in engineering and design.

"We work from concept to commissioning and are already diversifying into infrastructure, power, waste water management and city gas pipelines," EI's CMD, A K Purwaha, said.

Apart from India, EI has operations in Middle East and Africa and is betting big on Latin America, with a specific focus on Venezuela, where the oil exploration activity is witnessing a surge, Purwaha added.

The company, which posted a net profit of Rs 114.56- crore in the April-June quarter, has witnessed an annual growth of 47 per cent in revenues and profit after tax in the last three years, he said.

Sterlite Industries Q1 profit up 50% PTI NEW DELHI, JULY 26

Vedanta Group company Sterlite Industries today posted a nearly 50 per cent increase in profit, at Rs 1,008.43 crore, for the first quarter of the current fiscal. However, analysts said the result was below expectations.

"The group has posted a net profit after tax attributable of Rs 1008.43 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, compared to Rs 672.66 crore for the quarter ended June 30, 2009," the country''s largest copper producer said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange.

The company''s total income on a consolidated basis for the re-

porting period stood at Rs 5,970.25 crore, against Rs 4,580.16 crore in the year-ago period.

"The bottomline is below our expectation mainly because of the below expected result of its group firm Hindustan Zinc," Lead Analyst (Metals & Mining) Pawan Burde said. Hindustan Zinc had, last week, posted a 24 per cent jump in its profit after tax at Rs 891 crore for the quarter ended June 30, over the year-ago period.

Another analyst, who did not wish to be named, said the company''s profit and sales for the quarter did not match expectations. The company, which operates in copper, zinc,

aluminum and power businesses through its subsidiaries, said it recorded a growth in production across all its segments. Meanwhile, Sterlite Industries also said that it is developing two ports in a joint venture format in Andhra Pradesh and Orissa respectively. The projects envisage a total outlay of Rs 900 crore.

"We have entered the port business through a contract to develop a coal berth at Vizag on a revenue sharing basis in a joint venture with Leighton Contractors (India) Pvt Ltd. An agreement has been signed with Vizag Port Authorities, and the estimated cost of the project -- which is likely to be

completed in mid 2012 -- is Rs 500 crore," Sterlite Industries said.

"The company, along with joint venture partner Leighton, has also been awarded the project for development of a multipurpose berth on a revenue-sharing basis for Paradeep Port. The indicative cost of the project is likely to be Rs 400 crore," it said.

Sterlite said it issued bonus shares in the ratio of 1:1 on subdivided shares during the quarter. The company said that by the end of the first quarter, it had consolidated cash, cash equivalents and liquid investments amounting to Rs 24,874 crore.

Hero Honda plunges 7.5% PTI MUMBAI, JULY 26

The largest two-wheeler maker Hero Honda Motors today plunged over 7 per cent following reports in a section of the media that its Japanese partner Honda may sell a part of its stake in the domestic twowheeler company. Shares of Hero Honda settled at Rs 1,811.85, down 7.46 per cent on the Bombay Stock Exchange.

The counter plummeted 7.8 per cent to touch a month''s low of Rs 1,805.10 during the day''s trade. Similarly, the stock fell 7.30 per cent to settle at Rs 1808.25 on the NSE. "Investors dumped Hero Honda shares on the reports of Honda planning to sell some of its stake," Bonanza Portfolio assistant vice-president Avinash Gupta said. On the volume front, 14.93 lakh shares of the company were traded on both the bourses.

Infra PE funds rise more than three-fold to $12.6 b PTI NEW DELHI, JULY 26

Infrastructure-focussed private equity funds globally witnessed over three-fold surge in the first half of this year, suggesting an improved investor sentiment towards what were the under-performer funds last year, reveals a survey. The global survey of 450 unlisted PE funds by research firm Preqin has found that during January-June period, 11 Infra funds made aggregate commitments of USD 12.6 billion.

This is in contrast to USD 3.5 billion raised by seven infra-vehicles in the same period last year. "This suggests improved investor sentiment towards unlisted infrastructure funds following the financial crisis, with 2010 fund raising already exceeding the total raised in 2009

by USD 5 billion," the report noted.

In 2009, aggregate fund raising was USD 7.8 billion, which was 83 per cent lower from the USD 44.8 billion raised in the earlier two years. Unlisted infrastructure funds are generally financial vehicles, usually with a limited partnership-type structure, that are not listed on stock markets.

They invest in infrastructure assets, including infrastructurerelated companies. Although the performance of unlisted infrastructure funds has improved slightly in the first half of 2010, they are nowhere near the record levels before the onset of global financial crisis.

According to the data available with Preqin, 24 infrastructure funds mopped up USD 37.7 billion in 2007 , a record breaking amount followed by USD 36.6 billion raised by 35 infrastructure funds in 2008.

From January 2009-till date, 21 more infrastructure funds have entered the market, taking the tally to 105, seeking an aggregate investment of USD 80.8 billion in total.

This implies that poor fund raising conditions have not deterred fund managers from launching infrastructure funds.

"Recent fund raising figures and positive investor sentiment towards infrastructure suggest that commitments to the asset class from investors will continue to strengthen in the near future," the report said.

However, Preqin added that fund raising conditions may remain challenging throughout 2010. The survey found that core infrastructure assets including energy, utilities, transportation and telecom continued to dominate the first half of 2010 PE-Infra deal activity.

Govt to disinvest in 5 PSUs by March PTI MUMBAI, JULY 26

The Government will disinvest its stakes in Coal India Ltd, Power Grid Corporation, Hindustan Copper, Steel Authority of India and Manganese Ore India by March 2011, a top Government official said.

"Yes, all five of them (disinvestment) will happen this fiscal itself," Secretary, Department of Disinvestment,

SKS Microfin IPO between Rs 850-985 UNI MUMBAI, JULY 26

SKS Microfinance Limited has fixed the Price Band between Rs 850 and Rs 985 per equity share for a public issue of 16.79 million equity shares of Rs. 10 each.

The issue consists of a fresh issue of 8.44 million shares and an offer for sale of 9.34 million shares by Sequoia Capital India II LLC, SKS Mutual Benefit Trust - Narayankhed, SKS Mutual Benefit Trust - Jogipet, SKS Mutual Benefit Trust - Medak, SKS Mutual Benefit Trust - Sadasivapet, SKS Mutual Benefit Trust - Sangareddy, Kismet Microfinance and Mauritius Unitus Corporation (the "Selling Shareholders").

SKS Microfinance Limited is the largest MFI in India in terms of total value of loans outstanding, number of borrowers and number of branches, according to the October 2009 CRISIL report titled India Top 50 Microfinance Institutions.

The Fresh Issue and the Offer for Sale (jointly referred to herein as the constituted 21.6 per cent of the fully diluted post issue paid-up capital of the Company. The Issue will open on July 28, 2010, and close on July 30, 2010 for QIBs and on August 2, 2010 for applicants in the Retail and NonInstitutional categories.

A discount of Rs 50 per Equity Share is being offered to applicants in the Retail category. The Company may consider participation by Anchor Investors. The Anchor Investor Bid/ Issue Period shall be one day prior to the Bid/ Issue Opening Date. Bids can be made for a minimum of 7 Equity Shares and in multiples of 7 Equity Shares thereafter.

Sumit Bose, told reporters on the sidelines of a function to announce the Follow-on Public Offering (FPO) of Engineers India, here today.

Earlier this year, the Government raised around Rs 1,000crore by selling its stake in Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam.

The most interesting aspect of the disinvestment will be that of Manganese Ore India where the Government of India will divest 10 per cent stake

along with five per cent each from two other shareholders-the State Governments of Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh, Bose said.

He also exuded confidence that the Department will be able to achieve its target of raising Rs 40,000-crore from the divestment proceeds in the current fiscal.

ICICI Securities' Madhabi Puri Buch, said, "there is a huge appetite for India and more-

over, most of the firms have monopolies in their respective sectors...I think we will definitely achieve the target of Rs 40,000-crore."

Bose hinted that Coal India would be the first amongst the five companies to hit the market and added that Power Finance Corporation was not on the list of companies where the government is planning to divest stake as of now.

Monster’s enhanced site for relevant job hunting PTI NEW DELHI, JULY 26

Online recruitment services provider Monster India has revamped its job search website with the aim of providing jobseekers with career options that ''best fit'' their profiles, a senior official said today. "The enhanced website will help increase registrations of jobseekers on our site, as it will make job search sharper by providing relevant choices.

The enhancements reiterate our philosophy of ''Right Jobs.

Right Candidates''," Monster. com MD (India, Middle East, South East Asia) Sanjay Modi told PTI. The enhanced site will offer a simplified interface for providing better

results to job-seekers, the company said. "The changes

are based on our research on job-seekers psychographics and behavioural patterns in the current dynamic economic scenario. The new

Dabur acquires Hobi Kozmetik PTI NEW DELHI, JULY 26

Making its first ever overseas acquisition, FMCG player Dabur today said it has acquired Turkish personal care firm Hobi Kozmetik Group for USD 69 million (about Rs 324 crore) as part of its strategy to strengthen its presence in the Middle East and North Africa.

"This acquisition is an important step towards further consolidating and expanding our already substantial presence in the Middle East and North Africa region," Dabur India Chairman Anand Burman said in a statement.

At present, Dabur sells its products in over sixty countries through its subsidiary Dabur International. The company said it has fully acquired three Hobi Group firms-- Hobi Kozmetik, Zeki Plastik and Ra Pazarlama through its overseas

subsidiary Dabur International for USD 69 million.

The transaction is expected to be completed by the third quarter of this fiscal. "The acquisition offers Dabur an entry into an attractive new market like Turkey, and adds to our portfolio a host of popular international brands that enjoy pole position in their respective categories", Dabur India CEO Sunil Duggal said.

Set up in 1974, Hobi Kozmetik is a maker of personal care products in Turkey and sells a range of hair care and skin care products under ''Hobby'' and ''New Era'' brands across 35 countries, including the Middle East and North Africa. "Hobis brands complement Daburs portfolio, categories, offering us a strong platform to enter newer product categories and markets", Duggal added.

seeker site, www.monsterindia. com, has new tools like simple browse jobs features to make the entire job/candidate search even more productive," Modi added. Moreover, an ''enhanced magic search'' tool will ensure that a job-seeker looking for a particular job will be given options that best fit his profile.

In addition to the new tools, the enhanced technology will offer real-time updates on new jobs added in the last 60 seconds to registered job-seekers.

The site also provides industry information and updates related to the employment indices of various sectors to job-seekers.

Dena Bank Q1 net profit up 21% PTI MUMBAI, JULY 26

Dena Bank reported a 20.67 per cent jump in net profit for the first quarter ended June 30 to Rs 138.79 crore. The company had posted a net profit of Rs 115.02 crore during the corresponding quarter of the last fiscal, Dena Bank said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange.

The bank also reported an increase of 8.72 per cent in total income during the first quarter to Rs 1,221.78 crore, as against Rs 1,123.82 crore in the year-ago period. The percentage of Dena Bank''s gross NPAs to gross advances went down to 2.11 per cent in the quarter ended June 30 from 2.22 per cent during the same period of 2009-10. Its net NPAs, however, grew to 1.49 per cent during the first quarter from 1.26 per cent in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal, the filing said.

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Kerala, Mizoram advance Agar Vaddo

Kerala 5 Mizoram 1 Uttarakhand 4 Orissa 3

Assam 2 Railways 0 HP 0 Bihar 0

AGENCIES KOLKATA, JULY 26

Kerala stormed into the prequarterfinals of Santosh Trophy with a thumping 5-2 victory over Assam in their last group league encounter at Salt Lake Stadium here on Monday.

Javed carried his great form and opened the account for Kerala in the 19th minute. Assam retaliated and levelled terms through Akum Ao three minutes later.

Kerala after conceding the equaliser combined themselves brilliantly and went ahead once again with Justin Stephen finding the tar-

get three minutes before the break.

After the breather, Kerala pumped in three more goals to dash Assam hopes to move into the pre-quarters.

Sakeer MP made it 3-1 in the 69th minute, while Bijesh Ben scored the fourth goal in the 81st minute before Jelendra Brahma the deficit in the 86th minute. Subair KP then put the final nail in Assam's coffin.

Mizoram edged past Railways by a solitary goal to book their place in the pre-quarterfinals.

In an inconsequential match, Uttarakhand defeated Himachal Pradesh 4-0.

Orissa ended their campaign on a winning note trouncing Bihar 3-0.

in quarters HERALD CORRESPONDENT CALANGUTE, JULY 26

Agar Vaddo prevailed over Porba Vaddo 4-3 via the tie-breaker after both teams were involved in a goalless draw to move into the quarter-finals of Gaura Vaddo inter-ward football tournament at Calangute Association ground, here on Monday.

Both teams began on a promising note and had a couple of scoring chances but failed to score.

Edward, Frazer, Anthony and Ashton converted for Proba Vaddo in the tie-breaker while Jaidev, Marcelin and Ashwin were on target for Porba Vaddo.

GFA told to promote 2 Bardez clubs HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, JULY 26

The Third Division clubs from Bardez had their annual meeting at Duler stadium on Monday to discuss the formalities for the upcoming season. The fixtures, team colour jerseys and rules and regulations were taken care of.

The Bardez clubs also had the opportunity to voice their opinions on other issues. The teams were unanimous in asking the GFA representatives present to promote two Bardez clubs to

the Second Division this season instead of the proposed one.

The GFA executive committee will now discuss the matter.

GFA general secretary, Savio Messias asked the clubs to nominate a member from their village to attend the referee's fitness test to be conducted shortly as there is a shortage of referees in Goa. "At the moment we have around 90 active referees, but we need around 200 to cope with the number of matches being played," stated Savio.

Sporting’s fate in next I-League uncertain HERALD SPORTS REPORTER MAPUSA, JULY 26

Sporting Clube de Goa are the only team Goan team that could boast of never having being relegated from the top flight of Indian football so far. Having finished second from bottom in last season’s I-league the situation of relegation is on the cards unless they are given a reprieve at a meeting to be held next month, to decide if they can take the position left blank by Mahindhra United's decision to disband the team.

Although the club has been in pre-season training, for a few weeks now at Mira Mar beach it is very difficult to plan for the season ahead not knowing where their fate will take them.

The club is grateful to Sports Authority of Goa for allowing Alex Alvares to take a break from his job to take on the role as head coach of the club for now.

Alex, who coached the Goa U-21 team to victory in March insists that regardless of which

league they end up playing in, the style of football will not change. "We will play attacking football as usual and give an opportunity for the Goan boys to shine," stated Alex.

Alex has been involved with

n Alex Alvares of SAG has taken a break from his job to take on the role as head coach of Sporting Club for now the club’s academy set up many years ago and is aware of the style of play that the Flaming Orange fans and management demand with no room for compromise.

Alex will be assisted by Anthony Levino Pereira. The physio is Gurdeep Singh and Angelo Albuquerque continues his position as manager of the team.

Players retained: Seniors Felix D’Souza, Gerard D’Mello

( g k ) , Fu l g e n c i o C a rd o z o , Mathew Gonsalves, Samananda Singh, Adil Ahmed Khan, Elvino Fernandes, Rojen Singh Michael Faleiro, Rovan Pereira (defenders), Agnel Colaco, Freiman Peixote, Steven Fernandes, Anthony D’Souza, Joseph Pereira, Bibiano Fernandes, Bisheshwor Singh (midfielders), Agnelo D’Souza and Joychandra Singh (forwards).

Juniors: Koushik Ghosh (gk), Daison Cardozo (defender), Rowlinn Borges, Sena Liandala, Mackroy Peixote,Valzinho Fernandes, Jeswil D’Souza (midfielders), Stephen Barreto, Pritam Singh (forwards).

New players: Juniors: Randell Dias, Joyner Lourenco, Gary D'Mello (defenders), Itomba Singh , Guru Ashokan, Pedro Gonsalves, Jovel Martins, Mackenze Fernandes, Niroshan Mani (midfielders), Joston Pereira (forward).

Seniors: Siddesh Morje (gk) Boboi Singh, Mario Mascarenhas (defenders), Avelino Fernandes (forward).

Goa’s Santosh Harigan, (with coach Purshottam Phade at right), who won a bronze medal at the 57th senior National in Delhi from July 10-16. He lost his semi-final bout to a nail-biting finish to Sanjay Singh 1-2. The last named won the championship. Santosh got the better of Bupinder Singh of Delhi 3-0 in the quarters. Earlier, he had outboxed Govind Singh of Uttarakhand 9-1. In the second round he beat Saleem Khan of JK 6-0. Santosh has been in Commonwealth Core Group camp for almost a year now, a feat that very few Goans have achieved.

Nitish in joint first place HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, JULY 26

Nitish Belurkar beat Movindu of Sri Lanka at World School Chess Championship in Turkey today.

Nitish is now on 4.5 points out of 5 rounds in the U-9 open category and is in joint 1st position.

Riya Savant lost to WCM Karenza Dilla in U-11 girls category and is on 3 points after 5 rounds.

PY Nuvem enter finals HERALD SPORTS DESK PANJIM, JULY 26

Hosts Parish Youth of Nuvem moved into the finals of 16th late Muriel Faleiro football tournament edging past St Cruz Club of Cavelossim 1-0 at Nuvem church griound on Monday.

There was nos core at the break.

Joe Coalco scored the matchwinner in the second half. He was later declared man-of-the match.

Tomorrow, in the second semi-final, Wilred Leisure, Curtorim will face Betalbatim Sports Club at 4.45 p.m.

Vagator Parish Youth Tr o p h y s e m i s : H o l i d a y Club, Arpora v. Milagres Sports Club, Mapusa, Ozrant ground, Vagator, 4.30 p.m.

Gaura Vaddo Cup soccer: Umtta Vaddo v. Gaura Vaddo, Calangute Association ground, 4.30 p.m.

Sneheeta Mangaonkar from RCC, Margao, who passed the 1st poom exam (1st dan black belt) seen alongwith SAG coach Theophile Lowe.

Sneheeta is a State gold medallist having represented Goa in subjunior Nationals.

GOA DIARY Fitness test for referees

PANJIM (HSD) - The Goa Football Association will conduct the 1st physical fitness test for referees on August 1 at SAG, Campal track for those who could not attend the last test.

Referees have been asked to report at 6.30 a.m. This will be the last opportunity for the referees to get their names in the active list for 2010-11.

U-22 cricket camp

PANJIM (HSD) – The Goa Cricket Association will conduct a cricket coaching camp for C. K Nayudu U-22 boys on August 16 at Indoor Academy, Porvorim. Players may send their details alongwith birth certificate to Goa Cricket Association office, Panjim by August 2.

7-a-side tie-breaker at Tivim

PANJIM (HSD) – The Real Madrid Sports and Cultural Club, Tivim, will organise an all-Goa 7-a-side football tournament in August 1 and 8 at panchayat ground, Tivim from 10.30 a.m. The winners and runner-up will be awarded Rs. 15,000 and Rs. 10,000 respectively. Spot entries will not be accepted. Details may be obtained from Nolan on 9822126277 or Battu on 9923144246.

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Man Utd stunned by 10-man Kansas City

Man Utd...1 Kansas City...2 a memorable victor y over though subsequent television REUTERS NEW YORK, JULY 26

English Premier League Club Manchester United suffered the first defeat on their preseason North America tour when they were upset 2-1 by the 10-man Kansas City Wizards in Kansas City on Sunday.

Despite having Jimmy Conrad controversially sent off late in the first half for a harsh tackle yesterday, the home team held on to record

their far more illustrious opponents.

In front of 52,000 fans at Arrowhead Stadium, the Wizards opened the scoring in the 11th minute through midfielder Davy Arnaud before Bulgarian Dimitar Berbatov levelled from the penalty spot in the 41st.

Just one minute later, Kansas again edged ahead when Kei Kamara headed Ryan Smith's corner past Ben Amos, al-

replays did not confirm whether the ball had crossed the goal line.

A scoreless second half concluded a game played at a breakneck pace that featured several near misses.

United coach Alex Ferguson opted to field a relatively young side, with Amos, Ritchie De Laet and Mame Biram Diouf lining up with more experienced players Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Berbatov.

Chhetri has low-key outing against Man Utd Chhetri, who is with the first team since joining the club prior to the 2010 season, made a second-half appearance in the match, replacing Teal Bunbury in the 69th minute. He had two shots on goal in 21 minutes of action.

Despite having Jimmy Conrad controversially sent off late in the first half for a harsh tackle, the home team held on to record a memorable victory over their far more illustrious opponents.

AGENCIES NEW YORK, JULY 26

Sunil Chhetri became the first Indian to play against English Premier League giants Manchester United on Sunday. The ace Indian striker made his second appearance for Kansas City Wizards, who stunned Manchester United 2-1 in Kansas City.

A ten-man Kansas City handed the Premiership club their first defeat on their pre-season North America tour.

Manchester United's Paul Scholes (left) beats Kansas City Wizards' Kei Kamara to the ball during the first half of the Wizard's win in their exhibition soccer match at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri on Sunday.

Raul leaves Real

Man City ready to get Torres May go to England or Germany at right price REUTERS MADRID, JULY 26

Real Madrid’s talismanic striker Raul bid an emotional farewell to the La Liga club on Monday after 16 seasons and said he was eyeing a move to the Bundesliga or the English Premier League.

The 33-year-old, a huge favourite among Real fans and a club captain, had tears in his eyes when he announced his departure at a packed news conference at Real’s Bernabeu stadium.

He acknowledged keen interest from Bundesliga club Schalke 04, who have offered him a two-year deal according to local media, but also said a move to England was a possibility.

“This is a very tough and very difficult day for me,” Raul said, before paying homage to former Real player Alfredo Di Stefano, who is recovering from heart and respiratory problems in a Madrid hospital.

“I feel like a player and I want to continue feeling like a player for the time I can and that my body allows,” he added.

“It’s a chance to have an experience abroad.

Schalke have shown a lot of interest but other teams too. My future lies in England or Germany.”

STRONG PLAYERS Raul’s exit follows the announcement on Sunday that midfielder Guti, also 33 and a popular figure with the club’s hard-core fans, was leaving and considering a move to Turkish club Besiktas.

The pair barely featured last season under coach Manuel Pellegrini and the club have signed winger Angel Di Maria and midfielders Sergio Canales and Pedro Leon to strengthen the squad for Pellegrini’s replacement, Jose Mourinho.

“Some very strong players have come in,” Raul said. “I had the feeling it was time to end this.”

Raul joined Real in 1992 after a brief stint in the youth setup of city rivals Atletico and made his first-team debut against Real Zaragoza in October 1994 at the age of 17.

He helped them to win six Spanish league titles and three Champions League titles and scored 323 times in 741 appearances in all competitions, according to the club’s website (www.realmadrid.com).

In October last year, he equalled German Gerd Mueller’s record of 66 goals in the three main European club competitions when he scored against AC Milan in the Champions League.

He holds the all-time scoring record for Spain with 44 goals in 102 appearances, one more goal than his successor in the number seven shirt David Villa.

I will quit if I lose my staff: Maradona AGENCIES ARGENTINA, JULY 26

Argentina coach Diego Maradona is keen to sign a new contract - so long as he is allowed to retain his entire backroom staff.

The 49-year-old will hold talks with Argentinian Football Association president Julio Grondona, who wants the 1986 World Cup winner to pen a new four-year deal.

"I really want to stay, but it depends on Grondona," Maradona told El Show del Futbol on America TV on Sunday night after returning to Buenos Aires following a trip to Venezuela to visit president Hugo Chavez.

"If they touch a hair of one of my guys, even if the masseur or the kitman, I'm going. I want to continue the adventure but not with (just) anyone. I chose these people. I want to continue work-

ing with them."

One of Maradona's assistants, former Argentina defender Oscar Ruggeri has been criticised by Grondona in the wake of the team's World Cup exit.

"I already asked and I will continue to ask that Ruggeri joins me," he added. "It's a constant struggle. This is the first thing I will discuss with Grondona."

Argentina struggled to qualify for South Africa after Maradona took over from previous coach Alfio Basile and their campaign came to an end with a 4-0 defeat to Germany in the last eight.

Nevertheless, Grondona believes Maradona has been successful so far in difficult circumstances.

He told Radio Mitre last week: "He took over at a very difficult moment and he qualified, which is important.

AGENCIES MANCHESTER, JULY 26

Manchester City boss R o b e r t o Mancini is ready to bid for Liverpool ace striker Fernando Torres and battle it out with Chelsea to get the Spanish forward.

Mancini said: "Torres is one of the best strikers in Europe and is already playing in the Premier League for three years and knows it very well."

"But it depends on his situation, his price and if he wants to come. There are two or three strikers we could go for. The choices we have are fantastic players," The Sun quoted him, as saying.

Other players Mancini fancies include Wolfsburg's Bosnian ace Edin Dzeko and 19-year-old Mario Balotelli of Inter Milan.

Last week, Didier Drogba's agent Thierno Seydi claimed to have had direct talks with City about signing the Chelsea star.

Mancini still wants Aston Villa midfielder James Milner but confirmed he will not pay over the odds.

City insists their 24 million pounds bid is their final offer.

Mancini said: "When Manchester City enquire about a 10 million pound player, the club asks for 20 million pound. That is not good for us. James is still a player who interests us but only at the right price."

Ponting not in favour of batting changes line-up AGENCIES LONDON, JULY 26

Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has said that the prospect of changes to the team's batting line-up for October's Test tour of India is remote.

Only Simon Katich (46.75) and Michael Clarke (34.75) had a batting average above 30 in the two-Test series against Pakistan.

The worst averages among the specialist batsmen were from Shane Watson (16) and Marcus North (nine).

Mardy Fish reeled in second seed John Isner 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 to clinch the Atlanta Tennis Championships on Sunday and win his second successive ATP title.

Fish, who won the Hall of Fame Championships in Newport two weeks ago, extended his winning streak to 10 matches after dominating the third-set tiebreak.

"This is as top as I've ever been," Fish told reporters. "I've never won two tournaments in one year, I've never won two tournaments in a row, and on the ATP tour, I've never won 10 matches in a row. It's probably as good as it's been."

far as the game was concerned [but] I think you can look at all of our batsmen through this tour. We've faced some pretty challenging conditions at different times," he said.

"We all analyse ourselves pretty closely and we all want to play well all the time but unfortunately that's not the way this game works. But if you're going to win Test matches you have to have five or six or seven of your guys playing well each game and we probably didn't have that in this particular Test match," Ponting said.

The India tour will consist of two Tests and three One-Dayers.

"If you were trying to set down and map out your perfect preparation for an Ashes series or a home series it probably wouldn't be playing two Test matches in India," he said.

"But you don't live in an ideal world.

We ' l l

wait and see who we've got that's fit and ready to go for that tour and pick a squad of players we think can win a Test series over there, and then worry about the start of the Ashes af ter that," Ponting added.

Fish wins 2nd title in-a-row AGENCIES ATALANTA, JULY 26

The performance of Steve Smith, who scored 77 from just 100 balls, led to speculation that he could take over North's place in the team in India and also be a secondary spin option to Nathan Hauritz.

But Ponting discounted that possibility. "I don't think Smith will put pressure on North, no," The Sydney Morning Herald quoted the captain, as saying.

"I thought the runs we got out of Smith were pretty entertaining and very valuable as

Isner had been bidding for his second title of the season after winning in Auckland earlier this year, and looked to have the momentum after claiming the first set.

But Fish responded with a break late in the second and again early in the third.

Isner broke back immediately in the decider and threatened to break his fellow American again in the ninth game, but fell short and ended up conceding a decisive 4-0 lead in the tiebreak.

Fish, appearing in his third final in his past four tournaments, mowed through the final three points to complete victory and continue his brilliant run.

Mardy Fish of the US celebrates win agianst John Isner on Monday.

Questions pre-Ashes India tour UNI LONDON, JULY 26

Ashes obsessed Australian captain Ricky Ponting rued carved out Test series in India around a month before Australia host England Down Under for the Ashes.

Australia's tour to India is due to start from September 25 and end on October 24. The Idian and Australian cricket board had agreed to replace a seven-match ODI series to a 30-day tour including two Test matches in Mohali and Banglore followed a three-match ODI series.

Ponting worried that the extended tour will deny his players an opportunity to spend enough time in home conditions before the Ashes starts on November 25. ''If you were trying to

set down and map your perfect preparation for an Ashes series or a home series, it probably wouldn't be playing two Test matches in India,'' Ponting said. ''But you don't live in an ideal world. That's the way international cricket is these days.

McGrath engaged to girlfriend Sara AGENCIES MELBOURNE, JULY 26

Two years after the death of his first wife Jane, former Australian pacer Glenn McGrath is all set to walk down the aisle once again after getting engaged to his Italian girlfriend of seven months Sara Leonardi.

Jane died following a long battle with breast cancer and two years after the tragedy, McGrath got engaged to Leonardi, a 28-year-old interior designer, last week.

"We are engaged and we're really happy," McGrath told the Herald Sun newspaper.

The 40-year-old cricketer's manager Warren Craig also confirmed the news: "They got engaged about a week ago. Glenn and Sara haven't spoken to any (magazines).

There has been no story told or anything like that, and they're not planning on speaking to anybody about the engagement."

Leonardi has been snapped wearing a diamond engagement ring

presented by McGrath while out walking with him and his two children, ten-year-old James and eightyear-old Holly, near their south Sydney home.

Leonardi met the former Test cricketer at a party in Cape Town in 2009 while he was playing for the Indian Premier League team Delhi Daredevils, sparking a friendship that blossomed into love later in the year.

McGrath, still raw from the death of his wife Jane, said he never believed he'd fall in love again but Leonardi changed all that.

"After Jane passed away, I never thought that I could love another woman. I was adamant about that. But I am in love with Sara, totally and completely and absolutely," McGrath said when his relationship with Leonardi became public earlier this year.

"I think marriage is definitely in our future. I can't picture life witho u t h e r, " h e added.

Jane, who married the bowler in 1999, passed away on June 22, 2008.

Pg 18:Layout 1 7/26/2010 10:58 PM Page 1

SPORTS Pg 18 We’ll look to add Lanka take control on Day 1 another 250 runs, Kerala, Mizoram in pre-quarters Pg 16

Raul leaves Real Madrid Pg 17

GOA, TUESDAY, 27 JULY, 2010 www.oheraldo.in

PTI COLOMBO, JULY 26

Captain Kumar Sangakkara and Tharanga Paranavitana struck their second successive centuries as Sri Lanka took firm control of the second cricket Test against India by laying the foundation for a massive first innings total here today.

Sangakkara (130 not out) notched up his 23rd Test century while Paranavitana (100) scored his second ton as the Lankan batsmen piled up the agony on a listless India by reaching a commanding 312 for two at close on the opening day.

The Indians, who desperately need to win the match to level the three-match series and retain their number one position, put up a rather pathetic bowling display to allow the hosts to get off to a flying start.

Mahela Jayawardene (13) was giving Sangakkara company at stumps as the hosts dominated on a very good batting track at the Sinhalese Sports Club ground.

Electing to bat, the two Lankan openers Tillakaratne Dilshan (54) and Paranavitana provided a rollicking start to the innings, capitalising on some wayward and insipid bowling by the Indians.

The depleted Indian bowling attack, badly missing the services of pace spearhead Zaheer Khan, just did not ball in the right areas to pose much problems for the hosts who scored

l Sangakkara and Paranavitana slam tons

Tharanga Paranavitana and Kumar Sangakkara added 174 for the second wicket on Monday.

at a brisk pace right through the day.

If the inexperienced pace duo of Ishant Sharma and Abhimanyu Mithun failed to make much of an impact, the two spinners Harbhajan Singh and Pragyan Ojha also lacked penetration to compound the prob-

lesm for the visitors.

The Indians were pushed on the backfoot almost immediately after play began this morning with Dilshan and Paranavitana unleashing a flurry of strokes.

The opening pair put on a brisk 99 runs for the first wicket before Ojha provided the breakthrough by evicting the hardhitting Dilshan with VVS Laxman latching on to a brilliant catch at short extra cover.

Dilshan struck ten boundaries during his 42-ball knock which

allowed the home team to take the initiative from the word go.

Paranavitana and Sangakkara then served a painful reminder of the opening day's play at Galle as they tormented the Indians with a fine exhibition of batting.

The duo were in no discomfort at all as they scored at a quick pace, forcing Dhoni to opt for a completely defensive field.

Both Paranavitana and Sangakkara completed their centuries in the same over off Virender Sehwag, getting a

Kalmadi is ‘dirty face of Indian sports’: Pargat

Modi calls BCCI probe a ‘witch hunt’

Sri Lanka 1st innings: Tharanga Paranavitana b Sharma 100, Tillakaratne Dilshan c Laxman b Ojha 54, Kumar Sangakkara batting 130, Mahela Jayawardene batting 13. Extras: 15. Total: 312 for 2. Fall of wickets: 1-99, 2-273.

Bowling: Abhimanyu Mithun 17-4-75-0, Ishant Sharma 154-66-1, Pragyan Ojha 23-5-59-1, Harbhajan Singh 22-3-610, Virender Sehwag 9-0-26-0, Suresh Raina 4-0-15-0.

The former India captain, in fray for the President's post in the elections on Wednesday, said Kalmadi is backing an 83-year-old Vidya Stokes for the job as he is only concerned about keeping his control and least bothered about the sport.

"The reason they violated the government's guidelines (on age limitation) is to field an 83-year-old lady (Stokes).

Kalmadi just wants a rubber stamp. If they (the present ad-hoc HI office bearers) are elected, it won't be called Hockey India, it will be called Hockey Kalmadi," he said.

"Kalmadi is the dirty face of Indian sports. He is a destroyer.

He talks of the Olympic movement but he has destroyed the Olympic institution. Such dirty people should be thrown out of sports," said Pargat.

"The Kalmadi group has a habit of poking its nose in every sports federation. Their modus

operandi is to set up a parallel body in every federation and then take the matter to the court. They have a battery of lawyers to fight their case," the former India full-back added.

Pargat also accused Kalmadi of fielding his own personal office staffs in the HI polls.

"A member of Kalmadi's personal staff, Manoj Bhore is a voter from Hockey Maharashtra.

So, you can imagine what is going on. He has made a mockery of the system. He just wants to capture hockey," he said.

He also said that the present office-bearers of HI have no right to reject government's assistance as it is the prerogative of the elected house.

"Who are they to tell they don't want government's assistance, it is the house to decide.

What is their authenticity? If the government's recognition is not there, how can the Indian team participate in international tournaments?" Pargat asked.

Ministry to probe case, Kaushik to take legal recourse

I haven't misbehaved with any lifter: Malhotra

PTI NEW DELHI, JULY 26

Barely 48 hours before the Hockey India elections, Pargat Singh today launched a scathing attack on IOA chief Suresh Kalmadi, calling him the ‘dirty face of Indian sports’ who is desperate to maintain control over the game's administration by interfering in the much-awaited polls.

PTI NEW DELHI, JULY 26

The sex scandal in Indian hockey took a new turn today with the Sports Ministry deciding to launch its own probe into allegations of sexual harassment against suspended coach M K Kaushik, who has threatened to take legal action against the hockey establishment for maligning him.

On yet another day of fast unfolding developments, the Sports Ministry issued an order to its Sexual Harassment Committee to inquire into the allegations.

But a combative Kaushik, who resigned from his post after the scandal broke out, trained his guns at Hockey India, accusing the sports body of trying to put him in the dock without having any evidence at all.

Kaushik had resigned after player Ranjita Devi complained to Hockey India that he sexually harassed her during the recent Canada and China tours. HI had already referred the case to Delhi Police after examining the

report of its five-member inquiry committee set up after Ranjita's complaint.

"The Ministry has issued an order to the Ministry's Sexual Harassment Committee to inquire into the recent allegations against M K Kaushik. The committee will follow due procedure laid down by honourable Supreme Court in the Vishakha case," a statement from the ministry said.

The ministry said that the committee will take into account the report of the inquiry panel set up by Hockey India to probe the allegations against Kaushik though it is yet to be received.

"The inquiry committee which was set up by HI which is yet to be received by the ministry will also be taken into consideration by the committee," the statement said.

The Committee will comprise of five senior women officers from the Sports Ministry and a woman member from a NGO. The committee will co-opt one member from the Delhi Women's Commission.

PTI NEW DELHI, JULY 26

Suspended coach Ramesh Malhotra today maintained that he never ‘misbehaved’ with women weightlifters during his career and is confident of being "absolved" of sexual harassment charges by the IWF inquiry committee.

Sydney Olympics bronze medallist Karnam Malleswari had alleged that Malhotra had been sexually harassing lifters for more than a decade now but the coach said the charges were "false" and aimed at tarnishing his reputation.

"I have not misbehaved with any woman lifter in my career as a weightlifting coach. I treat all of them as my children," Malhotra, who is in the Capital, told PTI. "The allegations levelled by Malleswari are false. Truth will come out after the inquiry committee probe. I am confident that I would be absolved of the charges by the committee," he said.

He, however, admitted that an anonymous letter was sent to SAI some 10 years ago alleging that he "was behaving inappropriately" with a woman lifter.

AGENCIES NEW DELHI, JULY 26

Suspended Indian Premier League commissioner Lalit Modi on Monday slammed the Board of Control for Cricket in India and termed the inquiry into the alleged financial irregularities against him as a "witch hunt".

The BCCI's three-member disciplinary committee will meet in New Delhi on Tuesday to continue its probe into the allegations against Modi, who will again skip the proceedings and be represented by his lawyers.

"Rumours of non-cooperation from me are planted and irresponsible. If this is not a witch hunt, what is?" he wrote on Twitter.

The BCCI's disciplinary panel comprises interim IPL chairman Chirayu Amin, BJP leader Arun Jaitley and Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia. Modi has objected to the presence of Amin and Jaitley on the committee, saying that being BCCI officials they will be biased against him during the probe.

standing ovation from the sparse home crowd.

The pair stitched 174 runs for the second wicket before Paranavitana fell to Ishant Sharma immediately after completing his century much to the relief of the Indians.

Earlier, continuing from where he left in the second innings at Galle, Dilshan scored at will hammering several boundaries on a batting-friendly track.

The right-hander was particularly severe on Ishant Sharma whom he hit with impunity.

Though accelerating in pace, Sharma hardly troubled Dilshan and the Lankan leaned forward to a 138 kmph delivery from the lanky bowler, thumping it between the mid-off and extra cover.

The very next delivery was dispatched to the mid-wicket, another short in length bowl in the same over was punched to the extra cover.

In the morning, Paranavitana was fortunate when an edge off Mithun fell short of the Indian captain and wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Paranavitana then clobbered Pragyan Ojha for two consecutive boundaries after the drinks break.

Sangakkara got his half century after he whipped Ishant Sharma through the midwicket boundary.

Paranavitana then completed his fifty when he pressed back to punch a Sehwag turner to the sweeper cover. The two left handers put the hosts on course for a huge first innings lead.

The wicket, despite offering slight turn to the spinners, never seemed to trouble the two batsmen much.

Sri Lanka raced to 200 in a mere 285 balls and Paranavitana and Sangakkara also got to their 100 runs partnership in 174 balls and 108 minutes.

Earlier, Gautam Gambhir was ruled out due to a niggle in his knee while Yuvraj Singh made way to Suresh Raina owing to fever.

There was overhaul of the Sri Lankan bowling attack with Ajantha Mendis, Dilhara Fern a n d o , S u r a j Ra n d i v a n d Dhamika Prasad making it to the final eleven.

Meteorite strikes county match AGENCIES LONDON, JULY 26

The sparse crowd watching a regular county match was treated to an out of the world experience, quite literally, when a 4.5 billion years old meteorite came hurtling towards the ground.

According to a report in The Daily Telegraph, the rock, was a few inches long and up to 4.5 billion years old.

England player Luke Wright was batting with Monty Panesar during the match when the black, five-inch rock came crashing down.

"We were sitting at the boundary edge when all of a sudden, out of a blue sky, we saw this small dark object hurtling towards us. It landed five yards inside the

boundary and split into two pieces," the newspaper quoted an eyewitness as saying.

"One piece bounced up and hit me in the chest and the other ended up against the boundary board. It came across at quite a speed -- if it had hit me full on it could have been very interesting," the spectator joked.

Dr Matthew Genge, a meteorite expert at Imperial College, London, said if found true, it would be the first meteorite to strike Britain since 1992.

"If this turns out to be a meteorite it's very exciting and would be the first fall in the UK since 1992. Potentially it contains secrets as to the formation of our solar system," he said.

‘Harassement cases will be dealt with in an impartial way’ PTI NEW DELHI, JULY 26

Sports Minister M S Gill today assured that the cases of sexual harassment that have plunged hockey and weightlifting into a moral crisis would be dealt with in a "professional and impartial way".

Gill said the Sports Ministry is keeping a tab on the developments in the scandals that have rocked the two sports.

"The Ministry will do what it has to in a professional and impartial way," Gill told reporters outside the Parliament today.

In both the cases, coaches are at the centre of the row and have been suspended by the respective federations.

In hockey, veteran coach M K Kaushik has been suspended for alleged sexual harassment of players and the case has been sent to the Delhi Police for a criminal probe.

In weightlifting, Ramesh Malhotra, who was ironically recommended for the Dronacharya award by the Federation, has only been suspended for the time being for allegedly harassing junior

lifters for over a decade.

The accusations against Malhotra were levelled by Sydney Olympics bronze medallist Karnam Malleswari, who is now a viceP re s i d e n t i n t h e I n d i a n We i g h t l i f t i n g Federation.

Both the coaches have denied the allegations, claiming the charges are motivated and false.

Ferrari fined $100,000 AGENCIES HOCKENHEIM, JULY 26

Ferrari were fined $100,000 by stewards on Sunday for the use of illegal 'team orders' in winning the German Formula One Grand Prix.

The governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) also said in a statement that the case would be referred to its world motorsport council for further

consideration.

The team, whose drivers finished first and second after Brazilian Felipe Massa allowed Spaniard Fernando Alonso to overtake him, were found to have breached both the sporting regulations and code.

Article 39.1 of the sporting regulations states that "team orders which interfere with the result of the race are prohibited".

says Sangakkara PTI COLOMBO, JULY 26

In a commanding position after scoring 312 for just two wickets on the opening day itself, Sri Lankan captain Kumar Sangakkara said his team would aim to add another 200 to 250 runs tomorrow and bat India out of the second cricket Test here.

Sangakkara (130 batting) and opener Tharanga Paranavitana (100) were in fine form against a toothless Indian attack which was also exposed early on by the explosive Tillakaratne Dilshan (54).

"We have to capitalise and bat long tomorrow. We need to get between 200 to 250 more runs tomorrow to put

pressure on India. Anything above 250 would be a bonus," Sangakkara said after the opening day's play.

"If we get some more big knocks, we can put up a huge score and put India on the backfoot. The pitch is a bit pacy but still a good one to bat on," he added.

Sangakkara praised Parnavitana, who got his second Test hundred, and Dilshan for giving a rollicking start to the Lankan innings.

"It's good that he got the hundred. He knows how to get there now and that's a good sign. Dilshan was just fantastic. He in fact took the pressure off Paranavitana," he said.

Despite thrashing, Raina feels India bowled well PTI COLOMBO, JULY 26

The thrashing that they got from the Sri Lankan batsmen notwithstanding, Suresh Raina today insisted that Indian bowlers did their job well and blamed their opening-day flopshow in the second cricket Test on the dead track here.

The Lankans took command by scoring 312 for the loss of just two wickets on the first day today but Raina, who has been handed his Test debut after Yuvraj was ruled out due to a bout of flu, defended the visitors' bowling.

"I think if you look at the surface there is nothing for the bowlers. But still our bowlers bowled really well.

Especially Ishant (Sharma) and (Abhimanyu) Mithun are bowling really well," insisted Raina after the day's proceedings.

"They bowled at good areas. If you look at (Kumar) Sangakkara and Tharanga Parnavitana, they both got back to back hundreds. It is always good to get runs.

But I think we had a good bowling plan. We did a good job. Let us hope for

Sania stumbles in final wrexham itf AGENCIES NEW DELHI, JULY 26

After mauling lower-ranked opponents all through the week, Sania Mirza lost the title clash of the Wrexham ITF event 2-6, 4-6 to local favourite Heather Watson on Sunday.

Sania had also lost the summit clash of the doubles event of the $25,000 tournament in Great Britain.

Sania and her Finnish partner Emma Laine, top seeds at the tournament, had lost the final 6-2, 3-6, 11-13.

the best. We need to execute our bowling plan," he added.

Raina said no matter how many runs Sri Lanka puts on board, India have the batting line-up to out-score the hosts.

"If we bowl well in tomorrow's session it will be useful for us.

We will not be under pressure even if they score high. We have got good players. There will be 3 days and anything can happen.

We have players who have done well overseas and everywhere they have scored runs. I think it is an attitude game," he said.