THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government employees and pensioners will receive dearness allowance (DA) increased in July along with their salaries and pension for the month of December, Finance Minister K M Mani said. The arrears in the dearness allowance for the period from July to November will be credited to the provident fund account of the employees, while pensioners will receive it in cash. The government expected an annual additional financial liability of Rs 1,170 crore on this account, the minister said in a release.
2012, ഒക്ടോബർ 31, ബുധനാഴ്ച
Increased DA from December
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government employees and pensioners will receive dearness allowance (DA) increased in July along with their salaries and pension for the month of December, Finance Minister K M Mani said. The arrears in the dearness allowance for the period from July to November will be credited to the provident fund account of the employees, while pensioners will receive it in cash. The government expected an annual additional financial liability of Rs 1,170 crore on this account, the minister said in a release.
Sensex rebounds by 75 points on value-buying
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Sensex rebounds by 75 points on value-buying
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28 killed in wedding party blaze in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: Twenty-eight people were killed and 37 injured in a blaze that hit a wedding party in Saudi Arabia’s eastern town of Abqaiq, a senior security official said on Wednesday.
The fire was sparked on Tuesday night by a falling power cable, added General Abdullah Khushaiman, the director of civil defence in the kingdom’s eastern region.
Witnesses said that the power cable snapped and came down due to celebratory bullets shot in the air by some guests.
The fire was sparked on Tuesday night by a falling power cable, added General Abdullah Khushaiman, the director of civil defence in the kingdom’s eastern region.
Witnesses said that the power cable snapped and came down due to celebratory bullets shot in the air by some guests.
28 killed in wedding party blaze in Saudi Arabia
RIYADH: Twenty-eight people were killed and 37 injured in a blaze that hit a wedding party in Saudi Arabia’s eastern town of Abqaiq, a senior security official said on Wednesday.
The fire was sparked on Tuesday night by a falling power cable, added General Abdullah Khushaiman, the director of civil defence in the kingdom’s eastern region.
Witnesses said that the power cable snapped and came down due to celebratory bullets shot in the air by some guests.
The fire was sparked on Tuesday night by a falling power cable, added General Abdullah Khushaiman, the director of civil defence in the kingdom’s eastern region.
Witnesses said that the power cable snapped and came down due to celebratory bullets shot in the air by some guests.
Myanmar must protect Muslims and halt discrimination, UN says
Story Dated: Wednesday, October 31, 2012 22:0 hrs IST
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GENEVA (Reuters) - U.N. human rights investigators called on Myanmar on Wednesday to halt deadly sectarian violence and warned it not to use the conflict as a pretext to remove Rohingya minority Muslims.
Some 89 people have been killed in clashes between Buddhist Rakhines and Muslim Rohingyas in western Myanmar in the past 10 days, according to the latest official toll.
"This situation must not become an opportunity to permanently remove an unwelcome community," said a joint statement issued by Tomas Ojea Quintana, U.N. special rapporteur on Myanmar, and independent experts on minority issues and the internally displaced.
They voiced their "deep concern about the assertion of the government and others that the Rohingya are illegal immigrants and stateless persons".
"If the country is to be successful in the process of democratic transition, it must be bold in addressing the human rights challenges that exist," Ojea Quintana said.
"In the case of Rakhine State, this involves addressing the long-standing endemic discrimination against the Rohingya community that exists within sections of local and national government as well as society at large."
The Rohingyas say their homes were burned down by Rakhines armed with slingshots, wooden staves, knives and gasoline.
The United Nations says more than 97 percent of the 28,108 people who have fled the violence are Muslims, mostly stateless Rohingya. Many now live in camps, joining 75,000 mostly Rohingya displaced in June after a previous explosion of sectarian violence killed at least 80 people.
Fearful Buddhists and Muslims are arming themselves with homemade weapons, testing the reformist government's resolve to prevent a new wave of violence.
Rita Izsak, U.N. independent expert on minority issues, said the Rohingya constituted a minority which must be protected according to international minority rights standards.
"The government must take steps to review relevant laws and procedures to provide equal access by the Rohingya community to citizenship and promote dialogue and reconciliation between communities," she said.
The U.N. refugee agency has called on authorities to restore law and order so as to prevent further bloodshed and displacement. An estimated 6,000 people are stranded on boats or on islets along Myanmar's western coast, it said on Tuesday.
"We are appealing to neighbouring countries, Bangladesh being very much one of them, to keep borders open. It is clearly important that people do have access to safe haven," UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards told a news briefing on Tuesday.
(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva and Martin Petty in Rakhine; editing by Andrew Roche)
Some 89 people have been killed in clashes between Buddhist Rakhines and Muslim Rohingyas in western Myanmar in the past 10 days, according to the latest official toll.
"This situation must not become an opportunity to permanently remove an unwelcome community," said a joint statement issued by Tomas Ojea Quintana, U.N. special rapporteur on Myanmar, and independent experts on minority issues and the internally displaced.
They voiced their "deep concern about the assertion of the government and others that the Rohingya are illegal immigrants and stateless persons".
"If the country is to be successful in the process of democratic transition, it must be bold in addressing the human rights challenges that exist," Ojea Quintana said.
"In the case of Rakhine State, this involves addressing the long-standing endemic discrimination against the Rohingya community that exists within sections of local and national government as well as society at large."
The Rohingyas say their homes were burned down by Rakhines armed with slingshots, wooden staves, knives and gasoline.
The United Nations says more than 97 percent of the 28,108 people who have fled the violence are Muslims, mostly stateless Rohingya. Many now live in camps, joining 75,000 mostly Rohingya displaced in June after a previous explosion of sectarian violence killed at least 80 people.
Fearful Buddhists and Muslims are arming themselves with homemade weapons, testing the reformist government's resolve to prevent a new wave of violence.
Rita Izsak, U.N. independent expert on minority issues, said the Rohingya constituted a minority which must be protected according to international minority rights standards.
"The government must take steps to review relevant laws and procedures to provide equal access by the Rohingya community to citizenship and promote dialogue and reconciliation between communities," she said.
The U.N. refugee agency has called on authorities to restore law and order so as to prevent further bloodshed and displacement. An estimated 6,000 people are stranded on boats or on islets along Myanmar's western coast, it said on Tuesday.
"We are appealing to neighbouring countries, Bangladesh being very much one of them, to keep borders open. It is clearly important that people do have access to safe haven," UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards told a news briefing on Tuesday.
(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva and Martin Petty in Rakhine; editing by Andrew Roche)
Myanmar must protect Muslims and halt discrimination, UN says
Story Dated: Wednesday, October 31, 2012 22:0 hrs IST
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GENEVA (Reuters) - U.N. human rights investigators called on Myanmar on Wednesday to halt deadly sectarian violence and warned it not to use the conflict as a pretext to remove Rohingya minority Muslims.
Some 89 people have been killed in clashes between Buddhist Rakhines and Muslim Rohingyas in western Myanmar in the past 10 days, according to the latest official toll.
"This situation must not become an opportunity to permanently remove an unwelcome community," said a joint statement issued by Tomas Ojea Quintana, U.N. special rapporteur on Myanmar, and independent experts on minority issues and the internally displaced.
They voiced their "deep concern about the assertion of the government and others that the Rohingya are illegal immigrants and stateless persons".
"If the country is to be successful in the process of democratic transition, it must be bold in addressing the human rights challenges that exist," Ojea Quintana said.
"In the case of Rakhine State, this involves addressing the long-standing endemic discrimination against the Rohingya community that exists within sections of local and national government as well as society at large."
The Rohingyas say their homes were burned down by Rakhines armed with slingshots, wooden staves, knives and gasoline.
The United Nations says more than 97 percent of the 28,108 people who have fled the violence are Muslims, mostly stateless Rohingya. Many now live in camps, joining 75,000 mostly Rohingya displaced in June after a previous explosion of sectarian violence killed at least 80 people.
Fearful Buddhists and Muslims are arming themselves with homemade weapons, testing the reformist government's resolve to prevent a new wave of violence.
Rita Izsak, U.N. independent expert on minority issues, said the Rohingya constituted a minority which must be protected according to international minority rights standards.
"The government must take steps to review relevant laws and procedures to provide equal access by the Rohingya community to citizenship and promote dialogue and reconciliation between communities," she said.
The U.N. refugee agency has called on authorities to restore law and order so as to prevent further bloodshed and displacement. An estimated 6,000 people are stranded on boats or on islets along Myanmar's western coast, it said on Tuesday.
"We are appealing to neighbouring countries, Bangladesh being very much one of them, to keep borders open. It is clearly important that people do have access to safe haven," UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards told a news briefing on Tuesday.
(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva and Martin Petty in Rakhine; editing by Andrew Roche)
Some 89 people have been killed in clashes between Buddhist Rakhines and Muslim Rohingyas in western Myanmar in the past 10 days, according to the latest official toll.
"This situation must not become an opportunity to permanently remove an unwelcome community," said a joint statement issued by Tomas Ojea Quintana, U.N. special rapporteur on Myanmar, and independent experts on minority issues and the internally displaced.
They voiced their "deep concern about the assertion of the government and others that the Rohingya are illegal immigrants and stateless persons".
"If the country is to be successful in the process of democratic transition, it must be bold in addressing the human rights challenges that exist," Ojea Quintana said.
"In the case of Rakhine State, this involves addressing the long-standing endemic discrimination against the Rohingya community that exists within sections of local and national government as well as society at large."
The Rohingyas say their homes were burned down by Rakhines armed with slingshots, wooden staves, knives and gasoline.
The United Nations says more than 97 percent of the 28,108 people who have fled the violence are Muslims, mostly stateless Rohingya. Many now live in camps, joining 75,000 mostly Rohingya displaced in June after a previous explosion of sectarian violence killed at least 80 people.
Fearful Buddhists and Muslims are arming themselves with homemade weapons, testing the reformist government's resolve to prevent a new wave of violence.
Rita Izsak, U.N. independent expert on minority issues, said the Rohingya constituted a minority which must be protected according to international minority rights standards.
"The government must take steps to review relevant laws and procedures to provide equal access by the Rohingya community to citizenship and promote dialogue and reconciliation between communities," she said.
The U.N. refugee agency has called on authorities to restore law and order so as to prevent further bloodshed and displacement. An estimated 6,000 people are stranded on boats or on islets along Myanmar's western coast, it said on Tuesday.
"We are appealing to neighbouring countries, Bangladesh being very much one of them, to keep borders open. It is clearly important that people do have access to safe haven," UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards told a news briefing on Tuesday.
(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva and Martin Petty in Rakhine; editing by Andrew Roche)
2 dead as Nilam crosses TN coast
Chennai: Cyclone Nilam Wednesday swept across north Tamil Nadu coast near Mahabalipuram, about 55 km from here, leaving two persons dead, including a crew member of an oil tanker that ran aground off the city.
The crew member drowned after a life boat carrying him and 21 colleagues capsized in choppy waters off Besant Nagar locality in south Chennai in high velocity winds just hours before the cyclone hit the coast. He was brought dead to a hospital while 15 others were rescued.
They had attempted to escape using the life boat after the ship with 37 crew ran aground having been drifted by high velocity winds. Two others are in a serious condition, Chennai Port Trust officials said.
Navy, Coast Guard and other agencies are searching for the remaining six. The other 15 remained onboard "Pratibha Cauvery", the officials said.
In Puducherry, a 46-year old man slipped into the rough sea and drowned when he, along with his friends, was walking on the pier to see the sea conditions during the cyclonic storm.
It was much relief to the authorities as the cyclone, forecast to be accompanied by wind speeds reaching 110 kmph, made the landfall with a maximum speed of only 65-75 kmph, saving the state of largescale destruction.
About 4,000 people residing close to coast in Mahabalipuram, a famous tourist spot known for its temples and sculptures, were evacuated to safer places, officials said.
"Cyclonic storm NILAM moved north-northwestwards, crossed north Tamil Nadu coast near Mahabalipuram, south of Chennai between 4 pm and 5 pm today," a weather bulletin said.
The system, which brought heavy downpour in several parts of the state in the last two days, would move northwestwards and weaken into a deep depression during the next six hours.
It would continue to bring more rainfall over north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, even upto 25 cm or more, the bulletin said.
"Rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls would also occur over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and north interior Tamil Nadu during next 24 hours," it added.
Gale winds reaching upto 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph would prevail along and off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts in the next six hours and gradually decrease thereafter.
Sea condition will be very rough to high along and off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts during the next six hours and fishermen have been warned against venturing into the sea till Thursday.
Power supply was suspended in many parts of Chennai where more than 100 trees were uprooted by the storm, forcing people to remain largely indoors.
Educational institutions will remain closed in coastal districts of Tamil Nadu tomorrow, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa said after reviewing the situation.
Southern Railways announced diversion and partial cancellation of trains, especially those passing through coastal districts.
Trains were also being operated at low speed to ensure safety, officials said.
A report from Karaikal in the union territory of Puducherry said life was affected in the town adjoining Tamil Nadu following heavy rains.
Officials said educational institutions in the district remained shut for third consecutive day.
The crew member drowned after a life boat carrying him and 21 colleagues capsized in choppy waters off Besant Nagar locality in south Chennai in high velocity winds just hours before the cyclone hit the coast. He was brought dead to a hospital while 15 others were rescued.
They had attempted to escape using the life boat after the ship with 37 crew ran aground having been drifted by high velocity winds. Two others are in a serious condition, Chennai Port Trust officials said.
Navy, Coast Guard and other agencies are searching for the remaining six. The other 15 remained onboard "Pratibha Cauvery", the officials said.
In Puducherry, a 46-year old man slipped into the rough sea and drowned when he, along with his friends, was walking on the pier to see the sea conditions during the cyclonic storm.
It was much relief to the authorities as the cyclone, forecast to be accompanied by wind speeds reaching 110 kmph, made the landfall with a maximum speed of only 65-75 kmph, saving the state of largescale destruction.
About 4,000 people residing close to coast in Mahabalipuram, a famous tourist spot known for its temples and sculptures, were evacuated to safer places, officials said.
"Cyclonic storm NILAM moved north-northwestwards, crossed north Tamil Nadu coast near Mahabalipuram, south of Chennai between 4 pm and 5 pm today," a weather bulletin said.
The system, which brought heavy downpour in several parts of the state in the last two days, would move northwestwards and weaken into a deep depression during the next six hours.
It would continue to bring more rainfall over north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, even upto 25 cm or more, the bulletin said.
"Rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls would also occur over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and north interior Tamil Nadu during next 24 hours," it added.
Gale winds reaching upto 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph would prevail along and off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts in the next six hours and gradually decrease thereafter.
Sea condition will be very rough to high along and off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts during the next six hours and fishermen have been warned against venturing into the sea till Thursday.
Power supply was suspended in many parts of Chennai where more than 100 trees were uprooted by the storm, forcing people to remain largely indoors.
Educational institutions will remain closed in coastal districts of Tamil Nadu tomorrow, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa said after reviewing the situation.
Southern Railways announced diversion and partial cancellation of trains, especially those passing through coastal districts.
Trains were also being operated at low speed to ensure safety, officials said.
A report from Karaikal in the union territory of Puducherry said life was affected in the town adjoining Tamil Nadu following heavy rains.
Officials said educational institutions in the district remained shut for third consecutive day.
2 dead as Nilam crosses TN coast
Chennai: Cyclone Nilam Wednesday swept across north Tamil Nadu coast near Mahabalipuram, about 55 km from here, leaving two persons dead, including a crew member of an oil tanker that ran aground off the city.
The crew member drowned after a life boat carrying him and 21 colleagues capsized in choppy waters off Besant Nagar locality in south Chennai in high velocity winds just hours before the cyclone hit the coast. He was brought dead to a hospital while 15 others were rescued.
They had attempted to escape using the life boat after the ship with 37 crew ran aground having been drifted by high velocity winds. Two others are in a serious condition, Chennai Port Trust officials said.
Navy, Coast Guard and other agencies are searching for the remaining six. The other 15 remained onboard "Pratibha Cauvery", the officials said.
In Puducherry, a 46-year old man slipped into the rough sea and drowned when he, along with his friends, was walking on the pier to see the sea conditions during the cyclonic storm.
It was much relief to the authorities as the cyclone, forecast to be accompanied by wind speeds reaching 110 kmph, made the landfall with a maximum speed of only 65-75 kmph, saving the state of largescale destruction.
About 4,000 people residing close to coast in Mahabalipuram, a famous tourist spot known for its temples and sculptures, were evacuated to safer places, officials said.
"Cyclonic storm NILAM moved north-northwestwards, crossed north Tamil Nadu coast near Mahabalipuram, south of Chennai between 4 pm and 5 pm today," a weather bulletin said.
The system, which brought heavy downpour in several parts of the state in the last two days, would move northwestwards and weaken into a deep depression during the next six hours.
It would continue to bring more rainfall over north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, even upto 25 cm or more, the bulletin said.
"Rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls would also occur over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and north interior Tamil Nadu during next 24 hours," it added.
Gale winds reaching upto 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph would prevail along and off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts in the next six hours and gradually decrease thereafter.
Sea condition will be very rough to high along and off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts during the next six hours and fishermen have been warned against venturing into the sea till Thursday.
Power supply was suspended in many parts of Chennai where more than 100 trees were uprooted by the storm, forcing people to remain largely indoors.
Educational institutions will remain closed in coastal districts of Tamil Nadu tomorrow, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa said after reviewing the situation.
Southern Railways announced diversion and partial cancellation of trains, especially those passing through coastal districts.
Trains were also being operated at low speed to ensure safety, officials said.
A report from Karaikal in the union territory of Puducherry said life was affected in the town adjoining Tamil Nadu following heavy rains.
Officials said educational institutions in the district remained shut for third consecutive day.
The crew member drowned after a life boat carrying him and 21 colleagues capsized in choppy waters off Besant Nagar locality in south Chennai in high velocity winds just hours before the cyclone hit the coast. He was brought dead to a hospital while 15 others were rescued.
They had attempted to escape using the life boat after the ship with 37 crew ran aground having been drifted by high velocity winds. Two others are in a serious condition, Chennai Port Trust officials said.
Navy, Coast Guard and other agencies are searching for the remaining six. The other 15 remained onboard "Pratibha Cauvery", the officials said.
In Puducherry, a 46-year old man slipped into the rough sea and drowned when he, along with his friends, was walking on the pier to see the sea conditions during the cyclonic storm.
It was much relief to the authorities as the cyclone, forecast to be accompanied by wind speeds reaching 110 kmph, made the landfall with a maximum speed of only 65-75 kmph, saving the state of largescale destruction.
About 4,000 people residing close to coast in Mahabalipuram, a famous tourist spot known for its temples and sculptures, were evacuated to safer places, officials said.
"Cyclonic storm NILAM moved north-northwestwards, crossed north Tamil Nadu coast near Mahabalipuram, south of Chennai between 4 pm and 5 pm today," a weather bulletin said.
The system, which brought heavy downpour in several parts of the state in the last two days, would move northwestwards and weaken into a deep depression during the next six hours.
It would continue to bring more rainfall over north coastal Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, even upto 25 cm or more, the bulletin said.
"Rainfall at most places with isolated heavy to very heavy falls would also occur over south coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and north interior Tamil Nadu during next 24 hours," it added.
Gale winds reaching upto 65-75 kmph gusting to 85 kmph would prevail along and off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts in the next six hours and gradually decrease thereafter.
Sea condition will be very rough to high along and off north Tamil Nadu, Puducherry and adjoining south Andhra Pradesh coasts during the next six hours and fishermen have been warned against venturing into the sea till Thursday.
Power supply was suspended in many parts of Chennai where more than 100 trees were uprooted by the storm, forcing people to remain largely indoors.
Educational institutions will remain closed in coastal districts of Tamil Nadu tomorrow, Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa said after reviewing the situation.
Southern Railways announced diversion and partial cancellation of trains, especially those passing through coastal districts.
Trains were also being operated at low speed to ensure safety, officials said.
A report from Karaikal in the union territory of Puducherry said life was affected in the town adjoining Tamil Nadu following heavy rains.
Officials said educational institutions in the district remained shut for third consecutive day.
Govt will try to restrict fiscal deficit to 5.3%: Chidambaram
New Delhi: The government will endeavour to maximise revenue collection and contain expenditure to restrict fiscal deficit to 5.3 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the current financial year, Finance Minister P Chidambaram has said.
"Best efforts would be made to contain fiscal deficit at 5.3 per cent, during the current financial year even though the Kelkar Committee has stated that as per the current economic trends, it could be 6.1 per cent," he said yesterday while addressing the Consultative Committee attached to his Ministry on 'Economic Impact of Internal and External Debt'.
According to the Minister, "the target of 5.3 per cent is challenging one, yet it is doable".
Although the government in the Budget had proposed to bring down fiscal deficit in 2012-13 to 5.1 per cent from 5.8 per cent in the previous financial year, it is expected to shoot up on account of various global and domestic factors.
The strategy to achieve the target would be to maximise revenue collections and control expenditure, Chidambaram said, while seeking support of the political parties to deal with economic and financial problems facing the country.
"No country can live beyond its means", he said, adding that it was imperative to ensure that country's debt remains sustainable and within limits.
The countries which have accumulated un-sustainable levels of debt are facing economic and financial problems, he added.
The Minister further said that serious efforts would also be made to bridge the Current Account Deficit (CAD) estimated at USD 70.3 billion by encouraging flow of Foreign Direct Investment and Foreign Institutional Investment.
"FDI is not an option, but an imperative, failing which we will have to rely on borrowings to meet the current account deficit", Chidambaram said, while seeking support of members of all the political parties in strengthening the government's efforts to contain both the fiscal deficit and the current account deficit.
The members on their part suggested that the government should keep in mind the interest of 'aam admai' while pursuing strategies to deal with the problem of ballooning deficit.
Some members suggested that government should develop a mechanism to plug leakages in delivery of subsidies to the needy people and poor farmers.
Many members underlined the need for a review of the functioning of various Central Sponsored Schemes (CSS) which have have failed to benefit the needy.
Members of Parliament who attended the meeting include Narahari Mahato, Rajkumari Ratna Singh, Anto Anthony, S P Y Reddy, Neeraj Shekhar, Arvind Kumar Chaudhary, Prabhatsinh Chauhan (all Lok Sabha), Shantaram Naik, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Amar Singh, Rajkumar Dhoot, N K Singh, E M Sundarsana Natchiappan, Sabir Ali and Iswarlal Jain (all Rajya Sabha).
"Best efforts would be made to contain fiscal deficit at 5.3 per cent, during the current financial year even though the Kelkar Committee has stated that as per the current economic trends, it could be 6.1 per cent," he said yesterday while addressing the Consultative Committee attached to his Ministry on 'Economic Impact of Internal and External Debt'.
According to the Minister, "the target of 5.3 per cent is challenging one, yet it is doable".
Although the government in the Budget had proposed to bring down fiscal deficit in 2012-13 to 5.1 per cent from 5.8 per cent in the previous financial year, it is expected to shoot up on account of various global and domestic factors.
The strategy to achieve the target would be to maximise revenue collections and control expenditure, Chidambaram said, while seeking support of the political parties to deal with economic and financial problems facing the country.
"No country can live beyond its means", he said, adding that it was imperative to ensure that country's debt remains sustainable and within limits.
The countries which have accumulated un-sustainable levels of debt are facing economic and financial problems, he added.
The Minister further said that serious efforts would also be made to bridge the Current Account Deficit (CAD) estimated at USD 70.3 billion by encouraging flow of Foreign Direct Investment and Foreign Institutional Investment.
"FDI is not an option, but an imperative, failing which we will have to rely on borrowings to meet the current account deficit", Chidambaram said, while seeking support of members of all the political parties in strengthening the government's efforts to contain both the fiscal deficit and the current account deficit.
The members on their part suggested that the government should keep in mind the interest of 'aam admai' while pursuing strategies to deal with the problem of ballooning deficit.
Some members suggested that government should develop a mechanism to plug leakages in delivery of subsidies to the needy people and poor farmers.
Many members underlined the need for a review of the functioning of various Central Sponsored Schemes (CSS) which have have failed to benefit the needy.
Members of Parliament who attended the meeting include Narahari Mahato, Rajkumari Ratna Singh, Anto Anthony, S P Y Reddy, Neeraj Shekhar, Arvind Kumar Chaudhary, Prabhatsinh Chauhan (all Lok Sabha), Shantaram Naik, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Amar Singh, Rajkumar Dhoot, N K Singh, E M Sundarsana Natchiappan, Sabir Ali and Iswarlal Jain (all Rajya Sabha).
Govt will try to restrict fiscal deficit to 5.3%: Chidambaram
New Delhi: The government will endeavour to maximise revenue collection and contain expenditure to restrict fiscal deficit to 5.3 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the current financial year, Finance Minister P Chidambaram has said.
"Best efforts would be made to contain fiscal deficit at 5.3 per cent, during the current financial year even though the Kelkar Committee has stated that as per the current economic trends, it could be 6.1 per cent," he said yesterday while addressing the Consultative Committee attached to his Ministry on 'Economic Impact of Internal and External Debt'.
According to the Minister, "the target of 5.3 per cent is challenging one, yet it is doable".
Although the government in the Budget had proposed to bring down fiscal deficit in 2012-13 to 5.1 per cent from 5.8 per cent in the previous financial year, it is expected to shoot up on account of various global and domestic factors.
The strategy to achieve the target would be to maximise revenue collections and control expenditure, Chidambaram said, while seeking support of the political parties to deal with economic and financial problems facing the country.
"No country can live beyond its means", he said, adding that it was imperative to ensure that country's debt remains sustainable and within limits.
The countries which have accumulated un-sustainable levels of debt are facing economic and financial problems, he added.
The Minister further said that serious efforts would also be made to bridge the Current Account Deficit (CAD) estimated at USD 70.3 billion by encouraging flow of Foreign Direct Investment and Foreign Institutional Investment.
"FDI is not an option, but an imperative, failing which we will have to rely on borrowings to meet the current account deficit", Chidambaram said, while seeking support of members of all the political parties in strengthening the government's efforts to contain both the fiscal deficit and the current account deficit.
The members on their part suggested that the government should keep in mind the interest of 'aam admai' while pursuing strategies to deal with the problem of ballooning deficit.
Some members suggested that government should develop a mechanism to plug leakages in delivery of subsidies to the needy people and poor farmers.
Many members underlined the need for a review of the functioning of various Central Sponsored Schemes (CSS) which have have failed to benefit the needy.
Members of Parliament who attended the meeting include Narahari Mahato, Rajkumari Ratna Singh, Anto Anthony, S P Y Reddy, Neeraj Shekhar, Arvind Kumar Chaudhary, Prabhatsinh Chauhan (all Lok Sabha), Shantaram Naik, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Amar Singh, Rajkumar Dhoot, N K Singh, E M Sundarsana Natchiappan, Sabir Ali and Iswarlal Jain (all Rajya Sabha).
"Best efforts would be made to contain fiscal deficit at 5.3 per cent, during the current financial year even though the Kelkar Committee has stated that as per the current economic trends, it could be 6.1 per cent," he said yesterday while addressing the Consultative Committee attached to his Ministry on 'Economic Impact of Internal and External Debt'.
According to the Minister, "the target of 5.3 per cent is challenging one, yet it is doable".
Although the government in the Budget had proposed to bring down fiscal deficit in 2012-13 to 5.1 per cent from 5.8 per cent in the previous financial year, it is expected to shoot up on account of various global and domestic factors.
The strategy to achieve the target would be to maximise revenue collections and control expenditure, Chidambaram said, while seeking support of the political parties to deal with economic and financial problems facing the country.
"No country can live beyond its means", he said, adding that it was imperative to ensure that country's debt remains sustainable and within limits.
The countries which have accumulated un-sustainable levels of debt are facing economic and financial problems, he added.
The Minister further said that serious efforts would also be made to bridge the Current Account Deficit (CAD) estimated at USD 70.3 billion by encouraging flow of Foreign Direct Investment and Foreign Institutional Investment.
"FDI is not an option, but an imperative, failing which we will have to rely on borrowings to meet the current account deficit", Chidambaram said, while seeking support of members of all the political parties in strengthening the government's efforts to contain both the fiscal deficit and the current account deficit.
The members on their part suggested that the government should keep in mind the interest of 'aam admai' while pursuing strategies to deal with the problem of ballooning deficit.
Some members suggested that government should develop a mechanism to plug leakages in delivery of subsidies to the needy people and poor farmers.
Many members underlined the need for a review of the functioning of various Central Sponsored Schemes (CSS) which have have failed to benefit the needy.
Members of Parliament who attended the meeting include Narahari Mahato, Rajkumari Ratna Singh, Anto Anthony, S P Y Reddy, Neeraj Shekhar, Arvind Kumar Chaudhary, Prabhatsinh Chauhan (all Lok Sabha), Shantaram Naik, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Amar Singh, Rajkumar Dhoot, N K Singh, E M Sundarsana Natchiappan, Sabir Ali and Iswarlal Jain (all Rajya Sabha).
Hong Kong named top financial centre for second year
London: Hong Kong was named the world's top financial centre for the second year running by the World Economic Forum (WEF), thanks to the strength of its business environment, infrastructure and a favourable tax regime.
The WEF's annual Financial Development Report considered a wide range of factors and underscored the rise of Asian trading centres and the influence of China as the world's second-largest economy.
Rival surveys based purely on the total value of transactions typically put New York or London in top place.
However, stalling capital markets, sputtering economic growth and waning trust in financial organisations served to ensure that the top six positions remained unchanged from 2011, the WEF said.
"Macroeconomic uncertainty as well as concerns related to regulation, contributes to inhibiting the financial industry from funding much-needed growth," said Giancarlo Bruno, senior director at the WEF, which hosts an annual meeting of political and business leaders in Davos, Switzerland.
Though the report noted "pockets of improvement" across some banking-related indicators, it said that these signified "only a small step in what will be a long road to recovery".
The United States, Britain, Singapore, Australia and Canada followed Hong Kong in the 2012 rankings.
The report looked at legal and regulatory factors, business environment, financial stability, banking and non-banking services, markets and access to them.
"Despite these strengths, Hong Kong has a relatively underdeveloped bond market and its financial sector has yet to be fully liberalised," the report said.
Japan, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Sweden made up the remainder of the top 10 financial centres.
The report said that policymakers face a "monumental" task to restore confidence in markets as waning trust in the overall system holds back investment.
The WEF's annual Financial Development Report considered a wide range of factors and underscored the rise of Asian trading centres and the influence of China as the world's second-largest economy.
Rival surveys based purely on the total value of transactions typically put New York or London in top place.
However, stalling capital markets, sputtering economic growth and waning trust in financial organisations served to ensure that the top six positions remained unchanged from 2011, the WEF said.
"Macroeconomic uncertainty as well as concerns related to regulation, contributes to inhibiting the financial industry from funding much-needed growth," said Giancarlo Bruno, senior director at the WEF, which hosts an annual meeting of political and business leaders in Davos, Switzerland.
Though the report noted "pockets of improvement" across some banking-related indicators, it said that these signified "only a small step in what will be a long road to recovery".
The United States, Britain, Singapore, Australia and Canada followed Hong Kong in the 2012 rankings.
The report looked at legal and regulatory factors, business environment, financial stability, banking and non-banking services, markets and access to them.
"Despite these strengths, Hong Kong has a relatively underdeveloped bond market and its financial sector has yet to be fully liberalised," the report said.
Japan, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Sweden made up the remainder of the top 10 financial centres.
The report said that policymakers face a "monumental" task to restore confidence in markets as waning trust in the overall system holds back investment.
Hong Kong named top financial centre for second year
London: Hong Kong was named the world's top financial centre for the second year running by the World Economic Forum (WEF), thanks to the strength of its business environment, infrastructure and a favourable tax regime.
The WEF's annual Financial Development Report considered a wide range of factors and underscored the rise of Asian trading centres and the influence of China as the world's second-largest economy.
Rival surveys based purely on the total value of transactions typically put New York or London in top place.
However, stalling capital markets, sputtering economic growth and waning trust in financial organisations served to ensure that the top six positions remained unchanged from 2011, the WEF said.
"Macroeconomic uncertainty as well as concerns related to regulation, contributes to inhibiting the financial industry from funding much-needed growth," said Giancarlo Bruno, senior director at the WEF, which hosts an annual meeting of political and business leaders in Davos, Switzerland.
Though the report noted "pockets of improvement" across some banking-related indicators, it said that these signified "only a small step in what will be a long road to recovery".
The United States, Britain, Singapore, Australia and Canada followed Hong Kong in the 2012 rankings.
The report looked at legal and regulatory factors, business environment, financial stability, banking and non-banking services, markets and access to them.
"Despite these strengths, Hong Kong has a relatively underdeveloped bond market and its financial sector has yet to be fully liberalised," the report said.
Japan, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Sweden made up the remainder of the top 10 financial centres.
The report said that policymakers face a "monumental" task to restore confidence in markets as waning trust in the overall system holds back investment.
The WEF's annual Financial Development Report considered a wide range of factors and underscored the rise of Asian trading centres and the influence of China as the world's second-largest economy.
Rival surveys based purely on the total value of transactions typically put New York or London in top place.
However, stalling capital markets, sputtering economic growth and waning trust in financial organisations served to ensure that the top six positions remained unchanged from 2011, the WEF said.
"Macroeconomic uncertainty as well as concerns related to regulation, contributes to inhibiting the financial industry from funding much-needed growth," said Giancarlo Bruno, senior director at the WEF, which hosts an annual meeting of political and business leaders in Davos, Switzerland.
Though the report noted "pockets of improvement" across some banking-related indicators, it said that these signified "only a small step in what will be a long road to recovery".
The United States, Britain, Singapore, Australia and Canada followed Hong Kong in the 2012 rankings.
The report looked at legal and regulatory factors, business environment, financial stability, banking and non-banking services, markets and access to them.
"Despite these strengths, Hong Kong has a relatively underdeveloped bond market and its financial sector has yet to be fully liberalised," the report said.
Japan, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Sweden made up the remainder of the top 10 financial centres.
The report said that policymakers face a "monumental" task to restore confidence in markets as waning trust in the overall system holds back investment.
Mukesh Ambani, not PM, running India: Kejriwal's latest
'Mukesh Ambani is running the country it seems... Jaipal Reddy was removed as he refused to hike the charges being levied by Reliance Industries to supply gas to NTPC,' Kejriwal said at a press conference.
He said the government looked helpless before the corporate group.
According to Kejriwal, the KG basin was awarded to Reliance in 2000 by the NDA government when the corporate agreed to supply gas to the National Thermal Power Corp for the next 17 years at $2.5 per unit.
But, said Kejriwal, the company revised the rate to $4.25 per unit in 2007 which then finance minister Pranab Mukherjee agreed to as the head of an empowered group of ministers.
Later, he said, the company wanted the rate to be further hiked to $14.25 per unit.
Jaipal Reddy, who reportedly did not agree to the proposal, was shunted out in Sunday's cabinet rejig, said the activist.
'The company was allowed to hike the cost of producing gas and thus its profits,' said Kejriwal.
Reliance Industries was not immediately available for comment.
Mukesh Ambani, not PM, running India: Kejriwal's latest
'Mukesh Ambani is running the country it seems... Jaipal Reddy was removed as he refused to hike the charges being levied by Reliance Industries to supply gas to NTPC,' Kejriwal said at a press conference.
He said the government looked helpless before the corporate group.
According to Kejriwal, the KG basin was awarded to Reliance in 2000 by the NDA government when the corporate agreed to supply gas to the National Thermal Power Corp for the next 17 years at $2.5 per unit.
But, said Kejriwal, the company revised the rate to $4.25 per unit in 2007 which then finance minister Pranab Mukherjee agreed to as the head of an empowered group of ministers.
Later, he said, the company wanted the rate to be further hiked to $14.25 per unit.
Jaipal Reddy, who reportedly did not agree to the proposal, was shunted out in Sunday's cabinet rejig, said the activist.
'The company was allowed to hike the cost of producing gas and thus its profits,' said Kejriwal.
Reliance Industries was not immediately available for comment.
Oracle to train Kerala engineering students
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect will be signed on Nov 2 here.
Oracle will provide the curriculum, training of faculty and access to a secure online learning environment for students to develop programming and database design.
The Startup Village, located at Kinfra Hi-Tech Park, has been set up jointly by the National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB) and the Kerala government-run Technopark, in collaboration with MobME wireless.
Oracle to train Kerala engineering students
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to this effect will be signed on Nov 2 here.
Oracle will provide the curriculum, training of faculty and access to a secure online learning environment for students to develop programming and database design.
The Startup Village, located at Kinfra Hi-Tech Park, has been set up jointly by the National Science and Technology Entrepreneurship Development Board (NSTEDB) and the Kerala government-run Technopark, in collaboration with MobME wireless.
US East Coast reels from deadly Superstorm Sandy; 45 dead
The storm killed at least 45 people, including at least 18 in New York City, and insurance companies started to tally billions of dollars in loses.
The storm hit with just a week to go to the November 6 Presidential election, disrupting campaigning and early voting and raising questions about whether polling stations in some hard-hit communities would be ready to open by next Tuesday.
Sandy, which crashed ashore with hurricane-force winds on Monday near the New Jersey gambling resort of Atlantic City, was the biggest storm to hit the country in generations.
It swamped parts of New York's subway system and lower Manhattan's Wall Street district, closing financial markets for a second day.
Businesses and homes along New Jersey's shore were wrecked and communities were submerged under floodwater across a large area. More than 8 million homes and businesses in several states were without electricity as trees toppled by Sandy's fierce winds took down power lines.
Across the region, crews began the monumental task of restoring power for anxious customers and getting transportation up and running could take time after the storm caused nearly 16,000 flight cancellations.
Cellphone service outages were widespread in many states and even some emergency call centers were affected.
The storm reached as far inland as Ohio and parts of West Virginia were buried under 3 feet (1 meter) of snow, a boon for ski resorts that was one of the storm's few bright spots.
Some cities like Washington, Philadelphia and Boston were spared the worst effects of the storm and were ready to return to normal by Wednesday. But New York City, large parts of New Jersey and some other areas will need at least several days to get back on their feet.
'The devastation is unthinkable,' New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said after seeing pictures of his state's shore.
Seeking to show he was on top of the aftermath of the storm in the nation's most densely populated region, the White House said President Barack Obama planned to tour damaged areas of New Jersey on Wednesday accompanied by Mr Christie.
The New Jersey governor, who has been a strong supporter of Republican presidential challenger Mitt Romney, praised Mr Obama and the federal response to the storm.
'New Jersey, New York in particular have been pounded by this storm. Connecticut has taken a big hit,' Mr Obama said during a visit to Red Cross headquarters in Washington.
Mr Obama issued federal emergency decrees for New York and New Jersey, declaring that 'major disasters' existed in both states.
Area 'Completely leveled'
Power outages darkened large parts of Manhattan and a fire destroyed more than 80 homes in New York City's borough of Queens, where flooding hampered firefighting efforts.
'To describe it as looking like pictures we've seen of the end of World War Two is not overstating it. The area was completely leveled. Chimneys and foundations were all that was left of many of these homes,' said New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg after touring the area.
Neighbourhoods along the East and Hudson rivers bordering Manhattan were underwater and expected to be without power for days, as were low-lying streets in Battery Park near Ground Zero, where the World Trade Center once stood.
'I'm lucky to have gas; I can make hot water. But there is no heating and I'm all cold inside,' said Thea Lucas, 87, who lives alone in Manhattan's Lower East Side.
Further north, though, many retail stores, restaurants and bars reopened in neighborhoods that did not lose power.
In Brooklyn's Prospect Park, runners, dog-walkers and children were out and about among fallen trees.
Organizers of Sunday's New York City Marathon were left scrambling. The world's largest 26.2-mile footrace typically has over 47,000 entrants from around the world, deploys thousands of volunteers, and winds through all five boroughs.
One disaster modeling company said Sandy may have caused up to $15 billion in insured losses. That would make it the third-costliest hurricane on record, behind hurricanes Katrina, which laid waste to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast in 2005, and Andrew, which devastated parts of Florida in 1992.
While damage was still being assessed, federal authorities made $13 million in 'quick release' emergency relief funds available to New York and Rhode Island.
Campaigning on hold
Barack Obama and Mitt Romney put campaigning on hold for a second day, but Romney planned to hit the trail again in Florida on Wednesday and Obama seemed likely to resume campaigning on Thursday for a final five-day sprint to Election Day.
Obama faces political danger if the government fails to respond well, as was the case with predecessor George W. Bush's botched handling of Katrina. Obama has a chance to show not only that his administration has learned the lessons of Katrina, but that he can take charge and lead during a crisis.
All along the East Coast, residents and business owners found scenes of destruction.
'There are boats in the street five blocks from the ocean,' said evacuee Peter Sandomeno, one of the owners of the Broadway Court Motel in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey. 'That's the worst storm I've ever seen, and I've been there for 11 years.'
Sandy, which was especially imposing because of its wide-ranging winds, brought a record storm surge of almost 14 feet (4.2 meters) to downtown Manhattan, well above the previous record of 10 feet (3 meters) during Hurricane Donna in 1960, the National Weather Service said.
Water poured into the subway tunnels under New York City. Bloomberg said the subway system, which normally carries over 5 million people each weekday, would likely be closed for four or five days.
'Hitting at high tide, the strongest surge and the strongest winds all hit at the worst possible time,' said Jeffrey Tongue, a meteorologist for the weather service in Brookhaven, New York.
Hurricane-force winds as high as 90 miles per hour (145 km per hour) were recorded, he said.
The community of Atlantique Beach on Fire Island, New York, took the storm's brunt and lost most of its oceanside dunes. Some homes were pushed off their foundations.
The U.S. Department of Energy said more than 8 million homes and businesses in several states were without electricity due to the storm. In many communities residents anxiously awaited the arrival of utility crews. Some gas stations in Queens, New York, ran out of fuel, and shoppers found supermarkets short of fresh meat, bread and potatoes.
The flooding hampered efforts to fight a massive fire that destroyed more than 80 homes in Breezy Point, a private beach community on the Rockaway barrier island in Queens.
Besides the deaths in New York City, others were reported in New York state, Massachusetts, Maryland, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Toronto police also recorded one death - a woman hit by flying debris. Sandy killed 69 people in the Caribbean last week.
U.S. government offices in Washington and schools up and down the East Coast but were due to reopen on Wednesday.
U.S. stock exchanges are expected to reopen on Wednesday, and the passenger rail service Amtrak will restart services on some of its busiest routes on a limited basis.
Reuters 2012
US East Coast reels from deadly Superstorm Sandy; 45 dead
The storm killed at least 45 people, including at least 18 in New York City, and insurance companies started to tally billions of dollars in loses.
The storm hit with just a week to go to the November 6 Presidential election, disrupting campaigning and early voting and raising questions about whether polling stations in some hard-hit communities would be ready to open by next Tuesday.
Sandy, which crashed ashore with hurricane-force winds on Monday near the New Jersey gambling resort of Atlantic City, was the biggest storm to hit the country in generations.
It swamped parts of New York's subway system and lower Manhattan's Wall Street district, closing financial markets for a second day.
Businesses and homes along New Jersey's shore were wrecked and communities were submerged under floodwater across a large area. More than 8 million homes and businesses in several states were without electricity as trees toppled by Sandy's fierce winds took down power lines.
Across the region, crews began the monumental task of restoring power for anxious customers and getting transportation up and running could take time after the storm caused nearly 16,000 flight cancellations.
Cellphone service outages were widespread in many states and even some emergency call centers were affected.
The storm reached as far inland as Ohio and parts of West Virginia were buried under 3 feet (1 meter) of snow, a boon for ski resorts that was one of the storm's few bright spots.
Some cities like Washington, Philadelphia and Boston were spared the worst effects of the storm and were ready to return to normal by Wednesday. But New York City, large parts of New Jersey and some other areas will need at least several days to get back on their feet.
'The devastation is unthinkable,' New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said after seeing pictures of his state's shore.
Seeking to show he was on top of the aftermath of the storm in the nation's most densely populated region, the White House said President Barack Obama planned to tour damaged areas of New Jersey on Wednesday accompanied by Mr Christie.
The New Jersey governor, who has been a strong supporter of Republican presidential challenger Mitt Romney, praised Mr Obama and the federal response to the storm.
'New Jersey, New York in particular have been pounded by this storm. Connecticut has taken a big hit,' Mr Obama said during a visit to Red Cross headquarters in Washington.
Mr Obama issued federal emergency decrees for New York and New Jersey, declaring that 'major disasters' existed in both states.
Area 'Completely leveled'
Power outages darkened large parts of Manhattan and a fire destroyed more than 80 homes in New York City's borough of Queens, where flooding hampered firefighting efforts.
'To describe it as looking like pictures we've seen of the end of World War Two is not overstating it. The area was completely leveled. Chimneys and foundations were all that was left of many of these homes,' said New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg after touring the area.
Neighbourhoods along the East and Hudson rivers bordering Manhattan were underwater and expected to be without power for days, as were low-lying streets in Battery Park near Ground Zero, where the World Trade Center once stood.
'I'm lucky to have gas; I can make hot water. But there is no heating and I'm all cold inside,' said Thea Lucas, 87, who lives alone in Manhattan's Lower East Side.
Further north, though, many retail stores, restaurants and bars reopened in neighborhoods that did not lose power.
In Brooklyn's Prospect Park, runners, dog-walkers and children were out and about among fallen trees.
Organizers of Sunday's New York City Marathon were left scrambling. The world's largest 26.2-mile footrace typically has over 47,000 entrants from around the world, deploys thousands of volunteers, and winds through all five boroughs.
One disaster modeling company said Sandy may have caused up to $15 billion in insured losses. That would make it the third-costliest hurricane on record, behind hurricanes Katrina, which laid waste to New Orleans and the Gulf Coast in 2005, and Andrew, which devastated parts of Florida in 1992.
While damage was still being assessed, federal authorities made $13 million in 'quick release' emergency relief funds available to New York and Rhode Island.
Campaigning on hold
Barack Obama and Mitt Romney put campaigning on hold for a second day, but Romney planned to hit the trail again in Florida on Wednesday and Obama seemed likely to resume campaigning on Thursday for a final five-day sprint to Election Day.
Obama faces political danger if the government fails to respond well, as was the case with predecessor George W. Bush's botched handling of Katrina. Obama has a chance to show not only that his administration has learned the lessons of Katrina, but that he can take charge and lead during a crisis.
All along the East Coast, residents and business owners found scenes of destruction.
'There are boats in the street five blocks from the ocean,' said evacuee Peter Sandomeno, one of the owners of the Broadway Court Motel in Point Pleasant Beach, New Jersey. 'That's the worst storm I've ever seen, and I've been there for 11 years.'
Sandy, which was especially imposing because of its wide-ranging winds, brought a record storm surge of almost 14 feet (4.2 meters) to downtown Manhattan, well above the previous record of 10 feet (3 meters) during Hurricane Donna in 1960, the National Weather Service said.
Water poured into the subway tunnels under New York City. Bloomberg said the subway system, which normally carries over 5 million people each weekday, would likely be closed for four or five days.
'Hitting at high tide, the strongest surge and the strongest winds all hit at the worst possible time,' said Jeffrey Tongue, a meteorologist for the weather service in Brookhaven, New York.
Hurricane-force winds as high as 90 miles per hour (145 km per hour) were recorded, he said.
The community of Atlantique Beach on Fire Island, New York, took the storm's brunt and lost most of its oceanside dunes. Some homes were pushed off their foundations.
The U.S. Department of Energy said more than 8 million homes and businesses in several states were without electricity due to the storm. In many communities residents anxiously awaited the arrival of utility crews. Some gas stations in Queens, New York, ran out of fuel, and shoppers found supermarkets short of fresh meat, bread and potatoes.
The flooding hampered efforts to fight a massive fire that destroyed more than 80 homes in Breezy Point, a private beach community on the Rockaway barrier island in Queens.
Besides the deaths in New York City, others were reported in New York state, Massachusetts, Maryland, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia. Toronto police also recorded one death - a woman hit by flying debris. Sandy killed 69 people in the Caribbean last week.
U.S. government offices in Washington and schools up and down the East Coast but were due to reopen on Wednesday.
U.S. stock exchanges are expected to reopen on Wednesday, and the passenger rail service Amtrak will restart services on some of its busiest routes on a limited basis.
Reuters 2012
Action against traders littering Sabrimala forest during pilgrimage season
Pathanmathitta: The forest department will take action against those traders found littering the Sabarimala forest premises during the pilgrimage season. Traders should not leave behind the things in forest which they brought for sale. The forest department will inform them in writing on this. The forest department is trying to send out a message that pilgrimage should not harm the forest and nature while giving needed facilities to pilgrims.
Action against traders littering Sabrimala forest during pilgrimage season
Pathanmathitta: The forest department will take action against those traders found littering the Sabarimala forest premises during the pilgrimage season. Traders should not leave behind the things in forest which they brought for sale. The forest department will inform them in writing on this. The forest department is trying to send out a message that pilgrimage should not harm the forest and nature while giving needed facilities to pilgrims.
Sports journalist Siddhartha Mishra dies
Mishra, who hailed from Odisha capital Bhubaneswar, is survived by his parents, wife Prachi Tara Mishra, a daughter and a son.
Mishra, a product of the Times School of Journalism, joined The Times of India in 1997 and after working on various desks took over as desk in-charge of the Delhi Times.
After his stint with the Delhi Times, he was shifted to the Times of India Sports Department in 2006 as Assistant Editor.
Mishra, an M.Phil from Delhi University, then worked with TV channel NewsX for a few months in 2008 before shifting to the New Indian Express.
A prolific writer, Mishra was a keen follower of cricket, though his columns on other sports were also well appreciated.
His body is being taken to his home town for last rites Wednesday.
Sports journalist Siddhartha Mishra dies
Mishra, who hailed from Odisha capital Bhubaneswar, is survived by his parents, wife Prachi Tara Mishra, a daughter and a son.
Mishra, a product of the Times School of Journalism, joined The Times of India in 1997 and after working on various desks took over as desk in-charge of the Delhi Times.
After his stint with the Delhi Times, he was shifted to the Times of India Sports Department in 2006 as Assistant Editor.
Mishra, an M.Phil from Delhi University, then worked with TV channel NewsX for a few months in 2008 before shifting to the New Indian Express.
A prolific writer, Mishra was a keen follower of cricket, though his columns on other sports were also well appreciated.
His body is being taken to his home town for last rites Wednesday.
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