SC to hear natural gas pricing matter March 4

New Delhi: The Supreme Court will hold March 4 hearing in the plea by Communist lawmaker Gurudas Dasgupta and NGO Common Cause seeking review of the government decision to hike the natural gas price from $4.2 to $8.4 million British thermal unit (mmBtu) from April 2014 .

Common Cause has sought a court monitored probe by a special investigation team or the Central Bureau of Investigation into increasing gas prices, giving retrospective tax benefits and not insisting on the relinquishment of gas blocks ion KG basin by the Reliance Industries.

Dasgupta has also sought as a halt to the arbitration proceedings to decide the issue. While saying that the matter would be taken up for hearing on March 4, a bench of Chief Justice P.Sathasivam and Justice Ranjan Gogoi asked the contending parties to complete the filing of rejoinders within two weeks.

At the outset of the hearing, Common Cause's counsel Prashant Bhushan told the court that 'this is an extremely urgent matter. If the decision to raise prices is implemented then it would cause a huge outflow of lakhs of crores of rupees'.

Senior counsel Colin Gonsalves, appearing for Dasgupta, too pressed for an early hearing. Dasgupta has contended that government and Petroleum Minister Veerappa Moily were working out a 'strategy to use arbitration proceedings as a subterfuge and a pretence to take the contentious and public interest issues away from the scrutiny' of the apex court.

Common Cause has sought the quashing of the decision to increase the gas prices effective from April 2014 and the cancellation of the Production Sharing Contract. 
Common Cause and other eminent people has also sought probe 'into the high level collusion between RIL and the political establishment and the corruption involved, including on the aspects of not taking any action against RILfor hoarding the gas. 

SC to hear natural gas pricing matter March 4

New Delhi: The Supreme Court will hold March 4 hearing in the plea by Communist lawmaker Gurudas Dasgupta and NGO Common Cause seeking review of the government decision to hike the natural gas price from $4.2 to $8.4 million British thermal unit (mmBtu) from April 2014 .

Common Cause has sought a court monitored probe by a special investigation team or the Central Bureau of Investigation into increasing gas prices, giving retrospective tax benefits and not insisting on the relinquishment of gas blocks ion KG basin by the Reliance Industries.

Dasgupta has also sought as a halt to the arbitration proceedings to decide the issue. While saying that the matter would be taken up for hearing on March 4, a bench of Chief Justice P.Sathasivam and Justice Ranjan Gogoi asked the contending parties to complete the filing of rejoinders within two weeks.

At the outset of the hearing, Common Cause's counsel Prashant Bhushan told the court that 'this is an extremely urgent matter. If the decision to raise prices is implemented then it would cause a huge outflow of lakhs of crores of rupees'.

Senior counsel Colin Gonsalves, appearing for Dasgupta, too pressed for an early hearing. Dasgupta has contended that government and Petroleum Minister Veerappa Moily were working out a 'strategy to use arbitration proceedings as a subterfuge and a pretence to take the contentious and public interest issues away from the scrutiny' of the apex court.

Common Cause has sought the quashing of the decision to increase the gas prices effective from April 2014 and the cancellation of the Production Sharing Contract. 
Common Cause and other eminent people has also sought probe 'into the high level collusion between RIL and the political establishment and the corruption involved, including on the aspects of not taking any action against RILfor hoarding the gas. 

Over 2,000 delegates to attend annual diaspora meet

New Delhi: Over 2,000 non-resident Indians (NRIs) and people of Indian origin (PIOs) from all across the world are likely to attend the 12th edition of the annual diaspora meet beginning here Tuesday. The focus of the three-day event - which began in 2003 - will be on engaging the youth diaspora in different sectors.

'The event is expected to open new horizons of a strong network of young overseas Indians to contribute to India's engagement with youth in all sectors,' Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said Monday.

The event is organised every year by the ministry of overseas Indian affairs to mark the return of Mahatma Gandhi to India from South Africa. This is an effort to connect with the nearly 25 million Indian diaspora living across the globe.

Addressing a media conference here, Ravi said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will address the diaspora meet Wednesday, while President Pranab Mukherjee will deliver the valedictory speech on Thursday.

Ravi said over 2,000 delegates from the heterogeneous and diverse overseas Indian community spread across the globe are likely to take part in the event. 
The 11th edition of the annual convention was held in Kochi in partnership with the Kerala government.

Malaysian Minister of Natural Resource and Environment Datuk Seri G. Palanivel will be the chief guest. According Ravi, the purpose of the annual event called 'Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD)' is to have a meaningful interaction with overseas Indians in order to address their issues and concerns.

Several states as well as the central government departments will also be pitching for investments from Indian diaspora participating at the meet. Chief ministers of different states including Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Goa Chief Minister Manohan Parrikar and Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh are scheduled to address the meet and seek investments for their respective states.

On the first day of the event, there will be sessions directed at youths. In fact, the first day will be called 'Youth PBD', Ravi said. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) will coordinate and manage the event, while the federal ministry of sports and youth affairs will be the partner ministry for the event. There will be a concurrent exhibition with participation from the state governments, corporates, financial institutions and non-government organisations at the event.



IANS

Over 2,000 delegates to attend annual diaspora meet

New Delhi: Over 2,000 non-resident Indians (NRIs) and people of Indian origin (PIOs) from all across the world are likely to attend the 12th edition of the annual diaspora meet beginning here Tuesday. The focus of the three-day event - which began in 2003 - will be on engaging the youth diaspora in different sectors.

'The event is expected to open new horizons of a strong network of young overseas Indians to contribute to India's engagement with youth in all sectors,' Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said Monday.

The event is organised every year by the ministry of overseas Indian affairs to mark the return of Mahatma Gandhi to India from South Africa. This is an effort to connect with the nearly 25 million Indian diaspora living across the globe.

Addressing a media conference here, Ravi said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh will address the diaspora meet Wednesday, while President Pranab Mukherjee will deliver the valedictory speech on Thursday.

Ravi said over 2,000 delegates from the heterogeneous and diverse overseas Indian community spread across the globe are likely to take part in the event. 
The 11th edition of the annual convention was held in Kochi in partnership with the Kerala government.

Malaysian Minister of Natural Resource and Environment Datuk Seri G. Palanivel will be the chief guest. According Ravi, the purpose of the annual event called 'Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD)' is to have a meaningful interaction with overseas Indians in order to address their issues and concerns.

Several states as well as the central government departments will also be pitching for investments from Indian diaspora participating at the meet. Chief ministers of different states including Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Goa Chief Minister Manohan Parrikar and Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh are scheduled to address the meet and seek investments for their respective states.

On the first day of the event, there will be sessions directed at youths. In fact, the first day will be called 'Youth PBD', Ravi said. The Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) will coordinate and manage the event, while the federal ministry of sports and youth affairs will be the partner ministry for the event. There will be a concurrent exhibition with participation from the state governments, corporates, financial institutions and non-government organisations at the event.



IANS

World's first Ramayan University to come up in Bihar

Patna: A Hindu trust in Bihar plans to set up the world's first Ramayan University in the state's Vaishali district. 'We have decided to set up a Ramayan University that will function as an advanced centre of research on Ramayan,' said Acharya Kishore Kunal, secretary of the Patna-based cash-rich Mahavir Mandir Trust.

Kunal, who mooted this unique project, said it would be like any other modern university with basic infrastructure for higher studies and research, including WiFi campus and online facility. He said the trust has acquired about 25 acres of land for the university at Biddupur in Vaishali, about 50 km from the state capital Patna.

He said there is no timeframe for building the university but they would try to finish the project as early as possible.Kunal told IANS here the university would also teach and train knowledgeable Hindu priests for conducting rituals during festivals and family functions. 'Hindu priests will pass out of the university and that will end the dearth of knowledgeable priests,' he said.

The university will have specialised five-year course in astrophysics, astronomy, Hindu mythology, vedas and upanishads. It will preserve and promote the literature of the Ramayan in Sanskrit, Hindi, vernacular texts and languages of South-east Asian countries. Kunal said the Valmiki Ramayan would be the main foundation of the syllabus, but other Ramayans like Adhyatma and Anand as well as Sanskrit works like Raghuvansha of Kalidas would also be included.

Ram Charit Manas of Tulsidas in Hindi, Tamil Ramayan of Kamb, Marathi Ramayan of Eknath and Ramayans prevalent in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia too would be part of the syllabi. Hindu scriptures such as Gita would also be taught. 'The USP (unique selling proposition) of the university would be that it would provide opportunity for higher research of ancient scriptures,' Kunal said.

Meanwhile, the trust has already began work to build the world's largest Hindu temple, the Virat Ramayan Mandir, in the state's West Champaran district, about 125 km from here. Costing over Rs.500 crore, it would be 405 feet high and have a hall with a seating capacity of 20,000.

It would be almost twice the height of the world-famous 12th century Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia, which rises 215 feet. Of the 18 temples in the complex, the Shiv temple would have the largest Shivling in the world.

World's first Ramayan University to come up in Bihar

Patna: A Hindu trust in Bihar plans to set up the world's first Ramayan University in the state's Vaishali district. 'We have decided to set up a Ramayan University that will function as an advanced centre of research on Ramayan,' said Acharya Kishore Kunal, secretary of the Patna-based cash-rich Mahavir Mandir Trust.

Kunal, who mooted this unique project, said it would be like any other modern university with basic infrastructure for higher studies and research, including WiFi campus and online facility. He said the trust has acquired about 25 acres of land for the university at Biddupur in Vaishali, about 50 km from the state capital Patna.

He said there is no timeframe for building the university but they would try to finish the project as early as possible.Kunal told IANS here the university would also teach and train knowledgeable Hindu priests for conducting rituals during festivals and family functions. 'Hindu priests will pass out of the university and that will end the dearth of knowledgeable priests,' he said.

The university will have specialised five-year course in astrophysics, astronomy, Hindu mythology, vedas and upanishads. It will preserve and promote the literature of the Ramayan in Sanskrit, Hindi, vernacular texts and languages of South-east Asian countries. Kunal said the Valmiki Ramayan would be the main foundation of the syllabus, but other Ramayans like Adhyatma and Anand as well as Sanskrit works like Raghuvansha of Kalidas would also be included.

Ram Charit Manas of Tulsidas in Hindi, Tamil Ramayan of Kamb, Marathi Ramayan of Eknath and Ramayans prevalent in Thailand, Indonesia and Malaysia too would be part of the syllabi. Hindu scriptures such as Gita would also be taught. 'The USP (unique selling proposition) of the university would be that it would provide opportunity for higher research of ancient scriptures,' Kunal said.

Meanwhile, the trust has already began work to build the world's largest Hindu temple, the Virat Ramayan Mandir, in the state's West Champaran district, about 125 km from here. Costing over Rs.500 crore, it would be 405 feet high and have a hall with a seating capacity of 20,000.

It would be almost twice the height of the world-famous 12th century Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia, which rises 215 feet. Of the 18 temples in the complex, the Shiv temple would have the largest Shivling in the world.

CPI (M) to launch hunger strike from Jan 15 over LPG price

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A hunger strike will be launched by the CPI (M) from January 15 in 1400 centres coming under140 constituencies in protest against the hike in LPG prices, said CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan. One person will stage a 24 hour strike and there is no time limit for the strike, he said. Severe hardships are caused to the people over the steep hike in LPG prices and the concerned union minister is not willing to withdraw the hike. An amount of Rs 230 has been hiked in the domestic connection and this cannot be accepted.  From 2006 onwards, the centre had relaxed 28 lakh crores for big corporates. The price was hiked to help some corporates. The policy of the government is to cut short subsidy for ordinary people and relaxing tax for corporates. The chief minister is cheating the people, he alleged. The Parliament has not passed a law to make mandatory aadhaar card. The Supreme Court has also not mentioned it. Still the centre is surpassing the court, he said at the press meet held in the capital city. The CPM has not ended the strike against the chief minister in the solar case and will continue it in the assembly. Many new things are being revealed daily.  It is strange Saritha S Nair, accused in the solar case, travelling from Thiruvananthapuram to Ernakulam via Puthupally. The revelation of Saritha’s mother that a Congress leader forced her not to utter anything as it would topple the government, should be seen seriously. The people are aware of everything and there is no doubt they would react at the right time.   The induction of Ramesh Chennithala will not solve any problems. The revelation of JSS chief K R Gowri Amma that she was invited in the last assembly polls to lead the state is baseless. Will anybody be made the chief minister from outside the CPM, asked Pinarayi?

CPI (M) to launch hunger strike from Jan 15 over LPG price

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A hunger strike will be launched by the CPI (M) from January 15 in 1400 centres coming under140 constituencies in protest against the hike in LPG prices, said CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan. One person will stage a 24 hour strike and there is no time limit for the strike, he said. Severe hardships are caused to the people over the steep hike in LPG prices and the concerned union minister is not willing to withdraw the hike. An amount of Rs 230 has been hiked in the domestic connection and this cannot be accepted.  From 2006 onwards, the centre had relaxed 28 lakh crores for big corporates. The price was hiked to help some corporates. The policy of the government is to cut short subsidy for ordinary people and relaxing tax for corporates. The chief minister is cheating the people, he alleged. The Parliament has not passed a law to make mandatory aadhaar card. The Supreme Court has also not mentioned it. Still the centre is surpassing the court, he said at the press meet held in the capital city. The CPM has not ended the strike against the chief minister in the solar case and will continue it in the assembly. Many new things are being revealed daily.  It is strange Saritha S Nair, accused in the solar case, travelling from Thiruvananthapuram to Ernakulam via Puthupally. The revelation of Saritha’s mother that a Congress leader forced her not to utter anything as it would topple the government, should be seen seriously. The people are aware of everything and there is no doubt they would react at the right time.   The induction of Ramesh Chennithala will not solve any problems. The revelation of JSS chief K R Gowri Amma that she was invited in the last assembly polls to lead the state is baseless. Will anybody be made the chief minister from outside the CPM, asked Pinarayi?

CCTV cameras to be installed in women coaches: Chennithala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After assuming office as the home minister, the first announcement made by Ramesh Chennithala in the assembly was about the safety of women. He said CCTV cameras will be installed in women’s coaches in trains. It will be discussed with the centre. Replying during the question hour, Chennithala said they will again hold talks with the centre on shifting of women’s compartments to the centre of the train.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said all the deserved will be provided BPL cards. BPL list will be expanded and it will not be prepared only according to centre’s criteria. The central and state governments are implementing various welfare schemes, but many are not aware of it.  So, will consider discussing such projects in grama sabhas, he said.

CCTV cameras to be installed in women coaches: Chennithala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After assuming office as the home minister, the first announcement made by Ramesh Chennithala in the assembly was about the safety of women. He said CCTV cameras will be installed in women’s coaches in trains. It will be discussed with the centre. Replying during the question hour, Chennithala said they will again hold talks with the centre on shifting of women’s compartments to the centre of the train.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said all the deserved will be provided BPL cards. BPL list will be expanded and it will not be prepared only according to centre’s criteria. The central and state governments are implementing various welfare schemes, but many are not aware of it.  So, will consider discussing such projects in grama sabhas, he said.