Now its political viability in a question and BJP being its leader has to do some damage control. But it happened an expected line. Since long the JDU has openly expressed it aversion to Mr Narendra Modi. Recently at the Delhi to demand special package for Bihar from the Central it kept the BJP put of the orbit of rally despite its being a partner on the state government. The message of JDU and Mr Nitish Kumar was quite clear that it was drifting a way from the BJP which also understood it.

The Delhi rally was alert signal for both the parties. The JDU and Congress led UPA both are moving closer to each other and with the on coming Lok Sabha election there is likelihood of some rout of political understanding among them. The Congress went to get rid of Laloo Yadav and his RJD and work out alliance with JDU. Mr Nitish Kumar want to have only self government of JDU alone as he can manage it comfortably. In the Vidhan Sabha of 243 the JDU is 118, BJP 91, RJD of Laloo Yadav- 22, Congress 4 CPI and Lok Shakti of Paswan one each and 6 independent.

The major figure of majority is 122. He is short of 4 under which he can easily get from Congress, CPI and independent with such is confidence he has summered the special region of the Vidhan Sabha on June 19 to seek vote of confidence. There are moves to float the third front of parties out of the orbit of Congress and BJP. In big alliance like UPA and NDA. The biggest party lead it. But in the third front small parties form the government with out support of some big party. In the past such governments by Chaudhary Charan Singh, Mr VP Singh, Mr Chandrashekhar, Mr Deve Gauda, Mr IK Gujral were pulled down in between the terms.

Such government in real sense do not govern but just pull on with constand pressures and pulls and ultimately collapsed. Now the parties to have its own party government in states like AIADMK in Tamil Nadu, Biju Janata Dal in Odisha, Samajvadi party or Bahujan Seva party in Uttar Pradesh, Trinamool Congress in West Bengal and now JDU in Bihar. In the coming the vew political adjustments will take place in UPA and NDA.

Staff Reporter, Bhopal Urban administration minister Shri Babulal Gaur has stressed the need to encourage creative activities constantly to develop an ideal society. For this, he also lauded award ceremony held by Jan-Abhiyan Parishad.

Shri Gaur was addressing 24th annual function of the Parishad at TTTI auditorium at Shyamla Hills here today. At the function, outstanding personalities of sports, music, journalism, science and society were felicitated. Culture Minister Shri Laxmikant Sharma honoured those excelling in culture sphere with Vijay Khandelwal awards. Minister Shri Gaur said that any member of society should achieve excellence wherever he is.

People should disseminate their knowledge to others for progress of society. He urged those honoured on the occasion to work towards this. Culture and Public Relations Minister Shri Sharma said that progress of country and state cannot be ensured only through government resources. It is necessary for this that voluntary organisations should also bring forth the people doing excellent work in society. Noted cine personality Shri Laurence D’Souza, former DGP Shri N.K. Tripathi and Principal Chief Conservator of Forests Shri R.S. Negi also spoke on the occasion.

Those honoured at the function included Shri Basant Makode of Betul with Vijay Khandelwal Award, Shri Laurence D’Souza with Kulbhushan Dallori Award, bhajan singer Sushri Shahnaz Akhtar with Maa Prabha Devi Award, Shri Ankeshwar Dube (Anni) of Sagar with Lalit Shrivastava Award, MLA Shri Chetram Manekar with Laxmi Raikwar Award and Senior Citizens Club Betul with Amarchand Ajmera Award. Besides, Shri Mini Raj Modi was honoured with Vigyan Ratna, Shri Balwan Singh in wrestling, Dr. R.K. Chaurasia in medical, Shri Lalchand Sabdhani in education, Shri Nagendra Negi in flute recital, Sushri Sarika Gupta in judo-karate, Shri Pawan Guru in Yoga, Baby Masooma Fatima in skating and Sushri Uttara Vidani from Chhattigarh was honoured with Maa Prabha Devi award for outstanding performance in journalism.

Shri Omprakash Mehta, Shri Anurag Upadhyay, Shri Rajesh Gaba and Smt. Kiran Jain were also honoured for outstanding service in journalism. The programme was conducted by institution’s coordinator Shri Ramji Shrivastava. Bhajan singer Sushri Shahnaz Akhtar left the audience spell-bound with her bhajan singing.

Agencies, New Delhi Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today inducted eight new faces into his Council of Ministers and exuded confidence that the UPA would get a third term and kept doors open for estranged NDA ally Nitish Kumar.

The Prime Minister also took a swipe at BJP’s Election Campaign Committee Chairman and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi saying he was not a threat to the Congress and the country knew his credentials. He described Mr Nitish Kumar as a ‘’secular leader.’’ In a veiled overture to Mr Nitish Kumar, Dr Singh, in reply to a question, said ‘’in politics there is no permanent friend or enemy.’’ He was speaking to reporters on the sidelines of the swearing-in ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Dr Singh minced no words on the next leadership of ‘’UPA-3’’ and said Mr Rahul Gandhi had all the desired qualities and he would like him to be in his (Dr Singh’s) shoes. Of the eight new Ministers inducted into the government today, four are of Cabinet rank and four Ministers of State. Of the new Cabinet Ministers, Jat leader Sisram Ola, who is 85 years old, hails from Jhunjhunu in poll-bound Rajasthan.

The other Cabinet Minister Dr (Ms) Girija Vyas, also belongs to Rajasthan where assembly elections are due this year-end. Ms Santosh Choudhury, who belongs to Punjab, has been brought into the Cabinet with an eye on the 2014 Lok Sabha elections. Mr Ajay Maken, who resigned from the Ministry on Saturday, has been given a prime slot in the Party’s organisational setup.

He too opened his innings today with an attack on Mr Narendra Modi. Andhra Pradesh is another state which got prominence in the reshuffle with Mr K S Rao and Mr Jesudas Seelam getting Cabinet rank and MOS Finance Ministry respectively. This is another state where Congress is trying to consolidate its position ahead of the 2014 elections. Karnataka, where Congress bounced back to power recently, is another state which got plum Ministries in today’s reshuffle ahead of the general elections.

Agencies, New Delhi Prime Minister Manmohan Singh took oath as a member of Rajya Sabha today for the fifth consecutive term. Dr Singh who was re-elected from Assam in the biennial elections held on May 30, told reporters that it was a great opportunity for him to rededicate to the service of the people of Assam.

‘’It is a great opportunity for me to re-dedicate myself to the service of the people of Assam,’’ he said. The oath-taking ceremony, held in the Chamber of Rajya Sabha chairman Hamid Ansari at 1030 hrs, was attended by Congress President Sonia Gandhi and Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P J Kurien besides Party leaders Motilal Vohra, Ahmad Patel and Rajiv Shukla.

Samajwadi Party leader Ram Gopal Yadav, Lok Janshakti Party President Ram Vilas Prof P J Kurien, Minister of State in the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises K H Muniappa, Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office V Narayansamy were also present. Mr Santiuse Kujur (INC) who has also been elected from Assam, also took Oath.

Agencies, Oval (London) A disciplined Sri Lanka set up a semifinal date with India in the ICC Champions Trophy as they knocked out holders Australia by posting a 20-run win, with veteran Mahela Jayawardene caressing his way to an unbeaten 84-run knock on Monday.

Jayawardene made his runs off 81 balls to propel Sri Lanka to 253 for eight in their 50 overs, leaving Australia with a near impossible task of chasing down the target in 29.1 overs to ensure a semifinal berth at the Kennington Oval. Australia couldn’t achieve the target in the required overs and were eventually all out for 233 in 42.3 overs. During the course of his innings, the elegant Jayawardene crossed 11,000 runs in this form of the game, the eighth cricketer to do so. In Sri Lanka’s bowling department, Nuwan Kulasekara was the pick of the lot as he finished with impressive figures of three for 42 in his nine overs.

Going into the match, Sri Lanka’s recent success against Australia provided them the psychological edge — in the last 10 ODIs played between the two sides, Sri Lanka have won six while they drew the ODI series 2-2 earlier this year in Australia. A last-wicket stand of 41 runs between Clint McKay (30) and Xavier Doherty (15 not out) frustrated the Lankans before Tillakaratne Dilshan pulled off a brilliant catch off his own bowling to seal the issue in his side’s favour.

The move not to bring back strike bowler Lasith Malinga, with Australia on the verge of defeat, was surprising. But Dilshan’s blinder ensured it was Sri Lanka, and not New Zealand in the last-four stage. Adam Voges top-scored for Australia with a 62-ball 49 while Glenn Maxwell and Matthew Wade blazed their way to 32 and 31 respectively. Lahiru Thirimanne contributed 57 for Sri Lanka while Mitchell Johnson was the best Australian bowler with figures of three for 48. Sri Lanka were off to a poor start losing two wickets with just 20 runs on the board. The islanders lost Kusal Perera early, seamer Mitchell Johnson having the left-handed batsman trapped in front of the wicket.

Clint McKay took the big wicket of Kumar Sangakkara when he had the experienced Sri Lankan batsman, trying to play his trademark shot through the cover region, caught by Glen Maxwell. Tillakaratne Dilshan and Lahiru Thirimanne added 72 runs for the third wicket to steady the ship, before left-arm spinner Xavier Doherty sent back the opener, caught at slip by a diving Shane Watson for a 58-ball 34. After labouring his way to a patient 57 off 86 balls, Thirimanne was done in by Johnson as he pulled a short and quick delivery outside off to Watson at midwicket. Jayawardene then brought all his experience into play as he played an elegant innings to guide Sri Lanka to a respectable total.

Jayawardene was involved in a useful partnership of 65 for the sixth wicket with Dinesh Chandimal, who contributed 31 off 32 balls. Senior pro Jayawardene hit 11 fours, including a few cheeky ones, during his knock. Jayawardene got off the blocks with two successive fours off Maxwell’s left-arm spin. A boundary over cover was followed by a reverse-sweep. Falkner’s low full toss was effortlessly played down the leg-side for a four before Jayawardene chipped McKay over cover for same result. The former skipper then took on Johnson, playing the left-arm pacer for two fours in the innings’ 44th over.

All it took for Jayawardene was a nudge and a tap to find the ropes. Shane Watson started Australia’s innings with a boundary through covers but that was all he could do as the all-rounder was bowled by Kulasekara. Phillip Hughes lasted barely 10 balls as he too was shown the door by Kulasekara. Maxwell was cleaned up by Malinga after smashing five fours and a six.

SCORE BOARD

Sri Lanka Innings: K J Perera lbw M Johnson 4, T Dilshan c S Watson & b X Doherty 34, K Sangakkara (wk) c G Maxwell & b C McKay 3, L Thirimanne c S Watson & b M Johnson 57, M Jayawardene not out 84, A Mathews (c) b J Faulkner 12, D Chandimal c Phil Hughes & b M Johnson 31, N Kulasekara runout (M Wade) 6, R Herath runout (M Marsh) 2, L Malinga not out 2. Extras: 18. Total: 253. Bowling: Mitchell Johnson 10-0-48-3, Clint McKay 10-1-51-1, James Faulkner 9-0-60-1, Shane Watson 4-0-14-0, Xavier Doherty 10-1-30-1, Mitchell Marsh 2-0-12-0, Glenn Maxwell 5-0-26-0.

Australia Innings: S Watson b N Kulasekara 5, P Hughes c K Sangakkara & b N Kulasekara 13, G Maxwell b L Malinga 32, G Bailey (c) runout (N Kulasekara) 4, A Voges c S Eranga & b R Herath 49, M Marsh b A Mathews 4, M Wade (wk) c T Dilshan & b N Kulasekara 31, J Faulkner c K Sangakkara & b R Herath 17, M Johnson c N Kulasekara & b S Eranga 4, C McKay c & b T Dilshan 30, X Doherty not out 15. Extras: 29. Total: 233. Bowling: Shaminda Eranga 8-1-40-1, Nuwan Kulasekara 9-0-42-3, Lasith Malinga 9-0-60-1, Rangana Herath 10-0-48-2, Angelo Mathews (c) 3-0-21-1, Tillakaratne Dilshan 3.3-0-11-1.

Richa Chadda in an action flick alongside Canadian adult star Sunny Leone would surely raise eyebrows. Well, that’s why the Fukrey babe is trying to distance herself from this one… Reportedly, Richa Chadda was supposed to be part of Devang Dholakhia’s action film starring Sunny Leone.

However, the talented actor has denied being part of the project and says that she has no idea why her name was announced for the film. Hmmmm… looks like the Gangs of Wasseypur actress isn’t quite happy being associated with a project of a less known banner. After working with the likes of Anurag Kashyap in Gangs of Wasseypur, Farhan Akhtar in Fukrey and now Sanjay Leela Bhansali in Ram Leela, we hear that Richa has decided only to work with big banner films. Yes, the vivacious actress doesn’t want to work with unknown directors.

Therefore the lady has done some re-thinking about doing certain Devang Dholakhia’s film and sharing screen space with bombshell Sunny Leone. While Richa still has a long way to go to establish herself as a bankable star, she has made a wise move by staying away from this one, wethinks. After all, slowly but steadily Richa’s acting career graph is climbing, as she finds her feet on the ladder of success.

And when you are trying to make it big in Bollywood, it’s always better to stay away from B-grade or controversial movies, no? But the only thing that we fail to understand is, even if Richa wasn’t working with big production houses, what got her thinking about doing Dholakhia’s film in the first place? And, to our wicked minds, if she did think about being part of it, does her backing out have anything to do with Sunny’s more…err….dhinchak profile? We have to wonder!

The news that Bollywood heartthrob Shah Rukh Khan and his wife Gauri are expecting a baby boy doesn’t seem to have gone down well with the Indian Radiological and Imaging Associations (IRIA). According to a leading daily, the radiologists’ association has asked the state health department to inquire into news reports claiming that Shah Rukh’s child through surrogacy is a male.

Although the actor himself has not confirmed the news of the child reports last week had claimed that he and Gauri were all set to have a boy through surrogacy. “We have written to the state health department to find out how the actor came to know about the unborn child’s sex when sex determination is illegal in India,” Dr Jignesh Thakkar, coordinator for the Pre-Conception Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (PCPNDT) Act, IRIA said. In the wake of the reports of disproportionate sex ratio across the state including Mumbai, radiologists are under the scrutiny for allegedly conducting illegal sex determination.

“Though filling of form F [mandatory while conducting an ultrasound] has nothing to do with sex determination, radiologists are caught for it under the act,” Dr Sanjeev Mani, senior radiologist, Holy Family Hospital, Bandra, said. In the email sent to the top state health department officials – including state health minister Suresh Shetty – IRIA has asked for an investigation and action against all those concerned. Doctors claim there is a breach of law in case of celebrities.

“If news reports are true then it is a clear that the celebrities can get away with breaking the law,” Thakker said. However, PCPNDT Act does not apply in case the sex determination is done outside the country. Talking to a tabloid, an insider had revealed the news of Shah Rukh having a third child through surrogacy a few days back. “The baby is a boy. So Suhana will now have another brother after Aryan. It was entirely Gauri’s decision to go in for surrogacy,” the insider had said. The duo was also said to have consulted the same doctor that Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao went to for their baby Azad – who was also born to a surrogate mother.

Agencies, Mumbai The rupee fell on Monday as the RBI kept interest rates on hold and on caution ahead of the U.S. Federal Reserve’s meeting later this week, although a lower-than-expected trade deficit helped to cap the currency’s losses.

The Reserve Bank of India kept its repo rate steady, warning of upwards risks to inflation and global economic uncertainty, in a decision that had been widely expected. A rate cut benefits the rupee by increasing confidence on the economic outlook and sparks hopes of more foreign inflows. Dealers said the rupee was helped by the central bank’s concern that a falling currency would feed into imported inflation, comments that suggested it would not tolerate large rupee weakness. Investors said a potentially bigger event would be the Fed’s meeting ending on Wednesday after a recent sell-off in emerging markets helped send the rupee to a record low of 58.98 last week. “The policy was largely a non-event.

The market is now focusing on the FOMC. However, I feel the rupee is steadying as arbitrage with offshore has reduced and may strengthen in the later part of week,” said Satyajit Kanjilal, chief executive at ForexServe. The partially convertible rupee closed at 57.87/88 per dollar compared with 57.5150/5250 on Friday, its second session of fall in three. It fell to 57.90 in session. Foreigners have continued to be heavy sellers in Indian debt, pulling out over $4 billion since late May.

The currency managed to recover some losses after the May trade gap came in slightly below market estimates, although it still widened to a 7-month high in May as gold imports surged. Economists expect newly announced measures to curb gold imports to dampen demand for the precious metal in coming months and narrow the shortfall. In the offshore non-deliverable forwards, the one-month contract was at 58.20, while the three-month was at 58.81. In the currency futures market, the most-traded near-month dollar/rupee contracts on the National Stock Exchange, the MCX-SX and the United Stock Exchange all closed around 57.97 with a total traded volume of $5.4 billion.

Staff Reporter, Bhopal Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said that 24X7 power supply will write a new chapter of development in Chambal area. Chouhan was launching Atal Jyoti Abhiyan and Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana in Bhind district at Fuf town in the district today.

On the occasion, the Chief Minister distributed kits of Atal Jyoti Abhiyan flags to sarpanchas. Launching Mukhyamantri Annapurna Yojana, the Chief Minister presented packets of subsidised food grains as a token to beneficiaries. Chouhan announced to open a college a Fuf. MP Narendra Tomar presided over the function. Chouhan said that the State Government has spent Rs. 22 thousand crore for increasing power network and generation for freeing people from power cuts in the state. As a result, resolve of supply power for 24 hours in every village of the state is being realised.

Congratulating people, the Chief Minister said that 800 out of 917 villages of Bhind district will start receiving 24X7 power supply from today. Arrangements for supply 24X7 power in remaining villages will be made soon. He said that supply of power continuously will write a new chapter of development in Chambal area. Adequate power will be available for agriculture and industries will be set up in every village and town.

The Chief Minister said that no stone will be left unturned for providing food, housing, clothing, education and medicines to state’s people. He said that Madhya Pradesh is the first state which procures wheat from farmers at the rate of Rs. 1500 per quintal and provided wheat and iodised salt at Re. 1 per kg and rice at Rs. 2 per kg to the poor.

The Chief Minister said that the State Government has made concrete arrangements for bringing water to every field. He said that 35 villages in Chambal region have received water for the first time after 25 years. Chouhan said that process has been started to provide pattas of government land occupied by the homeless poor. He also threw light on education, health, Tirth-Darshan and other welfare schemes.

MP Narendra Modi said that under the leadership of Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the State Government is making efforts to turn Madhya Pradesh into golden state. He said that all-round development of the poor is being ensured in Madhya Pradesh. Energy Minister Rajendra Shukla said that all villages in the state will start receiving power for 24-hours from the first week of July. He gave its credit to Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

He announced to construct a sub-station costing Rs. 27 crore in Fuf. MP Ashok Arga and MLA Arvind Bhadoria also spoke on the occasion. Zila Panchayat President . Mithlesh Singh Kushwaha, MLA Kamlesh Suman, former MP Dr. Raklakhan Singh, former MLA Narendra Singh Kushwaha, Munna Singh Bhadoria, Shriam Jatav, Ravi Sen Jain, Bhind Suhdar Nyas former Chairman Avdhesh Singh Kushwaha, Keshav Singh Bhadoira and K.P. Singh Bhadoria were also present on the occasion.

Agencies, New Delhi Maoist rebels attacked a passenger train in Bihar on Thursday, killing three people in a daring assault just weeks after the rebels ambushed a convoy of Congress politicians in Chhattisgarh.

“Three people are dead including one RPF (Railway Protection Force) staff and two passengers,” Amitabh Prabhakar, the railway spokesman for the region, told Reuters by telephone. “Six people have minor injuries; four RPF staff and two passengers.” Media reports said nearly 100 armed Maoists, including women, held up the intercity express between Jamui and Bhalui stations for more than an hour.

There were up to 150 passengers in the train when the attack took place, Prabhakar said. The Maoists, who say they are fighting for the rights of the poor and landless and want to overthrow the government, have stepped up attacks in recent months. The latest attack will put further pressure on the Congress party-led government to bring in the military to tackle the insurgency. In May, the Maoist rebels ambushed a convoy of Congress politicians in Chhattisgarh, killing at least 27 people.

Former Congress minister V.C. Shukla was injured in the attack and died of his wounds this week. In 2010, the rebels were blamed for sabotaging a crowded high-speed train in West Bengal, killing scores of passengers and injuring at least 200 people. The rebels, also known as Naxals, have fought for decades in a wide swathe of central and eastern India, including many resource-rich regions where tensions run high between poor farmers and industrial developers. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has described the Maoist insurgency as India’s biggest internal security challenge.

Agencies, New Delhi While India is still not-committal about Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s proposed visit to Pakistan, there are clear indications that it wants the process of normalisation of relations with the neighbour to begin from where it was left out before elections in the country.

To begin with, the Commerce Secretary level talks which could not happen last year were expected to happen soon.India is in fact looking at selling power to Pakistan. ‘’Now that the new government is in place in Pakistan, we will take it forward,’’ official sources said here referring to Pakistan Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s positive statements for improving ties between the two countries he has made since his party won a majority in the May elections.

They said the Prime Minister’s Special representative Lamba was sent to Pakistan in recognition of the sentiments expressed by Mr Nawaz Sharif, who reiterated his feelings about working sincerely with India to normalise relations and enhance cooperation between the two countries in various fields. Replying to a question, they said there was in fact never any complete pause in the engagement between the two countries, pointing out to the recent visit of the Indian judicial commission to Pakistan and discussion on the Pakistan judicial committee’s visit to Mumbai continued.

The officials, however, said for the Prime Minister Dr Singh’s visit to Pakistan to take place, ‘’ a lot more discussions and dialogues’’ were required. The PMO is of the view that visit required a lot of preparations to be useful, the sources said, adding that the visit should result in taking forwards the bilateral relations. Some issues have to be got out of way to take the ties forward, they said.

Agencies, New Delhi The finance minister’s attempt on Thursday to win back market confidence by pledging new reform measures and talking up the economy disappointed investors who were hoping for concrete measures to stop the rupee’s slide to record lows.

P Chidambaram pledged to lift caps on foreign direct investments and revise locally produced gas prices and power tariffs in a bid to narrow a current account deficit that hit a record high of 6.7 percent of gross domestic product in the October-December quarter. Chidambaram’s promises come after Fitch Ratings on Wednesday returned India’s sovereign outlook back to “stable” from “negative” a year after its downgrade, in a surprise endorsement of the government’s fiscal efforts.

Yet investors believe these longer-term measures are unlikely to support a rupee being punished harder than other emerging market currencies as part of a sell-off in the region due to India’s hefty current account deficit. Indian regulators on Wednesday also announced an increase in investment limits for government debt, but only for long-term funds overseas. That is seen as unlikely to stop net sales of more than $3 billion from debt markets over the past two weeks from overseas investors.

Ashtosh Raina, head of foreign exchange trading at HDFC Bank, said Chidambaram’s announcement in a news conference had been disappointing. “The only measure was the FII debt limit hike announced yesterday, but with FIIs selling EM debt, that doesn’t help much either,” Raina said, referring to foreign institutional investors. The rupee has slumped to a record low of 58.98 per dollar this week, adding to concerns about the prospects of a recovery in Asia’s third largest economy.

Although wholesale inflation, with latest numbers due on Friday, is expected to ease further, consumer prices remain high. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is widely expected to leave interest rates unchanged on Monday especially given the weak rupee and the wide current account deficit. “My appeal to everyone is we have to take a long-term view of what’s happening in India and what will be the results we will achieve over a period of time,” Chidambaram told the media briefing.

“I think significant results have been achieved in last nine months and I’m looking forward to more reforms.” “NO NEED TO PANIC” However, analysts say a recovery in the rupee would be made harder without concrete action. The rupee fell to 58.55/56 per dollar from a close of 57.79/80 on Wednesday, not far from a record low of 58.98 hit on Tuesday. The 10-year bond yield rose 5 basis point to 7.34 percent in the day, having risen 7 bps this month. Traders expect the RBI may need to step in should the rupee approach record lows again after last intervening on Tuesday. India could take additional measures such as targeting dollar demand from oil companies, but these stronger measures are seen as unlikely given a perception among policy makers the rupee falls are being driven by global factors.

Oil and gold contribute to about 45 percent of India’s total imports, the two biggest factors for the record-high current account deficit. Chidambaram urged investors to stop buying gold and added that gold imports had declined from an average of $135 million per day in the first half of May to $36 million in the second half of that month. “Practically no new imports have taken place in June due to stockpiles lying with bullion dealers.

Gold imports will be in lesser quantities this month,” said Bachhraj Bamalwa, former chairman of All India Gems and Jewellery Trade Federation. Bamalwa estimated $36 million to be the value of less than 1 tonne of gold imports. Chidambaram reiterated that there was no need to panic about the rupee, echoing comments from other officials. He added the government would plough ahead, reviewing sectoral caps for foreign direct investors in all sectors, including defence. Asia’s third largest oil consumer is also seeking to raise prices of locally produced gas on the basis of a complex formula suggested by a panel headed by an adviser to the prime minister.

The government is also looking to pass a measure allowing cash-strapped power utilities to pass on the higher cost of imported coal to customers. Yet whether India can implement these steps is uncertain. The government’s ruling minority coalition also faces state elections due before a general election next year, putting into doubt whether it can keep fiscal discipline and pass reforms. Another key concern remains the implementation of reforms. India opened up the retail sector last year but toughened some of the rules for potential foreign investors such as Wal-Mart Stores Inc (WMT.N). Meanwhile, its increase in diesel prices last year cost it a partner in the ruling coalition.

Agencies, Jakarta Defending champion Saina Nehwal on Thursday entered the quarterfinals of the Indonesian Super Series Premier after registering a comfortable straight-game victory over Sayaka Takahashi of Japan.

RMV Gurusaidutt advanced to the quarterfinals of the men’s singles with a hard-fought win over Kazumasa Sakai of Japan, while it was curtains for Sourabh Varma. World number two Saina took 39 minutes to outplay her 24th ranked opponent 21-13, 21-19 in a women’s singles second round match at the Istora Gelora Bung Karno Stadium. The 23-year-old from Hyderabad will take on Carolina Marin of Spain in the quarters.

Saina, seeded second, relied on her smashes and superior net play to steer clear of her Japanese rival. The two started on equal footing and were tied till 6-6 before Saina surged ahead to open up a gap of six points. The Japanese managed to clinch a few straight points to reduce the gap to 13-14 at one stage, but the Indian showed her class and easily wrapped up the first game 21-13. Takahashi got her act together in the second game as two rivals got engaged in a fierce battle.

Tied at 12-12, the Japanese won three points on the trot to make it 15-12 and then succeeded in maintaining a slender lead over Saina. But the higher ranked Indian battled on and turned the tables at 18-18 and eventually roared back into the contest. After an intense fight, Saina finally won the game and the match 21-19. Gurusaidutt prevailed 21-12, 9-21, 21-19 over Sakai in a contest that lasted a little less than an hour.

After a comfortable 12-21 win in the opening game, Gurusaidutt was completely outplayed by his opponent in the second game. The deciding game was a see-saw battle and the scores were tied at 17-17 before the Indian upped the ante in time to advance to the next stage. Gurusaidutt will meet Tommy Sugiarto of Indonesia in the last-eight stage. In another men’s singles match, Sourabh was thrashed by the third seeded Pengyu Du of China 16-21, 6-21 in 37 minutes. India’s campaign ended in both mixed doubles and women’s doubles categories.

Agencies, London A chanceless unbeaten 134 from Kumar Sangakkara inspired Sri Lanka to a seven-wicket win over an overly cautious England today to leave Champions Trophy Group A wide open ahead of the final two matches.

A victory in the day/night clash would have taken England through to the semi-finals as one of the top two and defeat would have dumped Sri Lanka out but all is now left to play for with New Zealand leading the group on three points.

England, who next face New Zealand in Cardiff on Sunday, and Sri Lanka are on two points with Australia on one ahead of their meeting with Angelo Mathews’ side at the Oval on Monday. England’s batsmen earlier took their time in trademark style before some last-over fireworks by Ravi Bopara helped them make 293 for seven amid woeful Sri Lankan fielding. Meanwhile, Sangakkara also completed his 15 ODI ton in 111 balls.

James Anderson gave England the breakthrough that they desperately need when he dismissed Mahela Jayawardene during their Champions Trophy clash at The Oval on Thursday. Both Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene had put up a rock-solid 85-run partnership for the third wicket to ease Sri Lanka’s runchase of 294 runs. England brought back their premier fast bowler Anderson during the batting power play hoping to break the partnership which was beginning to pose a threat to them.

Anderson succeeded into breaking the stand and Jayawardene walked back to the pavillion after scoring 42 runs, with 3 fours and a six. Graeme Swann gave England their first break by getting rid of Tillakaratne Dilshan (44) after a solid 92-run stand for the 2nd wicket. Dilshan was caught by Joe Root near boundary line just after Sri lanka crossed 100-mark in 21st over. Dilshan’s dismissal was soon followed by Kumar Sangakkara’s fifty that came off59 balls. Dilshan and Sangakkara steadied Sri Lanka after losing opener Kusal Perera early.

Pacer Anderson gave England a good start by sending back Sri Lankan opener Perera in the third over with just ten runs on board. Perera was caught by Ravi Bopara at long on after scoring 6. Earlier, a gritty show by the top order and a fiery cameo by Bopara in the final over guided England to a challenging 293/7. Jonathan Trott top scored for England making 76 while Alastair Cook and Joe Root scored 59 and 68 respectively. Ravi Bopara chipped in with a quick-fire 33 off 13 balls. Bopara scored 28 runs of the final over, smashing three sixes and two boundaries.

Asked to bat, England got off to a slow start as they managed to scored just 38 runs in the first ten overs. Shaminda Eranga gave England first blow by dismissing Ian Bell in the 12th over at the score of 48. Eranga got Bell caught by Kusal Perera at mid-wicket after his 20-run knock off 37 balls. However, Captain Cook and Jonathan Trott accelerated the scoring rate with their respective half centuries.

The duo guided England past 100 in 24th over and kept Sri Lankans in search for a breakthrough. The England captain finally fell in the 29th over of the bowling of left-arm spinner Rangana Herath as he was trapped LBW while attempting a sweep shot playing across the line. Cook called for review which went against him. Joe Root then joined Trott and kept England marching towards a big total. The duo shared 87 runs for the third wicket from 13.3 overs before the former was out in the 42nd over with Herath taking his second wicket, also a LBW decision.

It was left to Root and Eoin Morgan (13) to get the maximum out of the slog overs but both perished in consecutive balls in the 46th over as England lost the initial advantage a bit. Root was foxed by a Malinga slower delivery as the ball took the top edge for Mahela Jayawardene to take an easy catch at deep midwicket. Next ball, Morgan was adjudged LBW as he missed a fuller delivery.

Sri Lanka then tightened grip with quick wickets of Jos Butler (0) and Tim Bresnan (4). However, Bopara’s aggressive batting took England to massive total. For Sri Lanka, Malinga, Herath and Eranga grabbed two wickets each while Kulasekara got a wicket. Sri Lanka will look for a vastly improved batting performance against hosts England as they try to stay afloat in the Champions Trophy.

SCORE BOARD

England Innings: A Cook (c) lbw R Herath 59, I Bell c KJ Perera & b S Eranga 20, J Trott lbw R Herath 76, J Root c M Jayawardene & b L Malinga 68, E Morgan lbw L Malinga 13, J Buttler (wk) c K Sangakkara & b N Kulasekara 0, R Bopara not out 33, T Bresnan b S Eranga 4, S Broad not out 7. Extras: 13. Total: 293. Bowling: Nuwan Kulasekara 10-0-42-1, Lasith Malinga 10-2-58-2, Shaminda Eranga 10-0-80-2, Angelo Mathews (c) 6-0-28-0, Rangana Herath 10-0-46-2, Tillakaratne Dilshan 4-0-29-0.

Sri Lanka Innings: K J Perera c R Bopara & b J Anderson 6, T Dilshan c J Root & b G Swann 44, K Sangakkara (wk) not out 134, M Jayawardene c (sub) J Bairstow & b J Anderson 42, N Kulasekara not out 58. Extras: 13. Total: 297. Bowling: James Anderson 10-0-51-2, Stuart Broad 8.1-0-67-0, Tim Bresnan 10-0-63-0, Joe Root 3-0-27-0, Graeme Swann 10-0-50-1, Ravi Bopara 6-0-33-0.

Pooja Chopra, who started her Bollywood journey with Vipul Shah’s action flick Commando opposite Vidyut Jamwal, is in a dilemma. Her ex-stylist Anisha Jain, along with Anmol Jewellers, has filed a complaint at the Bandra police station alleging that Chopra borrowed diamond earrings worth Rs 5 lakhs and later refused to return it and pay compensation.

Reportedly, the complaint suggests that for an event in March, Pooja’s stylist Jain (then) picked up three pair of earrings from Anmol Jewellers on the actor’s behalf. In her complaint, Anisha says that Pooja informed her that the earrings were stolen two days after the event and that she had filed a police complaint regarding the theft. Pooja was willing to pay for the earrings but later refused to do so and even after repeated attempts, did not budge. So Jain was left with no choice but to file a police complaint along with Anmol Jewellers against Chopra.

An executive of the jewellery brand while talking to a newspaper said, “Pooja wanted to buy the earrings since she liked it but later told us that they had been stolen but assured us that she would pay for the loss. But she didn’t do that.” On her defense, Pooja says, “When I filed a case of theft two months ago, the cops told me not to pay the amount since investigations were on. I have no problem paying, but when there is a possibility of the jewellery being recovered, I have every right to try my luck.

I’m waiting for the investigations to get over.” Two years ago, a small-time producer had accused Riya Sen of stealing jeans from his movie sets. Well, we wonder what’s with stars – they earn in crores, but can’t pay in lakhs, it seems! But later claimed that it was stolen and refused to pay compensation.

Jiah Khan - who committed suicide by hanging herself at her Juhu flat on June 3 – did indeed undergo an abortion earlier this year, it has been confirmed. According to a leading daily, Mumbai Police revealed on Wednesday that the doctor who conducted the abortion knew the late actress and her boyfriend Sooraj Pancholi.

A few days after the suicide, Jiah’s mother found a six-page “suicide” note in her wallet, in which many claims regarding physical abuse and abortion had been made. The Mumbai Police were, since then, investigating all the charges made in the letter. In the letter, Jiah had accused Sooraj of rape, threats and cheating, following which he was arrested on Monday on charges of abetment to suicide.

“The abortion was conducted in the first two months of this year through pills. We have recorded the doctor’s statement,” a police officer said on condition of anonymity. The police even confirmed that Jiah’s six-page letter was not written in a day or even prior to committing suicide. Instead, the struggling actress had written it over a period of time. Subsequently, the police discovered five more letters from Sooraj’s home in Juhu.

The newly discovered letters are said to be pretty similar to the first one. “In three of them, Jiah had expressed her love for Sooraj while in the other two, she mildly voiced her discontent with the relationship,” the officer said. In another startling revelation, Sooraj – son of actor Aditya Pancholi and Zareena Wahab – has admitted to a year-long live-in relationship with Jiah. Cherring Dorjee, zonal deputy commissioner of police, said, “Sooraj has confessed to a year-long a live-in relationship with Jiah. They did not live together per se, but used to frequent each other’s homes.”

But it rejected the suggestion of the Leader of the Opposition Mrs.Sushma Swaraj that instead of special session the monsoon session of the Parliament be preponed. But the Prime Minister Mr.Manmohan Singh has taken firm stiff stand that either there would be special session in it or it would be enforced through the ordinance. The monsoon session would be convened on usual time.

Earlier in every session the Government urged the Opposition to allow the Parliament to function as there were important legislative agenda of many important bills is pending. The system of Parliamentary system the obstruction of functioning is not a form of Opposition. The BJP is many session on this or that issue did not allowed the House to function. They could have registered their protests confined to zero hour in a day or two or at the most on all days. But whole day and whole session disruption is beyond the norm and form of democratic functioning.

Ultimately the Government has duty to discharge its duty and responsibility to govern the country against all odds and obstruction. The UPA Government is compelled to take such a decision to issue ordinance. The Nation hopes that the Opposition will give up the practice of blockings the Parliament. The Union Home Minister Mr.Sushil Kumar Shinde, Food Minister Mr.KV Thomas and the Minister Mr.Kamalnath will hold talks will Opposition parties on holding the special session. If the parties agree it will be good otherwise ordinance is the only way out for the Government to make it a law.

Founder : Late Shri Ramgopal Maheshwari

Staff Reporter, Bhopal Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan has said the process is underway to develop a new industrial corridor from Morena to Guna. This will lead to setting up of industries and businesses in the area in large number providing employment to local people.

He said that industries and businesses will also be set up in village with availability of continuous power supply. Chouhan was launching Atal Jyoti Abhiyan in Guna district at Guna today. Chouhan said that the State Government is fulfilling its promise to provide fare meals and employment to every person and water to every field. He said that Madhya Pradesh government is the first in the country which purchases wheat at the rate of Rs. 1500 per quintal and supplies wheat and salt at Re. 1 per kg and rice at Rs. 2 per kg to people.

He said that farmers need not deposit electricity bills every month. They can pay the bill at flat rate of Rs. 1200 per horsepower in two easy instalments in a year. Chouhan said that surcharge due on bills as on February 28, 2013 will be waived cent percent while the State Government will clear 50 percent amount of original bill. Remaining 50 percent will be paid by consumer. The Chief Minister said that the State Government is providing loans to farmers at zero percent interest rate. Chouhan urged people to avail benefit of beneficiary-oriented schemes launched for upliftment of various sections.

The Chief Minister said that Rs. 22 thousand crore has been spent under Atal Jyoti Abhiyan. New power plants are being set up in private sector. This increase power generation capacity in the state and all consumers and fields will get adequate power. Chouhan said that a grand temple will be constructed when Sita Mata had underwent Agni Pareeksha in Lanka. Discussions have been held in this regard with Lankan government. Energy Minister Rajendra Shukla said that 53 thousand villages and cities in the state will receive 24X7 power supply through Atal Jyoti Abhiyan.

He said that 17 thousand 500 MW power will be generated in the state by year 2017-18. In year 2018, Madhya Pradesh will be able to supply power to other states also. He said that all districts in the state will be made power cut-free. Minister of State for General Administration Kanhaiyalal Agrawal also spoke on the occasion. Former Minister Gopilal Jatav, Guna Zila Panchayat President Sumer Singh Garha, MLAs Rajendra Singh Saluja, Ladduram Kori, Rao Deshraj Singh , Ashok Nagar Zila Panchayat President Malkeet Singh Sandhu and other public representatives were present on the occasion.

Agencies, New Delhi Having barely emerged from a intra-party crisis, after elevating Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi as BJP’s poll Campaign Committee chief, the party led National Democratic Alliance now stares at a desertion by a key ally Janata Dal (United) which is now openly exploring its alliance options with West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for a non-BJP and non-Congress alliance.

After tame withdrawal of his resignation to key party panels by a sulking BJP patriarch L K Advani following an RSS diktat yesterday, the political observers feel that JD (U) is fully convinced that Mr Modi’s elevantion as the Prime Ministerial candidate for the LS polls is imminent and hence it is time to seek other options. Meanwhile, Mr Advani talked to JD(U) leaders Nitish Kumar and Sharad Yadav seeking their party’s continuance in the NDA in the interest of unity of the NDA. The party despatched its senior leader K C Tyagi to hold talks with Ms Banerjee who has also opened talk links with Biju Janata Dal supremo and Orissa Chief Minister Navin Patnaik.

Mr Tyagi maintained that the JD (U) workers were disappointed with both the Congress led UPA and BJP led NDA. The party has called an emergent meeting at Patna to assess the post Goa developments. ‘’After this meeting, a clearer picture will emerge,’’ Mr Tyagi maintained. A top JD (U) source in Delhi did not hide the party’s disappointment with the BJP. Firstly they feel that the BJP ‘sabotaged’ JD(U) chances in the Maharajganj Lok Sabha bypoll resulting in the RJD retaining the seat.

Second reason was the tone and tenor of the speeches of the BJP leaders at Goa Executive which not give hopes for the party that they were serious in taking the allies along, the source said, adding a decision would be made by the party in two to three days. Ms Banerjee on her part said it was time for regional parties to go for a non-BJP and non-Congress alliance. However, the JD(U) leadership did not apepar to find the idea of a third front viable. Notwithstanding the political turbulence that could rock the NDA in Bihar, the BJP today maintained that it wanted the continuance of the JD(U) and BJP alliance in the state as mandated by people of Bihar.

‘’The parties could make it again if they faced the polls unitedly. People will be disappointed if we part ways and go to them parting ways,’’ BJP spokesman Shahnawaz Hussain said. The Congress had its own pick from the emerging developments, when its senior leader and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kamal Nath said the party would work for a ‘secular coalition’ post 2014 polls. ‘’We can do business. At the end, we must have a government. We will talk to secular parties provided they are not part of the NDA,’’ Mr Nath said.

Agencies, Raipur Former union minister and Congress leader V.C. Shukla, who died of wounds he suffered during the May 25 Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh, was cremated with full state honours on Wednesday at his farmhouse here.

Shukla’s grandson (daughter’s son) Vinayak Pandey lit the funeral pyre at a rectangular platform that the late leader had built at his farmhouse Radheshyam Bhawan. Shukla had conveyed to his family and friends that he should be cremated there. Minister of State for Home R.P.N. Singh, Congress treasurer Motilal Vora, Congress general secretaries Digvijay Singh and B.K. Hariprasad flew from Delhi and joined Chhattisgarh Governor Shekhar Dutt, Chief Minister Raman Singh and several BJP leaders for the funeral. Shukla, who was first elected to the Lok Sabha when he was 28, spent nearly 60 years in active politics. He represented the Congress nine times in the Lok Sabha since 1957.

He died at the age of 84 Tuesday at Medanta Hospital in Gurgaon, Haryana, after battling for life for 17 days. He is survived by his wife and three daughters. He was shot in his chest, abdomen and thigh and had lost a lot of blood in the attack on the Congress convoy in Chhattisgarh’s Bastar region, which claimed 28 other lives. The Maoist attack had wiped out many key figures of the state’s opposition Congress, including state unit chief Nand Kumar Patel and tribal leader Mahendra Karma.

Karma was a former minister in the Ajit Jogi-led government and the architect of the anti-Maoist movement Salwa Judum. A shutdown called by the Raipur Chamber of Commerce and Industry as a mark of respect to Shukla in Raipur was total. Shukla’s last journey began from state Congress headquarters Gandhi Bhawan, and passed through the bustling Malviya Road and the city’s crowded areas such as Jai Stambh Chowk, Bhagat Singh Square and Telibandha to his farm house. Hundreds of supporters and Congress cadres lined up at Gandhi Bhawan starting 9 a.m. to pay their last respects to Shukla.