The Cat Is Out Of Bag
Palash Biswas
(Contact: Palash Biswas, Gosto Kanan, Sodepur, Kolkata- 700110, India,Phone- 91-2565-9551)
Email: alashchandrabiswas@gmail.com">palashchandrabiswas@gmail.com
India surpasses Japan with largest number of Asian billionaires.Tatas ink land deal for Singur project and Now the cat is out of bag.
India became home to the most billionaires in Asia, pushing Japan back to the No. 2 spot, according to Forbes magazine's 2007 rankings of the world's richest people.
Lakshmi N. Mittal, the London-based steel magnate who spearheaded the takeover of European steel maker Arcelor SA, was the richest Asian — and the world's fifth-wealthiest — with a net worth estimated at US$32 billion, the magazine said.Steel baron Laxmi Mittal, Ambani brothers Mukesh and Anil are among the nine Indians who figure in the Forbes magazine's list of 100 richest people in the world.Three Indians shine in the top 20, including the Mittal-Arcelor Chief Executive at fifth in the world with a personal fortune of $32 billion.
Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, and industrialist Anil Ambani accounted for $20.1 billion and $18.2 billion respectively and stood at 14th and 18th in the list. Wipro chief Azim Premji ranked 21st with $17.1 billion.
Other Indians in the list are Kushal Pal Singh, Bharti Group Chairman Sunil Mittal and family, Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Birla and Essar Group's Shashi and Ravi Ruia.
India added 14 new billionaires since last year to bring its total on the list to 36 with a combined wealth of US$191 billion, Forbes said, contrasting sharply with the 400 million Indians who still live on less than a dollar a day.
Japan's 24 billionaires had an estimated combined net worth US$64 billion, according to the list, while Hong Kong came in the third spot with 21 billionaires, and China was fourth with 20.
Globally, the number of billionaires reached a record 946, Forbes said.
In another important step toward setting up of Tata Motors' ambitious small car project at Singur, the West Bengal government on Friday signed the land lease agreement with the auto major.The lease agreement, which gave Tata Motors complete control of 997 acre, was signed by Tata Motors Vice-President (Finance) R S Thakur and West Bengal Industry Secretary Sabyasachi Sen on behalf of the West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation.However, the details of the agreement were not available. The location of the proposed plant, nearly 35 km from Kolkata, has already evoked much controversy in the state.
The main opposition, Trinamool Congress (TC), launched an agitation to stop the plant being set up on agricultural land immediately after the government started the process of acquisition last year after the announcement of the Rs 1,000 crore project.
The government gave permission to Tata Motors to start work on the plant in early January, barely a week after Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee called off her 25-day hunger strike against the plant at Singur.The auto major has already started the work on the boundary wall and other groundwork amidst heavy security as opposition parties, mainly TC, have been repeatedly threatening to disrupt the work and uproot the temporary fencing around the acquired land.
Where is the Cat?
The US companies are evincing keen interest in West Bengal with investment proposals for sectors like banking and finance, IT enabled services (ITeS), retailing, defence and power.
"We are very optimistic about investing in West Bengal as it's the third largest economy in India," said Dan Christman, senior vice-president of the US Chamber of Commerce, at a seminar here Wednesday on the Indo-US economic cooperation organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII)."Some companies for whom West Bengal was not even on the investment radar are now giving a second thought to chip in money in this state," he said.
The 15-member US delegation that came to Kolkata to explore bilateral trade opportunities would meet Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya and the state's Commerce and Industries Minister Nirupam Sen Thursday to discuss the US investment scopes in West Bengal. The team, comprising the representatives from several US multinational companies, will also visit Frito-Lay's new production unit at Sankrail in Howrah district of the state.
Christman said the Indo-US bilateral trade is worth Rs.32 billion a year while the Sino-US trade is over 300 times more.
The rich just keep getting richer. There are now a record 946 dollar billionaires around the globe, according to the latest Forbes ranking; making their fortunes in everything from telecoms to steel to Chinese dumplings.It is the same storyline in India represented by Manmohan singh, Narendra modi, Buddhadev, Naveen Patnaik, Ratan Tata, Adwani, Chidambaram, Ahloowalia, Zindal, Mittal,Ambanis and the entire Castehindu fascist progrresive, Left-Right Ruling Class.For the 13th year straight, the ranking was topped by Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, who is rapidly becoming as well known for giving his money away as he is for accumulating it. Mr Gates' fortune rose $6bn last year to $56bn (£29bn).
A clear trend to emerge is the growing wealth in both China and India, the two firebrand economies driving global growth. Another 14 people from India joined the list.With a total of 36 billionaires, India has now overtaken Japan, which has 24, as home to the most billionaires in Asia. There are three Indians in the top 20, led by Lakshmi Mittal, an Indian citizen but a London resident, who is ranked at number five with $32bn.There were 13 Chinese newcomers including Li Wei, the founder of Synear Food Holding. Her company is one of China's largest producers of frozen food, including dumplings, and is an official supplier to the Beijing Olympics in 2008.The US still has 44% of the world billionaires but its share is shrinking. Russia is also rising fast and has 53 billionaires according to Forbes. The Wal-Mart family dropped from the top 20, reflecting a difficult year for the world's largest retailer.
In absence of these basic facilities sought to be provided by Government and government were ready to spend in 19th century, some people (say 30% of the population) have not arrived in 20th century. How we can boast to become superpower, just because we are able to replace labour in developed countries? This is sheer gloating. skyrocketing land prices in Noida and Gurgaon are not symbol of growth, but failed public policies. In will quote in sentiments of Amartya Sen, "success of Economic development is its abiity to generate public welfare for the people." After winning British Telecome has no meaning for the starving person on street of patna and Malda Town.
And it is MEW MEW
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday attempted to adopt an above-the-fray position in the row over West Bengal’s industrialisation policy. In the process, he gave handsome backing to chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharya. “I do sincerely believe that my friend Buddhadeb is right when he says the time has come in this country to work steadfastly to rapidly industrialise the economy,” the prime minister said while replying to the motion of thanks on the presidential address in the Rajya Sabha.
Although the CPM’s central unit had initially come to the aid of the chief minister, intense opposition from within the alliance and protests from outfits such as Jamiat-e-Ulema-Hind saw the party backing out. Former chief minister Jyoti Basu had also lent his support to the sceptics of the policy when he said the state government should proceed only after holding wide-ranging consultations.
The prime minister’s statement on the issue is in line with his larger point about the need for bipartisan support for economic issues. But in reality, this is a tough task as Mr Singh’s own party is now an ardent critic of Nadigram and Singur projects.
In this context, the prime minister’s support will not have any impact on the ground. Of course, it will serve the purpose of sending a message that the PM was against making economic issues matters of contest. But it can acquire a meaningful dimension only if he manages to get his party to abandon its obstructionist line and back the chief minister’s industrialisation policy.
Anyone may be amused by this dream and fantasy indians are being fed. A corrupt,poor,illiterate,populous and badly managed country by crooks and babus where PhD is obtained by copying little patents filed every year, India can become only super physical power(a huge Mass
of half fed,corrupt,selfish and greedy indians)and not super power.The arms dispolayed on 26th janurayt are oprimitivce and a hoax with nation to intimidate poor rickshaw wallahs.India's contribution in last 60 years in inventions and tecghnology is not even 1%.
What news we may hope from the graveward for industries?
The indefinite strike in the state’s jute mills came to an end on the 63rd day today after trade unions and managements agreed on an interim settlement formula devised by the government. Senior member of Indian Jute Mills Association Mr Sanjay Kajaria said the strike was withdrawn after managements agreed to the proposal by the Labour Department on dearness allowance.
They must be restricted to the most vulnerable sections of society, such as senior citizens, and for specific areas such as R&D and frontier knowledge areas, says Chidambaram.All exemptions on taxes will be examined and removed if possible, or will be ‘snipped away,’ Finance Minister P Chidambaram said on Wednesday. Addressing the National Council of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi, he said that exemptions must be restricted to the most vulnerable sections of society, such as senior citizens, and for specific areas such as R&D and frontier knowledge areas. This would make way for an exemption-free tax regime with some few deserving exceptions in the future, he stressed.
In Bhubaneswar, well-known social activist Medha Patkar on Wednesday severely criticised the Centre and different State Governments for ignoring the issues pertaining to the lives and livelihoods of the poor in the name of development.She came down heavily on the Special Economic Zones policy of the Centre saying that the politicians in power were out to hand over precious land in their efforts to help the private companies. Stating that no cultivable land should be handed over to any company to set up SEZs or any other industry or institutions, Patkar called upon those present at the meeting to prepare for a long drawn agitation to fight for the protection of the farmers and tribals who were facing displacement to make space for industries. Patkar also criticised the Left Front government of West Bengal for becoming protector of corporate interests. The governments should never ignore about protection of the rights of the poor while favouring the rich, she said.
West Bengal's Left Front government is working for the interests of industrial houses and this is totally opposed to the basic principles of Leftist ideology, social activist Medha Patkar claimed today."Left parties, including the CPI-M, have virtually lost their ideology and prefer to join hands with industrial houses. They are no more with the poor people," Patkar said, citing the examples of Singur and Nandigram in West Bengal, which have witnessed protests and violence over the issue of acquisition of land for industries.
On the other hand, careless, adament West Bengal chief Minister Buddhadeb seeks to narrow differences on industrialisation while Kerala flashes JNNURM to hedge Singur-model fury over Technocity on Bengali Marxist Capitalist line.Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) - which left CPI(M) frowning - has come handy to LDF in Kerala to shield its Rs 1000-crore Technopark expansion from West Bengal-model farmer fury. Attipra (the agricultural village housing Technopark and its proposed annexe Technocity) is bursting at the seams on pressures over high growth of population. Agricultural fringe in the city moffussils is bearing the brunt of the IT city expansion, says MA Vaheed, Congress legislator representing the area where Technopark is placed. While firms like Infosys and US Technologies are fuelling the expansion of new built-up space in Thiruvananthapuram Technopark, the population of Attipra has been shooting up dramatically from 20,000 to over one lakh in five years. In a year, this is expected to cross 2 lakh.
Loggerheads
The Ministry of Commerce as well as the Ministry of Finance have been at loggerheads over the SEZ policy, right since it was formally introduced - the former promoting it, while the latter was concerned about revenue losses due to the initiative. Meanwhile,Centre’s decision to freeze approvals for special economic zones (SEZs) has created apprehensions among several states, foreign companies and investors which may even prompt certain international firms to drop some SEZ proposals.Chief Ministers of states including Haryana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh have written to members of empowered group of ministers and companies like Taiwanese footwear group, Feng Tay Enterprises and Sri Lankan textile company Brandix have written to Commerce Ministry, said Government officials.States and companies have already acquired the required land for SEZs and have asked the Centre to notify SEZs which has already got formal go-ahead from Board of Approval. They said waiting for decision would mean further delay in investments and likely diversion of some big investments to other countries.
Quote Buddha
Seeking to narrow differences in West Bengal`s ruling Left Front on industrialisation, particularly over acquisition of land in Singur and Nandigram, Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee today urged constituents not to jeopardise the unity of the coalition. "There were differences among the nine Left Front constituents in the past and differences will remain. But we must not do anything which may threaten the Front's unity," Bhattacharjee was quoted by LF sources as having told a meeting of its MLAs.
Virtually stating that his government has shelved SEZs for the time being, Bhattacharjee pointed out that his government was not thinking about such projects for now. It was to be expected that the opposition would rake up in the assembly the Singur and Nandigram issue on which the Left Front partners have differences, he said. "The opposition will try to create a rift in the Front, but we must stay united. The Left Front was formed after a long political struggle," Bhattacharjee was quoted as having said by the sources. He also expressed reservations about the Centre's SEZ policy and said more discussions were needed on it.
Senior CPI leader and Water Investigation Minister Nanda Gopal Bhattacharya said the chief minister made a sincere effort to narrow down differences in the Left Front on the issue of industrialisation."We will put up a united show on the floor of the House," he said.
Bajaj Vs tata
Rahul Bajaj takes a potshot at Ratan Tata and says,"He has to sell his car... so he has to speak like that." Bajaj shot back when reporters asked him about Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata's remark that one of the major reasons for him to decide on the people's car was the concern for safety of those travelling by two-wheelers. There's no doubt Ratan Tata had only good intentions when he said he conceived the Rs 1 lakh car as he cared for the safety of those using two-wheelers. But Bajaj Auto chairman Rahul Bajaj thinks it is a ploy to market the vehicle.
"He has to sell his car... so he has to speak like that," Bajaj shot back when reporters asked him about Tata Group Chairman Ratan Tata's remark that one of the major reasons for him to decide on the people's car was the concern for safety of those travelling by two-wheelers.
Left parties have lost their identity after their changed stand on industrialisation, activist Medha Patkar said here on Wednesday.They are no more with the poor and have joined hands with industrial houses, she said addressing an Alternative Legislative Assembly, a forum of mass organisations backing industries without displacement.Stating that Left parties, including CPM, have distanced themselves from the poor, the Narmada Bachao Andolan leader said Singur and Nandigram episodes clearly exposed how CPM is hand-in-glove with the business houses contrary to the Left ideology. “Left is fighting for the interest of the corporates, instead of the common man, “ she said.
Patkar criticised the UPA Government for permitting Special Economic Zones (SEZs) on agricultural land. This anti-farmer decision, she said, will be strongly resisted.Later, she led a rally of the alternative assembly members to the Raj Bhawan to submit a memorandum to Governor Rameshwar Thakur.
Buddhadeb goes ga-ga over Modi
SANJAY BASAK
NEW DELHI, MAR 8: Gujarat chief minister, Narendra Modi may be the most hated face among the communists. But this did not stop West Bengal chief minister Buddhadev Bhattacharya from invoking his name, when faced with stiff opposition from within the Left Front over his efforts to bring investment and put the state onto the path of rapid industrialization. In a note sent to Left constituents, RSP, CPI and Forward Bloc, Bhattacharya stated: "In last eight years, Modi has been able to get maximum investment." He added: "Riots are taking place, but investments are also coming."
The note published in the party organ, "Ganashakti" went on to add: "In the last eight years, Gujarat has been able to attract record investment."The allies of the CPIM, however, are up in arms against its larger partner's moves to bring in corporate investments in the state without "consulting the allies".
They have made it clear that they will not let Buddhadeb act unilaterally, even if it poses hurdles before the chief minister's efforts to project Bengal as a "shilpabandhu" (industry-friendly) state.
Britain to explore opportunities in Bengal medical sector
Submitted by Tarique on Mon, 2007-03-05 17:56. India News
Kolkata, March 5 (IANS) The British Healthcare Mission, a seven-member delegation visiting Kolkata, is exploring opportunities in the healthcare sector of West Bengal.The team comprising five British medical service companies came here Monday for an interactive session with health sector players of West Bengal."The seminar was held for exploring opportunities of partnership between India and the UK healthcare sector. We are interested to invest in the healthcare services like medical equipment, in knowledge sharing of the recent development in the medical sector, genetic disorder services in Kolkata, medical software, training and overall into the public-private partnership (PPP) venture," said Kevin McCole, deputy head of British Deputy High Commission, Kolkata.
Apollo Gleneagles Hospitals has already been granted permission to establish its new hospital in Britain. The five companies, which have come to Kolkata for exploring trade investment opportunities, are also going for joint ventures in India.
"We are looking for partnerships here. If anything active can be worked out we will definitely go for investment in West Bengal or we can also set up a manufacturing unit here," said Rob Elles, a member of the team and an expert of genetic healthcare in Britain.
Chinese industrial park in Bengal
Submitted by aftababedin on Mon, 2006-09-04 16:14. Economy
Kolkata, Sep 4 (IANS) The West Bengal government Monday signed an expression of interest (EoI) with Jiangsu Overseas Group Corporation of Nanjing province to set up a Chinese industrial park in the state.State Industry Department Principal Secretary Sabyasachi Sen told reporters here that the Chinese corporation had sought 250 acres of land for setting up the park, which would house only companies from Nanjing province.Sen said the industrial park might be converted subsequently into a special economic zone (SEZ).On the first country-specific industrial park in West Bengal, Sen said the Nanjing province had companies in chemicals, pharmaceuticals, textiles and food processing.
New investment proposals from major firms under examination
KOLKATA: West Bengal Governor Gopalkrishna Gandhi reiterated here on Thursday the State Government's willingness to discuss with the Opposition aspects pertaining to the Tata Motors' automobile project at Singur.Delivering his address on the opening day of the budget session of the Assembly, Mr. Gandhi said a number of investment proposals, including the Singur project, from major companies had been received.
They were under different stages of examination and implementation. Legislators of the Trinamool Congress, which had been opposing the Singur project and campaigning against the acquisition of agricultural land for industries, protested against the Governor's remarks but Mr. Gandhi continued his address. He said seven proposals for setting up special economic zones (SEZs) had been formally approved by the Centre though the SEZ policy was under review.
Firing in Nandigram
Nandigram (W
March 9 (PTI): A girl was injured here today in an exchange of fire between activists of the CPI-M and the Trinamool Congress-backed Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee, which is opposing the acquisition of land for industries.Superintendent of Police G A Srinivas said that the little girl was injured when she was caught in the crossfire between the two sides taht are based in Khejuri and Sonachura areas. He said the firing lasted for 30 minutes from noon.
Asked what led to the firing, Srinivas merely said, "Nothing."
Srinivas also said no arrest was made.
Two days ago, police fired five rounds in the air at Mahespur village to rescue a local CPI-M leader from the clutches of members of the Bhumi Ucched Pratirodh Committee.
A day earlier, police had fired in the air after women members of the Committee tried to attack a camp at Tekhalibazar, where CPI-M supporters who had fled their homes following recent clashes were sheltered.
Nandigram block II has been the scene of recurring clashes over the issue of acquisition of land for a SEZ to be set up by Indonesia's Salim Group. The acquisition has been put on hold by the state government.
Six persons were killed on January seven in violence in Nandigram, while an intelligence officer was lynched there by a mob exactly a month later.
USA sues India at WTO
WASHINGTON, March 7: The Bush administration said yesterday that it had filed a trade case against India in a dispute over tariffs India imposes on American wine and distilled spirits. The case, filed with the World Trade Organisation, contends that India is imposing tariffs ranging as high as 550 per cent on imports of US wine and spirits in violation of its WTO commitment that these tariffs would not exceed 150 per cent.
“With its fast growing middle class, India could be an important export market for American wines and distilled spirits if not for these layers of duties,” US trade representative Ms Susan Schwab said while announcing the filing of the case.
India’s basic import duties on wine are 100 per cent, while the tariff on spirits is at 150 per cent, both within WTO limits. However, various government surcharges take the tariffs up to much higher levels. n AP
Compensation to farmers
The signing of the agreement comes two months after the state government gave Tata Motors permissive possession of the controversial piece of land mainly to test the reaction of local farmers, who had been up in arms against the project and were rallying around the agitation by Trinamool Congress.
The state government was finally encouraged to sign the agreement on Friday as the last two months witnessed a slowing down of the intensity of the agitation against the proposed plant at Singur.
The state government was yet to announce the terms under which the Tatas would be handed over the land despite repeated demands by the opposition.
However, it has said that around Rs 120 crore would be paid as compensation to farmers for acquisition of a total of 997.11 acre required for the plant.
US keen on importing mango from West Bengal
Kolkata, March 8 (PTI): A visiting US trade delegation today expressed interest in importing mango from West Bengal, besides setting up a food processing unit at Siliguri in joint venture with Indian partners. After meeting Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee, leader of the delegation and Chairman of US-India Business Council (USIBC), Ron Somers told reporters the proposal came from the chief minister.
"The CM told us that West Bengal is one of the major mango producing states and we can look for import to USA. We took lot of interest in the proposal," Somers said.
Buddha may go shopping to the US
KOLKATA, MAR 8 : Buddhadeb Bhattcharjee’s quest for more foreign investments in his state will, in June, take him to the US where he is likely to meet the likes of US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and Boeing chairman Jim McNerney. The United States-India Business Council has invited the West Bengal chief minister and his industry minister to its 32nd annual celebrations in Washington DC where Union commerce minister Kamal Nath is also likely to be present. Bhattacharjee is likely to scout for investments in a proposed petrochemical region and a deep-sea port in West Bengal.
Attracting investments to the petrochemical region proposed at Nandigram a farmers’ unrest erupted recently, and also to a proposed deep-sea port at the Bay of Bengal, would be topping Bhattacharjee’s list of priorities if he indeed visits the US.
Interestingly, while Boeing had already decided to invest close to $100 million in a maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) project in Nagpur, West Bengal was also lobbying with the council for further Boeing investments, state commerce minister Nirupam Sen said.
“USIBC would be playing the role of a catalyst in attracting US investments to West Bengal. The visit will not be confined to Washington DC where the council is headquartered. He would also visit Houston, where several oil and petrochemical companies are headquartered, and New York and California,” Somers said.
McDonalds to set up base in Bengal
To invest Rs 400 cr over 3 years.
McDonald’s India, one of the leading food service retailers, is looking at setting up a food processing plant in West Bengal as it expands its business in eastern India.The company has earmarked Rs 400 crore investment over the next 3 years, of which 70 per cent would be in expansion of the brand’s presence and introduction of new formats, while 30 per cent of the investment would be in the back-end operations. McDonald’s has also set up a regional distribution centre in Kolkata, which would cater to the restaurants in and around the city.
“In eastern India, we are investing Rs 100 crore and aim to set 20 restaurants in the next three years,” said Vikram Bakshi, managing director, Connaught Plaza Restaurants Private Limited, one of the two joint venture partners McDonald’s has in India. McDonald’s would open its first outlet of eastern India in Kolkata on March 9 this year and is planning to have a total of three restaurants in Kolkata by the year-end. The outlet, with 155 seats, would be in place of Blue Fox restaurant, situated on Kolkata’s Park Street. Commenting on the new-look outlet, Bakshi said the wood and leather look of the store reflected global makeover of the food chain. “McDonalds is moving away from the fast-food outlet image and aiming to become a restaurant that was classy and comfortable, and ous stores relfect that”, he said.
Asia's first SEZ to go wi-fi
Asia's first Special Economic Zone, the Kandla Special Economic Zone (KASEZ), will go completely wi-fi in the next few months. Authorities have allocated budget estimated in tune to Rs 15 lakh (Rs 1.5 million) for the project, which was announced at the 42nd anniversary of KASEZ on March 7. While speaking to Business Standard, Upendra Vasishth, Joint Development Commissioner, KASEZ explaining the benefits of KASEZ going completely Wi-Fi said, "By and large this network would help in a hassle-free text communication and affiliated data services. Majority of enterprises allocated in KASEZ have to adhere to the documenting procedural code of conduct by filing monthly returns, annual returns among others. The proposed network would help adhere to such procedural requirements, as an intranet platform for such interaction will be made functional through the Wi-Fi network."
Presently, they follow the manual filing system by and large. But the network would emphasise on partial paperless concept, except the mandatory details to be filed on documents as stipulated by concerned agencies, said Vasishth.Since February 10, 2006, SEZ Act & Rules came into force and along with the other existing free trade zones functional in the nation, KASEZ, formerly known as Kandla Free Trade Zone (KAFTZ) was also baptised.
Presently out of three SEZs functional in Gujarat at Kandla, Surat and Sachin. Of the three SEZ Kandla and Surat SEZs are multi-product SEZ, whereas the one functional at Sachin is uni-product SEZ engaged in manufacturing of apparels and textiles. Presently Development Commissioner, KASEZ is in charge of all three SEZs in Gujarat.
Manmohan promises improved rehabilitation, resettlement
NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday said the Special Economic Zone (SEZ) policy was being reviewed to find out whether there was any pitfall in the existing framework. Recognising the need for a more humane approach, he assured Parliament that the Government would come up with an improved rehabilitation and resettlement policy. He was replying to the debate on the motion of thanks to the President's address.
Schemes for minorities
On the Sachar report, Dr. Singh said it brought out the stark reality of the condition of Muslims. The new 15-point programme was focussed on ensuring equitable sharing of the benefits of crucial development programmes, particularly in health and education. The Government was also formulating targeted programmes for districts where the minorities were concentrated. "In the long-run, as all communities catch up on their social indicators, there would be no need for such programmes but given the current disparities it is imperative that we carry all sections along."
Tackling naxalism
Describing naxalism as the "most widespread internal security threat" as seen in the recent killing of Sunil Mahato, a sitting Lok Sabha member from Jharkhand, Dr. Singh said the Government was following a two-pronged approach — supporting States in improving the performance of the security and police forces and going into the deep-rooted causes that gave rise to disaffection among tribals and other sections. In a clear message to terrorist groups, he said the Government could negotiate only with those who wanted peace, not with those who killed innocent people. "We will never hesitate to sit down and talk to a fellow Indian — howsoever misguided — if such conversations can bring peace to our people. But we will never compromise the unity and integrity of our country or allow those who kill innocent people to go unpunished."
Dr. Singh was referring to recent talks with the United Liberation Front of Asom, which failed to make headway.
On the foreign policy, he said India's relations with Russia, the U.S., the European Union, China, Japan and the ASEAN nations had grown and expanded to cover many new areas.
As for Pakistan, he was confident that all outstanding issues would be resolved through dialogue.
Singur deal details at last?
KOLKATA, March 7: Secretive as ever, something that characterises the state government’s deal with the Tata Motors for the small car project at Singur, the state industries department today hinted that industries minister Mr Nirupam Sen, may disclose the specifics of the agreement during the Budget session beginning tomorrow.
Officials of the department held a detailed discussion with representatives of Tata Motors during the day on the drainage system to be built in and around the proposed factory. The state secretariat was abuzz with speculations that the industries department was giving final touches to the agreement. n SNS
Buddha flirts with Tatas, Dalit Voice comment
“Some courts in TN are functioning in a manner as if they command more authority than a democratically-elected chief minister. I do not consider high court judges superior to the CM. Who has gi
