Tuesday, December 31, 2013

International happenings

British spy fund “Courage Fund to Protect Journalistic Sources,”

 

 
 
Annie Machon (Reuters / Stephen Hird)
Annie Machon 
Annie Machon, a former MI5 operative who blew the whistle on the UK’s dubious spying activities, has started a new fund to support other whistleblowers such as former NSA contractor Edward Snowden.
She called the “Courage Fund to Protect Journalistic Sources,” Machon said the foundation will strive to ensure that whistleblowers, such as Snowden, currently in Russia where he has acquired temporary asylum, and Chelsea Manning, sentenced to 35 years in prison after releasing the largest-ever cache of secret US documents – receive the protection they need. 
“So many journalists write so many stories, but what happens to the whistleblowers? They’re left swinging in the wind,” Machon said in a speech at the Chaos Communication Congress (CCC) in Hamburg at the weekend. “If they can’t survive the process of coming forward, then we will not have these people.” 
“Crucially, we want to encourage other whistleblowers to come forward,” she said. “It is a very frightening and lonely process to go through. We need to show that they can not only survive the process, but even flourish.” 
Presently, there are very few groups, aside from Wikileaks, that provide assistance to whistleblowers after they have spilled the beans. 
Sarah Harrison, the WikiLeaks activist who accompanied former NSA contractor-turned-whistleblower Edward Snowden from Hong Kong to Russia and stayed with him until he was provided asylum, said lawyers at the whistleblowing site advised her against returning home to Britain. 
With all these developments in hand, “our lawyers have advised me that it is not safe to return home,”Harrison said from Berlin. 
Machon, a former MI5 intelligence officer, speaks from personal experience. After leaving the British security service in 1997, together with partner David Shayle, she lived a life on the run for years to blow the whistle on alleged illegal activities inside the intelligence agencies, including secret intelligence files held on the very government ministers, illegal phone taps, and lying to the government. 
The ex-spy shared her strong sentiments about the current level of state-sponsored surveillance of peoples’ everyday correspondences. 
“It is incredibly corrosive to the human spirit to know that everything you say, everything you do, even if you just want to have a private conversation with your mother, is being listened to,” she said. “Now we all know we are being listened to and surveyed in this amazingly Panopticon-like manner.” 
RT News 


Journalist dressed as priest ‘tried to sneak’ into Schumacher hospital room

A reporter dressed as a priest attempted to gain access to the room where Michael Schumacher is fighting for his life after a skiing accident, the Formula One champion’s manager Sabine Kehm has said. “This is something I would not have thought possible,” Kehm told Die Welt newspaper. “As soon as his disguise was recognized, he was expelled from the hospital.” The number of media personnel outside the hospital has risen to over 100 since Schumacher’s arrival at Grenoble University Hospital on Sunday, the Independent reported.


Bahrain probing torture claims by men jailed for bomb attacks

Bahrain is investigating torture claims by three men jailed for 15 years for two homemade-bomb attacks. Five men – including two who were tried in absentia – were convicted on Sunday by a court for their role in the blasts, which destroyed several vehicles but caused no injuries, the BNA news agency said. It added the men had admitted being behind the bombings. However, the men's lawyer, Jassim Sarhan, told Reuters they pleaded not guilty to involvement in the attacks. They also reportedly told the court their confessions during questioning were obtained under torture. One attack took place during last year's Formula 1 car race.


More than 130,000 killed in Syria since start of conflict – monitoring group

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Tuesday that 130,433 people have been killed in Syria since the conflict began in March 2011, among them 46,266 civilians. The number includes more than 7,000 children and more than 4,600 women, according to the Britain-based watchdog. The group said 52,290 pro-government fighters had been killed, among them more than 32,000 regular troops and 262 reinforcements from the Lebanon's Hizbullah, AFP reported. The Observatory said 29,083 rebels were killed, including 6,913 fighters from jihadist groups such as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.


Iraq army to leave Anbar province cities - PM

Iraqi Prime Minister Nuri al-Maliki said on Tuesday the army will leave cities in Anbar province, AFP reported. The move could help defuse tensions after security forces closed a major Sunni anti-government protest camp. Maliki called on the army “to devote themselves to… pursuing Al-Qaeda hideouts” in the desert of Anbar province. The army will turn over the administration of the cities to the hand of the local and federal police.


Israel to deploy extra police units ahead of New Year celebrations

Police will deploy extra officers and Border Police units across Israel on Tuesday night, the national police headquarters said Tuesday morning. The move comes as part of efforts to secure New Year's Eve celebrations, the Jerusalem Post reports. Policemen will be sent to nightclub districts and they will also enforce drunk driving regulations and carry out checks.


Schumacher undergoes 2nd operation, remains critical

Former Formula One champion Michael Schumacher has undergone a second operation to treat brain injuries sustained in a skiing accident, The Guardian reported. Doctors at the university hospital in Grenoble said they had carried out more surgery following a modest improvement in his condition and a brain scan on Monday afternoon. A fresh scan on Tuesday morning had confirmed “signs… of slight improvement,” according to Jacqueline Hubert, director of the hospital. The situation was better controlled than the previous day, but the doctors warned that the driver's condition remained critical.


Russian Supreme Court upholds complaint by Pussy Riot’s Samutsevich

The Russian Supreme Court has upheld a complaint filed by lawyers for Yekaterina Samutsevich, quashing her probation. “Upheld without studying the case,” a statement published on the court’s website said. The presidium of the Moscow City Court will now study the legality of sentences for Samutsevich, Nadezhda Tolokonnikova and Maria Alyokhina. They were convicted of hooliganism for staging a performance in Moscow’s Christ the Savior Cathedral on February 21, 2012. Tolokonnikova and Alyokhina were released earlier this month from penal colonies under an amnesty.


France’s DIY stores allowed to open on Sundays

The French government has ruled to let home improvement stores open on Sundays, Reuters reported. Sunday has been enshrined in law as a day of rest in France since 1906. Furniture and gardening stores were cleared for exemptions, and managers and workers from DIY stores staged protests in recent months demanding the right to open too. In a joint statement on Tuesday, France's trade and labor ministers said the government had passed a decree exempting DIY stores from the Sunday trading ban until July 1, 2015.


French priest kidnapped in Cameroon freed

President Francois Hollande's office announced Tuesday that a French priest kidnapped in Cameroon in mid-November has been set free. Georges Vandenbeusch was captured by armed men on November 13 in the far north of Cameroon, about 30 kilometers from the border with Nigeria, AP reported. The Koza region has been flagged as a risk for terrorism and kidnapping as the radical Islamic sect Boko Haram operates in the area, but the priest chose to stay on there to carry out his mission. Hollande thanked authorities in Cameroon and Nigeria for their efforts in helping to free the priest.


Bangladesh court issues arrest warrants for factory owners on homicide charges

A Bangladesh court on Tuesday issued arrest warrants for two owners of a garment factory and four of their employees on homicide charges for the deaths of 112 workers. They were killed in a fire that engulfed the factory last year in 2012. Judge Wasim Sheikh issued the arrest warrants for the six, including owners Delwar Hossain and his wife, Mahmuda Akter, AP reported. They have all fled, however, and if they are not found by February 25 when the court considers their case, they could be tried in absentia. It is the first time Bangladeshi authorities have prosecuted factory owners in the garment industry.


‘Good progress’ made in expert nuclear talks in Geneva - Iran

Iran and six world powers have made good progress in expert talks in Geneva over last month's nuclear deal, a senior Iranian official said Tuesday. Abbas Araqchi, Iran's deputy chief negotiator, told Iran's state news agency that some issues remained to be agreed at a more senior level. It was unclear, however, how close the negotiators came to resolving all the practical issues involved in putting the November 24 accord into practice, Reuters said. A date to implement the deal that obliges Tehran to suspend its most sensitive atomic work was not reported either.


Schumacher's condition improved slightly, doctors say

Michael Schumacher's condition has improved slightly after an operation to relieve pressure on his brain, the BBC reported. A new scan taken overnight showed signs that the German motor-racing champion’s condition was “better than yesterday,” but he was still “not out of danger,” doctors said. Schumacher suffered head injuries on Sunday in a skiing accident in the French Alps and was put in a medically-induced coma. A new scan taken late Monday indicated a window of opportunity for a second operation, doctors said.


Marathon talks over N. Ireland communities tensions break down

Marathon talks between the leaders of Northern Ireland's Catholic and Protestant communities broke down Tuesday without agreement, Reuters reported. The talks were aimed at reaching an agreement to ease tensions and end some of the highest levels of street violence and attacks by militant groups since a peace and power-sharing deal in 1998. The five largest parties failed to reach an agreement during 18 hours of talks that ended shortly before 0500 GMT, the culmination of six months of negotiations, the US diplomat chairing the talks said. No date was set for the resumption of the talks.


Chinese doctor admits selling newborns

A Chinese doctor has admitted in court that she stole babies from the hospital and sold them to human traffickers, AP reported. Zhang Shuxia, a locally respected obstetrician, stood trial on Monday in northern Shaanxi Province's Fuping County. Zhang told parents their newborns had congenital problems and persuaded them to "sign and give the babies up," the court said in its ruling. Child trafficking remains a problem in China, despite legal punishments that include the death penalty.


Congo attacks death toll rises to 100

Clashes of security forces with supporters of a self-proclaimed 'prophet' in Democratic Republic of Congo left around 100 people killed Monday, Reuters reported. The figure was announced by government spokesman Lambert Mende, who added that Pastor Paul Joseph Mukungubila was on the run from authorities. The rebels tried to seize control of the airport, a military barracks and state television in Kinshasa.


S. Sudan's troops clash with rebels in flashpoint town of Bor

South Sudanese troops fought rebels supporting former Vice President Riek Machar on Tuesday in the flashpoint town of Bor, Reuters reported, citing Mayor Nhial Majak Nhial. The town is 190 kilometers to the north of the capital, Juba. East African nations earlier urged both sides in the conflict to end hostilities. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni said the nations had agreed to move in and defeat Machar if he rejected a government ceasefire offer.


New eruption at volcano in western Indonesia

A rumbling volcano in western Indonesia that has been spewing lava and clouds of gas high into the sky let out a new, powerful eruption Tuesday, officials said. Nine eruptions Tuesday sent lava and searing gas tumbling out of Mount Sinabung in North Sumatra province, AP quoted Indonesia's disaster mitigation agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho. The eruption prompted panic among villagers, and a warning was issued for airplanes. The volcano started spitting clouds of gas and lava as high as 7,000 meters in the air late Monday. No casualties have been reported so far.


​5.1-magnitude earthquake hits eastern Japan

A 5.1-magnitude earthquake has struck eastern Japan, the US Geological Survey says. The quake occurred in the Ibaraki Prefecture, 146 kilometers northeast of Tokyo, the agency said. There are no reports of any damage so far. The quake was about 80 kilometers southwest of the Fukushima nuclear plant, but Tokyo Electric Power Company said it did not affect the plant.

​ACLU sues US govt for rules guiding NSA's surveillance abroad

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) filed a lawsuit on Monday against the US government for failing to respond to information requests related to the surveillance of Americans' international communications. The ACLU’s lawsuit, filed in a Manhattan federal court, says the organization’s Freedom of Information Act requests since May have been largely ignored by the National Security Agency, the Central Intelligence Agency, the Department of Defense, the Department of Justice, and the Department of State. It seeks a court order to force the US government to supply information on how the monitoring of Americans’ international calls and emails is governed. The lawsuit seeks legal standards and guidelines, the ACLU says - not operational details. “While the government has released several documents describing the rules that govern its collection and use of Americans' international communications under statutory authorities regulating surveillance on U.S. soil, little information is publicly available regarding the rules that apply to surveillance of Americans' international calls and emails under Executive Order 12,333,” the ACLU wrote in the suit.


​Israel to free 26 Palestinian prisoners

Israel is set to release 26 Palestinian prisoners on Tuesday, as part of peace negotiations with the Palestinians that kicked off in July. This will be the third batch of inmates to be released. A fourth and final release is expected to take place at a later date. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to release a total of 104 inmates at the start of the US-brokered negotiations. The inmates set to be released on Tuesday are serving up to 28 years for killing Israeli civilians and soldiers, and were jailed before the signing of the 1993 Oslo Accords which launched the Middle East peace process.
Media agencies 

Habitat World at India Habitat Centre programs

31122013
 
 
   
2nd January, 7:00pm
 
Bhojpuri Film Festival.
Naya Pata (Hindi/Bhojpuri with Eng. Subtitles/2013/94mins)
Dir. Pawan K. Shrivastava Produced through crowd funding, the film represents innovative cinema in trying to capture the emotional turmoil that migrants undergo. 
Film Screenings are for Film Club Members only.
details
 
   
4th January, 7:00pm
Silsila 
Silsila- Commemorating the 75th year of Ustad Ghulam Sadiq Khan.Hindustani Classical Vocal by Ustad Ghulam Abbas Khan & Sitar Recital by Ustad Shahid Parvez Khan. Followed by documentary on Ustad Ghulam Sadiq Khan. Collab: Ustad Mushtaq Husain Khan Memorial Trust
 
   
 
 
 
  
5th January, 7:00pm
 
Sarod recital by Alam Khan, disciple of Ustad Ali Akbar Khan
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
6th January, 7:00pm
LGBT Dignity, The Way Forward
Panelists:
Aditya Advani, Activist; Abhina Aher, Programme Manager, India HIV/AIDS Alliance; Anjali Gopalan, Founder and Executive Director, The Naz Foundation Trust, Harish Iyer, Equal Rights Activist & Arvind Narrain, Founder, Alternative Law Forum. Moderator- Pramada Menon, Queer Feminist and Co- Founder CREA Collab: Naz Foundation
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Habitat World at India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road
 
New Delhi – 110003 | T: +91-11-4366 3080; | E: habitatworld@oldworldhospitality.comwww.habitatworld.com
 
Follow Us:  


 

AAP reduce electricity prices by 50 per cent

31122013
  Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal  promise of power price reduction upto 50% today held a press meet after a cabinet meeting, Kejriwal said there will be a 50 per cent cut in electricity prices up to a consumption of 400 units. Rates will be reduced further when the CAG audit is complete. 
His major pre-poll promises was that he would half the cost of electricity in Delhi if AAP was elected.


 

Apr-Nov fiscal deficit at 93.9% of actuals to BEs

31122013

Today at 5:57 PM
Dear All,

Apr-Nov fiscal deficit at 93.9% of actuals to BEs

The gross fiscal deficit of the Central government stands at 93.9% of the actuals to budget estimates at the end of November 2013 as compared to 80.4% of the actuals to budget estimates in the corresponding period of the previous year. The primary deficit significantly increased to 171.8% of the actuals to budget estimates at the end of November 2013 as compared to 118.7% of the actuals to budget estimates during corresponding period of the previous year.

    Differentials in use of fiscal deficit space by November 2013 vis-à-vis November 2012        (in %)
Source: PHD Research Bureau, compiled from Government of India accounts, Government of India
Note: The Fiscal deficit data pertains to the end of the respective month
 The data for February 2013 and February 2012 pertains to actuals to revised estimates
* indicates data at the end of respective financial year and are % of actuals to revised estimates

The revenue receipts of the central government stands at 47.6% of the actuals to budget estimates at the end of November 2013 and also at the end of November 2012.

Fiscal position for November FY2014 vis-à-vis November  FY2013
Month
% of Actuals to Budget Estimates FY2014*
% of Actuals to Budgeted Estimates FY2013*
% of Actuals to Budgeted Estimates FY2012*
April
17.3
13.1
18.1
May
33.3
27.6
31.7
June
48.4
37.1
39.4
July
62.8
51.5
55.4
August
74.6
65.7
66.3
September
76.0
65.6
68
October
84.4
71.6
74.4
November
93.9
80.4
85.6
December
78.8
92.3
January
90.7
105.4
February**
97.4
94.6
March
94^
98.9^
Source: PHD Research Bureau, compiled from Union Government Accounts, Government of India
Note: * Data pertains to the end of the respective month
** Data for February 2013 and February 2012 pertains to actuals to revised estimates
^ indicates data at the end of respective financial year and are % of actuals to revised estimates

The government’s market borrowing stands at 84% of the actuals to budget estimates at the end of November 2013 as compared with 86% of the actuals to budget estimates at the end of November 2012. The domestic financing stands at 95% of the actuals to budget estimates at the end of November 2013 as compared to 82% of the actuals to budget estimates at the end of November 2012. The external financing of the government stands at 19% of the actuals to budget estimates at the end of November 2013 as against 1% of the actuals to budget estimates at the end of November 2012. The total financing of the central government stands at 94% of the actuals to budget estimates at the end of November 2013 as against 80% of the actuals to budget estimates during the corresponding period of previous year.

   Sources of financing the deficit                                                                                                          (%)
 Source: PHD Research Bureau, compiled from Union Government Accounts, Government of India
Note: Data pertains to the end of the November 2012 and November 2013


Regards,

Dr. S P Sharma
Chief Economist


 

CBSE-Katha Reading Utsav concludes with great thump

31122013
CBSE-Katha Reading Utsav concludes with great thump
Understanding the creative side of students
New Delhi, 31 December, 2013: The 3 day reading festival organized by CBSE in association with Katha, in the memory of Dr. Abid Hussain, President, Katha, concluded today with much pomp and ceremony.
A one of its kind reading and writing workshop organized by the Board, the Katha Utsav saw CBSE rewarding students for the creative enigma they portrayed.
The three day festival not only saw participation from young enthusiastic kids but also saw the who’s who of the literary circle mingling with children. Innovative and diverse, the three days were filled with various sessions on the art of reading, the importance of technology, the beauty of writing and various competitions for students to have some fun.
The event also saw various publishers and editors since great story writing comes from accepting the great criticism from the masters of the trade.
Ms. Sakshi Jain, Art Director, Katha, excited to be a part of the festival said, “Books are not merely a product to be sold, they are a product of love which originate in the mind of the writer and then transferred to the mind of the reader.”
Concluding today, the day saw teachers, parents and students interact with publishers in Meet with the Publishers and Literary AgentsMs.Anita from Young Zubaansaid, “This meet helped students get an idea of how a writer pens their words into a masterpiece.”
The meet came to a close with the Katha Awards and Valedictory Ceremonywherein the winners were felicitated with awards and prizes for their active work in the field of reading and writing workshops that were held during the three day programme.  Students from different parts of country where present to receive the prestigious acclamation being given by the renowned alumni of Katha.
When asked about his thoughts on such events, Shri Vineet Joshi, Chairman, CBSE, said “It is a must that more and more such festivals are organized to rejuvenate the art of reading amongst students. Technology has started playing such a big role today those children almost seem to forget the printed word.”
During the workshop, various spots were allotted in Sanskriti School wherein the students could go and showcase their creative skills. There was a Culture Café where the students could create flavors and textures of the culture they come from. This included excellence in writing, translation and illustration. Similarly, there was also aTwitter Café and a YouTube café where the young writers could learn, share, make friends with their tweets and record the video of anything around them with the camera provided to them and share that on YouTube. The videos they upload would be reviewed. For the ones who love to read, there was a Katha Book Café where 100 plus books recommended by CBSE and NCERT were showcased.
CBSE and Katha started a joint venture earlier this year to help nurture future writers in the country. The main objective of this initiative is to identify, encourage and provide a platform to all the future poets, novelists and translators of the country. Several Katha clubs were formed in CBSE schools that held literary lessons for students. Students who showcased a flair for literary writing were selected from these clubs for this national workshop.


 

31122013
COMMISSIONING OF FAST PATROL VESSEL (FPV)
ICGS ABHEEK – 31 DEC 13

THE INDIAN COAST GUARD SHIP ‘ABHEEK’, THE SECOND IN THE SERIES OF TWENTY FAST PATROL VESSELS (FPVs), DESIGNED AND BUILT BY             M/S COCHIN SHIPYARD LIMITED, WAS COMMISSIONED ON 31 DEC 13 AT KOCHI BY SHRI AK ANTONY, THE HON’BLE RAKSHA MANTRI IN THE PRESENCE OF         VICE ADMIRAL ANURAG G THAPLIYAL, AVSM, DIRECTOR GENERAL INDIAN COAST GUARD, INSPECTOR GENERAL SPS BASRA, YSM, PTM, TM, COMMANDER COAST GUARD REGION (WEST), PROF KV THOMAS, HON’BLE MINISTER OF STATE(IC) FOR CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION, SHRI P RAJEEV, MP(RAJYA SABHA), DR. CHARLES DIAS, MP(LOK SABHA), STATE MINISTERS AND OTHER SENIOR DIGNITARIES OF THE CENTRAL AND STATE GOVT.
          THE 50 METER INDIGENOUS FPV DISPLACES 290 TONNES AND CAN ACHIEVE A MAXIMUM SPEED OF 33 KNOTS WITH AN ENDURANCE OF 
1500 NAUTICAL MILES AT ECONOMICAL SPEED OF 13 KNOTS, EQUIPPED WITH STATE-OF-THE-ART WEAPONRY AND ADVANCED COMMUNICATION AND NAVIGATIONAL EQUIPMENT. SHE MAKES AN IDEAL PLATFORM FOR UNDERTAKING MULTIFARIOUS CLOSE-COAST MISSIONS SUCH AS SURVEILLANCE, INTERDICTION, SEARCH AND RESCUE AND MEDICAL EVACUATION.  THE SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE SHIP INCLUDE AN INTEGRATED BRIDGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (IBMS), INTEGRATED MACHINERY CONTROL SYSTEM (IMCS) AND AN INTEGRATED GUN MOUNT WITH INDIGENOUS FIRE CONTROL SYSTEM (FCS).
THE SHIP HAS BEEN NAMED ICGS “ABHEEK”, LITERALLY MEANING “FEARLESS”, AND WILL BE BASED AT CHENNAI UNDER THE ADMINISTRATIVE AND OPERATIONAL CONTROL OF THE COMMANDER, COAST GUARD REGION (EAST).
         


IN HIS ADDRESS DURING THE COMMISSIONING CEREMONY, HON’BLE RAKSHA MANTRI TERMED THE FAST PATROL VESSELS AS THE WORK HORSES OF COAST GUARD. THE HON’BLE RAKSHA MANTRI ALSO DWELT UPON THE FAST PACED DEVELOPMENT OF THE INDIAN COAST GUARD AND ACKNOWLEDGED THE SUPPORT OF GOVERNMENT FOR THE COAST GUARD’S PLAN TO INCREASE FORCE LEVELS SUBSTANTIALLY TO FACE THE EMERGING SECURITY CHALLENGES IN THE MARITIME DOMAIN. HE EMPHASISED THE IMPORTANCE GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ACCORDS TO COASTAL SECURITY IN VIEW OF THE ASYMMETRIC THREATS FROM THE SEA. INDIAN COAST GUARD WILL HAVE      150 SHIPS/BOATS AND ABOUT 100 AIRCRAFT OVER THE NEXT 
FIVE YEARS. IN ADDITION TO THESE OPERATIONAL ASSETS, A COASTAL SURVEILLANCE NETWORK IS BEING ESTABLISHED WITH 46 STATIONS TO ENSURE REAL TIME COASTAL SURVEILLANCE. 
          THE SHIP IS COMMANDED BY COMMANDANT MANISH KUMAR NEGI AND HAS COMPLEMENT OF 05 OFFICERS AND 34 OTHER RANKS.


 

31122013

Dear All,

State Development Monitor  
 December 2013  


States have marked significant developments in all the spheres. Various economic advancements have been observed in states such as supplementary budget has been presented in Uttar Pradesh Assembly.

States are in the way to boost their industrial developments as first branch of all woman bank opened in Madhya Pradesh and UP sugar crisis ended as millers agreed to pay cane price in 2 tranches. Rural economy of states has also strengthened with notable developments such as Punjab seeks NDDB help to modernise milk plants and over 54 LT paddy arrived in Haryana.

Paving the way for better infrastructure, Haryana notifies rules for regularisation of plots. Further, major initiatives have been taken by the states to improve education as
 National Law
 University , IIT-Delhi to set up campus at Sonipat and
 Punjab releases Rs 280.81 crore for scholarships.

However, the tourism sector has also observed remarkable developments like Punjab to come out with tourism policy. Further, major social developments which have taken place in the states are Chhattisgarh tribal pockets to get Rs 750 crore and J&K gives nod to fresh rehabilitation of Kashmiri migrants. On the health front, Bihar has launched telemedicine services for the upliftment of health services in the state.


 

TRADERS SHOCKED OVER GOVT NOD TO TESCO IN FDI IN RETAIL

31122013

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has expressed deep shock and utter dismay over the approval of FIPB in FDI in Retail investment between Tesco and Tata.
 ” It is an unjustified step of the Government which will harm the small retailers of the Country. The Government instead of upgrading and modernising the existing retail trade of India has chosen the route of laying red carpet for Multinational Companies in their bid to control and dominate the retail sector”-said CAIT President B. C. Bhartia and Secretary General Mr. Praveen Khandelwal in a joint press statement released here today at New Delhi. 
The CAIT is committed to oppose any such policy and will do all within its might to make it one of the main Poll issue in forthcoming Loksabha Polls in 2014. To take stock of the current development and to decide the role of traders in forthcoming elections, the CAIT has convened a meeting of its National Governing Council on 10th and 11th January at Nagpur which will be attended by prominent trade leaders of different States from all over the Country.
The CAIT recalled that principal opposition party BJP, Left Parties and several other parties have made it clear in the past to reject present policy of FDI in Retail and accordingly the CAIT will impress upon all political parties to reiterate their stand in their respective Election Manifestos.    
___________________________________________________________________________________________________
For more details, please contact CAIT Secretary General Mr. Praveen Khandelwal at +91-9891015165-9310199771

Competitiveness, climate, security Finn’s priorities Ministry of Finance release Finnish road map of EU presidency. Finland is set ...