Opinion
Appeal
The legacy of IPA, founded by Nikhil Chakravartty, the doyen of journalism in India, to keep the flag of independent media flying high, is facing the threat of extinction due to the effect of the Covid pandemic. Only an emergency funding can avert such an eventuality. We appeal to all those who believe in the freedom of expression to contribute to this noble cause.Talks On Sir Creek From May 14
NEW DELHI: India and Pakistan are set to hold talks on two key issues later this month as part of the resumed dialogue process. Top officials will discuss the Sir Creek issue on May 14-16 in New Delhi while the Home/Interior secretaries will meet to discuss counter-terrorism in Islamabad...
482 MiG Aircraft Accidents Since 1971
There are no dissent in the top brass of the Indian Air Force and defence establishment that the MiG-21s have become obsolete. But nonetheless, the IAF is compelled to fly these vintage war machines owing to its low squadron strength. The IAF has openly praised these machines – which...
Students Develop Robots For Commandos
HYDERABAD: In order to help commandos tackling a hostage like situation, a group of students from the Gates Institute of Technology in Anatapur has now developed a “remote-operated Robotic Command system” which can easily penetrate into a building and can give the inside view of a building in critical situations....
Indian Navy Cadet Sets Sail Onboard A Chinese Warship
An Indian Navy cadet today set sail onboard a Chinese warship named after a 15th century eunuch admiral on a voyage to mark the anniversary of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). Cadet David Veeravalli’s voyage typifies a military relationship with China that is marked by baby steps...
Korean Protest Dismissed, Indian Trainer Deal With Pilatus On Track
A deal with Pilatus for 75 PC-7 Mk.2 basic trainer aircraft is expected to be approved shortly, with India’s apex Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) scrutinizing the final contract. A formal protest by Korea Aerospace, whose KT-1 trainer was runner-up in the final toss-up, was dismissed by the MoD....
Government Did Impose Tatra On The Army
NEW DELHI: The Union defence minister is either unaware of the defence audit wing’s warnings against the outdated and overpriced Tatra trucks or he is feigning ignorance. In fact, the audit wing, which comes under the Comptroller & Auditor General (CAG), found in 2006 that orders for Tatra trucks...
Pipavav, Mazagaon Dock To Set Up JV; To Build Warships For Navy
MUMBAI: Nikhil Gandhi-promoted Pipavav Defence and Offshore Engineering has been selected by Mazagon Dock as preferred partner for a joint venture that will look to build warships and submarines for Indian Navy. Mazagon Dock is India’s biggest defence shipyard and accounts for more than 85% of the defence vessels...
Arjun MK-II Gets Ready To Compete Russian T-90 Tank
A prototype of the improved main Arjun Mk-II battle tank is now fully ready for field shooting tests. The field trials are stated to be carried out at the Pokhran firing range in the state of Rajastan. The Indian army will commence testing on the 1st of June 2012....
Power Ministry For Amendments To Electricity Act, 2003
MUMBAI: The power ministry has proposed a slew of amendments to the Electricity Act, 2003, in a bid to remove anomalies in its implementation. The ministry has proposed amendments to Section 11 to curb its alleged misuse by state governments and prohibit the sale of surplus power from generating...
Government Disallows $1.2-Billion RIL Cost Recovery
NEW DELHI: Reliance Industries Ltd (RIL) and the government are set for a legal showdown, as the petroleum ministry today disallowed the company’s $1.2-billion cost recovery from its investment in the KG-D6 field. The country’s largest company has already taken the government to the Supreme Court over its failure...
Left Plans A Front Against UPA's Reform Bills
NEW DELHI: The Left Front has started mobilising the support of non-NDA and non-UPA parties to garner support against the Congress-led UPA government’s move to push its economic reforms agenda with three much-delayed financial sector legislations. The Left Front will reach out to regional parties, including AIADMK, Samajwadi Party,...
DoT Now Says It'll Finish 2G Sale By August 31
NEW DELHI: After seeking 400 days to carry out spectrum auctions, the telecom department (DoT) has made a U-turn and said it can complete the sale process well within the August 31 deadline given by the Supreme Court. The DoT has sent a fresh auction timetable for approval to...
GAAR may be put off by a year
NEW DELHI: The finance ministry may defer the implementation of the controversial General Anti Avoidance Rule (GAAR) by a year, as investors have demanded more time for compliance. “There is a strong demand from investors to defer GAAR. We are trying to address their concerns,” said a finance ministry...
Centre In A Big Mess Over Retro Tax
By Nantoo Banerjee It is a situation India wished it were never got itself in. The retroactive tax liability provisions in the country’s 2012-13 annual budget have already caused enough universal embarrassment to the government. The country’s proposed tax laws with regard to mergers and acquisitions (M&A) have been...
Madhya Pradesh Yet To Come Out Of Stagnation
From L.S. Herdenia BHOPAL: Can the government of Madhya Pradesh, whose annual budget is Rs 80,000 crores and which is in the debt of Rs 85,000 crore, fulfill all the commitments made by it to the people of the State? Some time back, the Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan...
Centre Insensitive To Poor’s Plight
By Narendra Sharma NEW DELHI: The labour movement in India is at a crossroads. This became obvious when 11 CTUOs met on April 26 in the INTUC Delhi office to plan their future course of action. This was the first joint meeting of all the CTUOs after the February...
Oil Ministry Seeks Clarifications From RIL On CBM Gas Price
NEW DELHI: Days ahead of the 60-day deadline for approving its gas sale price expired, the Oil Ministry has sought some clarifications from Reliance Industries on the gas it plans to produce from coal seams (CBM), thereby pushing back the approval clock by another two months. The Ministry had...
Power Tariffs To Be Linked To Fuel Costs
NEW DELHI: The power ministry will allow producers to raise tariffs if fuel costs of new projects rise, and will not oppose a hike in domestic gas prices. The move would hurt consumers but rescue large private investments that are threatened by uncertainty over fuel and tariffs. Linking tariffs...
