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CBI posts a cent MUMBAI, Nov 21: Central Bank of India (CBI) has posted a cent per cent improvement in net profit at Rs 54 crore during the six month period ended September 30. In the last fiscal year, the net profit was Rs 46 crore after......more Production
of tea KOLKATA, Nov 21: The production of tea for the month of October 2001 remained fair following the better weather conditions prevailing in the all the ....more Silver prices continue NEW DELHI, Nov 21: In an otherwise steady bullion market today, silver prices declined on .....more |
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GM crops: only
alternative to agronomic safety CHENNAI, Nov 21: Even as a controversy is raging over the planting of illegally-acquired ....more Need stressed for bringing MUMBAI, Nov 21: Planning Commission member (Energy and Infrastructure) N K Singh today stressed......more MUMBAI, Nov 21: Specified shares: ACC 162.55 ABB Ltd. 225.05 Adani Export 172.35 Amara.......more India gains from Doha, NEW DELHI, Nov 21: Commerce Minister Murasoli Maran today said India "substantially"..........more |
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Production of teafor the month of Oct remains fair KOLKATA, Nov 21: The production of tea for the month of October 2001 remained fair following the better weather conditions prevailing in the all the tea producing areas, sources at the Indian Tea Association said. In the Upper Assam area the weather was favourable and rainfall was much below the normal level for the season till date. Sources said the crop prospects were favourable following the better weather conditions. The Naharkatia outrun last month was poor. However, the weather conditions for the time of the year was normal in most of the districts. Sources said the monsoon has practically ceased and the early cold weather was imminent. In the lower Assam, at Bishnauth the weather was seasonable. At Tezpur the outrun was poor last month. In the North Cachar the Outrun last month was normal and the immediate prospects were fair, sources said. The weather was seasonable and the season will close at normal time, sources said. At eastern dooars in Jainti, weather was cold at the time of the year and the time was ripe for checking leafs. In Kalchini the waether was seasonable and the immediate prospects were good, sources added. In the central dooars, the Dalgaon outrun in the previous month was poor. However, the immediate prospects remained good. The weather was seasonable and favourable following the timely rain and the extension of the season. Sources said the crop prospects were favourable and the helopeltis was prevelent. In Binnaguri, Outrun was poor last month and the weather was cold. Black rot was prevelent and helopeltis lifting was prevelent in more districts. In the western dooars at Chalsa, the immediate prospects were fair and the weather remained seasonable, sources said. (UNI) |
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Silver prices continue downward march NEW DELHI, Nov 21: In an otherwise steady bullion market today, silver prices declined on sustained selling by stockists and closed with further losses. Prices of gold, ornaments, sovereign and silver coins were quoted at previous level in scattered small deals. Marketmen said gold prices remained steady in limited deals as most of the participants in other Asian markets were reluctant to purchase ahead of the US long holiday for Thanksgiving Day on Thursday and Friday. They said gold got a boost after September 11 incidents in the US, but this fear factor seems to be over after the Northern Alliance forces cleared most of the terrorist hide-outs in Aghanistan. Silver continued its downward journey fearing a bearish trend in its prices in international markets where there were rumours of a further fall in silver prices piercing through a four dollar level. Silver ready lost another Rs 15 at Rs 6935 per kilo and weekly-based delivery by Rs 20 at 6940 per kilo. Silver coins continued to be asked at unchanged levels of Rs 11,500/11,600 per 100 pieces. Standard gold and ornaments were quoted at last level of Rs 4540 and Rs 4390 per ten gram respectively. Sovereign held unchanged at Rs 3825 per pieces of eight gram. Following were today’s quotations: Silver ready 6935 and delivery 6940. Silver coins buyer 11,500 and seller 11,600 standard gold 4540, ornaments 4390 and sovereign 3825. (PTI) |
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GM crops: only alternative to agronomic safety CHENNAI, Nov 21: Even as a controversy is raging over the planting of illegally-acquired Genetically Modified (GM) cotton in Gujarat, prominent agriculture experts expressed the view that GM crops were the only alternative to achieve agronomic safety in the future. "If the country is to convert its rich bio-diversity into wealth, biotechnology is the only alternative," says renowned agricultre scientist Prof M S Swaminathan. While doubts are still being raised about the safety of GM foods for human consumption and to the environment, scientists participating in a workshop on "Current status of genetically modified foods and crops in India: Implications for food, nutrition and livelihood security" at the MSSRF here, advocated the use of alternative technology like GM crops when conventional methods to fight pests fail. Directorate of rice, national professor E A Siddiq said the use of GM crops would not only result in higher yield, but also reduce the use of pesticides to a great extent. Referring to the cotton crop, he said 45 per cent of the cost of raising cotton was due to pest management. GM crops have high resistance to insects and viral and fungal diseases and tolerance to herbicide. Making a presentation on "genetic modification technology: issues," Dr Ajay Parida of the MSSRF said the Chennai declaration had suggested formation of institutional structures at the national, state and panchayat levels to win public confidence. Experiments in the field of transgenic crops were carried out, subject to scrutiny and approval by institutional bio-safety committees, which in turn was evaluated and monitored by the review committee on genetic manipulation and by the genetic engineering approval committee, he said. While GM crops have shown promising results in countries like the United States, which has large farm lands, there is scepticism about its success in India with mostly small farms. The average size of a farm in the United States was about 200 hectares, while it was only two hectares in our country. It is mandatory for a farmer cultivating any transgenic crop to grow "normal" crops in 20 per cent of his farm, known as ‘refugia’, to allow the pests to attack it, which in turn would delay the pests to develop resistance to the genetically engineered crop varieties. Allaying fears regarding this aspect, Mr Raju Barwale of Mahyco Research Foundation said the Government was formulating a different refugia management policy, which would soon be in place. GM technology was still under trial in the country, he said, adding that trials were being carried out on three categories of land — research centres, university farms and lands of farmers. The mahyco, which had tied-up with ‘monsanto’ in 1993 to conduct field trials of ‘Bt-cotton’, would also carry out large-scale trials in 400 locations, he added. The aim was to empower the Indian farmers to produce goods, which would enable them to stand in the line of competition in the global market. Scientists denied that there was any evidence of ill-effects to humans or animals due to use of food derived from GM crops. The global market for the transgenic crop, which was US dollar 75 million in 1995, is expected to touch US dollar 25 billion by 2010. The current area under GM crop cultivation was 44.2 million hectares. (UNI) |
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Need stressed for bringing power sector at centre stage MUMBAI, Nov 21: Planning Commission member (Energy and Infrastructure) N K Singh today stressed the need for bringing the Indian power sector at the centre stage with an emphasis on depoliticization, strengthening of the regulatory framework, discontinuation of cross subsidies and above all increase the speed of revenue collection from the state electricity boards. Inaugurating a three-day techno-economic summit power India 2001 and constru tech 2001 jointly organisation by India Tech Foundation and the Economic Times with Maharashtra Government as a partner state, Mr Singh admitted that the power sector was at crossroads and under crisis. "It is a national crisis. The power sector should occupy a centrepiece of attention," he opined. Emphasising the need for a strong political will to overcome the present crisis faced by the power sector, Mr Singh said the tariff fixation would have to be immediately depoliticised and the cross subsidisation policies should be ended. Mr Singh admitted that power reforms had received a bad name and said efforts would be required to drastically reduce the transmission and distribution losses which amounted to nearly 40 per cent across the country. Power thefts would have to be contained by the state electricity boards on priority basis, he added. Painting a gloomy picture of the power sector, he said the losses incurred by the state electricity boards had mounted to over Rs 26,000 crore while the internal resources had dipped to Rs 14,000 crore from Rs 20,000 crore about five years ago. He admitted that the country was not in a position to achieve the ninth plan target of capacity addition of 40,000 mw as in actual terms it would be able to add mere 19,000 mw. As far as roads sector is concerned, Mr Singh asked whether the industry is equipped enough to tackle projects of world class quality. He said under the ambitious Golden Quadrangular Project, contracts for 5,964 km would be awarded by the end of November. The project is expected to be completed by 2003. An additional 7,000 km of north-south-east-west connectivity would be provided and attention would be paid on the upgradation of national highways, he added. The Indian Railways have been marked by the overcharges for freight movement and cross subsidised rate for passenger movement, he informed. Earlier, in his opening remarks, BSES Ltd Chairman and Managing Director R V Shahi stressed the need for putting in considerable efforts for the development of power sector. He said the rate of capacity addition has sharply reduced and the private sector has also not responded well in a decade to expedite the power sector growth in the country. (UNI) |
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MUMBAI, Nov 21: Specified shares: ACC 162.55 ABB Ltd. 225.05 Adani Export 172.35 Amara Raja B 82.60 Apollo Tyre 58.75 Appolo Hosp 90.20 Aptech Ltd. 64.20 Arvind Mills 9.05 Ashok Leyl 86.15 Asian Paints 276.00 Atlas Copco 96.00 Aurobindo Ph 203.20 Bajaj Auto 372.40 Ballarpur In 45.25 Bank of Baro 39.15 Bank of Ind. 16.50 BASF India 84.45 Bata India 38.95 Bharat Elec 63.20 Bharat Forge 87.60 Bharat Petro 189.05 BHEL 153.70 Bom Dyeing 42.45 BPL Limited 57.00 Britania Ind 565.00 BSES Ltd. 207.30 Burrough Wel 163.30 Cadbury (i) 432.85 Cadila Healt 120.70 Carr. Aircon 85.00 Castrol Ind. 193.35 Castrol(DM) 193.35 Century 31.40 Chennai Pet 22.70 Cipla 1079.45 CMC Ltd. 275.00 Colgate 172.70 Corpn. Bank 130.10 Credit Ratin 127.00 Crompton Gr. 22.65 Cummins Indi 62.15 Dabur India 65.70 Dig. Equip 392.75 Dr. Reddy 921.95 DSQ Software 63.20 E Merck 277.60 Eih Ltd. 229.60 ESAB India 44.60 Escorts 60.25 Essel Packin 207.05 Exide Ind 58.30 Finolex Cabl 160.10 G E Shipping 24.95 German Reme 271.25 Gillette Ind 313.45 Glaxo (I)Ltd 306.90 Global Tele 99.65 Grasim Ind 275.10 Guj Amb Ceme 169.45 Guj Gas Co 520.00 Guj Narmada 22.80 Guj St Fe Ch 13.70 HCL Infosys. 80.50 HCL Techno 211.40 HDFC Bank 224.65 Hero Honda 255.25 Him Fut Comm 83.40 Hind Lever 214.85 Hind Petrol 146.85 Hindalco 647.70 Hindalco(DM) 647.70 Hindliver Ch 155.75 Hinduja Fin 58.20 Hoechst Mari 410.90 Hous Dev Fin 706.90 Hughes Soft 302.05 I.C.I.C.I(DM 52.15 ISI India 70.40 ICICI Bank 101.05 ICICI Ltd. 52.15 IDBI 17.50 India Cement 41.80 Indian Hotel 152.75 Indian Oil 132.15 Indian Rayon 75.20 Indogulf Cor 38.50 Infosys Tech 3520.30 Ingersoll 129.10 IPCL 46.70 ITC Bhadra 42.00 ITC Ltd. 701.75 ITC Ltd (DM) 701.75 Jaiprakash I 33.80 Jindal Steel 167.55 Kesoram Ind 26.05 Knoll Pharm 269.05 Kochi Refin 31.80 Kodak India 197.00 LML Ltd 20.50 Larsen & Tou 208.30 LIC H Finan 41.90 Madras Cem 4550.00 Madras Ref 22.70 Mah & Mah 95.10 Mah & Mah (DM 95.10 Mahangr Tele 143.75 Mastek 132.55 Mastershare 8.95 Max (I) Ltd 58.15 Mirc Electr 169.00 Moser-Baer 283.05 MRF Ltd 638.55 Nestle Ltd 495.65 Nicholas PIR 235.25 NIIT Ltd 231.45 NIIT Ltd (DM 231.45 Nirma Ltd 286.15 NOCIL 7.45 Novartis (i) 248.05 Orient Bank 33.20 Parke Davis 157.15 Pentamedia G 61.10 Pfizer 440.00 Philips (I) 92.90 Polaris Sof 136.20 Procter & Gamb 437.00 PSI Data Sys 99.20 Pun Tractor 184.00 Ranbaxy Lab 693.80 Rayban Sun 53.75 Raymond Ltd 95.05 Reckitt Benc 184.70 Rel Capital 53.10 Rel Petrol 33.65 Reliance Ind 293.90 Rhone Poulen 381.10 Rolta India 80.05 Saregama Ind 144.90 Satyam Com(D 196.05 Satyam Comp 196.05 Saw Pipes 85.05 Sesa Goa Ltd 52.70 Shipp Corpn. 26.00 Shree Rama 41.20 Shyam Telcom 45.70 Siemens 199.90 Silverline T 51.75 Smithklin Co 398.70 Sonata Soft. 18.00 SSI Ltd 194.60 State Bank 200.55 Steel Author 4.95 Sterlite I(D 117.15 Sterlite Ind 117.15 Sterlite Opt 170.55 Sun Pharma 575.65 Supreme Ind 45.60 Syngenta I(D 75.30 Syngenta Ind 75.30 Tata Chem 42.00 Tata Elxsi L 58.40 Tata Engg 101.10 Tata Finance 22.15 Tata Power 130.30 Tata Steel 90.05 Tata Tea 173.60 Thermax Ltd 61.95 Thomas Cook 275.15 Titan Ind 42.05 Trent Ltd 68.35 Trigyn Tech 84.15 TV 18 77.75 TVS Suzuki 147.65 United Brew 90.55 United Phosp 45.20 UTI Bank Ltd 28.90 Videocon Int 26.10 Videsh Sanch 229.55 Voltas 45.10 Wartsila (I) 110.15 Wipro Ltd 1350.35 Wockhardt Lt 403.85 Zee Telefilm 115.55 (PTI) |
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India gains from Doha, no harm
to national NEW DELHI, Nov 21: Commerce Minister Murasoli Maran today said India "substantially" gained from WTO’s Doha ministerial meeting and that it would in no way harm national interests. "The Doha outcome is in comformity with shared stakeholders interests— the interests of agriculture, industry and most importantly, our development," Maran said in a statment on WTO in the Rajya Sabha. "In sum, the Doha mandate will not in any way harm us, on the contrary, we have substantial gains," Maran said elaborating on the outcome of the fourth WTO ministerial meeting, which saw launch of new round of trade negotiations. Armed with wide consultations the Government had with various stakeholders before the Doha conference, he said "we made major strides towards realising our goals and the ministerial declaration contains significant achievements for India." India, Maran said, attached highest priority on resolution of implementation concerns and the recognition of asymmeteries for the first time by industrialised nations was a "major gain." New Delhi had strongly opposed linkage of core labour standards with trade and the ministerial declaration reaffirms that ILO is the appropriate forum to address the core labour standards, vindicating India’s stand on the issue, he said. The key concerns of India in agriculture have been adequately safeguarded in the declaration, he said, adding the 142 trade ministers at Doha committed themselves to negotiations aimed at substantial improvement in market access, substantial reduction in trade distorting domestic support and gradual phasing out of export subsidies. The special and differential treatment for developing countries including recognition of food security and rural development have now become an integral part of the mandated agricultural negotiations. In services, the movement of natural persons has been given primary focus apart from reaffirmation of the guidelines and procedures of negotiations which is largely based on the Indian proposal, Maran said. Maran said on the four Singapore issues — trade and investment, trade and competition, transparency in Government procurement and trade facilitation, the study process would continue until the fifth ministerial conference two years later and a decision regarding any negotiations would be based on explicit consensus. An assurance in this regard came by way of clarification to the Doha declaration by the conference chairman after India threatened to block the launch of new round of trade negotiations. Describing the separate declaration on trips and public health as a "landmark", Maran said it recognised the affordability and availability of medicines as a universal right. National Government could now take measures to protect public health and access to medicines. On the issue of extending higher level of protection for geographical indications other than wines and spirits, Maran said this would be taken up by trips council for products like Basmati rice, Alphonso mangoes and Darjeeling tea. It has also been agreed that TRIPS Council will address the issues of biological diversity, protection of traditional knowledege and folklore, he said. (PTI) |
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