LUCKNOW : A Congress legislator in Uttar Pradesh has demanded the immediate removal of stylish batsman Virat Kohli from the Indian Cricket team for insulting the country in yesterday’s World Cup Semi-Final encounter against Australia.   Australia powered into the World Cup final with a 95-run victory over defending champions India at Sydney. ‘When the entire Australian team were practising for the crucial semi-final match, Virat was treating his girl friend and Bollywood actor Anushuka Sharma with Afgani Chicken and other delicacies and taking snaps,’ the Congress

MLA Vivek Kumar Singh from Banda told here today. ‘He demanded that Virat should be removed immediately from the team and his expulsion should be permanent for insulting the Indian cricket lovers. How could a non-serious player get a chance in the team, for which the entire country has stood up for the past couple of days,’ he questioned. ‘The politician also demanded action against the BCCI officials for allowing the players to invite their girl friends during the crucial World Cup Matches. Such thing only distracts the players from their target,’ he said.

Atleast two cricket lovers committed suicide in Uttar Pradesh yesterday after India lost to Australia in the WC semis at Sydney ground. While a peon of the irrigation department jumped from the seventh floor of a government building in the state capital after Mahendra Singh Dhoni got out, a 17-year-old hanged himself in Fatehpur district after Team India lost the match. Reports of burning of the posters of Virat and Anushuka were received from several parts of the state including Kanpur, Bulandshahar, Allahabad and Lucknow. Meanwhile, security was beefed up at the residences of Team India members Suresh Raina in Ghaziabad, who is set to get Married on April 3 in New Delhi. (AGENCIES)

NEW DELHI : In the first ever reduction in domestic natural gas prices, the rates will be slashed by 9 per cent to USD 4.56 per unit from April 1 to reflect the softening in international prices, benefiting users in the power and fertiliser sectors.

The government had in October last year fixed natural gas price at USD 5.05 per million British thermal unit based on weighted average of international hub rates. This was on gross clarofic value (GCV) basis.

“The price of gas on GCV basis from April 1 will be USD 4.56 per mmBtu,” a top source said.

On net clarofic value (NCV) basis, the price would come to USD 5.01 per mmBtu as compared to USD 5.61 per mmBtu rate prevalent currently.

“The government does not fix or notify a rate. A formula was notified last year, based on which the price applicable from April 1 would be USD 4.56 per mmBtu on GCV basis,” said the source.

This will be the first reduction in price of natural gas ever in India. While it will impact the revenue producers like Oil and Natural Gas Corp and Reliance Industries, it will be a bonanza for users in the power and fertilizer sector.

As per mechanism approved in October 2014, price of domestically produced natural gas were to be revised every six month using weighted average price at Henry Hub of US, National Balancing Point of UK, rates in Alberta (Canada) and Russia with a lag of one quarter.

So, rate for April 1 to September 30 would be based on average price at the international hubs during January to December 2014.

The Oil Ministry is likely to announce the price for next six months “within next couple of day”, said the source.

When contacted, Oil Minister Dharmendra Pradhan refused to indicate the likely price but said, “if we are getting a cheaper price, its good for the economy”. (AGENCIES)

SRINAGAR : The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, which connects the Kashmir Valley with the rest of the country, will remain closed from this afternoon till March 28 due to repair work.

Only Light Motor Vehicles (LMV) were allowed from Srinagar to Jammu this morning.

The highway will be closed to allow Border Roads Organisation (BRO) to repair the road, damaged at several places due to landslides and shooting stones during the past one month, a traffic police official told UNI.   He said only LMV, which had crossed the Jawahar Tunnel by 1030, were allowed from Srinagar for Jammu.   The highway will also remain closed for entire day tomorrow, he said.

However, earlier it was decided to close the highway on March 28 for conducting repair as at several places, the road is very narrow and only one vehicle could pass the damaged area.

The authorities have allowed only one-way traffic on the highway for the past about three months to avoid any traffic jam or accident. However, drivers and passengers alleged that traffic jam for hours was a daily routine on the Highway.

Meanwhile, a large number of trucks, mostly empty, and oil tankers remained stranded at different places on the Highway after authorities decided to allow only LMVs today. (AGENCIES)

JAMMU : Jammu and Kashmir Assembly was today adjourned twice amid disruptions by the Opposition MLAs from National Conference and Congress over the issue of transfer of mega power projects to the state.

Former chief minister and NC Legislature Party leader Omar Abdullah raised the issue in the House asserting that the Centre has refused to transfer the projects citing legal and financial problems.

He said the PDP-BJP government has failed to meet the agendas of Common Minimum Programme.

However, the Opposition members created ruckus and disrupted the proceedings, forcing Speaker Kavinder Gupta to adjourn the House twice.

(AGENCIES)

NEW DELHI : With New Zealand at the cusp of World Cup glory, former captain Martin Crowe has said the Black Caps will have to dig deep into their resources if they have to beat Australia as it will be a “high emotion” title clash between the trans-Tasman rivals.

New Zealand go unbeaten into the title clash in Melbourne on Sunday and even though the Brendon McCullum-led side has won all their eight matches on home shores, playing in Australia would certainly test their true mettle.

Crowe believes that Australia will certainly be a tough opposition to match.

“It’s the unknown. Nobody played at MCG, probably only Daniel Vettori and Brendon McCullum, I am not sure. But they will have to dig in their reservoir of resources, their own own resilience and that’s where they are playing their game from,” Crowe told in an exclusive interview ahead of the World Cup final.

“I don’t think the grounds are going to have too much of a difference but up against Australia it’s certainly going to be a high fever emotion in cricket’s silicon valley,” he said.

The Kiwis have got the better of Australia in the league stages when they edged past the Kangaroos by 1 wicket in a low-scoring thriller at Eden Park, Auckland, but Crowe still feels that the Micheal Clarke-led side is a hard nut to crack.

“I mean Australia bring a very powerhouse kind of game. It’s a lot of brawn and they are very bullish about it,” said Crowe.

It will also be a battle of pacers when Trent Boult, leading the wickets pack in the showpiece event with 21 from eight matches, and company, lock horns with the likes of Mitchell Starc (20 wickets), Mitchell Johnson and Josh Hazlewood.

Crowe has a lot faith in the ability of Kiwi fast bowlers.

“New Zealand have got a lot more skill in the fast bowling department, with their fast swing,” he said.

Despite the presence of spinners like Daniel Vettori and Glenn Maxwell in the respective sides, Crowe opines spin will not play much of a part at the MCG.

“Spin played a huge part in this World Cup, but MCG is a big ground and I don’t think spin will dominate proceedings. And even if it does the New Zealand side have been able to meet up all the challenges so far,” Crowe said. (AGENCIES)

NEW DELHI : Honda Cars India today announced an investment of Rs 380 crore on its second plant at Tapukara in Rajasthan to expand production capacity.

The annual production capacity of the plant will be increased to 1.80 lakh units from the current 1.20 lakh units, Honda Cars India said in a statement.

“The additional capacity is scheduled to be ready by the middle of 2016. This capacity expansion will generate a fresh employment of about 600 people in Tapukara plant,” it added.

The expansion of the 2nd plant will increase HCIL’s overall annual production capacity from the current 2.40 lakh units to 3 lakh units, including the 1.20 lakh units capacity of the first plant in Greater Noida.

With robust response to its models, including sedans City and Amaze, the company has witnessed 44 per cent growth in domestic sales during April 2014 to February 2015 at 1,66,366 units as against 1,15,913 units in the corresponding period of FY14.

“Driven by strong sales momentum for its cars, India has emerged as a very important market for Honda and holds great potential for future growth as well,” the company said.

The Tapukara plant had started assembly operations in February 2014. It integrates various functions, including operations for forging, casting, stamping, power-train components production, painting, engine assembly and frame assembly, as well as an engine testing facility. (AGENCIES)

NEW DELHI : Honda Motorcycle & Scooter India (HMSI), today announced an investment of Rs 585 crore to increase two-wheeler production capacity at its third plant at Narsapura in Karnataka.

A new production line will be set up within the existing plant site that will add 6 lakh units annually to take up the total capacity of the facility to 24 lakh units before the end of 2016, HMSI said in a statement.

“Combined with the additional capacity of upcoming 4th plant (in Gujarat), which is scheduled to become operational in the first half of 2016, this expansion will increase HMSI’s overall annual production capacity to 64 lakh units,” it said.

The capacity expansion “entails fresh investment worth Rs 585 crore in Honda’s Narsapura plant in Karnataka”, it said.

The company’s two other plants are at Manesar in Haryana and Tapukara in Rajasthan.

HMSI President & CEO Keita Muramatsu said: “Honda is strengthening its ‘Make in India’ resolve through steady and strategic investments with a long-term objective of creating 39 per cent additional capacity within 3.5 years.

“We are planning to increase the number of associates in the plant by approximately 1,900. This investment will provide new opportunities for expansion of brand Honda in the largest two-wheeler market of the world.”

HMSI sales grew 22 per cent in the April-February period this fiscal at 40,53,867 units as against 33,29,882 units in the same period last fiscal. (PTI)

NEW DELHI : The disappointment of a semifinal exit notwithstanding, BCCI President Jagmohan Dalmiya today congratulated the Indian cricket team for its “stupendous” World Cup performance, saying that Mahendra Singh Dhoni’s men put up an outstanding show.

India, the defending champions, were knocked out of the World Cup following a 95-run semifinal loss to Australia in Sydney yesterday.

Dalmiya said despite the defeat, the team must be lauded for a seven-match unbeaten streak leading up to the last-four stage.

“I congratulate the entire Indian cricket team for having played some outstanding cricket in the ICC Cricket World Cup 2015. They have indeed displayed some admirable skills while playing the game in its true spirit, and thereby, bringing joy to millions of cricket fans,” Dalmiya said in a statement.

“In spite of the disappointment due to the loss in the semi-final, the fact that the impending generation has showed the desired potential to take Indian cricket to greater heights is quite gratifying,” he added.

BCCI secretary Anurag Thakur also praised the team for its overall good performance.

“Being present at the venue and having witnessed the match, I was privy to the excitement and joy that our Indian team brings to the spectators,” Thakur said.

“I take this opportunity to thank all our fans across the world and especially those who were present for the semi-final and supported Team India. The BCCI truly appreciates the sustained efforts of our team and congratulates them for their outstanding performance while upholding the values which have long embodied the game of cricket,” he added. (AGENCIES)

ISLAMABAD : At least two policemen were killed and 13 others injured today in a bomb blast which hit a police van in Karachi, the financial capital of Pakistan.

Senior police official Munir Sheikh said the explosives were planted on a motorcycle and exploded near Murghi Khana bus stop in Quaidabad area of Karachi as the bus of Sindh Police’s Special Security Unit was passing by.

“Two policemen were killed and about 13 injured in the attack,” he said.

The injured were shifted to the government-run Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre.

Dr Seemi Jamali, spokesperson of the hospital, said that 12 wounded persons had been brought into the hospital for treatment and at least one injured was critical.

Nobody has taken the responsibility of the attack but Karachi has a large number of Taliban militants and criminals who often attack the security officials.

The government launched an operation in 2013 to eliminate them but they are still active in certain areas.

At least two soldiers of paramilitary Rangers were killed in a suicide attack their vehicle in the city on March 20. (AGENCIES)

NEW DELHI : Prime Minister Narendra Modi today appealed to the well off people to give up subsidised cooking gas, and expressed his government’s resolve to reduce dependence on energy imports by 10 per cent by 2022.

Sharing oil companies’ plans to increase piped cooking gas connection to one crore households from 27 lakh currently in the next four years, Modi said the decision to surrender LPG subsidy by 2.8 lakh consumers would result in a savings of Rs 100 crore.

“I had made a small mention about giving up LPG subsidy. As many as 2.80 lakh people has responded positively…And this will lead to a saving of at least Rs 100 crore. This Rs 100 crore can be utilised for the welfare of poor”, Modi said while speaking at the ‘Urja Sangam’ here.

Since the government started the new scheme of direct benefit transfer (DBT) for cooking gas, several persons opted out of the subsidy scheme.

Modi said that 12 crore bank accounts opened under the Jan Dhan scheme are being used for transferring subsidies directly to the consumers which has helped in plugging the leakages and effectively fighting corruption.

“To fight corruption, if institutional mechanism, transparent mechanism, policy driven system can be put in place then we can prevent leakages. And this has been proved by cash transfer,” the Prime Minister said.

Referring to India’s 77 per cent dependence on energy imports, Modi said the effort should be to reduce it by 10 per cent by 2022, when India will celebrate 75 years of Independence.

“We can reduce this import by at least 10 per cent in 2022. This 10 per cent we will produce ourselves and this should be our dream.

“If we become successful in reducing import by 10 per cent in 2022, by achieving 10 per cent growth in domestic production, then I can assure you that by 2030 we can reduce this import to 50 per cent,” he added. (AGENCIES)