BIRMINGHAM, Mar 5:
Rising Indian shuttler Sourabh Verma kept his hopes of reaching the main draw of All England Championship alive after notching up a hard-fought victory in the first round of the qualifiers here today.
But it was curtains for compatriots Anand Pawar and RMV Gurusaidutt as they lost their respective first round matches.
World number 43 Sourabh prevailed over Brice Leverdez of France 22-20 23-21 in a 40-minute battle and will take on Rajiv Ouseph, the top seed in the qualifiers, in the second round for a place in the main draw.
It was England’s Rajiv, who punctured Anand’s campaign after pulling off a thrilling 22-20 21-23 7-21 victory over the Indian in the first round of the qualifiers.
RMV Gurusaidutt also crashed out after a 17-21 21-13 10-21 defeat to Tanongsak Saensomboonsuk of Thailand in another match. (PTI)
Sourabh reaches second round of qualifiers in All England Championship
Swimmer Arunoday Banerjee is dead
KOLKATA, Mar 5: Noted swimmer of Indian Railways Arunoday Banerjee died here this morning.
He was 39 and survived by his wife and a five year old son.
Born in 1974, Banerjee joined the South Eastern Railway (SER) in the year 1991.
He represented SER in All India Railway Swimming Championship from 1991 to 2008.
He also represented Indian Railways in Senior National Championship on six occasions between 1991 and 1998 in 400 meter and 1500 meter free style events. (PTI)
EGoM to discuss third round of spectrum auction today
NEW DELHI, Mar 5:
The Empowered Group of Ministers headed by Finance Minister P Chidambaram is scheduled to meet tomorrow to discuss the third round of spectrum auction.
“There will be discussion over the third round of spectrum auction which Department of Telecom (DoT) has to conduct to comply with the Supreme Court order,” government sources told.
The EGoM would take a call on the number of telecom circles in which spectrum would be auctioned, they added.
The apex court on February 15, 2013, had directed government to put entire spectrum for auction that was freed from cancellation of 122 2G licences.
The Government had put on sale 271.25 Mhz of spectrum in November 2012 even as 514.8 Mhz of spectrum was freed after the Supreme Court order in February last year cancelled 122 licences.
To comply with Supreme Court order, DoT will have to auction airwaves in at least 20 circles.
The Department will also have to take EGoM’s approval to auction spectrum in Delhi and Mumbai circles which failed to attract bidders for the second time since November 2012.
The second round of spectrum auction is scheduled to start from March 11. The government has received only one application from Sistema Shyam Teleservices for participating in spectrum auction.
Sources added that there is very bleak possibility of spectrum price getting reduced in 18 out of 22 telecom circles for which bids were received in November 2012 auction.
It was also not clear if spectrum price in remaining telecom circles – Delhi, Mumbai, Karnataka and Rajasthan – will be reduced for which there are no bidders in the upcoming auction on March 11.
Government had already reduced price of GSM spectrum in these four circles by 30 per cent after there were no bidders in November auction. (PTI)
Commodities worth over Rs 229 cr confiscated in 2012: Thomas
NEW DELHI, Mar 5:
The Government today said essential commodities worth over Rs 229 crore-worth in 2012 for violating norms under the law that seeks to check hoarding and price rise.
The Essential Commodities Act (ECA), 1955 enables state governments to impose stock-holding limit on traders of essential items like pulses and edible oils, and to take effective action for undertaking de-hoarding operations.
In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Food and Consumer Affairs Minister K V Thomas said over Rs 229 crore-worth of commodities was confiscated in 2012, much higher than Rs 71.64 crore in 2011.
As many as 1,28,852 raids were conducted, 4,022 persons were arrested, 3,256 were prosecuted and 423 were convicted during last year, according to the data provided by the Minister.
To a separate query on inspection of godowns of state-run Food Corporation of India in Allahabad, Thomas said disciplinary action has been taken against 15 officials in the current fiscal for shortages and damages to foodgrains, including unsafe storage.
To another question related to supply of poor quality foodgrains through ration shops, the Minister said that complaints were received from Puducherry, Maharashtra and Gujarat so far this year and in some cases it was not found true. (PTI)
HC notice to Centre, Passport Office on Lalit Modi’s plea
NEW DELHI, Mar 5:
The Delhi High Court today sought response of the Centre and the Passport Office on an appeal of sacked IPL commissioner Lalit Modi, facing probe for alleged financial irregularities in IPL, against a single judge’s order rejecting his plea for restoration of his passport.
A bench of Chief Justice D Murugesan and Justice V K Jain issued notices to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Chief Passport Officer (CPO) and Regional Passport Officer (RPO) in Mumbai and sought their reply by April 29 on Modi’s plea challenging the January 16 order.
Modi, who is presently in London, has said in his plea that he be either issued a fresh passport or the revocation of earlier passport be held as illegal.
The Regional Passport Office in Mumbai had revoked Modi’s passport on March 3, 2010 following the probe by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Modi has contended that his passport be restored as it was revoked by the authorities without following the due process of law.
“The passport authorities’ decision to cancel his passport was not in conformity with the provisions of the Passport Act and the fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution,” a petition filed on Modi’s behalf has said.
Modi, who has been summoned several times by the ED in the past, had moved the high court through his attorney Mehmood Abdi against the Delhi CPO’s decision, upholding revocation of his passport by the Mumbai RPO.
The former Indian Premier League (IPL) chairman had also pleaded to the court to summon records of the proceedings held before the RPO and the CPO.
The ED had made a request to the RPO, Mumbai that Modi be either called back or his passport be revoked. (PTI)
Sharmila leads field on day one of 4th leg of Hero WPGT
MUMBAI, Mar 5:
Sharmila Nicollet put forth a commendable round of two-under 63 to lead at the close of round one of the fourth leg of the Hero Women’s Professional Golf Tour 2013.
The Rs. 500000 prize money event is being held at the Willingdon Sports Club here. Sharmila, who is fresh from her win in the third leg of the Hero WPGT13 at the Bombay Presidency Golf Club last week continued with her good form to stay two shots clear of second placed Pallavi Jain.
The Bangalore golfer, currently is also the only Indian on the Ladies European Tour having retained her LET card for the second successive year in 2013.
Sharmila played a steady first round with birdies on the first, seventh and 14th holes and a solitary bogey on the fifth to lead the field on day one.(PTI)
‘Violence against women due to ineffective implementation’
UNITED NATIONS, Mar 5:
Violence against women is often not due to lack of legislative framework but ineffective implementation, Union Minister for Women and Child Development Krishna Tirath has said a UN panel, amid a series of violent attacks in India.
“As recent events of horrific violence against women in India and other parts of the world indicate, it is often not the lack of legislative framework that hampers our efforts, but rather its ineffective implementation”, Tirath said yesterday.
“We, of course, need to strengthen legislative and policy framework as well”, she said in her intervention during the High Level Round Table at the 57th Session of the Commission of Status of Women at the United Nations headquarters in New York.
Tirath said gender-based “unequal power structures” and perception of the role of women in society are to be blamed for the violence.
“The widespread nature of this problem is a manifestation of unequal power structures among men and women, and of how women’s role is perceived”, she said.
“We need to ensure that the stigmatisation of victims, the trivialisation of the crime and impunity of perpetrators are all ended,” she said.
Observing that besides working towards empowerment of women politically, economically and socially, Tirath said one must debate the relevance of deeply-held beliefs and social attitudes and modify them so that they are not a hindrance to social advancement and economic progress.
Noting that the Indian Government has recently taken a number of steps in this regard, she said fast track courts have been set up to try cases pertaining to violence against women.
“It promulgated an ordinance in February 2013 which broadened the definition of sexual assault and harassment, and violent behaviour and provided for greater accountability of public officials. The Parliament also adopted a law in February to combat sexual harassment of women in the workplace,” she said.
Tirath said these measures complement existing legislative framework that address the issue of trafficking, sexual offences against children and domestic violence.
The government is developing protocols for police, medical functionaries and other service providers to improve coordination of its response to victims of violence, she said. (PTI)
Aussies fall in spin trap, India take 2-0 lead
HYDERABAD, Mar 5:
Spinners R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja produced a mesmerising spell as India crushed a clueless Australia by an innings and 135 runs in less than three and half days to win the second cricket Test and take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the four-match series here today.
Ashwin grabbed five for 63 while Ravindra Jadeja took three for 33 as Australia displayed surprising lack of fighting spirit to be skittled out for a meagre 131 in 67 overs in their second innings.
The match lasted only two hours on the fourth day as it was an abject surrender by the Australian batsmen who had no answer to the questions posed by Ashwin and Jadeja on a turning track at the Rajiv Gandhi International stadium.
The visitors needed 192 runs to avoid an innings defeat but they lost the final eight wickets in 35 overs with an addition of only 57 runs to their overnight total.
When Ashwin dismissed Pattinson to get the final wickets, the 10,000-odd spectators erupted in joy but the celebration from the Indian camp was a muted one as they only engaged in handshakes.
Cheteshwar Pujara was deservingly awarded the man-of-the-match award for his double hundred.
The teams now have an eight-day break before the third Test in Mohali but the way this series has panned out, there is unlikely to be any change of script in the third Test where the hosts would be aiming to wrap up the series.
The Australians find it difficult to play on the turning tracks in the sub-continent but what was sad to see was their inability to even put up a fight.
Such was the domination of the Indian spinners that Australia lost their last three wickets for an addition of only one run in 10 overs.
The last Test played over here against New Zealand also ended inside four days but it was more to do with majority of the second day’s play being washed out.
With this win, Mahendra Singh Dhoni became the most successful Indian captain, eclipsing Sourav Ganguly’s record of 21 Test wins.
The technique and ability of the Aussies to counter the Indian spinners was nothing better when compared to the Kiwi batsmen.
The day started with Ishant Sharma removing Shane Watson in the third over.
The lanky pacer had bowled a lot of better deliveries in the series but never got close to getting a wicket. When he finally did get one, it was off a poor delivery.
The ball was drifting down leg-side and Watson, trying to glance it down fine leg, only managed to give Mahendra Singh Dhoni a catch.The imposing all-rounder managed only 9 and his form would be a massive headache for the Aussies as he is in the team only as a batsman.
Australian captain Michael Clarke, who shoulders the bulk of scoring responsibility due to the team’s brittle line-up, announced his arrival at the crease with a six off Ravindra Jadeja.
He came down the track to lift the left-arm spinner over long-off. However, Jadeja had the last laugh when he bowled a beauty to get rid of the rival skipper.
He tossed the ball up on the leg-middle line and Clarke tried to play a forward defensive stroke but it turned a shade away to knock the off-stump back.
Clarke made 16 and with his departure, any chance of a gritty fight looked over as the skipper has been Australia’s best player of spin bowling.
Boosted by the prized scalp of Clarke, Jadeja was spitting fire and it was a matter of time before he disposed off the challenge of Ed Cowan (44).
The left-handed opener had faced 150 deliveries but never looked like getting settled. Jadeja bowled a faster one and Cowan rocked on the backfoot trying to play the square-cut.
Cowan only managed to edge it and the ball hit Dhoni’s pads before flying off to Sehwag at first slip.
Jadeja’s success with the ball also translated into a good show in the field as his direct throw found Moises Henriques (0) short of his ground.
Matthew Wade had pushed an Ashwin delivery towards cover and wanted a quick single. Jadeja was off in a flash as he picked up and successfully aimed at the stumps.
From 111 for six, it soon became 123 for seven as Ashwin got his third wicket with a wrong ‘un as debutant Glenn Maxwell tried to flick it and was caught plumb in-front.
Peter Siddle was snapped up by Sehwag in the slips as India got their eighth wicket.
Wade became Ashwin’s fourth victim and the ninth wicket to fall. The umpires then decided to extend the first session by 30 minutes as per norms to finish the proceedings.
And it ended soon after when Ashwin trapped tailender James Pattinson, who had failed to get off the mark despite facing as many as 27 deliveries. (PTI)
PDC (B), NGR advance to next round
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 5: PDC (B) and NGR today registered resounding wins over their respective rival teams and advanced to the next round of the ongoing 3rd Rajiv Gandhi Gold Cup Football Tournament being organized by All J&K Indira Gandhi People’s Association in collaboration with Jammu and Kashmir Football Association (JKFA) and J&K Sports Council at Government Gandhi Memorial (GGM) Science College football ground here today.
In the first match of the day, PDC (B) thrashed Jammu United by three goals to zero via tie breaker.
In the first half, the enthusiastic players of both the teams played a wonderful game and tried to net the goal by hook or by crook.
Players of both the teams missed several opportunities to score the goal for their respective teams, but failed and the first half ended with no goal.
In the second half, players of PDC (B) and Jammu United tried their level best to score goals to win the match, but could not score even a single goal and the second half also ended with no goal.
During penalty kicks, Davian of PDC (B) netted the goal, while the player of the opponent team Rakesh Kumar missed the chance. Again Sahil of PDC (B) scored the goal and Koushal Kumar of Jammu United failed to convert the penalty kick into goal. Nanjot Singh netted the third goal, while Sohan Kumar of Jammu United missed the attempt and paved way for PDC (B) to enter the next round.
The yellow card were shown to Vijay Kumar and Salim Gul of PDC (B) in the 45th and 56th minute, while Sohan Kumar of Jammu United was shown the yellow card in the 40th minute of the game.
In the second match, NGR registered 3-1 goals victory over Jammu Sports and sailed into the next round of the tournament.
In the first half, aggressive Aman of NGR scored the first goal in the 2nd minute and put a lead of one goal over Jammu Sports.
Just after six minutes of the first goal, Kamal of NGR scored the second goal of the match and brought the opponent team under extreme pressure.
The players of Jammu Sports failed to equalize the lead in the first half and it ended with 2-0 goals.
In the second half, Heera of NGR netted the goal in the 45th minute and took the scorecard to 3-0 goals.
After the goal in the 45th minute, Jammu Sports players made several strategies to clinch the match, but all their strategies could not find a way infront of enthusiastic NGR team players and thus lost the match by straight three goals to zero (3-0).
During the match, the yellow card was shown to Aman of NGR in the 29th minute of the first half.
The matches were officiated by Hilal Ahmed, Moon Madan, Vijay Kumar, Kushey Kumar, Rohit Gupta, Suresh Kumar, Gagan Kumar and Romesh Kumar.
In tomorrow’s fixture, PDC (B) will clash with Churchill Brothers and Sher-i-Punjab will take on Vijay Club.
The tournament is being organised by Narinder Gupta, president, All J&K Indira Gandhi People’s Association.
Credit card frauds rise to 1,590 in Dec quarter: Govt
NEW DELHI, Mar 5:
The number of credit card frauds rose to 1,590 in the quarter ended December 2012 involving an amount of Rs 948.64 lakh, Parliament was informed today.
“As per information furnished by Reserve Bank of India there were 1,590 cases of credit card frauds involving an amount of Rs 948.64 lakh during the quarter ended December 2012 as compared to 1,327 cases involving an amount of Rs 492.98 lakh in the quarter ended September 2012,” Minister of State for Finance Namo Narain Meena said in a written reply to Rajya Sabha.
He said RBI has taken various measures to prevent such frauds and has issued various guidelines from time to time.
RBI has advised banks to set up internal control systems to combat frauds, take pro-active measures, ensure credit card operations are safe, sound and profitable, preventive measures to combat frauds relating to skimming or duplication of cards.
Also, RBI has asked banks move to secure Card Not Present (CNP) transactions, making it mandatory for banks to put in place additional authentication/validation.
“RBI has issued guidelines which are fundamentally expected to enhance safety, security, efficiency in banking processes relating to benefits for banks and their customers. The implementation progress is required to be reviewed and report submitted to the Board on quarterly basis,” Meena said.
In reply to a separate question, the Minister said the gross non-performing assets (NPAs) of the public sector banks (PSBs) has increased from Rs 71,080 crore as on March 2011 to Rs 1,12,489 crore as on March 2012.
As on December 2012, the gross NPAs of the public banks rose to Rs 1,55,839 crore.
As of December 2012, gross NPA (GNPA) ratio stood at 3.69 per cent, GNPA ratio in agriculture at 5.20 per cent, GNPA ratio in retail loans at 2.73 per cent and GNPA ratio in corporate lending stood at 3.41 per cent.
Government has asked banks to increase the pace of recovery and manage NPAs, put in place early warning system, replace post dated cheque system with Electronic Clearance System, review NPA accounts of Rs one crore and above by Board of Directors and top 300 NPA accounts by Management Committee.
“Parliament has recently enacted The Enforcement of Security Interest and Recovery of Debt Laws (Amendment) Act, 2012 for removing of certain bottlenecks in the recovery of bad debts. The Amendment Act has come to force from January, 15, 2013,” he said. (PTI)