India,Pakistan Foreign Secretaries Meet

New Delhi, Feb 25 (PTI) After a 14-month hiatus, Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan met here today for structured talks with an aim of ending the chill in the relations caused by Mumbai attacks.
Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao headed the Indian delegation while the Pakistani delegation was led by her counterpart Salman Bashir.
Before getting into the talks at Hyderbad House, Rao said, “I welcome Foreign Secretary of Pakistan Salman Bashir…I look forward to our talks”.

Bashir said, “…It is a pleasure for me to be back here. ….We are also looking forward to a very good, constructive engagement”.
At the talks, India was set to raise concerns over continued terrorism emanating from Pakistan and press it to end this scourge which was hampering normalisation of ties.

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Ramesh Said Bt Will Destroy Brinjal’s Ayurvedic Value,Experts Beg To Differ

Ramesh Said Bt Will Destroy Brinjal’s Ayurvedic Value,Experts Beg To Differ: Latest Updates About Ramesh Said Bt Will Destroy Brinjal’s Ayurvedic Value,Experts Beg To Differ:

One of the claims Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh made to justify his freeze on Bt brinjal was that the Bt gene would “destroy the medicinal properties of brinjal” which is used in several “traditional” forms of medicine.

This claim, too, is being contested by experts as Ramesh comes under increasing pressure from within his government — the Prime Minister has called a meeting after Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar warned against “ad hoc” decisions on GM food that could set the “clock back” and demoralise Indian scientists.

“I have also been informed that Indian systems of medicine, including ayurveda, siddha, homeopathy and unani, use brinjal as a medicinal ingredient both in raw and cooked form for treatment of respiratory diseases and that the entire brinjal plant is used in such preparations,” said Ramesh in his written statement while announcing the freeze.

Stay On Sukhna Scam General’s Court Martial

Stay On Sukhna Scam General’s Court Martial:The Armed Forces Tribunal on Monday stayed court martial proceeding against retired military secretary Lt Gen Avadhesh Prakash in the Sukna land scam.

The court martial, ordered against Prakash after his indictment by a court of inquiry (COI), was to start on February 25 in Kolkata.

A two-member tribunal bench quashed the findings of the COI, which had indicted Prakash for using his official position to pressure the staff of the 33, Corps — based in Sukna, West Bengal — to facilitate the transfer of a plot of land to his family friend, Dilip Agarwal.

The Bench ordered a fresh CoI, to be completed within two months.

Observing that army rule was “violated” during the COI, the Bench said Prakash would get the chance to cross-examine the six witnesses who deposed against him. “It will be open to the petitioner to lead any evidence by calling witness or producing documentary evidence,” it said.

A BEST Bus Hits Another In Malad,13 Injured

A BEST Bus Hits Another In Malad,13 Injured:At least 13 people sustained minor injuries when a BEST bus dashed into another bus stationed at a bus stop in Malad on Monday morning.

All those injured were rushed to Bhagwati civic hospital, but were later released after basic first aid, informed the police.

According to witnesses, the incident happened at Bangur Nagar bus stop where the bus number 256 was stationed.

There were at least 50-60 passengers inside the bus at that time.

The witnesses added that, suddenly another BEST bus dashed into the one that was stationed.

“The driver of the bus number 205 lost his control , because of which he hit the one that was stationed,” said Sahil Khan, an eyewitness.

The witnesses added that a mob which gathered at the spot, tried to attack the bus driver of the bus number 205, but a police team which reached the spot, brought the situation under control.

India Willing To Take Up Issue With Pak Baluchistan

News Dehli: Accepting the dialogue offers, India has set February 18 and 25 for Secretary-level talks, while terrorism would top the dialogue agenda between the two countries.

Talking to media in New Delhi, Indian Home Minister Chidambaram has said that Indiaextended talks offers to Pakistan.

He sought immediate arrest of Hafiz Saeed, saying that terrorism would be the main focus during the dialogue. According to Indian media, Indiawas agreed to also discuss its alleged interference in Balochistan during the dialogue.

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RBI Action Could Harden Interest Sates,SBI

Chairman of the country’s largest bank, OP Bhatt said that the interest rates are likely to rise as the Reserve Bank of India moves to tighten its monetary policy.

SBI chief also hinted that loan defaults mainly from the SME segment may rise in the coming quarters.

He said, “Inflation is rising and there are fears that regulatory action may lead to hardening of interest rates,” in a conference organised by Indian Banks’ Association and SBI. The summit recognized the fact that 650,000 villages in India are yet to be provided with the banking facilities.

Bhatt suggested the outsourcing model for reaching the rural areas. Stressing the point that banks need to improve their risk management mechanisms, he added that the demand from large firms are to be given due attention and the world class companies should be provided with services that match their standards.

Cash Reserve Ratio is expected to rise as RBI is to hold its annual policy review later this month. The ratio is the proportion of amount all banks has to park with the RBI on a mandatory basis. He also expects a rise in non-performing assets in the next two quarters.

Assam Government Expects Written Offer For Talks From ULFA

Kolkata, Jan 8 : Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi Friday said his government was expecting a written offer for talks from the outlawed United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).

“We are expecting something in writing from ULFA,” Gogoi told mediapersons here, when asked to clarify his statement earlier this month that “positive indirect signals” for talks have been received from the outfit.

The chief minister said many ULFA militants were surrendering in the state, which has seen good economic development. “The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is now at eight percent. Many of the ultras are surrendering because employment opportunities are being generated.”

Asked whether his government wanted absconding ULFA commander-in-chief Paresh Barua to come to the discussion table, Gogoi replied: “We want all sections to be present if any talks take place. But if necessary, the state will talk without Paresh Barua.”

Talking on the sidelines of a seminar by an industry body, Gogoi said no formula has yet been chalked out for the talks. “But a formula will definitely emerge as soon as they (ULFA) come for talks.”

Third Tarty Crasher Does Not Know Who Invited,But it Wasn’t The Indians

Threat To India’’s Security,Mohan Bhagwat

Allahabad, Jan 4 : Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) chief Mohan Bhagwat has said that with Pakistan and China adopting hostile stances, there is a threat to India’’s security.

Addressing a rally in Allahabad here, Bhagwat criticised the Central Government for offering an olive branch to Pakistan despite its hostile attitude.

“Pakistan is hostile towards us. Sometimes we feel that after knowing all these facts we allow it to go ahead, we should give a befitting reply for once with all our strength but we are extending our hand of friendship towards it,” said Mohan Bhagwat.

Bhagwat also criticised India’’s foreign policies, especially towards China.

“We ourselves allow our friends in the subcontinent to be the friends of China. These countries even today wants friendship with us and also wants that India should lead them because they are familiar with the intentions of China. We were also betrayed by China once, still our policies are same but the language seems changing,” added Bhagwat.

Rajya Sabha BJP MP Dies In Delhi

New Delhi, Dec 21 – The Rajya Sabha is likely to be adjourned Monday following the death of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) parliamentary member S. Acharya.

Acharya, 80, had been ailing for some time and died at 1.45 a. m. Monday, a family member said.

Monday was the last day of the winter session.

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