INDIA COUNTRY BRIEF110602

Basic Political Developments

Improvised cannons and illegal firearms were seized from near a Communist Party of India-Marxist office and another area in West Bengal.

Congress top brass are expected to deliberate today on the situation arising out of yoga guru Ramdev's plans to go on a hunger strike on the issue of black money here from June four.

Activists of Shiv Sena and NCP today clashed during a demonstration.

A Delhi court on Thursday dismissed pleas for a direction to the CBI to make Reliance ADAG chairman Anil Ambani, Tata group Chief Ratan Tata, corporate lobbyist Niira Radia and DMK chief M. Karunanidhi's wife Dayalu Ammal, as accused in the 2G spectrum scam.

Anna Hazare on Thursday extended his support to yoga guru Baba Ramdev’s fast against corruption and said he will join the agitation.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today promised stern action against those involved in illegal coal mining and their alleged political backers.

TDP announcing plans to move a no-confidence motion against the Congress Government, which is already grappling with the contentious Telangana statehood demand and dissidence.

Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa today won the vote of confidence in the state assembly amid empty Opposition benches following walkout by Congress and boycott by JDS.

National Economic Trends

The cabinet Thursday approved the development of housing and basic facilities in slums across 250 cities in the country.

Food inflation fell to 8.06 per cent for the week ended May 21 with the latest numbers likely to be seen by the government as a silver lining after the slowdown in economic growth during the first quarter.

Business, Energy or Environmental regulations or discussions

The Finance Ministry on Thursday said the Reserve Bank will come out with the draft guidelines on new bank licences soon.

Astonfield Renewable Resources today said it has signed an agreement with Spanish firm Grupo T-Solar Global SA for setting up a solar power project in Rajasthan.

Basmati rice distributor Kohinoor foods Ltd (KFL) today said that it has formed a joint venture with US based Food and seasonings maker McCormick and Company.

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd has won Rs 62 crore order for setting up a solar power project at Belakavadi in Karnataka.

Two leading steel makers, JSW and Essar Steel, have hiked rates for flat products by up to Rs 1,000 per tonne in the wake of rising raw material costs.

India has yet to decide to allow foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail.

FMCG player Jyothy Laboratories today said it has completed acquiring 50.97 per cent stake in Henkel India (HIL), taking its total shareholding in the Chennai-based firm to 65.88 per cent.

Rajasthan State Industrial Development & Investment Corporation Limited (RIICO) and Ultratech Cement Ltd signed an MoU for commissioning of a railway project in Sikar and Jhunjhunu districts in the state.

Renault on Thursday said it is aiming for a 2.5 per cent market share of the passenger car segment in India by 2013, and a five per cent market share in the long run.

Bosch India plans to invest Rs 140 crore in India to set up research center at the Indian Institute of Sciences ( IISc )).

The Mayawati government in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on Thursday announced a new land acquisition policy under which its role in acquiring land for private developers would only be that of a facilitator.

Activity in the Oil and Gas sector (including regulatory)

BOC India, a part of the Linde group, is eyeing the petroleum and petrochemicals sectors for growth.

Militant Activity/Terrorism (Particularly in Bangalore, Mumbai, Noida, Chennai, Coimbatore)

CPI(Maoist) activists who had abducted two villagers, killed one and released another at Pararia village in Bihar's Rohtas district today.

A suspected ISI agent, who was providing vital information related to Army installations in Meerut and Roorkee to an officer of the Pakistani spy agency, was arrested near Haridwar, a police official said today.

A dreaded leader of the Manipur-based banned insurgent outfit UNLF, M J Joysing, was arrested along with two others.

Labor/Social Unrest

Three persons were shot dead and another person seriously injured today after a gang of armed assailants fired on workers at a building construction site at Asansol Court More in Burdwan district.

12 persons were injured, including 3 policemen, when tear gas shells and rubber bullets were fired during a clash between police and locals near Agra, Uttar Pradesh.

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Basic Political Developments

WB: Improvised cannons seized near CPI-M officehttp://www.rediff.com/news/report/wb-improvised-cannons-seized-near-cpim-office/20110602.htmJune 02, 2011 17:12 ISTImprovised cannons and illegal firearms were seized from near a Communist Party of India-Marxist office and another area in West Bengal on Thursday by the police and the joint forces. Four improvised cannons were found from a field near a CPI-M party office at Indas village in Bankura district, Superintendent of Police Praveen Kumar said. The police seized the weapons after being informed by local youths, he said.

In West Midnapore district, four guns, cartridges and bombs were seized from Bandgora area in the Jhargram police station area, Additional SP Mukesh Kumar said. The area was being searched by the joint forces which made the seizure, he said.

The seizure of illegal firearms are being made since the declaration of the assembly election results on May 13.

Congress Core Group to discuss Ramdev's agitation http://www.ptinews.com/news/1644801_Congress-Core-Group-to-nbsp-discuss-Ramdev-s-agitation-New Delhi, Jun 2 (PTI) Congress top brass, including Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and party chief Sonia Gandhi, are expected to deliberate today on the situation arising out of yoga guru Ramdev's plans to go on a hunger strike on the issue of black money here from June four.

A meeting of the Congress Core Group headed by Gandhi is scheduled this evening in the backdrop of apparent differences between the party and the government over the way the issue needed to be tackled.

The Core Group, which generally meets on Friday is meeting a day ahead, reflecting the concern in the party and the government over Ramdev's plans.

Top Congress leaders and senior ministers, including Pranab Mukherjee, A K Antony, P Chidambaram and Political Secertary to Congress chief Ahmed Patel are part of the group which decides on major policy issues.

NCP, Sena clash over anti-Ajit Pawar remarks http://www.ptinews.com/news/1645111_NCP--Sena-nbsp-clash-over-anti-Ajit-Pawar-remarks-Pune, Jun 2 (PTI) Activists of Shiv Sena and NCP today clashed here during a demonstration staged by the latter to condemn an editorial in the saffron outfit's mouthpiece that allegedly carried derogatory remarks against Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar.

The trouble started when Sena workers tried to prevent NCP activists from burning copies of Sena mouthpiece 'Saamna' at a city square, leading to friction between the two groups and intervention by police.

The activists dispersed after mild cane-charge by the police.

According to Sena Pune unit chief Nana Wadekar, about 25 party workers were detained by police, who used force to disperse the agitators.

The NCP demonstration was in response to the protest staged by Sena workers here on Tuesday in which an effigy of Pawar was burnt in reaction to his comments on Bal Thackeray, questioning the Sena chief's contribution to society.

Court rejects pleas against Ambani, Tata, Radia, Dayaluhttp://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2071126.eceA Delhi court on Thursday dismissed pleas for a direction to the CBI to make Reliance ADAG chairman Anil Ambani, Tata group Chief Ratan Tata, corporate lobbyist Niira Radia and DMK chief M. Karunanidhi's wife Dayalu Ammal, as accused in the 2G spectrum scam.

Special CBI Judge O.P. Saini also imposed a cost of Rs 10,000 each on Delhi-based scribe M. Furquan and Ghaziabad’s scrap dealer Dharmender Pandey for filing complaints in this regard.

“The applications are not only devoid of any substance but are also contrary to law and deserve to be dismissed with heavy cost as application after application of this nature are being filed by third parties resulting into loss of precious time of the court.

“However, I am inclined to take a little lenient view as far as cost is concerned. Accordingly, both applications are dismissed, subject to nominal cost of Rs 10,000 each,” the judge said.

The court also directed both the complainants to deposit the cost within three days from Thursday, failing which warrants shall be issued against them.

The complainants had earlier told the court that CBI was “deliberately” suppressing the facts against Mr. Ambani and “overlooking” the role of Mr. Tata and Ms. Radia in the scam.

Mr. Furquan and Mr. Pandey had also alleged in their separate private complaints that CBI was not looking into the matter and trying to protect them.

The court on May 25 had also slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 on a journalist seeking a direction for CBI to make some telecom companies like Videocon-owned Datacom, S-tel, Aircel and Maxis as accused in the case.

Hazare extends support to Ramdev’s fast against corruptionhttp://www.thehindu.com/news/national/article2070482.ece?homepage=trueAccusing the government of cheating civil rights activists on the issue of Lokpal Bill, Anna Hazare on Thursday extended his support to yoga guru Baba Ramdev’s fast against corruption and said he will join the agitation.

The Gandhian said that the government lacks intention to root out corruption from the system.

“I will join Baba Ramdev on June 5. The fight is against corruption. The government has tried to cheat us. The government had assured us that they would look into our demand,” he said, adding that he would hold discussions with the yoga guru on the way forward.

He said the government has “cheated” civil rights activists on the issue of Lokpal Bill and people have realised the betrayal by the government.

“I will support Baba Ramdev so that the government does not do what it did when we were fighting. We will fight together against corruption,” he said, adding that “henceforth, we will not be content with oral assurances on the issue of weeding out corruption“.

Mr. Hazare also noted that the yoga guru has a standing in the public and wherever he goes people gather to hear him.

His remarks came a day after Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee accompanied by Kapil Sibal, Pawan Kumar Bansal and Subodh Kant Sahay held talks with Baba Ramdev to persuade him to give up his indefinite fast on corruption but the yoga guru said he would go ahead with it from June 4.

Mr. Hazare also made it clear that everybody should come under the ambit of the Lokpal Bill.

He said the government was getting its act together now only after Baba Ramdev made it clear that he would start his agitation from June 4.

“For so many days we are demanding (immediate implementation of the Lokpal Bill), why did the government not listen to us. Now the government is running just because time has to come to sit on fast, he said.

“Baba Ramdev has been raising the issue of black money from so many days. Why did the government not think of doing something on the issue. People have now come to know what the intentions of the government are,” he said.

Mr. Hazare said the fight against corruption will continue till their demands are met.

“Now no more hollow assurances and oral promises. What we want is action and the fight against corruption will continue throughout the country till we get what we want,” he said.

Mamata promises stern action against coal mafia, backershttp://www.ptinews.com/news/1645750_Mamata-promises-stern-action-against-coal-mafia--backersKolkata, June 2 (PTI) Rattled by the killing of three persons in broad daylight by suspected members of the coal mafia in Asansol in West Bengal, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today promised stern action against those involved in illegal coal mining and their alleged political backers.

Banerjee alleged that the coal mafia enjoyed political shelter under the erstwhile Left Front rule and were responsible for illegal mining and other crimes.

"In the Asansol coal belt, the coal mafia have been operating for long and they have enjoyed political shelter all these years, but stern action will be taken by the government against them and those who are backing them," Banerjee warned.

She told reporters a separate set-up would be put in place by the government to deal with the coal mafia who would not be allowed to get away with criminal activity henceforth.

TDP to move no trust motion against Cong Govthttp://www.ptinews.com/news/1645768_TDP-to-move-no-trust-motion-against-Cong-GovtHyderabad, Jun 2 (PTI) Political temperature in Andhra Pradesh suddenly shot up today with the principal Opposition TDP announcing plans to move a no-confidence motion against the Congress Government, which is already grappling with the contentious Telangana statehood demand and dissidence.

As the Budget session resumes on June 4, the TDP led by its chief N Chandrababu Naidu will move a no-confidence motion against the Kiran Kumar Reddy government on problems faced by farmers in the state.

Though the TDP does not have enough numbers to pull down the Congress Government, its objective in moving the no-trust motion appears to be part of its strategy to regain the lost ground, particularly in the wake of the Telangana statehood struggle, and also "expose" YSR Congress president Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, political observers feel.

Yeddyurappa wins trust vote; slams opposition, governorhttp://www.ptinews.com/news/1646053_Yeddyurappa-wins-trust-vote--slams-opposition--governorBangalore, June 2 (PTI) Taking the floor test for the fourth time, Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa today won the vote of confidence in the state assembly amid empty Opposition benches following walkout by Congress and boycott by JDS.

With ruling partymen present in full strength barring a lone member -- Chandappa Naik -- due to personal problems, Yeddyurappa secured "ayes" from 119 members for his one line motion with none opposing it in the 224-member house.

This is the fourth vote of confidence sought by Yeddyurappa since May 2008 after the first-ever BJP government in the south came to power.

Amid uproarious scenes triggered by exchange of words between Congress leader Siddaramaiah and Speaker K G Bopaiah, Yeddyurappa moved the confidence motion, saying "I want to tell people of the state that my government enjoyed majority.

National Economic Trends

Cabinet approves slum development in 250 citieshttp://www.newkerala.com/news/world/fullnews-222110.htmlNew Delhi, June 2 : The cabinet Thursday approved the development of housing and basic facilities in slums across 250 cities in the country.Home Minister P. Chidambaram told reporters that slum development projects under the Rajiv Awas Yojana would be undertaken in 250 cities that have a population of more than one lakh.

He briefed the media after the cabinet met at Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's residence.

The scheme aims to help re-develop slums, stop their proliferation and provide a dignified life and property rights to the dwellers, Chidambaram said.

The government will bear 50 percent of the cost of the slum projects, the cabinet decided.

Chidambaram said Rs.1,000 crore will be provided as capital for mortgage guarantee facilities under the scheme.

The cabinet also decided to enhance the scholarship and maintenance grants for Scheduled Tribe students for post-matriculation studies.

Inflation falls to 8.06 pc for week ended May 21 http://www.ptinews.com/news/1645001_Food-inflation-falls-to-8-06-pc-for-week-ended-May-21

New Delhi, June 2 (PTI) Food inflation fell to 8.06 per cent for the week ended May 21 on the back of cheaper pulses, wheat and some vegetables, with the latest numbers likely to be seen by the government as a silver lining after the slowdown in economic growth during the first quarter.

Food inflation, as measured by the Wholesale Price Index (WPI), stood at 8.55 per cent during the previous week. The rate of price rise of food items was as high as 21.15 per cent in the third week of May, 2010.

As per data released by government today, prices of pulses were down by 9.22 per cent year-on-year, while wheat became cheaper by 0.77 per cent.

This seems to be a reflection of the record production of wheat and pulses during the 2010-11 crop year (July-June).

Business, Energy or Environmental regulations or discussions

Draft norms on new bank licences soonhttp://www.thehindu.com/business/Industry/article2071160.eceThe Finance Ministry on Thursday said the Reserve Bank will come out with the draft guidelines on new bank licences soon.

“The RBI has given it (recommendations) to the Finance Ministry and is also consulting other stakeholders. Based on this, they will come out with draft guidelines (on new bank licences) soon and put it in the public domain for consultation,” Department of Economic Affairs (DEA) Secretary R. Gopalan said on the sidelines of the 26th Skoch Summit here.

Last year, RBI circulated a discussion paper on new bank licences which proposed that corporates and NBFCs should be allowed to promote banks.

Mr. Gopalan also stressed on the need to amend the Banking Regulation Act to empower the RBI to effectively regulate the banking sector.

“...there is a need to amend the Banking Regulation Act to enable RBI to obtain information from other entities — whoever is getting a licence — so they (RBI) are in a position to regulate the banking sector institutions appropriately,” he said.

On the timeline of the issuance of new bank licences, the Secretary said it can be done once the amendments to Banking Regulations Act are cleared by Parliament.

“I have a feeling that the draft guidelines, once they are out, the Amendment to Banking Regulations Act I think will be passed. I think this will be the right setting for licences to be issued,” Mr. Gopalan said.

The Banking Laws (Amendment) Bill, 2011, was introduced in the Lok Sabha during the Budget Session, which seeks to give voting rights to investors commensurate with their shareholding in the private sector banks.

The draft legislation also proposes to give powers to RBI to supersede the Board of Directors of a banking company for a period of up to one year and appoint an administrator.

On the country’s economic growth in the current fiscal, Mr. Gopalan said, “It should be between 8 and 8.5 per cent depending upon how long the prices continue to remain at elevated levels. That we do not know at this point of time as it’s just two months that we are into the new fiscal.”

India’s economy grew by just 7.8 per cent in the fourth quarter ending March this year, mainly due to the poor performance of the manufacturing sector, as against 9.4 per cent in the same three-month period of the previous fiscal.

However, economic growth, as measured by the Gross Domestic Product, improved to 8.5 per cent in 2010-11 from 8 per cent in 2009-10 due to better farm output, construction activities and financial services performance.

Astonfield inks deal with Grupo for Raj solar project http://www.ptinews.com/news/1644942_Astonfield-inks-deal-with-Grupo-for-Raj-solar-project-New Delhi, June 2 (PTI) Astonfield Renewable Resources today said it has signed an agreement with Spanish firm Grupo T-Solar Global SA for setting up a solar power project in Rajasthan.

"Astonfield Renewable Resources (Astonfield) has entered into a strategic partnership with Grupo T-Solar Global SA (T-Solar) for setting up 5-MW solar PV project in Osiyan, Rajasthan," an official statement said.

Touted to be the first long-term strategic collaboration between the two companies, Astonfield will deploy T-Solar's thin film modules under the project.

The project will be one of the first utility-scale solar power plants commissioned under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) and is expected to be commissioned by October, 2011.

Construction on the project has begun and once operational, it is expected to generate at least 8,500 megawatt hours (MWh) per year, sufficient to power the equivalent of over 13,000 Indian households.

US Spicemaker McCormick to invest USD 115 mn in Kohinoor Foods http://www.ptinews.com/news/1645346_US-Spicemaker-McCormick-to-invest-USD-115-mn-in-Kohinoor-Foods-Mumbai, June 2 (PTI) Basmati rice distributor Kohinoor foods Ltd (KFL) today said that it has formed a joint venture with US based Food and seasonings maker McCormick and Company, to market and sell its (Kohinoor's) basmati rice and food products in India.

McCormick will hold 85 per cent stake in the joint venture and it will invest a total of USD 115 million.

The new joint venture will market and sell 'Kohinoor' brand rice and food products in India.

"The company proposes to transfer its undertaking relating to the business of manufacturing, processing, finishing, marketing, trading, distributing, importing, exporting and/or supply of food products" KFL said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

KFL will also transfer all its assets and liabilities, employees, contracts, licenses, agreements, etc, as a going concern or otherwise, it added.

BHEL bags Rs 62 crore solar contract Karnataka Power Corporationhttp://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/energy/power/bhel-bags-rs-62-crore-solar-contract-karnataka-power-corporation/articleshow/8692820.cmsNEW DELHI: Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd has won Rs 62 crore order for setting up a solar power project at Belakavadi in Karnataka. The company said Karnataka Power Corporation Ltd has placed the turnkey contract for a five-megawatt solar photovoltaic project.

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd is executing another 11-mw solar photovoltaic power projects. Company scrip was trading at Rs 1,937, down 0.75%, at 1250 hrs on Bombay Stock Exchange.

The company manufactures photovoltaic modules at its Bangalore manufacturing facility. Solar cells and modules manufactured by the company are also exported to countries like Germany , Australia and Italy .

Bharat Heavy Electricals had in February this year signed an agreement with Spain's Abengoa to set up solar power projects in India . The companies seek to tap emerging opportunities arising out of the Jawaharlal Nehru national solar mission, which aims at the establishment of 20,000-mw solar power generation capacity by 2022.

JSW, Essar Steel hike flat product rates to offset input costshttp://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/indl-goods-/-svs/steel/jsw-essar-steel-hike-flat-product-rates-to-offset-input-costs/articleshow/8694598.cmsNEW DELHI: Two leading steel makers, JSW and Essar Steel, have hiked rates for flat products by up to Rs 1,000 per tonne in the wake of rising raw material costs.

However, state-run SAIL has kept prices at last month's levels, while Tata Steel is yet to decide on any move.

"Our prices for flat products have gone up by Rs 600 to Rs 1,000 per tonne since the beginning of the month, the first such move in the current fiscal," officials at both JSW and Essar Steel said on condition of anonymity.

Following the increase, the price of HR-coil -- a flat product used in the automobile and white goods sectors -- is between Rs 36,000 and Rs 36,500 per tonne, which could lead to margin pressure for user sectors.

"On the back of rising input costs and strengthening of international prices over the last couple of weeks, there is a case for upward revision of steel prices," an Essar Steel spokesperson said, while declining to confirm or deny the price hike.

The price of coking coal and iron ore, the two most important raw materials for steel-making, have shot up to USD 330 a tonne and USD 180 per tonne, respectively, in recent times.

While the rise in coking coal prices is attributed to the floods in Australia, which contributes around 80 per cent of India's imports, the spurt in iron ore prices is mainly due to increased global demand.

SAIL, the country's largest steel-maker, however, refrained from effecting any hike as it believes that the cost of raw material will now stabilise, as they have already reached their peaks.

"We have rolled over the prices from May to June as we do foresee that raw material prices are now stabilising," SAIL Chairman C S Verma said.

He added that "mining in Australia is coming back to normal, so prices of coking coal should come down now."

The SAIL Chairman, however, refused to give any range for the coking coal prices at which the steel-maker will be comfortable.

A price hike for long steel products, mainly used for the construction sector, is not in the offing as rains have already started in some parts of the country, industry sources said.

Foreign investment in Indian retail still faces hurdleshttp://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/services/retailing/foreign-investment-in-indian-retail-still-faces-hurdles/articleshow/8694661.cmsNEW DELHI: India has yet to decide to allow foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail, a senior government official said, despite a government panel's recent recommendation in favour of such a policy to help fight inflation, an indication that hurdles remain.

"The issue is still at discussion stage, and no Cabinet note has been prepared in this regard by the DIPP ( Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion ))," R.P. Singh, industry secretary told Reuters.

An inter-ministerial group headed by Kaushik Basu , chief economic adviser in the finance ministry, last week recommended allowing foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail to tame inflation and cut farm gate and retail price differences.

Global retailers such as Wal-Mart and Carrefour have long sought greater access to a fast-growing but restrictive Indian retail sector that is dominated by mom and pop operators.

"It is time for India to allow foreign direct investment in multi-product retail and the IMG recommends that the government considers this at the earliest," Basu told reporters last week.

India currently allows 51 percent FDI in single-brand retail and 100 percent in wholesale cash-and-carry operations.

The industry department issued a discussion paper last year asking for inter-ministerial and public comments on opening of the multi-brand retail.

The finance ministry has not yet submitted its views on the issue, while opposition parties led by the Bharatiya Janata Party have expressed strong opposition, citing its impact on domestic industry.

Jyothy Lab completes acquisition of 50.97 pc stake in HILhttp://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/cons-products/fmcg/jyothy-lab-completes-acquisition-of-5097-pc-stake-in-hil/articleshow/8695004.cmsNEW DELHI: FMCG player Jyothy Laboratories today said it has completed acquiring 50.97 per cent stake in Henkel India (HIL), taking its total shareholding in the Chennai-based firm to 65.88 per cent.

The company has acquired 5.94 crore shares aggregating to 50.97 stake in Henkel India on May 31, 2011, Jyothy Laboratories said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

This is subsequent to its announcement last month that it would buy out Germany-based Henkel AG & Co's stake in HIL for Rs 118.7 crore.

Post the acquisition, Jyothy Lab has total of 7.67 crore shares representing 65.86 per cent stake in Henkel India, the filing added.

The company, which sells fabric wash brand 'Ujala', had earlier bought 14.9 per cent stake in HIL from the Indian promoter Tamilnadu Petroproducts for around Rs 60 crore.

Following the acquisition of majority stake in HIL, Jyothy Lab has announced an open offer for another 20 per cent at an estimated cost of around Rs 96 crore.

The open offer to acquire up to 2.32 crore shares at Rs 41.20 per share would start on June 24 and end on July 14.

If the 20 per cent open offer is fully subscribed, JLL will own 85.87 per cent in Henkel India.

"The acquisition value of total stake in HIL is being estimated at about Rs 774 crore," Jyothy Laboratories Deputy Managing Director Ullas Kamath had said.

Shares of Jyothy Laboratories were trading at Rs 216.50 in the after noon trade on the BSE, up 3.32 per cent from the previous close.

RIICO inks deal with Ultratech Cement for rail project

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/indl-goods-/-svs/construction/riico-inks-deal-with-ultratech-cement-for-rail-project/articleshow/8695119.cmsJAIPUR: Rajasthan State Industrial Development & Investment Corporation Limited (RIICO) and Ultratech Cement Ltd signed an MoU for commissioning of a railway project in Sikar and Jhunjhunu districts in the state.

The MoU was signed by RIICO Managing Director Rajendra Bhanawat and Assistant Vice-President, Ultratech Cement Ltd, Rakesh Misra. As per the MoU, RIICO will acquire 67.812 hectares of land in Sikar and Jhunjhunu districts for the project.

The company will lay a 6 km railway siding from villages Kolida and Beri in Sikar district to the plant site in village Turkani in Jhunjhunu district, Bhanawat told PTI.

Ultratech Cement Ltd is setting up a cement project worth Rs 2,500 crore and will generate direct and indirect employment to 2,500 persons.

Earlier this month, RIICO had also signed a similar MOU with Hindustan Zinc for acquiring land for a 13 km railway siding near Bhilwara.

Renault India aims 2.5 pc market share by 2013http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/auto/automobiles/renault-india-aims-25-pc-market-share-by-2013/articleshow/8695170.cmsKOLKATA: French car maker Renault on Thursday said it is aiming for a 2.5 per cent market share of the passenger car segment in India by 2013, and a five per cent market share in the long run.

"By 2013, we are eyeing a market share of 2.5 per cent, and five per cent in the long term," Renault India vice-president (sales and marketing) Len Curran said.

He was in Kolkata to launch the company's executive luxury sedan 'Renault Fluence' and added that the company would launch five new models in 2011, and 2012, out of which one would be in the volume hatchback segment.

"We are also looking at the LCV market in India," he further said.

In response to a question he said, "We are not late entrants into the Indian car market. It is the right time to make an entry".

"India will evolve as the second largest manufacturing hub in Asia after South Korea for Renault," he added.

Renault India, a joint venture of the Renault-Nissan alliance, had set up a Rs 4,500-crore greenfield plant at Chennai in the country.

The company is also looking at exports to right-hand-drive markets from India.

Renault has the second largest market share in Europe and third largest globally after Toyota and GM , Curran said.

Bosch to invest Rs 140 crore in research center, Rs 2500 crore in capacity expansionhttp://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/indl-goods-/-svs/engineering/bosch-to-invest-rs-140-crore-in-research-center-rs-2500-crore-in-capacity-expansion/articleshow/8692952.cmsBANGALORE: Automotive ancillary company Bosch India plans to invest Rs 140 crore in India to set up research center at the Indian Institute of Sciences ( IISc )). The German major will also invest Rs 2,500 crore over the next three years for capacity expansion, the company said in a press statement.

The investment would include capacity augementation, business portfolio diversification and reaserch and development. Of this investment, Bosch Ltd , the flagship company of the Bosch Group will utilize Rs 1,300 crore.

Bosch will set up a new electrical drives manufacturing facility in Chennai that will start production by 2012 and cater to the demand in the Indian market. The company will increase its workforce strength to 28,000 from 22,500 by 2013.

Mayawati announces new land acquisition policyhttp://www.ptinews.com/news/1645649_Mayawati-announces-new-land-acquisition-policyLucknow, June 2 (PTI) Under pressure over farmers' agitation, the Mayawati government in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh on Thursday announced a new land acquisition policy under which its role in acquiring land for private developers would only be that of a facilitator.

The chief minister, who held a farmers' panchayat earlier in the day to discuss their problems, announced that the new policy will be implemented with immediate effect.

Facing flak over acquiring land for private companies, the government has decided that from now on, the developers would be acquiring land directly from the farmers.

The chief minister also said that such acquisitions could only happen with the agreement of 70 per cent of the farmers in a given area. In case of disagreement, the project would be reviewed, she said.

Activity in the Oil and Gas sector (including regulatory)

BOC India eyes petroleum and petrochemicals sectorshttp://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/news-by-industry/energy/oil-gas/boc-india-eyes-petroleum-and-petrochemicals-sectors/articleshow/8694588.cmsKOLKATA: Industrial gases major BOC India, a part of the Linde group, is eyeing the petroleum and petrochemicals sectors for growth.

"We are talking to all the oil companies for setting up air separation units (ASUs) for their need," BOC India Managing Director S Menon told reporters after the company's 75th AGM here on Thursday.

He said that the company was making investments of Rs 1,200 crore for setting up ASUs for Tata Steel , SAIL and Jindal Stainless.

Two plants were getting ready for commissioning by late 2012, he said.

With the steel sector contributing more than 50 per cent of the total business, the other areas targeted by BOC India were glass, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing industry and solar photovoltaic cells.

He said the company was also in talks with JSW Bengal Steel for its proposed steel plant at Salboni, in West Bengal.

Linde AG of Germany bought out BOC Group Plc of UK, following which the former's stakeholding in BOC India stood at 89.48 per cent.

Company secretary P Marda said since regulation required Linde group either to delist or dilute up to 75 per cent in the company, it was probable that the parent company would opt for the second route.

Militant Activity/Terrorism (Particularly in Bangalore, Mumbai, Noida, Chennai, Coimbatore)

Maoists kill a villager, release anotherhttp://www.ptinews.com/news/1644940_Maoists-kill-a-villager--release-anotherSasaram, Jun 2 (PTI) CPI(Maoist) activists who had abducted two villagers, killed one and released another at Pararia village in Bihar's Rohtas district today, a senior police official said.

Heavily-armed Maoists had abducted two persons, Shatrughan Mahato and Shashi Mahato from the village yesterday, Superintendent of Police Manu Maharaj said.

The ultras killed Shatrughan Mahato and threw his body on road near the village this morning, he said, adding that later the body was recovered.

The Maoists, however, released Shashi who returned home safe today, the SP said.

The ultras carried out the operation as they suspected that the two were passing information to the police about their activities in the area, he said.

A combing operation has been launched in the area to track down the Maoists, the SP added.

Suspected ISI agent held in Roorkeehttp://www.ptinews.com/news/1645491_Suspected-ISI-agent-held-in-Roorkee

Dehra Dun, Jun 2 (PTI) A suspected ISI agent, who was providing vital information related to Army installations in Meerut and Roorkee to an officer of the Pakistani spy agency, was arrested near Haridwar, a police official said today.

Furkan alias K K alias Ajay, a resident of Meerut in Haridwar district, was arrested from Roorkee railway station last night while he was about to catch a train, following a tip-off by a team of district police and special operations group, Haridwar Senior Superintendent of Police Kewal Khurana said.

Furkan was in touch with an ISI officer in Pakistan, identified as Major Rathod, for a long time and was providing him maps, photographs and other vital information of Army installations in Meerut and Roorkee through e-mail, he said.

He was being given Rs 5,000 per month by the ISI for providing the information to the agency, the SSP said.

UNLF leader arrested in Guwahatihttp://www.ptinews.com/news/1645539_UNLF-leader-arrested-in-GuwahatiGuwahati, Jun 2 (PTI) A dreaded leader of the Manipur-based banned insurgent outfit UNLF, M J Joysing, was arrested along with two others here today, officials said.

'Captain' Joysing alias Suresh Singh of the United National Liberation Front (UNLF) was picked up by a joint team of army and police from his rented house in Japorigog area, they said.

A woman cadre, who was used as a messenger was also caught along with Joysing, while another militant of the outfit was picked up from a private hospital where he was undergoing treatment, the officials said.

The trio were staying in the rented house for the last seven months for conducting subversive activities.

Several laptops, two mobile handsets and documents were recovered from the house.

Labor/Social Unrest

Three killed, one injured in firing in WBhttp://www.ptinews.com/news/1645323_Three-killed--one-injured-in-firing-in-WBAsansol/Kolkata, Jun 2 (PTI) Three persons were shot dead and another person seriously injured today after a gang of armed assailants fired on workers at a building construction site at Asansol Court More in Burdwan district, police said.

The incident took place this morning when 12 miscreants arrived at the site and started firing indiscriminately, in which builder Lakhan Yadav(45), his personal security guard and a construction worker were killed on the spot, they said.

A police picket has been set up in the area and the border with Jharkhand and Bihar sealed to prevent escape of the culprits, believed to be members of a coal mafia, they said.

In the state secretariat in Kolkata, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee told reporters that strong action would be taken against those involved in the incident.

12 injured in clash in UPhttp://www.ptinews.com/news/1645601_12-injured-in-clash-in-UPAgra, Jun 2 (PTI) 12 persons were injured, including 3 policemen, when tear gas shells and rubber bullets were fired during a clash between police and locals near here, police said.

The clash saw protestors yesterday blocking the Agra?Kota railway line by removing fish plates and protests on the Agra-Jaipur highway near Fatehpur Sikri, they said.

The locals of Korai and nearby villages were protesting the alleged tardy progress in the muder case of Rakesh (40), his wife Guddi (35) and their two children Akash (8) and Dolly (6). All four had been hacked to death with an axe on May 23.

The decision to block traffic on the road and rail links had been taken by a Mahapanchayat held in Nagla Bohra on Tuesday. This was attended by Rashtriya Lok Dal leader Babul, former MLA Pooran Prakas and sitting RLD MLA from Goverdhan Brijesh Kumar.