PTI - The Press Trust of India Ltd. articles from September 2005

PTI - The Press Trust of India Ltd. archives from September 2005

Durban, Aug 31 (PTI) Alleging that some powerful countries, including among permanent members, were employing tactics to obstruct UN reforms, South Africa has warned that member States may not reach an agreement on the draft document before world le aders meet in New York especially with the US proposing hundreds of new amendments.
September 1, 2005... "Everything must start from scratch now," Foreign Minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma said addressing the country's Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs about the amendments submitted by the U S to a document dealing with UN reform. The US...

New York, Aug 31 (PTI) An erratic Sania Mirza managed to pull up her socks in time and over powered Maria Elena Camerin of Italy 6-4 1-6 6-4 to move into women's singles third round at the US Open Grand Slam tennis here today.
September 1, 2005... Sania was far more fluent in her strock making than in the first round, yet let the game meander far too long with too many unforced errors. The 18-year-old Indian, despite losing serve in the third game, build up a 4-1 lead in the first...

Washington, Sept 1 (PTI): First of its kind in military deployment if implemented, the US Army is planning to use unmanned robotic vehicles for surveillance in Iraq where troops were exposed to grenade attacks and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) e xplosions.
September 1, 2005... 'Tactical Amphibious Ground Support' or TAGS as the robotic vehicle is called is built by a subsidiary of Northrop Grumman. Each vehicle weighs 3,400 pounds and can travel up to 25 miles per hour with a payload of 2,400 pounds. "This first...

Washington, Sep 1 (PTI) A group of robots created by Massachusetts Institute of Technology scientists are playing a role in helping stroke victims regain mobility by retraining paralysed limbs and simulating new brain activity, a media report has sa id.
September 1, 2005... "Robotic therapy represents a paradigm shift in rehabilitation methods since it introduces technology into what has hitherto been a hands-on process," Neville Hogan, a professor of mechanical engineering and brain and cognitive sciences at MIT,...

Washington, Sept 1 (PTI): India has conveyed its deep sympathies to the US over the loss of lives and enormous damage caused by Hurricane Katrina.
September 1, 2005... Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and External Affairs Minister Natwar Singh yesterday send seperate messages to US President George W Bush and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice respectively to express sympathies for the tragedy in New Orleans...

London, Sept 1 (PTI): Two NRIs -- steel tycoon Lakshmi Mittal and ready made meals manufacturer Sir Ghulam Noon -- today found their way into the 'Asian Power List' prepared by Institute of Asian Professionals here.
September 1, 2005... Mittal, who is worth 25 billion pounds this year as per Forbes estimates, and Gulam Noon, whose Noon Products turns out 1.2 million ready-to-eat meals a week, were selected in the Asian Power List. A study published by the Institute said...

London, Sept 1 (PTI): A mother of south Asian origin and her two children were killed when they jumped in front of a high speed Heathrow-bound train at Southall railway station here.
September 1, 2005... According to the police, the 27-year-old woman leapt from a platform yesterday in front of the 160-kmph train with her nine-month old boy and five year-old daughter. The incident disrupted the train service for over four and a half hours....

Washington, Sept 1 (PTI): US President George W Bush has said that it would take "years" for the country to recover from one of the worst natural disasters of its history, Hurricane Katrina, which had claimed hundreds of lives.
September 1, 2005... "We're dealing with one of the worst natural disasters in our nation's history. This recovery will take a long time. This recovery will take years," Bush told reporters here after returning to the capital cutting short his Texas holidays to...

Washington, Sep 1 (PT) The National Federation of Indian American Associations, an umbrella organisation of various associations representing Americans who trace their roots to India, has launched a campaign to raise funds for the victims of Hurrica ne Katrina that has caused havoc in the Gulf states.
September 1, 2005... All funds collected will be handed over to the American Red Cross and other charities, NFIA President Rajen Anand said here yesterday. The NFIA, which took the initiative to help the victims of the deadly Tsunami in Asia and raised funds...

Washington, Sept 1 (PTI): The Bush administration will have an Indian-origin to advice the President as White House announcing its intension to nominate Santanu K Baruah as an Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development.
September 1, 2005... The announcement came yesterday as a communique saying that White House "intends" to nominate Baruah as the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development. The Oregon-based former management consultant is currently serving as the...

Washington, Sep 1 (PTI) The United States has decided to grant more rights to all those persons who were accused of war crimes and tried before US military commissions.
September 1, 2005... Announcing this, US Brigadier General Thomas L. Hemingway told reporters here yesterday that the revised rules have been approved by Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld. Those being tried or their counsel will have access to documents...

Beijing, Sept 1 (PTI): About one million scraps of broken porcelain, some of which may be up to 800 years old, were unearthed recently from an enormous pit in downtown Beijing, the Beijing Municipal Cultural Heritage Bureau said here.
September 1, 2005... However, the discovery has raised some puzzling questions for archaeologists, such as the origins of the pit itself and the long-lost techniques used in making the porcelain, according to the Beijing Academy of Cultural Heritage Studies. ...

Beijing, Sept 1 (PTI): Days after Kazakhstan allowed China's bid to acquire PetroKazakhstan, Beijing has rewarded the neighbouring Central Asian nation by supporting Astana's bid to join the World Trade Organisation.
September 1, 2005... China and Kazakhstan yesterday signed a protocol of bilateral negotiations between the two governments for Kazakhstan's accession to the WTO, the official Xinhua news agency reported last night. Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi and visiting...

Beijing, Sept 1 (PTI): China is seeking "fair" and "reasonable" boundary demarcations with its neighbours and has so far signed border treaties or agreements with 12 neighbouring countries, except India and Bhutan, settling 90 per cent its land boun daries, the state media reported today.
September 1, 2005... With 14 neighbouring countries and a total of 22,000 kilometres of land boundaries, China is a country with the longest land border lines and the largest number of neighbours in the world, the Director General of the Chinese Foreign Ministry's...

Washington, Sep 1 (PTI) Though the damage following the Hurricane Katrina is yet to be fully assessed, economists and other experts believe the disaster will rack up insured losses of upto USD 25 billion and would surpass the USD 21 billion stemming from Hurricane Andrew in 1992, analysts said.
September 1, 2005... "This will be one of the - if not - the biggest single event in terms of insured losses in US history," said Julie Rochman, spokeswoman at the American Insurance Association. The biggest worry is that fallout from the storm will propel...

London, Sep 1 (PTI) The Indian Overseas Congress (IOC) has honoured three non-resident Indians, including Pavan Varma, the Director of Nehru Centre here, for their outstanding contribution to the community.
September 1, 2005... The NRI body awarded gold medals to Varma, Sonjoy Chatterjee, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ICICI Bank, UK and Dilbagh Singh Chana, MBE, President of Sikh Temple Ramgarhia Sabha at Southall here last night. Indian High...

Mumbai, SEPT 1 (PTI) The National Stock Exchange (NSE) Mumbai Inter-Bank mibid rate (MIBID) and Mumbai Inter-Bank offer rate (MIBOR) at 9.40 a. M. Today.
September 1, 2005... NSE - Mibid 4.99 pct Standard Deviation 0.0090 pct NSE - Mibor 5.06 pct Standard Deviation 0.0049 (THROUGH ASIA PULSE)

New Delhi, Sept 1 (PTI): State-owned HMT Ltd is talking to Mitsubushi for collaborating in manufacturing of multi-utility vehicles and some other vehicles, targeting the rural market.
September 1, 2005... "A team from HMT had visited Mitsubushi and now a team from Mitsubushi is expected in the next few weeks to take the discussions forward," Secretary in the Ministry of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises, Priyadarshi Thakur told newspersons...

New York, Sep 1 (PTI) An erratic Sania Mirza managed to pull up her socks in time and overpowered Maria Elena Camerin of Italy 6-4 1-6 6-4 to reach the third round of women's singles at the US Open Grand Slam tennis here.
September 1, 2005... Sania was far more fluent in her stroke making yesterday than in the first round, yet let the match meander far too long with too many unforced errors. The 18-year-old Indian, despite losing serve in the third game, built up a 4-1 lead in...

Mumbai, Sep 1 (PTI) The scrip of K K Birla controlled HT Media Ltd today opened at Rs 685 per share at a premium to the issue price of Rs 530 at listing on the Bombay Stock Exchange Ltd.
September 1, 2005... The stock, which hit a high of Rs 731 per share and a low of Rs 621 per share in early morning deals, is currently trading at Rs 638 per share. The 100 per cent book-built issue, which opened for bidding on August four, 2005 and closed on...

New Delhi, Sep 1 (PTI) Car market leader Maruti Udyog Ltd today reported a 9.5 per cent rise in sales in August this year at 46,509 units against 42,480 units in the same month last year, despite a slight slowdown in exports.
September 1, 2005... The decline in the numbers of the 'M800' model, however, continued with sales dropping 18.7 per cent to 7,084 units from 8,713 units in August 2004. Domestic sales grew by a strong 10.8 per cent to 41,717 units in August this year from...

New Delhi, Sept 01 (PTI): Finance Minister P Chidambaram at Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) annual Convention.
September 1, 2005... New Delhi, Sept 01 (PTI): Finance Minister P Chidambaram at Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) annual Convention : Release of UNCTAD's Trade and Development Report 2005 : Nasscom interaction on IT Act amendments : Petroleum...

Brussels, Sept 1 (INEP) The strategic partnership between India and the 25-nation European Union is being strongly backed by members of the European Parliament, ahead of next week's India-EU summit in New Delhi. The European Parliament's Foreign Aff airs Committee is calling for far greater co-operation between the EU and India.
September 1, 2005... In a draft resolution to be adopted next week, the Committee is both giving its full support to the India-EU strategic partnership and calling for extra funding for its implementation. Its members note that the US has aspirations for a...

New Delhi, Sep 1 (PTI) TVS Motor company today said it would hit the Indonesian market by October next year with its step-thru vehicle.
September 1, 2005... "We are expecting the trial production from our Indonesian plant by July-August next year and the products will hit the market by October," TVS Motor Company CMD, Venu Srinivasan said on the sidelines of the SIAM Annual Convention here. ...

Jammu, Sept 1 (PTI): Two Hizbul Mujahideen militants, including a self-styled area commander of the outfit, were apprehended while another ultra belonging to the Harkat-ul-Jehadi Islami surrendered before the army in Jammu division, police sources s aid here today.
September 1, 2005... The two ultras, identified as Javed Ahmed Rather alias Zuber-ul-Islam, Tehsil Commander of HM and his associate Javed Ahmed Bhat alias Azmal, were taken into custody by intelligence sleuths during the checking of a hotel in Jammu city, they...

Mumbai, Sep 1 (PTI) Buoyed by strong global trend, the Bombay Stock Exchange's 30-share Sensex today rallied sharply and was quoted 81 points up at 7886.48 level on heavy flow of investments from institutional investors amid high crude prices.
September 1, 2005... The Benchmark Sensex (Sensitive Index) opened moderately up at 7818.90 as against yesterday's close of 7805.43 and later surged up to a high of 7896.13 before being quoted at 7886.48 at 10.30 am, up by 81.05 points. Foreign Institutional...

Mumbai, Sep 1 (PTI) The rupee recovered partly against the US currency early today on light exporter dollar sales amid a distinctly weak dollar overseas even as sentiments have shown a slight improvement due to cooling crude oil prices.
September 1, 2005... In cautious trade at the Interbank Foreign Exchange market (forex) here this morning, the rupee was quoted at 44.0850/0925 per dollar in late morning deals, a moderate recovery from Wednesday's close of 44.14/15 per dollar. The Rupee...

Dharam Shourie.
September 1, 2005... New York, Sep 1 (PTI) Thousands of people were feared drowned in the flooded US city of New Orleans after monster hurricane Katrina wrecked havoc there, triggering a mass exodus by survivors and rampant looting. With flood waters rising...

Mumbai, Sep 1 (PTI) Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) has increased debt component for investment in the new projects like 700 MW Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWR) which have equity component of about Rs 11 bn.
September 1, 2005... The overnight cost of nuclear power plant is about Rs 52 mn per MW and based on the debt equity structure 70:30, currently adopted for other central sector power projects, the estimated equity requirement of a 700 MW PHWR is about Rs 11 bn,...

New Delhi, Sept 1 (PTI): Toyota Kirloskar Motor Ltd (TKML) today said it is considering entering the small car segment in India.
September 1, 2005... "We need to have something in the small car segment. We are serious about it," TKML, Managing Director Atusushi Toyoshima said on the sidelines of Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM) Annual Convention here. "We are working to...

V Mohan Narayan.
September 1, 2005... Islamabad, Sep 1 (PTI) The Foreign Secretaries of India and Pakistan today held talks here to review the progress in the Composite Dialogue Process and to chalk out a strategy to give a further push to the peace initiatives. During their...

Mumbai, Sep 1 (PTI) HT Media today said it is looking at newer markets in the Hindi belt and eyeing the southern region for its English paper.
September 1, 2005... The media company also has immediate plans to foray in the radio business. "We are going to consolidate our position in Hindi where we are looking at newer markets," HT Media Vice-Chairperson and Editorial Director Shobhana Bhartia told...

K J M Varma.
September 1, 2005... Islamabad, Sep 1 (PTI) The United States has offered to sell two Perry class naval frigates to Pakistan navy besides providing eight long-range maritime patrol aircraft fitted with Harpoon missiles. The offer for sale "has been made by the...

Arvinder Kaur.
September 1, 2005... New Delhi, Sep 1 (PTI) Call it a genuine desire to deliver quality or a mere strategy to attract the customer, every other company in the market is going in for an 'ISO' certification. From a lassiwalla to those selling namkeens and...

New Delhi, Sep 1 (PTI) Rahul Bajaj has reached an 'in-principle' agreement with his brother Sishir Bajaj on division of the Bajaj empire, but the mercurial chairman of the two-wheeler major said the settlement had been delayed due to tax implication s.
September 1, 2005... "We were thinking that the whole thing will be settled by September, but now it has been delayed due to tax implications," Bajaj said on the sidelines of SIAM annual convention here. "We are supposed to give Sishir Rs 180 crore over and...

Jerusalem, Sept 1 (PTI): A top US defence official is visiting India this month to discuss possible arms sales to New Delhi, including the Patriot PAC-3 anti-missile system, considered the principal competitor to the Israeli Arrow, a media report sa id here.
September 1, 2005... The head of the Defence Cooperation Security Agency in the Pentagon, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Kohler, will discuss possible arms sales to India during his visit. Kohler, who is in-charge of US military export in the Defence Department, will...

Ashish Shukla.
September 1, 2005... Harare, Sep 1 (PTI) India seems to have ridden over the fitness crisis to two of their key batsmen ahead of the critical Videocon Cup cricket tri-series clash against New Zealand here tomorrow. Captain Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag,...

Mumbai, Aug 31 (PTI) HDFC Bank Chairman Jagdish Capoor has been appointed as the Chairman of Bombay Stock Exchange Ltd, which has recently turned into a corporate entity.
September 1, 2005... Capoor, who has also served as the deputy governor of Reserve Bank of India (RBI), was appointed the chairman of BSE by the governing board of the bourse, BSE said in a release. (THROUGH ASIA PULSE)

Kozhikode, Sept 1 (PTI): The Housing Development Finance Corporation has recorded an increase of about 30 per cent in its growth rate in Kerala as against the all-India rate of 28 per cent in the first quarter of the current fiscal, a top HDFC offic ial said today.
September 1, 2005... "The growth rate in the state has been overwhelming in recent years, following a steady increase in loan disbursements", HDFC Regional Manager (Tamil Nadu and Kerala) Mathew Joseph told reporters here. HDFC's operations in Kerala had shown...

New Delhi, Sep 1 (PTI) The centre's fiscal deficit rose to Rs 77,4.80 bn during first four months, which is more than 50 per cent of the budget estimate of Rs 1,511.44 bn for the entire 2005-06.
September 1, 2005... The fiscal deficit till July works out to 2.2 per cent GDP while revenue deficit was close to 2 per cent of GDP. According to Controller General of Accounts, the fiscal deficit was Rs 774.80 bn during April-July 2005-06 or 51.3 per cent of...

London, Sept 1 (PTI): Britons of Asian origin, including Indians, generate a whopping 103 billion pounds for the UK economy, a study indicated today.
September 1, 2005... Although they constitute just 2.5 per cent of the total population, Asians account for ten per cent of the national economic output, the study by the Institute of Asian Professionals said. Business leaders on the institute' Asian Power List...

Beijing, Sep 1 (PTI) China today opposed US assistance to other countries on missile defence systems, saying it will negatively impact global strategic stability, and warned Washington against shielding arch-rival Taiwan with such high-tech gadgetry .
September 1, 2005... "China does not wish to see a missile defence system produce negative impact on global strategic stability, bring new unstable factors to international and regional peace and security, erode trust among big powers, or undermine legitimate...

Sri Lanka says no to Tiger talks venue.
September 1, 2005... Colombo, Sep 1 (PTI) Sri Lanka today rejected an LTTE proposal to hold crucial peace talks in the rebel-held territory of Kilinochchi, dealing a blow at efforts to revive the island's stalled peace process. Government spokesman Nimal...

Jerusalem, Sept. 1 (PTI) Warning of strict action against persons trying to seize land and property in the settlements evacuated by Israel, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has said they will be used to promote Palestinian interests, a m edia report said here.
September 1, 2005... "The lands belong to the entire Palestinian nation and must be utilised in a way that would serve its interests," Ynetnews quoted Abbas as saying. About Israel leaving behind hotels, university and civil structures, he said "we must...

Mumbai, Sep 1 (PTI) Mahindra & Mahindra today reported an increase of 44 per cent in its tractor sales for August 2005 at 5,688 units as compared to 3,939 units sold in the same month last fiscal.
September 1, 2005... Cumulative tractor sales for the April-August 2005 period rose 38 per cent at 32,272 units over 23,341 units in the same period previous fiscal, the company said in a release. Total industry had grown by approximately 17 per cent in the...

New Delhi, Sept 1 (PTI): Hero Honda Motors Ltd, the country's biggest bike maker, today reported a strong 28.5 per cent rise in sales in August this year at 2,46,304 units as against 1,91,635 units in the same month last year.
September 1, 2005... The company's sales in the first five months of the current fiscal grew 15.6 per cent to 11,63,921 units compared to 10,06,412 units in the corresponding period last fiscal, the company said in a press statement. During the month under...

Beijing, Sep 1 (PTI) The provincial observatory of east China's Fujian Province today issued the top-level 'black alarm' alert against the imminent Typhoon Talim even as some 2.86 lakh people have been relocated to safer places.
September 1, 2005... Taiwan's National Fire Agency today said that two men had been drowned and at least 39 injured as a result of the typhoon hitting the island. According to a report released by the observatory, the centre of Talim was at sea about 260...

Mumbai, Sep 1 (PTI) Varun Shipping has acquired its ninth LPG carrier 'Maharshi Mahatreya' having a cargo carrying capacity of 35,559 cbm.
September 1, 2005... The vessel acquisition was financed out of its resources and long-term loan from ICICI Bank, the company sources said here today. The company has the largest LPG fleet in the country with approximately 75 per cent of the total tonnage...

Former Vietnam refugees visit comrades' graves Pasir Puteh(Malaysia), Sep 1 (Bernama) A delegation of about 70 former Vietnamese refugees who are now settled in United States and Australia on Wednesday visited the graves of 162 of their comrades who drowned off the Kelantan coast in 1978 during their bid to find freedom.
September 1, 2005... The group prayed and performed Buddhism rites for their comrades at a Thai Wat temple in Cherang Ruku here. Three decades ago, Vietnamese who felt slighted under Communist-rule had made a desperate bid for freedom, paying between USD3,000...

Mumbai, Sep 01 (PTI) Reserve Bank of India (RBI) today fixed the Reference rate for the US currency at Rs 44.1200 per dollar and the single European unit at Rs 54.3800 per Euro from Rs 44.0400 and Rs 53.8000 respectively yesterday.
September 1, 2005... In a press release issued here by the apex bank, the exchange rates of Great Britain Pound and Japanese Yen against the rupee have been given as Rs 79.5312 per pound and Rs 39.81 per 100 yen respectively, based on the reference rate for US...

New Delhi, Sep 1 (PTI) Interviews to select top brass of Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd have been postponed following objections by its Chairman Subir Raha to the manner in which the process was being conducted by the oil ministry.
September 1, 2005... Public Enterprise Selection Board was to hold interviews for the post of managing director and director (finance) on August 30 and 31 but they have now been postponed by three-four weeks, sources said. MRPL became a PSU on March 28, 2003...

Mumbai, Sept 1 (PTI): Natco Pharma Ltd today said it has allotted 1,79,793 equity shares upon conversion of FCCBs.
September 1, 2005... The company has alloted 1,79,793 equity shares to the FCCB holders who had exercised their right of conversion of bonds into equity shares, Natco pharma informed the Bombay Stock exchange. (THROUGH ASIA PULSE)

New Delhi, Sept 1 (PTI): Bajaj Auto, the country's second- biggest bike maker, today reported an impressive 40 per cent jump in motorcycle sales in August this year at 1,49,415 units against 1,06,745 units in the same month last year.
September 1, 2005... The strong growth was on account of highest ever sales of its 'Pulsar', 'Wave' and 'Avenger' models, second highest ever sales of other models such as 'Discover' and 'CT100' coupled with the second highest exports at nearly 24,000 units, the...

Hyderabad, Sep 1 (PTI) To partly finance its expansion plans, city-based NCL Industries Ltd will soon come up with a rights issue.
September 1, 2005... "We have taken up a mega expansion plan with an outlay of Rs 67 crore. While about Rs 45 crore is being raised through debt, we will go for a rights issue valued at about Rs 22 crore (equity worth Rs 2,277 lakh)," NCL Industries Managing...

Mumbai, Sept 1 (PTI): Power and jelly-filled telecom cables manufacturer, GR Cables Ltd today said it had bagged an order worth Rs 93 lakh for Polyethylene insulated jelly filled (PIJF) and switch board cables.
September 1, 2005... The Hyderabad-based company received the order for PIJF and switch board cables from private customers and expects to further receive 5 pair PIJF orders from different BSNL circles, it informed the Bombay Stock Exchange. (THROUGH ASIA...

Mumbai, Sept 1 (PTI): Sarang Chemicals Ltd today said it has bagged an order worth Rs 4.2 crore from Kenya-based Bio-Deal Laboratory.
September 1, 2005... The order which is expected to be completed within three months, would involve the export of product dyes and textile chemicals by Sarang Chemicals to Bio-Deal Laboratory, Sarang Chemicals informed the Bombay Stock Exchange. The company...

New Delhi, Sep 1 (PTI) In what could be music to ears of foreign investors, Steel Minister Ram Vilas Paswan has assured manufacturers that scarcity of iron ore would not be a hurdle to setting up steel plants in India.
September 1, 2005... Though the right of leasing mines rest with state governments, the minister said the Centre would interact with states and remove any bottlenecks in the way of implementation of projects. Interacting with both private and public steel...

New Delhi, Sept 1 (PTI): Daimler Chrysler India today said it will introduce its premium heavy commercial vehicle, Actros, by early next year and its next generation of S-class luxury cars will hit the market later in 2006.
September 1, 2005... "We are at the end of the homologation stage of Actrose and we intend to introduce in the market early next year through Completely Built Units (CBU)," Daimler Chrysler India, CEO, Hans Michael Huber said on the sidelines of SIAM Annual...

Mumbai, Sep 1 (PTI) Seven-time world billiards champion Geet Sethi predicted a bright future for the 9-Ball Pool game in India, the fastest growing cue sport in the world, if India can find a hero who makes waves in the world professional circuit.
September 1, 2005... "It will explode if we can find a hero, a maverick, who makes it to the world professional circuit and does well there and is constantly seen on television. Already I see signs of more and more people taking up the game (during the ongoing...

Mumbai, Sept 1 (PTI): Tata Consultancy Services today said the five-year multi-million euro contract it bagged from Dutch bank ABN AMRO would provide ideal platform to grow in emerging markets in Latin America and continental Europe.
September 1, 2005... "The landmark engagement is expected to generate committed revenues for TCS of over 200 million Euro over the next five years," TCS said in a release. In addition to the significant annual revenues it would generate, this was the first...

Mumbai, Sept 1 (PTI): Gayatri Sugars Ltd (GSL) today said it is planning to establish a cane molasses based distillery unit at a cost of Rs 25 crore in Andra Pradesh.
September 1, 2005... The company is planning to establish the 40 KL Per Day Cane molasses based distillery unit based on latest technology to manufacture rectified spirit and Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA) or Ethanol from molasses. The cost of the project is estimated...

Anil K Joseph Beijing, Sept 1 (PTI): China and the United States have failed to reach an agreement on resolving serious differences over surging Chinese textile exports to American markets.
September 1, 2005... The three-day negotiations between China and the US, aimed at resolving disputes over textiles trade "broke down" today, the US embassy here said in a statement. David Spooner, special negotiator for textile at the US Trade...

Chennai, Sept 1 (PTI): Legendary Australian fast bowler Dennis Lillee today launched a new range of upscale seafood products of Sea Food Club, a division of Chennai-based seafood exporter Seaeyes Systems Ltd.
September 1, 2005... The Sea Food Club's exclusive new salmon range include Alaskan smoked pink Salmon fillet, canned salmon in brine, salmon pickle and salmon sausage. Chennai-based Tech-Eye Consulting, a marketing consulting firm headed by Minnie Menon had...

Mumbai, Sep 1 (PTI) Chola Midcap Fund has declared a dividend of 20 per cent of Rs 2 per unit on the face value of Rs 10.
September 1, 2005... This is the fourth dividend since the launch of the fund in August 2004, the company said in a release here today. The record date for the dividend is September 19. The net asset value of the fund as on September 31 last year stood at...

New Delhi, Sep 1 (PTI) In one of the largest outsourcing deals, ABN Amro bank has signed a 1.8 billion Euro contract with five IT-vendors including Tata Consultancy Services, Infosys and IBM.
September 1, 2005... TCS and Infosys, India's two largest private IT companies, would provide application support and enhancement to ABN Amro bank for its worldwide operations, while IBM has been selected for IT infrastructure, according to ABN Amro bank's...

K J M Varma.
September 1, 2005... Islamabad, Sep 1 (PTI) Pakistan Supreme Court has struck down as "unconstitutional" a radical act passed by Islamist alliance-ruled North West Frontier Province authorising an ombudsman to oversee the implementation of religious laws and...

Colombo, Sep 1 (PTI) Sri Lanka today rejected an LTTE proposal to hold crucial peace talks in the rebel-held territory of Kilinochchi, dealing a blow at efforts to revive the island's stalled peace process.
September 1, 2005... Government spokesman Nimal Siripala de Silva said the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) has offered to stage the meeting in Kilinochchi, but the government turned it down. Kilinochchi, around 330 kilometres north of here, is the main...

Gwalior, Sep 1 (PTI) India need a tearaway fast bowler who can send shivers down the opposition batsmen before the 2007 World Cup, according to former India cricketer Atul Wassan.
September 1, 2005... "We need a tearawy fast bowler with raw pace who is unpredictable and can push the opposition on the backfoot with a few quick wickets," said the cricketer turned commentator here. Without downplaying the contributions of Irfan Pathan,...

New Delhi, Sept 1 (PTI): C S Verma today assumed charge as the new Director (Finance) of state-run engineering major Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd.
September 1, 2005... Prior to joining BHEL, Verma served as Director (Finance) on the Board of public sector telecom company ITI for more than three years, a BHEL release said. Verma has over two decades of professional experience and has worked with a number...

New Delhi, Sep 1 (PTI) Prices remained lower on the wholesale pulses market today on sluggish demand against increased arrival from neigbouring states and closed with further losses.
September 1, 2005... Marketmen said increased arrivals from producing centres against reduced offtake mainly led to fall in prices. Moong Rajasthan remained weak at Rs 2400-2450 from Rs 2525-2600 a quintal on increased supplies. Dal moong chilka followed...

Chennai,Sept 1 (PTI): GE Consumer Finance, the global consumer-lending unit of the General Electric Company (GE), will foray into banking in India in the next 18 months, a top executive of the company said today.
September 1, 2005... "We are holding talks with the RBI and we will be entering into banking in the next 18 months," Vishal Pandit, President and CEO of GE Money India, told a news conference here while launching 'GE Money' in South India and Chennai. He said...

Bangalore,Sept 1 (PTI): DSP Merrill Lynch Mutual Fund is launching `Super S. I. P', where investments made through a monthly systematic investment plan also provide the investor with a life insurance cover.
September 1, 2005... "The idea is to facilitate investors to save regularly with a financial goal in mind and to provide a life insurance to cover the likely deficit in savings because of the premature death of the investor," senior executives of the Fund told a...

New Delhi, Sep 1 (PTI) There was not much activity on the wholesale steel and iron market today with prices moving in a narrow range in limited deals and settled around previous levels.
September 1, 2005... Traders said negligible enquiries from consuming units mainly kept prices steady. Following were today's quotations per tonne: CTD saria (kamdhenu) 8-mm, 28,000, 10-mm, 27,600, 12-mm 27,400, 16-20 mm 27,400 and 25-mm Rs 27,500. Rathi...

Lucknow, Sep 1 (PTI) Expressing serious concern about the country's financial health, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today warned that economic progress could be hindered if the mounting fiscal deficit of 9 to 10 per cent of the national income was n ot contained.
September 1, 2005... "I feel concerned about the financial health of the country. The collective fiscal deficit of the Centre and states is 9 to 10 per cent of our national income," he said after launching the LIC "Bima Gold" policy here. If the deficit was...

Hockey stalwart slams IHF Sirshendu Panth Kolkata, Sep 1 (PTI) Hockey stalwart Keshav Datt today slammed the Indian Hockey Federation for its inability to chalk out a long-term plan and called for infusing fresh blood into the national squad by sack ing over-the-hill players.
September 1, 2005... Describing India's recent performances, including the seventh place finish at the Rabo Trophy in Netherlands as "pathetic", Datt said the players looked "incohesive" with individual brilliance showing up only in patches. Datt, a member of...

New Delhi, Sep 1 (PTI) Steady conditions developed in the wholesale plastic market today as most of the polymer prices moved in a narrow range in the absence of any worthwhile buying by plastic molding units.
September 1, 2005... Marketmen said lack of enquiries against adequate stocks mainly kept prices steady. Following were today's quotations per kilo: LD No 40 - 68.50, LD No 400 - 69.50 , LDP blowing 63.50, colour 63 HD molding (deshi) 62, HD molding (colour)...

New Delhi, Sep 1 (PTI) Prices of select base metal prices improved on the wholesale non-ferrous metal market today following fresh industrial buying influenced by higher London Metal Exchange advices and ended higher.
September 1, 2005... Marketmen said increased industrial offtake along with higher advices from London Metal Exchange (LME) mainly pushed up select base metal prices. Nickel plate (4x4), (9x9) and (4x24) attracted fresh buying and quoted higher at Rs 792-877,...

New Delhi, Sep 1 (PTI) Quiet conditions were seen on the wholesale grains market today with prices moving in a tight range in scattered buying or selling and settled at last levels.
September 1, 2005... Traders said negligible enquiries against adequate stocks mainly kept prices steady. Following were today's quotations per quintal: Wheat MP (deshi) 925-1100, wheat dara (for mills) 752-754, chakki atta (delivery) 754-756, Chakki atta...

New Delhi, Sep 1 (PTI) Almond and Pistachio prices spurted in the wholesale dry fruit market today on pick up in demand amidst higher overseas avices and closed with noteable gains.
September 1, 2005... Elsewhere, other commodities remained flat in some deals. Traders said pick up in demand in the wake of higher overseas advices mainly led to rise in Almond and Pistachio prices. Almond California and (girdhi) were quoted higher at Rs...

New Delhi, Sep 1 (PTI) The local kirana market depicted a recovery trend today with prices of watermelon and poppy seed rising on reports of strong outside advices amidst increased demand and closed with fresh gains.
September 1, 2005... The volume of business also improved to some extent. Traders said reports of firming trends from producing regions amidst tight stocks position helped select prices to improve. Watermelon kernel flared up by Rs 400 to conclude at Rs...

New Delhi, Sep 1 (PTI) A steady trend was seen in the wholesale chemical market today with prices moving in a narrow range on lack of buying interest and settled around previous levels.
September 1, 2005... Marketmen said negligible enquiries from consuming industries mainly kept prices steady. Following were today's quotations: Ammonia bicarb (25 kg) 260-270, ammonium chloride (50 kg) 450-900, acetic acid (1kg) 42, boric acid-technical (50...

Lucknow, Sep 1 (PTI) Uttar Pradesh's hopes to get loads of development assistance from the Centre were dashed today and all that it got from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh was a veiled rebuke.
September 1, 2005... The Prime Minister, who was here to attend the gloden jubilee celebrations of LIC, noted that the state lagged behind on several fronts. "The literacy rate in the state is low. I also watched reports on TV about deaths due to...

Bangalore, Sep 1 (PTI) The 1.8 billion Euro contract that ABN Amro has signed with five IT vendors signifies a trend towards strategic global sourcing, Infosys Technologies CEO, President and Managing Director Nandan M Nilekani said today.
September 1, 2005... Infosys bagged the contract along with four other IT-vendors -- TCS, IBM, Patni Computers and Accenture. "This is a landmark deal for Infosys," Nilekani said, adding that "this deal clearly indicates that large offshore players like us...

New Delhi, Sep 1 (PTI) Promising youngster Ajeetesh Sandhu has won a scholarship to hone his skills at the prestigious David Leadbetter Golf Academy in Florida, USA.
September 1, 2005... The 17-year-old Chandigarh player, runner-up at the 2004 Asia Masters in Bangkok, is the first Indian to win the scholarship. A beaming Ajeetesh, who was called at DLGA for a week's evaluation at the end of July, told reporters here that...