Politics

Trade deficit narrows on 77 percent drop in gold imports

New Delhi, Feb 12 (ANI): India's trade deficit narrowed in January, helped by a 77 percent drop in imports of gold and silver while exports ticked up, improving the outlook for the country's fragile current account balance. The Trade Ministry said it had recommended easing curbs on gold imports, prompted by the brighter trade picture.

Feb 12, 2014

China expresses interest in developing stronger bond with India

New Delhi, Feb 12 (ANI): Chinese state councillor, Yang Jiechi, said that China looks forward to strengthen bilateral ties with India and to work in harmony with India on the five principles of peaceful co-existence - a pact formed by the two countries 60 years ago. Speaking at the launch ceremony of the "year of China-India friendly exchanges",in New Delhi, Yang said that border talks with India have yielded "initial results", facilitating peaceful relations. Meanwhile, Yang also said that he had held a meeting with India's National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon to discuss additional confidence building measures and the meeting had yielded positive results.

Feb 12, 2014

Gas pricing issue being raised for years, no new allegations: Sitaram Yechury

New Delhi, Feb 12 (ANI): Senior Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leader Sitaram Yechury said that his party has been raising the issue on gas pricing for years in the parliament and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal is late in his decision to order a probe in the case. Kejriwal directed anti-corruption branch to file criminal cases against Oil Minister Veerappa Moily, former Oil Minister Murli Deora, Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani and others following complaints of irregularities in pricing of natural gas. Yechury also added that Third Front parties have always been against the hike in gas prices and on their insistence an empowered group of ministers, to be headed by the President, was formed to look into the matter.

Feb 12, 2014

Construction work on railway line from Jiribam to Tupul, in Manipur, in full swing

Manipur, Feb 11 (ANI): Work on the rail project connecting Manipur's Jiribam subdivision and Tupul in Tamenglong district, near Imphal, is in full swing. It is expected to be completed within three years at an estimated cost of around Rs 4,445 crores. A team of officials recently inspected the tunnels being constructed as part of the project. A total of 107 minor bridges, 7 major bridges and 3 Road Over Bridges and 2 Road under Bridges have been constructed so far. Four out of the 34 tunnels have also been completed. The railway bridge being constructed at Khumji village would also be the world’s highest railway bridge.

Feb 12, 2014

Experts discuss growing threat of Maoism in the Northeast

Guwahati, Feb 11 (ANI): “Responding to the Maoist Spread in India’s Northeast” was the title of a seminar organized by Guwahati-based think-tank, the Centre for Development and Peace Studies. Members of the civil society, government officials, journalists and NGOs shared their views about the challenge Maoists have been posing in the region. It is evident that Maoists have set up base in Upper Assam, close to Arunachal border, and are working closely with northeast based insurgent outfits.

Feb 12, 2014