Press Trust of India
CAIRO, 1 JULY: Egypt’s powerful army today warned that it will intervene if people’s demands were not met within 48 hours after millions took to the streets demanding the resignation of beleaguered President Mohamed Mursi, as at least 16 people were killed in clashes across the country.
“The armed forces reiterates its call that the demands of the people be met,” a televised statement from the armed forces said, giving political parties a 48-hour period “as a last chance to bear the historical burden that the nation is currently facing.”
The statement gave a 48-hour ultimatum to political parties to “fulfil the people’s demands,” otherwise the armed forces would present a political “roadmap” for the country that would include all political currents.
“The Egyptian Armed Forces have set a deadline, which ended yesterday, for all political powers to reconcile and end the current crisis, but no progress has been made. Consequently, the Egyptian people have taken to the streets,” the statement said.
“The Egyptian Armed Forces will not become involved in politics or administration; it is satisfied with its role as is spelt out in line with democratic norms,” it said, stressing that Egyptian national security was in “great danger”.
It also referred to the armed forces’ “responsibility” to step in if national security was threatened.
Army’s statement was greeted with joy by thousands of protesters, who have been demanding 61-year-old Musri’s resignation. “Come down Sissi, Morsi is not my president,” the protesters chanted, calling on the country’s army chief, Abdel Fattah al-Sissi, to intervene.
Earlier, anti-government protesters also stormed the national headquarters of Muslim Brotherhood here. They also ransacked the six-storey building and set it on fire.
State media quoting the country’s Health and Population Ministry said the nationwide toll from 30 June protests stands at 16, with the total number of injuries estimated at 743 in 17 governorates.
In the capital here, thousands of people massed at the iconic Tahrir Square ~ the epicentre of pro-democracy protests in 2011~ under the banner of Tamarod (Rebellion) movement which is driving the campaign with a petition of signatures seeking Morsi’s ouster and a snap election.
“We give Mohamed Morsi until 5:00 pm (1500 GMT) on Tuesday 2 July to leave power, allowing state institutions to prepare for early presidential elections,” Tamarod said in a statement on its website.
The statement warned that Mr Mursi would face a campaign of civil disobedience if he did not leave power by tomorrow.

Press Trust of India
HOUSTON, 1 JULY: An elite team of 19 firemen were killed battling a rapidly spreading wildfire destroying scores of homes and forcing the evacuation of two towns in central Arizona, in one of deadliest incident of its kind in the USA after nearly 80 years.
All the firefighters died while racing to contain the contain the Yarnell Hill wildfire, north of Phoenix, after the blaze destroyed the town yesterday, forcing people to flee.
US President Barack Obama hailed the firefighters killed as “heroes”.
“They were heroes ~ highly-skilled professionals who, like so many across our country do every day, selflessly put themselves in harm’s way to protect the lives and property of fellow citizens they would never meet,” Mr Obama said in a statement today.
“The federal government is already assisting, and we will remain in close contact with state and local officials to provide the support they need,” he said as he headed to Tanzania on the final leg of an official tour of Africa with his family.
“But today, Michelle and I join all Americans in sending our thoughts and prayers to the families of these brave firefighters and all whose lives have been upended by this terrible tragedy,” said Mr Obama.
The firefighters were part of a specially trained “hotshot” unit who had battled other wildfires in New Mexico and Arizona in recent weeks, officials say.
The fire, believed to have been ignited by lightning, broke out on Friday and according to local forestry officials has already covered 2,000 acres, spreading rapidly through the dry, forested area amid strong winds.
An estimated 500 homes have been ravaged by the deadly blaze which came amid a scorching heatwave and tinder-dry conditions across the US southwest, with records broken over the weekend in Arizona and California.
Residents of Yarnell Hill and Peeples Valley were being evacuated due to the blaze that is believed to have been started by lightning, officials said on a fire alert website.
Arizona State Forestry Division spokesman, Mike Reichling, said that an estimated two hundred firefighters are now battling the flames. Federal authorities are expected to arrive with additional force to help tackle the disaster.
Mr Reichling expects 400 people to join the battle against the deadly blaze, which will also involve numerous water carrying aircrafts. About 250 firefighters, including two Type 2 crews, three Type 1 crews and four engines are at the scene at present, Mr Reichling said. Three Type 1 crews, seven helicopters, two air tankers, four single engine air tankers, and multiple engines and air tankers were ordered.
The Red Cross has opened a shelter at Yavapai College in Prescott, the Sheriff’s office said.
According to the US Fire Administration, there has been 43 firefighter fatalities reported so far in 2013 before this incident. A total of 83 firefighters died last year while on duty.
Figures from the National Fire Protection Association, a non-profit organisation, show that these deaths are the worst firefighter fatalities from a wildfire since 29 firefighters died fighting a blaze in Los Angeles’ Griffith Park in 1933.
Yesterday’s deaths also mark the largest loss of firefighter lives on US soil since the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Centre, when 340 firefighters were killed, according to NFPA statistics.
Record and near-record temperatures left much of the US southwest sweltering over the weekend, with Death Valley in California equalling the hottest ever June temperature in the USA, at 54 degrees Celsius. As of today, there are over 40 active blazes in the states of California, Arizona and New Mexico.

Press Trust of India
PUNE, 1 JULY: Scam-tainted Suresh Kalmadi was today ousted as the president of the Asian Athletics Association (AAA) after he lost his re-election bid to Qatar’s powerful rival Dahlan Jumaan Al-Hamad in a tight contest, bringing an end to the veteran administrator’s 13-year reign at the helm.
Mr Kalmadi, who was jailed and later released on bail for his alleged role in the Commonwealth Games (CWG) scam, lost 18-20 in the presidential elections held on the second and final day of the AAA Congress at a five-star hotel.
All the 45 member countries of the AAA voted through secret ballot in the presence of international parent body International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) chief Lamine Diack. There were seven invalid votes. Each country has one vote in the election.
Mr Kalmadi, a former Indian Olympic Association President, will also lose his membership of the IAAF Council which he has been holding since 2001 as he is no longer an area representative from the continental body.
Today’s defeat also marked the end of 69-year-old Congress MP’s career as a sports administrator as he has already quit from any such post in the country last year after he was charge-sheeted and jailed for his alleged role in the CWG scandal.
The electoral reverse has now led to speculation on whether he would now announce retirement from sports administration since he no longer has any posts. He will though automatically become a life president of the AAA, an honorary post given to all past presidents, and can attend the Congress of the continental body without any voting rights.
Qatar Athletics Federation President Al Hamad, who is also the incumbent senior vice-president of the AAA as well as the IAAF, will hold office for just two years instead of four.
An AAA source said that the term of its president was curtailed so that it runs concurrently with that of the IAAF chief and it will revert to four years from 2015 onwards.  “Al Hamaad will be president for only two years as AAA is changing cycle so that it is in sync with IAAF from 2015,” the official said.
Incumbent IAAF chief Lamine Diack’s term runs from 2011 to 2015.
Mr Kalmadi’s loss in the election is a big disappointment for him considering that the Congress of the AAA was being held at his home town, which he is representing in the Parliament, and Asian Championships begin here from 3 July.
It’s a sort of history repeating itself after 13 years as Mr Kalmadi had ousted the then incumbent Bob Hassan of Indonesia in a tight presidential election in Jakarta in 2000. Since then Mr Kalmadi had returned as president unopposed thrice.
Understandably, the Kalmadi camp was disappointed and said that the invalid votes might have tilted the balance in favour of Al Hamad. Some reports though have mentioned the uneasiness of his continuing as AAA chief due to his alleged role in the CWG scandal. “We knew that it would be a tough fight but we were expecting Kalmadi to win. The invalid votes could have tilted the balance in favour of Al Hamad,” an Athletics Federation of India source said.
The AFI had forwarded Mr Kalmadi’s name for the president’s post as they did not want to lose a seat in the AAA. Mr Al Hamad, who was banking on the 12 votes from the Arab Block, had planned for the election meticulously. He reached Pune early and held separate talks with officials of other countries.
While announcing his candidature in May, Al Hamad had said if elected he would bring more sponsorship money while also stating that the sport in the continent lacks proper marketing.
"There are a lot of opportunities in Asia which we still do not utilise. I see the opportunity is there, but we are not trying to bring that opportunity through constructive planning. We lack in marketing side," Mr Al Hamad had said.
“The IAAF has many Asian sponsors. But AAA is not sponsored by anybody. And why? Because we are not prepared. We don’t have that final product to present. That’s why we have to have it. And I believe that business people don’t come to you unless you are really prepared and you have the right product for them. So we need to have the right product for them, the right programme, the right staff, and then businesses come.”
The Kalmadi camp said he had done a lot for the growth of athletics in the last 13 years by increasing the number of competition.
“Before 2000, there were just two competitions ~ Asian Junior and Asian Senior Championships. Now we have so many other competitions ~ Asian Grand Prix Series, Asian All Star, Asian Marathon, Asian Walk Championships. So he has done a lot for Asian Athletics,” an official from the Kalmadi camp had said.
 

statesman news service
KURSEONG, 30 JUNE: In its strategy to organise its indoor party meeting for the revival of its organisational strength, the GNLF supporters have also had to face some stiff opposition of threats and today finally, it has been alleged that a group of GJMM activists finally carried the warning and attacked them at Kaharay Khola in Kurseong, this afternoon.
It was learnt that three persons have been injured and presently admitted at the Kurseong Sub-divisional Hospital, Kurseong.
They have been identified as Mr Sangay Rumba, resident of Chimney, Mr Mahesh Singh and Mr Bimal Tamang, residents of St. Mary&’s Hill.
It was learnt that for the past few days, the GNLF party had been busy organising its different indoor meetings at different places in Kurseong sub-division.
They had organised one of its political meetings in the heart of Kurseong town at Gorkha Jan Pustakalaya yesterday, after a long wait of five years just to meet together.
Following the trend, today too, the party was planning to organise their meeting which was scheduled to be held at Gorabari near Sonada.
One of the GNLF supporters, Mr Sangay Rumba (48), who has been hospitalised in Kurseong after the skirmish at Kaharay Khola, said: "We were to organise another of our party&’s indoor meetings at Gorabari near Sonada but following the disturbance there by the GJMM supporters, the police administration requested us to cancel our meeting."
He said: "Accordingly we had cancelled the meeting and were returning home when a vehicle carrying GJMM activists followed and overtook us at Kaharay Khola. They stopped our vehicle and started raining stones on us. We were also attacked with “khukuri”, a sharp weapon. Had I not caught hold of the khukuri, I would have been hacked to death. There were six of us, including the driver, when we were assaulted."
Mr Rumba also claimed that he has identified two of the attackers in the group and has named the GTA Sabha member Mr Anosh Thapa and GJMM Youth leader Mr Premendra Gurung.
Notably, Mr Rumba, a known GNLF activist, had been earlier assaulted by GJMM supporters at his village in Chimney in which his house and motorbike had also been torched.
On the other hand, the GJMM leadership and GTA members denied any involvement of its cadres in the incident and said that a handful of GNLF supporters are only trying to disturb the peaceful environment in the Hills.
“They have betrayed the Hill people for 21 long years and now again they are provoking the Hill people towards violence when peace and development in the Hills is being carried out by the GTA,” a GNLF supporter said.
A police officer said: "An FIR has been filed by Sangay Rumba against the GTA Sabha Member and senior GJMM Leader Anosh Thapa and others. An investigation is on. However, no one has been arrested so far."

statesman news service
GANGTOK, 30 JUNE: The musical Organisation of Musician and Artists of Sikkim have organised a fund raising programme for the victims of Uttarakhand floods.
"The members of the OMAS will be performing at M.G Marg, Gangtok starting from 29 June till 6 July to raise funds for the victims. We will have local artists and singers, Miss Sikkim Participants and Miss Himalaya today for the fund raising program,” informed the president of the organisation, Ms Neha Pradhan.
The week-long fund raising program is likely to have renowned figures from Gangtok as informed by the president Ms Pradhan. The fund raising program is being organised by OMAS in collaboration with the Hill Development Organisation. On 29 June, performances were given by Manumit, Hema, Tshering Leeyong, Bo-Singh and Neha herself.
The program will be held from 1 to 6 p.m. during the weekdays and in the weekends it will start from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.

statesman news service
KURSEONG 30 JUNE: After a gap of around five years, the Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF), party organised its meeting (see sns photo) in the heart of Kurseong town at Gorkha Jan Pustakalay in Kurseong, yesterday.
During the meeting, GNLF representatives from different places in Kurseong sub-division area were present, including the GNWO convenor Mrs Tshering Dahal and the party Kurseong branch president Mr Nima Lama.
Meanwhile, the speakers mainly emphasised that the best political solution for the people of Darjeeling Hills is the implementation of the Sixth Schedule which itself is also a step forward to achieve the paramount aspiration of a separate state of Gorkhaland.
Mrs Dahal claimed that there can no comparison between the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration set up and the Sixth Schedule as the GTA does not have constitutional guarantee while the latter has one. She said: " The Sixth Schedule will never divide the people on caste lines but it is a tool to create a state of Gorkhaland instead."
She said: "The Hill people did not pay their electricity bills under the directives of the GJMM in the name of Gorkhaland during their non-co-operation movement. Now, as they were not able to bring Gorkhaland, it is their duty to pay the bills. They must create Gorkhaland as promised if the people are to pay the electricity dues."
She also said: "In 1988 when the Darjeeling Accord was signed, the Indian Government recognised the Gorkhas as Indian citizens. It was in this backdrop that police could not use firearms against people when the GJMM led the Gorkhaland agitation. In 1986, we had to face bullets but had it not been for the 88 accord the GJMM could not have led the agitation with songs, dance and smiles on their faces."
Another speaker, Mr Lhadup Ghisingh, a leader from Mirik said: "Some of the former DGHC casual employees are being victimised on political lines and on that pretext have been transferred to other places on low salary by the GTA. This sort of political vendetta on such workers will be firmly dealt with by the GNLF party."
The Party Kurseong unit president, Mr Nima Lama, said: "Today&’s programme has been organised to encourage the people in support of the Sixth Schedule. The way in which we could organise such a meeting after several years, itself speaks volume of the advent of democracy in the Hills. If today is a quarterfinal, then the semis and the finals are yet to come in the Kurseong town arena."
The spokesperson, Mr Daya Dewan, said: "We are happy that we could organise the programme in the midst of the town although there was some tension brewing up in the morning," adding, "the GTA Sabha members and GJMM activists pressurised the Gorkha Jan Pushtakalaya authorities not to allow the venue for such a political meeting."
He further claimed that they will organise and observe Sahid Diwas on 27 July in the memory of those who sacrificed their lives in the 1986-88 Gorkhaland agitation.
He also said that the GJMM can organise their own Sahid Diwas of the three or four martyrs they have who had died during the second phase of the Gorkhaland agitation. 
"It is the sole prerogative of the GNLF to observe Sahid Diwas on 27 July as it was under the party that the 1,200 martyrs have given their lives for the sake of achieving Gorkhaland," he said.
On the other hand, a large contingent of Kurseong police personnel and IRB forces were deployed to provide tight security by the administration so as to avoid any kind of untoward incidents and to maintain law and order.

statesman news service
BALURGHAT, 30 JUNE: The rural polls for South Dinajpur district having been delayed for 16 days from its proposed scheduled date on 9 July as per verdict of the Supreme Court, the district CPI-M leadership has at the same time also decided to gear up for the rural poll campaign drive during this extended period in presence of the different state level leaders till 25 July, the newly scheduled day for the commencement of rural vote for the district.
According to the district CPI-M leaders, the senior state level CPI-M leader and party&’s central committee member Md Salim is currently visiting the district to boost the sagging morale of the rank and file ahead of the rural polls.
According to senior CPI-M leaders, the district CPI-M is currently is on the back-foot after Gangarampur police lodged a case against five senior top level district leaders, including former state small scale industries minister Mr Narayan Biswas, party district secretary for South Dinajpur Left Front convener Mr Manabesh Choudhury, former Gangarampur municipality chairman Mr Balaram Ghosh, acting Gangarampur municipality chairman Mr Subal Basak and the local CPI-M leader Mr Achinta Chakraborty, charging them with instigating violence during the cooperative society elections at Damdama on 23 September last year.
Police have already arrested Mr Balaram Ghosh, Mr Subal Basak and Mr Achinta Chakraborty while Mr Narayan Biswas and Mr Manabesh Choudhury are reportedly absconding till date.
It is learnt that that the leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly, Mr Surya Kanta Misra, will address a public rally on 4 July at Kumarganj.
Senior party leader Mr Gautam Deb will also address a public rally on 5 July at Gangarampur to instill spirit in the district CPI-M leaders and workers.
Mr Salim called the arrest of those CPI-M leaders and the arrest warrant issued against the later two absconding party leaders a part of a Trinamul-hatched conspiracy to malign the party and its leaders.
“Police filed a politically-fabricated case at the Trinamul Congress’ behest. We will organise a public rally soon in the presence of state level party leaders at Gangarampur,” he said.

statesman news service
RAIGANJ, 30 JUNE: Police arrested Malay Kundu ~ a trader of crackers and a resident of Mahendraganj in Kaliaganj of North Dinajpur district ~ from Malda district last night.
He was one of the accused of the recent bomb explosion in a godown in Kaliaganj where three died and nine were injured. Police last night arrested him from Bashbari in Malda. He was produced before court today from where he was remanded in 10-day police custody.
It was reported that three persons died and another nine were injured when highly explosive bombs serially exploded in a godown near Vivekananda more in the jurisdiction of Kaliaganj municipality in the Kaliaganj police station area of North Dinajpur district at around 10 p.m. on Wednesday. The bombs had started exploding when labourers were unloading maize from a lorry in the godown. Some of the houses near the spot and a dhaba were badly damaged as a result of the bomb explosions. 
Police came to know that the godown was owned by one Dulal Dutta of Kaliaganj. The explosives were dumped by Kalachand Kundu and Malay Kundu ~ the traders of crackers of Mahendraganj in Kaliaganj. The leaders of different political parties and a section of locals believed that some highly explosives were dumped along with crackers. Police then called a forensic expert to judge the nature of explosives.
The IC, Kaliaganj police station, Mr Simanta Bandapadhyaya, said: "We arrested one of the accused Malay Kundu from Basbari in Malda district last night. He was produced before court today. He was sent for a 10-day police remand. The  other two accused are still absconding. We have started an investigation to arrest them soon."

agencies
SALVADOR, 30 JUNE:  Gianluigi Buffon saved three penalties as an under-strength Italy edged Uruguay 3-2 in a penalty shootout Sunday to secure third place at the Confederations Cup following a 2-2 draw after extra time.  It was a measure of redemption for Italy after a loss to Spain, also in a shootout, in the semifinals. This shootout capped an entertaining match at the Arena Fonte Nova, where Alessandro Diamanti scored one goal and set up another for Italy and Edinson Cavani equalized twice for Uruguay. Italy defender Davide Astori opened the scoring in the 24th minute and Cavani scored his first in the 58th.
Diamanti restored Italy’s lead in the 73rd and Cavani drew Uruguay level again five minutes later, with both late goals coming from free kicks.
The extra half hour could not separate the sides and so the 12-yard test decided the contest.
Forlan – who also missed in the semi against Brazil – fluffed the first kick and though Cavani and Luis Suarez netted it was not enough as Alberto Aquilani, Stephan El Shaarawy and Emanuele Giaccherini found the net.

press trust of india
NEW DELHI, 30 JUNE: State Bank of India customers will have to pay Rs 60 per year for getting SMS alerts, a move which is likely to be followed by other public sector lenders.
“With effect from the quarter ending June 2013, SMS charges of Rs 15, inclusive of service tax, per quarter will be recovered,” SBI said in an announcement.
The country’s largest bank, which has about 18.5 crore customers, did not specify whether the charges are for special alerts only or even debit or credit card transaction alerts sent as per regulatory guidelines will also come under this.
Private sector banks ICICI and HDFC are already charging Rs 60 per year, excluding service tax, for sending special SMSes other than withdrawal and deposit alerts to its customers.
At present, service tax rate is 12 per cent and education cess is three per cent of the service tax amount.
Kotak Mahindra Bank charges Rs 25 per quarter for SMS alerts and updates.
SBI’s fee income during the fourth quarter of financial year 2012-13 declined by 8.13 per cent to Rs 3,873 crore as compared to Rs 4,216 crore in the corresponding quarter.
On an annual basis, the fee income fell by 5.02 per cent to Rs 11,484 crore in fiscal 2012-13 as against Rs 12,091 crore in fiscal 2011-12.
Last month, Canara Bank announced a levy of about Rs 112 as annual fee on its ATM debit cards from 1 July.
The bank, which currently issues the cards free of cost, said in a circular that a need has been felt to offer the services at competitive rates in tune with “market trends”.
“It has been decided to charge a nominal fee of Rs 100 per card plus applicable service tax on completion of one year from the date of issue/renewal of the card and thereafter to be charged yearly,” it said.
Several other banks, including SBI, also charge an annual fee in the same range.
Canara Bank further said the annual fee will not apply to debit cards issued to customers with Canara Small Savings Account, Basic Savings Bank Account and Financial Savings Bank Account.

The deal, largest foreign investment proposal in the aviation sector, is facing regulatory hurdles with various ministries raising major concerns over the ultimate control of Jet Airways post transaction

press trust of india
NEW DELHI, 30 JUNE: The Prime Minister’s Office has sought clarifications from ministries concerned, including commerce and industry, on the proposed Rs 2,058-crore Jet-Etihad deal.
The deal, largest foreign investment proposal in the aviation sector, is facing regulatory hurdles with various ministries raising major concerns over the ultimate control of Jet Airways post transaction.
Government sources said the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has sought clarifications on the Jet Airways selling stake to Abu Dhabi-based Etihad Airways from ministries and departments concerned, including commerce and industry, civil aviation and corporate affairs.
Nature of the clarifications sought, however, could not be immediately ascertained.
The Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB), which clears FDI proposals, on 14 June had deferred a decision on the deal citing control and ownership issues.
“We need more details on effective control and ownership,” economic affairs secretary Arvind Mayaram had said.
Under the proposed transaction, Jet would sell its 24 per cent to Etihad Airways.
Concerns have been primarily raised on the proposed ownership and control structure of the domestic airline. Besides, capital market regulator the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), fair trade watchdog CCI and department of industrial policy and promotion (DIPP) also have reservations about the deal. Post transaction, Jet Airways promoter Naresh Goyal would directly own 51 per cent in the airline.
The FDI policy for civil aviation allows foreign airlines and FIIs to invest up to 49 per cent in an Indian airline, while NRIs are allowed to invest 100 per cent.

MUMBAI, 30 JUNE: IndiGo Airlines may lose a good chunk of its commanders to AirAsia India as around 100 of its pilots have applied for jobs with the proposed carrier, said sources.
Besides a hefty package that AirAsia India is offering to the pilots, there are other reasons like better working conditions for these pilots to move out, said Indigo sources.
“As many as 100 commanders have sought jobs with AirAsia India. And this is not only for higher packages, but also for better working conditions,” airline sources said.
AirAsia, in collaboration with Tata Sons and Telestra TradePlace of Arun Bhatia, plans to launch a budget airline by the end of the year with its headquarters in Chennai.
“An IndiGo commander’s average take-home salary is around Rs 3.20-3.30 lakh a month, which is below the industry level. As against this, AirAsia India is offering a take-home salary of Rs 4-4.20 lakh a month,” sources said. pti

press trust of india
NEW DELHI, 30 JUNE: India’s largest software exporter TCS is planning to sack 172 employees at its Finland offices by August as part of the process to streamline its operations.
Perturbed by the development, Finnish workers have alleged the move by the company is an attempt to maximise profits at the expense of employee rights.
Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has a registered office in Helsinki and has an employee strength of about 800 in Finland. It had started talks with employee representatives on 23 April this year on layoffs.
The negotiations were concluded earlier this month and the firm said that at present 172 employees with Finnish contracts can either take a severance package or apply for redeployment opportunities across TCS.
“After staffing of the new organisation, currently there are 172 employees with Finnish contracts who are eligible for taking the industry-standard severance package offered or to choose the option of applying for redeployment opportunities across TCS,” a TCS spokesperson said.
Meanwhile, country’s fourth-largest software services provider HCL Technologies may sack 140 staff at its Finland office, a move, employees alleged, is an attempt to replace local workers with cheaper talent from India.
HCL has a delivery centre and office in Espoo and it is currently in negotiations with the employee representatives over the move to cut jobs. The negotiations commenced earlier this month and will last for about six to eight weeks.
The employees who face job threats are actually former Nokia staff who were transferred to HCL Technologies in March 2013 as per an agreement signed between the two companies.
When contacted, an HCL Technologies spokesperson said: “Any change to requirements in client projects is essentially a matter of discussion between HCL, its client(s) and unions where needed. We do not respond to speculation on such matters.”

statesman news service
KOLKATA, 29 JUNE: With land acquisition remaining a severe obstacle for the expansion of national highways, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has decided to go ahead with repair work instead.
The ministry recently issued a letter to the state chief secretary, Mr Sanjay Mitra, sanctioning Rs 78 crore for carrying out repairs on two stretches of NH-31D, which connects Siliguri with Jalpaiguri; these are Phulbari to Moynaguri and Moynaguri to Dhupguri.
The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) had earlier taken an initiative of expanding the two-lane highway into a four-lane one as well as repairing the two stretches.
However, the expansion work was stalled following land acquisition problems, as a result of which the repair work too was put on hold. NHAI officials had argued that it was pointless to carry out repairs since it would be taking up four-laning work in any case. It was considered convenient to undertake both tasks together.
Now, with the problem of land acquisition remaining unsolved, the authority has decided to undertake repair work for the time being. The condition of the highway is pathetic and chief minister Miss Mamata Banerjee has blamed the NHAI several times for not undertaking any repair work. 
Earlier, the NHAI had written several letters to the state government pointing out the problems faced in expanding the national highways. However, despite several meetings with district officials, the state government had failed to resolve the issue.

statesman news service
KOLKATA, 29 JUNE: Panchayat poll contestants have expressed reservations over the rural poll schedule coinciding with Rathyatra and Ramzan.
While Leader of the Opposition, Dr Surjya Kanta Mishra, squarely blamed the government for the election schedule clashing with religious festivals, PCC chief Pradip Bhattacharya felt that the state election commission should set aside a time between 12 noon and 1.30 p.m for prayers.    
   

press trust of india
ALMORA/DEHRADUN, 29 JUNE: Two weeks after flashfloods and landslides devastated Uttarakhand, there is no clarity on the death toll; Assembly Speaker Govind Singh Kunjwal today claimed it may cross 10,000, while Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde pegged the figure at 900.
In Almora, Mr Kunjwal said: “Earlier, when I returned from a tour of the Garhwal region, I believed the casualty figure could be 4,000-5,000. But now, as per my information and bodies being seen by people, I can say the figure can cross the 10,000 mark.”
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna, however, trashed Mr Kunjwal’s claim, saying true figures will come out once the debris have been cleared.
Mr Shinde, who was in Mumbai also countered Kunjwal&’s claim. “According to my information, last night, the toll was 900,” he said.
Rescue work in the Badrinath area resumed during the day after some delay due to bad weather and 1,313 pilgrims, including some villagers, were evacuated ~ 600 by helicopters and the remaining by road, chief secretary Subhash Kumar told reporters in Dehradun. He said about 500 people still remain to be evacuated.
Efforts are also being made on a war-footing to ensure supply of essential relief material to over 600 villages in Rudraprayag, Chamoli and Uttarkashi districts, which are cut off after the floods. So far, 2,379 metric ton wheat and 2,875 metric ton rice have been dispatched to villages.
The frequently changing weather is hampering work as relief material can be supplied only by air, officials said.
 

statesman news service
MUMBAI, 29 JUNE: Owning up the misfired attempt on gangster Abu Salem’s life, Karachi-based don Chota Shakeel has virtually thrown a challenge to the Mumbai police, saying he is determined to liquidate Salem as he has not only ditched Dawood Ibrahim Kaskar, but also joined hands with underworld enemy Chota Rajan who is holed up either in Malaysia or Thailand, police sources said.
Salem evaded two bullets fired by contract killer JD or Devendra Jagtap, but one brushed his arm.
It is now a no holds barred gang-war, apprehend Mumbai Police, sources said.
Yesterday, Shakeel called up a reporter of a mainstream daily on behalf of Dawood to clarify “Salem might have escaped with a bullet injury, but we will not leave him alive for his betrayal of Bhai.” The cops too suspect that Salem ~ who is facing trial in the 12 March 1993 Bombay serial blasts as one of the main conspirators with Dawood and Shakeel ~ may be passing on inside information about Dawood and his men in Karachi as well as Mumbai to Chhota Rajan.
Shakeel has purportedly said he hired professional shooter JD through Vijay Shetty, a Dawood Ibrahim henchman. JD was once was a trusted shooter of Chhota Rajan, but is now a contract killer. Police sources say they are probing a claim that the Karachi mafia had given him Rs 5 lakh supari (contract) to kill Salem, who escaped by a whisker three days ago at Navi Mumbai’s Taloja Prison as soon he was back from the sessions court in Mumbai. Jagtap, his co-inmate, faces various offences.
Investigation so far suggest Shetty met JD at the sessions court and conveyed to him the offer to kill Salem. The revolver used by JD had been in his possession for almost two months.
The attack exposes the callous security at the Taloja Prison.
Maharashtra&’s home minister Mr RR Patil has suspended prison-in-charge Mr Sanjay Sable and four constables for gross negligence and security lapses. Mr Patil has asked additional DGP (prison) Mrs Meeran Borwankar to conduct an exhaustive investigation so that such attacks do not recur.
Salem was earlier attacked with sharp weapons inside Mumbai’s Arthur Road Jail following which he was transferred to Taloja, but that has not diminished the threat to his life.
Salem and his erstwhile companion actress Monica Bedi were repatriated by Portugal several years ago following a Red Corner Notice circulated by the Interpol, as he was wanted in the ’93 blasts. The Union government had given an undertaking that even if found guilty, Salem would not be given death sentence. Last year, Portugal tried to get back Salem’s custody saying he was not safe in India. The demand for his return to that country may now be revived. Apparently, his lawyers are working on it.