Business News – Newsletter for February 27, 2011

Punjab on a ‘high’, to guzzle over 350 mn liquor bottles

CHANDIGARH – This is one “high” that is going to hit Punjab hard but will leave the state government cash rich.

The Punjab government has announced a 10 percent hike in quota of liquor for the next year that is slated to leave the exchequer richer by Rs.728 crore. The state government is eyeing a …. Read the original article  : here.

Mahindra ups corporate support to Indian theatre

NEW DELHI – Corporate support to Indian theatre has got a fresh shot in the arm with the Mahindra Group hiking from Rs.60,000 to Rs.75,000 its honorarium to troupes nominated for the sixth Mahindra Excellence in Theatre Awards (META) that will host 10 plays in the capital March 2-7.

Every year, we pay the troupes … Read more : Mahindra ups corporate support to Indian theatre.

Golden returns from silver push prices to all-time high

NEW DELHI – Unrest in the Arab world has been rocking Indian stocks, taking the bottom out of key indices, but it has also led to the prices of silver, of which the country is the largest importer, soaring to an all-time high.

“Silver prices have sky rocketed as much as 240 percent in the … Original source on Gaea Times at : Golden returns from silver push prices to all-time high.

Incredible India comes to Washington

WASHINGTON – Incredible India in its myriad wondrous colours is all set to make a splash in this American capital with “Maximum India”, a mega festival celebrating its cultural diversity.

The 20-day cultural extravaganza opening Tuesday at the prestigious John F. Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts here on the Potomac river also promises …. Source article  : Incredible India comes to Washington.

Indian defence deals worth $42 billion up for grabs

NEW DELHI – India is in the process of signing defence deals worth nearly $42 billion, including a $10.4-billion deal for 126 multi-role combat aircraft, making it one of the most attractive markets for both global and domestic arms industry, an industry study has concluded.

The joint study by industry body Confederation of Indian Industry …. Source  : Indian defence deals worth $42 billion up for grabs.

UN slaps sanctions on Libya

New York, Feb 27 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The UN Security Council Sunday adopted a resolution imposing sanctions on Libya.

The resolution introduces “targeted measures” against the current Libyan leaders.
The sanctions, designed to end violence in the north African country, include a total arms embargo, freeze of certain accounts and travel bans.
The draft resolution was …. Read the original article  : UN slaps sanctions on Libya.

First batch of 291 evacuees from Libya reach Delhi (Second Lead)

NEW DELHI – The first batch of nearly 300 Indians evacuated from strife-torn Libya landed here in a special Air India flight close to midnight Saturday. Minister of State for External Affairs E.Ahamed and Foreign Secretary Nirupama Rao were present at the airport to receive them.

“The first plane, a Boeing 747, carrying 291 passengers …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : First batch of 291 evacuees from Libya reach Delhi (Second Lead).

First batch of evacuees from Libya reach Delhi

NEW DELHI – The first batch of nearly 300 Indians evacuated from the strife-torn north African nation of Libya landed here in a special Air India flight close to midnight Saturday, officials said.

“The first plane, a Boeing 747, carrying 291 passengers from (Libyan capital) Tripoli landed here by 11.55 p.m. It took off … Read more »»».

Northeast ignored in rail budget: Tripura minister

AGARTALA – Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee ignored the northeast in the rail Budget and focussed only on her home state West Bengal, a minister in Tripura’s Left Front government said Saturday.

Like previous years, the infrastructure and industry-starved northeastern region was again ingnored in the railway budget for fiscal 2011-12, state Transport Minister Manik Dey …. Original source  : Northeast ignored in rail budget: Tripura minister.

First batch of evacuees from Libya reaching Delhi midnight

NEW DELHI – The first batch of Indians evacuated from the strife-torn north African nation of Libya will land here in a special Air India flight close to midnight Saturday, officials said.

Meanwhile, three Indian Navy ships have sailed to Libya to help in the evacuation of the 18,000 Indians in the country, while [..] Read the original article: here.

Gaddafi won’t destroy oil wells, says his son

Tripoli, Feb 26 (IANS/AKI) Muammar Gaddafi would never destroy the country’s oil wells — its main source of wealth — to quash the anti-government protests, the Libyan leader’s son Saif al-Islam has said.

As the world’s 12th largest oil exporter, Libya has the potential to unsettle the global economy if its violent anti-government … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Gaddafi won’t destroy oil wells, says his son.

Let black money remain in Swiss banks: Arvind Kejriwal

NEW DELHI – Eminent social activist and Magsaysay award winner Arvind Kejriwal Saturday said the black money stashed in Swiss bank by Indians should be left there as it will never be properly used if it comes back to the country.

Let the Indian money in Swiss bank remain there, at least it is safe. … Original article on : Let black money remain in Swiss banks: Arvind Kejriwal.

First batch of evacuees from Libya to reach India midnight

NEW DELHI – The first batch of Indians evacuated from the strife-torn north African nation of Libya will land here close to midnight Saturday, an Air India official said.

“The first plane carrying 291 passengers from (Libyan capital) Tripoli will land here by 11.45 p.m. It took off at 4.30 p.m. from there,” a … Read more : First batch of evacuees from Libya to reach India midnight.

Gaddafi won’t destroy oil wells, says his son

Tripoli, Feb 26 (IANS/AKI) Muammar Gaddafi would never destroy the country’s oil wells — its main source of wealth — to quash the anti-government protests, the Libyan leader’s son Saif al-Islam has said.

As the world’s 12th largest oil exporter, Libya has the potential to unsettle the global economy if its violent anti-government … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Gaddafi won’t destroy oil wells, says his son.

Gaddafi won’t destroy oil wells, says his son

Tripoli, Feb 26 (IANS/AKI) Muammar Gaddafi would never destroy the country’s oil wells — its main source of wealth — to quash the anti-government protests, the Libyan leader’s son Saif al-Islam has said.

As the world’s 12th largest oil exporter, Libya has the potential to unsettle the global economy if its violent anti-government … Original article on : Gaddafi won’t destroy oil wells, says his son.

Tamil Nadu gives tax incentives to 10 investors

CHENNAI – Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister M.K. Stalin Saturday handed over government orders and letters of support extending tax incentives to 10 companies including Mahindra and Mahindra (M&M), Indian Oil and Samsung India, who are setting up facilities or expanding their existing ones in the state.

Auto major M&M, which has committed to invest …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Tamil Nadu gives tax incentives to 10 investors.

Direct tax collection up 20 percent so far: Pranab

NEW DELHI – The country’s direct tax collection has reported an increase of 20 percent in the current fiscal year and stood at Rs.335,000 crore, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee said Saturday.

Direct tax collections have registered a growth of 20 percent during the current year so far, and have reached nearly Rs.335,000 crore, Mukherjee said …. Source  : Direct tax collection up 20 percent so far: Pranab.

Tax free Chhattisgarh budget focuses on agriculture, social sectors

RAIPUR – Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh Saturday presented a Rs.30,725.96 crore tax-free budget for the 2011-12 fiscal with its main emphasis on agriculture and social sectors.

The total budget amount is about 25 percent higher compared to the 2010-2011 fiscal.
Amidst repeated interruptions by the opposition Congress members in the state assembly, Singh, who …. Original article  : Tax free Chhattisgarh budget focuses on agriculture, social sectors.

India sends planes, ships to evacuate nationals from Libya

NEW DELHI/MUMBAI – India has begun evacuating its citizens early Saturday from violence-stricken Libya, sending two Air India planes to its capital Tripoli while three Indian Navy ships set sail for the north African country.

“Two planes, one from Mumbai and one from Delhi, left for Tripoli around 1:30 a.m., reached Tripoli by afternoon …. Source article  : India sends planes, ships to evacuate nationals from Libya.

Train to Khajuraho and more: Rail budget brings cheer to Agra

AGRA – At last tourists from Agra will now be able to take a train to Khajuraho, the historic heritage city in Madhya Pradesh.

According to the new railway budget, presented Friday by Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee, the daily Udaipur-Gwalior Express is being extended to Khajuraho, bringing cheer to the tourism industry in the … Read : Train to Khajuraho and more: Rail budget brings cheer to Agra.