US may outsource lightweight satellite launches to India

NEW DELHI – The United States could outsource lightweight satellite launches to India.

Lockheed Martin, the biggest US defence, aerospace and military technology corporation, broached the subject recently with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and its export arm, Antrix.
Lockheed Martin’s India Chief Executive Roger Rose told India Strategic defence magazine (www.indiastrategic.in) that as … Read this article on Gaea Times at : US may outsource lightweight satellite launches to India.

India Inc’s business confidence for falls: Survey

NEW DELHI – The business confidence of India Inc. for the October-December quarter has fallen on concerns such as inflation and high interest rates, says a survey.

The survey by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) says the industry lobby’s business confidence index for October-December 2010 fell by 1.4 points to 66.2 as …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

India Post allowed to be agent for other insurers

CHENNAI – The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) has allowed India Post to distribute insurance products as a corporate agent for domestic life, non-life, farm and health insurers.

The new regulations bars India Post to act as a referral partner (sharing of database to insurers) of any insurance company.
The new regulation will throw … Read : India Post allowed to be agent for other insurers.

Reliance Broadcast plans 50 patented shows over 24 months

MUMBAI – Reliance Broadcast Network, a multi-media entity within the Anil Ambani Group, plans to host some 50 patented shows and events across languages over the next year for a big slice in the Rs.1,600 crore ($350 million) market.

Called intellectual property business in industry jargon, these shows and programmes span music awards, talent hunts …. Read the original article  : here.

China’s GDP to grow at nine percent in 2011: Govt. Researchers

BEIJING – Government researchers in China feel that the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) will grow about nine percent next year, but the economy will be confronted by rising labor costs, liquidity problems and difficulty in sustaining rapid growth in the long run.

“China’s exports … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : China’s GDP to grow at nine percent in 2011: Govt. Researchers.

Seabuckthorn to green Himachal’s Lahaul Valley

KEYLONG – The rugged, inhospitable terrain of this landlocked valley in Himachal Pradesh is sought to be greened with plantations of seabuckthorn, a medicinally rich plant, that will not only help check soil erosion but also benefit the local people economically.

“A huge patch of land near Keylong (the district headquarters of Lahaul and Spiti … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Seabuckthorn to green Himachal’s Lahaul Valley.

EU-India trade up 26 percent in 2010

BRUSSELS – Exports from the 27-member European Union to India have increased to 19.4 billion euro until July this year, up 26 percent from 15.4 billion euro during the first seven month of 2009.

For the same period, Indian exports to the EU went up by 25 percent from 15.1 billion euro to 18.8 billion …. Read the original article  : EU-India trade up 26 percent in 2010.

Old age allowance to 2 lakh more in Haryana

CHANDIGARH – Nearly 2 lakh new beneficiaries will be given old age allowance in Haryana next week, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Geeta Bhukkal said Saturday

A total of 194,394 new beneficiaries would get lump sum amount of Rs.2,500 as five months pension from the month of April to August this year, she said, …. Source article  : Old age allowance to 2 lakh more in Haryana.

ONGC makes two new oil and gas discoveries

NEW DELHI – The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has made two new discoveries of oil and gas reserves – gas at the Krishna-Godavari basin block and oil in the Cauvery basin.

“The two discoveries have been notified to Directorate General of Hydrocarbon after the previous board meeting held Sep 22,” ONGC said … Original article on : ONGC makes two new oil and gas discoveries.

Haryana bans polythene bags

CHANDIGARH – The Haryana government Saturday announced a complete ban on usage, storage and recycling of polythene carry bags in the state

The ban has been approved by Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, an official spokesman said here.
At present, the ban was not proposed to be imposed on use of plastic for packing material …. Read the original article  : Haryana bans polythene bags.

‘Punjab deputy commissioners accountable for paddy procurement’

CHANDIGARH – Deputy commissioners across Punjab will be held accountable for paddy procurement in the state, Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal said here Saturday.

The announcement came following mounting complaints received by the state government that paddy procurement, which started Oct 1 in 1,670 procurement centres across Punjab, was not being done properly, leading …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Timings of Metro on Sarita Vihar route revised

NEW DELHI – Metro services on the Central Secretariat-Sarita Vihar section will begin an hour late instead of 6 a.m. from Sunday to Oct 24, a Metro official said Saturday.

The move was aimed at facilitating the line’s integration with the Sarita Vihar-Badarpur section, a Metro official said. Normal services will resume Oct 25.
…. Source article  : Timings of Metro on Sarita Vihar route revised.

Double-digit growth turning point for IT industry: Infosys

BANGALORE – India’s IT bellwether Infosys Technologies Friday termed its return to double-digit growth in the second quarter (July-Sept) of this fiscal (2010-11) as a turning point for the resilient Indian IT industry and a sign of robust growth ahead.

“Registering double-digit growth after many quarters is a turning point because when downturn happened, lot …. Read the original article  : here.

364-day Treasury Bills auction: Rs.2,000 crore under regular auction

The Reserve Bank of India has announced the auction of 364-day Government of India Treasury Bills for notified amount of Rs.2,000 crore. The auction will be conducted on October 20, 2010 using "Multiple Price Auction" method. The allocation to the non-competitive bidders will be outside the notified amount at …. Source  : 364-day Treasury Bills auction: Rs.2,000 crore under regular auction.

91-day Treasury Bills auction: Rs.4,000 crore under regular auction

The Reserve Bank of India has announced the auction of 91-day Government of India Treasury Bills for notified amount of Rs.4,000 crore. The auction will be conducted on October 20, 2010 using "Multiple Price Auction" method. The allocation to the non-competitive bidders will be outside the notified amount at the discretion … Original source on Gaea Times at : 91-day Treasury Bills auction: Rs.4,000 crore under regular auction.

RBI Board meets today at Chandigarh Punjab and Haryana to include Financial Literacy in School Curriculum

The state governments of Punjab and Haryana have agreed to include financial literacy in the school curriculum. This was in response to the Reserve Bank of India Governor Dr. D. Subbarao’s suggestion to the government of Punjab and Haryana in separate meetings with the officials of both the state … Read : RBI Board meets today at Chandigarh Punjab and Haryana to include Financial Literacy in School Curriculum.

Union Bank raises base rate by 50 bps to 8.5 percent

NEW DELHI – Public sector lender Union Bank of India said Friday it will increase its base rate by 50 basis points (bps) to 8.5 percent and deposit rates by 25 basis points on various categories from Oct 18.

“In view of the recent macroeconomic scenario, hardening interest rates and RBI’s policy stance, the bank …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Sensex closes 372 points down as domestic traders offload (Roundup)

MUMBAI – A benchmark index of Indian equities fell for the second straight day Friday, closing 372 points lower as domestic investors offloaded their portfolios amid demand from the services sector that the central bank intervene to check currency gains, limiting foreign fund inflows that have crossed $4.5 billion in October.

The 30-share sensitive index … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Sensex closes 372 points down as domestic traders offload (Roundup).

Ordinance issued to regulate micro finance firms in Andhra

HYDERABAD – Andhra Pradesh Friday issued an ordinance to regulate micro finance institutions (MFIs) in the wake of a spate of suicides due to harassment to borrowers.

Governor ESL Narasimhan gave his assent to the ordinance, the draft of which was approved by the state cabinet Thursday. It provides for three years’ imprisonment and Rs.1 … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Ordinance issued to regulate micro finance firms in Andhra.

India to align copyright norms with global standards

NEW DELHI – India will align its copyright regulations with international norms to curb rising piracy and violations of intellectual property rights.

“The Copyright Amendment Bill 2010 contains better provisions to deal with technology issues by extending protection of copyright material in India over digital networks related to literary, dramatic, musical and artistic works, …. Original article  : India to align copyright norms with global standards.