Business News – Newsletter for December 26, 2010

Sunday, December 26, 2010

Delhi Metro to get new helpline number

NEW DELHI – Delhi Metro is all set to get a new helpline number to provide better and improved customer care services, an official said Sunday.

The new 24-hour helpline number, 155363, which will replace the existing number, 128128, and will be operational from Jan 1 to register complaints and suggestions regarding Delhi Metro services.
…. Read the original article : here.

New ‘Silk Route’ via Bangladesh to connect northeast India

AGARTALA – State-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) will build a new ‘Silk Route’ via Bangladesh – a 50 km road connecting Indias landlocked northeastern states with neighbouring countries – a top company official said.

ONGC will invest Rs.250 million ($5.5 million) in Bangladesh for the project that will will also see … Original source on Gaea Times at : New ‘Silk Route’ via Bangladesh to connect northeast India.

Record holiday crowd at Taj Mahal

AGRA – Chilly winds and foggy conditions notwithstanding, the holiday crowd at the Taj Mahal in Agra continued to swell over the weekend, resulting in long queues at the monument to love and traffic jams on its approaches.

“Despite the disruption of rail and road traffic by the Gujjar agitation, the number of people visiting … Read more >>>.

First Indian seaplane service launches Monday

NEW DELHI – India will Monday get its first seaplane service that is expected to improve connectivity and tourism in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal.

“This is the first time that seaplane operations are being introduced in India. The scheme approved by the government of India for Andaman and … Read : First Indian seaplane service launches Monday.

Futures trading in sugar to re-start in India Monday

MUMBAI – Futures trading in sugar is set to resume Monday after the government’s ban for 19 months, with the Forward Markets Commission (FCC) regulator giving its formal nod to commodity exchanges.

The permission was given after a strong outlook for production during this sugar year, which started Oct 1, estimated at 25.5 million tonnes [..] Read the original article: here.

Heavy fog disrupts flights, trains in Delhi

NEW DELHI – Heavy fog disrupted flight and train schedules in the capital, leaving thousands of passengers stranded in the bitter cold at the international airport and railway station Sunday.

A thick blanket of fog enveloped the capital, bringing visibility to near zero. The general visibility at the main and new runways at the Indira … Original article on : Heavy fog disrupts flights, trains in Delhi.

Huge number of Indian youth remain unemployable, says report

NEW DELHI – Rapid economic growth in the country is expected to generate 10-15 million jobs by next year but lack of suitable skilled candidates poses a major threat, a leading industry lobby said Sunday.

“Approximately 10 to 15 million jobs are expected to be created by next year, in which 75 percent will require …. Original article : Huge number of Indian youth remain unemployable, says report.

Russia’s ‘Silicon Valley’ to cost $4 bn

Moscow, Dec 26 (IANS/RIA Novosti) The construction of Skolkovo research hub near Moscow, dubbed Russia’s answer to Silicon Valley in the US, could cost up to 120 billion rubles (nearly $4 billion), an official said Saturday.

The project is expected to complete by 2015, Viktor Maslakov, the city manager of the Skolkovo fund, said. The …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Russia’s ‘Silicon Valley’ to cost $4 bn.

Fog in Delhi disrupts Himachal flights

SHIMLA – Flights in and out of Himachal Pradesh were badly hit Sunday morning owing to heavy fog in Delhi, an official said here.

“Flights from Delhi to Shimla and from Delhi to Kullu were cancelled at the last minute due to dense fog in Delhi. This is the first time this season that air … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Fog in Delhi disrupts Himachal flights.

Fog disrupts flights in Delhi

NEW DELHI – Delhi saw a heavy fog cover Sunday morning that led to a sharp drop in visibility, disrupting several international and domestic flights at the airport here, officials said.

The thick fog saw the visibility dropping to near zero in the city, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The general visibility at …. Read the original article : here.

Buy computer cartridge, get two kg onion free

KOLKATA – While onion prices are bringing tears in the eyes of customers, a computer accessories outlet in Kolkata is giving away the bulb as freebies to romp up its sales.

Talking about the innovative marketing strategy, Tushar Ranka, the shop owner, said: “We are offering a kg of onion for every cartridge refill and …. Source : Gaea News Network.

China raises interest rates again

BEIJING – The People’s Bank of China said it will raise the one-year lending and deposit interest rates by 25 basis points from Sunday, the second rate hike this year.

The bank had raised the benchmark lending and deposit rates Oct 20 by 25 basis points, first in about two years.
“This rate hike …. Original source : China raises interest rates again.

Sweden eyes stronger ties with UAE

Stockholm, Dec 25 (IANS/WAM) Sweden Saturday expressed its desire for wider trade and investment relations with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the United Arab Emirates.

“We see many good reasons to deepen our cooperation with the GCC and the UAE through and beyond a Free Trade Agreement,” Josa Karre, an official at the …. Read the original article : here.

Trains cancelled, highway blocked as Gujjars continue stir

BAYANA – Train and road traffic via Bharatpur district of Rajasthan was disrupted Saturday, the sixth day of the Gujjar agitation for reservation in jobs, officials said.

Thousands of train passengers were stranded while trucks lined up on the national highway to Jaipur. Train services between Agra and Jaipur via Bharatpur remained suspended, while many … Read more : Trains cancelled, highway blocked as Gujjars continue stir.

All factors to be considered before diesel price hike: Pranab

HALDIA – Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Saturday said the government will consider all factors before taking a decision on hiking the price of diesel.

“It is very hypothetical,” Mukherjee told mediapersons when asked to spell out the thinking within the government on raising diesel prices.
“A decision will be taken by the group of …. Source : All factors to be considered before diesel price hike: Pranab.

Onion prices: Delhi wholesale market to function Sunday

NEW DELHI – To ensure that onion and tomato prices remain stable over the weekend, the Azadpur wholesale market will remain open on Sunday, the market association announced Saturday.

According to the Azadpur Agriculture Product Market Committee (APMC), routine trading will be held at the market like on weekdays. The wholesale market normally remains closed … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Onion prices: Delhi wholesale market to function Sunday.