Kerosene, domestic LPG prices lowest in India: Govt

New Delhi,

New Delhi, Aug 6 (PTI) Kerosene and domestic LPG prices in India are the lowest in South Asia, while the rates for petrol and diesel are comparable with its neighbours, Petroleum Minister Murli Deora said today.

In a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha, he said kerosene at Rs 9.22 per litre in Delhi is the cheapest cooking fuel in South Asia.

Kerosene in Pakistan costs Rs 34.89 a litre, Rs 30.53 in Bangladesh, Rs 21.26 in Sri Lanka and Rs 34.35 per litre in Nepal.

Similarly, a 14.2 kg domestic LPG cylinder in Delhi priced at Rs 281.20 is cheaper than Rs 483.06 in Pakistan, Rs 670.12 in Bangladesh, Rs 666.31 in Sri Lanka and Rs 702.72 per cylinder rate in Nepal, he said.

Petrol at Rs 44.63 in Delhi is costlier than Rs 36.52 a litre price in Pakistan but cheaper than Rs 51.

Govt can terminate temporary staff without assigning reason: CAT

Central Administrative Tribunal

NEW DELHI: The central government can terminate the services of its temporary employee without assigning any reason, the Central Administrative Tribunal (CAT) said.

The tribunal passed the order on a petition filed by an ex-technician Avinash challenging his termination by the Safdarjung Hospital after his services were not found satisfactory during the probation period.

"Offer of appointment specifically provide that the services of an applicant can be terminated at any time without assigning any reason. There is no mandatory provision to assign any reason thereof," the CAT, comprising members Dharam Paul Sharma and N D Dayal, said.

Rejecting the contentions of Avinash, the Tribunal said it is a case of "termination simpliciter in legitimate exercise of power under the Central Civil Services (Temporary Services) rules."

Avinash cited a number of cases which had been decided on similar lines in the apex court and said his termination was an example of violation of "principles of natural justice."

Committee constituted to examine auction of Gandhi items

New DELHI: In

New DELHI: In the wake of the controversy surrounding the auction of Mahatma Gandhi's iconic glasses and other personal items in New York in March, the government has constituted a committee of eminent Gandhians to examine such sales and make necessary recommendations.

Minister of state for planning and parliamentary affairs V Narayanasamy said frequent auctioning of memorabilia of great Indian personalities such as Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and others abroad has come to government's notice.

"Regarding the works, letters, manuscripts written by Mahatma Gandhi which are put up on auction/sale, a committee of eminent Gandhians has been constituted to examine and make recommendations, as and when the occasion arises," he told the Rajya Sabha.

Gandhi's personal belongings were brought by business tycoon Vijay Mallya.

Death for all three accused in 2003 Mumbai blasts case

A special Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) court has awarded the death sentence to all three accused in the 2003 twin Mumbai blasts at Gateway of Mohammad Hanif Syed, his wife Fehmida and third conspirator Ashrat Ansari were convicted for planting the bombs on August 25, 2003 that left 54 dead and 244 injured.

They had also planted a bomb on July 28, 2003 in a municipal bus in suburban Ghatkopar which killed two persons.

The judge P R Puranik hearing the case observed that it had been proved beyond reasonable doubt they had committed heinous acts resulting in numerous deaths, PTI reported.

Syed and Fehmida have been found guilty of planting the bomb in taxis at Gateway of India. Ansari delivered the bomb at Zaveri Bazaar. Special prosecutor Ujjwal Nikam has called it a ‘‘rarest of rare’’ case in which the trio had ‘‘enjoyed their act of killing’’. Nikam said they had been unhappy with smaller blasts that resulted in low death tolls and hence used RDX for the twin blasts.

This is for the first time that a married couple is being convicted by a POTA court for their involvement in carrying out blasts.

After the sentencing, Fahmida broke down outside the court while her husband did not react and stood calm by her side. Ashrat said "Is andhe kanoon se kya insaaf milega (what justice can you get when the law is blind).

Commenting on the verdict, Nikam said, "We are happy that justice has been delivered. This would send a strong message to terrorists that they would get such punishment if they indulged in barbarous acts".

"Initially they had planted a bomb in a bus but since few people were killed, they decided to use powerful bombs on the instructions of Laskhar-e-Taiba," Nikam said.

Nikam said Fehmida had played a major role in these bomb blasts. She not only planted a bomb in a bus on July 28, 2003, along with her husband's friend Ashrat but also on August 25, 2003, she and her husband Hanif planted bombs in taxis at the Gateway of India.

"Fehmida had actively participated in the process of selection and approval of location of targets. Though Fehmida was a woman she was equally cruel as other accused in the execution of conspiracy," Nikam said.

TOI

Sensex falls 2.45%, auto stocks in reverse gear

MUMBAI:

MUMBAI: The BSE Sensex provisionally fell 2.45 percent on Thursday, as investors took profits on a near 19 percent jump over the past 3-½ weeks.

Automakers such as Mahindra & Mahindra, Tata Motors and Maruti Suzuki led the drop after the auto sector had risen by more than a third since July 13 through Wednesday.

The 30-share BSE index provisionally ended down 389.69 points at 15,514.14, with 29 stocks declining.

The 50-share NSE index provisionally closed down 2.3 percent at 4,585.75.

The market plummeted in the last hour of trade as traders scrambled to unwind positions. Traders turned cautious after the benchmark Sensex was nearing the psychological level of 16000. Automobile stocks, followed by metals, were the worst hit after a sharp run-up in the recent rally.

The broader market ended on a weak note as well. The BSE Midcap Index was down 2.37 per cent while BSE Smallcap Index climbed 1.24 per cent.

Among frontline stocks, Tata Motors (-7.44%), Jaiprakash Associates (-6.24%), Maruti Suzuki (-5.96%), Hindalco Industries (-5.95%) and Mahindra & Mahindra (-5.87%) were under severe pressure.

Sun Pharmaceuticals, up 1.16 per cent was the lone gainer in the 30-share index.

Market breadth on BSE worsened with 1603 declines outnumbering 1088 advances.

(All figures provisional)

ET