India can't be a 'carbon copy' of China: PM

STAFF WRITER 19:36 HRS IST

Washington, Nov 23 (PTI) Unfazed by China's great leap forward, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said that India, a "functioning democracy" cannot be a "carbon copy" of its communist neighbour.

"Well, I have no hesitation in saying that I think development in India cannot be a carbon copy of what happens in China. And the Chinese system is very different," Singh said when asked during an interview with CNN about China's high growth and eye-popping infrastructure development speed.

"We are a functioning democracy. And even if you want to acquire land, I think you run into serious problems, and there's for - of operating a democracy. And democracy is slow-moving.

Probe Congress, RJD hand in Koda scam: NDA leaders

RANCHI, Nov 22: National Democratic Alliance (NDA) leaders on Sunday demanded an independent probe into the Madhu Koda scam and accused the Congress and the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) of having a role in the Rs 2,500 crore money laundering racket. “There should be an independent probe in the Madhu Koda scam. Koda is only an actor in the scam but the producer and director of the scam are Congress and RJD. The Koda scam is a blot in the history of Indian democracy,” senior BJP leader M Venkaiah Naidu said at a press conference here. “The RJD and Congress should be awarded the Nobel prize along with Koda for looting the state... It was Congress and RJD who installed Koda as Chief Minister,” he said. Janata Dal-United (JD-U) president Sharad Yadav was also present at the press meet and expressed fears that the Congress might dilute the Koda scam probe. “The Congress uses scams for political purposes. The Koda episode is a blot on politics. Corporate houses’ role should also be probed in the scam,” Yadav said. (IANS)

Uttar Pradesh to continue ban on import of raw sugar

LUCKNOW, Nov 22: Reaching out to sugarcane farmers in the state, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati has decided to continue the ban on import of raw sugar till the sugarcane crushing in mills in the state is over, an official said on Sunday.

The Chief Minister has also decided to convene a meeting to raise the prices for sugarcane crop. “The ban on import of raw sugar will continue until the crushing is completed in the sugar mills across the state,” state Cabinet Secretary Shashank Shekhar Singh told a press conference here on Sunday.

He said: “Taking note of the demand of sugarcane growers for a higher sugarcane price, the Chief Minister has directed all district magistrates and divisional commissioners to convene tripartite meetings with sugar mill owners and cane growers to settle a price higher than the state advised price (SAP) fixed by the State Government.” While appreciating the gesture of the Uttar Pradesh Sugarmill Owners’ Association to offer Rs 15 a quintal higher than the SAP of Rs 165 and Rs 170 fixed by the State Government, the cabinet secretary said: “Still, our endeavour would be to ensure the wellbeing of the state’s 40 lakh sugarcane growers.”