Bangalore, Jun 7 (PTI) Liquor baron Vijay Mallya today filed his nomination papers as JDS-backed independent candidate for the June 17 biennial elections to Rajya Sabha from Karnataka.
Flanked by former chief minister and Karnataka unit JDS president H D Kumaraswamy and his brother H D Revanna, who is leader of the 27-member JDS legislature group in the Assembly, Mallya submitted the papers to the Returning Officer.
"There is nothing dramatic in my candidature. I have represented Karnataka before. I was supported by JDS before and now also as well," a beaming Mallya, a former Rajya Sabha member, told reporters after submitting his nomination.
Asked how confident he was of winning, he quipped, "If I were not confident, then I would not be here.
Monday, June 7, 2010
Vijay Mallya enters RS fray
Govt proposes windfall tax on miners
New Delhi, June 7 (PTI) On the heels of Australia announcing 40 per cent tax on bumper profits of miners, India said it proposes a similar windfall tax on iron ore.
"We have already moved the Finance Ministry...we are for it (windfall tax). We have sent the letter," Mines Minister B K Handique told PTI in an interview.
He said the move, initiated after Australia announced such a tax on miners in his country, would not only deliver "justice" to locals in mining areas through corporate social responsibility (CSR) but would check rampant illegal mining.
Australia proposed the tax in May after prices of iron ore and other commodities jumped on demand from countries like China. Windfall tax is levied by several countries on some super profit making industries.
PM's promise to act against rights violations in JK
Srinagar, Jun 7 (PTI) Against the backof a raging controversy over alleged fake encounters in Jammu and Kashmir, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today gave an assurance that government will "act" to ensure that security forces respect the rights of civilians while tackling terrorism.
"I am aware of some complaints related to human rights.
On this issue, the government policy is to protect the human rights of the people even when dealing with terrorism.
"The security forces in Jammu and Kashmir have been strictly instructed to respect the rights of the civilians. We will act to remove any deficiency in the implementation of these instructions," he said in his convocation address at the Sher-i-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology.
The Prime Minister's assurance comes in the context of allegations of a fake encounter in Machil area along the Line of Control where three civilians were killed reportedly by Army men.
Sensex tanks 337 points on European debt woes
Mumbai, June 7 (PTI) The BSE benchmark Sensex today tanked 337 points, mirroring sharp decline in world markets that were shaken by fears of widening financial crisis in Europe and fragile economic recovery in the US, besides a rush of public offers at home.
The 30-share barometer of the Bombay Stock Exchange ended its three-day gain and settled lower by 336.62 points, or 1.97 per cent, at 16,781.07 points.
Analysts had on Friday forecast a plunge in the market following the government's decision to make 25 per cent public holding in listed companies mandatory, which would result in a flood of public offers that would lead to stock price correction.
The markets did open down, but on negative global cues and remained weak for the entire session. During the day, the bellwether sank 431 points to hit a low of 16,686.73.
