‘Central, State Government protecting Amar Singh’

LUCKNOW, Oct 29: Lawyer Shivakant Tripathi, who filed a criminal case accusing Samajwadi Party general secretary Amar Singh of financial fraud, on Thursday alleged that both the Central and State government were trying to protect the politician. Tripathi also alleged that Singh was a threat to his life.

"I am pursuing this forgery, that is initially of over Rs 500 crore, along with my two sons just for the betterment of the economy of the State. However, both the Central and the State Government are trying to protect him (Amar Singh) for their personal benefit," Tripathi said at a press conference here. The scam could well go over Rs 5,000 crore if investigated by an independent law enforcement agency, he alleged, adding he only sought the matter be investigated by an "independent and unbiased agency - be it central or State".

The case was lodged by Tripathi in Kanpur last week accusing Singh of using illegal means not only to bring about the merger of a number of companies into six companies owned by him, but also artificially raising the share prices of these companies. Initially the Uttar Pradesh Government had passed on the FIR to the Kolkata police on the plea that the companies referred to in the complaint were based there. However, the Kolkata police returned the FIR, remarking that Uttar Pradesh police was free to initiate action in the matter as the Kolkata address of the companies did not bar them from proceeding in the case. The case was transferred to the Uttar Pradesh police’s Economic Offence Wing (EOW) on Tuesday. (IANS)

India ‘shocked’ at attack on UN guest house in Kabul

BANGALORE, Oct 28: External Affairs Minister SM Krishna on Wednesday expressed the country’s shock over the terror attack on a United Nations guest house in Kabul in which 12 people, including six UN staff, were killed. “We are shocked by the dastardly attack on the UN guest house in Kabul. We convey our deep sympathy to the UN for the loss of life and hope more security measures will be taken to prevent such attacks,” Krishna told reporters here.

The attack took place in the Shirpoor diplomatic enclave when unidentified gunmen barged into the guest house at dawn and opened indiscriminate fire, killing the UN staff instantly. Three guards of the compound were also killed in a gunfight that erupted between the attackers and the security forces. The guest house accommodates the international staff of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA). The Taliban is bitterly opposed to the UN. The attack comes ahead of the November 7 presidential runoff election.

Expressing concern over the grave situation in Afghanistan, Krishna said the Indian embassy in Kabul was attacked by suicide bombers twice - early this month (October 8) and last year (July 7), claiming many lives. “We had brought it to the notice of the Afghan government, which conducted an inquiry that revealed the attacks were carried by outsiders,” Krishna recalled.

Asked if the Afghan policy of the US was over relying on Pakistan, the minister said he could not dictate or wish the US and Pakistan has a particular foreign policy direction. “We can only hope the situation will improve. We command the efforts of the Afghan Government and its people for conducting elections. As doubts were raised about the outcome, a runoff election is due (November 7). We can only speak for India and not for the US or Pakistan,” Krishna noted. (IANS)

Delhi Government has hiked the DTC (Delhi Transport Corporation) fare

New Delhi: Breaking News! The Delhi Government has hiked the DTC (Delhi Transport Corporation) fare with effect from today. The minimum fare will be Rs 5, while the maximum fare will be Rs 15. The tickets, which were of Rs 3 and Rs 5 will now cost Rs 5 and Rs 10 respectively. The Rs 10 ticket will now cost Rs 15. The DTC student bus pass will cost Rs 100.

The distance covered on Rs 5 wicket will be up to 4 km, while the distance covered on Rs 10 ticket will be between 4-8. All tickets above 8km distance will cost Rs 15.

There will be no hike in the fares of Autos and Taxis. The Delhi Government has also decided that all blueline buses will be taken off the road by April 2009. There will be no hike in fares for the blueline buses. The decision was taken at the Cabinet Meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit.

Thinksoft Global fixes IPO price at Rs 125 per share

initial public offer

Thinksoft Global Services, which extended the closing date of its initial public offer (IPO) from September 24 to October 1, 2009 on tepid response from investors, has fixed the IPO issue price at the upper end of the revised price band at Rs 125 per share.

The initial offer was subscribed over two times on the final day on October 1 with the company reported to have mopped up Rs 45.57 crore in the 36.46 lakh share IPO.

The company plans to use the IPO proceeds for establishing a new testing centre, to meet issue expenses and to get the shares listed on stock exchanges.

Thinksoft Global is primarily engaged in software testing services focusing on banking, financial and insurance services industry. The company has established a global presence in New York, London, Frankfurt, Singapore, Hong Kong, Brussels, Sydney, Bangalore and Chennai through its wholly owned subsidiaries and branch offices.

The company’s shares are proposed to be listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).