Coffee exports shoot up by 42 pc in Jan-April 2010

STAFF WRITER 14:57 HRS IST

New Delhi, May 3 (PTI) Strong global demand and increasing domestic supply pushed up the country's coffee exports by 42 per cent to 1,00,574 tonnes in the first four months of 2010, according to the Coffee Board of India.

In terms of value, coffee exports surged to Rs 1,025 crore between January and April from Rs 763.38 crore in the same period last year, it said.

"Exports have increased due to a rise in demand for the robusta variety of coffee and a hike in the re-export of processed coffee," a Coffee Board official told PTI.

The country had shipped only 70,843 tonnes of coffee in the same period last year even as demand slumped due to the economic recession, he said.

India is Asia's third-largest producer of coffee.

ICICI Bank to hire up to 7,000 employees in 2010-11

STAFF WRITER 14:8 HRS IST

Mumbai, May 3 (PTI) ICICI Bank today said it plans to increase headcount by up to 7,000 this financial year.

"We plan to hire around 5,000-7,000 people this fiscal.

We have also declared bonus and increments for our employees," ICICI Bank Managing Director and CEO Chanda Kochhar told reporters after inaugurating the 2,000th branch of the largest private sector bank in Mumbai today.

ICICI Bank has become the first private sector bank to reach this milestone, giving it a wide distribution reach in the country, Kochhar said.

The bank plans to add more branches and ATMs in the current fiscal, she said.

"The inauguration of this 2,000th branch signifies our commitment to getting closer to our customers through an enhanced branch network. Our branches are well-equipped to address customer needs through a wide range of products and services. Our branches now have dedicated service area for privilege banking customers," she added.

Deer deaths: 3 forest department personnel suspended

STAFF WRITER 0:56 HRS IST

Rohtak, May 3 (PTI) Three forest department officials were today placed under suspension in connection with the death of ten deer at a Deer Park in Meham town near here.

Wild life Inspector Rajender Punia, guard Charan Singh, and night watchman Randhir Singh were suspended on the basis of preliminary inquiry conducted by DFO (Hisar Range) Shakti Singh, District Forest Officer (Rohtak Range) Jagdish Chander said.

Prima-facie, all the three were found "guilty" in the inquiry report, he added.

Ten deer were found dead and four others injured at the park on Saturday morning.

Night watchman Randhir Singh had found the deer dead when he went inside the park and saw dogs eating their carcass.

Local train services disrupted, 20 motormen dismissed

STAFF WRITER 9:16 HRS IST

Mumbai, May 5 (PTI) Suburban train services in Mumbai continued to be disrupted today on the second day of motormen's strike even as 20 motormen were dismissed for refusing to report for work.

"Ten motormen of Central and Western railway each have been dismissed as they refused to work," railway officials said here.

The western and eastern express highway also continued to be jammed with commuters opting for road transport to reach their destinations.

Railway authorities today said only 20 per cent suburban trains were operating as a result of the hunger strike by motormen demanding hike in pay scales and allowances.

Maharashtra Home Minister R R Patil said the state government will take up the issue with the Centre, seeking its intervention to provide relief to Mumbai commuters.

The state government is also reviewing if provisions of Essential Services Maintenance Act (ESMA) could be invoked in this case, he said.