Thursday, November 20, 2008

Sensex plunges to 3-year low of 8,451

MUMBAI: The stocks benchmark Sensex fell 323 points to 8,451.01, its lowest in three years, as bears continued to prowl the market for the seventh day on Thursday.

The 30-share index recovered partially after touching an intra-day low of 8,316.39, as a fresh fall in inflation to 8.90 per cent for the week ended November 8 led to anticipation that the Reserve Bank may further ease monetary stance.

The Bombay Stock Exchange 30-share barometer recorded a net fall of 322.77 points or 3.68 per cent from its previous close. It had closed at 8,308.93 on November 10, 2005.

The broader 50-share Nifty of the National Stock Exchange also tumbled by 81.85 points or 3.11 per cent to close at 2,553.15 from its last close.

Despite the government's confidence-building exercise in the past several weeks, investors looked worried about the future of the market, as the recession continued to spread to world's major economies.

Panic-stricken investors continuously placed sell orders, with buyers few and far between.

Market players said the dismal US economic data and the Federal Reserve's decision to lower the US growth forecast for 2009 almost endorsed worries that the financial crisis could pull the global economy deeper into recession.

Asian indices ended down by about 1.7 per cent to 7.0 per cent followed by sharp falls by about 2.0 to 3.0 per cent in the European markets in their early trade.

Realty sector was the worst hit today, shedding another 8 per cent on speculation in global markets of a fresh wave in the credit crisis.

Soruce: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/?in_leftnav

61% turnout in Chhatisgarh polls

RAIPUR: Nearly 61 per cent of the 88 lakh voters exercised their franchise in 51 Assembly constituencies of Chhattisgarh which went to polls in the second and final phase on Thursday.

While 60 per cent turnout was reported in Raipur district, Raigarh, Korba and Jashpur registered a turnout of 65 per cent each.

In Bilaspur, 62 per cent of the voters cast their ballot, in Sarguja 60 per cent, 55 per cent in Koria , and 56 per cent in Janjgir and Chapa.

As many as 12,073 polling stations across the eight districts were set for the polling.

Electoral fortunes of 687 candidates were decided by 88,14,228-strong electorate. Prominent leaders in the electoral battle include former Chief Minister Ajit Jogi, his wife Renu Jogi, BJP state president Vishnu Deo Sai, Congress state president Dhanendra Sahu, Deputy Speaker Badridhar Diwan and Home Minster Ram Vichar Netam.

55 per cent turnout was registered in the violence marred first phase of elections on Nov 14 for 39 constituencies of the 90-member Assembly.

A flight engineer was killed when an IAF helicopter on poll duty was attacked by Naxals who also gunned down a CRPF personnel during the first phase of polling. Two landmine blasts also injured four security men and over a dozen Electronic Voting Machines were looted.

Soruce: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/?in_leftnav

Govt approves higher pay for Central PSU officers

NEW DELHI: In a bonanza to officers of Central Public Sector Undertakings, the government on Thursday announced a hefty 50 to 300 per cent increase in pay-packages with effect from January 1, 2007.

A Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, approved the new scales for 1,20,000 non-unionised supervisory staff and 2,58,000 board level officers in 216 operational Central PSUs.

It approved uniform fitment of 30 per cent of basic pay plus dearness allowance for profit making PSUs with effect from January 1, 2007. For weak and non-profitable PSUs, the fitment will depend on their affordability and will range between 10 per cent and 20 per cent.

The package would include revision in other allowances like house rent allowance, besides performance related incentives, minister of state in the Prime Minister's Office Prithviraj Chavan told reporters here.

"The revised pay scales would be implemented by issue of Presidential Directive in respect of each CPSE separately by the administrative ministry concerned," he said.

While the new pay structure would be implemented from January 1, 2007, the new allowances would accrue to employees only after the decision is notified by individual units.

The Cabinet relied on the Committee of Secretaries recommendations to classify PSUs into four categories - A, B, C and D, instead of five categories - A+, A, B, C and D recommended by the Rao Committee in May.

The chairman of 'A' category PSU will now be eligible for Rs 80,000 to 1,25,000 pay scale as against Rs 18,500 to 23,900 currently.

There are 247 CPSEs, of which 216 are in operation. In all 16,14,000 are employed in these, of which 12,36,000 are unionised workmen who negotiate their wages directly with their respective companies.

Extra outgo on account of the new pay structure would be borne by individual CPSUs and no budgetary support is involved.

Soruce: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Up_to_300_hike_in_salaries_of_Central_PSU_officers/articleshow/3736562.cms

Govt approves higher pay for Central PSU officers

NEW DELHI: In a bonanza to officers of Central Public Sector Undertakings, the government on Thursday announced a hefty 50 to 300 per cent increase in pay-packages with effect from January 1, 2007.

A Cabinet meeting, chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, approved the new scales for 1,20,000 non-unionised supervisory staff and 2,58,000 board level officers in 216 operational Central PSUs.

It approved uniform fitment of 30 per cent of basic pay plus dearness allowance for profit making PSUs with effect from January 1, 2007. For weak and non-profitable PSUs, the fitment will depend on their affordability and will range between 10 per cent and 20 per cent.

The package would include revision in other allowances like house rent allowance, besides performance related incentives, minister of state in the Prime Minister's Office Prithviraj Chavan told reporters here.

"The revised pay scales would be implemented by issue of Presidential Directive in respect of each CPSE separately by the administrative ministry concerned," he said.

While the new pay structure would be implemented from January 1, 2007, the new allowances would accrue to employees only after the decision is notified by individual units.

The Cabinet relied on the Committee of Secretaries recommendations to classify PSUs into four categories - A, B, C and D, instead of five categories - A+, A, B, C and D recommended by the Rao Committee in May.

The chairman of 'A' category PSU will now be eligible for Rs 80,000 to 1,25,000 pay scale as against Rs 18,500 to 23,900 currently.

There are 247 CPSEs, of which 216 are in operation. In all 16,14,000 are employed in these, of which 12,36,000 are unionised workmen who negotiate their wages directly with their respective companies.

Extra outgo on account of the new pay structure would be borne by individual CPSUs and no budgetary support is involved.

Soruce: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Up_to_300_hike_in_salaries_of_Central_PSU_officers/articleshow/3736562.cms