Government approves divestment in power firms

NEW DELHI, Oct 19: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved a proposal to divest stake in state-run utilities NTPC Ltd and Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (SJVN). The government will offload 5 per cent of its equity in NTPC and 10 per cent in SJVN, Commerce Minister Anand Sharma said here on Monday.

At the present valuation, the government will be able to raise over Rs 8,800 crore by divesting 5 per cent stake in NTPC, which generates over 30,000 MW of power. The government’s shareholding in the company would come down to 84.5 per cent after the divestment, Sharma told reporters. "After disinvestment it is expected that the market capitalisation of NTPC would be higher and it would help the company to raise resources in the international market on competitive terms," he said.

Spillover effect of Pak events can’t be ruled out: India

NEW DELHI, Oct 19: Not ruling out the possibility of spillover effect of the "very serious" situation in Pakistan, India today said its defence forces are prepared to meet any challenge and expressed confidence that any threat, including that from Taliban, would be neutralized. "The situation in Pakistan is very serious and terrorism is spreading," Defence Minister AK Antony told reporters here when asked to comment on developments in the neighbouring country and Taliban threat to attack India. Asked whether the Taliban threat was a cause for concern for India, he said, "We are always prepared to meet any challenge to our territorial integrity and national security from any quarter. Our security forces are keeping eternal vigilance". Army Chief Gen Deepak Kapoor did not rule out the possibility of spillover effect of developments in Pakistan. (PTI)

PM briefs President Patil on internal security

NEW DELHI, Oct 18: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called on President Pratibha Patil at Rashtrapati Bhavan and discussed several issues with her, including internal security and food security, the President’s secretariat said on Sunday. The meeting took place in Diwali on Saturday. Both the leaders greeted each other on the occasion. "They also discussed various issues of national and international importance, particularly internal security issues, agricultural production and food security," the President’s secretariat said in a statement. Manmohan Singh also briefed President Patil about his forthcoming visit to Thailand where he shall be attending the ASEAN-India Summit. The meeting between the two lasted for about 30 minutes. (IANS)

Daredevils take on Victoria today

New Delhi, Oct 8: The spotlight will be on Virender Sehwag when he turns out for Delhi Daredevils against Victorian Bushrangers in the Champions League Twenty20 Group B enocunter in on Friday’s double header at the Ferozeshah Kotla stadium.

Though he has handed over the captaincy to Gautam Gambhir to concentrate on his batting, Sehwag would still be the face of Daredevils.

The opener, who has been out of the national team after returning home midway through the Twenty20 World Cup in England in June with a sore shoulder, would like to get back into the groove with a bust cricket season ahead.

Daredevils look a formidable side with Gambhir in great touch with the bat. Ashish Nehra and Dirk Nannes are expected to share the new ball. The return of Glenn McGrath will surely add a zing to their bowling.

But the Victorian batting line-up is equally good with top Australian players like David Hussey, Cameron White, Brad Hodge and Andrew McDonald.

In the other match, reigning Australian domestic Twenty20 champions New South Wales Blues will take on South Africa’s Twenty20 winners Diamond Eagles led by Boeta Dippenaar.

New South Wales Blues led by Simon Katich are a strong contender for the title, having a host of star players — Stuart Clark, Brett Lee, Nathan Hauritz, Doug Bollinger to name a few.

Blues’ fast bowling spearhead Lee is raring to go full steam after having made a successful comeback to international cricket with the ODI series in England and the Champions Trophy in South Africa. (IANS)