Chandi Prasad Bhatt won Gandhi Peace Prize for 2013

The Gandhi Peace Prize for the year 2013 has been awarded to eminent Gandhian and environmentalist, Shri Chandi Prasad Bhatt on 28th February. The jury for the prize met under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on 18th February 2014 and decided upon his name. 
The Government of India launched the International Gandhi Peace Prize in 1995 on the occasion of the 125th birth anniversary of Mohandas Gandhi. This is an annual award given to individuals and institutions for their contributions towards social, economic and political transformation through non-violence and other Gandhian methods. The award carries Rs. 10 million in cash, convertible in any currency in the world, a plaque and a citation. It is open to all persons regardless of nationality, race, creed or sex.The other members of the jury were Justice P Sathasivam, leader of opposition Sushma Swaraj, Rajya Sabha MP Karan Singh, and ex-governor of West Bengal Gopalkrishna Gandhi. 

Chandi Prasad Bhatt, born in 1934 , is a noted Gandhian environmentalist and social activist. He was one of the pioneers of the Chipko movement for which he was awarded the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1982. He is also a recipient of the Padma Bhushan in 2005. One of India's first modern environmentalists, today he is known for his work on subaltern social ecology. 

Gandhi Peace Prize Recipient List :

Year	Recipient	Birth / death	Country	Description
1995	Julius Nyerere	1922–1999	Tanzania	First President of Tanzania
1996	A. T. Ariyaratne	b. 1931	Sri Lanka	Founder of Sarvodaya Shramadana Movement
1997	Gerhard Fischer	1921–2006	Germany	German diplomat, recognised for his work against leprosy and polio
1998	Ramakrishna Mission	est. 1897	India	Founded by Swami Vivekananda for promoting social welfare, tolerance, and non-violence among disadvantaged groups
1999	Baba Amte	1914–2008	India	Social worker, known particularly for his work for the rehabilitation and empowerment of poor people suffering from leprosy
2000	Nelson Mandela	b. 1918-2013	South Africa	Former President of South Africa
2000	Grameen Bank	est. 1983	Bangladesh	Founded by Muhammad Yunus
2001	John Hume	b. 1937	Northern Ireland	Northern Irish Politician
2002	Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan	est. 1938	India	Educational trust that emphasises Indian culture
2003	Václav Havel	1936–2011	Czech Republic	Last President of Czechoslovakia and first President of the Czech Republic
2004	Coretta Scott King	1927–2006	United States	Activist and civil rights leader. Wife of Martin Luther King.
2005	Desmond Tutu	b. 1931	South Africa	South African cleric and activist
2013	Chandi Prasad Bhatt	b. 1934	India	Environmentalist, social activist and pioneer of the Chipko movement

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Vietnam cannot find object from missing Malaysian jet

Vietnamese searchers on ships worked throughout the night but could not find a rectangle object spotted on Sunday afternoon that was thought to be one of the doors of a Malaysia Airlines passenger jet that went missing more than two days ago.

Doan Huu Gia, the chief of Vietnam’s search and rescue coordination centre, said on Monday that four planes and seven ships from Vietnam were searching for the object but nothing had been found.

The Boeing 777 went missing early Saturday morning on a flight from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people on board.

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SC directs cases against MPs, MLAs to be completed in one year

The Supreme Court on Monday has set a deadline of one year for lower courts to complete the trial in cases involving MPs and MLAs.

The Supreme Court further added that the trial judge will have to explain to the Chief Justice of High Court if he fails to complete trial within a year of framing of charges.

The apex court stated that the trial in cases involving MPs and MLAs are to be conducted on day-to-day basis.

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Combined Recruitment for Assistant Grade III in FCI, 2013 - Declaration of final result

Staff Selection Commission conducted examination for recruitment for Assistant Grade III in General, Depot, Technical and Account Cadres in FCI, 2013 on 10th & 11th November, 2012 at
various centres all over the country. The result of written examination held on above mentioned dates were declared on 20.12.2012. The written examination of candidates declared qualified for Paper-II and Paper-III for the post of Assistant Grade III was held on 7.04.2013 and its result was declared on 05.09.2013. Candidates can check their result by clicking at below :


Click here for Result (Technical)
Click here for result (General, Account, Depot)
Click here for Write-up

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16th Lok Sabha elections to start on April 7

Elections for 16th Lok Sabha will be held from April 7 to May 12, announced Chief election Commissioner on Wednesday.

Nation will go to polls on April 7, 9, 10, 12, 17, 24, 30, May 7 and May 12.

Announcing the election schedule, Chief Election Commissioner V.S. Sampath said, this should not be viewed as phases. “They are poll days,” he said.

Special camps will be organised at all polling stations on March 9 for voters to verify, add or modify their details in the electoral list.

Election Commission has decided to distribute photo election slips with polling station details at his/her doorstep, within 3-7 days from the date of the poll.

With the election schedule announced on Wednesday, Model Code of Conduct for elections comes into force with immediate effect.

State-wise polling days:

Andhra Pradesh: April 30, May 7

Arunachal Pradesh: April 9

Assam: April 7, 12, 24

Bihar: April 10, 17, 24, 30, May 7 and 12

Chhattisgarh: April 10, 17, 24

Goa: April 17

Gujarat: - April 30

Haryana: April 10

Himachal Pradesh: May 7

Jammu and Kashmir: April 10, 17, 24, 30, May 7

Jharkhand - April 10, 17, 24

Karnataka: April 17

Kerala: April 10

Madhya Pradesh: April 10, 17, 24

Maharashtra: April 10, 17, 24

Manipur: April 9, 17

Meghalaya: April 9

Mizoram: April 9

Nagaland: April 9

Odisha: April 10, 17

Punjab: April 30

Rajasthan: April 17, 24

Sikkim: April 12

Tamil Nadu: April 24

Tripura: April 7, 12

Uttar Pradesh: April 10, 17, 24, 30, May 7, 12

Uttarakhand: May 7

West Bengal: April 17, 24, 30, May 7, 12

Andaman and Nicobar Islands: April 10

Chandigarh: April 10

Dadra and Nagar Haveli: April 30

Daman and Diu: April 30

Lakshadweep: April 10

NCT/Delhi: April 10

Puducherry: April 24

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Sheila Dikshit appointed Kerala Governor

Sheila Dikshit, a former three-term Chief Minister of Delhi, was on late Tuesday night appointed Governor of Kerala within three months of her defeat in the recent Assembly polls.

A Rashtrapati Bhavan spokesperson said that 75-year-old Dikshit succeeds Nikhil Kumar, a former Delhi Police Commissioner, who resigned yesterday.

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Telangana to come into existence on June 2

Telangana will come into existence in June. The Union government has decided on June 2 as the “appointed day” for the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh.

According to sources in the Union Home Ministry, the government has notified the Act to pave the way for the creation of the 29th State of the Union after President Pranab Mukherjee gave his assent last week to the bill for carving out Telangana from Andhra Pradesh.

However, elaborate preparatory works relating to personnel, finance and distribution of assets and liabilities remain to be done. The process involves mind-boggling paper work that could be a logistical nightmare. It took three months for the government to create Uttarakhand, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh in November 2000.

Dwelling on the road ahead, Union Minister Jairam Ramesh — who was a key member of the Group of Ministers which crafted the Bill — told journalists here last week that the government had set up two committees in the Department of Personnel & Training (DoPT) to work on the nitty-gritty of allocating officers and staff from the Central and State pools.

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Interest rates of small savings schemes raised

The Union government has raised the interest rates on select fixed deposit schemes offered by post offices.

Interest rates on time deposits of various maturities have been raised by 10 to 20 basis points.

The rate hike comes just ahead of the Lok Sabha poll announcement by the Election Commission. The rate hike will come into effect from April 1, 2014.

The interest rates on the five-year senior citizens savings scheme, the five-year monthly income scheme, five-year and 10-year National Savings Certificates and Public Provident Funds have been kept unchanged.

A communiqué from the Ministry of Finance has stated that necessary notifications will be issued separately in due course.

The rate hike decision is in line with the recommendations of the Shyamala Gopinath Committee for Comprehensive Review of National Savings Fund (NSSF).

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China to boost defence budget by 12.2 per cent

The Chinese government announced a big bump in spending on the armed forces on Wednesday, saying it will increase its defence budget by 12.2 per cent this year to $132 billion, as the country opened its ceremonial legislature.

The figure for defence spending, included in a budget report released ahead of the National People’s Congress, rose 10 per cent last year to 720 billion yuan, the most for any nation apart from the U.S.

China and its neighbours have been in disputes over the control of islands and sea lanes in surrounding oceans. There has been a sharp escalation of tensions with Japan in the past 18 months over control of a string of tiny uninhabited islands in the East China Sea.

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The 3rd BIMSTEC Summit: A summary

The 3rd BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) Summit has come to an end in the city of 'Nay Pyi Taw' (Myanmar) with many promising declarations. The seven member organization rolled out an extensive roadmap for collaboration in improving connectivity and enhancing cooperation in areas like trade, energy, environment, terrorism and organized crimes. 

About

• Its an international organisation comprising Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Bhutan and Nepal as member countries. 
• These 7 countries together account for over 20 per cent of the world population (1.5 billion) coupled with a GDP of more than USD 2.5 trillion.
• It aims to facilitate cooperation in multiple sectors including trade, investment and energy.
• The grouping is said to be a byproduct of Look East Policy of India and Look West Policy of Thailand.
• Previous Summit: New Delhi (India) in 2008
• Next Summit: Kathmandu (Nepal)
• Current Chairman: Myanmar, since November 2009
• Established in June 1997

The challenges Summit identifies and resolves to jointly work to overcome 

• Terrorism and the global threat it poses to peace, stability and economic progress
• Climate change in general and the ensuing natural disasters in particular
• Energy and Food security
• Connectivity, Trade and investment

Achievements

• A Memorandum of Association was signed to set up BIMSTEC Permanent Secretariat in Dhaka. That will facilitate the implementation of declared projects.
• Another MoA to set up a BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate in India to promote cooperation in dealing with challenges posed by climate change.
• Memorandum of Understanding for establishment of a BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Commission and BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory.

Resolutions

• To enhance cooperation in environmental protection and sustainable development
• To enhance cooperation in the field of agriculture, including crops, livestock and horticulture besides fisheries.
• To finalize an agreement on trade in goods by 2014 with intent to promote regional commerce
• To conclude the Agreement on Services and Investments
• To work on agreements on dispute settlement and cooperation in customs matters under the Free Trade Area framework.
• To devise a framework for establishment of the BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility.
• To increase cooperation in expanding the skill and technology base of member countries.

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Myanmar to host 3rd BIMSTEC summit

Myanmar is making preparations to host the third Summit of Bay of Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) in Nay Pyi Taw on March 1 to 4.

The BIMSTEC comprises Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Along with the four-day summit, other related meetings will also be underway.

The First and Second BIMSTEC Summits were held in Thailand in 2004 and India in 2008.

Although Myanmar has assumed BIMSTEC Chair since 2009, there has been a delay in approval of members for Myanmar to host the third Summit.

The 13th ministerial level meeting held in Nay Pyi Taw in 2011 approved Myanmar to host the third BIMSTEC Summit and related meetings.

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Mumbai tops list of world's 10 least expensive cities, Delhi third

 For an average Indian, living costs in Mumbai may be a nightmare. But the new Worldwide Cost of Living 2014 index has thrown up an interesting finding. India's city of dreams has emerged as the world's cheapest city to live in. The analysis takes into account the concept of value of money — how much bread would you get for one dollar or for that matter a litre of petrol. While Mumbai has emerged as the country with the best value for money spent, Delhi has emerged the third cheapest, placing it right at the bottom of the world's most expensive cities.
Buying 1 kg bread in Mumbai would cost $ 0.91 while in Delhi it would be $ 1.05 as against $ 3.36 in Singapore which has toppled Tokyo to be the world's most expensive city to live in this year. The average cost of one litre unleaded petrol in Mumbai is $ 1.21 and in Delhi $ 1.14 as against $ 2.50 in Paris — the world's second most expensive city.
Singapore topped 131 cities globally to become the world's most expensive city to live in 2014, according to the economist intelligence unit (EIU). Asia is interestingly home to some of the world's most expensive cities as well as to many of the world's cheapest cities.
World's 10 most expensive cities to live in 2014
1. Singapore
2. Paris
3. Oslo, Norway
4. Zurich, Switzerland
5. Sydney
6. Caracas, Venezuela
6. Geneva, Switzerland
6. Melbourne
6. Tokyo
7. Copenhagen, Denmark
World's 10 least expensive cities to live in 2014
122. Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
123. Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
124. Panama City, Panama
124. Bucharest, Romania
126. Algiers, Algeria
127. Damascus, Syria
127. Kathmandu, Nepal
129. New Delhi
130. Karachi, Pakistan
131. Mumbai, India

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Asia Cup: Afridi's blitzkrieg snatches victory for Pakistan, knocks India out

Shahid Afridi's brilliant blitzkrieg proved too hot for Bangladesh to handle as Pakistan registered a thrilling 3-wicket win that knocked India out of the Asia Cup. Afridi (59 off 25) hit 2 smashing boundaries and 7 scintillating sixes in his stupendous innings that also involved quick-fire 69-run partnership with Fawad Alam, who himself scored a 70-ball 74 to seal the match for Pakistan. 

Afridi reached his half-century in just 18 balls thereby equalling his own record for the second fastest one-day international half-century. 

Pakistan seemed to lose the plot in their 327-run chase as they lost quick wickets; however, the arrival of Afridi turned to be the game-changer as his onslaught resurrected Pakistan after the dismissal of centurion Ahmed Shehzad. 

Scorecard

Bangladesh 326/3 (50.0 ov)

Pakistan 329/7 (49.5 ov)

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Graeme Smith called time on international career

South Africa captain Graeme Smith’s international cricket career came to an abrupt end on Tuesday when he was dismissed for 3 as Australia moved ever closer to victory on day four of the third test at Newlands.
Smith announced his retirement from international cricket late Monday, and received a guard of honour from the Australians when he made his way to the crease.

He also captained South Africa in 27 Twenty20 Internationals, winning 18 and losing nine.As a determined left-handed opening batsman, Smith has scored 9,262 runs in 117 Tests at an average of 48.49.In 347 international matches across all formats he scored 17,228 runs.

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TtxtWeb, Bharti Airtel launched text-based app store

TxtWeb, a global text—based app platform from Intuit Inc, in association with Bharti Airtel has announced the launch of a unique text—based app store for the masses in India.

This app store enables Airtel users, across any mobile device to get access to a plethora of information ranging from academic content, social networking, sports, breaking news, financial tools to games and more, txtWeb in a release said.

The service will be available nationally at a minimal cost of 50 paise per SMS and also in packs of Rs 1 for 2 days, Rs 7 for 15 days and Rs 15 for 30 days, it added.

Stating that txtWeb enables mobile phone users to discover and consume information from the internet by simply SMSing keywords such as @wiki, @email, @cri, @gold, @movies, the company said the app platform also has an intelligent search feature that allows users to find answers to a range of queries from upcoming festivals, new movie releases to locations in a specific area.

Users “pull” information from txtWeb as per their requirements without getting spammed from senders. Currently, txtWeb has over 11 million users across India using one or more of the 3500 active apps built by developers and businesses across India, it added.

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86th Annual Academy Awards 2014 Announced

With seven Oscars including a history-making Best Director award for Alfonso Cuaron, the force of Gravity exerted itself at the 86th annual Academy Awards which announced on 2nd March.

The searing slavery drama 12 Years a Slave has won the Academy Award for Best Picture.

Directed by British director Steve McQueen, the film is based on a true story and stars Chiwetel Ejiofor as Solomon Northup, a free man who was kidnapped into slavery in the South. It is the first film directed by a black filmmaker to win the best picture Oscar.

Even with several awards to go, the 3D space spectacle was assured to be the most honored film at the Dolby Theatre ceremony hosted nimbly by Ellen DeGeneres. The Mexican Cuaron is the first Latino filmmaker to take best director.

Take a look at the complete list of winners at the 86th Academy Awards.

Best Picture: 12 Years a Slave
Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Steve McQueen and Anthony Katagas, Producers

Best Actor in leading role: Matthew McConaughey for Dallas Buyers Club

Best Actress in leading role: Cate Blanchett for Blue Jasmine

Best Actress Supporting Role: Lupita Nyong’o, 12 Years a Slave

Best Actor Supporting Role: Jared Leto Dallas Buyers Club

Best Directing: Alfonso Cuarón for Gravity

Best Original Screenplay: Her written by Spike Jonze

Best Adapted Screenplay: 12 Years a Slave by John Ridley

Best Music (original song): “Let It Go” from Frozen
Music and Lyric by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez

Best Music (original score): Gravity, Steven Price

Best Production Design: The Great Gatsby, Catherine Martin (Production Design); Beverley Dunn (Set Decoration)

Film Editing: Gravity, Alfonso Cuarón and Mark Sanger

Best Cinematography: Gravity, Emmanuel Lubezki

Best Sound Editing: Gravity, Glenn Freemantle

Best Sound Mixing: Gravity, Skip Lievsay, Niv Adiri, Christopher Benstead and Chris Munro

Best Foreign Language: The Great Beauty, Italy

Best Documentary Feature: Best Documentary Feature, 20 Feet from Stardom, Morgan Neville, Gil Friesen and Caitrin Rogers

Best Documentary Short Subject: The Lady in Number 6: Music Saved My Life, Malcolm Clarke and Nicholas Reed

Best Live Action Short Film: Helium, Anders Walter and Kim Magnusson

Best Costume Design: Catherine Martin, The Great Gatsby. This is Catherine’s third Oscar!

Best Make-up and Hair Styling: Adruitha Lee and Robin Mathews, Dallas Buyers Club

Best Animated Short Film: Mr. Hublot, Laurent Witz and Alexandre Espigares

Best Animated Feature Film: Frozen, Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee and Peter Del Vecho

Best Visual Effects: Gravity, Tim Webber, Chris Lawrence, David Shirk and Neil Corbould

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Ramco Systems inks deal with Malaysia Airlines

IT solutions provider Ramco Systems has signed a pact with Malaysia Airlines for providing a suite of enterprise-wide engineering solutions, including aircraft maintenance, operations and overhaul services, among others.

Though the size of the deal was not disclosed, the tenure is for five years that includes managing service components, it said.

The deal will help Malaysia Airlines to improve its aviation business processes, optimise fleet management and give advance updates on MRO and engineering matters, the statement said.

From the cockpit to the tarmac and the hangar, Malaysia Airlines engineering and MRO operations can now be integrated more effectively while corporate functions like human resources, payroll and optimisation can be streamlined, he said.

Built for the aviation sector, Ramco Aviation Suite caters to airlines, rotor wing operators, air cargo and third party MROs.

The solution helps aviation businesses bring in best practices into engineering and maintenance operations and reduce overhead costs, the statement added.

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Former TRAI Chairman J.S. Sarma passes away

Former TRAI Chairman J.S. Sarma, an advocate of telecom sector reforms, has passed away after an illness. He was 65.

During Sarma’s regime, mobile number portability was introduced, allowing customers to switch telecom operators without changing their mobile numbers. The per-second billing plan was also mandated during his tenure.

Sarma, a 1971 batch Indian Administrative Service officer from the Andhra Pradesh cadre, initiated the process to stop telecom operators from activating value-added services such as mobile Internet and caller tunes without permission from the consumer.

Although the direction was challenged by operators in court, Sarma’s successor and present Chairman Rahul Khullar implemented the regulation in July 2013 with a provision that entitles customers to refund of money deducted for value-added services provided without their permission.

TRAI’s recommendations on ‘Spectrum Management and Licensing Framework’ in 2010 during Sarma’s tenure formed the basis of the new unified telecom licence regime under which spectrum was separated from permits. They also laid the ground for other telecom liberalisation measures such as spectrum auctions, sharing of airwaves and mergers and acquisitions.

During Sarma’s time at the helm of TRAI, the Supreme Court cancelled 122 2G licences and directed the regulator to recommend steps to auction the spectrum in the same manner as 3G airwaves were sold in 2010.

The TRAI’s recommendations for the 2G auction in 2012 drew criticism from the industry as the minimum price recommended by the regulator was a little above the rate companies paid for the 3G spectrum.

Sarma had no scope to make corrections as he retired in May 2012, six months before the auction was held in November 2012, attracting a poor response.

Sarma was a member of the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Tribunal and served as the Telecom Secretary before becoming TRAI chairman.

Born in Vijayawada on September 4, 1948, Sarma graduated from Osmania University. He had an M. Tech degree in Applied Geology and a Doctorate in Public Enterprises from the University of Paris.

He had served in key positions with both the state and central governments in departments such as Fertiliser, Defence and Rural Development.

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India, U.S. to intensify cooperation in tax evasion cases

India and the United States have decided to enhance cooperation for automatic exchange of information on tax evasion and detection of financial crimes, shoring up efforts to crackdown on blackmoney cases involving economic channels of the two countries.

A team of the US Treasury officials recently met Indian Income Tax and CBDT officials for negotiating an Inter-Governmental Agreement (IGA) which will enable faster access to tax evasion related information and tax crimes by individuals and entities of the two countries.

India, since 2009, has a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) treaty with the US which is also under revision for betterment of protocols.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), which is the nerve agency of the government in black money cases as it administers the I-T department, recently also began talks on the Mutual Agreement Procedure (MAP) with the US officials.

These talks, sources said, have begun after a span of more than a year and two rounds of discussions have already been held between the authorities.

MAP is an alternative available to taxpayers for solving disputes giving rise to double taxation, whether judicial or financial. The MAP procedures are also listed in the DTAA protocol.

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SMS alert service for waitlisted rail passengers launched

Now you will no longer have to dial 139 or visit the rail website to check the status of your waitlisted ticket as the railways will now send booking status messages to passengers on mobile phones, if the tickets get confirmed before the journey.

The software for the SMS-based service has been developed by CRIS, the technological arm of railways.

This was a Rail Budget proposal and the government was a committed to providing it to passengers free of cost, he said after launching the SMS Gateway service.

He, however, clarified that if the waitlisted ticket becomes RAC or confirmed then only a passenger will be informed through SMS and not otherwise.

The facility is expected to reduce the last minute enquiry rush on the rail websites and call centre as well as reduce the crowding near the notice board of pasted chart locations on platforms.

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K.T. Thomas refuses to head Lokpal search panel

In yet another embarrassment to the government, former Supreme Court judge K.T. Thomas on Monday turned down the offer to head Lokpal search committee, days after jurist Fali Nariman opted out of the panel.

When asked whether the recent refusal from Nariman to be part of the search committee had any role to play in his decision, former Judge Thomas said, “It was not for the same reason”.

Justice Thomas was a judge in the apex court between March 29, 1996 and January 1, 2002.

Fali Nariman had recently also refused to be part of the Lokpal search panel, voicing fears that the best will be overlooked by the multi-layered procedure.

The eight-member search committee is mandated to prepare a panel of persons to be considered by the Selection Committee headed by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for appointment of chairperson and members of Lokpal.

The Selection Committee has as members the Lok Sabha Speaker, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, the Chief Justice of India or a judge of the apex court nominated by him, and an eminent jurist who could be nominated by the President or any other member.

The Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013 provides for establishment of a Lokpal for the Union and Lokayuktas for the states to inquire into corruption charges against public functionaries. The Centre had already got nominations from various individuals for becoming its chairperson and members

.

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President rule in Andhra Pradesh, assent to Telangana bill

The bill to carve out Telangana on Saturday received the assent of President Pranab Mukherjee who also signed the proclamation to impose central rule in Andhra Pradesh. 

The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill 2014, which got Parliament's approval on February 20 despite strong opposition from Seemandhra leaders, got the Presidential assent, paving the way for creation of the country's 29th state by splitting Andhra Pradesh. 

There will be 13 districts in residuary Andhra Pradesh while Telangana will have 10 districts, including the Hyderabad city. 

In a bid to address concerns of the Seemandhra region, government had already announced grant of special category status including tax incentives to the residuary state as part of a six-point development package for AP's two successor states. 

The President also signed the proclamation to impose President's rule in Andhra Pradesh following the Union Cabinet's recommendation yesterday. 

Mukherjee gave his nod to place under suspended animation the Andhra Pradesh assembly whose term is slated to end on June two. 

The decision to impose the President's Rule in Andhra Pradesh was necessitated by N Kiran Kumar Reddy's resignation as the chief minister on February 19 as he was opposed to division of the state to carve out Telangana. 

Governor E S L Narasimhan had recommended central rule in the state after the resignation. 

The bill to create Telangana by splitting Andhra Pradesh was passed by Parliament on February 20 in the just-concluded winter session. 

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South Africa lift ICC U-19 World Cup

South Africa lifted the ICC U-19 World Cup defeating Pakistan by six wickets in a low-scoring final encounter in Dubai on Saturday.

Batting first, Pakistan were bowled out for a paltry 131 in 44.3 overs with right arm medium pacer Corbin Bosch grabbing four for 15 in 7.3 overs. In reply, South Africa chased down the target in 42.1 overs with Aiden Markram (66) and Greg Oldfield (40) being the chief contributors.

Earlier in the day, Pakistan were reeling at 72 for seven when Zafar Gohar (22) and Amad Butt (37) added 45 runs for the eighth wicket stand to take the team total past 100-run mark.

Most of the top order batsmen like captain Sami Aslam (16), Imam-ul-Haq (12) and Hasan Raza (2) (15) were guilty of playing poor shots.

Once the top order was blown away, it was difficult for the middle and lower order to repair and also build a substancial score on a big day. The pressure was telling and Pakistan wilted under it.

While chasing a low score was not a big ask but Proteas took a lot of time but achieved the target. Markram-Oldfield added 71 runs for the fourth wicket to ensure a smooth sailing for the champion team.

Brief Scores:

Pakistan 131 in 44.3 overs (Amad Butt 37, Zafar Gohar 22, Corbin Bosch 4/15).

South Africa 134/4 in 42.1 overs (Aiden Makrram 66, Greg Oldfield 40).

SA u—19 won by 6 wickets.

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Former BJP chief Bangaru Laxman passes away

Former BJP president Bangaru Laxman, who was caught on camera in 2001 while accepting a bribe of Rs 1 lakh in a fake defence deal hugely embarrassing the the NDA government, died at a hospital in Hyderabad on Saturday.

A former Union minister, Mr. Laxman, who was to turn 75 on March 17, was not keeping well for some time due to a kidney ailment and died of cardiac arrest at a private hospital 5 p.m.

He is survived by three daughters and a son.

The first Dalit president of BJP, he had hit the headlines when he was caught on camera receiving money from a purported arms dealer in a sting operation by Tehelka. He was convicted in the case by a Special CBI Court in 2012.

The episode also marked the advent of sting journalism in the country.

Born in a dalit family in Andhra Pradesh, he joined politics at an early age and was elected to the Rajya Sabha in 1996. He was also jailed during the Emergency in 1975.

His wife Susheela Laxman Bangaru was a BJP member of 14th Lok Sabha and was elected from Jalore constituency in Rajasthan. He is survived by his wife, a son and three daughters.

BJP president Rajnath Singh and other party leaders have condoled the death of Laxman.

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Sahara chief Subrata Roy arrested in Lucknow

Sahara Chief Subrata Roy was arrested in Lucknow on Friday, after evading for two days a non-bailable warrant issued by the Supreme Court for his failure to appear before it in a case of non-refund of Rs 20,000 crore to investors.

Capping a day of dramatic developments, 65-year-old Roy surrendered before police this morning after calling them to Sahara Shaher.

Appearing for Roy in the Supreme Court, Ram Jethmalani told a bench headed by Justice K S Radhakrishnan that 65-year-old Roy is in police custody.

Jethmalani also pleaded to the court for recalling of NBW issued by it on February 26. He submitted that the special bench, comprising Justices Radhakrishnan and J S Khehar, which heard the case be assembled today to hear his application.

Justice Radhakrishnan, who sat with Justice Vikramajit Sen, however, said that it is not possible for the special bench to assemble today.

Subrata’s son Seemanto Roy said his father has willfully submitted himself before Lucknow police and he is cooperating with all authorities.

Earlier in the morning, Subrata Roy said he is not absconding from arrest and is ready to “unconditionally follow” whatever direction the Supreme Court gives him today.

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Opposition leader Yatsenyuk elected as Ukraine PM

The Ukrainian parliament has elected former opposition leader Arseniy Yatsenyuk as the country’s Prime Minister.

Mr. Yatsenyyuk, a close ally of former prime minister Yulia Tymoshenko, was backed by 371 of 417 participating deputies.

Before his election, Mr. Yatsenyuk vowed to sign an association agreement with the European Union and promised to keep Crimea inside Ukraine.

Meanwhile, the European Union should deploy financial aid and sanctions to help tackle the crisis in Ukraine, the bloc’s parliament said on Thursday in a resolution.

Lawmakers called for the EU to “take the lead” in the organization of a donors’ conference for the cash-strapped country.

Ukraine should be offered both short-term and long-term support packages, the parliament said. It also called for the EU to proceed with travel bans and asset freezes against those responsible for violence in the country, as agreed by foreign ministers last week.

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