The Centre has called for a hike in budgetary allocation to Union Health and Family Welfare ministry in the 11th five year plan to increase spending on its ambitious public health plans.
"We are confident that we will be allocated a sum of about Rs 1.36 lakh crore, as against Rs 45,000 crore in the Tenth Five Year Plan," Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Anbumani Ramadoss told reporters on the sidelines of a Strabismology conference- 'Synergy 07' at Chennai on Saturday.
An amount of Rs 1,500 crore would be earmarked for the National Blindness Control Programme under the Plan, he said.
Ramadoss said that India would achieve the targetted .3 per cent prevalence of blindness by the year 2015.
"When the National Blindness Control Programme was started some 20 years back, the prevalence rate was 1.4 per cent, which has now come down to 1 per cent," he said.
Asked about future health programmes, he said the Centre would introduce the National School Health Programme, where every school-going child would be provided a 'smart card.'
"The child will be screened annually for health problems relating to vision, hearing, heart, diabetes and anaemia, among others, the information of which will be updated in the smart card," he said, adding the programme would be a Public-Private Partnership model.
The Centre last year had trained two lakh teachers in the country on identifying eye-defects in children, he said.
On the controversial Compulsory Rural Postings scheme for medicos, he said that any decision would be taken only after the Sambasiva Rao Committee, which is taking opinions of stakeholders, submitted its report.
The committee is expected to submit the report by December end.
Govt to set up body to regulate medical courses
The Government is considering setting up a unified body for regulating post-graduate medical courses in the country, Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss said on Friday.
Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour in Rajya Sabha, he said while Medical Council of India was responsible for under-graduate medical courses in the country, post-graduate courses are conducted by National Board of Examination and MCI.The MCI regulated post-graduate education has not been recognised in many countries while National Board of Education courses are widely accepted including in Middle-East and UK.To harmonise these, Dr Ranjid Roy Choudhary committee was constituted which has suggested a unified body for conducting post-graduate medical courses.
"We have not yet taken any view," he said.
Ramadoss, said with two-third of medical colleges in the country being concentrated in six states including Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Maharashtra, the Government is planning to change regulations to allow government hospitals to start medical colleges.
Uttar Pradesh has only 16 medical colleges while Bihar and Madhya Pradesh have just eight each.
"There is a big lacuna for which we are going to change the regulations," he said.
The Minister said of the 700,000 modern system doctors in the country, only 10 percent are serving in rural areas.
On vacancies in MCI, he said on High Court direction, 110 out of 130 vacandies of members of MCI have been filled up.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
President to inaugurate science exhibition in Pondy
President Pratibha Patil would inaugurate the 34th Jawaharlal Nehru Science Exhibition for Children-2007 at Indira Gandhi Sports Complex at Uppalam on 21st December during her maiden visit to the Union Territory after assuming office.
Patil was likely to visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Auroville township and the government museum the next day after an overnight stay at Rajnivas.
Puducherry administration was making full-fledged arrangements to accord an exhilarating reception to the President during her two-day visit and the Rajnivas was being spruced up for her stay, official sources said.
The two-week-long science exhibition was being organised by Directorate of School Education in association with the National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT), Education minister M O H F Shahjahan said.
This was the first time that a national-level science fair was being held in Puducherry, he said.
As part of the event, around 500 children from various schools of the Union Territory would create an 'art banner' measuring 6,000 feet to project the theme of the exhibition, `Science and Mankind`.
The government has earmarked Rs 50 lakhs for the exhibition, which would be participated by students from different parts of the country. There would be around 55 stalls at the venue.
Shahjahan said the government had proposed to start a state-level council for Education Research and Training and to promote e-learning in schools.
The government has selected 80 schools to implement the 'Smart School concept'. Teachers of the schools would be trained and the syllabus would be framed in consultation with the Wipro Foundation.
Shahjahan said discussions have already been held with Wipro chief Azim Premji
Patil was likely to visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram, Auroville township and the government museum the next day after an overnight stay at Rajnivas.
Puducherry administration was making full-fledged arrangements to accord an exhilarating reception to the President during her two-day visit and the Rajnivas was being spruced up for her stay, official sources said.
The two-week-long science exhibition was being organised by Directorate of School Education in association with the National Council of Education Research and Training (NCERT), Education minister M O H F Shahjahan said.
This was the first time that a national-level science fair was being held in Puducherry, he said.
As part of the event, around 500 children from various schools of the Union Territory would create an 'art banner' measuring 6,000 feet to project the theme of the exhibition, `Science and Mankind`.
The government has earmarked Rs 50 lakhs for the exhibition, which would be participated by students from different parts of the country. There would be around 55 stalls at the venue.
Shahjahan said the government had proposed to start a state-level council for Education Research and Training and to promote e-learning in schools.
The government has selected 80 schools to implement the 'Smart School concept'. Teachers of the schools would be trained and the syllabus would be framed in consultation with the Wipro Foundation.
Shahjahan said discussions have already been held with Wipro chief Azim Premji
Malaysian PM warns of invoking ISA against ethnic Indians
Malaysian Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi has warned the ethnic Indians that they could be held under the Internal Security Act if their actions threatened national interest and asked the police to monitor their movements.
Abdullah's warning came following allegations by authorities that the members of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), which is spearheading the anti-government agitation against the alleged marginalisation of ethnic Indians, are linked with "terrorists" groups including LTTE.
"My instruction to the police is that the group should be monitored. Internal Security Act is an option. I will decide when the time is right. If they are deemed (as a threat to national security) we will know what to do," the New Straits Times quoted Abdullah as saying. ISA allows for years of detention without trial.
Abdullah, who is also the Internal Security minister, said he was aware of Hindraf canvassing for support and help from terrorist groups and local gangsters.
Meanwhile, a senior leader in the prime minister's department has said the Malaysian Government had Sri Lanka's LTTE and India's RSS as the overseas groups linked to Hindraf.
Mohamed Nazri Aziz was quoted by the Star newspaper as saying that this was deduced from statements of Hindraf leaders, who went abroad to garner support, that they would meet LTTE leaders.
"As we know, the LTTE has been declared a terrorist group by the United Nations and the United States.
If it is true that Hindraf leaders have links with them, Hindraf is also a terrorist group," he said. The paper did not make any further reference to Nazri's comments on RSS.
The country's police chief Musa Hassan was reported to have said that there were signs lately that Hindraf was trying to garner support from terrorist groups.
He said Hindraf had also set up a fund by misleading the public into believing that the money was to finance its activities.
Opposition party DAP leader Karpal Singh felt that Hindraf leaders should be given the opportunity to explain the reasons behind the demonstration.
He added that the presence of thousands of Indians at the demonstration was cause for concern and reason enough to assume that the problems of the community ought to be addressed, the Star reported.
Meanwhile, the Sultan of Selangor said Hindraf's actions had incited hatred and damaged Malaysia's image by taking its campaign overseas.
Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah said he was unhappy at Hindraf supporters carrying banners and pictures of Queen Elizabeth II during the recent protests.
"Why were they displaying her pictures and asking her to intervene in Malaysia? They can always bring their case to the Government and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong," he said.
Abdullah's warning came following allegations by authorities that the members of the Hindu Rights Action Force (Hindraf), which is spearheading the anti-government agitation against the alleged marginalisation of ethnic Indians, are linked with "terrorists" groups including LTTE.
"My instruction to the police is that the group should be monitored. Internal Security Act is an option. I will decide when the time is right. If they are deemed (as a threat to national security) we will know what to do," the New Straits Times quoted Abdullah as saying. ISA allows for years of detention without trial.
Abdullah, who is also the Internal Security minister, said he was aware of Hindraf canvassing for support and help from terrorist groups and local gangsters.
Meanwhile, a senior leader in the prime minister's department has said the Malaysian Government had Sri Lanka's LTTE and India's RSS as the overseas groups linked to Hindraf.
Mohamed Nazri Aziz was quoted by the Star newspaper as saying that this was deduced from statements of Hindraf leaders, who went abroad to garner support, that they would meet LTTE leaders.
"As we know, the LTTE has been declared a terrorist group by the United Nations and the United States.
If it is true that Hindraf leaders have links with them, Hindraf is also a terrorist group," he said. The paper did not make any further reference to Nazri's comments on RSS.
The country's police chief Musa Hassan was reported to have said that there were signs lately that Hindraf was trying to garner support from terrorist groups.
He said Hindraf had also set up a fund by misleading the public into believing that the money was to finance its activities.
Opposition party DAP leader Karpal Singh felt that Hindraf leaders should be given the opportunity to explain the reasons behind the demonstration.
He added that the presence of thousands of Indians at the demonstration was cause for concern and reason enough to assume that the problems of the community ought to be addressed, the Star reported.
Meanwhile, the Sultan of Selangor said Hindraf's actions had incited hatred and damaged Malaysia's image by taking its campaign overseas.
Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah said he was unhappy at Hindraf supporters carrying banners and pictures of Queen Elizabeth II during the recent protests.
"Why were they displaying her pictures and asking her to intervene in Malaysia? They can always bring their case to the Government and the Yang di-Pertuan Agong," he said.
India, Myanmar to cooperate on tsunami monitoring
India and Myanmar will cooperate on tsunami monitoring and experts of the two countries will meet soon for discussions about the details of early warning projects for tsunamis.
According to the report, Myanmar's state Meteorology and Hydrology Department (MHD) and India's Ministry of Geology and Science will cooperate on tsunami monitoring. In 2005, a year after 26th December, 2004 tsunami, Myanmar set up a national committee for natural disaster prevention and resettlement in a bid to strengthen its tsunami warning system although the country was not as severely affected by the tsunami as other South and Southeast Asian nations. Meanwhile, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has committed itself to helping Myanmar develop an early warning system for tsunamis and other natural disasters by setting up two seismograph stations and two sea-level measurement stations, according to the MHD. Tsunami data from the already established regional early warning centre in the Indian Ocean will be received by Myanmar's early warning centre. The Japan International Cooperation Agency is also helping Myanmar establish an early earthquake warning, according to state media.
According to the report, Myanmar's state Meteorology and Hydrology Department (MHD) and India's Ministry of Geology and Science will cooperate on tsunami monitoring. In 2005, a year after 26th December, 2004 tsunami, Myanmar set up a national committee for natural disaster prevention and resettlement in a bid to strengthen its tsunami warning system although the country was not as severely affected by the tsunami as other South and Southeast Asian nations. Meanwhile, the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) has committed itself to helping Myanmar develop an early warning system for tsunamis and other natural disasters by setting up two seismograph stations and two sea-level measurement stations, according to the MHD. Tsunami data from the already established regional early warning centre in the Indian Ocean will be received by Myanmar's early warning centre. The Japan International Cooperation Agency is also helping Myanmar establish an early earthquake warning, according to state media.
Patil seeks creation of network of NGOs
President Pratibha Patil on Saturday sought the creation of a network of non-governmental organisations which will create awareness among people about social issues.
"There should be a network of NGOs in society which should work towards creating awareness about social issues," she said addressing chairpersons of state social welfare boards.
Asking the welfare boards to be a medium between the government and the people, she said, "social awareness is more important than help being doled out to the needy".
"The more they work towards the social sector, the more society would benefit," she said.
Observing that just by women reaching at high posts there was no change in ground realities, she said, "we have to work towards that".
Chairperson of the Central Social Welfare Board, Rajni Patil asked the President to take up issues of women's reservation in state assemblies and parliament and that of female foeticide.
Head of the Uttar Pradesh board, Anjana Prakash, presented Patil with a memorandum on stopping female foeticide in the state
"There should be a network of NGOs in society which should work towards creating awareness about social issues," she said addressing chairpersons of state social welfare boards.
Asking the welfare boards to be a medium between the government and the people, she said, "social awareness is more important than help being doled out to the needy".
"The more they work towards the social sector, the more society would benefit," she said.
Observing that just by women reaching at high posts there was no change in ground realities, she said, "we have to work towards that".
Chairperson of the Central Social Welfare Board, Rajni Patil asked the President to take up issues of women's reservation in state assemblies and parliament and that of female foeticide.
Head of the Uttar Pradesh board, Anjana Prakash, presented Patil with a memorandum on stopping female foeticide in the state
SAARC Foreign Ministers called on Manmohan Singh today
SAARC Foreign Ministers on Saturday called on the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as the Foreign Ministers are in New Delhi to attend the 29th Session of the 8-nation SAARC Council of Foreign Ministers
SAARC members on Friday agreed to operationalise the SAARC development fund immediately.
They also discussed a SAARC security network and greater regional infrastructure for trade.
SAARC members on Friday agreed to operationalise the SAARC development fund immediately.
They also discussed a SAARC security network and greater regional infrastructure for trade.
EC's decision likely on Sunday on reply sent by Modi
The Election Commission will meet on Sunday to consider the response sent by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi, the full Commission headed by Chief Election Commissioner N Gopalaswamy.
The commission will consider the reply of Modi in which he said his speech was entirely against terrorism and he had not justified the encounter killing of Sohrabuddin.The Chief Minister said the Commission issued the notice to him on the basis of unverified and false media reports.The Commission has also sought from the state election machinery details of Gandhi's speech at Navsari in Gujarat on 1st December, describing BJP government as "merchants of fear and death".In his reply, Modi said though the state unit of BJP had sent separate complaints, no action has been taken by the EC.The full Commission is also leaving for Gujarat on Sunday as the campaign for the first phase of polling on 11th December comes to an end.
"At no point of time I justified the encounter": Modi to EC
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has told the Election Commission that at no point of time he had justified the Sohrabuddin encounter killing and controversy over his election speech was based on "unverified and false media reports".
In his reply to the commission's notice for which he was given some extra time, he said "at no stage, I have controverted the affidavit filed by the Gujarat Government in the Supreme Court of India. I have already clarified my position that I do not support fake encounters".Observing that his speech has to be read in its entirety, he said it was a political response to Congress President Sonia Gandhi referring him as those who rule the Gujarat as a 'Mout-ke-saudagar'."Surely it cannot be policy of the EC first to ignore the violation of the Code of Conduct in her statement and then censor my political response to that statement," Modi said adding his speech was entirely against terrorism."At no point of time, I have either justified the specific encounter of Sohrabuddin's case....," the Chief Minister said seeking withdrawal of the EC notice.The commission giving a notice on Thursday had said by linking the name of Sohrabuddin to terrorism in his speech amounted to indulging in activity which may aggravate existing differences, creating communal hatred and causing tension between different communities.
"When statements are made by political opponents, others are entitled to reply to them. The tone and content of the statement must necessarily adhere to the Model Code of Conduct," Modi said.
Observing that he regarded the EC as a Constitutional authority to ensure free and fair poll, he hoped that it would also defend his right of free speech against "those who have started hate campaign against me".
He said Gandhi during his visit on 1st December had referred to him which suggested that those who were ruling Gujarat as "liars, dishonest and merchants of fear and death".
AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh had visited the state and referred to it as a state which had unleashed "Hindu terrorism," he said, adding though BJP had filed a complaint, no action has been taken against them.
"I am sure the EC will at least now proceed to take action on those reports," the chief minister said.
Noting that problem of terrorism was one of the critical issues in the country, Modi said he believed that UPA and Congress party was indulging in vote bank politics and have sent soft signals on terrorism.
Modi, said his speech was entirely against terrorism.
"I criticised the Congress president for calling me a 'Maut ka saudagar'. I responded that the 'maut ka saudagar' are all those who attacked Parliament," he said.
"I have made a reference to the Sohrabuddin's case and mentioned the allegations against him. I have accused the Congress of suggesting that I have engineered a fake encounter. I said that I am open for any action on this count," the Chief Minister said.
Modi said it was his political response to Gandhi's allegation that he was maut-ka saudagar.
He had replied back alleging that the Congress was helping those who had spread terrorism in the country.
The comments in the media that 'Modi justified murder' or that 'he made confessional statement' as being privy to murder or that Modi declared in the meeting that 'Sohrabuddin got what he deserved' did not find a mention in the CD, he said.
"These are journalistic inventions intended to engineer a 'Hate Modi' campaign and not evidenced in the CD supplied by the EC. My criticism in the media was concocted and engineered by this 'Hate Modi' campaign," he said making it clear that no where in his speech he had referred to the religion of any person.
"Encounters could occur but there should be no fake encounters," he said adding he had nowhere tried to prejudice any pending litigation.
The commission will consider the reply of Modi in which he said his speech was entirely against terrorism and he had not justified the encounter killing of Sohrabuddin.The Chief Minister said the Commission issued the notice to him on the basis of unverified and false media reports.The Commission has also sought from the state election machinery details of Gandhi's speech at Navsari in Gujarat on 1st December, describing BJP government as "merchants of fear and death".In his reply, Modi said though the state unit of BJP had sent separate complaints, no action has been taken by the EC.The full Commission is also leaving for Gujarat on Sunday as the campaign for the first phase of polling on 11th December comes to an end.
"At no point of time I justified the encounter": Modi to EC
Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi has told the Election Commission that at no point of time he had justified the Sohrabuddin encounter killing and controversy over his election speech was based on "unverified and false media reports".
In his reply to the commission's notice for which he was given some extra time, he said "at no stage, I have controverted the affidavit filed by the Gujarat Government in the Supreme Court of India. I have already clarified my position that I do not support fake encounters".Observing that his speech has to be read in its entirety, he said it was a political response to Congress President Sonia Gandhi referring him as those who rule the Gujarat as a 'Mout-ke-saudagar'."Surely it cannot be policy of the EC first to ignore the violation of the Code of Conduct in her statement and then censor my political response to that statement," Modi said adding his speech was entirely against terrorism."At no point of time, I have either justified the specific encounter of Sohrabuddin's case....," the Chief Minister said seeking withdrawal of the EC notice.The commission giving a notice on Thursday had said by linking the name of Sohrabuddin to terrorism in his speech amounted to indulging in activity which may aggravate existing differences, creating communal hatred and causing tension between different communities.
"When statements are made by political opponents, others are entitled to reply to them. The tone and content of the statement must necessarily adhere to the Model Code of Conduct," Modi said.
Observing that he regarded the EC as a Constitutional authority to ensure free and fair poll, he hoped that it would also defend his right of free speech against "those who have started hate campaign against me".
He said Gandhi during his visit on 1st December had referred to him which suggested that those who were ruling Gujarat as "liars, dishonest and merchants of fear and death".
AICC General Secretary Digvijay Singh had visited the state and referred to it as a state which had unleashed "Hindu terrorism," he said, adding though BJP had filed a complaint, no action has been taken against them.
"I am sure the EC will at least now proceed to take action on those reports," the chief minister said.
Noting that problem of terrorism was one of the critical issues in the country, Modi said he believed that UPA and Congress party was indulging in vote bank politics and have sent soft signals on terrorism.
Modi, said his speech was entirely against terrorism.
"I criticised the Congress president for calling me a 'Maut ka saudagar'. I responded that the 'maut ka saudagar' are all those who attacked Parliament," he said.
"I have made a reference to the Sohrabuddin's case and mentioned the allegations against him. I have accused the Congress of suggesting that I have engineered a fake encounter. I said that I am open for any action on this count," the Chief Minister said.
Modi said it was his political response to Gandhi's allegation that he was maut-ka saudagar.
He had replied back alleging that the Congress was helping those who had spread terrorism in the country.
The comments in the media that 'Modi justified murder' or that 'he made confessional statement' as being privy to murder or that Modi declared in the meeting that 'Sohrabuddin got what he deserved' did not find a mention in the CD, he said.
"These are journalistic inventions intended to engineer a 'Hate Modi' campaign and not evidenced in the CD supplied by the EC. My criticism in the media was concocted and engineered by this 'Hate Modi' campaign," he said making it clear that no where in his speech he had referred to the religion of any person.
"Encounters could occur but there should be no fake encounters," he said adding he had nowhere tried to prejudice any pending litigation.
No Indian women pistol shooter to contest in Beijing Olympics
Promising shooters Harveen Srao and Sweta Chowdhary's hopes of competing in next year's Olympic Games came down crashing as they failed to qualify for the finals of women's pistol event at the Asian Championships in Kuwait on Saturday.
Shweta, missed the finals on the last card basis after she shot 383 out of 400 but was ranked as 10th due to her low last card while Harveen and Nausheen Fathima were further behind with scores of 377 and 363 respectively to leave India with no representation in the event at Olympics.It was a similar story in women's 50m rifle 3 position event as no Indian could make the finals with Anjali Bhagwat, who is already a quota place holder in the event, shooting 570/600 while Meena Kumari and Tejswinin Sawant returned figures of 568 and 566 respectively.Raj Kumari, who was shooting for Minimum quota Score (MQS) shot 576.In the Rapid Fire Pistol event for men, Pemba Tamang shot 290/300, Vijay Kumar 284 and Harpreet Singh 274 at the half way stage.
The remaining rounds will be shot on Sunday to decide the quota place'.
Junior shooters, however, continued to bring laurels for the country by bagging one silver and two bronze medals in various events on Saturday.
Lajja Goswami won her second bronze medal in 50M Rifle 3 Position junior women event. She shot 656.7 (560+96.7).
In the team event, Lajja (560), Anu Tomar (551) and N Saini Devi (557) won the silver medal.
The gold medal went to China, who top scored with 1702 while the bronze went to Taipei for carding 1655.
Heena Sidhu, making her international debut, won the bronze medal in junior air pistol women event.
She fired 379+99.5 while shooters from China and Taipei shot 481.2 and 480.7 respectively for the first and second positions.
Shweta, missed the finals on the last card basis after she shot 383 out of 400 but was ranked as 10th due to her low last card while Harveen and Nausheen Fathima were further behind with scores of 377 and 363 respectively to leave India with no representation in the event at Olympics.It was a similar story in women's 50m rifle 3 position event as no Indian could make the finals with Anjali Bhagwat, who is already a quota place holder in the event, shooting 570/600 while Meena Kumari and Tejswinin Sawant returned figures of 568 and 566 respectively.Raj Kumari, who was shooting for Minimum quota Score (MQS) shot 576.In the Rapid Fire Pistol event for men, Pemba Tamang shot 290/300, Vijay Kumar 284 and Harpreet Singh 274 at the half way stage.
The remaining rounds will be shot on Sunday to decide the quota place'.
Junior shooters, however, continued to bring laurels for the country by bagging one silver and two bronze medals in various events on Saturday.
Lajja Goswami won her second bronze medal in 50M Rifle 3 Position junior women event. She shot 656.7 (560+96.7).
In the team event, Lajja (560), Anu Tomar (551) and N Saini Devi (557) won the silver medal.
The gold medal went to China, who top scored with 1702 while the bronze went to Taipei for carding 1655.
Heena Sidhu, making her international debut, won the bronze medal in junior air pistol women event.
She fired 379+99.5 while shooters from China and Taipei shot 481.2 and 480.7 respectively for the first and second positions.
Cambodia invites Indian investments in agri, IT, infra
Cambodia has invited Indian investments in agriculture, IT and infrastructure saying its liberal policy structure allows foreign firms to independently conduct business at lower cost, trade between India and Cambodia currently stands at US$ 50 mnwhich mainly comprises Indian exports.
"We have adopted a liberal policy structure for economic development. We provide national treatment to foreign firms under which they enjoy the same rights as domestic investors,"
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said at a session organised by apex industry chambers at New Delhi on Saturday.
Sen is on a four-day visit to India starting Saturday.
Firms can set shop in Cambodia on their own and need not partner with a local company to commence operations, he said, adding that Cambodia promotes private participation in industrial and services sector to generate economic growth.
In case of local participation, the foreign investor can choose the level of equity it wants to hold, he added.
"There is a huge potential for Indian firms to invest in sectors such as agriculture, food processing, tourism, mining, manufacturing, services and natural resources," he said.
Sen, further said his country has streamlined procedure to facilitate private investment in key sectors besides reducing cost of doing business.
Cambodia is keen to attract as much foreign direct investment as possible from countries like India. This is important for the development of Cambodia, he said.
"We have adopted a liberal policy structure for economic development. We provide national treatment to foreign firms under which they enjoy the same rights as domestic investors,"
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen said at a session organised by apex industry chambers at New Delhi on Saturday.
Sen is on a four-day visit to India starting Saturday.
Firms can set shop in Cambodia on their own and need not partner with a local company to commence operations, he said, adding that Cambodia promotes private participation in industrial and services sector to generate economic growth.
In case of local participation, the foreign investor can choose the level of equity it wants to hold, he added.
"There is a huge potential for Indian firms to invest in sectors such as agriculture, food processing, tourism, mining, manufacturing, services and natural resources," he said.
Sen, further said his country has streamlined procedure to facilitate private investment in key sectors besides reducing cost of doing business.
Cambodia is keen to attract as much foreign direct investment as possible from countries like India. This is important for the development of Cambodia, he said.
Choose between ideologies of 'fear' and 'harmony': Sonia
Charging the BJP govt in Gujarat with betraying the trust of people, Congress president Sonia Gandhi asked the voters in the state to choose between ideologies of "fear and illusion" and "communal harmony and development".
"There are two ideologies before you. One stands for creating fear and illusion and the other for communal harmony and development. If you want communal harmony and development, then vote for the Congress," she said, addressing a rally at tribal-dominated Mandvi in Surat district ahead of the first phase of polling on 11th December.
The Congress believes in taking everybody along, in the philosophy of 'bhaichara and sadbhavna' (brotherhood and communal harmony).
Though the BJP likes to talk about development, it has no concern either for the farmers or tribals, Gandhi noted.
"There are backlog in vacancies in government jobs for SC/STs. The State Government has closed down the forest cooperatives," she said, adding the BJP makes lots of promises and announcements which later turn out to be just hollow.
On BJP's criticism that during the Congress-led UPA Government, many poor have become ineligible to get concessions marked for the people below poverty line, the ruling coalition's Chairperson said it was during the NDA regime that the BPL policy was reviewed.
"Most of the development in Gujarat was due to the policies of the previous Congress governments and the hard work by the people of the state," she said.
"You should ask the BJP Government to account for the money it received from the Centre for development works," Gandhi told the gathering.
The Congress chief said there is an "atmosphere of violence and pain" in the BJP-ruled Gujarat.
Law and order situation has deteriorated and crime rate has increased sharply, she said, adding atrocities on adivasis had risen and women and even children are not safe in Gujarat.
Gujarat Government has adopted a policy of discrimination in protecting the people, Gandhi said, adding the UPA coalition has given crores of rupees to Gujarat but the money has not reached the beneficiaries.
"This is not our failure but that of the BJP Government."
"There are two ideologies before you. One stands for creating fear and illusion and the other for communal harmony and development. If you want communal harmony and development, then vote for the Congress," she said, addressing a rally at tribal-dominated Mandvi in Surat district ahead of the first phase of polling on 11th December.
The Congress believes in taking everybody along, in the philosophy of 'bhaichara and sadbhavna' (brotherhood and communal harmony).
Though the BJP likes to talk about development, it has no concern either for the farmers or tribals, Gandhi noted.
"There are backlog in vacancies in government jobs for SC/STs. The State Government has closed down the forest cooperatives," she said, adding the BJP makes lots of promises and announcements which later turn out to be just hollow.
On BJP's criticism that during the Congress-led UPA Government, many poor have become ineligible to get concessions marked for the people below poverty line, the ruling coalition's Chairperson said it was during the NDA regime that the BPL policy was reviewed.
"Most of the development in Gujarat was due to the policies of the previous Congress governments and the hard work by the people of the state," she said.
"You should ask the BJP Government to account for the money it received from the Centre for development works," Gandhi told the gathering.
The Congress chief said there is an "atmosphere of violence and pain" in the BJP-ruled Gujarat.
Law and order situation has deteriorated and crime rate has increased sharply, she said, adding atrocities on adivasis had risen and women and even children are not safe in Gujarat.
Gujarat Government has adopted a policy of discrimination in protecting the people, Gandhi said, adding the UPA coalition has given crores of rupees to Gujarat but the money has not reached the beneficiaries.
"This is not our failure but that of the BJP Government."
Singh and Ganguly slam centuries to resurrect India from top-order slump
BANGALORE, India - Yuvraj Singh and Sourav Ganguly slammed aggressive centuries to rescue India from a top-order slump on Saturday in the third and final Test match against Pakistan.
Yuvraj hammered a career-best 169 and Ganguly posted an unbeaten 125, his second successive Test hundred that bolstered India to 365 for five at stumps on the opening day.
India was tottering at 61 for four before Singh and Ganguly shared a record-shattering stand of 300 for the fifth wicket that kept alive India's dream of winning its first home Test series against Pakistan in 28 years.
India last won a home series against Pakistan in 1979, but leads 1-0 in the current series after clinching the opening match by six wickets. The second Test ended in a draw in the eastern city of Calcutta.
Singh and Ganguly, both left-handers, cut and drove with aplomb to launch a counter offensive against Pakistan's attack, surcharged by debutante Yasir Arafat's three-wicket burst that destroyed India's top order.
Ganguly's hundred was his 15th from 99 Tests and the second against Pakistan in successive matches, while Singh's third century came in his 20th Test appearance.
Playing in place for injured Mahendra Dhoni whose sprained ankle needs a week's rest, Singh leapt in joy when he reached his hundred with a cover-driven boundary off Arafat.
Singh's three centuries have all come against the subcontinental rival.
Ganguly's century came after the tea break, smashing part-time leg-spinner Yasir Hameed through the covers. That set the tenor for the evening session which saw the Indian batsmen amass 173 runs.
The Ganguly-Singh stand surpassed India's previous best fifth-wicket partnership of 200 against Pakistan, which was credited to Sandip Patil and Ravi Shastri since 1984.
It also eclipsed the top fifth-wicket partnership in India-Pakistan encounters between Pakistan's Zaheer Abbas and Mudassar Nazar, who put together 213 at Karachi in 1982.
Singh 4-¼ hour knock contained 28 boundaries and a six off leg-spinner Danish Kaneria over mid-wicket.
Coming in when India was a shaky position, Singh stamped his authority by repeatedly dispatching paceman Mohammad Sami to the fence.
Sami (2-103) got his revenge when he returned to the attack with the second new ball. Singh failed to get hold of a bouncer that he top-edged to Faisal Iqbal at gully.
Ganguly also started scoring mainly with boundaries, 10 of which featured in his first fifty.
India's injury woes saw star batsman Sachin Tendulkar being left out after aggravating a knee injury during the second Test. Tendulkar's slot was filled by Gautam Gambhir, who was drafted into the squad Friday.
Pace bowler Sami induced an edge from opener Gambhir (5) to wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal before debutante pace bowler Yasir Arafat (3-98) wrecked the top order by dismissing Rahul Dravid (19), Wasim Jaffer (17) and V.V.S. Laxman (5) in quick succession.
Dravid perished to a slip catch by Misbah-ul-Haq when he chased an outgoing delivery to give Arafat his maiden Test wicket.
Jaffer fell lbw as he shouldered arms to a straight ball from Arafat, while Laxman had his stumps shattered by one that kept low.
Pakistan's pace attack was hampered by the absence of spearhead Shoaib Akhtar, who went out of the ground soon after lunch complaining of back spasms. He was taken to a hospital, where a scan ruled out any serious injury.
Pakistan's team management said he may return to bowl on Sunday.
Yuvraj hammered a career-best 169 and Ganguly posted an unbeaten 125, his second successive Test hundred that bolstered India to 365 for five at stumps on the opening day.
India was tottering at 61 for four before Singh and Ganguly shared a record-shattering stand of 300 for the fifth wicket that kept alive India's dream of winning its first home Test series against Pakistan in 28 years.
India last won a home series against Pakistan in 1979, but leads 1-0 in the current series after clinching the opening match by six wickets. The second Test ended in a draw in the eastern city of Calcutta.
Singh and Ganguly, both left-handers, cut and drove with aplomb to launch a counter offensive against Pakistan's attack, surcharged by debutante Yasir Arafat's three-wicket burst that destroyed India's top order.
Ganguly's hundred was his 15th from 99 Tests and the second against Pakistan in successive matches, while Singh's third century came in his 20th Test appearance.
Playing in place for injured Mahendra Dhoni whose sprained ankle needs a week's rest, Singh leapt in joy when he reached his hundred with a cover-driven boundary off Arafat.
Singh's three centuries have all come against the subcontinental rival.
Ganguly's century came after the tea break, smashing part-time leg-spinner Yasir Hameed through the covers. That set the tenor for the evening session which saw the Indian batsmen amass 173 runs.
The Ganguly-Singh stand surpassed India's previous best fifth-wicket partnership of 200 against Pakistan, which was credited to Sandip Patil and Ravi Shastri since 1984.
It also eclipsed the top fifth-wicket partnership in India-Pakistan encounters between Pakistan's Zaheer Abbas and Mudassar Nazar, who put together 213 at Karachi in 1982.
Singh 4-¼ hour knock contained 28 boundaries and a six off leg-spinner Danish Kaneria over mid-wicket.
Coming in when India was a shaky position, Singh stamped his authority by repeatedly dispatching paceman Mohammad Sami to the fence.
Sami (2-103) got his revenge when he returned to the attack with the second new ball. Singh failed to get hold of a bouncer that he top-edged to Faisal Iqbal at gully.
Ganguly also started scoring mainly with boundaries, 10 of which featured in his first fifty.
India's injury woes saw star batsman Sachin Tendulkar being left out after aggravating a knee injury during the second Test. Tendulkar's slot was filled by Gautam Gambhir, who was drafted into the squad Friday.
Pace bowler Sami induced an edge from opener Gambhir (5) to wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal before debutante pace bowler Yasir Arafat (3-98) wrecked the top order by dismissing Rahul Dravid (19), Wasim Jaffer (17) and V.V.S. Laxman (5) in quick succession.
Dravid perished to a slip catch by Misbah-ul-Haq when he chased an outgoing delivery to give Arafat his maiden Test wicket.
Jaffer fell lbw as he shouldered arms to a straight ball from Arafat, while Laxman had his stumps shattered by one that kept low.
Pakistan's pace attack was hampered by the absence of spearhead Shoaib Akhtar, who went out of the ground soon after lunch complaining of back spasms. He was taken to a hospital, where a scan ruled out any serious injury.
Pakistan's team management said he may return to bowl on Sunday.
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