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Nine Chhattisgarh cops killed in landmine blasts

RAIPUR: Nine policemen were killed and two injured in simultaneous landmine blasts triggered by outlawed Communist Party of India (Maoist) cadres in Chhattisgarh's Bastar district late on Monday, police said.

The incident took place in a thickly forested stretch of Mardapal area, about 320 km south of capital Raipur, when rebels detonated a string of 15 landmines targeting a group of about a dozen state police personnel who were on a search operation on motorcycles.

"Nine policemen have died and two injured in coordinated simultaneous landmine blasts triggered by Maoist militants," Girdhari Nayak, inspector general of police in charge of anti-Maoist operations, told IANS over telephone.

He added that the rebels looted 12 weapons from the slain policemen but he refused give the details of the weapons.

In another incident, Maoists killed a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel Monday evening in forested Gangloor area in Bijapur district, about 522 km south of here

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/Nine_Chhattisgarh_cops_killed_in_landmine_blast
s/articleshow/2081740.cms

Eight Children Escape From Jharkhand Remand Home

Monday 28th of May 2007 Eight children Monday escaped from a remand home in Hazaribagh district of Jharkhand, police said.

The children, one of whom is facing a murder charge, escaped after attacking two security guards on duty at the remand home Hazaribagh, 100 km from here.

Police have launched an operation to arrest the children and a probe into their escape.

Jharkhand has witnessed such incidents frequently. According to an official estimate nearly 40 juveniles have escaped from the remand homes in Ranchi, Hazaribagh and other cities in the last five years.

Probes into previous incidents revealed that poor quality food and ill-treatment of the inmates were the prime reasons for the children to flee.

http://newspostindia.com/report-1421

Jharkhand reeling under heat wave

Ranchi, May 28: Jharkhand is reeling under a heat wave with no forecast for rains in the days to come.

State capital Ranchi recorded 39.4 degree Celsius Sunday. The highest temperature this summer recorded in the city, which was was once the summer capital of Bihar before the state was bifurcated, was 40 degree Celsius.

The highest temperature in the state was recorded in steel city Jamshedpur with 44.7 degree Celsius, followed by Bokaro and Dhanbad with 44.6 and 44 degree Celsius respectively.

The temperature in Ranchi has increased by four degrees in last four days. The meteorological department predicts that mercury will rise higher in the city.

Ranchi has a history of getting rainfall after a rise in mercury but this time the weatherman has no word of hope to offer.

"The cloud which is formed goes upward and the cloud moving upward in the sky does not cause rain. The cloud formation at lower strata will take place and we can expect rain in Ranchi then," said A. Wadood, a meteorologist.

"The climate of Ranchi has changed drastically in last few years. There was a time when fans were enough but now air conditioners are a must," said S. N. Roy, an octogenarian resident of Ranchi.

http://www.newkerala.com/news.php?action=fullnews&id=33441

Release those arrested for attacking Reliance: Jharkhand vendors

Ranchi, May 28 (IANS) Vegetable vendors of Jharkhand have demanded a high-level probe into the vandalising of Reliance Fresh outlets two weeks back and release of the people arrested during the attack.

The vendors protesting against Reliance retail outlets - whose arrival had hurt their business - had turned violent and attacked three newly opened stores in Ranchi damaging property worth millions. Police had arrested 17 people and baton-charged the mobs injuring many.

They demonstrated in front of the deputy commissioner's office here Saturday.

"A high-level probe should be instituted to find out the truth about the incident. We also demand release of the vendors arrested by police. How come police remained mute spectators when two outlets were attacked," Nagendra Mahto, a member of the Vegetable Sellers' Association (VSA), asked Sunday.

Suresh Sahu, another member of the association, said: "In a democratic set up everyone has a right to protest but there is a move to suppress our voice".

"We are caught between police and economic loss. For us it is a question of survival with the arrival of Reliance in vegetable business," he said.

The vendors are also unhappy with the state government.

"The state government has become a puppet in the hands of capitalists. The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government boasted of working for the poor but it is no way different from the previous National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government," said Kunti Devi, a vegetable vendor.
"The previous NDA government signed agreements with big companies and this government is helping big companies to sell vegetables to push us to starvation," she said.

The vendors have also got support from former defence minister George Fernandes who came to Ranchi to express solidarity with them.

http://mangalorean.com/news.php?newstype=local&newsid=44524

Over 100 rescued child labourers rehabilitated in Jharkhand

Ramgarh (Jharkhand), May 27: Over hundred girl child labourers, rescued from various shops and roadside eateries, are now living a rehabilitated life at Ramgarh in Jharkhand.

Thanks to the initiatives taken by Jan Seva Parishad, a non-governmental organization (NGO), which is making the rehabilitation of such children possible with the support of the Jharkhand authorities.

On an average, the State Government spends at least rupees 18 on each of the young student-cum-apprentice at the institutions being run by Jan Seva Parishad.

"Earlier, I used to work in coal mines. Once I got to know about this Jan Seva Parishad, I sought admission here. I learnt candle-making, soap-making, stitching," said Neetu Kumari, a student.

"I earn Rs.35 a day. I don't go to coal mines anymore. I have joined a school and studying," said Kunti Kumari, another student.

The girls are given a nine-month training that includes formal education till fifth standard along with vocational training like candle making, stitching, embroidery and others.

"We bring these girls from coal mines, roadside eateries and other places. We have a training centre since 2005 for such girls. We provide training to a batch of 50 girls every nine month. Here, these girls learn candle making, stitching, soap making etc," said Manju Devi, a Jan Seva Parishad staff.

Once the students prepare some items, these are marketed by the Jan Seva Parishad and the money earned is distributed among these working children as per their due.

Jan Seva Parishad, which operates as a voluntary body dedicated to social causes, has taken up the social responsibility to effectively utilize the Central government's policy prohibiting employment of children below 14 years of age in domestic as well as industrial and commercial spheres.

Founded in 2005, Jan Seva Parishad has set up a school as well as a vocational training centre from where hundreds of girls have benefited from these two institutions in the last two years.

The Jharkhand Government endorsed Jan Seva Parishad in the ambit of National Child Labourer Rehabilitation Centre, on June 15, 2006.

Despite Child Labour (Prohibition and Regulation) Act, 1986 and an array of other legislations India has more of child labourers than any other country.

It is estimated that there are nearly 11 million of child labourers in India which many opine as a mere tip of the ice-berg.

http://www.dailyindia.com/show/144615.php/Over-100-rescued-child-labourers-rehabilitat
ed-in-Jharkhand

800 kg explosives seized from Jharkhand

NEW DELHI: In one of the biggest ever seizures in the Red terror zone, the CRPF on Friday recovered nearly 800 kilograms of explosive material, including gelatine sticks, kept in eight plastic water tanks, from the Latehar forest area during an anti-Naxal operation in Jharkhand.

The paramilitary force, which carried out the joint operation along with the state police, also detected a huge cache of arms and ammunition from the area which was subsequently identified as a major 'arms dump' of Maoists in Jharkhand.

The seizure, which could just be a tip of the iceberg, was made following the arrest of a Naxal commander Abhishek who told the security agencies about the Red ultras' hideouts in the entire Latehar-Garhwa-Palamu belt. Though the Maoists managed to

slip away after a fierce encounter, they could not save their 'arms dump' having 12,000 rounds of ammunition, 15 rifles (SLR and AK-47), a huge quantity of detonators and a bagful of Naxal literature — comprising details of their recently held congress — from being seized by the security personnel.

CRPF inspector-general (operations) A P Maheshwari said: "We are putting pressure on Naxalites in Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh by carrying out these operations. We have had good success recently in neutralising a number of Maoists in these states."

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/TOIonline/India/800_kg_explosives_seized_from_
Jharkhand/articleshow/2075207.cms

Steeling the thunder

Steel Sells and it sells big time. There can be no better example of this than Steel Authority of India (SAIL), the country's largest steel maker. The navratna company's performance in FY07 beat market expectations. SAIL has also yielded higher returns than other steel companies and appears all set to maintain its lead in the steel sector.

FINANCIALS: A strong demand for steel and an improved product mix have benefited SAIL. FY07 was special as the company recorded a 5% year-on-year increase in steel production at 12.6 million tonnes (mt). Sales were also at a high at 11.9 mt, making FY07 one of the best financial years for the company. Sales grew 22% to Rs 35,343 crore, while profit rose 54% to Rs 6,261 crore. Effective cost controls and an improved product mix have helped the company to increase its operating profit margins to 29%, up 5% over FY06.

OUTLOOK: Steel prices were up almost 10% during FY07 compared to last year. Industry sources rule out further price hikes. The government is also trying to find ways to control steel prices, which could lead to little or no price hikes in the coming fiscal. Any further growth is expected to come from higher volumes and increasing efficiencies. SAIL meets nearly 100% of its iron ore requirements from captive mines. The large Chiria mines in Jharkhand, which fulfill a sizeable portion of SAIL's iron-ore needs, are currently at the centre of an ongoing squabble between SAIL and the Jharkhand government. It remains to be seen whether SAIL will continue to meet its growing ore requirements via captive mines. The company continues to rationalise its manpower. During FY07, SAIL cut its workforce by 6,588 to 1,32,973 even as per capita steel production touched 200 tonnes per annum.

EXPANSION PLANS: SAIL's steel production will rise by almost 1.5 mt during FY08 through better utilisation. It plans to expand production to 22.5 mt by '12. The company approved expansion plans totalling Rs 23,500 crore in FY07. It has also approved expansion plan worth Rs 8,000 crore for FY08. The total value of projects taken up has now gone up to Rs 46,000 crore.

VALUATIONS: At current prices, the stock is trading at 9-10 times its FY07 earnings. At this price range, SAIL is more expensive than its peers — Tata Steel and JSW Steel, both of which are in the range of 7-8 times. The higher pricing is partially justified by the company's stronger financial position vis-à-vis its competitors.

The expected future growth of the company is more pertinent. Production is likely to go up by 15-20% per annum in the next couple of years. Steel prices are expected to remain stable for now.

In that case, margins are also likely to improve as the company grows. Investors seeking steady returns can look at this stock, which has given 86% returns in the past one year, compared to 38% returns given by the Sensex over the same period.

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/Magazines/Big_Bucks_Inv_Guide/Steeling_the_thund
er/articleshow/2078052.cms

10 fall ill after inhaling methane gas in Jharkhand

At least 10 people were taken ill on Wednesday after inhaling methane gas leaking from a colliery in Jharkhand's Dhanbad district, police said.

The gas leak was reported early morning from the Bathdih colliery of Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL) in Dhanbad, around 240 km from Jharkand.

The 10 people of Barari Basti area who fell ill have been admitted to hospital. Two of then are said to be in critical condition.

BCCL officials have rushed to the site to take stock of the situation. Rescue operations have also been launched to evacuate nearby areas.

"Gas leaks are often reported in this area. We have served several notices to the residents to vacate the area but they don't take our warnings seriously," a BCCL official said.

Last year 50 miners had died in a powerful blast following leakage of methane gas in another BCCL colliery.

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=02ca3435-4a27-4f1f-82ea-
b38963034b7e&&Headline=10+fall+ill+after+inhaling+gas+in+Jharkhand

Tatas set Jharkhand date

Calcutta, May 22: Tata Steel is on track to commence operations at its greenfield plant in Jharkhand by 2011, though the state government is yet to come out with a rehabilitation policy for the displaced.

The company has already signed the MoU with the state for the 12mt project which is likely to be in Tontoposhi.

Tata Steel is also expanding the capacity of the Jamshedpur plant in the state to 10mt from 5mt.

If the company gets the land by 2009, then the greenfield plant will go on stream by 2011, Partha Sengupta, principal executive officer of the Jharkhand project, said.

The company has identified 10,000 acres for the project but is unwilling to proceed with the acquisition in the absence of the rehabilitation policy.

Tata Steel managing director B. Muthuraman said, "We have taken good care of the people for the last 100 years and will continue to do so wherever we put up a new project."

Muthuraman and Sengupta were in the city for the launch of a book by Tata Sons's director R. Gopalakrishnan.

The land for the project will also include the resettlement plots.

The company had earlier announced that it wanted to rehabilitate the displaced even before embarking on its greenfield projects at Kalinga Nagar in Orissa and at Jharkhand.

Against the backdrop of widespread resistance against land acquisition for industry, the Tatas's approach can be seen as an attempt to address the possible disquiet at an early stage.

Under the 'Tata Parivar' scheme, the displaced would be moved to a colony having electricity, water, sewerage and other amenities.

Arrangements will be made for health facilities, education and vocational training.

The rehabilitation plan will also take care of the people who will be marginally and indirectly affected by the project. The displaced will be registered and provided with an identity card.

Independent social audits will maintain transparency of the policy and monitor the well-being of the people.

The Tata Parivar project will also be implemented at Kalinga Nagar.

The objective is participation of the displaced in all phases of the project, right from construction to operations.

However, the plans can be implemented only if the Jharkhand government puts in place the rehabilitation policy.

This is because the policy will provide the norms for the Tatas's welfare schemes

http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070523/asp/business/story_7816381.asp

India Inc to PM: govt delaying mega projects

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's suggestion to India Inc on Thursday to look beyond the bottomline may have been the latest salvo in an ongoing government-versus-industry see saw.

And, it seems, industry captains had earlier apprised the prime minister about the government's lackadaisical approach in clearing key projects. This, they claimed, adversely affected the government's reputation.

In a letter — a copy of which is with HT — to the prime minister on April 9, Ratan N Tata, India, Chairman, Investment Commission, has alleged that the government was delaying some key projects for no apparent reason.

He said: "This could hurt the image and reputation of the good work that the government is doing in moving India towards an open and transparent economy. The net result is that the country was being negatively impacted in investment and industrial growth and the opportunity of being globally competitive."

"Sustained rapid economic growth and confidence that the reform process is moving forward, though perhaps not at the pace that you would have wanted, have all been contributing factors to the heightened interest in India," the letter added.

The commission — which also has HDFC Chairman Deepak Parekh and former HLL Chairman Ashok Ganguly as its members — in its letter has named some of the mega projects, entailing a total investment of $58 billion (Rs 2,35,000 crore), that have not taken off due to delays in land and resource allocation.

These include Korean steel major Posco's $10 billion project in Orissa, Mittal Steel's $18 billion project in Orissa and Jharkhand, Tata Steel's $45 billion projects in Orissa, Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh, Reliance Energy's $4 billion in Orissa and Tata Power's $4 billion projects in Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Orissa.

These projects have not taken off ostensibly due to delay in land and resource allocation (raw materials), the letter pointed out. The commission has sought a meeting with the prime minister to discuss the issues and workout possible solutions.

The Prime Minister's Office (PMO) has already sought replies from seven administrative departments — steel, power, coal, petroleum, disinvestments, IT and the financial sector — on the matter first on April 20 and then sent a reminder on May 1

http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=379d1ae1-eb5d-42e0-8f8a-
ff4222b19d6d&&Headline=India+Inc+to+PM%3a+govt+delaying+mega+projects