News Analysis - July 2006 @ whatisindia.com

India Corporate Says No to Quota (July 31, 2006)
Senior members of the Indian industry met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and conveyed their opposition to legislated cased-based quota regime but promised that will fund training programs, introduce ethical hiring codes, and adopt alternative solutions.<More>

US Congress Passes Nuke Deal (July 31, 2006)
After several hours of debate, the US House of Representatives approved the Indo-US civilian nuclear deal with an overwhelming majority but has unfortunately raked partisan politicking in India even though the Government looks resolute in defending the deal. <More>

BSF Says “Indian Smugglers” Helping BDR (July 31, 2006)
The Border Security Force (BSF) accused “Indian smugglers” of “using “SIM cards of Bangladesh mobile service providers to pass on strategic information” to the Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) but said have not arrested the “moles” citing “communal implications.”<More>

ASEAN Suspends FTA (July 28, 2006)
Malaysia’s Trade Minister was quoted saying that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has suspended free-trade talks with India because New Delhi is demanding that 850 goods it imports from South East Asia to be excluded from the list.<More>

Growth Pace to Continue (July 28, 2006)
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) reaffirmed growth forecast of 7.5%-8% citing strong corporate sector growth, continued investment inflow, strong orders, high capacity utilization, good export growth, stabilized inflation, and sufficient liquidity of banks.<More>

India to Raise Pak Trade Curbs at SAARC (July 28, 2006)
Commerce and Industry Minister Kamal Nath told the Parliament that he will raise the issue of import restrictions by Pakistan at the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) summit early next month in Dhaka.<More>

Govt Withdraws Dismissal Move against Venugopal (July 28, 2006)
A highly embarrassed Health Minister Anbumani Ramdoss withdrew the controversial order to dismiss All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) Director Dr. P. Venugopal but counsel said that the Government would file fresh charges later.<More>

Digital Record of Bio-Resources (July 28, 2006)
Department of Biotechnology under the Union Ministry of Science and Technology has produced a set of CD based information called “Jeeva Sampada” which is the first digital documentation of India's vast bio-resources covering over 39,000 species. <More>

Political Failure in War on Terror (July 28, 2006)
The continued politicking dealt a serious blow to India’s ability to fight terror as Opposition sought to embarrass the Government more than solving the issue while the senior Ministers sought to divide the country further on the basis of religion. <More>

India Signs Nuclear Terrorism Convention (July 28, 2006)
Sharing the objective of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism to deny terrorists access to nuclear materials and enhance international cooperation to prevent nuclear terrorism, India announced its acceptance of this measure. <More>

Bangladesh Joins ARF (July 28, 2006)
The 13^th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) meeting in Kuala Lumpur will see Bangladesh included as its 26^th member led by Foreign Minister Morshed Khan to strengthen participation in the group.<More>

Punitive Action Sanctioned on Bangla Border (July 28, 2006)
Increased infiltration of illegal economic migrants, terrorists, lack of adequate response from Bangladesh, and suspected official complicity has changed India’s attitude ordering the infusion of another 40 battalions on the border and authority to deliver retaliatory fire.<More>

WTO Stalled, Will Take Months to Revive (July 27, 2006)
Global talks on trade under the World Trade Organization (WTO) collapsed with developing nations led by India blaming the developed nations led by the US for intransigence in cutting back farm-subsidies in violation of the Honk Kong Agreement.<More>

OoP Pitches Parliament against President, SC (July 27, 2006)
The Federal Government and its communist allies, usually at odds on many issues, joined ranks to assert that the Parliament is “supreme” and some even went to the extent of suggesting that the President has only rights to advice and not over-rule the Parliament. <More>

Pak Warns of Nuclear War over Hot Pursuit (July 27, 2006)
Briefing journalists on a recent article in the Washington Post on the expansion of nuclear facilities, Pakistan Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said trivialized its contents and warned nuclear war if India pursues terrorists into Kashmir that it has occupied. <More>

Nepal Cuts King’s Last Link with Army (July 27, 2006)
The interim Government in Nepal abolished the Military Secretariat, seen as the King’s last link with the Army, and also set up a Security Coordination Office (SCO) at the Defense Ministry replacing the King Gnanendra as the Supreme Commander.<More>

No Implementation of Groundwater Bill (July 26, 2006)
Federal Water Resources Minister Saifuddin Soz announced a convention of Chief Ministers to coax adoption of a measures including making rainwater harvesting mandatory and stronger regulation of this dwindling resource.<More>

Iran Gas Deal is “Difficult” (July 26, 2006)
India’s grand plans to source gas from Iran to meet its energy needs has been shattered with Iran’s Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki saying there were “difficulties” in honoring the USD 22 billion contract to see Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG).<More>

Vexed EU’s UNSC Resolution on Iran (July 26, 2006)
The EU-3, introduced a draft resolution in the UNSC calling on Iran to “suspend all enrichment-related activities, including research and development, to be verified by the IAEA, and suspend the construction of a reactor moderated by heavy water.”<More>

Israel Supports UN Peacekeepers Idea (July 26, 2006)
Incessant bombing of blocks of apartments and mass migration of people following radio announcements and pamphlets thrown down from planes is best described by a visiting UN official as a “horrific” and “violation of humanitarian law.” < More >

China: Defense Modernization to Guard Development (July 26, 2006)
A senior Chinese military official visiting the US said that his country’s defense modernization is part of a defensive policy and not aimed at seeking regional or global hegemony but to safeguard the rapid development his country has gone through.<More>

Wheat Import Shows Falling Agri Self-Sufficiency (July 25, 2006)
The import of wheat after 6 years has raised serious doubts about the processes in place to achieve the key goal of food self-sufficiency and a preeminent think tank has called for a revamp of agriculture products procurement, storing, and public distribution processes. <More>

SC Says Women Cannot be charged with Rape(July 25, 2006)
Hearing the case of a woman whose crises of help was deliberately spurned by the wife of a man raping her, the Supreme Court (SC) surprisingly concluded that the wife and any woman cannot be accused or charged for rape or gang rape. <More>

Collateral Damage of HIV - AIDS (July 25, 2006)
A recent study by three premier institutions predicted that a continued unchecked spread of HIV/AIDS epidemic can adversely impact macro-economic parameters including growth rate, educational levels, and labor shortages. <More>

Some Successes against Naxals (July 25, 2006)
Finally, there seems to be some forward movement on some policies from the Federal Home Ministry and some successes against Naxals in Andhra Pradesh with the topmost terrorist in that state killed in an encounter by the elite Greyhound Force. <More>

Pak Says Baloach Unrest Crushed (July 25, 2006)
Several newspapers in Pakistan ran reports quoting unnamed officials claiming that the insurrection in Baloachistan has been crushed and blaming India for arming, funding, and helping that movement—Baloach rebels have dismissed the report as wishful thinking. <More>

Panel Recommends Revamp of Venture Fund Regulations (July 24, 2006)
A Planning Commission sub-Committee has suggested a slew of fiscal incentives to encourage more domestic venture capital funds (VCF) and has included a proposal to set up an Early Stage Venture Fund (ESVF) through public-private partnership. <More>

Increased Food grain Output Likely (July 24, 2006)
The Federal Agriculture Ministry (AM) said that food grain production is expected to be 5.01% higher at 208.3 million tons (mt) in 2005-2006 versus 198.36 mt a year ago because of better output from rice and oilseeds but wheat production is only marginally higher. <More>

Inadequate Response to NMCC Recommendations (July 24, 2006)
National Manufacturing Competitiveness Council (NMCC) has recommended that a new National Manufacturing Initiative to further 20 key labor-intensive sectors that net USD 10 billion from domestic markets alone to facilitate a quantum jump in the near future. <More>

BHC Asks Railways to Revamp Disaster Management (July 24, 2006)
The Bombay High Court (BHC) has directed the Central and Western Railways to upgrade their disaster management system and submit a comprehensive process for review by August 16. <More>

Sachar Commission Targets Judiciary (July 24, 2006)
The controversial Sachar Panel created by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and criticized by many for its divisive charter of counting the presence of Muslims in different arms of the Government, has apparently started targeting the Judiciary. <More>

Government to Respond to Reservation Lawsuit (July 24, 2006)
The Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry is to file an affidavit in the Supreme Court (SC) justifying the Government’s decision to reserve seats for the so-called Other Backward Classes (OBC) in higher educational institutions under the 93^rd Amendment. <More>

Nepal Talks Deferred Briefly (July 24, 2006)
Talks between the interim Government and Nepalese terrorist group was deferred but to meet in the near future and focus on the interim constitution content, constituent assembly formation process, constituencies redraw plan, and arms management. <More>

LTTE Insists on Change in Monitors (July 24, 2006)
The Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam has reiterated to the visiting Ambassador-at-Large of Swedish Foreign Ministry that there is no change in its demand for withdrawal of EU monitors from the Sri Lanka Monitoring Mission (SLMM) by September 1. <More>

Civilian Crisis in Lebanon (July 22, 2006)
Of the 4 Indian Navy ships re-routed to Lebanon in a bid to evacuate 12,000 Indians living in that country, diplomatic negotiating secured a berth one ship to evacuate 700 odd people to Larnaca, Cyprus where Air India jets will fly them out. Sri Lanka and Nepal have appealed to India for help with their citizens too which the Navy will undertake on a best effort basis. <More>

Maldives Nationals Attacked (July 22, 2006)
Following unconfirmed reports of 2 Keralities being allegedly harassed by Maldives locals, 3 unidentified gangs attacked 6 houses in Thiruvanathapuram around midnight, occupied by Maldivian nations who are students and patients. <More>

“Tigers Forever” Initiative (July 22, 2006)
US-based Wildlife Conservation Society announced a “Tigers Forever” initiative as a venture capital investment funded by nature-loving businessmen that expects biologists to provide a guaranteed return of 50% increase in tiger population in key area. <More>

Identification of a Creamy Layer within OBC (July 22, 2006)
In a refreshing twist to the Reservation debate, the Government issued a note specifying that children of Government functionaries, judiciary, media, tax paying citizens, and employees of bank, insurance, and universities will be considered to be “Creamy. <More>

Pawar Says There is No Wheat Problem (July 20, 2006)
Sending more confusing signals to the people, vendors, and analysts, Food and Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said that there was no possibility of a steep price in wheat as prices “are now stable” and that there is “no problem of stock availability.” <More>

Broader Naxal Agenda (July 20, 2006)
The recent daring attack on a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) protect camp is causing Home Ministry officials to finally pay attention to a politically-discredited Naxal blueprint document that describes their plan to further their evil agenda. <More>

Home Ministry Wants Direct Talks with ULFA (July 20, 2006)
As suspected insurgents of United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) attacked an Assam Rifles post in Assam on the border with Manipur, Home Secretary V.K. Duggal wanted the group to talk to the Government directly and not through a panel of intermediaries.<More>

SC Asks HC Not to Intervene on Policy (July 20, 2006)
The Supreme Court (SC) has directed all High Courts (HC) not to interfere with policy making or administrative action as the Constitution “does not permit” the court to be become the “appellate authority” to “direct or advise the Executive” on policy. <More>

TN Politician Says No Aid to Lanka (July 20, 2006)
Extreme right wing {Tamil Nadu} local politician Vaiko urged the Federal Government not to provide military, material, or financial assistance to Sri Lanka that would enable “the Sri Lankan Air Force to strafe and bomb the Tamil areas, killing innocent Tamils.” <More>

India Flexible on Industry not Agriculture at WTO (July 18, 2006)
Iran rejected India’s demand for international long-term contracts gas price parity insisting that it will sell for at least USD 7.2 per British thermal unit (mbtu) price while the international long-term gas price is USD 4.2 mbtu for the Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline.<More>

India will see Iron Ore Shortage in Near Future (July 18, 2006)
A high level committee set up by the Planning Commission has warned that at “the current rate of growth of 20% of iron ore production, India’s Hematite reserves will last for only 25 years” which will cause India’s steel industry its competitive advantage.<More>

Russia, US, to Expand India Nuclear Ties (July 18, 2006)
Russia and the United States praised India’s “important non-proliferation commitments” and revealed their desire to expand “civil nuclear cooperation to address its energy requirements, and on further enhancing global non-proliferating regime.” <More>

Naxals Attack Relief Camp, Brutally Kill 25 (July 18, 2006)
A 800 person Naxal horde attacked a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and civilian relief camp in Errabore in Chhattisgarh and “hacked” 25 civilians “with sharp weapons” to send a message that colluding with the Government will bring them gory death. <More>

Report Says Pak Generals are Barons (July 18, 2006)
A Newsline report said that Pakistan continues the British tradition of rewarding armed forces with land allotments making Pakistani Army generals new "land barons" controlling 12 million acres of prime agricultural land worth over Rs 700 billion.<More>

UN Resolution Condemns Blasts (July 18, 2006)
The UN Security Council (UNSC) passed a resolution “Reaffirming that terrorism in all its forms and manifestations constituted one of the most serious threats to international peace and security” but did not name Pakistan or its terror infrastructure.<More>
Iran Rejects Indian Price Offer for Gas (July 17, 2006)
Iran rejected India’s demand for international long-term contracts gas price parity insisting that it will sell for at least USD 7.2 per British thermal unit (mbtu) price while the international long-term gas price is USD 4.2 mbtu for the Iran-Pakistan-India pipeline.<More>
Population Issues in China, India (July 17, 2006)
Beijing Student Federation announced that over two hundred students from over 20 universities in Beijing have volunteered to work in rural areas to advocate the message “a girl is as good as a boy” and work for respect for and protection of women's legal rights.<More>
Cabinet Wants Farm Loan Waiver (July 17, 2006)
A Cabinet Subcommittee has recommended that the Government waive loans of farmers and individuals who had borrowed money from the Punjab Backward Classes Finance Corporation and the Punjab Scheduled Castes Finance Corporation.<More>
Thailand Tamil-Brahmi Inscription (July 17, 2006)
A team of Thai and French archaeologists found a shred of pottery dating back to the 2nd Century Christian era (CE) with three letters including the characteristic Tamil-Brahmi letter ‘Ra’ attesting the prevalence of Tamil civilization and extent of maritime contacts. <More>
Global Anti-Terror Initiative (July 17, 2006)
Ahead of the G8 summit, US President George Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a global initiative to combat nuclear terrorism to jointly detect, track, and capture terrorists trying to obtain nuclear and radioactive materials.<More>
India Not “Opposing” Iran (July 17, 2006)
Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran cautioned journalists that India's relationship with Iran cannot be reduced to the two votes New Delhi cast against Teheran at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in September 2005 and February 2006.<More>
High Expectations for Trilateral Meet (July 17, 2006)
Chinese diplomats and experts visiting the G8 summit for the “outreach program” were upbeat about the first trilateral meet between Russia, China, and India hoping that it will develop stuttering bilateral and strategic ties with India and maintaining global peace. <More>
India Says Nothing Beyond July 18 Commitments (July 17, 2006)