Sachin replaces Ferrari with a Nissan GTR: Reports

Sachin Tendulkar may have sold his Ferrari 360, but it is not without a great car. According to sources, news, Sachin has already replaced his rearing horse 530, Nissan GTR, 530 horsepower, four-wheel drive.

Although car enthusiasts claim that Sachin may have decided not to disclose his Ferrari, because it is unfit to drive a car with low ground clearance made ​​way for Mumbai, while others are not so enthusiastic about his latest purchase, which they say does not can be compared with a snob value attached to a thin Ferrari.

Master blaster though, allegedly, had already taken delivery of its Nissan week tagasi.Times of India quoted Arabian Automobiles in Dubai, where the car was purchased, said that two engineers were flown with the auto tune on Sachin wants.

The day was also a close friend to confirm the purchase. "Sachin is pleased with the arrival of your new car."

Thanks To Mamata Banerjee, LPG To Cost Rs16 Less In Bengal

To provide some cushion for people affected by the Center for the cooking gas price hike of Rs50 per cylinder, Prime Minister of West Bengal, Mamata Banerjee decided to leave the country process of Rs16 per LPG cylinder with immediate effect.

Banerjee, head of the Trinamool Congress, the second largest ally of the UPA, said he was "embarrassed" by the center and asked to move to reduce the price of LPG in favor of the common man.

He said that the government does not collect the cess of Rs 16 per cylinder turn and it will effectively put the burden of Rs 34 and Rs 50 to consumers is not the state.

"I consulted my Minister Amit Mitra, after midnight, the UPA government to hike the prices of diesel, LPG and kerosene, and decided to take the government to collect cess of any LPG cylinder to provide relief to ordinary people," Head of the Minister for reporters here.

This, he said the government would lose Rs 75 crore to surrender, "we wiped other sources of income. But our government does not want to put more burden on the people."

Notification shall take place on Monday.

"I'm embarrassed the center of such a decision," he said, adding: ". We want to invite the Centre to reduce the price of LPG"

Banerjee and obsolete erstwhile Left Front state government, said he did not bother to raise LPG process.

"Front Left talks big, but nothing of significance. We showed that we could do it," he said.

Bharti Airtel To Restructure

India's Bharti Airtel Ltd. (532454.BY) Friday said that the restructuring of their businesses, but tried to dampen fears of huge layoffs, says the impact on employment would be minimal.

Bharti Airtel, India's largest mobile operator, more than 164000000 subscribers in the country, did not specify the restructuring plan.

In a statement, Bharti Airtel, said any changes made in the interests of stakeholders and shared openly.

Saturday, the Economic Times, citing various unnamed senior Bharti, the company announced plans to combine their mobile phones, satellite TV and direct-to-home and cellular telephone and broadband Telemedia business in a üksuseks.Ettevõtetele together represent 90% of the company's revenue, he said.

The merger to cut costs and increase efficiency and may lead to more than 2000 job losses, said the paper.

"The assessment is that 25% of the 11,500 or so positions in three verticals are axed. The process has already begun," the newspaper quoted a company executive said.

Bharti Airtel is India's move comes amid trying times as intense competition in the telecommunications industry, with cheap prices and high cost of debt has hurt sales and profitability for telecom players.

Gujarat’s Annual Plan Size Is Rs38,000 Crore

Gujarat annual plan for 2011-12 was prepared to Rs38, 000 crore in the meeting between the chief minister Narendra Modi and Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia Planning Commission in New Delhi on Friday.

Approved plan size is 26.67% higher than last year's Plan size of Rs30 000 crore. At the meeting expressed Modes confidence that the economy would achieve the targeted growth of 11.2% in 11 Five-year plan.

He said the government would launch several new initiatives and schemes due to large increases in the size of the plan.

Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia considered the government's efforts to improve the pace of development and to create investment environment.

He said, imaginative use of public-private partnerships for major projects was particularly praiseworthy. He has also evaluated the performance of agriculture, education and energy sectors.

Addressing members of the Planning Commission, the modes are said to have been a steady increase in development spending in recent years due to increased government spending on education, health, nutrition, agriculture and irrigation and regulation of non-construction costs through restructuring of debt, reduce the cost of borrowing and the size of the right people.
CM has also talked about the increasing cases of violation of the federal government's Dharma. "The UPA government seems to be to get into the problems clearly and economic freedom. Action Center is the centralization of authority and issues of state intervention," he said.

He touched on a number of cases in the center of "injustice" to the country, and called it an anti-farmer and anti-poor. He also noted a number of questions about the various ministries in Gujarat was started.

Modi said that these issues were affecting the pace of development of the country and its economy. He complained that
Despite repeated statements from the Government Center had a positive response.

Dayanidhi Maran likely to be dropped in next Cabinet reshuffle

In an attempt to cleanse the image of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh that the Government intends to restructure the first week of July, will probably decline in the textile minister Dayanidhi Maran, the fresh revelations about his alleged role in 2G fraud during his previous term as Minister for Communications.

Apart from demands for resignation, Maran attended the cabinet meeting on Thursday. He has been denying the allegations as unfounded and sent to media organizations published the first stories.

"Congress, not the problem because it happened to the track. For a moment the probe body or the court raises a little finger against Maran, warning him to leave the party," the Congress leader said.

Sources said the DMK leadership has asked Maran to "hold on" and participate in public meetings and official functions.

They said that the party fears that if the pressures on the corner Maran leaves in a hurry.

Already two of its influential leaders - a former communications minister and Rajya Sabha MP Raja and party supremo M Karunanidhi's daughter Kanimozhi - Tihar Jail has been the analysis of 2G spectrum. Maran was communications minister in 2004-2007 before the UPA government, I ask.

Maran tries to put the defense and Congress are trying to avoid commenting on the opposition parties - the DMK's arch rival AIADMK, the Bharatiya Janata Party and Left parties - is to raise the decibel his dismissal.

Maran have to fight their case on several fronts - Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which has begun to ask for his alleged role in the original 2G spectrum scam, the Supreme Court has made statements in which civil society groups, media revelations, and resisted the attack.

The main argument, initially shown Tehelka magazine, and observed a number of other reports, is that the C Sivasankaran forced the owner of the Aircel Maran, Maran selling telecommunications company based in Malaysia is a friend of T Ananda Krishnan 2006th

Reflected in Maran deliberately delayed the issuance of licenses in the sister concern of Aircel, Fat Wireless, where he was Sivasankaran. He issued the licenses changed hands shortly after Ananda Krishnan, who owns Maxis.

Within four months of spectrum allocation, Astro - a sister company Maxis - got nod to buy a cabinet of Rs 675 crore equity Sun Direct DTH, Maran's brother Kalanidhi Maran-owned company and family, the report pointed out.

Sixth June, Sivasankaran in a statement that repeated the CBI that he was forced to sell the company. Maran denied the allegation, saying Sivasankaran wanted to sell the company.

CBI likely to complete the initial probe allegations Maran two to three weeks and submit a report, according to sources. If it finds the material allegations Maran is likely to be questioned. This could lead to new cases against him.

Maran has been backfoot after media reports surfaced of his involvement in the fresh. Although he brought the defamation cases against Tehelka and New Indian Express, the first reports, he has not taken action against several Delhi-based newspapers and TV channels, which has carried information about the scam, according to sources.

On the political front, the chorus of denunciation its forward march."Maran to resign earlier. Otherwise, he is forced to go to the track direction," BJP spokesman Sitharaman Nirmala said.

Communist Party India (CPI) leader D. Raja said that "the involvement of the major fraud Maran, except the track is unfolding day by day." He should give up, he demanded.

Opposition parties demand resignation of Maran in the coming monsoon session, if he does not stop, says Janata Dal-United States-General Javed Raza.

The problem has been brewing in front of another Maran: Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on 2G spectrum will call him soon.

"We invite all former telecommunications ministers, including Maran," JPC head PC Chacko said.

As the clouds gather in Maran, Congress is carefully watching the scenario. So far, she left the besieged party DMK Ministers to defend themselves.

'Magic' locket in return for sexual favours?

The desire to take control sometimes has strange ramifications. That is what a woman from Mayur Vihar found out the hard way. In her craving to gain control over her husband, she visited a tantrik who demanded sexual favours from her and when she refused, he tried to rape her. The victim somehow escaped from his clutches and approached the police on Wednesday afternoon. The tantrik has been arrested and an FIR against him lodged at Ranjit Nagar police station in central Delhi.

Working his magic

The accused has been identified as Harsh alias Baba -- a native of Muzzaffarpur in Uttar Pradesh. According to a police official, Baba was running his office from the basement in Ranjit Nagar's Maharaja Complex. The official said that the victim, Sandhya (name changed), lives in Mayur Vihar along with her husband Prem (name changed on request) who works with a multinational company and has extra-marital affairs. "Prem beat up his wife over petty issues. Sandhya was fed up with her husband and wanted to get rid of him anyhow. She got to know about Harsh Baba through an advertisement in a daily newspaper which claimed that he has magic powers to solve such marital problems and decided to contact Harsh," said the police official.

Pulling strings

Sandhya called up Harsh and discussed her problem. The tantrik assured her that he would teach her how to control her husband. He then called her to his office. "Harsh demanded Rs 2,700 in advance and asked her to prepare for a yagna near a cemetery near the Yamuna. He asked her to offer two goats as sacrifice." "On Wednesday, Harsh called her in his office once again. The accused then demanded sexual favour from Sandhya and told her that if she wants to gain control over her husband, it is necessary to have sex with him," said the police official.He said that only after that he will give her a 'magic' locket which her husband needs to wear for her to have complete control over him. Sandhya refused to have sex with him. Harsh then tried to rape her inside his office. Sandhya somehow escaped from his clutches and approached the cops, said the police official.

Congress tells govt to stand firm against Team Anna

Congress Committee met in Delhi this evening, Bill Lokpal session devoted to conflict with the government's push activists and Gandhian Anna hazar has led to a quick start to the 16 new reported August.

Lokpal Bill - aimed at combating corruption among politicians and bureaucrats - have been described as a "betrayal of India" Mr. Hazare.Kongressi day said it supports the government's bill. Is this a new Bill should include the Prime Minister's office was not discussed, although it has changed the title Lokpal controversy. "No government should not give in to pressure from anyone" was to participate in the Congress.

Mr. hazar received the committee, which was to draft Bill.Panel - which, together with five ministers and five activists - had such a massive difference that they have decided to submit two draft Bill arutamiseks.Kohtumise all third parties July, through both the draft.

Congress meeting today, informed the Home Minister P Chidambaram and Minister Pranab Mukherjee, who were both Lokpal Bill Drafting Committee person functions.

Preparation, team leader of the opposition LK Advani met Anna in the day to inform him of his draft. They want to Loklal - Ombudsman has 11 members - to investigate allegations of corruption against the PM, senior judges, and all is well bürokraadid.Valitsus PM this bill. Team Anna has also challenged the procedure recommended by the government in the selection and dismissal Lokpal liiget.Aktivistid government has allowed far too much influence on decision makers in these processes, which won the purpose of the Bill.

Rampaul Fined, Sammy Reprimanded

West Indian Seamen Treatment Rampaul has been fined 10% ofits game show with dissent, and his captain Darren Sammy has been reprimanded for violating the Code of Conduct during the firstTest against India in Jamaica.

Rampaul punished for asking the judge if the ball was out, he leftbehind was a no-ball height. Ishant Sharma bowled a couple ofbouncers have been over before the second delivery rearedsuddenly, brushing Rampaul's gloves that he controlled as a judgeseda.Mängu Jeff Crowe, Rampaul deemed to have breachedsection 2.1.3 code, which relates to 'showing dissent on the judge's decision. "

Sammy was cautioned after showing his forearm near the massivecall for restrictions on fishing of the first delivery kohtas.Palve hewas refused, but Sammy was punished for conduct "contrary to the spirit of the game."

There was no formal hearing where both players play the judgeaccepted the appeal. "Just as India's first innings a player AmitMishra, Ravi stood his ground and showed the judges shall be issued," Crowe said. "Darren, that was the end of this, just looked at the influence of the judge where the ball hit him."

Ratnakar, VS Seek Time To Set Record Straight

Puttaparthi: Investigators probing seizure of close to Rs 35 lakh in Puttaparthi Andhra Pradesh High Court seeking a search warrant to check the Yajurveda Mandir, the late Sri Sathya Sai Baba private chamber, where conflicts arise statements Sathya Sai Central Trust, members of the RJ Ratnakar V. Srinivasan and like the rest, whose applications have been filed.

Although these reports are available, and Ratnakar Srinivasan Wednesday, claiming the duo at least three or four days to give their statements, referring to personal reasons. As the police investigation and accelerating government is also seeking to understand them, the members of the Sathya Sai Central Trust decided to meet on Friday set out a future course of action.
Government sources told the Express that Ratnakar and Srinivasan told officials. While Srinivasan requested time on the ground that his daughter-in-law had passed away recently Ratnakar understood to have cited health reasons.

These statements hold for all investigations.
T

hen, all submissions will be compared.

''If we find discrepancies, we will approach the court for a search warrant based on evidence Yajurveda Mandir (statements).

Even otherwise, should be sought as part of the Mandir uurimise''allikatest related to the probe said. Sleuth claims to have information about large amounts of cash, diamonds and gold hidden in the Yajurveda Sai Mandir Trust and faith in the inventory is just the tip of the iceberg.
Sources said investigators may also file charges, financial fraud, according to statements by Ratnakar and Srinivasan. But police are treading with caution, because so far nothing concrete has been found to confirm the "confiscation of cash 'stolen. The initial request form, and Srinivasan Ratnakar follows:?''If it was theft Yajurveda Mandir''Den other issues, money is the reason to wear them, why suddenly it was necessary, vehicles transporting money and why, when they had to make payments, they are not do not pay checks. Sources said the last few years, the government had never interfered in matters of trust and hard to actually doled out the exceptions.
"Generally the government has the power to the Board of Trustees at their side all the confidence, which may consist of even the IAS officers of the permanent habitat. Trust is given the difficult except for the Hindu Charitable and Charitable Societies Act, and similar other acts. Because of these reasons and the fact that all visitors to Prashant Nilayam is the top weapon the government has never bothered to poke his nose in matters of trust. Now, if it is necessary to do this, he can not do anything about it,''sources said, adding that government does not trust the right to appeal the case.

History, told media persons, said Ratnakar Trust will discuss the report commissioned by the government and the legal opinion, the decision is the same.

Fenugreek can spice up sex life

For centuries, many herbs are claimed to improve people's sex drive. Add another list - fenugreek, bean-like plant that grows in India and other Asian countries, and the use of curry, researchers say. In fact, India is said to be the world's largest producer of fenugreek herb wit

EARTHQUAKE IN DELHI

Today Earthquake in Northern India located on Indio-Nepal Border measuring 5.4 on reactor scale is once again remind us that Delhi and NCR area is in seismic Zone – 4. Previous to this on April 2, 2011 one earthquake has 4.9 has jolted the Kashmir Zinziyang Border Area and on 1St April 2011 earthquake of 5.2 is recorded in Hindukush area. Means 3 attacks in last four days. It is a indication of some big is happening beneath the earth. We should prepare ourselves for it. According to experts it shows the activeness in Indian plates.

It is all result of playing with nature and environment. Due to large scale Human activities against environment like deforestation, polluting of river and air. WE are constructing concrete jungle at the speed never before and killing environment like anything.

This action of us(Human Beings) will result in reaction from nature & environment which may cause large scale loss of life and property. In addition we all knows that the Delhi region have high rise building which do not have any safety measurements while the construction of these buildings carried out. In normal routine also they do not follow safety codes and standards. The arrangements of government is also no-where in case of any disaster.

Generally Indian government needs to call Army for relief work in case of natural calamities. Also our equipment to deal with disasters are not according to International standards. We needs world class equipment to save the life and remove debris.

All government agencies must review and prepare themselves for disasters in view of latest developments. Anything required for disaster management must be immediately arranged. Volunteers must be recruited for this purpose. It is very important to review and repair the safety and operating procedures of Nuclear Plants. The recent disaster of Fukushima Nuclear Plant of Japan is clearly known to everyone. All the Nuclear Plants must have extra backup plan to deal with disasters. Three tier safety and backup must be implemented in Nuclear Plants.

Also all the high rise buildings must be inspected. Any building which do not meets safety standards must be immediately forced to meet the guidelines and strict action must be taken in case of non-conformity. All buildings which have completed their life must be demolished.

Yajur mandir resembled Tirupati temple hundi

While the 20-member team scanned the entire two-storied Yajur Mandir for nearly 36 hours, nothing much emerged from the various documents which were found inside the private chambers of Sai Baba on Friday.

Sources said the Yajur Mandir resembled the `hundi' of Lord Venkateswara of Tirumala as a massive cash of Rs 11,56,47,049.50 was found along with 98 kgs of gold jewellery and 307 kgs of silver ornaments inside the three-room mandir.

While it was for the first time that the powerful Sathya Sai Central Trust members had stepped inside the holy mandir of Baba on the first floor, sources said there was not much grandeur inside. It was constructed in 2001 by L&T. The ground floor has one visitors' hall, followed by a hall, dining hall and a kitchen. It has two separate rooms.

On the first floor, there are three rooms. A hall, a room and the resting room of Baba. "Even the entry of VVIPs and important dignitaries to the first floor was restricted when Baba was alive," sources revealed. The Trust members and VIP devotees used to wait on the ground floor to meet Baba, who used to come down from his abode in the first floor.

Baba used to sleep on the silver cot embellished with gold ornaments. The plates, glasses and other articles used by him were also made of gold and silver. "Only a few of the high-profile devotees had an opportunity to have dinner with Baba. Baba used to come down by using a lift," insiders told TOI.

BlackBerry maker RIM rapidly losing smart phone market share

BlackBerry maker Research In Motion (RIM), which once dominated the market for smart phones, is rapidly losing its market share as Apple's iPhone and devices powered by Google's Android operating system batter the Canada-based technology giant.

Revenues of 4.9 billion dollars for the first fiscal quarter showed a rare decline from the previous quarter and fell well short of analysts' expectations.

Profit of 695 million dollars in the quarter dropped 10 percent from a year earlier.

Revenue for the second quarter is now expected to be in the range of 4.2 billion to 4.8 billion dollars, nearly a billion dollars below previous estimates.

"Fiscal 2012 has gotten off to a challenging start. The slowdown we saw in the first quarter is continuing into Q2," Globe and Mail quoted RIM co-chief executive Jim Balsillie, as saying.

Meanwhile, shares of RIM dropped about 14 per cent in after-hours trading after the company issued its latest results.

Losing streak continues in mkts; Sensex down 115 pts

The BSE benchmark sensex closed 115 points down as investors sold IT stocks on worries that an interest rate hike by the RBI amid deepening Euro debt crisis might derail the global economic recovery.

A weak trend in Asia and lower opening in Europefurther influenced the market sentiment.

The Bombay Stock Exchange index sensex, which had lost 323 points in the last two sessions, rolled down by 115.35 points to 17,870.53. It was trading in the range of 18,064.76 and 17,844.09 points during the day.

Broad-based National Stock Exchange index Nifty fell by 30.35 points to 5,366.40 as software exporting and refinery stocks suffered heavy losses.

On the 30-share sensex, the leading scrips Reliance Industries (RIL) and Infosys dropped by Rs 19.60 to Rs 868.40 and Rs 36.15 to Rs 2,764.40, respectively.

The IT sector index on the BSE suffered the most, losing 1.94% to 5,818.66 on worries of a slowdown in economic recovery in the US and the Europe from where the software exporters derive about 60 per cent of their revenue.

Oil and gas index followed next; it tanked by 1.56% to 8,974.97. Healthcare index lost 1.29% to 6,294.82 and auto sector by 1.07% to 8,463.99.

Four dead, dozens injured in Netanya building explosion

Four people were killed and 91 were injured in a explosion early Friday morning in an apartment building in downtown Netanya. The circumstances surrounding the explosion are still unclear, but first estimates indicate that the damage was the result of a gas explosion.

Major damage was caused to the apartment building and to other nearby buildings on Herzl Street in Netanya's Independence Square, an area frequented by many tourists.

The explosion rocked a 5-story building approximately 20 minutes after midnight. Windows were shattered, blinds were ripped out of place, and fences were split apart by the explosion. Glass, metal and pieces of wood were scattered in every direction.

Among those killed were two women in their 40s, one man in his 20s and a 51-year-old man. Many of the people who were injured in the explosion were French tourists spending the summer in Netanya.

India loses $16 bn per year to corruption: Bedi

India loses a whopping $ 16 billion a year due to corruption, IPS officer-turned social activist Kiran Bedi has said.

Speaking at an event here organised by the Chicago Council on Global Affairs , she said, "out of every Rs 100 meant for infrastructure development, only Rs 16 is used and Rs 84 is lost."

She said that if India is free of corruption, it could become the most developed country in the world and all its debt would go away.

"I would like to see Indians in America collectively raising a voice because it is our future," said Bedi, who is associated with social activist Anna Hazare's anti-corruption campiagn.

Speaking about the Lokpal Bill, Bedi said corruption has increased because there was no system to check it and there was no system in place to handle the negative aspects of positive growth.

"It is only in the last two months thanks to the Supreme Court that key players and politicians went to jail for the first time and have not been bailed out till now," Bedi said.

She also spoke at the India Against Corruption event held at the Gayatri Shaktipeeth.

"Scams have increased over the years and the number of recorded scams have also increased," she said, adding that records show that there are no commensurate punishment for such scams.

Bedi said that she needed the support of Non-Resident Indians to give the movement an additional momentum.

"We can also try to weed out corruption if we allocate even 0.5 per cent of budget for anti-corruption," Bedi added.

Gold, cash found in Sais personal chamber?

PUTTAPARTHI: The doors of the Satya Sai Baba’s personal chamber Yajurveda Mandir, rumoured to contain fabulous riches, were opened Thursday amid tight security. But officials of the Satya Sai Central Trust refused to say what they found.
The doors were opened in the presence of trust members Justice P N Bhagwati, Indulal Shah, S V Giri, L Srinivasan, R J Ratnakar, retired Supreme Court judges A K Mishra and Vaidyanathan, the Satya Sai Baba’s caretaker Satyajit, advocate Nagananda and Maharashtra Satya Sai Seva Dal president Ramesh Dhawan.
Sources said the trust has decided to submit an inventory of the contents to the government at the earliest.
It is learnt that some gold ornaments were found including rings and chains that the Sai Baba used to present to devotees, and in addition some cash and personal belongings of the Baba, including clothes. Sources said that some computers were discovered too, which are thought to contain information pertaining to the empire of the late spiritual guru.
Upon discovery of the gold and cash, trust members called the SBI’s Puttaparthi branch manager, who arrived to record the inventory. The Yajurveda Mandir was the abode of the Satya Sai Baba, built in 2006 at a cost of Rs 35 crore along the lines of a temple. He moved in in 2008. The doors of the sanctum were shut a week after the Baba was taken to hospital. Even as he lay battling for his life, rumours arose that a trove of gold was shifted from the Yajurveda Mandir to Bangalore and that some relatives of the Baba had carried away precious items. Alerted by media reports of the rumours, the district administration posted tight security at the sanctum.
While Satya Sai was in hospital, a team of High Court judges made a silent visit to Prashanti Nilayam and stayed at Shanti Bhavan. They were received by one Basha, a revenue inspector in the Puttaparthi tahsildar’s office. It is learnt that the team visited and spent some time in the Yajurveda mandir. After their departure in the evening, the doors were closed and remained so till Thursday morning.
Two advocates of Anantapur district went to court demanding opening of the doors to the sanctum in public presence and overseen by a special officer.
Meanwhile rumours spread that some trust members held the keys to the Yajurveda Mandir. On June 3, trust member R J Ratnakar, a nephew of Satya Sai, clarified that the keys were safe in a bank locker and that trust would meet to decide when to open the doors.

FB users don't take online pals seriously

Wondering whether you will leave your real-lifefriends behind by using Facebook? Well, it's not true.

A new study has said that Facebook users have more close ties with their offline friends than those who don't use the social networking site, reportsNew Scientist .

The researchers at the Pew Research Center in Washington DC, who surveyed 2,255 Americans, found that the average Facebook user has 229 friends on Facebook , which turns out to be 48 per cent of their total offline social network.

According to researchers, people who are making online connections could also be improving their offline lives. While the average American has just over two close relationships, regular Facebook users had an average of 9 per cent more close ties.

IT, oil & gas pull Sensex down 133 points

The Bombay Stock Exchange benchmark Sensex lost over 130 points during the end of the session today due to selling by funds and retail investors in IT, teck, oil & gas and auto stocks amid mixed Asian cues.

At 3.30 p.m., the Sensex was down 133.32 points or 0.74 per cent at 17,852.56 and the Nifty down 34.05 points or 0.63 per cent at 5,362.70.

Among the sectoral indices, IT was down 2.01 per cent, oil & gas 1.66 per cent, teck 1.39 per cent and auto 1.25 per cent. Consumer durables was up 0.77 per cent and power 0.09 per cent. Of the total 3,018 stocks traded, 958 advanced, 1,943 declined and 117 remained unchanged.

Volume toppers during the session were Tata Steel, RIL, SBI, ICICI Bank and Infosys. Major Sensex losers were Infosys, RIL, HDFC, TCS, ONGC, ITC and M&M. HDFC Bank, Bharti Airtel and Tata Steel were the major gainers.

The Sensex, which lost 146.36 points in yesterday’s trade after the RBI raised interest rates by 25 basis points to contain rising inflation, rebounded by 78.88 points to 18,064.76 in the opening session.

Similarly, the broad-based National Stock Exchange Nifty index also moved up by 24.40 points to 5,421.15 points

Manual scavenging a dark blot, must end: PM

New Delhi: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Friday asked states to help eliminate manual scavenging within six months, saying the success of inclusive growth would be measured by the succour provided to "our sisters and brothers" from the weaker sections of society.

"One of the darkest blots on our development process is that even after 64 years of independence, we still have the heinous practice of manual scavenging," Manmohan Singh said at the inaugural session of a two-day conference here of state ministers of welfare and social justice.

"Today I would like you to pledge that this scourge will be eliminated from every corner of our country in the next six months. The conversion of dry latrines must be completed once and for all," he said.

Manmohan Singh said the success of government efforts towards inclusive growth will be measured by the succour they bring to "our sisters and brothers" of Dalits, tribals, Other Backward Classes, differently-abled and senior citizens.

The Prime Minster called upon states to make use of a recent advisory sent by the home ministry, which said that employing a Dalit or tribal as a manual scavenger would be punishable under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

"I urge you to make full use of this," he said.

Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Mukul Wasnik said his ministry was planning a fresh survey to identify people still engaged in manual scavenging inluding their dependents.

Wasnik said a self-employment scheme for rehabilitation of manual scavengers was introduced in 2007 with a view to rehabilitate all existing manual scavengers and their families by 2010.

He said the National Advisory Council (NAC) had been drawing the attention of the government about manual scavenging despite it being outlawed.

"All out efforts will be made to ensure that identified manual scavengers are rehabilitated during the current year itself," Wasnik said.

Manmohan Singh said the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government had taken a number of initiatives in cooperation with the corporate sector to employ the weaker sections.

"Several corporate houses have voluntarily adopted a code to ensure effective affirmative action. Ombudsmen have been appointed to ensure single point accountability. Nearly 1.12 lakh youth have been trained under entrepreneurship development and other programmes. But here too, much more needs to be done," he said.

The Prime Minister said the post-matriculation scholarship scheme for Dalit students was revised in July last year. The government will continue to bear the financial liability in the 12th Five Year Plan.

Manmohan Singh called upon states to sincerely implement their Scheduled Caste Sub-Plan so that benefits go to those for whom they are intended.