Shivraj demands execution of Afzal Guru's death sentence

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan has demanded the execution of the death sentence of Afzal Guru who was found guilty in the attack on Parliament. Speaking at the Chief Ministers' Conference on Internal Security at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi, Mr. Chauhan said that it was unfortunate that “we have so far spent Rs.20 crore on the security of Afzal Guru and yet are unable to take a final decision on the issue of execution of his death sentence”.

Mr. Chauhan also said that delay in awarding punishment to Afzal Guru and Kasab was reducing people's faith in the judicial procedure of the country, which was not good for Indian democracy.

To reign in corruption, money laundering and the presence of black money, Mr. Chauhan demanded the immediate closure of circulation of Rs.1000 and Rs. 500 currency notes in the country. He said that with this measure it would be difficult and impractical for forgers to print and transport currency notes of denominations Rs.100 and Rs.50.

Mr. Chauhan also said that the M.P. police had done a commendable job in controlling the spread of naxal violence in the State. The Chief Minister said that the naxal organisations are increasingly spreading their presence in districts like Dindori, Mandla, Anuppur, Shahdol, Sidhi and Singrauli of the State which are bordering Chhattisgarh and Uttar Pradesh. Due to this, he demanded that these districts should also be included in the reimbursement of the expenditure made on security.

IMPAL pays Rs. 14 interim

The directors of India Motor Parts and Accessories (IMPAL) have declared an interim dividend of Rs. 14 for the financial year 2009-10 as compared to Rs.12 paid last year, the record date being February 16.

Sehwag: India can save first Test

India may be facing the prospect of an innings defeat inside four days but dashing opener Virender Sehwag sounded confident that the hosts would pull a rabbit out of the hat and save the opening Test against South Africa.

“Against Australia (in 2001) we had followed on and won. Anything can happen in this game. Sachin Tendulkar is still batting and he’s a very experienced hand. Murali Vijay is also batting well. We will fight it out,” said the flamboyant opener who scored his 18th hundred in India’s first innings.

India, who trailed South Africa by a massive 325 runs in the first innings, were 66 for the loss of Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir in the second innings and needed 259 runs more to stave off an innings defeat with only eight wickets and a largely inexperienced lower order to come.

Sehwag, who made 109 and also put on 136 runs for the fourth wicket with debutant S. Badrinath (56) in the first innings, said the hosts were disappointed with their performance.

“We are all upset we did not bat well. We needed a few more partnerships going but we have to give credit to Dale Steyn who bowled very well. He used the swing to get the wickets of Sachin Tendulkar and Murali Vijay (in the first innings). He also reverse swung the ball well after the ball was changed just after tea,” he said.

Sehwag said the ball had gone a bit soft and the umpires agreed to request by the visitors for a change of ball that was followed by Steyn’s devastating spell of reverse swing, which fetched him five wickets for three runs in 3.4 overs.

Steyn cleaned up the Indian lower-order to end the innings with a career-best 7 for 51.

Sehwag felt the home team batsmen can stall the South African victory charge but need to look out for runs too instead of simply defending on Tuesday.

“We still have very good batsmen remaining. They should also play shots as runs too matter. We will try to bat as long as we can,” said the 31-year-old batsman.

He also praised S Badrinath for his effort, saying the Tamil Nadu batsman applied himself well during their century stand.

“Badrinath is a very good player. He has made lot of runs in domestic cricket. I told him to enjoy his batting and he did well,” he said.

Asked why he chose to stay away from the short balls dished in plenty by the South African pace duo of Steyn and Morne Morkel, Sehwag said he was not a good puller or hooker and felt it was better to leave alone the short stuff.

“I’m not a good puller or hooker of the ball,” he explained. Sehwag, who threw away his wicket in both the innings, said he cannot predict how the wicket will behave over the last two days but can only say “it will not get better”.

Centre for strong action against Sena, MNS

The Centre on Sunday asked the Maharashtra government to take strong action against groups responsible for the recent happenings in Mumbai, a veiled reference to the Shiv Sena and the MNS in the wake of their campaign against migrants and actor Shah Rukh Khan.

Interjecting Chief Minister Ashok Chavan while he was addressing the Conference of Chief Ministers on Internal Security here, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram said the whole nation wants strong action to be taken against people responsible for recent happenings in Maharashtra, particularly in Mumbai.

The Shiv Sena and the MNS have taken a stand that Mumbai belongs to Marathi people only and people born and brought up in the state have first right over it.

Shiv Sena had also labelled Shah Rukh Khan as “traitor” for his comments that Pakistani players should have been included in IPL matches. Its activists tore down posters of the star’s forthcoming film My Name is Khan.

Mr. Chidambaram intervened when Mr. Chavan was referring to the need for strengthening of law.

IMF sees recovery but there are caveats

The International Monetary Fund in the latest update to its World Economic Outlook sees economic prospects across the globe improving substantially. While some of its previous reports had said that the worst of the crisis was over and that recovery was on, the latest update (January 26) points out that the recovery is much faster than anticipated.

In fact, compared to its last update (October 2009), the IMF has significantly marked up its forecasts for several countries and regions.

Global output is forecast to go up by 3.9 per cent and 4.3 per cent in 2010 and 2011, respectively, above the October forecasts of 3.1 per cent and 4.2 per cent. Advanced economies too are expected to fare better than originally anticipated, with growth rates of 2.1 per cent and 2.4 per cent for 2010 and 2011, respectively. Last year, these economies (as a group) contracted by 3.2 per cent. The U.S., which had a negative growth of 2.5 per cent, will post positive growth rates of 2.7 this year and 2.4 per cent in the next year.

India, China lead

However, in what has by now become common knowledge, it is the developing countries led by China and India that have picked up the slack and remain in the forefront of the global recovery. According to the IMF, the category “Emerging markets and developing economies” will grow by 6 per cent and 6.3 per cent in 2010 and 2011. China and India lead the table with projected growth rates of 10 per cent and 7.7 per cent, respectively, in 2010 and 9.7 per cent and 7.8 per cent in 2011.

The sharp recovery in these two countries has been well recognised. Already many countries in the region are benefiting from China’s growth. Japan’s exports have turned positive after a long slump mainly because of the demand from China. The fact that the Indian economy has been on an even keel even during the worst phase of the recession and has now entered a higher growth trajectory has rekindled capital flows, both foreign direct investment (FDI) and foreign institutional investment (FII).

The IMF report, while being more optimistic about global economic prospects than at any time during the past two crisis ridden years, nevertheless sounds a caution or two. Advanced economies are still dependent on government stimulus measures, which obviously cannot be continued indefinitely. Sooner than later, private demand must take over. The timing of the exit — when individual countries could withdraw the stimulus and other ‘anti-crisis’ measures — is best left to individual countries.

In many countries, the stimulus measures cannot be withdrawn immediately. Some of them risk a return to recession if such measures are withdrawn soon. There are some positive signs, to be sure.

Financial markets have rebounded since the lows of last March. Economic conditions have improved and the wide ranging policy actions of governments have helped. Risk appetite has returned and capital markets have reopened. In the U.S., consumption demand has been surprisingly strong and has contributed to the rebound in confidence. In all advanced economies, inflation is expected to be contained.

Challenges remain

However, policymakers still face extraordinary challenges as they seek to unwind the unprecedented fiscal, monetary and financial support they provided to keep their economies and financial markets from collapsing. High unemployment rates, rising public debt and high levels of individual indebtedness in some countries present further challenges to the recovery.

Due to the still fragile nature of recovery, fiscal policies should remain supportive of economic demand in the near term. Fiscal stimulus planned for 2010 should be implemented in full. However, in many countries, there are growing concerns about fiscal sustainability. Countries should, therefore, work towards devising strategies for exiting from the stimulus packages.

Financial sector reform

A crucial task ahead for policymakers in the developed countries is to repair the badly damaged financial sector. Policymakers will also need to move boldly to reform the financial sector with the objectives of reducing the risks of future instability. Attention should also be bestowed on how the potential fallout of financial crises would be borne in future, while at the same time making the sector more effective and resilient.

In a special message to India and other emerging economies, the IMF says that these countries will have to design policies to manage a surge of capital inflows.

Macro-prudential policies can be used to address the potential of bubbles at an early stage by limiting a build-up in risks.

Sonia, Mamata flag off 12 new trains in UP

United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee on Sunday jointly flagged off 12 new trains in Uttar Pradesh. The routes of seven existing trains have also been extended.

Ms. Sonia Gandhi and Ms. Banerjee flagged off the trains through videoconferencing at Kanpur railway station here.

Claiming that addition of a dozen new trains would prove to be a boon for Uttar Pradesh, Ms. Sonia Gandhi said later at a huge public rally adjacent to the railway station that “it was after a long gap that the railway ministry had done so much in one go for this state”.

She said the central government would be only too keen to do much more for the State.

“Our government at the centre in general and the Indian Railways in particular are committed to fulfilling the aspirations of the people of Uttar Pradesh,” she said.

“The Centre was always ready to play its role in pushing development projects for the states, but this cannot be achieved without the active support of the States,” she maintained.

The new trains are Kanpur-New Delhi Shatabdi Express, Lucknow-New Delhi Duronto, Allahabad-New Delhi Duronto, Gorakhpur-Lokmanya Tilak Terminal Express, Varanasi-Jammu Tawi Superfast, Lucknow-Yashwantpur Express, Agra-Lucknow Intercity, Mathura-Kasganj Passenger, Bhopal-Pratapgarh Express, Gorakhpur-Nainital Express, Gorakhpur-Noutha Passenger and Chapra-Mathura Express.