Nirmal Om newsline

(PTI) Sticking to its stand, the BJP government in Karnataka today asserted that it would not entrust the probe into the illegal mining issue to CBI, but said a report would be submitted to the Supreme Court on the issues raised by a committee appointed by the apex court. A day after the Central Empowered Committee submitted its interim report to the Supreme Court pointing out largescale illegal mining in iron-ore rich Bellary district in collusion with officials and politicians, Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa held an emergent meeting of top officials here. The meeting, attended by Chief Secretary S V Ranganath, officials from Mines and Geology Department and Public Works Minister C M Udasi, discussed the CEC report which pointed out that 304.91 lakh tonnes of iron ore had been exported from Karnataka without permits between 2003-04 and 2009-10.

India and Kazakhstan are poised to consolidate on their strategic partnership as they are expected to sign an inter-governmental framework agreement on civil nuclear cooperation and some other pacts when Prime Minister Manmohan Singh undertakes a visit there on Friday. Dr. Singh, who will travel to Astana from here as part of his two-nation tour, will discuss with Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev ways to enhance two-way trade and forging closer physical connectivity. The inter-governmental agreement on cooperation in peaceful uses of nuclear energy will be among at least six pacts that the two countries are expected to sign during Dr. Singh's two-day visit as part of an endeavour to consolidate on the strategic partnership put in place in 2009. India and Kazakhstan already have civil nuclear cooperation since January 2009 when Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) and Kazakh nuclear company KazAtomProm signed a MoU during the visit of Nazarbaev to Delhi.Under the...

Tamil Nadu, Over 75 per cent of the electorate on Wednesday cast their votes in all 234 assembly constituencies.Though polling had closed at 1700 hours, voters who came before the closing time were allowed to cast their vote, officials said. The polling was by and large peaceful, they said.The state has 4.6 crore voters. Prominent of the 2,773 candidates in the fray include DMK leader and Chief Minister M Karunanidhi (Tiruvarur), his arch rival and AIADMK chief Jayalalithaa (Srirangam), Karunanidhi's son and Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin (Kolathur) and DMDK actor-founder Vijayakanth (Rishivandyam).

The National United Christian Forum (NUCF) stands in solidarity with members of civil society in their agitation against corruption. The recent unearthing of several scams such as the telecom scandal and the Commonwealth Games scam, involving massive sums of money has only served to highlight the deep malaise affecting the Indian society. In 2010, the Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index ranked India at 87th of 178 countries. The recent agitation is galvanized around the fast unto death by social activist Anna Hazare as part of a campaign that asks the government to ensure the participation of civil society in the drafting of an important new law, "the Lokpal Bill" to fight corruption. Archbishop Vincent M. Concessao speaking on behalf of the NUCF said, "The people most affected by corruption are the poor, as corruption makes government schemes not only inaccessible to them but also allows for non implementation of government schemes and poli...

(PTI) The house of actor Anupam Kher was tonight attacked by alleged activists of Republican Party of India (RPI) who protested his remarks on the Indian constitution, the police said.The actor was not present when stones were pelted at his house in suburban Juhu around 8 pm. A few window-panes were broken. The police said a team has been rushed there and 11 persons have been taken into custody.RPI activists were protesting Kher's remarks allegedly against the Indian Constitution while talking to TV channels when he expressed support for Anna Hazare's hunger strike.A privilege motion has been moved against him in the Maharashtra Assembly with regard to his remarks.