EGoM to consider hike in prices of diesel, kerosene, LPG soon

Worried over the mounting under-recoveries of the oil marketing companies (OMCs), the Empowered Group of Ministers (EGoM), headed by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, is likely to meet on June 9 to consider a hike in prices of diesel, kerosene and domestic LPG.

Training to set up Agriclinics

The Union Ministry of Agriculture has launched a programme to set up Agriclinics and Agribusiness centres in each district in the State to provide quality extension services to farmers.The programme is being implemented by Kerala Agricultural University and MANAGE, Hyderabad. It aims at developing agricultural graduates into consultants or entrepreneurs by imparting specialised training in areas related to Agriclincs, Agribusiness and agri consultancy.

iPhone 4 launched in India

Eleven months after Apple’s next-generation smartphone hit stores worldwide, the iPhone 4 was launched on Friday in India, the world’s second biggest market for mobile phones.Declaring the rollout of one of the most expected smartphone in the world by Bharti airtel in Kolkata and in 34 other cities in India, Airtel CEO (West Bengal and Orissa) P.D. Sharma told PTI the iPhone 4 will create a separate space from the clutter of smartphone in the market, many of them having copied Apple features.

RBI to banks: Reimburse failed ATM transactions in 7 days

The Reserve Bank on Friday directed banks to reimburse customers for amounts wrongfully debited from their accounts in failed ATM transactions within seven days of an account holder’s complaint or else pay a Rs. 100 per day compensation.“The time limit for resolution of customer complaints by the issuing banks shall stand reduced from 12 working days to seven working days from the date of receipt of customer complaint,” the RBI said in a notification.

Lok Adalat seeks views of Railways, PCB

The Ernakulam Permanent Lok Adalat, on Thursday, directed Railways and the Pollution Control Board to give their view on a petition seeking a directive to Railways to prevent dumping of toilet waste from running trains into the open.The petition complained that the waste was neither collected nor treated before being dumped into the open environment. The petitioner, D.B. Binu, a lawyer, said the practice had an adverse effect on the health of the people. Human excreta contained a large number of germs that could cause diarrhoea, cholera, typhoid, and other parasitic infections.

US offers assistance in dealing with money laundering

The United States has offered assistance to India to deal with money laundering and fake currency menace, besides cooperation in issues related to cross-border terrorism.The visiting Secretary of the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Janet Napolitano called on Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee in New Delhi on Friday and the two leaders explored the areas of bilateral cooperation.

India announces USD 180 mn new line of credit for Tanzania

India has announced a new line of credit of USD 180 mn for Tanzania and signed a pact on avoidance of double taxation as the two countries agreed to intensify cooperation to combat terrorism and piracy and work closely for comprehensive UN reforms.On a three-day visit in Tanzania, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said after wide-ranging discussions with Tanzanian President Jakaya Kikwete that the new line of credit will be for water supply projects in country's capital Dar es Salaam.