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Current AffairsMarch 23

2011

Praveenhttp://indiancurrentaffairs.wordpress.com

3/23/2011




POLITICS AND THE NATION

Centre moves ahead with GST, introduces Bill in Lok Sabha

The government today introduced a Constitution Amendment Bill in the Lok

Sabha with a view to create a common market for goods and services and

replace the existing indirect taxation regime with a uniform Goods

and Services Tax (GST) system.

The Bill that was tabled in the Lower House despite opposition, mainly from

BJP-ruled states, seeks to amend the Constitution to confer simultaneous

powers to the Centre and states to levy taxes on goods and services.

Now, the Bill is likely to be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee

for scrutiny.

The proposed GST will subsume most indirect taxes like excise duty

and service tax at the central level and VAT on the state front,

besides local levies.

However, crude petroleum, diesel, petrol, aviation turbine fuel, natural gas

and alcohol for human consumption have been kept out of the GST ambit.

The Bill provides for creation of a GST Council to be headed by the

Union Finance Minister.

The Council will be empowered to recommend tax rates and exemption and

threshold limits for good and services.

The Council, which is to be constituted by the President, is proposed to be

chaired by the Union Finance Minister, with the Minister of State for Finance,

in-charge of revenue, as member.

Besides, the minister in charge of finance or taxation, or any other minister

nominated by each state government, will be members.

Every decision of the GST Council taken at a meeting shall be with the

consensus of all the members present at the meeting.

It also proposed a GST Dispute Settlement Authority, created by

Parliament, to deal with grievances of the Centre and the state with

regard to GST.

The GST Dispute Settlement Authority shall consist of a chairperson

and two other members, the Bill said.



The chairperson of the authority is proposed to be a person who has

been a judge of the Supreme Court or a Chief Justice of the High

Court, while the members shall be persons of "proven capacity and expertise

in the field of law, economics or public affairs."

The GST bill needs approval of two-thirds of parliament and half of the 28

states to become law.

Lok Sabha passes FY 2012 budget

The Lok Sabha on Tuesday passed the annual budget for the 2011/12 fiscal

year beginning on April 1.

The central budget has to be approved by the Rajya Sabha as well, but the

house cannot block or amend it.

India to finalise FY2012 govt borrowing schedule on March 25

The finance ministry and Reserve Bank officials will meet on March 25 to

finalise the government borrowing schedule for the first half of next fiscal

year.

The government is estimated to borrow a gross 4.17 trillion rupees

($92.9 billion) in the next fiscal year starting in April, lower than the

revised gross borrowing of 4.47 trillion rupees in the current fiscal year.

CBI moves Delhi court for Warren Anderson's extradition

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Tuesday moved a petition in court

seeking extradition of former Union Carbide Corporation chairman Warren

Anderson in the Bhopal gas tragedy case.

Warren Anderson is the main accused in the 1984 Bhopal Gas tragedy when a

toxic gas leak from the Union Carbide Corporation's now defunct pesticide

plant in the Madhya Pradesh capital Bhopal killed and maimed thousands of

people on the intervening night of Dec 2-3.

In June 2010 a Bhopal court sentenced former Union Carbide India chairman

Keshub Mahindra and six others to two years' imprisonment each in the gas



tragedy case, nearly 26 years after the world's worst industrial disaster left

thousands dead.

The verdict came under attack from civil rights activists and political parties.



FROM THE STATES

Nitish Kumar seeks special status for Bihar

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar today urged the Centre to accord a special status

to Bihar to fast track economic development in the state.

The Centre should consider the demand for special status to Bihar so that the

state could develop itself and contribute to the development process in the

country, the Chief Minister said.

The state has been tagged among ''BIMARU'' states due to lack of

development activities here over the years and it was in this context that the

state be accorded a special status to expedite development activities, he said.

BIMARU stands for Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh



WORLD AFFAIRS

Libya: Warplanes strikes again, stalemate feared

Forces loyal to Muammar Gaddafi attacked a town near Tripoli on Tuesday

after a third night of air raids on the capital, but the Western campaign faced

questions over the future of its command structure.

With anti-Gaddafi rebels struggling to capitalise on the air campaign and to

set up a coherent command structure, Western nations have still to decide

who will run the operation once Washington pulls back.

The United States will cede control of the air assault in days, President Barack

Obama said, even as divisions in Europe fuelled speculation that Washington

would be forced to continue leadership of air patrols to replace the initial

bombardment.

"We anticipate this transition to take place in a matter of days and not in a

matter of weeks," Obama, facing questions at home about the U.S. military

getting bogged down in a third Muslim country, told a news conference

Rebels, who were driven back towards their eastern Benghazi stronghold

before the air attacks halted an advance by Gaddafi forces, have done

nothing to resume their planned advance on Tripoli -- raising fears the war

could grind to a stalemate.

But Washington, wary of being drawn into another war after long campaigns

in Iraq and Afghanistan, has ruled out specific action to overthrow Gaddafi,

though France said on Monday it hoped the Libyan government would collapse

from within.

AIR STRIKES UNDER SCRUTINY

The United States and its allies have run into some criticism for the intensity

of the firepower unleashed on Libya, including more than 110 Tomahawk

missiles on Saturday. The next step is to patrol the skies to enforce the no-fly

zone.

The U.N. Security Council is far from united over Libya. In last week's

vote, 10 countries supported the resolution and the other five council



members abstained including Russia and China, which, however,

refrained from using their veto power.

Libyan rebels have welcomed the air strikes and say they are coordinating

with the Western powers launching them.

Western powers say they are not providing close air support to rebels or

seeking to destroy Gaddafi's army, but rather only protecting civilians, as

their U.N. mandate allows, leaving disorganised rebel fighters struggling to

make headway.

Security analysts say it is unclear what will happen if the Libyan

leader digs in, especially since Western powers have made clear they

would be unwilling to see Libya partitioned between a rebel-held east

and Gaddafi-controlled west.

UN council turns down Libya on emergency meeting

The U.N. Security Council on Monday turned down a Libyan request for a

special meeting to discuss Western air strikes on the country following the

council's imposition of a no-fly zone.

The council decided instead simply to hold a briefing already planned for

Thursday by U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on how the resolution that

set up the zone to protect civilians in Libya's internal conflict is being

implemented.

Strikes were launched over the weekend by U.S., French and British

warplanes and missiles to disable Libyan air defenses and halt government

forces closing in on the eastern city of Benghazi and other centers held by

rebels.

Libyan Foreign Minister Moussa Koussa had written to the council over the

weekend requesting that the 15-nation body hold an emergency session to

debate the "military aggression" against Libya.

'ALL NECESSARY MEASURES'

Under the terms of the March 17 resolution, which both clamped a no-fly

zone on Libya and authorized "all necessary measures" to protect



civilians, Ban was required to report back to the council within a week on its

implementation.

The council is far from united over the action on Libya. In last week's vote,

10 countries supported the resolution and the other five council

members abstained including Russia and China, which, however,

refrained from using their veto power.

Germany, Brazil and India also abstained.

Arab League chief Amr Moussa suggested on Sunday that the Western

powers' military strikes on Libya had gone too far, but said on Monday he

respected the resolution that imposed the no-fly zone, which the Arab League

itself had called for.

Countries taking part in enforcing the no-fly zone are required to notify the

United Nations. The world body said on Monday it had so far been notified by

Britain, France, the United States, Denmark, Canada, Italy and Qatar

Emerging powers sing chorus in opposing Libyan strikes

China said on Tuesday that Western air strikes on Libya risked a

"humanitarian disaster", adding to the chorus of criticism from big emerging

powers over the U.N.-authorised campaign.

China, with Russia, India, Brazil and other developing countries have

condemned the U.S.-led air strikes on Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi as

risky and unwarranted overreaching by the West.

The shared opposition to the Libya campaign could become a point of

diplomatic convergence among the "BRICS" bloc of major emerging

economies -- Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- which

hold a summit in south China next month.

HISTORY OF OPPOSING INTERVENTION

Western powers began the strikes against Libya over the weekend in a U.N.-

sanctioned campaign to target air defences, enforce a no-fly zone and protect

civilians from Gaddafi's forces.



India, China and Russia -- which, along with Brazil, abstained from last

week's U.N. Security Council resolution -- have a history of opposing

intervention in sovereign states.

They opposed the U.S.-led campaign over Kosovo in the 1990s, when the

Chinese embassy in Belgrade was bombed, and also opposed the U.S. led

invasion of Iraq.

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin, compared the campaign in Libya to the

Iraq invasion, saying it "resembles medieval calls for crusades".

Brazil's criticisms have been relatively muted. On Monday, it called for a

ceasefire in Libya and regretted the loss of life there. Of the BRICS, only

South Africa supported the U.N. Resolution.

China has been among the loudest in voicing opposition. "The original intent

of the (U.N.) Security Council resolution was to protect the security of the

Libya's people. We oppose the wanton use of armed force causing even more

civilian casualties and an even bigger humanitarian disaster," Chinese Foreign

Ministry spokeswoman told.

"What is happening in a country, within their internal affairs, no external

powers should interfere in it. Nobody, not a couple of countries, can take that

decision to change a particular regime," Pranab Mukherjee, India's finance

minister told lawmakers in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Syrian protest continue for 5th straight day

Hundreds of people marched in two southern Syrian towns on Tuesday

demanding freedom, the fifth straight day of demonstrations challenging the

ruling elite.

The protests took place in the city of Deraa and the nearby town of Nawa.

Security forces killed four protesters when the demonstrations erupted in

Deraa on Friday, and an 11-year-old child died after inhaling tear gas.

A main demand of the protesters is an end what they term repression

by the secret police, which is headed in Deraa province by a cousin of

Assad, who faces the biggest challenge to his rule since succeeding his father

Hafez al-Assad in 2000.



Syria has been under emergency law since the Baath Party took

power in a 1963, banning any opposition and ushering in decades of

economic retreat characterised by nationalisation.

Limited economic liberalisation in the last decade has been marked by the rise

of Rami Makhlouf, another cousin of Assad, as a business tycoon controlling

key companies.

Makhlouf, who is under U.S. sanctions for what Washington deems public

corruption, has been a target of protesters' wrath. They describe him as a

"thief". The tycoon says he is a legitimate businessman helping bring

economic progress to Syria.

Assad has ignored rising demands to end emergency law, curb its pervasive

security

apparatus, develop the rule of law, free thousands of political prisoners, allow

freedom of expression, and reveal the fate of tens of thousands of dissenters

who disappeared in the1980s.

"The revolution is at the door and the regime is still flirting with change," said

Haitham al-Maleh, an 80-year-old lawyer and former judge who has spent his

life peacefully resisting the ruling Baath Party's monopoly on power.

The protests have demanded freedom and an end to corruption and

repression, but not the overthrow of Assad. The authorities appeared to

adopt less heavy-handed tactics on Tuesday, choosing not to intervene

against protesters, although activists said hundreds have been arrested

across Syria in the last week.

Assad has strengthened Syria's ties with Shi'ite Iran as he sought to improve

relations with the United States and strike a peace deal with Israel to regain

the occupied Golan Heights, lost in the 1967 Middle East war.

But he left the authoritarian system he inherited intact.

His father sent troops to the city of Hama in 1982 to crush the armed wing of

the Muslim Brotherhood, killing thousands in the conservative religious city.

The ruling Baath Party has banned opposition and enforced emergency laws

since 1963.

Yemen's Ali Abdullah Saleh



Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh suffered fresh defections on Tuesday when a

diplomat and a former minister backed pro-democracy protestors demanding an end

to his 32-year rule.

Here are some facts about Yemen's long-time president:

* SALEH AS PRESIDENT:

-- Saleh, in power for more than three decades, uses internal conflicts with Houthi

rebels in the north, Marxist rebels in the south and al-Qaeda operatives to the east

to draw in foreign aid and military support and solidify his power base. Al Qaeda has

already used Yemen to attempt attacks in Saudi Arabia and the United States in the

past two years.

-- Saleh presided over the unification of north and south Yemen in 1990 and has

been fighting to prevent Yemen sliding into being a failed state.

-- He was elected president by parliament in Oct. 1994; but his real victory came

when parliament passed a constitutional amendment in 1995 with the backing of the

opposition's 60 Zembers, requiring presidential hopefuls to secure the endorsement

of at least 10 percent of the 301-member assembly in order to be able to run.

-- Saleh was first directly elected president in September 1999, winning 96.3 percent

of the vote. He was re-elected in September 2006 to another seven-year term after

parliament extended the presidential term from five years in 2001.

-- A string of Saleh's allies have recently defected to the protesters, who are

frustrated by rampant corruption and soaring unemployment. Some 40 percent of

the population live on $2 a day or less, and one third face chronic hunger.

* HOUTHI REBELLION:

-- Yemen's northern Shi'ite rebels, known as Houthis after their leader Abdel

Malek al-Houthi, have fought the Saleh government on and off since 2004 in a

conflict that drew in neighbouring oil giant Saudi Arabia when Houthis briefly seized



Saudi territory in 2010. Yemen agreed a truce in 2009 but sporadic violence has

continued.

-- Abdulkareem Ahmed Jadban, who has mediated between the government and the

rebels, said this month that Houthis have put down their weapons and joined

nationwide peaceful protests that have swept Yemen, demanding an end to Saleh's

rule.

NOW

-- Saleh has made many verbal concessions during the recent protests, promising

last month to step down in 2013 without bequeathing power to his son and offering a

new constitution giving more powers to parliament. But he has rejected opposition

plans for a phased transition of power this year.

Security Council extends UN mission in Afghanistan for another year

The Security Council today extended the mandate of the United Nations

mission in Afghanistan for one more year so that it can continue to assist

the Government as it assumes greater responsibility for ensuring the

country’s security and development.

In a unanimously adopted resolution, the 15-member body authorized the

mission, known as UNAMA, to continue its activities until 23 March 2012,

including in the fields of monitoring human rights, promoting good

governance, facilitating the delivery of humanitarian assistance and assisting

in the fight against corruption.

In his most recent report to the Council, Secretary-General reiterated UN

support for the so-called "Kabul Process" that spells out a transition to

greater Afghan responsibility and ownership, in both security and

civilian areas.

UN approach to Kabul process and transition is based on three key

principles; transition must be Afghan-owned; it must be planned and

implemented in a sustainable manner; and it must ensure the protection and

promotion of the rights of all Afghans.



UNAMA has been in place since March 2002, when following the fall of

the Taliban, the Bonn Agreement established an interim Government

and prescribed the drafting of a new constitution and the holding of

elections.

Darfur camp flooded with tens of thousands

More than 70,000 people have fled fighting in Sudan's western Darfur region

in the last three months, swelling numbers at a major refugee camp by more

than third, U.N. humanitarian officials said.

A series of ceasefires and foreign-backed talks have failed to end

fighting in the remote area, where conflict between mostly non-Arab

rebels and government troops backed by largely Arab militias has

simmered for nearly eight years.

Violence has fallen from levels seen in 2003 and 2004 when rebel groups

banded together in a revolt against Khartoum, which they accused of

monopolising power. But fighting has escalated since December, prompting

thousands to flee and drawing concern from U.N. Secretary-General Ban

ki-Moon.

About 44,000 people have arrived at the Zam Zam camp alone near

Darfur's capital of El Fasher, a U.N. humanitarian official said. Local

leaders say an additional 17,000 people have also arrived in the camp.

People were still arriving at the camp and as of now hosts roughly

160,000-170,000 people, the official said.

That would make Zam Zam camp the biggest in Darfur, easily surpassing

government estimates for the large Gereida camp in South Darfur.

U.N.-African Union peacekeepers (UNAMID) have said the new arrivals

had fled clashes this year between rebels and government forces and

bombing raids in North Darfur.

The Hague-based International Criminal Court has issued an arrest

warrant for President Omar Hassan al-Bashir on charges of

committing genocide in Darfur.

U.N. officials estimate as many 300,000 people have died there since

2003 due to the humanitarian crisis. Khartoum puts the death toll at

10,000.



UN Congratulates Haitians for Elections

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon congratulated the Haitian people and

authorities for the successful presidential runoff.

Ban noted that the new administration will have to step up in the

reconstruction of the country after the terrible tragedies that affected Haiti in

2010.

In his message to Haitians yesterday, he reiterated the UN will to continue

assisting

their country to building a prosperous future.

The United Nations has a contingent, comprised by 13,000 soldiers and police

officers. The Security Council increased to 3,500 the number of soldiers a

week after the quake shook Haiti.

Mirlande Manigat and singer Michel Martelly, representing the

Democratic and Peasant's Response Parties, respectively, were running for

the presidency in the runoff.

Preliminary results of the second round will be announced on March 31.

The polls showed Martelly as favorite with 57,37 percent of the voters

intention, while Manigat held 40,57 percent.

Radioactive particle reach Iceland

Minuscule numbers of radioactive particles believed to have come from

Japan's crippled Fukushima nuclear power plant have been detected as far

away as Iceland, officials said on Tuesday.

Traces of iodine-131, below levels of concern for human health, were

discovered in an air filter used at a radiation monitoring centre in Reykjavik at

the weekend, the Icelandic Radiation Safety Authority (IRSA) said.

Iodine-131 had also been recorded in places including Newfoundland in

Canada and the western United States, consistent with a spreading plume, he

said.

Iodine-131, linked to cancer if found in high doses, contaminates

products such as milk and vegetables.



The Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organisation (CTBTO), a Vienna-

based U.N. body for monitoring possible breaches of the atom bomb test

ban, has 63 stations worldwide for observing such particles, including one in

Reykjavik, the Icelandic capital.

The CTBTO continuously provides data to its member states, but does not

make the details public.



BUSINESS/FINANCE/ECONOMY

Government’s proposed economic reforms on anvil

The government introduced a wide-ranging tax bill into parliament on Tuesday, but

opposition to the move threatened to derail what is one of the ruling coalition's most

ambitious reforms of its second term.

Here are some of the main reforms that the government plans:

GOODS AND SERVICES TAX

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Tuesday introduced a bill to usher in a single

nationwide tax structure, a proposal that will cut business costs and boost

government revenue.

But officials have said the politically controversial measure will miss its April 1,

2012 deadline.

The proposal, first mooted in 2007, is two years behind its original schedule for

rollout in 2010, on resistance from several states and the main opposition Bharatiya

Janata Party (BJP).

Bringing in the GST requires an amendment to the constitution, which needs

approval from two-thirds of federal lawmakers and of half of India's 28

states. Congress needs the BJP's support for these numbers.

In a sign of how political battles play into economic reforms, Prime Minister

Manmohan Singh has suggested the BJP's continued opposition to the GST was

retaliation against the CBI arresting a minister in BJP-ruled Gujarat state on charges

of murder.

STATUS: The bill will go to a standing committee, which will send it back with

recommendations.



The government is not bound to accept the suggestions. The earliest the bill can be

made law is during the next session of parliament, likely in July.

LAND ACQUISITION

India proposes to make it easier to acquire land to set up factories, mines, roads and

power plants, resolving one of the biggest barriers for sustained double-digit growth.

The new laws will give market or better prices for the land and equity shares in the

venture to land owners, hacking away at the cause for the several violent protests

over inadequate compensation that have characterised land acquisition in India.

India's colonial-era land acquisition law in force gives the government the right to

take over any land for what it deems a "public purpose" with little compensation,

leading to widespread opposition to almost any project that requires land.

Several projects, including multi-billion dollar investments by steel majors like

ArcelorMittal, Posco and Tata Steel, have been delayed by these protests.

The bill was passed in 2007 by the lower house of parliament, but lapsed when

parliament was dissolved for the 2009 federal elections.

STATUS: The government plans to introduce and refer the legislation to a standing

committee during the current session. The earliest it will be passed is in the next

session of parliament, likely in July.

RETAIL REFORMS

India is close to a decision on allowing foreign investors to enter the lucrative

supermarket sector, Trade Minister Anand Sharma has said, a move that has been

opposed by the politically vocal small-shopkeeper lobby.

If the proposal goes through, global firms like Wal Mart and Carrefour could set up

hundreds of stores to tap the $450 billion market. Current rules restrict them

to the wholesale, cash and carry business.



It is also expected to ease the massive supply-side bottlenecks in the farm sector

that have contributed to keeping food prices and inflation stubbornly high.

FINANCIAL SECTOR REFORMS

The government aims to lift caps on foreign stakes in the banks, pension and

insurance sectors to broaden the penetration of the funds across the country and

channel savings into much needed infrastructure projects.

But there is widespread political opposition to the proposals and several bills that

seek to open up the sectors have been languishing in parliamentary standing

committees or have lapsed.

STATUS: The government has not indicated when it will reintroduce the bills.

Government moves bill to relax voting rights in private banks

The government on Tuesday sought parliamentary approval to amend a

banking law for allowing investors in private banks to have voting

rights proportional to their shareholdings, a long-awaited move to help

grow the sector.

Currently, the voting right of a single individual or entity in private

banks is limited to 10 percent, irrespective of their shareholding.

Analysts say a relaxation in the rule will help attract more players in the

sector and therebyimprove competition.

The bill, also sought to raise investor voting rights in state-run banks to 10

percent from 1 percent, and lift the cap on state-run banks' authorised

capital.

Reports suggest big corporates such as the Tatas, Anil Dhirubhai Ambani

Group, Aditya Birla Group and Larsen & Toubro are likely to apply for banking

licences.

Non-banking finance companies such as Shriram Transport Finance, SREI

Infra, LIC Housing, Indiabulls, IL&FS and IFCI are also reportedly keen to set

up banks or get themselves converted into banks



Government allows 500,000 tonnes of Sugar exports

The government said on Tuesday it would allow 500,000 tonnes of sugar

exports, which was the first unrestricted overseas sales of the

sweetener in three years and helped global prices ease.

Shipments from India, the world's top consumer and the biggest

producer behind Brazil, will start in mid-April, government sources said.

India spent months deliberating on the exports, which amount to a tiny part

of its total output of about 25 million tonnes this year but a political

watershed after drought forced it to import sugar in 2009/10

Exports of sugar, subsidised by the state and a major source of energy

for the country's half a billion poor, have trickled out in special deals so far,

but these sales would be under Open General Licence (OGL), with only

a volume limit restriction.

In addition to 500,000 tonnes of exports under OGL, India has also allowed

overseas shipments of 10,000 tonnes to the European Union and 8,424

tonnes to the United States, government sources said.

These additional exports are an annual feature under World Trade

Organisation rules.



BACKGROUNDER

GOODS AND SERVICE TAXES

Here are some key questions regarding the GST:

HOW WILL THE GST WORK?

The GST is an indirect tax that would replace existing levies such as excise

duty, service tax and value-added tax (VAT).

The states and the union government will impose the tax on almost all goods

and services produced in India or imported. Exports will not attract GST.

Producers will receive credits for tax paid earlier, which will eliminate

multiple taxation on the same product or service.

Direct taxes, such as income tax, corporate tax and capital gains tax will

not be affected.

WHAT'S THE RATIONALE?

Eliminating a multiplicity of existing indirect taxes will simplify the tax

structure, broaden the tax base, and create a common market across states

and federally administered districts.

At the same time, GST will lower the average tax burden for goods and

services companies that now pay "cascading" taxes on top of taxes through

the production process. Reducing production costs will make exporters

more competitive.

WHY THE OPPOSITION?

States are worried they will lose their fiscal autonomy if they cannot

impose taxes on their own.

The BJP has said these concerns must be addressed by the government, but

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has said the resistance is because of political

reasons.



WHAT ARE THE PROPOSED RATES?

In the first year, the government proposes two rates -- 12 percent for

essential items and 20 percent for others. In the second year, the

higher rate would be lowered to 18 percent, with the goal that both rates

converge at 16 percent, split equally between the federal government and the

states.

ARE ANY EXEMPTIONS PROPOSED?

Yes. The GST will not cover goods like crude oil, diesel, petrol and alcohol.

These goods are major sources of revenues for most states.

WILL THE STATES LOSE OUT?

New Delhi will compensate states for potential lost revenue and Finance

Minister Pranab Mukherjee has assured states that if needed, he would

sweeten a 500-billion rupee ($10.8 billion) fund that a government

panel has proposed as an incentive for the states to buy into GST.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

The bill will go to a standing committee of parliament, which will make

recommendations and send it back for voting. The government is not bound

to accept these recommendations. It is unlikely the bill will be taken for

voting before the monsoon session of parliament, likely in July.

The bill needs the support of two-third of parliament and the approval

of half of India's states.

WILL THE ROLLOUT BE DELAYED?

Revenue Secretary Sunil Mitra has said the implementation is likely to miss an

April 2012 deadline. It would be the third such delay.

WHAT IS THE REVENUE IMPACT?



The GST was initially intended to be revenue-neutral but is now

expected to increase the tax take thanks to more efficient collection and

increased compliance.

WHAT ABOUT THE ECONOMIC IMPACT?

Implementation of a comprehensive GST would lift India's economy of

over $1 trillion by between 0.9 percent and 1.7 percent, on top of

whatever growth would otherwise be achieved, according to a report by the

New Delhi-based economic think-tank the National Council of Applied

Economic Research.



SPORTS

Formula-1 - Team Lotus name Karun Chandhok as reserve driver

Indian Karun Chandhok will return to Formula One this season as reserve

driver with Team Lotus, both sides announced on Tuesday.

Chandhok, who raced for HRT last year, had appeared to have run out of

options earlier this month when the team named Luiz Razia as their third

driver.

The team said on Tuesday, however, that Chandhok would be taking part in

Friday practice at the Australian season-opener this week, while Razia would

remain as third driver. Italian Jarno Trulli and Finland's Heikki Kovalainen are

the race drivers.

Team Lotus, who have yet to score a point in Formula One after a debut last

year as Lotus Racing.

His appointment also means he stands a good chance of taking part in Friday

practice in the first Indian grand prix later this year.

Cricket - India V/s Australia Head to Head

Facts and figures relating to World Cup quarter-final between Australia and India

(0900 GMT) at Sardar Patel Stadium, Ahmedabad on Thursday.

Head-to-head record:

Australia lead 61-35 (NR: 8)

In the World Cups: Australia lead 7-2

In the sub-continent: Australia lead 22-21 (NR: 4)

* India will be looking to beat Australia in the World Cup for the first time in 24 years

when the two top ranked teams clash.



* India have a 5-7 win-loss record on the ground and worryingly have not won their

last fourmatches here.

* Virender Sehwag (327 runs at a strike rate of 125.28) and Sachin Tendulkar (326

runs with eight sixes so far) have led the way for India. They lead in terms of strike

rate for opening stands (109.9) and run rate for powerplays 1 and 2 (6.4 and 6.0

respectively)

* Yuvraj Singh (284 at an average of 94.66) has notched up one century and three

fifties.

* Zaheer Khan is the tournament's second highest wicket taker so far with 15

wickets/20.6 strike rate but his famed frontline spin colleagues have so far flopped.

Part-time spinner Yuvraj has been the most successful with nine wickets.

* Brad Haddin (279 runs) and Shane Watson (265 runs) lead the run scoring for

Australia. Michael Clarke (225 runs/average of 112.5) has also returned to form.

* Australia have relied on fast bowlers with Brett Lee (12 wickets/22.8 strike rate),

Mitchell Johnson and Shaun Tait (10 wickets apiece) leading the bowling hunt.

* Spinners Jason Krejza and Steven Smith have the worst strike rate among

spinners (79.8 balls per wicket).



Science and Technology

First U.S. full face transplant done in Boston

A 25-year-old Texas man has received the first full face transplant done in the

United States, Boston's Brigham and Women's Hospital said on Monday.

More than 30 physicians, nurses, anesthesiologists and residents worked for

more than 15 hours to replace the nose, lips, facial skin, muscles of facial

animation and nerves of Dallas Wiens, disfigured in an electrical accident in

2008.

"The pioneering achievement accomplished by the entire transplant team is a

gift made possible by the most selfless act one human being can do for

another, organ donation," said hospital president.

The surgery was performed last week on Wiens, who had virtually all his facial

features burned off by contact with a high-voltage wire. It was the second

face transplant procedure done at Brigham and Women's, a teaching affiliate

of Harvard Medical School

The first partial face transplant surgery conducted in the United States was

performed at the Cleveland Clinic in December 2008. In that 22-hour

procedure, doctors transplanted 80 percent of the face of Connie Culp, who

lost most of the midsection of her face to a gunshot in 2004.

The world's first successful partial face transplant was performed in

France in 2005, according to government health records. The first full face

transplant was done in Spain in 2010.



http://www.iea.org/files/facts_libya.pdf

http://graphics.thomsonreuters.com/11/03/LIBYAN_CRISIS.html


http://www.iea.org/files/facts_libya.pdf

http://graphics.thomsonreuters.com/11/03/LIBYAN_CRISIS.html

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