India to confront US on Pak tests
Pakistan's egregious ballistic missile program is to figure among the list of New Delhi concerns in talks between Indian Foreign Secretary K Raghunath and US Undersecretary of State Thomas Pickering which began in Washington yesterday. The talks began at 10.30 am and were scheduled to last till 12.30 pm.
BJP meet to resolve its identity crisis and begin a new phase
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) jamboree in Gandhinagar this weekend, which will anoint Kushabhau Thakre as the new president, marks the start of a critical phase in its political growth. With virtually its entire established leadership in government, the BJP faces the formidable task of regrouping and creating an entirely new hierarchy.
Vajpayee chides Shiv Sena
Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee yesterday disapproved disruption of Pakistani ghazal singer Ghulam Ali's musical programme by Shiv Sena activists on Sunday night. Vajpayee's strong reaction against disruption of the musical programme assumes political importance since Sena is the alliance partner of the BJP in Maharashtra.
Thambi Durai wants FERA board chief to stay
The Union Law Ministry has recommended the extension of the chairman of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Appellate Board which decides appeals in FERA cases. The board is at present handling an appeal by T Dhinakaran, nephew of Jayalalitha's close associate Sasikala.
Reddy quits SBI board, Capoor in
Reserve Bank of India deputy governor Y V Reddy has quit the State Bank of India (SBI) board. The banking circle has interpreted the move as a prelude to Reddy's return to the North Block as the finance secretary replacing Montek Singh Ahluwalia. Jagadish Capoor, another RBI deputy governor, replaced Reddy on the SBI board.
ICICI set to acquire Anagram Finance
The Ahmedabad-based Arvind group is likely to finalise a deal with the Industrial Credit and Investment Corporation of India (ICICI) to hive off its stake in Anagram Finance Limited (AFL). The present ICICI offer is said to be around its current book value. The final deal is likely to be struck between Rs 30 to 35 per share.
