Cent per cent FDI in construction sector approved

     New Delhi: The Government today approved 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the construction sector. Now, the construction development sector has been opened for foreign investors, a move that will create more jobs and boost economic growth. To prevent speculation, however, the government has banned the sale of undeveloped land by foreign investors to prevent speculation in real estate. Making the decision of Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs public, Commerce Minister Kamal Nath said FDI up to 100 per cent will be allowed under automatic route in townships, housing, built-up infrastructure and construction-development projects. The development projects under this umbrella covers housing, commercial premises, hotels, resorts, hospitals, educational institutions, recreational facilities, city and regional level infrastructure. "The government approved 100 per cent FDI in construction in order to catalyse investment in a vital infrastructural sector of the economy", Nath said. "It is expected that allowing investment on the automatic route in the construction and development sector would have a multiplier effect on the economy by boosting construction activities of all types," he said. The minister also said that, "it would create employment not only for skilled and unskilled labourers, technicians and artisans but also for engineers, architects and designers". Allowing 100 per cent FDI will also ensure rapid increase in built-up infrastructure as well as improving infrastructure. At present, India allows FDI only in township development, that too with various conditions like 10 million dollar investment.

Seven killed, in JK militant attack (Go To Top)

     Srinagar: The gunbattle between security personnel and the two militants hiding inside the divisional headquarters of Jammu and Kashmir government, ended on Thursday after both the militants were gunned down. Besides the two militants, five persons were killed including two CRPF jawans, one policeman and two civilians. Earlier, opening indiscriminate fire, two militants forced their entry into the complex this afternoon injuring several people, including some securitymen, the sources said. All 400-odd employees trapped inside the complex at Tankipora were rescued in the operation launched by the security forces and police. All the roads leading to the headquarters have been sealed. Meanwhile, Pakistan-based militant outfit al Badr has claimed responsibility for the attack on the divisional headquarters of the Jammu and Kashmir government here today in which six persons including three security personnel and two militants were killed. A man, identifying himself as Dr Faheem, a spokesman of the outfit, told local newsagency Kashmir news service that two of its cadres carried out the attack on the government offices' complexes. He identified the slain militants as Irfan and Sikander, both residents of Pakistan. He also claimed responsibility for the grenade attack at Sopore in which 14 persons including two BSF personnel were injured.

'Sweeping reforms' in criminal justice soon: Govt (Go To Top)

     New Delhi: The Union Government may soon come up with some "sweeping reforms" in criminal justice system. The new reforms will mainly look after witness protection and streamlining evidence recording procedure to check an alarming rise in the number of hostile witnesses leading to large scale acquittals in cases pertaining to heinous crimes. According to reports, the Union Minister for Law, H.R. Bhardwaj has said that, "We are considering sweeping reforms in the criminal justice system. Witnesses should not be allowed to be influenced. There is also a need to improve evidence-recording system. We are also trying to trim the procedure". Talking on the sidelines of a legal seminar, the Minister said, "I have already held discussions with the Home Ministry on the issue". The Minister admitted that there are some contradictions in the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), which affect the examination of witnesses in courts. He said that such contradictory points need to be removed. Coming up with his legal expertise, he cited an example. "as per Section 161, CrPC, a police official may reduce into writing any statement made to him during the investigation by a witness. But the next Section says no such statement shall be signed by the witness, this helps the witness to retract," he added. Bhardwaj was also quick enough to point a finger towards the role of the police, he said, in many cases the police officials also tend to distort the statements of witnesses and do not record the truth and felt there was a need to have an overseeing authority in this regard. .

References: Manmohan Left Front budget,private schools,Kashmir snow rescue,FDI construction,JK militants,attack,reforms criminal justice,Goa BJP,Shahabuddin Bihar,Vijay Raaz,US woman President,Reliance telecom,cricket telecast Imran,Charles Camilla wedding, Iraq prisoner abuse,Naomi Campbell cocaine,May 20 wedding day,Paris Hilton,Keira Knightley,Scarlett Johansson David Hasselhoff,Slater,Di Caprio Depp,Indian pedigree,woman short, India News, Newspaper, India News, Travel News, India Travel Times, Travel, Tourism, Tour, Tourist, India, Times, News, Indian Hotels, Airlines, Ayurveda, Yoga, Hindu, Taj Mahal, Cuisine, Festival, Temple, Trekking, Hindu, Bharatanatyam, Kathakali, Odissi, Shimla, Varanasi, Kullu, Manali, Dehra Dun, Mussourie, Haridwar, Rishikesh, Delhi, Goa, Kovalam, Darjeeling, Bodh Gaya, Kancheepuram, Thekkady, Mussoorie, Badrinath, Amar Nath, Vaishno Devi, Tirupati, Sabarimala, Guruvayoor, Kanyakumari, Kodaikanal, Ooty, Chennai,