Times Chennai, E Paper, 04 August 2009

VOL: 3 ISSUE 11

Chennai, August 04, 2009

Global warming awareness

T N Governor launches ''Vriksha Raksha Bandhan'' Chennai, Aug 4: To create awareness on global warming which is posing a grave threat to humanity, about 50 students of a leading school today tied 'Rakhi' threads to trees as

part of '99999 Lights Out' campaign, to save mother earth. Ta m i l N a d u Governor Surjit Singh Barnala launched the ''Vriksha Raksha Bandhan'' -tying 'Rakhis' to trees- at a function held at the Raj Bhavan. The event was organised by the Velammal Vidyalaya of the Velammal Educational Trust, along with ExNora International, a NGO working for the protection of environment, as part of 60 mega events planned in the run upto the '99999 Lights Out' campaign on September 9 to enable students understand that the need of the hour was to save Mother earth as ‘Global Warming’ was posing the greatest threat to humanity. About 50 seventh and eighth standard students of Velammal Vidyalaya tied 'Rakhi' to trees to seek protection and blessings from them. The students also tied 'Rakhi' to Mr Barnala to foster brotherhood and oneness among all Indians. The word 'Raksha Bandhan' symbolizes bond

of protection. The world 'Vriksha' means tree in Sanskrit and 'Bandhan' means bond. ‘’This event will be a collective expression of gratitude and devotion of mankind

to trees, which have nurtured and protected all living beings on our planet'', the organisers said. The event will go a long way in moulding individuals to love and venerate nature. The underlying objective of this event is to convey our collective gratitude and reverence to trees, they said. ‘’More and more trees are ripped down every year, giving way to high rise buildings and apartments. The vegetation that has been destroyed is seldom replaced to create a balance. With the city expanding in population, the need to replenish its water resources is imperative as the green c o v e r i s f a s t disappearing. There is a need for initiatives like this and the '99999 Lights Out' campaign was launched'', they said. The 'Save the Earth 99999 Lights Out' campaign will see lights being switched off for nine minutes at nine pm on the ninth day of ninth

month (September) of the ninth year of this millennium (2009). Velammal Educational Trust CEO M V M Velmurugan, ExNora founder M B Nirmal, among others were present at the function. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Barnala said in the era of globalisation, technology progress and r a p i d industrialisation have led to depletion of the green cover in the country. Mr Barnala said the root cause of v a r i o u s anomalies in nature such as the depletion of the ozone layer and vagaries in the monsoon were due to the indiscriminate felling of trees. Stating that trees were the reservoirs which promoted healthy and good environment, he said the quality of the environment--air, soil and water- depended on trees. He urged the students to plant trees and nurture them for a clean and better future. 'History reveals that trees are worshipped, the Banyan tree in our ancient scriptures, was supposed to be incarnation of Lord Rudra and the ''Kalpavriksha'' was said to be the tree fulfilling our wishes. Our ancient scriptures gave importance to trees which sustained the welfare of human beings,' he said. He also referred to the Chipko and the Appiko movements started to safeguard trees and called for mass awareness on the need to preserve and grow trees.

E x n o r a International founder M B Nirmal said the bond between trees and human beings should be

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nurtured with tender care. The children of Velammal Vidyalaya tied

giant-sized 'Rakhis' around the trees inside the Raj Bhavan, as part of the function.

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Tamil Nadu

Expert team to identify site for aero park site: Azhagiri Madurai, Aug. 04 : An expert team would soon hold talks with Madurai district administration on identifying the site for the proposed Rs 48,000 crore aero park, according to Union Minister for Chemicals and Fertilisers M K Azhagiri. The aero park, to be constructed on 4,000 acres, would house several industries that make spare parts and also repair aircrafts, he said. The expert team from Chennai would hold talks with district Collector N Mathivanan. The park to be set up under the public private

partnership would make Madurai one of the modern cities in the country, he said after inaugurating the Madurai MP's South Zone office here last night. The park where designs to maintenance of civil aircrafts would be undertaken, among others, was expected to generate job opportunities for one lakh people, he said. Stating that the Central Institute of Plastic Engineering Te c h n o l o g y w o u l d establish its tool design centre near here, he said "my aim is not only to

industrialise Madurai, but all the Southern districts of Tamil Nadu." The Chief Minister was also keen to see more industries were set up in the Southern districts and he had assured to impress corporate houses to set up shops in South Tamil Nadu, Mr. Azhagiri said. He said the Essar Company Ltd. would establish a business process outsourcing (BPO) unit in Madurai, which would generate jobs for about 2,000 people.

PMK leader sustains serious injury in gang attack Tirunelveli, Aug. 04 : A P a t t a l i M a k k a l Katchi(PMK) leader was seriously injured, after he was shot in the leg and attacked with sickles by an a r m e d g a n g a t Palayamkottai in this district of Tamil Nadu last night. Police said PMK District president V Nixon(42) was waylaid by a four-member-gang, when he was returning to his house from the office.

There was a heated argument between the gang and Nixon, after which a gang member fired one round. The other members attacked him with sickles. On hearing his scream, the passers by rushed to his assistance. The gang, however, managed to flee the scene in motorcycles. The PMK leader was admitted to the

Government Hospital at Palayamkottai. Police suspect enmity over money transaction could have been the reason behind the murderous attack, as Nixon was running a f i n a n c e c o m p a n y, besides a travel agency in the city. A case had been registered and efforts were on to trace the accused, police added.

Russian atomic engineer robbed in Tamil Nadu Chennai, Aug. 04 : A group of miscreants robbed a Russian atomic engineer's camera and misbehaved with his daughter at a beach in Tamil Nadu's Tirunelveli district, officials said Tuesday. A l e x a n d e r V. Chernov, who works in the upcoming nuclear power plant in Kudankulam, and his daughter were walking on the beach Sunday when a seven-member gang assaulted them. The miscreants, all aged below 20, misbehaved with the

Russian girl and snatched Chernov's Canon camera and fled. Police officials told IANS that a search is on for the culprits on the basis of a complaint filed by the Chernov. The Russian engineer is staying in the AnuVijay residential colony where employees of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Project live. According to officials of the power project, there are over 100 Russian engineers working at the

Kudankulam nuclear power project. The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) is working on the 2x1000 MW project with Russian technical assistance. The first unit is expected to be commissioned early next year. As per the deal between India and Russia, two more reactors of similar or even slightly higher capacity will come up at Kudankulam.

Gifts case: Jaya seeks copy of Government notification Chennai, Aug. 04 : Former Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa has filed a petition in a special court for CBI cases here seeking a direction to the CBI to furnish her a copy of the State Government's notification giving consent to the central agency to investigate the 'gifts case' against her. The prosecution says that Ms Jayalalithaa had allegedly accepted 89

demand drafts worth Rs two crore drawn in her favour on her birthday in 1992. Ms Jayalalithaa submitted that initially the CB-CID had registered a case against her. Later, the State Government by a notification in August 1996, gave consent to the CBI for investigating the case. It had been referred to in the Union

G o v e r n m e n t ' s notification, which was filed along with the chargesheet. The State G o v e r n m e n t ' s notification was not furnished to her. It was an essential document in the case. Unless the notification was furnished to her, she would be put to hardship.

August 04, 2009

TNAU urges Government to ensure procurement of cotton Coimbatore, Aug.04: NAIP-Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University(TNAU) has urged the Tamil Nadu Government to make arrangements for procurement of cotton by CCI in the State, since the farmers were deprived of Minimum Support Price(MSP)for cotton during this year. In a release here today, TNAU said, CCI has not made any procurement during

2008-09 and farmers in this part of the country are selling at a reduced rate of Rs 100-300 per quintal, compared to MSP. A team led by N Ajjan, Consortium Principle Investigator NAIP-Domestic and Export Market Intelligence Cell, TNAU said exports would be reduced in the current financial year, despite appreciation of US Dollar against Indian rupee. In Tamil Nadu, Masipattamsown cotton would be

available till the end of the month, Dr Ajjan added. In India, sowing of cotton in the new season begins from June. But, due to the late onset of monsoon, sowing was delayed and commenced from the end of June in Maharastra. BT cotton had covered 70 per cent of cultivation and the yield would be more than 540 kg per hectare, as against 526 kg last year, the release added.

Cross-examination in Sankararaman murder case commences Puducherry, Aug. 04: Cross-examination of prosecution witnesses in the Sankararaman murder case, in which Kanchi mutt seer Jayendra Saraswathi and his junior Vijayendra Saraswathi are the main accused, commenced on Tuesday. J a y e n d r a Saraswathi and Vijayendra Saraswathi had been charged under sections 120-B (conspiracry) and 302 (murder) of Indian Penal Code.

Only 20 out of the 24 accused were present, when the hearing came up before the Principal and District Sessions Judge of P u d u c h e r r y D Krishnaraja today. The two seers were among the four absentees. D e f e n c e counsel K S Dinakaran appearing for Jayendra Saraswathi cross examined Padma (wife of Sankararaman), Uma Maitreyi (his daughter) Anand Kumar Sharma

(son) and N S Ganesh (accountant in the temple). Special Public Prosecutor N Devadoss later told reporters that cross-examination of five witnesses - K Duraikannu, Gajapathay, Atchudan, Kumar and Kuppuswamy would be held on Wednes. Sankararaman, the Manager of the Varadarajaperumal temple in Kancheepuram, was allegedly murdered in the temple premises on September 3, 2004.

August 04, 2009

Times Chennai E-Paper

Four AIADMK Councillors join DMK Chennai, Aug. 04 : Close on the heels of AIADMK Legislator Anitha R Radhakrishnan joining the DMK following his expulsion from the party, four AIADMK councillors of a Municipality also quit and joined the ruling DMK. The councillors of

K a t h i v a k k a m Municipality in Tiruvallur district, K Nalini, A Babu, R Mathiazhagan and M Sivakumar joined the DMK in the presence of DMK Treasurer and Deputy Chief Minister M K Stalin, a party press here said.

DMK senior leader Arcot N Veerasamy, Fisheries Minister K P P Samy and Tiruvallur DMK District secretary and MLA E A P Sivaji were among others who were present on the occasion.

Sri Lankan seeks transfer of cheating case Chennai, Aug. 04: A native of Sri Lanka has filed a petition in the Madras High Court seeking transfer of a cheating case against a person, who had promised to cure her son, to the CB CID. In her petition, N Pushparathnam submitted that she had settled down with her family in Switzerland ten years ago. She was now staying at Koyambedu. Her son, aged 14 years, lost his vision after a bout of viral

fever. He was also suffering from cerebral palsy. There was no progress after he was treated in Switzerland. After watching television advertisements about Vi j a y a k u m a r, w h o claimed that he could cure such diseases, she came to Chennai for treatment in August 2006. The petitioner submitted that she paid Rs.29.80 lakh for the treatment. There was no

improvement in her sons c o n d i t i o n . M s Pushparathnam alleged that Vijayakumar had cheated her and lodged a complaint with the City Police Commissioner. The complaint was forwarded to the Mylapore police and a case was registered. She had come to know that several others had been cheated and complaints were pending.

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Kuruvila Jacob Initiative for education inaugurated Chennai , Aug. 04 : The Kuruvila Jacob Initiative for promoting excellence in School education was inaugurated on the birth centenary of Kuruvila Jacob here on Monday. This initiative is being managed by the Kuruvila Jacob Memorial Educational Trust comprising the following old students of Mr Jacob, all of them students of Madras Christian

College High School as trustees. One of the objectives of the Kuruvila Jacob Initiative is to act as a catalyst, aiding schools to adopt innovative methods and techniques in the learning process. A few set of modules in Physics and Chemistry is being launched today in the form of DVD in the participating schools and would be available in the

Rotary District 3230 donated Rs.4.0 million to RI to help eradicate polio Rotary District 3230 in association with Alma Mater raised Rs. 4.0 million to eradicate Polio. To help Rotary raise funds Shri T. T. Rangarajan gave a life changing oration on “ Complete Adulthood ” at the University Centenary

funding gap for polio immunization activities, Rotary has accepted a challenge from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to raise $200 million to match challenge grants totalling $355 million given by the foundation. The resulting $555 million will support

Hall on Aug. 02 , which was attended by over 2000 people . These funds will be used to meet the challenge given by Bill & Melinda Foundation. At a Press Conference here, Rotarian W. Anand, District Governor, RI District 3230 along with Shri T.T. Rangarajan, Founder, Alma Mater handed over Rs. 40 lakhs cheque to Past RI President Wilf Wilkinson, who is also the trustee of the Rotary Foundation. W h i l e accepting the cheque Past RI President Wilf Wilkinson said, “ I am overwhelmed by the spontaneous response to the challenge, by Rotarians from District 3230, who have shown that they are concerned and willing to contribute for a worthy cause. Elaborating further on the Polio Challenge he said, “ To help address the critical

polio eradication activities in the remaining four polio-endemic and high-risk countries, where polio continues to infect and paralyse children, robbing them of their futures and compounding the hardships faced by their families. The disease remains endemic in just four countries -Afghanistan, India, Nigeria, and Pakistan -although other countries remain at risk for imported cases. Unless eradicated, Polio remains a train journey away or a flight away. W. Anand, District Governor, RI District 3230 said, “ We Rotarians are committed to providing a better quality of life and this fund raiser is in the direction to wipe off the deadly disease, which affects children. Rs. 10 is enough to immunise 3 children against Polio and it is sad that still in some parts of India Polio virus is still active. We are

City Police recover looted money in six hours Chennai, Aug. 04: In a swift move, the city police on Monday arrested nine people and recovered Rs six lakh in cash from them, within six hours after they looted the money from a businessman. City Police Commissioner Rajendran told newspersons here that the culprits, travelling in an autorickshaw and two twowheelers, waylaid a truck and looted Rs six lakh after attacking the driver and others in the truck last night around 23 hrs. The victims were returning to Krishnagiri after supplying broiler chicken in the city, when the nine-member gang followed and attacked them. The culprits dashed

the auto-richshaw against the truck and tried to give an impression that it was an accident. However, before those in the truck could react, four others, who came on twowheelers, joined the gang members and attecked them and fled the scene after taking the cash from them. Soon after they alerted the police, a

special team headed by Mr Sampath Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of Police, T Nagar alerted all check posts and nabbed the criminals within six hours after the crime took place. B e s i d e s recovering the looted cash, police seized the auto-rickshaw and two two-wheelers, the Commissioner said and Congratulated his Deputy, Sampath Kunar.

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public domain shortly. It is intended to make it accessible free of cost to all the schools. The twenty-two participating schools and the eighty resource persons have contributed to the development of the modules. It is expected that the complete version of the modules will be released in the public domain by the end of 2009.

happy to say that Tamilnadu has been free from Polio for the last couple of years. Thanks to the tremendous support of Govt. along with Rotary. The other focus areas of Rotary District 3230 this year is the "Project Blossom" launched on Aug 2 for corrective surgery to those affected by Leprosy. Leprosy victims often have twisted and ‘clawed’ hands, unblinking eyes and Foot drop all visible signs of the disease. Surgery helps them open their hands, shut their eyes and lift their feet, and do things we take for granted– like holding a cup of tea. Project Blossom hopes to help their lives blossom again as their hands open up like a flower in bloom. On Aug 2, the first set of 21 surgeries were completed with support from Rotarians and others costing Rs 3.15 lakhs. Each surgery would be costing Rs15000. Surgeries took place at TLM hospitals at Vadathorasalur, (near Ulundurpet) and Dayapuram (near Mana Madurai). Of these patients 12 were less than 35 years of age and three were under 16 years of age. Surgeries performed corrected deformities of the hands, feet and eyes and will be followed by sustained physiotherapy and vocational therapy for the patients over the next 6 months. Dist 3230 hopes to perform 365 surgeries this year and help at least one life to ‘blossom’ every day of the year. Briefing the media, Governor W. Anand said, "we want to give dignity to the leprosy affected patients and this would help in their lives to bloom."

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National

States not doing enough in health sector: Azad New Delhi, Aug. 04: Unhappy with the way the National Rural Health Mission has been implemented by states, Union Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad has said the flagship scheme was not going in the right direction and the state governments should equally "share the burden". "What I see is that the state governments think the government of India is giving money, why should we bother," Azad told reporters. According to Azad, this defeats the entire purpose of the NRHM. "We have to tell them that you also have to do your duty and put in extra money." Observing that states have started thinking of the Centre's NRHM scheme as

"replacement" to their duties in the health sector, he said, "...whether it is going in the right direction...I do not feel so. "From our side we are doing enough," he said, adding that the states have not increased their budget in the health sector but instead decreased it. "I shall have to discuss with each state government. They will have to share the burden. We have said we will give money or extra doctors, infrastructure, primary health structures and other facilities. "We are not the replacement. It (health) is a state subject...We have come to add to you services not replace you," he said. The Health

Minister said he would visit each state over the coming months to monitor the implementation of NRHM. Though some states are doing better in immunisation than others, Azad said almost all of them are lacking in health infrastructure. "The state governments should increase their spending and we should also lend a helping hand. So that instead of achieving something in 60 years, we achieve it in four years," he said. NRHM is a top priority scheme of the U PA g o v e r n m e n t conceived in 2005 to firm up the rural health infrastructure of the country.

Give immigrant status to SL Tamils: Sri Sri Ravi Shankar New Delhi, Aug. 04: Art of Living exponent Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on Tuesday said that the 1.25 lakh Sri Lankan Tamils living as refugees in the country should be given immigrant status like their counterparts in Europe and America. "Sri Lankan Tamils living in Europe and America have jobs, businesses, have a home

and are well off, while those living in Tamil Nadu since 1983 are still languishing in the camps are refugees. They should be integrated into the country," he said in a statement. Sri Sri Ravi Shankar, who kicked off his one-week long Tamil Nadu tour yesterday from Kancheepuram, said that this would be a "human"

gesture to give hope and opportunity. He also said that one cannot turn a blind eye to the sufferings of Sri Lankan Tamils in Ta m i l N a d u w h e n refugees from Bangladesh and Nepal have been enjoying these benefits. He said the Art of Living fraternity will provide all possible help.

PDS computerisation begun in 4 states, in others soon: Pawar New Delhi, Aug. 04 : The Government has embarked on an ambitious project to computerise the Public Distribution System (PDS) in the country with a pilot project underway in four states to assess its efficacy, the Lok Sabha was informed today. Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said during Question Hour that the pilot project of computerising the PDS was being tested in four states which include Delhi and Assam. Only after the feedback on the efficacy of the system is assessed in these four states, the next step on taking it to other parts of the country would be undertaken, he said. Slamming the Government for reducing the quantity and increasing the price of grains, Mr Prabodh Panda (CPI) asked whether the Government was switching to its budgetary provision of 25 kg of grains at Rs three

per kg, while abandoning the widely popular 'Antodaya Anna Yojana' (AAY) meant for the country's poorest of poor in which 35 kg of grains were given at Rs two a kg. Mr Pawar said the AAY scheme was continuing. T h e Government was committed to the food security of the poor and was not giving up the AAY scheme meant for the common man, he added. To a query by Mr Lal Singh of the Congress over inadequate supply through PDS, Mr Pawar said the distribution under the system was the responsibility of the state governments. The Centre is accountable for procurement of grains and alloting it to the states concerned, after that the states must ensure proper supply, he

stated. Mr Pawar also informed that there were three schemes under the PDS - Antyodaya Yojana where 35 kg grains are given and applicable in all states, BPL scheme in which 35 kg grains is given and which is applicable in all states barring a few, and the APL scheme where 1012 kg of grains is given. ''Besides, in some states like Jammu and Kashmir, Orissa and North-Eastern states 35 kg of grains is given to all, even to those in the APL.'' To a question by Mr Sanjay Jaiswal (BJP) over states and the Centre differing on the statistical figures of BPL card holders, which often lead to acrimony, the Agriculture Minister said as regards the BPL category, the Centre follows the guidelines stipulated by the Planning Commission.

August 04, 2009

After swine flu death, new guidelines for private hospitals New Delhi, Aug. 04: The Health Ministry will issue new guidelines to private hospitals on handling swine flu patients, Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said Tuesday, a day after India's first death from the influenza A (H1N1) virus in Pune. The 14-year-old who died in Pune Monday after she was admitted to a private hospital got the correct treatment "too late", Azad told a television channel. The Health Ministry will today hold a high-level meeting to review the guidelines to contain its spread. The meeting, which would be chaired by Health Minister Gh u l a m N a b i Aza d , would be attended by Health Secretary Naresh Dayal, Secretary Health Research VN Katoch and DGHS RK Srivastva, health ministry sources said. The sources said that the minister has also asked the DGHS to prepare a fresh set of guidelines for dealing with swine flu across the country. "It is a deterrent when a person develops

symptoms of flu it is compulsory that he be hospitalised and isolated. Most people don't like that. We have had talks with experts and doctors and are going to issue new guidelines today which say that it is not necessary to isolate a person at the first instance," Azad said. "There should be tests conducted and if the person tests positive for H1N1 virus then it can be decided if he needs to be hospitalised or put under medication." "This will be a relief to people," he added. T h e n e w guidelines will also allow certain private hospitals to collect samples from suspected H1N1 virus patients and send them for laboratory tests. "No private or government hospital has a laboratory where the sample of the virus can be tested. There are 18 laboratories in the country where the tests can be done. But we will now issue guidelines which will designate some private hospitals across the country to take samples of suspected

patients and then send it to the laboratories to be tested," Azad said. "We will then try to test and give results within 24 hours. The patient can then be treated at his or her residence or be hospitalised." Reiterating the history of the Pune case, Azad said the teen had fever and was taken to a doctor who treated her for normal flu. Then she went home. When her condition did not improve, she was again taken to a private hospital and was treated for normal flu for the first two days. "When her condition deteriorated and lungs were affected then they (hospital officials) realised that it was not normal because flu doesn't affect the lungs. But by that time it was too late. It was too late for the Tamiflu medication," Azad said. Seven more people tested positive for the flu Monday, taking the total number of cases to 558 in the country. Of these, 470 patients have been discharged after treatment. About 2,479 people have been tested so far.

I don’t want Congress support to defend myself’ New Delhi, Aug. 04: A day after Congress termed him as a constitutional functionary rather than a party f u n c t i o n a r y, N C S C chairman Buta Singh on Tuesday said he was capable of defending his case and does not need any support from the party. Describing himself a saviour of dalits, Singh claimed he has served the community throughout his life and threatened that he would "give up his life if he was asked to resign". "I do not think I need support of party (Congress) to defend my case. I am capable of it (defending) because I am with the truth," he told reporters here. The CBI had last week arrested Singh's son in Mumbai on charges of demanding a bribe of Rs one crore from Nashikbased contractor Rama Rao Patil to close a case pending before the Commission against him. "I have saved lives of poor dalits. And for my entire life since I have been in politics, I kept on raising the issues of SCs and STs in Parliament and outside Parliament. I

will not leave the work I have done throughout my life. And for this if anyone ask me to resign, I will not resign, I will give up my life," he added. "I have served dalits and extreme dalits. And in doing that, I caught one very big anti-dalit and an enemy of dalit. Enemies of dalits have now come together with Rama Rao

Patil to finish me," he charged. To a question whether he met Congress president Sonia Gandhi, Singh said, "Why do you ask me such questions? Why should I meet anyone in this matter? Should I beg? Everybody knows about my past. I am working that is also known.

Consider TADA convict Sawant's plea for release: HC tells Maha Mumbai, Aug. 04: The Bombay High Court has asked the State government to consider afresh an application moved by Ravindra Sawant, convicted for shooting gangster Ashwin Naik in the sessions court, for premature release. A member of Arun Gawli gang, Sawant shot at Naik in the court at a very close range in April 1994. Naik suvived, but became wheelchair-bound for his life. Sawant was sentenced to life imprisonment in September 1996. He applied for release after serving fourteen years, which is the minimum period of life sentence. But early this year, State rejected his application, saying that he would have to serve at least 30 years. The reason given was that his offence was grave and he had been convicted under TADA. He challenged the same before High Court. In a decision yesterday, High Court noted that a person convicted for attempt to murder can not be made to undergo a 30 years' jail-term, even as per the government's own guidelines. Court then asked the government to take a fresh decision on his application.

August 04, 2009

Times Chennai E-Paper

World

Thousands flee fires threatening western Canada Vancouver, Aug. 04: More evacuations were ordered in western Canada, where thousands of people have fled forest fires threatening several small towns and aboriginal communities. By late yesterday some 5,000 people had been evacuated in the west and southern Interior regions of British Columbia, and emergency officials issued new orders to leave. Fire conditions are ranked high to extreme in most of the tinder-dry forests of Canada's westernmost province, where hundreds of fires are burning and dozens of new

blazes are starting each day. "We've had a heat wave and temperatures that we're not used to, and we've also experienced a lot of dry lightning," provincial fire information officer Alyson Couch told reporters. "We're crossing our fingers for rain but it looks like it will continue to be warm and dry." Couch said about 63,000 hectares (155,700 acres) had been scorched by some 2,200 fires in British Columbia since April 1, nearly double the number

in early August of 2004, the previous worst year on record. A forestry service bulletin ranked 98 of the currently active fires as "large" or "of note" because they threaten human communities. Thousands of firefighters -- including more than 800 brought in from other provinces -are battling the blazes, aided by air tankers and helicopters dropping fireretardant. The province has imposed a ban on open fires.

US to transfer several Gitmo Detainees Washington, Aug. 04: B a r a c k O b a m a government officials are analyzing the possibilities of transferring several prisoners from Guantanamo, Cuban south east, to a facility in United States, revealed The Washington Post newspaper. According to the Newspaper citing unidentified official sources yesterday the jail will contain courtrooms to hold federal trials and military commissions to prosecute terrorist suspects. The maximumsecurity facility would assume responsibility for

different sets of inmates considered dangerous and house for those released who have no country willing to accept them, commented the publication. Experts said administration planners are looking for one site for the facility have focused on the military prison at Fort Leavenworth and a state maximum-security prison in Standish as possible places. The maximum-security facility would be jointly run by the departments of Defense, Justice and H o m e l a n d S e c u r i t y, assured the morning

newspaper. Each of them assuming responsibility for different sets of inmates added the note. In one of his first acts in the White House, Obama signed an executive order that committed his administration to closing Guantanamo Bay within one year. But those plans have run into fierce political opposition, including from some Democrats, and have prolonged internal debates about how to formulate detention policy.

Hillary urges Iran to ensure return of missing Americans Washington, Aug. 04: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has called on Iran to ensure the safe return of three missing Americans thought to have been detained by Tehran after straying across the Iraq border. Iranian state television reported Saturday that the Americans had been arrested after "infiltrating" from Iraq, but Clinton said the US government was still to receive official confirmation from Tehran. " O b v i o u s l y, w e a r e concerned. We want this matter brought to a resolution as soon as possible. And we call on the Iranian government to help us determine the whereabouts of the three missing Americans and return them as quickly as possible," Clinton told journalists. Switzerland, which in the absence of US-Iranian diplomatic relations represents

American interests in Iran, had been asked to help track them down, she added. S t a t e Department spokesman P J Crowley told reporters that despite the lack of official confirmation there was no reason to doubt the Iranian state TV report. The presumed detention of the US nationals comes as

Washington seeks to increase pressure on Tehran over its nuclear program and amid political turmoil in Iran following President M a h m o u d Ahmadinejad's disputed re-election. Clinton's plea to Tehran for information regarding the missing Americans came as more details emerged about the trio.

US Super Bomb to be ready by 2010: Pentagon Washington, Aug. 04: The Pentagon announced a 14 tons anti-refuge super bomb could be ready by 2010 and will cost US treasure about 88 million dollars. It is a 6 meter-device of a project called Massive Artillery and explode only after penetrating over 60 meters in the place of the impact. The Defence Department speak of All Bombs Mother or (Conventional) and argued the missile will be charged with 2,400 kilo of explosives, twice more than previous BLU-109 prototype tested in 2003. The bomb was designed to be launched from B-52 or B-2 planes but the last ones are not ready for such mission since they do not count with an optimized radars-evasion system, noted sources.

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Obama approval rating edges up to 56% Updated on Washington, Aug. 04: The approval rating of US President Barack Obama has edged back up to 56 per cent in the last three days from a low 52 per cent in the middle of the last week. Gallup opinion poll which measures Obama's approval rating on a daily basis, today said that current 56 per cent rating of the US President is about average for the job approval ratings of all presidents Gallup has measured since 1945. It is roughly

equal to the approval rating of his immediate predecessor George W Bush in early August 2001 -- Bush's first year in office, it said. Obama's threeday average was 61 per cent as recently as July 17-19. It began to drop, thereafter reaching the aforementioned low point of 52 per cent from July 27-29, Monday through Wednesday of the last week. The high point for Obama was the 69 per cent average that was measured in late

January, just after he took office. Gallup said comparisons of Obama's current standing to that of other recent presidents in the summer of their first year in office are mixed. Obama is well above where Bill Clinton was at about the same time in the summer of his first year, but he is at least a few points behind the positions of George H W Bush, Ronald Reagan and Jimmy Carter at comparable times in their first year in the White House, it said.

Sudan 'trouser' journalist back in the dock Khartoum, Aug. 04: A Sudanese journalist facing 40 lashes for wearing "indecent" trousers returns to court on Tuesday after waiving immunity granted UN workers so that she can challenge Sudan's harsh laws. Journalist Lubna Ahmed al-Hussein is to be judged under Article 152 of Sudanese law, which decrees up to 40 lashes for anyone "who commits an indecent act which violates public morality or wears indecent clothing." Ten woman have been already whipped for the same offence -- including Christians -- and Hussein, who works for the UN media office in Sudan, has told AFP she is ready to be flogged as well. Hussein, in her 30s and whose husband died of kidney failure, could have claimed immunity as a UN worker but she refused that option at a hearing last week, saying she wanted to change the country's laws. "I'm ready for anything to happen. I'm absolutely not afraid of the verdict," she told AFP in an interview on Monday. Police arrested Hussein and 12 other women wearing trousers at a Khartoum restaurant on July 3. Two days later 10 of the women accepted a punishment of 10 lashes, but Hussein is appealing in a bid to eliminate such rough justice. The other two women are also facing charges. A defiant Hussein, who also faces a fine of 250 Sudanese pounds (100 dollars) if found guilty, told a packed courtroom last Wednesday: "I wish to resign from the UN, I wish this court case to continue." Her lawyer said the "court gave Lubna the choice either to accept immunity from the UN or to waive that and go on with the trial." Hussein told AFP she will appeal any

whipping. " I f I ' m sentenced to be whipped, or to anything else, I will appeal. I will see it through to the end, to the constitutional court if necessary. "And if the constitutional court says the law is constitutional, I'm ready to be whipped not 40 but 40,000 times," she insisted. Many female supporters, some wearing trousers, crammed the courthouse last week as Hussein arrived at the hearing in the same moss-green slacks she wore when she was arrested. "We are here to support Lubna, because this treatment of women is arbitrary and not correct," said Zuhal Mohammed Elamin, a law professor in Khartoum. "Women should not be humiliated in this manner." Police have also cracked down on another woman journalist, Amal Habbani, who published an article in Ajrass al-Horreya newspaper (Bells of

Freedom) entitled: "Lubna, a case of subduing a woman's body." "I am waiting for a decision," Habbani told AFP after she was charged with defaming police, a charge which can carry a fine of up to several hundred thousand dollars. Hussein said she wants to get rid of Article 152 which "is both against the constitution and sharia (Muslim law)" and insists that nothing in the Koran says that women should be flogged over what they wear. "If some people refer to the sharia to justify flagellating women because of what they wear, then let them show me which Koranic verses or hadith (sayings of the Prophet Mohammed) say so. I haven't found them," she said. Unlike many other Arab countries, particularly in the Gulf, women have a prominent place in Sudanese public life. Nevertheless, human rights organisations say some of the country's laws discriminate against women.

UK students eager to gain work experience in India London, Aug. 04 : British students completing their business and finance related courses are keen to gain work experience in companies based in India, according to the UK-India Business Council. Ten British students from various universities have begun their work experience with Indian companies on winning the UK-India Business Council (UKIBC) Scholarship scheme 2009. "UKIBC has noticed a clear trend where British students are keen to gain work experience in India and are looking to start their career with Indian companies. They see this work experience opportunity as a way to assess whether the Indian work environment is a suitable place to explore such a career opportunity," a UKIBC spokesperson said. The 10 students have secured paid work experience with a range of companies based in India from banks to social enterprises. The scholarship offers an opportunity to gain work experience in an emerging market and adds to their attractiveness as a potential employee. Sharon Bamford, CEO of UKIBC, said: "This exchange will strengthen our aim to position 'modern' India in the minds of the next generation and also strengthen the business, trade and investment ties between India and the UK." British High Commissioner Sir Richard Stagg also supports the idea of linking up education institutions with businesses and increasing student exchange and internship flows between the two countries, the UKIBC said.

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Times Chennai E-Paper

Business

No plan of retrenchment in civil aviation sector: Patel New Delhi, Aug. 04: The government on Tuesday said that there was no plan of retrenchment and early retirement scheme for the employees working in the civil aviation sector. "There are approximately 52,042 employees working in the civil aviation sector in the attached/autonomous/publ ic sector organisations under this ministry. There are no such proposals in the above organisations," Minister of State

(Independent Charge) for Civil Aviation, Praful Patel informed the Rajya Sabha. Patel said this in written reply to a question whether government has plans for retrenchment or voluntary retirement of the employees. Patel informed the House that from August 1, 2009, a new Airport Economic Regulatory Authority has been set up to handle issues related to airport

tariff and other charges. H e s a i d Kamalpur airport in Tripura cannot be made immediately operational as it is landlocked and there is no space for modernising it, though AAI has recommended its development. The minister also said that Raxaul airport in Bihar too cannot be made operational immediately.

Bank of India cuts deposit rates by up to 50 bps Mumbai, Aug. 04: Stateowned Bank of India has slashed deposit rates across certain maturities by up to 50 basis points. The downward revision on select maturities is effective from August 3, Bank of India said in a filing to the Bombay Stock Exchange today. The rate cut has come a week after the Reserve Bank's quarterly review of the annual monetary policy, in which

key policy rates were left unchanged. With reduction, interest rate for deposits having maturity in between 46 days and 90 days has been reduced to 4 percent against 4.5 percent earlier, it said. At the same time, term deposit in between 180 days to 269 days earn interest rate of 6 percent compared to 6.25 percent, it added. Deposit rate for above one year has been

reduced by 25 basis points to 6.5 percent, it added. Last month, the country's largest lender, State Bank of India, also reduced deposit rates across certain maturities above six months by 0.25-0.5 percent. Deposit rate having a maturity of one year to less than two years was slashed to 6.5 percent, against 7 percent earlier.

'Job days under NREGA scheme could be increased' New Delhi, Aug. 04: The government may raise the number of job days under the NREGA scheme to compensate rural households for loss of income due to a poor monsoon in large part of the country. "We have to see whether the 100 days limit (of employment days under NREGA) is adequate. If it is not adequate, we can increase it temporarily," Planning Commission Deputy Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia said. U n d e r t h e N a t i o n a l R u r a l Employment Guarantee Act (NREGA), the government is bound by law to provide a minimum of 100 days of employment in a year to the member of a family living Below Poverty Line (BPL). Noting that the impact of a deficient rainfall was more profound in the rural areas, Ahluwalia said, "One of the biggest advantage we have is existence of a national rural employment guarantee scheme." The scheme has given the government a very flexible mechanism for dealing with loss of income and mitigating

poverty in rural areas, he said, regretting that in many areas, states have not provided 100 days of employment to job seekers. Job creation under the NREGA assumes importance as workers in the farm sector will be hit hard by the poor monsoon and declining agriculture output. Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar recently told the Lok Sabha that deficient monsoon would adversely affect rice production in the country. According to the Minister, "Total area under paddy has declined from 216.49 lakh hectares to 155.66 lakh hectares till July 27...resulting in a shortfall of around 60 lakh hectares." Besides paddy, areas under other crops like bajra, coarse cereals and sugarcane have also shrunk, though there has been some improvement

in case of jowar, corn (makka) and cotton. F i n a n c e Minister Pranab Mukherjee in his Budget speech has made a case for convergence of various other schemes relating to agriculture, forests, water resources and rural roads to increase the productivity of assets and resources under the NREGA. The rural employment guarantee scheme, which was initiated in February 2006, provided employment opportunity to more than 4.47 crore households during 200809 as compared to 3.39 crore in the previous fiscal. B e s i d e s committing to raise the real wage under the NREGA to Rs 100 per day, Mukherjee in his Budget pegged the allocation for the scheme to Rs 39,000 crore, 144 percent more than what was provided in the previous fiscal.

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August 04, 2009

Exports to cross one lakh units in FY'10: Maruti Suzuki New Delhi, Aug. 04: The country's largest carmaker, Maruti Suzuki India (MSI), on Tuesday said its exports are expected to achieve the one-lakh units mark in the current financial year (2009-10). "Maruti cars are exported to over 100 countries and the volume of exports is likely to cross one lakh units in 2009-10," MSI Chairman R C Bhargava said in its annual report for 200809. Exports of small cars would be one of the major elements in the company's future growth strategy, he added. MSI exported 70,023 units in the 200809 fiscal. It is expecting a

rise in exports on the back of growing demand for its small car A-Star, which was launched in November last year. The company has exported over 50,000 units of the small car to various European countries. " F r o m a company which was started to produce one lakh cars a year, we have reached a production rate of 10 lakh cars a year," Bhargava said, adding the company has a market share of over 55 percent in the cars and vans segment. He said that the company did not have any idle capacity and did not lay off any of its employees during the last fiscal, when the domestic auto market

was going through a demand slump. Even though in 2008-09, "we had a small growth rate in sales volumes," the company made reasonable profits despite the impact of higher commodity prices and weaker rupee in FY-09, Bhargava said. Talking about MSI's financial position, he said, "We are practically debt-free and have a healthy cash balance. We have financed all growth from internal resources." MSI Managing Director S Nakanishi said, "The company's sales in the domestic passenger vehicle market grew by 11.6 percent during the first five months of 2009, while the industry increased by 1.6 percent."

Supreme Court seeks reply from Samsung India on TDS New Delhi, Aug. 04: The Supreme Court has sought a reply from Samsung India Electronics on the I-T department plea that the firm is liable to deduct tax in respect of goods outsourced for manufacturing. The issue has been raised by the income-tax department saying that consumer electronics and home appliances manufacturer Samsung India Electronics Ltd is liable to deduct tax in respect of goods outsourced for manufacturing to other manufacturers or original e q u i p m e n t manufacturers (OEMs). A B e n c h headed by Justice S H Kapadia has sought reply from Samsung on this. Challenging the Delhi High Court judgment that dismissed its plea, the I-T department said that the c o n t r a c t s f o r manufacturing products bearing the company's trademark are not sale deals but agreements for carrying out work. It further said that under Section 194-C of the Income-Tax Act, 1961, tax should be deducted on such Contracts. Relying on the apex court's decisions in various cases, Additional Solicitor General Gourab Bannerjee said that in a works or service contract, the person performing or rendering the service has no property in what has been produced, notwithstanding the fact that part or even the whole of the material used by him might be his property. T h e I - T department said that goods produced must have an individual

existence as the property of the manufacturer who produced it. After studying Samsung's transactions and the agreements, it was clear that those were not contracts for selling goods, the petition said, adding that as the goods carried the brand name Samsung, they could not have been legally sold by the manufacturers and, therefore, they were not c o m m e r c i a l commodities. " T h e manufacturers were not at liberty to dispose the products in the manner they found most beneficial or apt. Thus, the transactions were contracts for carrying out work and the respondent (Samsung) was liable to deduct tax on the same," the petition said. "The entire production was being undertaken at the behest of the respondent (in accordance with) its technical specifications, which in turn were governed through strict

quality controls audits, personal supervisions and other measures," it stated. The department rejected Samsung's contention that the arrangement with the manufacturers was in the nature of 'purchase and sale' and on a principal-toprincipal basis. The authorities had also dismissed the company's argument that sales tax and excise duty were being paid by the manufacturers and the goods remained their property till they were delivered to Samsung. H o w e v e r, t h e Commissioner of IncomeTa x ( A p p e a l s ) , o n Samsung's plea, while holding that the transactions were sales, had set aside the department's order asking the company to pay tax of more than Rs 1.67 crore for 2003-04. Both the Income Tax Appellate Tribunal and the High Court had held that the transactions were in the nature of the contracts for sale and not in nature of work contracts.

CAG points out Rs.1846 cr irregularities in state-owned firms New Delhi, Aug.04: The Comptroller and Auditor General has pointed out financial irregularities of Rs 1846.5 crore in public sector firms in its 2009-10 report, Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh said on Tuesday. Replying to questions in Rajya Sabha, he said CAG in its audit observations has pointed out financial irregularities of Rs 1404.32 crore in its 2008 report and Rs 4547.63 crore in the 2007 report. Mr. Deshmukh said CAG has also pointed out reasons for deficiencies in the accounts of PSUs. He said in order to effectively monitor and expedite the follow up action on CAG report, each administrative ministry or department has also set up a monitoring cell. On CAG observations, the minister said the concerned administrative ministry or department is required to submit Action Taken Notes to the office of CAG for their vetting. "Submission of the ATNs by respective ministry/department after getting the same vetted by the office of CAG is a continuous process," he added.

August 04, 2009 Times Chennai E-Paper

SPORTS

Qadir suspects match-fixers in Pakistan team Karachi, Aug. 04: The ghost of match-fixing has come back to haunt Pakistan cricket, feels former chief selector Abdul Qadir, who suspects that some players might be involved in it considering the "strange" manner in which the team lost the Test and ODI series in Sri Lanka. Pakistan lost the Test series 0-2 and is trailing 0-3 in the fivematch one-day series.

Qadir, one of the greatest leg-spinners of his era told the 'Express' newspaper today that he suspected something fishy in the way team has lost. "Look I don't buy the fact that the very team that just five weeks ago won the Twenty20 World Cup is performing so badly that it is virtually losing every match in Sri Lanka. This has been

one of our worst tours to Sri Lanka," Qadir said. "After following this series I suspect some players could be involved in match fixing and if a high level inquiry committee is formed everything will become crystal clear," he added. He said cricket had not become so unpredictable that a team that won the World Cup would perform so poorly.

Sharapova breezes past Groth at LA Championships Washington, Aug. 04: Maria Sharapova breezed into the Los Angeles Championship second round after beating Slovakia's Jarmila Groth 60, 6-4 on Monday. Sharapova was joined in the second round by 10th seed Flavia Pennetta of Italy who defeated American Varvara Lepchenko 6-2, 57 and 6-0. Russian Anna Chakvetadze upset 11th seed Virginie Razzano of France 7-6, 6-3. Three-time Grand Slam champion

Sharapova, losing to Venus Williams in the quarterfinals of the Standford Classic last week, raced to take the first set. In the second set, Groth broke Sharapova to 3-2. The Russian pushed on again to break back at 3-3 and then fought off three break points to hold to 43. Sharapova then went on to win the match, breaking Groth to love to win the match with a vicious forehand return

down the line. Sharapova will face third seed Victoria Azarenka in the second round. Czech Lucie Safarova took down 15th seed Kaia Kanepi of Estonia 6-3, 7-6 and American Jill Craybas took down 16th seed Francesca Schiavone of Italy 7-6, 6-2. France's Marion Bartoli, who beat Venus to win the Stanford title on Sunday, pulled out of the tournament with a calf injury.

Frustrated Ponting vents anger on dressing room door Birmingham, Aug. 04: Frustrated with the Australia`s disappointing Ashes campaign so far, Ricky Ponting`s anger boiled over during the drawn third Test here and he smashed a dressingroom door at Edgbaston. According to a newspaper report, Ponting lost his temper after being dismissed by Graeme Swann in the second innings of the Test here.

" A l r e a d y chastened by the pantomime villain boos when he came out to bat, Ponting lost his rag after being bowled by Graeme Swann`s ball-of-thecentury contender on Sunday evening - and a door bore the brunt of his anger," the newspaper reported. Host club Warwickshire made light of incident and its cricket

operations manager Keith Cook said, "We have to make all sorts of running repairs all over the ground.” "I`ve not had any complaints, but if a batsman has lost his temper when he`s out it wouldn`t be the first time," he added. Australia is 0-1 down in the five-match series after losing the second Test at Lord`s.

Australia confident on Lee, England on Flintoff Birmingham, Aug. 04: Australia fast bowler Brett Lee has a good chance of being fit for the fourth Ashes Test, captain Ricky Pointing said on Monday. Lee has missed the first three matches of the series with a rib injury and with the touring side trailing 1-0 his experience could be a huge bonus in the match at Headingley starting on Friday. "I`d expect Brett to be able to bowl," Ponting told a news conference after the third Test ended in a draw on Monday. "He`s been pretty

keen to get out and bowl over the past few days so we`ll keep an eye on him and it would be great to have him available." England allrounder Andrew Flintoff suffered a nasty looking fall as he bowled a delivery on Monday but captain Andrew Strauss was confident he would be able to play at

Headingley. "We know his knee is sore but he is ok," Strauss said. "Of course he needs to rest up well but he knows how to look after himself and we`ll have a good look at him on Thursday." "He is in good nick with bat and ball and I`m very confident he will be fit."

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Page 7

Junior Hockey World Cup: Indian women beat Australia 3-2 New Delhi, Aug. 04 : Monorama Devi converted a last minute penalty corner to give India a 3-2 win over Australia in their opening game of the Women's Junior World Cup Hockey in Boston. Ritu Rani (45th) and Monika Badran (53rd minute) were the other scorers for India while Casey Eastham (31st) and Marnie Hudson (60th minute) were the scorers for Australia in Monday's match, according to information received here. It was a tough game for India, who were eleventh in the last

edition of the tournament, but they did well in the second half by pumping in all the three goals. T h e Australians, who finished fourth four years ago, had ten penalty corners. Indian goalkeeper Jasdeep Kaur thwarted the first four attempts but was finally beaten in the 30th minute with a dragflick by Eastham as the Jillaroos took the lead 10. Australia started off the second half with quick passes but were slowly losing out on speed to the Indians and Rani fired the equaliser with a fine field goal in the

45th minute. India kept the momentum going and broke the deadlock when Monika was brilliantly set up by Joydeep Kaur and she pushed her shot past custodian Ashley Wells. Trailing 2-1, Australia intensified their attack and drew level in the 60th minute when Hudson fired home. India earned their fourth and final penalty corner when Rani Devi was obstructed in the circle in the 70th minute and Monorama fired in the winner. India will play Belarus next.

Kapadia to guide Indian karate players in Bangkok Mumbai, Aug. 04 : Veteran karate coach and administrator Vispy Kapadia will guide a seven-member Indian team in the first Asian Martial Arts Games in Bangkok. The sevenmember team is leaving tonight for Bangkok to take part in the karate event to be held from August 6-9, Kapadia, a seventh degree Black Belt in martial arts, told reporters after being felicitated here last night. The Asian Martial Arts Games, promoted by the Olympic

Council of Asia, is being held in the Thai capital from August 1, and 44 countries will take part in nine disciplines including karate, kungfu, taekwondo and judo. Kapadia, who is now the president of the official Maharashtra state body for karate MKA, was honoured by the state association for having won the Maharashtra state government award for coaching 'Utkursht Kreeda Marg Darshak Puraskar'. Apart from training over 60,000 students in karate,

Kapadia has also trained over 6,000 policemen and women in his 30-year-long association with the martial arts. "I hope this award from the state government will open the doors for other karate trainers even for the Indian government's prestigious Dronacharya award," he said at the felicitation function. He also advised the police personnel to take their karate training very seriously post-26/11 to protect themselves as well as the public.

Flintoff going downhill pretty quickly: Pointing Birmingham Aug, 04: England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff was struggling in the Edgbaston Test and his fitness is "going downhill pretty quickly", feels Australian skipper Ricky Ponting. Struggling with a lingering knee injury, Flintoff, who would be retiring from Test cricket after the Ashes series, was not as lethal with the ball in the drawn Test in Edgbaston as he was in the previous match at the Lord`s. Although the 31-year-old Lancashire top scored with the bat, hitting 74, he couldn`t take a single wicket in his 11 overs yesterday. "He bowled so well at Lord`s, and what we have seen Flintoff give them with the bat as well was pretty impressive, so having Pietersen and him out of the same side would leave two pretty big gaps in their make-up," Ponting told a post-match news conference. "Visibly you could see he went

downhill pretty quickly through the course of this game, so his injury is probably starting to take a bit more effect than what we actually realised.” "But we will prepare as if he is going to play and see what happens on the morning of the game," he added. H o w e v e r, England skipper Andrew Strauss backed Flintoff and said that it was a tactical decision considering the condition of the pitch and there was no issue with the beefy player`s fitness. "I suppose at the back of my mind I`m conscious that when the conditions aren`t really helping him, there`s no point in tearing him to death," Strauss said. "That`s the reason he didn`t bowl in the final session and we`re still very optimistic he`ll be okay for Headingley.” "There is obviously some soreness there, but I don`t think there`s anything that has deteriorated massively

over the course of the game," he added. Meanwhile, Ponting said he was hopeful injured spearhead Brett Lee will hit his full pace and would be "100 per cent" fit within the next couple of days to reclaim his place in the fourth Test. Recuperating from a rib injury, Lee faces a race against time to be fit for Friday`s fourth Test at Headingley. "The way things are coming along I`d expect him to be able to bowl 100 per cent over the next couple of days," Ponting said. "He`s done a lot of bowling this week, he`s been ultra keen.” " E v e r y opportunity we`ve had, a rain break or when he`s not 12th man, he`s been in the indoor nets or out in the middle for a bowl.” "That`s a really good sign for us. He`s building up his pace over the last couple of days, but we`re going to need to see him go pretty hard over the next couple of days to make himself a good chance of selection."

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Times Chennai E-Paper

August 04, 2009

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