Reshuffle in CBDT

PTI | 06:02 PM,Feb 17,2012

New Delhi, Feb 17 (PTI) A reshuffle of charge of three members of the Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) was effected today. In today's reshuffle K Madhavan Nair got Investigations in place of Legislation and Computerisation (L and C) while S S Rana was shifted from Investigations to Income Tax and Poonam Kishore Saxena got L and C. She earlier held the charge of Audit and Judicial. Chairman Laxman Das will continue to hold charge of the Mumbai region, a responsibility that has traditionally been with the head of the CBDT, while there is no change in the charge of Manjari Kacker who will retain Personnel and Vigilance. Two new members Sudha Sharma and S C Jaini have been given the charge of Audit and Judicial and Revenue respectively. No reasons were given for the sudden reshuffle. CBDT spokesperson could not be contacted for comments on the development over which there was speculation that the reshuffle has come either because of the alleged leakage of information regarding raids on liquor baron Ponty Chadha or because of the searches itself.

India to build new railway track to link with Bangladesh

Agartala, Feb 14, (IANS)

The Indian government will soon start work   on a new rail link to Bangladesh that would ease surface transport in the mountainous northeastern states, a railway official said here Tuesday.

India will build a 15-km railway track linking Tripura capital Agartala with Bangladesh's southeastern city of Akhaurah, which is also an important railway junction connected to Chittagong port, resource-rich Sylhet and Dhaka. 

An agreement to this effect was signed between between Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and his Bangladesh counterpart Sheikh Hasina during her visit to India in January 2010.

"Total cost of the proposed project is estimated at Rs.252 crore. The Indian Railway Construction Company (IRCON) would lay the new railway tracks on both sides of the border," Northeast Frontier Railways (NFR) chief administrative officer (Construction) Arvind Sewary told reporters.


After holding a meeting with Tripura ministers and officials, Sewary said: "In the forthcoming railway budget, the allocation of funds is expected to be sanctioned and immediately after that, the work for laying track would start."

The railway budget will be presented in parliament on March 14.

A high-level NFR team led by Sewary is now on a tour of Tripura to study the proposed Agartala-Akhaurah link and other ongoing railway projects, being commissioned by the railway authority.

The project is expected to be completed by 2014. Of the 15 km  rail line, five km of track falls in the Indian territory and the remaining in Bangladesh.

The official said: "With the establishment of the new railway link, northeast India would be connected to the Chittagong international sea port by rail."

Agartala is the newest station of the Indian Railways, and came up on the country's rail map in October 2008.

Surface connectivity is an important factor as the landlocked northeastern states are surrounded by Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan and China and the only land route to these states from within India is through Assam and West Bengal. But this route passes through over 70 percent hilly terrain with steep roads and multiple hairpin bends.

For ferrying goods and heavy machinery to the northeast from abroad and other parts of the country, India has for long been seeking land, sea and rail access through Bangladesh.

Agartala, for instance, is 1,650 km from Kolkata and 2,637 km from New Delhi via Guwahati and West Bengal, whereas the distance between the Tripura capital and Kolkata through Bangladesh is just about 350 km.

The NFR is now laying tracks to connect Tripura's southern most border town Sabroom, 135 south of here. From Sabroom, the Chittagong international sea port is just 72 km.

India Show Begins at Lahore

“India Show” being organized by Government of India from 11-13 February, 2012, showcases the best of the Indian industry, cuisine and culture. Over 400 exhibitors will be participating in this Show which is intended to increase future trade opportunities, B2B meetings and direct buyer-seller interaction. The objective of India Show Exhibition is to raise awareness of Indian products in Pakistan. Hon’ble Commerce Minister of Pakistan, Mr. Makhdoom Amin Fahim, will inaugurate the India Show on 11th February, 2012 at 10.30 A.M. in Lahore Expo Centre. Mr. Anand Sharma, Hon’ble Commerce, Industry and Textile Minister will preside over the closing ceremony of the ‘India Show’ on 13th February 2012. High powered Indian CEOs delegation led by Mr. R.V. Kanoria, President, FICCI is accompanying the Minister to Lahore for this show. More than 50 prominent Indian companies will exhibit their products spread around 110 stalls in Hall No. 2 of Lahore Expo Centre. Products will range from manufacturing services, chemicals, engineering, textiles & apparels, consumer durables, gems & jewellery cosmetics, handicrafts, auto components, healthcare etc. Three hours in each of the days will remain open for general visitors while morning hours will remain dedicated to business visitors. B2B meetings during the days of the exhibition are being organized by TDAP in collaboration with Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry. Onetime permission has been granted by Government of Pakistan to exhibit Indian goods and services beyond the normal import of goods from India being allowed as per ‘Positive List’ and counter sale of products. The Indian CEOs delegation will comprise of more than 100 business delegates from wide cross section of Indian corporate sector will have business meetings at Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. The realization that trade could play a major role in improving overall relations has seen many encouraging developments taking place in the recent past. Year 2011 witnessed breakthrough developments in India-Pakistan bilateral relations. The positive atmosphere being created by both India and Pakistan to improve human lives by enhancing trade and commerce has been welcomed by business community in both countries. In this context, ‘India Show’ presents an opportunity to project the various trade and cultural opportunities that exists between the two countries. This ‘India Show’ provides a platform for the business entrepreneurs to enhance their interactions that will lead to our mutual quest for forging new paths of friendship and partnership on both sides. ****DS (Release ID :80263)

read more