Cabinet clears tax treaty with Saudi Arabia
New Delhi: The union cabinet has cleared the signing of a convention with Saudi Arabia for avoidance of double taxation and prevention of tax evasion with respect to taxes on income.

The parliamentary affairs minister, Priyaranjan Dasmunshi, said that the convention, after it enters into force, would stimulate the flow of investment, technology and services from India to Saudi Arabia and vice-versa. He said that this convention would also provide tax stability to the residents of India and Saudi Arabia and facilitate mutual economic cooperation.

The Union cabinet also gave its approval for signing an agreement and protocol between India and Croatia for avoidance of double taxation and prevention of fiscal evasion with respect to taxes on income.
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Govt. to inspect Clemenceau and submit report to SC
New Delhi: The Government will inspect ex-French naval ship Clemenceau for the presence of any toxic matter and submit a report to the Supreme Court, the environment minister, A. Raja, said here. The arrival of the ship on the country's shore has raised widespread concerns related to environmental safety.

Raja added that the matter would, however, be decided by the Supreme Court and the government would abide by it. The government is also considering making safety norms for workers engaged in the asbestos-related industry stricter, he said.

The ship had left France in December for a ship-breaking yard in Gujarat amidst protests from the environmental group Greenpeace, which says it contains tonnes of toxic waste that could harm scrap workers.
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AIR acquires broadcasting rights for Indo-Pak series
New Delhi: The broadcast rights issue, with respect to the ongoing India-Pakistan series, took another turn - for the better - with the national broadcaster, Prasar Bharati, finally acquiring the radio rights from Dubai-based ARY Digital.

All India Radio (AIR) will now broadcast live commentary of the remaining two test matches and the five one-day international (ODIs) that will follow. The commentary will be available on AIR FM Gold channels in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai, and 65 other medium wave stations spread across the country.

The exact fee to be paid by the broadcaster to ARY Digital was not available.

Meanwhile, the Government has said that it had taken a "serious note" of the sports broadcasters' unwillingness to part with the telecast rights with Doordarshan, despite the mandatory sharing clause. The information and broadcasting minister, P.R Dasmunshi, said that appropriate action would be taken.

The matter is currently in the Supreme Court.
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