Armed forces to release spectrum
New Delhi: Telecom operators will soon start getting more frequencies from the defence ministry, to help improve the quality of the services they offer.

The armed forces would release an additional 20+20 Mhz in the 1800 Mhz band across India as early as April, as a short-term measure, according to sources in the department of telecommunication. They are also likely to simultaneously release 25+25 Mhz in the IMT-2000 band, sources added.

These frequency bands will help GSM and CDMA operators to meet their expansion commitments until April 2007. Barring Jammu and Kashmir and areas within 100 km of India's international boundaries, the rest of the country will benefit from this move.

For Jammu and Kashmir, defence agencies would be able to release only 15+15 Mhz in the 1800 Mhz band, sources in the department of telecommunications said.
Back to News Review index page  

Maharashtra to ban instant, net lotteries
Mumbai: After banning dance bars last year the Democratic Front government in Maharashtra is now planning to ban instant and internet lotteries in the state.
The state government is justifying the decision for 'social reasons'.

The state government promised to take action against instant lotteries after members from both the ruling and the opposition benches demanded government action against internet and online lotteries, which, they said, were "ruining an entire generation".
Back to News Review index page  

Exporters can claim tax refund on goods & services
New Delhi: The finance ministry's recent amendment of the Cenvat Credit Rules 2004 will allow exporters to claim refund of taxes paid on inputs used in manufacture of goods or in providing a service. This will provide relief to exporters who have been unable to claim refund on taxes paid on inputs.

Although the present rules permit a refund, the procedure is difficult and many exporters choose not to claim the refund at all. These taxes are added to the total cost of exports. The new rules notified on Thursday require that products or services be exported in accordance with procedures laid down in the Central Excise Rules, 2002 or the Export of Services Rules, 2005.
Back to News Review index page  

PM approves setting up task force for health sector
New Delhi: Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh has approved setting up of a task force on planning for human resources in the health sector.

A statement from the PMO office said there is a huge gap in human resources in the health sector in India which includes doctors, nurses and lab technicians which has been highlighted by the national commission on macroeconomics and health in its report.

There are also growing opportunities with India emerging as a major international centre for low cost healthcare. The fact that India is demographically a young nation gives it an opportunity to have its trained personnel meeting the healthcare needs of the demographically ageing countries, the statement further said.

The prime minister has asked deputy chairman of the Planning Commission Montek Singh Ahluwalia to set up the task force that would have representatives from the union health ministry, ministry of health of selected states and professional experts.
Back to News Review index page  

Six AIIMS-like centres to be set up
New Delhi: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has approved the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Yojana (PMSSY) for establishing and managing six AIIMS-like institutions in the country to be set up within three years.

The institutions would be set up in the states of Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Rajasthan and Uttaranchal. The total capital cost of the project would be Rs1,992 crore, while the recurring cost would be Rs700 crore per year.

Finance minister P Chidambaram said the state governments would provide at least 100 acres of developed land free of cost and other infrastructural facilities such as water, power, road connectivity for setting up and running these institutions.
Back to News Review index page