Friday, February 15, 2008

Indian MP sentenced over killing

A controversial Indian politician has been sentenced to life in jail for having ordered the murder of a rival politician in 1998.
Rajesh Ranjan, alias Pappu Yadav, was convicted of ordering the assassination of Ajit Sarkar, a popular left-wing legislator in impoverished Bihar state.

While in prison, Mr Ranjan contested and won a seat in parliament for his party, an ally of the government.

His case provoked concern over the involvement of criminals in politics.

Indian law permits politicians facing criminal charges to fight elections.

Only convicted criminals are barred from seeking public office.

Mr Ranjan is expected to remain an MP until the next election.

He has said he will appeal against Thursday's verdict.

According to Social Watch India, an advocacy group quoted by the Reuters news agency, more than 30% of Indian legislators aged between 36 and 45 face criminal charges.

Delhi decides to hike fuel price

New Delhi, Feb 14 : Petrol and diesel would be costlier by Rs two and Re one a litre respectively from midnight tonight, with the government taking a decision to minimise the losses of public sector oil firms. The decision of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs, whose meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, will benefit oil companies to the tune of Rs 840 crore. The total under-realisation of state-run oil companies this fiscal is estimated at around 71,808 crore. The Govt also decided to increase issuance of oil bonds, a tool to partly compensate the companies. Presently, 42.7 per cent of the under-realisation (loss due to selling fuel below cost price) on petrol, diesel, LPG and kerosene is met by the government through issuance of oil bonds. This will now be increased to 56-57 per cent. Another 33 per cent is borne by upstream companies like ONGC and GAIL, while the remaining has to be borne by the retailers - Indian Oil, Bharat Petroleum and Hindustan Petroleum. The CCPA comprises representatives from all political parties that form part of the ruling UPA alliance.
Petrol and diesel prices were last raised in June 2006, when crude oil was at 67 dollars a barrel. It is at 92 dollars a barrel this year. LPG prices were last raised by Rs 20 per cylinder in November 2004 when crude was at 34 dollars a barrel. Kerosene prices have not been changed since 2002. PTI