New Delhi, May 2 (PTI) Firing yet another salvo at Narendra Modi government, Rahul Gandhi today claimed it had diluted provisions of Real Estate Regulatory Authority Bill making the legislation pro-builders from being pro-buyers.
After meeting several NCR flat buyers today, the Congress Vice President, who has been attacking the Centre over land bill issue and the plight of farmers, said that he had learnt that it is not just farmers and tribals but also the middle class people that are “suppressed” on matters related to land.
Assuring homebuyers that he would stand by them, Gandhi said that it was due to lack of transparency, the buyers were left in a quandary.
“They are told that you will get the flat on a particular day but for years they don’t get the flat. They are told the super duper area of the flat would be so much but what is delivered is different,” he said.
He said that someone was promised that the flat will have a good view, but a few months after the flat was delivered, another building came up and the view was blocked.
He said the government was trying to destroy the Bill which Congress led UPA had brought to regulate the real estate sector.
“Main dilution is that there was clear transparency. The carpet area that you sign is what would be given. They have diluted and from pro-buyer, made it pro-builder,” he said.
Attacking the government, he said, “What it is doing against farmers and tribals, it is also doing against the middle class”.
“I have assured them that the way I stand with farmers and tribals I stand with them also,” he told reporters.
It is the most anticipated fight for a generation and the waiting is almost over.
Boxing fans are now less than 24 hours away from the biggest fight that could possibly be made in boxing, the one that is sure to be the single most important fight of a generation.
After years of failed negotiations, the pair would finally face off in the twilight of their glittering careers under the lights of the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
It is the richest fight in boxing history, and seemed sure to live up to its billing
Undefeated welterweight Floyd Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs) takes on perennial pound-for-pound superstar Manny Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) in a title-unification bout for the ages.
“It’s all about timing and I think we couldn’t choose a better time,” Mayweather told the Associated Press. “This is a fight the world can’t miss. This is an unbelievable matchup.”
The winner of the bout will net Mayweather’s Ring Magazine, WBC and WBA welterweight titles and Pacquiao’s WBO strap as well as the top prize of them all, at least historically speaking: the Transnational Rankings welterweight championship, denoting the true and lineal welterweight king.
Pacquiao also has the opportunity to claim his fifth lineal title in as many weight classes, something never before done in boxing history
Mayweather’s record is quite simply impeccable, and if he makes it 48-0 this weekend, he could probably do worse than take his dad’s advice and hang up his gloves an immortal.
Pacquiao has tasted defeat on five occasions in his 64-fight career and the Filipino has finished 38 of his 57 professional victories inside the scheduled distance, in comparison to Mayweather’s 26 knockouts in 47 successes.
However, Pacquiao hasn’t stopped an opponent since November 2009, when he put Miguel Cotto on the canvas in the 12th round fully 10 fights ago.
THE FORM
Consecutive defeats threatened to derail Pacquiao’s career between December 2008 and June 2009, but he has since bounced back with three decision victories, including avenging the defeat to Timothy Bradley.
Mayweather has of course continued his unbeaten record in recent years, but you have to go back September 2009 to find his most recent knockout, against Victor Ortiz.
There have been only two knockouts in the last 12 fights involving the two adversaries, suggesting that we could be in for a marathon evening tonight (Early morning in Nigeria).
MUTUAL OPPONENTS
This is perhaps the most significant indicator of which way the fight may go, and these statistics lend weight to the argument that Pacquiao could end Mayweather’s perfect record.
The pair have five mutual opponents, namely Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Juan Manuel Marquez, Shane Mosley and Miguel Cotto.
Hatton is the only fighter that has been stopped by both Floyd and Manny, although the Filipino’s stoppage was much more emphatic, knocking the Brit out in the second round.
Pacquiao’s KO against Miguel Cotto, and De La Hoya’s eighth round retirement, means he has managed to stop two opponents that Mayweather failed to beat inside the scheduled distance.
Pacquiao has fought eight times against these opponents, due to his four battles with Marquez, of which he won two by decision, drew one, and lost one by knockout.
In this selection of fights, Mayweather’s connect rate (average percentage of punches landed) is 41 per cent, compared to Pacquiao’s 33%.
HOME ADVANTAGE
Las Vegas is Floyd Mayweather’s hometown, and these numbers show he feels very much at home in the ring when it comes to fighting in the gambling capital of the world.
The pound-for-pound king now fights exclusively in Vegas, with his last 12 bouts all taking place there, and his last 10 at the MGM Grand.
He has fought 23 times in the city altogether, just under half of all his professional bouts, and his record speaks for itself…
In the MGM Grand, he has only managed three knockouts in his 13 bouts, but is still yet to taste defeat.
Pacquiao’s record in Vegas is less impressive, with three of his five career defeats coming at the fight capital.
PACQUIAO’S EARNINGS
His opponent in the ring Saturday night is nicknamed “Money” and has created an entire persona around making and spending money. Manny Pacquiao does not flash his cash quite like Floyd Mayweather, but the Filipino congressman and pugilist has earned more during his Hall of Fame career than all but a handful of active athletes. The bout against against Mayweather will be the biggest payday of Pacquiao’s two-decade career in the ring and push his total earnings from boxing and endorsements past $400 million.
Pacquiao’s career earnings will reach an estimated $425 million, assuming he rakes in $80 million from the fight on top of $5 million from endorsements over the past year.
He joins a short list of active athletes who banked at least $425 million during their careers. The select group includes Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Roger Federer, LeBron James, Kobe Bryant and Mayweather.
All but Mayweather and Pacquiao earned the bulk of their fortunes from endorsements. Woods is the lone billion-dollar earner, and his career PGA prize money of $110 million makes up less than 10% of his career haul.
Past Pacquiao partners included Hewlett-Packard HPQ -0.15%, Sony , Hennessy, Monster Energy and San Miguel Beer. His marketing team, led by Top Rank’s Lucia McKelvey, has done deals with Nike, Wonder Pistachios, Nestle ’s Butterfinger and Foot Locker FL +0.5% over the past year. Pacquiao has earned more than $30 million from endorsements during his long career, but the vast majority of his fortune has been earned in the ring.
Pacquiao’s star power and earnings exploded after his bout with Oscar De La Hoya in December 2008. Pacquiao received a guarantee of $11 million (Accordimg to Forbes).
New Delhi, May 1 (PTI) Price of non-subsidised LPG was today cut by Rs 5 per cylinder even as jet fuel (ATF) rates were marginally raised in step with global trend.
The price of non-subsidised or market-priced domestic cooking gas (LPG) was cut by Rs 5 to Rs 616 per 14.2-kg cylinder in Delhi, state-owned fuel retailers said.
The reduction comes on the back of two successive hikes – Rs 5 on March 1 and Rs 11 on April 1.
Households are entitled to 12 cylinders of 14.2-kg each at subsidised rate of Rs 417 in Delhi. Any requirement beyond this has to be bought at the market price, which is now Rs 616 in Delhi.
In Mumbai, non-subsidised cooking gas has been cut by Rs 4.50 to Rs 627.50, while it will cost Rs 649 in Kolkata as against Rs 654.50, previously. Chennai will see a price cut of Rs 5.50 to Rs 608.50 per cylinder.
Rates vary from state-to-state depending on the incidence of local sales tax or VAT.
Oil companies raised price of aviation turbine fuel (ATF), or jet fuel, in Delhi by Rs 272 per kilolitre or 0.5 per cent to Rs 49,609.84 per kl.
The increase comes on the back of a 2 per cent reduction in rates last year.
Jet fuel constitutes over 40 per cent of an airline’s operating costs and the price cut will reduce the financial burden on cash-strapped carriers.
No immediate comment was available from airlines on the impact of the price hike on passenger fares.
State-owned fuel retailers, Indian Oil Corp (IOC), Bharat Petroleum Corp (BPCL) and Hindustan Petroleum Corp (HPCL) revise jet fuel and non-subsidised LPG prices on the first of every month based on average imported cost and rupee-dollar exchange rate. The same on petrol and diesel is done on a fortnightly basis.
Mumbai, May 1 (PTI) Maharashtra Governor C Vidyasagar Rao today sought the participation of corporates to help the government implement its ambitious integrated water conservation and management initiative, Jalyukta Shivar Abhiyan.
“The government has expressed its resolve to make Maharashtra drought?free. ‘More crop per drop’ will be the guiding motto of the government for using water efficiently,” he said addressing a gathering here on the occasion of Maharashtra Day celebration.
Maharashtra attained statehood on May 1, 1960.
Maharashtra Day is being celebrated today in various parts of the state.
On the occasion, Rao took salute of a ceremonial parade held at Shivaji Park in Central Mumbai.
“The state government is implementing the ‘Jalyukta Shivar Yojana’ under which water harvesting storages will be created in villages with the participation of gram sabhas. The government is also seeking the co-operation of corporates to take up this initiative as a part of corporate social responsibility,” he said.
He said that skill development will be a priority for the state government.
“The state will be launching the ‘Late Pramod Mahajan Skill Development Scheme’ to evaluate and integrate existing schemes of skill development and start new ones,” he said.
He said the government has decided to implement the Aamdar Adarsh Gaon Yojana on the lines of the Saansad Adarsha Gram Yojana.
“Around1,000 villages will be developed under this scheme,” he said.
“The state government has also decided to implement Mukhyamantri Gramin Marg Yojana under which good quality roads will be constructed to connect villages with growing population by 2019,” Rao said. .
Chennai, May 1 (PTI) Unidentified motorcycle-borne men today hurled a petrol bomb at an Andhra Bank branch here in the early hours of today, police said.
No one was injured in the incident.
The men threw the petrol bomb and fled from the scene, police said.
The incident is suspected to be linked with the gunning down of 20 woodcutters of Tamil Nadu in Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh last month.
On April 10, some unidentified persons had pelted stones at three branches of Andhra Bank in Tamil Nadu and there were also widespread protests and demonstrations by political parties and right groups in the state against the gunning down of the woodcutters.
Hyderabad, May 1 (PTI) A struggling Sunrisers Hyderabad face an uphill task to find their way through in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) as they get ready to take on formidable Chennai Super Kings at the Rajiv Gandhi International cricket stadium here tomorrow.
Sunrisers Hyderabad have six points from seven matches, having won three, and a win in the contest tomorrow is important for them to advance in the highly-competitive tournament.
Chennai Super Kings, on the other hand, are the table-toppers with 12 points from eight matches, having lost just two.
The Super Kings defeated the Sunrisers by 45 runs in their previous encounter in Chennai on April 11. Having lost to Kolkata Knight Riders yesterday, the Mahendra Singh Dhoni-led Chennai side would look to consolidate its position in the tournament with a win over the home side.
Chennai’s strong contingent of S Dhoni, Brendon McCullum, Dwayne Smith, Suresh Raina, Faf du Plessis, Dwayne Bravo in the batting department and Ashish Nehra, Mohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja and Pawan Negi in bowling can give nightmares to any team with their brilliance.
It is the combined strength of the side that puts it on top of others in the event and the opposition will have to come with all their guns blazing to gain the upper hand.
The Sunrisers, playing their first match in Hyderabad this season, are beset with middle-order batting problems.
Captain David Warner and Shikhar Dhawan, the opening pair, have given a decent start to their innings in the tournament and the other batsmen K L Rahul, Naman Ojha, Ravi Bopara, Moises Henriques and local lad Hanuma Vihari are expected to help the team’s cause tomorrow.
Bowling has been the potent weapon in the armoury of Sunrisers with the presence of highly-competitive Trent Boult, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, all-rounder Moises Henriques, Dale Steyn, and Ishant Sharma.
Sunrisers suffered a setback with their overseas player Kevin Pietersen pulling out of the IPL this season to play for English cricket.
The home ground has often been lucky for the Hyderabad side.
Kathmandu- The distribution of relief materials sent by different countries to the earthquake victims are not reaching the people is despair and need. The local residents are appealing through their Facebook accounts to donor agencies to donate directly to the people. According to one such post it says the Government was expecting money in terms of help but when relief materials started pouring in the were least intrested in distribution an has been lying in Government stores.
A video shows some ministers being stoned and throwing water bottles b the local people. It shows their anger and anguish. Another posts has photgraphs of top 6 politicians who after the earthquake are not be seen anywhere. Speculation is rife that they must have fled to foriegn countries not wanting to take the burden on their shoulders.
KATHMANDU: A 15-year-old boy was rescued alive after spending 120 hours buried under debris of a collapsed building in Gongabu, giving search and rescue workers a renewed hope today that there are still chances of saving more people.
Pemba Lama Tamang, 15, of Nuwakot was among many people who were either killed or trapped under the wreckage of a seven-storey building that housed four guest houses. The teenager used to be a dishwasher in Hilton Guest House. “I was resting near a counter of the guest house after the morning’s work. All of a sudden the building started shaking and guests, staff and I ran down. But it was too late to escape. The building crumbled and I was trapped in a crater formed by the debris,” he recounted.
Tamang said he spent six days praying and hoping for a new lease of life. “I was lucky that two cans of ghee were lying nearby and I fed on ghee. I found a piece of cloth soaked with rain and squeezed a few drops of water to drink,” he told mediapersons from Israeli Field Hospital set up on the premises of Shree Birendra Hospital, Chhauni.
A special search and rescue team of Armed Police Force backed by the US experts had pulled Tamang out of the debris at around 11.55am after hours of arduous efforts. The rescue workers, led by Inspector Laxman Bahadur Basnet, sensed a peculiar sound from under the debris while using a sniffer dog before they confirmed someone alive there and pulled him out alive.
This triggered a celebration among the APF personnel and onlookers. The APF teams have managed to rescue as many as 330 persons, including 245 in the Kathmandu Valley so far, said DSP Ajaya Chhatkuli.
The jubilant search and rescue workers gave Tamang water and rushed him to the hospital for treatment. An Israeli doctor attending Tamang said none of his family members showed up in the hospital to visit the boy.
Ohad Horsandi, a senior official from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Israel, who is coordinating the hospital management, told THT, “The boy was dehydrated and exhausted but is in high spirits now. He does not have any bodily injuries. It shows that chances of pulling trapped persons alive from debris are still there even after ‘Golden Window’ period, the first 72 hours after the earthquake, is over. I love to call him a Super Hero.” Tamang’s mother works in Kuwait and the boy does not know anything about his father. He came to Kathmandu three years back and worked as a tempo and microbus helper before joining the guest house last month.
– See more at: http://thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=Teenager+pulled+out+alive++five+days+after+earthquake&NewsID=453374#sthash.gTSaUglK.dpuf
KATHMANDU: The death toll from the April 25 earthquake has crossed 5,858 as search and rescue teams continue their efforts to pull people dead or alive from the debris of collapsed structures. According to National Emergency Operation Centre under the Ministry of Home Affairs, another 13,827 people treated with injuries they suffered after being crushed under the rubble. At least 34 districts were affected by the earthquake.
Relief has not reached even within 5-7kms of Kathmandu Valley.Four villages south of Swyombhu are still awaiting relief where most of the houses were destroyed on Saturday’s deadly tremor. According to local residents not a single government employee or any reporter have entered their village.
A Facebook post posted by a local resident of Kuelshwar requests all foreign countries eager to help Nepal in terms of materials and food not to directly give it to the Government. They want it to be channelized through local NGOs or local residents. The Facebook posts says due to the corrupt Government the needy people will not receive these supplies for whom it actually meant for.
The number of tents required is far more then what is available for the survivor”s of the earthquake in Nepal. People have simply not been able to gather their courage to live in their houses due to fear of another likely tremor. According to estimates half a million more tents are required.
Relief materials are underway but more is required and the distribution system has not been efficient according to local residents. In Kuleshwore according to Shree Krishna Shahi nine houses have been affected but relief materials have not reached so far.
The local newspapers of Nepal are filled with criticism of the way things are handled aftermath of the earthquake. The number of homeless people is not accounted for so far but the government has so far provided 4,700 tents and 22,000 tarpaulins. Help has been pouring in from India, Thailand and Pakistan.
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