Washington: Congress president Sonia Gandhi has been listed the third most powerful woman on Forbes’ list of The World’s Most Powerful People. Gandhi, 66, described as “de facto head of India”, is ranked 21st among the world’s 72 most powerful. She takes the third spot after German Chancellor Angela Merkel (No.5) and Brazil’s Dilma Rousseff (No. 20) among the nine women, more than ever before. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, 81, takes the 28th spot with two other Indians, Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani, 56, ranked 38th, and ArcelorMittal Chairman and CEO Lakshmi Mittal, 63, in the 51st position.
Tariff value of gold hiked
New Delhi: The government yesterday hiked tariff value or the base price of imported gold to $442 per 10 gramme, in line with the rise in price of the precious metal in global markets. Earlier the tariff value of gold was $418 per 10 gramme. The Central Board of Excise and Customs (CBEC) issued notifications for the new rates. However, the tariff value of silver is kept unchanged at $699 per kg.
Kerala to foot Saudi returnees’ bill
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala government yesterday decided to meet all expenses of people from the state forced to return from Saudi Arabia after November 4, when the amnesty period set by that country ends, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said. “We have asked the central government to chip in. Even if they do not come to our help, we will meet all the expenses of those who have to return from Saudi Arabia,” Chandy said, after the weekly cabinet meeting. He added that fears of a mass exodus had been proven baseless. “The exact numbers (of those who will leave Saudi Arabia) would be known only in the coming days, as the Indian Embassy officials there are on the job. The next cabinet meeting would also take up a rehabilitation scheme for returnees,” Chandy said.
Clashes kill three
in Muzaffarnagar
Lucknow: The fragile peace in Muzaffarnagar was shattered yesterday as communal clashes between two groups left three people dead, police said. The clashes occurred in the Bhaurankalan police station area, when people from two communities fought a pitched battle in which three youngsters were shot dead. The youngsters belonged to the Hussainpur Kalan village. As the news broke out, district officials went into a tizzy and rushed to the crime scene. The police forcibly and sent the bodies for post-mortem examination.
Agencies
