US secretary of state John Kerry makes unannounced visit to Afghanistan

KABUL: US secretary of state John Kerry paid an unannounced visit to Afghanistan on Monday for talks with President Hamid Karzai, a US official said, with both sides hoping to stabilise the country before most US-led NATO combat troops leave by the end of 2014.

Kerry and Karzai will discuss a host of issues including Afghan reconciliation, the transfer of security responsibility to Afghan forces and Afghanistan's elections, the US official told reporters.

Karzai's government is trying to open formal negotiations with the Taliban, who have remained resilient in the face of superior NATO firepower in the war now in its 12th year.

Karzai is due to travel to Qatar within days to discuss the peace process and the opening of a Taliban office for the purposes of conducting negotiations.

The trip would be the first time the Afghan president has discussed the Taliban peace process in Qatar, and comes after years of stalled discussions with the United States, Pakistan and the Taliban.

Commenting on Karzai's trip, the US official told reporters: "I wouldn't want to overplay it but I think that it's a very positive sign. It's another step on a continued path toward ... getting to some sort of reconciliation process.

"Nobody is expecting that he will open an office there in a week. Nobody is expecting that he will be sitting down with Taliban in a week. This is a long process and this is one more small but positive step in that ... process."

Tensions between the United States and Afghanistan have deepened in recent years over a range of issues, including civilian casualties during air strikes, night raids and the transfer of prisoners.

The official acknowledged the difficulties in the US-Afghan relationship but said he believed they had resolved a number of them, including an agreement to remove US forces from part of Wardak province where they were accused of mistreating local residents.

He also said the United States believed that the two nations had moved beyond an incident in which Karzai recently accused Washington of colluding with the Taliban to keep foreign forces in Afghanistan, marring US defense secretary Chuck Hagel's first trip to Pakistan since taking on his new post.

The official said Kerry had wanted to visit Pakistan on this trip but had decided not to given the May 11 election, in part to avoid any appearance of seeking to influence what would be Pakistan's first civilian to civilian electoral handover.

The military has ruled Pakistan for more than half of its 66-year history, either through coups or from behind the scenes.

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Mamata Banerjee rallies her support to Sanjay Dutt

KOLKATA: Showing solidarity with actor Sanjay Dutt, who has been sentenced to five years in jail in the 1993 Mumbai blasts case, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee Monday said he has "already suffered a lot" for his "blunder" and wished him a "calm and peaceful life".

"Many requests from the civil society and film personalities have come to me to see that Sanjay does not suffer any more. Though it is not in my hand, I feel that he has already suffered a lot for the blunder he committed earlier. From complete wreck, he has again picked up his career to unfold his potential," Banerjee said on Facebook.

Describing Dutt's late father Sunil as a friend, Banerjee said had the Congress leader been alive, he would have made all efforts to prevent Sanjay from "any more sufferings".

"I knew Sunil Dutt ji during my Parliament days, when together we strongly fought against TADA. Eventually, government had to withdraw TADA. It was good that TADA was eventually withdrawn."

"If he were alive, he would have no doubt made all efforts to see that Sanjay does not suffer any more. My heart also echoes the same sentiments. Let us all pray that Sanjay lives a calm and peaceful life," said Banerjee.

Upholding the conviction of the actor under the Arms Act by a TADA (Terrorists and Disruptive Activities (Prevention) Act) court, the Supreme Court March 21 sent him to five years in prison.

Dutt has been asked to surrender within four weeks.

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1991 Jain hawala case: Ex-DIG sentenced to jail for taking bribe

NEW DELHI: A former senior CBI official was on Monday sentenced to one-year imprisonment by a Delhi court for demanding and accepting bribe for not invoking TADA against the Jain brothers in the controversial 1991 Jain hawala case.

Former CBI DIG O P Sharma, 75, who was supervising the hawala case, was handed down the jail term and slapped with a fine of Rs one lakh by special CBI Judge Pradeep Chaddah.

The court held him guilty of demanding bribe from the Jain brothers -- Surendra and Janendra Jain-- for not arresting them in the controversial case in which names of senior politicians and government servants had cropped up.

None was convicted in the main Jain hawala case. "In the case in hand, convict, who was a high-ranking CBI officer and was duty-bound to act truthfully and honsetly, deviated from the path. He sought bribe from the hawala dealers, who were under investigation by his department, to let them off the hook.

"In a way, he had compromised with security and well-being of the nation as the hawala dealers were funding terrorist activities in the country," the court said.

Taking a lenient view after considering Sharma's age and background, the court granted him bail till May 25 on a personal bond of Rs 30,000 and a surety of like amount.

While convicting Sharma, the court had held that CBI has proved that he took bribe in a case which was being supervised by him pertaining to hawala transactions.

CBI prosecutor Praneet Sharma had told the court that in April, 1991 a case under TADA and FERA was registered by CBI against one Ashfaq Hussain Lone, a deputy chief of intelligence of Hizbul Mujahideen. The arrest led to alleged hawala brokers Jain brothers.

The case was being supervised by Sharma. During its probe, the CBI team had raided the residential and office premises of industrialist Surendra Jain and Janendra Jain.

The team seized a huge amount of cash. A diary was also seized which contained names of politicians and bureaucrats to whom payments had been allegedly made by Jain.

CBI submitted Sharma thereafter started threatening Jains with invoking TADA against them and demanded a bribe for not doing so.

CBI said in the charge sheet that Surendra had then contacted L K Kaul, who knew Sharma, and asked him to intervene. He then agreed to pay him bribe in instalments and alongside recorded their conversations with Sharma. Nearly Rs 19 lakh was allegedly paid to Sharma before a trap was laid by CBI to nab him.

In June 1991, Kaul had made a written complaint with CBI against Sharma, after which the raiding party reached Sharma's residence in south west Delhi and recovered an airbag containing cash.

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India among top 20 global real estate investment markets: Cushman & Wakefield

The author has posted comments on this articleRajshri Mehta, TNN | Mar 25, 2013, 06.28PM IST

MUMBAI: According to Cushman & Wakefield's latest report International Investment Atlas, the global property investment market recorded a modest 6% rise in activity during 2012 with volumes reaching US$929bn (714bn).

In what was a difficult year in most markets, investment volumes rallied in Q4 signaling the beginning of real momentum and a return of confidence in the market which could see volumes this year increase 14% to exceed US$1 trillion mark (815bn) for the first time since 2007.

India was (20th) among the top 20 real estate investment markets globally with investment volume of INR 190 billion (USD 3466 million) recorded in 2012. Majority of the investment in India were through institutional sales (67%) while remaining were through private equity (PE) investments (33%). The market witnessed institutional sales (excluding apartments) of INR 128 billion, concentrated in commercial development sites and office segment including stand-alone and pre-leased office buildings. However the investments in institutional sales saw a decline of 37 % over last year. On the other hand private equity investment in India increased by 7% in 2012 and was noted at INR 62.0 billion.

In terms of value, majority of the Private Equity in Real Estate (PERE) investments were noted in ready income generating / operational office assets at INR 32.3 billion saw an increase of 34% over 2011. Under construction residential projects continued to witness the highest number (25) of PERE deals in 2012 and witnessed private equity investments at INR 28.5 billion.

Sanjay Dutt, Executive Managing Director, South Asia, Cushman & Wakefield, "Investment in ready income generating / operational office assets have gained strength over the last few years due to lower risk and steady cash flows associated with this type of investment. With increase in number of high value transactions in this sector, the market is moving towards a mature phase."

China remained the largest global investment market overall thanks to the surge in land sales seen in late 2012. Nevertheless, the US began to close the gap at 2nd position followed by the UK in 3rd place.

Investment Volume ( USD Billion)

Rank	Country	2012
1	China	304.1
2	USA	267.1
3	UK	56.3
4	Germany	45.6
5	Japan	34.7
6	Hong Kong	27.6
7	Australia	24.6
8	Canada	23.2
9	France	20.6
10	Singapore	16.7
11	Sweden	15.4
12	Taiwan	9.9
13	Norway	8.6
14	South Korea	8.2
15	Russia	8.0
16	Denmark	8.0
17	Switzerland	6.3
18	Netherlands	4.6
19	Poland	3.7
20	India	3.4

statement over last year , South Asia, Cushman & Wakefield, Source: Cushman & Wakefield, RCA, KTI and Property Data: Deals over US$5mn including land

In 2012, China and the USA were two key engines of the strong finish - the former benefitting from a record high in land right sales and the latter seeing a rush of activity to beat year-end capital gains tax hikes. However growth was far from limited to these two global heavyweights and a range of other markets in all regions saw a final quarter rally notably Spain, Poland, Norway, Switzerland, India Indonesia, Thailand, India and Australia.

India City Performance in PERE market

Bengaluru witnessed the highest number and value of private equity investments at INR 32.5 billion in 2012, recording more than double of investment over last year, followed by Mumbai with INR 13 billion and NCR with INR 7 billion of investments. However, Mumbai witnessed a marginal decline of 2% while NCR witnessed a decline of 44% in total value of investments compared to 2011.

Sanjay Dutt added, "Bangalore witnessed some high value investments in pre-leased office asset which has led it to be the top runner in the PERE market. However NCR and Mumbai continue to be preferred locations for investments due to the opportunity they offer. NCR market in 2012 saw lower number of investments, as it is an active residential sales market, which obviated the need for PE funding in many projects."
Announced PE Deals Volume - INR billion

City	2011	2012
Bengaluru	16.1	32.5
Mumbai	13.2	13
NCR	12.6	7
Others	15.9	9.6
Total	57.8	62.0

Source: Cushman & Wakefield Research

Asia Pacific - investment activity to rise 15-20% in 2013

Improved macroeconomic conditions with sustainable growth across the region will boost activity and performance resulting in 15-20% increase in investment activity forecast. Investment demand will increase as faith grows in China's soft landing but demand will also broaden and other markets such as Australia and Japan will be an increasing target for overseas investors while markets such as India and Indonesia are likely to be on the rise.

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EU suspends sanctions on most Zimbabwean firms, people

BRUSSELS: The European Union said on Monday it would immediately suspend travel bans and asset freezes on most Zimbabwean firms and people on its sanctions list after Zimbabweans approved a new constitution curbing presidential powers.

"The EU ... has today agreed to immediately suspend the application of measures against 81 individuals and eight entities," EU foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said in a statement.

Ten people, including President Robert Mugabe, and two companies, including state-run diamond miner the Zimbabwe Mining Development Corporation, remain on the sanctions list, an EU source said.

The European Union has been gradually easing its sanctions on Zimbabwe as part of a strategy to encourage political reform after 33 years of Mugabe's rule.

In a March 16 referendum, nearly 95 percent of voters approved the new constitution, bringing the southern African state closer to an election.

Ashton said the "peaceful, successful and credible" vote was a significant step in the implementation of an agreement that created an uneasy coalition between Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai following violent and disputed elections in 2008.

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Jammu Kashmir govt suspends 3 forest guards for illegal tree felling

BHADARWAH (JK): Jammu and Kashmir government has suspended three forest guards for their alleged failure to check smuggling of forest timber and chopping of trees in Bhaderwah belt of Doda district.

Mushtaq Khan, Irshad Ahmed and Rishi Kumar were suspended by Conservator Forest Chenab Circle, M M Gupta for failing to check smuggling by timber mafia, forest officials said.

"The action was taken after finding that the accused have failed to check felling and facilitating illegal activities," Gupta said, adding that further action against the erring officials will be taken by chief conservator after completing the probe.

The smuggling of green gold and cutting of forest trees in connivance with some forest officials was busted with the arrest of 10 smugglers in two different operations from Kellar and Neeru Ranges of Bhadarwah forest division on February 28 and March 6.

Forest ministry has constituted a high level fact-finding team of Chief Conservator, Jammu, Ravi Kumar Kesar and Joint Director Forest Protection Force, B M Sharma, they said.

The probe team after visiting Compartment 57 of Dandi Block and Compartment 49 of Puneja Block of Neeru range reportedly found illegal felling of hundreds of young trees besides dozens of stumps of recently cut green cedar trees, some of them burnt.

Commissioner Secretary Forest Ejaz Iqbal has denied that some officials of Bhadarwah forest division were being shielded and action was taken only against beat guards.

"I have not received report yet, then how can I shield someone. I had ordered inquiry into the incident, so there is no question of me trying to shield my relatives posted in Bhadarwah Forest division.

"Anyone found guilty will not be spared at any cost and strict action will be taken against the culprits," he said.

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Lokpal to be discussed after April 22 in Parliament: Union Minister V Narayanasamy

NEW DELHI: The contentious anti-corruption Lokpal bill will come up for discussion next month in Parliament after the ongoing one-month recess of the budget session, Union Minister V Narayanasamy said today.

"The contentious Bill, Lokpal, we are trying to pass in the Parliament. The government has done a lot on Lokpal. The Bill has been passed in Lok Sabha. It went to Rajya Sabha, from there it was sent to a select committee.

"The committee gave its recommendation and now I have requested discussion on the Bill in Rajya Sabha. After April 22, we are ready to discuss on it," Narayanasamy told reporters during National Editors' Conference here.

The budget session, which began on February 21 and is having a month-long break from March 22 to April 22, will conclude on May 10.

Narayanasamy, who is minister of personnel, public grievances and pensions, also said that the successive governments for past 30 years have tried to pass the Lokpal which is being wrongly considered as an outcome of agitation led by anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare and others.

"The impression has been created that Anna Hazare and others wanted the Lokpal Bill to be brought. This impression had come into the minds of people may be through electronic media and print media, the kind of projection you have given to them.

"I would like to correct it slightly. This was not the initiative taken by them. In fact, successive governments for the last 30 years have tried this. Several bills were brought before the Parliament and it could not be passed because there was no unanimity," he said.

Narayanasamy said that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had constituted a Group of Ministers on anti-corruption measures, months before Hazare started his agitation, to consider various matters including legislative and administrative to tackle corruption and improve transparency in the governance.

"The GoM has been discussing on it," he said.

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Vikram Seth, Mahasweta Devi and Manglesh Dabral are popular in Pak: Fahmida Riaz

PATNA: Indian writers like Vikram Seth, Mahasweta Devi and Manglesh Dabral are quite popular among book readers of Pakistan, writer-author from the neighbouring country Fahmida Riaz said. "Vikram Seth is a popular name in Karachi. His book 'A suitable boy' is taught in Karachi University," Riaz, who was here to participate in Patna Literature festival, told . Besides, Seth, the urdu version of Mahasweta Devi's Hindi book 'Hazare Chaurasi ki maa' is widely read.

Books of Hindi writers like Manglesh Dabral, Uday Prakash and Vibhuti Narayan are also in great demand, Raiz said. Riaz has lived in India from 1981 to 1987 in exile when Zia-ul-Haq was Pakistan President and got angry after reading her "Bhagat Singh ki Murat" (Statue of Bhagat Singh) dedicated to the revolutionary freedom fighter.

"Restriction imposed on movement of writers and artistes in the wake of tension between governments of the two countries is painful and people in our country are fed up," she added.

Riaz had served as the President of Pakistan Urdu Dictionary board during the PPP's ( Peoples Party of Pakistan) rule.

She lamented that majority of literatures available in two countries were mostly found "biased" against each other to suit interest of the political class at the helm of affairs.

"Pakistan founder Mohammad Ali Zinnah has been portrayed as a demonic personality in India but in reality he was secular in nature.

The Pakistani literary fraternity favoured frequent interaction between art and cultural personalities between the two nations to ease tension and promote people-to-people contact", she added.

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Manmohan Singh to leave for Durban on Monday to attend BRICS Summit

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh leaves on Monday on a four-day visit to Durban in South Africa to attend a five-nation Summit on March 26 and 27 that could launch a BRICS development bank and discuss ways to reform governance in international financial institutions.

Accompanied by a high-level delegation including finance minister P Chidambaram, commerce minister Anand Sharma and National Security Adviser Shivshankar Menon, the Prime Minister will also have an opportunity to meet with the new Chinese leadership on the Summit sidelines when he calls on President Xi Jinping on Wednesday.

The highlight of the Summit of the emerging economies of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS) is the possible setting up of the BRICS bank. But there is no no clarity on its corpus.

The bank is expected to promote growth and investment in its member-states and other emerging markets and will be a strong voice in the lobbying for the reform of international financial institutions.

The BRICS finance ministers, who have met four times in the past on the issue, will be meeting in Durban tomorrow ahead of the Summit when a clear picture may emerge. "There are still some issues to be resolved. If everything goes well, whatever is the final decision will be included in the Summit communique," say Indian officials.

"Things are moving on that and they are moving pretty fast," they say. There has been speculation that the size of the bank could be about USD 50 billion.

India had last year mooted the idea of BRICs-led South- South Development Bank, mainly funded and managed by BRICS countries to recycle surpluses into investment in developing countries for infrastructure and sustainable development projects.

The new Chinese President has backed the establishment of the BRICS bank, supporting the South African Presidency's priority in firming up that move.

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Mamata Banerjee's comments on rape encouraging criminals: CPM

KOLKATA: Alleging that West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee's recent comments on rape were "encouraging" lawbreakers, the CPM on Sunday said her "weird theories" were mere attempts to hide her administration's failure to prevent crimes against women.

In a strong attack against Banerjee, the state's principal opposition party said: "The chief minister thinks she is the last word in everything and anyone has to accept whatever logic she advances. She is not amenable to reasoned argument. She cannot stand reasoned criticism."

The editorial in Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) Bengali mouthpiece Ganashakti accused Banerjee of turning a deaf ear to the speeches of the opposition members in the assembly and refusing to abide by the "basic norms of parliamentary democracy".

"The Trinamool Congress supremo wants every individual to follow in the footsteps of her party leaders and behave like her lackeys."

"She wants everybody to remain silent. She wants to be the only one with a voice," said the editorial.

The CPM said that while the chief minister wanted to enjoy power, she was loathe to take responsibility for people's inconveniences.

The editorial came two days after Banerjee linked the rising number of rape cases to the swelling population and young boys and girls becoming more modern in their approach, besides women now daring to register complaints.

"You are saying rape incidents are on the rise. But the population is also swelling. There are more number of cars, shopping malls are increasing. Young boys and girls are becoming more modern. Won't you welcome them," Banerjee told opposition members Friday while closing the debate on the governor's address in the state assembly.

She said earlier women were too shy to lodge complaints. "But they are now coming out to register their complaint. This is a good sign for the society."

Describing Banerjee's theory as "weird", the editorial said she was advancing such "ridiculous logic" to hide "her administration's failure" in preventing atrocities against women, including rape.

"Such comments would only encourage criminals. The outlaws will become more active as the government has not talked of its resolve to take a tough stand and effective steps."

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