The new telecom operators MTS, Uninor and Videocon have fast tracked their roll-out plans. Sistema’s, Indian subsidiary, MTS on Wednesday started its services in Goa. With this, the company now offers services in 12 telecom circles.

Stocks of the telecom companies rose on Wednesday on the buzz of consolidation in the sector. Reliance Communications stocks were up by 11 per cent, Idea by 8.97 per cent and Bharti Airtel by 5.16 per cent.

The Supreme Court will hear the case pertaining to the row over control of Ulips between market watchdog Sebi and insurance regulator Irda next month, but may not decide on the controversy over who would regulate these market-linked insurance products.

In a fresh move, the finance ninistry on Wednesday said income-tax payers will have to mention receipt number of tax deducted at source (TDS) forms in the returns to claim refunds, from this fiscal.

At 35, there’s not much time left for V.V.S. Laxman in world cricket. The magician insists he’ll call it day when he feels he can no longer contribute to the team’s cause. But with the unhurried pace at which India are playing Tests, his trademark flick of the wrists are in danger of slipping from memory faster than sand through the fingers.

Hosts India beat China 94-0 in the tournament opener to sail into the final of the HSBC Asian 5 Nations rugby tournament here on Wednesday.
Naseer Hussain-led India put up a dominant display and outplayed the Chinese in all departments of the game at the floodlit Delhi University Rugby Stadium.

Railway minister Mamata Banerjee raised quite a few eyebrows by skipping Tuesday’s Cabinet meeting though she was in New Delhi, but chose to explain her absence by saying she had some “serious job” to do. In the evening, however, she did attend the UPA-2 report card release function at the Prime Minister’s 7 Race Course Road residence.

Countering left-wing extremism remains high on the agenda of the UPA-II government with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh outlining the Centre’s anti-Naxal policy on Tuesday. Releasing a report prepared by the UPA-II government on the completion of one year, the Prime Minister said his government has adopted an integrated

Hit by the rapid increase in Maoist violence against civilians, the government is considering calling in the Army and setting up a unified command to launch concerted anti-Naxalite operations.

Controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasrin is now in the Capital to get her Indian visa extended since the validity of the travel document expires in August.
Taslima, who has been in and out of the country after she was dramatically bundled out of West Bengal in November 2007 in the wake of protests by radical Muslim groups, arrived from London in the early hours of Sunday and was immediately whisked away to a safe location.