PM Manmohan Singh on Monday hinted that there may not be any alternative to raising fuel prices, even as the government continued to grapple with working out a consensus on measures to tackle high global crude prices. A decision can possibly be taken only by Thursday after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Political Affairs.

Delhi Cabinet has given its nod to Pragati Phase-III Bawana Power Project to be commissioned at an estimated cost of Rs 5195.81 crore. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had laid the foundation stone of the 1500 MW Gas Based Power Station on March 24 this year. The project would meet the growing demand of power in the city and cater to the requirements for Commonwealth Games 2010. The decision was taken on Monday in a Cabinet meeting presided over by chief minister Sheila Dikshit.

India's oil subsidy may shoot up three times to 2.2% of the GDP this year even as the government dithers on raising fuel prices in step with the rise in input (crude oil) cost. The country paid $8.7 billion in oil subsidies in 2007 or 0.7% of the GDP. In 2008 when GDP is slated to grow to $1.34 trillion, the subsidy may jump to $18.1 billion at $100 a barrel crude price, and to $23.4 billion at $115. At current market price, it would rise to $29.2 billion, Credit Suisse said in its latest report on subsidies in Asia.

While the inflationary pressure has gone out of control from the government, commodity prices have been steadily increasing. During the week, price of fish jumped by 6%, fruits and vegetables by 3% and moong dal and spices by 2% and 1% respectively. Despite export bans, skimmed milk was costlier by 7% and imported edible oil by 1%. Furnace oil was costlier by 3% and light diesel oil by 2%.

What are oil reserves?

Jug Suraiya Bengal governor Gopal Gandhi has committed an unpardonable sin and has, rightly, been taken sternly to task by chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee and other state leaders. Governor Gandhi's lapse? In order to show solidarity with the citizens of Kolkata, and other parts of Bengal, who are suffering from long power cuts, the governor voluntarily had all the lights and electrical appliances in Raj Bhavan switched off for two hours.

A nationwide survey of nearly 700 people suggests that Americans would prefer more money be invested in technology to solve the nation's energy ailments than to cure cancer or other diseases. Some 37% of respondents to the poll, conducted by the Fairfax County Economic Development Authority in Virginia, said they would rank spending to raise energy efficiency and develop alternative fuel technology a top priority for future investment. That compares with 30% who ranked more cash for medical breakthroughs as most important.

Focus on agriculture to reduce poverty

Output Not Growing Any More, Per Capita Production Down To 70s Levels.

At 35, when Harpyari first held a pen and wrote her name it was a child-like scrawl. However, with it, she etched a lasting story of empowerment.