UNITED NATIONS

A unique programme in Nagaland, which aimed at and achieved community participation in local governance, has been selected for a top UN award for public service. The award will be given to Union Steel Secretary RS Pandey tomorrow at New York, on the occasion of the UN Public Service Day. Pandey will be given the award for his pioneering efforts, during his stint as the Nagaland Chief Secretary in 2002-04, for better public utilities.

Ram Prasad Sahu Trying times ahead for Tata Motors as it grapples with a large acquisition and a slew of new product launches in a tough macroeconomic environment. Slackening of demand, rising input costs and higher interest rates are not welcome news for the country's largest automobile player, Tata Motors. To maintain its margins, the company was forced to increase prices of its commercial and passenger vehicles over the last five months.

Smita Aggarwal For UPA government's ambitious project to provide urban infrastructure under Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM) scheme, there is an estimated investment shortfall of Rs 48,715 crore annually. Under the scheme, central government together with state government and Urban Local Bodies (ULB) has envisaged an investment of Rs 14,285 crore per annum for this mission, with central government allocating Rs 50,000 crore over the seven-year period, and an equal contribution being sought from state government and ULBs.

Look how poor monetary policy is imposing another burden on the aam aadmi

Acknowledging the fact that government apathy towards developmental works in backward areas of North East Region (NER) was creating a "fertile ground' for insurgency, the Central Government now wants to ensure that at least 25 per cent of the fund released from the Non Lapsable Central Pool of Resources (NLCPR) are allocated to priority projects located in some of the most remote northeastern areas.

Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa said on Friday that his Government was committed to create a congenial atmosphere for investors to start their ventures in Karnataka without being under anybody's obligation. Addressing a gathering at Sogane, about 8 km from here, after laying the foundation stone for an airport, he said that prospective investors would have ample opportunities in the State as the Government was ready to offer facilities for it.

T N Ninan They say that the phrase "the perfect storm" (which originated from a 1997 book by that name) should be banned because of its over-use. Regardless, it is worth asking whether the Indian economy is now headed for just that: A perfect storm