Syrian defector says Iran providing arms, funds to Assad
A former Syrian diplomat says Iran has provided weapons and funds
to President Bashar al-Assad since the start of anti-government
uprisings in March last year.Former Syrian ambassador to Iraq Nawaf
Fares spoke to an NHK correspondent in Doha on Monday.Fares, who
defected from Syria in July, said the killing of Syria’s defense
minister in an explosion last month was a big blow to the government and
has affected the leadership of its security institution.He quoted a
Syrian government source as saying that the president is shuttling
between the capital Damascus and Latakia in northwestern Syria, fearing
assassination attempts and moving frequently.
Fares also said he attended a meeting of Syrian and Iranian
high-ranking officials in March last year, shortly after anti-government
protests began.He said Iran urged that civilian protests be thoroughly
suppressed and offered all-out cooperation to the Syrian government,
including supplies of arms and funds.Fares added that arms and funds are
being brought to Syria from Iran via Mediterranean ports and Iraq.Referring to support for anti-government forces in Syria, Fares said Qatar and Saudi Arabia continue to provide political support, but not enough. He called for providing more weapons and funds to the forces.Reports NHK
Typhoon Haikui creates havoc in East China
Typhoon Haikui lashing downpours and flooding which
stranded dozens of people in east China after landing in Zhejiang
Province early Wednesday morning, the provincial observatory said.Haikui
landed in Hepu Township, Xiangshan County near the Sanmenwan Gulf in
central Zhejiang at 3:20 a.m. with the maximum wind speed at 150
kilometers per hour, said the observatory.The rain-triggered flooding
stranded about 130 people in three farmer’s hotels in the city of Lin’an
which the provincial capital Hangzhou administers, said Lin’an
municipal rescuers.
By 8 a.m., 123 people have been rescued while ten others have yet to be reached by the rescuers, they said.
The rescuers once had difficulty to reach the hotels as roads towards it have been flooded and they had to march the last two kilometers on foot, rescuers said.Haikui is the third typhoon to wallop China’s eastern coast in a week, after storms Saola and Damrey hit the region over the weekend.
The rescuers once had difficulty to reach the hotels as roads towards it have been flooded and they had to march the last two kilometers on foot, rescuers said.Haikui is the third typhoon to wallop China’s eastern coast in a week, after storms Saola and Damrey hit the region over the weekend.
Opposition parties submit Noda no-confidence motion
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda is facing a censure
motion and a no-confidence motion against his Cabinet over his plan to
raise the consumption tax.Six opposition parties submitted a
no-confidence motion against Noda’s Cabinet to the lower house on
Tuesday.Seven opposition groups also submitted a censure motion against
the Prime Minister in the opposition-controlled upper house.
The parties and groups said most Japanese oppose an increase in the
consumption tax, and the Noda Cabinet’s attempt to push it through
violates the Democratic Party’s own 2009 election pledge. They
criticized Noda for continuing to turn his back on the public. At a
joint news conference, Your Party Secretary General Kenji Eda said the
no-confidence motion must be given priority over all other discussions
in the Diet.He said the parties are seeking support from as many
lawmakers as possible to have the motion passed. Even if the all the
opposition parties, including the Liberal Democrats and New Komeito,
support the no-confidence motion, it will not pass the lower house,
where the Democratic Party holds a majority. However, if more than 15
Democrats also support it, the motion will pass the chamber.
The tax bills are a product of the agreement reached in June among the Democratic Party, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito on amending bills for social security and tax reform.
It remains to be seen whether the Liberal Democratic Party will submit its own no-confidence motion against Noda’s Cabinet to the lower house.New Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi has voiced opposition to submitting such motions before a vote on the tax bills.Reports NHK
The tax bills are a product of the agreement reached in June among the Democratic Party, the Liberal Democratic Party and New Komeito on amending bills for social security and tax reform.
It remains to be seen whether the Liberal Democratic Party will submit its own no-confidence motion against Noda’s Cabinet to the lower house.New Komeito leader Natsuo Yamaguchi has voiced opposition to submitting such motions before a vote on the tax bills.Reports NHK
Philippines floods toll rises to 53
Half of Manila was under water as torrential rain paralysed the city, sweeping away houses, stranding residents on rooftops and triggering a landslide.
Torrential rains from a typhoon and the seasonal monsoon have left at least 53 people dead in the central Philippines.Typhoon Soala struck the country over a week ago, bringing incessant downpours that caused widespread flooding and landslides.
Heavy monsoon rains continue to pound parts of the country, including the capital Manila. Weather officials say the city has had more than 30 millimeters of rain per hour since Monday evening.
The Marikina River in the northeastern part of the city has flooded, leaving houses and stores in the suburbs inundated.Disaster management authorities say about 270,000 people are taking shelter at schools, gyms and other facilities.The military and police are using trucks and boats to rescue stranded residents.
orrential rains from a typhoon and the seasonal monsoon have left at least 53 people dead in the central Philippines.Schools, financial markets and most government and private offices were shut as key roadways in the capital - a city of some 15 million people were submerged by waters that in some areas reached neck-deep. “If we put it in a percentage, at least 50 per cent of Metro Manila is flooded,” Gine Nievarez from the state weather service told the news agency. As local television flashed live footage of rampaging rivers carrying off houses and residents marooned on the roofs of their homes, President Benigno Aquino said the government was doing everything it could to help. “Everybody who is supposed to do something is doing what he is supposed to do,” he told reporters after meeting with civil defence officials. Bad weather from seasonal southwest monsoons has been pounding Manila and nearby areas for over a week.Meteorologists said the crisis in the capital came as over half a month’s rain fell on the city in 24 hours. x-small;”>The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said that more than 800,000 people had been affected, with 18,600 in government evacuation centres and some 231,000 seeking refuge with friends or relatives.Tuesday’s deaths brought the number of people killed by the monsoon rains across the Philippines to 68 over the past week, according to civil defence officials. Nine people from the same family were killed when a landslide struck a slum in the north of the city, officials said. “The rain softened the soil and four houses were buried,” said Maribel Mendoza of the local public safety office.In nearby provinces also hit by floods, four people drowned in Bulacan and two were killed in Batangas. Manila’s population includes millions of squatters, who were forced to flee the huge shantytowns lining rivers and sewers overnight for the safety of schools, gymnasiums and government buildings.
Torrential rains from a typhoon and the seasonal monsoon have left at least 53 people dead in the central Philippines.Typhoon Soala struck the country over a week ago, bringing incessant downpours that caused widespread flooding and landslides.
Heavy monsoon rains continue to pound parts of the country, including the capital Manila. Weather officials say the city has had more than 30 millimeters of rain per hour since Monday evening.
The Marikina River in the northeastern part of the city has flooded, leaving houses and stores in the suburbs inundated.Disaster management authorities say about 270,000 people are taking shelter at schools, gyms and other facilities.The military and police are using trucks and boats to rescue stranded residents.
orrential rains from a typhoon and the seasonal monsoon have left at least 53 people dead in the central Philippines.Schools, financial markets and most government and private offices were shut as key roadways in the capital - a city of some 15 million people were submerged by waters that in some areas reached neck-deep. “If we put it in a percentage, at least 50 per cent of Metro Manila is flooded,” Gine Nievarez from the state weather service told the news agency. As local television flashed live footage of rampaging rivers carrying off houses and residents marooned on the roofs of their homes, President Benigno Aquino said the government was doing everything it could to help. “Everybody who is supposed to do something is doing what he is supposed to do,” he told reporters after meeting with civil defence officials. Bad weather from seasonal southwest monsoons has been pounding Manila and nearby areas for over a week.Meteorologists said the crisis in the capital came as over half a month’s rain fell on the city in 24 hours. x-small;”>The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council said that more than 800,000 people had been affected, with 18,600 in government evacuation centres and some 231,000 seeking refuge with friends or relatives.Tuesday’s deaths brought the number of people killed by the monsoon rains across the Philippines to 68 over the past week, according to civil defence officials. Nine people from the same family were killed when a landslide struck a slum in the north of the city, officials said. “The rain softened the soil and four houses were buried,” said Maribel Mendoza of the local public safety office.In nearby provinces also hit by floods, four people drowned in Bulacan and two were killed in Batangas. Manila’s population includes millions of squatters, who were forced to flee the huge shantytowns lining rivers and sewers overnight for the safety of schools, gymnasiums and government buildings.
Hamid Ansari re-elected as Vice President
UPA candidate Hamid Ansari was on Tuesday re-elected as
the Vice President, becoming the second person to get the second
consecutive term as he defeated NDA nominee Jaswant Singh by a large
margin of 252 votes.75-year-old Ansari, a former IFS officer,
got 490 votes against 238 bagged by Singh out of 736 votes polled
earlier in the day.Altogether 787 Members of Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha
were eligible to vote but 47 MPs did not cast their votes, who include
ailing Union Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh who is admitted in a Chennai
Hospital.
Eight votes were invalid, according to T K Vishwanathan, Lok Sabha Secretary General and Returning Officer for Vice Presidential poll.
Ansari is the second Vice President to be re-elected after S Radhakrishnan who was the first to get two terms from 1952 to 1962.
Formerly the Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, Ansari’s name came as a surprise in 2007 election when the Left parties, supporting the UPA-I from outside, proposed him and the Congress-led alliance accepted it.
The Left parties, which faced divisions on the Presidential poll, however, had no problems in supporting Ansari for a second time.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said 21 members from BJD, 11 from TDP, 6 from Congress and supporting parties and two nominated members did not cast their votes.
Others who did not vote include 2 each from BJP, AGP, RSP and TRS and Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, one of the two members of YSR Congress. BJP members who did not vote were Shatrughan Sinha, who is was sick, and Dilip Singh Judev, whose mother was not well.
Trinamool Congress members Kakoli Dastidar and Kabir Suman were abroad. So was SP member Brij Bhushan Singh.
Out of the total 790 members of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha that form the electoral college for Vice Presidential poll, 3 are vacant with Pranab Mukherjee becoming President, Vijay Bahuguna Chief Minister of Uttarakhand and the election of BJP MP J Shanta having been set aside by a High Court.A Padma Shree awardee, Ansari became Vice-Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University in May, 2000 and held the post till March, 2002.Ansari also tried to innovate in the House proceedings when he shifted the Question Hour to post-lunch session to avoid loss of opportunity for members to question the government on account of routine disruptions in the morning.The move was given up after just a session when he found the members themselves being absent from the House when their questions were taken up and the government also not very enthusiastic about the move.
The monsoon session of Parliament opening on Wednesday promises to kick up a lot of heat and dust as Opposition parties are planning to raise issues like rising prices, economy and drought etc.Government managers have been insisting that they were ready for discussion on any issue.Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal expressed hope that like the last session, this session too would be a good and productive one as regards transaction of government business.Ahead of the session, UPA will project a united picture with the first meeting of the Coordination Committee of the ruling alliance scheduled tomorrow.
As many as 31 bills have been listed for consideration in the session, which will conclude on September 7. The bills include those on Forward Contracts, Banking laws, whistle-blowers and women’s reservation as also the Prevention of Bribery of Foreign Public Officials bill.While the much-talked about Lokpal bill has not been listed for consideration, the managers have been maintaining that it would be brought up expeditiously once the report from the Select Committee of the Rajya Sabha is submitted.
Eight votes were invalid, according to T K Vishwanathan, Lok Sabha Secretary General and Returning Officer for Vice Presidential poll.
Ansari is the second Vice President to be re-elected after S Radhakrishnan who was the first to get two terms from 1952 to 1962.
Formerly the Vice Chancellor of Aligarh Muslim University, Ansari’s name came as a surprise in 2007 election when the Left parties, supporting the UPA-I from outside, proposed him and the Congress-led alliance accepted it.
The Left parties, which faced divisions on the Presidential poll, however, had no problems in supporting Ansari for a second time.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal said 21 members from BJD, 11 from TDP, 6 from Congress and supporting parties and two nominated members did not cast their votes.
Others who did not vote include 2 each from BJP, AGP, RSP and TRS and Y S Jaganmohan Reddy, one of the two members of YSR Congress. BJP members who did not vote were Shatrughan Sinha, who is was sick, and Dilip Singh Judev, whose mother was not well.
Trinamool Congress members Kakoli Dastidar and Kabir Suman were abroad. So was SP member Brij Bhushan Singh.
Out of the total 790 members of both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha that form the electoral college for Vice Presidential poll, 3 are vacant with Pranab Mukherjee becoming President, Vijay Bahuguna Chief Minister of Uttarakhand and the election of BJP MP J Shanta having been set aside by a High Court.A Padma Shree awardee, Ansari became Vice-Chancellor of the Aligarh Muslim University in May, 2000 and held the post till March, 2002.Ansari also tried to innovate in the House proceedings when he shifted the Question Hour to post-lunch session to avoid loss of opportunity for members to question the government on account of routine disruptions in the morning.The move was given up after just a session when he found the members themselves being absent from the House when their questions were taken up and the government also not very enthusiastic about the move.
The monsoon session of Parliament opening on Wednesday promises to kick up a lot of heat and dust as Opposition parties are planning to raise issues like rising prices, economy and drought etc.Government managers have been insisting that they were ready for discussion on any issue.Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal expressed hope that like the last session, this session too would be a good and productive one as regards transaction of government business.Ahead of the session, UPA will project a united picture with the first meeting of the Coordination Committee of the ruling alliance scheduled tomorrow.
As many as 31 bills have been listed for consideration in the session, which will conclude on September 7. The bills include those on Forward Contracts, Banking laws, whistle-blowers and women’s reservation as also the Prevention of Bribery of Foreign Public Officials bill.While the much-talked about Lokpal bill has not been listed for consideration, the managers have been maintaining that it would be brought up expeditiously once the report from the Select Committee of the Rajya Sabha is submitted.
Indonesia to continue buying Iranian crude:
Indonesia will continue buying Iranian crude
regardless of economic sanctions against the Persian Gulf nation, the
official Islamic Republic News Agency reported, citing the Indonesian
ambassador to Iran.
“Indonesia needs the trade with Iran, especially the purchase of Iranian oil, and it will pursue this cooperation,” Dian Wirengjurit told IRNA.
The ambassador didn’t elaborate on the amount of crude his country imports from Iran, according to the report today. Indonesia wasn’t among the nine importers, including the European Union, that together bought 91 percent of Iran’s crude in the first half of 2011, according to the most recent data from the US Energy Information Administration.
Shipments from Iran have plunged since the European Union banned the purchase, transport, financing and insuring of Iranian crude on July 1, building on US-led sanctions. The US and its allies accuse Iran of seeking to develop atomic weapons under the cover of its nuclear program, a charge the government in Tehran denies.
Last month, Iran pumped 2.86 million barrels a day, down 300,000 barrels from June and the lowest level since February 1990. The Islamic republic is the third-biggest producer in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries in July, after Saudi Arabia
“Indonesia needs the trade with Iran, especially the purchase of Iranian oil, and it will pursue this cooperation,” Dian Wirengjurit told IRNA.
The ambassador didn’t elaborate on the amount of crude his country imports from Iran, according to the report today. Indonesia wasn’t among the nine importers, including the European Union, that together bought 91 percent of Iran’s crude in the first half of 2011, according to the most recent data from the US Energy Information Administration.
Shipments from Iran have plunged since the European Union banned the purchase, transport, financing and insuring of Iranian crude on July 1, building on US-led sanctions. The US and its allies accuse Iran of seeking to develop atomic weapons under the cover of its nuclear program, a charge the government in Tehran denies.
Last month, Iran pumped 2.86 million barrels a day, down 300,000 barrels from June and the lowest level since February 1990. The Islamic republic is the third-biggest producer in the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries in July, after Saudi Arabia
NAPM: India:Land Reforms is Need of the Hour
A Paradigm Shift in Development Planning and Land Reforms is Need of the Hour Not Further Acquisition and Cash Compensation
New Delhi August 07: Amidst all the controversies
and conflicts related to Lokpal and Jan Lokpal politics, a very major
enactment (in Bill form) is to be tabled before the Cabinet this week
for approval and there after tabled in the Monsoon session of the
parliament. While this has been in the offing for last many years,
people’s movements across the country from farmers to fishworkers,
landless workers to Dalits, adivasis as well as urban poor, are closely
watching and reacting or responding to every move on the issue: Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation. The
much awaited new “Land Acquisition, Resettlement and Rehabilitation
Bill” has now been renamed “Right to Fair Compensation, Resettlement,
Rehabilitation and Transparency in Land Acquisition Bill, 2012
with a claim to better reflect Government’s Commitment towards securing
a legal guarantee for the rights of project affected, and ensuring
greater transparency in the land acquisition process. It is
also claimed that the Bill will ensure, in concert with local
institutions of self -government and Gram Sabhas established under the
Constitution, a humane, participative, informed, consultative and
transparent process for land acquisition.
The Bill has no doubt sought comments and suggestions through the website but limited only till 30 days and no regional or state consultations were held by Ministry for Rural Development
as was strongly suggested by NAPM, NFFPFW and many other organisations
across the country. This is a kind of disrespect shown to a large number
of organisations and millions of people engaged not only in conflict
over the issues of land, water, forest minerals or aquatic wealth but
also proposing a new, truly democratic, just and sustainable
‘Development Planning Act’ as an alternative since years.
Now that the all party Parliamentary Standing Committee’s report
(on Rural Development) on the Bill is out and the Ministry of Rural
Development has also made its views / reactions clear and open, we,
the people’s movements, have taken serious cognizance of the fact that
the strong position taken by the Standing Committee on certain critical
issues are either diluted or rejected by the Ministry of Rural
Development, which is shocking. The Ministry that is supposed
to protect the rights and powers of the rural communities has not
accepted some of the standing committee recommendations, towards that
end, which are presented with our comments, herewith:
Food Security and Agricultural Land Acquisition
1. No forcible acquisition of agricultural land, for non-agricultural purpose including single crop and multi crop land.
· Ministry says only multiple crop land can be excluded.
How can the in-between farms that may be unirrigated, rain fed,
single crop be left out, we ask. India has 75% of the agricultural land
as rain fed and most of it single cropped. Such land is mostly held by
Dalits, Adivasis and marginal farms. Protecting them and all farm land
for food security, which comes not from PDS but self sufficient
agriculture, is a must!
Acquisition for Private and PPP Projects
2. No forcible acquisition for private projects, or for PPP, which can not to be categorized as public purpose projects.
· Ministry has rejected this and justified this with a
provision that consent of 80% of project affected People will be sought
before acquisition for any private projects
In this era of neo-liberal economic reforms, private projects
with corporate investment and interests are taking a much larger toll of
land and other rich natural resources as also uprooting by killing
communities which are generations old. This must come to an end and the
same can happen only with stopping the State playing a role of
facilitator and land dealer. At the cost of the livelihood of the nature
based sections and working class section of society, the state can’t
transfer the most valuable livelihood resources such as land, water to
the profiteering bodies in the garb of ‘public interest‘ and ‘public purpose‘.
Bringing 16 Central Acts Under Purview of this Bill
3. The standing committee has recommended that all 16 central
acts should be brought under the purview of the new act, to make all
equal before law (Article 14 of the Constitution).
· Ministry of Rural Development wants to exclude 13 out of
16 Acts including Industrial Development Act, Land Acquisition (Mines)
Act, National Highways Act and others from the purview of the new act.
This means that 90% of the land acquired as on today will continue with
injustice and force used, with no change at all.
The standing committee recommendations must be upheld to end brutal unjust acquisition for all projects.
Role and Consent of Gram and Basti Sabha
4. The Committee asks that all studies – SIA, EIA, expert
committee appraisal be done in consultation with the gram sabhas and the
corresponding reports be made available to the gram sabhas.
· Ministry emphasises that 80% consent of PAFs provision is there in case of linear projects where “consultation”.
Consent and direct involvement of majority of the Gram Sabhas
must be there in each and every project, including public projects for
public purpose. 80% consent of the project affected population for the
private projects alone is not sufficient. Why should the linear projects be left out?
If it’s consent of 80% affected, there are to be a number of
manipulations that people will have to face. Experiences of 70% consent
in Slum Rehabilitation Scheme in Mumbai are quite telling.
Return of Unutilised Land to farmers and Land Bank
5. The Committee recommended that the land, if not used till 5
years, should be returned after 5 years from the date of possession to
the land owners.
· Ministry accepts the reduced five years time period but
opposes its return to the landowner and suggests it to go to State Land
Bank.
The ownership over the land is of those who till it and if not
used and unutilized then it must be returned to the owners or
distributed amongst the project affected people. We oppose any such
feature which will promote land bank, since it has promoted large scale
acquisition in the past and later illegally transferred the same land to
corporations for real estate and other purposes.
Retrospective Application of the Law
6. On the question of retrospective application of the R&R
provisions Committee has suggested to Ministry to re-examine the issue
and incorporate necessary provisions
· Ministry has not accepted it and refused to do so.
It needs to be noted that nearly 100 million people have been
displaced since independence and with a dismal 17-20 percent rate of
resettlement and rehabilitation we had suggested that not only the
retrospective application of the provisions of the new act but a National Resettlement and Rehabilitation Commission be established to deal with the claims of the projected affected people from various projects.
Resettlement and Rehabilitation Benefits
In terms of the resettlement and rehabilitation benefits Committee
apart from suggesting some cosmetic changes have accepted the provisions
of the Bill, we think this is unfortunate since provisions don’t stand
up to livelihood based R&R, it merely promotes the principle of cash
compensation. It will be a retrogressive step since it negates
the land and employment based R&R as mandated in the Narmada Water
Dispute Tribunal Award, and various other projects. The
proposed provisions of compensating employment with money and high rates
for land acquired will only lead to speculative land market and will
destroy the fragile economy of the rural hinterland which will lead to
further urban migration.
Urban Eviction
The Bill and the comments by both, Standing Committee as
well as MoRD almost totally excludes and have unaddressed the situation
in the urban areas, where there is no land acquisition, but eviction,
brutal and unjust, for any and every elitist real estate development to
infrastructure without guaranteeing right to shelter, right to life and
livelihood. The only provision is to compensate with 20% of
developed land for land owning families in urbanisation projects, which
is not with regard to the cases where land belongs to the government or
private entities but people are evicted. We demand a separate section or a separate act
for the millions of the urban persons and urban land from getting
misappropriated. The Bill with the presently proposed content need to be
called only “Rural Bill”.
The rapacious use of Land Acquisition Act 1894 by the government to
secure land for ‘development’ projects has caused over 100 million
people to be displaced from their land, livelihoods and shelters. The
country is dotted with communities resisting State sponsored land grab
which resonate the demand for a just law to ensure that there is no
forced acquisition of land and resources, including minerals and ground
water. The government must respond to the voices from movements across
places such as Narmada, Koel Karo, Singur, Nandigram, Sonbhadra,
Chindwara, Bhavnagarm, Kalinga Nagar, Kashipur, Raigarh, Srikakulam and
mining areas in central India with genuine efforts to address the
longstanding crisis concerning land Acquisition and resettlement &
rehabilitation.
If the UPA government serious about addressing the
conflicts over the land and other natural resources then it must listen
to the voices of those struggling or else it will only aggravate these
conflicts all across the country. The need of growth,
infrastructure and urbanisation can’t be fulfilled on the graveyard of
millions. A pro-people Development Planning Bill with complete
participation of the Gram Sabha will go a long way in stopping the
massive corporate corruption and lead to decentralization of power having an overall impact on the politics of the country.
We the people’s movements and various alliances such as National
Alliance of People’s Movements, National Forum of Forest people and
Forest Workers, Kisan Sangharsh Samiti and others will hold a public discussion (13 August 2012, Constitution Club, New Delhi)
on the forthcoming Bill with activists, people from movements which are
fighting for land rights and representatives from national political
parties. Thousands of people displaced by ’developmental’ projects in
Narmada, Bhakra, Polavaram, Mundra, Pune (Lavasa), Nandigram, slum
displaced people from Mumbai and fish-workers displaced by coastal and
tourist projects will camp in Delhi to warn the government and
protest against passing any such act in this session of the parliament
on 21-23 August 2012.
Medha Patkar, Roma, Dr. Sunilam, Rupesh Kumar
Contact : Madhuresh 9818905316 | Vijayan M J 9868165471 napmindia@gmail.com
===============================================
Ph: 022-24150529
6/6, Jangpura B, Mathura Road, New Delhi 110014
Phone : 011 26241167 / 24354737 Mobile : 09818905316
Web : www.napm-india.org
Facebook : www.facebook.com/NAPMindia
Twitter : @napmindia
Karbonn Mobiles Signs Up as the Title Sponsor of Champions League Twenty20
Leading mobile handset manufacturer Karbonn Mobiles has
signed up as the title sponsor of Champions League Twenty20 starting
with the fourth edition of this marquee tournament due to be held in
South Africa later this year. Karbonn Mobiles signed the deal today with
ESPN STAR Sports, the commercial partners of Champions League Twenty20.
As part of this deal, Karbonn Mobiles will have rights to on ground
title sponsorship with all its entitlements. The tournament will now be
called Karbonn Champions League Twenty20.
Overall, the fourth edition of the Champions League Twenty20 will feature a total of 14 teams and 29 matches across four venues – Centurion, Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. The Group Stage will be preceded by a Qualifying Stage from 9 October 2012 to 11 October 2012 featuring six teams. These teams have been equally divided into two pools, with each team playing the other two in its pool once. The top team in each pool, in terms of points, will then qualify for the Group Stage.
Commenting on this partnership, Pradeep Jain, Managing Director, Karbonn Mobiles says, “Karbonn Mobiles is extremely proud to be associated as the title sponsor of Champions League Twenty20 and reiterates its commitment to Cricket with this brand association. We are sure that this fourth edition of CLT20 will become a grand success and will bring more edge-of-the-seat entertainment to the cricket fanatics from across the world. Cricket is one game which is considered as a religion in India and our association with it has helped in breaking the clutter and creating right visibility amongst our target audience.”
“During IPL 5 we introduced our new brand extension christened ‘Karbonn Smart’ offering the new range of technologically advanced products along with a complete range of smart-feature phone segment as well; the response of which has been overwhelming to say the least. With Champions League Twenty20 we are confident to take this unique mobile ecosystem to the next level. We intent to leverage this opportunity by utilising the 360 degree communication mix with a focus on TV, print, digital and press,” he further added.
Sudhir Hasija, Chairman, Karbonn Mobiles says, “Our association with the most popular sports of the subcontinent has proved to be a great platform to reach out to the audience, thus giving the brand an opportunity to connect with the consumers at a massive scale. The association with CLT20 is a matter of great pride for Karbonn Mobiles and it gives us a platform to create constructive fan engagement and thus generate a buzz around the brand Karbonn and the Brand CLT20. Looking to create some innovative brand engagement this season we wish to bring in avant-garde product placements and campaigns into the mix which will go a long way in taking CLT20 to the zenith of TV entertainment. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the BCCI for partnering us for some time now and wish to forward our whole hearted support in making this endeavor a grand success.”
Speaking on the occasion, Aloke Malik, Managing Director, ESPN Software India Pvt Ltd, said, “We are delighted to have Karbonn Mobiles come on board as the title sponsor of Champions League T20. I am very confident that this association will deliver a lot of value to Karbonn Mobiles who have been closely invested in T20 cricket for quite a while now.”
“Champions League Twenty20 in just 3 editions has established itself as a marquee cricket property. This year teams from as many as 8 cricket playing countries will feature in the tournament. From the subcontinent alone, we will see 6 teams in action. Besides the 4 IPL teams, for the very first time, we will have representation from Pakistan which will generate further interest in this block buster property,” added Aloke.
Speaking on the occasion, Rajeev Shukla, Chairman – Indian Premier League and Member – Champions League Twenty20 Governing Council, said, “It gives me immense pleasure in witnessing the grand coalition of telecom pioneers Karbonn Mobiles with our affluent brand Champions League Twenty 20.
In my view, our primary challenge has always been to persistently maintain as well as radically enhance the unparalleled standards established by the Champions League T20 brand in the last few years. I am extremely confident in stating that this adroit association shall certainly tender an augmented and enriching experience for the nationwide ardent cricket fanatics.”
CLT20 has shown a consistent increase in TV ratings as well as reach numbers over the past 3 editions. The first edition rated 1.5 TVR; the second edition saw an increase of 33% and the ratings jumped to 2 TVR*, the third edition of the league saw a further increase of 10% in TV ratings generating an overall 2.2 TVR. In terms of reach** as well, CLT20 has shown a positive trend. The first edition reached out to 77 million individuals while the second edition reached out to 95 million. The third edition reached out to 102 million individuals.
*TG Ratings 15+ M ABC CS
**TG Reach CS4+, All India, Live+highlights
About Karbonn Mobiles:
Karbonn Mobiles, launched in March 2009, is the one of the fastest growing mobile brand in the country complemented by a comprehensive portfolio of mobile phones with an array of features. Karbonn Mobiles is a joint venture between Delhi-based Jaina Group and Bangalore based UTL Group. Karbonn already has over 650 service centers established across the country, ensuring great after sales support.
About Karbonn Champions League Twenty20
CLT20 is an initiative of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa. The tournament is a platform where the world’s best domestic T20 teams get the opportunity to pit their skills against each other. The tournament is broadcast around the world by ESPN STAR Sports, who is also the commercial rights holder for the event.
Overall, the fourth edition of the Champions League Twenty20 will feature a total of 14 teams and 29 matches across four venues – Centurion, Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town. The Group Stage will be preceded by a Qualifying Stage from 9 October 2012 to 11 October 2012 featuring six teams. These teams have been equally divided into two pools, with each team playing the other two in its pool once. The top team in each pool, in terms of points, will then qualify for the Group Stage.
Commenting on this partnership, Pradeep Jain, Managing Director, Karbonn Mobiles says, “Karbonn Mobiles is extremely proud to be associated as the title sponsor of Champions League Twenty20 and reiterates its commitment to Cricket with this brand association. We are sure that this fourth edition of CLT20 will become a grand success and will bring more edge-of-the-seat entertainment to the cricket fanatics from across the world. Cricket is one game which is considered as a religion in India and our association with it has helped in breaking the clutter and creating right visibility amongst our target audience.”
“During IPL 5 we introduced our new brand extension christened ‘Karbonn Smart’ offering the new range of technologically advanced products along with a complete range of smart-feature phone segment as well; the response of which has been overwhelming to say the least. With Champions League Twenty20 we are confident to take this unique mobile ecosystem to the next level. We intent to leverage this opportunity by utilising the 360 degree communication mix with a focus on TV, print, digital and press,” he further added.
Sudhir Hasija, Chairman, Karbonn Mobiles says, “Our association with the most popular sports of the subcontinent has proved to be a great platform to reach out to the audience, thus giving the brand an opportunity to connect with the consumers at a massive scale. The association with CLT20 is a matter of great pride for Karbonn Mobiles and it gives us a platform to create constructive fan engagement and thus generate a buzz around the brand Karbonn and the Brand CLT20. Looking to create some innovative brand engagement this season we wish to bring in avant-garde product placements and campaigns into the mix which will go a long way in taking CLT20 to the zenith of TV entertainment. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the BCCI for partnering us for some time now and wish to forward our whole hearted support in making this endeavor a grand success.”
Speaking on the occasion, Aloke Malik, Managing Director, ESPN Software India Pvt Ltd, said, “We are delighted to have Karbonn Mobiles come on board as the title sponsor of Champions League T20. I am very confident that this association will deliver a lot of value to Karbonn Mobiles who have been closely invested in T20 cricket for quite a while now.”
“Champions League Twenty20 in just 3 editions has established itself as a marquee cricket property. This year teams from as many as 8 cricket playing countries will feature in the tournament. From the subcontinent alone, we will see 6 teams in action. Besides the 4 IPL teams, for the very first time, we will have representation from Pakistan which will generate further interest in this block buster property,” added Aloke.
Speaking on the occasion, Rajeev Shukla, Chairman – Indian Premier League and Member – Champions League Twenty20 Governing Council, said, “It gives me immense pleasure in witnessing the grand coalition of telecom pioneers Karbonn Mobiles with our affluent brand Champions League Twenty 20.
In my view, our primary challenge has always been to persistently maintain as well as radically enhance the unparalleled standards established by the Champions League T20 brand in the last few years. I am extremely confident in stating that this adroit association shall certainly tender an augmented and enriching experience for the nationwide ardent cricket fanatics.”
CLT20 has shown a consistent increase in TV ratings as well as reach numbers over the past 3 editions. The first edition rated 1.5 TVR; the second edition saw an increase of 33% and the ratings jumped to 2 TVR*, the third edition of the league saw a further increase of 10% in TV ratings generating an overall 2.2 TVR. In terms of reach** as well, CLT20 has shown a positive trend. The first edition reached out to 77 million individuals while the second edition reached out to 95 million. The third edition reached out to 102 million individuals.
*TG Ratings 15+ M ABC CS
**TG Reach CS4+, All India, Live+highlights
About Karbonn Mobiles:
Karbonn Mobiles, launched in March 2009, is the one of the fastest growing mobile brand in the country complemented by a comprehensive portfolio of mobile phones with an array of features. Karbonn Mobiles is a joint venture between Delhi-based Jaina Group and Bangalore based UTL Group. Karbonn already has over 650 service centers established across the country, ensuring great after sales support.
About Karbonn Champions League Twenty20
CLT20 is an initiative of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, Cricket Australia and Cricket South Africa. The tournament is a platform where the world’s best domestic T20 teams get the opportunity to pit their skills against each other. The tournament is broadcast around the world by ESPN STAR Sports, who is also the commercial rights holder for the event.
