Friday, June 20, 2008
Bank offer has strings attached
Today we'll examine a credit card option that banks say will protect you from calamitous circumstances, such as losing your job or becoming disabled, but that consumer advocates say could be a waste of money.
We'll also look at the perennial hazard of getting signed up for something you never intended to sign up for -- a recurring problem for people who don't (or can't) read and understand the fine print of many offers.
Carmel resident Carol Bergere, 61, had a run-in with this problem the other day when an envelope arrived in the mail from JPMorgan Chase, which has issued plastic to her and more than 100 million other consumers.
As it happens, Bergere wasn't around when the mail was delivered. But her 60-year-old husband, a former attorney who suffers from dementia, was.
He opened the envelope from Chase and found, pleasantly enough, a check for $20. So what did he do? He made his way to the local Wells Fargo branch and promptly deposited the check into the family account.
Bergere returned home later to find the promo letter that had accompanied the check. It disclosed that by accepting the $20, her husband was actually enrolling in something called the Chase Payment Protector Plan.
"This is why we tell our kids not to talk to strangers," Bergere said. "They're offering candy to get you into the program. But once you're in, you could end up paying money you didn't think you'd be paying."
Like similar programs offered by other leading card issuers, the Chase plan is an insurance offer that allows cardholders to defer payments for up to two years if trouble should arise.
The cost is 89 cents for every $100 in outstanding balance, automatically deducted each month from your plastic.
According to the Federal Reserve, nearly half of all U.S. households now carry a credit card balance from month to month, with the average amount owed running $5,100.
Under Chase's insurance plan, this would result in a monthly payment of about $45, or $540 a year. This appears to be the priciest cost of all leading card issuers.
Bank of America and Wells Fargo each charge 79 cents per $100 in balance owed. But both banks' insurance plans are good for just 12 months of payment deferrals.
Citibank charges 85 cents per $100 in balance for up to two years of deferred payments.
Jessica Iben, a Chase spokeswoman, said the insurance is intended to help consumers through difficult times.
"It adds an extra security precaution," she said. "If something unexpected comes up, you're protected."
The Internet is bristling with complaints from people who say they found themselves enrolled in Chase's Payment Protector Plan without first giving permission.
Iben responded that the bank doesn't operate this way. "We would never sign someone up for something they didn't authorize," she said.
'Totally deceptive'
Be that as it may, consumer advocates say people can easily get caught in unwanted (and costly) programs due to the way many such things are marketed.
"Sending people a check is a totally deceptive way to sell a product," said Linda Sherry, a spokeswoman for Consumer Action. "If you want to sell a product, send a nice brochure explaining why it's a good deal. You shouldn't have to trick people into buying it."
Because of his illness, Bergere's husband is easily fooled by aggressive marketing. But Sherry said the enrollment-by-check approach has proven highly effective as well on consumers who don't have dementia.
Senior citizens and others on a fixed income often find themselves signed up for programs they didn't intend to join, she said.
The Consumer Federation of America estimates that people pay about $6 billion annually for various types of credit insurance, including for credit card payments.
The organization says the "loss ratio" for credit insurance -- the amount paid in monthly premiums versus the amount paid out in claims -- is well below industry averages for other forms of coverage.
The loss ratio of car insurance, for example, historically runs about 65 percent, or 65 cents received in claims for every dollar in premiums paid.
In a 2001 study, the Consumer Federation found that the loss ratio for credit insurance is closer to 34 percent, or 34 cents on the dollar.
"By almost every measure, consumers are paying far too much for credit insurance," said Travis Plunkett, the group's legislative director. "The research shows very clearly that credit insurance is a very bad value."
(For regulatory reasons, many lenders are replacing credit insurance with so-called debt suspension agreements. From the consumer's perspective, the two are virtually identical. The key difference is that credit insurance is overseen by state authorities; the feds look after debt suspension agreements.)
Money in the bank
For card issuers, credit insurance can be a hugely profitable sideline. "It's extremely lucrative for the insurers, much more so than other types of insurance," Plunkett said.
Sherry at Consumer Action said this explains why companies like Chase would actually pay people $20 to sign up for the coverage. "It's worth it for the companies over the long run," she said.
As an alternative, both she and Plunkett recommend that consumers sock away extra cash into a savings account or money market fund.
This way, they can have some money set aside to immediately pay down credit card debt should trouble arise, instead of paying premiums each month just to put off making card payments.
"There are so many better things you can do with $45 a month than some pie-in-the-sky insurance product," Sherry said. "You're much better off paying the money to your balance. That's a really good way to bring it under control."
Scotiabank expands relationship with India's HDFC Bank to offer services
June 19, 2008 - 20:51
THE CANADIAN PRESS
TORONTO - Scotiabank (TSX:BNS) is linking up with HDFC Bank in India to expand financial services to Indian citizens immigrating to Canada.
Canada's most international bank said Thursday the deal will enable referrals for customers in Canada and India, subject to local banking
A formal agreement between the two banks is expected to be signed shortly.
The agreement with HDFC Bank "will enable Scotiabank to reach out to people in India who are immigrating to Canada and, at the same time, provide our customers in Canada with a referral to one of the leading financial institutions in India," Sabi Marwah, chief administrative officer of Scotiabank, said at a multicultural gathering hosted by the bank.
HDFC Bank has a network of 1,167 branches across India.
Scotiabank is one of several Canadian banks and financial companies which have been expanding their presence in China, India and other rapidly growing Asian countries, that already have strong ties to Canada's immigrant communities.
Earlier this year, Royal Bank, Canada's largest bank, entered the Indian market with the opening of its first representative office in the financial hub of Bandra Kurla, Mumbai.
Royal, which operates under the RBC banner, said it plans to use the new office to provide capital markets products and services, wealth management for wealthy individuals and correspondent banking and trade finance services to Indian banks.
It also wants to cash in on growing financial links between Indo-Canadians and their former country.
People from India comprise the second highest Asian immigrant population in Canada after China, with 155,000 immigrants from India between 2001 and 2006.
"Through our relationship with HDFC Bank, we will be able to start a conversation with people coming to Canada before they leave home," said Rania Llewellyn, Scotiabank's vice-president of multicultural banking.
"At the same time, this relationship should enable Scotiabank to refer customers to one of India's largest private banks, with a solid reputation for excellence."
Scotiabank, with more than 60,000 employees, operates around
THE CANADIAN PRESS
TORONTO - Scotiabank (TSX:BNS) is linking up with HDFC Bank in India to expand financial services to Indian citizens immigrating to Canada.
Canada's most international bank said Thursday the deal will enable referrals for customers in Canada and India, subject to local banking
A formal agreement between the two banks is expected to be signed shortly.
The agreement with HDFC Bank "will enable Scotiabank to reach out to people in India who are immigrating to Canada and, at the same time, provide our customers in Canada with a referral to one of the leading financial institutions in India," Sabi Marwah, chief administrative officer of Scotiabank, said at a multicultural gathering hosted by the bank.
HDFC Bank has a network of 1,167 branches across India.
Scotiabank is one of several Canadian banks and financial companies which have been expanding their presence in China, India and other rapidly growing Asian countries, that already have strong ties to Canada's immigrant communities.
Earlier this year, Royal Bank, Canada's largest bank, entered the Indian market with the opening of its first representative office in the financial hub of Bandra Kurla, Mumbai.
Royal, which operates under the RBC banner, said it plans to use the new office to provide capital markets products and services, wealth management for wealthy individuals and correspondent banking and trade finance services to Indian banks.
It also wants to cash in on growing financial links between Indo-Canadians and their former country.
People from India comprise the second highest Asian immigrant population in Canada after China, with 155,000 immigrants from India between 2001 and 2006.
"Through our relationship with HDFC Bank, we will be able to start a conversation with people coming to Canada before they leave home," said Rania Llewellyn, Scotiabank's vice-president of multicultural banking.
"At the same time, this relationship should enable Scotiabank to refer customers to one of India's largest private banks, with a solid reputation for excellence."
Scotiabank, with more than 60,000 employees, operates around
Former Bank General Counsel’s Statement Challenges Wolfowitz’ ‘Recusal’
Former Bank General Counsel’s Statement Challenges Wolfowitz’ ‘Recusal’
WASHINGTON - May 1 – Today the Government Accountability Project (GAP) is pointing out that the statement presented yesterday by Roberto Dañino, former World Bank General Counsel, to the Ad Hoc Committee investigating rule violations by President Paul Wolfowitz directly challenges Wolfowitz’ basic defense. Wolfowitz and his attorneys assert that he acted in “good faith” in trying to recuse himself from the matter involving Shaha Riza, his companion, who also worked at the Bank. The Dañino statement details that Wolfowitz, through his attorney, defined his own recusal as an offer only not to interfere in personnel matters (which would not have concerned him anyway) while maintaining unrestricted ongoing professional contact with Riza. This offer did not constitute recusal under Bank rules or in any commonly understood sense of the term and as a result, it was rejected by the ‘Deans’ of the Bank Board. The full statement of Dañino to the Board can be found on GAP’s Web site at: http://www.whistleblower.org/doc/2007/Daninostatement.pdf Dañino sets out the step-by-step actions that he took as General Counsel when dealing with the Riza affair. Step four details his original recommendations to Wolfowitz’ legal team regarding the best options for a fair and legal solution to the Wolfowitz/Riza problem. Dañino refers to Shaha Riza as SR and Paul Wolfowitz as PW. His lawyer is Robert Barnett (RB) of Williams & Connolly:4. In the discussion with his [Wolfowitz’] lawyers, I indicated to them that SR would need to be removed from any position having a direct or indirect reporting line to PW. This could be achieved through termination with compensation, external secondment at the Bank's expense, or reassignment to one of the Bank units not reporting to the President, i.e., Administrative Tribunal, Evaluation Office, Inspection Panel or Executive Directors' offices.In step five Dañino reports Barnett’s response, proposing a ‘recusal’:5. PW's attorney rejected these alternatives and I believed had proposed instead to cure the conflict by having PW (i) recuse himself from all professional contact with SR and (ii) recuse himself from all personnel actions regarding her (emphasis added).Step six details how Dañino attempted to clarify to Barnett what he understood the term ‘recusal’ to mean, namely that Wolfowitz would have no future involvement with Riza in matters related to professional or personnel actions.6. Before submitting this matter, amongst others relating to his contract, for the consideration of the Deans[of the Board], I communicated in writing to RB my understanding of the above proposal, i.e., PW's recusal from both professional contact and personnel actions.Step seven explicitly states, quoting Barnett, that Wolfowitz rejected the General Counsel’s interpretation of his ‘recusal,’ and insisted on continued professional contact with Riza: 7. RB responded that PW's "RECUSAL PROCESS WOULD NOT -- I REPEAT, NOT -- INVOLVE RECUSAL FROM PROFESSIONAL CONTACT" with SR.Step eight shows that Dañino communicated this proposed ‘recusal’ to the Deans, who decided, with his counsel, that the proposal represented a violation of Bank rules prohibiting supervision of one partner or spouse by another. The board then identified for Wolfowitz and his attorney the specific rule that their proposed ‘recusal’ violated:8. I communicated this to the Deans who determined, correctly, in my view, that the proposal was insufficient because insisting in ongoing professional contact violated Bank rules. They noted that spouses and domestic partners are required (Staff Rule 4.01, paragraph 5.02) to be excluded from any position with a direct or indirect reporting relationship or professional contact with the other spouse or partner, and that neither can be involved in any personnel actions related to the other.In step nine Dañino states that he informed Barnett that Wolfowitz’ proposal had been rejected by the Board.9. I informed RB that under the Bank's rules PW's proposal was unacceptable, and that the problem was not with respect to his recusal from personnel matters but rather insistence on maintaining ongoing professional contact with SR. Step 10 then details how Wolfowitz insisted his proposal be referred to the Ethics Committee in light of the rejection. 10. PW insisted on his proposal to maintain ongoing professional contact and formally requested that the matter be referred to the Ethics Committee for resolution.Later on in his statement, Dañino himself takes issue with Wolfowitz’ definition of “recusal,” showing how the President “wish[ed] not to comply with Bank rules.” Further, Dañino argues that Wolfowitz’ selective provision of documents to the Ad Hoc Committee concerning these communications has been carefully orchestrated to mislead.24. The first excerpt mentions my mail to RB asking him to confirm that the President would agree to recuse himself both from professional contact and from personnel actions. However, the selected statements omit his reply which expressly indicated that the President "would not -- I repeat, not involve recusal", from professional contact with SR. The omission thus presents a half-truth that misleads the reader and hides PW's wish not to comply with Bank rules.To illustrate how Wolfowitz and his lawyers have used Wolfowitz’ attempted “recusal” as a defense, one can look at an April 27 Washington Post article quoting Robert Bennett, now representing Wolfowitz, who stated:We look forward to the opportunity to show that Mr. Wolfowitz acted in completely good faith and sought recusal in the matter, with the recusal request denied by the ethics committee.“Wolfowitz and Bennett are engaging in word play with the term ‘recusal’ in order to deceive the public about what really happened. The fact is that Mr. Wolfowitz never intended to end professional contact with Shaha Riza. Wolfowitz’ ‘recusal’ was nothing of the kind,” said Bea Edwards, GAP International Program Director.Government Accountability ProjectThe Government Accountability Project is the nation’s leading whistleblower protection organization. Through litigating whistleblower cases, publicizing concerns and developing legal reforms, GAP’s mission is to protect the public interest by promoting government and corporate accountability. Founded in 1977, GAP is a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization with offices in Washington, D.C. and Seattle, WA.
WASHINGTON - May 1 – Today the Government Accountability Project (GAP) is pointing out that the statement presented yesterday by Roberto Dañino, former World Bank General Counsel, to the Ad Hoc Committee investigating rule violations by President Paul Wolfowitz directly challenges Wolfowitz’ basic defense. Wolfowitz and his attorneys assert that he acted in “good faith” in trying to recuse himself from the matter involving Shaha Riza, his companion, who also worked at the Bank. The Dañino statement details that Wolfowitz, through his attorney, defined his own recusal as an offer only not to interfere in personnel matters (which would not have concerned him anyway) while maintaining unrestricted ongoing professional contact with Riza. This offer did not constitute recusal under Bank rules or in any commonly understood sense of the term and as a result, it was rejected by the ‘Deans’ of the Bank Board. The full statement of Dañino to the Board can be found on GAP’s Web site at: http://www.whistleblower.org/doc/2007/Daninostatement.pdf Dañino sets out the step-by-step actions that he took as General Counsel when dealing with the Riza affair. Step four details his original recommendations to Wolfowitz’ legal team regarding the best options for a fair and legal solution to the Wolfowitz/Riza problem. Dañino refers to Shaha Riza as SR and Paul Wolfowitz as PW. His lawyer is Robert Barnett (RB) of Williams & Connolly:4. In the discussion with his [Wolfowitz’] lawyers, I indicated to them that SR would need to be removed from any position having a direct or indirect reporting line to PW. This could be achieved through termination with compensation, external secondment at the Bank's expense, or reassignment to one of the Bank units not reporting to the President, i.e., Administrative Tribunal, Evaluation Office, Inspection Panel or Executive Directors' offices.In step five Dañino reports Barnett’s response, proposing a ‘recusal’:5. PW's attorney rejected these alternatives and I believed had proposed instead to cure the conflict by having PW (i) recuse himself from all professional contact with SR and (ii) recuse himself from all personnel actions regarding her (emphasis added).Step six details how Dañino attempted to clarify to Barnett what he understood the term ‘recusal’ to mean, namely that Wolfowitz would have no future involvement with Riza in matters related to professional or personnel actions.6. Before submitting this matter, amongst others relating to his contract, for the consideration of the Deans[of the Board], I communicated in writing to RB my understanding of the above proposal, i.e., PW's recusal from both professional contact and personnel actions.Step seven explicitly states, quoting Barnett, that Wolfowitz rejected the General Counsel’s interpretation of his ‘recusal,’ and insisted on continued professional contact with Riza: 7. RB responded that PW's "RECUSAL PROCESS WOULD NOT -- I REPEAT, NOT -- INVOLVE RECUSAL FROM PROFESSIONAL CONTACT" with SR.Step eight shows that Dañino communicated this proposed ‘recusal’ to the Deans, who decided, with his counsel, that the proposal represented a violation of Bank rules prohibiting supervision of one partner or spouse by another. The board then identified for Wolfowitz and his attorney the specific rule that their proposed ‘recusal’ violated:8. I communicated this to the Deans who determined, correctly, in my view, that the proposal was insufficient because insisting in ongoing professional contact violated Bank rules. They noted that spouses and domestic partners are required (Staff Rule 4.01, paragraph 5.02) to be excluded from any position with a direct or indirect reporting relationship or professional contact with the other spouse or partner, and that neither can be involved in any personnel actions related to the other.In step nine Dañino states that he informed Barnett that Wolfowitz’ proposal had been rejected by the Board.9. I informed RB that under the Bank's rules PW's proposal was unacceptable, and that the problem was not with respect to his recusal from personnel matters but rather insistence on maintaining ongoing professional contact with SR. Step 10 then details how Wolfowitz insisted his proposal be referred to the Ethics Committee in light of the rejection. 10. PW insisted on his proposal to maintain ongoing professional contact and formally requested that the matter be referred to the Ethics Committee for resolution.Later on in his statement, Dañino himself takes issue with Wolfowitz’ definition of “recusal,” showing how the President “wish[ed] not to comply with Bank rules.” Further, Dañino argues that Wolfowitz’ selective provision of documents to the Ad Hoc Committee concerning these communications has been carefully orchestrated to mislead.24. The first excerpt mentions my mail to RB asking him to confirm that the President would agree to recuse himself both from professional contact and from personnel actions. However, the selected statements omit his reply which expressly indicated that the President "would not -- I repeat, not involve recusal", from professional contact with SR. The omission thus presents a half-truth that misleads the reader and hides PW's wish not to comply with Bank rules.To illustrate how Wolfowitz and his lawyers have used Wolfowitz’ attempted “recusal” as a defense, one can look at an April 27 Washington Post article quoting Robert Bennett, now representing Wolfowitz, who stated:We look forward to the opportunity to show that Mr. Wolfowitz acted in completely good faith and sought recusal in the matter, with the recusal request denied by the ethics committee.“Wolfowitz and Bennett are engaging in word play with the term ‘recusal’ in order to deceive the public about what really happened. The fact is that Mr. Wolfowitz never intended to end professional contact with Shaha Riza. Wolfowitz’ ‘recusal’ was nothing of the kind,” said Bea Edwards, GAP International Program Director.Government Accountability ProjectThe Government Accountability Project is the nation’s leading whistleblower protection organization. Through litigating whistleblower cases, publicizing concerns and developing legal reforms, GAP’s mission is to protect the public interest by promoting government and corporate accountability. Founded in 1977, GAP is a non-profit, non-partisan advocacy organization with offices in Washington, D.C. and Seattle, WA.
Bank Offer For Former
Bank Offer For Former
Arafat Sweetens Offer to Former West Bank Security ChiefPalestinian leader Yasser Arafat
sweetened offer to the former West Bank security chief after meeting some officers late Saturday at his Ramallah compound. Arafat promised that Jibril Rajoub will be appointed to more important positions and will be to his (Arafat's) side in the security and political kitchen, said security officers loyal to theformer preventive security chief in the West Bank. Arafat previously appointed Rajoub governor of the West Bank city of Jenin. But Rajoub refused to accept the position. Hundreds of Rajoub's supporters demonstrated in Ramallah Saturday to protest his replacement by Zuhair Al Manasra, the former governor of Jenin. Arafat later met 10 of the protesting officers and told them that the arrangements are "temporary." During the meeting that lasted for about two hours, the officerstold Arafat that they are not satisfied with sacking Rajoub and replacing him by Al Manasra. "We don't want someone who is not a member of the preventive security to be our chief. We want either someone from the preventive security to replace Rajoub, or to bring Rajoub back," said Issa Abu Azzam, one of the officers meeting with Arafat. Arafat said he understands their situation, promising that the coming days will be much better for them, according to Sabri Tmeizi, one of Rajoub's aides. Tmeizi also said the officers reassured Arafat of their continued loyalty. "President Arafat is our father, our leader and our symbol," Tmeizin said. Arafat sacked Rajoub and Gaza Strip police chief Ghazi Jabali Thursday in a major security shakeup under a 100-day reform plan. Both the United States and Israel coerced the Palestinian National Authority, saying there would be no resumption of talks before the reforms bring a halt to Palestinian attacks. The two countries are currently demanding a new leadership otherthan Arafat to fulfill Palestinian aspirations for an independent state. Al Manasra told reporters Saturday that he would do his best as the new security chief to prevent the Palestinian youths from carrying out suicide bombing attacks into Israel
People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/
Arafat Sweetens Offer to Former West Bank Security ChiefPalestinian leader Yasser Arafat
sweetened offer to the former West Bank security chief after meeting some officers late Saturday at his Ramallah compound. Arafat promised that Jibril Rajoub will be appointed to more important positions and will be to his (Arafat's) side in the security and political kitchen, said security officers loyal to theformer preventive security chief in the West Bank. Arafat previously appointed Rajoub governor of the West Bank city of Jenin. But Rajoub refused to accept the position. Hundreds of Rajoub's supporters demonstrated in Ramallah Saturday to protest his replacement by Zuhair Al Manasra, the former governor of Jenin. Arafat later met 10 of the protesting officers and told them that the arrangements are "temporary." During the meeting that lasted for about two hours, the officerstold Arafat that they are not satisfied with sacking Rajoub and replacing him by Al Manasra. "We don't want someone who is not a member of the preventive security to be our chief. We want either someone from the preventive security to replace Rajoub, or to bring Rajoub back," said Issa Abu Azzam, one of the officers meeting with Arafat. Arafat said he understands their situation, promising that the coming days will be much better for them, according to Sabri Tmeizi, one of Rajoub's aides. Tmeizi also said the officers reassured Arafat of their continued loyalty. "President Arafat is our father, our leader and our symbol," Tmeizin said. Arafat sacked Rajoub and Gaza Strip police chief Ghazi Jabali Thursday in a major security shakeup under a 100-day reform plan. Both the United States and Israel coerced the Palestinian National Authority, saying there would be no resumption of talks before the reforms bring a halt to Palestinian attacks. The two countries are currently demanding a new leadership otherthan Arafat to fulfill Palestinian aspirations for an independent state. Al Manasra told reporters Saturday that he would do his best as the new security chief to prevent the Palestinian youths from carrying out suicide bombing attacks into Israel
People's Daily Online --- http://english.peopledaily.com.cn/
Coriander
Coriander/Cilantro (Coriandrum sativum)Other Names: Chinese Parsley, Indian Parsley
3' Annual
Full Sun
Parts Used: Leaves, Seeds
Uses: Culinary, Medicinal
Flowers: Flowers are white in warm weather and mauve in cool weather
Planting: Germination: 65ºF for 2 weeks. Dislikes transplanting.
Notes: popular in mexican cooking and salsas as a balance to the hot peppers. Seed oil is fungicidal and antibacterial.Coriander, Coriandrum sativum is an annual herb in the family Apiaceae. The name 'coriander' in a culinary context may refer to either the seeds of the plant (used as a spice), or to its leaves (used as a herb); however, in North American countries the name Cilantro is given to the leaves. Coriander is native to southwestern Asia and west to north Africa. It is a soft, hairless plant growing to 50 cm [20 in.] tall. The leaves are variable in shape, broadly lobed at the base of the plant, and slender and feathery higher on the flowering stems. The flowers are borne in small umbels, white or very pale pink, asymmetrical, and with the petals that point away from the centre of the umbel being longer (5-6 mm) than those pointing to the middle of the umbel (only 1-3 mm long). The fruit is a globular dry schizocarp 3-5 mm diameter.
The name coriander derives from French coriandre through Latin coriandrum in turn from Greek “κορίαννον”.[1] John Chadwick notes the Mycenaean Greek form of the word, koriadnon, "has a pattern curiously similar to the name of Minos' daughter Ariadne, and it is plain how this might be corrupted later to koriannon or koriandron."[2]
Graps
Graphs and charts are great because they communicate information visually. For this reason, graphs are often used in newspapers, magazines and businesses around the world.
NCES constantly uses graphs and charts in our publications and on the web. Sometimes, complicated information is difficult to understand and needs an illustration. Graphs or charts can help impress people by getting your point across quickly and visually.Here you will find five different graphs and charts for you to consider. Not sure about which graph to use? Confused between bar graphs and pie charts? Read our:In mathematics and computer science, a graph is the basic object of study in graph theory. Informally speaking, a graph is a set of objects called points, nodes, or vertices connected by links called lines or edges. In a proper graph, which is by default undirected, a line from point A to point B is considered to be the same thing as a line from point B to point A. In a digraph, short for directed graph, the two directions are counted as being distinct arcs or directed edges. Typically, a graph is depicted in diagrammatic form as a set of dots (for the points, vertices, or nodes), joined by curves (for the lines or edges).
Wheat, Hard Red
(Wheat, Hard Red) Even though wheat is mentioned in ancient writings, it is not the same as the commercial wheat we have today. Our present day wheat is a variety of hybrid wheat grains which were developed from about 1920. From what we have learned, this hybrid wheat is more allergenic than the traditional "wheat". A 100 gram (dry) portion of wheat contains 1.9 grams of fat (17 calories), 72.7 grams of complex carbohydrate (291 calories), and 12.3 grams of protein (49 calories). (See Kamut for a detailed comparison of nutritional values between our modern day wheat and Kamut.) (Photo-left is actual size)The above recipe is in keeping with God's creation intent (Genesis 1:29-31): 'Then God said, "I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground-- everything that has the breath of life in it-- I give every green plant for food." And it was so. God saw all that he had made, and it was very good.' (NIV) Let no animal suffer or die that we may live! (d-4)
The world's fourth largest tractor maker, Mahindra
Mahindra wants to expand production overseasThe world's fourth largest tractor maker, Mahindra & Mahindra has rumbled out of India and ploughed its way into the notoriously difficult US market on the back of a "hobby" tractor.
The 'Made in India' tractors have captured the hearts of US "hobby" farmers with their 30 to 55 horsepower (HP) models taking 40% of that market from its rivals in the last two years.While India's largest tractor maker exported only 1,600 of the 83,000 tractors it produced last year, it is now looking to buy overseas production plants to boost sales.Mahindra is already the world's largest producer of 25 to 40 horsepower tractors, but it needs to break into the US market if it wants to challenge rivals AGCO-Massey, Case Holland and John Deere for a place in the top three.
Little cheetahs
While its bigger rivals, whose 100 to 150 hp beasts dwarf the Mahindras, may scoff at the threat, M&M seems to think humour may be one of its best weapons.
Priced up to $13,500 for 50 hp, the company expects to double last year's US sales of 1,600 by the end of 2002.
Fresh fields
After picking picked up a 51% stake in its domestic rival Gujarat Tractor Corporation last year, M&M is also looking to expand its overseas production.
Mahindra has bid for a stake in the Czech state-owned tractor maker Zetar, has outsourcing agreements to sell under the Mahindra brand name in Korea and is looking at similar deals in South East Asia, Egypt and Turkey.
But apart from its tractor division, which contributed about 40% to its turnover, M&M's other business of building light vehicles has not been doing too well.
The company recently reported continuing losses, its share price has touched three-year lows and it cut thousands of jobs from it 19,000 strong workforce.
To overtake AGCO-Massey and its other rivals it is investing in product development, brand-building and hopes to save about 48% of costs using software solutions for production and distribution.
Mango
Mango (aa-M-baa ) is one of the favourite fruits of Maharashtra. In Maharashtra mango is considered king of fruits. Almost every district of Maharashtra boasts of its own variety of mango. The best among mangos is Alphonso (haa-poo-s ) variety. It is grown in western coastal area of Maharashtra - Kokan (ko-ka-tn ). haa-poo-s aa-M-baa is great in its eye catching orange colour. Its thick orange pulp and pleasant aroma tempts any one to go for it. ha-poo-s is exported to many countries in the world. No wonder it is crowned as aa-M-byaa-cxhaa raa-jaa (king of mangos) The rich pulp, color and delicious sweet taste of mango gives it a special place in Marathi food.
One will find a mango tree in the back yard of many homes in rural, semi-urban areas, and occasionally in cities. Mango is a seasonal fruit. Its season is from late March to early June, May being its peak. When you visit a Marathi household in summer (or for that matter any other season) you will notice that mango has found its way through many Marathi recipies and snacks. In summer aa-M-byaa-cxhaa ra-s (sweet juicy pulp of mango) and po-hlee (Marathi home-made every day bread; similar in look to tortilla) is the main dish in the meal in almost every Marathi home. It's a real treat for the gourmet. It is also commonly used as a flavor in ice-cream, milk shake, and variety of sweets.
Mango is preserved in different ways so that one can enjoy this fruit when it is not in season. Some of the popular ways are - jam or jelly, aa-m-choo-r , pickles or aa-M-byaa-chee po-hlee . Mango pulp is spread in trays and sun-dried to make aa-M-byaa-chee po-hlee. aa-m-choo-r is another way to preserve the kai-ree . It is a powder of sun-dried kai-ree slices. This powder is used to add a tangy and tart flavor to any recipie.
Like mangos, kai-ree, too has a unique place in Marathi food. kai-ree is the unripe raw mango. It is green in color and sour in taste. One favorite way to eat kai-ree is to take a bite of it with a dash of salt and red chilli powder. You will often hear of fond childhood kai-ryaa adventures from your Marathi friend - how they use to sneak into neighbour's garden, climb mango trees, pluck kai-ryyaa (plural of kai-ree) and run!
kai-ree-cxhe pa-Nha is a special marathi summer drink. It is like lemonade - except prepared using fresh kai-ree. It is a healthy drink to beat summer heat. kai-ryaa are also preserved for the year as pickels of many kinds.
The Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966
[THE MAHARASHTRA LAND REVENUE CODE. 1966]
[Received the assent of the President on the 22nd day of December 1966;
assent first published in the Maharashtra Government Gazette, Part IV.
on the 30th day of December 1966.]
Amended by Mah. 30 of 1968. Amended by Mah.41 of 1973 (1-12-1973)
Amended by Mah. 8 of 1969. Amended by Mah. 35 of 1974 $(6-7-1974)
Amended by Mah. 11 of 1976 (14-4-1976)
Amended by Mah. 44 of 1969. Amended by Mah. 18 of 1976 (26-4-1976)
Amended by Mah. 35 of 1976 (30-7-1976)
Amended by Mah. 4 of 1970. Amended by Mah. 12 of 1977 (19-3-1977)
Amended by Mah. 30 of 1977 (16-8-1977)
Amended by Mah. 20 of 1970. Amended by Mah. 8 of 1979.
Amended by Mah. 36 of 1971. Amended by Mah. 47 of 1981 @ (29-7-1981)
Amended by Mah. 5 of 1982(5-2-1982)
Amended by Mah. 16 of 1985. Amended by Mah. 32 of 1986 (1-12-1986)
Amended by Mah. 1 of 1991 *(1-1-1991)
Amended by Mah. 26 of 1994 @@ (2-2-1994)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.For Statement of Objects and Reasons, see Maharashtra Government Gazette, 1965, Part V Extra, pages 756-763, for Report of the Joint Committee, see ibid. 1966, Part V, pages 219-353.
+ Maharashtra Ordinance No. III of 1970 was repealed by Mah. 20 of 1970, s.3.
*This indicates the date of commencement of Act.
$ Maharashtra Ordinance No. XIII of 1974 was repealed by Mah. 35 of 1974, s.10.
@ Maharashtra Ordinance No. VIII of 1981 was repealed by Mah. 47 of 1981, s.14.
Section 2 of Mah. 47 of 1981 reads as under:-
Mah. XLI Of 1966
Constitution of the Bombay Division under Mah. XLI Of 1966
"2.On the date of commencement of this Act, notwithstanding anything contained in the Constitution Maharashtra Land Revenue Code, 1966 or in any notification or order issued thereunder, the City of the of Bombay shall be deemed to be constituted a district, the Bombay Suburban District shall be Bombay deemed to be excluded from the Konkan Division, and a new Division to be called to be called the Bombay Division. Division shall be deemed to be duly constituted under the said Code consisting of the districts under Mah. of the City of Bombay and the Bombay Suburban District, which areas may subsequently be XLI of 1966. altered and divided into two or more districts, with such names, as may be specified by the State Government by notification in the Official Gazette."
Section 10 of Mah. 5 of 1982 reads as under:-
Validation of delegation of powers of Collector to Additional Tahsildars under section 3 of Mah. XLI of 1966 and of their proceedings.
" 10.Notwithstanding anything contained in section 13 or in any other provisions of the Land Revenue Code and notwithstanding any judgment, declare or order of any Court or Tribunal,the Additional Tahsildars, who during any period or periods before the commencement of this Act, exercised any powers of the Collector under sub-section (3) of section 36 or any other provi-sions of the said Code, delegated to them by the Collector under the proviso to sub-section (1) of the said section 13, shall be deemed to have been validly delegated to them by the Collector during the said periods; and, accordingly, any proceedings conducted, order passed, sanctions given, certificates issued, declarations made or other action taken by any of the said Additional Tahsildars during the said periods, in the exercise of the powers of the Collector or in the purported exercise of 1966 of the powers of the Collector, shall be deemed to have been validly and effectively conducted, passed, given, issued, made or taken, as the case may be, as if the powers had been duly delegated to them for such purposes, and shall not be called in question in any proceedings before any Court or Tribunal merely on the ground that the powers were not duly delegated to them or that they had no jurisdiction."
* Section 7 of Mah. 1 of 1991 reads as under:-
Initiation of proceedings for restoration of lands to tribal transferor.
" 7.For the removal of doubt it is here by declared that, notwithstanding anything contained in any law for the time being in force, or any judgment or decree or order of any Court, Tribunal or authority, where the Collector had not initiated suo motto proceedings or a tribal-transferor had not made any application during the period specified in section 36 or 36A of the said Code, or section 3 or 4 of the principal Act, as they stood prior to amendments made by this Act, for restoration of land under the provisions aforesaid, it shall be competent for the Collector to suo motu initiate any proceedings, or for the tribal transferor to make an application, under the provisions of the said Code or the principal Act, as amended by this Act, for restoration of land to the tribal transferors."
@@ Maharashtra Ordinance No. II of 1994 was repealed by Mah. 26 of 1994,s.5.
An Act to unify and amend the Law relating to land and land revenue in the
State of Maharashtra
WHEREAS it is expedient to unify and amend the law relating to land and land revenue in the State of Maharashtra and to provide for matters connected there with ; It is hereby enacted in the Sixteenth Year of the Republic of India as follows :-
Sustainability Of Slow Growth Foodgrain Crops In Maharashtra
Although the Government has introduced a number of crop-oriented schemes to improve the output of various slow growth foodgrain crops such as pulses and coarse cereals, the success of these schemes will largely depend on the extent of adoption as the farmers grow these crops on poor and unirrigated land with generally low levels of inputs like fertilizers, pesticides, etc. Further, it is to be noted that pulse crops are more susceptible to pests and diseases than the cereal crops and, therefore, involve high risk. However, a recent study has suggested a number of strategies to further increase pulses output in Maharashtra. These strategies mainly revolve around protective irrigation, soil fertility management, improved crop production technique, plant protection measures, and diversification of cropping pattern. However, these strategies have not yielded the desired results so far as pulses and coarse cereal production in the country are concerned.
Crops of Maharashtra
SEASON AND CROP CONDITION OF MAHARASHTRA STATE FOR THE YEAR 2002-2003
State received premonsoon rains in some parts of the state in second fortnight of May. This rainfall proved useful for presowing agricultural operations of kharif crops. Usually, monsoon starts by 7th June in the state, but during this year i.e. 2002-2003, monsoon commenced in the state by 11th June, 2002. During 11th to 20th June, monsoon rains received with light to medium intensity in Konkan, Western Maharashtra and Marathwada region. While in Amravati, Nagpur Divisions rainfall was comparatively less. This resulted in delayed sowing of Kharif crops.
The monsoon resumed after 21st June and spread throughout the state. On 25th, 26th and 27th June, heavy to very heavy rainfall recorded in Konkan , Vidarbha, Marathwada and Nasik division. By the end of 30th June , out of 33 districts, 30 districts received rains more than average rainfall while remaining 3 districts viz. Latur, Osmanabad and Gadchiroli received 80% to 100% rainfall. Satisfactory rains were received in almost all districts of the state and the awaited sowing geared up rapidly. 23% sowing was completed at the end of June. Heavy rains received in June month helped to complete the paddy transplanting in Konkan division.
The state has faced a very big dry spell of 25-30 days in the month of July. In the month of July, out of 33 ditricts, only 2 districts received 51 to 75% rainfall, 18 districts received 26 to 50% rainfall while 13 districts received less than 25% rainfall. Due to this big dry spell, sowing of kharif crops and transplanting of Paddy was withheld. Growth of kharif crops sown on light to medium soil hampered badly short duration crops like Mung, Udid, Bajra and to some extent Soyabean are the most affected crops. The growth of all kharif crops was stunted . 88% kharif sowing was completed at the end of July, 2002.
Satisfactory rains received during first fortnight of August in all parts of the state. This helped to sustain the standing kharif crops. Transplanting of Paddy was geared up. In the month of August, 25 districts received above normal rainfall and 8 districts received 76 to 100% rainfall . 93% sowing of kharif crops was completed at the end of August.
Light to medium rains were received in first week of September. From second week of September, the rainfall in the state was ceased. In the month of September, 4 districts received above normal rainfall, 8 districts received 76% to 100% rainfall, 13 districts received 51 to 75% rinfall, 8 districts received 26 to 50% rainfall. Sowing of kharif crops was completed to the extent of 99% at the end of September. Infestation of new pest, white wooly aphid on sugarcane was reported from Kolhapur and Pune division.
The state has experienced a second dry spell from second fortnight of September to first fortnight of October. Rains again started in the third week of October. In the month of October, 7 districts received above normal rainfall, 8 districts received 76 to 100% rainfall, 7 districts received 51 to 75% rainfall, 2 districts received 26 to 50% rainfall and 9 districts received 0 to 25% rainfall. 99% kharif sowing was completed at the end of October. The monsoon withdrew from the state on 21st October,2002.
The total normal rainfall of the state is 1181.1 m.m. The total rainfall received during the period 1st June to 31st October 2002 is 1016.5 m.m. The percentage of actual rainfall to normal rainfall is 86% i.e. State has received 14% less rainfall during the year 2002. During the period 1st June to 31st October, 2002, 7 districts received above normal rainfall, 17 districts received 76 to 100% rainfall while 9 districts received 51 to 75% rainfall.
Due to less rainfall and two major dry spells in kharif, the growth of kharif crops was not satisfactory. Short duration crops affected to a great extent. As per the tentative estimate, 37% reduction is expected in kharif foodgrains production, 27% reduction is expected in production of kharif oilseeds, 44% reduction is expected in production of cotton and 39% reduction in sugarcane production is expected.
Rainfall in September and October decides the prospects of rabi season. Due to less rainfall in September and October, sowing of rabi crops was delayed. Particularly, sowing of rabi Jowar was withheld, as a result, 26% area under rabi Jowar is reduced. 62% sowing of rabi crops is completed in the state till first week of November
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)