Two officials killed in MCF mishap

Mangalore, dhns: Two senior officials of the Mangalore Chemical Fertilisers (MCF)  were killed and two injured when a platform on which they were standing collapsed on Saturday.

Speaking to presspersons, MCF Managing Director Deepak Anand said General Manager (Maintenace) Ramananda Baglodi (52) and Senior Manager Machinery and Reliability B Ramachandra Baliga (46) and two others were inspecting the damage to the cooling towers due to heavy rain when the mishap occurred.

All four were rushed to A J Hospital. However, the two were declared dead at the A J Hospital. Keerthan Kumar (Deputy Manager-Civil) and Valerian Mascarenhas (Officer-Machinery), who were injured, are recovering at the hospital.

Chamber opposes amendment to APMC Act

Bangalore, dhns: The Federation of Karnataka Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI) has opposed the State government’s proposal to amend the APMC Act in the coming Assembly session.

In a press statement, FKCCI President R C Purohit said that by amending the Act, the Government would be allowing big multinational companies such as Reliance, Wal-Mart and Metro Cash and Carry to operate in agricultural commodities in retail.

“Initially, the consumer will be benefited, but after two or three years, they (the MNCs) will monopolise and then with their money power they will fleece both the farmers and the consumers,” Mr Purohit said.

Pointing out that the Kerala government had decided against allowing MNCs to operate in agricultural commodities, he said any sudden decision with regard to the amendment would be “disastrous” for both the farmers and consumers of Karnataka.

Mr Purohit also voiced FKCCI’s opposition to the creation of private market yards that he said would wipe out 144 market yards and 750 sub-yards in the State.

Arianespace to launch INSAT 4G in 2008

Bangalore, uni: ISRO has signed up with Arianespace for the launch of its fourth generation communication satellite INSAT 4G.

The Mission is slated for the end of 2008 using an Ariane-5 launcher from the Guiana Space Centre, Arianespace said in a release. The new announcement comes three months after Ariane-5 successfully orbited the Insat 4B satellite.