Govt may introduce Patent Bill next week
New Delhi: The central Government has said that it was hopeful of introducing the Patents (amendment) Bill next week in Parliament. The move comes even as it is looking for support from either its alliance partners or the main opposition, the BJP.

Pointing that the legislation was to fulfill the country's WTO obligations, minister for Trade and Commerce, Kamal Nath said not meeting them could have implications for India, such as sanctions. The Govt. has said that it was open to suggestions from all and that they would be meeting BJP leaders later in the day and Left Parties representatives tomorrow.

Government had introduced the product patent regime by promulgating an ordinance on December 30. It now has to be introduced in current session of Parliament before it breaks for recess on March 24 to prevent it from lapsing.
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Retirement age for pilots' raised to 61 years
New Delhi: Professional pilots will now be able to fly up to the age of 61, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has announced. The decision has been taken in order to overcome the present shortage of pilots.

The aviation sector has been witnessing boom times with rising passenger traffic and new airlines sprouting across the country, but the shortage of professional pilots has been a concern.

According to the Sydney-based Centre for Asia Pacific Aviation (CAPA) the demand for airline expansion is quickly creating immense resource pressures, as several hundred million consumers in the region reach economic thresholds giving them access to air travel.
For the entire aviation sector, an additional 94,000 skilled staff will be needed in the Asia Pacific region over the next decade, greatly exceeding the projected supply.
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