AP to fight for its share in natural gas find
Hyderabad: The Andhra Pradesh government has decided to fight-for its 'first-right-to-use' over natural gas reserves in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin.

Chief minister YS Rajasekhara Reddy has already written to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh requesting him to ensure the state gets a share in the 'gas profit' (the Centre's share, as per agreement with the companies) only in kind. Reddy also appealed to all political parities, including the Telugu Desam Party, to join him in the fight for the state's share in the natural gas find.

Officials said the chief minister found his efforts with the petroleum ministry futile, hence he proposed to meet Prime Minister Manmohan Singh along with representatives of other political parties.

According to sources, Reddy is planning a two-pronged strategy -- fighting for state's share out of the Centre's share in kind and motivating Anil Ambani to set up gas-based power units in the state. During a meeting with Reddy, Anil Ambani had explained his power project plans in the state, which Reddy had in-principle agreed to and asked him to come up with concrete proposals.
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India, Kuwait sign aviation deal
Dubai: India and Kuwait have come to an agreement on resolving a dispute on air traffic rights, over which the latter had threatened to stop Indian national carriers flying there from July 1.

The two countries signed the MoU just before the expiry of the deadline in Kuwait city after marathon negotiations lasting three days, Indian ambassador to Kuwait M Ganapthi said.

Ganapthi said flight services between the two countries will continue freely and unhindered, much to the benefit of the thousands of passengers who feared disruptions in services between the two countries.

The points in agreement between the two countries include additional 4,000 seat taking the total to 12,000 seats in each directions, but the fifth freedom destinations will apply to the earlier 8,000 seats.

India has agreed to allow Kuwait carriers to operate flights to Hyderabad, Kolkata both with immediate effect and Bangalore from the winter 2008 schedule.

The spat began when Kuwait decided to stop Indian carriers from flying into the country from July 1.
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