As per Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), current telecom operators Bharti Airtel (earlier known as Bharti Cellular) and Vodafone India (earlier known as Hutchison Max & Sterling Cellular) were sold additional spectrum beyond 6.2 MHz, up to 10 MHz, in unnecessary hurry in January 2002.

As per its report of the then communication minister Pramod Mahajan bypassed the opinions of the member (finance), the wireless adviser and even the highest decision-making body in the DoT and allocated extra spectrum to these companies in undue haste. The decision led to a loss of Rs 508 crore to the exchequer.

How the loss has been calculated?

• The current revenue share for telecom companies during the period under investigation was pegged at 4% for 6.2-8 MHz and 8-10 MHz spectrum, with no differential rates. Only those with more than 10 MHz spectrum were charged 5 %. As per the DoT the difference - if the rate was pegged at 5 % instead of four percent would have been Rs 508 crore to the exchequer.

In order to improve public delivery mechanism in the country, the Indian government will connect 250,000 gram panchayats with broadband within 16 months.

The government has also assured that 58 pilots projects under implementation in Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Tripura to make available broadband connectivity, would be accomplished in next 4months.

The broadband connectivity for gram panchayats will:

· Help improve public services delivery mechanism

· Assist in getting real time feedback

· Aid training of panchayat and other grassroots functionaries

· Empower the community through e-library service

Star Shooter Gagan Narang has clinched first medal for India at the London Olympics. Gagan bagged a bronze medal in the 10 metre air rifle event.

MiG-29KUB, a Russian-built fighter jet made the first landing on the INS Vikramaditya during sea trials.

INS Vikramaditya

• It is the rechristened name of former Russian aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov, which has been procured by India.
• The ship is a modified Kiev class aircraft carrier built in 1978–1982.
• Russia sold the carrier to India after it became too expensive for the soviet nation to operate it on a post Cold War budget. It has been extensively refurbished and upgraded to a light aircraft carrier at the Sevmash shipyard in the Russian city of Severodvinsk.
• It is expected to be inducted for service in the Indian Navy by December 2012.

World Hepatitis Day is being observed round the globe. The focus is to spread awareness about viral hepatitis, which kills around 1 million people every year. Millions more suffer immediate sickness or long-term ill health.

What is Hepatitis?

• Hepatitis as the name suggests is formed from Greek word 'Hepar' meaning liver and '–itis' meaning inflammation. It is a medical condition in which there occurs inflammation of liver cells. The complications vary with the type of infection

What are different types of Hepatitis?

• There are 5 types of hepatitis - A, B, C, D, and E - each caused by a different hepatitis virus.

What causes Hepatitis?

• It is mostly caused by a group of viruses called hepatitis viruses. It can also be caused by toxins like alcohol, drugs, chemicals and other infections and autoimmune diseases.

Around 60% of liver cancer cases in India are caused by Hepatatis B.