Suspended Pak bowler Asif banned from entering UAE

Suspended Pakistani fast bowler Mohammad Asif has been barred from entering the United Arab Emirates (UAE) after being deported from Dubai last year for possession of an opium substance weighing 0.24 grams.

Asif, 26, was detained at the Dubai International Airport for nearly three weeks in June 2008, for possession of a banned substance before public prosecutors determined that the amount of the drugs was insignificant and deported him.

The PCB officials at that time had revealed the nature of the substance, but court and police documents now finally confirm the details.

Asif was caught with the substance in his wallet when travelling back to Pakistan after competing in the Indian Premier League (IPL). He was detained for 19 days before being released.

The documents available with the Daily Times shed light on the conclusion of the case, revealing that the public prosecutor advocated not filing criminal charges based on several factors: "That the accused was arrested at the Dubai Airport before being able to actually enter the state, the trifle amount of the drug, the serious consequence of putting him on trial and enforcing a judgment against him, and for the sake of avoiding pressures on courts and prisons."

Asif's urine sample taken at the airport was negative, however, putting to rest much speculation that Asif was intoxicated at the airport.

But during an interrogation with two investigators, Asif said he did not know of the nature of the substance, thinking it to be an herbal remedy and said he used it to boost his blood pressure and energy levels.

Asif is currently suspended from all forms of cricket by the PCB and is facing a separate inquiry for a positive steroid test at the IPL.

The Attorney General of UAE deported Asif and had his name put on a list of prohibited names who cannot enter the UAE. (ANI)

Cambridge varsity announces scholarship for Indian students

University of Cambridge today announced launching of Manmohan Singh scholarship for Indian students at Under-Graduate level. Vice Chancellor of the university Prof Alison Richard said the university intends to provide full funding to about ten Indian students every year under this scholarship.

Needy students will be provided this scholarship which will cover their fees and other expenses for their under-graduate study in any subject. "The scholarship is to help needy students get quality education.

A 1.5 million pound fund has been set up to support the Indian students," Richard said at a press conference here. The scholarship is being launched with gifts from Eranda Foundation and Bharti Foundation.

The prestigious university has already started another scholarship in the name of Manmohan Singh for the Post-Graduate students. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has sent a message to the university in which he said this kind of scholarship will encourage Indian students to pursue higher education in Cambridge and contribute to the overall social and economic development of the country.

The programme will not only strengthen relations between people of India and the UK but also serve the shared objective of both the countries in creating a better world based on equity and justice, Singh said in his message. Singh graduated from Cambridge with First in Economics in the late 1950s.

MS DHONI IN 2009

S Dhoni in 2009 Known for his stylish personality, this Indian Skipper spends his time studying the pitch before tossing on the match. He tucks away the rivals behind the wicket and off the game. He has the capability to rout the World's best team. Yes! Ganesha has set the field to unfold the future of a true sportsman, a cricketer who drives his own destiny and a representative of the young and rocking India - M S Dhoni. (Content courtesy: Ganeshaspeaks.com) In photo: Indian captain Mahendra Dhoni looks on during the 5th and final One Day International cricket match between India and Sri Lanka on Friday, Aug. 29, 2008. India has an unbeatable 3-1 lead in the 5 match series. (AP Photo)

World Bank names blacklisted Indian IT firms

The World Bank on Sunday said it plans to publish in the future the names of all companies it bans from doing work with the poverty-fighting institution, and immediately listed three Indian companies.

The Bank said the move aligns its disclosure practices for companies involved in wrongdoing that work on development projects financed by the World Bank and those that provide goods and services directly to the institution.

"This change was made in the interest of fairness and transparency," the Washington-based lender said in a statement.

Until now, the World Bank has only published the names of debarred companies involved in Bank-financed projects, but has not listed blacklisted firms that receive direct contracts from the institution under its corporate procurement program.

"There are currently three companies that have been debarred along with their affiliates under the Bank Group's corporate procurement program," the Bank said.

It said it debarred Satyam Computer Services, India's fourth-largest software company, for eight years in September 2008, and Wipro Technologies, India's No. 3 software company, for four years in June 2007 both for "improper benefits to bank staff".

In addition, it said it had also barred India's Megasoft Consultants for four years in December 2007 for "participating in a joint venture with Bank staff while conducting business with the Bank".

All three companies were involved in different contracts and their debarments are not related.

The World Bank has long been under pressure to step up its fight again fraud and corruption within the institution and in projects it finances in developing countries.

Satyam's chairman and founder Ramalinga Raju resigned last week after revealing years of accounting fraud in India's biggest corporate fraud. Raju admitted last week that about $1 billion, or 94 percent of the cash on the company's books was fictitious.

The World Bank acknowledged only in December it had debarred Satyam following press reports that the company had been blacklisted three months earlier for "improper benefits" given to Bank officials.

In Mumbai, Wipro Ltd said in a statement its revenues from the World Bank were insignificant and the decision by the Bank to bar it would not affect business and earnings.

Shares in Wipro fell more than 12 percent after the World Bank said it had barred the company from its direct contracts.