1.   

India needs another Green Revolution: Pranab

India needs another Green Revolution, President Pranab Mukherjee said Wednesday, after unveiling the much-awaited agriculture road map of Bihar. "There is a need for another Green Revolution in the country, and the eastern parts of the country, including Bihar, will play a vital role in it," the president said here. Mukherjee, who arrived here on a two-day visit of Bihar, was received by Chief Minister Nitish Kumar at the Patna airport.

2.   

Cabinet to approve 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17)

The union cabinet meeting later on Thursday is expected to consider and approve the 12th Five Year Plan (2012-17) that seeks an average annual economic growth of 8.2 percent and identifies infrastructure, health and education as thrust areas. The growth rate has been lowered to 8.2 percent from the 9.0 percent projected earlier in view of the current slowdown in the economy and adverse international situation.

3.   

India and Australia will achieve $40 billion trade target in 4 years: Australian High Commissioner

India and Australia would achieve the bilateral trade target of USD 40 billion in the next four years, Australian High Commissioner in India Peter Varghese said today. "Both the countries had agreed to double the bilateral trade to USD 40 billion. I am confident that we will get there," Varghese told reporters here. In May 2011, Commerce and Industry Minister Anand Sharma and Australian Trade Minister Craig Emerson had agreed to double bilateral trade to USD 40 billion by 2016.

4.   

Indian team to visit Iran on October 6 to clinch wheat export deal

A government delegation will visit sanctions-hit Iran on October 6 to clinch a wheat export deal, a senior official said today. India lifted ban on wheat exports in September 2011 on account of record production in two consecutive years. Iran, on the other hand, has not been importing Indian wheat since 1996 due to quality issues. "A 10-member team from India will visit Iran on October 6. The team will stay in Tehran for two days to negotiate wheat exports," the official told PTI.