By-elections for eight constituencies of the Karnataka Assembly has started today at 7 AM under the strict vigil of around 9,500 security personnel. The defection by three Congress, four JDS members and death of JD(S) leader M S Siddaraju necessitated the by-election. A total of 13.69 lakh electorate would decide the entry of 8 contestants into the assembly.

Consumes may have to wait for the Digital TV converter coupons due to the over demand in the market. FCC demands the help of the industry to ensure the smooth supply of subsidized converter-box coupons.

Following the poor show by public offers and low-investor sentiment in the stock market, various companies in country raised just Rs 16,927 crores through initial public offers (IPOs) and follow-on public offers (FPOs).

It represents 63% decline in fund collection as compared to Rs 45,137 crore collected last year according to the report of research firm, Prime Database. Many companies have dropped idea to raise funds through public offer due to poor response from investors.

The union government gave nod to an integrated energy policy to ensure the energy security and adequate economic growth in a recent meeting of the union cabinet. The meeting was held under the chairmanship of PM Dr. Manmohan Singh.

Putting an end to the uncertainty on the fate of the series, Sri Lanka, on Friday, decided to go ahead with its cricket tour of Pakistan to fill in for a cancelled Indian trip.  

Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa discussed the issue with Foreign Minister Rohitha Bogollgama, who recommended that the tour should advance as scheduled from January 20 to February 25.

The series will feature three Tests, as many ODIs and a Twenty20 match. It may be here recalled that due to Mumbai terror attacks, India called off its tour of Pakistan.

In order to maintain its lead in the market, leading direct-to-home (DTH) operator, Dish TV, owned by Essel group, has decided to add another 200 channels to its bouquet by next year.

At present, the company offers 225 plus channels to its viewers, and it plans to increase it to 400-450 by next year.

Speaking on this, Salil Kapoor (COO, Dish TV) said, “We have the largest content pipe. As of now we carry about 225-plus channels. Going ahead, within a year's time we plan to increase the number of channels to 400-450.”