New Delhi, Jan 2 : The New coalition government in Kashmir headed by National Conference party chief Omar Abdullah will assume office on Monday.

Announcing this while talking to reporters after holding a meeting with senior leaders of the Congress party here today, chief ministerial designate Omar Abdullah said that he will take oath as the next Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir along with five or six ministers.

Abdullah''s National Conference (NC) party and the Congress party have entered into an alliance to form the government in the state.

New Delhi, Jan 2 : The police force in New Delhi will have mass recruitment of police constables and other ranks before the upcoming Commonwealth Games 2010.

Addressing a news conference Delhi Police Commissioner Y S Dhadwal, who heads the force said that the recruitment is part of the drive to ensure security during the Games.

"We have taken substantial steps to ensure security in the city. Recruitment at various levels has reached an advanced stage. Around 4,500 constables will join by March

New Delhi, Jan 2 : The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs today approved the project of construction of deep draught iron ore berth at Paradip Port on Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis at an estimated cost of Rs. 591.35 crore.

Out of total cost, Rs. 506.25 crore will be borne by the BOT operator while Rs. 85.10 crore will be borne by the Paradip Port Trust.

The length of the approved BOT iron ore berth would be 370 meter, alongside depth of (-)17.1 meter which will be capable of handling vessels of 1,25,000 Dead Weight Tonnage (DWT) and will have developed stacking area of about 82,125 sqm.

The project is to be implemented within a period of 36 months from the date of award of the concession.

New Delhi, Jan 2 : The government of India today allowed global snack and beverages maker PepsiCo Inc to retain full ownership of its local bottling arm, and invest up to 50 million dollars.

The decision was taken at a meeting of the cabinet presided over by Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh here today.

New Delhi, Jan 2 : The Union Cabinet today gave its approval for establishment of the Indian Grape Processing Board (IGPB) at Pune.

The total funds allocated by the Government over a period of three years for the establishment of the IGPB are Rs. 5.93 crore.

The Ministry under the Societies Registration Act, 1860, will register the IGPB as a society. The board will be autonomous from its very inception. The board, initially facilitated by the Government and managed and driven by the industry, is expected to boost growth of the sector, benefiting both the producers and the processors.

New Delhi, Jan 2 : The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) today gave its approval for a new centrally sponsored scheme called National Mission on Education through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) submitted by the Ministry of HRD.

An amount of Rs. 4612 crore is to be incurred during the 11th Five Year Plan for the National Mission on Education through ICT. There is a budget provision of Rs. 502 crore during the current financial year 2008-09.