Different associations, representing the nearly 250,000-strong traditional fishermen in Kerala, have formed a forum to fight for their demands. Announcing this in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday, chairman of the new forum, "Kerala traditional fishworkers coordination council,'' V Dinakaran said the fishermen community, under one banner, would fight against the discrimination in all spheres. The forum would declare its common agenda on July 19 at Kochi.The launch of the forum gains significance in view of the ongoing controversy over the ban on monsoon trawling. The committee comprises Fisheries Forum, Fishermen Development Council, Thiruvananthapuram Social Service Society, Kerala Swathantra Matsya Thozhilali Federation, Dheevara Sabha and STU.

US W Coast oil products soften

US West Coast oil product prices softened on Tuesday, mirroring weakness in the New York futures market, though not falling quite as steep product prices softened on Tuesday, mirroringweakness in the New York futures mark etc, though not falling quite as steeply. Ultraclean CARB gasoline in Los Angeles fell by about 1.5 cents to 53.00/54.00 cents a gallon while CARB diesel fell by only half a cent to 52.00/53.00 cents a gallon. On the NYMEX futures market in New York, the front month gasoline and heating oil contracts both posted losses of over two cents amid concern over ample supplies. Dealers said West Coast prices did not respond to the release of weekly inventory data by the American Petroleum Institute (API) late on Tuesday afternoon.

MP tendu leaf collection

As many as 18 lakh standard bags of tendu leaf have been collected so far during the current season in Madhya Pradesh as against nine lakh bags during the corresponding period last season. This is about 40 per cent of the collection estimated for this season, an official release said in Bhopal on Wednesday. So far 60 per cent collection has been done in Bilaspur circle in Indore, 80 per cent in Jagdalpur, 75 percent in Kanker and 80 per cent collection in Raipur circle. About 32 lakh families are engaged in the collection work and majority of them are tribals and people belonging to other weaker sections of society. Collection of tendu leaf is continuing in all districts except Bhind, according to the managing director of the Laghu Vanopaj Sangh, RC Sharma. A sum of Rs 111 crore has so far been given to 80 district unions for payment of wages to tendu leaf pluckers. The payment is being made through 1947 primary forest produce cooperative societies.

Sikkim foodgrain issue

Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Chamling has asked the Centre to settle the pending issues relating to supply of foodgrains to the state immediately, official sources said in Gangtok on Wednesday. The chief minister urged a high-power delegation of union food and consumer affairs ministry and Food Corporation of India (FCI) on Tuesday to settle the issues like supply of rice and wheat through public distribution system (PDS) to thestate. Chamling asked the central delegation to establish PDS centre at different parts of the state and select site for constructing food godown besides hiring such godowns in some parts.

Goat raw leather slips

Goat raw leather prices slipped marginally on the New Delhi leather market on Wednesday following poor demand. Sheep raw and treated leather prices remained stable on scattered support. In the raw leather section, goat salted and unsalted 30x40 inches skin prices receded by Rs five each to settle at Rs 30-35 and Rs 60-65 respectively.

Delhi steel market steady

Steady conditions prevailed on the New Delhi steel market on Wednesday with prices generally after moving in a narrow range closed with hardly any change. Traders said absence of demand from neighbouring areas was also negligible. The volume of business remained small.

Gur balti turn easy

Gur balti and ladoo amroha turned easy on the primary gur (jaggery) market in Muzzafarnagar on Wednesday followingfresh resistance in demand and closed with fresh losses. However, raskat (inferior) moved up due to scattered demand.On the other hand, gur at Delhi whole market ruled flat owing to restricted demand. At Muzzafarnagar, balti (peli) and laddo amroha quoted lower at Rs 1100-1140 and Rs 1130-1140 against the previous mark of Rs 1125-1150 and Rs 1140-1150 per quintal respectively. Although gur raskat inferior rose by Rs 15 to settle at Rs 785-800 instead of Rs 770-800 a quintal.