In brief

GSLV flight this year: The first development flight of Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle GSLV carrying GSAT-1 satellite is scheduled for the last quarter of this year, the Lok Sabha was informed. The main objective is to test the vehicle systems in flight and inject GSAT-1 into the Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit GTO, Minister of State for External Affairs Vasundhara Raje said in a written reply.

US team8217;s tour: Left Party members in Lok Sabha took serious exception to the visit of a three-member US team to India to ascertain the quality of carpets made here for export, saying it was a blatant attempt at applying the social clause under World Trade Organisation WTO to block carpet exports. Raising the issue during Zero Hour, Geeta Mukherjee, CPI, said Government should stop any such fact-finding mission to the country.

Urea prices: An Akali Dal member in Lok Sabha demanded immediate roll-back of prices of essential commodities and urea by the Government. The common man andfarmers had been hit hard by hike in prices, Prof Prem Singh Chandumajra said during Zero Hour.

Terminator gene: The Government will not allow entry of the terminator gene, manufactured by an American multinational, into India. Minister of State for Agriculture Som Pal said during Question Hour that 8220;ballguard8221;, a seed for cotton crop, is being experimented in 40 places in the country.