Seat sharing: DMK-Congress fails to reach agreement

The latest demand of the Congress with regard to the seat sharing has upset its alliance DMK

PAY FIXATION SOFTWARE 2011 FOR PAY REVISION 2009

PAY FIXATION SOFTWARE 2011 FOR PAY REVISION 2009

CPIM central committee to decide on VS's candidature

CPIM Central committee would meet in Delhi today and decide whether to field VS Achuthanandan as a candidate in the Kerala Assembly polls.

Kerala CM's letter to Manmohan Singh

Watch details of VS Achuthanandan's letter to the Prime Minister demanding a CBI probe into the lottery case as well as the allegations against his son.

The verdict of the Supreme Court setting aside the appointment of P J Thomas as the Central Vigilance Commissioner

The verdict of the Supreme Court setting aside the appointment of P J Thomas as the Central Vigilance Commissioner, is a serious indictment of the UPA government. The Supreme Court has stated that the high-powered panel headed by the Prime Minister did not consider the integrity aspect of the institution of the Central Vigilance Commission.

The manner in which the former telecom secretary was appointed as the CVC is directly related to how the UPA government handled the 2G spectrum scam. The Prime Minister has reiterated in parliament that there was nothing wrong with the telecom policy as such and only there were problems in implementation. With such a blinkered view, appointment of P J Thomas, ignoring his record, is part of the piece.

With this judgement of the Supreme Court, the Prime Minister and the government stand exposed to the charge that they are not concerned with ensuring the integrity of the CVC or fighting corruption in high places.

PAY REVISION ORDER 2009 GO(P)No:85/2011/Fin dt 26.02.2011

PAY REVISION ORDER 2009 GO(P)No:85/2011/Fin dt 26.02.2011

PJ Thomas quits as Central Vigilance Commissioner

PJ Thomas has resigned from the post today as the SC struck down his appointment. The court raised the issue of his integrity as a civil servant as he was facing a criminal chargesheet in the Kerala palm oil case

Maha Shivarathri celebrations at Aluva

Take a look at the Maha Shivarathri celebrations at Shiva Temple, Aluva, on the bank of River Periyar.

No unity within UDF: Gouriamma

KR Gouriamma laments the lack of unity within UDF and says the plan to contest rebels and split the party votes would not work this time.

League members to be blamed for Nadapuram blast: Pinarayi

Pinarayi Vijayan has blamed the Congress's way of justifying any wrongdoing by the League for the sake of mere 4 votes. He said a group of League workers with terror links are behind the Nadapuram blast.

The Union Budget 2011-12 fails to address the serious problems affecting the people and the economy

The Union Budget 2011-12 fails to address the serious problems affecting the people and the economy. The Budget comes at a time when people are suffering due to high inflation and relentless rise of food and fuel prices. In this backdrop, the massive Rs. 20000 crore cut in major subsidies for 2011-12 on fuel, fertiliser and food, from what was spent in 2010-11 (Revised Estimates), come as a rude shock. The cut in food subsidy by Rs. 27 crore clearly exposes the Government's lack of willingness to enact a meaningful food security legislation. The Finance Minister's stubborn refusal to reduce excise and customs duties on petro products and obduracy in moving away from the ad-valorem duty structure, coupled with the cut on fuel subsidy by Rs. 15000 crore, indicates massive increase in fuel prices in the days to come. This exposes the anti-people character of the Government.

The direct cash transfer programme announced for implementation from next year is a smokescreen for this subsidy cut. The current BPL lists exclude large sections of the country's poor. Direct cash transfers to a small section of beneficiaries cannot substitute for the subsidised provision of essential commodities like food and fuel. The rise in kerosene prices will immediately affect the poor.

The Budget has provided relief of Rs. 11500 crore in direct taxes, while proposing to mobilise an additional Rs. 11300 crore through indirect taxes, which will inevitably be passed on to the consumers. This is a regressive taxation regime, which enriches the rich while burdening the ordinary citizens. As per the Statement of Revenue Foregone, total tax concessions reached over Rs. 5 lakh crore in 2010-11, with corporate tax exemptions totalling over Rs. 88000 crore. The tax-GDP ratio, which had reached almost 12% in 2007-08, has declined since then to around 10% in the current Budget. At a time when income inequalities are rising fast, a decline in tax GDP ratio shows the waning commitment towards redistributive policies and a throwback to trickle down economics.

No concrete steps to unearth the huge sums of black money stashed in offshore tax havens were announced. The DTAA (Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement) with Mauritius, through which 42% of FDI inflows into India is routed, is the biggest conduit of tax evasion by MNCs and Indian corporates. Rather than plugging such channels, the Finance Minister is signing more tax avoidance treaties with other countries.

With resource mobilisation taking a back seat, Plan Expenditure as % of GDP in 2011-12 will decrease from what was spent last year. The Budget Support for the Central Plan in 2011-12 has increased by only 12% over 2010-11, while nominal GDP has increased by 14%. Such squeeze in real expenditure marks all the major developmental heads. The flagship schemes of the social sector have been neglected in the budget and social sector spending is slated to fall in real per capita terms. The allocation for NREGS has fallen by Rs. 100 crore, despite a claimed increase in the wages. The provisions for ICDS are far below the estimates for full universalization as directed by the Supreme Court.

Agricultural growth has been below 3% on average in the first four years of the Eleventh Five Year Plan, despite a target of 4%. It is shocking in this backdrop that the budget provision for the Agriculture Department has been cut from last year. The allocations for the welfare of women, minorities, dalits and tribals are thoroughly inadequate. Capital expenditure is projected to fall from 1.7 per cent of GDP to only 1.2 per cent, which will affect basic infrastructure for the people.

The announcement of impending legislations directed at liberalizing the sensitive financial sectors like insurance, banking and pension funds is meant to appease foreign finance capital. Further liberalization of rules for Indian Mutual Funds accessing foreign investors would also facilitate the flow of speculative finance into the economy. Greater inflows of such speculative finance at a time when India's current account deficit is widening, does not augur well for the health of India's economy.

THE UNION BUDGET 2011-12

Presenting Union Budget 2011-12 in Lok Sabha, Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee focused on taming inflation, price rise, and increasing investments in infrastructure and agriculture.

Pranab said inflation has remained above the comfort level for most part of the current fiscal and is another focus area. The overall inflation at 8.23% is higher than the comfort level of the Reserve Bank at 5-6%, he said. The minister added that food inflation had also touched a high of 18.23% in December, but moderated to 11.49 % in mid-February.

Budget Highlights:
# Could have done better
# Growth broad based
# Agricultural rebound
# Double digit growth in services
# Food inflation 20.2% in Feb 2010 to 9.3% in January 2011
# Fiscal consolidation impressive
# Idea to improve deliverance, PDS and governance
# Need to ensure private investment
# Development needs to be inclusive
# Service sector continues to grow in double digits
# Resources not a major concern in medium term
# Quality of outcome needs to improve
# Leakages need to be plugged in schemes
# Have to fight corruption collectively
# Taking steps to simplify tax procedures
# This Budget a transition towards more transparent economy in India
# Stronger fiscal consolidation needed
# In 20-11, agriculture grew by 5.4%, industry by 8.4% and services by 9.6%
# Economy showed remarkable resilience to domestic and international shocks
# GDP growth at 8.2% last year
# GDP growth to be 8.6% in FY 11
# GDP growth to be around 9% in FY 12
# Agriculture has grown at 5.4%
# Industry has grown at 8.1%
# Services sector had grown at 9.6%
# Exports grew at 24.1% in FY 11
# Imports grow at 11.6% in FY11
# Taking steps to simplify tax procedures
# Expect inflation to be lower next year
# Economy showed remarkable resilience to domestic and international shocks
# The 13th finance commission has worked out a fiscal consolidation roadmap
# Combined states debt target of 23.4% of GDP
# Public Debt Management of India Bill in next financial year
# Direct Tax Code code enactment in 2011-12, effective from April 2012
# GST decision have to be taken in consonance with states
# Areas of divergence have been narrowed on GST Public Debt Management Agency Bill soon
# Work on model for GST roll out
# GTC, GST will improve governance
# Indian economy on pre-recession growth trajectory
# Budget 2011-12 as transition towards more transparent and result-oriented economic management
# Direct transfer of cash subsidy for kerosene, LPG and fertilizer to BPL
# Nandan Nilikani committee to look at direct transfer
# Some divestment decisions rescheduled
# GST roll out from April 1, 2012
# Considering news fertilizer subsidy policy
# Need To Ensure That Private Investment Revival Is Sustained/li>
# This FY Current Account Deficit Near Previous Year`s Level
# Govt To Retain At Least 51% Ownership Of State-Run Companies
# Discussions On To Further Liberalise FDI Policy
# Need to ensure private investment
# Development needs to be inclusive
# Service sector continues to grow in double digits
# Resources not a major concern in medium term
# Quality of outcome needs to improve
# Leakages need to be plugged in schemes
# Corruption needs to be fought unitedly

Income tax exemption limit raised to Rs.180000

Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee Monday proposed to enhance the income tax exemption limit to Rs.1.8 lakh (Rs.180,000 or $4,000) for the next financial year, from Rs.1.6 lakh now.

He announced this while presenting the federal budget for the next fiscal.

The minimum alternate tax levied on the corporate sector has, however, been increased to 18.5 percent from 18 percent and the surcharge has been lowered to 5 percent from 7.5 percent.

Mukherjee also said he was proposing a very senior category of income tax payers, above the age of 80, for whom the tax exemption will be up to Rs.5 lakh. The qualifying age limit for senior citizens was being lowered to 60 years from 65 years.

Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan has dared the opposition leader Oommen Chandy to submit a written complaint against his son

Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan has dared the opposition leader Oommen Chandy to submit a written complaint against his son seeking a probe into his alleged links with the sandalwood mafia

Five killed in Kozhikode bomb explosion

Five persons have been killed while making bomb at Narikkattiri near Nadapuram in Kozhikode. The deceased are identified as Riyaz, Shameer, Rafeez and Shabeer. Four persons critically injured in blast have been taken to hospital.

Domestic help dies; Murder case registered against advocate & wife

The Aluva police today registered a case for murder against advocate and his wife in connection with the death of an 11-year-old girl from Tamil Nadu, who working as a maid in their house at Aluva

Hajj registration begins from March 1

After a meeting in Delhi, the Central Hajj committee decided to begin the Hajj registration by March 1st.

Present proofs, will take action: VS

Speaking to media at Kottayam, Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan said that those who are raising allegations against his son should come forward to prove it with evidences

Railway Budget 2011-12: Highlights

Take a look at the highlights of the Railway Budget 2011-12 presented by Mamata Banerjee in the floor of the House today.

Railway Budget: Mamata reserves the best for Bengal

Take a look at the highlights of the Railway Budget 2011-12 presented by Mamta Banerjee.

RAILWAY BUDGET 2011 - 2012 HIGHLIGHTS

Six new suburban projects for Hyderabad
47 additional suburban service for Mumbai
Trains to be 12 car from present 9 cars
New suburban services for Chennai and Kolkata too
Peak time local trains: Bardmann to Howrah, Hyderabad-Faluknama, Delhi-Ghaziabad
Restructuring of all cadres being undertaken in the Railways
One core committee to monitor Kolkata Metro project
34 new services for Kolata Metro this year
Survey for more lines to expand Metro network
Integrated suburban rail network to be developed in Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Kolkata
Enthused by the high number of medals in international sports competitions won by Railways
A Sports Cadre will be set up in the department
Restructuring of all cadres being undertaken in the Railways
Ticket booking rates to be reduced by Rs 10 for AC class and Rs 5 for non-AC class
Rail accident rate has declined from 0.29% last year to 0.17% now
To meet the demand for coaches, rail based industries to be set up under Vision 2020
Real time train operation system developed in association with IIT Kanpur
Dedicated eight corridor on track
Double decker container trains from Gujarat to inland port in Gurgaon
2011 declared as green year
Go India smart card on pilot basis – single window facility for buying tickets for long distance, Metro etc
Rail yatri sevak service – trolly service in major metros
New Super AC Class of travel to be introduced
Centre of excellence in software in Darjeeling
Track-machine industry to be set up in Uluberia, West Bengal
Rail industrial park in Jalpaiguri and Nandigram, in West Bengal
Rail industrial park in New Bongaigaon, Assam
First coach from the new rail factory at Rae Bareli to roll out in next three months
Proposal to set up metro coach factory near Singur in West Bengal
A 700 MW gas based power plant to be set up at Thakurli, Maharashtra
Track-machine industry to be set up in Uluberia, West Bengal
Sukhi Ghar Yojna: 10,000 shelters for the poor
New rail line capacity to be increased to 700 kms
474 kms for doubling
PM Rail Vikas Yojna will include all the rail projects under the 12th Plan
Gas based power plant in Maharasthra
Rs 57560 plan investment
To raise Rs 10,000 cr via tax bonds
Focus on safety
Stop rail rook agitations
Anti-collision devices to be installed in more zones
175 ROBs this year
Two new projects and two new trains for states where trains run trouble free
All-India security helpline set up
Strong economic focus with social inclusion
Main focus on common man – urban, small town and rural
Two pronged approach
Rail services comparable to emergency services
85 proposals received under PPP mode
We are aware of acute sense of social responsibility
Set up Rail based industries
Wagon factory in Orissa
Will set up Rail coach factory in Palakkad, Kerala
Component factory in Cherthala, Kerala
Tunnel & bridge engineering institute in Jammu
Metro coach factory in Kolkata
Railways introduce new infrastructure policies
Railway to set up Bridge factory in J&K
Diesel Locomotive Factory in Manipur
Track machine industry at Purulia
Rail industrial park in Jalpaiguri and New Bongaigaon

Newspapers gave 'Rice at Rs 2' news in obit page: Divakaran

Minister C Divakaran has commented that some of the newspapers limited the publishing of news on the decision to distribute rice at Rs 2 per kg to the obit page

UDF plans to create a smokescreen and escape: Kodiyeri

Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, as a reply to the opposition's claim that VS's son took bribe from the sandal mafia, has accused the UDF of trying to create a smokescreen and escape unable to counter the allegations raised against them

Rice at Rs 2 per kg for all ration card holders: Decision today

The government is mulling over the distribution of rice to all ration card holders irrespective of their APL/BPL status at Rs 2 per kilo. A final decision on this would be taken at today's cabinet meeting

No need of CBI probe into PSC scam: High Court

The High Court today rejected the plea seeking a CBI inquiry into the PSC job scam.