Kolkata, Feb 4 (IANS) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee Monday alleged that the Congress-led central government was talking about the food security bill to hoodwink people before next year's general elections. The chief minister flayed the Congress-led central government for repeatedly raising diesel, petrol and fertilizer prices and ridiculed union ministers for claiming that the state government was only implementing central government schemes
New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) Congress vice president Rahul Gandhi Monday said the party would be stronger if its constitution was implemented in letter and spirit. "The party would be stronger if the constitution was implemented in letter and spirit. It is a radical document which draws from the vast experience of leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and others," Congress general secretary Janardan Dwivedi quoted Rahul Gandhi as having told the All India Congress Committee office-bearers here
Chennai, Feb 4 (IANS) DMK president M. Karunanidhi Monday said that the Food Safety and Standards Act is against the small traders and urged the central government to make constructive changes in it. In a statement issued here, Karunanidhi said: "The law cannot be accepted wholeheartedly as small traders will suffer at the hands of officials while implementing it." He said many of the provisions of the law were practically not possible to be implemented by small traders in India as it would add to their cost of business and burden the consumer with financial load.
New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) As women's groups decided to intensify their protest, the government Monday defended its ordinance on enhancing punishment for sexual crimes and said it was open to public suggestions as parliament would debate the issue. "The ordinance is only the starting point of a legislative process. I appeal to everyone to allow the process to be completed in the budget session (of parliament)," Finance Minister
Patna, Feb 4 (IANS) Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia Monday said it was not possible to grant Bihar the status of a special category state but its special package can be improved. "It is not possible to grant special status to Bihar as it does not meet the existing criteria. We can increase the special package for it," Ahluwalia told the media here
New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) A Delhi court Monday formally slapped charges of forgery and cheating against former Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chief Suresh Kalmadi and nine others in a corruption case related to the 2010 Commonwealth Games.
Patna, Feb 4 (IANS) BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha Monday said Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi was suitable to become the prime minister of India. "I agree with Yashwant Sinha and support his stand for declaring Modi the party's prime ministerial candidate," the actor-turned-politician told newspersons.
Jaipur, Feb 4 (IANS) Former chief minister Vashudhara Raje, named the new BJP president in Rajasthan, has run into problems with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), informed sources said Monday. Sources in the RSS told IANS that its leaders were not happy that Raje had been appointed the state BJP chief replacing Arun Chaturvedi, who was a RSS nominee.
Lucknow, Feb 4 (IANS) The government could go for early Lok Sabha elections after parliament's winter session, Samajwadi Party chier Mulayam Singh Yadav said Monday. Addressing party workers here, Yadav said the political situation in the country was fluid and general elections could be announced any time after the coming budget session of parliament
New Delhi, Feb 4 (IANS) The government Monday defended its ordinance on sexual crimes and said it was based on universal demand and was open to public suggestions as parliament would debate the issue. "The ordinance is only the starting point of a legislative process
