-The Economic Times   The cabinet will shortly consider a proposal to allow 51% foreign direct investment (FDI) in multi-brand retail, as the government finally musters the will to implement the controversial policy measure that has been stalled for years. The commerce and industry ministry has prepared a note for the cabinet to allow 51% FDI in multi-brand retail and increase the limit on single-brand retail to 100% from the current 51%....

The West Bengal leadership of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) has, in an open letter, warned Trinamool Congress MP Subhendu Adhikari of “severe punishment” being meted out by “the people's court” for his recent remarks against the Maoists in the region. Mr. Adhikari had, at a rally in the Belpahari area of Paschim Medinipur district on November 1, thrown an open challenge to the Maoists and warned that they would...

-The Hindu   In a volte-face that has created ripples in political circles here, Chief Minister mamata banerjee on Wednesday said it is now a “proven” fact that it was the Maoists who were responsible for the Jnaneswari Express sabotage. She had earlier accused the Communist Party of India (Marxist) of being behind the derailment of the train in Paschim Medinipur district on May 28, 2010, in which nearly 150 people were...

-The Telegraph   Oil companies today announced the first cut in petrol prices since deregulation in June last year, citing global changes but gifting mamata banerjee a political victory. The petrol price will go down in Calcutta by Rs 2.31 a litre to Rs 70.84. “We had gained Rs 1.85 per litre, excluding all taxes, since the last price revision because of a fall in global oil rates and a marginal appreciation in rupee...

The mamata banerjee government has begun to explore the possibility of modifying a land-ceiling clause to accommodate some concerns of industry. If the proposals are accepted, more industries will be exempt from the land-ceiling rule and transfer of land acquired for setting up industry would be allowed without diluting the new government’s hands-off policy. The land and land reforms department has sent a letter to four departments — commerce and industries, urban...