Plan to levy market rate on owners of luxury cars Faced with growing diesel consumption and rising under recoveries, the Union government on Thursday said it was working on “dual pricing of diesel” wherein luxury car owners could be asked to pay the market rate and subsidised diesel restricted to farmers and the transport sector. “These proposals are being considered by the Finance Ministry,” Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister S. Jaipal Reddy...

-IANS   Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Thursday called an emergency cabinet meeting over the leaked contents of a Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report allegedly blaming her for irregularities in Commonwealth Games related contracts. "The chief minister is holding an emergency meeting at the Delhi secretariat to discuss the further course of action," said a Delhi Government official. The opposition has been demanding Dikshit's resignation over the issue. The CAG report leaked Tuesday...

-IANS   The opposition Thursday demanded tabling in parliament of the CAG report on irregularities in the Commonwealth Games. It also asked for Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit's resignation for alleged irregularities in some contracts. As soon as the Rajya Sabha met at 11 a.m., members from all opposition parties were on their feet, demanding that the government table the report soon. 'The CAG (Comptroller and Auditor General) report on the Commonwealth Games should...

-The Times of India   The Delhi Commonwealth Games 2010 were supposed to celebrate sport while showcasing the capital city of a rising nation. But the mega-event's legacy isn't shining. As investigations into the organising of the Games continue, the corruption taint is spreading. In a performance audit report, the Comptroller and Auditor General indicts the Sheila Dikshit-led Delhi Government for serious lapses and irregularities in the procurement of Games-related items. The...

A controversial bill which aims to set up an anti-corruption watchdog has been introduced in the lower house of the Indian parliament. Activists have criticised the Lokpal Bill for failing to include the prime minister and senior judiciary within the remit of a new ombudsman. Activist Anna Hazare has called the bill a "cruel joke". He said he would go on hunger strike from 16 August. India has recently been hit by a...