-The Hindu Wants State to reduce VAT on diesel DMK president M. Karunanidhi on Sunday advised the Centre against taking any decision, including divestment of public sector undertakings, in the name of generating revenue that would severely affect the poor and middle class. In a statement here, he said the Centre should not go ahead with its proposals to cut the subsidy for sugar meant for public distribution system. “There are reports the government...

-The Times of India The opposition-sponsored Bharat bandh demanding a rollback of the government's decision to hike diesel prices, cap subsidised cooking gas cylinders and allow foreign direct investment in multi-brand retail has evoked mixed response across the nation. Besides the NDA and the Left, the Thursday shutdown has the support of parties like the Samajwadi Party, the TDP, the BJD and many others. In Tamil Nadu, the DMK, which is an ally...

-CNN-IBN The Centre is considering a partial rollback of the cap on subsidised LPG. It is considering raising the limit on the number of subsidised LPG cylinders from six to ten cylinders per household per year, say sources. A section of the Congress and its allies - the Trinamool Congress, NCP and DMK have been demanding a rollback of the cap on LPG cylinders. Sources say Finance Minister P Chidambaram and Petroleum Minister...

-The Indian Express Political parties in India have 'earned' a whopping Rs 4,662 crore through donation and other sources since 2004 with the ruling Congress at the top with an income of Rs 2,008 crore followed by BJP at Rs 994 crore, two NGOs claimed today. Relying on the IT returns and list of donors submitted to the Election Commission for the period 2004-2011, Association for Democratic Reforms and National Election Watch...

-The Times of India LUCKNOW: The major source of the income of political parties in India is through donations and voluntary contributions. However, majority donations comes from undisclosed contributors. According to the study conducted by the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR), an umbrella body of non-governmental organizations working across the country for transparency in political and electoral system, the top five political parties with the highest total income between financial year (FY)...