-The Hindustan Times Facing allegations of policy paralysis, the government has often said bureaucrats are afraid to take decisions in the face of increased scrutiny by the national auditor, but HT has found that CAG doesn't have the authority to monitor more than half of the Centre's schemes and programmes. In fact, a draft bill to broaden and clarify the powers of the Comptroller and Auditor General, which has had several run-ins...
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Pan masala, gutka to cost more as govt raises duty
-The Times of India NEW DELHI: Pan masala, gutka and several other tobacco products that are sold in pouches are set to get expensive as the government on Monday increased excise duty in a last-ditch effort to boost revenues. A statement issued by the finance ministry did not specify the extent of increase in excise but said the levy will now be linked to the capacity of production, which has increased due...
More »Unkept promise -TK Rajalakshmi
-Frontline The tussle within some Central government Ministries over proposed cuts in the budget for rural development schemes has affected a promise made to senior citizens. THEIR wizened faces said it all. Though there was disappointment, there was also a glimmer of hope that their trek to the national capital would not go in vain. For almost a month, senior citizens, most of them poor, had been pouring into New Delhi from...
More »Govt decides to raise LPG cap after Rahul cue
-The Times of India NEW DELHI: The government on Friday decided to raise the annual cap on the number of subsidized cylinders per household to 12 from nine after Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi gave a cue at the AICC session, saying the present ceiling was inadequate for households. Confirming that the cap would be raised, oil minister M Veerappa Moily told reporters that a proposal would be taken to the Cabinet shortly....
More »Rahul Gandhi meets Manmohan over raising LPG quota
-The Hindustan Times Congress vice-president Rahul Gandhi on Friday met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and made a strong case for increasing the quota of subsidised LPG cylinders for households besides sought the passage of key anti-corruption bills in the forthcoming session of Parliament. Congress sources said Gandhi is expected to meet the Prime Minister once again in the coming days exclusively on the issue of raising the quota of subsidised LPG cylinders. Soon...
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