After Congress chief Sonia Gandhi mooted a five-point plan at the recent AICC plenary session to put in place a system to confront corruption, the Centre is considering an ordinance to tighten the anti-corruption regime against politicians. The Congress core group on Friday discussed the possibility of the new law which would tighten the rules to punish corrupt politicians and counter the popular belief that the system was created to benefit...

The former Union Minister, Arun Shourie, has opposed any probe by a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) into the 2G spectrum scam, stating that it would become an excuse for the government to slow down the prosecution process. Mr. Shourie said at a meeting organised by an NGO, Manthan, here on Thursday that a swift and speedy prosecution was required in the case, but the JPC would take two years to complete...

The government will shortly set up an anti-corruption mechanism in the backdrop of scandals in which the Opposition has targeted Prime Minister manmohan singh. As legislative measures will be required to introduce certain provisions, it can even pilot an ordinance. Sources said the Prime Minister was giving “serious thought” to this mechanism with a blueprint having already been prepared, incorporating the suggestions given by Congress president Sonia Gandhi at the party...

Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday ruled out review of the conditional environmental clearance given to the Jaitapur nuclear power plant in Maharashtra, and urged ‘interest groups' not to use environment as an issue to target the government. “As far as environment clearance is concerned, we have done all that is required and all different interest groups should not use environment as a shield behind which...

Concerned at the rising food inflationary trend, Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee on Thursday hinted at more steps to check the rising prices, even as food inflation surged to a 10-week high of 14.44 per cent. The Cabinet Committee on Prices, headed by Prime Minister manmohan singh, met in the evening to review the situation and expressed concern at the spurt in the prices of eggs, fruits, vegetables, milk and other...