-The Times of India It was meant to showcase the government's new-found resolve to push the reforms agenda in order to stanch the declining growth rate and to repulse the perception of governance freeze. Instead, it ended up publicizing yet again the government's vulnerability as well as its reluctance to speed up decision making at the cost of angering allies on the eve of presidential poll. The UPA on Thursday withdrew its...
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Govt bid to speed up child adoptions-Ananya Sengupta
The government is trying to simplify the process of adopting children so that it can be wrapped up in two to three months, officials said. Adoptions now often take more than a year to complete, the red tape and delays scaring off many couples. A committee formed by the women and child development ministry is drafting amendments to the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act to streamline adoption procedures, introduce time-bound approvals...
More »Govt defers decision on pension reforms bill
-PTI Amid differences among allies, the government on Thursday deferred a decision on the changes in the crucial Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority Bill, 2011. "It (the PFRDA Bill) was taken up and deferred", said a minister after the Cabinet meeting here. Among the UPA allies, Trinamool Congress has been quite vociferous in opposing the pension and insurance reforms. Railway minister Mukul Roy, who represents TMC in the UPA government, did not speak...
More »Excise levy may be raised on diesel cars-Amrit Raj
Finance ministry asks automobile sector to submit a report on the impact of such a move within a week’s time The government appears to have made up its mind to increase excise duty on diesel cars to neutralize the advantage of the state subsidy that has prompted motorists to increasingly favour vehicles powered by the fuel that’s Rs.30 a litre cheaper at the pump than petrol. Indications that the government is leaning...
More »We need a new anti-Maoist strategy
-Live Mint Rural development minister Jairam Ramesh is advocating a new approach to fighting the Maoist insurgency that has gripped 78 districts so far. Apart from development and security, the approach involves politics and justice, he said. In an interview, Ramesh warned that in the rush to attain high growth rates, India was placing the interests of tribals below that of mining firms. The minister suggested the setting up of a...
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