-CNN-IBN   "Many said that Kentucky (KFC) will drive the dhabas out of the market. The dhabas have driven out Kentucky. The Indian sherbet is still there despite Coca Cola and Pepsi. Don't underestimate India." That was former NDA finance minister Jaswant Singh in 2004 when he supported FDI in retail. "Fifty per cent of our population, comprising of small traders, street-vendors and the self-employed, sustain themselves through retail businesses. The UPA government...

The Congress today appears besieged and beleaguered with key allies and even members from its own ranks lining up behind the combined Opposition in vehemently opposing the Manmohan Singh government’s decision to allow FDI in multi-brand retail. But, paradoxically, this state of siege — reflected by the prolonged deadlock in Parliament with a quasi no-confidence motion hanging over it — also gives the Grand Old Party a great opportunity not just...

-The Economic Times   After agreeing to inclusion of Group C government employees within the ambit of Lokpal, the standing committee on law and justice examining the bill recommended its exclusion from the proposed ombudsman's jurisdiction.  The standing committee, which completed its work on Wednesday after deliberating on various points contained in the draft Lokpal bill, had asked BJP, Left and other members to submit their dissenting notes to the panel.  Members, therefore, were...

-The Times of India   UPA partners Trinamool Congress and DMK rejected Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's appeal to drop their opposition to FDI in retail on Thursday, enhancing the possibility that the government may have to announce that it will not roll out the decision.  Although a formal notification to make the Cabinet decision operational has already been put off, the unrelenting opposition from Trinamool and DMK may force the government to put...

-The Indian Express   Government of India statistics show that apart from being the national capital, Delhi is also the rape capital, with the highest number of rape cases (414) being registered in the city-state last year. Now, figures tabled in Parliament show, the city also enjoys the dubious distinction of being second-highest when it comes to number of complaints by women relating to police harassment and police apathy. While Uttar Pradesh leads the...