The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Bill, which seeks to replace a decades-old mining law, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Monday, but may become law only by next year as a parliamentary committee is now expected to examine it over the next few months, a mines ministry official said. “The standing committee will be looking at the Bill. They might take two-three months to examine it,” said...

-The Hindu   The communist party of india has criticised the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government for proposing to impose curbs on freedom of expression claiming the proposed curbs, though indirect, on social networking sites were a blot on the country's image. The defence of Union Communications Minister Kapil Sibal did not hold ground in that there were several laws to punish people spreading communal and anti-national messages through any medium, CPI deputy...

-IANS The deadlock in Parliament over the government's decision to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail ended on Wednesday after an all-party meeting passed a resolution to suspend the move till a consensus was reached. Both houses of Parliament functioned normally and took the crucial Question Hour for the first time since the winter session began on November 22. Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee who chaired the meeting made a brief statement in...

-IANS  Expressing its admiration for slain Maoist leader Kishenji but opposing his brand of politics, The All India Forward Bloc Saturday said it was 'shocked' over the way he was killed by the police. 'We are shocked over the way Kishenji was killed. Many times he had tried to contact us through telephone. I told him clearly that I admire you, but I do not agree with the way you are fighting...

  -The Times of India Shops and commercial establishments in many cities across the country have downed their shutters to protest government's decision to allow foreign direct investment (FDI) in retail. However, the impact of the strike is varied from state to state. In Maharashtra, round 35 lakh small and medium traders have kept their shops shut in response to the bandh. "We have received good response for the bandh in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai...