PM Sonia differs on exemption of CJI from RTI ambit

Sonia is believed to have written to the Prime Minister about two months back, opposing any changes in the act, and emphasizing the need to properly implement it.

Singh, however, is in favour of streamlining the Act, but only after consulting all stakeholders. He is understood to have written to the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT), which implements the act, to assess whether any changes are possible.[more]

Government plans to gift on Women's Bill on Women's Day

UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi certainly wants her government to accomplish the task on Monday. "I personally attach the highest importance to the women's bill. So many years have passed since Rajivji first unveiled his vision of empowering us women. It is a matter of pride that even though it has taken so long, it is our government that has cleared the legislation in Cabinet. This year, on March 8, is centenary of International Women's Day. What a gift to the women of India if on this important day this historic legislation is introduced and passed," she told members of Congress Parliamentary Party.[more]

Budget's first impact, hike in fuel from mid night

Prologue : The FM has facilitated with relief to income tax payers in the budget.but hike in central excise duty on non-petroleum products will affect the pocket.

There will be no tax for income upto Rs 1.6 lakh. The earlier slab was 1.6 - 3 Lakh
For income between 1.6 lakh - 5 lakh, the tax liability will be 10%. The older slab was 3-5 lakh.
For income between 5 lakh - 8 lakh, the tax liability will be 20%. The earlier slab was 5 lakh.
Individuals with income of above 8 lakh will have tax liability of 30%.
Additional investment of 20K in infra bonds over and above Rs 1 lakh in 80C

The entire opposition walked out of the Lok Sabha during the presentation of budget by Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee, dubbing it "highly inflationary".

Epilogue : The budget impact begins with fuel price hike.The price hike will be effective from mid night.

Government schemes for farmers lead to price rise!

Prologue : The price rise is main concern for the government. This is what reflected in President's Speech in parliament today.

On price rise, the president said, 

“The government is taking enough measures to control the rising price of sugar. Also steps are being taken to boost the availability of sugar, wheat and agricultural production in the country.”

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“Relief to ‘aam admi’ from high food prices to remain government's top priority. The government will bring legislation on food security. “India has weathered the economic crisis better than other countries. India’s economy is likely to grow by 7.5 per cent in current fiscal. The government will target over 8 per cent growth in next fiscal and 9 per cent in 2011-12.”

Epilogue : But see, what's the reason behind price rise, as the government thinks...

"They are also to some extent a reflection of the implementation of our schemes of inclusive growth involving payment of higher procurement prices to our farmers and the impact of higher public spending on programmes of rural development, which have successfully raised incomes in rural areas," the President said.

Law to regulate tribunals, commissions headed by retired judges

Prologue : The government is going to introduce a bill to regulate the functioning of tribunals and commissions headed by retired judges.

The Bill seeks to fix the retirement age of former high court judges and technocrats, appointed to such panel, at 67. Former Supreme Court judges will retire from these bodies at 70 years.

It also provides for banning former Supreme Court and high court judges from being appointed to head or be members of various tribunals, and from providing costly legal advice in the form of arbitration in private disputes.

Epilogue : What compelled the government to think of such a bill? It said, it's Liberhan Commission's report. The LC report was submitted after 17 years.   

Another report, on same track. 

The panel headed by an 88-year-old retired Supreme Court judge to resolve the water dispute between Punjab and Haryana — the Eradi Commission — is being wound up 24 years after it was set up. The dispute remains unresolved.

 

Budget session of The Parliament begins today

The budget session is commencing today. The three-month long session wiil begin with the address of President Pratibha Patil to the joint sitting of Parliament.

Several opposition parties, including BJP, have demanded a discussion on price rise on Tuesday.

No questions would be allowed to lapse, even if a member skips the Question Hour

Prologue : No more question hour collapsing. The rule has been changed now.

The Rules Committee of the House on Thursday made major changes for smooth functioning of the Lower House. It decided that a question, for which notice has already been given, will be taken up. This would mean that even if the member who raises it is absent from the House, the question will not be allowed to lapse.

Epilogue : So, more free walk to members. Send a request for asking a question, and go for lunch out. Don't worry, your question would definitely be asked.

Earlier, a question was not taken up in the House if the member in whose name it was listed was absent. During the last Winter Session of Parliament, proceedings in the Lok Sabha collapsed because as many as 28 members who had raised questions skipped Question Hour. Speaker Meira Kumar adjourned the House after taking up just three questions. The episode, which had paralysed Question Hour, had left the House and the government shamefaced. In the Rajya Sabha too many questions could not be taken up due to members skipping Question Hour, forcing chairman Hamid Ansari to say that absenteeism was a “virus”.