Cabinet accords ‘independent status’ to new airports with pvt participation
New Delhi: The cabinet on Tuesday approved ‘independent status’ for greenfield airports with majority private participation. A Bill amending the Airports Authority of India (AAI) Act, 1994, will be tabled in Parliament to give effect to the proposal made in the 2002-03 Budget. The official spokesman told newspersons after the Cabinet meeting that it had also accorded clearance to amendment of the Companies Act, 1956, but did not give details. The Bill would be introduced in the current session, he added. It is widely expected that the changes pertain to the Naresh Chandra committee on corporate governance.
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EU eases entry norms for IT, engg personnel
New Delhi : In a move which may allow Indian software and engineering professionals an easier entry into the European market, the European Union has proposed to do away with the controversial economic needs test requirement. However, the test is to be replaced by restrictions on the number of professionals allowed from a country in a given time. In its proposals on services tabled at the World Trade Organisation on Tuesday, the EU stated that it will not make any offers in its public services sector especially in the areas of health, social services, education and audio-visual. This is disappointing for India as it could have gained from the opening up of the health and education sectors.
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Cong, BJP Unanimous On Electricity Bill
New Delhi :The Electricity Bill as passed by the Lok Sabha became a meeting point for the dominant party in the ruling coalition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the main Opposition Congress at a debate organised by the Independent Power Producers Association of India on Monday. There was unanimity on criticism and also on the need to see the bill through Rajya Sabha to further the cause of power sector reforms. The bill is scheduled to be discussed in the Upper House on Thursday.
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Mahanadi coalfields prepares for cut-throat competition
Bhubaneswar :As private companies are venturing into coal mining in a big way, Mahanadi Coalfields (MCL), the second largest coal producing subsidiary of Coal India, (CIL), is sharpening its competition to face the new market regime. MCL coal have become so competitive that it feels no threat from the private producers at home. In fact, it is now ready to compete with imported coal, said the company’s chairman & managing director, RK Chechani.
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