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Chidambaram
off to cheerful start
New Delhi: The Union Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram,
has said that it was normal for governments to announce
policy initiatives even before the general budget. He
also said that the normal budget could be expected some
time in July, after a short session of the parliament
in June.
Reading out a written statement, Chidambaram said: "I
have reason to believe that the economy is in a resilient
mood in terms of growth, inflation and the balance of
payments situation. There is great scope to consolidate
this growth momentum with special emphasis on agriculture,
manufacturing and employment generation which we have
promised to the people."
Noting that the whole country was in an expectant mood
after Manmohan Singh became the Prime Minister, he said
" we are going back to the days of the original reformer,
Dr. Manmohan Singh, and there is a strong vote for continuity."
Chidambaram also termed the "India Shining"
campaign of the National Democratic Alliance Government
as a "campaign, which mocked the poor and that is
why they voted that Government out…But India should
shine for all Indians and we will achieve this with good
economics, good and sound politics and hard work. I assure
you on behalf of the UPA that we will provide all these."
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60
new Rajya Sabha members on June 21
New Delhi: Elections to 60 Rajya Sabha seats covering
14 States will be held on June 21 to fill the vacancies
caused by the retirement of several members, including
the Deputy Chairperson, Najma Heptulla, the BJP president,
M. Venkaiah Naidu, and the newly inducted Union minister,
Oscar Fernandes.
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Mulayam
will stick to Uttar Pradesh
Mainpuri: The Samajwadi Party president and Uttar
Pradesh Chief Minister, Mulayam Singh Yadav, said here
today that he would be resigning from his Lok Sabha seat
to remain as the Chief Minister of the State.
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Karunanidhi
rues decision to join government
Chennai: The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) president,
M. Karunanidhi, has said that the party's seven Ministers
would assume office on the basis of the decision of the
Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, on reallocation of portfolios.
Karunanidhi said he was hopeful that a solution would
emerge soon and asserted that this would not ruin the
relations between the alliance partners.
The Prime Minister had spoken to him in the morning and
had asked for 10 days' time to find a solution
The DMK leader held a "coterie" close to Sonia
Gandhi and Dr. Singh responsible for the change of portfolios.
He, however, refused to name them and said that he was
not sure who exactly was responsible. At a press conference
today, Karunanidhi showed a copy of the agreement that
he had signed with Congress leader Janardhana Reddy. The
party had not been informed of the changes in portfolios
beforehand, he said.
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WB:
Italian finance for waste management
and water projects
Kolkata: Italy has extended financial support to
various projects covering solid waste management in 14
towns and drinking water supply projects in 13 towns in
West Bengal. The funding proposal has been framed and
it is now awaiting a final agreement between the Governments
of India and Italy.
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