NATIONAL NEWS

CABINET APPROVES LOKPAL BILL AMENDMENTS

The Union Cabinet on Thursday approved the Ammendment of the Lokpal Bill to detach Government from creation of State Lokayuktas. To be considered in the Parliament now The revised Bill includes a number of changes recommended by the Rajya Sabha Rejected key recommendation that an official facing an inquiry by the Lokpal should not be given an opportunity to be heard at the stage of the preliminary inquiry. The State Governments will have to set up Lokayuktas within one year of enactment of Lokpal. BJPs recommendation that CBI should be made an independent body not considered.

UNION BUDGET 2013-14 DEFENCE AND WELFARE SPENDING SLASHED

Part of an attempt to hit a tough fiscal deficit target by March by risking short-term economic growth The cuts will reduce spending by about 1.1 trillion Indian rupees ($20.6 billion) in the current financial year

8% of budgeted outlay or roughly 1% of estimated GDP

First time ever - the scale of the cuts and details of the cuts have been made public After a series of investor-friendly reforms and small steps to reduce fuel subsidies, looking to cut down on high-spending agencies.

With fiscal deficit coming down, there will be more money with the private sector used for growth.
Projected deficit below 5.3% this year and to dip further to 4.8% next year. $4 billion will be lost at the rural development ministry, which has the largest budget after defence

NCP WANTS FORMATION OF TELANGANA AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE

Sharad Pawar has asked the Central government to make Telangana a separate State as early as possible. Fueling the fire that is there in the State of Andhra Pradesh over request of a new State. Sharad Pawar also added that Congress is "generally pro-Telangana No objection evn if Vidarbha region also becomes a separate state. "Congress is not against the formation of Telangana state. We are in the process of taking a decision but then formalities have to be completed," - Party spokesperson P C Chacko Congress MPs from Telangana have threatened resignations if Telangana matter not looked into.

RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE JUSTICE VERMA COMMITTEE

A three-member commission assigned to review laws for sexual crimes headed by former Chief Justice of India, Justice JS Verma. Failure of Governance" as the root cause for sexual crime criticising Government, Police and public Punishment for Rape: The panel has not recommended the death penalty for rapists. Punishment for other sexual offences: The panel recognised the need to curb all forms of sexual offences and recommended punishment for those as well. Registering complaints and medical examination: Every complaint of rape must be registered by the police and civil society should perform its duty to report any case of rape coming to its knowledge Marriages to be registered: As a primary recommendation, all marriages in India should mandatorily be registered in the presence of a magistrate

Amendments to the Code of Criminal Procedure

Bill of Rights for women: A separate Bill of Rights for women that entitles a woman a life of dignity and security and will ensure that a woman shall have the right to have complete sexual autonomy including with respect to her relationships.
Review of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act: The panel has observed that the "impunity of systematic sexual violence is being legitimised by the armed forces special powers act. Police reforms: To inspire public confidence, the panel said, "police officers with reputations of outstanding ability and character must be placed at the higher levels of the police force. Role of the judiciary: The judiciary has the primary responsibility of enforcing fundamental rights, through constitutional remedies. Political Reforms: The Justice Verma committee observed that reforms are needed to deal with criminalisation of politics.

 SENSEX FALLS TO 2 WEEK LOW. FELL BY 110 POINTS TO CLOSE AT 19894.98

Similarly, the NSE 50-issue Nifty also declined by 21 points or 0.35 per cent to close at 6,034.75. Banks mainly from private sector and refinery stocks fell on selling while realty and PSU shares saw rise. TATA power was the biggest loser in Sensex with a fall of 2.17%

L&T, Bharti Airtel and HUL also ended lower.

GOVERNMENT TO COME UP WITH MODIFIED DIRECT TAX CODE BILL.

Decision taken after incorporating suggestions from the Standing Committee on

Finance.
Suggestion of raising Annual Income Tax exemption level to Rs 3 Lakhs as against the Rs 2 lakhs proposed in the original DTC Bill.

PAKISTANS EXPORT TO INDIA GROW 66% WHULE INDIAS EXPORT TO IT INCREASED BY 16%.

The impressive increase reflects the steps taken to enhance bilateral trade and improvement of trade environment.
exchanges. Liberalised Visa provisions pertaining to business persons will further facilitate such

INDIA DROPS TO 140TH RANK IN PRESS FREEDOM, LOWEST SINCE 2002.

List is topped by Finland, Netherlands and Norway all three European countries. Eritrea and North Korea hold the last positions.

MS DHONI HAS BEEN NAMED AS THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF INDIA CEMENTS.

Also the captain of India Cements team one which will play in BCCI Corporate Trophy Tournament. He is also the captain of the IPL team Chennai Super Kings. Both teams are owned by N. Srinivasan

CALCUTTA HIGH COURT ORDERS WINDING UP OF TYRE MANUFACTURING COMPANY DUNLOP INDIA.
Liquidation of company for non payment of dues amounting to Rs 1000Cr.

SAINA NEHWAL RETAINS WORLD NO 2 SPOT.

Given 2nd spot in Womens Singles Ranking released by Badminton World Federation

(BWF)

INDIAN CRICKET TEAM IS THE TOP ODI TEAM

The Indian Cricket Team captured the top spot in the ODI rankings by beating England 3-2 in the recently concluded One day series.

PAKISTANI PLAYERS SNUBBED AT IPL AUCTION.

Since 2008 Mumbai terror attack, Pakistani players have been ignored by the IPL.