Equal Opportunities Commission for minorities

The Union Cabinet cleared a proposal for setting up the much- awaited Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), a statutory body to check discrimination of minority communities in jobs and education.

The Justice Sachar Committee, which went into the socio-economic backwardness of Muslims, had recommended setting up of such a panel.

The proposal got the nod of the Union Cabinet on Thursday.

EOC will also deal with grievances like denial of accommodation or buying rights to minorities in housing societies.

AAP govt initiatives to stay in Delhi

Lt. Governor Najeeb Jung, indicated that the popular initiatives taken by the AAP government will not  be scrapped, including the 50 per cent subsidy on power tariff.

He is  now administering Delhi after President's rule was imposed.

He also directed the Chief Secretary to ensure speedy delivery of various services and provide good governance.

Finance Minister presents interim budget

Finance Minister P. Chidambaram presented  his 9^th   and  India's 83rd budget  for 2014-15 in the Lok Sabha on 18-Feb-2014. 

The main budget for the financial year 2014-15 will be presented by the new government that will come into power after the general elections, the schedule for which are likely to be announced by the Election Commission soon.

 HIGHLIGHTS :

GROWTH

* GDP expansion in 2013/14 third and fourth quarters will be at least 5.2 percent

FISCAL DEFICIT

* Fiscal deficit seen at 4.6 percent of GDP in 2013/14

* Says need to bring down fiscal deficit to 3 percent of GDP by 2016/17

CURRENT ACCOUNT DEFICIT

* Current account deficit for 2013/14 projected at $45 billion

* Forex reserves to rise by $15 billion by end of 2013/14

EXPORTS

* Merchandise exports seen at $326 billion in 2013/14, up 6.3 percent year on year.

Agriculture exports xxpected to touch $45 billion in 2013/14, up from $41 billion in 2012/13

SPENDING

* Plan expenditure for 2014/15 seen at same level as previous year

* Non plan spending estimated at about 12.08 trillion rupees in 2014/15

SUBSIDIES

* Total spending on food, fertilisers and fuel at 2.5 trillion rupees in 2014/15

DEFENCE

Spending raised to 2.24 trillion rupees in 2014/15, up 10 percent year on year

BANKS RESTRUCTURING

Govt to provide 112 billion rupees capital infusion in state run banks in 2014/15

Other Points to remember

Defence Ministry gets Rs 2,24,000 cr; 10 pc more than last time

Nirbhaya Fund gets additional Rs 1,000 crore in budget

Tejpal charged with rape

Tehelka founder editor Tarun Tejpal was on 17-Feb-2014 charged by Goa police with rape, sexual harassment and outraging the modesty of a junior colleague, 80 days after his arrest, and could face imprisonment of more than seven years if convicted.

Police filed a 2,684-page charge sheet against Tejpal, in jail since December 1, under sections354, 354-A (sexual harassment), 341 and 342 (wrongful restraint), 376 (rape), 376(2)(f) and 376 (2)(k) (taking advantage of official position and raping a woman in custody).

President's rule in Delhi

Delhi Lt Governor Najeeb Jung on 15-Feb-2014 recommended President's rule in the national capital after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal gave his resignation. 

The assembly will be kept in suspended animation. 

Arvind Kejriwal resigned on 14-Feb-2014 after his party's efforts to introduce the Jan Lokpal bill aimed at curbing corruption in high places was stalled.

The Kejriwal government, which survived on outside support of the Congress, lasted 49 days.

Jung then wrote to assembly Speaker M.S. Dhir that the Jan Lokpal bill should not be tabled as he has not approved it.

 

 

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal resigned

Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal resigned on 15-Feb-2014 night after suffering a defeat in the assembly on the Jan Lokpal Bill and  he recommended dissolution of the assembly and holding of fresh polls.


Arvind Kejriwal said that people will teach both   ongress and the BJP   a lesson in future as the BJP and Congress joined together to defeat the Jan Lokpal Bill.

Kerala lifts ban on quarries and sand mining

Kerala Government on 14-Feb-2014 decided to allow the functioning of quarries and sand mining in river beds subject to conditions prescribed by courts and guidelines of State Environment Committee.