09-05-2009, 01:35 AM
From Deccan Chronicle, Aug 30 2009
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->UPA redux
August 30th, 2009
By Our CorrespondentÂ
Full steam ahead
NEW DELHI
<b>A 100 days ago, on May 22, the Manmohan Singh government took oath for a second time.</b> On exactly the same date five years ago, the UPA had taken charge of the nation. <b>The combined force of Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi finally demolished the hopes of L.K. Advani, the BJPâs âiron manâ, to lead the nation. Politically, the field appears to be clear with the main Opposition BJP enmeshed in internal strife and Mr Advani standing isolated and discredited.</b>
The Manmohan Singh Cabinet set up a new order with a blend of old and young talent to lead the nation. Yet, spiralling food prices, swine flu and drought have provided roadblocks to the smooth sailing of the government.
<b>Indiaâs foreign policy led by PM Manmohan Singh </b>achieved success by resuming dialogue with Pakistan after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Also, in a welcome departure from the UPAâs first tenure, Dr Singh, for the first time, attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Russia in June.
Taking Rajiv Gandhiâs dream forward, the PM kept his word on empowerment of women at the grassroot level with the Cabinet clearing a proposal to increase women reservation to 50 per cent in panchayats. However, the much promised womenâs reservation bill continues to hang in the balance. <b>The HRD ministry led by Kapil Sibal</b> swung into action right from the word go. Its major achievement was the Right to Education Bill. Catching public interest and that of students alike, Mr Sibal made Class 10 boards optional and introduced the grading system of assessment for CBSE students.
The information and broadcasting ministry led by <b>Ambika Soni </b>initiated a dialogue to bring in a content code for the broadcast medium. This regulatory mechanism for broadcasters had been pending for the last 12 years.
Law minister <b>Veerappa Moily stepped up the judicial reform process</b>. The ministry will bring in the comprehensive judges inquiry bill in the next session. The bill is expected to bring in more accountability for the judiciary as it gives an option apart from impeachment. <b>Defence minister A.K. Antony went full steam ahead with the launch of INS Arihant,</b> Indiaâs first nuclear-powered submarine intended to provide crucial nuclear second-strike capabilities. Dr Singh gave a push to rural development and employment programmes. Rs 39,100 crores was set aside for the UPAâs flagship National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. This was a jump of over 114 per cent from the previous outlay.
<b>Pranab Mukherjee-run finance ministry led the charge </b>by announcing the proposed new tax code, regarded as major tax reforms after 50 years. It has increased tax slabs, which will substantially benefit the middle class. This also simplifies tax laws in the country. Mr Mukherjee also stepped on the disinvestment process with NHPC and Oil India getting listed in stock exchanges.
<b>If these were achievements, price rise has hit all sections.</b> Concerned over the issue, UPA chairperson <b>Sonia Gandhi has written to the Prime Minister urging him to take steps.</b>
<b>Swine flu, which hit the country some time in March, wreaked havoc. The virus has claimed over 75 lives in the country. The health minister is blaming the states and the states say they are doing their best.</b> The government was also held somewhat responsible for its delayed response of the <b>agriculture ministry, led by Sharad Pawar, to the drought situation in the country</b>. The rural development ministry under C.P. Joshi enhanced wages to a minimum of Rs 100 under NREGS, it failed to get the ambitious Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation Bill passed following stiff opposition from Mamata Banerjee.
Kapil sibal
Right to Education Bill passed. Class 10 boards optional for CBSE students. Grading system of assessment from next academic year. A dialogue for the creation of a Central Madrasa Board has also been initiated.
SM Krishna
Making a fresh beginning post-26/11, talks were held with Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari at Yekaterinburg in June and PM Yousaf Raza Gilani at Sharm el-Sheikh in July in the hope to have a salutary effect on the bilateral relations.
A.K. Antony
Launch of INS Arihant, Indiaâs first nuclear-powered submarine. Proposal for 22 attack helicopters. field trials for acquisition of 126 fighter aircraft. Latest equipment and weaponry for Army commandos. Six second-line submarines with air independent propulsion.
Veerappa Moily
to table the Compreh-ensive Judges Inquiry Bill for discussion. Launched judicial reforms, but was unable to table the Judges (Declaration of Assets and Liabilities) Bill.
Ambika Soni
Initiated the consultation process for finalising a content code for the broadcasting sector.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->
<!--QuoteBegin-->QUOTE<!--QuoteEBegin-->UPA redux
August 30th, 2009
By Our CorrespondentÂ
Full steam ahead
NEW DELHI
<b>A 100 days ago, on May 22, the Manmohan Singh government took oath for a second time.</b> On exactly the same date five years ago, the UPA had taken charge of the nation. <b>The combined force of Manmohan Singh, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi finally demolished the hopes of L.K. Advani, the BJPâs âiron manâ, to lead the nation. Politically, the field appears to be clear with the main Opposition BJP enmeshed in internal strife and Mr Advani standing isolated and discredited.</b>
The Manmohan Singh Cabinet set up a new order with a blend of old and young talent to lead the nation. Yet, spiralling food prices, swine flu and drought have provided roadblocks to the smooth sailing of the government.
<b>Indiaâs foreign policy led by PM Manmohan Singh </b>achieved success by resuming dialogue with Pakistan after the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks. Also, in a welcome departure from the UPAâs first tenure, Dr Singh, for the first time, attended the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation Summit in Russia in June.
Taking Rajiv Gandhiâs dream forward, the PM kept his word on empowerment of women at the grassroot level with the Cabinet clearing a proposal to increase women reservation to 50 per cent in panchayats. However, the much promised womenâs reservation bill continues to hang in the balance. <b>The HRD ministry led by Kapil Sibal</b> swung into action right from the word go. Its major achievement was the Right to Education Bill. Catching public interest and that of students alike, Mr Sibal made Class 10 boards optional and introduced the grading system of assessment for CBSE students.
The information and broadcasting ministry led by <b>Ambika Soni </b>initiated a dialogue to bring in a content code for the broadcast medium. This regulatory mechanism for broadcasters had been pending for the last 12 years.
Law minister <b>Veerappa Moily stepped up the judicial reform process</b>. The ministry will bring in the comprehensive judges inquiry bill in the next session. The bill is expected to bring in more accountability for the judiciary as it gives an option apart from impeachment. <b>Defence minister A.K. Antony went full steam ahead with the launch of INS Arihant,</b> Indiaâs first nuclear-powered submarine intended to provide crucial nuclear second-strike capabilities. Dr Singh gave a push to rural development and employment programmes. Rs 39,100 crores was set aside for the UPAâs flagship National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. This was a jump of over 114 per cent from the previous outlay.
<b>Pranab Mukherjee-run finance ministry led the charge </b>by announcing the proposed new tax code, regarded as major tax reforms after 50 years. It has increased tax slabs, which will substantially benefit the middle class. This also simplifies tax laws in the country. Mr Mukherjee also stepped on the disinvestment process with NHPC and Oil India getting listed in stock exchanges.
<b>If these were achievements, price rise has hit all sections.</b> Concerned over the issue, UPA chairperson <b>Sonia Gandhi has written to the Prime Minister urging him to take steps.</b>
<b>Swine flu, which hit the country some time in March, wreaked havoc. The virus has claimed over 75 lives in the country. The health minister is blaming the states and the states say they are doing their best.</b> The government was also held somewhat responsible for its delayed response of the <b>agriculture ministry, led by Sharad Pawar, to the drought situation in the country</b>. The rural development ministry under C.P. Joshi enhanced wages to a minimum of Rs 100 under NREGS, it failed to get the ambitious Land Acquisition and Rehabilitation Bill passed following stiff opposition from Mamata Banerjee.
Kapil sibal
Right to Education Bill passed. Class 10 boards optional for CBSE students. Grading system of assessment from next academic year. A dialogue for the creation of a Central Madrasa Board has also been initiated.
SM Krishna
Making a fresh beginning post-26/11, talks were held with Pakistan President Asif Ali Zardari at Yekaterinburg in June and PM Yousaf Raza Gilani at Sharm el-Sheikh in July in the hope to have a salutary effect on the bilateral relations.
A.K. Antony
Launch of INS Arihant, Indiaâs first nuclear-powered submarine. Proposal for 22 attack helicopters. field trials for acquisition of 126 fighter aircraft. Latest equipment and weaponry for Army commandos. Six second-line submarines with air independent propulsion.
Veerappa Moily
to table the Compreh-ensive Judges Inquiry Bill for discussion. Launched judicial reforms, but was unable to table the Judges (Declaration of Assets and Liabilities) Bill.
Ambika Soni
Initiated the consultation process for finalising a content code for the broadcasting sector.
<!--QuoteEnd--><!--QuoteEEnd-->