No possibility of UPA-III: Trinamool
Kolkata: Slamming the Congress-led UPA government for providing “special benefits” to some states and giving West Bengal a miss, Trinamool Congress leader Sudip Bandopadhyay on Thursday said there was no possibility of a UPA-III coming to power. “The way UPA-II is functioning, there is no chance that there will be UPA-III … There will be no UPA-III,” Bandopadhyay told a party rally at Sealdah here. “We will battle the Congress government on why it is sidelining our state,” he said. He said regional parties would have a major role to play after the Lok Sabha election. “The regional parties are assuming primary positions, and Trinamool Congress’ power will prevail.” (IANS)
No politics during calamities: Govt
Bhubaneswar: Odisha government appealed to opposition parties to cooperate with the administration instead of criticising the government to help people get relief materials after the destruction wrecked by Cyclone Phailin. “I appeal to opposition parties not to indulge into politics. If they have any problem, they can directly contact the special relief commissioner, district collectors and me,” revenue and disaster management minister S N Patro said. The minister was referring to media reports on opposition parties’ allegation against the BJD government. Congress and BJP had accused it of failing to provide relief to cyclone and flood victims. Odisha PCC president Jaydev Jena and Leader of Opposition in assembly Bhupinder Singh had alleged that the state government had miserably failed in carrying out relief operations properly, particularly in the worst-hit Ganjam district. People are yet to get relief in many areas even four days after the cyclone and Odisha government has failed to restore supply of electricity and water, they alleged. CPI state secretary Dibkar Nayak demanded immediate steps for restoration of electricity and water supply in areas affected by cyclone and resultant floods. (PTI)
Rangarajan panel on road developers bailout to be set up soon
New Delhi: The government will soon constitute a panel, headed by PMEAC Chairman C Rangarajan, to look into the issues pertaining to bailout of highway developers. Rangarajan, who heads the Prime Minister’s Economic Advisory Council, is expected to announce the constitution of the three-member panel soon, a source told PTI, adding that it could be as early as Thursday. The government last week approved a proposal for the postponement of premium payments by highway developers and has referred the matter to the Rangarajan panel. The move is likely to provide relief to players such as GMR, GVK and Ashoka Buildcon. Their projects have been facing delays on account of high premium — the payment made by the developer to National Highways Authority of India under the build, operate and transfer (BOT) mode. The premium, which is offered by companies during the bidding stage, is based on projected returns from tolls. The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had sent a proposal to the Cabinet seeking its nod for rescheduling of premiums of about Rs 1 lakh crore in case of 23 awarded BOT (Toll) projects. (PTI)
Cabinet defers decision on easing visa norms for Chinese
New Delhi: The government on Thursday deferred a decision on liberalisation of visa norms for Chinese nationals, which was expected to be on the agenda of Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh during his visit to Beijing next week. Sources said the Cabinet today deferred a decision on easing visa norms for Chinese nationals, especially those travelling for business purposes. The Cabinet proposal sought to liberalise the policy due to expansion in trade between the two countries and subsequent increase in visits by Chinese businessmen. These visitors belong mainly to the Information Technology (IT) and infrastructure sectors. The Government intends to revisit the 2003 protocol in the wake of a substantial increase in visits by Chinese nationals, which has led to jump in FDI inflows and involvement of that country in infrastructure projects here. Singh will reach Beijing on October 22 and the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China on this issue was supposed to be on his agenda. The Cabinet was expected to consider this proposal in the meeting on Thursday. The present policy requires a mandatory two-month gap between exit and re-entry for tourist visas. Government had plans to change this rule as well. However, the long term business visa will be available to regular visitors for only a three month stay in the first instance. (PTI)