Political News – Newsletter for February 16, 2011

Protests begin in Libya: Report

LONDON – There have been reports of several protests by hundreds of people in the Libyan city of Benghazi, triggered by the arrest of a lawyer who was an outspoken critic of the government, BBC reported Wednesday.

The lawyer was later said to have been released but the protests continued.
The protests began after the … Read more >>.

Tripura could be gateway to northeast, say visiting MPs

AGARTALA – A parliamentary team Wednesday said it will suggest the name of Unakoti, a seventh century pilgrim spot in Tripura, as a world heritage site and also pointed out that improved infrastructure could make the state the gateway to India’s northeast.

The team of MPs headed by Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) Rajya Sabha …. Original article  : Tripura could be gateway to northeast, say visiting MPs.

Election year: Kerala bill to enable roadside public meetings

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – At a time when elections are due in the state, Kerala assembly Wednesday took up a bill to circumvent last year’s high court ruling against holding public meetings on the roadside.

The bill titled Kerala Public Ways Restriction of Assemblies and Processions 2011 was moved by Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. In a rare …. Original article  : Election year: Kerala bill to enable roadside public meetings.

PM has thrown up his hands on corruption, price rise: CPI-M

NEW DELHI – The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) said Wednesday that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had “thrown up his hands” on corruption and price rise and had tried to justify the 2G spectrum pricing by comparing it to subsidies in the food and fertiliser sectors.

“The prime minister virtually tried to justify (the …. Original source  : PM has thrown up his hands on corruption, price rise: CPI-M.

2,000 DMK members held during anti-Sri Lanka protest

CHENNAI – More than 2,000 DMK members, including MPs and legislators, protesting the arrest of 106 Indian fishermen by Sri Lanka were arrested here Wednesday to prevent a march to the Sri Lankan Deputy High Commission.

Among those arrested were Rajya Sabha MP Kanimohzi, also daughter of DMK president and Tamil Nadu Chief Minister …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : 2,000 DMK members held during anti-Sri Lanka protest.

Maoists to join new Nepal government

KATHMANDU – Nepal’s Maoist party, who had backed communist leader Jhala Nath Khanal to power a fortnight ago but then threatened to withdraw support following a row over ministries, is finally set to join the new government after getting its own way.

Maoist chief Pushpa Kamal Dahal Prachanda, who exited from the prime ministerial race …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Maoists to join new Nepal government.

I will stay the course: PM

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday said he had never felt like resigning because he had a job to do and there was a lot of unfinished business.

“I have never felt like quitting, I will stay the course,” the prime minister said during a media interaction at 7, Race Course Road, his …. Original source  : I will stay the course: PM.

More reforms will be unveiled in 2011-12 Budget: PM

NEW DELHI – Blaming the Opposition for delaying the introduction of crucial Bills in Parliament, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said more reforms will be unveiled in the 2011-12 Budget.

During his interaction with top television editors of the country, Dr. Singh said: “We have not given up on reforms. We will persist… I sincerely … Read : More reforms will be unveiled in 2011-12 Budget: PM.

Not aware of methods used in FCFS spectrum allocation: PM

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh on Wednesday said that he was not aware of the methodology of the controversial First-Come, First-Serve (FCFS) policy followed for 2G spectrum allocation by former Telecom Minister A Raja.

During his interaction with top television editors of the country on Wednesday, Dr. Singh said: “Who got the …. Read the original article  : Not aware of methods used in FCFS spectrum allocation: PM.

I am not a culprit as being projected: PM

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Wednesday he never claimed that he had never made a mistake but he had not made the kind of mistakes that were being attributed to him.

“I do not say that I have never made a mistake. But the kind of propaganda being done and shown, … Read this article on Gaea Times at : I am not a culprit as being projected: PM.

No dilution of Space Commission decision on Devas: PM

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday refuted charges that his office was trying to dilute the Space Commission’s decision to annul the S-band spectrum deal between Indian space agency ISRO and private company Devas.

“There has been no effort in the PMO to dilute in any way the decision taken by the Space … Read more »»».

Wrongdoers behind CWG scam will not escape: PM

NEW DELHI – The “wrongdoers” behind the Commonwealth Games (CWG) corruption scam would not escape, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh assured Wednesday.

Answering a question on whether he was disappointed over the delays in the CWG scam probe, he told a press conference that the government was trying its “very best” but there was a due … Read more >>>.

Scams biggest regret, says PM

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Wednesday listed stabilisation of Indian economy during the global meltdown as the biggest achievements of his government but mentioned the series of corruption scams as the greatest regret of his tenure.

These irregularities that have happened that has certainly given me…I am not very happy about these developments, …. Original article  : Scams biggest regret, says PM.

Food inflation a problem but growth important, says Manmohan Singh

NEW DELHI – Accepting that food inflation has been a problem, Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today said the government did not want to sacrifice the growth process as “it would not do the country any good.”

During his interaction with top television editors of the country, Dr. Singh said: ” Food inflation has been at … Read more : Food inflation a problem but growth important, says Manmohan Singh.

India better prepared to tackle challenges posed by terrorism: PM

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today said that the internal security situation is better and the country is better prepared to tackle the challenges posed by terrorism.

Meeting editors ahead of the budget session of parliament at his official 7 Race Course residence on Wednesday morning, Dr Singh further said the government … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : India better prepared to tackle challenges posed by terrorism: PM.

Berlusconi trial will be presided over by three women judges

LONDON – Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi will be tried in court on charges of abuse of office and paying for sex with an under age prostitute and the case will be presided over by three women judges.

The trial will start on April 6, and a judge in Milan has said that the case will … Read more >>.

Dawn of democracy anywhere has India’s good wishes: PM

NEW DELHI – Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Wednesday that people in other parts of the world wanting to move to democracy had the good wishes of the Indian people.

Responding to a query from the Al Jazeera TV representative at his press conference about the developments in Egypt and other Arab … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Dawn of democracy anywhere has India’s good wishes: PM.

Not afraid of JPC, dead serious about bringing wrongdoers to book: Manmohan Singh

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh today made it clear that he is not afraid of facing the Joint Parliamentary Committee probe in the 2G scam as demanded by the Opposition, and added that he never thought of quitting over the issue.

A. Raja was forced to resign from the Union Cabinet last year …. Original article  : Not afraid of JPC, dead serious about bringing wrongdoers to book: Manmohan Singh.

Hope to break parliament deadlock: Manmohan

NEW DELHI – Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Wednesday he hopes to break the deadlock in parliament over the opposition demand for a joint parliamentary committee (JPC) probe into the 2G spectrum scandal.

Asked whether he hoped parliament would function normally in the upcoming budget session as the opposition was adamant on a JPC, Manmohan … Original source on Gaea Times at : Hope to break parliament deadlock: Manmohan.

Be objective in reporting India, PM tells media

NEW DELHI – Stating that facts were sacred and should not be distorted, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh asked the media Wednesday to be objective in reporting on the country’s affairs.

Answering a question on whether the current atmosphere would be a dampener for investors, he admitted that this sort of atmosphere “saps our self confidence” … Original article on : Be objective in reporting India, PM tells media.