Cabinet to consider FDI in pension, insurance today

October 4, 2012

singh

New Delhi, October 4: In another round of big-ticket reforms, the Union Cabinet will consider on Thursday raising the FDI cap in insurance sector to 49 percent and opening the pension sector to foreign investment besides creation of a National Investment Board.

The Cabinet will also consider a number of other crucial measures like giving more powers to commodity market regulator FMC, Competition Bill to bring all sectors under Companies Act, and model tripartite agreement for operationalising the Infrastructure Development Fund (IDF), sources said.

This is the second time within a month that the Cabinet would consider such major proposals to push reform initiative. On September 13, the government had approved the controversial decision of allowing 51 percent FDI in multi-brand retail, besides relaxing FDI norms for civil aviation and broadcasting sector.

While the Insurance Bill seeks to raise the FDI cap insurance sector to 49 percent, from the 26 percent at present, the proposal in the Pension Fund regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) Bill seeks to open up the pension sector to foreign Direct Investment (FDI).

Besides, the NIB, to be headed by the Prime Minister, is proposed to be set up for according fast-track clearances to infrastructure projects.

The Forward Contract Regulation Act (Amendment) Bill that aims to give more powers to commodity markets regulator FMC. The Bill seeks to strengthen Forward Market Commission (FMC) by providing it financial autonomy, facilitate the entry of institutional investors and introduce new products for trading such as options and indices.

The Union Cabinet is also likely to approve tomorrow, the 12th Five-Year Plan (2012-17) document that proposes to lower annual average economic growth rate target during the period to 8.2 percent from 9 percent envisaged earlier in view of fragile recovery.

The Cabinet is also expected to consider proposal from the Civil Aviation Ministry for approving Lucknow, Varanasi, Tiruchirapalli, Mangalore and Coimbatore as international airports.

Besides, it would also take up the proposal from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) to amend the Competition Act 2002 and amendments to the Companies Bill, 2011, following the report of the Standing Committee.

The proposal for IDF before the Cabinet includes a tripartite agreement between developer, lender (bank) and the IDF. The loans by the banks would be refinanced by the IDF so that banks have free funds for more lending.

The IDF, which was proposed in the Union Budget for 2011-12 fiscal, is aimed at accelerating and enhancing flow of long term debt for funding the ambitious programme of infrastructure development in the country.

Besides, the Cabinet would also take up the proposal of amending the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) with Armenia and Poland.

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Don't panic about Coronavirus; its impact is majorly on people above 60 years: AP CM

Agencies

March 16,2020

Amaravati, Mar 16: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy said that paracetamol is the only medication for coronavirus.

He said that COVID-19 is lethal for those have comorbid conditions including blood pressure, asthma and kidney diseases.

"There is no need to get panic about Coronavirus. Its impact is majorly on senior citizens aged above 60 years. It is dangerous to those suffering from diabetes, blood pressure, asthma and kidney diseases. For others, it is not so much dangerous. And paracetamol is the only medication for coronavirus," Reddy said on Sunday while addressing a press conference on the postponing of the local body elections as coronavirus cases continue to rise.

"In case anybody coming from foreign countries is found suffering from cough, cold and fever, bleaching powder should be sprayed on their belongings and things they use. The government is creating awareness on such precautions," he added.

Reddy slammed the State Election Commissioner's decision of postponing the local body elections for six weeks and alleged that the SEC was acting at the behest of TDP chief N Chandrababu Naidu.

The opposition has targeted Reddy on his statement, saying the chief minister is behaving "ignorantly" and "irresponsibly" on the issue of coronavirus.

"While Telangana CM had changed his stand and closed shops and theatres in his state, Jagan Reddy is speaking as if there is no need for any panic. This CM is behaving ignorantly and irresponsibly," said Naidu.

Andhra Pradesh has reported one case of coronavirus. The total number of confirmed COVID-19 cases across India has risen to 110.

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I and B Minister Prakash Javadekar condemns alleged attack on Arnab Goswami

News Network

April 23,2020

New Delhi, Apr 23: Union Information and Broadcasting Minister, Prakash Javadekar, on Thursday condemned the attack on Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami saying that this is "against democracy".

"We condemn the attempt to attack renowned journalist Arnab Goswami. Essentially, we condemn every attack on any journalist. Because this is against democracy," the Union Minister said.

"It is really ironical that those who preach tolerance have become so intolerant. Therefore, we condemn this attempt. We appeal to the collective wisdom that this is undemocratic. As per present law, definitely, police takes action, if there is a complaint," said Javadekar.

Two persons were arrested on Thursday morning for allegedly attacking Republic TV editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami and his wife Samyabrata Ray in Mumbai.

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Javedkar is blind not to accept Arnab's venomous statement in deciding the nation. He is another shameless

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COVID-19: Islamic scholars urge people to follow govt's guidelines on burial

News Network

March 26,2020

Mar 26: As Kashmir reported its first COVID-19 death on Thursday, Islamic scholars urged people to follow the Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines on funeral and burial of those who die due to coronavirus pandemic.

“Medical science can’t be ignored and whatever directions there are in the (MHA) guidelines should be followed. As far as the funeral of the person, only family members should participate in the funeral and burial after wearing the protection kits,” the scholars said.

The MHA has stressed that there should be no bathing, kissing, hugging and reciting of verses while the body should be transported in a secured bag. Health experts have stressed that the grave for the person should be dug eight feet deep instead of normal six feet.

“The body of the person should be transported in a secured bag and the vehicle in which he is transported has to be decontaminated by the trained staff who should be wearing N-95 masks and protection equipment,” read the MHA guidelines.

Kashmir witnessed the first death of a COVID-19 patient from uptown city Hyderpora, who had a travel history of outside J&K as he was part of a ‘Tableegi Jamaat’.

Dr Naveed, Head of Department, at Chest Diseases Hospital Srinagar, said that no one from the family should go closer to the body and if someone from the family wants to see the face, he/she has to wear a complete protective gear.

“Burial bath is not recommended for the body. Grave for him should be dug eight feet deep instead of normal six feet,” he said.

As far as funeral prayers, he said, those intending to offer funeral should wear protective gear and maintain sufficient distance between the body and people.

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