Pay panel a vote magnet? Congress trying to woo middle class

September 26, 2013

Pay_panelNew Delhi, Sep 26: The Congress trumpeted the constitution of seventh pay commission as another of its welfare measures in line with land and food bills, in what appeared a thinly-veiled attempt to milk the olive branch to government employees at the upcoming state and Lok Sabha polls.

The surprise decision on the pay commission targetting middle-classes comes on the back of legislations to win over the poor and the sudden urgency in Congress establishment to facilitate new alliances: clear evidence that the ruling party has hit poll mode.

The belief is that tough reforms are over for good in UPA-2 and the ruling camp would try the time-tested sops to win electoral favour.

Not surprisingly, Congress patted the leadership for bringing the pay panel just ahead of festivals while slamming NDA for not doing so in 2003 when the sixth commission was due. "It has brought happiness to lakhs of people," AICC spokesman Raj Babbar said, adding it would benefit 80 lakh people.

With the Centre having rushed to pass the land and food bills as 'aam aadmi' sops earlier, the Centre has now picked on middle classes -- the pay panel coinciding with assurance from petroleum minister Veerappa Moily that there would be no hike in petrol prices.

The importance of the new step in bolstering urban constituencies is evident from how AICC general secretary Ajay Maken first made the demand for pay panel in a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh this March. His New Delhi constituency, populated by government servants, is especially susceptible to such overtures.

Besides the electorate, rural and urban, Congress has moved with alacrity to woo regional satraps -- the Cabinet on Tuesday passed an ordinance to save convicted MPs from disqualification, aimed at appeasing Lalu Prasad who faces a final verdict in the infamous fodder scam on September 30.

The Centre's hidden hand is seen in the sudden softening of enforcement agencies facilitating the bail for YSR Congress chief Jaganmohan Reddy: an olive branch to the rebellious Reddy.

Many believe that Bihar may also get the tag of "backward state" ahead of polls that would open up the Congress option with JD(U) in the crucial state.

The urgency in Congress ranks appears to stem from the realisation that 2014 as well as end-year assembly polls would be a tough test. The decision on pay panel seems an acknowledgment that Delhi polls may be a challenge this time.

Observers say that central pay panel also has an effect on state employees since it brings pressure on the states governments to follow suit. The public employees and teachers are believed to play a big role in influencing the opinion of voters.

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Agencies
June 28,2020

New Delhi, Jun 28: With 19,906 new cases, highest single-day spike so far, India's COVID-19 count touched 5,28,859 including 2,03,051 active cases, 3,09,713 cured/discharged/migrated, according to the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare.

410 deaths were reported in the last 24 hours and the cumulative toll reached 16,095 deaths.

Coronavirus cases in Maharashtra have climbed to 1,59,133 while Delhi's tally stands at 80,188.

2,31,095 samples were tested yesterday and the total number of samples tested up to 27 June is 82,27,802, according to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).

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Agencies
August 9,2020

New Delhi, Aug 9: Indian on Sunday achieved a grim milestone after recording the highest single-day spike of 64,399 coronavirus cases, according to the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

As many as 861 deaths were reported in the country in the last 24 hours, taking the cumulative toll to 43,379.

With the new cases, the country's coronavirus count has reached 21,53,011 including 6,28,747 active cases and 14,80,885 cured/discharged/migrated.

Maharashtra has 1,47,355 active coronavirus cases, the highest in the country.

According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 7,19,364 samples were tested on August 8 while over 2.41 crores samples so far have been tested in the country.

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News Network
June 10,2020

New Delhi, Jun 10: Petrol price on Wednesday was hiked by 40 paise per litre and diesel by 45 paise, the fourth straight daily increase in rates after oil PSUs ended an 82-day hiatus in rate revision. Petrol price in Delhi was hiked to Rs 73.40 per litre from Rs 73, while diesel rates were increased to Rs 71.62 a litre from Rs 71.17, according to a price notification of state oil marketing companies.

Rates have been increased across the country and vary from state to state depending on the incidence of local sales tax or VAT.

This is the fourth daily increase in rates in a row since oil companies on Sunday restarted revising prices in line with costs, after ending an 82-day hiatus.

In four hikes, petrol price has gone up by Rs 2.14 per litre and diesel by Rs 2.23.

Latest petrol, diesel prices in top cities:

New Delhi: Petrol ₹73.40. Diesel ₹71.62

Gurgaon: Petrol ₹72.86. Diesel ₹64.90

Mumbai: Petrol ₹80.40. Diesel ₹70.35

Chennai: Petrol ₹77.43. Diesel ₹70.13

Hyderabad: Petrol ₹76.20. Diesel ₹70b

Bengaluru: Petrol ₹75.77. Diesel ₹68.09

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