Pranab to visit AICC HQ Feb. 15
Finance minister Pranab Mukherjee will visit the AICC headquarters here on Tuesday to know the wishlist of the Congress about his Budget for 2011-12 which he will present in Parliament on February 28.
According to sources, Mr Mukherjee will visit the headquarters as a finance minister and meet his party colleagues and officials to seek suggestions from them on how to make the Budget.
If the price rise has severely affected the Congress’ aam admi constituency, the Budget could also influence the coming Assembly elections in five states. Mr Mukherjee has interacted with several interest groups, including the industry, so far in this regard.
Experts say inflation, current account deficit, pressure for lowering down the import duty, providing level playing field to the domestic industries and increasing the government revenue are some of the problems being faced by the government ahead of the budgetary exercise. A section of the ruling party, however, believes that these were only “proforma” consultations.
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Poll reforms in 3-4 months, says Moily
Bengaluru, Feb. 13: A comprehensive amendment to electoral reforms will be brought about in the next three to four months, Union law minister M. Veerappa Moily said on Sunday.
“A comprehensive amendment is the need of the hour and will be brought about in the next three to four months after a national consultation on the issue,” he said at the Sixth Regional Consultation on Electoral Reforms here.
He said the recommendation made by the National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution, 2001, to enhance existing ceiling on election expenses for the various legislative bodies to `40 lakhs for a Lok Sabha seat and `16 lakhs for an assembly seat from `25 lakhs and `10 lakhs respectively at present, will be cleared within a week.
“If we can find one instrument to wipe out money power, presence of mafia, power exercised by the criminals, rest will be alright. We need to eliminate criminals whose ultimate aim is to grab national power through financing political parties,” he said.
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