VIDEOS(UPA 1) No discrimination with states, says Azad2 months 20 days agoSangrur: The Government is committed to provide improved health facilities to the people and does not discriminate with any state in health matters, Union Health and Family Welfare Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad said on Thursday. He was speaking at foundation stone laying of PGIMER Satellite C...Letter from Sonia prompted Govt to change IAS service rules?5 days agoNew Delhi: It was a letter from UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi to Prime Minister Manomohan Singh on the suspension of Noida SDM Durga Nagpal that apparently prompted the government to consider changes in All India Service rules to bring in more safeguards for IAS, IPS and other officers. In...SC refrains from passing order on Swamy plea4 months 23 days agoNew Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday refrained from passing any order on the plea by Janata Party chief Subramanian Swamy questioning the FIPB clearance granted to Aircel-Maxis deal in 2006 during the UPA-1 regime when P Chidambaram was the Finance Minister.Much-touted Food Security Bill introduced in Lok Sabha4 months 23 days agoNew Delhi: The much-touted Food Security Bill, which proposes to give the country`s three-fourth population the right to highly-subsidised food, was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday with the government rejecting apprehensions that it would impinge upon the rights of states. Food M...Mamata urges regional parties to unite to oust UPA7 months 26 days agoPanihati (WB): Stopping short of giving a call for a fourth front at the national-level, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Saturday exhorted regional parties to come under one umbrella and oust the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre.Delhi govt gears up for food scheme launch5 months 8 days agoNew Delhi: Gearing up to launch the food security scheme on August 20, the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Monday issued directions for addressing the nitty-gritties in implementing the programme. Chairing a cabinet meeting, ...Important decisions expected in DMK's general council on Dec 13 months 4 days agoChennai: DMK`s General Council, the top policy-making body of the party, will meet here on December 1 to take several `important decisions`, party chief M Karunanidhi said today. "DMK`s general council meeting is to take place at Kalaignar Arangam of Anna Arivalayam (party headquarters) o...Food Security ordinance to be sent to Prez Pranab for approval5 months 27 days agoZee Media Bureau New Delhi: A day after the Union Cabinet cleared an ordinance on Food Security, the Congress-led UPA government will send the same to President Prnab Mukherjee for his approval on Thursday. If the President signs it, then the ordinance will come into immediate effect and...All UPA allies on board on Food Bill Ordinance: Thomas6 months 18 days agoNew Delhi: A day before the Cabinet considers issuing an Ordinance to implement government`s ambitious National Food Security Bill, Food Minister K V Thomas on Wednesday said all UPA allies, including NCP, are on board and there was a consensus on issuing an ordinance. The Food Security B...Govt to push food, land bills on first day of Parl session5 months 14 days agoNew Delhi: With an eye on the Lok Sabha polls, the government will try to push the Food Security Bill and Land Acquisition Bill as soon as Parliament meets for Monsoon Session on August 5. Sources said the government is likely to list these two bills in the agenda of the business of the v...Badal blames Centre for Sarabjit Singh's death7 months 19 days agoBhikhiwind: Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal on Saturday said that had the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre acted timely and diligently, then Sarabjit Singh could have been saved. Addressing a gathering to pay homage to Sarabjit Singh, the Chief Minister said that the st...After Amartya Sen s backing, will Food Security Bill be passed?7 months 24 days agoZee Media Bureau New Delhi: With Nobel laureate Amartya Sen extending his full support to the National Food Security Bill that was tabled in Lok Sabha yesterday, the UPA government is expected to take all possible steps to ensure that smooth passage of the crucial legislation on Tuesday. ...

UPA all set to push for ordinance on Food bill todayThe revised Bill along with Food Ministrys 81 amendments will be tabled for approval at the Union Cabinet meeting.Ignoring concerns expressed by allies and civil society groups, the United Progressive Alliance government is all set to push for an ordinance on the Food Security Bill. The revised Bill along with Food Ministrys 81 amendments will be tabled for approval in the Union Cabinet meeting on Thursday.Food Minister K.V. Thomas and key ally and NCP chief Sharad Pawar are known to have expressed concern over taking the ordinance route. Some of the allies have also let it be known that the proposal for an ordinance was moved during the previous Cabinet meeting without prior consultation. The Cabinet however, did not take it up.It is learnt that Mr. Thomas met Congress president Sonia Gandhi last week after which he spoke to UPA allies, including Mr. Pawar, Rashtriya Lok Dal chief Ajit Singh and Farooq Abdullah of the National Conference to get them on board. Both Mr. Pawar and Mr. Ajit Singh have made it a point to attend Thursdays Cabinet meeting.Despite his reservations, Mr. Pawar stated recently that he was not against the Bill, indicating his willingness to go along with whatever the Cabinet decides.The government has justified an ordinance on the ground that the Opposition had thwarted all its attempts to bring the Bill in Parliament (although the revised Bill was brought on the last day of the budget session) and that the rollout would take at least six months.There is also a view that in case the principal Opposition party, the Bharatiya Janata Party, does not allow Parliament to function and the ordinance cannot be ratified by Parliament, then the UPA will go to the polls with the claim that the BJP did not allow a rights-based bill to be passed.Parties standOn its part, the BJP wants to show its support for the Bill by seeking an early monsoon session or a special session to debate it. The Left parties will move amendments mainly for a universal public distribution system. The Trinamool Congress, Biju Janata Dal and All-India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam will also move amendments. The Samajwadi Party, which supports the UPA from outside, has opposed the Bill terming it anti-farmer.However, it appears that the UPA, particularly the Congress, wants to go it alone, this being an election promise. Already some of the States have enacted rights-based food Bill and several others are providing foodgrain through the public distribution system.The Food Bill seeks to provide rice at Rs. 3 per kg, wheat at Rs. 2 per kg and millets at Re. 1 per kg per month to 67 per cent of the population to be identified by the State governments. Each beneficiary will be entitled to 5 kg per month as against 35 kg per household at present.Keywords:Food Security Bill,food security ordinance,UPA government

Cabinet Ministers (as on 21.12.2013)

S.No.NamePortfolio

1.Dr. Manmohan SinghPrime Minister and also in-charge of the Ministries/Departments not specifically allocated to the charge of any Minister viz.:(i) Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions;(ii) Ministry of Planning;(ii) Department of Atomic Energy; and(iv) Department of Space.

2.Shri A.K. AntonyMinister of Defence.

3.Shri Sharad PawarMinister of Agriculture, and Minister of Food Processing Industries.

4.Shri P. ChidambaramMinister of Finance.

5.Shri Ghulam Nabi AzadMinister of Health and Family Welfare.

6.Shri Sushilkumar ShindeMinister of Home Affairs.

7.Shri M. Veerappa MoilyMinister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Minister of Environment and Forests.

8.Dr. Farooq AbdullahMinister of New and Renewable Energy.

9.Shri S. Jaipal ReddyMinister of Science and Technology, andMinister of Earth Sciences.

10.Shri Kamal NathMinister of Urban Development, andMinister of Parliamentary Affairs.

11.Shri Ajit SinghMinister of Civil Aviation.

12.Shri Vayalar RaviMinister of Overseas Indian Affairs.

13.Shri Mallikarjun KhargeMinister of Railways.

14.Shri Oscar FernandesMinister of Road Transport and Highways, and Minister of Labour and Employment.

15.Shri Kapil SibalMinister of Communications and Information Technology, and Minister of Law and Justice.

16.Shri Anand SharmaMinister of Commerce and Industry.

17.Kumari SeljaMinister of Social Justice and Empowerment.

18.Dr. Girija VyasMinister of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation.

19.Shri G.K. VasanMinister of Shipping.

20.Shri Praful PatelMinister of Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises.

21.Shri Shriprakash JaiswalMinister of Coal.

22.Shri Salman KhurshidMinister of External Affairs.

23.Shri V. Kishore Chandra DeoMinister of Tribal Affairs, andMinister of Panchayati Raj.

24.Shri Beni Prasad VermaMinister of Steel.

25.Shri Jairam RameshMinister of Rural Development.

26.Shri K. Rahman KhanMinister of Minority Affairs.

27.Shri Dinsha J. PatelMinister of Mines.

28.Shri M.M. Pallam RajuMinister of Human Resource Development.

29.Shri Harish RawatMinister of Water Resources.

30.Smt. Chandresh Kumari KatochMinister of Culture.

31.Dr. Kavuru Samba Siva RaoMinister of Textiles.

A look back at 61 years of top stories

Every year since 1953, reporters and editors atAutomotive Newshave chosen the year's top auto story. Here are their picks.2013:General Motors, as part of its biggest personnel shake-up since 1992, named product development chief Mary Barra to succeed Dan Akerson as CEO. Barra, an engineer and GM lifer who had spent much of her career working inside the company's plants, will become the first woman to run a major global carmaker.2012:North America was the world's hottest auto market. And coupled with that sizzling demand was a new leanness - painfully achieved during the recession - that helped dealerships, automakers and suppliers to a very profitable year.2011:On March 11, a massive earthquake rocked northeast Japan and a devastating tsunami followed. Thousands died, and Japan's auto industry was severely wounded, deep into the supply chain. Shortages of vehicles and parts disrupted the global auto market through the year. In the United States, vehicle shortages stifled a modest sales recovery that had been taking root.2010:The industry began to claw its way back, but Toyota didn't share in the recovery. Allegations of unintended acceleration sparked a heated safety controversy, ugly headlines and global recalls of millions of units. Toyota's prime asset a pristine reputation for quality was seriously tarnished. The company lost U.S. market share, along with the trust of many shoppers.2009:The industry slump went from bad to worse, and two of the Detroit 3 GM and Chrysler filed for Chapter 11 reorganization. The good news2008:It was a tough year from start to finish, and it ended with GM and Chrysler on their knees before Congress begging for money to keep operating. Ford was in better shape, but it wanted a line of credit. They didn't get anything from Congress, but GM and Chrysler did get a $17.4 billion loan from President Bush and the Treasury Department.2007:The Detroit 3 closed the gap in labor costs with their Japanese rivals. The car companies agreed to pay about 55 cents on the dollar to shift nearly $100 billion in combined retiree health care obligations to UAW-controlled trusts. The UAW also relented on two-tier wages that allow the Detroit 3 to replace workers earning $28 an hour with new hires earning half that wage.2006:An awful year for Detroit 3. Ford loses $5.8 billion in third quarter; the Chrysler group, felled by sales bank, loses $1.5 billion; GM makes progress but is still light years from financial health. Detroit 3 lose 3.2 points of market share in 11 months; Japanese gain 2.2 points2005:Delphi Corp., the world's largest auto supplier, files for bankruptcy protection. GM refuses to bail out Delphi, its former property; Delphi CEO Steve Miller wants to cut wages in half and reduce benefits; UAW threatens a killer strike that would cripple GM2004:Rebates remain sky-high; sales continue near 17 million despite weak fundamentals; Asians boost market share; Big 3 and others try new incentives2003:The Big 3 moved the iron with high incentives but lost market share again; Big 3 share fell to 60.0 percent, down 1.7 points from 20022002:Ford's financial and quality problems continue; a turnaround strategy, announced in January, includes a pledge to deliver $7 billion annual pretax profit by 2005 after losing $5.45 billion in 2001; Bill Ford brings back Allan Gilmour as CFO2001:Ford fires Jac Nasser as CEO and president; Bill Ford (the fourth generation) succeeds Nasser as CEO and continues as chairman2000:Chrysler in crisis1999:Sales set a record1998:Daimler-Benz and Chrysler Corp. combine as DaimlerChrysler AG, with Daimler as the lead pony; headquarters are in Stuttgart; Juergen Schrempp and Robert Eaton are said to be co-CEOs1997:In less than a year, H. Wayne Huizenga's Republic Industries Inc. becomes the nation's largest new-car dealership group, with 270 franchises and annual revenue of $10.3 billion; acquisitions continue; Republic wins fight with Toyota1996:Airbags kill kids and small adults; NHTSA delay means no action until 1997 on whether to order lower-powered bags or allow owners to disconnect them1995:Kirk Kerkorian, Chrysler's second-largest shareholder, makes a takeover run at Chrysler in April, but Chairman Robert Eaton beats it down1994:Sixteen former Honda managers and two former dealers are indicted in U.S. probe of bribes and kickbacks in wholesale organization; all but three plead guilty1993:J. Ignacio Lopez quits GM and joins Volkswagen; GM says he stole secret documents; Lopez and VW deny it; FBI and German court investigate as year ends1992:The bloodbath at GM1991:Car and truck sales drop 12 percent from a mediocre 1990; GM, Ford and Chrysler deep in red; end of Persian Gulf war fails to ignite sales; GM announces massive cost-cutting program and cutbacks in personnel and facilities as year ends1990:GM's Saturn arrives after seven years of development; the car gets good reviews, pleases shoppers and dealers, but production problems hold output to a trickle, delaying evaluation of Saturn's sales success1989:After eight quiet years, Washington again becomes a major thorn in the side of the auto industry; President Bush and Congress talk about tighter emissions rules, much higher fuel-economy standards and alternative-fuel cars1988:The sleeping giant stirs1987:Chrysler buys AMC1986:Turmoil at GM1985:Big 3 on buying binge1984:Record profits for each of the Big 3 as well as a record profit of $9.8 billion for the four domestic automakers1983:A year of recovery for the domestic auto industry; sales and production rise after three bad years1982:John DeLorean is arrested on drug-trafficking charges; he is later found not guilty; his sports car company folds1981:Another year of recession/depression for the domestic auto industry1980:GM, Ford, Chrysler, American Motors suffer combined loss of $4.2 billion for the year1979:Chrysler's financial anguish1978:The fall and rise of Lee Iacocca, who is fired by Henry Ford II as president of Ford Motor in mid-July, then becomes president of Chrysler in November1977:Government orders airbags on new cars, to be phased in with 1982 models; industry fails in bid to have Congress override Department of Transportation decision1976:Auto sales rebound after two poor years, reaching 9.96 million for 1976; intermediates and big cars are hot, but small cars are hard to sell1975:U.S. automakers offer rebates of $200 to $500 to move huge inventories1974:New-car sales (U.S. and import) fall to 8.6 million in 1974; 1975 model year is off to a dismal start1973:The energy crisis1972:Wankel engine advances1971:President Nixon's economic program and its effect on the auto industry1970:UAW strike shuts GM for 67 days in the United States, 95 days in Canada; the strike costs GM production of more than 1.5 million cars and trucks and more than $4.5 billion in sales1969:Semon "Bunkie" Knudsen fired as president of Ford Motor after holding the job for 19 months1968:Semon "Bunkie" Knudsen named president of Ford Motor a week after he quit as executive vice president of GM1967:61-day strike costs Ford Motor 500,000 cars; Big 3 workers receive a raise of about $1 an hour in wages and fringes over three years1966:Safety1965:The Year of Records1964:Record truck sales and the first 8-million-car year.1963:GM wins criminal antitrust suit growing out of Los Angeles discount-house situation1962:Future of the franchise system1961:Antitrust actions filed against the Big 3; GM accused in Los Angeles discount-house rhubarb; Ford's acquisition of Electric Autolite properties questioned; Chrysler charged with pressuring dealers not to dual with Studebaker1960:Chrysler's conflict-of-interest problems; a president is deposed, and other executives are affected1959:Compact cars introduced by Ford Motor Co., GM and Chrysler Corp.1958:Enactment of price-sticker law1957:The rise in imported-car sales1956:GM begins offering five-year franchise contracts, up from one year, in response to dealer complaints1955:(tie) Senate hearings on auto trade practices; attainment of supplemental unemployment compensation by the UAW1954:Reduction of "phantom-freight" charges1953:Fire destroys General Motors' Hydra-matic plant in Livonia, Mich.Contact Automotive News

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Rajya Sabha passes food bill but this is no NREGA for UPA by Sanjay Singh Sep 3, 2013 #Congress #Food Sceme #Food Security Bill #Garibi Hatao #Land Acquisition Bill #Lok Sabha elections 2014 #NREGA #PoliticsDecoder #Sonia Gandhi #UPA 2 #Uttar Pradesh Tweet EmailPrint Note: A version of this article was published yesterday before the Rajya Sabha decision to pass the Food Security Bill. The Congress says the Food security bill is a fulfillment of Sonia Gandhis dream, while the land acquisition bill was a long cherished idea for Rahul Gandhi. The enactment of these hugely populist, economically destructive bills no doubt give big talking points to the ruling Congress, which has been so deeply starved of positive things to talk about in recent times. But the big question that everyone in political and social circles is asking, is if the food security scheme will work for UPA 2 in the same way the farm loan waiver and NREGA worked for UPA 1 in 2004 and Indira Gandhis Garibi Hatao slogan worked for the party in 1971. AFP The Congress has already started boasting of their pro-poor and pro-farmer credentials. A nicely crafted advertisement for the food security scheme is all over television and FM radio channels to convey the message that UPA 2 has taken care of hunger and malnourishment in the country. The ruling party leaders hope that if food security becomes the main talking point among people in rural, sub-urban, and economically weaker in urban areas, then land acquisition will become the talking point among the dominant farmers sections of society from where the maximum votes are polled. The affluent land holding farmers tend to influence the voting pattern of some others, particularly the socially and economically backward sections of society. If the Congress is successful in garnering their support, then the angst of the middle class and the intelligentsia's criticism of these bills and the sinking Indian economy would not hurt Congress as much. After all, as the argument goes, not many of them vote. But this line of thinking could just be misplaced optimism, and for more than one reason. First, NREGA, unlike the Food Security, did not come as a vote catching scheme, at least to begin with. In UPA 1, the Left Front was one of the main driving forces behind the employment guarantee scheme for the rural poor and also gave it social and intellectual push. Consider the timing. NREGA (it was renamed as MGREGA on 2 Oct, 2009) was launched just a year after UPA 1 came to power. It was discussed and passed by both houses of Parliament and signed by the President for enactment by 5 September 2005 with the gazette notification issued on 7 September 2005. Five months later on 2 February 2006 the scheme was launched from Anantapur in Andhra Pradesh. By the time the 2009 parliamentary elections were held, this rural employment guarantee scheme covered almost all districts in the country. It was a new idea where payment was made in cash to rural poor and despite criticism of all kinds, the scheme appeared it appeared to be in sync with the Congress' electoral catchphrase aam admias opposed to the NDAs "India shining" slogan. Contrast that with the Food security scheme. It comes barely six months ahead of the 2014 parliamentary elections and given the high degree of logistical issues involved it is impossible for UPA2 to ensure that it will reach targeted beneficiaries by Feb-March next year, when the real electioneering would have kicked off on the ground. The Congress will have to compete with rival political parties to claim credit in different states. The high voltage ad-campaign could boomerang if the targeted beneficiaries dont get delivery of Rs 3, Rs 2 and Re1 food grain from the local Lala, as the ad claims. Moreover, subsidized ration to the poor is not a new concept and has successfully been implemented in various states for a while now. The two south Indian leaders MGR in Tamil Nadu and NT Rama Rao have been pioneers in the one rupee ration. In contemporary politics, leaders like Raman Singh and Jayalalithaa have made such schemes more broad based and accessible. Also how can Congress explain the implementation of a food security scheme where a failed Vijay Bahuguna government couldn't even distribute relief material to Uttarakhand survivors in a sustained manner? Uttrakhand along with Delhi and Haryana are three states, which announced implementation on Rajiv Gandhis birthday 20 August. Congress won't benefit from the food bill the way it did with NREGA: Reuters So can the land acquisition bill be a vote catcher with the farmers in 2014 the same way the farm loan waiver did in 2009?. The answer again, is no. A Rs.52,280 crore farm loan waiver came more than year ahead of the 2009 parliamentary elections. It was announced by then finance minister Pranab Mukherjee in his 2008 budget speech. Whether or not it benefited the intended beneficiaries by the time elections were held in April-May 2014, the farmers had the psychological relief of not having to pay back whatever debt they owed to the banks. As compared to the farm loan waiver, the impact of Rahul Gandhis cherished new land acquisition law will be far more limited. The benefits of land acquisition compensation would be mainly restricted to affluent farmers and land sharks, which have lately sprouted all over. This class has its own voting preferences and are often guided by various local factors rather than being swayed by one big announcement. The results of the Uttar Pradesh assembly elections could well be a case in point. Rahul Gandhi had made land acquisition out to be a huge issue -- he sat on dharna amid high drama, walked miles on foot in the villages along the Yamuna Express way and made it one of his principal talking points in the run up to the polls. The Congress had high hopes in these polls held last year but in the end finished a pathetic fourth. The party was routed even in the region where he had started his dharna, challenging Mayawatis land acquisition policy. Also this time Congress will be fighting hard to convince people on rising prices, which is pinching all sections of electorate. High prices of essential commodities could weigh much heavier against the UPA than a promised subsidized ration and presumptive compensation of land that the government may acquire. High compensation of land prices also has the potential of antagonizing another set of people, those who propose to develop the land for industry or homes.

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