UPA govt yields to Oppn, agrees to vote on price rise
Debate in the Lok Sabha today
Faraz Ahmad & Aditi Tandon
Tribune News Service
New Delhi, August 2
The stand-off between the government and the main Opposition BJP ended today within two days of the commencement of the Monsoon Session of the Parliament with the government relenting to a discussion on price rise and inflation under Rule 184 entailing a division and the BJP agreeing to reword its notice from censuring the government to expressing concern over price rise and inflation.
After several rounds of negotiations, acknowledged both by Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Bansal and Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley, the two sides agreed to discuss price rise under Rule 184, a major concession by the government and in exchange the BJP agreed to reword its notice to accommodate the government compulsions.
“Because there can be no disagreement in the House on expressing concern over price rise and inflation, sources said the government hopes the debate may end with a unanimous resolutions with all sides saying “Aye,” when called to vote.
The price rise debate tomorrow is expected to take place on the resolution under rule 184 moved by BJP member Yashwant Sinha. It’s text is likely to state: "Despite repeated discussions in the House, prices have failed to come down. Expressing concern over continuous rising prices, this House calls upon the government to take immediate effective steps to bring down prices and offer relief to the common man."
Several notices are pending with the Speaker on price rise and inflation. The Third Front comprising the Left, the BJD, the TDP, the AIADMK and the JDS had moved an adjournment motion and accused the government of ignoring them during these discussions. BJP leader Yashwant Sinha and NDA convener Sharad Yadav sought a discussion under Rule 184 of the Lok Sabha Rules of Procedures and Conduct which concludes with a vote.
From the government side Congress member from Andhra Pradesh K.S. Rao had posted a notice under Rule 193 expressing concern over price rise and inflation and calling upon the government to tackle it.
Even the Left today expressed reservations on the repeat of the past practice of the Speaker moving the resolution and the entire House passing the joint resolution. Favouring price rise debate under rules that permit voting, CPM leader Sitaram Yechury said, "Last time also the Speaker moved an anti-inflation resolution in which the House called upon the government to take steps to curb prices. No steps were taken. In fact, the government raised the prices further by increasing petrol prices thrice in the recent months. A similar exercise this time is meaningless. We don't want a discussion without conclusion but one that will make the government accountable and list steps it must take immediately to curb price rise," Yechury said.
Similarly, CPI leader Gurudas Dasgupta complained that the government was giving an impression that India's polity was bi-polar. "The UPA is forcing bipolar political discussions on the country. But we are a multi-party nation and the Congress must not think they and the BJP alone can run the country."
In the process, BJP’s corruption issue has suddenly taken a back seat. Tomorrow while the Lok Sabha will discuss price rise and inflation, the Rajya Sabha will discuss terrorism and internal security with particular reference to the recent Mumbai blasts. There were indications that the discussion on corruption may also follow the same pattern which may avoid any acrimonious references from either side of the House.
Next week the Rajya Sabha will discuss price rise and inflation again under Rule 168 of the Rajya Sabha Rules, entailing a division and the Lok Sabha will discuss internal security and terrorism. Discussion on corruption has been put off to the third week, hinted government sources.
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Lokpal draft too weak to deter corrupt: Anna Hazare-TNN Jul 29, 2011
Lokpal draft too weak to deter corrupt: Anna Hazare
Manjiri Damle, TNN Jul 29, 2011, 04.31am IST
PUNE: Social activist Anna Hazare said the Lokpal bill draft approved by the Cabinet on Thursday was so weak and ineffective that the corrupt would not be afraid of the watchdog and the poor would never get justice.
Speaking to TOI from his hometown Ralegan Siddhi, Hazare said he would go ahead with his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on August 16. "People of this country are convinced about the need of an effective Lokpal and they will support me. Now there will be no turning back and I will continue the fight till my last breath," he said.
Hazare said the draft had included only top officials above the rank of deputy commissioner in the ambit of Lokpal. "We want all government officials, from the lowest to the highest level, in the ambit. We've seen that elected representatives are hand in glove with low ranking officials when it comes to corruption. If these officials are not brought under Lokpal, there will be no control over the elected representatives. What is the use of having such a weak arrangement? It is as good as having nothing," he said.
Ads by Google
Hazare criticized the government's dominance in the nine-member committee that would select the Lokpal. "As per the government's draft, five of the nine members will be from the government. When the government will clearly have a majority, it will do anything it wants. The power to remove the Lokpal also vests with the government and not a Supreme Court judge or a five-member committee as suggested by the civil society. What will this achieve? Nothing! It is as good as having no Lokpal," he said.
The draft is also silent about having an autonomous and powerful Lokayukta on the lines of the Lokpal in every state. "We wanted this arrangement because unless we have powerful watchdogs at the state level, corruption cannot be curbed. The government has accepted only minor and less important suggestions made by the civil society. On the most important matters, the government has done what it wanted," he said.
Manjiri Damle, TNN Jul 29, 2011, 04.31am IST
PUNE: Social activist Anna Hazare said the Lokpal bill draft approved by the Cabinet on Thursday was so weak and ineffective that the corrupt would not be afraid of the watchdog and the poor would never get justice.
Speaking to TOI from his hometown Ralegan Siddhi, Hazare said he would go ahead with his indefinite hunger strike at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on August 16. "People of this country are convinced about the need of an effective Lokpal and they will support me. Now there will be no turning back and I will continue the fight till my last breath," he said.
Hazare said the draft had included only top officials above the rank of deputy commissioner in the ambit of Lokpal. "We want all government officials, from the lowest to the highest level, in the ambit. We've seen that elected representatives are hand in glove with low ranking officials when it comes to corruption. If these officials are not brought under Lokpal, there will be no control over the elected representatives. What is the use of having such a weak arrangement? It is as good as having nothing," he said.
Ads by Google
Hazare criticized the government's dominance in the nine-member committee that would select the Lokpal. "As per the government's draft, five of the nine members will be from the government. When the government will clearly have a majority, it will do anything it wants. The power to remove the Lokpal also vests with the government and not a Supreme Court judge or a five-member committee as suggested by the civil society. What will this achieve? Nothing! It is as good as having no Lokpal," he said.
The draft is also silent about having an autonomous and powerful Lokayukta on the lines of the Lokpal in every state. "We wanted this arrangement because unless we have powerful watchdogs at the state level, corruption cannot be curbed. The government has accepted only minor and less important suggestions made by the civil society. On the most important matters, the government has done what it wanted," he said.
Government to introduce lokpal bill in Parliament-August 03, 2011
Government to introduce lokpal bill in Parliament
(I HOPE THIS TIME IT SHOULD GET PASSED WITH THUMPING MAJORITY...BUT WITH INGREDIENTS OF "JANLOKPAL BILL"...AFTER ALL WHY OUR CONSTITUTIONAL REPRESENTATIVES IN PARLIAMENT ARE AFRAID OF "KEEPING PM AND JUDICIARY" UNDER ITS AMBIT WHEN WE KNOW ABOUT MANY CASES WHERE MEMBERS OF JUDICIARIES AND EVEN FORMER PM'S HAS/HAD DENT OR ALLEGATION WHICH HAS NOT TOTALLY PROVEN YET OF CORRUPTION CASES.I HAVE HEARD KIRAN BEDIJI SAYING CM,MCD,PANCHAYAT,CBI..AND MANY SUCH AUTHORITIES ARE ALSO OUT OF THIS GOVERNMENTS DRAFTED LOKPAL BILL??? ITS IMPORTANT TO FIGHT FINAL BATTLE ON PAPER FIRST AGAINST CORRUPTION.IF NOT TODAY THEN IT NEVER WILL IN FUTURE!!!...VT)
Press Trust Of India
New Delhi , August 03, 2011
A youth celebrates Anna Hazare's end to five-day fast over ...
The much hyped lokpal bill, which aims to set up an anti-corruption watchdog in the country, will be introduced in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. The lokpal bill seeks to keep the office of the Prime Minister outside the purview of the ombudsman during his term in office and also exclude
related stories
higher judiciary and conduct of MPs inside Parliament.
The lokpal, consisting of chairperson and eight members, half of them judicial, will have its own prosecution and investigation wing with officers and staff necessary to carry out its functions. Persons with impeccable integrity, with 25 years of experience in administration who have dealt with corruption and vigilance, would also form part of the lokpal.
The institution would inquire into allegations of corruption in respect of the Prime Minister only after he demits office. Besides, it would take up corruption matters allegedly involving ministers, MPs, Group 'A' officers and others equivalent to this grade in any body, board, authority, corporation, trust, society or autonomous body set up by an Act of Parliament.
Every public servant will be made to declare his or her assets and liabilities. In case of default or misleading information, it will be presumed that the said public servant has acquired the assets through corrupt means.
The lokpal can also recommend transfer or suspension of public servants connected with allegations of corruption.
The lokpal would not require sanction or approval under Section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, or Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, in cases where prosecution is proposed.
The lokpal will also have powers to attach the property of corrupt public servants acquired through corrupt means.
At the same time, the bill provides for prosecution for false complaint. The punishment term would not be less than two years in jail. The prison term can extend up to five years.
A penalty ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 2 lakh is also proposed on people found guilty of making false complaints. The public servant is also entitled for compensation.
The anti-corruption watchdog can also seek the assistance of the Centre and the state government in conducting inquiries.
It provides for a time limitation period of seven years from the date of taking cognisance of an offence. In the case of the Prime Minister, the limitation period will apply after he or she demits office.
The measure does not provide for constitution of Lokayukta as in states.
The expenses to run the institution would be borne out of the Consolidated Fund of India.
The government hopes that if the Standing Committee comes out with its recommendations on the bill by August-end, then it could go ahead with its passage.
The lokpal bill has had a long and chequered history. Legislations in the past had included the Prime Minister within the ambit of the bill only on a few occasions.
The National Commission for Review of the Working of the Constitution had in 2001 recommended that the Prime Minister be kept out of the lokpal's purview since he occupies a unique position and is the head of the entire governmental structure.
The Commission, headed by retired chief justice M N Venkatachaliah, had said that the Prime Minister as the symbol of stability and continuity of the regime should not be exposed to the risks of well-orchestrated attempts to malign his image and reputation.
The idea of lokpal emanated from the office of Ombudsman prevalent in Scandinavian countries.
The first legislative attempt at lokpal in India failed after the bill was passed in the 4th Lok Sabha in 1969 but could not get through in the Rajya Sabha.
Subsequently, lokpal bills were introduced in 1971, 1977, 1985, 1989, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2005 and in 2008.
(I HOPE THIS TIME IT SHOULD GET PASSED WITH THUMPING MAJORITY...BUT WITH INGREDIENTS OF "JANLOKPAL BILL"...AFTER ALL WHY OUR CONSTITUTIONAL REPRESENTATIVES IN PARLIAMENT ARE AFRAID OF "KEEPING PM AND JUDICIARY" UNDER ITS AMBIT WHEN WE KNOW ABOUT MANY CASES WHERE MEMBERS OF JUDICIARIES AND EVEN FORMER PM'S HAS/HAD DENT OR ALLEGATION WHICH HAS NOT TOTALLY PROVEN YET OF CORRUPTION CASES.I HAVE HEARD KIRAN BEDIJI SAYING CM,MCD,PANCHAYAT,CBI..AND MANY SUCH AUTHORITIES ARE ALSO OUT OF THIS GOVERNMENTS DRAFTED LOKPAL BILL??? ITS IMPORTANT TO FIGHT FINAL BATTLE ON PAPER FIRST AGAINST CORRUPTION.IF NOT TODAY THEN IT NEVER WILL IN FUTURE!!!...VT)
Press Trust Of India
New Delhi , August 03, 2011
A youth celebrates Anna Hazare's end to five-day fast over ...
The much hyped lokpal bill, which aims to set up an anti-corruption watchdog in the country, will be introduced in the Lok Sabha on Thursday. The lokpal bill seeks to keep the office of the Prime Minister outside the purview of the ombudsman during his term in office and also exclude
related stories
higher judiciary and conduct of MPs inside Parliament.
The lokpal, consisting of chairperson and eight members, half of them judicial, will have its own prosecution and investigation wing with officers and staff necessary to carry out its functions. Persons with impeccable integrity, with 25 years of experience in administration who have dealt with corruption and vigilance, would also form part of the lokpal.
The institution would inquire into allegations of corruption in respect of the Prime Minister only after he demits office. Besides, it would take up corruption matters allegedly involving ministers, MPs, Group 'A' officers and others equivalent to this grade in any body, board, authority, corporation, trust, society or autonomous body set up by an Act of Parliament.
Every public servant will be made to declare his or her assets and liabilities. In case of default or misleading information, it will be presumed that the said public servant has acquired the assets through corrupt means.
The lokpal can also recommend transfer or suspension of public servants connected with allegations of corruption.
The lokpal would not require sanction or approval under Section 197 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, or Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, in cases where prosecution is proposed.
The lokpal will also have powers to attach the property of corrupt public servants acquired through corrupt means.
At the same time, the bill provides for prosecution for false complaint. The punishment term would not be less than two years in jail. The prison term can extend up to five years.
A penalty ranging from Rs 25,000 to Rs 2 lakh is also proposed on people found guilty of making false complaints. The public servant is also entitled for compensation.
The anti-corruption watchdog can also seek the assistance of the Centre and the state government in conducting inquiries.
It provides for a time limitation period of seven years from the date of taking cognisance of an offence. In the case of the Prime Minister, the limitation period will apply after he or she demits office.
The measure does not provide for constitution of Lokayukta as in states.
The expenses to run the institution would be borne out of the Consolidated Fund of India.
The government hopes that if the Standing Committee comes out with its recommendations on the bill by August-end, then it could go ahead with its passage.
The lokpal bill has had a long and chequered history. Legislations in the past had included the Prime Minister within the ambit of the bill only on a few occasions.
The National Commission for Review of the Working of the Constitution had in 2001 recommended that the Prime Minister be kept out of the lokpal's purview since he occupies a unique position and is the head of the entire governmental structure.
The Commission, headed by retired chief justice M N Venkatachaliah, had said that the Prime Minister as the symbol of stability and continuity of the regime should not be exposed to the risks of well-orchestrated attempts to malign his image and reputation.
The idea of lokpal emanated from the office of Ombudsman prevalent in Scandinavian countries.
The first legislative attempt at lokpal in India failed after the bill was passed in the 4th Lok Sabha in 1969 but could not get through in the Rajya Sabha.
Subsequently, lokpal bills were introduced in 1971, 1977, 1985, 1989, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2005 and in 2008.
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
CAG nails Sheila govt for irregularities related CWG n spending- August 03, 2011
CAG nails Sheila govt for CWG spending
Last Updated: Wednesday, August 03, 2011, 10:40
New Delhi: In yet another embarrassment to the UPA government, the Comptroller and Accountant General of India (CAG) has blamed the Congress government in Delhi for irregularities related to the Commonwealth Games (CWG) held last year.
Reports, Wednesday, claimed that the CAG has slammed Chief Minister Sheila Dixit’s government for serious lapses and irregularities in the bidding process for procurement of different Games-related items and pointed out several instances of wasteful expenditure.
CAG nails Sheila govt for CWG spending
The CAG’s indictment of Delhi Chief Minister comes a day after it blamed the PMO for giving a long rope to IOA chief and CWG Organising Committee (OC) chief Suresh Kalmadi in spending crores of taxpayer’s money in the names of preparations for the sporting event.
The CAG has blamed the PMO for appointing Kalmadi as Organising Committee chairman of the CWG held in October.
The explosive CAG report, which is yet to be tabled in Parliament, is believed to have identified how Spage Age - one of the disqualified firms bidding for street lighting – was later declared qualified "irregularly" after the firm appealed to the Chief Minister.
The CAG also observed several instances of wasteful expenditure by the Delhi government and civic agencies amounting to the tune of over Rs 100 crores over streets-capping and an excess expenditure of Rs 31.07 crore on street lighting by MCD, NDMC and PWD.
CAG nails Sheila govt for CWG spending
The CAG report blames the Delhi government for the manner in which it went about its project for "Modernization of Delhi Street Lighting System", since the decision on use of imported lighting was taken with the express consent of the Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister has refused to comment on the CAG report and stated that she would talk on it only after it is tabled in Parliament and its contents are made public.
The contents of the CAG report, which was leaked to the media, has triggered an angry reaction from the ruling side, which has sought to shift the blame on previous NDA regime for appointing Kalmadi and the entire CWG mess.
Minister of state in the PMO V Narayanasamy said the CAG report, after being tabled in Parliament, will be examined by the public accounts committee.
First Published: Wednesday, August 03, 2011, 09:36
Last Updated: Wednesday, August 03, 2011, 10:40
New Delhi: In yet another embarrassment to the UPA government, the Comptroller and Accountant General of India (CAG) has blamed the Congress government in Delhi for irregularities related to the Commonwealth Games (CWG) held last year.
Reports, Wednesday, claimed that the CAG has slammed Chief Minister Sheila Dixit’s government for serious lapses and irregularities in the bidding process for procurement of different Games-related items and pointed out several instances of wasteful expenditure.
CAG nails Sheila govt for CWG spending
The CAG’s indictment of Delhi Chief Minister comes a day after it blamed the PMO for giving a long rope to IOA chief and CWG Organising Committee (OC) chief Suresh Kalmadi in spending crores of taxpayer’s money in the names of preparations for the sporting event.
The CAG has blamed the PMO for appointing Kalmadi as Organising Committee chairman of the CWG held in October.
The explosive CAG report, which is yet to be tabled in Parliament, is believed to have identified how Spage Age - one of the disqualified firms bidding for street lighting – was later declared qualified "irregularly" after the firm appealed to the Chief Minister.
The CAG also observed several instances of wasteful expenditure by the Delhi government and civic agencies amounting to the tune of over Rs 100 crores over streets-capping and an excess expenditure of Rs 31.07 crore on street lighting by MCD, NDMC and PWD.
CAG nails Sheila govt for CWG spending
The CAG report blames the Delhi government for the manner in which it went about its project for "Modernization of Delhi Street Lighting System", since the decision on use of imported lighting was taken with the express consent of the Chief Minister.
Meanwhile, Delhi Chief Minister has refused to comment on the CAG report and stated that she would talk on it only after it is tabled in Parliament and its contents are made public.
The contents of the CAG report, which was leaked to the media, has triggered an angry reaction from the ruling side, which has sought to shift the blame on previous NDA regime for appointing Kalmadi and the entire CWG mess.
Minister of state in the PMO V Narayanasamy said the CAG report, after being tabled in Parliament, will be examined by the public accounts committee.
First Published: Wednesday, August 03, 2011, 09:36
Congress averts default, Obama remarks/Analysis: Obama suffers political setback in debt deal
Analysis: Obama suffers political setback in debt deal
* Default avoided but fears on economy remain
12:14am EDT
* U.S. avoids default but fails to dispel economy fears
Tue, Aug 2 2011
* Obama says more needed to boost U.S. economy
Tue, Aug 2 2011
* Scenarios: Next steps in carrying out new budget deal
Tue, Aug 2 2011
* NEWSMAKER-Top Senate Republican key figure in U.S. debt deal
Tue, Aug 2 2011
Analysis & Opinion
* A debt deal that solves the wrong problem
* Fact-free fiscal farce
Congress averts default, Obama remarks
Thu, Aug 4 2011
U.S. President Barack Obama makes a statement on the passing of a debt-ceiling bill in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, August 2, 2011. REUTERS/Larry Downing
U.S. President Barack Obama makes a statement on the passing of a debt-ceiling bill in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, August 2, 2011.
By Steve Holland
WASHINGTON | Wed Aug 3, 2011 1:52am EDT
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama suffered a defeat in the battle over raising the U.S. debt limit that may have repercussions for his efforts to restore growth to the U.S. economy and win re-election in 2012.
The outcome of the debt battle dismayed Obama's liberal base just when he needs them for 2012 fundraising and support, and emboldened his Republican adversaries who forced him to accept more spending cuts than he wanted.
The debate also did nothing to help Obama clear his biggest hurdle to re-election -- the country's 9.2 percent jobless rate. In fact, it ratcheted up the bar by generating so much uncertainty that businesses sharply cut back investing and hiring.
"While Washington has been absorbed in this debate about deficits, people across the country are asking what we can do to help the father looking for work," Obama said on Tuesday.
Now Obama will likely turn his attention to a big push on measures to help the economy and keep it from dipping back into recession. That could include an extension of a payroll tax cut and approval of stalled trade deals with Panama, Colombia and South Korea.
That, and time, could help him overcome the damage from the debt debate. It could, in fact, be a blip on the screen as voters consider Obama against a field of Republican candidates that many analysts see as weak.
"I think he gets credit for being the reasonable guy in the room," said Democratic strategist Bob Shrum. "I think he has to take a temporary hit looking like he wasn't able to command the whole process."
PASSING BLAME
Americans seem to blame Republicans more for the crisis that almost drove the United States to an unprecedented default, and that will help Obama. A Reuters/Ipsos poll last week found 31 percent of Americans blamed Republicans for the debt impasse while 21 percent blamed Obama.
"Certainly he's exposed in this," said Ipsos pollster Julia Clark. "That all said, Americans do put more of the blame for the prolonged failure of these talks at the feet of Republican lawmakers, so they may bear the most brunt."
Still, Obama was bruised in the debt struggle, forced to accept deep spending cuts without tax increases as he had wanted. Looking to 2012, that leaves him exposed on the left.
"I don't think he looks great," said Jennifer Duffy, a political analyst at the non-partisan Cook Political Report. "One, obviously a lot of the progressive groups are unhappy. They think that he caved, that he gave Republicans whatever they wanted."
ACE IN HIS HAND -- TAXES
He is not giving up on taxes and it may serve as a key issue of the 2012 campaign -- whether Americans are willing to put at risk funding for popular but expensive social programs in order to preserve Bush-era tax cuts.
His goal in coming months is to convince Americans of the need for more tax revenue, believing voters will side with him that it would be better to raise taxes on wealthier Americans to preserve the social safety net.
"Everyone is going to have to chip in. It's only fair. That's the principle I'll be fighting for during the next phase of this process," Obama said.
Obama has argued in the past for ending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy to no avail, but now he could have a vehicle to do so -- a bipartisan congressional committee created under the debt deal to recommend ways to cut the deficit by the end of the year.
White House officials say increased tax revenues will inevitably emerge from the recommendations of the committee. They point to some proposals for raising taxes that have already been floated by a bipartisan group of senators.
And even House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner, the top Republican, had agreed to $800 billion of new revenue increase in a version of a deficit-cutting package with Obama, a deal that fell apart.
Obama thinks he has an ace in his hand to play. If the committee does not produce tax reform ideas, he will veto any legislation that would extend Bush-era tax cuts for high earners beyond 2012.
"I think he's got to run a Trumanesque campaign, that he's out there fighting for ordinary people, and draw distinctions on tax cuts for the wealthy," said Shrum.
(Editing by Mohammad Zargham)
* Default avoided but fears on economy remain
12:14am EDT
* U.S. avoids default but fails to dispel economy fears
Tue, Aug 2 2011
* Obama says more needed to boost U.S. economy
Tue, Aug 2 2011
* Scenarios: Next steps in carrying out new budget deal
Tue, Aug 2 2011
* NEWSMAKER-Top Senate Republican key figure in U.S. debt deal
Tue, Aug 2 2011
Analysis & Opinion
* A debt deal that solves the wrong problem
* Fact-free fiscal farce
Congress averts default, Obama remarks
Thu, Aug 4 2011
U.S. President Barack Obama makes a statement on the passing of a debt-ceiling bill in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, August 2, 2011. REUTERS/Larry Downing
U.S. President Barack Obama makes a statement on the passing of a debt-ceiling bill in the Rose Garden at the White House in Washington, August 2, 2011.
By Steve Holland
WASHINGTON | Wed Aug 3, 2011 1:52am EDT
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama suffered a defeat in the battle over raising the U.S. debt limit that may have repercussions for his efforts to restore growth to the U.S. economy and win re-election in 2012.
The outcome of the debt battle dismayed Obama's liberal base just when he needs them for 2012 fundraising and support, and emboldened his Republican adversaries who forced him to accept more spending cuts than he wanted.
The debate also did nothing to help Obama clear his biggest hurdle to re-election -- the country's 9.2 percent jobless rate. In fact, it ratcheted up the bar by generating so much uncertainty that businesses sharply cut back investing and hiring.
"While Washington has been absorbed in this debate about deficits, people across the country are asking what we can do to help the father looking for work," Obama said on Tuesday.
Now Obama will likely turn his attention to a big push on measures to help the economy and keep it from dipping back into recession. That could include an extension of a payroll tax cut and approval of stalled trade deals with Panama, Colombia and South Korea.
That, and time, could help him overcome the damage from the debt debate. It could, in fact, be a blip on the screen as voters consider Obama against a field of Republican candidates that many analysts see as weak.
"I think he gets credit for being the reasonable guy in the room," said Democratic strategist Bob Shrum. "I think he has to take a temporary hit looking like he wasn't able to command the whole process."
PASSING BLAME
Americans seem to blame Republicans more for the crisis that almost drove the United States to an unprecedented default, and that will help Obama. A Reuters/Ipsos poll last week found 31 percent of Americans blamed Republicans for the debt impasse while 21 percent blamed Obama.
"Certainly he's exposed in this," said Ipsos pollster Julia Clark. "That all said, Americans do put more of the blame for the prolonged failure of these talks at the feet of Republican lawmakers, so they may bear the most brunt."
Still, Obama was bruised in the debt struggle, forced to accept deep spending cuts without tax increases as he had wanted. Looking to 2012, that leaves him exposed on the left.
"I don't think he looks great," said Jennifer Duffy, a political analyst at the non-partisan Cook Political Report. "One, obviously a lot of the progressive groups are unhappy. They think that he caved, that he gave Republicans whatever they wanted."
ACE IN HIS HAND -- TAXES
He is not giving up on taxes and it may serve as a key issue of the 2012 campaign -- whether Americans are willing to put at risk funding for popular but expensive social programs in order to preserve Bush-era tax cuts.
His goal in coming months is to convince Americans of the need for more tax revenue, believing voters will side with him that it would be better to raise taxes on wealthier Americans to preserve the social safety net.
"Everyone is going to have to chip in. It's only fair. That's the principle I'll be fighting for during the next phase of this process," Obama said.
Obama has argued in the past for ending the Bush tax cuts for the wealthy to no avail, but now he could have a vehicle to do so -- a bipartisan congressional committee created under the debt deal to recommend ways to cut the deficit by the end of the year.
White House officials say increased tax revenues will inevitably emerge from the recommendations of the committee. They point to some proposals for raising taxes that have already been floated by a bipartisan group of senators.
And even House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner, the top Republican, had agreed to $800 billion of new revenue increase in a version of a deficit-cutting package with Obama, a deal that fell apart.
Obama thinks he has an ace in his hand to play. If the committee does not produce tax reform ideas, he will veto any legislation that would extend Bush-era tax cuts for high earners beyond 2012.
"I think he's got to run a Trumanesque campaign, that he's out there fighting for ordinary people, and draw distinctions on tax cuts for the wealthy," said Shrum.
(Editing by Mohammad Zargham)
Using militants against India will be self destructive for Pakistan: NYT-Wednesday, Aug 3, 2011
Using militants against India will be self destructive for Pakistan: NYT
Published: Wednesday, Aug 3, 2011, 11:05 IST
Place: Washington, DC | Agency: PTI
Lauding the Indian leadership's willingness to engage Pakistan despite its failure to bring the perpetrators of 26/11 attacks to justice, a leading US daily has said that the Pakistani army's use of militants to counter Indian influence in Kashmir is "self-destructive."
In the editorial titled 'India and Pakistan, Talking: Even modest progress is to be celebrated and urged forward,' The New York Times said that homegrown extremism and not India is the real threat to Pakistan's survival.
"Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India deserves huge credit for staying engaged despite Pakistan's failure to prosecute those responsible for the 2008 horrors. And he deserves credit for not shooting first and asking questions later after the recent attacks. We wish we could say the same of Pakistan's leaders," the editorial said.
Pakistani army's focus on countering India's influence in Kashmir and Afghanistan is self-destructive for the country, it said.
"Before there can be a true reconciliation, and stability in the region, Pakistan's army must realise that using militants to try to counter Indian influence in Kashmir and Afghanistan is self-destructive -- and that homegrown extremism, not India, is the real threat to Pakistan's survival."
Describing the relationship between the two neighbours as "combustible", the editorial said "it is progress just to get the two sides in a room," in a reference to the recently concluded talks between the foreign ministers of the two countries.
"Last week's meeting was better. Their foreign ministers announced modest, but very welcome, agreements concerning ...Kashmir."
Small steps like increasing cross-border trade and expediting travel permits for those wanting to cross the border could help chip away at the "visceral mistrust" between the two countries that have fought three wars since their independence in 1947, it said.
"India and Pakistan have more to talk about, including cooperation on water, expanded trade and their joint stake in a stable Afghanistan. President Obama's drawdown of American troops will go easier if India and Pakistan are part of the solution, not fighting over the spoils," the Times said.
"New Delhi insists that it will accept no outside mediation. Washington needs to keep pressing the two to work together."
The United States and its allies are planning a conference in Bonn in December where they hope to rally international support for a broad regional strategy that includes a peace deal for Afghanistan, trade agreements and ambitious energy projects.
Published: Wednesday, Aug 3, 2011, 11:05 IST
Place: Washington, DC | Agency: PTI
Lauding the Indian leadership's willingness to engage Pakistan despite its failure to bring the perpetrators of 26/11 attacks to justice, a leading US daily has said that the Pakistani army's use of militants to counter Indian influence in Kashmir is "self-destructive."
In the editorial titled 'India and Pakistan, Talking: Even modest progress is to be celebrated and urged forward,' The New York Times said that homegrown extremism and not India is the real threat to Pakistan's survival.
"Prime Minister Manmohan Singh of India deserves huge credit for staying engaged despite Pakistan's failure to prosecute those responsible for the 2008 horrors. And he deserves credit for not shooting first and asking questions later after the recent attacks. We wish we could say the same of Pakistan's leaders," the editorial said.
Pakistani army's focus on countering India's influence in Kashmir and Afghanistan is self-destructive for the country, it said.
"Before there can be a true reconciliation, and stability in the region, Pakistan's army must realise that using militants to try to counter Indian influence in Kashmir and Afghanistan is self-destructive -- and that homegrown extremism, not India, is the real threat to Pakistan's survival."
Describing the relationship between the two neighbours as "combustible", the editorial said "it is progress just to get the two sides in a room," in a reference to the recently concluded talks between the foreign ministers of the two countries.
"Last week's meeting was better. Their foreign ministers announced modest, but very welcome, agreements concerning ...Kashmir."
Small steps like increasing cross-border trade and expediting travel permits for those wanting to cross the border could help chip away at the "visceral mistrust" between the two countries that have fought three wars since their independence in 1947, it said.
"India and Pakistan have more to talk about, including cooperation on water, expanded trade and their joint stake in a stable Afghanistan. President Obama's drawdown of American troops will go easier if India and Pakistan are part of the solution, not fighting over the spoils," the Times said.
"New Delhi insists that it will accept no outside mediation. Washington needs to keep pressing the two to work together."
The United States and its allies are planning a conference in Bonn in December where they hope to rally international support for a broad regional strategy that includes a peace deal for Afghanistan, trade agreements and ambitious energy projects.
Oppsition forces government to accept price rise debate-THIS GOVERNMENT SHOULD GO IF DEY CANT CURB INFLATION N PRICE RISE.V'R READY 4 MID TERM POLL.
Oppsition forces government to accept price rise debate
(IF PRESENT GOVERNMENT CAN NOT CONTROL PRICE RISE AND INFLATION,THEN ITS BETTER THEIR GOVERNMENT SHOULD FALL SO THAT OTHERS COMBINATION OF NDA+ GET CHANCE TO CONTROL IT.IN THIS CURCUMSTANCES PEOPLE SHOULD BE READY FOR MID TERM POLL WHEN EVERY ROUTINE ITEMS AND GROSSORIES,FRUITS,VEGTABLES,GAS,PETROL...JUST TAKE THE NAME AND ITS OUT OF YOUR REACH....HOW CAN PEOPLE THINK OF CONTROLLING BRIBRY,CORRUPTION OR CRIME SPECIALLY IN LOWER STRATTA,MIDDLE CLASS,OR EVEN UPPER MIDDLE CLASS,...WHERE BIG POPULATION UNDER BPL AND EVEN ON BORDERLINE ARE STILL LIVING IN "HAND TO MOUTH" LIFESTYLE.BUT THEN SP/BSP/LEFT HAS TO JOIN HANDS WITH OTHER NDA TEAM TO OVERCCOME AND TAKE THIS COUNTRY OUT OF "MEHNGAI" MENANCE!!....BUT FOR IT THEY HAVE TO GIVE "TO THE POINT ROADMAP" FOR ERADICATING IT OR HOW WILL THEY CURB THIS PROBLEM ATLEAST!!EVEN UPA WILL GET 3YRS TIME FOR NEXT GENERAL ELECTION TO PREPARE FOR ALL ISSUES AND HOW TO COUNTER IT AND SEE WHAT NDA WILL DO IN THESE 3YRS...AND THEN COME BACK IN MAJORITY,IF POSSIBLE!!!
WELL WE AAM JANTA ARE CONCERNED ABOUT DRASTIC INCREASE IN PRICE RISE AND INFLATION IN THESE FEW YEARS...WHO EVER BE IN GOVERNMENT WE WANT SOME CONCRETE SOLUTION IMMEDIATLY AT LEAST ITS PLANNING ON PAPER...HOW IT WILL GET IMPLEMENTED IMMIDIATLY!!!LETS WATCH TODAY'S DISCUSSION AND SEE HOW CONCERN OUR CHOSEN REPRESENTATIVE IN PARLIAMENT FOR OUR PROBLEMS,OR THEY ARE JUST "EK HI THAILLI KE CHATTE-BATTE"!!WHETHER THEY'RE INTERESTED IN SOME SOLID COMPROMISE FORMULA TO FIND SOLUTION AND PRESSURISE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT TO IMPLEMENT FAST,AND IF "NO" THEN BE UNITED TO GIVE ALTERNATIVE GOVERNMENT THROUGH MID TERM POLL AND FORMATION OF GOVERNMENT.AS I CAN SEE REACTIONS OF COMMON PEOPLE ON TV,THEY ARE REALLY SICK OF PRICE RISE,INFLATION,POVERTY,HUNGER,CORRUPTION,BRIBRY,CRIME ETC..PROBLEMS IN SYSTEM AND ITS NON-FUNCTIONING ETC.....VT)
TODAY(4/8/11)I HAVE SEEN MR YASHWANT SINHAJI'S SPEECH,VERY IMPRESSIVE,COULD HAVE BEEN MORE SPECIFIC IN GIVING "TO THE POINT SOLUTION",BUT MAY BE HE HAD SAVED IT FOR THEIR OWN TURN...WHEN THEY'LL BE IN ACTION.ITS NOT SATISFACTORY TO HEAR SHRI PRANAB DA'S SPEECH,IT HAS NOT GIVEN ANY "TO THE POINT SOLUTION".SIR! I KNOW YOU'LL ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT WE COUNTRYMEN AND THEIR WOES AND PROBLEMS,WE DO NOT DOUBT YOUR'LL INTEGRITY,BUT IT'S A SERIOUS FACT THAT "PRICE RISE-MEHENGAI" IS SERIOUSLY EFFECTING PEOPLE'S DAY TO DAY LIFE...AND WILL BE DIFFICULT TO TAKE IT'S SOARING PROBLEM MORE.AS SHRI YASHWANT SINHAJI HAD SAID ON VERY FIRST SPEECH THAT THEY'RE GIVING 2MONTHS TIME TO THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT TO IMPLEMENT THEIR PLANNINGS,SO THAT IN WINTER SESSION THEY(NDA) CAN TAKE THEIR DECISIONS AFTER WATCHING THE RESULT.TILL THEN THEY'LL ARE READY TO CO-OPERATE,SUGGEST AND SUPPORT AS A GOOD PARLIAMENTARIAN.WELL I MUST RESPECT HIM FOR THIS.IN PROMOTING YOUNG FACE TO PREPARE FOR TOMORROW,I STILL FEEL SHRI ADVANIJI CAN GIVE 'GOOD LEADERSHIP-NETRITVA',AS EVEN IN SHRI ATALJI'S TENURE HE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE "SHADOW PM",WHETHER ONE HAS DIFFERENCES WITH HIS HARDCORE IMAGE(WHICH HAS SHOWN ITS LIBRAL SHADES IN LAST FEW YEARS).HE IS A "TESTED PROXY PM".SO LETS WAIT TILL WINTER SESSION ON THIS ISSUE BUT THIS IS A FACT THAT MEHNGAI IS EFFECTING EVERYONE'S LIFE SERIOUSLY....PEOPLE HAS LIMIT---LET'S SEE TILL WHAT EXTENT THEY'LL TOLERATE IT,IT HOPE IT NEED NOT TURNOUT TO BE A PRESSURE COOKER BURST CASE."
Published: Wednesday, Aug 3, 2011, 8:00 IST
By DNA Correspondent | Place: New Delhi | Agency: DNA
As inflation continues to soar unchecked, the UPA has shed its diffidence and accepted the Opposition’s demand to discuss the issue of price rise in the parliament under a rule that entails voting at the end of the debate.
“When there is consensus between both sides that price rise is a serious issue concerning the people, what is the problem in having such a discussion,” said Union parliamentary affairs minister Pawan Bansal after both sides agreed to allow the smooth functioning of the parliament from Wednesday.
The consensus apart the UPA floor managers appear confident of winning the trial of strength in the Lok Sabha, on the basis of the current party position.
However, this modality is a major victory for the opposition parties as it shall give them the opportunity to test the position of the various supporting parties that have been making anti-government noises on the issue of price rise.
Now former Union finance minister Yashwant Sinha will open the debate in the Lok Sabha after the question hour. The Rajya Sabha will also discuss this issue next week and BJP’s Prakash Javadekar will open the debate.
This truce between the two sides has also paved the way for the introduction of the controversial Lokpal bill on Thursday. Bansal said that for technical reasons the introduction has been put off by one day as the copies of the bill had not been circulated to the members.
With the introduction of the Lokpal Bill, the government could claim that it has fulfilled its commitment to table the bill during the monsoon session.
The ball would then be lobbed into the court of the standing committee, where the amendments if any would be discussed.
According to Bansal the government was initially keen to have the price rise discussion under a non-voting clause, but then in the interest of the smooth functioning of the parliament it yielded to the opposition’s demand.
This agreement between the two sides came after yet another day of noisy interruptions that saw both the houses being adjourned due to chaotic scenes without transacting any official agenda.
All parties pushed their respective agendas in both the houses. The Samajwadi Party focused against the Mayawati government in Uttar Pradesh, almost in retaliation the Bahujan Samaj Party wanted the Land Acquisition Bill to be introduced, the Shiv Sena drew attention towards the security issues in the aftermath of the 13/7 terror attacks in Mumbai.
(IF PRESENT GOVERNMENT CAN NOT CONTROL PRICE RISE AND INFLATION,THEN ITS BETTER THEIR GOVERNMENT SHOULD FALL SO THAT OTHERS COMBINATION OF NDA+ GET CHANCE TO CONTROL IT.IN THIS CURCUMSTANCES PEOPLE SHOULD BE READY FOR MID TERM POLL WHEN EVERY ROUTINE ITEMS AND GROSSORIES,FRUITS,VEGTABLES,GAS,PETROL...JUST TAKE THE NAME AND ITS OUT OF YOUR REACH....HOW CAN PEOPLE THINK OF CONTROLLING BRIBRY,CORRUPTION OR CRIME SPECIALLY IN LOWER STRATTA,MIDDLE CLASS,OR EVEN UPPER MIDDLE CLASS,...WHERE BIG POPULATION UNDER BPL AND EVEN ON BORDERLINE ARE STILL LIVING IN "HAND TO MOUTH" LIFESTYLE.BUT THEN SP/BSP/LEFT HAS TO JOIN HANDS WITH OTHER NDA TEAM TO OVERCCOME AND TAKE THIS COUNTRY OUT OF "MEHNGAI" MENANCE!!....BUT FOR IT THEY HAVE TO GIVE "TO THE POINT ROADMAP" FOR ERADICATING IT OR HOW WILL THEY CURB THIS PROBLEM ATLEAST!!EVEN UPA WILL GET 3YRS TIME FOR NEXT GENERAL ELECTION TO PREPARE FOR ALL ISSUES AND HOW TO COUNTER IT AND SEE WHAT NDA WILL DO IN THESE 3YRS...AND THEN COME BACK IN MAJORITY,IF POSSIBLE!!!
WELL WE AAM JANTA ARE CONCERNED ABOUT DRASTIC INCREASE IN PRICE RISE AND INFLATION IN THESE FEW YEARS...WHO EVER BE IN GOVERNMENT WE WANT SOME CONCRETE SOLUTION IMMEDIATLY AT LEAST ITS PLANNING ON PAPER...HOW IT WILL GET IMPLEMENTED IMMIDIATLY!!!LETS WATCH TODAY'S DISCUSSION AND SEE HOW CONCERN OUR CHOSEN REPRESENTATIVE IN PARLIAMENT FOR OUR PROBLEMS,OR THEY ARE JUST "EK HI THAILLI KE CHATTE-BATTE"!!WHETHER THEY'RE INTERESTED IN SOME SOLID COMPROMISE FORMULA TO FIND SOLUTION AND PRESSURISE CENTRAL GOVERNMENT TO IMPLEMENT FAST,AND IF "NO" THEN BE UNITED TO GIVE ALTERNATIVE GOVERNMENT THROUGH MID TERM POLL AND FORMATION OF GOVERNMENT.AS I CAN SEE REACTIONS OF COMMON PEOPLE ON TV,THEY ARE REALLY SICK OF PRICE RISE,INFLATION,POVERTY,HUNGER,CORRUPTION,BRIBRY,CRIME ETC..PROBLEMS IN SYSTEM AND ITS NON-FUNCTIONING ETC.....VT)
TODAY(4/8/11)I HAVE SEEN MR YASHWANT SINHAJI'S SPEECH,VERY IMPRESSIVE,COULD HAVE BEEN MORE SPECIFIC IN GIVING "TO THE POINT SOLUTION",BUT MAY BE HE HAD SAVED IT FOR THEIR OWN TURN...WHEN THEY'LL BE IN ACTION.ITS NOT SATISFACTORY TO HEAR SHRI PRANAB DA'S SPEECH,IT HAS NOT GIVEN ANY "TO THE POINT SOLUTION".SIR! I KNOW YOU'LL ARE REALLY CONCERNED ABOUT WE COUNTRYMEN AND THEIR WOES AND PROBLEMS,WE DO NOT DOUBT YOUR'LL INTEGRITY,BUT IT'S A SERIOUS FACT THAT "PRICE RISE-MEHENGAI" IS SERIOUSLY EFFECTING PEOPLE'S DAY TO DAY LIFE...AND WILL BE DIFFICULT TO TAKE IT'S SOARING PROBLEM MORE.AS SHRI YASHWANT SINHAJI HAD SAID ON VERY FIRST SPEECH THAT THEY'RE GIVING 2MONTHS TIME TO THE PRESENT GOVERNMENT TO IMPLEMENT THEIR PLANNINGS,SO THAT IN WINTER SESSION THEY(NDA) CAN TAKE THEIR DECISIONS AFTER WATCHING THE RESULT.TILL THEN THEY'LL ARE READY TO CO-OPERATE,SUGGEST AND SUPPORT AS A GOOD PARLIAMENTARIAN.WELL I MUST RESPECT HIM FOR THIS.IN PROMOTING YOUNG FACE TO PREPARE FOR TOMORROW,I STILL FEEL SHRI ADVANIJI CAN GIVE 'GOOD LEADERSHIP-NETRITVA',AS EVEN IN SHRI ATALJI'S TENURE HE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE "SHADOW PM",WHETHER ONE HAS DIFFERENCES WITH HIS HARDCORE IMAGE(WHICH HAS SHOWN ITS LIBRAL SHADES IN LAST FEW YEARS).HE IS A "TESTED PROXY PM".SO LETS WAIT TILL WINTER SESSION ON THIS ISSUE BUT THIS IS A FACT THAT MEHNGAI IS EFFECTING EVERYONE'S LIFE SERIOUSLY....PEOPLE HAS LIMIT---LET'S SEE TILL WHAT EXTENT THEY'LL TOLERATE IT,IT HOPE IT NEED NOT TURNOUT TO BE A PRESSURE COOKER BURST CASE."
Published: Wednesday, Aug 3, 2011, 8:00 IST
By DNA Correspondent | Place: New Delhi | Agency: DNA
As inflation continues to soar unchecked, the UPA has shed its diffidence and accepted the Opposition’s demand to discuss the issue of price rise in the parliament under a rule that entails voting at the end of the debate.
“When there is consensus between both sides that price rise is a serious issue concerning the people, what is the problem in having such a discussion,” said Union parliamentary affairs minister Pawan Bansal after both sides agreed to allow the smooth functioning of the parliament from Wednesday.
The consensus apart the UPA floor managers appear confident of winning the trial of strength in the Lok Sabha, on the basis of the current party position.
However, this modality is a major victory for the opposition parties as it shall give them the opportunity to test the position of the various supporting parties that have been making anti-government noises on the issue of price rise.
Now former Union finance minister Yashwant Sinha will open the debate in the Lok Sabha after the question hour. The Rajya Sabha will also discuss this issue next week and BJP’s Prakash Javadekar will open the debate.
This truce between the two sides has also paved the way for the introduction of the controversial Lokpal bill on Thursday. Bansal said that for technical reasons the introduction has been put off by one day as the copies of the bill had not been circulated to the members.
With the introduction of the Lokpal Bill, the government could claim that it has fulfilled its commitment to table the bill during the monsoon session.
The ball would then be lobbed into the court of the standing committee, where the amendments if any would be discussed.
According to Bansal the government was initially keen to have the price rise discussion under a non-voting clause, but then in the interest of the smooth functioning of the parliament it yielded to the opposition’s demand.
This agreement between the two sides came after yet another day of noisy interruptions that saw both the houses being adjourned due to chaotic scenes without transacting any official agenda.
All parties pushed their respective agendas in both the houses. The Samajwadi Party focused against the Mayawati government in Uttar Pradesh, almost in retaliation the Bahujan Samaj Party wanted the Land Acquisition Bill to be introduced, the Shiv Sena drew attention towards the security issues in the aftermath of the 13/7 terror attacks in Mumbai.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
