Summary: 29 May to 4 June 2010

National Summary:
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal supports the inclusion of cast in census and said there need not be any apprehension that the demand would lead to a division in society.
The Left parties on Tuesday condemned Sunday night's attack by Israeli armed forces on a flotilla of six ships carrying humanitarian aid to Gaza. The CPI(M) called upon the Government of India to condemn the dastardly act, which the statement described as both unprovoked and a criminal attack on ships carrying 10,000 tonnes of aid to Gaza , which has been under siege for almost three years now. The party said India must work actively with other countries from the non-aligned nations in the United Nations and other bodies to force Israel to lift the illegal siege. The CPI Central Secretariat said the belligerent act once again showed to what extent Israel could go to defy world public opinion and humanitarian values.
RSS is seriously concerned about their escalating image as a terrorist outfit in media and masses. The proved link of its personnel in bomb blast and terrorist activities make parties worried and it decided not to support any of its member involved in such activities. The extremist Hindu organization took this stance after continuous news of involvement of extremist Hindu outfit terrorist activities in Malegaon in Maharashtra, Macca Masjid in Andhra Pradesh, Ajmer in Rajasthan and blasts in the Samjhauta Express.
Maoists blew up a panchayat office building and a godown in 's Malkangiri district early on Sunday in an apparent bid to prevent security personnel from camping there.
To enhance capability in fighting against Maoist and Naxal insurgents central government wants states to enhance their police training capacities and recruit at least double the number of policemen and women that are being recruited, at present, every year.
As the government cut duties and stepped up public expenditure, its fiscal deficit rose by 24.89 per cent to Rs 4,12,307 crore in 2009-10 compared to the year ago period. Fiscal deficit had stood at Rs 3,30,114 crore during 2008-09. Initiating the stimulus measures to spur the slowing down economy after global financial crisis deepened, the government cut excise duty by four per cent in December, 2008. It again cut excise duty as well as service tax by two per cent in February, 2009. So higher impact of stimulus measures in the form of tax cuts came in 2009-10, which resulted in widening of fiscal deficit.
Pushed up by soaring prices of pulses, milk and fruits, the annual food inflation went up by 0.32 per cent to reach 16.55 per cent for the week ending 22 May. It was 16.23 per cent the week before.
Chinese said it is ready for “a new starting point” to improve relations with India in talks with visiting President Pratibha Patil Chinese officials also underscored the difficulties the two countries face in their efforts to start afresh, with issues that had challenged the relationship in the past, from Tibet to trade, expectedly finding mention. Chinese officials sought “a reiteration” of India's position that it recognised Tibet as a part of China and did not permit “anti-China activities by any Tibetans resident” on the Indian soil
Canada has regretted the use of the language that “cast false impressions” in the denial of visa to former or serving members of the Indian armed forces and security institutions and assured India that it is reviewing the admissibility policy set forth in the legislation on visa policy. This followed a sharp Indian reaction to the Canadian authorities citing reasons such as human rights violation while declining visas to Indians who were or are associated with the security and intelligence organisations.
In four days talks of Indus Water Commission, the Pakistani delegation expressed its desire to visit the 45 MW Nimoo Bazgo project near Alchi village on the Indus river in Leh district, and the site of the 44 MW Chutak hydel project on the Suru, a tributary of the Indus in Kargil district. Islamabad has raised objections to both projects. Pakistan has reservation on Kishenganga power project in Jammu and Kashmir as well, which it alleges violates the 1960 Indus Water Treaty as water would be diverted. Pakistan is said to have appointed two arbitrators to contest its case, though it is yet to formally approach the World Bank.
India, which is seeking a permanent berth in the UN Security Council, has said that expansion of only non-permanent seats does not constitute reform of the world body and demanded that membership, be increased in both categories. India along with Japan, Germany, South Africa and Brazil is seeking permanent membership of the Security Council.
India and the USA concluded their first Cabinet-level Strategic Dialogue, pledging to deepen ties between two countries for mutual benefit and global stability while committing to work to strengthen global legal regimes against terrorism. Secretary of state Hillary Clinton and external affairs minister SM Krishna pledged to deepen people-to-people, business-to-business, and government-to-government linkages for the mutual benefit of both countries and for the promotion of global peace, stability, economic growth and prosperity.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said no untreated waste and industrial effluents would flow into the Ganga river by 2020. “Under ‘Mission Clean Ganga', it would be ensured that by 2020 no untreated municipal sewage and industrial effluents flow into the Ganga,” Dr. Singh said, in the Report to the People on completion of one year of the UPA's second term in office.
In a major embarrassment for the Indian army, a Lieutenant General has been forced to resign following allegations of sexual misconduct against him by the wife of an officer during a visit abroad last month.
The Government declared Indian Mujahideen as a terrorist organisation. The terror outfit, which has been allegedly involved in serial bomb blasts in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Bangalore and Mumbai, has been added by the Government in the list of terrorist organisation under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
A month after being sentenced to death for the Mumbai terror attacks, Ajmal Kasab has filed an appeal in Bombay High Court challenging the verdict and sought a lawyer from the legal aid panel to argue his case.
Regional Summary:
Shibu Soren resigned as Jharkhand Chief Minister after failing to get the support of Congress and its ally JVM(P) ahead of trust vote in the Jharkhand assembly. Jharkhand came under Central rule with President Pratibha Patil accepting a recommendation of the Union Cabinet after the Congress and the BJP gave up efforts to form an alternative government following the resignation of Chief Minister Shibu Soren.
Elections to 81 civic bodies across West Bengal, including that to the Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC), passed off peacefully on Sunday. The average turnout, involving a total electorate of more than 85 lakhs, was nearly 75 per cent. It was marginally higher in the districts than in the KMC area. The results are to be announced on June 2.
The Centre told the National Socialist Council of Nagalim (Isak-Muivah) that integration of Naga-inhabited areas would need consensus among the States concerned, as boundaries would have to be altered. The NSCN (IM) reiterated that integration of Naga-inhabited areas was a “natural aspiration of the Naga people” and hoped New Delhi would solve this issue in due course. Assam, Nagaland and Manipur have been strongly opposing inclusion of any Naga-inhabited areas in the States in the proposed Nagalim the single administrative entity to be created by integrating all Naga inhabited areas, which the NSCN (IM) has been proposing.