18 July 2013
A Cabinet committee is expected on Wednesday to consider a Rs. 630 crore proposal for promoting the government's programmes and schemes during the 12th five year plan (2012-17).
This will ensure more cash for Bharat Nirman, an ad campaign showcasing UPA's policies during the past nine years. The ad blitz, written by Javed Akthar and filmed by Pradeep Sarkar, has drawn parallels with BJP's 'India Shining' campaign, but the government has resisted such comparisons.
The government wants to change the public perception muddied by a series of corruption scandals, a slowing economy, and rising inflation through information about the positive change its inclusive growth policies have brought.
The Union cabinet is expected to discuss amendments to securities laws to check ponzi schemes, including giving SEBI powers to carry out search and seizure operations and attach assets.
The market regulator may be given powers to seek information such as phone calls records of persons being probed for security related transactions.
A proposal to allow people having less than R2 lakh to withdraw from the national pension scheme will be discussed, as will an amendment to ban manual scavenging.
Bangalore airport
More than three years after the Karnataka government proposed a new name for the Bangalore international airport, the Centre is set to accept it. The cabinet on Wednesday will consider renaming the Bangalore international airport as Nada Prabhu Kempe Gowda Airport.
While Kempe Gowda, a ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire, is considered to be the founder of Bangalore, there was fierce resistance among several local organisations who wanted it to be named after Tipu Sultan.
Published by: Hindustan Times