Lokpal Bill Introduced In Parliament; Sensex Gains For The Second Day, Up 128 Pts; Food Inflation Falls To 4-Year Low At 1.81%

Thursday, Dec 22, 2011 NEW LOKPAL BILL INTRODUCED IN THE PARLIAMENT   The Congress-led UPA government introduced the Lokpal Bill, 2011 in the Lok Sabha amidst uproar. The long discussed Bill envisages the setting up of an ombudsman to check corruption in the country and bring the Prime Minister under its ambit. But, the Leader of Opposition in LS and BJP MP Sushma Swaraj objected to the provision of providing reservation for the minority community in the anti-corruption legislation. Team Anna rejected the Lokpal Bill describing it as "anti-people and dangerous". Team Anna member Arvind Kejriwal said "It is worse than the Lokpal Bill introduced in August. We reject the (new) Bill, withdraw it and introduce it after redrafting it." They are now demanding that a new Bill be brought in Parliament that will make CBI independent and decentralise the proposed anti-corruption body. read more   LEAD STORIES SENSEX REBOUNDS 128 PTS ON SHORTCOVERING, EURO CUES   After more than 200 points fall, the Sensex rebounded in the afternoon trade. The Nifty was up 40.70 points, to end at 4,733.85. read more FOOD INFLATION PLUNGES TO 4-YEAR LOW OF 1.81%   Food inflation fell sharply to a near four-year low of 1.81% for the week ended December 10 as prices of essential items declined. read more GOVT TO BORROW 9.6 BN BY PLEDGING ASSETS   Govt plans to borrow up to 500 billion rupees by pledging property and shares to bridge the government's budget deficit. read more TOP STORIES • Lokpal: Lalu mocks Team Anna, mass agitation   • Govt asks telecom majors to stop 3G roaming pacts   • FinMin to set up Co to buy PSU shares from govt   • Cos Bill referred back to standing committee: BJP srcs   • 2G case: RCom execs move HC against charges   • Food Security Bill introduced in Lok Sabha   • Current Account Deficit may widen more: RBI   • RBI chief sees FY12 growth below 7.6%   • Bill to create super medical authority in India   • Tata, Mistry meet Commerce Minister for 'introduction'   • GVK plans to sell stake in Aussie coal mine   • Weak rupee sees HCL hike PC prices by 10-15%   • Banks to not return margin money in BCCI-Nimbus row   • 2G: Raja's ex-aide allegedly threatened, cries in court   • Actis to invest $ 71m in Endurance Technologies   • After a year of disasters, Toyota sees record sales   • Yahoo mulls $18-bn stake sales in China, Japan Agencies   • Baghdad blasts kill 57 as Iraq tensions rise   • U.S. Bill on outsourcing cause of concern: India   • Draft Real Estate Bill discriminatory, says FICCI   more stories TOP VIDEOS Bleak Economy, Gold Is Best Asset In 2012: Jim Walker, MD, Asianomics   Investors' Confidence In Equity Dented In The Past 6 Months. Global Worries In Q4CY11 Likely To Continue Into Q1CY12: Dr. Adrian Foster, Asia-Pacific Head of Financial Markets Research, Rabobank   AT A GLANCE BSE 15813.36 +128.15 NSE 4733.85 +40.7 TURNOVER Rs. 165,632 cr BSE CASH Rs. 2,003 cr NSE CASH Rs. 9,672 cr NSE F&O Rs. 153,957 cr BULLION GOLD 27690 -119 SILVER 52953 -195 CRUDE NYMEX 99.41 +0.74 BRENT 107.97 +0.26 FOREX $ / Re 52.73 +0.23 £ / Re 82.383 +0.11 € / Re 68.491 +0.01 EVENTS 23 December The 106th Annual General Meeting By PHD Chamber, New Delhi 6 January Veerappa Moily, Corporate Affairs Minister To Preside Over Interactive Session On "The Transformation From Greed To Good: Changing Dimensions Of Corporate Governance", Taj Mahal Hotel, New Delhi EXPERT VIEWS "Sonia Gandhi says the bill is strong. If it is so, let she come out and debate with us in front of media. Let people see it. Convince the people of the country that it is strong. We will explain how it is not strong" Anna Hazare Anti-Corruption Crusader Challenges before the RBI is to balance growth and inflation. Previously (GDP) growth was at 9% and we hoped that it may cross 10 per cent previously. But due to various factors, RBI projected it will be 8%. But finally in the recent review it is projected to 7.6%." Dr D Subbarao RBI Governor "How can five people (Team Anna) challenge the Parliament, which is supreme. CBI should not be given to Lokpal in any case. Not many have studied the bill. Why media is included in this bill. Country will not forgive us if we accept this bill in this format. The Prime Minister is leader of country. If many cases are running against him under Lokpal, world will not accept him with dignity." Lalu Prasad Yadav Chief, RJD WATCH OUT   The Firm - Companies Bill Special   More 'INDEPENDENT' DIRECTORS? More 'SCEPTICAL' AUDITORS? More SHAREHOLDER 'DEMOCRACY'? The Companies Bill, 2011 goes a long way in trying to raise India Inc's corporate governance standards...but has it gone too far? Watch Nawshir Mirza, Mohandas Pai and Bharat Vasani in a spirited debate on this special edition of The Firm. SHOW TIMINGS Fri 10:30 pm