It proposed that smart cards be issued to BPL families for supply of subsidised kerosene in urban and semi-urban areas to cut diversion of the fuel to unintended users. The panel also suggested a cash transfer system, whereby funds can be transferred to BPL families through a banking or postal system for purchasing of kerosene, instead of supplying the fuel much below the market price.
The Chaturvedi Committee and the public sector oil marketing companies have suggested that all industrial and commercial establishments including the state transport undertaking and the railways, which are the largest consumer of diesel in the country, should pay for the fuel at the market rate. The public sector oil marketing companies sell diesel and petrol at highly subsidised prices in order to shield customers from the rise in crude oil prices.
Under the banner of the CII, domestic drug majors have approached Cabinet Secretary BK Chaturvedi for being allowed to present their views on the new pharmaceutical policy, scheduled to be discussed by the Union Cabinet on Thursday.
The room for political manoeuvre to raise petroleum prices is the highest at this point in time, says Business Standard.
Oil ministry officials say it is unlikely that the government will accept the BK Chaturvedi Committee's recommendation for raising the retail prices of petrol and diesel as it faces general elections in less than a year. The move also risks putting pressure on inflation, which has already crossed a 13-year high.
A committee headed by Cabinet Secretary BK Chaturvedi has turned down the request for constituting the Sixth Pay Commission to review the salaries and perks of all central government employees.
Sanjeev Chaturvedi said though he had investigated "hundreds" of corruption cases, never did his "very appointment to probe a case evoke the kind of nervousness, fear, confusion and apprehension as in this case".
In a serious allegation, former Coal Secretary PC Parakh had made a claim that ministers of coal were used to issuing oral orders and wanted file notings which suited them and not the "public interest".
Modi sarkar sets the ball rolling on appointment, next cabinet secretary is expected to be in office in September.
To avert another Uttarakhand-type catastrophe, we must change course. We should stop pandering to the Indian elite's insatiable appetite for electricity, which is driving reckless dam construction, says Praful Bidwai
