Rejecting Finance Minister P Chidambaram's zero-loss theory in coal allocation scam because no mining was done, the Bharatiya Janata Party on Friday said his view was akin to Telecom Minister Kapil Sibal's repudiation of CAG's estimation of presumptive loss in allocation of 2G spectrum.
Soon after arguments on custodial interrogation got over, senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who was appearing for Chidambaram, sought permission from special judge Ajay Kumar Kuhar that his client be allowed to speak.
Congress sources have told rediff.com that Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram or External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee will replace Shivraj Patil, who resigned on Sunday, as home minister. The announcement is likely to be made in the next couple of hours after the all-party meeting called to discuss the Mumbai terror attacks.
Bond yields have risen since the Reserve Bank of India raised interest rates for a second consecutive month on October 29.
Painting a rosy picture of the economy, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said on Monday that the country's growth was buoyant and, "I am optimistic and positive" about the prospects for this fiscal.
Coming to the defence of Home Minister P Chidambaram, the government on Friday insisted that the former finance minister had "no role anywhere" in the 2G spectrum allocation controversy and demands for his resignation were a "conspiracy" against him.
Chidambaram, who is the Congress' senior election observer for the assembly polls next year, asserted that the Trinamool Congress' entry into Goa "appears to be an imposition from the top that is based in West Bengal" and said he does not know the Mamata Banerjee-led party's motive in trying to start a unit in Goa by "encouraging defections" from other parties.
He said the plea pertained to his liberty, which was 'illegally curtailed'.
Following a meeting with Union Finance Minister P Chidambaram, foreign institutional investors expressed confidence in the economic reforms process of the Congress-led UPA government and are expected to increase their investments in India.
Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Thursday expressed strong disapproval of the Crntral Bureau of Investigation's raid at Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam leader Stalin's residence in Chennai, saying the action is bound to be misunderstood.
Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Tuesday said he intends to work with CAG to erase the impression of adversaries in an attempt to restore trust and confidence in all institutions.
Addressing a Comptroller and Auditor conference in New Delhi, Chidambaram said the official auditor and the government have been cast as adversaries to each other in the aftermath of recent audit findings.
The Rajya Sabha was adjourned briefly on Wednesday as Samajwadi Party, Telugu Desam Party and All India Anna Dravida Munnettra Kazhagam members demanded Finance Minister P Chidambaram's resignation over certain references in a book on stock market.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Monday showered praise on Home Minister P Chidambaram, who is in the line of opposition fire, saying he derived "immense" support from his "enlightened leadership".
During the hearing, the Central Bureau of Investigation told the court that it has already filed its reply in the case.
Sibal told the court that there was a noticeable loss in Chidambaram's weight and his health was deteriorating in jail.
We will roll out the scheme from January 1, says P Chidambaram.
Rahul Gandhi was stunned on hearing the senior leader's angry outburst, but soon relented and asked Mukul Wasnik to announce Karthi's name from Sivaganga.
With a large gathering of corporate leaders in attendance at the function in Mumbai even as the master blaster played his last test match at the nearby Wankhede Stadium, the Finance Minister said, "Ratan (Tata) is as big a draw as Sachin."
A CBI spokesperson said he has been arrested on the basis of a warrant issued by a competent court.
"I know my limitations. And I live and conduct myself according to my limitations."
With the Central Bureau of Investigation seeking revocation of his close aide Balkrishna's passport, yoga guru Ramdev on Monday targeted Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh and Home Minister P Chidambaram demanding action against them following former telecom minister A Raja's statement in court that 2G allocation was done with their consent.
"Overheating is premature," Chidambaram told reporters on the sidelines of a United Bank of India programme in Kolkata.
At a time when the Indian growth story has taken a beating, Union home minister on Thursday said growth will go back to docking eight per cent once the current steps being taken by the government start showing their impact.
The Army has taken a strong stand against any dilution or amendment to the controversial Armed Forces Special Powers Act, making it difficult for the government to move forward on this proposal, Finance Minister P Chidambaram said on Wednesday.
The G-20 meeting of the Finance Ministers and central bank governors beginning July 19 will also be attended by RBI Governor D Subbarao and Deputy Governor Urjit Patel.
In an interview with PTI, Chidambaram also stressed that no Congress MLA elected in the upcoming assembly polls can be poached by the Bharatiya Janata Party in Goa this time, saying 'our house is well-guarded' and though the 'thief' is still out there, the people 'will teach him a lesson'.
Finance Minister P Chidambaram is expected to extend a relief package for leather and textile exporters, who are hit by the rupee appreciation, as demanded by the commerce ministry.
Chidambaram welcomes CRR cut as a good small step forward.
Asking the Central Bureau of Investigation to respect the line that divides between policy making and policing, Finance Minister P Chidambaram on Tuesday came down heavily on investigating agencies and Comptroller and Auditor General for "overstepping" their limits by attempting to convert bonafide executive decisions into either crimes or abuse of authority.
The trio met reportedly to discuss the cash row controversy surrounding the Indian Premier League (IPL) and its impact on the future of the sport and the politics of the nation.
FIR says that the officials by virtue of influence exercised over them by Karti, not only ignored the serious illegality on the part of INX Media on both the counts but also deliberately showed undue favours to INX Group.
Setting aside the Delhi high court's September 30 verdict denying bail to Chidambaram, the apex court said he is neither a "flight risk" nor there is a possibility of "his abscondence from the trial". Chidambaram had moved the apex court challenging the high court verdict.
Sheela Bhatt recounts the tension, suspense and disruptions during P Chidambaram's interim budget in the Lok Sabha on Monday.
The appointment, expected shortly, will come in the backdrop of tax expert Parthasarathy Shome recently resigning from the post of adviser to Finance Minister P Chidambaram.
During campaigning, P Chidambaram has been addressing villagers, explaining his efforts to improve life in the constituency and blaming the state government for not supporting him. He has also been introducing his son in the 10 villages across 250 km.
The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, till yesterday the government's major ally, joined hands with arch-rival the All India Anna DMK and other Tamil Nadu political parties on Wednesday to reject the request of Finance Minister P Chidambaram for a structured debate on Union Budget 2013 in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, and the passage of the Budget.
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